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: Thanks to all who have ever read my story; I'm glad I could share this with you. I had a lot of fun writing it. I hope this ending satisfies you, enjoy this last chapter!

Nevasaiel: Hmm, have you ever thought about investing in a clamp? You know to keep things from coming out of your mouth that others would regard as too much information? You might want to consider it. Just kidding! I'm glad you liked the role play. Heh heh.

LadyExcaliber: Hey, at least you're honest. Now that I think about it, the plot didn't advance all that much. But I wanted to give you all one last love scene. I've finally gotten my official certificate, proving my

Eliza: See, I told you I wouldn't make him fight like wimpy Paris. I'm glad you liked it!

Smithy: "That's hot!" cough Paris Hilton…I'm glad I could give you such thoughts. It sure was fun to write. :P

Rachel Sparrow: Yay, you're back! Doesn't dominant Balian rock? Yummy muscles indeed. It wasn't fair that they gave us only one look at them in the movie.

Jellemegg: I'm glad you liked B&S's little romp. :D Thanks for the complement; I was a bit worried about how to describe Saladin. He's such a complex dude! I hope things turn out in a way that you like.

Ch. 16: The Duel

(Balian PoV)

I awoke with a start, as I'd been plagued with a nightmare that expanded on my fear of losing the fight with Guy. Breathing hard, I slowly eased out of Sibylla's hold and quietly paced around the tent. Today's the day of my duel to the death. As this unsettling thought registered in my brain, my palms grew sweaty and my stomach involuntarily clenched.

Trying to calm myself, I ran through my mental list of every maneuver and trick that I knew about sword fighting. I recalled the skills that I'd learned while working as a blacksmith, and those acquired during the short time spent with my father. "Always use the high guard, Balian…" Yes, that was his last instructions to me before we were ambushed in the forest. I was so focused on stretching that I didn't hear Sibylla come up behind me.

"Hi," she whispered, encircling her arms around my back. I jumped, startled by the contact, and she gently laughed.

"Hi yourself," I said, turning around to face her. She gave me a light kiss on my nose, and then sat down on the cot, motioning for me to continue. I began my warm-up exercises, so that I'd be loose and prepared for the vicious onslaught that was to come. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Sibylla was biting her lip as she scrutinized me. I was grateful that she didn't try to dissuade me from fighting, as I wasn't sure I could refuse her pleas.

"Excuse me, my lord," called a voice from outside the tent. Sibylla and I stepped outside to see who it was. From the looks of his garb, I figured he must be one Saladin's servants. "Your sword, King Balian." He returned my freshly polished sword. "Oh, and my master advises that you have nourishment before you fight." Another lackey offered me a tray that carried some slices of bread and two glasses of red wine.

"Thank you," I said, moved. The men bowed and left. One man called out "good luck, sir" over his shoulder, which made me feel encouraged knowing the Muslims truly supported me. While we ate our meal, Sibylla kept our conversation light.

"Just think, soon we shall return to the palace today…God knows how I've missed simple luxuries. I'll finally get to bathe again!" I grinned at that.

"I'll bet the thing you've missed most is having your servants grant your every desire." She wrinkled her nose, and glared at me in mock rage.

"No. You're wrong." I rubbed my temples, pretending to think harder.

"Oh, I know! What you miss the most is being addressed as "your highness" or "Queen Sibylla". She gave an unladylike snort.

"Right. Actually, I miss the time that we get to spend alone…even if we often are interrupted by important matters of state." When we'd finished eating, Sibylla helped me suit up, making sure that my protective armor was in place. It was not long before Saladin's servant had returned to fetch me.

"Just a moment, I'll be right there," I yelled. Almost instantly, my wife's demeanor changed. She turned to gaze at me, her beautiful eyes full of dread.

"Hold me," she pleaded. Sibylla clung to me while I tenderly rubbed her back, trying in vain to comfort her.

"No matter what happens, I'll be proud of you," she choked out. We savored a long kiss, and I wiped the tears from her eyes. Reluctantly pulling apart, we left the tent meet Saladin.

He was waiting for us along with an escort that included Nasir. There were enough horses so that Tiberias, Michael, and Sibylla could ride out with us to watch the fight. After thanking Saladin for his generous hospitality, I mounted my steed and headed towards the city, where I saw figures approaching in the distance. I met Guy, Reynald, and an escort of templars, greeting them with a steely expression. Strangely enough, I felt calm. I had chosen this fate, and I would meet it with resolve. Not one to waste time, Guy leapt off his mount and walked before me, his sword drawn.

