Free Companionship – why does it hardly ever last?

By Kittiara

Recently my attention has been brought to this question…I have seen many make the vows and have seen almost as many Free Companionships dissolve rapidly. The Free Companionship, as I am sure all are aware, is the closest thing on Gor to a marriage on Earth. It is meant to last for a year and can then be renewed if both so wish. Yet it seems to be a rare thing, at least all around me, to last for the duration of the year. Some do, some renew even, and this is a wonderful thing. But why does it so often go wrong?

Many Free Women seek a Free Companion, and I must admit it can be hard to find one. Gorean Men tend to prefer slaves, which I grudgingly admit to understand. For one, a Free Man can only have one FC, yet as many slaves as he wishes. Admittedly he can have a FC and slaves, but in many cases this seems to bring tension and jealousy, which I am sure no Free Man is eager to deal with.

I see many Free rush into a Free Companionship, which I think is a reason why it doesn’t last. Like slaves should know their Master or Mistress well before begging steel, so should two Free know the other well before committing. Communication, as always, is the key to this. Especially for the Free Woman I advice to absolutely know for sure the expectations, wishes, needs of both are compatible.

Do not forget, once you FC, Free or not, you are his woman. Whether you like it or not, your actions reflect upon him, and he will be held accountable for them. Too, you owe him your obedience, commitment, dedication…and if he so pleases and sees fit, he can punish you.

It is unwise to make the assumption you are his equal, and thus you would be well advised to make sure what rights he wishes give you are clearly lined out in the contract you both sign. All may be joy and sunshine when you sign it…but you never know what the future brings. And it is better to be safe than sorry.

So get to know the man you intend to be with for at least a year…and get all the issues out of the way.

Can you deal with his slaves? Can you deal with the fact he may get some after you FC him? Will those slaves wear the steel of both, or just him? Will you have a say in his choice? Do you trust him, and trust him to look after you?

We are people of Earth, even if we may be Gorean at heart. We have not been raised the Gorean way.

Our Free Companionships often are a matter of the heart…and if you wish to avoid heartbreak…as much as you can anticipate such matters, take your time. On Earth few would marry a man after a week or even a month…and despite the fact that the path of a Free Woman in Gor may often be hard and lonely…why should commitment be different in Gor?

Kittiara