Fic: Long Ago and Far Away, 12/12 (PG)

[lorie945]

Because it's just a short epilogue, you get two posts today.

Comments

[mysid]

Brava! Brava! It was wonderful! You tricked me, and I loved it! (Did Robert suspect Henry? There was something in his attitude that suggested to me that he did; I initially misread it as guilt. Or did Robert really think it was Ralph?)

I love the classic "gather all the suspects together" gambit of accusing the wrong person to get the real killer to confess.

And the deterioration, destruction, and lingering tension of Ralph & Laurie's friendship with Robert was just perfect. It read as absolutely true to life.

As for this, the epilogue, I love the way you echoed "the wedding night," and that Laurie recognizes that this is better; this time he isn't withholding his heart.

[lorie945]

I think Robert *wanted* it to be Ralph, to keep his kids clear of danger. Poor Robert, I don't think he comes across well in this. Yes, I do know who's fault that is...

Thanks so much for all your encouragement as I was posting this.

[hanarobi]

Still haven't read it in its revised version, but I did see that this is the final post and wanted to stop by and say Congratulations! on getting it all posted. Did you plan to have it finish up on Valentine's Day? Whether you did or not, it is a lovely gift for all of us, and for Ralph and Laurie.

[lorie945]

*smooches you* Not as romantic or funny as your Valentine, my dear, but it's the best I can do. And no, it wasn't planned this way -- by me! *ominous chord* Wait, that's a Tolkien reference, isn't it? "some plan at work beyond any design of the ring-maker" Which is casting myself as Sauron...

[lorie945]

Thank you so much for all your comments and encouragement. I really appreciate it, and I'm very glad you enjoyed this. I had some fear that Renault fans would think this way off-base for her characters, and hate the whole idea of mixing them up in a murder mystery (particularly in America).

[aprilkat]

Perfect ending. It seems that Laurie and Ralph have established a life where they can have the careers they want, and be truly in love (as safely as it's ever possible to be, which isn't very, I suppose).

Thanks for including the bit with Robert, as the last chapter left me wondering about how the family would cope and whether they would want to ever meet the guys again. This was quite believable.

I can't help wondering how life will be for poor Henry now. Where would there ever be a place for him to do what Laurie and Ralph have done, being a very public figure in a small town where everyone knows him. I can't see a happy life for him. If he marries, I hope it's someone he really likes. (Sees a life of making business trips to the big city for contacts.) :(

I love the style of this whole piece - the combination of Charioteer and Ellery Queen mystery actually works!

[lorie945]

Hanarobi was very upset about Henry's fate, too. Perhaps we can cast it in a happier light -- maybe in a few years, when Enid is gone, he sells the foundry to someone who really wants to run the place and takes his money and himself off to the city, where Ellery Queen helps him start his own publishing business. Say, specializing in books outside the mainstream. Perhaps even bringing some interesting British fiction to American audiences, slightly edited?

I'm so glad the strange crossover worked for you, and thank you so much for all your comments and encouraging words as this went up. *smooches you*

[lorie945]

The ending was most satisfying It makes me very happy to have you say that, because I was afraid I'd disappoint you all. Thanks again for all your comments, and for taking a chance on reading a long story in a new fandom.