Disclaimer: I don't own anything KoH related; movie rights belong to 20th Century Fox and the great Sir Ridley Scott. Although I wish I owned Balian!
Warning: This chapter contains angst. (I know I'm evil, heh heh.) But what do you expect when Balian has been bitten by a snake and is lying in bed unconscious?
Red Cloud Phoenix: Yes suspense will play a large part in this story before it ends.
I read your Troy fic and it was really cool. Thanks for always reviewing, and don't worry, Guy de Lusignan is bound to pop up again sometime!
Nevasaiel: I didn't know if anyone would find the guards funny or not. I'm glad you did. I just love torturing my readers; on that note, you should enjoy this chapter. I enjoy reading your stories – thanks for always reviewing.
Rachel Sparrow: I'm glad my story 'got to you'. Thanks for always reviewing!
Jellemegg: A yes, the cliffie. It was necessary, but I won't do that much. Your reviews are always to the point, which I appreciate. Have fun in the Bahamas, lol.
Madame Stella: I'm happy if you're happy. Thank you so much.
Ch. 6: Never give up
(Sibylla PoV)
That night I tossed and turned, ill with worry over Balian's critical condition. When the sun finally rose, I wasted no time before hurrying to my love's chambers. The healer quietly greeted me, with his brow wrinkled and dark circles under his eyes.
"There's been no change in him, my lady." My shoulders slumped. What had I expected, that he'd recovered in one night? "He won't wake; there's no need to torture yourself by staying here."
"All the same, I will stay with him this day," I determinedly told him. "I know he doesn't have much of a chance of recovering, but I still have hope. I must be here incase he wakes." The healer nodded, impressed by my dedication.
"Very well. I have heard of a few rare cases of people living after being bitten by a poisonous snake. And they always had a loved one near them when they were battling for their lives. It is possible that your presence may help." The healer patted my back and left the room but I barely noticed.
The day went by in a senseless blur. I must've talked to Tiberias when he came to visit. What the contents of the conversation were, I could not remember. Meals must've been served to me, but the food was bland somehow. I could faintly recall my brother's visit.
"My sweet sister." His eyes mirrored my haunted look. "How long have you stayed with him?" He pulled me into a hug and I rested my head on his left shoulder.
"I haven't left his side. I- I can't." Rubbing my back, he told me how much Balian meant to him as well.
"From the first time I met him, I knew he was a selfless, honorable man. We saw eye to eye on how to keep the peace. And his devotion to you brought me much joy. Have faith my dear Sibylla." Baldwin held me for awhile, but even he had to leave.
I resumed sitting on my plush recliner. Taking hold of Balian's limp hand, I gently rubbed his arm and spoke to him. "Balian, I know that you probably can't hear me right now, but I hope you know that we all wish that you would get well. The people of Ibelin need their lord to return, my brother misses his friend, and I need you; more than words can convey." I was silent, listening to his soft, steady breathing. "I promise you, we'll find out who was behind this. Tiberias is already questioning the prisoner." Reaching up to caress his curls, I whispered, "I am incomplete without you; you are my other half." A single tear rolled down my cheek a fell on his forehead. I wiped it away, angrily.
In no time, the stars revealed their light night sky, and I prepared for bed. That night I would sleep on the recliner, that way I'd only be an arms length away if Balian woke. Exhausted, I gave him one last kiss on his hand. "I love you," I told him softly. Then I laid down on my stomach, his hand in mine. Falling asleep was much easier this time.
But I was jolted out of my slumber, by a voice that I so desperately longed to hear. It was Balian. My elation turned to horror when I realized he was having some sort of delusional nightmare. He was mumbling something that I could not understand. Sweat ran down his face as he helplessly thrashed against the covers. I quickly grabbed his arm and shook it gently.
"Balian! Balian, wake up!" He fought to pull away from me, so I reluctantly let go. Frantically I yelled for a guard. One arrived immediately and, after I gave him the order to do so, ran to bring the healer. I yanked the covers off of Balian, hoping it would cool him down a bit. He continued to talk in his sleep; only this time I could understand him.
"No…no…" he moaned. "Sibylla!" I lightly touched his hand.
"I'm here, Balian. I'm here." It was heartbreaking watching my love suffer and not being able to communicate with him.
