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!
A/N: Happy 4th of July to all of you Americans! I wrote this on vacation so I hope it's up to par…let me know.
Nevasaiel: I know I'm wicked…Balian doesn't get beat up in this one, lol! But he's not out of the woods yet! cackles evilly. Thanks for all of your encouragement, it makes me smile.
Jellemegg: Yes, the pregnancy did come at a rather inopportune moment, didn't it? Hehe, poor Balian indeed. I hope you're having a good vacation too.
Lady Excalibur: Wow, I'm impressed my story makes sense to you since you haven't seen the movie. Who knew? Something tells me Balian and Guy will have a confrontation before it's all over. winks
Smithy: I know, Guy truly is wicked for torturing our poor, sweet, defenseless Balian like that. Don't worry, he'll have a chance to make him pay…eventually.
RedCloudPhoenix: Yes, B and S are stronger together, and luckily Balian recognized that before he made the wrong choice. Their love truly runs deep, and I think that chapter showed just how much they feel for the other. I know, I love Balian too.
Ch. 13: Rescue
(Sibylla PoV)
"Balian, it's time," I voiced urgently. "Ahhh," I tensed, squeezing my eyes shut. He steadied me as I grimaced through the contraction.
"Are you sure, love?" I nodded. "Then let's get you up to your bed." He helped me slowly waddle through the gardens, up the palace steps, and down the halls to our bedroom. "Fetch the midwife," Balian ordered one of the guards, who hastily complied. He helped me ease into our bed. Taking my shoes off, he gently began to rub my swollen feet.
"I feel another one coming!" I gripped his hand as I rode out the excruciating pain. When it was over, I sighed, leaning my head back into the fluffy pillows. My husband brushed stray hairs from my sweat drenched brow.
"Just think, Sibylla, soon you'll be through the worst, and we'll be parents," he told me gleefully, kissing my hand.
"That's easy for you to say – you're not the one giving birth," I grumbled good naturedly. Thankfully the midwife arrived; I was starting to worry that she wouldn't be found in time. She cheerfully introduced herself, and brought out plenty of towels from the bathroom.
"Make yourself useful, there's a good man." The midwife gave Balian a damp cloth, which he used to wipe my forehead. Throughout the day, the contractions became stronger and closer together. Balian did his best to comfort me and distract me from the pain, which helped, somewhat. After the last contraction, the pain had been the most severe, and it had left me exhausted and breathless. The midwife checked my progress.
"You are ready, dear." Balian stroked my cheek tenderly, his brown eyes full of concern, and I gulped. I certainly didn't feel ready. "Sir, if you would step out until the birth is over," the midwife asked. I piped up timidly,
"Couldn't he stay, please?" The midwife chuckled.
"A birthing room is no place for a man." Balian gave me a soft kiss on my lips.
"Madam, she means everything to me," he pleaded. The midwife gently patted his arm.
"She will be in good hands, sir. I promise." Balian sighed and nervously stroked his beard.
"I love you," he said, softly before he left the room. Bravely, I smiled, letting him know I understood. The door closed with a loud 'clunk'. Without Balian's comforting presence, I began to worry even more so than before. Please let my baby be healthy, I inwardly prayed. The midwife brought the towels down to the foot of the bed. Without warning, a huge contraction hit, and I screamed in agony. The midwife spread my legs.
"Push, your highness!" Grunting, I did. "I can see the head; push once more!" Straining my lower abdominals, I pushed with all my might. Never had I felt so relieved than I had when I hear my baby's strong cry. Tiny tears of joy leaked from the corners of my eyes.
"It's a boy!" The midwife told me proudly, as she finished cleaning him off.
Suddenly, two men cloaked in black leapt out from behind the drapes. One stabbed the midwife in the shoulder so that she stumbled in unexpected pain. He wrenched the baby from her arms before she passed out on the ground. The other covered my mouth before I had the chance to scream for help. My eyes widened in fear when I recognized the men – Reynald was gagging me and Guy was locking the door while holding my baby.
"Oh Sibylla, would you like to see your son?" Guy whispered tauntingly, bringing him over to where I could see him. He was beautiful, his small head adorned with tufts of dark hair, and his dark eyes glancing up at me inquisitively.
"Pity, he looks just like his father." I glared at my former husband, and tried to scream for Balian, but with the gag in my mouth it was useless. Guy walked over to the open window, holding my son, who still cried. "Say goodbye to mama." He took one of my son's tiny hands and waved it at me. Guy raised his small form above the window sill. My eyes widened in horror as I understood what hideous act he was about to commit. "Sibylla, you must understand, I can't let the offspring of Balian live." He dangled my son out the window, and his cries increased.
"Nooooooo!" I cried, struggling to get up. "Please, no!"
"Sibylla, wake up!" Balian's strong voice jolted me awake from my nightmare. I opened my eyes to see a concerned Balian clutching my shoulders.
"Oh Balian, Guy and Reynald - they were trying to kill our son!" I sobbed into his shoulder.
"It was just a dream, my love, just a dream," he soothed, rocking me slowly. I clung tightly to him as he spoke words of reassurance and rubbed my back.
"It seemed so real," I hiccupped. "Promise that they'll never get their hands on our child."
"I promise," he vowed, holding me close. "You know that I will protect you and our child as long as I am alive." Frustrated, I brushed away my tears.
"Listen to me, going on about some silly dream when we should be sleeping or trying to figure out how the hell to get out of here. I am such a mess," I looked at Balian, apologetically. He shook his head.
