All My Love...

15 Wintermarch
9:37
Redcliffe Farms
Ferelden

To the woman who holds my heart in her hands,

I'm back in Ferelden and miss you terribly. But all is well, and I have good news. Well, it's really Walter's good news.

While I was in Kirkwall, Teagan went to the farm to visit Dennet and Elaina. I don't know if you know this, but it's customary in Ferelden that when your liege lord visits, the head of the household meets them, a mile or so away, and escorts them to the homestead. Dennet was nursing a sore knee so he asked Walter if he would ride out in his place. Because there could always be bandits or other unsavory things, Walter wore his armor and carried his sword and shield.

This turned out to be a wise precaution because when he arrived at the meeting point he found Teagan and his men under attack by seven armored men

Teagan told me that Walter quickly dismounted and entered the fray. He took down the rogue that Teagan said was about to 'sink his daggers into my back'. Then our son guarded him and managed to kill one bandit and disable a second to be questioned. After Walter escorted Teagan to the farm, he went back to help the guards clean up and bring back the captive.

Turns out the attack was carried out by members of the Black Dawn. They're a mercenary company out of Nevarra and were hired to kill Teagan. The mercenary they captured said that they never know who hires them because everything is handled via a dead drop. I sent word to Zevran, hoping he could find out more.

Back to Walter's news:

Teagan was very impressed by Walter's skill and quick thinking. So impressed that he asked me if I would consent to Walter becoming his squire! Walter was eager and honored to accept. Siobhan told Walter that while she'll miss him, he was close enough for us to visit. I hope Cricket will take the news well. Walter left with Teagan yesterday. When you come home, we will visit him at the Castle.

Wow. It was only three years ago that this skinny, tired, and world-weary boy came to our house and hearts. Now he is a young man, wearing the armor of a squire to the Arl of Redcliffe, looking relaxed and confident.

I am so proud of our son and I made damn sure I told him that.

All my love,
Me

p.s. The holding my heart in your hand was metaphoric, it wasn't a reference to Fenris' glowing fists thing.

30 Wintermarch, 9:37 Dragon
Kirkwall - Still

My Love,

I didn't think of Fenris at all when you said that I held your heart in my hands.

I am so proud of Walter. I told Cricket, and he is over the moon about his older brother being squired to an Arl.

Why would anyone want to kill Teagan? That's worrisome.

Our younger son is very organized, which has been a big help to me as we pack what we will need while we travel to Ferelden.

According to Varric, delivery of the crates that are going into storage is on schedule and should arrive at Redcliffe in a fortnight.

I have good news, too.

We sold the estate! Varric didn't even have to move in. The buyers are Gavin and Isla Kinnaird, Jake's adoptive parents. When they came to look at the estate, Jake showed them around, explaining who slept were. He also showed them the cellar, the kitchen, the larder (the kinds of things one would expect a 9-year-old to find fascinating). I showed them the boring 'adult things' like the master bedroom, the study, and the library and such. But I think Jake is the one who deserves the credit for the sale.

Since the estate is sold, Bodahn, Sandal, and Orana were able to leave for Orlais. News of Sandal's ability has piqued the interest of the Empress and she would like them to live at court. Bodahn was worried about leaving us, as I am still recuperating. They have already put off their leaving for a few months. I told them to go before the notably unpredictable Empress decided to rescind her offer. I assured them I could manage. Bodahn looked skeptical, but finally agreed.

Elthina eagerly accepted Cricket and Merrill's offer of help with the chantry garden, or what Cricket calls, "a rather ill-kept plot of land." We now have a routine, after breakfast Cricket helps me do household chores, then he and Merrill (who sends her love) go to the Chantry garden, they have lunch at the Chantry. I meet them there after lunch so Cricket and I can borrow more books. Then we go home and spend the evening reading, or writing, as I am doing now, or just talking.

I'm feeling stronger, more and more each day. It helps that the gang comes to the house to visit instead of me having to go down to Lowtown, which I really appreciate, and I make sure we drink better ale.

Fenris sends his regards. He won't say it, but he really misses you. The two of you had such an easy rapport, one that he doesn't really have with the rest of our friends. Donnic told me that he tried to recruit Fenris, but that Fenris seemed more interested in killing slavers than guarding Kirkwall. That could take him out of Kirkwall to Maker knows where.

Cricket and I miss you.

