Maul walked towards the fire, and stood before his enemy. Before he could speak, his legs gave out beneath him, and he collapsed to the ground.

"I am... tired," Maul said weakly. "In need of rest."

"Stay here for the night, until you regain your strength," Obi-Wan said, holding out a pan of food. "Sit with me, and eat."

Maul stumbled over to a log that lay near the fire, and sat down, hesitately accepting the food that his enemy offered him.

He took a bite; it was delicious.

"Now then," Obi-Wan said calmly, "What brings you here?"

Maul set down his food and sighed. "I... wanted to kill you."

The former Jedi nodded. Yes, he had presumed that to be the case. "You must have been searching for some time, then. I know you can be persistent when wanting to accomplish a particular goal."

Maul stared into the fire, watching the flames lick the dry desert air. "As is the most notable trait of a Sith."

Obi-Wan took Maul's empty pan and put another piece of meat onto it, offering it to the Zabrak. "That choice was not your own. If you had possessed the ability to choose, I doubt you would have wanted to embrace a life of suffering and pain."

Maul took the pan of food from his former enemy. A peace offering, he realized. "I have hurt for so long," He looked up at the human. "What will quell this pain?"

Obi-Wan chewed thoughtfully on his food. "You must let go of your hate. It will be the death of you. Only through forgiveness, will you truly find peace."

Maul growled. "What good will that be now? Only the WEAK forgive! I have endured too much. I can never be at peace when my Master is still alive. He is the reason for my suffering!"

Obi-Wan leaned forward slightly, putting a hand on the former Sith Lord's shoulder. "It is the only way. If you don't learn to let go, you will never be free."

Maul stared at the Jedi's hand on his shoulder, the consoling gesture filling him with all sorts of emotions. He shoved them down until he couldn't feel them anymore, then returned his attention to his food.

"Your injuries were the result of your own actions, but if it helps you," Obi-Wan said softly, "I am sorry that I contributed to your suffering. The loss of your legs was only the beginning of your torment, after all, and I will accept partial responsibility for it."

Maul snarled, standing up. His mind filled with rage. "Your apology means nothing to me, Jedi!" He yelled. "I COULD HAVE BEEN SO MUCH MORE THAN AN OUTCAST!" He ranted, throwing his dish aside. The meal hit the sand with a dull thump. "I was destined to be a true Sith, and you took that from me!"

Obi-Wan sighed, eyes flicking to the discarded food, then back to Maul. "Perhaps the Force had other plans for you," he mused. "Palpatine was only using you to suit his own wants, you know."

"My Master is powerful, he truly thought that I could be useful to him!" The Zabrak continued. "I could have been his successor! Now I am nothing!"

"The Dark Side is well known for clouding judgement," Obi-Wan mused aloud, partly to himself. "It is a good thing that you realize the effects of such power. It corrupts and destroys the person."

Maul felt the rage explode within him again, and he let it consume him. He ignited his weapon, the red blade humming dangerously as he slashed at his adversary. He missed his intended target by several inches, the exaustion sapping his will to fight.

The rage persisted for a few moments longer, lingering, but it dissapated just as quickly, seeming to take with it all of Maul's remaining energy, and making him even more exausted than he had been upon arrival.

"I have FAILED," he said, his lightsaber dropping to the sand beside him as it was turned off, his voice cracking with unwanted emotion. "I have lost EVERYTHING, betrayed by the only one who raised me."

Obi-Wan observed quietly. "There is always an opportunity for redemption," he said. "But it will be a long and difficult road, especially for someone of your upbringing."

Maul collapsed back onto the makeshift seat, the dry log uncomfortable and rough. "It is impossible," he said. "My Master's voice still haunts me! He is too powerful."

"Anyone can become a better person, if they possess the desire for change." The former Jedi said, sitting down next to Maul.

"It is too late for me," Maul said, his voice betraying his desperation and sadness, and beneath that, his fear.

"I cannot be forgiven, I cannot change! I was not taught those things."

"They are things you learn," Obi-Wan said, scooping up handfuls of sand and tossing them into the fire to put it out. "But it is entirely your decision to seek redemption. If you continue down your current path, you will only experience more pain, and heartache."

The fire died out, the last of the flames being snuffed out as Obi-Wan threw in a final scoop of sand.

He saw the discarded lightsaber on the ground and picked it up, turning to Maul and offering it to him. "You are welcome to stay the night if you wish, and continue on your journey tomorrow morning."

Maul stared at his former enemy, weighing his options. After a few moments of consideration, he took back his weapon and clipped it to his belt, taking the Jedi's outstretched hand.

"I am afraid that my home was not prepared to have guests," Obi-Wan said as Maul got to his feet, "but I can try to make the proper accomodations for you." He turned away and began walking. "Follow me, please."

They headed towards the hut, Maul brooding over his future.