~BHM, ~XWG, ~BBW, Polygamy - Camla, a young woman in a fantastical land, accepts a marriage proposal from a hefty prince and becomes drawn into political intrigue.
Part 1
I recall first seeing Prospero when I was seven years old. I dont think I loved him then, which I mainly say because I find it unreasonable and unbelievable to think that a little child could truly love a man. Though I suppose he would have been hardly older than a boy at that time, a scrapling of humanity eager to join politics. Aiswath needed a hero of the political sort even at that time and it was not unthinkable to imagine they would all flock to Prospero.
I stood in front of our familys hut, my hand in my mothers. Most of the neighbors were about, eager to see Prospero Badyr, our prince who had finally come into his own. I remember him walking past, greeting the people with a smile on his already-round face, voice ringing out promises and compliments. He didnt pay any attention to me other than what anyone would give a little girl, but I liked him just the same.
My family spoke highly of him. My father thought him a little idealistic, but what was wrong with that? Prospero could certainly combine that in the government and the boy certainly couldnt be any worse than his brothers. My mother thought him an attractive boy, plump and cheerful and jovial, just the sort of man the people of Aiswath loved. My fathers other wife thought him a breath of fresh air, possibly silly, but a few more years would cure him of that. If all went well Prosperos voice would ring out above his brothers and the citizens of Aiswath would be heard.
He came often after that, for at least a couple of years. He was never any less kind and the excitement in the air was so tangible a little girl like me could feel it if not put any meaning to it. He was always a bit rounder each appearance, and the declaration from the many housewives of Aiswatch that they couldnt trust a prince who didnt sample their cooking didnt help. His appetite was his passion, it was clear.
I didnt much think about it when he started appearing on horseback rather than walking. Riding was easier than walking great distances, everyone knew that, and if he were a prince it seemed only reasonable he should have a nice big horse to carry him. He was unmistakably fat then, his face as round and shining as a full moon, his bellypitifully restrained by his robeforcing him ever so much away from the horses neck, chubby bare feet squeezed into stirrups. To my fathers delight his speeches grew more political (politics much in agreement with the citizens). Yes, this fat prince would mean salvation to Aiswath.
His elder brothers never bothered to go among the people.
I must have been about ten or eleven when I began to develop a bit of girlish crush on him. I was not alone. It seemed every other girl wished to be one of Prosperos princesses, a pretty and useful consort of a great prince.
But not long after that he appeared less often, and somewhere during that time the lessening appearances changed transportation from horseback to a cart pulled by several strong beasts. And that cart barely held him. He lay back in it, soft face glistening with sweat, thick arms like sacks of flour attempting to wave to his people.
He still gave his speeches, he still spoke to the people, and many still told him their concerns.
But dissatisfaction was creeping in.
My grandmother complained that the once-celebrated Prospero had finally put his belly before Aiswatch.
Shortly after that, he stopped coming.
Fewer girls wished to be one of his princesses, but perhaps I was one of the more foolish ones. I suppose I still carried a torch for our prince.
From time to time we still heard things from the courtyard where laws were made. Prospero said this, Prospero enforced that. But all news was mixed with even more news from his brothers. It was impossible to hate Prospero when men like that were about. They didnt care about Aiswath and that was clear. At least we could all imagine that Prospero still cared.
I tried not to let it bother me. Truth be told, I didnt much have opinions in the ways of laws. I did not like the Brothers taxes, I did not like the guards patrolling the street. But I was growing to be a fine and clever girl in the words of most who knew melet the rest be damned. I practiced archery far more than was expected for a young girl of Aiswathno one minded; rather, I was encouraged by the fiercer female warriors. By the time I was seventeen I was one of the finest shots around, male or female. I also had something of a talent for all things medicinal, whether it be helpful or poison, and I considered seeking out an apprenticeship with a healer woman.
I suppose the rest of that story has detail, but not enough to matter. Suffice it to say my talent for mixing herbs was spoken of to the right ears at the right time and within a short period of days I had been summoned to the court itself.
Prospero wanted to see me.
Though I had long ago discarded any little girl fantasies of marrying Prospero, it would be a lie to say I still did not have admiration for his doings, even if they were in the past, and even a spark of a crush. I had felt the barest things of envy when other woman were summoned to him and accepted his proposal of marriage. In the way of rulers he collected wives as advisorsand I liked to imagine with more intelligence than his brothers. A royal wife was married for skill, wisdom, or talent, always ready to be consulted upon for advice.
There was no greater honor.
I felt foolish approaching the royal houses. My mother and my fathers other wife had done their best to make me look more than presentable, but I still felt less than so. My black hair had been brushed till it shown and was left loose, demure flowers inserted here and there. My face had been scrubbed clean, and I wore pale brown robesthe finest we could afford. They had declared me a great beauty and a fine warrior, though rather than pretty and muscular I just felt plain and skinny. My bow on my back and my medicines in my bag, I made my way up like a frightened little girl.
