Title: The Amulet
Author: somi83
Pairing: Maeve/Sinbad
Rating: R (for some sexual content)
Summary: A magical amulet brings Sinbad and Maeve together again. But is it a blessing or a curse?
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The night was peaceful and calm. Maeve sat at her window sill gazing at the stars. It was the five year anniversary of the day she had come to Aeorilla, the island she now called home. She remembers the day she washed up on its shores clearly, as if it was just yesterday. She recalled the storm and how she had barely escaped the fury of the waves and the invisible hands that tried to drag her under. She had almost lost the battle, as the waves crashed into her and rain poured furiously, she had almost given up hope of rescue. It was dark and her cries for help went unheard. She began to feel weak, tired from trying to stay afloat amongst the chaos of the ocean. Slowly, she began to sink. Inch by inch, it became evident that the ocean would claim her life.
And then amongst the dark calm of the water surrounding her, a bright light appeared. And within the halo of angelical radiance, was a woman in white. She smiled and stretched out her hand. The woman was familiar but for some strange reason, Maeve could not recall who she was. But, Maeve did not fear her and she reached out and took the outstretched hand. All faded to black and when she awoke, she had washed up on the shores of the mystical island of Aeorilla. Home to a cornucopia of magical beings. Witches, Warlock, Faeries, Elves, Unicorns and all sorts of beings called this island their home
The whole of Aeorilla was protected by a mist that prevented non magical beings from entering the sacred realm. And on this island, she began to perfect her magic. She became a student to all those who would teach. She learned about potions and conjuring from the best witch on the island. A faery princess taught her to be one with nature. She leaned to control her anger, well; she learned to control it somewhat. She was still known to have a fiery outburst or two. During the past five years, she went from being a simple apprentice of magic to a full blown master of the arts. Many were astonished by the rate in which she had come to master magic. However, very few knew the driving force behind her search for knowledge in all that was magic.
Like the previous years, this day became one of reflection and remembrance; a day in which Maeve would spend recalling all the family and friends she had left behind. With a magical mirror, Maeve was able to see whomever she wished. The mirror had been given to her by Aeodrianna, a wood elf and her new best friend. This gift allowed her to be close to her loved ones even though she was separated from them by a great distance.
When she had first received the gift, she would watch the crew of the Nomad to make sure that they were all safe. Every night, she would ask the mirror to show her the ship and its crew as they went about their lives. She watched as Dermott, her brother, soared in the bluest of skies. She watched as Firouz and Doubar laughed jovially at each others jokes and as Rongar silently sharpened his daggers. As the months passed, she watched as the man she once loved change into someone she didn't even recognize and as a new crew member come aboard and slowly took her place.
Brynn came and took her place as the ship's sorceress and as Dermott's guardian. Although she hated to admit it, Maeve released that in her absence the crew needed Brynn. She could protected and assist the crew in magical situations and she provided Dermott with the companionship he needed. However, Brynn had also replaced her in Sinbad heart. Whatever affection Sinbad may have felt for her quickly diminished with the appearance of Brynn. Maeve wanted to hate her, but how could she? Brynn made Sinbad happy and she gave him the love that he desperately needed, the love that was constantly being taken away from him.
Maeve's happiness for Sinbad did not completely relieve the hurt she had felt when she watched Sinbad's admittance of love for Brynn. She remembers that day clearly. She recalled their confessions of love and passionate kiss. She cried that night; cried over her broken heart and lost love.
Afterward, Maeve stopped watching Sinbad. Although her heart ached for just a glimpse of him, she couldn't bare to see Sinbad and Brynn together and happy in love. Eventually, she stopped using the mirror altogether because Sinbad would make sudden appearances when she was watching other crew members. She returned the gift to Aeodrianna and tried her hardest to forget Sinbad. However, on days like this, the mirror would somehow appear on the table in her cabin, and Maeve couldn't help but use for instantaneous glimpses of her friends.
A knock on the door jarred her from her reminiscent thoughts.
"Who is it?" Maeve called out to the person behind the door. She was quite surprised that she was getting a visitor because on this day, everyone on the island left her alone.
