Two Florid Letters from 766 AD

won't try to explain the first rather over-the-top letter, except to reveal that my partner in storytelling, Laura, was very slow to answer letters. I wonder what it would have been like if we had had email? It still would have driven me wild, but the wait would have been days or weeks, not months.

The second letter brings in a plot twist that certainly twisted Lawrence's poor heart, and made him even more maudlin than before. The queen has an affair.. so much for Faithful Forever our old name t=for the stories... with a knight *sic) named Sir Robert de Riffet. How Lawrence deals with this is not just a muddle in the ramblings of the letter, but in the actions he takes... just you wait and see.

For perspective, let me share that when the later of these two letters was written, I was about to turn 15 in just a couple weeks. We lived in Sacramento, California, and I was miserable in junior high where the tough girls tortured me. On top of that my parents were on the last several fights of their marriage.. and my mother one day up and packed a bag and left... leaving me to fill the role of mother to my little sister, Laurel, for the next five or six years.

6 Octobre 766

Goddess,

Ah, Aphrodite mine! Thou hath sent thy son Eros to me. I am in love! But thou went careless, deity! Thou didn’t make me love thee! Oh, and I am but the lowliest mortal, and thou a goddess!

Ah, Aphrodite, why didst thou not choose Apollo, or some other fair god to be thine? “Tis strange thou wouldn’t wish me, a wriggling worm, when thou couldst had a lion?

Doth thou love me? Say me aye, and I will bow down to thy slightest whim. Say me nay, and I‘ll still love thee, but mine life will be ended.

Ah, flower! Rose! Lilly! Oh gem! Sapphire! Diamond! I am but a weed or a stone. Pull me out by the roots, or throw me in a well. Yet I’ll love thee!

Aphrodite, I pray to thee to grant my wish and accept my sacrifice! Oh, when can I have thee home?

Thine,

Goddess, write me! Thy husband!

L

12-19-766

My Darling,

Forgive me mine last letter. I should realize that thou art not my slave, and may do what thou pleaseth. So soon after dear Rolance's death 'tis only logical that thou seekest the happiness thou couldst not find in me, in someone else.

I am yet angry, but must learn to bear my cross patiently.

My own, if thou wisheth to be free of me, I will give thee leave.

I spoke to Father Innocent of thy letter. He was gravely concerned. I suggested my becoming a monk, but the good father said I am not destined so. I also suggested that I go in search of adventure and he saith, nay, but a pilgrimage might be a good idea. I shalt make my pilgrimage amongst monks, and shalt venture to tours. I shouldst return about the time the baby is born. I will be leaving thee in charge, to appoint who thou wilt, I hope Lorin, to advise thee.

My wife, please take are of my child within thee. If it dies because of thy gallivanting with other than thy husband, then I am afraid I will ne'er be able to forgive thee; tho' I'll love thee tenderly all my eternal life, resentment should burn my soul, as Hell will anyway.

I remind thee of thy vows, "to love, honor and obey" and remind thee when thou takest these vows for Robert, do not break them as thou hast with me.

I have nay received a letter from thee yet, since thy first letter about Robert.

Dear saint, write soon to me, for even thy cruel words are yet thy words, and I worship them.

Thy Slave,

Lawrence

"Caelitos mini vires" - "My strength is in Heaven"

Note: In the old stories Josephine was raped by Lawrence's younger brother, Roland, during a usurping. The child she bore from that tragic union was named Rolance. He died in infancy. The child Lawrence mentions Josephine is carrying is Peter. In the novel, neither Roland nor Rolance was ever born. Thank heaven for small favors.

Larence Writes to the Queen on their Anniversary June 766 AD

We were still writing letters two years after we started the stories. By the way, the wedding was splendid... we held it under the massive evergreen tree at camp that we used as a chapel. Then we headed into the dining room where we made sure the two of us and our followers sat at the bery top of the T the tables made. I wonder if the other summer camp attendees ever knew they had been at a royal feast!

Thank you, my liege, for providing us with a recap. By the way, no, the novel does not follow his account!

June 766 AD

Thy most Gracious Majesty,

Today Is our anniversary. We have been married two years. In that short time, much has come to pass.

