Nomad Yuletide
or Home For Christmas

Kelly/Dabnis

“Deck the ship with bows of holly, fa, la la la la la la la la,” Firouz sang, while hanging some ornaments on a tree that was propped up in the cabin of the Nomad. “’Tis the season to be jolly, fa la la la la—“

“Firouz!” Sinbad interrupted. “What in the name of Allah are you doing?”

“Ah, yes. It is an old tradition I picked up from the Linopians, that time we visited. I was fortunate enough to purchase a book written about their culture.”

“Why exactly to they put trees up and put all that stuff over them, Firouz?” Doubar asked, entering the cabin.

“It is the Yuletide—a season that brings out good feelings in everyone,” answered Firouz. “Usually one would exchange gifts with another during this special time.”

“Interesting,” Bryn said, entering with Rongar and Dermott.

“And what was that song you were singing?” Sinbad asked.

“A song I wrote specifically for the season.”

“Is there anything you can’t do?” Bryn asked, still trying to get used to being a part of the crew.

Firouz turned red and looked away. Only Rongar noticed the expression on his face, so he stayed behind after the others left.

Firouz stared after them, as they left to tend to their various duties.

“What are you looking at?” Firouz asked Rongar.

Rongar just smiled and shook his head.

“Can you keep a secret?”

Rongar nodded.

“I…I can’t help my feelings…oh, Bryn.”

Rongar stared at his friend, shocked.

Meanwhile, Sinbad was at the helm, thinking about his past adventures. The good ole’ days. How he missed what everything used to be like./ Everything had changed so much…but how?

Suddenly, Sinbad found himself on the ground, fending off a bird that was attacking him. And the SHE was standing before him. The most beautiful creature he had ever seen.

Sinbad opened his eyes and blinked back the tears the formed. He was still at the tiller. To think of spending Firouz’s “Yuletide” without Maeve!

That’s when Sinbad noticed someone standing in front of him. Brown boots. Long legs. Brown and white outfit. Fiery red hair.

“Oh, I wish I wasn’t dreaming,” Sinbad said. “I miss Maeve so much, that I’m seeing things.”

“No, Sinbad,” said the vision, surprising him. “It’s really me.”

“Maeve?” Sinbad asked, dropping the tiller.

“Yes.” She came closer and gave him a hug.

When they pulled apart (after a long while, because Sinbad didn’t want to let go), Sinbad asked, “Did you finally master the art of white magic? Is that why you’re back?”

“No. But this is the time of year miracles happen, and wishes come true. I am here for a week, the duration of Yuletide.”

Just then, the rest of the Nomad Crew walked up to them. But the weren’t alone. With them were Rongar’s best (late) friend, Mustafa, and Maeve’s, Doubar’s, and Sinbad’s teacher, the wizard, Dim-Dim.

Dermott flew from Bryn to Maeve and chirped happily.

“Is anyone going to introduce your friends to me?” Bryn asked.

The introductions were made, and everyone spent the evening talking in the cabin.

The next day, the Nomad landed in Basra, for the crew was invited to the Yuletide festivities at Omar’s palace.

While walking through Basra, Sinbad hung back with Maeve.

“You guys go ahead,” he said. “I must talk with Maeve.”

After the crew left the two behind, Maeve said, “What do you want to talk to me about?”

“Well,” Sinbad said, stopping, and turning to Maeve. “I’m glad to spend the  week with you. I’m glad you’re back. I don’t want to waste a single moment with you.”

“You know, Sinbad, I missed the whole crew while I was gone, but I think I missed you most of all.”

Sinbad took her hand and held it, as they started walking again. He wasn’t used to being so forward about his feelings, but they only have a week together.

Maeve wanted to pull he hand from his, but somehow, it felt right. Like it was meant to be. She walked a little closer to Sinbad. Then she stopped.

“Why are you stopping?” Sinbad asked, stopping with her. “Omar’s expecting us.”

“Oh, he can wait a few extra minutes, can’t he?”

