Some things never change
Part 2
Disclaimer: Yes, they are mine, mine alone and I am the king of the world! *evil laughter* oops... I forgot to take my pills... so actually I don't own them (but I am the king of the world!) ... so don't sue me because I'm broke L !
Warning: Sheela no English, Sheela German, so many difficulties in grammar and vocabulary, blame teacher!
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Soon the crew sat assembled in the gallery, laughing and drinking. Maeve had been introduced to the rest of the men and was welcomed warmly, as they were used to sailing with a woman aboard, thanks to Bryn. Nobody of the men Maeve had been sailing with had remained – two years were a long time to stay aboard the ship of an adventurer and not many had the guts to test their luck too long in the company of Sindbad, for he seemed to attract trouble wherever he went.
Doubar had just finished the story about when they had discovered that Rongar was a prince, but the Moor had preferred to stay on the Nomad as a regular member of the crew – well as regular as you could be as part of Sindbad's crew.
Maeve gave him a warm smile. "I always knew there was more about you my friend." She said benevolently.
"Sindbad, I swear, if you keep staring at me like that much longer, your eyes are going to pop out!" Maeve addressed her captain impudently who sat across of her on the bench with his head supported by his hand. During the last 15 minutes he had done nothing but looking at Maeve with an musing expression on his face.
Now he snapped back to reality what caused some of the men to giggle.
"I'm sorry..." he mumbled. "It's just that I can't believe you're really back..."
"Believe it." Maeve advised. "Here, drink some more wine." With a short nod she let his goblet float into the air, dance towards the wine barrel and stop under the tap. Maeve gave another wave of her hand and the tap opened, filling the goblet with wine and then closed again. Slowly the goblet floated back and landed in front of Sindbad.
"Cheers!" The sorceress raised her goblet and took another sip.
"For one time that's a kind of magic that I really like!" Doubar laughed and emptied half of his wine with one swallow.
"Now that you heard most of our bigger adventures it's your turn Maeve." Firouz stated and most of the men nodded affirmative.
"He's right, Maeve." Sindbad said. "Now tell us, did Dim-Dim teach you all this? Are you a full sorceress now?"
"Yes... and also no..." Maeve began and received several wondering looks. "It's a little complicated. But I'll try to explain: Yes, I came to Master Dim-Dim and he taught me more of the art of white magic. I think I can say that I was quite gifted because soon I knew all Master Dim-Dim could teach me. That was about nine months after I had to leave you. But Master Dim-Dim and I, we both knew that my real potential was far higher than that. So Master Dim-Dim sent me to an old friend of his. She was very kind and taught me a lot about the world, the powers, myself and how to reach my full potential. Her name is Gaya and she is the leader of the Circle of Sisters. And so I became a... witch." Maeve saw the men jump in shock at her last words. Some of them made a surreptitious sign to ward off evil ghosts.
"What?!?" Sindbad shouted spitting out his wine. "Maeve... how could you? I always thought you hated Rumina and now... now you're becoming like her?!"
"NO! How can you say so? I would never... how dare you?" Maeve jumped up, she was really hurt by the insult. But she knew she should have expected it. She tried to calm down and then spoke again. "Let me explain, Sindbad. You are all falling for an old superstition and I can't really blame you. But listen, not all witches are evil – true, there are many who are, but it's the same with sorcerers and all other people. There are good ones and bad ones. But in contrast to sorcery, witchcraft isn't simply black or white. Its magic is grey and it's the person who uses it who decides, whether it is used for the good or the bad! And I won't be like Rumina! She is a black sorceress and I am a witch – there is a big difference! If you really think I'm like her, I think I better go now..."
"No!" Sindbad interrupted her quickly, still in shock. "No, don't leave again! I'm sorry Maeve! Please don't go! We... I didn't know what I was saying... I'm sorry! Don't go!" Because I love you, he finished in his mind. But he couldn't say it out loud even though the thought of loosing her again made him sick.
The men nodded hesitantly. Still they were a bit afraid: to have a real witch aboard had to mean bad luck!
"Fine. It isn't your fault that you reacted like that, I think. It must be a shock to hear this; but I can't change what I am!" Maeve said conciliatory.
They all fell silent for a while, until Firouz spoke again. "And what are your plans now, Maeve?"
