The Minstrel
| Fanfiction | |
|---|---|
| Title: | The Minstrel |
| Author(s): | Karla Kelly |
| Date(s): | 1993 |
| Length: | |
| Genre(s): | slash |
| Fandom(s): | Star Trek: TOS |
| Relationship(s): | Kirk/Spock |
| External Links: | |
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The Minstrel is a K/S story by Karla Kelly.
It was published in the print zine Scattered Stars #5, though it is not listed in the table of contents.
Reactions and Reviews
1993
Four wonderful pages. I was captured by the romantic atmosphere. Spock was mute, this made him an outsider in a new way. I liked the name 'jaME" - what a verity of names have the authors for 'James Kirk'. [1]
I am fast becoming an addict of Karla's first person A/U stories. In this delightful example. Spock is a warrior minstral who has been mute since birth. He comes to play at Castle Keep for the adopted son of the lord and lady of this land, jaME.
The veiled mention of jaME's past includes a mystical tale of falling stars, but we never get to hear the full story. Is this our Kirk landed in pre- Reform Vulcan? Could he be an A/U Kirk that doesn't have a Spock in his own time? And what might that time be? Tantalizing questions, but ones that added to rather than detracted from my enjoyment of this story. We really don't need to know more about him. Instead, we see him from Spock's view, fully realized, with no past. They respond immediately to each other, as Kirk defends Spock from Stonn and his other tormentors.
One small quibble. Spock wears a slate that hangs around his neck. (Poignant touch!) Kirk removes it when he begins to make love to Spock. but after Spock was first aroused and satisfied Kirk. Wouldn't that be a bit awkward?
Although I have read other stories where making love is compared to making music. I thought it done wonderfully here. And I adore Spock's line, "My music was always for him, even when I did not know
him." Lovely. (Sigh)
Thank you, Karla. for a warm, sweet story I will reread again and again. How do you keep coming up with these great ideas? [2]
1994
A nice poetic vignette. Spock is a mute wandering minstrel. The first-person Spock works well here. What a fine, strong thing to do, have Spock not able to speak.JaME is the ruler of the lands west of Gol, the adopted son of Kurikee and Arista.
Stonn and another start to harass Spock and JaME comes to his rescue. Spock is of course floored by the golden smile and praise of his music. A very beautiful scene when Spock plays his love in his music to Kirk. Kirk is so affected he has to leave the gathering. Spock then gets an anonymous note requesting him to play for someone in private.
It is JaME of course, who invites him to play his body.... Really lovely musical language. [3]
This author continues to surprise me with her unique plots. Stories are too short, but then we don't get the chance to get bored. She's in and out with aplomb. [4]
2008
This short story—approximately four pages—has always been one of my very favorite AUs, but you‘ll have to look for it in the zine. It was accidentally left off the table of contents.It tells the tale of jaMe, ruler of the mountain lands, west of Gol who is the adopted son of Kurikee and his queen, Arista, who is barren. There are tales told of ―falling stars and solemn oaths, of honor, and of tears. One day a mute minstral comes to play for him at court.
One of the main reasons I like this story is the marvelous way it is told. Not only is it presented in Spock‘s first person account, but also the lyrical flow of language that makes it seem the tale is both ancient and otherworldly. Here is an example. At this point in the story Spock is being tormented by Stonn and three of his friends. jaME joins him and together they face down the bullies. When jaME asks Spock to play for him, Spock responds with all of his lonely soul: ―I drew my lyre to me and played, eyes never leaving his. I played for him, to him, the music welling from my soul. Words I have never spoken, I played for him. Full toned notes sang of feelings I have never felt before—for him.
My lyre wept with the wasted years I had not known him; laughed with the delight of discovering him here. My heart composed the melody and my hands shaped the expression of my joy.
Of course later, Spock plays wonderful music on jaME‘s body and soul.
I miss Karla‘s unique take on the K/S relationship. [5]
References
- ^ from The LOC Connection #59 (1993)
- ^ from The LOC Connection #60 (1993)
- ^ from Come Together #7
- ^ from Come Together #12
- ^ from The K/S Press #146