Maeve sat out in the garden trying desperately to regain her composure. Why was he here? Why was she here? She wasn't welcomed home. Tears escaped her eyes and slipped down her cheek. Footsteps. She turned to see who was coming. She actually sighed a breath of relief when she saw it was Sinbad.
"Maeve, are you okay?" He kneeled down in front of her. His hands brought her face forward.
She nodded. He hardly believed her. He wanted to know more.
"Maeve, what did he mean by Dermott being his best friend?" He knew was hanging his own throat by asking.
She however surprised him again, "I'm sorry I never told you. Dermott was... I mean is... my brother," She looked up at him. She was ready to tell someone, "My mother and my father were prosperous pig farmers here in Galway, out on the eastern outskirts. When I was three years old my mother died giving birth to my brother, Dermott. My father grieved her death. He died only five years later. When he passed on Dermott's best friend, Aidan asked his family if we could stay there. Aidan's mother took care of us. We were grateful. Then when I was seventeen, a powerful sorcerer and his daughter came to our village looking for men to recruit," Maeve words become more sob filled as she tried to finish the rest, "Rumina was the daughter. She especially had taken a liking to my brother who was still so young. I couldn't let her take him. So I tried to stand up to her. She only laughed at my attempt. I tried harder. She tired of our game as she called it. She turned Dermott into a hawk. She told me to study harder. That when I was ready I could have Dermott back if I could defeat her. I was crushed. She had taken my only family I had left. Aidan took care of me. We were the same age and I found comfort in him. We became more than friends. He asked me to marry him."
Sinbad gasped inwardly as he comprehended what she had told him so far. She continued.
"I agreed. I remembered the wedding day like it was yesterday:
"I cringed at the dress Aidan's mother chose for me, it was so ugly, "It's beautiful." She smiled at me, "Oh Maeve, your mother would have been so proud."
"I wished my family was here," Maeve smiled sadly at the mirror.
"Oh but Dermott is here! He without a doubt is happy." Aidan's mother left. I was left with my thoughts. Dermott. I had forgotten about Dermott. It's my fault he is the way he is. I can't marry Aidan. I have a mission. I must learn the ways of magic. I stared out the window. Quickly I undressed and threw on some old dress and climbed out the window. I ran home. I packed a few of my belongings. I called for Dermott.
{Sister, where are we going? Your wedding is in less than an hour?! }
"I can't marry him Dermott! He only wants to marry me for my land! He doesn't love me."
I lied to Dermott but it was for his own good. I assured Dermott that I didn't care and left never looking back. I loved Aidan more than I let on but this was about Dermott not me. We headed for the port...
"And that was the last time I was home."
Sinbad took a breath before he spoke, "Maeve, it's okay. You did what was right for your brother. I don't blame you for leaving. I'm glad your not married, personally," She smiled. "Maeve, he has every right to be angry but you must face your own past in order to live in the present. I'm truly sorry about Dermott. I should have known. But I meant what I said before. We will destroy Rumina. I promise you that."
Maeve sadly smiled and hugged Sinbad. She forgave him. She worried though. She had only told him a tiny bit of her past. There was much much more...
