Still-Heart

Fanfiction
Title:	Still-Heart
Author(s):	Sleeps With Coyotes
Date(s):	29 July 1999
Length:	65,000 words, 381 KB
Genre(s):	slash fanfiction
Fandom(s):	Highlander
Relationship(s):
External Links:	Still-Heart (Wayback link) cover by X
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Still-Heart is a Duncan/Methos story by Sleeps With Coyotes (65,000 words). It takes place a few months after Not To Be, the last episode of the series. The story was widely recced in fandom. The cover art is by X and was presented in the story header of the version archived at Blood, Love & Rhetoric, the author's old website (now defunct).

Summaries

When the memory isn't the only thing that returns from Methos' past, it may not be enough to keep those he cares about alive.

Methos forsees the emergence of an ancient egyptian menace in between oppressive dreams. The answers of the unfolded mystery are buried in his mind even if shaded with confusion and fear. And soon they would be needed. The question is: will he fix the shreds of his relationship with Duncan and mend the pieces of his soul in order to achieve his prime purpose?

Recs and Reviews

A long and very satisfying Highlander slash (Duncan/Methos) story. Her Methos is spot on and she develops a past for the Old Man that explains not only why he doesn't remember his time before taking his first head, but also how he became one of the Horsemen. Picking up just months after the end of the TV series, Methos is actively avoiding MacLeod as he's come to realize that what he wants from the Highlander isn't what he's going to get. However, he can't just leave, as he feels MacLeod still has need of his protection. Meanwhile, Methos starts having strange dreams about ancient Egypt... and before too long, the past comes crashing back into his life when an ancient enemy that is more than Immortal kills a bloody swath through Immortals and Watchers alike on a straight path towards Methos and Macleod. *Sigh* I love this story and have read it many, many times.

Methos is so old he can't remember exactly how old he is. What would happen if he did start to remember? What would his life have been like before he became an immortal? This story is so beautiful and it has an amazing past cooked up for Methos. There is a reason he begins to remember when he does and it is stunning.

If the idea of Methos Torture is abhorrent to you, run away! Seriously, Methos fans will love this story which moves smoothly between ancient Egypt and the present day. Beautiful and frightening imagery abounds, as Methos learns just why he's forgotten his first death. And if all of that wasn't enough, "Still-Heart" is also a lovely Duncan/Methos first-time.

[Sylvia]
One of my favorite authors in both Highlander and X-Files. Her style is never less than elegant, her characterizations are compelling, and she has a wonderful habit of writing long stories in a short amount of time. [...] Still-Heart features ancient demons, Egyptian priests, well-done horror, a fascinating Methos... Lovely. My only quibble is that Ladonna goes slightly overboard on the mythical front towards the end, but I honestly think that's just me.

For all of you who like to read slash stories, especially when they have also a good and thrilling plot, I just would like to strongly recommend Ladonna Kings wonderful story "Still Heart", which is now up on Seventh Dimension. I've read the story some time before at Ladonnas site and was stunned. This is also a Methos-Duncan reconciliation story set after Not To Be, dealing with the unresolved friendship between them after the mess of the Horsemen, Byron and MacLeods year of absence. Also it has a thrilling trip into Methos memory, the very first ones long *before* the Horsemen. And we learn something about his lost memories... After reading lots and lots of stories of Methos having a horrifying childhood of abusal (well, the idea is good but not exactly new) I was delighted to find Ladonna taking a completely different approach here. And there is some real heavy magic, more than the characters like to meet... I think it is absolutely great. Brilliant piece of fanfic. I can highly recommend it.

Settings ==> Truly bewitching settings, the dreams are undeniably poetic but altogether it has a dreamy quality that is really exciting, thrilling, in a word awesome. Set after the end of the TVShow, it doesn't try to come back on previous events even if it does integrate it inside the story. The universe it sets, although it uses Immortals' mythology, goes totally in another direction and explores legends and myths in a really enthralling way. In the end, it presents a really dense, consistent, coherent universe full of colors.

Characters ==> Methos is here in the spotlight and appears perfect in every aspects. The exploration of his past that is to say his young self is just so lively, acute and really fitting. What is interesting for me is to discover a confused Methos whose grounds have been shaken badly and who like his young self try to piece everything together, to re-build himself again. Duncan is fairly depicted, I could regret a lack of his implication in the plot itself... in other terms, a bit too methos heroworship. Thus their relation is essentially viewed through Methos' perspective but nonetheless it's still very relevant and efficiently staged. Joe plays an important role as he is a link, a bridge with the Watchers. Original characters are great most espeically the ones in Methos' past.

Plot ==> If I had to sum it up, I would call it an investigation. A mystery is being unfolded, the suspense is building, the wagers increase... and everything ends in a peculiar odd resolution but entirely worthing. The main quality of the story is without doubt its non linearity, it gives an impression of a labyrinth.

Style ==> The style is mastered, really consistent and conveys accurately the emotions of the characters and in the same time weave the loom of this extraordinary universe. In turn dreamlike, thrilling action, poetic, lyric... angsty and romantic... we soon forget the technics to simply enjoy the story it tells.

Interest ==> The exposition scene is upsetting but it definitely hooked me hard. The longer a fic the better for me, but I can admit that there are some slow passages but it builds some sort of expectation. If you're interested in egyptian, gods, legend stuff, go for it.

In conclusion ==> Definitely a masterpiece, it has really a unique feel to it, really enthralling. The author is like a masterpiece herself inside the fandom... You probably know about her and if you don't, you should definitely go read more of her stories.