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((ST)) Broken Words: The King's Shadow
Broken Words
A Soundtrack for 'The King's Shadow'
The title Broken Words comes from the climactic track, "Swallow the Knife." There are some very general spoilers to be found on this soundtrack -- I'll tell you what they are: Morcant is not actually a nice person. That's the spoiler. -- but I actually managed to avoid many details that wouldn't have been or haven't been covered in drabbles. If you want to download the whole thing, there is a single zip file at the very end of the post for you. It contains a bonus file containing the following information, plus little discussions of the tracks that came close, but didn't quite make it. Read it if only for the parody bonus track I eventually left out.
Disclaimer: Actually a significant portion of The King's Shadow, like probably more than half, plus the initial idea, is all credit to![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
zinniazayda, but the soundtrack is mine. :D Morcant and Katarin are both her characters; Rhys and Mair are mine.
If you're not familiar with the story, don't worry. It's not that complicated. There's so little to know. Childhood friends leave one another as boys and come back to find that in their separation they have become a King and a Wizard, and they don't really know each other anymore. In trying to reconcile their differences, and get back to where they used to be, they find this instead...
01. Emilie Autumn, "Across the Sky"
http://www.emilieautumn.com/
The wizard, the Isle, and the spirit. The King's Shadow begins in mystery and magic; I chose this song for the introduction because this is all of that magic which Morcant wields, and that is in part responsible for his actions, for his ego, and for what happens in the course of the story.
fear no more the midnight
fear no more the sea
close your eyes, regret nothing
you're safe with me
look into the shadows
step into the mist
search your land but doubt never
I still exist
02. October Project, "Bury My Lovely"
Longing for days past. One of the recurring themes of The King's Shadow is the contrast between past and present, how drastically things can change in a relatively short amount of time. This song is a pretty haunting representation of that. (I love the last bit of the chorus -- how you're urged to forget, even though the "me" doesn't want to be forgotten.)
a shadow from another time
is waiting in the night
something happened long ago
something that will not let go
forget me soon
forget me
forget me now
forget me not
03. Hilary Duff, "Fly"
Rhys, the boy, grown older and more tired now. Because maturing didn't bring him any peace, even though he's a born leader: he found only more doubts and questions, fears and anxieties and so much responsibility. I chose this song because he does have the ability, and in fact makes a good king when he stops thinking about it -- but he has to let go first.
fly
open up the part of you that wants to hide away
you can shine
forget about the reasons why you can't in life
and start to try
cause it's your time
time to fly
04. Jem, "They"
The tense reunion of the wizard and the king. They're not sure how to deal with each other anymore; no matter how much they may want to go back to the way things were, they're both too aware of their respective stations. This song is for all the people and rules that have come between them already... Somewhat tangentially, I like the childish voices in the background, like nagging reminders of the childhood that mocks them for how apart they've grown.
what we tend to do
is rely on what They say
and then it is that way
and I'm sorry
so sorry
I'm sorry
it's like this
05. Peter Gabriel, "I Have The Touch"
The King, masks and games and all. There is something magnetic, charismatic about this distant figure to all who encounter him. He is a strong and confident figure, but deep beneath the King somewhere is still Rhys, struggling to deal with himself. This song was a natural choice for both that natural power and that conflicting need.
at any social occasion, it's hello, how do you do
all those introductions, I never miss my cue
so before a question, so before a doubt
my hand moves out and ... I have the touch
but nothing seems to please
I need contact
06. Emilie Autumn, "Rose Red"
Mair, the King's Champion, a woman warrior when women don't do that sort of thing. I spent hours looking for a song for her, especially after choosing another Emilie Autumn song for the introduction, but really no two of her songs sound anything alike anyway, and the lyrics are perfect for her: the Rose Red of this story is independent and protective, or defensive, almost to the point of paranoia. Bonus points for obedience to a king!
if in my darkest hour
she rose that fell a flower
I should have known
Rose Rose Rose Red
will I ever see thee wed?
only if you can capture me
07. Kate Bush, "Running Up That Hill (Make A Deal with God)"
The relationship, such as it is, between Mair and Morcant, is edgy at the best of times. He was a smug bastard as a child and she was an unrelenting bully, and when he comes back she resents that he so quickly falls in as Rhys' best friend once again when she fought so hard and is so totally loyal -- and also he's evil. The actual song lyrics are only incidentally related to her suspicions about him and her resentment of him (and in fact many men who take life for granted), but it just sounds right.
ooh, there is thunder in our hearts
is there so much hate for the ones we love?
tell me, we both matter, don't we?
and if I only could
I'd make a deal with God
and I'd get him to swap our places...
