Lanval - Marie de France
Lanval was a very complex love story that seemed to be very out of the ordinary, especially thinking about it from our perspective, where this supernatural love is so unheard of now-a-days.
"Alone he rode out of the town, and came to a meadow--still alone--dismounted by a flowing brook. But his horse trembled now and shook, so he took off the tackle and let him go, rolling free in the broad meadow. The knight took his own cloak, folded it into a pillow for his head. He lay thinking of his sad plight; he saw nothing to bring delight."
It is about this time where he notices two lovely ladies strolling through the meadow as he lay alone.
"These two ladies came straightaway to the place where Lanval lay. Lanval, mannerly, well-bred, quickly scramled to his feet; the ladies spoke, first to greet him, then with a message."
The ladies explain how their lady, Queen of Babylon is requesting his precence. Without hesitation, Lanval joins the two ladies to the Queen's tent, where she explained his love for him. He accepts and agrees with her and they spend time together very often. Unfortunately, the King's wife spotted him one day and calls him out.
"The Queen saw him go off alone, and she headed straight for that knight. She sat near him, she called him over, she psoke as her heart would move her: 'Lanval, I really respect you, I really care, I really love, and you can have all my love. Tell me what you want! I expect you must be happy at what I say. I'm offering to go all the way.'"
He responds to her by saying that he does not love her and he would never go against or betray his king. He is so frustrated and replies with;
"My lady: That job--don't doubt it, I wouldn't know how to go about it. But I do love--I alone love a lady who'd win the prize over all women I've known of. And I'll tell you this, without disguise, just because you need to know: her serving maids, a poor or low one, even, the poorest in her train, is better than you are, Lady Queen: in beauty of body and of face, in goodness and in well-bred grace."
Now, now Lanval, I think you took it a little too far! For this, the Queen is so upset. She cries to her king and explains how Lanval has insulted her, which leads Lanval infront of the court. But what is even worse for Lanval is that he has broken his promise with his lady, that he would never mention her to anyone. The only way that the court will let Lanval free from his case is if his lover, the Queen of Babylon appear in front of them. Lanval is so upset because he doesn't think she will return, for his betrayal upon her he felt so bad. Time goes on and on and lucky enough, his lover appeared; the most beautiful and lovely lady anyone has seen.
The Queen of Babylon explains herself and her lover, Lanval and lucky enough he is set free! Lanval was very thankful for the Queen to finally set him free!
And they lived happily ever after!