The Lover's Hideaway Myth in Talthei | World Anvil

The Lover's Hideaway

And the two found themselves again in their hideaway.    "Fancy seeing you here," said the human, plopping down next to her lute, her pet griggirat already circling her companion happily.    "And you," the orc returned, reaching down to scratch the excited black creature.    "So, is it later yet?" Her face was neutral as always, but after this many meetings, the orc wasn't fooled -- she was pleased to see him again.   He was surprised to say he felt quite the same.
The Lover's Hideaway is a myth about a cave and a pair of travelers who keep meeting there by fate, eventually falling in love.

Spread

The myth of the lover's hideaway was originally circled about orcish settlements. However, as cultural diffusion began for orcish body modification and prosthetics, the myths also began to spread. As a romantic tale of fate, bards immediately took to it, listening to both the oral and written versions and creating their own songs to reflect the tale.

Variations & Mutation

Variations of the myth are aplenty, but primarily circle around the location, leaving the story itself largely intact.    Rather than a cave, a common retelling involves a secret glade that only appears to the to-be lovers. Another popular take involves the pair taking shelter in an abandoned cabin as a winter storm rides in.    While a few versions occasionally swap out the human and the orc for a different pair, the original pair -- a friendly, good-natured bard and the reserved, straight-forward hunter--are still the most-common protagonists.

Cultural Reception

In Orcish cultures, the myth of the lover's hideaway is considered a romantic reminder of value outside of Orc settlements, as well as setting the precedent that their traditional crafts and skills are valuable to those of different cultures willing to look in as well.

In Literature

The Lover's Hideaway is a beloved trope in Orcish courting poetry.

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