Greetings Elder Willowheart,
I appreciate the honesty in your letter. It's a relief to know that it wasn't just me who was overwhelmed. I didn't take in to consideration that you would be just as disturbed over such visions. In my mind, I simply assumed you would unquestioningly accept it. You constantly live with seeing the future. I expected you to think I should feel the same.
Have other visions disturbed you? Have they come to pass? How do you come to terms with them? Do you bear the weight alone, or do you have a confidante to share your burden?
I am not a seer, but at times my title becomes heavy. I am sure you remember my younger brother, Reginald. He acts as my confidante. We share many struggles and he puts my mind at ease when I'm in torment. I may be older, but at times I feel he is far wiser and more logical than I. He also drives me mad with frustration sometimes. It both challenges and teaches me.
On a lighter note, I'll admit courting is unfamiliar to me as well. Up until this point, I've not felt compelled to pursue and take a mate. From what little I saw, I assume you found Reginald's courting demeanor pleasing. I'm far from the man he is. Subtly and flirtations are not my specialty. He tells me I am intimidating, blunt, and far too serious. So it seems that we are both equally naive. I have plenty of patience to spare if you're willing to exchange it for understanding.
You mentioned the docks in Thelmnaes. Here in Rivenguard we have much of the same in the harbor. The best time to find something to eat is before dawn breaks. First catch of the morning compares to nothing else. The crab and shell fish are delectably sweeter. I'm curious to know if Thelmnaes has the same aquatic delicacies that we have here. Do you have a favorite catch? If you do, I look forward to sampling your preference. I'm willing to try most everything once. There's a rare food that I am not fond of.
I hope I have provided enough questions for you to ponder and respond to.
May Lady Fate shine fondly upon you,
John.

Greetings John,
The days between your last letter and the time I pen this have been lovely. I wish the same for you. The Elven council has given me time to rest in between my attempts to activate visions from relics and artifacts. It does grow tiresome, being in a room with only intimate objects, Gledora, and the scribe. But it is not the images that tire me. My visions leave me lonesome. I am at their mercy in solitude. Some last for some time. Some for fleeting moments. Even so, the feelings they create within me are hard to properly contain. Time still has not taught me how to disassociate them from my own. It exhausts my heart. So, I am glad they are understanding enough to provide me temporary exile to dote upon my quails.
I am not as well traveled as you. This may be the fault of my parents. It may be because my title does not hold the same demands as yours. Either way, I have had the privilege of visiting the Capitals of each race at least one. Rivenguard has received the most of my outings, as Human and Elven relations have been the strongest during my life time. I suppose I should feel more wanderlust, but in truth, I find myself happiest at home. Traveling is stressful and tiresome. Maybe it is my age that prevents me from enjoying what pleasures it has to offer.
You mentioned that you found the border territories to be delightful. I can only imagine what the experience is like. Such a combination of all races in a confined space seems to open an opportunity for disgruntlements. Yet, from what you say, it comes across as more of a happy place than not. What about the territory in particular do you enjoy? The people? Culture? Food? Song? Dance? I am curious to know.
May Lady Fate bring you many blessings,
L'Lea

Dear L'Lea,
I'm unsure of how to start this letter. So much is on my mind, and there is so much that must be done. I'm buried under parchments and audiences with councilmen. I can't keep up, and I've just about lost my tolerance for it.
I suppose I'll begin with telling you I've started morning drills to improve my combat and dueling skills. No one recommended it, I decided it on my own. Somehow, I feel like I must. Maybe it gives me the illusion that I'll have more control over circumstances that are beyond my manipulation. I know you said that my vision shows me as a champion, so I'll be one. If there is to be a war, then I'll be the best at war.
But how can I both coexist as a champion and a shepherd? One destroys to victory, the other walks a path of peace to it. Each has it's own demands. I must meet them. Be both sides of a coin. It weighs heavy on my mind. Words are not spoken directly to me, but I can detect the watchful eye of those above and below my title. Observing how I'm molding myself to fit this destiny I am to become. Now I must work harder than I ever have before. There is fear in me that I will disappointing. It causes me such stress.
I also carry guilt that I don't feel grateful for such a role. My thoughts continue to waver from acceptance to rejection. The longer this goes on, the more I feel resentful. It all confuses my mind. I didn't ask for this. This isn't something I'd ever want. Why would Lady Fate put such a chore on a being who wishes to remain obscure? Live his life in peace? I view myself a simple man. That's what I wish to remain. Why was it robbed from me?
The only thing positive thing to come of this is you. To you I will cling, because there is no one else who remotely understands my predicament. At least you have seen that I now carry the world on my shoulders.
I'm sorry for sending you a letter with such a heavy subject. There was nothing else of substance I had to offer.
With apologizes for sending such grievances,
John

