Work Text:
Archive of the Little Peninsula
Finding aid, cross-reference from Monarchs -- Little Peninsula -- Correspondence -- Eddis, Sounis
Title and Designation: Letters of Helen and Sophos, regarding the Poetry Incident, H-S.PI.L1-L11
Item: Series of letters exchanged between the monarchs Sounis and Eddis, of their respective countries, in an unknown year, during a time in which they both resided in the Attolian palace
Archival notes:
Item description: There are 11 letters in total, collected in a loose binding. Pages are slightly yellowed with age. One section of Letter 10 is smudged and the writing is obscured beyond legibility. [Preservationist's note: This appears to be the result of saltwater damage.] This collection of letters can be cross-referenced with the full collection of correspondence between the authors, but is considered a separate item, due to its highly specific content.
Author(s): Sophos, called Sounis (king), and Helen, called Eddis (queen)[1]
Date(s): unknown [Archivist's note: While it is true that the exact dates of writing are unknown, it is possible to infer approximate dates from the content of the letters. References to the birthday celebrations of Eugenides, called Attolis (king)[2], help us place the dates for these letters in the Second Year of the Unified Little Peninsula, sometime in the third month. It is also worth noting that the majority of these letters appear to have been written and delivered in the same day.]
Subject notes:
- Helen, called Eddis -- Queen of Eddis
- Contextually notable relations: Eugenides Attolis (cousin) and Sophos Sounis (husband)
- Sophos, called Sounis -- King of Sounis
- Contextually notable relations: Helen Eddis (wife)
Abstract :
The letters contain correspondence between Helen of Eddis and Sophos of Sounis during a visit to Attolia for the celebration of the birthday of Eugenides, Annux of the United Little Peninsula. The letters appear to be a continuation of a personal disagreement between the authors, the details of which are not described in full. As far as can be ascertained, the letters are written in their respective senders' own hands.
Transcription of contents:
H-S.PI.L1
[Archivist's note: This letter appears to have been scribbled on a piece of scrap paper otherwise meant for wrapping packages.]
To She-Who-Is-Eddis,
Lest my meagre attempts at scholarship offend Her Majesty, I will refrain from further conversation on the subject.
Your Humble Servant,
Sounis
H-S.PI.L2
[See above archivist's note.]
To He-Who-Styles-Himself-Sounis,
This is really mature of you. Definitely not at all ridiculous. So glad we could enjoy a spirited academic discussion without any tantrums.
The Capital Letters Are A Bit Much,
Eddis
H-S.PI.L3
[Archivist's note: This and the following letters are written on more traditional stationary.]
To Eddis, by hand of Meliodas,
I don't appreciate your implications, if I'm honest. I hardly think it's immature to be frustrated by someone who is purposely trying her damnedest to be frustrating! And if I am having a "tantrum," then I suppose while I am at it, I might as well say that I did not enjoy your rendition of The Shepherdess and the Maiden[5] the other evening. It was grating. Perhaps you should stick to poems that are better suited for you. Something with swords maybe.
Sounis
H-S.PI.L4
Sounis, carried by Hermia,
Swords, is it? Better me than you, in that case. I would so hate for you to injure yourself by handling something sharper than you're used to.
Eddis
H-S.PI.L5
Eddis,
Shall we see who is sharper then? There's a salle free, somewhere, I'm sure.
Try not to bite poor Meliodas's head off this time, won't you?
Sounis
H-S.PI.L6
To Sophos,
He did look a bit peaky when he arrived. I had him sit with some wine for a moment while I write this.
In the training yard in an hour, Your Majesty. We shall test each other's mettle.
Helen
P.S. I'm sending Hermia with this one instead - Meliodas looks absolutely ghastly.
H-S.PI.L7
Dearest Sophos,
I must extend my deepest apologies and heartfelt expression of regret for my behavior. I truly did not intend for - oh good, he's gone.
Gen forced me to write all of that, so you know. He's been insufferable ever since our duel, and he insisted that I apologize and wouldn't leave me alone until I did. You can freely ignore the above lines, however: I'm not sorry at all. You deserved every bit of what you got. Honestly, darling, we've got to practice more often. I need the assurance that you will at least be able to defend yourself if you are ever beset by a sickly child, or perhaps a determined goose.
All my love,
Helen
H-S.PI.L8
Dear, determined goose,
I suppose we should have more care of Gen's feelings - it is his birthday party that we are here for, after all. Though, I don't see how it is exactly his business how we get on with each other, really. You don't see me interfering in his marriage.
I did not mean it, about the poem. I meant to tell you earlier, but you were too busy beating me into the earth to allow the chance.
I am sorry. You are suited for much more than swords, for battle and riding and rule. Truly, love, you can turn your hand and mind to anything you wish, and I will count myself ever grateful to be witness to it.
And you were right, before. It was immature of me, so be so worked up. Sometimes, I find myself overwhelmed in our talks. My education was the best that my uncle could provide, and yet, I still have so much to learn, and never more do I feel the lack than when I am stupidly trying too hard to impress you with my wit (what little there is of it). And… well, it sounds very silly, but my feelings were hurt. Tantrum was a sore point, my dear.
At any rate, I am tired now. Tired and sore and regretful. You needn't be any of those things, but I ask, regardless: come to bed?
Yours
[Archivist's note: Based on context gleaned from a diary kept by one of the attendants named in these letters[6] , the remainder of the letters were written the next day, following a morning horseback ride during which the authors apparently found themselves at odds once again. This date appears to be the birthday of Eugenides Attolis.]
H-S.PI.L9
[Archivist's note: Letters 9 and 10 do not include salutations or closings.]
I am still too angry to speak to you directly, so I contain myself to paper and ink. Hermia bears this letter to you - be kind to her.
What were you thinking? I still cannot fathom it.
H-S.PI.L10
Oh, I agree, ink is safer! What was I thinking? What were you thinking? That horse could have trampled you! You know better than to stomp around in the stables, no matter how upset you were. Attolian horses spook so easily, and you did not see him rearing, I know you didn't.
Gods, I thought my heart had stopped.
I didn't hurt you, did I? Truly, I only meant to pull you out of the way, my lady. Are you bruised? I cannot [Archivist's note: The remainder of this sentence is blurred, as though droplets of water fell upon the page before the ink had dried.]
Meliodas will wait for your reply. I must know immediately if you are hurt.
H-S.PI.L11
Husband,
I am not hurt. Well, not my arm. My pride has taken a blow, but as always, that is a part of me whose sacrifice is for the best anyway. I wish such reminders would come only at my own expense, but alas, once again I find you in the crossfire.
It was only a short tumble, darling. You were hardly a brute about it.
Where are you? Don't bother replying, just come.
H
End transcription
Final note:
The following archive entries may provide additional context regarding this item.
- Personal diary of Eugenides, King of Attolia, vol. iii, pgs. 65-67.
- Personal diary of Hermia, attendant to Irene Attolia, vol. i, pgs. 1-6.
- Physician's notes of Petrus, palace physician, Attolia, vol. unknown, pg. unknown.
Endnotes:
[1] Redirect from Eddia [return]
[2] Cross-reference with Thief of Eddis[3][return]
[3] Cross-reference with Eugenides, son of Hector and Queen Thief[4]
[4] Redirect from Unknown daughter of Eugenides (of Eddis)
[5] A poem with pastoral themes of love and devotion, written by Christophos Marlos, dated ten years pre-unification. [return]
[6] Hermia, attendant to Irene Attolia [return]