08. Enya, "Book of Days (Far and Away)"
In spite of Mair's cool discouragement of Morcant, the childhood memories eventually reassert themselves. The king and the wizard regain their former camaraderie, learn to trust and care about one another the way they used to, even though everything has changed. This song is all that innocence they find again in some small way, that childish youth and determination and confidence and unfailing friendship.
no day, no night, no moment
can hold me back from trying
one flag, one fall, one falter
this day ends together
far and away
09. Loreena McKennitt, "Dante's Prayer"
Then along comes Katarin, the King's bride, the Queen. She is a voice of reason in the story -- a logical and sincere woman, with deep faith and true loyalty. There's an almost spirituality about her, which is partly why I chose this song: that mix of faith and spirituality and insight. I didn't actually think of it until now, but the Celtic sound of this is probably better for one of Rhys' kingdom than hers, but ah well.
how fragile is the heart
oh give these clay feet wings to fly
to touch the face of the stars
breathe life into this feeble heart
lift this mortal veil of fear
take these crumbled hopes, etched with tears
10. Alanis Morissette, "You Owe Me Nothing In Return"
This is Rhys and Katarin together. She sees a great man in him and is determined to help him reconcile that latent potential in himself with the 'trial' of being the King. Katarin is a receptive ear, always sympathetic, always on Rhys' side, not because they love each other (there's no passion here and never will be; theirs is a slowly-growing love of circumstance). This song represented all of that: a rather non-passionate love that is nevertheless real, selfless consideration with no ulterior motives or conflicting prerogatives, just giving.
you can speak of anger and doubts
your fears and freak outs and I'll hold it
(and there are no strings attached)
you owe me nothing for giving the love that I give you
you owe me nothing for caring the way that I have
I give you thanks for receiving, it's my privilege
and you owe me nothing in return
11. Muse, "Butterflies and Hurricanes"
This is the invasion, the war that tears Rhys' people apart. It is Rhys trying to stop the killing and protect his people, and even more it is Morcant slowly evolving as the fighting reaches its ultimate, discovering what he really believes in a moment of passionate epiphany -- and then seeing that stolen from him, all the glory, all the meaning, stolen. Even the smallest movement can bring about a storm...
Imagine that in the piano interlude in the middle of this song, and then see the evolution there, when the lyrics pick up again with a faint, almost angry, "Don't / let yourself down / don't let yourself go / your last chance has arrived..." That's Morcant's future you hear looming.
best,
you've got to be the best
you've got to change the world
and you use this chance to be heard
your time is now
12. Cake, "Hem of Your Garment"
Life can't go back to the way it was before after that -- even though that was only a pale mockery of childhood. It's all different now. Everything is, now seen from the tainted perspective Morcant found in the invasion. And now he resents it all. I chose this song in a snarky non-sense, because it just seemed like the sort of attitude he would have for the King... Wear your sarcasm goggles for this one.
I have no love but only goals
how very empty is my soul
it is a soul that feels no thrill
a soul that could easily kill
and I'm not fit to touch
the hem of your garment
13. Story of the Year, "Swallow the Knife"
Morcant loses his patience with the masks. He's ready to take what he wants -- claim what he deserves -- reclaim what should have been his all along. (These are not necessarily all the same thing. *smirk*) It's an ugly task. This song is that confrontation, that anger and bitterness and twisted perspective all coming to a headway as he strikes out at someone he loved more than anything. Also, OMG, knife = his servitude to Rhys!!1 Literally. Rhys gave him a dagger as a symbol of the bond between King and vassal.
you're connected to the heart
but tonight we'll set you free
so swallow the knife
carve the way for your pride
now our hands are tied
the problems lie within
so we pray for night
to start over again
14. Keane, "We Might As Well Be Strangers"
This song is Rhys -- grieving for the misunderstandings and all that passed between these two friends, once so close. Everything else says itself.
we might as well
be strangers
for all I know
of you now...
15. Vanessa Carlton, "Twilight"
And finally this song is Morcant. It's meant to be a song about someone who never reached out for her potential, but it applies equally well for someone who reached too far; for someone who didn't really understand anything about who and what he was, and underestimated his position. This is Morcant's song -- the ultimate in misunderstanding, and finally coming out of darkness into the world, wiser.
never cared never wanted
never sought to see what flaunted
so on purpose so in my face couldn't see beyond my own place
and it was so easy not to behold what I could hold
but you taught me I could change whatever came within these shallow days
16. Sarah Brightman, "Eden"
A beautiful, haunting song for the closing: friends who don't know what they are to each other, and enemies who don't know why they're at odds, and misunderstandings. Who is at fault, really? Everyone blames himself. But maybe...
did you ever think of me as your best friend?
did I ever think of you? I'm not complaining
did I ever think of you as my enemy?
did you ever think of me? I am complaining
I never tried to feel this vibration
I never tried to reach your Eden...