Dear John,
I hope the days have passed well for you since my last letter. It is quickly approaching the winter months. I have been told it snows in Rivenguard. This is something I have not experienced. It never gets cold enough here. All we receive is light rain for endless days. It makes the dirt road to my residence difficult to navigate. Carriages tend to get stuck in the mud. Even with the draft jaguars hitched, whose power is unmatched, it is still difficult to free them.
In contrast, my quails adore the wet season. They abandon their hutch to dance in the rain. I have to provide them with shallow earthen bowls to collect the rain water so they do not bathe in mud puddles. Although, it is truly fruitless, as they soil those as well. I must constantly empty the water. It leaves me caked and soiled as well. I am constantly having to sweep the dirt from the entrance of my back door.
The pressure to perform and live up to expectations are also a constant in my life. Though, I am fortunate enough to be part of an elven community who are far more understanding of the complexity and limitations of my abilities. Even so, after all this time, I have learned to accept who I am, know what I am capable of and what I am not. There have been moments in which I wish I could walk away and retract myself from the world. But these are the moments that teach me that I have let others place goals for me that are not possible. I set my boundaries, and request others to respect them as I respect them.
This does not mean I do not allow myself an opportunity to better myself. There is a difference. At times Gledora is my mirror of reflection. Sometimes it is my own self exploration. But my weaknesses are my own, and I only allow myself to remedy them when I so chose. I do not ignore them, but I address them when I am fully prepared to invest in elevating myself and my character.
Do not let the outside voices of those around you rob you of your power. You know your own limitations. You know what boundaries must remain and which must be built. In no way does this make you a man of poor character. It simply shows that you are aware of yourself and strong in your resolve.
I do not know if this advice will help. There is a part of me that wishes I could understand the heavy burden you carry. But alas, all I can do is imagine. Please know I am an understanding and listening ear. If you feel comfortable, I am one you may always confide in.
May Lady Fate bring you beautiful snow,
L'Lea

Dear L'Lea,
Just after I received your last letter, it began to snow. It's fallen thickly for the first of winter. It was beautiful when it was left untouched. The crisp white reflects the sun like crystals. It reminds me of the jewelry my mother wears. Though I feel she wears far too much of it. I suppose that would make her a snow queen? That may be a bit of a reach.
Now that it's been several days, it's lost it's luster. Foot prints and mud have sullied it's majesty. All that's left is the bitter cold. I despise training in it. Everything is slippery and I lose my footing constantly during drills. Josep insists that it's making me better at close combat, but I don't see any improvement. All it makes me aware of is that he is my superior for a reason. I know he doesn't use spells, but how he keeps his balance like a agile cat is a bewilderment to me. Hopefully I will acquire this skill, but I don't know if time will grant it.
If I may be so bold, I will tell you out right what has been on my mind for the last several of your letters:
Even though we only speak through parchment, I feel as if I have drawn close to you unlike any being I have known. It's occurred me that we have more in common that I would have ever supposed. You are a being I feel safe to divulge my inner turmoil. It's now you I that I seek out first when there is something weighing heavily on me. Your understanding and wisdom are things I find myself growing more and more grateful for. So I owe you my thanks for your counsel.
I could classify us as close friends, but it somehow feels deeper than that. If I were to place a category to it, I would say you are my dearest. The one I hold closest.
I hope that wasn't off putting. Ever since I've been able to formulate this feeling into words, I've been wanting to express it to you. If that was in anyway disturbing, I apologize.
With deepest sentiments,
John

My Dearest,
If only you could have seen my eldest cock this morning. He was apparently not content with his lot of siring the last two generations. His desire to pass on more of his genetics led him to such a fine predicament. How I wish he could experience shame and embarrassment. Then he would see how his greed landed him at my mercy.
When I went to perform morning feedings, I found one of my pens to be vacant. All the residents were happily grazing across the back lawn. Upon inspection, I found that one or more of the birds had diligently dug deep enough to bypass the wood sunk into the ground. With a bit of time, effort, and flustered frustrations, I fixed the pen and had them all back in their rightful place. It was only then did I realize I was missing one of my most prized specimens.
I found the conniving fool wedged half way into the pen of my youngest hens. He thought that because his plan of getting out of his original pen had been successful, that his second attempt would also be rewarded. It was not so. The most humorous part was that even though he was stuck between wood and mud, he was not disheartened. He was still sweetly singing his tune of courtship to the young hens. As if he could bewitch them into thinking his set back was intended and they should be impressed by his folly.
It took me sometime to recover from laughter. I could not stop observing his behavior for I found it far too entertaining. Never have I owned a cock so dim, but simultaneously so bold. I freed the poor thing, much to his disgruntlement. When I put him back in his proper place, he showed signs of being upset. I am sure the burning in his loins was exacerbated. At this moment I am sure he is plotting another escape, now utilizing the wisdom he has gained.
Deliberations are coming up rapidly. It feels as if they approached faster than usual. Time has passed by so quickly. I would like to say it was because I have had your letters to enrich my life. They are the thing I look forward to the most. Gledora can attest to how frequently I glance out the windows for messenger birds.
My closest confidante, you too have found a way to utilize time with your written word. Please keep using your ability to draw us faster to the time in which we will be face to face.
Giving you my truest sentiments,
L'Lea

My Dearest,
I apologize that this letter will be short.
Councilmen have arrived far earlier than usual. I suspect the festering suspicion has drawn them. There is an overlying need to pretend nothing has changed, but everyone is watching their backs as if an assassin is cloaked and ready to nestle a blade into their spine.
The next couple days will be preliminary discussions before we all set off for departure. This means I'll be tied up in what I believe is unnecessary work. All these Councilmen could be classified as conniving fools.
I don't know which launch I'll arrive on. I'll send a messenger bird the minute I've settled into the palace.
I'm incredibly anxious to see you. To hear you speak instead of having to imagine your voice. What a fantastic change that will be.
My deepest sentiments,
John