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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"Magnus..." He smiled and dared to press another kiss to the spot, making a soft sound when his love moved and their lips met for that kiss. "I know you would, but I pray that you will never need to." There were reasons why people with magic were feared and he never wanted Magnus to have to unleash the kind of power Alec suspected he held. If running away with the crown prince wouldn't condemn Magnus, then using his magic in such a way would.

Taking a step away so he wouldn't be distracted, he waited for Magnus to find what he'd been looking for, smiling even as he started thinking of what he could safely tell Isabelle. "They'll work fine for this." Taking the parchment and charcoal, he quickly wrote a short message that simply said that he was safe and would contact her as soon as he could. He signed it with a simple 'love you, Iz'. Anyone who might see the message would know who sent it, but he felt better by not having his name as part of the letter.

When he finished, he offered the items back to Magnus, suddenly realizing that this would cut his ties to his old life. Sadness edged his thoughts, but he didn't regret what he'd done. Izzy and Jace would understand and the kingdom truly didn't need him. He just wished there had been a better way than sneaking away in the night.

Fingertips smoothed over Alec's cheek as he smiled slowly. "Never have I loved the way that I love you... I will not go to far unless it's absolutely necessary. I promise you this..." Because the world was terrified of his kind, and if he went crazy with his gifts he'd love Alec. Something he'd never survive in the end.

He only watched Alec write for a moment, before he pulled out his own to jot a note for Tessa. She knew him well enough to know he why he'd left and what he needed her to do. And much like Alec, he didn't sign it. Though, Tessa would feel his signature in the magic that carried it to her. Waiting for Alec to finish, he slid the charcoal pencils away then burned the one for Izzy first then Tessa in two dazzling flashes of blue flame.

Only then did he notice the shift in thought on his prince's face. Reaching out, he cupped the younger's face lovingly. "Tell me, my prince... what troubles your heart..." A wash of guilt ran over him as he considered how Alec was letting everything go. He nearly told him it wasn't too late to turn back... but his voice didn't seem to want to work. Not any more...

Catching Magnus' hand, he pressed a kiss to his love's palm. "I love you too. I wouldn't have done this if I didn't." He would have stayed and married as his parents wished, telling himself it was for the greater good while living a life of silent misery. "I know you won't go too far." He placed another gentle kiss to his palm. "I won't let you."

Letting go of the magician's hand, he watched Magnus send the messages, awed by the spell despite having seen the magician use it before. That amazement wasn't enough to keep his thoughts from returning to his siblings, though he tried to smile for Magnus, not wanting him to worry. Alec began to thin of some excuse, then realized he couldn't lie to his love. "I'm going to miss them."

Something about that reassurance made him smile. Knowing that Alec valued him so much, he'd risk stopping him from reaching his full potential in power. He'd keep him from being the monster little children were taught to fear with all the 'bedtime stories'. "Just when I think I can't love you more... you say something that makes me realize there is no bottom to the depth of this feeling."

Smiling sweetly, he tipped his head and sweetly kissed the bridge of his love's nose. Drawing Alec to him, he wrapped his arms about the young prince and held him protectively. "It's okay to miss them... they are the most important people to you. I would never expect you to feel nothing."

Alec had never been afraid of Magnus. To him, the stories about warlocks and magicians had never been about his friend. They were about other people who didn't have names or faces. Terrors meant to scare people into obedience. "You love me more because I tell the truth? Or because I'll keep you from crossing that line?"

Sighing softly, he buried his face against Magnus' neck, allowing himself a moment to wish for things he knew he couldn't have before pressing a soft kiss to his love's pulse. "But missing them doesn't change my decision. I want to be with you."

"May I just say both? Each stands perfectly true to me, my love." As Alec pressed his face into his neck, he adjusted to lean his cheek against his head. Closing his eyes, one hand softly played with the black hair. Remaining silent, he gave Alexander a moment to lament the ones he left behind. The rational side wanted to offer to go back

And then that reaffirmed decision sent warmth up and down his spine. "I want to be with you. I've wanted to be with you for so long. My dear prince..." Kissing into his hair, he whispered softly. "Will you be okay?"

