Intercession

[capt_facepalm]

Title: Intercession
Author: capt_facepalm
Rating: PG
Fandom: Sherlock Holmes (Gaslight ACD)
Characters: Dr John H. Watson, late of the Army Medical Department
Summary: "For months my life was despaired of."
Warning: (none)
Word Count: 100
Author's Notes: July 21st 2018 prompt: The Dream of Gerontius

.oOOo.

My fellow-lodger, Sherlock Holmes, once asked me about my recollections of my time in Peshawar and truly I would have told him had I anything to recall. The facts of my hospitalisation were recounted to me by my carers and none come from my own memories.

Due to my previously wounds, I was particularly susceptible to the enteric fever which raged through the infirmary. The doctors thought I might be Catholic and had summoned the priest on several occasions to administer last rites.

Somehow, eventually I recovered, and I know not why. Such miracles should be bestowed upon worthier men.

.oOOo.

Please sign the guestbook

---

Supplementary Notes: Disclaimer: I have read more than STUD. Honest!

Comments

[gardnerhill]

Yeah, I can see Watson wondering why he was one of the few survivors.

[capt_facepalm]

True. In STUD (which I have read, but not exclusively) Watson only mentions Maiwand twice. Both times he is rather matter of fact as would suit his Victorian sensibilities. I am not satisfied with taking that at face value, nor am I willing to insert anachronistic ideas into the past. So, I content myself by describing things like PTSD and survivor's guilt by using Watson's actions and thoughts and without using those specific modern terms.
(Thanks!)

[gardnerhill]

I actually found out (because of my Western AU) that the Civil War-era term for that condition was "soldier's heart." So they knew about it - but too often it was mislabelled "cowardice," something that would be shameful to any good soldier.

[capt_facepalm]

Who knew fan fiction would be so educational! I have learned a lot in my own researches and by reading works of others.

[methylviolet10b]

Oh Watson. He'll always wonder, won't he?

Well done!

[capt_facepalm]

Thanks! This was an interesting prompt and caused me to think. The original idea came quickly but the word, oh the words... sometimes these drabbles... grrr...

[bwblack]

Survivors guilt! Totally in character forWatson. And the not really remembering anything is very, very common of such trauma.

[capt_facepalm]

Thanks! A fever basically cooks the brain and disrupts all the vital chemistry used in forming memories. Sometimes it can be a kind of a blessing, and it is in Watson's case.

[luthienberen]

Awww survivor's guilt is awful. Typical also of Watson to not consider himself worthy of such a miracle.

So poignant Watson's acknowledgement that he can't recall his time in hospital along with how close to death he was!

[capt_facepalm]

Thanks! I always try to write Watson as having no delusions about his capabilities or his character. For me, he has a good measure of humility as well as a strong morality and sense of honour, but he acknowledges that, despite his trials, better men were not as lucky as he was in Afghanistan.

[luthienberen]

I do agree with your assessment of Watson. In many ways it reflects Holmes' opinion that one should always know their merits & talents.

Watson has that sense of worth and honour & morality, but as you say realises how war doesn't care for that when the moment comes.

[donutsweeper]

Oh Watson, break my heart why don't you?

[capt_facepalm]

Thanks! Poor Watson will always wonder why he was spared.

[med_cat]

Quite plausible...

[capt_facepalm]

Thanks!

[med_cat]

You're very welcome :)

[pompey_01]

Oh Watson. You are one of the men most worthy of survival! (but how characteristic of him to think otherwise.)

[capt_facepalm]

Thanks! This drabble is one of my most heartfelt of JWP 2018, if not of all of them to date. It speaks to my envisioning of the core of Watson's being. Essentially, he is a good man, but he cannot always see it.