At Word's End -- Part 6k
anonymous
May 9 2010, 01:01:13 UTC
"I know you think your future is very bleak right now, Alfred," he said in a very soft voice. "I assure you things are not as going to be as bad as you think they will be. I hope you will be willing to work with me in creating a life together instead of fighting me along every step of the journey. I do not wish that kind of life for you...for either of us."
"Okay," was all Alfred could think to say to that.
There was a soft chuckle and the King shook his head slightly. "Try to get some sleep tonight, little Prince," he said. "You have had a long day today and tomorrow will probably be just as long you're going to need it."
With that he nodded his head and then turned and slipped back out the door which slid shut behind him. Alfred heard a telltale click and saw the door glow green as it was locked in the two separate ways. He stared at it for a moment and then with a slightly strangled noise turned and walked back into the bedroom. He crossed over to the bed and lay down on it, not even bothering to pull back the covers and get underneath them or to take off his shoes. He clutched his pack to his check and forced himself to take deep even breaths and not give into the frustration that was welling up inside him.
Instead he concentrated all his effort on thinking about a way out of this mess. There weren't very many options left but there had to be something...anything...that he could still try. He pondered the Kings words as they'd parted and latched onto the fact that he'd said that someone would be coming to get him in the morning. Probably to take him to get changed for the wedding. He assumed that would be one of the palace servants, probably someone who had been there for a while that he would feel comfortable with. The King seemed to want him at ease and would probably especially want that right before the ceremony would take place.
There was a chance that it would be just him and whoever it was that was coming to get him walking to the receiving area near the chapel. On the way to the chapel was the observatory. If he could think up a reason to need to go in there for a few minutes before going on then perhaps they could be convinced to leave him alone and he could make his escape that route.
There was a very slim chance it would work. He wouldn't have very long before someone missed him he would have to use his knowledge of the woods outside to try to escape detection. But...if he had enough luck on his side he just might be able to swing it. If anything at least he could put off the ceremony long enough to buy himself another day. He'd be under even tighter guard but something else might present itself if he was given just a little more time to think about it. He had to at to at least try.
Satisfied that he still had a chance at freedom, no matter how long the odds might be fore it, he allowed himself to sleep.
I feel so bad for Al... sexy Russian King or no, arranged marriges just suck all around. Poor kid even has to leave all his stuff behind! That has got to just suck... That's based off of some actual European marrige-between-royalty traditions, right? I can remember reading something about that in a book somewhere...
Really great job on this chapter! I simply can't wait for Al's next escape attempt and the impending ceremony!!!
Re: At Word's End -- Part 6k
anonymous
May 9 2010, 13:42:09 UTC
Yeah arranged marriages are...hard to imagine for me I think very hard to deal with especially for someone for no time to prepare for it.
I haven't done a lot of research on European marriage-traditions but I admit to being more then a little influenced by the scene from the movie Marie Antoinette. My version of this little tradition is...going to be a little different though... ;-)
Re: At Word's End -- Part 6k
anonymous
May 9 2010, 20:32:59 UTC
Update! Huzzah! (glomps author!anon, then shakes finger at them) Never apologize for putting stuff in a story if you had a reason for putting it there! And, considering the amount of work you've been putting into this fic, I'd say you probably had a reason! And you can't have a story that's all action and confrontations and high-tension - it doesn't work out plot-wise in the long run and would be exhausting to read. Quieter sections are vital because they give the reader a chance to breathe and absorb the info from the high-tension sections while still continuing the story. For example, after section 5, I wanted to bang Alfred over the head with a plank and tell him to get over himself, but now that he's explained his point of view and reasoning a bit better, I find myself liking him again. I'm still totally on Ivan's side, but Alfred is no longer being viewed as such a brat.
I hadn't thought of it earlier, but I find myself starting to wonder what you're going to do with Ivan's family, especially Natalia and Ravis... But, more importantly, we get to see the wedding soon! (bounces up and down) I've been looking forward to it since I started reading this fic! Also, I'm guessing that this is another section where Ivan snuck up behind you and took control of the plot for awhile? ;) This fic is truly wonderful - I look forward to the June installment with much excitement!
Re: At Word's End -- Part 6k
anonymous
May 9 2010, 21:14:32 UTC
Oh dear I'm rather alarmed that anyone would think Alfred was being bratty though I suppose I can see where that comes from...but I'm glad him getting a chance to talk about his feelings takes some of that away...
Oy...I hope I'm not raising people's expectations about the wedding too hard and then won't be able to live up to them... *nibbles fingernails*
LOL...well there's always a chance it might show up before June...we'll see which way the muses run.
