The Fortunate Few

[anteros_lmc]

Title: The Fortunate Few
Author: Anteros
Characters: Archie Kennedy, Horatio Hornblower
Rating: G
Notes: This was inspired by nodbear's "The Day Before" challenge fic To be an Indefatigable. This time it's written from Horatio and Archie's perspective.

Comments

[anteros_lmc]

I'm glad you enjoyed this, it was fun to write :)

I love all these snippets you write.
Thank you. Snippets seem to be what I write most of the time :} I try and make sure they all follow the same cannon though.

[eglantine_br]

I can well imagine Archie knowing all sorts of information, and talking to everyone to get it. Despite his experiences, Archie is an extrovert.

I liked the detail of the shirt, and the book to prop the table.

[anteros_lmc]

Yes I have always imagined that Archie is the kind of person who could find out anything about anyone.

I liked the detail of the shirt, and the book to prop the table.
Thank you. If I've learned anything form your writing, and I've learned a lot, it's the power that inanimate objects can have in a piece of writing :)

[eglantine_br]

Objects yes-- that is part of what slows down my Marlowe stuff. They are long enough ago that the actual objects are quite different. Archie might read a small book in the bath-- Kit would not. Archie and Horatio had furniture much like our own. Kyd would never have sat in an upholstered chair. So I am researching like a maniac as I go.

Compared to that, Archie and Horatio feel like slipping on my comfy shoes.

And you are so kind to say you have learned from me. I would not be writing anything much if not for your kind welcome.

[anteros_lmc]

hat is part of what slows down my Marlowe stuff. They are long enough ago that the actual objects are quite different.
Gosh I hadn't really thought about that. You are absolutely right of course. I know it's about a century too early, but there is a late 15th century house just up the road from my office. I should go and take some pics for you!

And you are so kind to say you have learned from me.
Of course I have! I think I have learned a lot about how to write, just from reading your fic :)

[esmerelda_t]

This really captures the young Horatio and Archie beautifully.

[anteros_lmc]

Thank you. It's fun writing angst free Archie for a change! He's a bit of a blether :}

[sarah_lynn_b]

Wow, wonderful stuff! Beautifully written, and you have Horatio and Archie's characters down perfectly. Of course, Archie's a regular chatterbox - the weight of the world is off his shoulders, in ways Horatio doesn't even realize.

I love the last line too - it's exactly what Archie would say. Again, I'm not sure at this point in their relationship Horatio has even noticed that Archie was ever really afraid on Justinian - or why. He just figures that of course, the worst thing to fear on a fighting ship is getting killed. I can even imagine Archie saying that last line and Horatio getting his patented puzzled look that says, "Well, if you're happy I'm happy, but I'm not exactly sure what you mean!" he does that a lot in the series...

[anteros_lmc]

Thanks! Glad you liked this :)

I think you're absolutely right about Horatio, I've always thought that, at least in the early days, he must have been utterly bewildered by Archie. And Archie has certainly experienced things that Horatio could never imagine in his wildest dreams or worst nightmares. Horatio is perceptive though, I'm sure he learns quickly.

[nodbear]

Yes! you snuck this up last night after I wsa offlline so sorry its now this morning
of coursr this is great - and as I ACtually spent yesterday partly reading the draft of Chapter 2 it felt even more magical.
because it is how they felt- I cam see Archie in Nickys' shining eyes as he writes that first letter home after the Indy- 'WE ' -rescued that ship off Scilly with such organised efficiency.

" I am so happy I know not what to do"
In fact ---a continuation bunny is already getting going here
but this is a splendid blend of the boys when young and of Archie's rising hope and of detail-as mentioned by Eglantine already -but I also love the detail of the boys already partisan for the Arethusa or the Indy and Hether and Cleveland desperately pretending to be nonchalant!
No more books will be found

[anteros_lmc]

I knew you would recognise all the little details here. I am sure it did not take long for Archie to start talking about "we" :) And I think I did write another fic (can't remember which one) that mentioned Archie writing a flood of letters home once he joined the Indy. Maybe somewhere in an obscure archive some of those letters have survived and we'll find them one day...

but I also love the detail of the boys already partisan for the Arethusa or the Indy and Hether and Cleveland desperately pretending to be nonchalant!
Of course Cleveland won the argument by pointing out that Ned gave the Arethusa up in favour of the Indy because she was too slow ;)

a continuation bunny is already getting going here
Great! I hope that little bunny gets to see the light of day!