((neatly penned in Lumi-kieli))
To Nôra and Raimo of Sûri-kylä, from their daughter Ristiinnä:
I am sorry that it has taken me so long to find a means to send word to you. I hope the others in the trading journey I was on were able to safely reach Pynti-peldot and then return home. Whether they did or not, you have no doubt thought that I had died. In fact, we were caught in a blizzard near, but not near enough, to Pynti-peldot, and while trying to secure supplies for the rest of the expedition, I became lost in the snow and tumbled far down a slope, breaking my wrist. One of the sled dogs found me, but I would have perished of cold, save that I was captured by some treacherous sivullinen who nursed me back to health, chained in their wagon, to sell me to a man who meant to ransom me back for some evil purpose I do not know. With the help of Suojelija, the husky, I was able to get free, but by then I was far outside Lumi-mâ and lost. I met some kind people who helped me on to a city of the etelä-väki, and I have dwelled amongst them for almost a year now.
I am more leagues than I can count away from you, a journey far too great for me to make; as far as the way to Pynti-peldot and back four, five, perhaps six times, if one could fly as the hanhi does. But I am well. Suojelija is still with me, watching over me and enjoying not having to pull sleds. I am working in a place where I provide food and drink and a place to sleep to others, and for doing so I have a small home and food and other things I and Suojelija need. I am also making soap and candles here to sell, and sometimes I play the harp and sing for people. It is never cold here, and while I write this, as you are no doubt gathering hillat, it is hotter here than you have ever imagined. I have some who may be friends, and one who I am wooing, called Marja. I feel like I am making a life. Sometimes I feel like I do not belong here, or that I am "myself but too much", but maybe not as much as I did at home. I observed the offerings of Juhannus and even shared some pullat and song with others here. They do not know what Juhannus is, but they can understand celebrating and feasting.
In any case I am hale and well, and making my way in a strange green world. I miss you and Juvven dearly. I am hoping that in time maybe I will come visit, but it will not be soon that I could make such a journey. I hope to send this letter with some friends who mean to visit Kauppu-kohta, or perhaps even Pynti-peldot, before the end of summer. If you get it, please send a letter back, addressed to me in the Inn of the Prancing Pony in Bree, to tell me how you and the Lumi-väki fare. If you can get it to Kauppu-kohta, one of the etelä-vieras will bring it to me in exchange for two silver pennies, which I am sending along with this letter. I also send along three more that can be traded to replace the cooking pot that was lost with me, and other goods.
Savor the sky-ribbons of Náinnas, for in all the lands of the wide world, only Lumi-mâ is graced by their dance.
With love,
Ristiinnä