Sinbad looked deep into her brown eyes. “Yeah, he can wait.”

“I just want to spend some time alone with you.”

Sinbad pulled Maeve into an empty alleyway.

“There. We’re alone,” he said, putting his arms around her and pulling her close.

Maeve let out a laugh, as Sinbad’s lips claimed hers of the most passionate kiss either of them had ever known.

Later that night, everyone had gotten ready for the festivities. Omar gave them nice clothes, and everyone looked their finest.

As part of the tradition, everyone exchanged gifts.

Bryn had written a poem for the handsome Captain, but she didn’t count on Maeve showing up. So she bought a new scabbard for his dagger in Basra.

“Thank you, Bryn,” Sinbad said, smiling. “My dagger scabbard is getting all worn out.”

Sinbad had given everyone gifts, except for Maeve.

“I have two gifts for you, but I’m going to save them for later,” he whispered.

Maeve smiled.

Bryn couldn’t help but feel a little jealous, for her feelings for Sinbad grew over the months. But he only loved her as a sister. His heart belonged to Maeve.

“Sinbad, would you like to dance?”

“I would be honoured, Bryn,” he answered, standing up, and taking her hand.

They made a few circles, then Bryn leaned in to kiss him, but he turned his head.

“Oh, I’m sorry, Sinbad. I didn’t mean to—“

It’s all right, Bryn. Just forget about it.”

*It’s hard to forget being so close to you, Sinbad* Bryn thought.

The song ended and they made their way back to their seats.

Now it was Maeve’s turn to dance with the Captain.

The crew watched the couple as they made slow circles in the middle of the dance floor. No one spoke for awhile. No one made a sound. Even Dermott stopped his chirping.

Firouz finally broke the spell. “They would have made a handsome couple,” he said.

“Aye,” Doubar replied, after finding his voice.

Bryn was feeling jealous of the red-haired beauty.

Sinbad and Maeve were oblivious to everything going on around them, as they gazed into each other’s eyes.

“I missed you, Maeve.”

“Oh, Sinbad. I missed you as well…more than you’ll ever know.”

“Come on. Let’s get out of here,” Sinbad said, taking Maeve’s hand. “I want to give you your gifts.”

Maeve smiled as they walked out of the room. Mustafa walked up to Bryn and asked her to dance.

“Oh, what the hey,” she said, standing. “It might made me feel better.”

Meanwhile, Sinbad was leading Maeve through a maze of corridors, to where their quarters all were.

When inside his room, Sinbad shut the door behind them. He handed a small pouch to Maeve.

“Oh, Sinbad!” she exclaimed when she opened it. “It’s beautiful.” She pulled out the necklace. “Put it on for me?”

Sinbad held his breath. “No,” he finally answered. “There’s still your other gift.”

“Oh, Sinbad, you didn’t have to.”

Sinbad answered with a kiss, and pushed Maeve back onto the bed.

“Hey you!” Maeve exclaimed, laughing. “Where’s the present?”

“It’s coming.” He continued to kiss her all over. Then he began to undo her shirt.

Maeve blushed as she thought about the present that was to come. She tugged at Sinbad’s vest and shirt.

“You’re beautiful, Maeve.”

“Nothing compares to you.”

Sinbad ran his mouth down Maeve’s neck. She wrapped her arms around him, and pulled him closer, if that was possible. Sinbad and Maeve were so close, it was as if they became one. It was hard to tell where one body ended and the other began. They fit so perfectly together. Like it was meant to be. They were meant for each other.

Later, Maeve and Sinbad returned. They were holding hands, and all smiles, sharing kisses here and there.

“So, little brother, where were you?” Doubar asked, walking up to them.

“I was giving Maeve a gift.”

He kissed her, and they were lost in the moment. Rumina could have attacked the kingdom with her monsters, and they wouldn’t have noticed.

The next day, the crew said their good-byes to Omar, then left for the Nomad.

On the way, they met a man.

“Hello,” the man said.

“Hello, good sir,” Sinbad answered.

