Titel: No stars in the sky

Autor: merlin

Summary: Ist Sindbad wirklich tot? Erfährt er das Maeve sein Baby zur Welt bringt?

Maeve pulled her blankets tighter around herself as she laid in her bed.  Her pillow was soaked from her tears and her entire body felt numb.  She looked at her nightstand and saw her picture of the crew.  Firouz had taken it a few weeks earlier with one of his new inventions.  Maeve wiped her eyes as she sat up.  She looked at the picture and noticed that Sinbad looked perfect in it.  She hoped he looked that way now, where ever he was.

"You tried so hard, my love.  Now your journey is complete."

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

Doubar knocked on Sinbad's cabin, half expecting him to answer.  He quietly opened the door and walked in.  The room was almost pitch black, except for a dying candle, sitting on his nightstand, the only light in the room.  His eyes filled with tears as he saw his little brother's lifeless body lying on the bed.  He looked ghastly white in the dim cabin.

Doubar took Sinbad's limp hand in his own.  "I'm sorry Little Brother,"  he sobbed,  "I should have protected you."

Doubar closed his eyes, remembering that tragic day.  An army of demons had attacked Baghdad, and the Caliph had sent for Sinbad and the crew to help.  Sinbad had tried so hard.  He had fought all through the night.  Then that skeleton, with the two swords...  Doubar shook his head, in attempt to erase all those bad memories.

The Nomad was being prepared to set sail the next morning.  The crew was going to give Sinbad a proper burial at sea.  Doubar thought that's what Sinbad would have wanted.  After all, he was Sinbad the Sailor.  He belonged with the sea.  Doubar figured that it would be right for him to be with it, forever.

Firouz was in his own cabin, working on some of his inventions.  He tried so hard to make it look like Sinbad's death didn't bother him, but Doubar knew he was hurting.  Rongar was in his own cabin too, and Doubar was almost positive that he was crying.  Unlike Firouz, the moor wasn't afraid to show his feelings.

As Doubar gently squeezed his little brother's hand, he realized how hard it was going to be to let go.  Sinbad was his purpose for living, and now he had none.

"Little Brother, I can't believe you're gone.  You weren't just my brother, you were my purpose in life, and my best friend."

Doubar turned away, not able to look at his dead brother.

"I can't be captain now, I can't take your place!  But I swear to you, I will avenge your death and save Baghdad!  I hope you are with Mother and Father now.  And don't worry, I'll take care of Maeve."

Doubar started crying again.

"I only wish you had told her how much you cared."

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

Maeve was sitting on the floor of her cabin against the door.  Her knees were clutched against her chest as she cried.  She wasn't just crying about the death of Sinbad, but of the reason he died.  He had died protecting her.  The demon was about to kill her, and Sinbad had sacrificed his life to save her.

Maeve stood up and patted her stomach.  She had never gotten the chance to tell Sinbad that he was going to be a father.  And now it was too late.  If it weren't for this child, she would probably be with Sinbad right now.  She loved him with all her heart, and she couldn't bear the thought of life without him.

But none of this mourning could be good for her unborn baby.  She decided to go and get something to eat from the galley.  Drying her tears, she quietly left her cabin.  She had to be strong for Doubar.  After all, she wasn't the one who lost her brother.

"I wish you were here, Sinbad.  I never got to tell you how much I really cared about you."  she whispered.

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

Doubar quickly dried his tears as Maeve entered Sinbad's cabin.  He didn't want to make her start crying again.

"Hi Doubar."  Maeve said quietly.

Doubar nodded, unable to speak.  He knew if he did, the tears would come again.  And he needed to be strong for everyone.

"I think we need to talk Doubar."  Maeve said as she motioned towards the door.

"Okay."  he agreed.

The two walked into the galley and took a seat.

"It's about me and Sinbad."  she began.

Doubar sadly shook his head, unaware of the fact that they had indeed confessed their love for each other.

"Well,"  she continued,  "one night, Sinbad and I-"  she was interrupted as a crew member slowly walked below deck.

"What is it Rhett?  Doubar asked him.

"Well, Doubar, I was just wondering if we were still going to sail on the Nomad together."  he asked.

"I don't know!"  Doubar exclaimed as he stomped off into his own cabin.

Maeve huffed as she went into her own cabin too.

"I'm sorry!"  Rhett quietly called.

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

A few hours later, Doubar emerged from his cabin and saw Firouz sitting alone in the galley.  He took a seat across the table from him.

"What are we going to do now, Firouz?"  Doubar quietly asked him.

"Well, I guess since you are the first mate, you are now the captain."  Firouz said.

Doubar sadly shook his head.  "I don't want to be the captain.  The only reason I became a sailor was so I could be with Sinbad."

Firouz understood how hard this was going to be for Doubar.  Not just for Doubar, but for the entire crew.  Sinbad was their captain, their strength.  They each needed him in their own way.

"I'm going to go to my cabin."  Firouz decided, at a loss of words to comfort Doubar.

"Okay."  Doubar simply said.

