"I know, it's strange, but I'm Sinbad, captain Sinbad… well, formally," the old man said and looked at his wife: "And this is…"
"Oh no," Maeve hardly swallowed: "Let me guess… Maeve?"
"Yes, my dear," the old lady nodded.
"But… I'm Sinbad and this is Maeve, but she is NOT my wife," Sinbad smiled.
"Yes, I looked exactly like this young lady," old Maeve said.
"I guess we take rooms," Sinbad turned back to owner.
"Rooms? Only one room," he corrected him: "I have only one room left."
"One room? For three?" Maeve asked shocked.
"With only one bed," he added.
"One… no, I'm gonna sleep outside," she said and folded her arms on her chest.
"Maeve, I think you and Sinbad should take that room and I'll stay outside," Doubar tried.
"Hey, on whose side are you? I don't want to end up like these two," Maeve whispered and pointed at happy old couple.
"I thought you two were only friends," he winked at her.
"Doubar," she playfully hit his shoulder: "OK, we'll take the room."
"Ehm," Sinbad cleared his throat: "It's quite late now. Should we discus that in the morning?"
"Oh, yes. You're welcome to come for the breakfast," old Sinbad said and pointed at the old house opposite of the tavern: "That is my house."
"Good night," old Maeve took her husbands arm and they left the tavern.
"You go to take a sleep and I'll look around the village," Doubar said and took his sword.
"Maeve?" Sinbad stood up and offered her his arm.
"You're crazy," she chuckled, but for Sinbad's surprise she didn't protest.
"Sinbad, this bed looks very small," Maeve sat down on the bed in their room while Sinbad stepped to window and looked out.
"Maybe I can sleep on the floor," he offered and followed Doubar's figure with his eyes.
"I don't think so," she pointed at one cockroach: "Beside that… I think I'll live after one night with you."
Sinbad, who was still standing by the window, smiled and turned a bit red.
"So, are you going to sleep?"
"Oh, yes," he turned and quickly blew out the flame of the candle, so Maeve couldn't notice the redness of his face. He gently lied down beside her, but made sure not to touch her. She turned to face the window, so he could see only her back.
"Good night," she whispered.
"Good night," he said.
Soft knock on the door woke up Sinbad. He opened the eyes slowly and moaned. His back was hurting because all the night slept on it. He realized his hand was around Maeve's waist and her head was resting against his chest. He slowly lifted her and after he stood up he put her back on the bed. She moved a bit, but didn't wake up. He quietly moved to the door and opened it.
"Finally," his brother said.
"I just woke up," Sinbad explained.
"Hard night?" Doubar smiled and hit his brother's stomach.
"Doubar, I've heard that!" Maeve said from inside the room.
"So, where have YOU been last night?" Sinbad asked and smiled at Maeve who joined them.
"Just walking around the village," he said on their way out of the tavern.
"And?" Sinbad asked impatiently.
"It is strange… I've found…" Doubar started.
"Good morning," old Sinbad interrupted him and lead them to his house. He let them come inside first, then he stepped inside and closed the door. Nice smell hit Maeve's nose and she smiled. It reminded her her mother's cooking.
"I hope you'll like it," old Maeve smiled at younger one and took guests to dining room.
Old Sinbad took the seat on the head of the table.
Sinbad sat next to him. Doubar and Maeve sat opposite to their captain. Old lady took the breakfast and sat opposite to her husband. She smiled: "Please, take anything you want."
"Thank you," Maeve said politely before she took a bread.
They didn't speak while they were eating. After they finished Maeve offered the old lady her help in the kitchen and the men stayed in the room.
"How does that happened?" Sinbad asked curious.
"Something transferred you into your future," old man said.
"Is this our … Sinbad's future?" Doubar asked confused.
"Probably," old Sinbad smiled and pointed to kitchen: "She is your future."
"I… ehm," Sinbad blushed and touched his face: "And what about Doubar?"
"My brother died long time ago," he said trying to avoid Doubar's eyes: "Firouz lives in this village as well…"
"Yes, I've seen him yesteday," Doubar interrupted him: "But he looks ill."
"He is crazy. Pirates killed his wife and his children while he was living on the island close to this one," old Sinbad explained.
"… but let me think, if you're older me… you knew when exactly we'll come," Sinbad thought aloud.
"We didn't remember. Only when I saw you, I remembered. You won't remember that either when you return to your ship," he said.
"Then, how did you know Meave was your future," Sinbad whispered.
"Something told me," he said and smiled at his wife who joined them together with Maeve. Sinbad smiled nervously too.
"How can we return to Nomad?" Doubar asked.
"I don't remember that either," old Sinbad said honestly.
"Maybe you can find something in my old books," old Maeve suggested.
"That's great idea," Sinbad jumped up and followed both Maeves to the other room.
Doubar stood up and moved to the door. There he turned to old Sinbad and said: "Tell my brother, I needed to be on my own. If they find something, they'll find me on the beach." With that we left.
To be continued...
Rating: PG
Disclamer: I don't own characters from the show The Adventures of Sinbad, but this story is mine.