Tag Archives: v: medieval summer

Lady Archer | @the-warrior-king

the-warrior-king:

iamthefirechild:

the-warrior-king:

iamthefirechild:

“If you had found me in the library, I’m sure you would ask me what I was reading, yes, highness? You have a quite fine copy of Lancelot, the Knight of the Cart, which I enjoyed very much. May we not speak of literature and fine writing? Surely such topics cannot excite gossip, and if it does, well, I care not. There is naught that may be said as could hurt me.” She tossed her head disdainfully.

He looked at her with a slight smile, he did not notice he was staring at her until she looked back at him and he shook himself out of the reverie.

“Did you enjoy the book my lady?” he asked her, “It has been a while since I have looked upon the library, John is the one most likely to be found upon the bookcases and the rows of literature and words.”

“Had I known that, I would have asked you some other where. Perhaps the gardens, or the stables, or the music room?” Summer swung herself around and stood up, carefully favouring her ankle. She approached Henry, watching his face closely. “My lord, I must admit, my motivations are somewhat suspect, for you have been far more than kind to me and I am impelled to repay that somehow. Yet you deflect my every attempt. What may I do to please you?”

He looked at her as she stepped forward, his eyes gazing down to her ankle as she walked towards him, and then his eyes were upon hers as she spoke, and he stood there – as if transfixed, but he showed nothing of it on his face.

“I know not what you mean my lady.” he told her, his arms still crossed over his chest, “You need not repay me by any means, I seek no payment here.”

Her shoulders slumped. “As you will then, highness. I wished only that there be no debt between us. I’ll not trouble you any longer.” Summer turned away, staring into the fireplace.

The Three Fountains

dukehumphrey:

iamthefirechild:

dukehumphrey:

iamthefirechild:

“Don’t stop, my lord, don’t stop,” she whispered back, trading him kiss for kiss. “Don’t stop, don’t leave me so soon. I would I could go with you, but you wish we remain secret and I must abide by your wishes.”

“Oh but you see love, if I take you, everyone will take you for a mistress of low morals that I amuse myself with…” he whispered, covered in her kisses. “I allow naught like it to happen… but then, ‘tis so hard to think I leave you, my love…”

He suddenly departed from her, stepping back, holding her hands. “Hark now sweetling, we must part…” he smiled at her, with love and adoration in his eyes. “I need to go, and when I am back I assure you that you will know of it…” and with that he pulled her close and held her, “I ask you to think of what you wish from me for your long hours of waiting and you shall have it upon return.” With that he offered his arm to lead back to the hall. “We must part, before they notice, and… I shall say that necklace becomes you my love.” A slight kiss on the back of her hand, and he was gone.

She missed him. She hadn’t expected that. They had met but thrice, yet even setting aside his sincere declarations of love, the thrill of finding someone of her own mind on poetry would incline her heart to him. She took his gift off before leaving the fete, holding it up to the torchlight. So costly a gift. She’d nothing like it to offer in return.

Save her words, she supposed. So Summer wrote him a letter.

Dear my lord Humphrey, she wrote, I would I could say the hours until your return pass by swiftly for my eagerness, yet this is not so. Unaccountably I miss you. Without even your presence within her, London seems drab and empty. Instead, I have sought out Petrarch, as you recommended, and I find him enjoyable reading, yet I would discuss his writings with you to further my understanding.

It is in my heart also to set your mind at ease regarding certain things. You see, I am my father’s favourite, saving only my brother Edward his heir, and thus I have some leave to do as I like. My sister, born at the same lying-in as I, is already married, and well, too; and my father is not so ambitious as some lords. He has given me oath I may not marry against my will, but may have the choice and the freedom to court and be courted.

I fear I cannot make myself as clear as I would like, for this letter may be picked up by those who mean you mischief. Suffice it to say, my lord, I would not have secrecy with you, but see you openly and with a glad heart. My reputation is of no moment, though I thank you greatly for your care of it; indeed I do think my learning has already sullied me in some eyes.