Firouz entered his cabin and closed the door.  He thought that working on his inventions might clear his head.  He picked up a small model of his relaxation tub, and his mind flashed back to Sinbad.

"Firouz, all I ask is that you keep the sea water, in the sea, not flooding the deck."

Firouz sighed and looked at his ruby beamer.

"Interesting do-dad, Firouz."

He then thought of all the times which his inventions had gotten the crew out of trouble.  The exploding sticks, the magnascope, the relaxation tub (which had saved Maeve's life), and many others.

Sinbad had always had faith in them.  Especially with his hanging glider, which had never been used before.  Sinbad had trusted him completely.

"This will work, right?"   Sinbad had said.

"In theory."  Firouz had assured.

"I was looking for something a bit more reassuring."

Firouz looked at his inventions, which all held wonderful memories, which wouldn't be needed much longer.  He then saw a piece of wood leaning against the wall.  He picked it up and began to smash his inventions with it.  Tears streamed down his innocent face as he destroyed his most prized possessions.  Doubar, hearing this commotion, ran in to see what was going on.

"Firouz!  What in Allah's name do you think you're doing!?"  he exclaimed as he grabbed the plank away from Firouz.

Firouz collapsed to the floor and began to sob.

"Firouz."  Doubar said gently as he sat down next to him.  "It's okay."

Firouz sadly looked at him, tears rolling down his face.  "No, it's not okay, Doubar.  Sinbad is gone!  If I had only gotten there sooner!"  He put his head down on his knees again.

"It's not your fault, Firouz.  I watched the skeleton plunge his sword deep into my brother's back.  I saw the look of terror in his eyes.  I heard him take his last breath of air as he fell into my arms!"  He paused, unable to go on.

Firouz looked at him and put a comforting hand on Doubar's shoulder.

Doubar sadly continued, "If it's anyone's fault, it should be mine.  I didn't guard his back."

Firouz looked deep into Doubar's eyes.  "The battle was madness, my friend.  We could each only protect ourselves!  You can't blame yourself for this."  he gently chided.

Doubar leaned over and hugged his friend.

"Thank you, Firouz."  he said.  And with that, he stood up and went into his own cabin, leaving Firouz alone.

Firouz stood up and walked over to his table.  He lit another candle and took a seat in front of his inventions.  He winced as he surveyed the damages.

"Well, here goes."  he whispered as he picked up an invention and began to repair it.

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

Maeve breathed in deeply, welcoming the smell of the salty sea breeze.  She was standing at the bow of the ship, staring out into the starless night sky.

"There are no stars out tonight."  she whispered.

The empty night sky filled Maeve with an unshakable feeling of loneliness.  She looked across the ship, towards the helm, and tried to imagine Sinbad standing there, as he used to do.  Maeve closed her eyes tightly, and tried to picture Sinbad's perfect sea blue eyes.  His gorgeous dimples, that made him look like an adorable child.   And his thick, silky hair.  Maeve longed to run her hands through his beautiful hair again.  Maeve had indeed proclaimed her love for Sinbad one night, but that was a moment of pure insanity.  She still couldn't believe that she had done that with him.  Maeve hadn't even told Sinbad that she loved him.

She wondered if Sinbad had ever even really loved her.  He had said that he did, but Maeve wasn't sure if he really meant it.  He had loved a lot of women before her.  But then again, she was positive that he wouldn't lie to her.  Sinbad was the first man Maeve had ever loved, and it scared her.  Maeve was inexperienced when it came to love, but she hoped that she knew enough to know that Sinbad had loved her.

"Sinbad."  she breathed.  "Where are you, my love?"  When the wind blew by, and gave no answer to comfort her, Maeve sadly shook her head.  She knew he couldn't hear her.  He was dead.  And it was all her fault.

Maeve allowed a few gentle tears to roll down her beautiful face.  And before she knew it, she was leaning against the railing of the Nomad, sobbing once again.  A crew member, Tahir, was making the last rounds, making sure everything was ready to set sail in the morning.  He saw Maeve weeping again.  He longed to go to her, but he knew it was best to let her be.  The entire crew missed Sinbad dearly.  He was the best captain Tahir had ever sailed with.  How hard it would be to watch him be put to rest the next day.

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

Rongar angrily stabbed his table with another dirk.  He slowly slid his strong hand around the handle and pulled it out of it's temporary sheath.

*I can't do this!*  he mentally chided.

He looked around the room and surveyed all of it's new holes.  He wasn't good at dealing with pain.  It made him feel better just to destroy something.

Sinbad was the first person, besides Mustapha, to accept Rongar as a person.  After he had gotten his tongue cut out, for not betraying his brothers, he fled his home country, in search of something.

He didn't know what he was looking for at the time, but now, looking back, he truly understood.  Rongar was looking for friends.  He was looking for adventure.  He was looking for a home.

Rongar had had all of those things a few days ago, but now he wasn't so sure.  He didn't know what Doubar or the rest of the crew were going to do now, but he didn't want to leave.

