"The Crooked Man: One Thing Straightened Out" (Sherlock60, CROO, Rating: G)

[gardnerhill.livejournal.com]

Title: The Crooked Man: One Thing Straightened Out
Author: gardnerhill           
Word Count: 60
Rating: G
Warning: None.
Summary: Surely Watson must have thought “There but for the grace of God goes John Watson.”

***

“A letter from Corporal Wood.” Watson beamed. “His case has been approved and he’s now receiving a small pension – enough to stave off the knife-edge of poverty. That’s a weight off my mind.”

Holmes smiled. “Well done, Watson. Your appeal on his behalf to the Army board was successful.”

“Not all wounded soldiers are lucky enough to befriend consulting detectives.”

Comments

[thesmallhobbit.livejournal.com]

I'm sure Watson would always have sympathy for his fellow veterans, and do what he could for them. Sadly fighting for king/queen/&c and country doesn't automatically guarantee provision on return to home shores.

[gardnerhill.livejournal.com]

Destitute veterans left homeless and paupered after war have featured in folklore and tales for centuries (Grimm has the "Bearskin" fairy tale, which warns kids not to mock the smelly unshaven man who used to be a soldier).

I have a whole series of stories (http://archiveofourown.org/series/50164) featuring a friendship that springs up between Watson and Henry Wood.

[debriswoman]

A good point, well made:-)

[gardnerhill.livejournal.com]

Thanks. I've got a whole series (http://archiveofourown.org/series/50164) about Watson and Wood becoming friends afterward.

[debriswoman]

Thanks for the link:-)

[scfrankles.livejournal.com]

You do have to wonder what becomes of Wood after the story ends. (I seem to remember there's a theory he's already dying.) I can't see him and Mrs. Barclay getting married now but I wonder if she might help him financially too.

I do so like your idea that Watson concerns himself with Wood's well being - it's most touching. Wood has suffered so much - he really had everything taken away from him.

[gardnerhill.livejournal.com]

This is close to my heart, because I've got a whole series (http://archiveofourown.org/series/50164) about Watson and Wood becoming friends after Wood's plight resurfaces Watson's old war trauma.

In the BBC Radio version, their CROO ends with a moving scene between Watson and Wood (played by Brian Blessed).

[laurose8.livejournal.com]

Very Watsonian. Thanks for sharing this good idea; and telling it so well.

[gardnerhill.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I did have a head-start on this theme because I have a series of stories (http://archiveofourown.org/series/50164) about Watson befriending Corporal Wood.

[rachelindeed.livejournal.com]

Oh, I love your series with Watson and Wood, I thought it was such a great idea, and that first story especially with Holmes seeking out someone who could understand what Watson had experienced and talk to him about cowardice and courage and humanity at a level that a civilian, with all the best of intentions, never could. So wise. Very lovely to see this little moment, where something finally comes through for Henry.

[gardnerhill.livejournal.com]

I figured Watson would look at this wreck of a man and realize that, minus his chance meeting with Stamford, that could easily be him. And I was happy to have Wood repay Holmes by helping Watson in "Sum Tamquam." As Watson said, easier for two old wolves to lick each other's wounds - a soldier understands a soldier.