bakerstreet | The Courtly Love Meme

The Courtly Love Meme

The Courtly Love Meme

That's COURTLY LOVE. Not COURTNEY LOVE.

Courtly love or domnei was a medieval European conception of nobly and chivalrously expressing love and admiration. Generally, courtly love was secret and between members of the nobility. It was also generally not practiced between husband and wife.

The "courtly love" relationship is modeled on the feudal relationship between a knight and his liege lord. The knight serves his courtly lady (love service) with the same obedience and loyalty which he owes to his liege lord. She is in complete control of the love relationship, while he owes her obedience and submission.The knight's love for the lady inspires him to do great deeds, in order to be worthy of her love or to win her favor. Thus "courtly love" was originally construed as an ennobling force whether or not it was consummated, and even whether or not the lady knew about the knight's love or loved him in return.

The "courtly love" relationship typically was not between husband and wife, not because the poets and the audience were inherently immoral, but because it was an idealized sort of relationship that could not exist within the context of "real life" medieval marriages. In the middle ages, marriages amongst the nobility were typically based on practical and dynastic concerns rather than on love. The idea that a marriage could be based on love was a radical notion. But the audience for romance was perfectly aware that these romances were fictions, not models for actual behavior. The adulterous aspect that bothers many 20th-century readers was somewhat beside the point, which was to explore the potential influence of love on human behavior. The behavior of the knight and lady in love was drawn partly from troubadour poetry and partly from a set of literary conventions derived from the Latin poet Ovid, who described the "symptoms" of love as if it were a sickness. The "lovesick" knight became a conventional figure in medieval romance. Typical symptoms: sighing, turning pale, turning red, fever, inability to sleep, eat or drink. Romances often contained long interior monologues in which the lovers describe their feelings.

tl;dr characters are in a fantasy/medieval setting and having a courtly romance.

How to Play
- Comment with your character, preferences, etc. Also, be sure to include what "role" your character will be taking on in this little affair.

Lord/lady
Knight (gender neutral, of course)
Prince/princess
Bard or poet
Servant
Commoner (for the ultimate "forbidden romance")

-Comment to others, using the RNG to determine your fate.

Prompts

When I First Saw Your Face: You are meeting your liege or your knight for the first time. What you see takes your breath away.
Lovesick: Your pining for your beloved has made you ill! You can't eat, you can't sleep, you're in loves throes.
Playing Hard to Get: If you're of nobility, you at least have to pretend you're not interested.
You're So Coy: The art of flirtation is just getting started, but you have to be subtle about it.
In Your Honor: Be it a jousting match or a battle, you're going to win this for your lord/lady's name!
A Token: You must give your knight something for good luck.
A Gift: This is the reverse of the above. You must give your love something.
Keep a Secret: Kisses behind columns, holding hands under the table. You must sneak away little moments together, but you have to keep others in the dark.
Back from War: Your knight has been away in combat, and now they've returned. You want to shower them with affection.
Consumate: Believe it or not, courtly love could have a physical angle, as well. Sometimes physical afairs happened.
To Defend Your Honor: Someone has insulted your fair lady or lord. You know what that means! DUEL.
I'll Protect You: The lands are under an attack, and you must protect the person you love!
Breaking the Rules: You've decided to abandon the pretense of courtly love and actually be with this person, even if that means running away.
WILDCARD

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Knight or Prince

For as long as he'd worked for the Lightwood family, he had always watched Alexander the most. The eldest son and crowned prince... yet all of the honor and glory always fell on his younger siblings while he stayed quiet in the background. Alexander was beautiful. Pale beautiful skin and raven wing hair with the bluest eyes he'd ever seen... And a soul as beautiful as a sunrise.

Which was why it wasn't hard for the court magician... wizard... pet... to fall so easily for him. He cherished every moment the prince spared for him. And he new he was below his status in so many ways. So when the court cleared out he lingered behind wondering if his prince would as well.