"It is I, your dearest of friends" replied Aeodrianna, "I know you like to be alone, but I found something and I wanted to give it to you"
Curiosity prompted Maeve to get up from her seat and go open the door for Aeodrianna. This had to be very important or else she would not have come. As Maeve ushered her friends inside the house, she took a moment to reflect on their friendship. Aeodrianna was the first person she saw when she has woken up on the island. Maeve had never seen a creature more regal, with long ebony hair adorned with a crown of leaves and flowers and eyes greener than any color known to man. She was a happy creature, whose mirth was contagious to everyone in her company. This happy disposition made Aeodrianna very easy to like and they had been instant friends.
"So, my dearest of friends", Maeve began in a mocking tone, "what is so important that it brings you here this time of night?"
Aeodrianna sat down before answering Maeve. She turned and looked at her friends. In the five years of acquaintance with Maeve, she has come to know and understand her like no other. She knew that Maeve loved Sinbad desperately. Four years ago, when Maeve told her that she no longer cared about returning to the Nomad because the crew no longer cared for her and because Sinbad had no need for her, Aeodrianna knew she had to do whatever possible to reunite Maeve with the men she loved. In her attempts, she discovered a tool that would do just that and this discovery is what brought her here tonight.
"I don't know where to begin" Aeodrianna replied
"Why don't you start from the beginning?" Maeve said in an encouraging tone
"Very well, Maeve." Aeodrianna begin, "I'm about to tell you something, something that your probably not going to want to hear, but as you dear friends, I feel that it is something that needs to be said. Now, before I continue, I want you to promise that you will listen to what I have to say. You will not interrupt me, you cannot ask any question. Is that clear?"
Aeodrianna watched as Maeve reluctantly nodded her head in agreement. Aeodrianna paused a second and then got out of her chair. She removed a beautiful emerald amulet that was wrapped in some parchment and stood in front of Maeve. Aeodrianna, then, gently placed the amulet around Maeve neck and returned to her seat.
"The amulet that I have just given you is magical. It has been credited for reuniting lover separated by great distances. I've heard many tales of the loves it has brought together. I've been searching for this amulet since the day you told me about you love for Sinbad. I know you have convinced yourself that you no longer love him because Sinbad is with Brynn but I know you. And I know that you never stopped loving him and the love you feel has just gotten stronger over the years. All is not lost, my friend. There is still a chance for you and Sinbad."
Maeve touched the amulet around her neck. She'd heard of its power; the Amulet of Raeowyn could reunite lover, but for only one night. This was a gift she did not want and she told Aeodrianna of such, "I do not wish nor did I ask you to give me this. Sinbad does not want me. He is in love with Brynn. He chose HER and I will respect that."
With those words, Maeve proceeded to remove the amulet. Aeodrianna grabbed her hand, stopped her and said furiously, "Four years ago, you stopped using the mirror I gave you because you saw something you did not like. However, if you had continued to use the mirror, you would have seen something that would have changed everything. I would not have searched for the Amulet of Raeowyn, if I didn't believe that you and Sinbad belong together."
Maeve ignored Aeodrianna's words and continued to tug fiercely on amulet, trying to remove it from her neck. "Why won't it come off? I DON'T WANT IT" she yelled.
Aeodrianna took a step back and look at her friend. "Maeve" she said calmly "the amulet will not come off until it has completed it purpose; reuniting you and Sinbad. And if there was no hope, it would not remain on your neck. You know this! Why do you fight it?"
Maeve turned her head, refusing to look at her friend. She did not want this. Even if there was a glimmer of hope, even if there was a possibility that Sinbad still loved her, she did not want just one night. It would be torture, being reunited and then cruelly separated after mere hours together. Her heart almost didn't survive their previous separation, it would not survive another. She was better off without the amulet.
"Maeve, listen to me" Aeodrianna pleaded "I just have one request ... think of Sinbad, think about your love for him, think about the time you shared and rejoice, because there will be more wonderful moment shared with the man you love. Go to sleep and dream about Sinbad, dream about what you would do when you are reunited, dream about you future together and rejoice because they will no longer be just dream. Promise me, you will do as I have asked", with that Aeodrianna turned around and left.
Maeve watched silently as her friend closes the door behind her as she leaves. I'm sorry Aeodrianna but I can not ... I WILL NOT DREAM OF SINBAD. Maeve repeated that mantra in her mind as she prepared for bed. As she lay on her bed and the veils of slumber swept over her, she did something her heart has not allowed her to do in a long time, she dreamt about Sinbad.
TBC