Gawain Project: The Darkest Hour 41-44

[sigune]

"Merlin was summoned immediately. When he appeared in the King's presence, he was ordered to suggest how the King could have his way with Ygerna. When Merlin saw the torment which the King was suffering because of this woman, he was amazed at the strength of his passion."
- Geoffrey of Monmouth, The History of the Kings of Britain (ca. 1136)



*sigh of relief*

Yesterday around noon it looked as though there would be no, or only a very small, update today. Fortunately the railways proved a little more cooperative in the evening than they had been in the morning, and I was also able to add an extra page today, so I have a total of four new pages for you after all.

You will notice that since you last saw him, Merlin has grown a beard. It's magic! Well, I thought he would look better with a beard, so I gave him one. Actually it's more of a goatee. - Whatever, there's hair on his chin :).

I'm a bit annoyed because I have only three more pages in my red Moleskine, and I need at least ten more. I'll have to start another booklet just for the story's ending. It was like that with my previously posted Little Gawain arc too - but at least I'll be able to continue that story in the same booklet. I would have preferred The Darkest Hour to have a more convenient pagecount too. But I can hardly hurry or force things because I'm running out of space in one booklet. It's not a problem either. It just looks a bit messy :-).

Meanwhile, I hope you enjoy this episode. Comments and criticism are welcome!

What went before:
Despite Uther's best efforts, the siege of Terrabil is not quite going the way he had hoped it would. Gorlois has chosen his fortress well and the King's defeat is at hand. But then Uther's secret weapon arrives on scene: Merlin the sorcerer...

The Darkest Hour 1-3
The Darkest Hour 4-6
The Darkest Hour 7-9
The Darkest Hour 10-12
The Darkest Hour 13-15
The Darkest Hour 16-18
The Darkest Hour 19-21
The Darkest Hour 22-24
The Darkest Hour 25-27
The Darkest Hour 28-31
The Darkest Hour 32-35
The Darkest Hour 36-40

Comments

[branquignole.livejournal.com]

Yay, update! I will not be very constructive and just say that I love Merlin and that I want more. :)

[sigune.livejournal.com]

LOL! Then I'll just say your icon has me in stitches XD.

[valis2.livejournal.com]

Oooh, fascinating! I almost wish there had been just a leeetle more spacing to the Claiming of the Child--just a bit more from Uther's POV--but maybe that's just me and my absolutely over-the-top obsession with choices. hee!

This is such a great comic.

Did I remember to tell you that my mom loved it? Because she did. :)

[sigune.livejournal.com]

Hee! That's great to hear XD!

I see what you mean about the choice (and I share more than a little of your obsession :P). I do plan to give Uther a bit more time when he actually has to hand the child over to Merlin and realises what he has promised, but at this point he is really more "yes, yes, now give me Ygraine already". He's not thinking too clearly, what with being a bit hormone-ridden and all that (ahem).

Thank you! :D
*iz happy*

[death-ofme.livejournal.com]

DUN DUN DUN. The plot thickens....

[http://users.livejournal.com/_grainne_/]

Ooh! *shivers*

I love the image of Uther driven mad by lust in his spartan military tent, and the top half of p. 44 is stunning, visually, with Merlin and his other-worldliness blanketing the scene.

[sigune.livejournal.com]

I grew very, very fond of Uther as the story progressed. I mean, he's awful, but such fun to write. Merlin too, though I'm not being very charitable to him :). But magic is always nice *g*.

[ysilme]

Aaah, a great take on Merlin and his involvement! I'm not very well-versed in the Arthurian mythology/saga, and this works very well for me.