Stella of Essex or The Vicar's Wife Betrayed, A Fix-It-Fanfiction of The Essex Serpent Masterlist- NOW COMPLETE

Summary: What happens to the woman left behind? The Essex Serpent is retold from the perspective of Stella Ransome, as well as giving her a new ending rather than her canon fate. We explore Stella's past, raised to be demure and sweet, trying so hard to be the Ideal lady of her time in late 19th century England. She then crosses paths with a young, handsome curate named William, and the two fall in love. As his bride, she agrees to do everything and anything to be his perfect wife in order to support his ministry. Through trials and tribulations, their happy marriage is preserved and she uses her position to even help and assist the people, especially the women, of the town. Then, after receiving the fatal diagnosis of tuberculosis, Stella discovers that William is having an affair. Her heartbreak, grief, and repressed anger are finally released. Despite her devastation, she finds hope...and revenge.

Alternate Title: The Ransome Pamphlet

Sorry Will Ransome girlies

Pairing: Stella/Will Ransome but focuses on the tragedy of their marriage, Also Stella/Happiness and Will/Facing Consequences For Cheating. Eventually Stella Ransome/Male OC

Word Count: 92K (oop.)

Warnings: Eventual Major Character Death (Ch . 13) and Injury/Mutilation (Ch. 10 onwards), Stella actually grieving being betrayed by her husband, Discussions of adultery and how the cheated-on spouse suffers from it, (but the cheater(s) eventually get punished and held accountable for it). Pregnancy and discussions of childbirth with the loss of children at one point (Ch. 4), LOTS of Angst, Fluff, Whump, Eventual Happy Ending, Good For Her Cinematic Universe, Canon Divergence, portrayals of illness and religion, and mentions of sex. We are anti-Will/Cora in this fic so if you like the pairing you have been warned. Me Being for men's rights...men's rights to shut the fuck up.

Comments, Reblogs, Asks, And DM's about this Work are Deeply Appreciated! This was my passion project and felt like my own historic novel in a way and was very therapeutic to write! Thank you!

Prologue: Red Carnations

Chapter One: White Lilacs

Chapter Two: Pink Camellias

Chapter Three: Red Roses

Chapter Four: Peonies

Chapter Five: Yellow Roses

Chapter Six: Anemonies

Chapter Seven: Purple Hyacinth

Chapter Eight: Rohdedron

Chapter Nine: Speedwell

Chapter Ten: Tussilage

Chapter Eleven: Basil

Chapter Twelve: Purple Columbine

Chapter Thirteen: Birdsfoot Trefoil

Chapter Fourteen: Lemon Blossoms

Chapter Fifteen: Iris

Chapter Sixteen: Volkameria

Chapter Seventeen: Blue Wildflowers

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Stella of Essex or The Vicar's Wife Betrayed, (The Essex Serpent Fix-It Fic Series) Chapter 15: Iris

Series Summary: The Essex Serpent is reimagined and told from the perspective of Stella Ransome. And with a new ending. Stella must come to terms with not only her mortality but her husband's heartbreaking affair. A portrait of a woman who became The Ideal Lady her time and marriage required her to be. A picture of a marriage of love and bliss torn apart by a husband's infidelity. And Stella herself in the center of it all, torn between a wife's duty and her own quiet but present rage. Where in the midst of devastating heartbreak she gains her strength, finds her voice, and dares to seek freedom, hope...and even revenge.

(yes the second gif is modern but I don't care- IT'S HER BEING HAPPY AT HER WEDDING DAMMIT!!!! SHE DESERVES THAT MUCH)

Chapter Summary: Despite the torments of her past, Stella Ransome finds happiness in her engagement and wedding to Harold Cavaradossi.

Pairing: Stella Ransome/Male OC: Harold Cavaradossi, some Stella/William Ransome but about the tragedy of their marriage and the angst of his cheating.

Prologue//One//Two//Three//Four//Five//Six//Seven//Eight//Nine//

Ten//Eleven//Twelve//Thirteen

Warnings: Mentions of a Major Character Death. (sorry not sorry). Mentions of sex, illness, and pregnancy. Nightmares. Canon Divergence. But this is a very fluffy chapter with happy stuff coming in. Being Anti-Will and C*ra so if you like the characters or pairing you have been warned.

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“Mama, this is wonderful!” John cried, looking at the ring on my left hand.

Word had quickly spread to my children. They all gathered to look at the new ring like chickens.

“When will the wedding be?” Joanna asked.

“In April, the Springtime. By then, it’ll be over a year since your father died and it won’t be considered scandalous for me to remarry anymore. Besides, should I get sicker, we agreed the engagement should be short.” I explained.

“Is Harry our father now?” James asked, tilting his head.

