Well, here's the next chapter. It's longer tha n the rest, so I hope you enjoy. Don't forget to review!



Disclaimer: I own the game, Thunder, and Prince Joren. Nothing else.









Crono sat on the sofa and Lucca perched on the edge of the table. Crono was just about to tell Lucca what he knew about Joren, when Marle bounded in.

"Thunder is happily munching grass outside the shed" Marle told them as she sat beside Crono.

"Thunder?" Crono asked, blinking at her.

"The horse silly" Marle said giggling. Crono groaned.

"You're getting way to attached to that horse!" he told her.

"I couldn't leave him nameless! Besides, someone needs to take care of him. I'm not going to let him end up with Joren again!" she spat out that name in disgust. Lucca cleared her throat.

"As much as I'd love to watch your lover's quarrel. I believe we have more important things to discuss." Both Marle and Crono blushed, but they both didn't speak against her comment.

"Marle, you said your father wanted you to marry that creep?" Lucca asked. Marle nodded and told her about the events at the castle. Her voice quivered alittle when she talked about her father's emotionless eyes, and Joren's greedy grin. Crono put his arm around her protectively. Then Crono updated Lucca on what happened in the battle just before she got there. Lucca rubbed her chin thoughtfully.

"Hmmm, the king tells you to marry this prince from Procland. Shows no emotion. The prince can use magic….but I thought that the last person to use magic, besides us, was Magus. I don't think this guy met Spekko…" Lucca muttered to herself. She looked up at Crono and Marle.

"Have either of you ever heard of a kingdom called Procland before?" Crono shook his head. Marle bit her lip, thinking.

"All Father said before he left was that he was visiting a kingdom far across the sea. He wanted to make an alliance with them. He said that he had gotten a letter from them, inviting him for a peace talk." Lucca jumped off the table, transferring Trigger from her lap to Marle's.

"I'm going to go home and check my books. There's something going on here that I don't like. I'll come over sometime tomorrow to tell you what I've found out." Lucca eyed Crono and Marle. His arm was still around her, and she was leaning alittle on his chest.

"I don't know if I should leave you two alone without a chaperone…" she teased. Marle blushed and Crono mock glared at Lucca. The scientist chuckled.

"Try to keep to a minimum, you two. You don't want to wake the whole neighborhood!" she called out as she left the house. She chuckled again as the door banged closed, shutting off their voices of protest.

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"Where is my daughter?!" King Guardia demanded of Prince Joren. Joren growled under his breath at the interruption. He swiveled around in his desk chair, giving the King a charming smile.

"Princess Nadia is staying with a villager. Tomorrow we will go there and bring her back, safely and without harm." Joren's eyes were fixed on the king's, he fingered something in his pocket. The king stared at him.

"We…will….. bring…" he repeated softly. Then he blinked.

"But why should we wait? We must-" Joren cut him off sharply.

"we will NOT go now. You are tired. You want to sleep. Princess Nadia will surly come to her senses by tomorrow." Joren's fingers rubbed against the thing in is pocket, as he started intently into the King's eyes. Like before, all emotion left King Guardia's eyes. Then he yawned.

"I'm tired Joren. Tomorrow we will go get Nadia. I'm sure she'll be fine by then." Joren smiled.

"That is a fine idea your majesty. Until then"

"Until then" the King replied nodding. He shut the door on the way out. Joren growled again, sneering at that door. Then he winced as his chest sent him a slight spasm of pain. The healer had said that by tomorrow afternoon, he would be fine, but until then, he would still be in some pain. He stood up and went over to his bed, staggering alittle. It wasn't easy to control the King. Especially not in his condition. He had to though. If he didn't, his father would be displeased, and it was not a good thing to displease his father.

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Marle stood up, moving the sleeping cat onto the sofa.

"Come, on Crono, let's go outside" Marle urged. She grabbed his hand and pulled him up. Then forgot to let go as they walked outside onto the back porch. The sun was going to set soon, causing the sky to have a pinkish hue. Thunder ambled over to them, nudging Marle's hand. Marle obliged by scratching Thunder's forehead. Crono was busy thinking about her other hand, clasped in his. He knew that if he kept thinking about it, he would start to blush. So instead, he gazed at Marle and Thunder. Suddenly he had an idea.

"Hey Marle, I want to show you something" he said, breaking the silence. Marle turned to him.

"What is it?" she asked. Crono smiled.

"It's farther down, by the beach" he told her. Marle's face fell.

"It would take us like, an hour to get to the beach." She told him. Crono grinned.

