The Old Commandments Stand, Part II

[pristineungift]

Title: The Old Commandments Stand
Author: pristineungift
Beta: brontefanatic - With much thanks!!
Rating: NC-17. Please do not read if you are below the age of majority in your country of residence.
Warnings:

Comments

[brontefanatic]

You already know how amazing I think this is.

The consequences of Kahlan's selfless heroism at the beginning unraveling before her eyes, her conflicted emotions for her husband and child, all leading to so much death and tragedy. My heart just broke.

All the characters are written so well. I can even empathize so some extent with Mother Confessor Serena because of what she's been through. She's single-meinded in her cause, and has had to shred her softer emotions down to the bone - they are a luxury she can no longer afford.

Cara's growing anger and suspicion at being deprived of what she wants most. Salindra's easy affection and good humor towards others never letting her forget that she's a practical
girl at heart. Zedd's feelings for Serena. Richard. They are all living breathing characters, and this story just resonates with the inevitability of fate.

It's incredible how you've made canon events and scenarios your own, showing us how everything could have been so much different if, in fact, Kahlan had made that original sacrifice at Serena's request. I was just breathless reading this, never knowing what was around the corner, and you made every motivation believable, and every decision furthered the plot.

The ending was shocking, but looking back, probably inevitable, and now we have the brothers of destiny together. The last three sentences were absolutely chilling.

Bravo!!!

Also - Your cover art is breathtakingly beautiful. Kahlan's expression as she holds that child is....indescribable. Her grief is palpable.

[pristineungift]

Thanks so much bb!

Again I'm just so thrilled you like it, and thank you so much for the SUPER AMAZING TIME CRUCH BETA. It was really awesome to be on AIM with you as you read it, getting your reactions in real time!

I love that you love Salindra, and I just. Sldkfjsdf. FROTHING OVER YOUR SUPPORT RN!

<3 <3 ILU

And I'm so glad you like the cover! I had a lot of fun making it. :3

[brontefanatic]

I've missed a lot of great discussion so am catching up now. This fic has haunted me since you first sent it to me. It raises so many issues that I can't get out of my mind.

The characterizations are so perfect, and the situation for everybody is so tragic and inescapeable. This story almost seems like an alternate canon to me, which, I guess, in a sense, it is.

This fic has given me so much to think about, and it's also inspired me. There's are so many ideas here, but one in particular, that I really want to explore if I can just find the right words to do it. If I manage it, I will certainly credit you for the inspiration.

[pristineungift]

Sorry for the late reply! Monday-Wednesday are just kind of awful for me.

Thank you so much, Bex! And thank you for holding my hand before I posted it - I was so very nervous about this fic, and your confidence in the characterization went a long way toward convincing me it was ready.

I love that everyone keeps saying "tragic" and "inescapable", because I really do think of this as my own personal MacBeth.

And I am thrilled to death you are inspired. If you do write something for it, make sure to PM me so I don't miss it! I'm very interested to see where you go with whatever idea it is. :3