The tears began falling, slowly streaming down her face. They found their way down her cheek and to her chin, where they waited for a moment before falling off. Pain, there was so much pain in her heart. So much, that it became unbearable. Her body became numb, and all she could feel was the pain. She sat there hoping it would go away and soon, but it didn’t. She muffled her crying, hoping no one would her hear. Her fiery red hair fell onto the table where she rested her head. Dermott sat perched nearby her. She looked at him and knew she had failed him. Somehow that wretched Rumina had managed to survive. Yet the cave was obliterated, she had somehow managed to survive. And even in her weakened condition she was still able to keep her hold over Dermott. She had tracked Rumina down every since she had cast her evil spell upon her brother. She had many encounters with Rumina and every time she had not taken the opportunity to kill her, to free her brother from his prison, but didn't because of Sinbad and the crew. Why was she getting so attached to him? Yes he was her friend, but why did he have such a hold over her? She knew as long as she was with Sinbad, she would never be able to kill Rumina, because she would put their lives in danger, forcing her to choose again between Sinbad and her brother. Her heart and will winched.

“I have failed you Dermott” Maeve managed to sob out

*You have not sister, do not lose all hope* Dermott replied

She reached out to pet his soft feathers and her eyes began to swell up with tears again.

The door to her room quietly opened and Dermott flew out. Maeve looked up and saw that it was Sinbad peering in to check on her.

“Are you ok Maeve?” Sinbad asked

“I’m fine Sinbad” Maeve said as she looked away

“Are you sure? You’ve been locked up in your room for days now. Ever since we left the Isle of Tears you’ve been acting like this”

“I’m fine, really”

Sinbad not believing her, quietly closed the door and walked closer to her. He put his hand on her should to comfort her.

“I’m fine Sinbad, really”

He bent down and looked at her red eyes through her red hair.

“You don’t look it”

“I’ve failed”

“Failed? At what?”

“At everything Sinbad, everything”

“Don’t be so hard on yourself Maeve, you haven’t failed.”

“Stop it!!” she screamed out, as she got up, “I have failed, and because of this Derm-” Maeve stopped herself before she told Sinbad his secret

“Dermott?” Sinbad added

Maeve gazed into his deep sea blue eyes, and suddenly found herself lost in them. Her life quest was to kill Rumina, and she had no time for anything but that. Though she wanted to be with Sinbad, she knew that she never would be able to. Her eyes began to swell with tears again, except this time she couldn’t hold them back, not from him. Sinbad looked at her with so much pain, he could feel it himself. He took her into his arms and held her.

“It’ll be alright Maeve” he whispered into her ear

Maeve, who couldn’t stop crying, held onto Sinbad as her body went limp. The numbness had set in, and she was weak in his arms.

“Make it stop” Maeve cried

“Make what stop?” Sinbad asked

“Make it all stop”

“What?”

“The pain, it’s all I can feel, it’s eating me inside. I can’t feel anything but the pain.”

“Maeve…” Sinbad hugged her and held her closer to him.

She held onto him tightly. Her cheek brushed up against his as she lifted her head off his shoulder. And then at that moment, they looked into each other’s eyes and all time stopped. Neither one said a single word. Sinbad leaned in and kissed Maeve, first gently, then more and more passionately. The two fell onto the bed, and the numbness had left Maeve’s body. Sinbad kissed her neck and Maeve felt the pain slowly leave her. That night, her body was Sinbad’s. It was his. And he loved her. His hands caressed her soft skin, as his mouth kissed her aching body. He was so gentle to her, so kind, and loving. Maeve soon forgot all the pain she felt. All she could feel was the warmth of Sinbad’s love surround her. He protected her, cared for her and most of all loved her.

The night was almost over and the two fell asleep in each other’s arms. The sun rose above the horizon, and Maeve woke up first. She opened her eyes and saw Sinbad lying next to her. She sat up and realized what had happened. She got up quietly and quickly and put her clothes back on. She wouldn’t be able to face Sinbad after this. She didn’t want his pity, and after what happened last night, she didn’t want to be one of his conquests. Either way she didn’t know what to do or how to react so she quietly slipped out.

A few hours later, Sinbad finally awoke. He turned over to hug Maeve, only to discover that she was gone. He got up and saw that her clothes were gone as well. He got up and changed into his clothes and went up on deck to find Maeve.

