that didn't seem to work

[kareina]

I had posted a query for the LJ hive mind and got only are reply from one friend. Today she commented that she was disappointed that there were no new answers, and should she do a signal boost? I thought that was a good idea, noticed that I'd orginal posted it as friend's locked, and went back and edited it to be not friend's locked. While I was

Comments

[mamapduck]

I did not post suggestions because I am uncomfortable with the premise. The idea of rewriting what really happened and what was really said bothers me way more than the original anachronism and that's why I opted not to respond.

[kareina]

I agree, it is difficult--it took a bit of discussion between the three of us to become comfortable with the thought of editing it to ease the problems that the reviewers had. However, since the words were audible only to the champion (possibly the marshal and opponent were close enough, but they called the royal peers as well as the knights to the field to witness finals, and we weren't close enough to hear what she said to him then), in that respect it doesn't change anything. Besides, it is our intent to include some sort of statement that this is a story inspired by what happened on the day. I'm good with admitting that it is fiction based upon a true story...

[mamapduck]

That statement makes a big difference, for me anyway. If it's marked as fiction it doesn't disturb me on that "revisionism" level. What follows is me sorting out why this bugged me. Feel free to ignore, it's just musing.

To me, the words spoken do matter and they did change things. If we accept the premise that the consort's inspiration is what helps lead the fighter to victory, the form that inspiration takes is important. The fictional account will have charming words and period and inspirational they may be... but they will not be the phrases that the lady used to stir her champion to victory. Words have power. I'm a big believer in that. It would be like saying Titus won Crown with a Dane axe. It doesn't change the fact that he won but it totally skews what tools he used to get there.

[kareina]

True--it changes things for the fighter--it is only for those of us who were watching that things aren't changed, since we didn't hear what was said.

[kareina]

Hugs! I know you are really, really busy! No worries, and good luck accomplishing everything you want done.