Maeve and Sinbad were huddled around a little fire in the center of the cave.
"So, what do you want to talk about?" asked Sinbad, breaking the silence.
"I don't know. Tell me a bit about your childhood" she pleaded.
"What do you want to know?" he asked.
"Well, where did you grow up?"
"In Baghdad. My parents were killed out at sea when we were young so Dim Dim brought us up. He's like a father to us. What about you?"
"Well, I lived in Eire with my family until I was 12. I fell out with my family and I ran away. I woke up on the isle of Dawn with Dim Dim."
"Why did you fall out with your family?" he asked.
"Because my father decided to give me to the neighboring farmers son, as I was only 12. So I ran, then something happened that meant I could never go back" she sighed.
"What?" asked Sinbad kindly.
"I, uh, I'd rather not talk about it."
"It can't be as bad as what happened to me" he sighed.
"Why? What happened?"
"When I was young, only 8 or so. I used to have this friend called Lea. She was my first love; we used to talk of being married when we were older"
"What happened?"
"One day when we were talking about being married, some bullies appeared. I told Lea to run as two bullies chased me, but one ran after her. He chased her to the edge of the cliff where she fell to her..."
"It's ok"
"I couldn't save her. So I vowed then and there to master the sea"
"And that's why you became a sailor. Do you miss her?"
"Sometimes. But you have to look on the bright side. If Lea had never died, I wouldn't have become a sailor, and then I would never have met you!"
"Aye. That's true" she agreed.
"Maeve" he asked gently. "Why do you hate Rumina so much?"
"I…uh…I suppose you'd find out sooner or later" she sighed.
"Find out what?" he probed.
"When I was younger, just after I ran away from home, I ran into a young, cocky sorceress." She started.
"Rumina" he supplemented.
"Right" she confirmed. "Dermott was with me, he tried to stop me, but he couldn't, I was too stubborn, and he was too small" she breathed quickly.
"Was Dermott a…" asked Sinbad, beginning to understand where this story was heading as she nodded.
"Aye, Dermott was human back then. I was stupid. Rumina was destroying my home town. Hurting all the people I loved" she cried.
"You confronted her" added Sinbad.
"I was stupid. She was powerful, even as a young gal, I soon annoyed her. She went to zap me, but at the last minute, Dermott, he…" she broke off.
"He jumped in front of you" whispered Sinbad.
"She turned him into a hawk Sinbad, he was only a boy. That's why I could never go back home. I turned him into a hawk" she sobbed.
"No. Rumina did" said Sinbad firmly, gripping her shoulder"
"Which is why I must kill her" said Maeve suddenly.
"To restore him. Maeve, why didn't you tell me before?"
"I didn't know if you'd believe me, or think me crazy. And I don't like talking about it much."
"Well I'm glad you did. Don't worry Maeve, we'll save Dermott, and I promise you. We shall kill Rumina. OK?"
"I know Sinbad. I know"
"Hey Maeve, is that why the Vorgan could take Dermott but not that dog?"
"Aye. I'm sorry I didn't tell you Sinbad."
"It's ok, I understand. Come on, let's get some sleep. Tomorrow we free Dermott from the spell." He smiled and laid down. Maeve smiled at him and laid down beside him.
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Sorry I haven't posted more in a long time. I've been quite busy with college. Hope you enjoy, Nessiexxx