Friday, June 15, 2018

The Return of Kendrah

My Dearest Corwynne, I'm sure you know, that I have been gone for a very long time. As I struggled to return to my home in the Settlement, I will admit that I was disappointed to find no missing posters in the public spaces of the towns I passed through, pleading for my return. It has been eight years, so I could easily understand that the massive push to find me had likely died down, but alas, when I spoke with local Stewards and Sheriffs, I found they had no memory of there being a push of any kind. At the end of my journey, I found a rundown and almost deserted settlement. It seems that when I secretly thought the entire endeavor would be lost without me, I was right. I found my home to be in a sorry state. The layer of dirt on everything managed to keep me from noticing Legolas in his place of woe on the hearth for almost an hour. It has taken several days to assure Leggs that I am real...or as real as I can be...that I had not simply decided not to return after Pennsic, lo those many years ago, and that I had no intention of staying away again. I have yet to tell him the truth of what happened as he has had a difficult couple of days, and to be completely honest, I'm a bit tired myself, but I will sum it up for you. The trip home from Pennsic was going as it normally does, hot, tired and in need of a shower, I was driving home when suddenly a band of Warg Riders was upon us. I have struggled to put it all together since, but it is mostly a blur. Suffice of to say, I was taken to the edge of Mordor with the last of the servants of the Sauron. Warg Riders, it turns out, aren't the brightest beacon fires on the mountain..they assumed the power and gold they wanted in exchange for my safe return would just be given to them. They had never heard of a ransom note. Over time, they slowly gave up waiting and eventually they each wandered away. Anticlimactic, I know. Once I freed myself from my cell, I began the long trip home. I am pleased to see that many of our settlements have turned into thriving towns, some on the verge of becoming cities. I am also selfishly glad that everyone assumed I left on my own and hadn't left me to rot. So, what's new with you? Your affectionate friend, Kendrah

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Pennsic Prep

My Dearest Kendrah,

Once again reality has kept me from spending as much time as I would like visiting the White City and surrounding Settlements. I’m pretty sure that’s why I’m so darn cranky. All reality and no imagination makes Corwynne a grumpy girl. The King seems to be taking it in stride. At least I’m still fulfilling all of my official duties, so Faramir has no complaints.

It has been a whirlwind of Pennsic preparations here and in Minas Tirith. Sam (my brother, not the Hobbit) just took a Jeep load of my gear home with him. Faramir and the King have been busy making sure all is ready for the King’s two week absence from the City. People get all tense when the King disappears for long periods of time. I think they’re still a bit sensitive after all those years without one. Not sure yet if the King is attending Land Grab or coming up later. He wanted to come up early, but he’s doesn’t think people will be drunk enough on set up day to interact with him and not sure if he’ll feel comfortable being invisible to, well, almost everyone but you. Has Leggs confided his Pennsic plans to you? If he’s there, I’m sure the King would feel better about it. The Sons (Elrond’s not yours) are planning to stop by for a bit, possibly for the wine tasting. They aren’t as snobby about their booze as their ada is, so I think they’d enjoy it.

Still have quite a bit of sewing to get done. I suppose I should pack it up and ship it off to the Royal Seamstresses, but that seems a bit like cheating. At least I don’t have to worry about garbing the King. I saw him furtively stuffing his old green shirt into a rucksack so expect to see that old rag make another appearance. He has all sorts of lovely court garb he could bring, but no, he digs out his old Ranger stuff and lets his beard get all scruffy. You can take the Ranger out of the Wilds but you can’t take the Wilds out of the Ranger. It’s probably for the better. The last thing we need is an Historical Accuracy Nazi accusing him of engaging in fantasy role playing!

Well, I’m off to sew and tidy up a bit. The King is stopping over later to watch the season finale of Doctor Who. He enjoys it much more without David Tennant. Sigh…sometimes I miss my TV boyfriend, but I will content myself with the King and my new podcast boyfriends.

