Maeve grasped Sinbad's limp hand. It was ice cold. She leaned forward and slid her hand from his, up to his neck. No pulse. She held her breath. She pressed harder. Thump. He did have a pulse, only it was the slightest hint of one. His breathing had slowed down to a barely audible gulp of air. Maeve adjusted her sling around her broken arm and snuggled closer to Sinbad, hoping to warm him. His wounds had been properly cleaned and dressed but now he was fighting the infection that threatened to spread. Firouz wasn't even sure if he would make it through the night. Maeve insisted to stay by his side all night. As did Doubar, and Bryn, and Rongar, and Dermott. And of course Firouz, his doctor.
Firouz also worried that Sinbad would never wake considering his severe concussion. He hadn't been able to rouse him since the dungeon. Maeve had used her powers to teleport them to Lord Ruarc's home. She then had chained Rumina and placed her in the dungeon. When the stone was finished draining her, she would decide what fate Rumina would endure. Then Sinbad was laid to rest in his room where they waited.
Maeve stood up and walked to the palace window. She stared out at the black night. The stars were not out tonight, nor would they. Must be mourning, Maeve decided. She had lost Aidan, whom she still cared for deeply. And now Sinbad lay fighting to live or die. She hated herself. Terrible things happened to men who cared for Maeve. Her father, her brother, Dim-Dim, Aidan, and now Sinbad. She silently prayed asking for forgiveness.
The sunlight filled the room, pouring warmth over their cold bodies. Maeve stirred first. Pulling her head up from Sinbad's arm, she instantly moved to feel his pulse. The same. Not better nor worse. She breathed a sigh of relief. At least he wasn't dead, yet. For the first time in days she turned her head and gazed upon the crew. She hadn't realized how this affected them as well. This was there captain as well. Doubar was his only family. Firouz had been his friend for years and Rongar and Bryn loved him as much as she did. They all lay sleeping not daring to leave the room, just in case. She got up quietly and went to the door. She needed fresh air.
Maeve sat in front of the pond staring at his own distorted reflection. Her eyes were rimmed red and her once glittering crimson locks hung limp and dull. This was her fault. Everything, from the minute they stepped on Èire. Her past haunted her. It plagued her. Well no more, she thought to herself. More determined then ever, she got up and walked back to Sinbad's side.
Maeve watched the sun go down for the third night in a row and still Sinbad had yet to stir. She wouldn't give up on him. She just couldn't.
The sun kissed the moon goodnight and shone more brightly than ever before. Maeve lay in the chair next to Sinbad grasping his hand tightly as she slept on. She always stayed beside him at night. The night before they had almost lost Sinbad when he stopped breathing but Firouz tried desperately to breathe life into him and miraculously, it worked. His wounds stayed clean which was the good news but Firouz wasn't sure Sinbad could rouse from his comatose state. Maeve fought hard not believe this.
Maeve stirred from her restless night and turned watch her beloved. His chest rose up and down at normal rate. His hand was warmer than before. She hoped. Moving her face close to his, she kissed his cheek softly. Then she felt his hand squeeze hers. She gasped in shock. Surely Sinbad did not just stir. As those words raced across her mind, Sinbad's ocean blue eyes fluttered open. Mustering all the strength he had he smiled.
"Firouz!, Doubar! He's awake!" Maeve called lightheartedly not breaking their eye contact. Practically flying from his chair, Firouz rushed to Sinbad's side. Doubar did the same. Firouz checked all of Sinbad's vitals as Maeve watched from the side still never looking away from his eyes.
"He's okay!" Firouz cried. The others rushed to Sinbad's side. Maeve pulled away from them and quietly snuck out the door. As she closed it, she slumped to the floor and breathed a sigh of relief. He would be okay. Now what about her? Could she mend her broken heart?
Sinbad was still bed ridden for the next few days. He asked for Maeve every chance he got but she declined. She just couldn't bring herself to look at him again. Guilt swept over her. Bryn tried to reason with her but nothing nor no one could get her to see him.
Exactly one week after Aidan's death the funeral was held for him. This was also the first time Sinbad had seen Maeve since she walked out on him. The only people there was Lord Ruarc, his daughters, and the crew. Ceira hugged her father tightly. She broke down into a sob mid way through. Guilt tore through Maeve again. If she hadn't come back.
Maeve could feel Sinbad staring at her the entire time. She never looked at him. Placing her rose on Aidan's grave, she gracefully grazed the stone as she walked away. She snuck away before Sinbad could find her. Wandering through the gardens she came across another grave that was somewhat covered. She walked over and knelt down before it. Using her good arm, she brushed away the vines and read the stone.
Beloved Wife and Mother, Ademia
Maeve gasped as she read the words, silently. It couldn't be. There was just no way.
"I told you that I had secrets of my own."
Maeve whirled around to see Lord Ruarc standing there, "I...uh...knew who you were the moment I saw you."
Brows furrowed, Maeve shook her head.
"She described you to me saying that I would instantly know you, your red hair and your feistiness. She also said you had matching swords," He motioned to her sword. Maeve clutched it.
"How?" Maeve asked trying to keep the tears back.
"Ademia and myself were married years ago after our second child, Deirdre was born. Her Amazon sisters found us though. She held them offlong enough for myself to escape with our girls. I never saw her again. She stayed in hiding saying that they couldn't find both of us. We wrote to each other and she sent money to us. I saved it all. Then one day the letters stopped. I feared the worst. I searched for her until her sisters found us again. I managed to escape once more. This time we fled to Ireland and I changed our names. I knew we would never see Ademia again but I needed to keep my daughters safe. I had saved enough money to take care of us and start our business. Years went by and still nothing.
'Then one day, she was here. She said that an angel sent her to us. Called her Maeve, she did. Must have been the luckiest man alive. Reunited, we lived here in peace until last year when Ademia became sick. She didn't last very long after that. Passed away in the spring. Still as beautiful as the day I met her. She talked about you often, told us that you saved her. I am forever indebted to you. You brought her back to me. Even if only for a while. She said that if I ever met you, to give you this." Ruarc handed Maeve a rolled parchment and a small chest. Maeve opened the parchment and read it slowly. She looked up at Ruarc, her eyes wide with shock...