"Prepare to meet your doom, weakling," he threatened, the venom practically dripping from his voice. I unsheathed my saber and we circled, evaluating each other and looking for weaknesses. Suddenly he lunged at me and I brought my sword up to parry his quick stroke. We had begun. I knew that I had to divert his attention from the fight, to deter his unwavering focus, if I wanted to win.

"I'm curious, how did you react when you found out that Sibylla and I had escaped from your clutches at Kerak?" He answered with a few heated blows, which I deflected easily. Good, he is responding the way I figured. All I have to do is provoke him, and stay on the defense. Eventually he should tire, allowing me to go in for the kill.

"Why you sneaky little bastard – trust me, you will pay for that escape." He was driving me back, but I made sure that I always had ample room to move around. By this time, both of our escorts had created a large circle around us, forming our battle ground.

"I heard about your considerable loss yesterday," I spoke offhandedly, as if we were having a talk over breakfast. "It's too bad your military advisor fled; perhaps if he'd respected your rule and stayed, you might've faired better." That incensed him even more, and I had to use some fancy footwork to avoid getting slashed.

Dueling with Guy de Lusignan had depleted most of my energy, yet I was determined to win. I'd managed to block most of his attacks, yet somehow he'd dealt a blow to one the weak points on my shoulder, reopening an old wound. I fell to the ground, howling from the agonizing pain.

"Surrender to me Balian of Ibelin; you've lost. Give up, for you can hardly move." He kicked me in the back and I rolled away from him. I knew that he was only toying with me, and once he grew bored, he'd deliver the killing blow. An image of Sibylla and our child living in a peaceful Jerusalem surfaced in my mind, giving me strength. I knew I must continue the duel, for their sake. Gathering all of my resolve, I picked myself up and readied to fight once more.

"I'll never surrender to you," I snarled. Staggering, I held my sword high, ready to defend myself to the end.

"I don't believe this," Guy said, in mock astonishment. "Don't you know when you are beaten?" He rushed at me and once again we were locked in deadly combat. I was functioning on pure adrenaline, and to my utter surprise I was deflecting Guy's every blow. The evil nobleman was clearly angered at this astounding development. Sweat was pouring down my back from the heat; I was desperate to end this fight. Then I had an idea. Pretending to tire I allowed Guy to force me back, almost so I had nowhere to go in the circle. But just before he managed it, he held up his free hand to shield his eyes. I'd tricked him into herding me into a place where the sun would obstruct his vision. Without hesitation, I slashed his side, causing him to drop to the desert floor. The coward stared up at me with terrified eyes, and begged for mercy.

"Baldwin already granted you mercy," I rasped. "And how did you repay him, by taking over his kingdom? No, devils receive no mercy from me." I gave him a quick and painless death, wishing this ordeal to be over. All of the witnesses were stunned into silence. Exhausted, I dropped my sword and started towards my wife. But instead of relief, she wore a look of horror.

"Balian, look out behind you!" I swirled around to see Reynald de Chatillon running at me with his sword. But before I reached my weapon, Saladin had pulled out a dagger from his armor and threw it at Reynald. It pierced his back with alarming accuracy, making him gush blood and fall down. Sighing with relief, I wobbled around until Tiberias and Michael rushed to catch me. Before I slipped into unconsciousness, I felt Sibylla squeezing my hand, and saw her smiling proudly down at me through her tears. It was then that it sunk in; I'd won, and our chance for peace was now possible.

Epilogue:

It was five years to the day that Jerusalem had been freed from Guy de Lusignan's rule. My subjects had eagerly reinstated Sibylla and I as the Queen and King. To my amazement, most of the citizens agreed with my plan to divide the city, giving half to be ruled by Saladin. Punishing the traitorous templars for their actions, I ordered them to build a hospital where the newest sort of medicines would be practiced and taught. I appointed Tiberias and the knights ranking just beneath him with the task of overseeing that all of Jerusalem's knights would stick to their code and help those in need. Saladin and I met monthly to discuss the results of our new developments. He suggested that I decree that my merchants learn Arabic, in order for Christian/Muslim transactions to run smoother. I had consented, so long as he commanded that his Muslim merchants learn French and English.

"Balian, hurry! We're going to be late for the parade," Sibylla called from across the hall. My wife's soothing voice brought me back to the present.

"I'm almost ready, sweetheart; it takes awhile for me to dress in this God-awful chain mail." The annual celebration parade had been started to commemorate my triumph over the evil Guy de Lusignan. Five years ago, Saladin decreed this day a holiday as it was the beginning of the best period of peaceful years that Jerusalem had ever seen. True, I did have to hang a couple of fanatics who deliberately killed an unarmed Muslim, but other than that relations were excellent. Although our fair city's government was quite different from the norm, the notion of 'separate but equal' was fair and just. And it worked like a charm.

