Title: If the Darkness Lasts
Fandom: The Eagle (2011 movie), Eagle of the Ninth (Rosemary Sutcliff book)
Pairing: Marcus Flavius Aquila/Cottia/Esca Mac Cunoval (in various combinations)
Categories: Drama, Angst, Horror, Action/Adventure, Post-Canon, Supernatural (Zombies)
Length: Epic (43,771 words)
Warnings: per author: "violence/gore, minor [and secondary] character death (including several children), and underage sexuality (Cottia is 16-17, and an adult within the setting of the story)"

Author on LJ: seascribe (with art by motetus)
Author Website: Seascribe

Author's Summary:
When the dead begin to rise up and walk, Marcus, Cottia, and Esca must leave behind the little farm on the Downs and learn how to build a new life together out of the ruins of the world they once knew.

Review:
I'm a sucker for zombie fics, and this one is a CANON-ERA zombie apocalypse AU. Can you imagine how horrifying zombies would be with no clue of what they are? It's already a freaky freaky thing, but with no cultural context, how terrifying! Marcus, Esca and Cottia have to figure out everything for themselves when their farm is attacked and they discover a neighboring family has been either killed or transformed into the walking dead. Realizing their little farm in not defensible, and worried for Uncle Aquila and Cottia's family, they head out on a grim journey to Calleva, and then beyond to find safety. The situation tests and tempers their relationships, forging newer and stronger bonds between the three. I found the shifting dynamics between the trio particularly interesting and fulfilling.

The story is a fusion with the 2011 movie and the Rosemary Sutcliff book (which I haven't read) and I really enjoyed the strength of the female character Cottia (girl, you shoot those arrows), and the inclusion of their pet wolf, Cub and other elements of the book to round out the film-verse.

A gripping drama, with horror and action/adventure elements. It also had the mark of truly excellent story: I didn't want it to end!

Mind the warnings, particular in regards to character death; if a character isn't Esca, Cottia or Marcus, they are in DANGER.

The fic was written for the 2012 Eagle Big Bang, and is accompanied by truly gorgeous art by motetus.

Marcus offers a prayer, wondering if there had been anything left of the person that man once was or if his soul had been already long gone to his gods. They should build a second pyre, Marcus thinks, and he prays that this one will be the last. Esca nocks another arrow, and finally, blessedly, the noise stops.

Cottia goes to retrieve the arrows, as Esca's shield-bearer might do if they were among the tribes and this was preparation for a battle. It is a strange thought, and Marcus shakes it off, occupying himself instead with thinking of how they should proceed from here.

Titus' villa is not so close as Lucius', but Marcus is determined that they should make the trip and hold off on making any further plans until they know more of what is happening.

"We will go straight to Calleva, afterwards, if we find cause," he promises Cottia, who is increasingly impatient to act.

"What more cause do you need, when only yesterday you chopped off the head of a man you called your friend?" Cottia cries. "Surely if there is news to be heard, it will be heard in Calleva. What of your uncle, and my family? Should we not make all haste to see that they are well?"

The memory of Lucius makes Marcus feel sick, and he cannot bear to think of his uncle in light of that.

If the Darkness Lasts