FIC: The Three Trials of Segeeth (Smallville)

[scribblinlenore]

Title: The Three Trials of Segeeth
Fandom: Smallville
Pairing: Kal/Lex
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Can love conquer all?

Dedication: This is for catmoran, who waited very patiently, much longer than she should have had to.

Note: This is a sequel to Inaureme, and probably won't make much sense unless you've read that story first. Big thanks to pun who gave me some great insight that made this a much better story.

***

(The Three Trials of Segeeth)

Comments

[earis.livejournal.com]

Wow.
That was awesome. I loved the myth of Numan and Segeeth in the television show, and you've made it even more wonderful here.

[scribblinlenore.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad you liked this! I've always been fascinated with the Numan/Segeeth legend in the show, too. And when I started writing this story, it occurred to me that maybe I could reinvent it for life on Krypton. Glad you thought it worked!

[fleegull.livejournal.com]

I am total awe of your mad writing and plotting skilz!!!

[scribblinlenore.livejournal.com]

You say the sweetest things, Fleeg! Glad you enjoyed this!

[kristiinthedark.livejournal.com]

Fantastic! I got lost in your world, and didn't want to come back out.

[scribblinlenore.livejournal.com]

Oh, thank you! That's such a lovely compliment. I'm so glad you enjoyed the story!

[musexmoirai.livejournal.com]

This is a fantastic story! Like others have said, I really like the background you've fleshed out for the Kryptonian society, not least of all the wonderfully mythic re-working of the Numan & Segeeth legend. Your attention to detail is great, even with little things, like the Azalian thrushes. I adore Lara's wonderfully bohemian family! They seem really taken with Lex. And you made Krypton a matriarchal society! So much love!

Though I know that it's probably not intentional, but I see in your Jor-El a lot of S1&2 Jonathan Kent. They both can be stubborn as hell and find it hard to compromise but want to see their sons happy. And both of them have probably suffered through tons of "Lex is so great" speeches and always end up reading nefarious intentions in Lex's every word/action. If only Jonathan on the show would come to the same realizations as your Jor-El!

"Some moths have a talent for flying near the flame without immolating themselves, you know."

It took a second reading for me to realize that Lex was referencing the myth. And with the erotic poetry quoting and his interpretation of Numan, it's neat how Lex has internalized the culture. I have a feeling, though, that the skalu isn't too much different than club dancing :) Silly Jor-El, worrying about Lex fitting in with Kryptonian society when he's, like, the only Kryptonian that doesn't like Lex.

I'll stop rambling, but, once again... this was a fantastic read! Thank you for writing it.

[scribblinlenore.livejournal.com]

Oh, thank you, thank you for this wonderful feedback! This story took so long to write and caused me such anxiety that I can't even tell you how happy it makes me to get a great comment like this. I'm so glad you liked the story!

[amber-32random.livejournal.com]

This was so touching and beautifully written. I had to bring out the tissues and the end of the story!

In your summary, you asked “Can Love Conquer All?” After reading this, I would say that if one allows themselves to work through their fears and see beyond the failings of their past and open up to what their heart is whispering to them, it can conquer a lot.

Writing the story from Jor-El’s perspective allowed me to better understand what was driving him. Instead of hating him for his unjustified actions, I felt a sadness for him. He wanted so much for his son; to keep him from the heartaches he experienced in his past. …Jor-El knew too well, to bear the weight of long denied ambitions. The honor of every house was carried on the backs of its children. Jor-El would have given much to spare Kal that burden, but the world was the world, and there was no help for it. But in doing so, he was slowly extinguishing the light in his son a light that brought him so much joy.

Everyone overcame so much for love. In Inaureme we learned that Lex had his eyes on Kal for a while. And in this story we see him learning as much as he could about Kryptonian culture so he could prove himself worthy in Jor-El’s eyes. Kal deferring to his father’s wishes not only to spare Lex but also he didn’t want the disapproval of his father whom he loved. And Jor-El, who finally release his past and his fear of society’s mores to allow his son a chance at happiness and love.

I completely believed in the Kryptonian society you created. I can’t imagine the work that went into making it so believable. I also liked how stories can become myths and later turn into tradition that after time can evolve into grand social events.

This was great and I really enjoyed reading it!

[scribblinlenore.livejournal.com]

This story took me so long and so much effort to write, and I can't tell you how wonderful it is to get such lovely feedback. Thank you! Telling the love story from Jor-El's POV was hard, but I really wanted to be fair to him, to let people understand where he was coming from, and that his intentions were good, if painfully misguided.

I'm so thrilled you enjoyed the story!

[meret.livejournal.com]

Awwww! This is wonderful! I especially liked Lex doing the dance. *g*

[scribblinlenore.livejournal.com]

I totally missed this comment while I was away for the holidays. Thanks so much, doll! I'm so glad you enjoyed the story. And I have this funny, funny picture of the dance in my head. I wish I could make a little movie of it! *g*

[seregilcat.livejournal.com]

I have a comfort stories folder and Inaureme is on the top five in that folder, and now it has a sequel! YAY times infinity & beyond!