"Not on horse back" Marle's face lit up, them she looked at Thunder skeptically.

"Do you think he could carry both of us?" Thunder, as if he was following the conversation, stomped the ground and nodded his head. Then he turned side ways, presenting his back. Crono and Marle looked at Thunder, then at each other surprise.

"I guess he thinks so" Crono said, amusement in his voice. Marle nodded. Crono leaped up onto Thunders bare back, then reached down his hand to Marle.

"Come on" Marle slipped her hand in his, and Crono pulled her up behind him. Then Thunder set off on an easy canter.

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Crono directed Thunder passed the beach, into a grove of trees. There, they went into so many twists and turns that Marle was sure that they were lost. Then suddenly Thunder stopped. Marle could here running water. Marle looked at Crono curiously as he jumped off Thunder.

"Crono, where-" she stared to say, then gasped as Crono pulled back some branches. In front of her was a lake, about the size of a large swimming pool, with a little waterfall running into it. The place was nestled between the trees and a small cliff. The water from the lake ran off the side onto another ledge about five feet down. The cliff was at just the right angle to see the setting sun, casting a glow on the little haven.

"Crono, this place, it's so…" Marle groped for words at how wonderful the place was. Crono smiled. Then his smiled faded.

"I found it when I was seven……The day after my father left" Marle looked up at him, startled. Crono had never mentioned his father before. Lucca had told her that he had left along time ago, and to never bring the subject up. Crono stared out, seemingly watching the sunset, but his eyes were a million miles away.

"The night before, I could here my parents shouting, my mom was crying, from anger and sadness, my dad was yelling, but just out f anger. This wasn't the first time they had done this, but it never gone on this long into the night. Nor had my mother ever cried. The next day I woke up and my Father was gone, didn't say a word of goodbye to me, just left sometime in the night. My mother I found on her bed. There were bruises on her face, and scratches on her arms." Crono took a deep ragged breath. These memories where still so very painful to him. He never looked at Marle.

"I ran. My mother tried to get me to come back, but she was too weak. So I ran. I wanted to get away, wanted to run and never come back. My eyes, they were blurred with tears so I had no idea which way I was going. I just kept running. When I finally looked up I was…here" He looked around at the surroundings.

"I stayed here the whole day. I wanted to cry my heart out, but I didn't want to be weak. That's what my Father always said. Tears make you weak, and don't be weak." Why am I telling her this? Crono thought to himself. He knew that he had to go on though. So taking another deep breath continued.

"I wouldn't be weak. I'd be strong, so I could protect my mother, and myself. I made a vow that day sitting here, watching the sunset. I would be strong, but I would protect! Not hurt. I would not be like my father" Crono was afraid to look at her now. Afraid what he might see in her eyes.

"Oh Crono…" Marle whispered, tears in her eyes as she thought of the pain he must have gone through. She took his hands, pulling him to her, then wrapping her arms around him in a hug. First Crono was surprised, then he put his arms around her waist, holding her close to him.

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Crono and Marle sat together on the sand watching the sun go down. Thunder was taking a drink from the pool. It created an oddly peaceful scene. Almost like one you would see in a painting. Crono smiled as he watched the sunset.

"You know, you're the first person I've ever brought here" Crono told Marle, looking at her with an almost dreamy expression on his face. Marle looked at him in happy surprise.

"Really Crono? I'm honored that you would share such a precious place with me" she scooted a little closer to him. Crono didn't notice, he was to busy thinking about what he wanted to say next.

"Marle I…..there was specific reason for bringing you here…" he said stuttering a little. This is it! Don't blow it, he silently prayed to himself.

"What was that Crono?" Marle asked softly, her blue eyes going soft and wide as she stared at him. The dim light was reflecting off her hair, giving it a little halo and making her look like an angel.

"Marle…I…ever since I first met you I…" Darn it! He was stuttering again! Marle smiled up at him and took his hand, silently encouraging him to continue.

"Well, uh…what I mean to say is…." Dang it Crono just say it! He urged himself.

"I…….I love you!" There, now that it was said, all that he had to do now was wait for her reaction, and pray it was the one he hoped for……

Marle's breath caught short as she realized what Crono said to her. He loved her. Not like her father claimed to love her, then betrayed her, and not like how that nasty Prince Joren wanted. Love of the flesh, not the heart. But did she love him back? Marle stared at the man who had just confessed his love to her. How he sat straight and proud, prepared for…what? Her rejection? Her eyes searched his.

"You love me?" she asked him, she had to make sure she heard right. Had to make sure he meant it.