Trees, branches hanging low and green, veiled the path to the royal houses. I brushed past them, shaking, terrified my escorting guard would decide I was not worthy to present to Prince Prospero and I would be flung back into the dirt.
The royal houses were just as I imagined them, low and spacious and of the finest materials: grey rock that shown silver in the sunlight, roofs wove deftly of strong wood. They were stacked haphazardly, separate apartments blending together to create each building. Purple textile hung at the entrance of one, and the guard pushed it aside and all but pushed me in.
It was all I could do not to faint.
The room was well lit with candles, but it still took my eyes a moment to settle on Prospero. Funny how I should miss someone like that. After seeing him again, I realized it would be impossible not to.
He was still very handsome. Why would he not be? His place was against one wall, his bed merely a pile of pillows barely invisible beneath him. I wanted to laugh. No wonder it had been so long since had walked among the people. His bulk was at least double what it had been the last time I had glimpsed him and I doubted he would be able to leave the room. Thick pillows propped up his head. His skin was perfectly smooth, his eyes still gleaming brightly between the folds of facial flesh. One chin was strong and proud, protecting its fellows that dropped proudly into his chest. His belly was immense. I was a reasonably tall girl, but I estimated two of me lying across that belly would scarcely measure its diameter. He wore only a ceremonial robe of gold wrapped tightly over his massive chest. His legs were impressive in and of themselves, though mo more remarkable than that belly. Fat calves and feet like pillows pushed out stubbornly.
Two girls sat on his belly. I only recognized one of them, an acquaitance from childhood. They were both dressed as I imagined a princess would be dressed, in fine linens and jewels and fine make-up. I wondered if they would perceive me as a threat, but their demeanors seemed friendly. Three more girls hung at the edges of the room.
More princesses.
There were a few girls at his head, not dressed quite as nice. At their feet were baskets of more food than I had ever before seen at once, and they delicately fed fruit and bread into Prosperos mouth. He chewed politely, a perfect example of manners.
It was then I met Prosperos eyes.
One princess approached me with a smile. It was then I remember my own manners and bowed.
Camla, the woman said, greeting me.
I nodded and bowed again.
This seemed to please her. Camla, please stand. You are an archer and an herbalist, are you not?
She looked back to Prospero, who nodded stiffly with his fat neck.
Our Prince Prospero wishes to offer you a marriage proposal. He has heard of your skills and thinks they would be useful to his court.
In what way?
Do you doubt yourself? She laughed. Here, you will have all the money and comforts you need to develop those skills and any others you would like. Do you accept the proposal?
What was I to say? Ask questions? Why was Prospero needing my skills?
But all I could do was nod.
Princesses of Prospero
By Backroads
By Backroads
Part 1
I recall first seeing Prospero when I was seven years old. I dont think I loved him then, which I mainly say because I find it unreasonable and unbelievable to think that a little child could truly love a man. Though I suppose he would have been hardly older than a boy at that time, a scrapling of humanity eager to join politics. Aiswath needed a hero of the political sort even at that time and it was not unthinkable to imagine they would all flock to Prospero.
I stood in front of our familys hut, my hand in my mothers. Most of the neighbors were about, eager to see Prospero Badyr, our prince who had finally come into his own. I remember him walking past, greeting the people with a smile on his already-round face, voice ringing out promises and compliments. He didnt pay any attention to me other than what anyone would give a little girl, but I liked him just the same.
My family spoke highly of him. My father thought him a little idealistic, but what was wrong with that? Prospero could certainly combine that in the government and the boy certainly couldnt be any worse than his brothers. My mother thought him an attractive boy, plump and cheerful and jovial, just the sort of man the people of Aiswath loved. My fathers other wife thought him a breath of fresh air, possibly silly, but a few more years would cure him of that. If all went well Prosperos voice would ring out above his brothers and the citizens of Aiswath would be heard.
He came often after that, for at least a couple of years. He was never any less kind and the excitement in the air was so tangible a little girl like me could feel it if not put any meaning to it. He was always a bit rounder each appearance, and the declaration from the many housewives of Aiswatch that they couldnt trust a prince who didnt sample their cooking didnt help. His appetite was his passion, it was clear.
I didnt much think about it when he started appearing on horseback rather than walking. Riding was easier than walking great distances, everyone knew that, and if he were a prince it seemed only reasonable he should have a nice big horse to carry him. He was unmistakably fat then, his face as round and shining as a full moon, his bellypitifully restrained by his robeforcing him ever so much away from the horses neck, chubby bare feet squeezed into stirrups. To my fathers delight his speeches grew more political (politics much in agreement with the citizens). Yes, this fat prince would mean salvation to Aiswath.
His elder brothers never bothered to go among the people.
I must have been about ten or eleven when I began to develop a bit of girlish crush on him. I was not alone. It seemed every other girl wished to be one of Prosperos princesses, a pretty and useful consort of a great prince.
But not long after that he appeared less often, and somewhere during that time the lessening appearances changed transportation from horseback to a cart pulled by several strong beasts. And that cart barely held him. He lay back in it, soft face glistening with sweat, thick arms like sacks of flour attempting to wave to his people.
