005 [The Blacksmith's Daughter]

[onceandfuturequeen]

[The heat from the forge was intense. The blade on anvil glowed red hot. Gwen lowered her hammer to wipe the sweat from her forehead with the back of her arm. Her sleeves were rolled up to her elbows and her brow was furrowed in concentration.

Once, the forge had been her father's domain, but his only daughter had always enjoyed watching him work. She'd always been willing to act as a spare pair of hands when her duties at the palace allowed it.

Since his death at the hands of Uther's guards, however, the former hive of activity had fallen silent. For the most part. Sometimes, when sleep eluded her, Gwen returned to the room that held so many fond memories for her and stoked up the fire. She'd learned a great deal from watching her father. Although she wasn't working with a particular aim or a sale in mind, she crafted daggers and bracelets and broaches under the cover of darkness. When she finally returned to her bed, she was usually too tired to dream.

She didn't realise that she had moved to the Plane until she was satisfied with the blade, plunging it into a bucket of water with a hiss. When the cloud of steam cleared, Gwen looked around in embarrassment. Her night time escapades were a secret even in Camelot. She hadn't intended to share them with the Plane.]

Comments

[not_a_lamb_nor_ram]

[ There's something about forging and crafts that draw Kiran's interest, and the hiss of rapidly cooling metal is a familiar sound. Never mind that his own discipline is different from the traditional sculpting -- he admires smiths for all their hard work and artistry.

Also, don't mind his (temporary) ram horns please. ]

Are you making that for someone?

[onceandfuturequeen]

[Kiran's horns weren't the strangest thing that Gwen had seen on the Plane. She greeted him with nothing but a smile. Only the slight flicker of her eyes indicated what she'd noticed.]

No, actually. I just like to have something to do with my hands when I can't sleep.

[not_a_lamb_nor_ram]

[ Ah insomnia. Another point in common, but something that Kiran wouldn't wish on anyone else. ]

Yeah. Gets you tired enough to get to sleep when all else fails.

[ He gives the sword a studying look: how done it is, how fine the craftsmanship is... ]

I take you don't make just swords.

[onceandfuturequeen]

That's right.

My father would make whatever he was commissioned to make, but swords were always his favourite. I suppose that's why they're my favourite.