Part 7
As Bryn was getting ready for bed, there was a knock on the door. "Bryn, may I talk to you?" Sinbad’s voice carried through the door.
Sighing, Bryn asked. "Can’t it wait?" She desperately wished that Dermott wasn’t staying with Rongar.
"No, I don’t think so." He was not going to let this slide, he was having all these thoughts and feelings that he didn’t understand and didn’t like. And he knew she could explain them.
Bryn opened the door and let him in, he caught his breath when he saw her. Involuntarily he said, "You should wear that color of green more often, it brings out your beautiful eyes. Sorry."
"That’s quite all right, a lifetime of flirting is hard to break in just a few days." She smiled at him, trying to get him to confide in her. "Now, what is it?"
He sat down on a chair. "I just wondered why I’m happier doing such hard work. I never worked like this before and yet I feel so great, tired but happy."
"I think it’s because even though you have had different experiences from our Sinbad, a part of him is in you. Now that you have to pretend to be him, that part is allowed to shine through." She was sitting on her bunk, looking over at him.
"I thought it was because of you." He stopped when she raised an eyebrow and quickly explained. "I don’t mean that flirtatiously. There seems to be this glow around you, I can’t explain it."
Bryn thought about that for a moment, then remembered something Methana had said. "On one of our voyages, we helped out this young man, his mother told us that goodness flows through me. I guess that may be what you sense and feel. If you don’t mind my asking, what is your life like at home?"
"It’s different than this. Right now I’m trying to conquer Nahalig...What?" He stopped when he saw Bryn fall back in gales of laughter.
"I’m sorry, I just had a vision of our Sinbad trying to handle running a war when he doesn’t believe in it." She sat up, wiping her eyes and smiling.
He laughed, knowing that there were strong differences between them. "I see your point. Anyway, my brother doesn’t approve of my plans but Firouz is a great help in moving them forward. I am also engaged to Maeve, she’s really indescribable. She whines sometimes and really loves shopping. I...what now?"
She was shaking with suppressed laughter. "I’m sorry. It just seems odd that you would describe the woman you love and want to marry like that. I was also seeing Sinbad trying to deal with this new her. From what the guys have told me, Maeve was a bit of a firebrand. Very argumentative, she really didn’t trust the guys but was a valuable asset. Her teacher, Master Dim-Dim, took her to be with him because the powers of evil are getting stronger and Rumina would have destroyed her. Now you have that surprised look on your face, what is it?"
"Dim-Dim is a crazy man in my world. He kept saying he should be elsewhere, that he was cursed. It appears that he was right. I wish that I’d have listened to him more often, he was a father to me and Doubar after all. He wouldn’t be pleased with how I’ve lived my life so far." He mused, partly to himself.
"I never met him, but he seems to know me." She leaned against the wall and he joined her. They continued to talk for a while before Bryn caught sight of the time, shocked that it was so late. "We need to get some sleep or we’ll be no good tomorrow."
Sinbad didn’t move, just reached out a hand and caressed her check. She stiffened before leaning into his soft touch, her hand reaching for his. "I guess you’re right." He reluctantly agreed with her, his hand trailing down the side of her neck to her shoulder, pulling her to him.
Sinbad didn’t know why he was being so careful with her. Though he fit more comfortably into this Sinbad’s skin, he was still himself, still had a desire to just take what he wanted. So, what was with all this gentleness? He expected her to push him away and was shocked to feel her hand moving. Bryn found herself unwilling to resist him, her hand slowly made its way up to his shoulder. They looked at each other, waiting to see what would happen. Then he lowered his head to hers, eyes still on hers, and their lips met in a tender kiss.
He deepened it, surprised when she didn’t pull away, then lost himself in the moment. His hands traced the outline of her body and she buried her hands in his hair. They fell back on to the bed, she was on top, and his hold was possessive. He then made a firmer claim upon her, trailing kisses down her throat. She moaned, feeling guilty for enjoying this but not wanting to stop it. Her hands weren’t idle during this time, they found their way to his chest and onto his warm skin.