*Sinbad,*  he thought angrily, *how could you just leave us like this?*

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

Firouz smiled as he looked at his newly repaired ruby beamer.  Now all he had to fix was his hanging glider model and his compass.  Firouz wished he could have controlled his actions before.  He had always been able to deal with death, so why was this so hard for him?  Sinbad was a good friend, and it was hard to say good bye to him.

Firouz set his compass down on the table and went over to his bed.  He slowly laid down on it and stared up at the ceiling.  The tears fought their way to Firouz's eyes, but he held them back.  Crying wouldn't bring his captain back.

"What am I going to do now?"  Firouz thought out loud.

He figured that he would stay on the crew for awhile longer.  That was, if Doubar still wanted to sail with them.  Firouz thought of the crew as one of his inventions, and Sinbad as the glue.  Without the glue, the invention would fall apart.  And that was what the crew was doing.

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

Maeve looked over the railing into the sea.  The moon shone on it, making it appear as though it was sparkling.  She longed to be on one of the crew's old voyages.  The ones that Sinbad was there, telling everyone that everything would work out all right.

Although Dim-Dim had said that everything has it's reason, but Maeve wasn't so sure if that was true anymore.  How could Sinbad being dead have any reason?

"What a long night this is turning out to be."  Maeve muttered under her breath, as she turned to go below deck.

"Maeve."  The wind seemed to whisper her name, calling her.

Maeve quickly turned around, searching the deck for who said her name.  She was the only one on the deck, all the crew members had already turned in for the night.

"Who's there?"  She demanded.

When she received no response, Maeve shook her head, blaming it on her lack of sleep.  She was hearing things, she was sure of it.  She was under a lot of stress lately, with the baby and all.

Maeve had to tell someone about this child.  She had to tell Doubar!  Maeve slowly trudged below deck, intent on getting a full nights sleep before telling everyone her news.  But she knew that would be impossible, considering that dawn was almost upon them.

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

Maeve turned onto her side, and pulled her covers up over her.  She was so tired, she fell immediately asleep.

In her dream, Maeve was standing in a beautiful valley.  Flowers were blooming all around, adding a variety of vivid colors to the green valley.

She started walking to a huge waterfall.  The beautiful sea blue color of the water reminded Maeve of Sinbad's eyes.  And then, there he was.

"Sinbad!"  Maeve joyfully shrieked as she ran towards him.

He looked perfect in his normal sailor's outfit.  His thick hair was held in place by his red headband and his arms were outstretched to greet Maeve.  Maeve finally reached Sinbad and they held each other for a long time.  He gazed into Maeve's dark brown eyes.  They were filled with love.

Sinbad leaned in and their lips met.  It started out slowly, as they each tasted each other's lips.  But as the time went by, it grew with passion.  Eventually, Sinbad reluctantly pulled away.  "What is it Sinbad?"  Maeve asked.

"Maeve, we have to talk."  Sinbad answered as he sat down on a rock by the waterfall.  Maeve sat down beside him.

"I need you to help me."  he began.  "You can still bring me back to life, Maeve.  My body hasn't been buried yet, has it?"

Maeve shook her head.

"Don't you see, Maeve?  Cairpra can reunite my body and soul!"  Sinbad said as smile curved his lips.

Maeve was skeptical.  "How?  I thought that when people died, they stayed dead."

Sinbad pointed to his rainbow bracelet.  The colors on it glowed brightly.  "I guess I haven't finished my destiny."

Maeve smiled.  "It's Dim-Dim.  He's the key, isn't he?"

Sinbad nodded.  "The night before the battle in which I fell,  he came to me in a dream.  He told me my destiny was incomplete, so not to worry.  I didn't understand what he meant then, but I do now."

Maeve hugged him.  "I've missed you Sinbad."  she said.

"Maeve, it's time for me to go now..."  Sinbad whispered as Maeve drifted back to reality.

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

Maeve slowly opened her eyes.  She realized that she was back on the Nomad again.  The sun shone down on Maeve's bed through her window.  It was morning.

She happily got out of bed and dressed.  Maeve smiled as she remembered her dream.  Sinbad could still be saved.

Maeve opened her cabin door and entered the galley.  Doubar was sitting at the table, staring motionlessly at his uneaten muffin.

"Good morning Doubar!"  Maeve happily greeted.

"What's good about it, Maeve?"  Doubar solemnly replied.

Maeve allowed a slow smile to curve her lips as she began to tell Doubar about her dream.

"Doubar, Sinbad can still be saved.  He came to me in a dream, telling me what we had to do.  We have to bring him to Cairpra and-"  Maeve stopped as Doubar interrupted her.

"Enough, Maeve!  It was a dream.  That is all!  Just because I dream that I'm married to a beautiful woman, does that mean that will come true?"  he demanded.

Maeve held her ground.  "I am a sorceress Doubar!  My dreams can tell me things!"  She said, her voice rising as her anger grew.

"You are a woman, Maeve!  You belong in the kitchen, not ruining the ship with your magic!  The only reason we let you stay on our ship was because Dim-Dim was your master too!"  he yelled.

Maeve was furious.  "What is your problem, Doubar?  I'm telling you that your brother can be saved and you won't even listen!"

