The Quality of Mercy (Highlander zine)
| Zine | |
|---|---|
| Title: | The Quality of Mercy |
| Publisher: | CrowRow Productions |
| Editor: | |
| Author(s): | Rosemary C. |
| Cover Artist(s): | |
| Illustrator(s): | |
| Date(s): | 2002 |
| Medium: | print fanzine |
| Size: | |
| Genre: | |
| Fandom: | Highlander |
| Language: | English |
| External Links: | Online here |
| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
The Quality of Mercy is a 281-page slash Duncan/Methos Highlander novel written by Rosemary C. and edited by Kath Moonshine.
"It picks up at the end of the Byron episode and takes Duncan and Methos along a different path than that shown in the series." -- the author's description online.
Author's Foreword
This is the part of the zine that's always the most fun to write.
The thanks offered for the help I've gotten from these four special people on this zine and in life itself could never be enough. So, I'll give it a shot.
First, this zine is dedicated to my four guardian angels:
To Flamingo and Anne for putting up with my singing, for not shaving the border collie from hell, for offering me a home that is much more than four walls, and for giving me a real family in my new home. These two people define love, in how they live their lives and treat others. It is an honor to just know them both, never mind share a home with them. To K.C. for not freaking out too much in the Re verse, for the tea, contra-dancing, and Tuesday jogs, but mostly for being my friend.
And, last, but hardly least to Kath Moonshine - my creative consultant - without whose monumental help you would not be reading this zine (boy, do I hope you're reading this zine after all our work!). She is responsible for the breathtaking cover and probably for the completion of most of the contents behind it. Not only did Kath offer her invaluable enthusiasm in the writing of this unending drama, she proofread every bloody line the night before it went to print, offered her wonderfully uplifting entry into this sometimes harrowing universe, and kept me from tossing in the towel when, ten hours before the manuscript had to be handed to the printer, the last story was still not finished.
Special thanks are offered to Writestuff for proofing Kath's Tis Love and for long-distance encouragement. And another round of applause to Flamingo for the magical graphics she added to the cover so that people would know what they were buying - a truly novel idea when it comes to my zines!
Well, read on. I hope you enjoy it. Best wishes to all.
Ro... or what's left of her!
Editor's Notes
What a special treat it has been to work with Ro in her heart-stopping Highlander universe! I feel especially honored that she's allowed me to "play in her sandbox." Certainly, my little tale Tis Love would not exist except for her generous nature and enthusiastic support.
Thanks are also due to Ro for her support in my artistic endeavors — my first piece of Highlander art: The Quality of Mercy cover. Additional thanks go out to Suzan Lovett for her invaluable advice during the construction of the cover (I would not have made it without you), and to Flamingo for her computer wizardry, which brought the graphic elements together. Lastly, thanks to Writestuff for last-minute editing above and beyond the call of fannish duty, even as she worked to produce her own zine. Yer a pal!
Pax, Kath Moonshine
The Series
- The Quality of Mercy ("Duncan and Methos attempt to work out their differences after Byron's death.")
- Drawing the Line ("Duncan attempts to learn more about his new lover and fit this new relationship into his life.")
- For What It Is ("Can Duncan and Methos' love weather the return of Amanda?")
- Courts of Honor ("An old victim of Methos' Horsemen days seeks his revenge upon the man known as Death.")
- Aftermath ("Duncan and Methos come to terms with the events of "Courts of Honor".")
- The Envy of Angels ("Duncan and Methos' first Valentine's Day together brings some surprises.")
- Redemption's Price ("Duncan and Methos receive help from unexpected sources.")
Reactions and Reviews
Tira Nog does Highlander, and man does she do it well. Honestly, I can't think of a better fandom for her blend of angst, h/c, uncertainty, and hope. Certainly she seems to like the fandom: this series is nearly 2,000 KB long!The premise is intriguing: Methos, having suffered unspeakable abuse as a child, turned into Death. Once he tried to leave the Horsemen, however, he suffered even *more* unspeakable abuse. Unsurprisingly enough, that trauma did a number on his mind, until a chance meeting with a very unusual immortal (and I won't spoil you as to who, but OMG what a brilliant idea) caused such a huge personality shift that Methos turned from a soldier into an academic and a healer. But Death is always waiting in the wings...
We enter the story with Methos pleading for Mac to walk away from Byron. As we all know, MacLeod doesn't listen, leading to much discussion and angst. From there we go through the tentative beginnings of their relationship, through a mountain of speed bumps and trust issues, and then we bump into Alexander the Great, who proves to have been one of Death's victims. That doesn't go so well.
The last story is almost as long as all of the previous six combined, and has more angst than the rest combined, times two. Mac is taken prisoner by an unknown immortal, and by the time Methos and company get him back, MacLeod is in very, very bad shape. Perfect for when you need an especially potent h/c fix. There is a lot of mysticism (that doesn't really show up much in earlier stories), so beware if that's not your thing.
Long, plotty, angsty, just a little melodramatic and a lot romantic, with a vulnerable Methos, an especially MacLeodish MacLeod, and an awesome Joe, this is a series to read again and again. [1]
This is easily under the top 3 of my favourite stories, right beside two of Tessa Rae's! I absolutely adore her writing style and love her characterisations of Methos, Duncan and Joe. I've read especially the first part again and again (had to stop/chose only parts or spend even more nights reading instead of sleeping) and every single time it felt as if my heart was torn out - again and again. You just have to feel with Methos and at the end you are as exhausted as him. It doesn't matter that there's hope (or even more at the end of the last part) the way up to that point is almost too much to bear. I just love such stories which are able to capture me so completely. [2]