Maeve and Sinbad walked in silence deeper into the forest. The silence was overwhelming for Sinbad who desperately wanted to know what was wrong with Maeve, but didn't know how to start. She'd seemed so upset with Doubar, and she was so quiet now that he was beginning to worry.
"Maeve" he said at last, causing her to noticeably stiffen which worried him even more. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine" she muttered, not even looking at him.
"Maeve" he tried again. "You know you can always talk to me, I know something's upset you and I want to help. Please tell me what happened"
She finally stopped and looked at him, tears trickling down her cheeks. "How can you even ask me that" she cried. Sinbad was taken aback.
"What do you mean?" he asked gently. "Have I done something wrong?"
"Done something…" she would have laughed had she not been so upset. "Sinbad, you can't act all friendly and pretend nothings happened after what you said to me not one hour ago"
"Maeve, I haven't spoken to you since we arrived on this island, and that was over five hours ago"
"So you didn't say that with all my moaning, nagging and mood swings, you wish I'd never joined your crew?" she yelled.
"What? No! I'd never say anything like that. Maeve, I don't know where you got that idiotic idea from but…"
"So I'm an idiot now? Is that it?"
"Maeve, would you stop being so stubborn for one minute and let me…"
"And now I'm stubborn?" She shrieked. "I thought you were my friend"
"I am, would you just let me…" exclaimed Sinbad, exasperated.
"Why? Why should I let you do anything after you've insulted me?"
"Maeve, please" pleaded Sinbad.
"No, I'm sick of your games, you obviously don't want me around so…"
She turned to leave when Sinbad spun her round to face him. He didn't know what she was talking about but he knew he couldn't let her leave. Doing the only thing he could think of to shut her up, he kissed her.
"Now that I have your attention, let me just say this. You are an extremely valid member of this crew, and I swear that I thank Allah everyday for sending you to us" he assured her as she looked at him, still unsure. "And if you were to leave me again" he continued. "Then I would spend an eternity searching for you"
Maeve searched deep within his eyes, trying to determine if what he said was true. "But before you said…"
"I don't know what you thought I said, but I swear to Allah that it wasn't me" he pleaded.
"Really?" she whispered
"Of course Maeve, how could you believe I'd think so low of you?"
"Your right" she laughed. "I should have known you'd never say such horrible things. I'm so sorry…"
"Hey, you've nothing to be sorry for. Come on, we'd better find some food. I'll look over there; just yell if you see anything."
"But…" she began to protest but he was already gone.
/\\/\\/\\/\\/\\/\\/\\/\\
Doubar was walking next to Rongar as Firouz had dropped back and was shuffling behind them. By the look on Firouz's face, you'd have thought he was the victim in all this which was confusing Doubar greatly.
"It seems you aren't the only one who has fallen out with a friend" whispered Doubar quietly to Rongar, who looked intrigued.
"It seems Sinbad has said some very vicious words to Maeve"
Rongar looked shocked and shook his head.
"Seriously" nodded Doubar. "The poor lass was in tears, told me the story herself, she did. I admit, I wouldn't have believed her had she not been so distraught". Rongar thought about this, it didn't make sense…kind of like what Firouz had said to him. Thinking of Firouz, he signalled to him.
"Aye, he does look slightly pitiful, doesn't he" agreed Doubar. "Maybe he's sorry" saying this, Doubar turned to Firouz. "What you thinking about Firouz?" he asked in a nonchalant tone that was lost on Firouz.
"Oh, nothing" mumbled Firouz.
"Is it about Rongar?" queried Doubar, thinking he was right.
"No, of course not" stumbled Firouz. "It's just; Maeve said some quite harsh things to me earlier on and…"
"So it's ok for you to do it to Rongar, but when you're the victim it's quite different" roared Doubar, causing Firouz to finally look at him.
"That's not it at all" stumbled Firouz. "But what is all this about me picking on Rongar, why would I do that? He's my best friend after all"
"Oh, that's right, just because he can't stand up for himself; you think I'll fall for your plight. Well I wasn't born yesterday"
Rongar tried pulling Doubar's sleeve but the big man couldn't be stopped.
"You know what? Whatever Maeve said to you, you deserved it"
"So, I really am just a worthless madman who bores everyone to death? Thanks for letting me know" And with that he ran off into the forest.
"He always thinks he's the victim, well he's not" snarled Doubar as he walked off in the opposite direction, leaving Rongar standing by himself.
Firouz didn't know what Doubar was talking about…he really hadn't said that horrible stuff to me. Just like I'm sure Sinbad didn't say that junk to Maeve, and Maeve didn't say it to Firouz. The question then is…who did?