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February 14
Nesta and Elain,
I know we left things off on a bad foot, but I believe this is the best way to help our family. Father is not getting any better, and he deserves the best medical treatment this country can provide.
I have written to King Tamlin of the Spring Kingdom, and he has promised to provide for all of us upon our union. He has requested that I meet him at the border, so that is where I have gone. Please try not to worry, I promise I’ll fix everything.
I’ll write to you both soon.
Your loving little sister,
Feyre
February 20
Dear sister,
Please come home, we miss you.
We’ve sent out search party after search party looking for you. I send this letter as a last resort, hoping that you’ll receive it and let us know you are alive and safe. I know we’ve had our differences, but I have to agree with Nesta, matrimony is not the answer to our financial problems. Come home, Feyre, and we can work everything out.
With love,
Elain
February 28
Darling Feyre,
I’ve sent word to Lucien, he’s coming home.
Please, if you’re safe, write back to me, so our minds can be put to ease. Nesta won’t admit it, but I know she has trouble sleeping at night. She stays awake, staring out the window at the dirt road - I think she is watching in case you come back.
I’ve heard rumors of King Tamlin from a merchant that came through town yesterday. She said the King is young and has a short fuse. I hope for your sake that it’s not true, or if it is, that only his positive attention is directed towards you.
Write to us when you can, we’ll be eagerly waiting.
Your sister,
Elain
March 15
Dear Feyre,
It’s been a month now since you’ve left us. You promised to write when you were settled. Are you not settled?
We are always here if you need us. Money isn’t everything, little sister, and saving the family shouldn’t fall solely on your shoulders.
Lucien is back now. I don’t know how it’s possible, but he’s even taller than before. He went out last week to search for you, in case something had happened to you on your way to the Spring border. Lucien doesn’t like to talk about his time in the Kingdom of Spring very much, but he’s alluded that there may have been some political scheming that resulted in his fallout with King Tamlin. We know it was around the time the rest of the King’s family was killed, so perhaps it has to do with that.
Hope to hear from you soon,
Elain
May 19
Sweet sister,
None of the letters I’ve been sending you have been returned, so I can only hope that you are receiving them. Nesta seems to think you are ignoring us, but I keep telling her that, despite our differences, you would never do that. Perhaps the letters are being intercepted, or you do not have suitable materials to write back.
Nesta is sitting next to me and has pointed out that the fiance of a king should have access to suitable writing materials. Don’t you hate it when she’s too smart of her own good?
I jest, I jest!
It’s not the same without you here. I miss our daily walks, talking about the seeds I want to plant and what game you’re hoping to catch. Nesta tries to pretend to be interested in my gardens, but it’s not the same. Perhaps you and your fiance could come by for a visit?
Your favourite sister,
Elain
August 2
Dear Feyre,
I try to keep these letters light, because that is the only way I can make things bearable. I can easily tell you about the town’s gossip - who’s gotten married, who’s having a baby, who’s cheating on who. But, it is hard to discuss anything of actual consequence.
Nesta is angry. Well, she’s always been angry, but this time it’s different. I don’t think you realize just how much your leaving has affected us. She refuses to write to you, saying it’s a fruitless endeavour because you’ve abandoned us and no longer care. Yet, I still catch her staring out the window at night. She does care, Feyre. But, Nesta’s starting to spiral, and I do not know what to do or how I can help.
If you can, please write back - or better yet, please come home. I refuse to give up on you.
With love,
Elain
August 18
Dearest Feyre,
The letters I’ve sent you this month keep returning to us, and it made us fear for the worst. I thought sending unanswered letters for months on end was a cruel form of punishment, but nothing prepared me for the first time my letter was returned. My heart nearly broke. When Nesta saw, she didn’t say anything, just left the estate and I didn’t see her again until the next afternoon. Lucien found her passed out in a tavern, and had to drag her back home kicking and screaming.
We had imagined things may not have gone to plan when we did not hear any word about King Tamlin’s and your wedding, but you can imagine how shocked we were to hear that the King of Night had his eye on the Spring King’s ‘supposed’ fiance, and had whisked her away to the Night Kingdom. It would explain why my letters keep being returned. This time, I am going to try sending this one to the Night King’s castle, in hopes that I can finally get a reply.
I will say, dear sister…we have heard many rumors around town about the tyrannical reign of King Rhysand, and now knowing that you are there with him does nothing to ease our worries. If you are safe, I beg you to write back and let us know.
Love always,
Elain
October 9
Sweet Feyre,
I am pleased to report Nesta is faring much better these days. I’ve caught her sneaking down to the village to meet her friends - I’m so glad she has a support system and people she can talk to, even if that person isn’t me.
I’ve told Lucien many times to go back to his travels, but he is steadfast in his ways; he says he refuses to leave us alone again. While I won’t ever tell him, I have to admit, I am glad he’s here. Caring for Father is much easier with another person by your side.
In other news, we keep receiving large sums of money on the first of every month - is that your doing? It must be. It seems you have been determined to fulfill your promise to bring our family back up to our financial standing before Mother died. But I worry what you had to do to arrange for such a deal. Like always, I beg you to write back to let us know you are alive and well.