"You have every reason to be frightened, sweetheart. Knowing what those men are capable of would disturb anyone." He kissed me lightly. "Now why don't we get some rest, and we'll worry about our predicament in the morning."
"Alright," I shakily agreed. Balian's snores soon filled the cell, but it took me a long while to fall asleep.
(The next morning)
I awoke to Balian's insistent prodding. Footsteps approached as the guard clambered down the spiral stairs and toward our cell. "We rush him as soon as he opens the door to bring us our food," he whispered, his breath hot on my ear.
"Okay," I breathed. Any trace of grogginess vanished as I stood fully alert and ready to take the unsuspecting guard by surprise.
"One," he whispered. "Two…" The guard inserted the key in the lock which opened with a resounding clank. "Three!" Balian shoved the door at the guard who stumbled backward in astonishment. We took advantage of this moment to slip out of the cell. Balian raised his fist at the guard, who yelled for him to desist.
"Tiberias?" we said in unison, simultaneously recognizing the voice of the 'guard'.
"What are you doing here?" I asked in surprise.
"Rescuing you," was his gruff reply. "Although you seemed to be doing fine on your own…"
"How did you know we were here?" Balian questioned him as they clasped hands in greeting. Tiberias motioned for us to follow him.
"It's a long story," he replied. "But first you must leave Kerak undetected. We wouldn't want anyone sending word to Guy of your escape." Not needing any further encouragement, Balian and I followed him up the steps, moving as quickly as Balian's injuries would allow. Tiberias led us out of the dungeon, through the empty servants' quarters, and to the stables where we met another man.
"Michael, I trust you remember King Balian and Queen Sibylla," Tiberias said, introducing the man who'd just finished tacking up our horses.
"Your highnesses, it is an honor once again," he bowed. "Although the last time we met was under quite different circumstances. I was not aware of your true identities." His eyes twinkled with amusement. Where have I met this man before? Then it dawned on me.
"You're Catherine's father!" I exclaimed. The man nodded. Balian groaned in embarrassment, rubbing his temples.
"I'm sorry for not recognizing you right away, sir. And for keeping our identities a secret from you and your family."
"Don't be," Michael said. "I'm just glad I could repay you for your kindness. It was the least I could do, after you saved my daughter from those lustful men. Come, we should leave before anyone notices you are gone." Balian and I willingly complied; all four of us mounted our respective horses and made for the castle gates.
After Kerak was safely behind us, we stopped to rest at a small oasis. I made the most of this opportunity, using the water to clean Balian's wounds once again. Tiberias passed out some bread as Michael began to tell his extraordinary tale.
"Last night, I brought my wares to the palace to sell, as I do every Thursday night. But I accidentally overheard a conversation between your former husband and a man called Reynald. When they began to gloat about how they'd lured you into their trap, I followed them at a distance, continuing to eavesdrop. Luckily for me, they mentioned the place where you were being held. Also, they discussed how the Muslims would soon attack the city. So there I was; a mere merchant who had stumbled upon a secret that could mean the downfall of Jerusalem. What was I to do?" The merchant paused for effect. "I didn't know who to trust with this information. Thankfully, Tiberias found me. He was hiding from Guy and Reynald who wanted to lock him up. They knew that Tiberias didn't believe your letter, Balian."
"Of course not," Tiberias growled. "But what could I do? They had a document written in your hand, and the support of the templars. My only hope was to try and free you, except I didn't know where to look. I asked Michael to help me leave the palace unnoticed, and when he found out why I needed to leave…"
"I told him where you were being held," Michael jubilantly interrupted. "We left the city right away, and the rest you know." I finished chewing my last bite of bread.
"I never thought we'd be rescued, especially so soon. Thank you both."
"Yes, we are forever in your debt," echoed Balian, putting his arm around me. Both men nodded modestly. Tiberias cleared his throat, breaking the silence.
"Well, we'd better continue on. If we only stop tonight to sleep, we should reach the city tomorrow around midday." Balian gave me a push up into the saddle, and subtly caressed my stomach. We knowingly shared a smile. While Tiberias and Michael rode on ahead, Balian stayed back, riding beside me.
Crossing the desert under the blazing sun was no mean feat, but we were determined to reach the city as soon as possible. Tired from our long ride, that night everyone went to sleep almost immediately. Dawn came quickly. As we took a quick breakfast, Balian mulled over what kind of state the city would be in when we arrived.
"The Muslims could already have attacked the city by now." Tiberias and Michael looked grave. "I don't know what good our returning will do, as the templars' allegiance lies with the traitors." Their conversation stopped when they heard me throwing up my food. Thankfully this bout wasn't bad, and it didn't take long for me to recover.
"Are you alright, m'lady?" asked Michael.
"I'm fine," I replied airily. To demonstrate that I was so, I climbed onto my horse, placed my feet in the stirrups, and grabbed the reins. "Gentlemen, shall we?" Tiberias frowned at me, but he didn't voice his suspicions. I dug in with my heels and my horse shot forward. Balian soon caught up to me, leaving the other two eating our dust. Eventually we slowed to a speed where they could catch up. Just as Tiberias had predicted, we came upon the city when the sun was directly overhead. But we weren't greeted with a pleasant sight.
"Oh no," I sighed, crestfallen. "We're too late." The entire Muslim army was virtually camped on Jerusalem's doorstep.