Going on a  Manhunt

by Donna and Abs

Amanda was bored. She didn't make as good of a lady-in-waiting as her teacher and mentor, Rebecca Horne did. Having the drop dead gorgeous Sir Lancelot at her constant beck and command was amusing, of course, but she was beginning to find the everyday life in the royal court a bit of a drag. That is, until the highlanders arrived!  

She remembered Duncan of course, but it was strange, because he didn't seem to know *her*.  Rebecca was from a different time than Amanda was, so it was not hard for her to understand that Duncan was from before they'd met, but it was still strange. 

And since he and his cousin were living outside of the walls of Camelot in what was becoming known as the Scottish Village, she hadn't had a chance to become acquainted with him. So, when a group of ladies decided to go out to the village to look things over, Amanda joined the group.  Luckily for her, Sir Lancelot was in attendance with His Majesty that day and would not be underfoot.  

Rebecca was arranging it, and since she understood how Amanda felt for Duncan, and because she was smart enough to have picked up on Yvonne's current interest in Immortal men, the Immortal teacher conveniently left her out of the party.  It was a Ladies Day Out type of thing anyway, and Yvonne was happier out in the forest with "the guys". 

They were escorted to the village by one of the knights, who were then shooed away.  The knights just smiled and moved their horses a few little bit away, so that they were still close by if they were needed. The village men were all busy with their day's activities, but they still stood up and politely greeted the group of ladies as they walked around. They were a charming group of men, that is for sure! They found the two MacLeods, working on spokes for a wagon wheel over a hot foundry fire, both of them bare chested and sweaty.   

"My word!" said Amanda with a breathy sigh.  "Isn't it WARM today!" 

Duncan shot her a boyish grin as he stood up from his labors. "Aye, mi'lady! Wa' ye like a mug of cold water?" Beside him, Connor chuckled and shook his head.  

Amanda fluttered her hands while the handmaidens giggled.  "Oh I would, dear sir.  I am so dreadfully *parched*!" 

Rebecca rolled her eyes that time. Some things never changed!  Duncan grinned at them all and went to go draw a bucket of ice cold water from a nearby well, and then ladled some of it into a common tin mug. "Duncan MacLeod of the Clan MacLeod at yer service, mi'lady," he said as he handed it to her.  

"Oh I am honored!"  Again the maidens giggled.  Ceirdwyn looked at Rebecca as if to say, "Is she for real?" and Melissa watched, curious and amused. 

"Unfortunately, yes," Rebecca sighed. Connor, who was watching in obvious amusement himself, spoke up and introduced himself, as did several of the Scotsmen who were starting to gather around. Distracted, the others didn't notice Amanda claim to be a little dizzy from the afternoon heat and ask for a cool place to lay down.  

Duncan of course reached up to help her off her horse, and then carried her into the shade of the nearby stable.  The men passed looks and winks while the ladies pretended to be more dignified! 

Once inside the quiet of the stable, Duncan laid Amanda down on a bed of soft straw, looking at her in concern. "Shall I run for the physician?" he asked. He was confused. He had thought she was immortal like him. 

"Of course not, silly," she said, putting her arm around his neck.  "Nice to get away from that crowd, isn't it?  And be here in the cool barn?" 

His eyes widened in surprise, but then he smiled back at her. "Aye, lass, it is," he said in a voice already deepening with desire.  

"I think we understand one another Mr. . .  MacLeod," she purred, rubbing up against his sweaty chest.  And other things. 

Kilts were such handy things. Especially when there was nothing on underneath it. As his mouth closed down on her hungrily, Amanda felt the thrill of conquest once more. She had her Duncan back!