I hate being apart from you. I cannot sleep in our bed without you, so I've taken to falling asleep on the sofa in the study. Usually, with a book in my hand. I know it sounds daft, but I can't help it.

Now that the estate is sold, we can set a moving date!

Hopefully we will be home soon.

All my love,
Marnie

1 Guardian
9:37
Redcliffe Farms
Ferelden

To my soulmate,

Thank the Maker, and Jake it seems, that the mansion has been sold. Now you can make arrangements to come home!

Sleeping on the sofa in the study? Please tell me you are at least getting a good night's sleep? You need all the rest you can get, my love. The new bed for our room arrived a week ago. It's a bit smaller, but more comfortable, and I eagerly await your arrival so we can make new memories in it.

Things on the farm are going really well. Dennet has taught me so much that it's hard to believe I started here only a year ago. I'd also forgotten that being around horses is calming. When I was a boy and Isolde had been particularly awful, I would go to the stables (where I slept) and visit with Tulip. He was an elegant gelding and loved being groomed. The slow, even motions with a curry comb calmed me down.

Here, my favorite horse is a 2 year-old filly. A Ferelden Forder named Evening Sunset. She's called that because of the red and gold highlights in her sable colored mane and tail. Sunset is the gentlest horse I have ever been around. Dennet agrees. He says that she is the "kind of horse that will give you all she has."

Dennet also thinks that I am Sunset's favorite person. She only nickers when I enter the stables and knows it's me even though she has no line-of-sight from her stall. She always looks excited to see me, and we usually go for a short ride in the morning.

When the horses are out in the field, she will come up to me and snuffle my hair, then trot after the others.

While I was in Kirkwall, Dennet told me that she was off her feed, and when in the field she trotted around clearly looking for me.

After I got your letter, I wrote to Fenris. He told me once that his lyrium brands make it difficult for him to really feel free. In my letter I told him that by hunting slavers I was worried that it will only make it more difficult for him to ever feel free. I suggested that perhaps he could come to Ferelden, find a new life outside of the Free marches and Tevinter. If you have an opportunity to talk to him, see what he thinks.

Siobhan sends her love. She and Seanna have become very close, each finding in the other the sister they never had. Seanna taught her to ride a horse and Siobhan took to riding like a fish to water. Now Seanna creates horse runs and Siobhan tries them out.

Seeing how Walter was able to defend Teagan, Siobhan wants to learn how to fight, if for no other reason than for self-defense. Her slight build makes sword wielding out of the question, but daggers are possible. I just don't know anyone who duel-wields save for Isabella and Zevran. I wish Zevran was around, because I am not at all comfortable with Isabella teaching our daughter. I will write to Teagan and see if he knows anyone who can train her.

I miss you more than I can say. Come home soon.

All my love,
Me

4 Guardian, 9:37 Dragon
Kirkwall, but for only 6 days and 3 candles

My Dearest,

I am thrilled that you have found your true vocation! Your sense of joy comes through in every phrase.

Siobhan and Walter are growing up so fast and I've been missing it. My few visits haven't given me nearly enough time with them. I have to agree; I would much rather have Zev teach her, than Izzy. Hopefully Teagan knows someone.

Speaking about Izzy, the other day, she taught Cricket how to play Wicked Grace. I warned him that Isabella and Varric cheat. He grinned. "I know, Varric already taught me how to play!" We both agreed that the whole point of Wicked Grace is to see who can cheat the best. Unless of course it's you, who has no tell!

I'm glad you wrote to Fenris. He's been talking less about hunting slavers and Varric tells me that he is reading a book about Ferelden's history! Perhaps you got through to him.

I have some worrisome news: I haven't seen Anders since you left. He has been visiting Varric, however, who told me that he may have to start calling Anders "Messere Morose."

While our storyteller seemed more amused than worried, I am worried. The day before yesterday, while Cricket was at the Chantry with Merrill, Fenris and I went to Anders' clinic (yes, we took the back exit from the lower cellar). Not only were the lanterns not lit, the lanterns were gone! I looked through a knothole in the door. What was the clinic is now just empty space.

Fenris and I quickly returned to the estate and he left to tell Aveline and Varric. Ave and Varric didn't want Cricket and I alone in the house, so Fenris is going to stay with us until we leave for Ferelden. Thankfully, that's only six days from now.

Give my love to Siobhan and Walter. We'll be home soon.

Home.

Home is where you all are, and where our son and I need to be.

All my love,
Marnie