I await your return with impatience, and wish only to be sheltered by your arms again.

with love, Summer Rainault

It took a little connivance, but she had it smuggled into his rooms, sealed with red wax and the impress of a flame, to await him.

It was the fifth morning after the feast. The squire rode in a haste through the pouring rain, waking all those who missed the first sunlight to rise from their beds. He knocked on the door, and when the servant opened, he held out the package to him, “Tis for the lady Summer, and her only… from the Duke of Gloucester.” he said. “My master awaits word if the lady is pleased with it.”

The package contained a couple things. First of all it was packed in fine velvet in the colour of midnight blue, and on that an address, of a certain Master Heap, the tailor, the comment saying, “Send for Master Heap and he shall know the rest.” The master indeed already received the message about a certain fine vest for a lady that would keep her warm during hunt.

Then there were two books, Boccaccio’s ‘De Casibus Virorum Illustrium’ (one of Humphrey’s favorites), beautifully detailed a codex. The smaller one, the inevitable Petrarch’s ‘Il Canzoniere’ that he previously quoted from.

In that, there was a note, handwritten, that said, “My Most Beloved, I shall be holding you in my arms soon and until then I hope these gifts will help you pass the time. Prithee think what you shall ask for the wait, and it shall be yours as promised, for the waiting. My heart is with you, H.”

With trembling hands, Summer hastily penned a note in reply.

Dearest of loves, you are far too kind to me. I shall treasure these, though they do not substitute for your presence. Please hurry back, for the hours grow long and my heart yearns for you. ~S.

She thrust it at the squire, bidding the boy put it in Humphrey’s hand and no other. “Tell your lord my delight is bounded only by his absence.” She yearned to quiz him on how Humphrey looked, but sternly forbade herself that indulgence, a little frightened by the sudden strength of her own feelings. Seduced by books of poetry!

A long conversation over breakfast with her father followed, and at the last he said, patting her hand, “‘Tis strange of me, I know, but I would have you happy above all else, daughter. Go with caution, but not fear; I’ll stand with you. If I know aught ill of Gloucester, ‘tis that he plays with maidens’ hearts, yet he’s wise enough to woo you with books.”

The Three Fountains

dukehumphrey:

iamthefirechild:

dukehumphrey:

iamthefirechild:

Summer gave him a soft smile, cheeks flushed. “‘Tis simple, my lord. Who would question thou and I encountering one another in the library? Or writing to one another of texts modern and ancient? Or ever thou canst escape council, I’ll meet thee in the gardens. Now kiss me again, to stave off thy starvation.”

Humphrey gladly obliged, again and again, his fingers playing with her fiery hair, hand traveling up and down her spine. “We shall stop this,” he whispered between kisses, and kisses between the words, “for I want you too much to go back and if we continue, I know not what I shall do…” yet he kissed her again, and kissed her cheek and her neck, to give meaning to his words. “I leave on the morrow for a few days, to Pembroke, on my personal business…” he whispered, “Will you wait? I shall send for you upon my return to meet…” he looked into her eyes, “My work with your father’s council is done, so I shall have all the time we desire to spend as we see most fit…”

“Don’t stop, my lord, don’t stop,” she whispered back, trading him kiss for kiss. “Don’t stop, don’t leave me so soon. I would I could go with you, but you wish we remain secret and I must abide by your wishes.”

“Oh but you see love, if I take you, everyone will take you for a mistress of low morals that I amuse myself with…” he whispered, covered in her kisses. “I allow naught like it to happen… but then, ‘tis so hard to think I leave you, my love…”

He suddenly departed from her, stepping back, holding her hands. “Hark now sweetling, we must part…” he smiled at her, with love and adoration in his eyes. “I need to go, and when I am back I assure you that you will know of it…” and with that he pulled her close and held her, “I ask you to think of what you wish from me for your long hours of waiting and you shall have it upon return.” With that he offered his arm to lead back to the hall. “We must part, before they notice, and… I shall say that necklace becomes you my love.” A slight kiss on the back of her hand, and he was gone.