The feel of her hands exploring him shocked Sinbad and his lips came up to take hers in a fierce kiss. Somewhere in the back of his mind, he knew he shouldn’t be doing this and, though he wanted to feel her skin under his hands, he didn’t try to take further advantage of her. Bryn was a real lady, but he’d be run through before he stopped himself. He realized that it would be unfair of him to make her stop this, he just didn’t care enough to be noble and pull back.
Her bracelet began to glow, conjuring up to her mind’s eye Sinbad’s betrayed face if she did this. It forced her to wake up and regain control of the situation. She pulled away from his intoxicating touch, looking down at him. He looked up and smoothed back her hair, eyes caressing her flushed face. She shuddered at his touch, resisting the urge to ignore her conscious. "I can’t do this."
"I’m not going to apologize for that." He said, his voice hoarse.
"I won’t ask you to. I did nothing to stop you. But you know we can’t do this. You’re an engaged man! And you aren’t my Captain." Bryn tried to move away, but he held on. "Sinbad, let me go."
"No. I am going to sleep right here, holding you." Sinbad was serious, ignoring his inner voice to just take her, that she wouldn’t object for long. She had stopped him and he had to respect that. He also knew she deserved better than a quick fling with him.
"But..." She stopped when his hand covered his lips.
"I won’t take advantage of you." His voice was firm, but his hold was gentle. One hand rested in her hair and pulled her head down to his chest. His other hand rubbed circles on her back, soothing her. The sound of his steady heart beat lulled her to sleep, Sinbad joined her a few minutes later.
The next morning dawned cloudy, and the crew awoke in a grumpy mood. Sinbad awoke, not sure of where he was, then he saw Bryn lying across his chest. The memory of last night’s events flooded his mind. And it was with great reluctance that he moved her off of him and onto the bed. I hate being so noble. He thought as he stretched, resisting the urge to crawl back in bed with her and ignore their plans to restore everything.
He had to force himself to go and see what was going on in the outside world. When the captain saw the frown on Rongar’s face, he walked over. "Morning, why the worried look?"
Rongar signed, not quite meeting his eyes. "The clouds on the horizon. We shouldn’t set sail, especially after what happened last time."
"Rongar, I know you have reason to worry but I can tell that you know that I am not your Sinbad." Rongar nodded, indicating that he knew. "Alyssa and Bryn are going to cause a storm that will hopefully bring back your Sinbad and send me home."
"You’ve met Alyssa? How is she? Why didn’t she say hi to me?" He rapidly signed.
"I’m fine. As for the rest, I had more important things on my mind. We can get caught up later. Where’s Bryn?"
"Right here, Alyssa. What a perfect morning to create a storm. Hi, Sinbad, Rongar." Bryn was standing on the steps, trying to ignore the heat in her cheeks when she saw Sinbad. She felt very self-conscious around him after what had happened that night.
"Morning." Sinbad kissed her on the check, not feeling any discomfort. He took her hand gently in his as they walked towards Rongar and Alyssa. "Are you ready?"
"Yes. When do you want to begin?" She replied, focusing on Alyssa.
"Right now." She answered, getting ready to leave. "Bryn, wait until you are almost at the place that Sinbad fell over, then slowly build to a gale. Let your feelings take over."
Part 8
"Prince Rongar! What are you doing here?" Sinbad asked, moving to stand in front of the Prince.
"Looking for you. We did have a meeting, your highness." Rongar responded dryly.
"I realize that but as you may know I fell overboard, I don’t feel like planning anything. In fact I’ve decided to sail and help others. Conquering the world no longer interests me, I’m singing a different tune now." He told the prince.
"I’m surprised, what about Nahalig and the takeover?" Rongar knew there was something different about the man in front of him. He seemed calmer, more at peace with himself and life.
