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!
My reviewers are sooo awesome, I now have over 60!
Bonus points if you get the Star Wars refrence!
Nevasaiel: Yes, I enjoyed the Sibylla bitch-slap as well. You are not a perve, do not worry. How can one go wrong with images of wet naked Balian? I mean, come on people! I'm THRILLED you reviewed all those chappies. That makes me feel loved. I'm afraid I might leave you in a permanent state of hyperventilation…I didn't mean for it to be a cliffie, honest! (lies thru my teeth) It's good to have you back hun!
RedCloudPhoenix: I'm glad you liked the Baldwin parts…yeah it was sad. I really felt for Balian and Sibylla who have to go on without someone who played such an integral part in their lives.
Jellemegg: Thanks for the review, try re-reading it, lol! I love ya. Update your HP story!
Staci: I updated, see! Your reviews are always appreciated, I'm glad I've got you hooked.
Smithy: I'll try and work some Balian butt-kicking action in. It shouldn't be too hard to write, I hate Guy and Lucien w/ a passion!
ImmortalWizardPirateElfFan: That's right, I am cruel! Heh heh. I'm glad I'm not writing the expected, the conventional. I try!
Ch. 10: Cruel Separation
(Sibylla PoV)
I awoke slowly, my head pounding. How long had I been asleep? My empty stomach growled with hunger and my full bladder needed to be relieved. Groggily, I reached over for Balian. My hand only felt cold, hard stone. Confused, I sat up and took in my surroundings. This wasn't our bedroom. Where was I? Beginning to panic, I took in my unfamiliar surroundings. Three solid walls and a sliding bar door enclosed me in this damp, dim prison. Looking down at my feet, I saw that I'd been sleeping on a crude bed made of hay. Across the "room" was a plate of bread, a pitcher of water, and a chamber pot. From the looks of it, someone had wanted to keep me alive, if not particularly comfortable. Where was Balian? Why was I here?
The last thing I recall was passing through the gates of Kerak Castle. As I stood up and walked over to use the chamber pot, I tried hard to remember what had led me to be imprisoned here. The memories came flooding back as I finished relieving myself and grabbed a piece of stale bread.
It had been the day of Balian's coronation, and during his speech, two knights had come out of the crowd, attacking him with their swords. Balian! Was he alright? I never did see the outcome of the fight, as I was quitely ushered out of the church by one of the templars. As soon as we were out of earshot of the crowd, I hissed,
"Let me go back in!" Trying to wrench my hand away, he only smirked and gripped harder. Something didn't feel right. "I order you to release me, now!" The knight ignored me and yanked me along the hall to the back entrance of the palace.
"Come now, don't fight with me princess…or should I say queen? No matter, your reign was short lived." My muscles went rigid and my mind went blank with terror. Oh no, I'm being kidnapped. Struggling, I tried in vain to grasp the doorframe – anything that would slow us from leaving the palace. But it was no use, the knight was stronger, and pushed me through the doorway.
"Help!" I yelled. "Someone, please mmmph!" The traitor stifled my cries with his hand. I bit his fingers and he removed his hand. No one was around, they were all celebrating or at the coronation. Instead of screaming myself hoarse, I decided to save my voice for later, when someone might have a chance of hearing me. Once outside, we were met a man on horseback. My eyes grew wide as I identified him.
"Reynald de Chatillon. I recognized your foul stench when I was brought out here."
"Sibylla, charming as ever." He gave the knight a piece of black cloth. "Lucien, gag her."
"With pleasure." The templar did so, and I flashed my eyes angrily at both of them. "Now, climb on," he motioned to the mare tethered to a palm tree. Knowing resistance was futile at this point, I obeyed, mounting the chestnut horse. Off in the distance, I saw two people shaking hands, and one rode towards us. As he approached, my blood ran cold. No, it couldn't possibly be him…
"Ah, dear Sibylla. Did you miss me?" It was Guy. He stood before me once again, my life at his mercy. We banished him! How could this happen! He hopped off his horse, gave it to Lucien, and climbed up behind me. I hoped that my impassive features covered my paralyzing fear inside. When he caressed my cheek, I couldn't help but flinch at his repulsive touch.
"You hate me, don't you?" He whispered, making me shiver. "Well, let me tell you, that stunt you pulled didn't help matters between us. Understand that you are, and always will be mine." He chuckled as I squirmed under his roaming hands. "Gentlemen, move out." We followed Reynald and Lucien, riding towards the gate of Jerusalem. As we exited the city, I screamed to the guards for help, but to no avail. Guy just rolled his eyes and commented about how "spirited" his new slave was. The guards paid me no mind, and we were surrounded only by dunes in no time.