One week after our wedding it was necessary (sp?) for me to travel to Affyn-Shyre. I was forced to take refuge in the woods from mine evil brother, Roland. I didst not see thee until £he following Christmas when I stayed only a week. Thou hadst had mine brother's child, none to thy blame. On my return I was saved by a young man of Affyn-Shyre, thy lordly brother, Lorin. When I finally managed to regain my throne, after a revolution, 1 returned to find that thou hadst been taken off to France. On Christmas, My precious, thou were returned to me ,only it was again for only a week. Avonshyre attacked our southern- borders, and thou were sent away for thy safety. Thou wert found to be with my child and all was well (not considering the war, which actually was of no grave danger to us) until;...In the battle which won the war for us I was sorely wounded. I lost contact with the world for weeks, and on the eve of the day I was to have recovered fully, I took suddenly in a dream a sudden fear that thou and Lorin were in grave danger. In the accident I lost use of mine once precious legs. Our adopted daughter, Marie died, leaving us deeply grieved. It was then the real tragedy came into view. I was lured to love the beautiful Aelf-linn. Nay, it was not love and she was not beautiful. 'T'was desire and she was tempting. I do not say thou art not tempting. Thou'rt the most tempting, most nobly innocent, lovely, intelligent and understanding wife one could have. When the enchantress had almost begun to completely govern me , I ran off with her. That night I got very drunk and when I woke the next morning he was dead, stabbed with my sword. I no doubt killed her, and my soul 1st now destined for Hell, I knoweth that. I crept and slid away, frightened until I was too exhausted and torn to continue. I took refuge in a cabin, that was given me as a last service by some peasants, who thought I was dying. Whether I am or not, I know not, but" I can hope for the latter and pray that thou agreeth.
I shalt now tell thee of my thoughts towards the future. I cannot bow and ask forgiveness, though it is a thing I would give my life for. I have been called, "Lawrence the Great," "Lawrence the Savior" in my reign and all that time I shouldst have been called "Lawrence the Greedy, Conceited, Arrogant, Haughty."
Is it not so like me 'to, rather than decide to devote my remaining years to prayer, to propose an idea of less true frith? My idea is that we divide the kingdom among ourselves, thou, Affyn-Shyre, and I, Christenlande to be separate sovereign^ until our love has grown again. I mean not that our love has ended but that we must try to start over. To return to each other now would mean to risk quarrels, guilt and /* hate. Maybe By the time the child is born, we will have returned to one another again. I think it is very/ much worth a try and that I'd stake my life and our returned love within two months, don't your mine darling?

I hath made contacts with Lorin and he shalt pick me up to return to Aesc-dene any time now. Write me of thy decision soon. Mine Own, I hope it is all well now! I shalt announce today and the next week a national holiday. Happy Anniversary, kitten!|

Till we meet again;

Thy adoring spouse,

Lawrence

NEXT A couple more letters and a story.

Letter from the king to the Queen, February 766

This is one of the few drawings I did for the stories when I was about 14. They are all, unfortunately, on lined notebook paper. This one is of Lawrence and Josephine one of the many times Lawrence was bedridden for one reason or another.

February 17, 766

Dearest Mine Own,

Passeth I a happy Valentines Day here in Aesc-dene. Lorin now hath me under lock and key such and anxious brother is he. Of all mine brethren, he standeth out. Arneth never took much pains-taking care of me, for I wert always comforting him, so heave were his duty and care. Roland, as thou knowest, never cared a juicy fig for me. It makest mine heart both weep and rage at the thought of him. But now, with Lorin, I am like a spoiled child, receiving all I request, though I deny most.

I arrived in Ac-wode Thursday, but it wert Saturday afore I we settled down here. That night I spent in Ac-wode after a long day of greeting the towns-people. Sunday I attended mass at Ealh-Tyg, and again went into Ac-wode, this time with Lady Laurie, for there was to be a minstrel show in town. Monday was Valentine's Day, and I awoke in the morning to be presented with scores of Valentine wishes from all over the kingdom. In the afternoon we had a small Valentine's Day celebration. We all gave greetings, and I got greetings from all here excepting the hostages. Out of them, only Aelf-lymn gave me one. Tuesday I began classes at the church, where good Brother Scottas is attempting to teach me to walk again. Wednesday I again attended classes. I overheard the good brethren explaining to Lorin, though that thy husband will not walk for a long time, if ever. Today I stayed at the cottage to play with Lady Laurie and rest.

I must close now, for Ceol hath cooked up a large meal, and mine stomach tells me "tis time.

Thine, fore'er more,

Lawrence

The Absolutely Oldest Thing In Existence

The following is a letter from the King to the Queen that I wrote while heading south on one of the Alaska State Ferries in 1966. It was before we started writing stories so that the poor lovers could actually reside in the same place. I spent that ferry ride from Junau to Prince Rupert combing through a baby names book to create my own Anglo Saxon English dictionary. Yes, I was a strange 14 year old girl.

January 766

Dearest Jo,

Hast thou written to Anne yet. Lorin hath, and saith I must, also. We are about two weeks from Aesc-dene, yet. I will tell thee thoe, of the servants I have with me.

I hath, of course, Lorin with me, and plenty of “good will” hostages. They are to stay in special quarters on the by. There are five buildings; my cott, called “Cyne-sael;” the circe-et, called “Ealh-tyg;” the animal lath the servants’ cott, “Mercsc-leah,” and a large building called “Cain-colne” in which stay visitors, “good will” hostages and people such as Lorin stayeth.

Knowest I that I am off the subject, I shall draw here ein map of the by;

I’ll now write the people at these places:

(1) Cain-colne;
Lorin and Laurie;
Hostages, Aelf-Lynn (Avon-shire)
Frith-man (Norwichshyre and the less important countries)
Wesling
Weald-wr
Carla
Reod-wr

Any Guests.

(2) Merse-leah

Grooms-Hraefn and Pyt
Cooks, maids, and weavers, etc. – Ceol, Daegga, Oxna, Paegas and Arm-strang
Guards – Weala, Gar, Wulf, Oran-kin, and Sand
Wizards – Glad-win, Snaw-locc.

(3) Cyne-sael
Me (Lawrence)
Personal Guard – Deal-wr
Sometimes Lorin

(4) Ealh-tyg
Presost-Christ-thegn (Father)
Monks- Brother Scottas
Brother Marcus
Brother Leof

Until again I remain,

Thine deora-wr,

Lawrence