[Merlin] :: Working (Far Longer Than) 9 to 5 :: Gen :: PG :: 1/1

[chaletian]

Title: Working (Far Longer Than) 9 to 5
Author: chaletian
Fandom: Merlin
Rating: PG
Summary: "You'll go blind," objects Arthur. "Women are always going blind, sewing. You should stop."
Author’s Note: Written for such_heights' prompt (Merlin; Gwen; candles) at the Awesome Ladies Fication meme.



Uther Pendragon's castle may be the crown of Camelot, but its servants still use tallow candles, that smoke and smell and never provide enough light. Gwen sits in the stillroom, her chair by the window, but the sun has long since fled and she stitches Morgana's hem more by feel than sight. The velvet is soft and dark, and her little finger rubs against it unconsciously as she sews. It's quiet in the stillroom, and the chill evening air is peaceful.

Until there's noise outside, feet scuffing on stone flags, and Arthur (of course) appears in the doorway. He's holding a torch, bright and hot, and Gwen blinks as she looks up at him.

"What on earth are you doing?" he demands, and Gwen looks down at the soft silk velvet in her lap and the fine bone needle in her hand.

"Sewing," she replies.

"You'll go blind," objects Arthur. "Women are always going blind, sewing. You should stop."

Gwen raises an eyebrow and wonders if Arthur thinks the fairies should do all the sewing. Except that would be illegal. "We have to sew," she says. "Otherwise no-one would have anything to wear. And," she carries on, overriding an imminent objection, "we don't have time during the day. So we do our sewing in the evening."

Arthur scowls at her and walks away, and Gwen continues with her task, her eyes stinging with the tallow smoke, but Morgana's dress needs mending and it's her job.

Morgana wears the dress the next day.

That evening, Gwen returns to the stillroom with more mending and finds a dozen beeswax candles by her stool and a note announcing Arthur's intention to speak to the chamberlain about better lighting for the castle maids.

She smiles, and gets down to her job, as Arthur is already getting down to his.

Comments

[threemeows.livejournal.com]

<3333333 Love Gwens practicality, Arthurs realization of her nature, and this simple consideration between them.

[hmsharmony.livejournal.com]

This was really sweet! The Arthur/Gwen was wonderfully understated, and it's small moments like this that I hope to see more of on the show. Fantastic work!

[keenan24.livejournal.com]

So glad you're writing again for these two \0/
You are one of he best talents in this fandom and once again your work is just pure glory!
I love the understated view of these two and how her quiet practicality matches his stubborn one.
Thanks a lot for sharing!

[reseda-3067.livejournal.com]

This was really very lovely. How caring Arthur was made me smile.

I could actually see this happening on the show. Gwen sure has made him THINK, so to speak.

[ne-rien.livejournal.com]

This was amazing <3. I love that our Gwen doesn't even consider stopping for a minute even though it's the crowned prince that tells her to do so and I love that Arthur gets over that and himself enough to do something about the candle situation. Lovely job! :)

[winwin7.livejournal.com]

Lovely fic. Arthur taking practical steps to help Gwen and other amid is just awesome!

[anjali-organna.livejournal.com]

Aww, so cute! Hee, and Arthur learns something else about how the castle runs via Gwen, and Resolves To Do Something about it!