Doubar was startled, this was the first time he’d ever heard of this and it worried him. His brother had told him that Baghdad would be his last conquest, that he would be satisfied with taking his homeland. He hoped that this Bryn lady was really as good as this Sinbad said she was.
"It’s been dropped, I’ve learned that there are more important things in life than conquests. My family is what’s important. If you can’t accept that then that’s your problem. Now get off my ship, I’m heading out to make up for my past misdeeds." Sinbad explained, his eyes meeting Rongar’s.
His brow raised, eyes were skeptical. "Are you serious?"
"He is indeed." Maeve answered for him.
"Do you have a problem with that?" Doubar demanded.
"We stand behind him all the way." Sinbad turned and saw that his crew and Maeve, Firouz, and Doubar supported him.
"I have a new set of values, they have nothing to do with world domination."
A voice in his head said, "Sinbad, we need to go now!"
* "You’re the boss, Alyssa." He thought, then gave out a series of orders. "Set the sails! Prince Rongar, you may come with us if you’d like. But I am serious when I say my life will be different."
"If you are serious, then I will go with you. It sounds like more fun than sitting in meetings and I’d like to make up for my past." Throwing off the signs of his station, he joined the crew and dismissed his men with a note turning his reign over to his sister, Zorah.
"This feels right." Sinbad smiled and they headed out to sea.
Maeve walked over to Sinbad, raising her hands in a gesture that was supposed to be playful surrender. "That was wonderful. Sinbad, I can’t believe how you have changed. I don’t think that we belong together anymore. I’m not sure we ever did, Firouz seems more my type. I’m sorry."
"I don’t blame you for anything. At one time we might have been meant to be, but people change. Firouz is your friend, since you seem to be able to confide in him maybe you should be with him."
"Thanks for understanding." Maeve hugged Sinbad.
Sinbad saw Firouz looking over at them. "Go to him, Maeve. He needs you."
Maeve went to Firouz and they talked, Firouz walked over. "Thank you, my friend."
"You’re welcome. Be happy."
"Its time, Sinbad. Are you ready?" Alyssa asked.
"Yes, Alyssa. I want to get back to my family."
"You really miss them, don’t you?" She appeared on his right.
"Yes. By the way, how is my other self handling Bryn?" He grinned.
She smiled back. "She’s fine, he’s the one I’d be worried about. I think he’s fallen in love with her."
"I’m not surprised. Will he be all right?" He asked, shielding his eyes.
"He’s benefited. Have you?" She looked up at him.
"I don’t know, I guess I’ve learned not to take my family for granted."
"Heads up, sailor boy! We’re almost there. I hope Bryn is paying attention." Alyssa flew up into the clouds and started to make a rain fall, then she increased the winds to gale force"
Part 9
"Its time. I’m going over there, Sinbad." Bryn started to walk away, when his voice stopped her.
"Bryn, I am going to kiss you good-bye." It wasn’t a question and she knew it, but kept her back to him. His arms circled her waist, pulling her to him almost desperately. Bryn turned around in his arms and Sinbad held her for a moment. He wondered how the Sinbad of this world could ignore her and desperately wished she could be with him, he needed her. The kiss he finally gave to her was bittersweet, * I wish you were mine. They separated and he held her before pushing her away. "Go now before I change my mind."
She slowly walked away from him. Focusing on building her energy and ignoring the pain in her heart, she did exactly what Alyssa told her to. All around her, the crew was busy trying to secure the ship to weather the storm. Doubar struggled with the tiller as the storm increased in intensity.
"Good bye, Bryn." Sinbad whispered as a wave came and sent him overboard.
"Not again!" Doubar yelled, watching as Bryn ran and dived after him.
She searched through the stormy water, keeping an eye on her arm. When the bracelet began to glow, she knew her search was over, he was home. * It worked! Good bye, Sinbad and good luck. She surfaced and swam towards him.
"Bryn! Is that really you?" He exclaimed as he swam towards her, his bracelet glowing as well.
"Good to have you back, Captain." She was relieved, even if her heart hurt inside.
