May I Have this Dance?

By: Celeste

Maeve sighed and ran her fingers along the silky length of gown before her. It was a beautiful dress, that she would not deny. But… how would they see her? She tore her eyes from the green material and back towards the door.

Deciding she needed a walk in the gardens, she rose from the bed and exited her room. Taking a quick glance up and down the halls, she closed the door quietly behind her and took a deep breath.

Walking down the corridors, she slowly observed the beautiful paintings and sculptures that decorated the walls. Omar had magnificent taste.

She stopped to check herself at a spotless glass mirror hanging above a blue vase bedecked in white flowers. She frowned a little at the dishelved look that came back at her. Smoothing her hair a little, she pushed it back behind her head, clearing her face of the red masses.

Satisfied, she continued on her way to the gardens. Passing servants as she walked bye, she had to step to the side to avoid crashing into them, and their arms full of decor or food.

Smiling politely, she finally cleared the busy area of the palace, and her stroll resumed it's peace.

*The ball tonight,* she thought with a little grimace. *I never knew Omar as one for big celebrations.*

But the sultan was ecstatic over his big event, and had insisted on Sinbad's presence on the big night.

*What's the occasion anyway?* she asked herself.

Omar never said anything about what this was all for. She stopped once she was in front of her destination. Omar's fabulous palace gardens.

Pushing the heavy doors open, she stepped out into the fresh air and sunlight. Stopping to smile up at the sky, she reveled in the warmth that hit her face.

"Oh, this is just what I need," she sighed to herself, listening to the songs of birds in the wind.

Sighting a sparkling pond with ducks splashing happily in it, she went to sit by it's side. Placing herself in the shade of a small tree, she stopped all of her troubled thoughts to watch the ducks swimming blissfully about.

Looking out at her reflection in the water, she stopped to finger the petals of a water lily and splash away a duckling that had separated itself from it's family. She would sit here for a while, away from the worries of social grace and diplomatic worries.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Sinbad stopped to help one of Omar's maids with a heavy fruit basket. She thanked him profusely, but assured him it wasn't necessary. He only smiled and told her he was happy to help.

Walking back towards his room, he stopped and looked out the window towards the gardens. One thing caught his immediate attention, as always. He stared a while at Maeve, sitting by the pond.

He noticed the sunlight glinting off of her fiery hair, and the peaceful smile that graced her beautiful lips. Placing his elbows on the window sill, and continued his gazing.

*I wonder what she's doing out there all by herself,* he thought. *Probably trying to get away from all this commotion. Like me.*

He allowed himself a rueful smile. He wasn't one for big social events. Bryn and Rongar however, seemed made for them. He could understand the moor's excitement. Rongar had been a prince after all.

But Bryn… he was a little unsure about that. She had been talking with him earlier, ecstatic about her new gown, and the feasting, and the dancing. He grinned again. What a crew he had.

"Sinbad! What are you looking at?"

The captain spun around to face Firouz.

"Um, nothing. Just the gardens… uh, how can I help you?" he asked hastily.

"I was just wondering if you've seen Rongar, I need to ask him something."

"Er… I don't think I have this afternoon. Maybe Doubar will know."

Firouz nodded and turned around, his attentions focused away from Sinbad and the object of his affections.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Maeve looked up as Dermott joined her. *Where have you been?* she asked in a pleasant tone. He flapped his wings a little, and his eyes seemed to smile.

*Why, I was just observing your secret admirer,* he clucked back, motioning to Sinbad's form in the window with his beak.

Sinbad caught his breath and ducked below the sill, once he saw Dermott's head poke in his direction.

"Stupid bird," he whispered under his breath.

Maeve's head jerked towards the window. "There's no one there Dermott," she said with an irritated jerk of her head.

*If you say so,* he replied, a mirthful tone coloring his mindvoice.

Sinbad chanced another look out the window, and noticed that Maeve seemed to be arguing with Dermott. Sighing a little, he tore himself from staring at the Celt and decided to return to his room before he injured himself.

Laughing a little at his stupidity, he opened the door and went to think on the bed. A long, long think.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The tall sorceress groaned as she looked at the sun. Only a few hours until the big party was to begin.

*Are you sure I have to go?* she asked her companion.

Dermott's eyes smiled mischievously at her. *Omar personally invited you Maeve, you wouldn't want to refuse the Sultan now would you?*

She glared at him and tossed a stick at the roosting bird. Dermott gave an indignant, laughing squawk.

"Don't remind me," she sighed, rising up from her resting spot and heading back towards the doors.

