FIC: It's not the end of the world (but you can see it from here) (Merlin, 1/6)

[corilannam]

Title: It's not the end of the world (but you can see it from here)
Author: Cori Lannam (corilannam)
Film prompt: 2012 for reel_merlin Round 3

Comments

[corilannam]

LOL! Of course I don't mind--in fact, it was very exciting to hear that you were excited about it! When you're picking a film for the challenge, it's always a worry that nobody's going to be interested in the premise at all, especially for a movie like this that got a lot of mixed reviews. So thanks for letting me know. *g*

[brunettepet]

Brilliant start. You vividly portrayed Arthur at loose ends, thrashing about for purpose. I thought he may have found his way with Doctors Without Borders. Being thrust three years into the future and right into the big break up after such a hopeful, charming first meeting was heart breaking.

This was devastating: "Bon voyage," he said with a casual bonhomie. "I’ll be down there for the Cup next week. Maybe I’ll drop by and take some photos." It's so casual and calls to Merlin's insult about Arthur's role in the charity and all that these two have lost and are going to keep losing. Hopefully an upcoming apocalypse is just what they need to find destiny together.

[corilannam]

Thanks, I'm so glad those parts work for you! I do think Merlin's comments about charity dilettantes cut Arthur pretty deeply, though I don't think Merlin really meant it that way. He took his work with MSF very seriously, and to hear Merlin lump him in with everyone else who just goes for the photo op was throwing him right back to his Uther issues.

[helva2260]

"...At least I've heard of MSF"

You know, I spent several minutes wondering why the Prince of Wales would have heard of Midland Shires Farmers and I thought it was just a rural shop chain rather than a charity, before I realised: international + medical = Medicins San Frontiers! *headdesk* My brain, it is not at home today!

And then I Arthur had my his heart broken at the end of the chapter! Will go and read the rest now!

[corilannam]

LOL! See, and this is why it is important for us writers to remember that we're supposed to spell out acronyms *before* we use them. Sorry about that!

Amusingly, when I google "MSF," the first thing that comes up is the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. *g*

[corilannam]

*beams* Thank you! And I'm so glad that stood out for you--even in canon where his life literally does revolve around Arthur, Merlin has his own interests and agenda most of the time.

[cjandre]

This is beyond heartbreaking! I wonder if Merlin can be happy without Arthur? Or perhaps just happier in the day to day? Talk about a no win situation.

[corilannam]

I know, it's a terrible dilemma for him, poor baby. I don't think he would have been completely happy without Arthur, but things might have been so much worse if he had stayed and gotten bitter. Thankfully there's a handy apocalypse right around the corner! :-D