She missed him. She hadn’t expected that. They had met but thrice, yet even setting aside his sincere declarations of love, the thrill of finding someone of her own mind on poetry would incline her heart to him. She took his gift off before leaving the fete, holding it up to the torchlight. So costly a gift. She’d nothing like it to offer in return.

Save her words, she supposed. So Summer wrote him a letter.

Dear my lord Humphrey, she wrote, I would I could say the hours until your return pass by swiftly for my eagerness, yet this is not so. Unaccountably I miss you. Without even your presence within her, London seems drab and empty. Instead, I have sought out Petrarch, as you recommended, and I find him enjoyable reading, yet I would discuss his writings with you to further my understanding.

It is in my heart also to set your mind at ease regarding certain things. You see, I am my father’s favourite, saving only my brother Edward his heir, and thus I have some leave to do as I like. My sister, born at the same lying-in as I, is already married, and well, too; and my father is not so ambitious as some lords. He has given me oath I may not marry against my will, but may have the choice and the freedom to court and be courted.

I fear I cannot make myself as clear as I would like, for this letter may be picked up by those who mean you mischief. Suffice it to say, my lord, I would not have secrecy with you, but see you openly and with a glad heart. My reputation is of no moment, though I thank you greatly for your care of it; indeed I do think my learning has already sullied me in some eyes.

I await your return with impatience, and wish only to be sheltered by your arms again.

with love, Summer Rainault

It took a little connivance, but she had it smuggled into his rooms, sealed with red wax and the impress of a flame, to await him.

Lady Archer | @the-warrior-king

the-warrior-king:

iamthefirechild:

“If you had found me in the library, I’m sure you would ask me what I was reading, yes, highness? You have a quite fine copy of Lancelot, the Knight of the Cart, which I enjoyed very much. May we not speak of literature and fine writing? Surely such topics cannot excite gossip, and if it does, well, I care not. There is naught that may be said as could hurt me.” She tossed her head disdainfully.

He looked at her with a slight smile, he did not notice he was staring at her until she looked back at him and he shook himself out of the reverie.

“Did you enjoy the book my lady?” he asked her, “It has been a while since I have looked upon the library, John is the one most likely to be found upon the bookcases and the rows of literature and words.”

“Had I known that, I would have asked you some other where. Perhaps the gardens, or the stables, or the music room?” Summer swung herself around and stood up, carefully favouring her ankle. She approached Henry, watching his face closely. “My lord, I must admit, my motivations are somewhat suspect, for you have been far more than kind to me and I am impelled to repay that somehow. Yet you deflect my every attempt. What may I do to please you?”

Lady Archer | @the-warrior-king

the-warrior-king:

iamthefirechild:

the-warrior-king:

iamthefirechild:

“I would set them aright, and right swiftly too. ‘Twas my own foolishness and no other thing. Your grace could no more harm a lady than could fly.” Once again, Summer tucked her head to his shoulder, closing her eyes to better breathe in the scent of him. Perhaps she /was/ falling in love with her King. There were worse folk on whom to bestow affection, be it returned or no.

Henry smiled at her words, it was true that it would be difficult for any to believe that he would be cruel to any of the maidens, for there were far too many that wished to be in her position, to be cared for by the King. In fact there was more danger for her to be hurt by them, which made the King remember his place, he should not place so much attention to her.

He took her to her room and placed her on the bed again, hovering slightly over her as he lay her on the bed, his eyes met hers for a moment, and he blinked and stepped back.

“I shall call on your nurse to watch you.”

“Watching is too kind a word for what she will do. She wished me to lie abed all the day, can you believe? I would go mad straightaway.” She sensed his sudden withdrawal, and was saddened by it. “My lord, I am stronger than you think me. Will you not stay but a moment and converse with me?”

Henry hesitated at her words, and crossed his arms at her.

“And what would be said of the King in a young maiden’s chambers?” he asked her, with a smirk, “Would not that be very indecent of me to be so?”

But he enjoyed her company, she was unlike the other maidens that he had known in his time in the castle, all the other ladies who wished and vied for his attention.

So he humoured her.

“And what would you wish to converse of?”

