I don't cry much, but I did while reading this. (Seriously...I told my mom I read a story that made me cry, she looked at me funny and may have checked outside for flying pigs).
This is certainly one of the best things I have read in the fandom. It was eloquent and beautiful. I love the symbols you chose and how they were woven throughout the story.
I have never seen "The Fountain" but its on my Netflix queue now. I think I might be disappointed though, now that I have Arthur and Merlin so etched into the roles of Monarch/Writer and Traveler/Doctor.
(So sorry for how horribly late this reply is. Ugh, RL, always getting in the way of things.)
Thank you so much! I would say I'm sorry for making you cry, but I'm sort of not (as cruel as that is to say) because it's the best sort of confirmation that I've done my work well here, so it wouldn't really be honest. You've given me such high compliments here, and just. Wow, I don't really know what to except a whole-hearted "thank you."
And the fact that this is now inspiring you to go see The Fountain just about makes my week, seriously. It's one of my favorite movies ever, but it's not one many people have seen, which is sad because it's so well-done and such a beautiful look at the necessity of not only death, but also of all the processes associated with grieving and loss. I don't think you'll be disappointed by it at all, particularly because those characters -- it's their story, so it'll fit them better, and your heart will break all over again. Enjoy the experience; it's probably one of the best movie-watching times I've ever had
( ... )
So I've read this four times over already and I still don't know what to say except that this could possibly be my favourite Arthur/Merlin AU ever.
I love tragedy, my own reel fic (which I failed to deliver on time) was going to be tragedy and, like you I feel, I wondered long and hard about how it would go down in fandom. Let me just say that if my fic could be half as emotive and moving as this one, I'd be happy.
I've never seen the film, but that totally didn't matter in terms of how it moved me. Fics like these are few and far between, I love AUs but it can be such a struggle to keep canons in character and I think you hit the nails on their heads.
I'm so glad you managed to finish it and share it with us!
(So sorry for how horribly late this reply is. Ugh, RL, always getting in the way of things.)
Oh, wow. The fact that you've taken the time and energy to read through it that many times is just. Wow. I don't know if even I could do that, and I wrote the damn thing.
And yeah, I did know going into it that fandom probably wasn't going to much care for a tragedy. But it's one of my favorite films of all time, and the chance to work with it and translate it into Merlin was just fantastic, so I'm glad I stuck it through. I'm so happy to hear that the characterization worked for you, as I was a bit wary in parts about it, and that you were moved even without having the prior connection of knowing and loving the film. Means I've done my job well, I think.
This was simply stunning. Heartbreaking, yes, but in an odd way it still felt like a happy ending in how Merlin finally understood what Arthur had been trying to tell him. I liked how even though you never doubted Merlin's absolute devotion to Arthur, we still saw how living in those circumstances Merlin may not have always acted wonderfully towards his partner, made him heartbreakingly human. I had so many favourite moments in this. Adored Morgana's and Uther's characterisation. I liked how despite Merlin spending so much time trying to push for scientific advancement, in the end it, for him, was a moot point that in the space of just a few years his teams made 2 world changing, ground breaking discoveries - Arthur would have been proud of that legacy if nothing else
( ... )
(This reply is inexcusably late; forgive me, please.)
it still felt like a happy ending in how Merlin finally understood what Arthur had been trying to tell himThat's one of the effects I wanted to get out of this, I think, the recognition that while death and loss are awful, terrible things, an inability to accept them and all the ways that twists you are so much worse. So yes, I'm glad that you found a bit of happiness in that being realized (I hope) by the ending. Also, re: Morgana's and Uther's characterizations -- I worried about them so much, simply because they weren't featured enough to really give me time to develop them a lot, so it's wonderful to know that they worked and were believable to you
( ... )
(This reply is inexcusably late; forgive me, please.)
Thank you so much for reading this even knowing it would be painful! I don't know if I would have, to be honest, so it really means a lot. And yes, you really do have to see The Fountain. It's amazing, and it will probably break you more than this fic ever could (it still breaks me when I watch it, and I've seen it upwards of ten times, probably, because I'm a total masochist like that), but it is so immensely beautiful, and so indescribably worth it.