Thanks again for your lovely detailed comments! I'm glad you're still enjoying the fic so much!
Re: At Word's End -- Part 6k
anonymous
May 10 2010, 01:30:28 UTC
(grins) Actually, my opinion about Alfred's brattiness is totally hypocritical - it was mostly based around the fact that he was being so resistant towards Ivan, even though it's a completely in-character way for Alfred to behave. The main reason I wasn't supporting it was outsider info about Arthur and Ivan and the events that culminated in the marriage. If I was in his position, I'd probably behave in a similar manner. So, like I said, I may have felt like he was being a brat, but I also knew that I wasn't really justified in feeling that way. ;)
As for the wedding... I'm just excited to see what you do with it! You've created such an interesting, elaborate world and set of cultures for this story, which I've been enjoying learning about immensely. (this is the point where I own up to the fact that I'm currently in Uni and pursuing, amongst other things, a minor in Anthropology...) I'm excited to see what you do with it - you've already hinted that there's a lot of culture and tradition involved, a good portion of which has a significant purpose outside of the ceremony itself, such as the influence of magical power that comes from marrying on the solstice. (and this is where the part of me responsible for the box full of books on mythology, folklore, and supernatural reference books perks up its ears and quietly notes the significance of the solstices in a couple of other cultures) So no worries about living up to expectations - I'm going to be happily pouring over what you write, no matter what it is (not to mention cheering at the fact that Alfred and Ivan are officially hitched)!
No pressure whatsoever about getting the next chapter up, btw! You've explained why you're taking this fic slow (to avoid burn-out and ensure you finish it) and I find your reasons both sound and logical, and must therefore, as an occasionally sound and logical being myself, support your reasoning fully. Take your time, enjoy the process, and I'll be waiting with one of my crazily-long reviews when you decide it's ready to post, whenever that should be! ^^
Ah yes...good...I'm glad to hear I didn't write him over the top with his attitude. I just hope people remember that he doesn't realize that behind-the-scenes stuff. He really thinks that there's not other reason for this marriage other then dowry/connection gains between the kingdoms and also despite the fact that it's taken be ages to post it it hasn't even been 24 hours yet since he arrived back home in Britannia. This is quickly turning into the Lost of fics.
Heh...well this is the part where I admit to doing very little research of the solstices yet. I mean I know their significance through watching history channel docs mostly and a little bit of other reading when I looked up when they fell to give myself a time period to place the fic. I probably will do a little bit of research but mostly I don't really want to. I'm more interested in creating these customs and traditions free hand for the characters and the world and the magic they use. Some of it is loosely based on real-world traditions but mostly I'm just making it up as I go along... *snerks* I hope that won't bother anyone. Call me a lazy Tolkien-wannabe I guess.
My nervousness with the ceremonies is that I'm mostly scared about the spells I have to create (and how not to make them lame) and the fact that I have three that need to be different and yet connected since they're all about the bonding of two people together. (the wedding ceremony, the Solstice ceremony and then the third one hinted at in this one which may be the most important one in some respects) so yeah...I'm more then a little afraid of my ability to follow through with my promises.
Yeah with this world I want to take it slow though once I get a couple of other WIPS out of the way (and if I don't add any more which with me who knows) this one might come a little more readily.
But thanks for your crazily-long reviews I love getting them, I enjoy getting the chance to discuss this fic in detail however briefly. And...I have to ask...have we perhaps spoken outside of the meme at some point? (Or do you have some fic on meme that I can return the favor with?)
What I meant by my comment about being an Anth minor (which I am) is that I love hearing about different cultures and customs. Which translates to 'make up as much as you want about this world, because I am eating it up with a spoon!' I don't know a huge amount about solstice ceremonies either, my areas of interest lay more in folklore and cryptozoology, but I have heard a thing or two - mostly, like you, from history programs but also from a couple of projects I've done for school that touched on the subject area a bit.
By the way, no, I will not call you a lazy Tolkien-wannabe, because I don't see you as such. I've done my fair share of world-creating as a minor fantasy writer (most of it original stuff, none of which is on the net because I am paranoid... ^_^U), and the thing is, the thing that I think most people don't realize is, MAKING UP WORLDS IS READING (CENSORED) HARD!!! At least on the scale you're doing, that is. I'm doing something similar at the moment, so I know for a fact that it can be a lot of work, figuring out a political system (cringes as she realizes that she hasn't done this yet), the way magic works, what species you want to include if you aren't just using humans, the religious structure, heck, even the geography! There is so much detail there, and making traditions can be the hardest part, for many of the reasons you mentioned in making the wedding ceremony spells, and because traditions usually have a pretty sound reason they became traditions. Using only real-world traditions in a story can be interesting, and can itself require a lot of work and research to get them accurate, but making up your own can be just as strenuous.
