Merida's Perspective

The next few days passed in a bit of a hurry. Between lessons with her mother and tutoring her brothers, Merida was slightly relieved there hadn't been much time to spend with the young lords.

Young Macintosh had caught her a couple of times heading towards lessons. He had asked her to join him for lunch or out for a walk. She had politely declined and lied through her teeth about how her lessons came before any frivolity. The young lad had looked a little angry but had smiled at her before bidding her goodbye with the promise of next time.

She had bumped into Wee Dingwall once or twice. The first time she had accidentally startled him from his nap when she was teaching her brothers how to shoot an arrow. Her brothers had been up to one of their tricks. They had put a creepy crawly on her neck as she shot the arrow. It missed its intended target and had ricocheted around the stables before plunging itself a few mere inches above a waking Dingwall. The lad had let out a yell to which Merida profusely apologized after she had given the boys a talking to. The second time he had startled her. She had entered the small library of the castle in search of a book. She thought she was alone, until a loud snore had startled her. She found Wee Dingwall asleep in one of the chairs, book upon his face.

Merida hadn't bumped into Young Macguffin…. luckily. She usually only saw him during meal times and he was usually chatting with his father or Wee Dingwall. Occasionally their glances met, he'd either blush and look away or give her a small smile. She found it endearing when his face would turn red but she also found her heart pounding a bit when he smiled at her like he was doing right now.

She heard a small giggle to her left and looked to find her mother giving her a knowing stare. Merida's face colored before she asked "What's so funny mom?".

"Nothing at all dear." Elinor answered. "I've just noticed that you've been rather busy with lessons."

"Not really, I quite enjoy our lessons."

Elinor raised an elegant eyebrow "Oh really? Hmmm and here I'd thought of giving you the day off tomorrow."

"That's not necessary Mom." Merida said.

Elinor sighed and said "Poor Angus! He must be very lonely, what with his owner ignoring him for lessons."

"I'm not ignoring him; I'm just making him miss me." Merida said defensively.

"Now which HIM are you referring to my dear?" Elinor asked before winking at her daughter.

Merida's eyes widen and her face flushed. Before she could retort her mother said "Take the day off tomorrow and take Angus out for a ride."

She could only nod dumbly before excusing herself for the night.

Macguffin's Perspective

He had seen her last night. She had caught him staring, he smiled the only thing that he could do. She had gone back to talking with the Queen and he felt pathetic. Where had all his courage gone? Why just a few nights ago he had shared a kiss with her and now he couldn't even talk to her.

Well he took some comfort knowing that he was not the only one having trouble finding time to spend with the princess. Macintosh had come outside when Young Macguffin had been training. He had heard him complain to Dingwall that the princess had rejected his date. Macguffin pretended not to overhear but had smiled to himself. At least Macintosh wasn't having any luck but then again he wasn't either.

He sighed and made his way to the stables. His father had seen he was distracted during breakfast that morning and suggested that he skip training today and go for a ride. He had let him borrow his horse.

When Young Macguffin got to the stables he noticed Merida's horse was not there. That meant she must have gone out for a ride. He quickly prepared his father's horse and took off. Once he made it outside the castle walls he realized that he had no idea where she had gone. He smacked his forehead, there went his plans to at least spend time with the princess.

Well no point in going back now he thought. He decided to ride around the rolling hills of the land to see what they had to offer. The land was pretty but he still felt his homeland was far more beautiful. His land had more forests, cliffs and the flowers were more vibrant due to misty mornings.

Young Macguffin had decided to take a break and found a small creek somewhere within the forest. He had taken a seat underneath one of the many trees when his horse became frightened of something. He ran to try and settle her. He eventually got her to calm down and turned to see what had frightened her. He saw nothing out of the unusual but he heard something whisper to him.

He turned round and caught sight of a small glowing orb. Upon closer inspection it had eyes and what looked like arms. A wisp? No that couldn't be, could it?

He reached out for it and it disappeared. Soon another took its place further up ahead. He saw a small trail of them. Why he decided to follow them. He didn't know but he kept going, all the while guiding his horse behind him. Eventually they led him outside the forest and upon making it outside they all vanished in a whisper of tiny voices.

"How come 'ere? (why here?)" he said to himself. Perhaps the wisps had wanted to show him some scenery he thought before chuckling a bit. They had led him to a big open field with tall grass and patches of flowers here and there. There was a lone horse there, a wild one most likely.

Had following them been a waste of time?

He sighed and made to leave when he heard a sneeze. He looked for the source and saw a mess of red rise up from the green. He heard a giggle and spotted Merida sitting amongst some flowers. Her hair was a bit of a mess and had some stray petals caught in her curls. He thought she looked cute like that.

His horse snorted and ran down the hill. She stopped at Angus and it looked like they were greeting each other if horses could greet.

Merida had noticed the second horse's presence. Young Macguffin noted the look of recognition that passed her face. He watched her look around until she finally spotted him. Blue eyes met blue once again.