In the Orchard by Nanni (G)

[lady-smith.livejournal.com]

Pardon my absenteeism - I'll be making recs in quick succession to make up for time lost.

Fandom: FARSCAPE
Pairing: Stark/Zhaan
Author on LJ: tiamatschild
Author Website: Unknown
Why this must be read:

I honestly cannot think of a better way to introduce this fic than with the author's own words: "There is a kind of fairy tale that plays at a happy ending before it breaks it and sends its unfortunate characters tumbling on down their ways again. I’m addicted to them, particularly those quieter middle bits."

In this strange, haunting little tale, Nanni presents what could be the happy ending for Farscape's most tragic couple - John and Aeryn have nothing on the mad Stykera and his Lady Pa'u - but it's bittersweet, still steeped in heartbreak. Whether AU or futurefic is unclear, but Nanni makes the hows and whys secondary to the wrenching emotions she paints perfectly in the flowing lyrical language of the classic fairy tale.

Spring came, and with it a woman.

She was tall and straight backed and half hidden within a robe and scarf. The trees half bowed to her as she walked up the thin, threaded paths, her feet staining red with the earth from them.

Holy, holy, holy, echoed in the man’s mind when he saw her, and he was more than half inclined to hide.

Go to the orchard, and leave the gift of feedback for the sad tender and his lady to find.

In the Orchard