Final Preparations

Dear Agnetha,

This is good news to hear that they are getting along well together. I may well like him, but remember that any final decision about their marriage is to be given by your brother as he is King of Sweden.

I have been very busy in the past few weeks, getting everything ready for Gustav's birthday here and he will like it I am sure, the Queens rooms have been renovated and the gardens are just coming into full bloom. I do hope to see you all very soon.

Magda

Dear Mother,


I hope that my letter finds you safe and well .  Gustav and Mary are leaving Russia this week.  He is speaking with the young queen about an alliance with Russia. Gustav and Marius had a good cordial talk about a marriage between he and Rebecca.   I think that Mary will find the renovation of the Queen's chambers suitable.  Mary has proven that she will be a queen that Gustav can be proud. I too am excited to see the gardens.   We are leaving for Sweden tomorrow and will be home soon.  I miss you and I cannot wait to tell you about my time here.


Agnetha

Dear Agnetha,

An alliance with Russia will be a good step for Sweden as a nation, but I worry that Gustav is trying to do too much in his first months as King. I will speak to him on the matter.

I have a surprised lined up for Gustav for his birthday and I do hope that yourself and Rebecca have not forgotten the gift for your brother. I cannot wait to see you all back here for it has been too long.

Magda

Dear Mother,

I think that Russia is a good alliance for Sweden.  Gustav is looking at things that could benefit to our country and that is why, I believe, he is looking into things that are helpful for us.  Are you worried about him doing too much too soon ?

Rebecca and I are thinking about what to get for him.  Can you give us an example of what he may like?   I am so happy to be returning home.  But it was good for us to have visited Romania.  And Gustav and Mary visiting Russia is good.  But may I ask what surprise you have for him.  We will be home soon.

Agnetha

Dear Agnetha,

Russia is indeed a very good move from Gustav. It will be a powerful and wealthy alliance that will be a huge benefit to us. I am not worried about him doing things to soon, he does seem to have it all under control. I am just worried that he is going to miss important dates here by not remembering with everything that is going on, so I am glad he is coming home soon.

Agnetha, you know that your brother is gifted in musical talent and that the very important lute that father bought him needed repair. He was very attached to that. It may be worth getting it repaired for him with the carpenter, whom has it. It is not cheap though, maybe the two of you could together get it repaired. I am preparing a grand ball for him, as well as a celebratory archery tournament too. He will love that. How far away are you both?

Magda

Dear Mother,

I hope that this letter finds you well.  We will be there soon.  I am looking forward to see you.  That is a good idea for this gift for Gustav.  He is very attached to that flute and he will be happy to see it fixed.  Perhaps I could message carpenter to let him know that we will be there to pick it up when we return.  I will let Rebecca know that you suggested a wonderful gift.  I think that it will take her mind off of missing King Marius. I have not practiced my archery skills in a while.  Perhaps Mary will join us for the tournament.  

Agnetha.

Dear Agnetha,

I am indeed in good health. Everything is now set for the festival week and it will commence when everyone is here. I have already sent word to the carpenter about it and he is happy for the two of you to come and collect it as you well know, he knows our family well. Myself and Rebecca are down once again for the boules in both singles and doubles, Gustav is in the jousting as well as the archery. I do hope that you will not disappoint us Agnetha as you well know, you are reigning singles champion, reigning ladies doubles champion and also you are the reigning mixed doubles champion with your brother. You are entered in all three again and you are playing with Gustav in the mixed doubles again and I have partnered you with Mary in the ladies doubles as Rebecca cannot do it because of her injury.

Mary has already show a keen interest to compete and this year will be quite incredible. We are to have a great time and a wonderful experience. Please inform Rebecca of her events for this year.

Magda

Mother,

Rebecca and I have finally reached the shores of Sweden. I am sending a message to you. Thank you for alerting the carpenter for me. Would you please send a carriage to bring Rebecca and I will take a horse to pick up the lute. We have so much to tell you. Soon Gustav and Mary will arrive. Mother, Mary has no one to partner with for the tournament. Perhaps Rebecca would pair with one of the nobles at court. That way Mary can pair with Gustav as it is the custom for the King and Queen can compete together.