Since he was born, Alec had been groomed to be the king but even as a boy, he knew that ruling the country wasn't what he was meant for. He lacked the proper temperament to deal dispassionately with the problems the kingdom faced, caring too much for individuals instead of the greater good. Everyone in his family knew the truth and so it was no hardship that his sister and foster brother were the ones that everyone looked up to, leaving Alec ignored by everyone save their court magician.

Alec knew that the entire court thought of him as a waste of potential, laughing quietly behind his back but there was one person who had never thought less of him because he didn't live up to the kingdom's expectations. Magnus had always been kind to him, not making him feel like there was something wrong with him because he cared too much. No matter how busy he was, he tried to find a few moments to speak with Magnus, sneaking away to listen to his stories or watch him practice his magic, slowly falling in love with the magician even though he knew that would be seen as another failure.

Only Isabelle knew the truth and so when she'd overheard their parents discussing plans for Alec's wedding, she'd told him to find Magnus and tell him about the forced engagement before he learned of it from the servants or, worse, from Jace.

Izzy seemed more confident of the magician's feelings than Alec did.

She promised to keep anyone from looking for them for a few hours at least so when the rest of the court left for whatever entertainments that Alec normally avoided, he moved to Magnus' side. Wondering how he would tell him, Alec took a deep breath before managing a weak smile. "May I speak to you for a moment, Magician Bane?"

Gold green eyes followed the quick exodus of the meeting room only to sigh as he hadn't caught sight of Alexander yet. Not that he expected the prince to always make time for him. Being an orphan of no notable status other than talent, he didn't have any traits or money to draw even the attention of a servant girl to the princess.

So why did he even think that a prince in line for the throne would want anything to do with him? Sinking down into a chair, he started to close his eyes until he heard that soft voice. Instantly rising to his feet, the sarcasm and slight snark of his demeanor was gone as he faced Alexander fully.

Meeting brilliant blue, he smiled softly in a way that softened his entire demeanor. "I always have a moment for you, my prince." He should be more careful... he knew that the affection was so perfectly clear in his voice. It always was. "Is something troubling you? Do I need to turn someone into something furry and set the castle cat onto the person."

Despite how much he hated being caught up in his father's play for power, he couldn't help smiling at Magnus' offer. If he said yes, there would probably be one very annoyed rodent trying to find someplace to hide from Church. But even if he did take Magnus up on that suggestion, who would he have hexed? His parents were doing what they thought was best and Alec should be pleased to help his country, not hating that he would be married so someone he didn't even know.

But all he could think of was that if he married, he couldn't even pretend that he had a chance at happiness with Magnus. He would become king and be forced to live a lie with some poor girl who deserved to marry someone who wasn't in love with someone else.

"There's something troubling me." It was impossible not to be honest with Magnus. He knew Alec too well to believe a lie. "But it's something that should be discussed in private."

Magnus felt something in his chest sink as he started to dread this. What would Alexander possibly want to tell him when he looked so upset? Biting worryingly at his lower lip, he slowly nodded his assent.

Just because he didn't want to hear it, didn't mean he would ever refuse a request from his prince. "Understood. Follow me?" He attempted a small smile if only for his prince's sake before he turned to walk out of the meeting hall. Sweeping down a hall closer to his room, he ducked into an empty room in his wing.

When Alec entered, the door closed on it's own and blue light swept over the walls in a soft shimmer. "You may speak freely... no one will hear but the two of us." It sounded quiet and sad even to his own ears. "Sire..." He rarely called him that, especially not while they were alone. "If my behavior has been wrong or ill advised... I apologize."

Because part of him wondered if this was because of his open affection for the prince... and it was time to be slapped down for it.

As they walked down the hall and into the room that Magnus made secure, doubt and guilt settled in his thoughts. What if he told Magnus and the magician simply offered his congratulations? Which was what should happen, even if Isabelle always rolled her eyes at the way they acted together and swore that Magnus was in love with him. Even if he was, Alec was still the crown prince. He had to marry and continue the family line. His feelings didn't matter compared to that duty.

His heart ached when Magnus spoke, the tone causing hope and sorrow to nearly choke him. The use of his title made the situation worse, causing Alec to flinch slightly. "Magnus, that's not... There's nothing to apologize for. Your behavior might be ill advised, but I've always appreciated it.