Broken Words: download the whole soundtrack
A Soundtrack for 'The King's Shadow'
The title Broken Words comes from the climactic track, "Swallow the Knife." There are some very general spoilers to be found on this soundtrack -- I'll tell you what they are: Morcant is not actually a nice person. That's the spoiler. -- but I actually managed to avoid many details that wouldn't have been or haven't been covered in drabbles. If you want to download the whole thing, there is a single zip file at the very end of the post for you. It contains a bonus file containing the following information, plus little discussions of the tracks that came close, but didn't quite make it. Read it if only for the parody bonus track I eventually left out.
Disclaimer: Actually a significant portion of The King's Shadow, like probably more than half, plus the initial idea, is all credit to
zinniazayda, but the soundtrack is mine. :D Morcant and Katarin are both her characters; Rhys and Mair are mine.If you're not familiar with the story, don't worry. It's not that complicated. There's so little to know. Childhood friends leave one another as boys and come back to find that in their separation they have become a King and a Wizard, and they don't really know each other anymore. In trying to reconcile their differences, and get back to where they used to be, they find this instead...
01. Emilie Autumn, "Across the Sky"
http://www.emilieautumn.com/
The wizard, the Isle, and the spirit. The King's Shadow begins in mystery and magic; I chose this song for the introduction because this is all of that magic which Morcant wields, and that is in part responsible for his actions, for his ego, and for what happens in the course of the story.
fear no more the sea
close your eyes, regret nothing
you're safe with me
look into the shadows
step into the mist
search your land but doubt never
I still exist
02. October Project, "Bury My Lovely"
Longing for days past. One of the recurring themes of The King's Shadow is the contrast between past and present, how drastically things can change in a relatively short amount of time. This song is a pretty haunting representation of that. (I love the last bit of the chorus -- how you're urged to forget, even though the "me" doesn't want to be forgotten.)
is waiting in the night
something happened long ago
something that will not let go
forget me soon
forget me
forget me now
forget me not
03. Hilary Duff, "Fly"
Rhys, the boy, grown older and more tired now. Because maturing didn't bring him any peace, even though he's a born leader: he found only more doubts and questions, fears and anxieties and so much responsibility. I chose this song because he does have the ability, and in fact makes a good king when he stops thinking about it -- but he has to let go first.
open up the part of you that wants to hide away
you can shine
forget about the reasons why you can't in life
and start to try
cause it's your time
time to fly
04. Jem, "They"
The tense reunion of the wizard and the king. They're not sure how to deal with each other anymore; no matter how much they may want to go back to the way things were, they're both too aware of their respective stations. This song is for all the people and rules that have come between them already... Somewhat tangentially, I like the childish voices in the background, like nagging reminders of the childhood that mocks them for how apart they've grown.
is rely on what They say
and then it is that way
and I'm sorry
so sorry
I'm sorry
it's like this
05. Peter Gabriel, "I Have The Touch"
The King, masks and games and all. There is something magnetic, charismatic about this distant figure to all who encounter him. He is a strong and confident figure, but deep beneath the King somewhere is still Rhys, struggling to deal with himself. This song was a natural choice for both that natural power and that conflicting need.
all those introductions, I never miss my cue
so before a question, so before a doubt
my hand moves out and ... I have the touch
but nothing seems to please
I need contact
06. Emilie Autumn, "Rose Red"
Mair, the King's Champion, a woman warrior when women don't do that sort of thing. I spent hours looking for a song for her, especially after choosing another Emilie Autumn song for the introduction, but really no two of her songs sound anything alike anyway, and the lyrics are perfect for her: the Rose Red of this story is independent and protective, or defensive, almost to the point of paranoia. Bonus points for obedience to a king!
she rose that fell a flower
I should have known
Rose Rose Rose Red
will I ever see thee wed?
only if you can capture me
07. Kate Bush, "Running Up That Hill (Make A Deal with God)"
The relationship, such as it is, between Mair and Morcant, is edgy at the best of times. He was a smug bastard as a child and she was an unrelenting bully, and when he comes back she resents that he so quickly falls in as Rhys' best friend once again when she fought so hard and is so totally loyal -- and also he's evil. The actual song lyrics are only incidentally related to her suspicions about him and her resentment of him (and in fact many men who take life for granted), but it just sounds right.
is there so much hate for the ones we love?
tell me, we both matter, don't we?
and if I only could
I'd make a deal with God
and I'd get him to swap our places...
