The Windhelm Letters Contents . Page 1 . The following transcribed letters were recovered from a strongbox found after a fire consumed a house in Solitude in the early part of the 3rd Era . Nobody by the addressed name lived at the home , and it is unknown how long the family had owned the strongbox . The letters are believed to be written during the reign of Jarl Elgryr the Unminded , who ruled Windhelm in the Second Era - Page 2 . - and about whom few other records are extant . Page 3 . " My dearest Thessalonuis , " " I hope this letter reaches you , and finds you well . It is getting more difficult to find paper within the city , but I still save the scraps sent by the city ' s tax agents . I hope you don ' t mind a household reckoning on the reverse of this . " " Windhelm remains as cold as - " Page 4 . " - ever , but nothing compared to the heart of her king . Smoke and revelry rise from the palace daily , while we have little wood or coal to keep the chill off . I fear for the little ones , but they ' re so brave , having never known any other kind of life . We all speak to you daily , and hope that we may come to see you soon " " Yours , Reylia " Page 6 . " Dear Thessalonuis , " " Your last message arrived safely , but the promised gold mentioned did not . When I mentioned this to the courier , she shrugged and turned to the door with no other word . While bearing , I would caution you to not trust that particular woman again . " Page 7 . " The minds of the city grow numb with cold and silence . We starve , and the unminded one makes no appearance , no speech , nothing to succor his people . His wizard has been walking the streets of the city at odd hours , visiting homes . I saw him paint some horrid symbol on one door - - it dripped like blood before vanishing like sand in the wind . The next dawn , nobody who lived there still drew breath . I am a friend to one of the scullery maids who was sent to clean out the house . She described the most horrible things to me and the children , but I will spare you the details . " " The worst of it is , that was a house that supported the king . If that ' s what happens to his friends , what will be the fate of the rest of us ? " " But don ' t let this shift your mind from its important - " Page 8 . " - tasks . We all know you work to free us , and pray for your success and swift return . " " Love , Reylia " Page 9 . This next letter was scribbled onto a piece of cloth with what appears to be charcoal . " Thess . , " " I hope you didn ' t actually " . . . [ illegible ] . . " efforts are important , but our sufferings must remain " . . [ illegible ] . . . " retaliation can be swift and terrible . If you no longer care for me , at least think of your " . . . [ illegible ] . . . " Love Always , R " Page 11 . " Dear Thessalonius , " " Weeks go by and we have no word from Solitude . I tell the children that you ' re simply very busy , but it ' s getting harder to make excuses for you . If you can no longer send money ( and I understand , smuggling anything of value into the city has become a fool ' s errand ) , at least send word that you still live and work for the - " Page 12 . " - freedom of Windhelm . " " As regards your issue that I mentioned previously , worry not . With food shortages being what they are , I have removed it from my concerns . " " Always yours , Reylia " Page 13 . " My dearest Thessalonius , " " It was good to hear from you at last . Please forgive the rantings of a starving mind . We have at last depleted the basement stores of food , even with the strictest rationing . I see the little ones ' faces growing thin and my heart weeps for them . They are , in some ways , brave . I think they ' re looking after me - " Page 14 . " - moreso then I them . " " Please come home . I strongly desire to look upon your face . " — R Page 15 . " Papa , " " Ma said to write you , so we love and miss you . Ma is tired a lot , but has lots of visitors , so we are being good and " " . " " Love , Stessl and Shapl " Page 16 . " Thessalonius , " " I don ' t have much time . The city has finally broken . The gates of the palace will not keep us out . The storming begins soon . I have gathered those who still have a spirit to live , and we are taking our own fortunes to hand . I hope to see you on the other side of this . Pray for us as we once prayed for you . " Page 17 . " Your Reylia "