Dear Father,

I think it may please you to know that I have returned to land again, but this time plan to stay. For now I am staying in Noria, though I do intend to return to Vanyar when I can. That isn't to say that I will ever return to our holdings, I don't think I could ever walk those halls again and feel comfortable. That aside I do miss the lands as a whole, and hope to join the multitude of merchants there and offer my own wares up for coin. Who knows, perhaps I will spot you in the crowd, though I doubt you would ever recognize me. You need not worry about me being alone, for a fellow crew member sought me out not long ago and seems quite content to stay with me.

This baffles me a bit, but I suppose that if he is content, then I have no ground to complain. Besides, he is rather pleasant company, even if he is a quiet fellow. As I write this, he is seeking out a sizeable cart and horse to pull it that he may purchase so that we may move my boat where we are unable to sail. It is too bad there is not a waterway connecting from the lake to the river, because then we could save on the coin and simply guide the vessel down the waters. It likely still confuses you why I chose that type of life, then again perhaps you do not spare time to think about it.

Ah, I should not waste the parchment, it was hard enough to find it as is. In any case, that is my current update that will likely end up with all the others I have written over the years but was never brave enough to send. I know it is cowardly, but at the same time it is hard to think that I could send these, only for them to add to your kindling. I will write again when I can, if only to hold on to my own sanity.

As always with love,

Your son,

Andrew

Dear Father,
It has occurred to me that I haven’t asked about mother of late. Which is rather bad form on my part, since I do care about her.

Though it may surprise you to hear, I also care about you old man.

Actually, I’ve been thinking a lot lately, and it’s come to my attention that you might not actually be alive anymore. Nor may she be. It’s not as if I can ask of news of the family from where I currently am.

Once I am back in Vanyar it might be easier, even if it would be odd for a merchant to ask after such a well standing family. Despite our differences, I hope you are still around, if only to scold me for being such a foolish boy.

Please actually still be alive, I am not sure my heart could handle hearing of your passing

With love,
Andrew