(2026-05-22) A Lovely Addition

Details

Author:	Athena
Summary:	Avrenne replies to Siamus' letter with what knowledge she has of the Grimlockes, and finds a way to take Siamus along with one of her daily walks (it does not cost an inordinate sum). 1600~ words. Personal Plot.
Rating:	T for Teen

Chain: Siarenne

May 22, Year 30

Dear Siamus,

I fully approve of the names for the minnow, and I think Esme Saoirse Priscilla Parrish Esprit Fallon will be a lovely addition to our family.

I am glad to hear of the successes in Pandaria, and will continue to find comfort in that, on occasion, the best news that can be hoped for is no news of note in regard to the ongoing efforts of diplomatic relationships. I will be pleased, however, once you do hear from Shine properly, so as to put away any lingering concerns for his overall comfort in Pandaria.

It’s for the best, I’m sure, for Marshal Troteman to not grow too used to having your company, so as to grant him the benefit of it when he has proven himself capable enough when left to his own conduct, and the distance will give him sufficient opportunity to demonstrate his capabilities on his own.

The Grimlockes are an historical family of now Duskwood, once Brightwood, and have held their land for six generations, with the bestowment of the title on Baron Corvus Grimlocke in recognition of his defense of the land against the Gurabashi Trolls of the south, and later held a line against the gnoll incursions in the Gnoll War of King Barathen Wrynn’s reign. They have a notable aesthetically pleasing, well-constructed ashlar wall of granite surrounding their land, which was built prior to the title, and was able to withstand the curse released on the territory in Year 3 by the mage Medivh. The Grimlocke House has achieved little in the ways of politics or military spheres, and have never married into exceptional lines, but they have dutifully maintained their land and tenants without fail through the years, and remain in Duskwood to this day.

Lady Melancholy is the youngest of the House, and is preceded by Lord Woe, who stands to inherit the title from his father Lord Edgar Allen Grimlocke; Lady Malaise, a medical physician who was last stationed in Theramore, and whose loyalties in regard to That Woman are unknown to me; Lady Miserie, an arcane specialist in the Kirin Tor who I have spoken to on a number of occasions through the years for her social gatherings, but has been lately one of Finley’s sphere of influence; Lord Torment, a young nobleman who is a tenant of ours in Old Town, renting above Miss Sunstrike. None of them are married.

There was some minor social disruption at the marriage of Lord Grimlocke and his wife, now Lady Gladys Grimlocke, as she lacked any relation to another noble line, and brought no influx of wealth or influence to the marriage; it was, by all accounts, entirely a love match. Given that they have produced five healthy children, including one committed to the honorable service of the Navy, I would say that despite the risk of the way it began, they have shown that their match was worth the investment.

I know little of Lady Melancholy personally. She entered into Society properly some ten years ago, but did not take to it well, though she is known to be polite and well-mannered alongside a reputation of being peculiar. If I recall correctly, she attended our last Gala along with two of her siblings and parents, and that was the first time I had seen her in such a place in some years, and I had neither reason nor opportunity to speak with her at the time. She was apprenticed to the Royal Librarian, Lady Lysander, but as I understand it, she left the position some time ago.

I will admit to you here that I was surprised to learn that she has become a warlock, especially given the family’s connections to the Kirin Tor through their third child, but there is not sufficient data on the motivations of modern warlocks or on Lady Melancholy in particular for me to speculate as to her reasons or purpose in becoming one. I trust in your judgment of the situation entirely.

Does Lady Melancholy return Lieutenant Baird’s interest, or is the attachment only on his side at present? If you approve of the match on principle, and she is not yet convinced of it, there may be certain persuasions that could be applied for the young lady to see the potential high worth in attaching herself to a naval officer. It would be a most natural way to ensure that she sees good sense and reason to remain with the Fleet, and employ a warlock’s skills to the benefit of her husband.

We remain in good health here. I will admit that I’m not certain that further explaining Isla’s interpretation of the news of the Cobalt Blade will do much for increasing understanding of it, as I hardly can claim the understanding myself. It’s a manner of writing in a fantastical way of taking what are real events, already fictionalized by an author named Elanor Steelbloom, and further fictionalizing them to Isla’s preferences, and committing the version to paper, rather than only a thought within her mind. I think she perhaps uses it as an intellectual exercise, to explore concepts of What If, and find enjoyment in rewriting a narrative. In either case, we have heard much of the exploits of the Cobalt Blade, although I am unable to give you a clear representation of the actual events, as Isla does not distinguish between what happened and her version as often as she should.