Nesta refuses to touch the money, but Lucien and I have been slowly wearing her down over the last few months. Father is finally receiving the medical treatment he needs, and I think that has made her soft.
Always awaiting your reply,
Elain
October 17
Feyre,
I wanted to…..
October 22
Feyre,
If only…
October 23
Feyre,
I am still mad at you, but….
November 30
Dear Feyre,
The cold has set in, but this winter feels different from others we’ve had in the past. We now have the means to fix the estate’s broken windows, and the fireplaces can once again properly heat all the rooms in the house. Yet, the house still feels cold without you here.
Nesta still sits by the window at night, looking out for you.
We all miss you very much.
Please write soon,
Elain
December 21
Darling Feyre,
This is the first birthday we haven’t celebrated together as a family, and your absence is felt throughout the house. We still baked a cake and sang the song, even though you weren’t here to celebrate with us. You are always in our hearts and minds, dear sister. I hope the Night King is treating you well, I hear the winters up there are especially brutal amongst all the mountains.
All the best,
Elain
December 21
Hello Feyre,
Happy Birthday, you are deeply missed by everyone here. I can only hope that you have found your place in the Night Kingdom, and the reason you do not write back is because you are so incredibly happy and busy with your new life.
I do not know everything about the Kingdom of Night, but based on my few encounters with King Rhysand, I urge you to be cautious. He can be ruthless at times, and is often scheming three steps ahead of everyone else.
All the best,
Lucien
December 21
Feyre,
Happy Birthday.
From,
Your sister
January 3
Dear Feyre,
Happy new year!
Much has changed in the last few months. The repairs to the estate are almost complete, and I’ve finally convinced Nesta that it’s time to start hiring staff. Soon the Archeron Estate will be back up and running like it once was many years ago. None of this could have been possible without you, Feyre, so thank you. But, I would still give it all back if it meant you could come home - or at least write to us.
Much love,
Elain
February 5
Dear Feyre,
It’s coming up on a year since you left…and I know I said I would remain steadfast in my correspondence to you, but I have to admit, I don’t know how much more I have left in me. Each letter I send without receiving a reply is like a pickax chipping away at my very soul. It’s becoming too painful.
Please, baby sister, I’m begging you. If you love me, please, please send word that you are well.
Love,
Elain
February 14
Dear Feyre,
Today marks a full year since you’ve left. As much as it pains me to write this, this will be my last letter.
I refuse to give up hope though - I know you will find your way back to us eventually.
We will always be sisters, and I love you very much.
I hope you are happy wherever you are.
With love,
Elain
April 26
Hello Feyre,
We’ve caught wind that you have married the King of Night, and are now a queen. Allow me to offer my sincerest congratulations.
I hope I don’t overstep, but I feel the need to urge caution in regards to the King. It may not seem like it, but he and Tamlin are alike in many ways. Speaking from experience, all sons of tyrannical monarchs tend to be a little wrong in the head - it’s the only way to survive. You are strong and know your own mind, so I pray you don’t fall victim to his manipulation.
In other news, Elain is doing much better now that the weather is starting to warm up. She laughs more now, and there is a certain pep in her step that has returned. She has many plans for the estate’s gardens, and goes into great detail when we go on our daily walks. I hope it’s alright that I took over your walks in your absence. It still pains Elain too much to write to you, which is why I’m doing it instead. If you can, I ask that you please write to your sister, it would bring her much happiness.
Nesta is also doing well. She has quit drinking and has started a book club with some girls in the village.
All in all, things are starting to settle here at the Archeron Estate. I wish you all the best with your new title as Queen of the Night Kingdom.
Best,
Lucien
June 1
Feyre,
We bought horses this week - and a carriage.
From,
Your sister
September 17
Feyre,
How can you be so unfeeling towards your own family?
Must you always be this family’s saviour? Is it really so important?
Why did you leave?
Is it because of….
December 21
Feyre,
Happy birthday.
From,
Your sister
May 7
Feyre,
Father has taken a turn for the worse. You should come say goodbye while there’s still time.
From,
Your sister
May 10
Hello Feyre,
I hope your first year as Queen was a good one. I hear from the merchants that travel through town that the transition has been…somewhat seamless. The Hewn region fears you, Velaris loves you, and Illyria despises you. All to be expected, based on the political landscape; it is no secret that the Night Kingdom is politically divided.
In regards to this letter, I regret to inform you that this past week your father took a turn for the worst. He caught a fever, and things only escalated from there.
Fortunately, the doctor was able to get there in time to slow the progression of his symptoms. For now, it seems the worst of it is over.
All the best,
Lucien
September 4
Feyre,
Why…
November 22
Feyre,
You know what, it’s fine. I finally…
December 21
Feyre,
Happy birthday - it’s your golden birthday this year.
From,
Your sister
April 10
Feyre,
It’s been three years…
Are you well? Are you even still alive?
From,
Your sister