Yuletide recs: 10 stories, 7 fandoms
Rome
Hey, Vorenus/Pullo lovers: I think we hit the jackpot this year. Seriously. Some fantastic stories, I kid you not.
The Aeneid - OMG. Well, this story sent me into spasms of joy. So beautifully written; it's the happy ending the show snatched away from me. And it's longer than the average Yuletide story, and it fits so perfectly, and all the characters are so vivid. I am full of ecstatic flail.
Hic Manebimus Optime - and because we Rome fans were good this year, another wonderful post-series happy ending story, this one in a different location, with new characters.
Miles Fortunae - ...and a third one. Really, I don't know what we did to deserve this, but let's keep it up! Wonderful character insight into both Pullo and Vorenus, and their relationship is portrayed as complicated and unsettling, just as on the show itself. But it's such a touching story.
Merlin
That Shall Achieve The Sword - wonderful little story of Merlin revealing himself to save Arthur, and Arthur saving Merlin in return at tremendous cost.
The 13th Warrior
Repaired With Peace - a slow, introspective story (and a fairly long one, too) which explores the inner drives and desires of Ahmed Ibn Fahldan. It took me a while to get into this story, but I enjoyed it; it has the kind of thinky weight to it that Eben seemed to have to his personality - it feels like the musings of a man who has lived inside his head for many years, even in his restlessness.
The Breakfast Club
The Tender Things That We Were Working On - A lovely little snapshot of Brian and John, some years down the road, as reunion time rolls around.
John Bellairs - Lewis Barnavelt Series
The Metal from the Stars - OMG. The House With The Clock In Its Walls was one of the formative books from my childhood, and this story captures an older Lewis, growing up, and his relationship with Rose Rita and with his world, as he unravels an odd mystery. This story is worth it just for the interaction between Uncle Jonathan and Mrs. Zimmerman.
LA Confidential
White Noise - Ed makes a list, and takes a trip.
Laura Ingalls Wilder - Little House Series
I never expected to enjoy stories set around these characters, because they are ensconced so firmly in my childhood imagination, but wow. This year, a couple character sketches really grabbed me.
A Land So Wild and Savage - Charles's point of view; a series of snapshots throughout his life, decisions made, as he moves across the land. I think this is frankly brilliant as a character piece.
Wisconsin - And on the flip side, Caroline, sacrificing who she was for who she has become, and what Charles wants her to be. I found her so much less sympathetic in the books, and here I kind of love her.