There was a part of Alec that would always wonder if he was being selfish. Running away was something that he had secretly wanted for years. Power was never something he'd craved and he was far too honest to deal with the games of politics. Isabelle had always been the right choice for the throne so at least his selfishness would benefit others.

Selfish or not, this was what he truly wanted. A life with Magnus. This would be a chance for them both to live happily and hopefully, they would find a place where people didn't eye the magician suspiciously just because of his power. "I wanted it to. It just took time for me to realize that there might be more than friendship between us."

Pulling away slightly, he met Magnus' gaze, the last traces of grief fading into something that he'd easily ignore. "I'll be fine, Magnus. I have you and that is what matters me." He stole an adoring kiss before smiling. "We just need somewhere safe to start our new life."

Watching his prince's face, he softly cupped his cheek. Leaning closer, he touched their foreheads quietly. "It grew past friendship for me... far too fast. I hated myself for so long for wanting to be closer to you. It felt like I was a liar... when every thing I've ever said and any advice or good word I spoke were utmost truth. But I never did it out of friendship. It's always been out of love for you."

Returning that kiss fervently, he purred lowly as he pulled away to finish his thoughts. Holding the prince close to him, he hummed a happy sound. "You're all that matters to me as well. We should get moving." Dropping another kiss to those lips, he pulled away slowly. Catching Alec's hand, he pulled him on further. It was near midnight before he finally stopped them. They were likely a long ways... and where he traveled easily by night, it wouldn't be as easy on his love.

Coming to a stop at the foot of a ledge, he regarded the location before setting up a spell to glamour their little nook in the woods. Even animals wouldn't notice them them. Once he did the check of the miles of countryside around them, he finally set his pack down and pulled the blanket out of it. Settling it on a rock, he looked to Alec with a small smile. "We should sleep. No one is on our path that I can find... and with the shield I've set up... we can rest. I'd offer a fire, love... but even I can't glamour smoke... you'll simply have to stay close to me for warmth."

"There was no reason to hate yourself. You didn't lie to me. You were my friend when I needed one most. If your feelings ran deeper than friendship, that doesn't change that you were there supporting me when others would have tried to manipulate me or gain favor." Smiling slowly, he placed his hand over Magnus'. "I'm not as foolish at they thought. I always knew that you were one of the few that I could trust completely."

As Magnus tugged him toward safety, he threaded his fingers between his love's, keeping an eye on the path they had taken in case there was some sign of pursuit. He might not be able to cast spells like Magnus, but he did have his own set of skills and he had no intention of letting his father hurt the magician.

When they stopped, he kept watch as Magnus cast his glamours, smiling at his love's worries about his comfort. "Magnus, I've been in battle. I'm used to rough conditions." Moving toward the magician, Alec wrapped his arms around Magnus. "And I was hoping to stay close because you wanted me near."

"I will always support you. I would have continued to support you no matter what standing I had in your life." He wouldn't have left if Alec married. He would have stood back in utter silent suffering. But that hadn't been the case, and his heart fluttered in his chest as he felt his love's hand on his own. "I pray I never let you down..."

When they reached their campsite, he kissed the knuckles of his prince's hand before he let it go. And after everything was set up, he felt his breath hitch as arms wrapped around him. Closing his eyes slowly, he shivered and slipped his hands over Alec's arms. "I know... doesn't make me want to take care of you any less."

Angling his head to look at Alec, he smiled gently. "You caught me, my prince. You saw through my thinly veiled excuse to be able to touch you." Leaning in, he kissed Alec's forehead gently before kissing the bridge of his nose. Brushing his lips over Alec's he purred softly. "I never want to let you go if possible."

No, Magnus would never let him down. Alec knew that was a certainty. His friend had always been supportive, wanting only what was best for him. Even now he knew that if he showed any sign of doubt or hesitation over their decision, Magnus wouldn't argue and would help him return.

Not that Alec wanted to. This was what was right for everyone. It would just take time for others to realize that.