Looking down for a moment, he struggled for some way to tell him but nothing sounded right. It couldn't be right. Not when his heart was breaking over the truth. "Isabelle told me that my parents have decided I need to get married."

The court magician breathed in slowly only to look at the prince with a flicker of hope. Alexander appreciated it. He wanted him to acted in such a way...

At least, until Alec said the last part. All of the hope drained out and left him pale and stricken. For a moment he felt like he couldn't breathe. A stinging grew in his eyes as he lowered his head. A hand rose to tear through his hair slowly trying not to let the feelings just jump out of him like a wild fire.

Lungs burning he choked on a breath. "Married..." His voice cracked a little and all propriety that had been forced onto him when he took the position told him to smile and give his best wishes... but instead, his voice wavered. "Alec... I'm... I'm sorry... I can't give you best wishes... I won't say congratulations..."

Gold-green eyes rose to meet Alec's, hazed over with moisture. "I would do anything for you... But I cannot do this... Not when all I feel is loss and..." Jealousy. Pressing his palm to his face, he turned away from him his voice quiet. "A stranger doesn't deserve someone so precious."

The darkness of his thoughts began to lessen when he saw that brief look of hope. Maybe Magnus felt the same about him. Maybe Isabelle was right. All that time when he'd hoped that the magician might feel the same way and it might be possible that he did.

Except...

The sound of Magnus' voice, raw and stripped away of the usual warm tone he seemed to save for when they were alone tore at Alec's heart. He'd never meant to hurt his friend. He almost reached for the magician, wanting to reassure him even if he felt just as destroyed by the news, but he remembered that Magnus has warned him that emotions made magic dangerous. "Magnus, I..."

His vision wavered as Magnus turned away, fighting back tears of his own as doubt until his friend said those words. Then anger tore through him, suddenly hating his role and all the things he'd been forced to do for the 'greater good.' "I don't want your congratulations. I don't want this. This isn't my choice, Magnus. It's duty. It doesn't have anything to do with how I feel. If it did, I'd..."

I'd marry you. But that was impossible no matter how much Alec might want it.

That agony in Alec's voice made him take a breath. He wanted to cry... burn something... the magic swelled up in him and he fought it down with one thought alone. Alec needed him. Tipping his head back, he stared at the ceiling hard. Until the burn wasn't from tears but from not blinking for so long.

Finally turning around, he didn't stop as he crossed the room in long graceful strides. Both hands rose to softly cup the prince's face. His thumbs swept the delicate cheekbones before the fingertips pushed dark hair back. "If it did, my prince?"

He smiled just a little, his heart racing in his chest. The easy option would be to vacate his position. Many wanted his employ... but he stayed for one reason alone. For the young prince that always took his breath away.

Without thinking about it, he dipped down and softly kissed his temple. "I would do anything for your happiness... there is no price too high that I would pay for you. Alexander... you have my devotion... my loyalty... my soul... and most importantly my heart that knows noting but love for you. Tell me what I can do... what can I do to make this better for you?" Everything burned on the inside so hot he thought he might start on fire himself... but he would do this... for his prince.

Watching Magnus, he was sure that he hadn't said the right thing. He could almost feel the power his friend had warned him about crackling along his skin. Alec knew he should be afraid, but even knowing how much Magnus was hurting, he couldn't be. The magician would never intentionally hurt him.

As Magnus moved toward him, his eyes widened, but he didn't step back, leaning into the hands that gently caught his face, making a soft sound when his friend brushed his thumbs over his cheeks. No matter how many times he'd tried to think of this as wrong, he couldn't believe it. He loved Magnus too much for it be wrong. "If it did, then you would be the one I'd choose."

Slowly he wrapped his arms around Magnus' waist, shivering at words that he'd dreamed of hearing but knowing that there was no way for his friend to make this better. "There's nothing you can do, Magnus. You have my heart, not her. Nothing can make that better for me."