Doubar slammed his fist down hard on the table.  "You are crazy Maeve!  Sinbad is dead, he's going to stay dead!  You're the only one who doesn't seem to understand this!"  he yelled.

"Arrg!"  she screamed in frustration, "You're just lucky I've decided not to use my magic until after my baby is born!"

Doubar shook his head in rage.  "Your baby?"  he asked, skeptically.

"I was going to tell you before, but you wouldn't listen!"  she said as calmly as she could.

"Maeve, is this child, Sinbad's?"  he asked.

Maeve nodded.  "That's why you need to trust me, Doubar.  This is important.  We have to try this."

Doubar walked over to Maeve and hugged her.

"I'm sorry I screamed at you before.  Sometimes I just lose my temper."  he apologized.

Maeve nodded.  "Me too.  I'm sorry."

They hugged again.  Doubar looked at Maeve, and then held his hand up to her stomach.  He could already feel it start to bulge with the life his brother had created.  Doubar could feel tears coming to his eyes.  He quickly blinked them back and swallowed the lump in his throat that demanded to take over his speech.

"Maeve.  How long has it been?"  he asked, trying to choke back joyful tears.

"Two and a half months."  she answered.

Doubar couldn't hold it back any longer.  He always knew his brother and Maeve would make a lovely couple.

"I love you Doubar."  Maeve said as she wiped a tear off of his cheek.

"Maeve, you don't know how happy this makes me!  Even if Sinbad can't come back, I'll always have a piece of him."  he said lovingly.

Maeve squeezed his hand.  "It will work.  Trust me."

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

"So, Maeve is pregnant with Sinbad's baby?"  Firouz repeated doubtfully.

Maeve nodded to Firouz from her seat on his bed.  Doubar had told Rongar earlier that morning.  Now, Doubar Rongar and Maeve were all in Firouz's cabin, telling him the good news.

"That's wonderful!"  he exclaimed as he jumped out of his chair.

Rongar smiled.  He had given Maeve just as big a hug when he had found out.  Although he had heard Maeve telling them her plan to get Sinbad back, he still didn't get it.

Firouz shook his head.  "I still don't understand!  How can Cairpra bring Sinbad back?"

Rongar nodded.  Apparently he wasn't alone on this one.

Maeve shrugged.  "I don't know.  But let's sail to Basra and find out!"

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

Doubar stood at the helm, holding the tiller.  It felt good to be at sea again.  He felt wonderful standing there, with the wind blowing in his face.  He felt especially good that soon he'd be with his brother again.  That was, if Maeve's plan worked.  Doubar remembered the first voyage that the crew had sailed together on.  Sinbad and himself had both stood at the helm together.

"Don't you wish we could bottle moments like these?"  Sinbad had said.

That's what Doubar wished could happen right now.  Everything seemed perfect right now.  Not a single thing was going wrong.

Maeve looked up from her magic book and smiled at Doubar.  The past two days he had been so happy.  The change that had occurred in the Nomad crew was amazing.  All Maeve did was restore one thing into everyone's lives, hope.  When Sinbad had died, hope had disappeared.  And now it was back, and everything was going well.

Dermott flew over to Maeve and landed beside her, on some undelivered cargo crates.  Maeve smiled warmly at her brother.  Dermott smiled back.  It was great to see his sister happy again.  The sky was a tranquil blue, the white clouds were fluffy, and the golden sun was shining brightly.  It was a perfect day.  But now, seeing Maeve happy, truly made the day perfect for Dermott.

*How are you sister?*  Dermott asked her.

Maeve smiled again.  "You know how I am Dermott.  I'm great.  Everything is going to be as it should be pretty soon."

Dermott's smile slowly faded.  He knew everything wasn't going to be perfect.  He would never be able to hold his niece or nephew with human arms.

*Dermott,* Maeve beseeched, *I'm sorry, I didn't realize-*

*It's okay.*  Dermott said.  *I know you'll kill Rumina eventually.  I actually like being a bird.  And anyway, I love flying.*

Maeve chuckled.  She always knew her little brother was a bad liar.  But she also knew that he was trying to make the best of a pretty bad situation.

*Well, if you love flying so much, then shake a tail feather.  I  have reading to do.*  she said.

Dermott looked over her shoulder at the book she was looking at.  It was one of Master Dim-Dim's old magic books.

*What are you looking at, Maeve?*  he asked.

*Oh, this is one of Master Dim-Dim's books.  I'm trying to learn some of these spells.  Cairpra might need my help.*  She smiled.

*Well, I'll let you get back to your reading.*  he allowed.

Maeve waved as Dermott flew off.  Maeve went back to her book again.  She had just started to read another incantation when a shadow appeared over her book.  Maeve looked up.  It was Rongar and Firouz.

"Hi guys!"  Maeve greeted.

"Hi!"  Firouz said as he sat down next to Maeve.

Rongar nodded in greeting as he also took a seat beside Maeve.

"We wanted to know if you needed any help with anything."  Firouz said.  "Being pregnant and all."

