When she saw them, all the feelings she'd been hiding for Lottie's sake came out and she trembled. Sinbad quickly came over to her and wrapped his arms around her, offering security. Maeve held onto him, still trembling and sobbing quietly. The others just watched, helplessly.

"How could anybody do that to a little girl?" sobbed Maeve.

"What happened Maeve?" asked a concerned Doubar.

Maeve sighed and looked at Sinbad.

"I told them all I could, but I think we could do with an explanation" he said. She sighed again and nodded. She turned to the crew and took a deep breath.

"On entering my cabin, I found Lottie crying about a bad dream. She said that she'd dreamed that the witch was about to whip her. Then, you heard her scream. The Queen had used her magic to whip her, just like she had foreseen." she sighed, hurt.

"Why that, No good..." started Doubar shocked.

"That's terrible." agreed Firouz. "Lottie must be no more then 4 years old."

"She's a monster." sighed Doubar.

"Maeve" Sinbad interposed. "You did something after that."

"All I did was use my magic to heal the wounds and keep her out of pain" she lied. Sure, she had done that, but she had done a further spell. Suddenly, she felt her energy draining her, she was doing it again. Maeve fell to her knees and started breathing heavily.

"What have I done?" she asked herself quietly.

"Maeve" Sinbad cried, quickly at her side. Doubar watched the familiar scene unfold. Maeve grabbed Sinbad's hand and squeezed, letting all the pain into him. Sinbad didn't mind, he was glad to help. He knew she was in agony.

"Firouz" he yelled. "Come here. Doubar, go check on Lottie."

Doubar hurried out of the room as Firouz checked over Maeve.

"Incredible" he stated. "Her conditions indicate that she has just used a lot of energy. Don't worry. She will be fine."

"You mean, like a big spell?" asked Sinbad.

"Well, yes." replied Firouz. "but she hasn't done one."

Maeve was still breathing heavily on the floor, holding Sinbad's hand as if her life depended on it. She knew she couldn't speak just yet. Suddenly, Doubar rushed back in, somewhat daze.

"Is Lottie alright?" asked Sinbad, not looking away from Maeve.

"Well, I think so." started Doubar. "When I went in there I found her sleeping peacefully, but she was surrounded by a red, uh, I don't know how to explain it." Sinbad, still looking at Maeve helped him out.

"Like a red bubble surrounding her?" he said.

"Yes." thought Doubar. "How did you know?"

"Maeve" Sinbad whispered, "I think it's time to tell us about the second spell you preformed." She looked into his eyes. She nodded.

"I knew...a spell..."she said between breaths. "of a way...of protecting people...from magic spells..."

"Its ok." soothed Sinbad, still gripping her hand. "I understand. That bubble visible around Lottie is your spell. It's there to stop any magic from harming her."

"Uh huh" she confirmed.

"Maeve, every time the Queen tries to whip Lottie. Do you receive the blow?" asked Firouz, slightly confused.

"No" replied Sinbad. "If I know Maeve, her spell causes the spell to be reflected back onto the spell caster, as in the Queen, right?" Maeve nodded. "But each time this happens, it takes a lot of energy out of you."

"Oh Maeve, what were you thinking?" sighed Doubar.

"You don't understand" said Maeve getting up. "If the Queen knows how to whip her when she doesn't know where she is..."

"Your afraid she could harm her in other ways as well" finished Sinbad. Helping her get up. Maeve just nodded.

"But Maeve, are you going to be able to handle another attack?" asked Firouz. Maeve quietly looked down at her feet. Sinbad stared at her.

"You can't, can you?" he gasped.

"I don't know." She replied. "All I know is if i don't, Lottie is..." she broke off.

"We wont let that happen. Oh Maeve." sighed Sinbad.

"Lets look on the scientific side" said Firouz as everyone groaned. "Now, Maeve's spell means that the spell caster receives the impact of the spell back. So, say she tried to whip her again. She'd get whipped right?"

"What are you getting at?" groaned Doubar.

"Then, she'd use her magic to heal herself." he continued.

"Yes" replied Sinbad irritated.

"Then, that would also cause her to lose energy, not just Maeve."

"So, as Maeve gets weaker, so does the Queen" thought Sinbad.

"Meaning, she probably wont attack again for a while" summed up Doubar.

"My point exactly" smiled Firouz. "But, I suggest Maeve gets some rest, she's gonna need all the energy she can get for tomorrow".

"In case of another attack?" asked Doubar.

"No. To be able to handle two kids" he laughed.

"But I'll be there" replied Sinbad.

"Exactly" laughed Doubar. Everyone laughed as Sinbad understood what they meant.

"Hey" he said. "I don't act that young" he moaned.

"Only immature" joined in Maeve.

"And look whose talking" laughed Sinbad. Maeve began to argue, but Doubar got there first.

"Now you two. You heard what Firouz said. I think we could all do with a good nights sleep." he warned.

"Ok." agreed Sinbad. So everybody made their way towards their cabins.