"Yes" he said to her, meeting her eyes. There was no hesitation to his voice, but there was a tone of worry. He braced himself for the worst. Then a force hit him, knocking him back, and clinging to him. Soft warm lips locked onto his, and smooth light hands tangled in his hair and touched his cheek. Crono's arms came up to wrap around his princess's slender waist, holding her against to him. Marle slowly eased away, both gasping slightly for breath. Marle smiled at him.

"Good. Because I love you too" Crono's heart sung with joy at those words. His eyes alighting with love and happiness. His lips curved into a smile, then pressed against Marle's once more.

All this was watched in amusement by a black stallion, standing by the pool of water. He nickered softy, chuckling, and twitched his tail. Then went over to crop the grass. Thunder had a feeling they might be here awhile.

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Crono lay on his back, looking at the stars. One arm was behind his head, cushioning it. The other held a slender body against his. Her head rested on his chest and shoulder. Both watched the stars, happy dreamy smiles on their faces. Marle sighed in content as she turned to lay on her side, nuzzling Crono's chest. All thoughts about the events of the day were gone from her mind. There was only the two, of them, Thunder, and this wonderful place. Their place. Crono's hand gently rubbed her back, and Marle wrapped her arms around him as she fell asleep.

Crono had no idea how long he lay there. Staring at this beautiful princess. She was so beautiful, with her long blonde hair, tide in a ponytail to stay out of her way. Golden strands fell out of their place, to curl around her face, giving her a innocent angelic look. But it wasn't just her physical beauty he loved about her, but her inner beauty as well. She was kind and gentle, but with a stubborn streak that could burn swiftly and fiercely inside her. He chuckled slightly as he wondered how some one who looked so innocent, could have such a fire burn in her. He was smart and brave, he could count on her no matter what the situation. She had a great sense of humor, and could see the good in all living things. He sighed as he gently touched her face, staring at her until at last he fell asleep.

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Crono awoke to a small gust of warm air that smelled distinctly of grass and hay. He opened his eyes and all he could see was a great black snout.

"Thunder, move" he said to the horse, pushing the nose away. Then he was startled to see the first light of pre-dawn appearing over the horizon.

"Damn. I didn't mean to fall asleep." He muttered to himself. He felt something stirring on his chest and look down to see Marle murmur in her sleep. He smiled at her, then turned to Thunder.

"We got to get home fella. Think we can manage without waking her up?" Thunder snorted then bowed down on his front legs, to make it easier for him to mount. Crono blinked at him.

"You know, I get the feeling your more than just a regular horse" he whispered to Thunder as he carefully picked up Marle. Then he stepped onto the bent horse's back, settling Marle in front of him so that she leaned back onto his chest. Thunder carefully stood up, then went into the easiest, smoothest canter he could. Keeping the pace all the home.

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Marle awoke to the sound of birds chirping outside her window. She yawned, sitting up on her bed. Then she blinked. Bed? Marle looked around her and saw that she was in Crono's guestroom, not at their little haven. Marle came close to tears. It was all a dream. A wonderful, wonderful, dream. Crono hadn't confessed his love and they hadn't slept together beneath the stars. These thoughts were enough to make her break down in despair, when she saw her door open.

"Your awake!" Crono called happily. Crono had that, just arisen out of bed, look. His hair was a bit tousled, he still had that slightly sleepy look, and, Marle noticed in slight embarrassment, he didn't have a shirt on, since he didn't sleep in one. Crono walked over to Marle, bent down, and gave her a good morning kiss. First Marle was surprised, then she wrapped her arms around Crono's neck and kissed him back. When the came up or air, Marle almost shouted in joy.

"It wasn't a dream!" she whispered, her heart beating against her chest. Crono reached out and stroked her hair.

"Oh course not, love." He said kissing her forehead. Marle blushed when he called her "love", but she liked it.

"How did we get here?" Marle asked him, furrowing her brow in curiosity and puzzlement. Crono grinned.

"That big black horse of yours woke me up just before dawn. I picked you up and put you in front of me on his back. Then we rode home. After words, I brought you up here, and let Thunder into the shack out back so he could rest."

"I can't believe I didn't wake up" she said more to herself than to Crono. Crono smiled and leaned his forehead against hers.

"You had a very tiring day:" he told her before kissing her again. Then he reluctantly eased away.

"You go ahead and get freshened up. By the time you're done, I'll have breakfast ready. " he winked at her, then left the room, gently shutting the door behind him.

Marle sighed as she fell back onto the bed, her arms spread wide, and a happy grin on her face. It wasn't a dream! It was all real. All blessedly real.









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