“He will be. He’ll be your stepfather. But all of you must promise me- he will never be the father any of you grew up with. But you will love him and respect him all the same.”

Stella of Essex or The Vicar's Wife Betrayed Series. Chapter 14- Lemon Blossoms

A Fix-It Fanfiction Series based off of The Essex Serpent

Pairings: Stella Ransome/Male OC: Harry Cavaradossi, some Stella Ransome/William Ransome but focusing on the angst of his cheating and the tragedy of their marriage. Mainly Stella Ransome/Happiness and Will/Facing Consequences for Cheating.

Series Summary: The Essex Serpent is reimagined and told from the perspective of Stella Ransome. And with a new ending. Stella must come to terms with not only her mortality but her husband's heartbreaking affair. A portrait of a woman who became The Ideal Lady her time and marriage required her to be. A picture of a marriage of love and bliss torn apart by a husband's infidelity. And Stella herself in the center of it all, torn between a wife's duty and her own quiet but present rage. Where in the midst of devastating heartbreak she gains her strength, finds her voice, and dares to seek freedom, hope...and even revenge.

Chapter Summary: Stella becomes a widow. She is reunited with her children and then goes to a Sanatorium for her tuberculosis. She is haunted by the memories of her late husband and her dangerous secret concerning his death. Her In-Laws pose her with an impossible ultimatum. And Harry Cavaradossi has a solution for her.

Prologue//One//Two//Three//Four//Five//Six//Seven//Eight//Nine//

Ten//Eleven//Twelve//Thirteen

Warnings: Major Character Death and discussions of it. Discussions of cheating and the trauma it causes, funerals, grief, mourning, families, children, trauma, sex, sex workers, illness, doctors, and a Sanatorium. Mentions of blood. Canon Divergence. Some angst, but lots of fluff ESPECIALLY at the end :) Hurt/Comfort and getting to the comforting and healing section of whump. Being Anti-Will Ransome and Anti-C*ra so if you like the pairing or the characters themselves, you have been warned.

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“Theseus abducted Minos’ daughter (Ariadne) and sailed to Dia, where he cruelly abandoned his companion to her wailing. Bacchus brought love and comfort to the girl, and so that she would shine among the stars, he sent her diadem up into heaven; it flew its precious stones were turned to brilliant fires…”- Ovid, Metamorphoses, Translated by Charles Martin, Book VIII, lines 240-249.

The next day, Dante and Edith returned with a purchase made from the safe money- two black dresses, black gloves, and a veil. They went upstairs to deliver it and Edith helped me change into my first black dress.

“You’re a widow now, you need to wear these for two years and a day…And you must isolate yourself except for church…” she instructed.

“I have been isolating myself since I fell sick. Or trying to. And Edith…”

I felt her help button up the dress from the back.

“Yes?” she added.

Stella of Essex or The Vicar's Wife Betrayed. Chapter Ten: Tussilage

on Series Summary: The Essex Serpent is reimagined to be told from the perspective of Stella Ransome, with a new ending. Stella must come to terms not only with her mortality from her tuberculosis...but the discovery of her beloved husband's affair with another woman. Where in the midst of the devastating heartbreak of a loving marriage turned to tragedy from William's infidelity, Stella learns to find strength, her voice, hope...and revenge.

Pairing: Some Stella Ransome/William Ransome but focusing on the angst and tragedy of his cheating and he actually faces the consequences, eventually Stella Ransome/OC: Harry Cavaradossi

Chapter Summary: In which, the rest of Stella's family arrives. She makes a decision on what to do next. With Stella's permission and orders, the Aldwinter women get their revenge on William.

Content Warnings: Eventual Major Character Death, Major Character Injury, Violence, Mulitiation that takes place "off-screen", Discussions of Cheating and the Trauma of being cheated on, sickness, families, Good For Her Cinematic Universe, children, canon divergence (because fuck the book and tv show) language, Female rage, women beating up men, mentions of knives and guns and blood. A couple fluffy moments. Angst. Whump. Hurt/Comfort. Mentions of dead children. Being Anti-William and Anti-C*ra so if you like the characters or the pairing you have been warned.

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Prologue//One//Two//Three//Four//Five//Six//Seven//Eight//Nine

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“MIMÌ (to Rodolfo) Goodbye.

RODOLFO What? You're going?

MIMÌ Back to the place I left at the call of your love, I'm going back alone to my lonely nest to make false flowers. Goodbye, without remorse…” La Boheme, English Translation

"But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul. A wound and dishonor shall he get, and his reproach shall not be wiped away."- Proverbs 6:32-33, KJV.

My parents and brothers arrived finally. Edith escorted them there. They charged through the door among the sea of my female companions. I saw them and stood up from among the crowd. Yet at first, I did not go to them. Edith crossed and took my hand.