Sinbad just passed the little man, without saying another word.

“Wait. It’s not every day I have the chance to talk to the famous Captain Sinbad and his illustrious crew.”

“I’m sorry,” Sinbad said, turning. “We have a tide to catch.”

“I am Kris. I have gifts for each of you. He handed them a sack. “I made them myself. Well, I know you haven’t much time, so I’ll be on my way. I have gifts for all the children in Basra to deliver.”

The crew turned and continued the walk back to the ship.

Behind them, Kris put a finger on his nose and disappeared. Maeve was the only one who saw this. She turned back to Sinbad and gave his hand a squeeze. Ah, the magic of Yuletide. Surprises at every turn. To think she finally has Sinbad’s heart, and he has hers. After a year of being no more than very good friends. At the beginning, when Dermott attacked Sinbad, she couldn’t help what she felt when she first laid eyes on him.

Sinbad was thinking about the same thing. When he noticed Maeve standing in front of him, he was at a loss for words, and time stood still.

Then their thoughts turned to last night. The most magical evening either has ever spent.

Back on the Nomad, everyone was exhausted that night. Sinbad sat on his bunk and pulled Maeve down to sit with him. They fell asleep in each other’s arms.

In the middle of the night, Maeve woke up, kissed the sleeping man beside her, and headed topside.

That’s when Rumina appeared at Sinbad’s side.

The next morning, Sinbad opened his eyes, and pulled the woman lying beside him closer. He began to kiss her on the back of her neck.

“Oh, Sinbad. I thought you didn’t want me.”

Hearing Rumina’s voice, he jumped up and threw Rumina on the floor. He sat on her and was poised to punch her in the face.

Rumina wrapped her arms around him and started to kiss him.

Maeve entered the cabin just then. What she saw was Sinbad and Rumina in each other’s arms…and neither had a stitch of clothing on!

Meanwhile, Sinbad didn’t notice he had no clothes on, until he turned and saw Maeve staring at them, tears running down her cheeks.

Maeve ran out of the cabin, slamming the door. *So that is what I was* she thought. *A one night stand. My love meant nothing to him!* She stepped up to the bow, closed her eyes, and let herself fall, into the darkness.

“Forget her, dearest. We have other things to do. Do you think Maki would be a good name? Or how about Ramindle? No? Perhaps you’d prefer Sinbad Jr.? That’s right, dearest, I’m pregnant, with your baby.”

“No,” Sinbad shook her head. “No...it can’t be…”

Then, right before his eyes, Rumina’s belly grew bigger.

He gave in, and started kissing Rumina madly.

Sinbad shot straight up in bed.

“Oh, good. It was all a dream.”

He went topside to look for Maeve. Instead, he found Doubar at the tiller.

“Doubar, where’s Maeve?” he asked, walking up to his older brother.

“What are you talking about? She’s safe, with Dim-Dim, remember? She’s been there for awhile now.”

Firouz joined the two. “Sinbad, it must have been a dream.”

“I dreamed that Maeve, Dim-Dim, and Mustafa were back for a week. We went to Basra for Yuletide festivities. And the strangest part was, I dreamed that Firouz had feelings for—“

Bryn gave Sinbad a kiss on the cheek, after walking up to them.

“Huh?” Sinbad asked. “What was that for?”

Then Sinbad woke up. Maeve was still leaning against his chest. No one else was in the cabin. He kissed her, and she woke up.

The next thing they knew, their clothes were strewn all over the place.

That afternoon, Dim-Dim, Mustafa, and Maeve had to leave. Their week was over.

Sinbad wouldn’t let go, as he hugged Maeve one last time. He had to tell her what was on his mind, before she was lost to him again.

He took her hands and said, “Maeve, I love you.” That was the first time he actually told her, though he always felt it.

“I love you too, Sinbad.”

Then the three disappeared.

Sinbad turned to Doubar, who offered his arms. Sinbad hugged his brother, as the tears ran down his cheeks.

The End