Agnetha.

Dear Agnetha,

I am pleased to hear that you are both finally here. I have sent a carriage for Rebecca and please be careful riding the roads are quite wet this week. I am sure that a noble would love the chance to compete with Rebecca, but also Agnetha, will you not defend your title with Gustav, even though the King and Queen are meant to compete together?

Magda

Dear Mother,

Thank you. I am happy that you have sent a carriage for Rebecca. I will go to see the carpenter. Do not be worried I will be very careful. Well yes I would like to defend the title but I can forgo the tournament. Perhaps I can wait for them to return. I will talk to Gustav to see if he wants to participate in the tournament with me or with Mary.

Agnetha

I finally landed on the shores of Sweden.  Mother sent a carriage to bring me to her   Agnetha went to pick up the lute that we commissioned for Gustav as a gift for his birthday celebration.   I  reached Mother's chambers.   I knocked and her chambermaid opened the door.  I said  I am here to see my mother.  She escorted me to her.  She was sitting as I came towards her.  I smile at her.

Hello Mother.  I am so happy to see you.  It has been to long.  The hall is beautiful. You have decorated it well.  I am certain that Gustav and Mary will love it.  Romania was wonderful and King Marius and his sister Princess Christine are grand people.  I believe that you will like them.  Gustav and Mary thought that they were kind.  Marius is a strong yet kind man. Very much like Gustav and Christine is sweet and gentle. She has some of the qualities I see in Mary. Mother you would have been very proud of Mary.  She represented Sweden well as queen. I know that we are proud of her.  Mother,  Mary makes Gustav so happy.

I have finally reached the palace.  I dismount my horse and I began to ascend the stairs to my mother's chambers.  When I reached her room I knocked at the door and her chambermaid opened and escorted me to her and Rebecca.

Hello Mother, Rebecca.  How do you fare since I have messaged you.  Did Rebecca tell you about Romania. We had a great time there but we can talk to you about it later. Gustav and Mary should be here soon. Do you want to see the flute.  It is beautiful.  The carpenter has done a good job and fixing it. Gustav will be most happy to have it as a gift.  He truly loves the flute and he was delighted when Father gave it to him when he died.   The carpenter even polished it can you see it.  I also picked another gift as well.  I will show it to you later.  But I hope that Gustav will find it appealing.

I smiled towards my daughter Rebecca as she came in. I could see that she really had enjoyed her time in Romania.

"My dear sweet Rebecca, I am so pleased that you enjoyed your time in Romania and that things progressed well with King Marius. I can take your word that I will like him, but remember Rebecca, when it comes to marriage, you must seek the approval of your brother. Now Rebecca, are you going to compete in the tournament?

I looked at Agnetha as she too had come into the room.

"Agnetha, I am pleased that you are back here too, both of my wonderful daughters have returned home. The lute, I would very much like to see it and you know how much Gustav loves his music, the music room here has been locked ever since your father passed away.

You got another gift? You must show me this new gift Agnetha that you have. I must ask a favour of you both, now I am not sure if Queen Mary is completely familiar with the Swedish customs yet, so please when she returns here you must advise her that she needs to wear the heeled shoes and gloves at all times in public appearances as we do here. Oh and Rebecca, I ordered you the special pink gloves that you wanted which are on the table for you. I say as my maid finished styling my hair.

I took the flute from Agnetha and examined it as she passed it to me.

"The flute is perfect Agnetha, the carpenter has done a really wonderful job with it I am very happy. You know how much Gustav likes his music so that violin with his name on is a very special gift and one that he is going to love. It was a very good thought Agnetha.

Agnetha, please do forgive me if I am constantly asking for Mary to follow the Swedish traditions but you of all people know how the nobles are here and they would say something if it was not followed. Please teach Mary everything there is to know and maybe even some Swedish. She brings a delight to my son and that in itself makes me very happy indeed.

I smiled at my daughters.

"I am pleased to hear this and I am so glad that you are both back here. Everything is now ready for the tournament to begin.