Maeve was standing on the side of the ship, throwing fireballs into the sea. Her aim was still bad, but they made it into the water. Dermott was sitting nearby watching. Sinbad walked over to her.

“Good morning” Sinbad said

“Morning” Maeve said without turning her head.

“Practicing?” Sinbad said in a friendly mood

“You could say so” coldly

“Maeve, I-”Sinbad

“Don’t!” Maeve said as she walked off

Sinbad stood there, not understanding why she was acting like this. Could it be because of what happened last night? He didn’t say anything to her. He didn’t even tell her he loved her. Could this be why she’s mad? Sinbad knew that he had somehow angered Maeve, and he was going to fix it. He walked over to her. But she walked off again down below.

“Look out!” Firouz yelled

Paint went flying at Sinbad, and covered him from head to toe.

“Sorry about that” Firouz said

“What is this?” Sinbad said

“It’s paint, I thought I could use it in my invention. I guess not”

“Well I’ll go get cleaned up then”

“You know you should shave”

“Already?” he touched his chin and cheek

Sinbad went down the stairs and into his room, where he changed into some new clothes. He opened his trunk and found a black pair of leather pants and a white short sleeved shirt.

“It’s the only thing that’s dry!” he said as he put them on.

Sinbad had tried to find Maeve that morning to try to talk to her about what happened the night before. But she managed to elude him and there were so many things he had to do as captain. He just didn’t have one free moment. I have to tell Maeve, that I love her and that last night was not a mistake. I have to tell her that I care about her. I have to tell her. Sinbad finally managed to get a free moment and walked over to Maeve. She was slightly drained, she had been throwing her fireballs all morning. Dermott flew up to the crow’s nest and watched from above. Sinbad walked over to her and was about to touch her on her shoulder when, someone yelled out, “Storm’s coming!”

Sinbad and Maeve looked at the storm that was headed their way and then at each other. Their eyes locked.

“We need to talk, but later” Sinbad said as he walked to take the tiller

The storm was strong, the rain beating down on the Nomad and the winds were starting to rip the sails.

“Keep those lines secure!” Sinbad yelled

The crew tried to lower the sails, but the winds and crashing water made it very hard. But finally they managed to lower them. Maeve tied the last rope, and held onto the other ropes when a huge wave came over the ship. She lost her grip and fell in.

“Sinbad!” she cried out

Sinbad ran over to where Maeve was holding on, and looked to see where she was. She was no where.

“Sinbad! No!” Doubar yelled

Sinbad didn’t look back to see who was yelling, and jumped into the dark waters to save Maeve. He swam around and looked for her. She was nowhere. No! She must be here. She must. He saw a hand, sinking into the water.

“Maeve!” he yelled, as he tried to swim to her.

The waters and fierce wind blew against him, and he saw her being swallowed by the darkness. He dove deep into the water to find her. He saw her, he swam to her and held her. They were sinking, deeper into the water. Sinbad didn’t care, as long as they were together, it didn’t matter. Once we’re together I can tell you, I can tell you that I love you, that I care….

Sinbad awoke washed up on shore on an island. He opened his eyes and saw a figure standing over him. The sun was in his eyes, and the figure was female. This much he could see.

“Maeve?” Sinbad asked

He saw what appeared to be Maeve. At least he thought it was Maeve. The figure stood into the sunlight.

“Name’s Bryn. We’d better get going” she said

“Sinbad, Sinbad, are you there?” Doubar asked, pulling him out of his dream like trance

“Yeah, what is it Doubar?” Sinbad said as he gazed out at the sea

“You’ve been acting strange these few days”

“I have?” Sinbad leaned on the side of the ship and looked out at the ocean

“Is there something wrong?”

“No, just remembering something.”

“Oh alright, don’t let your trip down memory lane interfere with your duties” Doubar said as he walked off.

Sinbad laughed a little to himself and then looked out again at the sea. So calm and peaceful, yet full of rage like him. He reached into a pouch, and pulled out sea lavender he had picked from the last island they were at. He held it in his hands and remembered when Maeve was carried off by the Norsemen and laughed a bit. But then he remembered when Maeve kissed Eyolf on the cheek. He smelled the sea lavender and looked out at the sea.

“I will find you Maeve. This I promise.” Sinbad said as he dropped the sea lavender into the water and watched it float away.

“I’ll find you again Maeve”

Til Next Time!