Don't worry about the wedding spells and their interconnectedness. I know that, at the very least, I am easy to please. And I'm glad you like my crazily-long reviews and the discussions we have in them. I also enjoy being able to talk about this story and its details with you - its fun talking with another writer about their work like this!
As for if we've ever 'spoken' outside of the meme... actually, yes, we have. I found your livejournal account when I read one of your other RusxUS fics, and that's where I started reading this fic in the first place. I left a review for the second chapter (which was much less verbose than my reviews here on the kink meme have been). Here's a couple of hints: for my username, I'm a colourful mischief-maker, and in the response to the response you gave my review, I admitted to having difficulties navigating around livejournal. I do have a fill on the meme, which I can give you a link to if you're interested in reading it - it was a for a crackish request about the possibility of Germania being an elf and the effect this would have on Prussia and Germany which I ended up taking rather seriously.
All that being said, I'll leave you to do what you like with the information you've received!
"Okay," was all Alfred could think to say to that.
There was a soft chuckle and the King shook his head slightly. "Try to get some sleep tonight, little Prince," he said. "You have had a long day today and tomorrow will probably be just as long you're going to need it."
With that he nodded his head and then turned and slipped back out the door which slid shut behind him. Alfred heard a telltale click and saw the door glow green as it was locked in the two separate ways. He stared at it for a moment and then with a slightly strangled noise turned and walked back into the bedroom. He crossed over to the bed and lay down on it, not even bothering to pull back the covers and get underneath them or to take off his shoes. He clutched his pack to his check and forced himself to take deep even breaths and not give into the frustration that was welling up inside him.
Instead he concentrated all his effort on thinking about a way out of this mess. There weren't very many options left but there had to be something...anything...that he could still try. He pondered the Kings words as they'd parted and latched onto the fact that he'd said that someone would be coming to get him in the morning. Probably to take him to get changed for the wedding. He assumed that would be one of the palace servants, probably someone who had been there for a while that he would feel comfortable with. The King seemed to want him at ease and would probably especially want that right before the ceremony would take place.
There was a chance that it would be just him and whoever it was that was coming to get him walking to the receiving area near the chapel. On the way to the chapel was the observatory. If he could think up a reason to need to go in there for a few minutes before going on then perhaps they could be convinced to leave him alone and he could make his escape that route.
There was a very slim chance it would work. He wouldn't have very long before someone missed him he would have to use his knowledge of the woods outside to try to escape detection. But...if he had enough luck on his side he just might be able to swing it. If anything at least he could put off the ceremony long enough to buy himself another day. He'd be under even tighter guard but something else might present itself if he was given just a little more time to think about it. He had to at to at least try.
Satisfied that he still had a chance at freedom, no matter how long the odds might be fore it, he allowed himself to sleep.
The King was right he was going to need it.
* * *
TBC
Reply
Reply
Reply
oh, but poor Alfred ... I actually want him to escape successfully. I would cry for days if I was in his shoes
Reply
I know I sort of want him to too quite honestly. But if he did...well there really wouldn't be much of a story for me to tell... ;-)
Reply
I LOVE THIS FILL.
BEWARE MY CAPSLOCK REVIEW OF AWESOME.
I CAN'T WAIT FOR THE WEDDING.
AND THE WEDDING NIGHT. LOLOL
Reply
Wedding will be soon...wedding night...might be a little longer off... ;-)
Reply
I feel so bad for Al... sexy Russian King or no, arranged marriges just suck all around. Poor kid even has to leave all his stuff behind! That has got to just suck... That's based off of some actual European marrige-between-royalty traditions, right? I can remember reading something about that in a book somewhere...
Really great job on this chapter! I simply can't wait for Al's next escape attempt and the impending ceremony!!!
Reply
I haven't done a lot of research on European marriage-traditions but I admit to being more then a little influenced by the scene from the movie Marie Antoinette. My version of this little tradition is...going to be a little different though... ;-)
Glad you're enjoying it, thanks for the comment!
Reply
the chapter was interesting, seeing them like this, together... so great! thank you!
Reply
Reply
I hadn't thought of it earlier, but I find myself starting to wonder what you're going to do with Ivan's family, especially Natalia and Ravis... But, more importantly, we get to see the wedding soon! (bounces up and down) I've been looking forward to it since I started reading this fic! Also, I'm guessing that this is another section where Ivan snuck up behind you and took control of the plot for awhile? ;) This fic is truly wonderful - I look forward to the June installment with much excitement!
