Testament (Star Trek: TOS story)

Fanfiction
Title:	Testament
Author(s):	Anne Elliot
Date(s):	2011
Length:
Genre(s):	slash
Fandom(s):	Star Trek: TOS
Relationship(s):	Kirk/Spock
External Links:	on AO3
Click here for related articles on Fanlore.

Testament is a Kirk/Spock story by Anne Elliot.

It was published in the T'hy'la #31.

a CGA by T’Racionn for this story that was printed in The K/S Press #179 -- "This picture is dedicated to Anne Elliot's breath-taking story "Testament" which was published in the latest T'hy'la (#31) and though I will never be able to find the right words to pay enough homage to the story, I will say it is wonderful, emotional, deep, meaningful, moving, heart-wrenching, touching and so much more. The reader follows Kirk as he records - in many, many tries - the eulogy for Spock's death. We can feel his pain, his loneliness and most of all his love, his understanding and his worship for Spock. I love so many of Anne Elliot's stories and I have read this one three times already. I can assure you it is a treasure; a treasure that will reach into the reader's heart and stay there. Forever. I know I'm probably sounding highly emotional but yes, I am. This story...K/S at its heart of hearts."

Reactions and Reviews

I'm sure we all remember quite well Kirk's eulogy as Spock's body is prepared to be shot out into space at the end of "Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan." His words are spare, though achingly heartfelt. Here, we're given the story of Kirk's struggle to come up with these words, to give testament to his friend, his first officer—his bondmate.

I suppose a spoiler alert is in order, as this is a new story. For though we know what is to come, Kirk's journey has been unknown to us. Until now. It's an emotional one, to be sure. More than once he breaks down, unable to stop the flow of tears, to quiet the tearing agony of losing Spock. Yet, somehow, he manages to move forward and to find the words he needs to convey a shared loss, but at the same time withholding those that speak of his own personal tragedy. Through it all, he remembers their life together, and the ten short years they had as lovers. He remembers Spock.

It's a short story, but it unmistakably conveys all the heartache and pain that Kirk is experiencing. I can't recommend this story more highly.

"We are assembled here today, to pay final respects to our honored dead. And yet it should be noted that in the midst of our sorrow this death takes place in the shadow of new life. The sunrise of a new world. A world that our beloved comrade gave his life to protect and nourish. He did not feel this sacrifice a vain or empty one, and we will not debate his profound wisdom at these proceedings. Of my friend I can only say this. Of all the souls I have encountered in my travels, his was the most.......human."

I have no doubt that anyone reading this LOC will recognize the quote above. The reason I have included it is because it forms the basis for this author’s story. It also proves that despite the countless K/S stories that have been written since this fandom came into existence, it is still possible even today to write something that is fresh and unique, and has never been written about before. Now I have to say when I saw this author’s name in the table of contents, I was expecting a story that I would smile and giggle my way through, as this author tends to lean toward the more humorous aspects of K/S when it comes to her work. This particular piece, however, is anything but. Instead, the author takes a completely different route as she takes us deep into Kirk’s thoughts as he battles not only to accept the death of his beloved Vulcan, but to find the right words to speak at Spock’s eulogy. Each line, each word is agonized and struggled and anguished over as Kirk recounts all their memories together and fights his overwhelming grief to string together the right words, words he knows will be the last he will ever speak to his beloved t’hy’la, his final gift to the one being that meant everything to him.

This author does a tremendous job in letting all of us not only see Kirk’s grief, but to share in his loss. We are, for the first time, given access to his most private thoughts as he struggles to complete a task none of us ever want to have to do ourselves. Yet we all know that what is Kirk’s reality in this story could be our own reality someday and I believe that, more than anything else, is what makes this story so unique and unforgettable.

Rarely has a story of not even six pages packed such a wallop. If you doubt that at this point there can be anything new to write about in K/S fanfic, then this will change your mind.

Jim Kirk has only hours left before he must address his crew at Spock’s funeral. What can he say about this man who has been his friend, his comrade, his bondmate and the love of his life? How does he put into mere words everything Spock has meant to him? How does he get through the rest of his life without Spock by his side? Jim Kirk, the captain, the galactic hero, is little in evidence here. We only see Jim Kirk, the man, and that I think is definitely a big part of the appeal of this story. While we are not all swashbuckling heroes, we are human beings. Unfortunately we all have lost, or will lose, people who are desperately important to our lives; people we love with everything that is in us. We feel Kirk’s grief and mourn along with him. With great skill, Anne traces the stages of grief—the denial, the bargaining, the anger at Fate, the anger at Spock, the memories of good times and bad, and more until he finally arrives at some sort of acceptance. And if you ever thought Kirk’s eulogy for Spock at the end of Star Trek II lacked all the emotion you wished it had, this story fills in the gaps. It is totally satisfying, especially considering the fact that Kirk does get Spock back.

Anne has proved she can write long, short, and in the middle. She can write funny and sad. Poetry? Yeah, she can do that, too. But above all, she can write stories that move you. This one is destined to be a classic. Don’t miss it.