Song of the Unwilling Bride

Fanwork
Title:	Song of the Unwilling Bride
Creator:	Leslie Fish
Date(s):
Medium:	print, online
Fandom:	Star Trek: TOS
External Links:	at Fanfiction.net
Click here for related articles on Fanlore.

Song of the Unwilling Bride is a poem/filk by Leslie Fish.

art by Leslie Fish in the zine Thrust

art by Leslie Fish in the zine Thrust

I wrote “Song of the Unwilling Bride” simply because I hate two-dimensional characters, and wanted to give T’Pring a more detailed reason for rejecting Spock—and in a fashion likely to get him, or someone else, killed—than just the enigmatic “I did not wish to become the consort of a legend”. In another story — About the Size of It” — I gave her a funnier and raunchier, but just as logical, reason.

From "Thrust's" Editorial

Leslie Fish's SONG OF THE UNWILLING BRIDE takes an outsider's point of view. (Unfortunately for this outsider, the Kirk/Spock relationship has been too much with her.) This elaborate poem postulates some new circumstances surrounding "Amok Time," and also provides certain (anatomical?) insights into Leslie's SHELTER and POSES.

Reactions and Reviews

1996

I don't usually read filk, let alone review it. Eight years of analyzing poetry in school has left me with little taste for anything that isn't outstanding. However, this one should not be missed. It's not the poetry that makes this so compelling, but the story. It is a first person narrative of T'Pring during the ceremony in "Amok Time." It is a wonderful portrait of this character and the reasons for her actions. I highly recommend this poem.

2011

I usually skip poetry, and I turned to this before I realised that it was poetry, but in skimming it I found myself getting caught up and I went back and read it all. A well expressed premise. I think the actress herself mooted the possibility that T'Pring may be pregnant, and the idea was well blended here with the idea that T'Pring had seen his love for Kirk through the bond. I remember another story years ago where T'Pring had similarly "seen" him with Leila. But here you suggest that T'Pring had seen what Spock daren't yet admit to even to himself, and you've wound all these ideas up so concisely and evocatively. Thank you! (And it's good to see you posting. I've still got Shelter in a bashed-up photocopy!)

Wow! What a dose of unexpected awesome! I still think T'pring is sort of a bitch, but the poem helped me understand her. Exquisite figurative language and use of internal dialog! And even though the lines didn't rhyme, the poem had a distinct cadence to it because of the number of syllables in each line. Excellent job, and I'm glad I read it!

This was good. I've always felt that T'Pring wanted wealth and power. She would have gotten the wealth from Spock's clan, but not the "power." Since Stonn was a prince, this would have given her exactly what she wanted. Can't wait for the next movie. I have a feeling Stonn won't make it. Spock will represent the wealth and power she desires. She'll lay claim to him this time, but there's going to be a "chick" fight for Spock. It will be interesting.