Those words held just as much bleak helplessness as they did heart shattering hope. Lowering his head to Alec's shoulder, he pressed his lips against the line of his neck. "But I'm no one... and nothing." And Alec's parents simple saw him as useful and no more than that. Never anything else. They'd likely kill him simply for loving their son as he did.

One hand slid around to the back of Alec's neck while the other curled about his body. Cradling him close, the thrumming agony of power raged inside of him as he pressed closer to the first and only person he'd loved. "Why does it have to be like that?"

He didn't want to ask him to run away. Alec loved his people and family far more than he ever did himself. Which meant that he wouldn't leave it all behind just because a lowly servant begged him to. "Alexander.." Leaning back he caught his eyes. "If I never again say it.. you need to know. I love you. I always will."

"You're not no one. Or nothing. You're everything to me." The words were spoken with absolute conviction even if Alec knew it was wrong. He should put his kingdom before his own happiness... or even Magnus' even if he loved him.

Shivering at that kiss, he held Magnus close, running his hand down his friend's back. "Because I'm supposed to be king." Sighing softly, he admitted to what he was careful to never say aloud, not even to Magnus. "I'll be a terrible king, Magnus. Everyone knows it."

As he began to pull away, Alec almost panicked, sure that Magnus had somehow changed his mind, but then he said those words that Alec had wanted to hear for years. "I love you too. I don't know what to do. I want to be with you, not her."

"There is no sin in loving..." He told himself that everyday. It made it a little bit easier to make it through this when he said it with conviction. "I'm not sorry for putting you first in my life... you will always be first."

Shivering lightly at the hand on his back, he closed his eyes and buried his face in his neck. Clutching him closer, he felt the tears leak out and onto the soft warm skin of Alec's throat. "No.. no you wouldn't. You would need someone to support you... because you question yourself when you shouldn't. Your compassion and love make you a good leader even if it's not in your desires to be so."

Magnus had unshakable faith in Alec. And he had no qualms showing it. "I want more than anything to take you away and keep you... but I know you wouldn't go with me... so give me every moment you can for as long as possible... and I swear I will never leave your side as long as you wish for me to be there." It would hurt. Like burning out his own heart... but he would do it for Alec.

"You know that no matter how much I love you, I can't do that." But he'd wanted to. Which had made the hours after Isabelle had told him about the marriage torture. He'd thought of one plan after another, debating duty and his own needs.

"There's a difference between being a good leader and a good king." It was something he'd slowly realized. His compassion didn't make him a bad person, or a bad leader, but it meant he couldn't distance himself like he needed to. And the kingdom would suffer.

"This isn't fair to her either." He'd been told his bride to be's name was Clary or something like that, but he'd been too stunned to notice. "She deserves a husband that can at least try to love her." Which Alec could never do since he'd given his heart to Magnus.

Shuddering slightly when he felt those tears on his skin, he knew that he had to make a decision. One that his parents would hate him for, but he knew that it was the right one. Not just because he wanted it, but because doing the 'right' thing would hurt so many others. "I would go with you. If you wanted. We both know Isabelle should have the crown, not me. If she was male they would have chosen her."

"I wasn't asking you to..." And it hurt to be pushed down for saying it was such a way for him. The pain was stifling and suffocating and he didn't know if he could live through it even knowing it would likely get worse.

"I know, Alexander... I know." He wanted to rip his hair out. Nothing he said seemed to help or do any good. And it simply drove he point in further that he was losing the most important part of his own self.

Remaining silent, he knew he was selfish. He didn't care of the girl was hurt. He didn't want her marrying his prince in any way shape or form. She didn't ask for this... but he found he couldn't make room for more agony in his chest.

"You... you would leave with me? Truly?" Magnus lifted his head finally, eyes wide as he met those of blue. The tears still stained his face as he pulled back to look at the man he loved. "Izzy would make an amazing queen... Could... do you really want to do this with me? Because if you do... I would leave with you in a heart beat if you so wished to go with me.

Alec hadn't meant to cause Magnus more pain. The reason why he'd said he couldn't put his love first was to explain that he couldn't return those words no matter how much he wanted to. He had his duty even if it was one that Alec hadn't asked for and had never wanted. "I know and I'm glad that you wouldn't ask me to do that."

