A/N: UGH RAIN IS BACK!
Saberin: Mhm...we all know which ones you're on edge for.
AER: Hm...are you requesting a repeat from last time?
Aubrey: Haha, you've got to read to find out :P
Gold: Gabby comes in soon :) Don't worry. I haven't written her out :P
Disclaimer: I'm not John Flanagan. And still not Australian.
Scout sat at the vanity combing her own hair. It was something she'd forced Gwen and Kelly to let her do without help. Being completely waited on grew old after the first week and after enduring a second she refused to allow them to do such basic things for her again. Kelly came in already dressed for bed. She wore a robe over her shift and a cap over her hair.
"There is a stack of letters for you here, Scout," she said as she sat on the vanity bench with her. "Two are from boys."
"Hush," Scout chided her with a giggle. Admirers had already begun to send her letters. On relaxing nights she'd share them with Kelly and they'd laugh over them. Some were truly pathetic. She took the largest envelope and opened it. Inside were several more folded papers obviously from multiple senders. She smiled widely. "These are from my family in Araluen!" she said excitedly. Kelly grinned.
"Such a great surprise."
Scout took the one on top and broke its seal.
Scout,
We've missed you so much. Caitlyn asks about you every day and has started using your spare bow. Your father has taken an apprentice. The boy's name is Mason and he's been given your bed. Hope you don't mind. We divided the room so your sister could still have her privacy. She adores Mason. They practice archery and horseback riding together almost every day. Caitlyn has asked me to tell you she found an old cloak of yours and wants to know if she can keep it. It's the green one you had at her age we'd thought was lost forever. She spent an entire two days washing, mending, and patching it so we've been allowing her to wear it. Seems like such a simple thing but it has made her happier than you can imagine. She misses you more than she'll admit.
Kineta sent us a letter that you've been doing well in your lessons. She also sent me a list of the curriculum they made for you. I know you're probably bored to tears but I love that you still try. You're growing up. I hope you can come to Araluen soon or that we can go to Hibernia but it doesn't seem like there's much time for visits on either of our ends.
Her mother's letter wasn't long. She didn't rant on and on about things she knew wouldn't hold Scout's interest. Scout smiled at Caitlyn though. Her little sister missed her and, if truth be told, Scout missed Caitlyn. She put her mother's letter away and looked at the next paper. That one was from William. He didn't have much to say other than 'good luck', 'ironic', and that he was offended she didn't tell him goodbye. Scout smiled at his letter. He never passed up an opportunity to tease her. He and Kane had always been like the older brothers she wished she had.
Grandmother Pauline, Aunt Alyss, and her godfather Gilan also sent letters, Pauline and Alyss tying for the longest in length. As Couriers those two spent a great deal of time writing so they knew just how to word what they wanted to say. The others were choppy and unclear. It was touching nonetheless. She reread what her mother had said of Caitlyn and realized her little sister's birthday was in two months. It would take at least half that to send a gift. Scout went to the desk and took out a sheet of parchment. She dipped her pen in ink but paused over the paper.
"What is it?" Kelly asked.
"It will be my little sister's birthday is soon. I need to send her a letter and a gift."
Kelly nodded. "How old will she be?"
"Thirteen."
Kelly nodded again. "I can help if you want. I can collect a maid her age and go to the market. She'd know what girls that age like."
Scout shook her head. "No, I'd like to do this one on my own."
Kelly curtsied. "We'd both better get to bed. Lady Gwen told me your first lesson tomorrow is mathematics and we both know that one is hard enough to stay awake in as it is."
Scout smiled. "Good night, Kelly."
"Good night, Scout."
Kelly returned to the room lined with pallets for maids and Scout went back to her letter.
Caitlyn,
I'm so sorry I can't be home for your birthday. Being a princess is a lot harder than I thought it would be. Literally every waking moment is filled with lessons, even at lunch. I've got a staff like Rosalina. Can you believe it? There's a personal guard but I don't know any of them very well. Their captain is called Jonah and the others are Michael, Matthew, Vincent, Jackson, Warden, and Louis, but I've no idea which name goes to which face. There are also a handful of maids but the only one I actually get to talk to is Kelly. You'd like Kelly. She's sweet. There are two ladies-in-waiting. One is Lady Melissa. She's a bit of a grouch. Her job is basically to shadow me and tell me what to do. The other is Lady Gwen. I think she's supposed to be the 'best friend' who reminds me when I forget something and things like that. She's pretty dull. Kelly's the only real friend I've made since coming here.
Sean and Kineta are wonderful. They have dinner with me every night. Sean helped me learn how to waltz (don't laugh at that) and Kineta arranged for me to learn tessenjutsu. Maybe I can teach you some if Mama doesn't. I hope you're happy. Mama wrote that Papa got a new apprentice. Sorry the room was divided but I think you'd like your own space. I hope you make Mason's life miserable. Mama also mentioned one of my old cloaks you found. Feel free to keep anything of mine you want. I've got more than enough here. I hope you can visit soon.
Your sister,
Scout
Scout folded up the letter and tucked it away in a drawer. She slid into bed and stared up at the ceiling wondering what she'd get for her little sister. Caitlyn wasn't very materialistic. She'd care more about sentimental value than monetary. Scout felt her eyes water as she realized just how much she missed Araluen. She rolled over and refused to let any tears fall. She was in Hibernia now. This was where her life was for at least five years.