Letter Five: Sad Dragon, No Tea

My Dear Worried Thomisina,

First let me assure you that Ludwig and I are well. Our feet are freezing and our noses cold, but we are happy enough, even without hot tea.

Now I know why Boo Hoo Castle is so gloomy, Thomisina. The castle is very big and drafty; that is, cold air comes in all the time and chills everyone's toes and noses and fingertips. There are no fires in any of the fireplaces, and everyone, even Queen Clara herself, eats cold pickles straight out of a jar for supper. She cries the whole time!

Why is Boo Hoo Castle so cold and sad? Well, dear Thomisina, it was not always this way. Once fires burned hot and cheery in every fireplace; everyone had tea three times a day and warm crumpets with raspberry jam and hot chocolate before bed. Once everyone sat in a nice warm bubblebath every night and toasted marshmallows and told stories with shining, happy faces.

Yes, once Boo Hoo Castle was the snuggest place you could imagine. People knocked at the door all day to visit and eat hot pea soup.

But not anymore. You see, Boo Hoo Castle's dragon, Esmerelda, is sad. And when Esmerelda is sad, her breath-fire dries up. She refuses to light the fires or the stove or any of the candles. For a whole year now she has sat in the corner of the castle and cried, and not blown fire once to make Boo Hoo Castle warm and snug. Why? Nobody knows. Poor Queen Clara has tried everything: good stories, foot rubbings, and special treats like chocolate cake and vanilla pudding. But nothing works.

As you may have guessed, Thomisina, Queen Clara has hired us with the hopes that we will be able to cheer Elsmerelda and bring back cozy fires to Boo Hoo Castle.

I think we will succeed, though Ludwig the Noble is so grumpy without her hot tea that I don't suppose she'll be much help. But though I am cold and pink of nose, I am noble. And I am funny, too.

So do not worry, Thomisina. Tomorrow we will jolly the downcast dragon, collect our pennies, and head back to Gumberry Castle.

I remain your confident,

Chidester the Gumberry