Wrapping his fingers lightly around Magnus' neck, he rubbed gently, wanting to give comfort as their world seemed to fall apart around them. "I've known for years I wouldn't be a good king. We all just pretended it wasn't true."

That had never been fair to Isabelle. At times she might be too passionate, but she would learn to rule and be better at it than Alec ever would. With the right support, she would be the best ruler the kingdom had ever had.

And there was only one way for that to happen. It was selfish in so many ways, but it would be what was best for everyone. Isabelle could be queen as she deserved and Alec would be out of the way and able to live quietly like he always wished for. With Magnus.

The thought caused him to smile nervously as he reached up to gently brush his thumbs over Magnus' cheeks, wiping away his friend's tears. "I would. I want to, but can we do it without you getting hurt? My father..." Alec didn't want to consider that his father might hurt Magnus, but he knew it was true. "You know he'll be angry and someone will have to be punished if we're caught."

Magnus didn't want to think about it. The silly sacrifices people made in order to keep the ones they loved safe. Not happy... not in this case. He'd give anything to make Alec happy, but the right thing to do would make them both miserable. And part of him wished so desperately he'd made his feelings plainer at a sooner point in time. "You mean more to me than that..." More than his own emotions. Enough to keep his pain and confusion to a minimum if he could... at risk of his own heartbreak.

Shifting to press into those fingers, he closed his eyes tightly. "I have never had anything less than faith in you." And he would have stood by him with advice if only Alec asked him. "You are my prince..." A title he didn't say out of station, rather utmost affection. His. His handsome prince he held close to his heart. "You always will be."

Softly running his fingers through dark hair, the pain was almost suffocating. And the feeling of those hands on him made more tears fall and he hated himself for it. Breathing in slowly, he let his hands rest softly on his prince's hips gently. "I would do anything... be in hiding all my life... if it meant I could live every last breath with you. He'll never find us... you know I'm better than even what your parents know..." He was. No magic user could even touch his abilities.

It meant more to him than Alec could put into words that Magnus wouldn't force him to make that decision. That probably meant he was being selfish, wanting to choose Magnus instead of his duty, but in so many ways it was the right choice.

"Thank you." For not asking that and for that faith that so few had ever had in him. "I've always been your prince. Even before I realized how I felt, I was yours."

But those tears made him wonder if maybe he'd been wrong about how Magnus felt despite his friend being the one who had suggested running away until he heard those words. "I don't care if we're in hiding. I don't want to be king or even a prince. I just want to be with you, Magnus. If your magic can protect us, then we should go."

"It is my pleasure and delight, my prince." Moving his hand, he caught one of Alec's. Lifting it to his lips, he kissed the back softly letting his lips linger there. Smoothing his thumb down the side, he turned it softly and kissed the palm. "By your side... I will always stay."

Gently pulling his arm to loop around his neck, the hand came back to cup the side of his face. He felt lighter now. The possibility cultivating the hope in his eyes as he smiled finally at the lovely figure of his love. "Home... happiness... it's where you are. I will protect us for you are my heart and the air I breathe." Drawing him closer, he touched their foreheads softly. "Would my love like to speak with his sister first before we make our escape."

Studying his face, he knew he wouldn't leave... not until Alec was ready. He needed only know that Alec would be with him soon. It wasn't a hope, but an actual possibility.

His eyes widened and a bright flush crept across his cheeks as Magnus kissed his hand. Forbidden... he couldn't stop the thought even if what his friend said was true and loving each other wasn't a sin. Alec had spent too much time hiding his feelings from his parents and the court to give up that fear easily.

"You're those things for me. You were one of the only things that kept me from going mad." Magnus and Izzy and to a lesser extent Jace though he had never completely understood Alec like his sister had. "Isabelle knows that I was going to speak with you. She's going to make sure no one looks for me tonight."

He hated the idea of not telling Isabelle goodbye but it was a risk they couldn't take. She would understand and agree that they had to leave before someone became suspicious. "I'd rather we get away safely than take the chance at being caught."

