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My dearest Valoril,
Many salutations, Canonreeve. As you expressed such great haste, I wrote Lithrion directly to have your heir's reports come back to me. No doubt you have received them already, but I would like to make note of them. The raw data can be difficult to extrapolate from to the layperson.
I was actually quite impressed. Despite his varied heritage, your Danier was able to retain many of your family's Aldmeri qualities. His height was found to be in the perfectly normal range, if not a touch taller. All his proportions below the neck are appropriate for a Mer of good breeding instead of some warrior stock. He has inherited the long, graceful legs of your parent's heritage. Even his ear reports were not so underwhelming! although they were wider and more round than we would normally like to see, they made up for it in length. He is a bit long for a boy, but, it is certainly better than the alternative. Of course, he does not retain the golden hue of our ancestors and that will greatly limit your prospects. Oh, and his eyes! He has eyes like a doe, and they are still quite reflective. He inherited the lovely green found so often in the Khraemore's. He has the wide bridge nostrils and jaw of one who has interbred with man, but thankfully his musculature and eye shape have not been sullied by that lineage. They care much less about that sort of thing on Auridon, so if necessary, we will look to the hardier stock we often find there.
By all measures, he was found to be a talented restoration mage, even at his young age-- and to a surprise to us all, an adept illusionist! These two skills are quite handy, and as you know, the latter is indicative of your own prestigious family line. We see that he also carries some of your father's musical talents, and has taken up the art of jewelry making. Silver is not our preferred medium, but it shows prowess. His sparring also proved to be unmatched by all but the trainer himself-- most impressive! A Mer of military descent may be willing to overlook some of his more obvious qualities if she feels that her offspring may continue serving the Queen on the battlefield.
At his own insistence, he took the alchemical exam and scored incredibly well. This is something to be proud of, but it does bring me to a more delicate matter. His temperament may leave something to be desired. He is proper and polite with excellent posture, but it was noted, more than once, that his persistence bordered on aggression. We know that this is something that occasionally troubles your own family line, but intermingling with any breed of human has made him equally susceptible to these behaviors.
With these factors in mind, I have a few eligible suitors. While you did seem insistent on grandchildren, I would request that you keep an open mind to adoption or perhaps even surrogacy. Mara will work something out, should the need arise.
I will not make you wait to hear my favorite pick. She is a distant relative of yours, closer to your lovely cousin Celre than yourself. I am sure you remember her. Astrine Thramoth shows a natural talent in all schools of magic, although she favors alteration. Her real passion lies in the arts, though-- particularly fashion. I have heard she can turn a flock of silk into a garment to rival the Queen's tapestries. These passions would go hand-in-hand with your son's rather exotic tastes and his own love of jewelry. In addition, she has many wonderful physical features which would help strengthen your bloodline. Her hair is practically golden thread and her physique slender. She does have a rather pronounced bump in her bridge, though it may not be inheritable and is rather a result of her injury. As you know, Astrine has a delicate constitution. Her mothers remember very fondly the great care in which Danier cared for Carlos, and hope that the same tenderness and discretion could be provided on her behalf. She is a meek young woman, but bright and clever. She is well-read, almost bookish, though had no trouble maintaining correspondence through letter. I think a countenance like hers would help temper your son's. I would also add that a young Mer raised first with Stendarr is likely to be much more understanding of the culture of man than many of his other prospects.
You might be delighted to hear that your Danier was asked for by name by Helae Thius' Battlereeve, Merive Adoth. He met your son at one of your mother's parties and was apparently smitten by his charm. They spent much of the night discussing battle stratagems and the like. His daughter Loren is an absolutely striking young girl who fancies herself as a socialite. He thinks that a quiet villa in the countryside will prove to be the grounding that she needs. Despite her father's almost ruddy complexion, she has the golden features of her mother as well as her ambitious attitude. Let it be noted that she is rather short and her ears have an almost cropped appearance. Though I do not have as much access to her ancestral records, I suspect Bosmeri interbreeding in the 2nd or 3rd previous generation. As we are no doubt overlooking that, it could be a match. The station of a Battlereeve's daughter is naturally below that of a Canonreeve's son, though sacrifices are occasionally made in circumstances such as this. Between the two of us alone, Merive did voice concerns that his daughter was a bit stubborn. I think that may be why he finds Danier such an interesting match. He is rather adamant that your Danier consider his daughter's hand. It seems that stubbornness is an inherited trait, which is something for you to consider as well.
Another possible suitor is Halved Faelock. He is the third son of Shimmerene's Tithereeve, as you no doubt remember. He is a handsome boy, with sharp features and eyes that sparkle like glass. He suffers from too narrow of a brow ridge, which is likely genetic but in this case not an issue worth consideration. He also shows some dental abnormalities, but no doubt Danier could intervene directly. Halved is much less concerned with the prospect of grandchildren, but has made it very clear that he is happy if his own suitor pursues surrogacy or adoption. He is a polite and charming boy, as every bit in interested in pursuing marriage as his mother is. He is very amicable and would no doubt make a fine companion for your son. While marrying into this family would do little for you socially, I can imagine a host of benefits it would do for your trading endeavors. Tithereeve Faelock has quite the pull, including a close relationship with several of the surrounding port cities. Her son shows no interest in bureaucratic life and has spoken considerably about how much he enjoy's Silatar's peach wine. By all accounts, your Danier would delight in his company. He is only 81-- but of course, he will not be forever.
It is important to keep an open mind and allow Phynaster to bless your lineage. Be sure to attach the sketches your mother commissioned in her garden during his visit. I will send the one with his sword to Halved and the one in his ancestral honor garments to Astrine. If you have another you don't mind parting with, we can send it to Merive; although I suggest you sate the Battlereeve first, making the sketch rather pointless.
May Auri-El warm your path,
Sontelle Laemaire