“Do you…do all of you believe me?” I asked.

Stella of Essex or The Vicar's Wife Betrayed Series, Chapter 9: Speedwell.

Series Summary: The Essex Serpent is reimagined and told from the perspective of Stella Ransome. Stella must come to terms with not only her mortality but her husband, William's, heartbreaking affair.

Pairing: Some Stella/William but focusing on the tragedy of their marriage and his betrayal, eventually Stella/Male OC.

Prologue//One//Two//Three//Four//Five//Six//Seven//Eight

Chapter Summary: The women of Aldwinter hear and react to Stella's revelation of her husband's, their vicar's, affair. She is reunited with her children. Joanna asks a question- about the identity of her father's mistress.

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Warnings: Eventual Major Caracter Death, A Take That Audience! Scene, Whump, Hurt/Comfort, Major Angst, Some fluff, Female Rage and Grief, Female friendships, the Psychological effects of being the person Cheated on portrayed as well as cheating itself discussed, Stella's trauma makes her a bit snarkier than her original personality, mentions of sex, canon divergence, religion, and children and families dealing with a parent being a cheater and two angsty scenes with Joanna at the end. Being Anti-William and Anti-C*ra so if you like them or the pairing, you have been warned.

SHARPLESS I told you! Do you remember? When she gave you her hand, "Beware!" I said, "she believes in all this!" and my words were prophetic then! Deaf to advice, deaf to all doubts, a victim of scorn, obstinately waiting, she fortified her heart.

PINKERTON Yes, all in an instant I see how I have sinned and realize I shall never find respite from this torture. Never!- Madama Butterfly, English Translation

“Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion…Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken”- Ecclesiastes 4: 9-12

As the clock struck four in the evening, there was a knock on the door. I froze. I heard footsteps and the door creak open. A pain swallowed my chest, and I gripped the sheets. Ready for the moment of confrontation with my husband.

But I didn’t hear William’s voice.

There was a knock on my room’s door.

“Stella, you have visitors, mother’s here too…I stopped by and told her what happened,” Fanny announced.

I opened it to see Mrs. Johnson, and Fanny along with Fanny’s mother, Elizabeth, bearing a basket full of various foodstuffs- walnuts, bread, cakes, and fruit. I was about to sit up to greet them when a new voice came from the entrance.

"I'm here too!"

I turned around and saw that it was Mrs. Moore, marching inside and closing the door. Both walked inside. I looked at Fanny in surprise. They went to me, gathering in my room.

“I…I didn’t want to believe it…is this…is this true?” Mrs. Johnson asked.

I pointed at the desk.

Stella of Essex, or The Vicar's Wife Betrayed Series. Chapter Eight: Rhodendron

Fix-It Fanfiction Series of The Essex Serpent

Pairing: Some Stella Ransome/William Ransome, mainly Stella/Being Happy, and William/Being Held Accountable and Facing Consequences for Cheating Eventually Stella Ransome/Male OC

Series Summary: Stella must come to terms with not only her mortality but her husband's heartbreaking affair. A picture of a marriage of love and bliss torn apart by a husband's infidelity. And Stella herself in the center of it all, torn between a wife's duty and her own quiet but present rage. Where in the midst of devastating heartbreak she gains her strength, finds her voice, and dares to seek freedom, hope...and even revenge.

Chapter Summary: Stella flees from her husband's house and asks for the aid of an old friend in her predicament. She writes testimonies of William's infidelity to be sent and shared.

Warnings: Eventual Major Character Death, Female Rage, Good For Her, ANGST, WHUMP, HURT/COMFORT, DRAMA, Discussions of Adultery, and the Trauma of Being Cheated on, discussions of marriage, children, mentions of death, religion, drinking, brief cursing, and mentions of illness. Being Anti-William and Anti-C*ra, so if you like them or the pairing be warned.

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Prologue//One//Two//Three//Four//Five//Six//Seven

“There is a vision I have…Of slender women…who are born and raised to be perfect women. Who take whatever punishment we give them, and bounce back, strengthened by love, unconditionally. It is a vision that has become my life…there are still women. Women willing to sacrifice themselves for the love of a man. Even a man whose love is completely without worth”- M. Butterfly, David Henry Hwang.

“OPHELIA: I hope all will be well. We must be patient, but I cannot choose but weep”- Hamlet, Shakespeare.

I moved slowly, but I reached town. No one was around—no one around to recognize, stop or force me back to his house. I was fortunate in that. It was getting to be evening. The clouds were dark, and the wind picked up. I stared up into the sky, then closed my eyes and clasped my hands together.

“God, please protect me. God, give me strength.” I prayed.