"Stop…please!" Somehow I knew he didn't mean me. "hurting…let her go…bastards…I'll kill you." The healer arrived in his night clothes and felt his forehead.
"He is burning with fever," he told me, over Balian's cries. "You should apply a cold cloth to his forehead; it should help." I ran to the bathroom, wet a cloth, and sprinted back. Balian was still muttering nonsense.
"I'll never surrender…Jerusalem…promised Baldwin…need help…Sibylla…my love." He finally lay still; exhausted. Wiping his brow with the soaked cloth, I asked the healer about his alarming symptoms.
The healer grimly explained, "The poison has attacked his body, giving him a fever. Let's hope he fights back." I continued to wipe Balian's face and neck, which were drenched with sweat. Suddenly, he began to shiver. I immediately pulled the cloth away and yanked the warm blankets off my recliner. The healer and I covered him and tucked in the blankets on each side of the bed.
"This is very serious; he is hot one moment, then he shivers the next." The healer continued gravely, "All we can do is keep him comfortable." Through the night, we helped Balian endure his fever and chills. By the next morning, he wasn't shivering or sweating. Still, I didn't leave the room. I couldn't. If he had a relapse, I needed to be there to care for him.
My bedside vigil continued for the next two days. After I witnessed his nightmare, no one could persuade me to leave the room, although they sure tried. Tiberias was one of them. "My lady, this is not healthy. You look overtired and starved. Perhaps you should begin to accept that he will…"
"No!" I snarled at him. "I won't give up on him." His mouth hung open in shock. I'd never spoken to him that way. Baldwin made eye contact with his military advisor, shook his head, and motioned for Tiberias to follow him out of the room. My brother had always been able to read my moods, and I was grateful for it. After they left, I sobbed, laying my head on Balian's chest.
Later that evening, to my surprise, the bishop and the hospitaler entered, bedecked in their fine scarlet church robes. "Why...what's going on?" I looked up at them from Balian's side.
"We're here to pray over him." I nodded at them to go ahead.
"Thank you, I appreciate your thoughtfulness." The hospitaler bent over my love's still form and began to mutter a prayer. Then out of nowhere, the bishop proposed that I should be deciding on another man to appoint as king. I started at him blankly, trying to comprehend what he was saying.
"…Be realistic, princess, Balian hasn't shown any signs of improvement. It is sad, but people die every day of strange causes," he said without a trace of empathy. "It is God's will." Furious at his statements, I slapped him across the face. Hard. The hospitaler turned around at the harsh sound. Massaging his cheek, the bishop glared at me. "Why you little witch, I ought to…"
"Shut up!" I screamed. "How can you even say that! I'm not giving up on Balian. He will become the next king. I know it!" Shaking with rage, I tore out of the room. I didn't stop until I heard the hospitaler frantically calling after me.
"Sibylla, stop!" Already tired, I slowed at turned to face him. "I'm so sorry for what my colleague has said. It was very premature, not to mention insensitive."
"I don't blame you," I said slowly. "I just wish that," my throat caught on the words, "he was well." The hospitaler sighed, in that moment looking older than his years.
"We all do. Balian is a special person; I've come to love him as I loved his father. But remember, Sibylla, Balian is a fighter. He's lasted this long. If he continues to fight off the poison, he may eventually survive." Slipping past me, he gave me a tiny reassuring smile.
I slowly returned to Balian's room – the bishop had had the decency to leave, thank God. Too weary to even change my clothes, I slipped into bed with Balian. I fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow, my arm draped across my love's chest.
That night I was awaked by a small sound. I sighed with irritation; I must've heard a mouse or some other tiny creature who had made the palace their home. But then I felt something move against my hand. No, it couldn't be, I told myself. It's your imagination. But there is was again, a tiny croak. I got out of bed and lit a candle. Balian's body was illuminated in the warm glow. His head shifted just a fraction, and I gave a small gasp.
"Balian?" I whispered, holding my breath.
"Sibylla," he croaked. And then sat up he opened his eyes. I found myself lost once again in their beautiful dark depths. He grinned and commanded, "Give me some water." I threw my arms around his neck and released all of the pent up emotions I'd tucked away for the past three and a half days.
End Ch. 6