FIC: Never a Daughter of Destiny [Legend of the Seeker]
I tend to group the LAS ficlets together, but I like this one a lot, so I'm putting it up by itself. Thinky thoughts on the writing of this fic is here. Best read after the fic.
Title: Never a Daughter of Destiny
Fandom: Legend of the Seeker
Disclaimer: Purely a piece of fanwork for fun, not profit.
Rating: PG
Continuity: AU
Summary: A boy, just as he'd hoped.
Notes: Written for Round #7 of LAS, prompt: genderflip one canon character. Placed 3rd.
A boy, just as he'd hoped, his desperate wish come true. The prophecy has not been averted. His cruel, first born son will meet his comeuppance yet. This small bundle in his arms, with tiny fingers and tiny toes, will slay the tyrant who has usurped Panis Rahl's throne.
The baby yawns. Panis frowns.
Something is not right.
To sense another's gift is a talent of the Sisters of the Light, but Rahl magic is blood magic. This child is of his blood, and the melding of two greatly powerful bloodlines. He should sense the infant's brimming potential.
But there is only... commonness.
No, worse than common. A void.
Curse the Spirits. A pristinely ungifted son: worse than useless, little more than a gap in the fabric of creation. In the olden times, they were considered abominations and killed at birth. That barbaric practice may be out of fashion for centuries now, but Panis knows of few in the history books who had lived long lives.
He has half the mind to thrust the infant back into Tarralyn's arms and leave them be, or perhaps he should do her the kindness of ending this doomed boy's life before it ends in some tragic fashion that will break her heart. But as he gazes upon Tarralyn's sleeping face, he knows he cannot. She has already lost one child; she cannot bear losing another. Richard is a gaping hole in her life and a silent ghost who sits constant vigil between them. This new life in Panis' arms is the one thing that has been mending Tarralyn's heart.
He may not love Tarralyn -- she has always been a means to his end -- but he is not so cruel as that.
Perhaps the Creator is working in the most mysterious way. Richard would've been immensely powerful, certainly more than enough to defeat his cursed brother. But Richard is lost now, most likely buried in a tiny plot in Brennidon.
The boy now in his arms is the absolute opposite. Unable to wield the gift, but unable to be touched by it either. His eldest son is embroiled in the darkest of magic. Perhaps the only person who can defeat him is one who is immune to his sorcery.
As Tarralyn wakes, he makes his decision to stay. He cannot teach the magic he knows, but he will make sure his boy knows everything that a father can teach him.
"Have you decided on a name, my love?" Tarralyn asks, voice rough with sleep, eyes filled with fondness at the sight of her son with his father.
"I thought I would let you have the pleasure."
"Jensen," Tarralyn says after a long moment of thought.
Panis peers down at the baby in his arms. This child may not be the Son of Brennidon, he may be pristinely ungifted, but he is still the son of Panis Rahl.
It will take time, it will take cunning, but Jensen Rahl will fulfill the prophecy.
Title: Never a Daughter of Destiny
Fandom: Legend of the Seeker
Disclaimer: Purely a piece of fanwork for fun, not profit.
Rating: PG
Continuity: AU
Summary: A boy, just as he'd hoped.
Notes: Written for Round #7 of LAS, prompt: genderflip one canon character. Placed 3rd.
A boy, just as he'd hoped, his desperate wish come true. The prophecy has not been averted. His cruel, first born son will meet his comeuppance yet. This small bundle in his arms, with tiny fingers and tiny toes, will slay the tyrant who has usurped Panis Rahl's throne.
The baby yawns. Panis frowns.
Something is not right.
To sense another's gift is a talent of the Sisters of the Light, but Rahl magic is blood magic. This child is of his blood, and the melding of two greatly powerful bloodlines. He should sense the infant's brimming potential.
But there is only... commonness.
No, worse than common. A void.
Curse the Spirits. A pristinely ungifted son: worse than useless, little more than a gap in the fabric of creation. In the olden times, they were considered abominations and killed at birth. That barbaric practice may be out of fashion for centuries now, but Panis knows of few in the history books who had lived long lives.
He has half the mind to thrust the infant back into Tarralyn's arms and leave them be, or perhaps he should do her the kindness of ending this doomed boy's life before it ends in some tragic fashion that will break her heart. But as he gazes upon Tarralyn's sleeping face, he knows he cannot. She has already lost one child; she cannot bear losing another. Richard is a gaping hole in her life and a silent ghost who sits constant vigil between them. This new life in Panis' arms is the one thing that has been mending Tarralyn's heart.
He may not love Tarralyn -- she has always been a means to his end -- but he is not so cruel as that.
Perhaps the Creator is working in the most mysterious way. Richard would've been immensely powerful, certainly more than enough to defeat his cursed brother. But Richard is lost now, most likely buried in a tiny plot in Brennidon.
The boy now in his arms is the absolute opposite. Unable to wield the gift, but unable to be touched by it either. His eldest son is embroiled in the darkest of magic. Perhaps the only person who can defeat him is one who is immune to his sorcery.
As Tarralyn wakes, he makes his decision to stay. He cannot teach the magic he knows, but he will make sure his boy knows everything that a father can teach him.
"Have you decided on a name, my love?" Tarralyn asks, voice rough with sleep, eyes filled with fondness at the sight of her son with his father.
"I thought I would let you have the pleasure."
"Jensen," Tarralyn says after a long moment of thought.
Panis peers down at the baby in his arms. This child may not be the Son of Brennidon, he may be pristinely ungifted, but he is still the son of Panis Rahl.
It will take time, it will take cunning, but Jensen Rahl will fulfill the prophecy.