Marian turned, the way Max spoke her name just now. She looked at him, and dared to hope. "Max?" she said trying to be calm as she stood up and stepped closer.

_________________
Where do you go when your running away,
The cost of stopping is too great to pay.
~Amanda (saw this written in a washroom stall at a movie theater)

His eyes searched her face a moment before their eyes locked. "Marian..." He strode through the water slowly, the recognition slowly hitting him hard; his jaw dropped and he shook his head in bewilderment.. He broke his stride suddenly and ran towards her. "Marian!"

_________________


~*~ I am the Patron Saint of Lost Causes. ~*~

Marian felt tears start to flow from her eyes as she watched Max run to her.

_________________
Where do you go when your running away,
The cost of stopping is too great to pay.
~Amanda (saw this written in a washroom stall at a movie theater)

No words would come to him, he just swept her up into his arms and wept, murmuring her name over and over like a prayer on his lips.

_________________


~*~ I am the Patron Saint of Lost Causes. ~*~

Marian coun't talk, she was so happy and grateful. Now she had found him, truley and completly.

_________________
Where do you go when your running away,
The cost of stopping is too great to pay.
~Amanda (saw this written in a washroom stall at a movie theater)

Maxelle kissed her forehead. "I found you," he said softly, running his hand over her hair. It sounded stupid, but he was struck speechless.

_________________


~*~ I am the Patron Saint of Lost Causes. ~*~

Marian smiled and looked up into Maxelle's eyes. "I was afraid you would never remember me again." She confessed.

_________________
Where do you go when your running away,
The cost of stopping is too great to pay.
~Amanda (saw this written in a washroom stall at a movie theater)

"How could I forget you?" he said quietly. He leaned down and kissed her. "I love you, Marian."

_________________


~*~ I am the Patron Saint of Lost Causes. ~*~

Marian felt her face blushe as Max kissed her. "I love you too." she said.

_________________
Where do you go when your running away,
The cost of stopping is too great to pay.
~Amanda (saw this written in a washroom stall at a movie theater)

Held her close, not caring that he was getting her soaking wet from his dip in the river. "What are you doing out here?"

_________________


~*~ I am the Patron Saint of Lost Causes. ~*~

She looked down. "The king, he summoned me I don't know why." she looked up at him. "I haven't left the village since you left."

_________________
Where do you go when your running away,
The cost of stopping is too great to pay.
~Amanda (saw this written in a washroom stall at a movie theater)

Something like anger flashed in his eyes; after all, it was the king who had sent him on the mission that tore his life apart. "Don't leave, Marian. Don't go. He's ruined things enough already." Max's expression seemed distraught. Three years he's taken from me...

_________________


~*~ I am the Patron Saint of Lost Causes. ~*~

Marian shook her head. "Never, now I have you back, I will never let go."

_________________
Where do you go when your running away,
The cost of stopping is too great to pay.
~Amanda (saw this written in a washroom stall at a movie theater)

He kissed her again, though his expression seemed troubled. "What do we do now?" he asked. It seemed impossible that he was living such a separate life now from the one he loved so dearly.

_________________


~*~ I am the Patron Saint of Lost Causes. ~*~

Marian leaned againest Max. "we survive, I don't haveanything to return to on the farm, and ou have gained a life here, I will go where ever you go, and if you stay, so will I."

_________________
Where do you go when your running away,
The cost of stopping is too great to pay.
~Amanda (saw this written in a washroom stall at a movie theater)

"I can't leave my men," he replied. "I lead them, and I have so for years now. But..." He looked down at her and smiled sadly. "You deserve a better life than this one, Marian. I want you to be happy. I want to marry you and have a life together." He gave a slight smile, feeling torn.

_________________


~*~ I am the Patron Saint of Lost Causes. ~*~