goodbye letters;

[commandsthewind]

To:
Her Majesty,
Anne Boleyn.
Queen of England
( & my most blessed Lady Mother )

I find myself with not the time to explain myself as I would have liked, and not even now the true heart to do so now in such a fashion. So I will cut to the quick of it as well as I am able. You said to me once, that I did not know you -- and you did not know how true that was. You died when I was not yet three, just a babe in your arms and I lost you. Words do not describe the change to my life on that day. In time you will learn of it, and it was and is my desperate wish that you learn it from someone who so loves you as I do, since it seems I cannot do so myself.

It has been a pleasure to know you now for the first time in my life. I am told it is the way of mothers and daughters to fight. England has not left me, perhaps, the woman you would of preferred, in fact ruling as God's anointed Queen rather would of left me broken, had not the memory of you taught me to be strong, taught me to face all manner of things with the grace and dignity that it deserved. All that I have done, will do, and am, is thanks to you, my mother. Never have I forgotten, and though now I will lose the memories of your laughter, wit and conscious, it is better to have known your love all this time then never at all.

This ring I give to you, a reminder of me, as it has reminded me of you all these long years of life. I hope in time, you find the heart to be proud of all I have done, for it has been done in your memory.

with all my soul,
your most humbled daughter
Elizabeth.

p.s I have given you the letters and gifts to give to those I hold dearest in my absence, as I would trust no one else with the task.

--

To:
Lord Zelos Wilder,
( my keeper of secrets )

So it comes to pass, that I shall no longer enjoy your company. I imagine there are more fitting words between lovers than the ones I have to give, but: Thank You. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for the kindness you have showed me, more than the affection or any such matter of things, you have gave me something that has so long been denied me these long years of my life. We never did speak much of our troubles to each other, and it seems foolish to do so, but I was never truly allowed to have what we had, not even in private for the way I have ever been watched.

You showed me an honesty and a trust that I treasure more than diamonds and jewels -- no it was never love like the poets speak of, but it was a love to me, truer than I have known since I was but a child. I know not any longer how to conduct grand affairs, but our quiet hours together were always something I looked forward to, they cheered me often when nothing else would. Ruling made me so cold to myself, that it was a pleasure to be myself again in my company. You did that for me, and I loved you for the comfort and honesty you gave me.

Take my gift as a reminder of me, little as it is.

with all the love this wretched, flawed body possesses,
Elizabeth Tudor.

p.s, watch after the Little Knight?

--

To:
Arya Stark of Winterfell,
( little knight )

Perhaps you are still very cross with me, little one, but I am afraid you must put up with my words for only little longer -- and then not so much at all any more, unless you should keep this letter to read. I would like very much if you did, for you are still fond to me, as dear as the children I should never have myself. I know you tend to think yourself a wretched thing, but so far as I have ever imagined myself with children (and indeed I have, as only one can when they have advisors reminding her of such a thing that is my duty), it is you that I think would be best now.

You are the daughter I would of liked and preferred, and perhaps I was not always the best as family goes, I will always think on you fondly. For you have a strength in you, and a greatness too, as proud as any Knight, as any Lord and as fierce as Nymeria. One day you will wield a sword, and be as great as your brothers and brother-king. I am sorry I will not be there to see it, as this wretched old body of mine seems now must return to my England, but I know the day you so stand as yourself once more, it will be a glorious one.

I am so proud of you, Little Knight.

Your loving aunt,
the Queen of England,
Elizabeth Tudor.

--

To:
Galadriel,
Lady of the Wood
( my sister in face and mind )

I suppose this letter will be humorous to read, should you read it aloud, as you will in truth be reading it in my voice, will you not? But that is a thought for another time, as I suppose there is much to say and very little as well, sister of mine. For much as we are the same we could not be more different, and I must admit I had at times taken it to mind to be jealous of you. For you are all things I can not be in my short life -- but you are ever what I have aimed to be. Not just for beauty, of which you know I am vain, but for the grace of mind you posses. Something which we both know comes with a price and a coldness that time so willingly bestows to those that rule.

Thank you for the companionship, the advice and comfort given even if perhaps I was not always so willing to accept, you who are more than my equal. It has been a pleasure to call you friend, and I hope I have been that to you also.

with sisterly affection,
Elizabeth Tudor,
Queen of England, Ireland & France

--

To:
the Lady Lucrezia Borgia
( jewel of il vaticano )

(this letter is written in Italian, rather than English)

Bella Lucrezia, it seems we shall no longer gossip so softly about things like we were nothing more than courtly ladies. Though you will always be one I think of fondly. This place is a curse and a gift, for I know in other circumstances, we never should have been so close, enemies as our two countries are. I consider your company such a gift, as sweet as the breeze of spring, you have given me much joy in your cleverness and your wit. I am glad I had the pleasure to know you.

I know time will twist you -- as it as twisted me. For we women of power will never have it so simple as our luxury supposes. For once I laughed as much as you did, dry and brittle as I am. The day will come, when you will re-invent yourself a new as something greater still, but with all your heart I worry that it will one day destroy you too, and all that makes you so beautiful, that strength which men so often deny we have. Be so very careful of your heart, and what it will make you do.

my deepest affections,
Elizabeth I,
Queen of England, Ireland & France

--

To:
Her Grace,
the Lady Morgana Pendragon,
( Princess of Britannia )

You and I have shared much, I think, in retrospect at least it appears that way. We share a love of men who can never be ours, for at least one reason or another. But it is more than that, I fear, we have tasted the bitterness of life, and it's infinite cruelties of being unwanted and persecuted for things that we cannot change and cannot help.

I could write many words, of so many things, but I know in truth the one thing I wish for you is what I believe Arthur and Merlin wished for you also: peace. I hope, in time, you find the peace you so deserve, from the world around you, and from yourself. I know it is not easy, and the terrors of the night plague us both, but one of us should, nay?

With my deepest regards,
Elizabeth Tudor,
Queen of England, Ireland & France

P.S, I have given to you as well as the gift enclosed, the book Master Merlin wrote me of worlds away -- my solace in life, and so I hope, one to you. Keep it safe for me, nay?

--