Maeve rolled her eyes and smiled at them.  "You guys aren't going to be 'helping' me for the rest of my pregnancy, are you?"

Rongar and Firouz nodded.

"We also thought of some names for the baby!  Didn't we, Rongar!"  Firouz added.

Rongar nodded.

"Can we tell you?"  he beseeched.

Maeve smiled.  "Do I have a choice?"

"Not really."  Firouz said with a smile.  "Ahem!  If it's a boy, we came up with Rongar, Firouz, Dermott,  and Doubar.  And if it's a girl, we thought up Talia, Cassandra, and Adena."

Maeve laughed.  "Talia?  You want me to name my daughter Talia?"

"Well, did you like your little boy names?"  he asked.

"I think it's back to the drawing board, you guys!"  she said as she patted Firouz and Rongar on their backs.

They both stood up and smiled.

"Oh!  I almost forgot!"  Firouz exclaimed.  "Can I deliver your baby, Maeve?"

Maeve nodded.  "If you want to."

Firouz nearly jumped up and down. Rongar made a face at him.

"What?"  Firouz asked as he headed over to the helm to talk to Doubar.

Rongar shook his head and smiled at Maeve.  Maeve looked down at her book again, desperately trying to remember some of the words.

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

Doubar stood at the helm again, anxiety running through his veins.  They were only a few hours away from Basra, and Doubar was extremely nervous.  Doubar turned as he felt a hand on his shoulder.  It was Rongar, coming to comfort Doubar.  He had grown tired of listening to Firouz babble on about one of his inventions.

"What if Cairpra can't help him, Rongar?"  Doubar asked him sadly.

Rongar gave him a reassuring smile, as if saying 'It will work.'

"Thank you, my friend."  Doubar said as he gave Rongar a hug.

Rongar nodded and took the tiller from Doubar.  Doubar walked across the deck to Maeve.  She was reading another magic book.

"Mind if I interrupt, Maeve?"  he asked.

Maeve sighed.  At this rate, she was never going to finish her book.

"Yes, Doubar?"  she replied, closing her book on her lap.

"How will Cairpra do this?"  he inquired.

"Doubar, do you realize how many times you've asked me that in the past few days?"  she asked him.

Doubar smiled.  "I'm sorry, Maeve.  It's just I'm really nervous about this.  What if it doesn't work?  I can't live without Sinbad."

"You've done fine without him the past few days, haven't you?"  she questioned.

"Yes, but that was only because I knew that he might be able to come back."  he decided.

"Doubar, you don't need Sinbad.  I know it might be painful, I miss him too.  But even if this doesn't work, we have to keep on living."  Maeve said.

Doubar frowned.  "Are you saying we don't need Sinbad?"

Maeve shook her head.  "Not at all!  I'm just saying that we can't depend on Sinbad.  We must finish our quest, to find Dim-Dim."

"Maeve, you're only saying that because you know this will work."

"Doubar, I have faith in Sinbad.  And Cairpra.  I don't doubt their abilities, I know that they will come through for us."  she explained.

"Then I'll believe in them too."  he said as he sat down next to her.  "Is there anything I can do to help?"

"Yes.  You can leave me alone so I can finish my book."  she said as she opened it up again.

Maeve looked at Doubar, who had a pained look on his face.

"Okay Doubar.  You make all the preparations to go ashore, we're almost there you know."  she said with a smile.

Doubar smiled back and ran off to get everything ready to go ashore.

Firouz nervously tilted the tiller to the left, slightly turning the longboat in the direction of the beach.  Doubar sat next to him, twiddling his thumbs.  Everyone was extremely anxious to get to the shore, scared and exited at what they might find out from Cairpra.

Rongar swallowed his fears and put on a calm, reassuring face for his friends.  He slowly pulled his oar out of the water, as a small wave pulled them along in the water.  Firouz was unusually tense, and as he saw the beach coming closer, he quickly jerked the tiller to the other side.  Everyone in the longboat toppled onto someone else.

"Firouz!"  Doubar demanded, "What are you trying to do, kill us?"

Maeve laughed nervously, trying to ease some of the tension that everyone was feeling.  Since they didn't have a captain, Maeve decided to take the role of command.

"Okay.  Doubar, you can come with me to talk to Cairpra.  Rongar, you and Firouz get some fresh supplies for the Nomad.  And Tahir?  You and Rhett can stay on the beach to watch our things and wait for our return."  she ordered.

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

The crew finally made it to the shore of Basra.  Rhett and Tahir pulled the longboat onto the beach, and Rongar and Firouz were preparing to buy some supplies.  Firouz walked up to Maeve and gave her a hug.  She slowly pulled back and gazed into his innocent hazel eyes.  They were filled with concern.

"What was that for?"  She asked him.

"For courage.  Maeve, you know if this doesn't work, I want you to know that I'll always be here for you."  Firouz reassured.

Maeve smiled.  "Thank you, my friend.  Be brave."

Doubar was already halfway across the beach when Maeve spotted him.  He turned around and beckoned for her to hurry.

Maeve looked at Firouz and Rongar.  "I guess I'd better go."  she decided.  "We'll meet you guys here as soon as we can!"