“If you had found me in the library, I’m sure you would ask me what I was reading, yes, highness? You have a quite fine copy of Lancelot, the Knight of the Cart, which I enjoyed very much. May we not speak of literature and fine writing? Surely such topics cannot excite gossip, and if it does, well, I care not. There is naught that may be said as could hurt me.” She tossed her head disdainfully.

harry—monmouth:

iamthefirechild:

“And when? You know what I would have, and what would you have of me now? I wished your offense, and you would not. Give truth, and do what you will, Harry; I care no longer. You can hardly offend me more.” Kris looked Harry straight in the eye.

“Then,” Henry sought out words, finding himself having a lack of it, he’d resort to an action though he had not thought it fitting. “I will not offend you, or will I try.” He murmured quietly. Anger was something he had received often, be it his own words that frustrated people or anyone else. He reached out for his hands, kissing his palm gently, but moving from it just a few moments after.

He felt jerked around, utterly confused by the other man’s attitude. Trying to provoke anger brought apologies, trying to be cutting brought … a kiss. The rush of someone’s kiss remained the same, regardless of body, Kris discovered when Harry’s mouth met his hand. Words fled his head, and all he could manage was a strangled groan of Harry’s name. 

Lady Archer | @the-warrior-king

the-warrior-king:

iamthefirechild:

“I would set them aright, and right swiftly too. ‘Twas my own foolishness and no other thing. Your grace could no more harm a lady than could fly.” Once again, Summer tucked her head to his shoulder, closing her eyes to better breathe in the scent of him. Perhaps she /was/ falling in love with her King. There were worse folk on whom to bestow affection, be it returned or no.

Henry smiled at her words, it was true that it would be difficult for any to believe that he would be cruel to any of the maidens, for there were far too many that wished to be in her position, to be cared for by the King. In fact there was more danger for her to be hurt by them, which made the King remember his place, he should not place so much attention to her.

He took her to her room and placed her on the bed again, hovering slightly over her as he lay her on the bed, his eyes met hers for a moment, and he blinked and stepped back.

“I shall call on your nurse to watch you.”

“Watching is too kind a word for what she will do. She wished me to lie abed all the day, can you believe? I would go mad straightaway.” She sensed his sudden withdrawal, and was saddened by it. “My lord, I am stronger than you think me., Will you not stay but a moment and converse with me?”

Lady Archer | @the-warrior-king

the-warrior-king:

iamthefirechild:

“You may ask the physician who tended to me,” Summer responded with dignity. “I could have returned on my own, though but slowly.” A touch shyly, she added, “I would not refuse a chance to be in your arms, your grace. Though I fear you will think me too forward to say so.”

He could not help but chuckle at her words as he readjusted her so that she was closer to him, they began to walk through the hallways, and the servants looked at the both of them before they rushed off.

Rumours would abound soon of them, but Henry did not care much for rumours.

“You would be the envy of every woman in the court,” he said, “As long as they do not think that it was I who caused your injury in the first place.”

“I would set them aright, and right swiftly too. ‘Twas my own foolishness and no other thing. Your grace could no more harm a lady than could fly.” Once again, Summer tucked her head to his shoulder, closing her eyes to better breathe in the scent of him. Perhaps she /was/ falling in love with her King. There were worse folk on whom to bestow affection, be it returned or no.

Lady Archer | @the-warrior-king

the-warrior-king:

iamthefirechild:

the-warrior-king:

iamthefirechild:

It was fortunate that he did, for Summer tried to put her weight on her strained ankle, which unsurprisingly refused to hold her. “Highness!” she gasped, clutching his arms while she found her footing. “Once again you come to my rescue. I begin to think you plan these encounters!” She teased, laughing up into his face. “When you did not come to the library I was certain the business of government overwhelmed you.”

Her weight fell upon his chest and arms as he held her in the hallway, the way she spoke and laugh made him smile down at her – he did not notice how close she was to him at that moment – and he looked down at her as he tried to balance her once more.

Henry opened his mouth to speak of the court matters, but then he remembered that it had been an assassination attempt to his life, that they had wished to take his life at the hunt.

