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tamingthemuseTitle: The rules of courtship
Fandom: original
Prompt 441 - Normal
Warnings: N/A
Rating: PG
Marry a prince, they said. Most romantic courtship ever.
Aye, except for the part where strict rules apply, which meant ALL OF IT. The Bohel tribe is apparently the most formal of the seven tribes of the North. Lucky me.
It came as a surprise when Nidroc asked for the permission to court me, but it was not entirely a surprise either. We had been flirting as gently and discreetly as befitted our positions for the past few months, but our situation was a long way from granting an easy blessing from his family, for I am of a lower social extraction as he is. I didn't think we would obtain the king's approval, and was therefore content with our simple... whatever it was. Or, at least, I was trying to be.
Nevertheless, I wasn't expecting such a question when Nidroc entered the study I was reading in that morning, and true girlish glee was my first reaction. It was only when he retrieved a heavy-looking necklace from a velvet purse that he explained all that courtship among the Bohel meant.
"Of course, we are to follow the rules of courtship of the tribe to the letter to avoid any problem. They will be watching us, ready to break it off at the first mistake", he told me while he was fastening the necklace around my neck. He sounded too apologetic for me to miss that something was wrong.
"You make it sound like Enial's thirty trials", I frowned, turning around to face him, hair still up in my hand.
"Haven't you come accross the rules of courtship during your studies?"
"I think so, but I didn't deem them essential for the time being", I admitted. I had spent most of my stay at the Bohel stronghold learning about the tribe's customs and history, but being unsure of how long I was to remain guest of the king, I had been selective in my reading. It now seemed I hadn't been focusing on the right documents.
"I suggest you read them as soon as possible, dasilith. They are quite... thorough, one would say. I will send a woman of the household to help you with the braids and give you some advice." He gave me another apologetic smile. "I have to sit at the morning council, but I will see you afterwards. Here?"
I nodded. "I will be reading about the rules of courtship, it seems", I smiled back.
And about braids, apparently.
And braids there were. Dozens of them. Hundreds.
A formal Bohel courtship was required to last for at least three months, and every one of those days was signaled by a different set of braids, more and more complicated as the wedding got closer. I wondered what happened when the demand was made right before bed; did the bride skept the first set, or was the courtship extended of a day?
Morena had to have noticed my eyes becoming unfocused, because she snapped her fingers in front of them.
"Back here, lass. Prince Nidroc's bride must be as perfect as the moonlight, and for that, she needs to listen."
I bit my lip. "I am sorry, but it is so much information all at once. I cannot figure out how to build the seventh set of braids, and it is only a week into the courtship! Should I really expect to reach the end of it?"
Morena patted my shoulder with commiseration. "Don't worry, dear. I have yet to see a bride entering her courtship with confidence. That is why we, old women, are there; I will assist you with your hair and help you in everything. But only if you listen."
I nodded. "We have a deal, then. Tell me again the meaning of the second month braids."
Fandom: original
Prompt 441 - Normal
Warnings: N/A
Rating: PG
Marry a prince, they said. Most romantic courtship ever.
Aye, except for the part where strict rules apply, which meant ALL OF IT. The Bohel tribe is apparently the most formal of the seven tribes of the North. Lucky me.
It came as a surprise when Nidroc asked for the permission to court me, but it was not entirely a surprise either. We had been flirting as gently and discreetly as befitted our positions for the past few months, but our situation was a long way from granting an easy blessing from his family, for I am of a lower social extraction as he is. I didn't think we would obtain the king's approval, and was therefore content with our simple... whatever it was. Or, at least, I was trying to be.
Nevertheless, I wasn't expecting such a question when Nidroc entered the study I was reading in that morning, and true girlish glee was my first reaction. It was only when he retrieved a heavy-looking necklace from a velvet purse that he explained all that courtship among the Bohel meant.
"Of course, we are to follow the rules of courtship of the tribe to the letter to avoid any problem. They will be watching us, ready to break it off at the first mistake", he told me while he was fastening the necklace around my neck. He sounded too apologetic for me to miss that something was wrong.
"You make it sound like Enial's thirty trials", I frowned, turning around to face him, hair still up in my hand.
"Haven't you come accross the rules of courtship during your studies?"
"I think so, but I didn't deem them essential for the time being", I admitted. I had spent most of my stay at the Bohel stronghold learning about the tribe's customs and history, but being unsure of how long I was to remain guest of the king, I had been selective in my reading. It now seemed I hadn't been focusing on the right documents.
"I suggest you read them as soon as possible, dasilith. They are quite... thorough, one would say. I will send a woman of the household to help you with the braids and give you some advice." He gave me another apologetic smile. "I have to sit at the morning council, but I will see you afterwards. Here?"
I nodded. "I will be reading about the rules of courtship, it seems", I smiled back.
And about braids, apparently.
And braids there were. Dozens of them. Hundreds.
A formal Bohel courtship was required to last for at least three months, and every one of those days was signaled by a different set of braids, more and more complicated as the wedding got closer. I wondered what happened when the demand was made right before bed; did the bride skept the first set, or was the courtship extended of a day?
Morena had to have noticed my eyes becoming unfocused, because she snapped her fingers in front of them.
"Back here, lass. Prince Nidroc's bride must be as perfect as the moonlight, and for that, she needs to listen."
I bit my lip. "I am sorry, but it is so much information all at once. I cannot figure out how to build the seventh set of braids, and it is only a week into the courtship! Should I really expect to reach the end of it?"
Morena patted my shoulder with commiseration. "Don't worry, dear. I have yet to see a bride entering her courtship with confidence. That is why we, old women, are there; I will assist you with your hair and help you in everything. But only if you listen."
I nodded. "We have a deal, then. Tell me again the meaning of the second month braids."
no subject
Date: 2015-01-04 05:43 pm (UTC)