He still gave his speeches, he still spoke to the people, and many still told him their concerns.
But dissatisfaction was creeping in.
My grandmother complained that the once-celebrated Prospero had finally put his belly before Aiswatch.
Shortly after that, he stopped coming.
Fewer girls wished to be one of his princesses, but perhaps I was one of the more foolish ones. I suppose I still carried a torch for our prince.
From time to time we still heard things from the courtyard where laws were made. Prospero said this, Prospero enforced that. But all news was mixed with even more news from his brothers. It was impossible to hate Prospero when men like that were about. They didnt care about Aiswath and that was clear. At least we could all imagine that Prospero still cared.
I tried not to let it bother me. Truth be told, I didnt much have opinions in the ways of laws. I did not like the Brothers taxes, I did not like the guards patrolling the street. But I was growing to be a fine and clever girl in the words of most who knew melet the rest be damned. I practiced archery far more than was expected for a young girl of Aiswathno one minded; rather, I was encouraged by the fiercer female warriors. By the time I was seventeen I was one of the finest shots around, male or female. I also had something of a talent for all things medicinal, whether it be helpful or poison, and I considered seeking out an apprenticeship with a healer woman.
I suppose the rest of that story has detail, but not enough to matter. Suffice it to say my talent for mixing herbs was spoken of to the right ears at the right time and within a short period of days I had been summoned to the court itself.
Prospero wanted to see me.
Though I had long ago discarded any little girl fantasies of marrying Prospero, it would be a lie to say I still did not have admiration for his doings, even if they were in the past, and even a spark of a crush. I had felt the barest things of envy when other woman were summoned to him and accepted his proposal of marriage. In the way of rulers he collected wives as advisorsand I liked to imagine with more intelligence than his brothers. A royal wife was married for skill, wisdom, or talent, always ready to be consulted upon for advice.
There was no greater honor.
I felt foolish approaching the royal houses. My mother and my fathers other wife had done their best to make me look more than presentable, but I still felt less than so. My black hair had been brushed till it shown and was left loose, demure flowers inserted here and there. My face had been scrubbed clean, and I wore pale brown robesthe finest we could afford. They had declared me a great beauty and a fine warrior, though rather than pretty and muscular I just felt plain and skinny. My bow on my back and my medicines in my bag, I made my way up like a frightened little girl.
Trees, branches hanging low and green, veiled the path to the royal houses. I brushed past them, shaking, terrified my escorting guard would decide I was not worthy to present to Prince Prospero and I would be flung back into the dirt.
The royal houses were just as I imagined them, low and spacious and of the finest materials: grey rock that shown silver in the sunlight, roofs wove deftly of strong wood. They were stacked haphazardly, separate apartments blending together to create each building. Purple textile hung at the entrance of one, and the guard pushed it aside and all but pushed me in.
It was all I could do not to faint.
The room was well lit with candles, but it still took my eyes a moment to settle on Prospero. Funny how I should miss someone like that. After seeing him again, I realized it would be impossible not to.
He was still very handsome. Why would he not be? His place was against one wall, his bed merely a pile of pillows barely invisible beneath him. I wanted to laugh. No wonder it had been so long since had walked among the people. His bulk was at least double what it had been the last time I had glimpsed him and I doubted he would be able to leave the room. Thick pillows propped up his head. His skin was perfectly smooth, his eyes still gleaming brightly between the folds of facial flesh. One chin was strong and proud, protecting its fellows that dropped proudly into his chest. His belly was immense. I was a reasonably tall girl, but I estimated two of me lying across that belly would scarcely measure its diameter. He wore only a ceremonial robe of gold wrapped tightly over his massive chest. His legs were impressive in and of themselves, though mo more remarkable than that belly. Fat calves and feet like pillows pushed out stubbornly.
Two girls sat on his belly. I only recognized one of them, an acquaitance from childhood. They were both dressed as I imagined a princess would be dressed, in fine linens and jewels and fine make-up. I wondered if they would perceive me as a threat, but their demeanors seemed friendly. Three more girls hung at the edges of the room.
More princesses.
There were a few girls at his head, not dressed quite as nice. At their feet were baskets of more food than I had ever before seen at once, and they delicately fed fruit and bread into Prosperos mouth. He chewed politely, a perfect example of manners.
It was then I met Prosperos eyes.
One princess approached me with a smile. It was then I remember my own manners and bowed.
Camla, the woman said, greeting me.
I nodded and bowed again.
This seemed to please her. Camla, please stand. You are an archer and an herbalist, are you not?
She looked back to Prospero, who nodded stiffly with his fat neck.
Our Prince Prospero wishes to offer you a marriage proposal. He has heard of your skills and thinks they would be useful to his court.
In what way?
Do you doubt yourself? She laughed. Here, you will have all the money and comforts you need to develop those skills and any others you would like. Do you accept the proposal?
What was I to say? Ask questions? Why was Prospero needing my skills?
But all I could do was nod.
