Return address: Great Smials, Tuckborough, West Farthing
Delivery address: Brandy Hall, Bucklebury, Buckland

18 Thrimidge, 1422

My dearest Miss Alyssum Brandybuck,

I told you I would write you, and so I am. A month gone already, and I'm still not quite recovered from the delightful shock of seeing you at Meriadoc and Estella's wedding. You are as lovely as ever, and though the event was cheerful as expected -- Took though I am, I must grant that Brandy Hall throws quite the party -- spending my evening in your company made the revels all the brighter.

There you go, Alyssum, if you must needs show anyone this letter, there's the first page, and with the last it'll make a good decoy. This page and the next few are for your bright eyes alone.

How do the married couple, newly installed at Brandy Hall? Estella never struck me as one who wished to be mistress of a great hall, and trust me, being Pearl and Pippin's sister, I know the sort who does. Like as not that very lack of striving commended her to Merry, who has so great of a position he eagerly sets it by every chance he gets. If I were Uncle Sarad I might've just kept Beri on as Heir and left Merry to continue being Captain Merry the Lordly, riding about righting wrongs. Not that I'm Uncle Sarad, or in a position to advise.

If you speak with Estella -- and my hope is that you do -- give her my love, and tell her to write me, not least about that tall Jewel of Long Cleeve my brother ever speaks of. Don't tell her this next, for it would only pain her, but I hope she speaks to you of those I know she missed on her wedding day, of that Chubb-Took lad and your second cousin Rosemary. I hope you speak on them, especially Rosemary, for your sake as well. I still remember our talk by candlelight, and that's all I'll write on it, for I wouldn't pain you for all the four farthings.

After I wrote that, I thought better, and I hope you'll forgive me for not recopying the sheet. I remember your teasing words, too, that I was as much a terror of lasses as my brother, that he wished to tumble every lass he saw while I kept trying to entice them to run off with me. I've rarely had a better compliment. So, with my reputation flagrant before me, may I invite you for a visit? If you would, we'll drive out together to Michel Delving, and bring flowers to Rosemary; you have every right to that, and more. If you could not bear it, this is the last I'll say on it.

Either way, come be merry in Great Smials with me. I'll throw a dance in your honor, and bring down the great books of maps to show you the places Merry and Pippin have talked of, and tell you all I've heard of the ruined town on Lake Evendim called Annuminas. Ev will be deliberately charming, and Nell will appreciate your company; Pippin stole her husband for a lieutenant and bore him off to the Borders, and most of the fluffheaded fools here are too hidebound to appreciate how her bow helped keep Great Smials unplundered and free. I think the travel will agree with you, so come see me, Alyssum. I'd like very much to see you, and you shall not sleep alone.

Let me give you a proper last page now, my sweet, where I request the pleasure of your company in good respectable terms. After all, you have my true invitation above.

I would greatly enjoy having your company brighten my days again. May I ask you to come visit Great Smials, Miss Brandybuck? My husband and my father the Thain approve of you, and I believe you would enjoy your time here. Please write back and let me know.

Yours most sincerely,

Mistress Pervinca Took