That aside, I don't think I've told you this before, but thanks to your amazing stories I can continue loving Clark & Lex even though I've stopped watching SV somewhere in the early stages of season 4. And I won't ever call it denial, just that your version of them are smarter and way more sexier, and it also happens that I like my Clark non-bipolar (is this even a word?) so what's not to love? But yeah, it's really no contest at all, you win at the Clex! Hands down and all and etc., :)

[scribblinlenore.livejournal.com]

Oh, thank you! I'm so flattered that my story is on the top five in your comfort stories folder. *is all pleased*

I don't know how I missed your feedback before. I guess in the shuffle of being away for the holidays. Anyway, I just wanted to say thank you!

[kitkat3979.livejournal.com]

This is really, really lovely.

It included the elements that made me love Inaureme so much: the Kryptonian mythology and customs; the obvious destiny (and later love) between Kal and Lex; the gorgeous lyrical quality of your writing.

Jor-El's concern was touching, even if his actions were misguided. Lex was at his scarily-focused best, and Kal was sweet and naive, even if I did want to thwap him over the head for agreeing to marry someone else.

The only jarring section for me was the strange mental images I got from Lex doing the ceremonial dance. For some reason I can see him doing strange, jilted little ballet jumps and kicks in my head. It's rather amusing!

[scribblinlenore.livejournal.com]

I totally missed this feedback while I was away for the holidays, but I wanted to say a belated thank you. I'm so glad you enjoyed the story. It was a hard one to write, and so it means a lot to me to hear you liked it.

And yes! I have an image of Lex dancing in my head too and it's...well, comical is an understatement. *g*

[mindyfromohio.livejournal.com]

I wanted to send you a partoosh bush in honor of your wonderful story, but they are *so* difficult to find this time of year.

[scribblinlenore.livejournal.com]

*laughs* I know! My family had to settle for sweaters and chocolate and whatnot, since I couldn't get my hands on any.

Don't know how I missed replying to this before. But thank you! Glad you enjoyed the story. :)

[(Anonymous)]

What a wonderful story! This is a great AU. I especially loved that Lex's ship was called Icarus.

--LastScorpion--

[maladroitoracle.livejournal.com]

Oh, this was really beautiful! It's easy to notice that you've really put much thought in to it!

I put this on my list of 'fics to read' few weeks ago, but didn't read it sooner because I remembered I had read 'Inaureme' before and thought I must have read the sequel as well, but I'm really glad I wanted some good fic to read tonight because otherwise I might have missed this awesome piece!

[scribblinlenore.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad you enjoyed this. Yes, I have to admit that it took me forever to think it through and then finally write it. I really appreciate your reading and taking the time to comment!

[maigie2010.livejournal.com]

Ooooooooooooooooooooh, this was so good. I really liked the interweaving of your story and the fable of Segeeth. Excellently written and it held my attention throughout. You have a beautiful writing style and it was a true pleasure to read your story.

[scribblinlenore.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much for the lovely feedback! I'm so glad you enjoyed the story.

I know where Kal gets his stupid from now

[fashes.livejournal.com]

It's from Jor-El. Oh god that man is dim!

This was a lovely lovely thing. *sigh*

Re: I know where Kal gets his stupid from now

[scribblinlenore.livejournal.com]

Hee! Yes, the sad lack of sense does seem to run in the family.

Thanks for all the lovely feedback, doll! So glad you liked this!

[keikokin.livejournal.com]

I loved this story!!! I'd love to see you continue in this universe. Thanks for a happy ending and a beautiful glimpse into the inner workings of Krypton society!

[hey-miss-missy.livejournal.com]

I can't believe I missed these stories! Thank goodness for SV_inquiry! It was really excellent, Lenore, just wonderful. You have such a talent for storytelling. When you publish a novel, I will definitely read it!

[suzume-tori.livejournal.com]

YESYESYES

OMG I'd adored inaurime, but I'd had no idea that there was a sequel until today....! **fangirlish shriek**

The end was so hard - when Lex was comparing them to the legend, and how Kal had relented when Numan had not. (And I like how frank Jor-El is in dismissing the notion that the situations were the same.) BUT THEY ARE TOGETHER AND THAT IS TEH LOVE! OMG!

I am so so so sososososo happy that you wrote this.

And if you ever feel like writing a sequel-sequel, I am not above bribery to encourage it...?

ANYWAY. Know that you are awesome. Awesomeawesome. **incoherent babble**

[scribblinlenore.livejournal.com]

Awww, you're so sweet. I'm so glad you enjoyed the story!

[verob2002.livejournal.com]

Wonderful. Beautifully written and imaginative. I enjoyed this story very much, although I've never read a clex story of yours that I didn't like. Thank you for sharing. :)

[scribblinlenore.livejournal.com]

Awww, thank you so much! I'm thrilled you liked the story. I really had a ball imagining my own version of Kryptonian culture and all the ways devious Lex would try to get around Jor-El to what he's wanted since he first laid eyes on Kal. :)

[poisonshock.livejournal.com]

absolutely stunning and gorgeously well written and constructed! i love the premise for both inaureme and the the three trials segeeth, the way you weaved the mythology in with the story - and i love your lex to death, of course.