Seren let out a shaky breath. “I don’t know if I can do this.”

“Of course you can.” Stella patted her shoulder. “You can do anything, Seren.”

“But what if she’s not ready?” What if Seren wasn’t ready for this, and she shattered under the pressure?

“Then she’ll say no.”

“What if–”

“What if she says yes?” Stella asked gently, smoothing Seren’s curls. They were shorter than they'd once been; she'd realized she liked having short hair now that she could have short hair as a girl. That part felt important. “What about that?”

“What if I’m not enough?”

Stella just rolled her eyes. “Sis, you’re overthinking. Go.” She shoved the instrument she was holding at Seren. It was squarish, a long rectangle actually, with flat strings and a long strap attached. The curved bow had its own place to clip onto the back, which Seren was quite proud of herself for thinking of. She’d made the crwth herself, with no small amount of help from Meredith.

The corners of the neck bit into Seren’s fingers and she forced herself to loosen her grip. Drew in a slow breath. Soft and sweet, that’s what this song was. Soft and sweet. Accompanied by the crwth's ethereal tones, it would be perfect.

She sat on the blanket Amron and Stella had spread out beneath the biggest tree. Above her, its leaves were warm summer-green, shadows dappling the sun-warmed ground.

Placing her back to the tree, Seren swallowed down her nerves and placed her bow to the strings, testing. Drawing out the beginning of the melody she wanted.

Her ears twitched. Footfalls on the grass, coming closer. Two sets. She heard a loud bark, then another.

Stella dashed by and circled the tree, a silvery streak of fur. Blythe’s dark brown followed just after, skidding to a stop with a yip of surprise, and then she was kneeling, breathless, on the blanket, head tipped sideways in confusion.

As Stella trotted off, Seren closed her eyes and started singing, soft and low.

“For all the years I've known you

All those years your friend

I've always loved you so much

Knew there'd never be an end

To the joy you bring me every day

The way with you I feel so free

I only want to hear you say

That you will marry me”

Seren opened her eyes as she took a few breaths. Blythe sat frozen, hands pressed over her mouth as her eyes welled with tears. Seren couldn’t help the tears that sprang to her own eyes. She blinked them away, she had to finish this properly. She’d spent too long on this song not to. 

“I'd run along an endless plain

If you'll run by my side

Loving what my life may bring

If you will be my bride

For the joy you bring me ev'ry day

And the way with you I feel so free

Mean I only want to hear you say

That you will marry me

I've known for years you are the one

My heart and soul call out to

My guiding star, my joy, my sun

My love for you is true

So, love, take my breath away

If you'd spend your days with me

For I only want to hear you say

Love… will you marry me?”

Her voice cracked on the last note, breaking the word in two, and her fingers let the melody trail away into silence.

“Put that instrument down so I can kiss you properly,” Blythe said, voice thick. “Yes, Seren, yes.”

And finally, Seren’s tears spilled over, down her cheeks. She laughed, tasting salt, and pushed the crwth aside.

And then Blythe was kissing her. One hand around Seren’s shoulders, one cupping her head with a finger stroking her ear.

“How long have you been planning this?” Blythe murmured. She turned her head, kissing Seren’s neck.

“Two– ah, two days.”

Blythe stopped. “What?”

“Kidding!” Seren pulled back to look her in the eyes. “I started writing that song a year ago.”

“You’re mean,” Blythe accused. “You’re lucky I love you.”

“Yes,” Seren murmured, nuzzling Blythe’s neck. “Yes, I am.”

“I think our packname should be Cantores,” Blythe said.

Seren frowned. “Why?” She’d thought Blythe would prefer something fierce and bold, like her parents’ packname: Challenge. Not Singer.

“After that proposal?” Blythe tapped Seren’s nose. “How could it be anything else?”