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CHARACTERS: a prince (arthur), a maid (gwen), and the pope's daughter (lucrezia).
LOCATION:the gardens
WARNINGS: lucrezia being lucrezia and awkwardness.
SUMMARY: lulu is playing matchmaker.
NOTES:

[as promised, gwen makes her way to the gardens but unlike many of her journeys to the gardens, she's nervous. after all, she's meant to sing. in front of arthur and lucrezia. and gwen is not someone who exactly has a talent for singing. she can, in fact, sing just fine but does not believe that she has the talent sing in front of an audience.

especially if that audience is arthur pendragon, prince of camelot, and the man who happens to have her heart.

things have been complicated between. even more than they are back in camelot. gwen does not know where she stands with him, what his feelings are. and in all honestly, she cannot find the words to express her own even if to others it may be quite obvious. like lucrezia borgia. gwen had confided in her friend, a friend who reminded her of another, one that was lost to her now and perhaps forever. a friend who requested that she sing and after all lucrezia had done for her, how could gwen refuse her, even if she knew that it was a scheme of sorts to bring she and arthur together. regardless, she does arrive at the gardens, looking for her 'audience' and trying not to look as nervous as she feels.]

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[ It was the most brilliant scheme Lucrezia had ever schemed. She knew of Gwen's feelings towards Arthur, knew of her uncertainty, and what better way would it be for her to see what is between them than be with the both of them alone?

So she plotted the thing around her birthday, and led Arthur into this with smiles and sweet words and now.

Now Lucrezia Borgia was quite proud of herself, bringing two people she had read of as a child together.

She sits in the gardens, the crown of flowers given to her by Thranduil, the King of Elves himself, sits on her head. A token for her birthday.

She holds the necklace given to her by Giulia, turns the locket in her hands, smiles at Gwen as she approaches.

Brilliant scheme, indeed. ]

[ arthur spends a fair amount of his free hours in the gardens, despite the fact that he doesn't get on with quite a few people who work there. it's simply necessary, since he stables his horse there. spending time with llamrei is the closest he gets to home. ]

[ well, that and spending time with merlin or guinevere. ]

[ so when lucrezia tells him where to meet, he finds the place with ease. gwen seems to have already arrived, and for one uncharacteristic moment arthur thinks perhaps he should hold back, but then he finds his courage and joins them. ]

Ladies.

[ a smile for both of them, though gwen's turns a little considering at the last. ]

I wasn't aware you could sing, Guinevere.

[ gwen smiles softly at lucrezia when she sees her, holding in her hands a shawl that is meant to be a birthday gift to her friend but also a hope that perhaps she will not have to sing. it's not that she wishes to go against what lucrezia wants but in all honesty, gwen just doesn't know what song she should sing.] I have a gift for you as well, Lucrezia. [ and she offers it out just as arthur approaches, smiling at both of the ladies, which brings a flush to gwen's cheeks, as always.

she smiles back softly and tilts her head downward as it turns more amused than it is shy (although she is both).] Only a little. I'm not sure I can sing well enough for a performance. [she looks to lucrezia, her expression softening.] But if Lucrezia is sure she wants me to sing, how can I refuse a friend?

For me?

[ she takes it in her hands, rubs her fingers over the fabric with clear enthusiasm. It has the right colors, the kinds that go well with her gowns and she rises to press a kiss to her cheek. ]

I will wear it and think of you.

[ but then, Arthur Pendragon! And as Gwen remains modest and shy (and obviously in love, Lucrezia thinks) she walks forward, linking her arm and his and tugging him forward to sit with them. ]

She could do so many things, I have found. Shall you wish me happy birthday before my song?

[ arthur allows himself to be drawn forth, eyebrows raising. (and probably if he was really smooth he'd do well to compliment the shawl, but he actually doesn't notice.) ]

Happy birthday, Lucrezia. I hope it's been a good one.

[ wishing her well as he settles himself allows him to keep his composure around guinevere, but though he seems to not be looking at her, he sneaks glances, and then finally holds it. ]

And what are you going to sing?

[ gwen can feel her cheeks color and she wishes they wouldn't. it makes it so obvious that even just seeing arthur has an effect on her even if he's arm and arm with another girl.

of course, lucrezia's main goal today is to put the two of them together, gwen knows that much, so there's no reason for jealousy, not when her nerves seem to be at the forefront.

when arthur asks what she will sing, her expression goes blank for a moment as she realizes that she has not picked a song.] I... I suppose I know one... Bird on a Briar.

[ she steps back, feeling more nervous than before. she smiles softly at lucrezia before taking in a breath and starting to sing. at first, she's a little rusty--]

Bird on a briar, bird, bird on a briar,
We come from love, and love we crave,
Blissful bird, have pity on me,
Or dig, love, dig for me my grave.

[ and once she closes her eyes, she gets a better handle on it, her voice stronger and more confident. her singing voice is quite lovely for someone untrained, sure, it's not perfect but it's not unbearable either.]

I am so blithe, so bright, bird on briar
When I see that handmaid in the hall:
She is white-limbed, lovely, true,
She is fair, and the flower of all.

Might I have her at my will,
Steadfast of love, lovely, true,
She may save me from my sorrow;
Joy and bliss would wear me new.

[ Brilliant plan, her very best. Since thank goodness, her voice is sweet and she claps her hands, even more gleefully than usual, all joy and excitement. ]

Oh I'll be very selfish if I'll ask for another so then I won't!

[ and then, she turns to Arthur. ]

I told you she could sing.

[ arthur's a little taken aback, truth be told. he's not sure whether gwen's singing voice is lovely, or simply lovely because it's hers, but it had touched him to hear her singing a song of courtly love, that pining sorrow. he had watched her rapturously, and now he finds it hard to drag his blue eyes away from her to look at lucrezia. ]

And you were right.

[ he cedes absently — it's not as though it hurts his pride to do so. he wants to say more, about how he'd enjoyed it, but finds his tongue feels thick and clumsy in his mouth. ]

[ gwen curses the bloom of color that spreads over her cheeks at their words. lucrezia's enthusiastic applause tells her that she did just fine. and while arthur does not say outright that he enjoyed it, she's not so blinded by her modesty not to notice the way he looks at her when her eyes open and her song ends. it heats her cheeks and the rest of her skin.

and for a moment she forgets that lucrezia is even there, her eyes finally breaking from his with a shy smile and a bow of her head. ] I'm glad it's to your liking. Happy birthday, Lucrezia.