The View From Up Here, by Annerb (G)
Oct. 19th, 2008 02:11 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
figs_sg1_recRec Category: Sha're
Pairing: none
Category: Sha're, Samantha Carter, Sam and Sha're friendship, gen, AU, drama, character study, futurefic
Warning: none
Author on LJ:![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
annerbhp
Author's Website: Fic Master List
Link: The View From Up Here
Why This Must Be Read: Annerb treats us to a delightful, thoughtful character study of two of the strongest women in the SGC universe: Samantha Carter and Sha're of Abydos.
The AU setting, with a Sha're that survived FIAD, takes place some time in the future, in which the SGC program has gone public and SG-1 is too famous for their own comfort. Against the magnificent backdrop of a moutain cabin (sadly, not Jack's - they're too well known for that), Sha're and Sam hike to Alma's Peak and consider the paths they've taken... and how to meet the challenges of their future and the losses it might hold.
I have a not-so-secret adoration for good quality authors who recognize that Sha're is a product of a different culture, and uses those differences to celebrate her personality instead of attempting to reshape her to fit Western values. Annerb does a magnificent job of showing us, through Sam's modern POV, Sha're's strength of will, her understanding of the universe, and the cool reflection of a woman who has gone through fire, survived - and triumphed.
The View From Up Here is lovely story, with impeccable characterization for both Sam and Sha're and a lovely touch of teamy goodness on the side. Read this one and savor.
Sha’re pulls her legs into her chest, lowering her chin to her knees. It makes her look incredibly small. “There were times I was certain I would never be free of Amaunet.”
“Really?” Sam asks, surprised to hear her willingly mention her time with her former Goa’uld. Sam still avoids any mention of Jolinar like the plague, and she’d only been blended for a matter of days, not years.
“Of course,” Sha’re says with a shrug. “I knew Daniel would never stop looking, and that I, too, would fight as long as I could…but sometimes trying is simply not enough.”
It’s weird for Sam to hear her comfortable acceptance of doubt as something excusable, or even worse, as something indelibly human.
Sam’s skepticism must show, because Sha’re leans forward, her hands now punctuating her words with emphasis. “Does is it not mean something that we are weak and full of doubt, and yet it is us who sit here, and not the gods? In the end, their arrogance and certainty did not save them.”
There is something fierce and proud in Sha’re’s voice that lodges like a point of fire in Sam’s stomach, ripping open a depth of yearning she hadn’t even known was there.
“Sometimes trying isn’t enough,” Sam repeats, thinking of all the people who didn’t make it to see this hazy optimistic future they’ve all been aiming for. The names and faces and could have beens that are almost too much grief for a single body to hold.
Sha’re nods, perhaps thinking of her own losses. “But sometimes,” she says, looking up at the sky above them with a small half-smile, “sometimes it is.”
“Yes,” Sam agrees, finally letting herself actually feel the awe of their victory and not just the inconvenience of fame. “Yes, it is.”
Pairing: none
Category: Sha're, Samantha Carter, Sam and Sha're friendship, gen, AU, drama, character study, futurefic
Warning: none
Author on LJ:
annerbhpAuthor's Website: Fic Master List
Link: The View From Up Here
Why This Must Be Read: Annerb treats us to a delightful, thoughtful character study of two of the strongest women in the SGC universe: Samantha Carter and Sha're of Abydos.
The AU setting, with a Sha're that survived FIAD, takes place some time in the future, in which the SGC program has gone public and SG-1 is too famous for their own comfort. Against the magnificent backdrop of a moutain cabin (sadly, not Jack's - they're too well known for that), Sha're and Sam hike to Alma's Peak and consider the paths they've taken... and how to meet the challenges of their future and the losses it might hold.
I have a not-so-secret adoration for good quality authors who recognize that Sha're is a product of a different culture, and uses those differences to celebrate her personality instead of attempting to reshape her to fit Western values. Annerb does a magnificent job of showing us, through Sam's modern POV, Sha're's strength of will, her understanding of the universe, and the cool reflection of a woman who has gone through fire, survived - and triumphed.
The View From Up Here is lovely story, with impeccable characterization for both Sam and Sha're and a lovely touch of teamy goodness on the side. Read this one and savor.
Sha’re pulls her legs into her chest, lowering her chin to her knees. It makes her look incredibly small. “There were times I was certain I would never be free of Amaunet.”
“Really?” Sam asks, surprised to hear her willingly mention her time with her former Goa’uld. Sam still avoids any mention of Jolinar like the plague, and she’d only been blended for a matter of days, not years.
“Of course,” Sha’re says with a shrug. “I knew Daniel would never stop looking, and that I, too, would fight as long as I could…but sometimes trying is simply not enough.”
It’s weird for Sam to hear her comfortable acceptance of doubt as something excusable, or even worse, as something indelibly human.
Sam’s skepticism must show, because Sha’re leans forward, her hands now punctuating her words with emphasis. “Does is it not mean something that we are weak and full of doubt, and yet it is us who sit here, and not the gods? In the end, their arrogance and certainty did not save them.”
There is something fierce and proud in Sha’re’s voice that lodges like a point of fire in Sam’s stomach, ripping open a depth of yearning she hadn’t even known was there.
“Sometimes trying isn’t enough,” Sam repeats, thinking of all the people who didn’t make it to see this hazy optimistic future they’ve all been aiming for. The names and faces and could have beens that are almost too much grief for a single body to hold.
Sha’re nods, perhaps thinking of her own losses. “But sometimes,” she says, looking up at the sky above them with a small half-smile, “sometimes it is.”
“Yes,” Sam agrees, finally letting herself actually feel the awe of their victory and not just the inconvenience of fame. “Yes, it is.”
