Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas

Proteus-29/OC(Rosa-25)

Sinbad-28/Marina-27

Kale-34/Ayn-26(pronounced Ann)

Author's Note: I would like to apologize for any typos that will occur in this story. I use a writing program called Dragon NaturallySpeaking 9, and I don't quite catch all of the mess ups. It's not quite perfect yet, I've only had it for about a week. If you do see a misprint. Please tell me so I can fix it. I don't have a beta, but I reread it every once in awhile, and whenever I do I correct the mistakes and repost it.

Crazy For Feeling

Part One

"Love me or hate me, but spare me your indifference." -Libbie Fudim

Proteus sighed, had it really been a year? As he stared up at the rising sun, he smiled. He had begun to watch each of its risings and settings. Shortly after Marina had left. It seemed to help him relax. Just to enjoy nature, for these few minutes a day. Proteus admitted he still missed her, but it didn't hurt so much anymore. Because he let her leave, with Sinbad, the Council, and his father, were scrambling to find another 'suitable' wife for him.

Over the past eight months, more than thirty women had been paraded in front of him. Every one of them had been stuck up, corrupt for money, spoiled, and had only wanted to marry him for the power he would give them as future queen. It made him feel dirty to even talk to them.

He had met one woman, who he considered a good match. She was a good person, but already in love with another man. Her parents had forced her to come against her wishes. And just like with Marina, he hadn't had the heart. He sent her home to marry who she wished.

This particular morning, he was to go down to the docks to greet his newest potential bride. The Council was pressuring his father and so him to make a choice, and soon. Or he wouldn't get one.

Proteus sighed again, shaking his head and began to make his way to the docks. With his customary three-ring guard.

He knew little of the woman, only that her name was Rosa and that she came from a 'slightly' humble background. She was also older than the others, because, as his father repeatedly reminded him that he was running out of options. He had been informed that she was very intelligent, which he preferred in his women.

His first impression of Rosa, was of confusion. He didn't recognize her, as female at first. She wore no jewelry, or ornamentation of any kind. She was wearing not a dress, but tight dark pants and a loosefitting green sailor's button-up shirt. Her long black hair was pulled into a ponytail at the top of her head, revealing wide almond shaped green eyes, and warm honey colored skin.

As he got closer he noticed the expression on her face was one of complete emotionlessness, like she could careless if she was made queen and would actually rather leave and stay. Green eyes were a rather unusual color, not very common anywhere. Which he supposed along with her intelligence and family status were what had got her chosen.

Those eyes were sharp and clear and seemed to cut through him, right to his soul. Her eyes softened the moment and held sadness, as she studied him intently. Seemingly, she found whatever it was she was looking for, because she smiled slightly and inclined her head in a gesture of respect.

"Prince of Syracuse, I am pleased to meet you." Her voice was soft and held a melody-like quality. She held out her hand as custom, and he bowed over it, kissing her hand lightly. Her hands were not delicate like he was used to, instead they were slightly rough as if she worked hard, most her life. But had been taking very good care of her hands.

When he raised his head, he noticed the barest flicker of pain cross her face.

"Have I done something to offend you?" His head tilted questioningly. Why would she react that way?

Rosa suddenly became nervous, clasping her hands in front of her and looking down. She shook her head gently.

"It's not your fault... I just, I just don't like to be touched. I'm sorry sire, but it is a fault of mine not yours."

"Please, you do not have to call me sire. My name is Proteus." She looked up at him, her eyes smiling for the first time. They took on a sparkling quality, and he realized she was actually very attractive, though she hid it well.

The guards began unloading her luggage off the ship, and so they made their way towards her new quarters.

Prodeus was intrigued all the women he'd previously met were either radiating sex appeal or acted like giggling ditz's that hung on onto his every word. This woman was calm and shy, but at the same time she did radiate a sort of confidence and intelligence about herself. And he found it strangely attractive.

"I'm making a tour of the Syracuse tomorrow. Would you like to join me?" He said this just as they reached her door, the guards quickly set her things down in a room and moved a polite distance away.

Rosa looked up at him, an eyebrow raised. She was not much shorter in height than himself. He appreciated not having to crane his neck to look at a woman who was standing right in front of him.

"And I'm assuming that all the other women went on this tour as well?" Her voice sounded amused. While Proteus floundered a moment.

"Well... Yes, but..." She nodded slightly, her lips curving into a small smile.

"When is dinner?" She waited while Proteus got ahold of himself.

"It is at 6:30 p.m." She nodded again smiling brightly.

"Alright, I will see you then... Proteus." She walked to her room tilted her head slightly, winked and closed the door behind her.

-----o0o-----

Rosa sighed as she closed the door, he was better looking than she thought. And he had kind eyes. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad being married to him, she might even learn to love him. Because she was never going back to her father. She shivered. He'd been all too happy to shove her into the guards arms after finding out she was a potential wife for the Prince of Syracuse. But first he had told her that if she messed this up, he would kill her. She had little doubt he would, she still had the bruises on her arm to prove he was capable of violence.

She turned towards the room, and was amazed at how beautiful it was. It was decorated with cherrywood furniture, and in shades of blue cloth. With intricately decorated rugs covering the hard, gray stone floors. The bathroom was equally impressive, over half the size of the main bedroom. It was done with marble and alabaster was silver fixtures. The tub was big enough for six people.

