Sorry i took so long to update, but I've made this chappy twice as long to make up for it!

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As soon as the longboat touched the shore, the reality of the situation hit Maeve. She was in Eire, she knew this place, it had been eight years since she was last here, eight years since she swore she would never return…and here she was. All she wanted to do was run and hide, but she knew that never solved anything, so she decided it was time to face the past.

"I'm just going for a walk, I'll meet you at the tavern later" she smiled.

She turned and started walking over a worn cliff path when she realised Dermott was following her.

This is something I need to do alone brother she told him. I'll meet you and the others in the Dragon Inn later. Do you understand?

I understand he said before flying back to Sinbad as Maeve carried on her way and disappeared behind a cluster of trees.

Sinbad started after her when Doubar caught his arm.

"Let her go, Little Brother" he whispered. "She obviously needs some time alone to face whatever demons are in her past"

Sinbad nodded but didn't take his eyes off of the place he'd last seen Maeve walk.

She'll be ok Dermott told him as he landed on a branch next to him. She just needs some space at the moment

"Well, I don't know about anyone else" smiled Doubar. "But it's been too long since I last tasted wine"

"Then I suggest we make our way to the nearest tavern" agreed Sinbad, finally tearing his eyes away for the clump of trees. "Lead the way Dermott"

So Dermott took off, leading them towards the Dragon Inn.

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Maeve stood looking at an old, decrepit house, the place she used to call home. She tentatively walked around the outside, soft tears trickling down her cheeks as she entered the ruins. She weaved her way to the small room right at the back of the building and sat on the floor, letting the tears fall freely as she did so. She'd thought she had gotten over it years ago, buried the past, locked it away forever. And yet, here she was, crying her eyes out like a little girl. She forced herself to stop.

'Don't be silly Maeve' she told herself. 'You didn't cry back then and you certainly aren't going to start now'

It was then that she noticed the little doll lying hidden under a stone. She carefully removed the stone and lifted the doll, hugging it to her carefully as she remembered.

"Evie…EVIE" cried a small boy as he ran through the house.

"Dermie" cried his mother as he ran into her. "What have I told you about running through the house?"

"I'm sorry mama" he pouted. "I just wanted to show Evie the doll we made her"

"I know sweetie, but she's out with pa at the moment, she'll be back soon and you can show her then"

"How soon is soon?" moaned the small boy.

"Soon" laughed his mother. Just then the door opened and a young girl came running in.

"Oh ma, I had the best time ever!" she cried. "You'll never believe how fast I was going. And pa and me had this race and I won and…"

"EVIE" yelled the boy as he launched himself at the girl who giggled and swung him up into her arms and spun him around.

"Hello Dermott" she smiled. "Miss me?"

"Guess what me and mama made you, Evie" he shrieked. "We made you a doll" he smiled, wriggling out of her arms and plodding off to retrieve the doll he'd spent the most part of the day helping make.

The doll itself was nothing special. It was just a few old rags stitched together with a few buttons as eyes and stuffed with sheep wool, but for Maeve it was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen. Her father was a farmer, and there was no way they could afford a real doll.

"Oh Dermie" she cried, hugging the little doll to her. "It's beautiful. Did you make this?" she smiled, hugging her little brother to her.

"Yes" he smiled proudly. "Well…" he admitted. "Mama did most of it"

"But Dermott picked out all the parts, didn't you darling" smiled their mother as Dermott beamed and proudly nodded again.

"Yes, see, this part here is that old top that you love which is too small for you. This way you can still keep it forever"

"I love it" smiled Maeve just as her father entered. "Look what Dermott made me Pa" she showed him.

"Did my little boy really make this beautiful masterpiece?" he smiled.

"Yes I did" nodded proudly. "And ma helped me"

"Well don't we just have the most talented little boy ma" he grinned at his wife. "And our little Maevelynn here is as skilled a horsewoman as they come" he said as he swept both his children up into his arms. "Did she tell you she managed to beat me?"

"Did you really cookie?" asked her mother.

"I really did ma. You should have seen me, I was almost flying"

"Pappy, when will I get to ride a horse?" asked Dermott.

"When your older lad. But don't worry; you'll get your turn soon"

"Promise?"

"Promise" agreed his father as he kissed the little boy on his head. "Now let's see what ma's cooking for supper shall we? Maeve, why don't you go help our talented little toymaker here to wash up before supper"

"Of course Pa" smiled Maeve as she kissed his cheek before taking hold of Dermott's hand. "Come on Dermie" she smiled as she led him off. Their parents listened as Dermott's small voice floated down the passageway.

"Will I really be able to ride someday?"

"Of course" replied his sister. "And you'll be much better then any other horseman around" she assured.

"Don't we have the most wonderful kids?" smiled their mother as she watched her 10 year old daughter lead her four year old son off.

"That they are" agreed their father. "It's nice to know that they can always count on each other"

As Maeve snapped out of her little flashback she couldn't reprimand herself anymore and the flood gates really did open as she lay on the floor, hugging herself and crying her heart out over her father's choice of words. 'If only you knew' she thought. 'If only'.