Notes Before Bed[Formerly offlist thread] After dinner on her first night at Winterfell, Syndra retired to her room. The meal had left her satiated and feeling the exhaustion of the hard three-day ride. She could not rest, however, until she had completed one last task. She sat at a small table and pulled a sheet of parchment from her bag. With quill and ink, she wrote: Maester Rhys, I have arrived safely at Winterfell. Please give the enclosed letter to my father. If he is not able to read it on his own, I beg you please read it to him. I want him to know I am safe. Also, in case you were wondering, the comfrey blossom continues to serve its purpose. Thank you for your kindness in sending it along with me. Syndra Hardy Syndra sighed as she reread the note, tracing the name 'Rhys' lovingly with her finger. She hated being so formal with Rhys. There was so much more she wanted to say, but not in writing. The risk of interception was too great. She hoped he would understand. She set the letter aside and pulled out another piece of parchment. A smile brightened her face at the mere thought of writing to Papa. The irony was not lost on her. It had always been he who wrote from Winterfell to the little girl eagerly awaiting his letters at home. She imagined that he must be as eagerly awaiting word from her now as she had always been from him. Probably moreso. She began. My dearest Papa: I have arrived safely at Winterfell with a party that grew in number almost daily from the time that I left Holdfast. Half a day out, we encountered Volf and three of the dogs that had set out to search for Limosa. By now, you must have heard that Tamlin was injured by Eryk Bolton as he escaped with Limosa. He and Limosa arrived at Winterfell before us, but that is a story for later. I gave Volf my horse and doubled up for the rest of the journey. We rode hard and made excellent time, reaching the Kingsroad in just over a day and a half. On the second night, we were accosted by a couple of fleeing Boltons, but they gave us no trouble, nor us them. We remained undisturbed for the rest of the night. On the morning of the third day (today actually. It seems so long as I sit here to write), Ser Corryn caught up with us on the Kingsroad. I was so relieved to see him. It seems he had gone as far as Marshend following a track the Boltons had set to confuse pursuing parties. Poor Corryn was quite upset with himself for falling for the trick, but given everything that has happened recently and his worry about Limosa's safety, he apparently was not thinking as clearly as usual. He said Godwyn had set out with him, but had stayed in Marshend to help the villagers deal with some sellsword trouble that had erupted recently. Corryn left the Laughing Knives to help Godwyn and set off with a Bolton man (who had turned against his orders and given Corryn the truth about Limosa) toward the Kingsroad. If you can, Papa, please tell Kenrith where Godwyn is. He should know in case anything happens. Late this afternoon, as we neared Winterfell, we caught up with a party of the Nightwatch, led by Benjen Stark. They accompanied us the rest of the way to Winterfell, where we arrived in the early evening. Upon our arrival, I was taken to see Lady Stark. When I arrived, Limosa was already there, and had been for quite some time, apparently. And you would not believe how she's changed. She's more noble than I am. Or acts like it anyway. We were all - Corryn, myself, Limosa, all the Starks, of course - taken to dinner in the Great Hall. Lady Stark kept me close, and it was a good thing because both Eryk Bolton and Evan Tamm were there as well. I held fast, Papa. I did not allow the sight of Tamm to fluster me. I could hear your voice as clearly as if I were in battle and you were in command. It comforted me more than you could know. I miss you, Papa. Anyway, I saw Ser Deryll Ryswell at dinner too, but was not introduced to him. Sansa Stark pointed him out to me. I hope to meet him sometime, but I'm truly in no rush. I have my tasks to accomplish here, then I want to be back at Holdfast to help you in your recovery. I have not yet spoken with Lord Stark about the troubles at Holdfast. He wished to hold all business until the morn, so I reckon I'll speak my piece then. I will deliver Kenrith's letter to him then as well. I must be off to bed now. It is so very late and I am so exhausted I can barely hold a quill. Limosa is already asleep in the bed we share. I hope you are doing well. I know the pain is difficult and it must be driving you mad not to be up and about, but please follow the maesters' orders. The more you rest now, the better your hip will heal and the more movement you'll have in the future. I want to ride with you again someday, and that won't happen if you push too far too fast. And as much as I enjoy sharing spiced wine with you, there is more to life. Hold fast, Papa, as will I. I miss you terribly, but hope I can make you proud by my actions here on behalf of Holdfast. I am honored to serve Hardy in such an important manner. Please give my love to Kenrith and Edlyn, Jonas and Katina. I miss them all and hope to be home as soon as my work here is done. Rest well, Papa. I love you. Your devoted daughter, Syndra Syndra reread this letter as well and chuckled to herself at how her handwriting had started off round and flowing, but had become small and cramped as she neared the end of the page and still had much to say. She could not even squeeze her signature into the tiny space at the bottom of the page. She signed next to the closing instead of below it. When the ink dried, Syndra folded the letter and wrote "Ser Godfrey Hardy" on the outside in her usual swirling hand. Around that, she wrapped the first letter and wrote "Maester Rhys". She sealed her package and rose stiff and bleary-eyed from the table. For lack of a better place, she stored the letters under her pillow until morning, hoping that somehow they might bring her good dreams. If they did, Syndra did not remember them. |