Rongar watched as Maeve took off after Doubar.  He hoped with all his heart that Maeve was right about all of this.  He didn't think everyone could bear the fact of losing Sinbad again.  For everyone on the crew, when they found out that Sinbad might be able to come back, it was almost as if he was there.  It would be hard to actually realize that there may be no hope.  Rongar looked up at the darkening sky.  It certainly took them a long time to get from the Nomad to the beach.  He thought that there might be a star or two to comfort him, but the sky was empty.  And it filled Rongar with a sense of hopelessness.

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

"How much farther?"  Doubar complained.

"Doubar, we've only been walking for a few minutes!"  Maeve said.

"I know, but it seems longer when you're waiting for something!"  he exclaimed.

Maeve nodded.  She understood exactly how he felt.  She too, was eager to get there.  But she put on a calm face for Doubar.  They wouldn't accomplish much if they were both like that.

"Here it is."  Maeve nervously stated, pointing to a wooden door.

"Well, knock!"  he cried.

"Okay."  Maeve said, as she mustered up all the nerve she could.

She knocked on the door.

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

"What do you think Cairpra is going to say?"  Firouz asked Rongar impatiently.

Rongar shrugged.  He had no idea, and he was sick of Firouz asking.  Rongar knew what he hoped Cairpra would say.  He hoped she would say that she could bring Sinbad back.

Firouz huffed.  "It's so hard to find my way in this dark light!"

It was about midnight right now, and Rongar and Firouz were having no luck in buying supplies for the ship.  Almost all the stores were closed for the night.

"Rongar, what do you say that we both go back to the beach now.  We're both really anxious to hear the news, and all the stores are closed now!"  He decided, actually talking more to himself than to Rongar.

Rongar eagerly nodded.

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

"Hello?"  Maeve called as she knocked on the door again.

There was no answer.  She turned the doorknob and surprisingly found it to be unlocked.  She opened the door and walked into the house, with Doubar following.

Maeve gasped when she saw the bare room.  Everything was gone.

"Oh, no!"  Doubar exclaimed.  "Where is she?"

Maeve took a deep breath, so she wouldn't start crying, and walked farther into the home.  Doubar blinked back the tears that begged to fall.

"Cairpra?"  Maeve called in a wavering voice.

When there was no response, Maeve sank to her knees.

"Where is she?"  she sobbed, allowing the tears to fell down her cheeks.

Doubar kneeled down next to her.  He put a comforting hand on her shoulder.  He wanted to comfort her, but he felt like breaking down and crying himself.

"It's okay, Maeve."  he said softly.

"No it's not okay!"  she cried.  "This isn't how this is supposed to happen!  Cairpra is supposed to be here!  She should be here and bring back Sinbad!"  She cried even harder.

Doubar reached over and hugged her.  "Maeve, we have to be brave.  Cairpra didn't just disappear, she went somewhere.  And we're going to find her."

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

"What's going on?"  Firouz asked Doubar, as he angrily approached the dark beach.

Rongar looked at Maeve.  Even through the starless night sky, he could see tears shining on her cheeks.  He shivered, knowing something wasn't right.

"What is it?"  Firouz repeated.  "She can't do it, can she?"

Maeve shook her head, trying hard to keep her voice steady.  "It's not that Firouz, she's not there."

Firouz breathed a sigh of relief.  "Then let's go back to her house and wait for her to return!"

Doubar shook his head.  "She's not there.  Everything in her house is gone!  It's completely empty!"

Rongar sadly shook his head, knowing that the hope they had clung onto the past few days had been to good to be true.

"Well where is she?"  Firouz demanded.

Maeve sighed.  She didn't want to go through this again.  All she wanted to do right now was go into her cabin and sleep.  Maybe she could at least see Sinbad in her dreams.

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

The rest of night was long for everyone on the Nomad crew.  Everyone was upset and disappointed that Cairpra wasn't there.

Maeve laid down in her bed in her cabin.  She pulled the warm covers up and snuggled in.  She slid her hand down to her stomach.  It was beginning to bulge with life.

"I'm sorry, baby,"  Maeve whispered,  "I'm sorry you'll never grow up with a father."

Maeve swallowed the lump in her throat, and blinked back the tears that threatened to fall.  She couldn't start to cry.  If she did, she wasn't sure if she'd be able to stop.  Every time Maeve closed her eyes, she saw visions of Sinbad.  She kept seeing visions of when he died.  At the battle in which he fell, he had tried so hard.

He wouldn't have died if it wasn't for Maeve.  She saw herself fighting a skeleton.  Not watching her back, another one threatened to take her life from behind.  Sinbad had seen this, and saved her life by destroying the demon.  As he finished off that one, another one came up behind Sinbad.  Maeve had turned around just in time to see Sinbad get stabbed.

The sword plunged into his back.  It ran clear through, coming out the front of his chest.  He had felt the pain rip through his body, as he fell to the ground.  His beautiful sea blue eyes had been filled with terror.  Maeve had rushed to his side.  She could almost swear, that as he took his last breath, he had smiled at her.  Almost as if he wasn't blaming her for his death.  But Maeve blamed herself.  It was her fault he had died.  If she had paid attention to all the enemies around her, her back wouldn't have been exposed for all to see.

