Well I suppose I can't really be mean here. Not that I could really say anything mean about her anyway. If you ever need a protected place to stay, well Estrella always accepts "visitors"

You don't count the heartache
You don't count the sacrifice
All that counts is what you feel inside
It doesn't really matter what is gained or what is lost
When it comes to love, you don't count the cost
-Billy Dean

I've led a very full and happy life, so it will be rather difficult to keep this brief. However, I shall do my best to give you as good a picture of my life as possible in a short time. My father was a merchant in Tem-ad-Thar, not by any means wealthy but we were well enough off. I was, I think, about 14 when I first made the acquaintance of my dear Luris. He was in the city on business when he came into our little shop where I was tending the counter. He was quite the dashing figure even though he was not in formal attire. I did recognize him however. Who could not recognize the Crown Prince of one's own country? He struck up a conversation and we talked for perhaps two hours. I don't remember for certain, but I don't think that he ever did get what he was coming in for.

During the ensuing weeks he came to the city more often and we met and enjoyed each other's company. We had a particular place by the river where we had several picnics. Of course nothing untoward ever happened, although there were those later who tried to assert that something had. But Luris does have quite a way with quieting people down. Several months later, he asked me to marry him. This was a rather scandalous thing in those days. The future King was expected to marry someone in the noble class and not a mere merchant's daughter. However, he has never been one to concern himself with the opinions of others. He spoke at length about it with his parents and finally they agreed to let the wedding take place. It was a very lovely wedding, and quite the best day of my life.

It was just short of a year later when we had our first child, our son Barton. Only two years later, Luris' father died and he took over the throne. I hardly remember many times during the next years that I was not either pregnant or recovering from having had a baby. We did have quite a lot of children, but I never regretted any bit of it. Since then we have lost two of our children, Barton and his sister Bethan. It is the most tragic thing when a parent loses a child. But we have managed to get through that, along with many other things. Not long after our third child Dorethal was born, the King of our neighboring country Sembrid declared war on Tandraia and we were at war for many years after that. However, King Zelas ended up assassinated, and his second oldest son Diervan took over the throne. There have been some bumpy times, but he has proven to be quite an able king. And we have had an alliance ever since.

It has been the past few years that have proven to be the most trying, I believe. So much has happened, friends gained and friends lost. We have gained even more enemies than before as well. And very powerful ones. And I have gained several more family members, my adult children now all being married and several of them with children. And then there are the ones who through one means or another have been adopted into the family. I do believe we may have the largest family in the history of Tandraia. However, I would have it no other way. Our palace has turned out to be a refuge of sorts for people who have needed protection. Luris likes to joke about how we're being pushed out of our own home, but we do have quite a lot of room left. Perhaps I should send out engraved invitations. But I must say that through all of the trials and troubles, I fervently believe that in the end good will come out on top. It may not look that way at the moment, but I am a very optimistic and stubborn woman. I would have it no other way.

Like two sparrows in a hurricane
Trying to find their way
With their head full of dreams
And faith that could move anything
They've heard it's all uphill
But all they know is how they feel
The world says they'll never make it
Love says they will
-Tanya Tucker

Love begins by taking care of the closest ones--the ones at home.
-Mother Teresa