So glad you liked this. I find explorations of Will's character to be underrepresented in this fandom, so I set out to do it. Thanks for letting me know the portrait was a success.
*Snicker-snack* The pen (er keyboard) is mightier than the sword!
I've always thought that for instruments of destruction, a sword was actually a very beautiful objet d'art. But I never had a clue how much work went into making one until I needed to find out how Will made them. The things we do to write fanfic!
I'm happy to provide folded steel meals :D
Thank you so much for the feedback. I really appreciate it.
Thank you for dropping by to comment. Yes, there is a lot more to forging a sword than just hammering away at red metal! And I didn't even touch on issues like smelting and carbonizing iron and making coke and constructing the hilt of a sword. So it's a pretty complicated process.
Little Will the apprentice is rather appealing. I'm so glad you liked him.
Ah, I do like this canticle sooo much. Definitely Wayland is involved here. You catch the magic of the forge so well and Will's entry into the art.
This reminds me of a sword blade I saw years ago in the V & A. It was by itself in a case, in low light, way in the back of the building. Just the blade on simple white silk on a stand, nothing else. The label indicated that it was purported to be by the greatest legendary Japanese swordmaker in the 12th century but they couldn't confirm it. I've seen a lot of the blades of many of the great makers from later centuries but none of them ever took my breath away like that one katana blade. I don't think I've ever seen perfection in steel like that. There have been several works of art that have made me stop breathing on first sight but that is the only weapon that ever has.
It's lovely to hear from you. Yes, Will is kindred spirit to the smiths of legend. It always seemed to me that an apprentice who could make such beautiful swords must have more than mere training. And Norrington should know good work when he sees it. Also that blade that doesn't break under Jack's weight had to be magnificently crafted.
Wow! That blade sounds wonderful. If I'm ever at the V & A, I'll have to make a point of finding it.
Thank you so much for the comment and the inspiring description.
Just wanted to add to your accolades: hurrah on the research! That kind of detail must have taken hours and hours to amass! The story is great, but what it makes it so great to me is your use of detail to build up metaphors: Will being refined just llke the sword, the level of layers to both, the iron being mixed with the steel. What's fascinating to me is how Will becomes anamoured of making swords in paticular, not just horseshoes or tools or iron work, his forte is the sword: something beautiful but dangerous. Maybe it explains his fascination with Elizabeth:)Haven't been able to feedback like I should, but wanted to let you know I've been following and DYING for more:)
Thank you for letting me know that the facts aren't drowning the story. I wanted the detail to be accurate. As I did the research, the metaphors practically shouted to be used. The whole process is rich in imagery that begs to be symbolic. As for Will's love of the sword, I couldn't imagine him any other way--practicing three hours a day and crafting such beautiful swords that others comment on their value. He had to have a deep instinct for them. Elizabeth is indeed beautiful and dangerous, and I think perhaps Will is on his way to becoming so--this movie being the beginning of his forging. Thank you so much for taking the time to write. I'm slowly writing more, but the research is staying almost as time-consuming.
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I have something of an unhealthy obsession with swords and other such weaponry, and this fic definitely feeds that hunger ;-)
This was well-researched, and it shows in the qualtiy of the blade - words! I meant words!
Excellent is the only word for it.
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I've always thought that for instruments of destruction, a sword was actually a very beautiful objet d'art. But I never had a clue how much work went into making one until I needed to find out how Will made them. The things we do to write fanfic!
I'm happy to provide folded steel meals :D
Thank you so much for the feedback. I really appreciate it.
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And I love Will in this too, all the puppyish enthusiasm and genuine skill that makes him who he is!
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Little Will the apprentice is rather appealing. I'm so glad you liked him.
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This reminds me of a sword blade I saw years ago in the V & A. It was by itself in a case, in low light, way in the back of the building. Just the blade on simple white silk on a stand, nothing else. The label indicated that it was purported to be by the greatest legendary Japanese swordmaker in the 12th century but they couldn't confirm it. I've seen a lot of the blades of many of the great makers from later centuries but none of them ever took my breath away like that one katana blade. I don't think I've ever seen perfection in steel like that. There have been several works of art that have made me stop breathing on first sight but that is the only weapon that ever has.
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Wow! That blade sounds wonderful. If I'm ever at the V & A, I'll have to make a point of finding it.
Thank you so much for the comment and the inspiring description.
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-mia
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