Were it to arrive to her, wherever she might be in this world, the letter would be somewhat worn. It's bearer would be worn as well, with wild, dirty red hair, dirty enough from the road and her voyages to seem almost brown, but also some barely constrained sense of excitement or pride (it might be hard for the elf to determine which, for barely constrained was still constrained).
Jynoriel,
I write this to you on my way back to Myrken Wood after many, many months away. Had I expected to find you there in the short time I have allotted myself for this visit, I would not write you at all. In a sense, this message is but an excuse to subsidize the travel of the messenger, a small way of making amends for a small and indirect slight. I do not want you to think I belittle you in that regard. It is more that I am realistic about the chances of her finding you. I think it has been ten years since I last saw or even heard of you and while that may not be a great deal of time for you (more on this shortly), it is an eternity for us.
You are not the only one I write to as we camp or patronize shoddy inns that make us wish we were camping along the way. Again, do not take this as a slight for I have time and many words to spare. In some ways, however, you are uniquely suited for this discussion, for you fall along two lines, one essential and one an indulgence. I will document both in the paragraphs to come.
The first is that you are long-lived. Of all those who I have met that do not have a human (mortal?) lifespan, I wonder if you will not be the first to pass due to the risks and strain you put yourself under. Regardless of that, were the world peaceful and were you better at self-preservation, you would live for many, many more years than I or any of my peers. Of such beings, I am close to very few. I have made enemies of some, vanquished others, been brought down as often as I have vanquished, and have alienated some deeply. I find myself in need of another opinion along these lines, and yours is a voice experienced and weighty whose opinion I would appreciate.
The second is far more facile. Towards the end, and there was an end and it was worse than you might have been able to predict, I felt frustrated at every new arrival to Myrken Wood. Forces, natural and unnatural, changed me during my years in Myrkentown. For those who had witnessed it all, who could walk the path backwards to the beginning, there was understanding if not agreement. You are a different case. You saw the beginning but not the end. There are few others who I can say that about. Therefore, you offer me a different point of view of myself even as we may come to wrestle with larger questions about the nature of your people and mine.
Be kind to the messenger. She has been tasked with finding you, if possible, and to await a response. She'll answer questions you may have as well, though she has her own biases, I'm sure. There is much ground to cover and I would not burden you with any of it if you are unwilling. I wonder if, even after these years (many for me, few for you), you are able to refuse any burden which comes your way. If so, this will be a change from the woman I knew. If not, I do not intent to take advantage of that.
Glenn Burnie