I jumped almost a foot in the air, when a woman walked in, suddenly.

"I didn't mean to start ye' Miss, but I'm ye maid miss and I should be liken to get me work done." I relaxed and nodded. She went back into the bedroom and I followed her.

"Shall I help you unpack, Miss?" I nodded gratefully.

"Yes, please, thank you... What is your name?" The smaller red haired woman looked down at her feet shyly, nervously.

"It's Ayn, Miss." She whispered quietly, still looking at her feet. Quickly she moved toward the closet and began packing away my clothes." After a few minutes, she stopped.

"Dresses? Where are your dresses, Miss?"

"I don't wear dresses..." Her eyes when impossibly wide.

"Oh dear. I'll have to order seemed to us to make the new mistress some proper dresses and attire. In the meantime ye can use these." She moved to another part of the closet and open the doors, revealing multitudes of dresses all in different colors, patterns, materials, and styles.

Slowly, I walked towards the closet, entranced. I'd never worn anything remotely like that actually. I never really wanted to be pretty after 'he' left. She shook her head, don't think about him she admonished herself. My head snapped up when Ayn began to speak again.

"I'll have the seamstress here by two o'clock. Once she has your measurements, I'll be here at four sharp, to help you dress."

Over the next couple hours, there is nothing to do really. I explored my room, read for a while. And wrote a letter to my nanny at home. At noon, a light lunch was served. Shortly after the seamstress arrived, and measured everything from my bust size, to the circumference of my ankles.

Afterwards I took a short nap, until Ayn arrived and drew my bath. She helped me undress, and aside from her small gasp. She made no mention of my bruises. She helped me wash my hair and applied a slauve to the bruises, to help them heal she had explained. Once I had dried off, she helped me put on a simple but elegant green dress that brought out the color of my eyes.

We moved to the large cherryoak dresser in my room. Where Ayn applied makeup, brushed out and styled my hair, pulling it back from my face but keeping it long with white carnation clasp in the back. I'd only been ready in a few moments when a knock came at the door.

I stood as Ayn went to open the door. It was Proteus. I made my way over and took his offered hand, hesitating only slightly.

I felt a jolt go up my arm as he smiled at me. His eyes were twinkling merrily. He looked very handsome in his clothing.

"You look very beautiful," I couldn't hold back a blush. The last man to call me beautiful, had been my brother, but that was long time ago.

"Thank you," I said quietly. "Syracuse is very beautiful. I'm still rather in awe of it." Proteus nodded, still smiling.

"I've lived in Syracuse, all my life, and I am still in awe of it." He began to lead me down towards the Great Hall.

"I've always loved nature, but the architecture here is so unique. I've never seen anything quite like it." We talked all the way to the table discussing architecture of the various cities. When we reached the table, Proteus offered me a chair. Which I accepted with a small smile and a quiet 'thank you'. You pack a the usual greetings were exchanged names, pleasantries.

Introductions were made, and later in the evening...

"I just find it hard to believe that a woman your age is not yet married or at least betrothed." Proteus's father, King Dymus commented.

"Actually sire, I have had several fiancés."

"Really?"

"Yes, they were all arranged and well, most men don't appreciate intelligence in their women. And as I have a level 16 education..." Everyone began to whisper excitedly.

"Impressive, for a young woman your age."

"Yes, thank you. Anyway my "fiancés," Rosa frowned slightly. "They did not like the fact that I was smarter than they were and had an opinion of my own. And then there's the fact that I don't believe you should marry anyone you don't love. And needless to say I didn't much like any of my suitors."

Dymus's second wife, Proteus's stepmother asked, "So you've ever been in love? Not once? That's a shame..." Rosa shook her head gently a sad smile coming over her face.

"I was in love, once. When I was fifteen, so much so that I thought I would die. But, just like the old story goes, he fell in love with someone else and disappeared eleven years ago. I haven't seen him since." She thought of him again, his eyes, his hair, his voice. Rosa had believed she was over him, but her heart just refused to heal, to let go. It had never gotten closure, he never actually told her 'I don't love you'. In her head she knew he didn't love her, but Rosa's heart wouldn't give up that last thin string of hope.

The rest of dinner passed in a blur, which she didn't come out of until Proteus offered to escort her back to her quarters.

"You still love him." It was more a statement of fact than a question. Rosa sighed, and stopped to face Proteus.

"In my mind, I know I don't love him anymore, at least, I'm not in love with him. But there's still a string, it's thin and brittle, but it attaches my heart to his. I just...," She hesitated. Her words caught in her throat.

"...he never told me that he didn't love me. It's hanging on, just barely. It's not that... I want to love him anymore. I can't help it." The silence stretched between them until Proteus nodded, his face carefully blank and turned to continue towards her quarters. After another moment of tense silence, he said,

"I know how you feel..." Rosa glanced at his face and the expression on it was one she recognized well. He did understand...

When they reached her rooms. They said a quiet goodnight each other before Rosa close the door. Undressed quickly, with Ayn's help and went to bed. The first night in more than ten years Rosa dreamt not of Sinbad, her brother, the man that she had loved, but of peaceful things.