He embraced her and together they swam to the Nomad. "Good to be back."
"Sinbad, if you ever fall overboard again, I’ll..." Doubar trailed off as he embraced him.
Sinbad didn’t say anything, just hugged him back. He seemed to know exactly what he was trying to say.
Part 10
"Oh, my head." He raised a hand to it and groaned. The feel of the ship rocking beneath him gave him a moment’s concern until he saw Firouz and the clear look in his eyes.
"Sinbad, you have got to stop doing that." The doctor ordered, getting a cold clothe for his head.
"Firouz! It is so good to see you. I just had the oddest dream." He murmured, trying to get comfortable on the bed.
"You mean about letting Maeve go and making up for the mistakes of your past?" He asked, examining his eyes.
"No, I had a dream I was in another dimension and...did you say that I let Maeve go?" Sinbad stopped and looked up at his friend.
"Yes, don’t you remember?" Firouz was afraid he might change his mind. If he did, Firouz knew that he wouldn’t be able to oppose him. After all, Sinbad may honestly love Maeve and need her. This second accident may just have reminded him of the fact.
"No, but I feel that Maeve and I were not meant to be." Sinbad answered honestly, he didn’t want his friend to worry about losing her. Inside, his heart felt cold and all he wanted to do was weep for the loss of Bryn. He closed his eyes, trying to come to terms with the changes in his life. Changes he knew were necessary but he honestly didn’t know if he could make them without her.
Firouz sent him a worried look, but didn’t say anything. "I need to go set our course, was there anywhere in particular you wanted to go?"
"Try where ever the wind takes us." Sinbad smiled a little. "It sounds like such a nice destination."
"As you wish." Firouz left the room, glancing up at Doubar. "He’s tired but there doesn’t seem to be any damage done."
Doubar nodded, knowing that the damage would be to his heart. "Thank you."
This has two optional endinGs, I hope you enjoy and let me know which you like best!
O
P
T
I
O
N
A
L
E
N
D
I
N
G
S
Part 11
Evening fell and Bryn joined Sinbad on deck. "So what was it like to be Maeve’s love interest and interested in world conquest?"
"Bryn, that was the weirdest situation I’ve ever been in. I realized how lucky I am to have you in my life." He took her into his arms and they watched the night sky together.
As right as this felt, Bryn knew she should tell him what had happened between herself and him. "Sinbad, I’m glad you are back. You have been a true friend to me, I missed you." * Okay, so I’m a chicken. I’ll tell him later.
"How could you miss me? I was right here." Sinbad rubbed her back, instinctively knowing that she was keeping something from him.
"No, you weren’t, he looked like you, but he wasn’t you. I wish I could explain it but I can’t." Bryn shook her head regretfully.
"I know what you mean, being around my family and yet knowing that they weren’t them. It was scary. Good evening, Rongar." He smiled at him.
"Nice to have you back." He signed.
Sinbad smiled. "That friend of yours, Alyssa, was a great help. I wouldn’t have gotten through some of that world’s tricks if not for her coaching. She said she helped me because you were a friend of hers."
Rongar agreed with him. He was silent for a moment before he signed. "She’s a great lady. I’m glad to know that she helped you because she remembered me, I couldn’t have passed through her world and succeeded the tests without her help."
"I’m glad to get some credit, but we did it together." Turning around they saw Alyssa standing on the deck near the main mast. "How are you?"
"Fine. Its nice to see you again." Sinbad gestured for her to join them, which she did.
"I’m all right, tired after that swim and creating the storm but fine." Bryn answered.
"Better now that the Captain is back." Rongar mind spoke.
"Good. You did a wonderful job, Bryn. I’m sure you all have questions, please feel free to ask." Alyssa hoped up on the rail, resting a hand on Rongar’s shoulder.
"First of all, why did this happen?" Bryn asked.
"As I told Sinbad earlier it was caused when Dahak died in this world and was forced back into his realm. A hole was left because of all the destruction he caused, it was just being filled. Why the storm pulled here and caused an opening between dimensions, I don’t really know. Nobody does, it was just one of those things that happened."