Finally, I was dressed in my knightly uniform and ready to meet my admiring public. Leaving our room, I met Sibylla in the hallway, who was dressed in her Queenly attire.

"It's been five years of marriage, and you still take my breath away." Sibylla beamed at me as our two young daughters darted out of their room, chasing each other down the corridor. Maria, named in memory of my first wife, had been our firstborn. She had her mother's wavy dark hair, and my father's crystal blue eyes. Although I'd been quite surprised at Sibylla's request for me to stay with her during the actual birthing, I couldn't refuse her. Then, Celeste, who had my wife's pale green eyes, was born a few years later. Being parents had changed our lives, but it was for the better. Although the children ran us ragged, the reward of watching them grow and mature was definitely worth it.

Just before we reached the stables, Sibylla's nanny handed her our five month old son. When I'd found out that my wife planned to take little Baldwin with her in the parade, I had adamantly objected. However, once she showed me the snuggly that firmly held our baby boy to her, I relented. I suppose it is time that the people see their heir. All of the servants say that he is the spitting image of me, with his dark eyes and thick brown hair.

Baby Baldwin cooed as Sibylla secured him in her snuggly. Gazing down at him, I grinned as he began to gurgle, closing his tiny fist around my finger. I gave him a kiss on his forehead, praying that I would be a good enough father for my beautiful son.

"Daddy, pay attention to us," Maria whined, impatiently tugging on my robes.

"Yeah," Celeste echoed. "I get to ride with daddy!"

"No I do!" Not wanting the girls to argue, I intervened. Chuckling, I asked them,

"How about you both get to ride with me, my little princesses?"

"Yay!" They shrieked in delight as I picked up each girl and twirled them around in turn. Stable hands brought out our horses, sporting festive blue and red ribbons that were skillfully woven into their manes and tails. I helped Sibylla onto her chestnut mare, and gingerly swung Maria and then Celeste onto my black war steed. After I'd climbed up into the saddle, we led our horses outside to join the parade.

We waited, watching Saladin and his men ride by through the decorated marketplace. Nasir rode adjacent to the great Muslim leader, which I made me belive that Saladin meant to go through with his plans to make Nasir his successor. Next, a company of Muslim soldiers and Christian knights trotted past, their colorful banners flapping in the wind. Following them, passed by Tiberias and Michael, dressed in their gleaming finery. It was time for royal family to make their appearance.

I spurred my horse forward, and Sibylla rode behind me out into the packed marketplace. As soon as we could be seen, the crown roared with jubilation and tossed confetti into our path. My daughters waved happily at the masses as we slowly made our way through the dusty marketplace. Glancing over at Sibylla, who was now riding at my side, I saw that she was waving Baldwin's little hand at the crowd. They seemed to be just as enamored with him as I was. Dropping all pretenses, I smiled and waved at the people who I'd risked my life to protect. Suddenly, the parade came to a halt, which I knew was my signal. I gave the reigns to a squire, leapt off my stallion, and went over to Sibylla, who handed me my fragile son.

Tightly holding my son, I raised his tiny body high about my head. His legs were squirming, and his eyes were squinting from the bright glare of the sun, but he didn't fuss or cry out.

"Citizens of Jerusalem, I give you Baldwin the third…your future king." The cheering and applause reached a deafening level, which caused a bewildered Baldwin to cry a bit. Concerned, I lowered him and held him to me. I stroked his pudgy cheek and he ceased his wailing. At that moment, as he gazed up at me, we seemed to form a bond. I knew from that moment on that I could handle being a father to this extraordinary boy. Raising a son couldn't be all that different than raising a daughter. Baldwin was such an easy going baby – I knew we were going to have some great times together when he grew older. I walked over to give him back to Sibylla and discovered that he'd fallen asleep in my arms.

"See, he trusts you," she whispered, placing Baldwin in his snuggly. I gave her a quick, chaste kiss and her dreamy smile reaffirmed that our love was just as strong as it was when we were just married. Climbing back onto my steed, I unsheathed my most prized possession, Godfrey's sword. I pointed it towards the heavens and proclaimed,

"For unity! For peace! For Jerusalem!" That signaled for the parade to start moving again. Soon the parade had come to an end and my family and I were free to spend the day however we wished. It had been a wonderful yet challenging five years, and I knew that with our three children, Sibylla and I would have a full and happy life.

The first thing that I wanted to do was to get out of this infuriating chain mail. As I struggled with it, Sibylla came into our room, closing the door behind her.

"The children are with their nanny right now; I thought we might take advantage of this…" she trailed off, looking at me expectantly, her eyebrows raised.

"Sounds good; just get me out of this damn chain mail!" I growled. Laughing at my frustration, she eagerly complied.

The End