Young Macintosh's Perspective

He'd been searching for her all morning. It was just past midday now and still no sign of the princess. He had asked King Fergus if he had any idea where she was. He unfortunately told him that the lass had a habit of running off when given the chance to.

He even worked up the courage to ask the queen. She had smiled politely at him and told him she had given the princess the day off. She had no idea where she went or what she did. He had thanked her, bowed, and left.

He cursed silently.

Young Macintosh never would have thought that romancing the princess would be so much trouble. He never struggled this much with other lasses. Usually he just had to swing a sword or flip his hair and they'd come screaming in groups to adore him. Yet here he was chasing after a girl who was avoiding him on purpose. He couldn't think of a greater insult than that. Here he was using his precious time to court her, the least she could do was fall for him.

He had gone outside in hopes of finding a sparring buddy. It had been a while since he used his sword and he couldn't think of a better way of letting off some steam. Upon reaching the training grounds he took note that Young Macguffin was nowhere to be seen. That was odd he thought. Usually the great big oaf was here training with his father.

Macguffin wasn't here…and he hadn't run into him either today. Something was definitely going on under his nose.

Young Macguffin's Perspective

They had ridden back home much to Young Macguffin's displeasure. He would have preferred to have spent a couple more hours with the princess, but alas the days seemed much too short all of a sudden.

They had fed the horses and put them in their stables, before they headed inside. They had separated but not before she had kissed him on the cheek.

Young Macguffin slowly made his way to his room all the while trying to keep a straight face. A smile had betrayed him once or twice. He merely coughed and tried to regain his composure.

He reached his room and found his father inside reading over some scrolls. He quietly shut the door behind him.

"So how was the ride?" Lord Macguffin asked his son, never once looking up from his reading.

"'Twas stoatin! (It was great!)" Young Macguffin said with more enthusiasm than expected.

Lord Macguffin looked up at his son and raised an eyebrow. Young Macguffin realizing his mistake blushed heavily and quickly added "Ah mean 'twas a'richt…..(I mean it was alright…..)."

His father was still staring at him, analyzing him. Young Macguffin hoped his father couldn't tell that he'd been exchanging kisses with the princess. He blushed at that.

Lord Macguffin took notice of his son's strange behavior. Normally the lad would hesitate to answer and when he did answer it was usually quiet and unsure. This time he had answered sure of himself. He took time to inspect his son. Something had changed the lad and he could only guess what it was.

"Had a great time with the princess?" he asked his son.

He turned to look at his son and nearly chuckled. The lad's eyes had flown wide open and his mouth clamped shut. Lord Macguffin was reminded of the times he had caught the lad as a child sneaking sweets to his room.

Young Macguffin asked quietly "How'd ye ken? (How'd you know?)"

"Why do you think I sent you out on that ride today?" Lord Macguffin asked in return.

Young Macguffin furrowed his eyebrows "….Fur ah wis distracted 'n' ye said ah wantit a break (….because I was distracted and you said I needed a break.)"

"That was one reason" Lord Macguffin said. He picked up another scroll and unfurled it. "I may have happened to overhear the queen tell the princess to go riding today at dinner the other night."

Young Macguffin's eyebrows jumped in surprise as realization hit him. That's right his father and the other lords had been seated with the royal family that night.

"I know you're sweet on the princess. It's not that hard to tell." Lord Macguffin said. He sighed "The way you act around her reminds me of my younger days trying to court your mother." A deep chuckle resounded around the room.

Now Young Macguffin's curiosity was peaked. He walked over and sat down on a bench and asked "How'd ye ken ye wanted tae romance maw? (How'd you know you wanted to romance mom?)"

"Would you believe that your father the sure, proud, and strong Macguffin clan leader…would become a bumbling idiot around your mother?" Lord Macguffin asked.

Now that was unexpected! Young Macguffin thought. He shook his head to say no.

"I was!" Lord Macguffin said. He snorted "I remember one time I had gone out of my way to get her some flowers and had waited for her after her lessons. I was so nervous that when she came round, I thrusted the blasted flowers in her face…I hadn't a clue that she was prone to sneezing when it came to flowers." He looked down clearly embarrassed but was smiling all the same.

Young Macguffin couldn't help it, he laughed. Something that he never did at his father's expense. Hearing that his own father was just as awkward as he was made him chuckle. He couldn't picture it at all, he knew his father to be a wise fierce leader always ready to defend his land.

Lord Macguffin turned to look at his son and grinned. He walked over and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Remember son, that you must always respect her, you must always treasure her and above all else you must always love and protect her…. not that the princess really needs it. Lass is a fair shot with bow."

"Ah ken (I know)" Young Macguffin said. He smiled at his father.

"Oh and remember son! I want lots of grandchildren!" He teased his son.

Young Macguffin blushed heavily before yelling out "Da! (DAD!)"

Lord Macguffin let out a roaring laugh and said "Just teasing boy, now get ready for dinner."

Young Macguffin buried his face in his hands.