That was - perfect. It was The Fountain but it was Merlin. It was so beautiful - I was ever so slightly worried that you'd write a lovely fic but basically just retell the film but you didn't, you oh-so didn't, you kept the basics but pulled in the Arthurian legend so perfectly I almost can't believe it. This show and this film were made for a crossover of some sort, I can see now
( ... )
Comments 41
This is certainly one of the best things I have read in the fandom. It was eloquent and beautiful. I love the symbols you chose and how they were woven throughout the story.
I have never seen "The Fountain" but its on my Netflix queue now. I think I might be disappointed though, now that I have Arthur and Merlin so etched into the roles of Monarch/Writer and Traveler/Doctor.
Thank you so much!
Reply
Thank you so much! I would say I'm sorry for making you cry, but I'm sort of not (as cruel as that is to say) because it's the best sort of confirmation that I've done my work well here, so it wouldn't really be honest. You've given me such high compliments here, and just. Wow, I don't really know what to except a whole-hearted "thank you."
And the fact that this is now inspiring you to go see The Fountain just about makes my week, seriously. It's one of my favorite movies ever, but it's not one many people have seen, which is sad because it's so well-done and such a beautiful look at the necessity of not only death, but also of all the processes associated with grieving and loss. I don't think you'll be disappointed by it at all, particularly because those characters -- it's their story, so it'll fit them better, and your heart will break all over again. Enjoy the experience; it's probably one of the best movie-watching times I've ever had ( ... )
Reply
I love tragedy, my own reel fic (which I failed to deliver on time) was going to be tragedy and, like you I feel, I wondered long and hard about how it would go down in fandom. Let me just say that if my fic could be half as emotive and moving as this one, I'd be happy.
I've never seen the film, but that totally didn't matter in terms of how it moved me. Fics like these are few and far between, I love AUs but it can be such a struggle to keep canons in character and I think you hit the nails on their heads.
I'm so glad you managed to finish it and share it with us!
Reply
Oh, wow. The fact that you've taken the time and energy to read through it that many times is just. Wow. I don't know if even I could do that, and I wrote the damn thing.
And yeah, I did know going into it that fandom probably wasn't going to much care for a tragedy. But it's one of my favorite films of all time, and the chance to work with it and translate it into Merlin was just fantastic, so I'm glad I stuck it through. I'm so happy to hear that the characterization worked for you, as I was a bit wary in parts about it, and that you were moved even without having the prior connection of knowing and loving the film. Means I've done my job well, I think.
Thank you so much, and I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Reply
Reply
it still felt like a happy ending in how Merlin finally understood what Arthur had been trying to tell himThat's one of the effects I wanted to get out of this, I think, the recognition that while death and loss are awful, terrible things, an inability to accept them and all the ways that twists you are so much worse. So yes, I'm glad that you found a bit of happiness in that being realized (I hope) by the ending. Also, re: Morgana's and Uther's characterizations -- I worried about them so much, simply because they weren't featured enough to really give me time to develop them a lot, so it's wonderful to know that they worked and were believable to you ( ... )
Reply
(The comment has been removed)
Thank you so much for reading this even knowing it would be painful! I don't know if I would have, to be honest, so it really means a lot. And yes, you really do have to see The Fountain. It's amazing, and it will probably break you more than this fic ever could (it still breaks me when I watch it, and I've seen it upwards of ten times, probably, because I'm a total masochist like that), but it is so immensely beautiful, and so indescribably worth it.
Reply
That was - perfect. It was The Fountain but it was Merlin. It was so beautiful - I was ever so slightly worried that you'd write a lovely fic but basically just retell the film but you didn't, you oh-so didn't, you kept the basics but pulled in the Arthurian legend so perfectly I almost can't believe it. This show and this film were made for a crossover of some sort, I can see now ( ... )
Reply
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