As Maeve breathed, the air smelled like decay and death.  The foul stench of the dead entered her nostrils, much as it had that night.  Maeve had to get out.  She grabbed her cloak off her chair and headed updeck.  The cool breeze ruffled her long fiery hair as she walked updeck.

"Oh, my love, where are you?"  she beseeched.

Almost in response, a shooting star flew across the sky, and planted itself among the heavens.  Maeve smiled at the star, the only one in the enormous galaxy.

"It's an omen."  she whispered.

To Maeve, the star symbolized hope.  The huge empty sky was the crew, and the star was the hope.  She noticed how the little star somehow made the night sky appear a little bit brighter.

"Don't worry, Sinbad."  she whispered,  "Cairpra is out there somewhere.  And I'm going to find her."

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

"Are you sure that's where you saw her go?"  Doubar asked an elderly woman.

She nodded her head.  "Yes, the last time I talked to her, she was going to the Isle of Dawn."

Doubar smiled.  "Thank you very much, good lady."

Doubar walked over to the tavern the crew was staying in, in Basra.  He spotted his friends sitting at a table near the wall.  Maeve was nearly eight months pregnant now, and was definitely showing it.  She was wearing a long dark blue skirt and a long sleeved white shirt right now.

Even pregnant, Doubar still thought she looked beautiful.  She was going to make a terrific mother, with or without Sinbad.  Firouz turned around, to find Doubar entering the tavern.  Doubar smiled at Firouz's anxiety filled face.  He walked over and took a seat next to Rongar.

"Well?"  Firouz asked impatiently.

"It looks like we're going to the Isle of Dawn!"  he replied with a happy grin.

It had been a few months since the crew had begun searching for Cairpra.  Today was the first time they had found someone who actually knew her.  Rongar eagerly pushed in his chair, ready to leave immediately.  Maeve smiled at him.

"I'm with you, Rongar!"  she exclaimed.

Rongar reached down and helped Maeve up.  The two quickly hurried out of the tavern, with Firouz and Doubar not much farther behind.

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

The crew sailed for days, searching for the Isle of Dawn.  It was hard though, for it wasn't on any chart .  They had only made it there the first time because of Sinbad.

"Where could it be, Maeve?"  Doubar asked her.

Maeve sat down on the railing of the Nomad and looked out into the distance.

"Well, how did Sinbad get there the first time?"  she asked him.

He smiled.  "Sinbad said that he used his instinct, and the island found us!"  he remembered.

"Well, then it will come to us, right Doubar?"  she asked with a smile.

"Land ho!"  Tahir, a crew member shouted as he peered through the magnascope.

"See?"  Maeve said.

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

In a few hours, the crew found themselves standing on the Isle of Dawn.  Firouz, Rongar, and Doubar headed off further into the land.  Doubar told Maeve to stay on the ship, because traveling couldn't be good, in her condition.  Surprisingly, she stayed without an argument.  Doubar smiled as he looked up at Dermott, who was circling in the blue sky.  He suddenly took off inland to look for Cairpra.  Doubar looked at Firouz and Rongar.  He gave them a reassuring smile before they followed Dermott through the woods.

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

Maeve laid down in her bed, unable to bear the pain in her back any longer.  She hoped that Doubar and the others would find Cairpra, so Sinbad would be able to hold their child in his arms.  Everyone was off the ship now, either in search of food and supplies, or Cairpra.  Maeve wished at least Dermott was here, she hated being alone.  Maeve felt the baby kick, and she patted her stomach.  She didn't feel so alone when the baby kicked.  She felt that part of Sinbad was still with her.

But this time, the baby's kick didn't feel quite right.  Maeve took a deep breath, trying to ease the sharp pain in her stomach.  Then it happened again.  Maeve quickly realized what was happening.  The baby was coming today.  She closed her eyes, and concentrated on calling Dermott.

*Dermott, please!*  she called.

But Dermott didn't hear her.  Her powers were weak from being pregnant, and he was concentrating on his mission.  Maeve started to panic.  She was the only one on the ship, and this baby wasn't going to wait for everyone to get back.

*Dermott!*  she pleaded, *Help me!*

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

Doubar walked out of the forest and into a small clearing.  He saw the rose garden where Sinbad had gotten reacquainted with Dim-Dim.  The roses were in full bloom, and the sweet smell danced along the island through the gentle breeze.  Doubar looked around, for any sign of Cairpra.

Firouz tapped Doubar on the shoulder.  "Let's have a look around.  If we split up, we can probably cover more ground."

Doubar nodded.  "Okay.  You go that way, Rongar.  Firouz go over there, and I'll continue searching over here."  he decided, as he pointed to their assigned destinations.

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

Maeve clenched her teeth together, trying to lessen the horrible pain.  She had given up trying to contact Dermott, for it was only weakening her.  She closed her eyes, praying to Allah that her friends would soon return.