He couldn't help thinking that flush to be utterly beautiful. But he kept the thoughts to himself. He would not comment... not here. Not in a place where they always hid and avoided stray eyes lingering on their actions. Magnus longed to leave as soon as possible so he could love Alec fully and without reserve.

"Then I will be those things for the rest of eternity." Giving a slow nod at his reasoning, he caught both of the prince's hands as he took a step back. "Then we'll leave quickly... I... I don't think it would be wise to take too much with us. The less the better." He would likely only grab some necessary clothes and money... probably a blanket until they found what they needed.

Squeezing his hands gently, he smiled softly. "You are my dream come true, Alexander Lightwood." Leaning down he barely brushed their lips before he backed away again. The whisper of forbidden hit him, but he pushed it down. "We should get moving before your parents ask for you..."

"And I will be them for you. Forever." Brushing his thumbs over Magnus' hands, he was relieved that the magician agreed instead of insisting that he say goodbye to Izzy. Alec wasn't sure if he could refuse if Magnus suggested it again. He would miss her and Jace too, but eventually they would understand why he'd chosen to leave.

"I shouldn't take anything with me that could be recognized." There was little that he wanted from his current life. The basics they would need to travel and... "Do you think I could take my bow?" It shouldn't be too recognizable even if most knew of his archery skills. A traveler carrying a bow wouldn't seem strange as long as he took the simplest of his gear.

"And this will be my dream, Magnus. You're giving me the life I've always wanted." Using their joined hands, he pulled Magnus close, needing a true kiss before they made their escape. Alec trusted Magnus' magic just as much as he trusted his friend. No one would interrupt them while his spells kept them safe.

The kiss was soft and adoring, a promise of a future together and a reassurance that Magnus was had his heart and always would. Smiling when they finally pulled away, he squeezed Magnus' hands gently before letting go. "Now we should leave."

He truly believed that Alec should tell her goodbye, but he also knew Alec was right. The sooner they left the better. "I'll send her a fire message once we're gone that will burn up after she's read it. When we're safe. Will that suffice?" It would have to if they wanted to sneak away unseen and unheard.

"Your bow will be fine. Maybe a sword or a dagger as well." He had a staff he would take... but they needed to stay low profile for as long as they could. They had to. "We need to go do this... should I glamour us to move without being seen?" It was a talent few magicians could pull off as he could. But likely it was their best bet.

Yet, as he wanted to get moving, his body melted at those words of love. He nearly said something in return till Alec pulled him in. Giving a soft surprised sound, he ended in a low happy purr as he kiss the man he loved with all his heart. A low moan left him as he opened up for the younger man letting him explore only a moment before he met the kiss in kind.

As Alec pulled away, he shivered in that unspoken promise. Opening his eyes, even the slitted eyes were dilated with pleasure. "We... we should." Before he let go, he kissed the corner of Alec's lips before releasing him. "Meet me at the servants' gate on the east side. We'll slip out there." With that, he silently created the spell to make them invisible to all prying eyes. "Don't take long, my love..."

"I'd like to send her a message so she knows what happened." Then she wouldn't worry that something had happened to Alec against his will and could distract their parents until they calmed down enough to listen to reason.

"I have a sword and dagger that no one would think would belong to me." Simple ones that any well off traveler might have. And if anyone noticed them, Alec was certain that Magnus could do something to keep that interest from endangering them. "The glamour would be a good idea. We can't risk anyone noticing us."

Alec couldn't help smiling when he realized that Magnus had purred when he'd kissed him. It was a sound he'd caught occasionally and always dismissed as his imagination. Alec brushed his fingers through Magnus' hair before he moved away, nodding at those instructions before he slipped out of the room and headed for his quarters.

Packing only what he needed, Alec changed into less conspiuous clothes and quickly made his way to servant's gate to wait for his love so that they could escape before anyone noticed that he was missing.

Alec Lightwood - The Mortal Instruments

Secret and hoping to run away? XD

They run away and have kittens together

Give him a moment to stop staring at him tearry eyed first XD

It's not his fault. He doesn't want to marry some boring princess

XD Still!

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