to Brynden Velaryon, arriving 6.23

[Lynesse Velaryon]

Bryn,

It's much quieter since you left - or at least as quiet as it gets with Uncle Benedar around. I've been able to get much more sewing done, and although Aunt Emphyria keeps trying to get me outside, she remembers the rules of keeping us under watch. I can't even sit in my oak tree and read and eat apples, and that's less than a furlong from the castle, and can be seen from every tower save one.

The truth is, I miss you, Bryn. I don't feel as if there's anyone I can talk to around here, though, I hold onto your ring every day. Please hurry home soon. You're all I have to talk to. As much as I forget what it's like to be quiet, this has reminded me just how much of a prison my quiet is.

Still, I'll do my best to keep you updated as things happen here at home. I hope your tunic is comfortable, and I'll work on another for you, where it will wait for your return.

May the Twelve keep you safe,

your cousin, Lyn.

[Brynden Velaryon]

Lyn,

It would seem that quiet has come also to Orqua. It is an eerie sort of silence. It makes one almost miss the dulcet tones of my lord father. It is good that you are kept safe within the castle. I know it must be boring for you, but it comforts me knowing that you are safe.

I miss you, too, Lynesse. But I will be back before you know to re-claim my ring and to thank you for keeping it safe. I will write to you as often as I can, though I fear as we begin the march, it will become less frequent. But do not let the quiet trouble you. Your prison is not a permanent one.

Your gift has been a very useful one. As I expected, I am the envy of court. I cannot wait to return home to see what you have made.

Take heart and stay strong, Lynesse.

-Bryn

[Lynesse Velaryon]

Sent 7.2 by raven.

Bryn,

Aunt Emmy and Grandmother Rhaelle have conspired to take me to Orqua for the funeral of Rosalie Mallory, given that it was Grandmother's niece. Knowing Grandmother, she will leave me there in hopes of finding marriageable prospects, which has me scared. Do you remember when I told you I couldn't get attached to anyone? I fear that I have become attached, dear cousin.

I have packed up most of my remedies, some of my gowns (and those of my mother's), and much of my fabric and sewing. I shall continue to work on your tunics and shirts, though if Rhaelle gets her way (which I'm sure she will), I will prick myself until I bleed. I am concerned, Bryn. I hold onto your ring to remind me of you, your arms, and your kisses.

So help me, Alathia, I think I love you.

May the Twelve continue to keep you safe,

Lyn

[Brynden Velaryon]

Lyn,

I suppose the polite thing to do would be to comment to the whole of your letter. However, I am finding it rather impossible to even look back before what you have professed. In fact, everything else seems unimportant.

I need you to know that I care for you. Very deeply. Perhaps too deeply. I never imagined that I would come to care for a woman as much as I care for you again. But I fear, Lynesse, that you love what you have only seen. The man you believe me to be as opposed to the man I truly am. The last thing I want is to cause you pain. I would hate myself to break your heart. To disappoint you. I have only ever wanted to be a friend to you, a companion and an ear to listen. I fear that I have let my emotions go too far.

I love you, Lynesse. But, I also am afraid to love you, for I have never been able to love a person so deeply without watching them be torn away from me. I do not want to lose you. I do not want to feel that pain again.

Please keep holding on to my ring. I shall return for it, as I have promised before. Know, my love, that it is not just my ring that you hold, but my heart and all of my affection. I am afraid, but I cannot deny that I love you.

Until then,

Bryn

[Lynesse Velaryon]

Sent 7.9 from Orqua, arriving in Tiga on 7/13. The parchment looks tearstained.

Bryn -

I've arrived in Orqua. I already miss home. It's mostly girls here, and their chattering at all hours makes me miss the quiet. I haven't found any good hiding spots yet. Grandmother has already urged me to try to make friends with the others, but I would rather sit some place quiet and sew. Or read.

I'm scared, too. I feel the same way you do - everyone I've wanted close to me has either ignored me or been ripped from me, too. While you say you're afraid that I wouldn't like the true man that you are, I can't help but say that I might know better. I don't think you could, at least intentionally, cause me pain or disappoint me. I am proud of you, of who you are, and what you are. You are my friend, my truest one. You listen when no one else does. I am not afraid of the true you, for you have already shown me it.

I am just as afraid to love you, Bryn. I don't want to lose you. You and I have lost people close to us. We can heal from this, together. We can show the gods that although they can threaten us, they cannot take us or our love.

You have my heart, my soul, and all else wrapped up within. Do not be afraid, Brynden. My love will cover you; will keep you safe. I only wish that I had more to give you.

May the Twelve keep you safe.

all my love,

your Lynesse