I opened my eyes to the dark grey clouds and crossed myself solemnly as the few rain drizzles broke. I then continued further into Aldwinter.

By the time I reached Fanny’s house, it burst into a torrent of rain. I covered the bag beneath my coat and removed the money from my pockets quickly into the bag. So, help me, the money and letters would not be damaged beyond their use!

I had not exerted myself like this in a long time. My knees wanted to give in from exhaustion beneath me. The rain splattered from an angle and hit a part of me. Trying to gasp in a breath, I reached up with one shaking hand and began to knock on the door.

From the inside, I heard Fanny.

“Have you heard something? A noise? Let me take Carrie to her nursery..."

I knocked again. My wraps were fewer- but still urgent. I leaned against the wall to keep from collapsing.

“Oh God, no…it couldn’t be….” She fretted.

“You don’t think?” I heard the Austrian accent of her husband, Vince Kroeger, add on.

“The snake!”

How long could I stay out here? Any minute I could black out and collapse outside! Shakily, I used the doorknob to pull myself back to my feet, I kept pounding on the door with a fury, and I begged with what loudness my voice could muster.

“Fanny! Fanny! Please let me in!”

Stella of Essex or The Vicar's Wife Betrayed Series. Chapter 7: Purple Hyacinth

A Fix-It Fanfiction Series of The Essex Serpent

Pairing: some Stella Ransome/William Ransome but focusing on the tragedy of their marriage, eventually Stella Ransome/Male OC

Series Summary: The Essex Serpent is reimagined and told from the perspective of Stella Ransome. And with a new ending. Stella must come to terms with not only her mortality but her husband's heartbreaking affair. A picture of a marriage of love and bliss torn apart by a husband's infidelity. And Stella herself in the center of it all, torn between a wife's duty and her own quiet but present rage. Where in the midst of devastating heartbreak she gains her strength, finds her voice, and dares to seek freedom, hope...and even revenge.

Chapter Summary: In Which, Stella mourns her husband's affair with The Woman. And makes a decision.

Warnings: Eventual Major Character Death, Discussions of Adultery and the Trauma of Being Cheated On, Female Rage, Mentions of Suicide, ANGST, Whump, Hurt/Comfort, Mentions of Illness, Victorian era Marriage laws, Religion, Mentions of death and the almost death of a child- but the child doesn't actually die. Greif and Betrayal and Stella grieving and being sad and angry about William cheating (she has every right to be), being Anti-William and Anti-C*ra so if you like them or this pairing you have been warned. Good For Her Plotline

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Chapter Word Count: Less than 5K

Prologue//One//Two//Three//Four//Five//Six

“And I, of ladies most deject and wretched, That suck'd the honey of his music vows, Now see that noble and most sovereign reason, Like sweet bells jangled, out of tune and harsh; …O, woe is me T' have seen what I have seen, see what I see!” - Hamlet, Shakespeare, II.I.132

GILDA Ah, these are the loving words... ...the scoundrel spoke once to me!

RIGOLETTO (to Gilda) Hush, weeping can do no good, etc.

GILDA O wretched heart betrayed, do not break for sorrow.- Rigoletto, English Translation

“Such was her affection for him, that she loved him in all places, and was desirous of doing anything for his convenience, credit, and comfort…How much more commendable was the behavior of these women than that of those who rail at their imprudent or incontinent husbands, and by their conduct render that home which before was undesirable, quite hateful, and insupportable!”- Alexander Walker, Woman Physiologically Considered, as to Mind, Morals, Marriage, Matrimonial Slavery, Infidelity, and Divorce.

“And (God) said…Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat? And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.” Genesis 3:11-12, KJV

I remember shaking.

They finished. they smiled at each other and kissed once more. William and The Woman wandered further into the woods, clutching hands.

My legs gave in beneath me. I caught myself. Doubting everything I saw. Wondering if I was in a nightmare. But it was when I looked down and saw how my knuckles were clenched and I saw the last tail end of William’s tan coat vanish that I knew it was real.

Pulling myself onto the windowsill. Everything seemed to spin as I returned to my- no- our bedroom.

I went to the bookshelf and grabbed one of my journals, one of the older ones. I turned it to the page with the gardenia from years ago. The one William gave to me. His very first gift. The one that gave me hope that maybe he loved me. Keeping it open, I clutched it to my heart.

I couldn’t cry. I hugged onto it tighter on the chair and ducked my head down, squeezing my eyes shut. Then opening them.

I used to love this room. That sacred space where so many beautiful memories and moments. How bitter, sad, dusty, and dark it all looked. The blue walls seemed grey in the dim light. The fireplace was cold and dark. The plates and pillows I decorated looked ugly and gaudy. It was all bitter and haunted and disgusting.