Keeping us back aways from the other men, Guy took this opportunity to comment about Balian. "I heard you married the bastard. I couldn't fathom why you'd go for a man like that…he is weak! He is too cowardly to lead a war, so he hides behind that peace treaty your damned brother made." Let me think; I married Balian because he is everything you aren't! "When the leper finally died, we celebrated because only then could we execute our plan. And your husband was foolish enough to fall for it," he crowed. "In fact, right now he's probably blaming himself for your disappearance." His evil remarks did their job well, all I could do was dwell on how Balian would react after he discovered that I was missing. Balian, do not blame yourself for these wicked men's actions.
We stopped several times to rest the horses, and after a fortnight I could make out Kerak Castle on the horizon. Guy asked if I would stay with him once we arrived. Instead of answering, I spit in his face. My little act of defiance must've convinced them that I'd be easier to deal with if I was drugged. They must've slipped something in my drink, for I recall feeling extremely sleepy as we entered the gates.
I sighed, finally comprehending how I'd ended up in the dungeon. A creak sounded and the barred door swung open, revealing the devil himself. Guy greeted me and asked if I found my room to be adequate. After recovering from the initial shock, I found my voice.
"It suits me much better than sharing chambers with you, my lord." He shrugged indifferently.
"Well if you ever desire a change of quarters, all you have to do is say the word, and I'll take you back as my wife."
"Never!" I spat. "I belong to Balian, and no other. He is my soulmate. Not even you can stop that kind of love." His face darkened.
"You will join me eventually, Sibylla. In the meantime, enjoy your stay in the dungeon; I hear the rats make good company in the night." He turned to walk away, but stopped. "Oh and one more thing. If it makes you feel any better, I shall know the fate of your husband in a few days. As we speak, he is walking into a trap. If he is lucky, he might be able to walk away unscathed – but I doubt it. Good night, my sweet," he mocked me, slamming the door.
Alone again, I felt around on the floor until I reached the straw. Sinking into my makeshift bed, I sobbed into the darkness. Oh Balian, I wish you were here, to hold be, to comfort me, to protect me. Feeling ashamed, I tried to hold in my emotions, but the tears would not subside. Utterly helpless and shivering, I fell into slumber, once again Guy de Lusignan's captive.
(Balian PoV)
Oh no. How could I have not seen this? My heart thumping in my chest, I turned back to Tiberias and asked,
"Where is Sibylla?" Not waiting for him to answer, I frantically asked as many knights as I could find if they'd see her. The answer was always the same, a confused "no, not since the beginning of the coronation." I rushed out of the church, Tiberias at my heels.
"Balian, calm down!" The war veteran advised.
"I won't calm down," I hissed. "My wife has disappeared, and you are telling me to calm down!" A peasant boy ran up to us, ending the argument.
"Excuse me your highness," he said bowing, his cheeks flushed. "One of your knights asked me to deliver this directly to you." He held out a folded letter and I absentmindedly took it. The youngster scampered off as I read the letter's contents. Stunned, I held it out for Tiberias to read.
To King Balian I,
"If you ever want to see your Queen alive again, you must come to Kerak Castle in two days, as the sun sets. Bring no one, except a small company of low-ranking guards. If you follow these instructions correctly, a trade can arranged."
-Saladin
"This doesn't make any sense," Tiberias muttered. "Our peace agreement has not been breached, why would the Muslims want to start any trouble with us?"
"I don't know," I admitted. "But that doesn't matter, I must leave at once to rescue my wife." I ordered one of the knights to rouse twenty of my best templars to accompany me on the journey.
"My king, do not make any hasty judgments," Tiberias cautioned. "The kidnappers could be luring you into a trap. It's not safe…"
"No, it's not," I snapped. "Which is why I must get to Sibylla as soon as I possibly can."
"But you can't just leave Jerusalem without a ruler; Baldwin would have a fit if he knew."
"Baldwin would want me to go after his sister," I retorted. "I am appointing you to be in charge until we return." Tiberias followed me out to the stables as I saddled up my stallion.
"Balian, are you sure this is the right thing to do?" I sighed. I had promised my father to be a good knight. Perhaps I was breaking my oath – but this time my heart prevailed over my head. I climbed on my horse and led him to the mouth of the stables.
"I love her, Tiberias. If anything happened to her and it had been in my power to prevent it, I would go mad. And then you would be without any ruler at all." We nodded at each other, and I waved goodbye.
My men and I left the city at twilight – I knew we could reach the Kerak stronghold by the next night. Hold on my love, I'm coming. Don't give up hope.
End Ch. 10