reading/watching

Book read: Ursula K. LeGuin, "City of Illusions," a great break of quiet and thoughtfulness in these trying times. Culminates in a tense sfnal standoff with mindreading aliens, but big chunks of the middle are about wandering alone through the deep forest until you almost forget how to form words.

Show watching: Lovecraft country, funny, tense, clever, audacious, not for the faint of heart, I'm enjoying it wholeheartedly but find I do better if I don't try to bring preconceived notions of the characters and scenarios to bear on each new episode. Take it as the gift it is and spit out any bones you don't want to digest.

A and I have been reading Prydain aloud at bedtimes; we're just getting to the point when Fflewddur acquires Llyan -- or, as A said this morning, when Llyan acquires Fflewddur :)

Prydain-but-almost-origific rec: Daughter of the Sea (149963 words) by Saeriellyn
Chapters: 39/39
Fandom: Chronicles of Prydain - Lloyd Alexander
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Angharad of Llyr/Geraint
Characters: Angharad of Llyr, Gwydion (Prydain), Regat of Llyr, Eilonwy (Prydain), Achren (Prydain), Arawn (Prydain)
Additional Tags: chronicles of prydain, Prequel, AU, Romance, Novel, Long, Unplanned Pregnancy, Politics, Good versus Evil, Fairy Tale Elements, Alternate Mythology, Feminist Themes, Matriarchy, Romantic Soulmates, lunar biorhythms, no canon knowledge necessary, Stand Alone, High Fantasy, Welsh mythology - Freeform, Non Explicit
Summary:

"A crown is more discomfort than adornment." ~Dallben

Angharad of Llyr, heir to the throne, and her impossible choice between duty and love.

Prequel to The Chronicles of Prydain, full-length novel based on the short story The True Enchanter. Standalone novel/no canon knowledge necessary to enjoy this fic, though it will make it more meaningful.

fic: Old enchantment lingers in the honey-heart of earth, Prydain, T, 5/?

Old enchantment lingers in the honey-heart of earth (9424 words) by lotesse
Chapters: 5/?
Fandom: Chronicles of Prydain - Lloyd Alexander
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings
Relationships: Eilonwy/Taran of Caer Dallben
Characters: Taran of Caer Dallben, Eilonwy (Prydain), Ensemble, Original Characters
Additional Tags: Post-Canon, Restoration, Monarchy, Political Alliances, First Time, Romance, Married Life, Secrets, Magic-Users
Summary:

“You – the pair of you – will soon need to be on your way north. Caer Dathyl now sits there ruined and empty, awaiting her renewer and king. And,” Dallben added, for the first time that day directing his entire attention toward Eilonwy, “her comforter and queen.”

She shuddered at that, but tried to hide it from him, and from Taran.