"You stay out here and you feel sorry for me," she called back, very seriously to Dermott. Her brother just laughed and told her he would.

Reaching her room, she stormed in and plopped herself on the bed, looking distastefully at the gown before her.

Laughing ironically to herself, she pushed the material from the bed and laid down, staring up at the cream ceilings. A knock on the door pulled her from the aimless gaze.

"Who's there?" she asked politely, sitting herself up on the sheets.

"It's me, can I come in?" asked the ecstatic voice.

Maeve smiled and concurred. "Come in Bryn," she called back.

The door swung open, and Bryn came bounding in, her hands full of something or other. Closing the door behind her, the petite sorceress flung herself into the bed with her taller counterpart.

"I have something for you," she squealed, pulling something from a velvet pouch in her hand.

Maeve closed her eyes and rubbed her temples. She knew what was coming. When the Celt opened her eyes again, it felt as if her shoulders weighed more than her body. Looking down, her eyes grew wide and she began to shake her head with a vengeance.

"No, no, no… I can't," Maeve breathed, quickly unclasping the diamonds that had hung from her throat.

"What, don't you like them? Omar had them sent up to me, and I told him this one would be good for you."

"It's… beautiful, but it's not me."

"How about this one?"

Maeve began to decline again, but Bryn would have none of it. Clasping the jewels around her friend's neck, the smaller woman grinned at the Celt's appearance.

"Oh, that's beautiful."

Maeve looked at herself in the mirror hanging across the room. A sparkling trail of gold chain trickled snugly down her throat, with a moderate sized tear-shaped diamond gracing the center of her neck.

"You want me to wear this?" she breathed, touching it lightly.

"It was made for you," Bryn replied. "Now… we don't have a lot of time… I think I had better get you ready for this ball!"

"Oh no… I can put the dress on myself thank you very much," the Celt protested firmly.

Bryn sighed. "To bad Maeve. You're stuck with me. And trust me, there is MUCH more to this than slipping the dress on," the brunette replied honestly.

Maeve sighed. These were going to be the longest hours of her life.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Sinbad allowed himself a muffled "oomph" as Rongar tightened his sash again.

"Isn't that tight enough?" the captain questioned eagerly.

Rongar just laughed a little and signaled that he was done. Sighing in relief, Sinbad checked himself from head to toe, feeling beyond stupid. A soft brown shirt, tucked in by a black sash, and black pants.

He waited for Rongar to turn around and yanked the stupid sash off, tucking it behind his pillow. Rongar turned around and shook his head, grinning.

"What? I couldn't breathe!" Sinbad protested indignantly.

The moor ignored him, and motioned for his captain to at least keep the shirt tucked in. Sinbad began to pull it out a little, for more comfort.

"How am I supposed to eat with these sleeves? They'll be dragging in the food when I reach across the table," the captain groaned, motioning to the puffed brown sleeves on his silken shirt.

Pulling his boots onto his feet, Sinbad signaled that he was done. The moor shook his head and
tossed Sinbad a comb.

"What's wrong with my hair?" Sinbad groaned, running it through his bronze locks.

Tossing the comb onto the bed once he was done, he reached for his sword. Rongar stopped him, and wagged a reprimanding finger towards Sinbad. The sword remained on the bed. Rubbing his bracelet from under the bulging sleeves, Sinbad headed for the door. The bell had called for supper.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"There, perfect," Bryn finished, admiring her handiwork in the mirror. Maeve looked at her hair.

"Bryn, my hair might make me a full three inches taller than Sinbad now," she objected.

"It will be a full five inches," Bryn corrected, handing Maeve her shoes.

"How am I supposed to WALK in these?" the Celt protested.

"One foot in front of the other. Now clasp my necklace on will you?" Bryn answered without batting an eye.

Maeve moved to secure the expensive jewelry on her friend. "There, we're beautiful," the petite sorceress stated, with a familiar glint in her dark eyes. "Now let's go, I think I heard the bell."

Checking herself over in the mirror once more, Maeve subtly loosed her hair a little. Bryn wouldn't notice. Walking briskly through the door to catch up with her shorter friend, the sorceress headed towards the dining hall.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Where are Bryn and Maeve?" Firouz whispered, leaning to Sinbad.

"They're going to be late."

"Lucky…" Sinbad whispered.

He plastered on a smile as Omar nodded for the captain to take the seat beside him. Still smiling, Sinbad obliged graciously.

"Ah Sinbad! I trust you're enjoying the celebration?" Omar asked, raising his glass to the captain.
Sinbad nodded. "It's magnificent Omar."