*Where are you Dermott?*  she thought to herself, even though she knew her thought went unheard by her brother.

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

Doubar continued searching the clearing for any signs of Cairpra.  He bent down to pick up a small scarf.

"I believe that is mine, Doubar."

Doubar turned around to see who was talking to him.  A wide smile crossed his face as he saw Cairpra.  She smiled back.

"Cairpra!  I'm so glad I've found you!"  he exclaimed as he embraced the tiny woman.

"Yes, Doubar.  It's good to see you again too.  But we must hurry, Maeve is in great danger."  she said.

Doubar felt his heart drop.  "What kind of danger?"  he demanded.

"Quickly, Doubar.  We must make haste!"  she replied as she ran down the path towards the beach.

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

"Maeve!"  Firouz called as he ran aboard the Nomad.  "We're here Maeve!"

Firouz quickly entered her cabin with Doubar, Rongar, and Cairpra right behind him.  He quickly ran to her side and rolled up his sleeves.

"Firouz!"  she gasped,  "the baby's coming!"

"Rongar, go get me some water, rags, and blankets.  Cairpra, you and Doubar go help Sinbad."  Firouz ordered.

Everyone quickly rushed off to do their assigned tasks.

"Maeve, how do you feel?"  Firouz asked as he got ready to deliver her baby.

"Not good."  she panted,  "Firouz, is everything going to be okay?"

Firouz smiled.  "Don't worry, Maeve.  I'm sure everything will go smoothly.  I've delivered a few babies before."  he assured.

Rongar came rushing back into the cabin.

"Okay, Maeve."  Firouz said,  "it's time to get this baby out."

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

"Here he is."  Doubar said as he motioned towards the bed.

Doubar anxiously looked at his little brother, hoping to see him come to life soon.  Doubar was till amazed at what  good shape the body was still in.  After all, he had been dead for quite some time now.

Cairpra smiled, almost as if she was reading Doubar's thoughts.  "Maeve preserved his body.  She had more faith in her dream than I expected."

"Will you be able to help him?"  he asked.

"I think so."  Cairpra reasoned.

Doubar breathed a sigh of relief.

"Watch."  she whispered.

Sinbad's body was enveloped with a bright blue light.  Cairpra smiled as she watched Sinbad take a breath.  She was surprised it had happened so quickly.  Sinbad slowly opened his sea blue eyes and smiled at Doubar.  Doubar began to sob with happiness.  He ran over to his brother and hugged him tightly.

"Brother!"  he exclaimed,  "you're back!"

Sinbad hugged him back.  "I've missed you too, Doubar."

Doubar began to cry harder at the sound of his brother's voice.  He had missed him so much.  It was good to hold him again.

"Thank you, Cairpra."  Doubar stuttered through tears.  "Thank you so much."

Sinbad let go of Doubar, only slightly aware of what had happened through the few months he was gone.

Suddenly, they all heard Firouz's loud shout, "It's a girl!"

Sinbad looked at Doubar, a confused look on his face.

"Little Brother, Maeve just had your baby."  he exclaimed, tears streaming down his face.

Sinbad jumped out of his bed and ran into Maeve's cabin.  Firouz turned, a look of pure joy on his face as he held out a tiny baby to what he thought would be Doubar.

"Sinbad!"  he exclaimed,  completely shocked.

Sinbad embraced his friend and proudly looked at the infant Firouz was holding.  It was a beautiful baby girl with a few sprouts of red hair.

"I believe this child is yours."  Firouz said, his eyes welling with joyous tears.

Rongar was also filled with happiness, and he jumped up to greet his friend.  Sinbad squeezed Rongar's shoulder and then pulled him into a hug.

Sinbad then looked at Maeve who was lying in her bed, her eyes closed.

"Maeve."  he said softly,  "I'm back."

She tiredly opened her eyes and saw Sinbad looking at her.

"Sinbad!"  she realized,  "You're back!"

She sat up and threw her arms around him.  He hugged her back, and they both shared a tearful and happy reunion.

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

Later that night, Sinbad carried his child updeck.  The golden sun was setting in the pink sky, and the gentle waves lapped against the ship.  Sinbad took a deep breath of the fresh sea air.  It was good to be back.  He looked down at his baby lying in his arms.  Maeve and him had decided to name her Elora.  Taking one last look at the beautiful evening sky, he turned and went below deck.  Sinbad entered Maeve's cabin.

Maeve was asleep in the bed, a little weak after having Elora that afternoon.  Sinbad laid down beside her, trying hard not to move the bed too much.  When he was finally settled, he laid Elora in between them.  He thought of what his family's future would hold.  He was going to marry Maeve, they had decided to that afternoon.  Sinbad still wanted to sail, and raise his daughter on the Nomad.

But whatever Maeve decided would be fine with him.  He was so proud of her for being brave without him these past months.  He leaned over and kissed Maeve gently on her forehead.  Sinbad peeked out the small window and saw a shooting star plant itself among the heavens in the now dark sky.  The star symbolized the hope for his new family, and he couldn't wait to get his new life started.