Unto Which Holy Estate
| K/S Fanfiction | |
|---|---|
| Title: | Unto Which Holy Estate |
| Author(s): | Judith Gran |
| Date(s): | 1996 |
| Length: | |
| Genre: | slash |
| Fandom: | Star Trek: The Original Series |
| External Links: | |
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Unto Which Holy Estate by Judith Gran is a K/S story.
It was published in the zine Amazing Grace #3.
Summary
"Is an ideal Vulcan/Human ceremony ever feasible? Back together after VʼGer, Kirk and Spock plans for marriage meet with opposition concerning the type of ceremony they want."
Reactions and Reviews
[Unto Which Holy Estate]: Kirk and Spock try to decide what to do when T'Pau refuses to allow any humans but Kirk's mother at K&S's bonding ceremony.This story introduces a wonderful character, the Reverend E. Carter (Hawkeye) Hawkesworth. In fact, it is Hawkeye who finally resolves the problem, and the story ends in Hawkeye's POV.
I think this would have been a better story if it had been told completely from Hawkeye's POV, something along the order of "a day in the life" where K&S are only one problem among many. However, that would have meant leaving out the sex scene, which is quite well done.
On a level of personal taste, I find the concept of Kirk being raised as any kind of Christian very off-putting. I especially didn't like the future Roman Catholic-cum-Episcopal church of which he is a member. [1]
What a beautiful beginning to this story as Kirk wakes up in Spock's arms and they make love. The scene is simple and spare with some lovely words like: "Spock's clear, lucid mind lay open, transparent and vulnerable before him."This, plus some hot, though too short sex and the absolutely drop-dead romantic moment when Kirk says: " 'Marry me.' "
Apres Gol and they're on the Enterprise together— "They were working side by side again, and the ship was no longer a stranger." Then Spock goes to Vulcan to make plans for the marriage and Kirk goes to Riverside, Iowa (I just love it!).
I really enjoyed the very clever way the author kept the little "secret" of the archbishop from the reader. And I totally loved the memory of when Kirk was a boy and he stole the communion wine. Exactly what Kirk would have done!
The author really did a neat job of combining the Star Trek future with contemporary times. I enjoyed the "reality" of it and especially all the history shown in the church. I realize all the history and information wasn't exactly presented in the most dramatic way, nevertheless I found it fascinating. I like the idea of finding out what might happen in the future.
The character of Archbishop Hawkesworth was nicely drawn and tied in well with Kirk and Spock. This is especially important, I think, when introducing a new character—it just has to have something important to do with K & S. Also, it was an interesting moral dilemma for the archbishop.
I feel there could have been more hints as to who the "life-partner" of the archbishop was. I looked for clues but all I could find was "short".
However, one of the most pronounced lackings in the drama department of this story was in not showing the wedding ceremony. I wanted so badly to see the ceremony! How wonderful to have seen what everyone wore, what was said, how Kirk and Spock looked at each other, if they kissed or danced together. Maybe they stepped on a brandy glass!
Seriously, the author definitely displayed no lack of talent in the writing of other scenes. It was so disappointing not to have seen the wedding ceremony. Anyway, I love the idea of K & S having a wedding. (Hint: Anyone interested in writing a story of a big, formal K/S wedding? Or has there ever been such a story?)
By far, a very readable and unique story. [2]
Nice rich title. I love the word "holy" and think it appropriate to K/S; divorced, that is, from its connotations to do with organized religion as we know it.We are shown how Adm. Kirk had been so unhappy, in just a few, choice words. I admire this. But this morning, he's happyon the Enterprise, with Spock sleeping beside him. I loved the sex (with meld) right away; quite nice. Kirk says marry me; Spock says yes. Sigh.... (Yes, that's me sighing; me who has never much believed in marriage; but I love it just fine for Kirk and Spock.)
I like how Kirk's feelings about religion are expressed. He's too worldly (worldsly? galaxy-ly?) to put much store into set ideas; but it would please his mother to have a Catholic wedding. It's interesting how Kirk would like a Vulcan ceremony, though, and that Spock is the one who thinks if they have one, they should have both.
So then we get the problems, T'Pau's not wanting outworlders at the ceremony, etc.
When Kirk goes to NYC to see an old archbishop friend, I enjoyed the history of NYC and the Catholic church as a social force, including when gay marriages weren't done, and during the Eugenics Wars, and about various marriage ceremonies.
Cleverly done, that after pages, we learn this Rev. Hawkesworth is a women. So she and T'Pau duke it out, so to speak,and the wedding takes place. But then at the end I felt more focus was given to her, Hawkesworth, than to Kirk and Spock.
Though to some extent we're told what happened instead of seeing scenes of it happening, the writing in this story was flawless. [3]