World Shaking Down (Epilogue)

[talesofyesac]

Title: World Shaking Down (Part 10/10)
Author: talesofyesac
Fandom: Merlin
Rating: PG-13
Characters/Pairing: Merlin, Arthur (gen)
Word Count: 1,949
Warnings: Some violence and eventual character death (minor character). Also, spoilers for 2x13 and anything before that.
Summary: You can't save the dying with words... and, yet, Balinor is still breathing

Comments

[janiecat]

I wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed this story. You have captured the characters at their most complex, noble and courageous. This story moved me with every chapter, and the craft and time taken with each was apparent. This is one of the most 'adult' stories I have read in this fandom, on all levels. You did more than scratch the surface of these characters, you bore down to the bone! And I loved it.
Is this your first work in the Merlin fandom? If so, I hope we see many more works from you that explore the dynamics between Merlin and Arthur, and how their society molds their relationship.
Thank you for a terrific read!

[talesofyesac]

Thank you so much! A lot of time did go into this, so it's always wonderful to know that someone appreciated it. This is my first work in the Merlin fandom--until now, I've mostly been writing for Star Wars. I still love that too, but I think you can definitely count on some more Merlin fic from me.

[archaeologist_d]

I still find this incredibly sad. I know that Arthur did what he thought was right and he was more worried about Merlin than he let on but still. I liked the hints of a long process of Merlin grieving and being furious for Arthur doing what he did and that Gaius had to give Arthur a clue about what was going on. Well done. This was a wonderful story.

[talesofyesac]

I was left feeling sad too--that's actually why it took me so long to get the epilogue to where I wanted it. Basically, I wanted that balance between giving hope and making it clear that not everything was fixed yet. I was hoping not to tip too far over into melancholy, but I'm not sure how well I succeeded. Thanks for following all the way through!

Wounderful

[fee_folay]

Thank you so much for writing this and sharing it with us. This was beautifully done - not an easy read, but achingly lovely all the same. I love how complicated you made all the characters, how they all are determined to do what they feel is right, no matter how much it hurts. The juxtaposition between Arthur's relationship with his father and Merlin's with his is just fantastic. In a way, they are both learning about their fathers. Merlin, because they have just met, and Arthur because he is finally learning to see his father as a man and not merely as a figurehead. They are also both losing their fathers, and I think Merlin's loss may be easier to take in the long run, for his memories of his father will never be tarnished in the way Arthur's will.

It is not often I find a deeply emotional "gen" fic in fandom, and you have no idea how much I appreciate doing so - "bromance" is generally my favorite genre, and all too rare in my opinion.

Re: Wounderful

[talesofyesac]

Trust me, it wasn't an easy write either--I have no idea why I tend toward angst so much. I really wanted to do an exploration of, as you said, something that touched on "the juxtaposition between Arthur's relationship with his father and Merlin's with his," and, well, angst was pretty unavoidable. I think you're right, though--Merlin might have had the easier loss in the long run. Actually, all through writing this, I kind of felt like Arthur was, in some ways, in as bad a situation as Merlin was.

I'm totally with you on the gen fic thing--it's one of my favorites, and when done right, I think it can be as moving as a pairing fic (and I've seen some authors really do it justice). I'm all for the epic bromances!

[fabyenn]

I loved this story; it was heartbreakingly sad....and so well-written. I truly felt every emotion Arthur and Merlin went through.

Great work.

[talesofyesac]

Thanks for following all the way through! :)

[snarkgoddess]

This story... wow. It's all power dynamical and horrendous and hopeful all at once. Much like Merlin realized, it's kind of the best of who they both are because they are both so flawed. I'll probably never re-read it (not having the bottom to walk into this kind of ache with my eyes open), but it's one of those stories that will probably always shape the feel I have for who the characters are.

Gorgeous.

[talesofyesac]

To be honest, I don't think I'll ever go back and re-read it either. It was something I couldn't quite get out of my head--that I eventually just had to write--but I don't think I'll be keen to revisit it. Wow, though--the idea that it will always shape your feel for the characters. That's... pretty awesome. Thank you.