I have recently had reason to learn a great deal about Draenei communication and recording crystals, and have obtained a small one, capable of short recordings of speech. You will find it enclosed, of a 7 minute, 29 second recording of Ery and I speaking as we walked along the shore. You may be pleased to know that it did not cost an inordinate sum, although I did enjoy the bartering. It may not be the same as having been there with us, but I hope that it suffices for at least a reprieve. Know that you are always with us, as we are always with you.

All my love,
Your Wife,
Avrenne Esprit Fallon

Enclosed is a two inch long purple Draenei recording crystal with a 7 minute, 29 second recording of the following conversation.

---

The sound of the waves crashing on the shore is audible.

Avrenne: Ery, if you would like to say something to Papa, now is the best time to do so.

Ery: Bapa here now?!

Avrenne: No, dearest, I apologize. Papa isn’t here, now, but he can hear you if you speak to him.

Ery: [Louder.] BAPA! GIB ERY SHIP! STARRFESH SHIPT!

Avrenne: How many ships are you considering now for your growing Fleet, Ery?

Ery: Three hunded! Three hunded shipt! [There’s a high pitched yell.] SHELL!

Avrenne: Yes, that’s correct, that is a shell.

Ery: Amma hear song? Hear big song now?

Avrenne: If you want me to listen to the shell, dearest, you will need to either hand it to me, or set it to my ear. [A second or two later.] Gently, Ery, it’s best to gently set it there.

Ery, close enough to hear a toddler’s heavy breathing: Hear! Little song?! Now! Amma be like Bapa?

Avrenne: I do hear a sound in the shell. It sounds similar to the waves of the ocean, but it’s a phenomenon of the nature of sound waves, which is also a fascinating scientific experience of the mathematical wonder of how sound is perceived.

Ery: Abast! Hold, Amma. Hold shell. Ey get sand.

Avrenne: I can hold onto the shell for you. For what purpose are you collecting sand for this time, Ery?

Ery: Babymun! Babymun like sand. Bapa like sand. Ey send Bapa sand?

Avrenne: I am sure that the Admiral will be very pleased by your collection, but we can keep it here, dearest, in the jar. [A pause.] Do stay on the shore, please. It’s best for Maman to stay on the sand for a walk.

Ery: [A toddler’s beat boxing of ticka-ticka-ticka can be heard first going farther away, and then coming back.] Amma, dat way! [The ticka-ticka-ticka again, going away from the crystal.]

Avrenne: Wait for Maman, dearest.

Ery: Eciyed! Ey like it! Ohohohoooo! Cup! Is a cup! Look at dit!

Avrenne: Oh, yes, thank you. I can see it better in your hand, dearest, not against my dress. If you hold it in the palm of your hand, I will be able to see it even better.

Ery: Ey like it! Amma like it! Bapa like it! Look at dat! Ooooo. Ist so lobely. Bapa shipt shell. Bapa will be now?

Avrenne: Papa cannot be here right at this moment, but he will come back when he can.

Ery: [Increased toddler rage is audible, as is the sound of wind.] Ey no hab nofing! Ey get Bapa! Bapa in da song! Fowwow song insibe! Go insibe!

Avrenne: You want to go inside?

Ery: Bapa inside! [Louder, both in rage and excitement.] INSIDE?!

Avrenne: No, the Admiral is not inside at present. He is still in Pandaria.

Ery: Pandwea! Ey go Pandwea? See Bapa. So happy! Now!

Avrenne: I’m sorry, dearest, you cannot go to Pandaria at the moment. Someday, perhaps. [There is a pause of quiet, where only the waves can be heard.]

Ery: Amma! Lookit dat!

Avrenne: Yes, I see it. That is a larger wave that we ordinarily see at this time of day.

Ery: Amma! Go play! Ey go play! [There is a maniacal toddler laugh that rapidly moves away from the recording, and then a shriek of joy as she yells.] ABAST!!!!

Avrenne: Ery! Oh. Ery, come back out of the water!

Ery: [Faint toddler giggles.]

Avrenne: [Avrenne sighs, and it must be that she brings the crystal up closer to her mouth for the difference in clarity and sense of her voice being nearer the listener’s ear.] We love you, Siamus.

[The recording ends.]