I was totally thinking of you (and that fic) when I read a reference to Herne. And I think you make a really good point with the whole idea of legend and reality and the way things flip back and forth. Like, at the end we even see Hawkin getting on the boat, though we know he's dead...and is Gwion dead too? Did he die in the Lost Land? I'm trying to remember the rest of Taliesen (Gwion's) story and whether or not he's immortal.
It seems like the kids are obviously all charged to do something with what they've learned, even if they forget it, and Bran especially seems like he's going to make a difference. I can't imagine Will wouldn't help him in that. One of the things that makes fanfic so interesting in this world, I think, is that everybody has to come up with their own ideas about what the kids remember, how they've stayed in touch, what they do. And of course if one were to write a story about Will after the others have gone, you'd have to set it years in the future. Also, people rarely know what to do with their lives outside of each other. We see Bran's world, and he's isolated. We only ever see the Drews with each other, and they don't mention others. Will, interestingly, mentions two friends in TDiR who are away for the holidays (which is why they're not coming for dinner), and we also know that before he got sick he and two friends (the same two?) were biking around the Valley making brass rubbings (!!!). You get the feeling he's always got a social life, even while he's always separate-which fits what he is.
And Merriman has to train him *and* start off the last battle? It occurs to me that if Merriman is the first, no one trained him.
Yes! I do wonder that--because really he doesn't train Will much either, because sometimes he's just supposed to "know" what the right thing to do is. And he often does, so maybe that shows that the ways Will and Merriman differ aren't necessarily part of Will's being unlearned but different. His job is different, after all. So maybe Merriman doesn't want to train his own instincts out of him, because they would be important. It makes for a more interesting relationship, though, because Will isn't just a Junior Merriman. Even their physical differences are significant-Merriman has a craggy face and a hawk nose, Will has a round face (which is also solemn when he's not smiling) and a mop of hair.
as possible, or he could do some fool thing like be picked off by some low-ranking witch girl, and then where will we end up? Like a hawk Merriman often sees far but he misses that crucial connection with Hawkins in a way that Will does not.
Yes-and of course, I love the way Will is so naturally good at reading people and watching them for reactions while Merriman has a more distant pov. He understands things about people, but Will's far more easy going about everything. I mean really, can you imagine Bran's reaction if Merriman called him "Stupid boy?"
Awww, I missed the Shakespeare. That *is* cute. Hee!
Hee is right. I love that. It's such a weird little moment. He makes brass rubbings, engraves jewelry and always knows the right Shakespeare to quote.
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Date: 2004-06-16 06:50 pm (UTC)It seems like the kids are obviously all charged to do something with what they've learned, even if they forget it, and Bran especially seems like he's going to make a difference. I can't imagine Will wouldn't help him in that. One of the things that makes fanfic so interesting in this world, I think, is that everybody has to come up with their own ideas about what the kids remember, how they've stayed in touch, what they do. And of course if one were to write a story about Will after the others have gone, you'd have to set it years in the future. Also, people rarely know what to do with their lives outside of each other. We see Bran's world, and he's isolated. We only ever see the Drews with each other, and they don't mention others. Will, interestingly, mentions two friends in TDiR who are away for the holidays (which is why they're not coming for dinner), and we also know that before he got sick he and two friends (the same two?) were biking around the Valley making brass rubbings (!!!). You get the feeling he's always got a social life, even while he's always separate-which fits what he is.
And Merriman has to train him *and* start off the last battle? It occurs to me that if Merriman is the first, no one trained him.
Yes! I do wonder that--because really he doesn't train Will much either, because sometimes he's just supposed to "know" what the right thing to do is. And he often does, so maybe that shows that the ways Will and Merriman differ aren't necessarily part of Will's being unlearned but different. His job is different, after all. So maybe Merriman doesn't want to train his own instincts out of him, because they would be important. It makes for a more interesting relationship, though, because Will isn't just a Junior Merriman. Even their physical differences are significant-Merriman has a craggy face and a hawk nose, Will has a round face (which is also solemn when he's not smiling) and a mop of hair.
as possible, or he could do some fool thing like be picked off by some low-ranking witch girl, and then where will we end up? Like a hawk Merriman often sees far but he misses that crucial connection with Hawkins in a way that Will does not.
Yes-and of course, I love the way Will is so naturally good at reading people and watching them for reactions while Merriman has a more distant pov. He understands things about people, but Will's far more easy going about everything. I mean really, can you imagine Bran's reaction if Merriman called him "Stupid boy?"
Awww, I missed the Shakespeare. That *is* cute. Hee!
Hee is right. I love that. It's such a weird little moment. He makes brass rubbings, engraves jewelry and always knows the right Shakespeare to quote.