TITLE: Down to Camelot
AUTHOR: Katrina McDonnell
EMAIL: mcdonnem@tpg.com.au
SPOILERS: Brief allusions to all three seasons, particularly In The
Shadow of Two Gunmen, Manchester and Gone Quiet.
RATING: PG
PAIRING: CJ/Toby
DISCLAIMER: The West Wing and its characters are the property of
Aaron Sorkin, Warner Brothers, and NBC. No Copyright Infringement
is intended. I will put them back slightly disheveled. Some of the words
and images are from 'The Lady of Shalott', written by Alfred, Lord Tennyson.
ARCHIVE: Sure, but please ask first.
FEEDBACK: Much appreciated.
AUTHOR'S NOTES: See end.
THANKS: To Jordan, Rhonda, Cal and Christine; for editing, suggestions
and reassurance. And to Janie and David for bringing the Yiddish.
SUMMARY: She has a lovely face.
She has a lovely face.
The first time you saw her was across a convention room half a lifetime
ago. Hard to miss, she always stood above the crowd.
But it was her face that pulled you into her realm. Too striking and
defined to be called a classic beauty or even pretty. You have never
worked out exactly what words to use to describe those features, to
explain to those who cannot see.
Stunning. Elegant. Statuesque. Exquisite. Shoene.
Sometimes, simplicity is enough.
Lovely.
You've watched those eyes illuminate, the mouth twitch and the laugh
lines deepen.
The lip worried between her teeth as the shadows of the world descend
upon her head.
Doubtful eyes pleading for reassurance.
You've seen the years etch their tale into her face. Every mark in time
enhancing her, pulling you further under.
You've been the beneficiary of sentiments and caresses.
Her lovely face above and below you.
But the look is always directed towards another.
Never you.
Except you think you once caught a glimpse. For a fleeting moment
it touched you as you unexpectly turned from your bride. Then it was
gone as if it never was and she offered her blessing on your union.
You've been searching for it ever since.
In the child laid bare as she sleeps beside you.
In the dead-pale skin and darkened eyes after Rosslyn.
In the clenched jaw and broken voice as she stumbled from the podium
after Haiti.
In the dancing eyes and lilting tone as she proclaimed what you've always
known.
You know the exact spot on the back of her knee which will ease the
furrows occupying her forehead.
But you're sitting in the Oval Office.
Still watching and waiting.
For a flash, a reflection of you.
And she's singing "Tirra lirra", and you're weaving a web and trying not
to crack the mirror.
So you just lean back in your boat and watch her lovely face.
~End~
AUTHOR'S NOTES:
'Shoene' is Yiddish for 'beautiful'.
I'd been listening to Loreena McKennitt singing 'Lady of Shalott' too
much and wanted to use the line "She has a lovely face" in relation to
CJ. Toby stepped in and wrote the second last line using images from
the poem...and all of a sudden it was Toby of Shalott with the unrequited
love for CJ Lancelot...
I don't know what the hell it is with Toby giving me off the wall ideas.
AUTHOR: Katrina McDonnell
EMAIL: mcdonnem@tpg.com.au
SPOILERS: Brief allusions to all three seasons, particularly In The
Shadow of Two Gunmen, Manchester and Gone Quiet.
RATING: PG
PAIRING: CJ/Toby
DISCLAIMER: The West Wing and its characters are the property of
Aaron Sorkin, Warner Brothers, and NBC. No Copyright Infringement
is intended. I will put them back slightly disheveled. Some of the words
and images are from 'The Lady of Shalott', written by Alfred, Lord Tennyson.
ARCHIVE: Sure, but please ask first.
FEEDBACK: Much appreciated.
AUTHOR'S NOTES: See end.
THANKS: To Jordan, Rhonda, Cal and Christine; for editing, suggestions
and reassurance. And to Janie and David for bringing the Yiddish.
SUMMARY: She has a lovely face.
She has a lovely face.
The first time you saw her was across a convention room half a lifetime
ago. Hard to miss, she always stood above the crowd.
But it was her face that pulled you into her realm. Too striking and
defined to be called a classic beauty or even pretty. You have never
worked out exactly what words to use to describe those features, to
explain to those who cannot see.
Stunning. Elegant. Statuesque. Exquisite. Shoene.
Sometimes, simplicity is enough.
Lovely.
You've watched those eyes illuminate, the mouth twitch and the laugh
lines deepen.
The lip worried between her teeth as the shadows of the world descend
upon her head.
Doubtful eyes pleading for reassurance.
You've seen the years etch their tale into her face. Every mark in time
enhancing her, pulling you further under.
You've been the beneficiary of sentiments and caresses.
Her lovely face above and below you.
But the look is always directed towards another.
Never you.
Except you think you once caught a glimpse. For a fleeting moment
it touched you as you unexpectly turned from your bride. Then it was
gone as if it never was and she offered her blessing on your union.
You've been searching for it ever since.
In the child laid bare as she sleeps beside you.
In the dead-pale skin and darkened eyes after Rosslyn.
In the clenched jaw and broken voice as she stumbled from the podium
after Haiti.
In the dancing eyes and lilting tone as she proclaimed what you've always
known.
You know the exact spot on the back of her knee which will ease the
furrows occupying her forehead.
But you're sitting in the Oval Office.
Still watching and waiting.
For a flash, a reflection of you.
And she's singing "Tirra lirra", and you're weaving a web and trying not
to crack the mirror.
So you just lean back in your boat and watch her lovely face.
~End~
AUTHOR'S NOTES:
'Shoene' is Yiddish for 'beautiful'.
I'd been listening to Loreena McKennitt singing 'Lady of Shalott' too
much and wanted to use the line "She has a lovely face" in relation to
CJ. Toby stepped in and wrote the second last line using images from
the poem...and all of a sudden it was Toby of Shalott with the unrequited
love for CJ Lancelot...
I don't know what the hell it is with Toby giving me off the wall ideas.