Disclaimers:  Adventures of Sinbad characters and concept are property of their creators.    The following story is exclusive property of the author.

A Mother's Touch, a Father's Love

©, Mrinda

A young woman stood gazing into the pool.  Her golden hair glowed like a halo around her face, framing her sea blue eyes.  In the pool reflected the image of a proud young man.  His powerful arms wrapped around the tiller of a ship.  His eyes the same sea blue as her own, but reflected such sadness.   Her heart longed to take him into their arms and hug away his hurt, like she had so many years ago.

She felt strong arm wrap around her and give her a quick squeeze.  She leaned her head back against the man's chest.  

"Now how did I know you would be here?" he whispered in her ear.

"You're here just as much as I am."

"He still mourns her loss," the man said looking down at the image in the pool.

"And he's too stubborn to admit it."  She turned to look up at the man's dark features.  The same dark features shared with the young man in reflected in the stilled waters.  "I wonder where he gets that from."

The man laughed lightly.  "I wonder."  She gave him a playful elbow.

"Love, he'll work through this.  He just needs time."

"I know.  I just wish there was something I could do."  She looked down at the image in the pool.


"........Time will ease your pain
Life's about changing, nothing ever stays the same.
How can I help you to say goodbye
It's okay to hurt, and it's okay to cry
Come let me hold you, and I will try
How can I help you to say goodbye?"


The image in the pool shifted, a young woman approached the young man.   Sunlight glinted off her shoulder length brown hair.

"She cut her hair," the woman said in surprise.

"It suits her," the man replied.

They watched as the young woman showed off her new hair style.  The sailor smiled and said something that made her blush.

"I'd say, he likes it too," the man said with a laugh.

"And her, if he would only admit it."

"Aye."

A golden glow suddenly surrounded them.  The image in the pool rippled then reformed.  The man and woman dropped to their knees.

"Rise.  We must speak," a voice said out of the golden light.  "Your son is about to go through a terrible trial.  The pain in his heart has made him vulnerable.  There is one who wishes to use that vulnerability to seize his soul."

The woman shuddered.  "Scratch."  The man at her side tensed.  

"My Lord, there must be something you can do to prevent this."

"There is.  He shall have a guide.  One to lead him back to the light."

The woman looked to the man.

"No, not your husband."

She turned, surprise on her face.

"Yes, you.  He needs a mother's touch.  A gentle persuasion."  The man's face clouded for a moment.  "Do not misunderstand me.  I'm not saying a father's love is no less than a mother's, but..."  There was a smile in the voice.  "He does bare a striking likeness to you, my friend."  

The man smiled at this.  "He does."

"Woman, you must go now."

The woman gentle kissed her husband and stepped to the light.  "I'm ready."

"You must not reveal your true relationship to him.  It could color his judgement.  The choices he has to make must come from his heart, or all will truly be lost.  You must be simply who you are.  A woman named Mala."

She nodded.  Without a backward glance, she stepped into the light and disappeared.

The man stood there watching for a moment and then he turned back to the pool.  To do the only thing he could, to watch and to pray.  The image in the pool had changed once again.  The young captain stood at the tiller.  The young woman was gone and in her place stood a large bearded man.

"Choose well, Sinbad," the man said reaching out to the image.  "Watch over him, Doubar."  A silent tear trickled down his face.  "Be safe, both my sons."