"Thank you, thank you. Now, may I ask where your two lovely lady friends are?" the sultan asked with raised brow.

"Um… I was wondering that myself…"

"Ah, no need for an explanation Sinbad, here they come," Omar interrupted, motioning to the stairs that lead to the dining hall.

Sinbad turned around, as well as many of the other guests. The captain'sjaw dropped. Around him, the sultan's guests were mumbling about themselves.

"Magnificent."

"Beautiful."

"So elegant."

"Wondrous!"

The captain turned his head from them, not wanting Maeve to see his shocked expression. As the two approached, Firouz cordially rose and helped both ladies to their seats.

"You both look beautiful," he whispered quietly. They smiled their thanks to the shy inventor.

"Ah, Maeve, Bryn! So glad you could join us!" Omar stated in a joking fashion.

"I'll apologize for our tardiness," Bryn stepped in. "It seems I couldn't get Maeve to let me help with her hair."

"But I see you were successful?"

"I was, after a LOT of struggle," the petite sorceress replied with a subtle glance at her friend.

Maeve decided to ignore the comment.

"You really do look great," Sinbad whispered to her from across the table.

She smiled at him. "I don't feel all that great," she replied, motioning to her hair. He stifled a laugh.

"Lucky for me I got rid of the sash."

"Don't gloat, it doesn't become you," she replied with a mocking sniff. His smile grew wider.

"I like gloating though."

She ignored him and began her meal, giving him a few looks now and then. Throughout the meal all Sinbad heard was idle conversation being struck up by the guests.

But all he thought about was how beautiful the sorceress looked. Enchantress would have been a better word, had it come to mind.

At the end of the feast, Omar called for his guests to assemble in the ball room, where he promised a night of dancing, conversation, and great company.

As he finished his announcement, the skilled musicians began to play a soft, classical melody as the dance floor began to slowly fill in with couples. Sinbad and crew stayed to the side, Doubar still devouring a few sweets that servants passed around.

"Are you planning on dancing?" he asked around the food as Rongar and Bryn twirled by.

Sinbad laughed and shook his head. "Big brother, you know how I don't like these big fancy parties," the younger brother replied a bit indignantly.

"Throw away your pride for one night little brother… there's a beautiful sorceress just across the way that could use a dance partner," Doubar urged, elbowing Sinbad lightly in the ribs.

Sinbad's eyes shone a humorous defiance. "Doubar, she'd fry me for asking," he replied with a chuckle.

"Ahh, but what a way to die, wouldn't you say Sinbad?"

"I'll choose to ignore that comment, thank you," Sinbad answered, heading away from the back of the room towards an area where he could sit.

Chancing a glance backwards in Maeve's direction. She was beautiful tonight, he wouldn't doubt that. And if he were to die, that would be the image he would want to be the last ever seen. Leaning back casually in his seat, he observed the celebration around him.

Rongar and Bryn dancing quite elegantly, seemingly having the time of their lives. The sultan stood on one side, chatting with some regally dressed guests, as Doubar and Firouz stood near the table, graciously devouring the delicacies placed upon it.

He smiled as Rongar and Bryn swooped by again, the two friends laughing quietly to each other and just enjoying the evening, innocently together.

"If everything could only stay that innocent," Sinbad whispered to himself, leaning back into the seat and looking around once again. "This is going to be a long, boring evening."

Maeve sat out next to a window, searching the sky. The stars were dulling, morning approached. Had the celebration really gone on all night? She looked over at Sinbad, still wide awake in his chair.

Smiling, she turned back around, realizing that some things never changed. The musicians played a soft, classically pretty melody, but only a few dancers remained on the floor.

It had been so long since her last dance… during a festival back in Eire. She looked back down at her emerald gown, the color vividly bringing back memories of her beautiful homeland.

Sinbad saw her glance back at him and smile. *Am I that predictable?* he thought to himself with a small chuckle. *This should be the last dance before everyone leaves,* he continued, looking back over at Maeve. *Should I? What would happen if I didn't? Would it be a big deal?*

"It's the little things in life that matter," he said out loud. Clamping a hand over his mouth, he smiled ruefully. *Why not?*

He stood up, straightened his shirt, and walked over to her by the windows. Coughing a bit nervously, he tapped her on the back. She turned around and smiled.

"Hello Sinbad."

He smiled. "Maeve?"

"Hmmm?"

"May I have this last dance?"

She smiled and looked up at him, offering him her hand. "I would love to dance with you."

All he could do was grin back and take her arm into his own.
 

The End