Dear Sir,
The letter is quite a bit thicker this year as Belle has asked to be able to send you letters herself, so the first one is enclosed. She has turned four and if she was a terror at three, she is more so at four and the better control she gains over her limbs the more daring her various stunts.
Just the other day she managed to give herself a ducking in a pond and the week before that she managed to catch a skunk , I'm certain you can imagine how that turned out. She still has a faint aroma and that's after many scrubbings with Lye soap.
Sincerely, Elaine, Lady of the Marchlands
Dear Sir,
High again, Mummy says you will get this after I turn four. I hope you like my letters; can you send me more letters? Thank-you for the toy fish, I like wagging in at Papa, he turns really red when I do. Mama said it's mean to tease though, so I only do it when she doesn't catch me. Mummy says to say thank-you for the yellow silk, it will be my first real ball gown. (I like the fish better.)
Sincerely, Belle
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Dear Madam,
I am more than happy to receive her letters. My, my, she is a feisty one. Did you give her a good dunking in tomato juice? It's the only thing that will kill the smell.
Sincerely, Rumpelstiltskin
Dear Belle,
If you wish I will write to you more and be happy to receive more letters from you in return. I am quite pleased that you like your fish and your chosen use for it.
Sincerely, Rumpelstiltskin
Dear Sir,
You are a miracle man, the tomato juice worked!
With Gratitude, Elaine, Lady of the Marchlands
Dear Sir,
I'm going to marry you, so I should write your name, not sir, but do you have a shorter one? I climbed a big tree today, but not the biggest one yet.
Sincerely, your betrothed, Belle
Dear Madam,
You're welcome.
Sincerely, Rumpelstiltskin
My Dear Betrothed,
If you want, and promise to keep it a secret, you may call me Rumpel. Good luck with the trees but don't pick one too high dearie, a broken arm or leg wouldn't be any fun or a cracked head.
Sincerely, Rumpelstiltskin, your intended
Dear Sir,
Belle is five now and oh; my heart still flutters with wonder at this perfect girl of mine. Even when she come in coated in scratches and briars, in addition to mud and whatever else have you, play dress torn and the stories of the oddest adventures.
You would have enjoyed a recent conversation I overheard, one of the visiting boys was quite taken by Belle at our last ball, she wore the yellow gown for the last time, she has sadly outgrown it now, and he gave her a flower and asked her to marry him when they were both 'bigger'. She sighed, gave back the flower and very politely said. "I am sorry siw, but I am alweady betwothed to Wumpelshtilten (she still can't quite say it, but she keeps practicing,) and cannot accept youw pwaposal."
It was adorable, especially when his father, who had also overheard it realized that the rumors of her intended were indeed founded in truth. He turned quite pale and drug his son to the opposite side of the room for the remainder of the evening.
Sincerely, Elaine, Lady of the Marchlands
Dear Rumpel
Mama's going to have another baby! She says I shouldn't write things like that in letters, 'cause it's not proper, but I think it's exciting. Will you visit me soon? I can show you all the good climbing trees! Thanks for the new book! Mummy says I will get a governess soon, who will teach me how to read better than I do now and so a book will help for practice. Also thank-you for the green silk, I really like this color, though blue it my favorite. What's your favorite color?
Sincerely, Belle
Dear Madam,
Well, at least she plans to keep to the deal; I must say she might be the perfect choice for me. I find myself quit curious about how she says my name, she has asked in her own letter if I may visits her soon, will next week be alright, I know the field she frequents in play and can simply appear there as opposed to the castle proper. Congratulations, I assume you know that Belle gave me the happy news.
Sincerely, Rumpelstiltskin
Dear Belle,
I shall come see you next week in your play field. You may show me all the trees you like. I am rather fond of red myself. Next year I will send blue silk. What would you like to be your special gift hmm?
Sincerely, Rumpelstiltskin
To His Majesty, King George
I have a son sire and owe nothing of him to The Dark One. I beg you again sire, can you think of nothing to free my daughter from this horror?
Sir Maurice, Lord of the Marchlands
Maurice,
Don't be an idiot, the Dark One does not tolerate broken deals, pay the price of your stupidity and enjoy the years you'll have the child.
George
Dear Sir
Belle is six now and growing like a weed, her brother, young Augustus grows strong, I thank you for sending the lamb's wool blanket directly to me, and I wrap him in it constantly.
Belle has taken quite a scholarly bent this past year and looks to continue it. The pile of children's books you sent her has quite entranced her. She did twirl about with the sky blue silk squealing that you 'remembered' along with her own letter she has sent you a gift.
Sincerely, Elaine, Lady of the Marchlands
Dear Rumpel,
Thank-you for the books! My governess Miss Allidyce has been teaching me a lot this year and I love reading. Especially books with daring sword fights, magic spells and princes in disguise! I had fun when you visited me last year, come again soon, Papa will be giving horse riding lessons and he wants me to learn to ride for real, before I learn to ride like a lady. The blue silk is really pretty.
Sincerely, Belle