Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas

Author's Note: I'm sorry the previous chapter was so short But I wanted to put out what I had incase I didn't get back to it for a while. Which I didn't. I'm very sorry!

Also please excuse if Kale's personality is a bit off, it's been years since I've seen the movie.

Crazy For Feeling

Part Four

Writers are vain, selfish, and lazy, and at the very bottom of their motives lies a mystery. Writing a book is a long, exhausting struggle, like a long bout of some painful illness. One would never undertake such a thing if one were not driven by some demon one can neither understand nor resisit. -George Orwell

The next morning dawned clear and bright. Rosa not bearing to stay inside on such a beautiful day, headed outside the castle. Though if Proteus knew she had left her guard he would be most upset.

She rarely let her hair untied and it flew wild and unkempt in the crisp sea air. Rosa had really come to love Syracuse and it's people. The smell of the sea every morning was comforting and now it reminded her of Proteus, and her journey away from here prison.

The white summer dress she wore was not quite warm enough without the thick underclothes women were normally ment to wear under dresses. Rosa found them stifling, they hindered free movement. She couldn't relax in all the layers she was required to wear inside the castle.

She did not stay out long, though she wished too, as not to cause panic. Rosa was back in time for the morning meal. Everyone was already seated when she arrived never the less King Dymus greeted her warmly. The other guests noticing her for the first time, began to clap and offer congratulations.

"You look lovely M'dear." Dymus greeted her warmly.

"Thank you very much sire," Trying not to blush furiously, she moved to take her seat. Catching eyes with Proteus across the table, he smiled encouragingly, somewhat embarrassed. I smiled in understanding as turned his attention back to the balding politician that was monopolizing his attention over the political agendas of the wedding. The meal was served shortly after that.

Rosa to her distaste, was stuck gossping with the other high class women of the court. Listening to them prattle on about how lucky she was getting to marry a prince, considering her station, of course. Wedding plans, dress designs, who was being invited. They all wanted to see the ring of course, then complained at how small it was, how drab, all the while making small insinuations about her looks as well.

Normally Rosa was very even tempered, the way she grew up. If you opened your mouth you might get fist to it. But these women were so spoiled and mean and backhanded... it was infuriating that anyone could be so, so shallow.

"I don't see how you let him get away with giving you such an awful ring," Hitrice whispered leaning towards her.

"I mean whats the point of marrying a prince if you don't get lot's of jewlery and presents out of it?" The other girls choursed thier agreements. Rosa seethed behind her calm blank face.

"What about love?" She asked honestly, surely they believed in love?

Most of the girls sneered including Hitrice,

"Love?," She asked snidely. "Like your actually marrying him for love." She laughed cruelly, and shrugged.

"I mean, all you have to do is pop out a kid and you can have anything."

"...and anyone." Katia giggled, as the others followed suit.

Not able to stand them a moment longer she quitely excused herself turning away from Proteus' concerned look before he saw her cry. Once she had left the room calmly, she ran.

She ran tears burning her eyes, past the quards, past the gates, past everything until she reached the shore. Falling to her knees she let the tears finally fall. How could have thought she could do this? She wasn't high class, she couldn't run a kingdom, decide people she didn't know to fates she wouldn't wish on her father.

She had never fully realised what marrying Proteus would mean until that moment in the dining hall. The wieght of responsibility and power that came with it scared her. She felt heavy so with it this knowledge.

And then she thought of Proteus, Proteus loved her. He had promised to protect and cherish her, love her. Anything that hurt he would fix, with each other they could conquer the obstacles of life, together. Who cared what those women thought they didn't matter. She knew Proteus loved her and she loved him.

Rosa realised this and felt freed by the knowlege. Such was the power of love. Smiling comfortingly to herself Rosa stood and started to make her way back to the castle, holding herself.

So deep in her thoughts that she paid no attention to where she was going and ran straight in to a very tall man's chest. Who was also not wearing a shirt. Rosa flushed red.

"I'm sorry I wasn't paying attention, I..."

"Rosa?!" Her head snapped up to meet the wide dark eyes of a black man she hadn't seen in eleven years.

"Kale? My Goodness I haven't seen... How are you?" Kale laughed and he hugged me by swinging my around by my waist.

"I have been well, you look very beautiful." She smiled up at him shyly, blushing.

"Thank you. So Why are you in Syracuse?Have you finally decided to settle down, you need a good woman to keep you honest." Rosa poked good naturedly at him. Kale gave her a bashfule look shaking his head.

"Merina's bout to have her baby, we didn't want to be out at sea when she went into labor."

"Merina?" Rosa frowned.

"Sinbad's wife, Merina?..."Kale trailed off at her expression. "You didn't know?" I shook my head silently holding back tears.

"I haven't talked or seen a letter rom S-Sinbad in 11 years..." She felt the tears well up.

"Rosa... I... I'm sorry." Kale pulled me into a bear hug. It did make her feel better.

"Don't cry, I'm sure he had a good reason..." After several moments Rosa composed herself and backed away from Kale.

"I won't he's obviously gotten on with his life, as have I I don't need him anymore." If I was to be queen I could not be getting emotional like this in public anymore.

Putting up a smile she looked at Kale.

"So where are you staying? Since your obviously going to be here a while."

"Proteus will probably offer us a place to stay."

"Proteus as in Prince Proteus? Sinbad is friends with the future king of Syracuse?" Kale nodded, frowning.

"Well," she said giving a half smile. "At least I won't have to invite you over for dinner."

"What do you mean?"

"Proteus is my fianc'e we are to be married." Rosa showed Kale her engagement ring.

"Your... getting married? Your father isn't forcing you to this, because if he is..." Rosa touched his shoulder softly shaking her head.

"At first, but I've gotten to know Proteus and it not about my father or Sinbad anymore, I love him." She smiled softly looking at the ring he had given her.

"He makes he happy." Looking up at the sky she realised how late it was getting. Not noticing the pained expression on Kale's face.

"I should head back I don't want Proteus to have the send the quards out after me. It was good to see you Kale." Smiling she pulled Kale down so she could kiss his cheek, and headed back to the castle.

"Goodbye, Rosa."

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