[DRABBLE] Untitled (Fionavar, PG)

[winter]

I have no idea what to call this, but it was 30C today, and the weekend's going to be worse, so I have no hope of kicking my brain into operating better than it does now. Roughly 300 words, pre-slash if you blink.

For kerithwyn: I always wanted to see something about Coll's unrequited affection for Diar, an' it suits you, or pretty much anything else you'd care to write from those books. :)


#Untitled#

Coll stepped to the side. The jug smashed on the wall, spattering it with the red of wine.

Diarmuid dan Ailell had been nodding off while his brother raged at their father. Had been smiling when the verdict was pronounced. Had been calm during the ceremony that named him as heir in the place of the banished one, and the banquet after.

Now, Coll thought, came the breaking.

"How dare he." Diar's stained shirt and matted hair still looked white in the night's darkness as he grabbed hold of the window's frame. "Why did he leave me to this? I'm not - I'll never be a king. All he has to do is say 'jump' and people ask 'how high'. I'm the jester, the carefree one. How dare he... give me cares."

It was not only the drink talking. Diar's face was too tight, his breathing too fast. It went deeper, to his root.

"It's not like that." Coll tried to catch Diar's eye, anchor these frenzied thoughts. "He-" that name, already forbidden "-people obey him. Your people love you. We'd follow you to the death."

Something of this got through to Diar, because the Prince stepped forward. Coll towered over him, but somehow that never mattered to Diar.

"Coll." A true smile. "Be careful, Coll. I might ask that of you."

It was the right thing, the only possible thing, to kneel in front of Diar and press his hands to his forehead. "You have my oath and my life. You have always been the king of our hearts."

A laugh, then, jerky and high. "That's treason."

"Does my king ask for my life, then?"

"No, Coll." Diar pulled him up and embraced him. "I need someone who listens when I'm drunk."

~FINIS~

Comments

[kerithwyn.livejournal.com]

Dawwwww. They're lovely. And I do like seeing Diar acknowledge Coll's devotion.

Thank you!

[winter]

You're welcome :) Diar's smarter than he looks, usually. Except when it comes to Sharra, of course.

And thanks for making me re-read the Summer Tree. It's a good thing I don't have the rest in English, because I'd throw a tantrum during Darkest Road again...

[kerithwyn.livejournal.com]

I'm way, way overdue for a reread. I've been holding off until I have a couple days to wallow and whimper.

[murasaki99.livejournal.com]

Ooo, coolness! What fandom is this from? I like what you've done very much. I like how much of the various character's temperaments you've managed to squeeze into a shortfic.

[winter]

Thanks, Diar's one of those people who write themselves :)

It's Guy Gavriel Kay's Fionavar Tapestry series, highly recommended, as is everything else he ever wrote (though have a supply of hankies on hand, because he's an evil, evil writer).

[smtfhw.livejournal.com]

That was terrific. Thank you. Unfortunately, I suspect it's also damn you. My copies of the books are at my parents in a box somewhere, and you've made me want to dig them out and re-read them now. Unfortunately, they're 200 miles away and it'll be three weeks before I stand even the remotest chance of getting them. I used to have a sneaking feeling that no one but me had ever read them...

[winter]

In my experience, Fionavar's one of those things people don't squee about, but carry in their hearts. I re-read it sparingly, mostly because a certain moment in The Darkest Road always ends with me hurling the book at the floor :/

[smtfhw.livejournal.com]

Yes, it's not the easiest of reads, and there are some very painful moments. However, it's been about 10 years, so I suspect I'm safe enough going back to it now (always assuming I can find which box the books are in)...