I admire the prose and narrative style, so restrained and so deceptively effortless, never seeming forced or strained and never wavering in the consistently high quality. It is no minor feat to keep the lovers apart for the main part of your tale, and to stick to the POV you have chosen, and to nevertheless hold readers' keen attention and keep them glued to the screen. I wanted to read it *all* - the pace was perfect and the unfolding of the story just right - I experienced no impatience nor wish to skip ahead. Under other circumstances that might seem like faint praise - but with the demanding challenge you'd set yourself here, it really is much, much more.
The characterization of Merlin and particularly Gwaine was excellent; they were recognizable as their canon selves, as were the other canon characters. But with a keen eye you built Gwaine up to a living, breathing, complex, sometime-moody and interesting person, and Merlin too - as filtered through Gwaine's mind. I loved the gentle and slow unfolding of the long-distance M/Gwa courtship through the exchange of the letters. The increasing intensity and boldness and longing in their exchanges, the insecurities and uncertainties a long parting will necessarily bring, the magic reveal happening so far away that we, like Gwaine, can only guess at what truly went down between Arthur and Merlin: There's such a big story here, and one that yet leaves much yet unsaid and open to conjecture. I like ambiguity in fics and stories that leave room for interpretation. This is one such.
Fascinating how restraint, duty, caution and alertness seemed to be the order of the day all around while cold winter took hold, while Arthur was regent only and his hold on Camelot and more so on Cenred's kingdom was yet tenuous and open to challenge and treachery. And then once Uther died it was like opening veritable floodgates to an entire new era and new life at court and throughout the lands; the heat and lushness of summer, magic allowed, a sense of giddy relief and happiness, new chances and sensuality, with more than a touch of hedonism transforming the once-austere court. It seemed rather abrupt, but to me that made sense - once a long-lasting and severe barrier breaks, so much that was held back will burst forth eagerly and joyfully.
I enjoyed Merlin and Gwaine's reunion, obviously - very satisfying conclusion to their ever-increasing long-simmering love and longing! I particularly liked Merlin's total BAMFyness once he's come into his own and is out into the open. I would have *loved* to see a manip or illustration of him with those blue swirling druidic symbols and the oak leaf crown.
I should also mention a couple of the OOCs: Both Gareth and Bronwen were interesting and likable characters, with poignant and engaging life and family backgrounds leading to their respective current situations. The show is lacking in multi-dimensional "good" and competent female characters. I was happy to see you adding these two.
I suppose this comment has gotten overlong, so let me just end it with saying a big Thank You. It's rewarding and wonderful when a Merlin fandom writer is inspired into writing something as epic as this.
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I admire the prose and narrative style, so restrained and so deceptively effortless, never seeming forced or strained and never wavering in the consistently high quality. It is no minor feat to keep the lovers apart for the main part of your tale, and to stick to the POV you have chosen, and to nevertheless hold readers' keen attention and keep them glued to the screen. I wanted to read it *all* - the pace was perfect and the unfolding of the story just right - I experienced no impatience nor wish to skip ahead. Under other circumstances that might seem like faint praise - but with the demanding challenge you'd set yourself here, it really is much, much more.
The characterization of Merlin and particularly Gwaine was excellent; they were recognizable as their canon selves, as were the other canon characters. But with a keen eye you built Gwaine up to a living, breathing, complex, sometime-moody and interesting person, and Merlin too - as filtered through Gwaine's mind. I loved the gentle and slow unfolding of the long-distance M/Gwa courtship through the exchange of the letters. The increasing intensity and boldness and longing in their exchanges, the insecurities and uncertainties a long parting will necessarily bring, the magic reveal happening so far away that we, like Gwaine, can only guess at what truly went down between Arthur and Merlin: There's such a big story here, and one that yet leaves much yet unsaid and open to conjecture. I like ambiguity in fics and stories that leave room for interpretation. This is one such.
Fascinating how restraint, duty, caution and alertness seemed to be the order of the day all around while cold winter took hold, while Arthur was regent only and his hold on Camelot and more so on Cenred's kingdom was yet tenuous and open to challenge and treachery. And then once Uther died it was like opening veritable floodgates to an entire new era and new life at court and throughout the lands; the heat and lushness of summer, magic allowed, a sense of giddy relief and happiness, new chances and sensuality, with more than a touch of hedonism transforming the once-austere court. It seemed rather abrupt, but to me that made sense - once a long-lasting and severe barrier breaks, so much that was held back will burst forth eagerly and joyfully.
I enjoyed Merlin and Gwaine's reunion, obviously - very satisfying conclusion to their ever-increasing long-simmering love and longing! I particularly liked Merlin's total BAMFyness once he's come into his own and is out into the open. I would have *loved* to see a manip or illustration of him with those blue swirling druidic symbols and the oak leaf crown.
I should also mention a couple of the OOCs: Both Gareth and Bronwen were interesting and likable characters, with poignant and engaging life and family backgrounds leading to their respective current situations. The show is lacking in multi-dimensional "good" and competent female characters. I was happy to see you adding these two.
I suppose this comment has gotten overlong, so let me just end it with saying a big Thank You. It's rewarding and wonderful when a Merlin fandom writer is inspired into writing something as epic as this.