Marian's Journey Home: A Special Thanks to Elaine and Sylvia

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DISCLAIMER: This is a mushy love story. The story is my first draft, so please excuse typos and errors. This is my first photo story and I am not the best photographer and there is no possible way it can compete with the wonderful stories I’ve seen posted from you. Once you get past that, I hope you enjoy it anyway.

This story is dedicated to Elaine and Sylvia, without whom this story would have ended before it begun. On with the tale!



Long, long ago……

Two young children ran into the woods on a sunny afternoon and shared an innocent first kiss and their first taste of true love.

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Suddenly, they could hear the sounds of horse hooves pounding the earth and the sound of swords clinking together. Soldiers were coming.

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The boy took the girl’s hand and led her to a safe place. They watched in fearful fascination as the strange soldiers walked past them, unaware of the children’s presence. Little did the children know that this would be the last time they would see each other. No good-byes were ever exchanged.

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Marian awoke in a panic, the dream that’s haunted her for years fresh in her memory. Once again sleep has eluded her.

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Twelve years ago a mysterious army, rumored to possess dark magic, kidnapped the royal family and took control of the kingdom. Being a cousin of the royal family, Marian and her family fled from the evil force, crossing oceans in order to seek safety.

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Marian went onto the balcony to breathe the crisp night air. As the cool breeze brushed against her cheeks, she could almost hear something stirring deep within her, calling to her. “Marian”. She closed her eyes. Yes. It was time for her to return home.

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One year later…..

After nearly a year of crossing oceans and traversing exotic lands, Marian found herself in the very forest where she left her heart behind so many years ago. This felt right. This was her home.

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Without warning the horses began whinnying and nervously eyeing the trees. They sensed danger. The horseman nervously slowed the wagon when out of nowhere five men attacked.

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Even though the horseman surrendered immediately, Marian wouldn’t give up without a fight. She’s been through too much to make it home just to have her life ended by a band of thieves. She took out her dagger and fought the men with every ounce of her strength.
   

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From the shadows a sixth thief lept behind Marian and brought his sword to her throat. Marian’s heart thundered in her chest and she struggled to gasp for breath.