"Well my friend, there is still my task of defeating Rumina, but I'm positive that it won't take long anymore..." Maeve responded with a glance towards Dermott who was sitting on his perch. The hawk croaked and flapped his wings to show his approval.
"And then," Maeve continued, "I'd like to stay aboard the Nomad for an indefinite duration – if I am welcome here, that is..."
Sindbad's face lit up. "Your more than welcome on this ship, Maeve! And I think you know that. You didn't even have to ask!" he said and Doubar, Firouz and Rongar nodded.
Maeve smiled, happy to be welcome, to have such good friends.
"Maeve there's something I'd like to give you." Sindbad said, standing up, and rounded the table. "I think it's time that you're getting it back."
Maeve raised an eyebrow in her well known gesture. "What is it?" she asked curiously.
"You'll need it..." the Captain promised. "Dermott's claws are still sharp!" With that he took off the gauntlet he was wearing on his belt and gave it back to Maeve. It was the old one, she had always used, the one they had found when she had fallen over board. Bryn had used it until she went back to her family and then Sindbad and Rongar had taken responsibility of the hawk.
Sindbad had been surprised, how much in tune he seemed to be with the "dumb bird" that had even attacked Sindbad when they had first met. And now Dermott sat willingly on his arm and seemed to understand him when Sindbad was talking to him. The captain was sure that there was more about the bird than Maeve had told him, even if he couldn't put his finger on what it exactly was.
Maeve was touched. Gently she stroked the well-worn leather of the gauntlet – Sindbad had kept it all the time. "Thank you very much Sindbad..." she said putting the gauntlet on. She stretched out her hand and immediately Dermott swung down from the perch and landed on her hand. "And thanks that you have taken care of Dermott. I see he was fine with you, weren't you my dear?" she said stroking Dermott's feathers. He chirped and rubbed his head on Maeve's hand, happy to have his mistress back.
Sindbad also gently stroked the bird. "I think we finally became friends." He agreed.
Then Doubar cleared his throat. "I thinks it's time to try and catch some sleep. Midnight passed about three turns of the hour-glass ago!"
Grumbling the sailors stood up, wished good night and headed towards their bunks until only Sindbad and Maeve were left. This did not go unnoticed by Doubar, Rongar and Firouz, and they exchanged some meaningful glances as they left the gallery.
Sindbad bowed mockingly in front of Maeve. "Milady, may I show you your cabin?"
Majestically Maeve stood up and tossed her hair aside. "You may!" she said with her nose high in the air. Giggling she followed him down the corridor. Sindbad stopped in front of the door of her old cabin and slowly opened it. Maeve stepped in and gasped. Nothing had changed! Her old magic spell books lay on the table, untouched. In the corner stood her old oak chest, that held all her properties. As she opened it she found her brown cloak – she hadn't been wearing it when she fell over board. And on her bed, on the neatly folded blanket lay her sword. Slowly Maeve stepped to it and pulled the sword out of the sheath. It was newly sharpened and shone in the light of the single candle that Sindbad was holding.
Maeve had to gulp back tears. "You sharpened it?" she asked turning back to face the man standing in the doorframe. Her voice cracked. "You took care of all of this?"
Sindbad nodded looking around. "Aye. I knew you would come back eventually. So I wanted to be prepared."
"But... why... why didn't you give my cabin to this new woman – Bryn?" Maeve asked weakly.
"I don't really know." The young man responded and looked directly into her eyes. "It just didn't feel right. It would have been like giving up on you. But I knew that you would come back – after all you had left Dermott here with me. Furthermore, Bryn could never fill your place... I missed you everyday, Maeve!" If only I could tell you how much! Sindbad thought. When Maeve had left, Sindbad had been lying awake every night, thinking about her and his feelings for her. It had only been when she was gone that he had understood that he loved her. But even now he didn't have the guts to tell her how he felt. If only I knew what she is feeling for me!
Maeve put the sword back on the bed and stepped towards Sindbad. She was touched. Shyly she took up his hands and stroked them looking into his deep blue eyes "This is so sweet. Thank you very much, Sindbad!" She gently placed a soft kiss on his cheek, similar to the one she had given Eyolf once, almost three years ago. Then she slowly pushed Sindbad out of her cabin. "Good night, sailor! It's good to be back!" she whispered closing the door.