Your Affectionate Friend,
Corwynne

Saturday, May 15, 2010

What ever happened to our Write Ethic

My Dearest Corwynne,

It has, again, been so long. There is no reason for it other than lethargy. The winter weather led Leggs and me into a routine, which is a good and stable thing for the Sons, but leaves little to write about. We spent an equal amount of time here muddling through our daily lives and in the Settlement helping others do the same. Luckily, most of the winter was spring in the Settlement which I think has something to do with why my part of the real world managed to miss snowpocolyse but I have no scientific data to prove it.

Now that spring is slowly working it's way into our part of the world, Leggs is again taken with the tries and the groundhog in the backyard and we are spending more time here. We will both be in attendance at War Practice with no scheduled trips to the Settlement...so barring yet another stone vs tree debate in the Settlement, we should be fine.

Sadly, I have nothing else to report. Hopefully, War Practice will give us much to write about over the coming months.

Your affectionate friend,
Kendrah

Sunday, February 21, 2010

In Conclusion

My Dearest Kendrah,

Snowpocalypse has done its worst and after three days of cancelled classes, I had to return to my day job. Apologies for the delay in concluding my story.

Eventually the glory days of Pennsic ended and the King and I had to return to our duties in the White City. I never thought I’d say it, but Faramir deserves a promotion (or a new land grant or a nice war steed, or something!) By the time we returned he had managed to work everything out and things were returning to normal.

Faramir bravely overcame his superstitious dread and began a secret correspondence with Celeborn, putting forth our case.. In a rare moment of Book-Celeborn behavior, he put his foot down as head the household. He summoned Elrond, Thranduil and the “ladies” to a private Elf-Prince Counsel where “many matters of import” were discussed. From what I can tell it involved a stern lecture on the importance of proper behavior, a call for the return to more Novel-not Movie-like behavior, a reminder that Eldar are not Men and should not sink to their level (I think I’m a teensy bit insulted by that) and possibly a threat or two about white ships.

Once he saw which ways the gulls were flying, Thranduril sided with Celebron (suck-up). He’s a soft spot for the King ever since the whole Gollum affair. Elrond nodded a lot and said it was impossible to argue with the wisdom of Celeborn and wouldn’t it be better if we all just got along.

Celebron’s little family meeting worked. When they relised the three Elf-lords wouldn’t support their casue, Arwen and Gladders dropped the suit. Arwen slunk off to Imladris where I understand she’s been sulking in bowers embroidering unflattering tapestries depicting Celeborn’s side of the family. Elrond’s a bit ticked that Celeborn got all up on his high horse, but he seems pleased that his daughter is back where he can keep an eye on her. (he never really liked that she spent so much time with her grandmother) Rumor has it he’s trying to hook up Erestor and Arwen, but Erestor seems a bit resistant (can’t imagine why!)

Celeborn has been spending a great deal of time in the White City hanging out with the Sons (who want to be nowhere near Arwen at the moment) and bonding with Faramir. They became quite good friends during the affair. Faramir loves have a real live Elf King to discuss history with and Celeborn is delighted to spend time with someone who actually listens to him. Publically, Celeborn has declared that his visit is intended to increase Elf-Man understanding, but from the rumors I’ve heard he’s fled the Wood to avoid the wroth of Gladders. Doesn’t matter really, we’ve all been enjoying his company immensely.

So, things are back to normal. The servants are growing accustomed to the unusually large number of Elven nobility in the castle, the King is spending less time hunting (hiding!) in the mountains and even Eowyn and I are getting along. Once again the imaginary world is a comfortable escape from reality. Alas, this will pass as all things must, but for now I am enjoying the relative peace and quiet.

So that’s that. I do hope to hear from you soon. It’s been ages (not literally) since we’ve corresponded and I’ve missed our little letters!

Your Affectionate friend,
Corwynne

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

The Saga Continues

My Dearest Kendrah,

I’ve introduced the King to the joys of the electric blanket and he’s currently napping while pretending to read “Sigurd and Gudrun”. I’ve put a nice roast and some veggies in the crockpot. I’m sure he’ll be up for dinner!

Now, where was I?

Oh yes, the lawsuit.

