Steel gray eyes sparkled in the waning light of the afternoon sun. The man sat tall in the saddle, his chestnut mare snorting with arrogant impatience. With muscles tensed in nervous anticipation, the rider recognized the horse's desire to act. It mirrored his own restlessness.

He considered how many lonely nights he'd lay in one bed or another, thinking-no, wishing-for something he feared never having. Staring down the path, he waited with a small smile, knowing that soon he would regain one of things he had been so selfishly robbed of.

He watched as the carriage rolled down the narrow lane toward him.

The dull brown vehicle rattled over the ruts, tipping back and forth as it moved. He counted two riders outside the coach. The driver and one other.

He knew what he had to do and he looked forward to it. It might not be the most proper thing to do, but it was right. He knew that deep inside him. Didn't he? He tried to ignore the doubts insinuating themselves into his mind. He would not even consider the fact that things might have changed.

For seven torturous years, he'd dreamed of her golden hair and her sparkling blue eyes. He remembered the first time he'd looked into her eyes. Endless pools of the purest blue he'd ever seen. His heart raced even now, as he remembered the soft glow of her cheeks when she laughed.

He had been a mere boy, but the love and desire had been there, even then. He'd known from the first, that someday he would have her.

Then her father had taken her away. He'd grieved for so long, knowing his life was over, certain no pain could ever be more intense.

It was not long after that when his mother died. The only two people he had ever loved, both taken away from him. One would be lost forever, but he held out hope for the other. He'd vowed that one day he would find her and then they would be married. He would have her for all of eternity.

As the carriage neared the clearing, he crossed himself, said a quick prayer, and set his plan in motion.

Dust flew up around him as his horse took off at a slow gallop. If all went well he would soon be with the one who had filled his dreams for so many years. His reason for living.