So he said nothing, and looked at her with a smile.

“Shall I carry you to your room again?” he asked her, and without a second more he scooped her up into his arms again, and he turned down the hallways, making his way to her quarters.

“Did you find the library relaxing?”

“Your highness, really, you must not … ” Summer stumbled to a halt when Henry swept her up again, effortlessly, and the edge of his emotion flickered in her mind. “Are you well, sire? You seem … ” she studied him from her awkward angle, fitting one arm about his neck, “ill-at-ease. Is there some way I might repay your gallantry and ease your mind? I’d not have you upset for the world.”

He began to walk to her room; he shook his head as she spoke, not wishing to think upon the attempt to his life. For he was far too familiar with such things in his life.

“It seems you always wish to be in my arms,” he said, changing the subject, “Are you so sure you have wounded your ankle?”

“You may ask the physician who tended to me,” Summer responded with dignity. “I could have returned on my own, though but slowly.” A touch shyly, she added, “I would not refuse a chance to be in your arms, your grace. Though I fear you will think me too forward to say so.”

The Three Fountains

dukehumphrey:

iamthefirechild:

dukehumphrey:

iamthefirechild:

Summer watched Humphrey, laughing to herself. He circled round her like a hunter, but refused to move in for the kill. Was he hoping to make her jealous by giving attentions to other ladies? There was time and enough time for jealousy later, when she tasted the direction of his intent. Would once be all he sought, or would he try for a longer association?

She refused all invitations to dance, preferring to recite and discuss the Commedia with a like-minded lady-in-waiting of the Queen’s. Humphrey was waiting for some cue, she could tell. If it was some act of hers, he’d be waiting long, for she was minded to make him seek her out. Still, when their gazes crossed, Summer allowed him a welcoming smile.

The King departed and Humphrey sat at the high table for a while, observing the merry lot. They no longer paid respect to high lords – a sign he hoped to see before he approaches Summer. He wished it to be almost unrecognised by the drunk lords and ladies of the court. He had a reputation and was well aware of it, he wished to keep the lady out of it.

He took his chalice, and quickly checked his packet, the little leather pouch that his squire brought to him was still there. He slowly made way, bowing to ladies, stopping whenever someone said a “God Bless thee Duke Humphrey,” or a “Good eventide, my lord”, a drunken “Tis the most splendid of parties, Lord Humphrey” – he took time for all of them, making sure that no one would complain how the Duke turned away from the guests of the crown.

Finally, he arrived where she sat, the lady-in-waiting talking to her blushed immediately as he bowed his head to her. “Ladies…” he said cheerfully, “I keep wondering why the two of you would be left sitting, tis surely the waste of the most comely summer flowers by my fellow lords not taking you to dance…”

“Surely they have tried, your grace, yet none have been so appealing as to draw me away from my love of the lyric word. And you forget, distracted by your brothers no doubt, I am not so well-known here as you,” Summer laughed up at him. “What will you of us? I do not think you can dance with the both of us, for I will not share, nor Isobel either.” The two women exchanged a smiling glance, then turned bright eyes on the Duke.

“See ladies…” he said while he sat down, “tis why I thought to ask, since I would take it on me to ensure you enjoy the hospitality of the crown, yet…” he glanced towards the Queen, still at the high table, “I believe my beloved stepmother is about to leave, lady Isobel. Which,” he turned to Summer, “saves me from the awful situation of having to choose. As I believe my heart is promised to but one, thus I could not choose the other.” Indeed, Queen Joan stood from the table, Isobel had to go. “My beloved,” Humphrey said, placing a kiss on the back of Summer’s hand, “may I talk to you in private? Perhaps take some fresh air on the balcony?”

“Anything, my lord. I place myself entirely in your hands.” She let him lead her to the balcony, neatly side-stepping drunks and dogs. Once there, she drew away, clasping both hands on the railing and gazing upward. The night was clear and warm and the sky blossomed with the light of a million stars.

“Is not God’s work beautiful to behold?” she asked softly at last, turning to look at Humphrey.