Sliding his hand along Magnus' spine he gently rubbed the back of his neck. "I know you do, but don't worry about me being some pampered noble." Alec doubted his love would, but he didn't want Magnus to feel like he needed to shelter him when that might put them in danger.

Smiling at those kisses, he hummed softly when he felt Magnus' lips against his. "You don't need an excuse, Magnus. I want you to touch me." The words were spoken with a hint of the shyness he rarely let anyone but those closest to him see. "When we find somewhere safe, you won't have to let me go."

Shivering as those hands slid up his back, his eyes closed tightly as he let out a hiss of a breath over the low rumble of a purr. Tipping his head back into the hand, he knew the purring got louder. "I... I never said you were, love."

But he would protect him with all the ferocity of a mother bear if he had to. Smiling softly, he slipped his fingertips over his cheek. "I'll remember that... and I plan to abuse the privilege."

Moving his hands to rest on Alec's hips, he pulled his prince until they lowered onto the spot he set up on the ground. It took careful maneuvering, but he got Alec on his lap straddling his hips and waist. "I like this idea. Because my dream... is you... holding you."

That sound would always make him smile. It was something that Alec doubted that Magnus could easily hide so that honest expression of happiness was something special to him. Still rubbing his love's neck, he lightly kissed Magnus' cheek. "I know you didn't. I just don't want to worry about me."

But he would, just like Alec would worry about him.

As his love pulled him close, he blushed brightly at being near his love after keeping his distance for so long. "I like it too, but I don't want it to be a dream. I want it to be true."

Magnus couldn't stop himself from slipping his eyes over his prince. He let him talk even as his hands gently moved to unbuckle the quiver from his back and softly removed the bow as well. Setting it in arms reach, he moved on to remove whatever uncomfortable items with the belt about his waist. Everything was placed in reach.

"I will always worry because I love you." Pressing a kiss just below his ear, he pulled his hands away to start removing his own accessories. Thy didn't need to be that uncomfortable.

Drawing him down with him, he positioned them so Alec was half on top of him and less on the hard ground. Softly playing with his hair, he let his eyes fall closed. The wards would wake him if someone would come in the area. "It's not a dream. And if it is, it's mine come true... Rest Alexander. You need sleep before we keep going."

His blush eased as he helped Magnus remove his weapons, shivering at that kiss as he helped his love strip off his gear. "I love you too."

It still felt new to say those words without fear. It would take time for Alec not to worry that someone might overhear, but eventually that caution would fade while the emotion behind them would grow stronger.

Stretching out beside his love, he hummed softly at the feeling of fingers in his hair. He knew he should protest Magnus sleeping on the ground, but having his love close and Magnus gently playing with his hair lulled him into drowsiness since he knew that with the wards he didn't need to stand guard. "You need to sleep too."

Nimble fingers continued to work through the soft black hair as he smiled just a little. "I know... but I'm enjoying this... having you this close." Tipping his head, he kissed into his hair. "I dreamed of you returning my affections... to have it happen makes me not want to miss even a moment of holding you for the first time."

One set of fingers gently smoothed down his spine before sweeping back up with just a light caress. "I only regret I am making you sleep on the hard ground the first time we have together." Closing his eyes, he settled the hand at the small of Alec's back as the other moved to the base of his neck. Fingertips still played at the hair there at the nape, but only gentle small movements.

Breathing just short of evening out, he whispered through the haze of relaxed sleep. "I am yours, my prince. Until I die."

Alec tried to protest, but those fingers in his hair caused his thoughts to drift, mind wandering in a way that he'd never been allowed while acting as the crown prince. "I dreamed about it but I never thought you'd agree." Either because there was only friendship between them or the magician would tell Alec that his kingdom needed him. This had only been a fantasy that he'd rarely allowed himself to have.

"Don't mind sleeping on the ground if you're with me." Nuzzling lightly at Magnus' neck, he pressed a kiss beneath his ear. Sighing softly, Alec finally felt at peace, slowly relaxing into sleep with his love beside him. "I will always be yours, Magnus.

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The Courtly Love Meme

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