realityshifted | 005 [The Blacksmith's Daughter]

[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.]

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[Morgana smiles at her, and when she walks over to the blade, she admires it. Even without holding it, she can see the good work.] It's wonderful.

[Gwen flushed with delight. Since it came from Morgana, the compliment meant a great deal to her.]

It's just a hobby, really.

[Morgana smiled at Gwen, completely sincere.] I wouldn't dream of making your hobby into work, but... Looking at this as a model of your abilities, I think I'd feel safer armed with your work than anyone else's. [She isn't exaggerating. Morgana knows good smithing, and Gwen's is very good.]

Truly? [She beamed again.] I could ... I could make something for you, if you like?

[With Gwen smiling like that, Morgana's own smile can only grow wider. She leaps at the offer, but tries not to seem overexcited.] I would love it! [It is not her best effort, and she attempts to recover.] Only if you have the time for it. I could excuse you from your duties, if it would make it easier. [All right. Morgana is delighted. There is no real denying it.]

I have more than enough time. I won't need to take leave my duties. [Would anyone else be able to do her work to the same standard? She doubted it.] I'll work in the evenings.

[Morgana doesn't want Gwen not to be around, but she also worries, always worries that she has put too much on Gwen. She puts a hand on Gwen's shoulder.] Don't overwork yourself. That's a royal order.

I wouldn't dream of disobeying a royal order.

[There was a lightness in her tone and a soft smile on her face when she rested her hand over Morgana's.]

I don't spend time with you simply because it's my duty, Morgana.

We're friends, I know. [But they are also lady and maidservant, queen and subject, and as far as Morgana is concerned, that means she must be all the more certain to take of Gwen.] If you're done with the forge, do you want to walk to the Plane's forest? I don't mind a forge, but I feel--[She gestures to the abyss of space around them, the impossibility of discerning ground from sky.]--lost, here.

That would be lovely.

[She worried, briefly, that she looked disheveled and unfit for company after her time in the forge, but there was no one to judge her on the Plane. Just them.]

[Morgana guides her to a patch of beautiful glowing flowers in the forest. Smiling, she plucks one and holds it out.] For your hair?

[Usually, she was the one to bring flowers to Morgana. She took it carefully, tucking it behind her ear.]

Thank you.

[Morgana is considering herself for a moment.] Thank you for everything, Gwen. Especially... You haven't said a word on it, but you know, don't you? About my... magic.

[She manages to get it out, even though she is still scared, scared of how Gwen will respond, scared that she is wrong about Gwen. It's a fear that she can't unroot, no matter how hard she tries; it's the fear that has kept her from discussing it with Gwen, even though for a while now she has believed that Gwen already knew--even though she trusts Gwen more than anyone else in the world. Because no matter how much faith she has in Gwen, that one tiny sliver of a possibility would ruin everything. It's a terrifying gamble.]

[That's why she wants to speak it out loud. That fear has to stop. It feels like betraying Gwen to doubt her.]

[Her fear was palpable and Gwen took Morgana's hand, hoping to soothe some of her concerns.]

I know. I've known for a long time.

No one will ever learn your secret from me, Morgana. I promise.

[Relief feels like breathing again. Morgana squeezes Gwen's hand.] You're the greatest friend I could ask for.

I'm glad that I know. And that you know that I know. You don't have to face this alone.

[Even with Uther gone, Morgana still had good reason to be afraid of her powers. It was far from easy to break the shackles of a bigoted upbringing.]

You're always so kind to me. [Still clasping Gwen's hand, she offered her a bright smile. It was only forced in that she wanted to bring a little levity to the deep, sincere gratitude she felt to Gwen. It had been some time since she was so happy as she was now.] When I get a little practice, I'll show you a few tricks. It can do some really beautiful things.

That would be wonderful.

[A little alarming, but she trusted Morgana. All would be well.]

[Morgana was only more delighted by the acceptance, taking it as a mark that she really was accepted.] Thank you, Gwen. This might all even turn out to be as much fun as training in the sword.

Oh, I'm not sure about that.

[Sword training had been wonderful, but Arthur's reaction to Morgana's success had been particularly entertaining.]

[Morgana can guess the direction of those thoughts.] It's a shame I can't show him up in this, too.

One day, perhaps?

Do you think? Arthur isn't cruel, but it was a wizard who killed his father.

005 [The Blacksmith's Daughter]

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