The Gift: After the Battle
By Noelerin

Disclaimer: I don't own any of them. If I did, they would still be sailing. Stinking head honchoes!

Sinbad, Doubar, Aidan, and Kaitlan returned from Backbuk's campsite, behind lay the memory of his terrible fate. Upon Aidan's mind lay the guilt of what had happened to that poor young man. Even though he knew there was nothing he could have done, he felt responsible for his death. Kaitlan watched him in concern, occasionally looking at the other two as if to ask them to help him. Sinbad knew what she wanted, but knew he couldn't help his friend. Doubar went ahead of them, searching for Bryn. He knew that she had helped Sinbad on many occasions, may be she could help Aidan.

They waved when the saw the assembled group, there were relieved sighs from everyone there. Doubar looked around for Bryn and finally saw her behind Fallon. She saw his look indicating Aidan and was puzzled, but went towards his old Captain. Sinbad was a little surprised when she passed him by, until he saw where she was headed. He knew that she was what Aidan needed right now but felt a little upset that she didn't even acknowledge him.

"Something troubles you, Captain Aidan?"

He looked down into her surprisingly sympathetic eyes, "yes."

She waited for a moment, "Would you like to talk about it?"

Sinbad hid a grin at the startled look on his Captain's face at Bryn's perception. Aidan looked down at Kaitlan, who nodded pleadingly. He sighed, then back at the patiently waiting Bryn. "I would like that." He found in Bryn a listening ear, he told her things he'd never told another living soul. She just listened to him, letting him take his time getting to the heart of the matter.

Kaitlan walked up to Sinbad, "Will she be able to help Aidan?"

"I've always found her to be an excellent listener. I think that's all Aidan needs right now, someone who will just listen to him."

"Do you think she could help me?"

Sinbad looked surprised, "What do you mean?"

She blushed hotly, "Nothing, really. I just wondered."

"I'm sure she could, you need only ask her."

Kaitlan nervously paced the large hall, waiting for them to come in. Finally, Aidan walked in, looking lighter in heart. He instantly walked to her and swung her up into a large hug. "You didn't leave me." He stated.

"Of course not. I love you." Kaitlan simply answered, a little surprised and hurt that he thought that she'd leave just because an enemy from his past came after them. "I would never leave unless you asked me to go."

He smiled through his tears. "I love you, too. You have no idea how much." They looked at each other and Aidan felt better. He knew that this was what he wanted more than anything else in the world.

Bryn helped her get ready, at Kaitlan's request. "I'm not going to ask you what you and Aidan talked about, that is not my concern. I just wanted to thank you."

"I was delighted to help, Aidan's a good man and you deserve to be happy." She stepped back and looked at the radiant woman before her. "But something still troubles you."

"Yes. I'm just afraid of letting him down. He is used to sailing and having adventures, what if he regrets marrying me and leaving that behind him? What if he comes to hate me for not being like the Adventureers?"

Bryn knew what she was really asking, "I don't know the answers to those questions except by what I observed." She thought for a moment. "Marriage is one of the biggest adventures there is, I'm sure he's ready for that. As for your second question, I believe that you have more of an Adventureer in you than you give yourself credit for. You are courageous, beautiful, and exactly what Aidan needs. I predict a long and happy life for the two of you."

There was a knock on the door and Fallon peered around the door, "We're ready. Oh, you look so beautiful! Aidan won't know what hit him." Fallon smiled and Kaitlan felt a little better. "And don't worry, we think you're the best thing that has happened to him. He looks happier than he has in a long time." Bryn squeezed Kaitlan's hand, then she and Fallon led the way to the stairs.

The trio descended the stairs and walked over to where Sinbad was officiating the ceremony. Aidan's eyes filled with tears as he saw his bride coming towards him. She looked at him and, with Bryn's words in her mind, felt her fears finally leave her. The simple ceremony passed quickly, then there was a short celebration. Aidan drank a toast for those who had fallen, then looked to the band. "One dance, then we must bid Sinbad and his crew good-bye. He has a shipment to deliver."

Aidan walked over to Bryn and whispered into her ear, Kaitlan waited patiently for him to return to her side. Bryn shook her head, but he asked again and she finally nodded, reluctantly. "Thank you." He whispered, pressing her hand warmly.

Then Aidan took to the dance floor with Kaitlan, Sinbad saw most of his crew dancing and looked around for Bryn. She wasn't anywhere on the floor, he decided to see if she was somewhere else in the house. As he was about to leave, a low voice began to sing. He turned and found that she was singing to the newlyweds.

"You're my angel.
You see me through
Believe in me, I believe in you
Oh, fill my heart from
Your loving well
You're my angel.

Pick me up when I'm feeling down
When I stumble on shaky ground
Oh, you're my answer when I can't tell
You're my angel

Oh, you take me up to heaven
When you spread your loving wings
When I am weary, and way behind
When I'm clearly out of my mind
Oh, when I find I'm in my own Hell
You're my angel
Oh, you're my angel."

All eyes turned towards the brunette, she smiled, her own eyes filled with tears. "Aidan wrote that for you. Congratulations you guys." Sinbad helped her down and then they said their good-byes.

"I never knew you had such a pretty voice."

She blushed, "Thank you, Captain." He frowned slightly, wondering why it was that she always reverted to his formal title when she was nervous.

Later, after Bryn got off her shift, she sat at her desk writing.

Diary,

Today I saw the marriage of two very special people. Their love saw them through a very terrible trial involving a man named Backbuk. He sold himself to the dark arts in an attempt to get revenge on those he blamed for his broken back. Luckily for us all, he was unsuccessful and failed. He and his terrible dolls fell to their deaths of a cliff.

Today, I found out that I could sing. Aidan had heard me earlier and asked if I'd sing for him and Kaitlan. The odd thing is as I sang those words, I found myself wishing that Sinbad had written them for me. I have to wonder if I'm loosing my mind on such a desire. After all, he could never see me as more than a shipmate. *sigh* Besides, I need a past to make myself whole and he needs time. Still, I can dream.

Yours, Bryn.

She put down the pen and placed the book to the side, climbing under the covers and drifting off to sleep.

The End.

"You're My Angel" is by Brooks and Dunn. It is found on their "If You See Her" album.

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