That night, I kept tossing and turning in my bed. How was I supposed to sleep? Thoughts of the next day danced in my head; but if I thought the sleepless night was awful, the next day was unbearable. I ate little, and worked even less. I swear I must have asked for the time every ten minutes. Finally, six thirty rolled around and I couldn't take the lingering any longer. I nearly ran, with the limitations of my ankle, to my room, and prepared myself. When I picked out my best dress, I barely could pull it over my body because of my constant shaking. Rushing to a window, looking out and calculating the time, I noticed something peculiar about the moon; its normal coloring of grayish white was tinted a mysterious orange this night. Shrugging it away and abandoning my cane, I calmed and composed myself. Swiftly but confidently I made for the fountain outside the Main Hall in the garden. As I approached the Main Hall and twin double doors at the other side of it, I slowed my speed to a hesitant stride. Those doors would lead me to him, to William. Was I brave and courageous enough to pass them? With this new thought, I began to stare at them, and with a grin beginning to etch on the side of my mouth, I fastened my pace. My hand quavered as I grasped the cold metal of the doorknob and gave a minute push. The air was warm and I heard the familiar sound of rushing water. Seeking out the direction of its noise, a sense of anxiety fell over me as I searched. Finding it to my left, I also found William leaning against its edge, his back facing me. He must not have heard me come outside, because he showed no signs of coherency. My footsteps were soft and slow as his form in the moonlight became larger with every gait. This scene reminded me of the day when I first met him back in Swiithe, near a fountain such as this. With these thoughts still in my mind, my approach came to an end.

"William?" my voice was soft almost to the sound of a whisper.

He spun around, almost as if he was startled.

"Maria! I'm so glad you could make it! You...you look lovely." The tone in his voice hinted at his anxiety as well. "I must have been in my own world when you arrived so I guess I did not hear you, my apologies." His glance aimed straight into the ground. He looked at me and a smirk began to make its way across his facade.

"Are you ready?"

I nodded and he gave a sharp whistle. I didn't understand until I saw a black horse trotting over to him, its mane shining in the ginger glow of the moon. I gave a questioning look towards William, but he just smiled at me, not giving anything away.

With a strong lift, he raised me onto his horse, and then himself likewise. A quick kick and we were off to an unknown destination. The wind was deafening as it rushed past my ears. I had wanted to ask William more questions, but the noise prevented anything further. After twenty minutes of riding we slowed in the middle of a field with nothing but grass and sky. William helped me down, but all I could do was look up at the moon, which had now risen to its peak and was now fading. Blindly, I gave William my hand as I stared up at the firmament.

"An eclipse! William, this is dazzling, thank you!" I turned to face him but he was already beside me, flaxen hair blowing into his face.

"I figured you would like it...." His voice trailed off as he stared into the moon. "Here, why don't you sit down, it appears you forgot your walking stick."

"Oh yes," I stated while seating myself upon the earth. "I really didn't need it anymore, or want it. Besides it's a burden to keep and carry around, and I just assume burn it rather than bring it here." My attitude declared defiantly while I met William's stare.

William, already sitting beside me, equaled my gaze for a time, and then he started to laugh. I found nothing funny about my comment, but hearing his heart-filled chuckle made me laugh as well. As we finished, we looked up towards the heavens at the half-crescent. Its mysterious light caught a sparkle off William's eye and it captured my attention. As I glanced in his direction, I could see the illumination dancing off his light hair and skin making them glow in equal proportions. The wind swayed the grass and the stars shone with such splendor that this night couldn't be spoiled by anything....or anyone.

We sat there, our conversations drifting and trailing away. With every word William spoke, I listened more intently. Eventually I drifted into a trance with nothing but the ever-diminishing moon and William to channel me. Then the one conversation I shall never forget broke me free from it.

"Maria.....?" William whispered; his voice hesitant.

I looked over at him, ready to listen to anything he had to say.

"I brought you here tonight because I must tell you something...something imperative."

He guessed by my look that I didn't understand.

"Maria I......" his voice faltered as he looked up and stared deep into the sliver visage of moon. "I want to share something with you, but if I do, you must never tell another soul as long as we both remain alive."

"I will, but....what.."

The power of his look left me speechless.

As he began to speak, he turned his watch back to the retreating falcate.

"Long ago, when the war was young, the queen, having given birth to a son, became terrified of the approaching enemy. Her fear was that ever advancing armies would soon take hold of her kingdom, and kill any heir to the throne. With this fear, she acted, and quickly. The queen sent the baby away to a small village where he was out of sight and well hidden. The boy grew up, quite content and with a different name so as to draw no attention to himself and the mystery of his arrival. After nine years, the enemy has been beaten back, and it is time for the young heir to regain his lost time. His family from the village faked his death so as to bury the past, for he will be their future. He doesn't understand this as he is being led away in the night and a man he has never met pours blood on and stabs a knife through his pillow. Until he meets his mother and she provides an explanation will he fully comprehend his situation. The boy learns to accept his fate after years of exertion and will leave soon; for the war has taken a dire turn and he must be there to fight. But one thing still lingers on in his mind even up to this day....."

The silvery moon disappears completely, leaving William's face lighted with only the luminosity of the stars.

Tears well from within my eyes as I began to understand the realization of the words being spoken. "What....?"

His whisper was the last piece to the puzzle being unraveled.

".....What ever became of Maria?"

With wavering hands, I reached out and I stroked William's cheek, I had to be sure this was real, that this wasn't some hoax or a crazy dream I made up to cope with years of unmeasured pain. After feeling the soft curves in his face and seeing his turquise eyes with the aide of the fleeting luster, I came to comprehend him, and relief and ecstasy overwhelmed my thoughts. I answered with a gentle whisper,

"She's right beside you....."

The moon's radiance began to reappear, and I caught his eyes once more, realizing their true possessor. In a hushed tone I finished my sentence,

"......James..."

He took my hand from his face and tenderly kissed it. Our other hands met and our fingers intertwined. Gently, we held each other there underneath the eclipse for what seemed like eternities that became lost with age, as if to let go of each other would mean a lifetime a loss which we had already been through. After several minutes, William reclined back from our enfold, ran his fingers through my hair, and tenderly placed his lips with mine. The embrace coursed through my being and my limbs became weak, William was there to hold on to me, even though we were sitting. The kiss didn't last nearly as long as our hold, but what did it matter? I had finally found James...

We laid next to each other there in the field, watching the ending of the eclipse and holding each other; never once separating. Eventually, I drifted away to sleep in William's arms underneath the enchanted sky.

Finally, after nine years, my soul was once again at peace.