"Are you guys sure about this?" Hunter asked as the four boys walked into a flower shop. Today was a special day, it was Ashlynn's birthday, and Hunter wanted to do something great for her. He thought about baking her a cake…but he knew he'd probably burn the school down. He thought about writing her a poem…but his handwriting was worse than a dragon's. He was a hero, he didn't know anything about romance, or what to give someone you care about. That was princely material.
"Of course." Daring said. "Just leave it to us."
And luckily Hunter knew three princes who were more than happy to help. Daring, Dexter and Hopper had each taken wooing classes (something that was required for each of them) so if anyone knew anything about romance it would be these three.
"Look dude, girls love flowers. That's like, 101." Hopper said as he scanned a shelf of daisies.
"Here," Dexter said as he fixed his glasses. "Take a look at these."
Hunter walked over, and his eyes lit up at the sight of hundreds and hundreds of blue flowers. They sparkled just like Ashlynn's eyes, a warm cerulean and spoke of secret kisses.
"Hold on," Hopper said as he pulled Hunter's sleeve. "These are what's gonna impress her." Hunter feasted his eyes on what looked like a whole field of lilies. White ivory petals that swayed in the air, almost as if they were dancing.
"No no, you're both wrong." Daring said as he wrapped his arm around Hunter's neck and nearly dragged him to the other side of the store. Hunter's heart almost skipped as he saw that most beautiful roses he had ever imagined. Their petals dripped with dew, and their leaves seemed to wave, almost beckoning him.
"When it comes to flowers, traditional is always the best." Daring said as he smiled.
"Oh come on Daring." Dexter came running with a huge bouquet of forget me nots. "Rose are safe, but their so…predictable. Remember, wooing is about surprises."
"No way! Wooing damsels is about tradition. Just like how Dad did it, and grandpa, and all the other princes."
"Look, you're both wrong." Hopper said as he shoved the lilies in Hunter's face. "Lilies are the perfect flower for any girl. They're not boring like roses, and they're not wimpy like those little blue weeds."
"They're forget me nots, and they're romantic. They mean 'love remembered'.
"Yeah well roses mean 'True love'. What girl doesn't want that?"
"Please, lilies mean 'purity' and what are more pure than someone's feelings?"
Daring rolled his eyes. "Says the guy who gave swamp grass to the girl he likes. Hunter don't listen to him. The guys never been on a date once."
"Oh Daring, you're one to talk." Dexter said. "You've been on so many dates that you can't even remember the girls' names by next week."
"Lilies are the best."
"No. Forget-me-nots."
"You two are such fairy-fails; roses are traditional for a reason."
Hunter looked at the spread of flowers before him. Each one carrying a small aspect of the girl he loved. Roses for her lips, Forget-me-nots for her eyes, Lilies for her pale skin, a bouquet that seemed to say…
"Our true love will be remembered purely."
The three boys stopped.
"What did you just say Hunter?"
"That's what the bouquet means right?" He grabbed each flower out of their hands. "Roses for love, forget-me-nots for remembrance, and lilies for purity."
Wasn't that right? For the very beginning their love was forbidden. A princess could never see a Huntsman. A Huntsman was not allowed to love, even Hunter's father had to fight for the ability to marry someone. Love was not a part of his story.
And yet there she was. Ashlynn, the girl who walked through the forest as she had known it her whole life. Ashlynn, the girl whose smile charmed even Daring. Ashlynn, the girl who smelled of strawberries. Ashlynn, the girl who broke the rules if it meant keeping someone she cared for safe.
Ashlynn.
A true love that was to be remembered, not as a rebellious ending, but as a pure beginning.
"Our true love will be remembered purely."
He closed his eyes and smiled.
"Yeah…that's perfect."