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A Conversation in the Yellow Drawing-Room, And Other Letters To Mrs Strange, chapter 2
Title: A Conversation in the Yellow Drawing-Room, And Other Letters To Mrs Strange
Fandom: Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell
Rating: Teen and up
Characters: Emma Pole, John Childermass, John segundus, Stephen Black
Pairings: Emma Pole/John Childermass
Chapters: 2/?
Words: 806
Summary: Lady Pole writes a letter to her friend Mrs Strange about an unexpected encounter.
On AO3
Dear Arabella,
Your letter, and concerns reached me yesterday. I can assure you there is no cause to worry. I have not burnt Childermass’ letter, and I will not do so. As you so rightly point out, he is not difficult to reach in other, more conventional means. And though our encounter still makes me feel very strange, I have overcome the urge to do anything reckless, at least for the moment.
I must confess your advice I should learn more about magic, at first made me bristle. You know how much I detest it. However. But an event which transpired today has made me think I should follow your advice as quickly as possible.
I was taking my air by noon, feeling vexed. I had quarrelled with Sir Walter at breakfast, which always upsets me. He has agreed, though he doesn’t like it, to let me retire to the countryside. But I want him to divorce me, and he refuses. I can see the hope in his eyes I will relent and return to him. But I am no longer fit to be a politician’s wife, and part of me can’t help resent him for not understanding my plight, but thinking me mad instead. And the divorce is for his sake, not mine. I have no plans to remarry, but if he was free he could, and have those sons I know he longs for in his hearts and hearts. But he doesn’t see it that way, and that is why we quarrelled.
I was walking fast and not minding my surroundings, but suddenly two little beggar girls stepped out in front of me, and I had to stop lest I would have tripped over them. I have not seen such miserable creatures in a long while. Clad in rags, small and stick-thin they stood with their arms wrapped around each other as if to find a little warmth in the embrace. They were so alike in size and features they must have been twins, and so faded there were hardly any colour in them at all. They looked so poor and cold my heart constricted in my chest with pity.
But when I reached for my purse, I saw how unnaturally large their eyes were, and with an odd silverish cast to them. And when they smiled I saw their teeth. Tiny, sharp slivers, like fish teeth crowded their mouths, and I knew those children were not human. For a moment I did not know what to do. My heart told me they were truly needed help, but I also knew I couldn’t give them anything or they could gain power over me. They might not even been fairy children, but an illusion brought by something far more frightening. Then an idea struck me, and I asked them if they knew the way to Lost-Hope. They huddled together, suddenly frightened, but then they nodded. So I told them to go to the new king there, and to say I had sent them. The children did not look happy, but then they nodded again, and in a blink of an eye they were gone.
I think I did the best I could for them without compromising myself. I sent them away without promises which could bind me to them, but I also know Stephen will not turn them away if they truly need help. He is a kind man, and if they are in need, he will not turn them away.
But though I don’t think the children meant me any harm, I still felt, and feel, frightened. I don’t know what will come next, and when it comes, it’s unlikely to be as easy to dispel. I need to be better prepared, or I might find myself dragged back into Faerie again. I will write to Mr Childermass to ask his advice on how to proceed; he has already offered me his help, and I think he is the best person to consult in such matter. I loathe the idea of immersing myself in more magic, but needs must, and I will do what I have to do to ensure my safety.
I’m afraid this was not a very uplifting letter, my dear friend, when in truth there are much to be happy over as well. I have yet to tell me of my new wardrobe, and how I have secured Mr Segundus help in finding me a suitable house. I also need to comment on your own adventures, but I think I will address all of this in another letter. I feel it will be best to keep the subject of magic apart from other matters; and perhaps it will be best if you burned them, or at least keep them where only you can read them.
In haste, but with love,
Emma
Fandom: Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell
Rating: Teen and up
Characters: Emma Pole, John Childermass, John segundus, Stephen Black
Pairings: Emma Pole/John Childermass
Chapters: 2/?
Words: 806
Summary: Lady Pole writes a letter to her friend Mrs Strange about an unexpected encounter.
On AO3
Dear Arabella,
Your letter, and concerns reached me yesterday. I can assure you there is no cause to worry. I have not burnt Childermass’ letter, and I will not do so. As you so rightly point out, he is not difficult to reach in other, more conventional means. And though our encounter still makes me feel very strange, I have overcome the urge to do anything reckless, at least for the moment.
I must confess your advice I should learn more about magic, at first made me bristle. You know how much I detest it. However. But an event which transpired today has made me think I should follow your advice as quickly as possible.
I was taking my air by noon, feeling vexed. I had quarrelled with Sir Walter at breakfast, which always upsets me. He has agreed, though he doesn’t like it, to let me retire to the countryside. But I want him to divorce me, and he refuses. I can see the hope in his eyes I will relent and return to him. But I am no longer fit to be a politician’s wife, and part of me can’t help resent him for not understanding my plight, but thinking me mad instead. And the divorce is for his sake, not mine. I have no plans to remarry, but if he was free he could, and have those sons I know he longs for in his hearts and hearts. But he doesn’t see it that way, and that is why we quarrelled.
I was walking fast and not minding my surroundings, but suddenly two little beggar girls stepped out in front of me, and I had to stop lest I would have tripped over them. I have not seen such miserable creatures in a long while. Clad in rags, small and stick-thin they stood with their arms wrapped around each other as if to find a little warmth in the embrace. They were so alike in size and features they must have been twins, and so faded there were hardly any colour in them at all. They looked so poor and cold my heart constricted in my chest with pity.
But when I reached for my purse, I saw how unnaturally large their eyes were, and with an odd silverish cast to them. And when they smiled I saw their teeth. Tiny, sharp slivers, like fish teeth crowded their mouths, and I knew those children were not human. For a moment I did not know what to do. My heart told me they were truly needed help, but I also knew I couldn’t give them anything or they could gain power over me. They might not even been fairy children, but an illusion brought by something far more frightening. Then an idea struck me, and I asked them if they knew the way to Lost-Hope. They huddled together, suddenly frightened, but then they nodded. So I told them to go to the new king there, and to say I had sent them. The children did not look happy, but then they nodded again, and in a blink of an eye they were gone.
I think I did the best I could for them without compromising myself. I sent them away without promises which could bind me to them, but I also know Stephen will not turn them away if they truly need help. He is a kind man, and if they are in need, he will not turn them away.
But though I don’t think the children meant me any harm, I still felt, and feel, frightened. I don’t know what will come next, and when it comes, it’s unlikely to be as easy to dispel. I need to be better prepared, or I might find myself dragged back into Faerie again. I will write to Mr Childermass to ask his advice on how to proceed; he has already offered me his help, and I think he is the best person to consult in such matter. I loathe the idea of immersing myself in more magic, but needs must, and I will do what I have to do to ensure my safety.
I’m afraid this was not a very uplifting letter, my dear friend, when in truth there are much to be happy over as well. I have yet to tell me of my new wardrobe, and how I have secured Mr Segundus help in finding me a suitable house. I also need to comment on your own adventures, but I think I will address all of this in another letter. I feel it will be best to keep the subject of magic apart from other matters; and perhaps it will be best if you burned them, or at least keep them where only you can read them.
In haste, but with love,
Emma