not-exactly-new fic: Steadfast, Loyal and True

[hth]

Written for sga_flashfic's annual amnesty.

Steadfast, Loyal and True

I started this story in November of 2006 for the flashfic Body Modification challenge; at that time it was called "Older and Far Away," and it was more about Ronon's military service than it turned out to be. It was loosely inspired by a book called On Killing by Dave Grossman, which I highly recommend; Grossman's book is based on the idea that people inherently don't seem to want to kill each other, and it talks about the ways that societies get people accustomed enough to the idea to create armies and wars. One of the things Grossman stresses is that people will kill more readily if they are physically distinguished from who they were in their ordinary lives, through masks, uniforms, special markings, etc. So when the Body Modification challenge came up, I wanted to write about Ronon physically becoming the presence he is now as he became a soldier, through his clothes and his hair and his scars and tattoos.

That story never really came together. But a year later, after the airing of "Reunion," I was ready to tackle Ronon's past again, and I had a *ton* more material on Sateda in general and Ronon's personal history in particular that made this a much easier story to write. But it became only partially about Ronon's military service and much more about Ronon's personal life -- it's particularly my first attempt to really deal with Melena as a character.

Why am I telling you all this? I have no idea! Link's up top. *g*

Comments

[lamaudite.livejournal.com]

I bookmarked it at the time of the challenge but haven't got around to reading it. Now, just perusing it quickly, I don't think I'll be able to wait much longer!

[hth-the-first.livejournal.com]

Yay! I hope you enjoy it. *g*

[ubixtiz.livejournal.com]

That's gorgeous. I cried at the second last scene and the whole thing is lovely and just -- very nicely done, and everything fits and feels like it has the right amount of weight to it, so nothing feels out of place.

[hth-the-first.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much! I have a tendency to start out writing one story and finish writing a different one, so it's always good to know when the pieces do manage to fit together in the end! *g* I'm glad you enjoyed it.