Reply
Oy...I hope I'm not raising people's expectations about the wedding too hard and then won't be able to live up to them... *nibbles fingernails*
LOL...well there's always a chance it might show up before June...we'll see which way the muses run.
Thanks again for your lovely detailed comments! I'm glad you're still enjoying the fic so much!
Reply
As for the wedding... I'm just excited to see what you do with it! You've created such an interesting, elaborate world and set of cultures for this story, which I've been enjoying learning about immensely. (this is the point where I own up to the fact that I'm currently in Uni and pursuing, amongst other things, a minor in Anthropology...) I'm excited to see what you do with it - you've already hinted that there's a lot of culture and tradition involved, a good portion of which has a significant purpose outside of the ceremony itself, such as the influence of magical power that comes from marrying on the solstice. (and this is where the part of me responsible for the box full of books on mythology, folklore, and supernatural reference books perks up its ears and quietly notes the significance of the solstices in a couple of other cultures) So no worries about living up to expectations - I'm going to be happily pouring over what you write, no matter what it is (not to mention cheering at the fact that Alfred and Ivan are officially hitched)!
No pressure whatsoever about getting the next chapter up, btw! You've explained why you're taking this fic slow (to avoid burn-out and ensure you finish it) and I find your reasons both sound and logical, and must therefore, as an occasionally sound and logical being myself, support your reasoning fully. Take your time, enjoy the process, and I'll be waiting with one of my crazily-long reviews when you decide it's ready to post, whenever that should be! ^^
Reply
Heh...well this is the part where I admit to doing very little research of the solstices yet. I mean I know their significance through watching history channel docs mostly and a little bit of other reading when I looked up when they fell to give myself a time period to place the fic. I probably will do a little bit of research but mostly I don't really want to. I'm more interested in creating these customs and traditions free hand for the characters and the world and the magic they use. Some of it is loosely based on real-world traditions but mostly I'm just making it up as I go along... *snerks* I hope that won't bother anyone. Call me a lazy Tolkien-wannabe I guess.
My nervousness with the ceremonies is that I'm mostly scared about the spells I have to create (and how not to make them lame) and the fact that I have three that need to be different and yet connected since they're all about the bonding of two people together. (the wedding ceremony, the Solstice ceremony and then the third one hinted at in this one which may be the most important one in some respects) so yeah...I'm more then a little afraid of my ability to follow through with my promises.
Yeah with this world I want to take it slow though once I get a couple of other WIPS out of the way (and if I don't add any more which with me who knows) this one might come a little more readily.
But thanks for your crazily-long reviews I love getting them, I enjoy getting the chance to discuss this fic in detail however briefly. And...I have to ask...have we perhaps spoken outside of the meme at some point? (Or do you have some fic on meme that I can return the favor with?)
Reply
By the way, no, I will not call you a lazy Tolkien-wannabe, because I don't see you as such. I've done my fair share of world-creating as a minor fantasy writer (most of it original stuff, none of which is on the net because I am paranoid... ^_^U), and the thing is, the thing that I think most people don't realize is, MAKING UP WORLDS IS READING (CENSORED) HARD!!! At least on the scale you're doing, that is. I'm doing something similar at the moment, so I know for a fact that it can be a lot of work, figuring out a political system (cringes as she realizes that she hasn't done this yet), the way magic works, what species you want to include if you aren't just using humans, the religious structure, heck, even the geography! There is so much detail there, and making traditions can be the hardest part, for many of the reasons you mentioned in making the wedding ceremony spells, and because traditions usually have a pretty sound reason they became traditions. Using only real-world traditions in a story can be interesting, and can itself require a lot of work and research to get them accurate, but making up your own can be just as strenuous.
Don't worry about the wedding spells and their interconnectedness. I know that, at the very least, I am easy to please. And I'm glad you like my crazily-long reviews and the discussions we have in them. I also enjoy being able to talk about this story and its details with you - its fun talking with another writer about their work like this!
As for if we've ever 'spoken' outside of the meme... actually, yes, we have. I found your livejournal account when I read one of your other RusxUS fics, and that's where I started reading this fic in the first place. I left a review for the second chapter (which was much less verbose than my reviews here on the kink meme have been). Here's a couple of hints: for my username, I'm a colourful mischief-maker, and in the response to the response you gave my review, I admitted to having difficulties navigating around livejournal. I do have a fill on the meme, which I can give you a link to if you're interested in reading it - it was a for a crackish request about the possibility of Germania being an elf and the effect this would have on Prussia and Germany which I ended up taking rather seriously.
All that being said, I'll leave you to do what you like with the information you've received!
Reply
Leave a comment