08. Enya, "Book of Days (Far and Away)"
In spite of Mair's cool discouragement of Morcant, the childhood memories eventually reassert themselves. The king and the wizard regain their former camaraderie, learn to trust and care about one another the way they used to, even though everything has changed. This song is all that innocence they find again in some small way, that childish youth and determination and confidence and unfailing friendship.
can hold me back from trying
one flag, one fall, one falter
this day ends together
far and away
09. Loreena McKennitt, "Dante's Prayer"
Then along comes Katarin, the King's bride, the Queen. She is a voice of reason in the story -- a logical and sincere woman, with deep faith and true loyalty. There's an almost spirituality about her, which is partly why I chose this song: that mix of faith and spirituality and insight. I didn't actually think of it until now, but the Celtic sound of this is probably better for one of Rhys' kingdom than hers, but ah well.
oh give these clay feet wings to fly
to touch the face of the stars
breathe life into this feeble heart
lift this mortal veil of fear
take these crumbled hopes, etched with tears
10. Alanis Morissette, "You Owe Me Nothing In Return"
This is Rhys and Katarin together. She sees a great man in him and is determined to help him reconcile that latent potential in himself with the 'trial' of being the King. Katarin is a receptive ear, always sympathetic, always on Rhys' side, not because they love each other (there's no passion here and never will be; theirs is a slowly-growing love of circumstance). This song represented all of that: a rather non-passionate love that is nevertheless real, selfless consideration with no ulterior motives or conflicting prerogatives, just giving.
your fears and freak outs and I'll hold it
(and there are no strings attached)
you owe me nothing for giving the love that I give you
you owe me nothing for caring the way that I have
I give you thanks for receiving, it's my privilege
and you owe me nothing in return
11. Muse, "Butterflies and Hurricanes"
This is the invasion, the war that tears Rhys' people apart. It is Rhys trying to stop the killing and protect his people, and even more it is Morcant slowly evolving as the fighting reaches its ultimate, discovering what he really believes in a moment of passionate epiphany -- and then seeing that stolen from him, all the glory, all the meaning, stolen. Even the smallest movement can bring about a storm...
Imagine that in the piano interlude in the middle of this song, and then see the evolution there, when the lyrics pick up again with a faint, almost angry, "Don't / let yourself down / don't let yourself go / your last chance has arrived..." That's Morcant's future you hear looming.
you've got to be the best
you've got to change the world
and you use this chance to be heard
your time is now
12. Cake, "Hem of Your Garment"
Life can't go back to the way it was before after that -- even though that was only a pale mockery of childhood. It's all different now. Everything is, now seen from the tainted perspective Morcant found in the invasion. And now he resents it all. I chose this song in a snarky non-sense, because it just seemed like the sort of attitude he would have for the King... Wear your sarcasm goggles for this one.
how very empty is my soul
it is a soul that feels no thrill
a soul that could easily kill
and I'm not fit to touch
the hem of your garment
13. Story of the Year, "Swallow the Knife"
Morcant loses his patience with the masks. He's ready to take what he wants -- claim what he deserves -- reclaim what should have been his all along. (These are not necessarily all the same thing. *smirk*) It's an ugly task. This song is that confrontation, that anger and bitterness and twisted perspective all coming to a headway as he strikes out at someone he loved more than anything. Also, OMG, knife = his servitude to Rhys!!1 Literally. Rhys gave him a dagger as a symbol of the bond between King and vassal.
but tonight we'll set you free
so swallow the knife
carve the way for your pride
now our hands are tied
the problems lie within
so we pray for night
to start over again
14. Keane, "We Might As Well Be Strangers"
This song is Rhys -- grieving for the misunderstandings and all that passed between these two friends, once so close. Everything else says itself.
be strangers
for all I know
of you now...
15. Vanessa Carlton, "Twilight"
And finally this song is Morcant. It's meant to be a song about someone who never reached out for her potential, but it applies equally well for someone who reached too far; for someone who didn't really understand anything about who and what he was, and underestimated his position. This is Morcant's song -- the ultimate in misunderstanding, and finally coming out of darkness into the world, wiser.
never sought to see what flaunted
so on purpose so in my face couldn't see beyond my own place
and it was so easy not to behold what I could hold
but you taught me I could change whatever came within these shallow days
16. Sarah Brightman, "Eden"
A beautiful, haunting song for the closing: friends who don't know what they are to each other, and enemies who don't know why they're at odds, and misunderstandings. Who is at fault, really? Everyone blames himself. But maybe...
did I ever think of you? I'm not complaining
did I ever think of you as my enemy?
did you ever think of me? I am complaining
I never tried to feel this vibration
I never tried to reach your Eden...
Broken Words: download the whole soundtrack
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no subject
(Enabler. :-D Now I'm going to /have/ to do one. Where to start ...)
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Now it's your turn. XD
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And also wanting to do my own soundtrack-y thing. Curses.
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<3 <3 <3