Well, the Sons gave their warning and the King cursed quite a bit (mouth like a Corsair!) and Faramir became the voice of reason. He ordered some mutton and cheese, got everyone to calm down and have something to eat, and rushed back to the Library to research law codes.

Shortly thereafter, a Rider from Rivendell appeared to serve the papers. Seems Arwen is suing me for “Alienation of Affection” and the King for “Cruelty” and blaming me for the entire affair! She demands that he return to her immediately and that I pay a Dwarf’s ransom in restitution. WTF? Suddenly I'm in the middle of a bizarre Masterpiece Theatre period piece! Alienation of affection? Really? What's next? Running across a moor in a rainstorm? Threatening to throw oneself over a cliff? Falling in love with the taciturn butler? We are not amused (that is both the royal We and the first person plural we.)

In true Man fashion, the King suddenly “remembered” a roving band of Orcs harrowing sheep somewhere in the mountains, decided he had to attend to it at once and he and the Sons bolted form the city. Seriously? The guy who walked the Paths of the Dead and fought the Battle of Mt Doom without a helm running away from a piece of paper! Geesh!

Anyway, Faramir emerged from the Tower a few days later, trailed by a flock of pages bearing manuscripts. He had determined that by law and custom, the suit was entirely frivolous. First off, there is no court in Arda that’s going to touch this case. Elrond has decided to remove himself from the situation because his kid is involved (cop-out!), Gladders is named as a co-plaintiff (something a missing family heirloom ) and Thranduil isn’t taking sides. (Seriously, if you were in his position, would you want to get on the wrong side of either of those two?) According to Faramir, Elf courts have no jurisdiction in Gondor, and none of the courts of Men want to deal with Elf-relations. (Divine Right Monarchy does have some benefits)

So Faramir commenced his letter writing campaign to have the case dismissed claiming that since the King and Arwen were never actually married, or even legally betrothed, she should just get over herself and move on. (He was a bit more elegant that). In the mean time, the King is off Orc hunting, I spend weeks shouting “No Comment” to anyone who looks at me funny AND I still have to pack for Pennsic. Faramir assured me that he would handle the situation and that I should, perhaps, take a vacation in the Real World while he sorts it all out. (Fortunately the restraining order preventing Arwen from crossing into my reality is still in effect)

So off I go to Pennsic (which is only mostly the Real World) and proceed to drink a great deal of Hop Wallup. As you know, the King eventually returned from his Orc Hunt and joined me. He had a lovely time (Oh, blessed restraining order!). He really enjoyed the party in camp and the wine tasting, especially the drunken puppy pile of well dressed ladies ;-) We were disappointed that the Sons didn’t join us, but they hung out with Faramir and let Eowyn fawn on them.

He was really amused by Saints Brook and Cam as they “escorted” the drunken Eric around the lake (retarded monkeys painted that!). He hopes that they will be able to join him at the next Ranger Reunion for some “real” drinking. I don’t even want to think about it. (I doubt Deana does either.)

He was quite pleased at some of the plans we made for camp improvements. He has quite a few suggestions. He’s also looking forward to a new pavilion and to baking bread in the stone oven (who knew he’d go all domestic?) He was also impressed by your individually wrapped dinner packets. He’s planning to introduce aluminum foil to the Rangers (though it does smack a bit of “technology” and everyone’s still a bit shy of that since the Saruman incident). Oh, and he wanted me to ask you if he can stay with us in our big girl tent this coming year. I told him it would be fine as long as he didn’t leave his leathers lying all over the place, but he wanted to make sure you were ok with it.

Anyway, Pennsic was a welcome relief from the pressure of the lawsuit and the nagging of Elven females and we both enjoyed our vacation.

Argh! The King needs me to get the Roku working for him. He’s in the middle of watching Fraggle Rock and trying to determine if Fraggles are in anyway related to Hobbits. He thinks there might be a paper in it. Everyone needs a hobby!

Well, I’m going to deal with that. I’ll fill you in on the rest of story as soon as I can.

Your Affectionate Friend,
Corwynne