Sindbad stood in front of the closed door for a while. He still could feel the spot on his cheek that she had kissed. It burned as if it was on fire. Only once before in his life a kiss had made him feel this way: The kiss that Maeve had given him after he had defeated the Vorgon.
"Aye. It's good to have you back, my witch." He whispered turning away to head towards his cabin.
Sindbad woke feeling wonderfully rested. He hadn't slept so well for... yes, for more than two years. Ever since Maeve disappeared he had had only restless nights.
Automatically he put on his clothes and boots and headed to the gallery to have breakfast. He sat alone on a bench eating a piece of bread. It was still early, nobody else was awake yet.
Then he remembered what had happened the last day and he smiled. Maeve too had always woken up early. Maybe she was already awake? he wondered. Sindbad felt the sudden urge to see her, to talk to her. So he quietly walked down to her cabin and knocked on her door. No response. Obviously she was still sleeping. Sindbad couldn't withstand the temptation of seeing Maeve sleeping peacefully. Following his desire he opened the door and was shocked. Maeve's bed was empty and so was Dermott's perch. The blanket was neatly folded and her sword lay on top of it as if the bed hadn't been touched at all. Sindbad's heartbeat virtually stopped. It couldn't have all been a dream! He stormed into the gallery looking for her, he searched the cargo hold. Nothing! Desperately he ran up the stairs to deck. He had to shield his eyes to let them adjust to the light. Frantically he looked around on deck until he spotted her sitting at her place at the bow, talking to Dermott.
Sindbad fought back the urge to rush to her and embrace her. Firmly he willed his heartbeat to slow down, then he casually walked over to Maeve and Dermott.
"Good morning, Maeve. Dermott." He greeted, hoping that his voice would sound normal.
"A good morning to you too, Sindbad. Did you sleep well?" Maeve responded. Dermott chirped his good morning before he flapped into the air.
*Where are you going to, Dermott?* Maeve asked him in her mind voice.
*Giving you two lovebirds some well deserved privacy, sis!* Dermott responded mockingly.
*YOU!* The Celt insulted, but then simply gave in. In a way he was right. She had been looking forward to being alone with Sindbad since she returned.
*See? I told you so!* Dermott teased her, having heard her thoughts.
"Off with you! Before I roast you alive, you little imp!" Maeve threatened him.
"What? Did I miss something?" Sindbad asked amused, raising an eyebrow.
"Huh? No," Maeve blushed noticing that she had spoken out loud with Sindbad standing next to her. "No, ehm... Dermott was just making fun of me..." She stopped before things could become even more embarrassing.
"What were you two doing out her this early in the morning?" Sindbad asked.
"Oh, we were watching the sunrise and talking." Maeve responded, glad about the save topic. "Wherever I have been in my life, all the places that I've seen, nowhere the sunrises are as beautiful as they are here on the Nomad. I don't know why." She said dreaming. Actually she knew exactly what made the sunrises so wonderful aboard the Nomad. It was the company she had, that perfected the daily spectacle.
Sindbad sat down next Maeve and they fell silent for a while, watching the sun climbing higher into the sky. Only the waves crashing against the ship and some seagulls could be heard. Both, Sindbad and Maeve, were content only to sit next to each other and watch a new day coming to life.
Finally Sindbad broke the silence by asking: "What were Dermott and you talking about?"
Maeve grinned. "Oh, Dermott only filled me in about some, hmm, more private adventures you had in some of the ports... Very interesting things to hear, I have to say"
Sindbad blushed furiously and wished he had a mouse hole to hide in it. Dermott had told Maeve of that!?! "Maeve, let me explain..." he began but Maeve interrupted him.
"No, don't! I don't want to know..." Then she started to giggle. "Touché, sailor! Dermott and I were talking about Gaya. I told him some of the things she taught me."
Sindbad groaned. "That was low Maeve!"
"Well I couldn't resist... So what are our plans for today?"
"First we wait until Rongar, Firouz and Doubar are awake and halfway sober – which could take quiet a while, regarding how much wine Doubar was drinking last night. Next we go to the village, like we had planned yesterday and get some supplies. And then we set sails." Sindbad explained.
"Where to?" Maeve asked, already foreseeing Sindbad's response.
"Where the winds may take us, Maeve!" he answered smiling.
"Sounds like a good direction, I'd say. Some things never change!"
to be continued
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Comments, criticism, ideas? Send all to Bright.Phoenix@gmx.de
Sheela