"How is everything in the other world, now that I’ve messed up his life?" Sinbad asked, worried that he might have caused an endless amount of trouble for him.
"Don’t worry about that. You were right about Bryn’s power to make people change, he’s setting about making his life right. Firouz and Maeve are happy together."
"Maeve and Firouz?" Rongar looked amused. "That is something that I would love to see."
They laughed at that. Doubar and Firouz came joined them, Firouz was hiding something. "Bryn, we have a surprise for you."
"Really? What is it?" She was excited.
"You have been a part of our family for a year and celebrated with us those special occasions. Since we don’t know when your birthday is we have decided to give you a welcome to the family present. Firouz has been working on it for a while." Doubar handed her a brightly colored package.
Bryn looked at it for a minute and then opened it to find a small, black box with marigolds and babies breath painted on it. "Turn it over and twist the key." Bryn did as Firouz told her and the box played a gentle tune that appealed to her ear.
Her eyes filled with tears as she looked around at her family. "Thank you, I don’t know what to say. You guys are the greatest. Firouz, it’s wonderful." Bryn hugged them and watched the stars dancing across the sea.
The End. But then again, there's also this one. :-)
Part Twelve.
Sinbad was resting in his cabin with his hands under his head. He was staring up at the ceiling, the gentle rocking of the ship soothing his somewhat frazzled nerves. He knew Doubar was outside the door waiting to be invited in to talk but didn’t want any company at the moment. But he was denied his wish, there was the sound of a struggle up on deck. "Let me go, you cretin!" A feminine voice hollered.
He sighed, threw off the covers and went topside. He took a deep breath and bellowed over the noise. "What in the name of Poseidon is going on out here?" The crew parted down the middle and let him pass. He stopped in shock, for there in the center of his crew, dripping and shaking on the ground, was an angry looking Bryn. "Bryn?" His voice was shaky and he was tempted to think that the sun was playing tricks with his mind.
"We pulled that girl up from the water and couldn’t resist her beauty." One of his sailors explained, his eyes were still on her.
Sinbad could barely contain his rage, that was *his* girl they were looking at. He walked up to the sailor and looked him straight in the eye. "Let me give you a little tip. Women don’t like to be treated like objects, ask first." He bent down and helped her up, guiding her down the stairs and through his door.
"Is she?" Doubar asked, exchanging a look with Firouz.
"Yes." His voice was equally quiet, his worried gaze rested on Bryn. He turned around. "Firouz, when Maeve has a free moment, would you send her to me?"
"Of course." The two men went down the hall. "I thought Bryn was someone he imagined. Who is she?"
"The one who helped Sinbad change." was his simple reply.
"Bryn, is it really you?" He asked, then hit his head. "What an idiot I am to leave you standing there in your wet clothes. Here." Sinbad handed Bryn one of his shirts. "I’ll be out in the hall while you change."
"Thank you." She whispered, feeling very disoriented in his world. She watched him walk out of the room and slowly changed. "You can come in, Sinbad. And yes, it is me."
He sat down next to her, toweling her hair dry. "But how did you come to be here?"
"I don’t know, I jumped into the water to find Sinbad...my world’s Sinbad... and found him. We were swimming towards the Nomad and the next thing I know that sailor is pulling me on board and touching me." Bryn looked up at him when she felt him tense. She placed her hand on his check, "He didn’t hurt me, just scared me."
"Like I did?" Sinbad asked, taking her hand in his and holding it.
"Yes." Bryn softly said. "And to tell you the truth, you still do."
He sighed and pulled her near, leaning against the pillows. "I don’t mean to."
"I know." She yawned, resting her head on his chest. Bryn looked up, her eyes meeting his. "Don’t send me away, you’re all that I know here."
"I won’t." He waited until she was asleep. "You are finally were you belong and I don’t intend to let you go ever again."
The End.