/I don't own anything you recognize in this story. /

Chapter Three

"You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you." –Isaiah 26:3

Sibylla tapped her hand on the brick wall impatiently. She had been standing at this spot every day for the past two weeks for hours on end, hoping that she'd catch a glimpse of the man that she loved and pined for the past year.

"My lady Sibylla?"

Sibylla turned slowly around to face her guard. She smiled painfully at him. He was always so worried about her, but she personally didn't care one way or another if anyone cared about her. Everyone except for Balian—the love of her life.

"What is it?" Sibylla asked sweetly. She always had to act strong for the people who looked up to her, or they'd never be able to complete their tasks.

"Are you alright? You seem a little sad," the soldier stated, his voice full of concern.

"No, I am fine. Please don't insult my intelligence," Sibylla exclaimed—perhaps a little too sharply, but she didn't care.

"If you are sure—" the soldier continued but Sibylla held up a hand and he fell silent instantly.

"I'm perfectly fine. Please don't worry about me, I'm just thinking about everything that I need to do today," Sibylla said.

This simple lie seemed to satisfy the soldier because he saluted her before leaving. Sibylla sighed and turned back to face the land, thinking. Was it that obvious that she was worried?

She couldn't help it, it had been days since she sent a small guard out to go find and fetch Balian from his exile in France. How many days does it take to go to France and back? Sibylla didn't know, but she hoped soon, because she had many matters to discuss with Balian. Like how to rule a disgruntled nation to live in peace and maybe someday to take back Jerusalem.

Sighing, she turned back around and began pacing back and forth on the wall. Nothing seemed to occupy her mind these days.

"Please hurry, Balian," she whispered to the stretch of land in front of her.

As if answered by some miraculous prayer immediately from God, Sibylla saw a shimmer of horses in the distance. Her heart skipped a beat. Balian couldn't be here this fast, could he? But then again, she knew nothing of the distances between countries.

"My lady Sibylla, a group of men are riding towards here on horseback. What will you have me do, lady?" a soldier nearest her exclaimed.

Sibylla turned and considered the man for several moments. It never seized to amaze her that there was always a soldier near her, ready to defend her if need be. It never really occurred to her as odd until now.

"Open the gate for them. I am sure it is the guard that I sent out for Balian," Sibylla finally answered.

The soldier nodded in agreement. "Yes, my lady." He then turned and began shouting orders for the gate to be opened for them to come in.

Sibylla watched for several moments before sweeping down a narrow flight of stairs to meet them. It would do no good for them not to have a proper welcome, or it would be considered rude.

She arrived at the gates just as the horses came thundering in, but slowed down as to not trample on anyone who were happening to linger around the gate.

"My lady Sibylla," a man from one of the horses exclaimed as he sidled down from his horse. The others with him followed suit, each making sure they had a firm grasp on the reins so the horses wouldn't run off.

Sibylla barely nodded to the man who spoke. "John. Have you brought him safely with you?"

John smiled and pulled off his helmet that he had been wearing. "Yes, temper and all."

From behind him, Sibylla caught a glimpse of her beloved Balian scowling at John's back and rubbing his horse's nose empathetically. Sibylla felt her heart skip a beat as she caught sight of him for the first time in over a year, but she mentally shook herself of the feeling. She couldn't love a friend.

"Giving my soldiers grief, are you, my lord Balian?" she asked smiling, stepping around John to stand in front of Balian.

Balian didn't necessarily scowl but he didn't necessarily smile either. Sibylla could feel her own smile falling from her face. She wasn't fully expecting this from a person that she sweated and bled with for so many months last year. But then again, she couldn't tell what a year apart could do to two people. She wasn't sure herself of seeing Balian again.

"I did as you asked, my lady Sibylla," Balian stated, "now you can bend me to your will as you've always done."

Sibylla stiffened. This isn't the Balian that she had come to know. But if he wanted to be that way, she'd play his game.

"Well, it's good to have you back, my lord Balian," Sibylla exclaimed, managing a smile. Turning to the soldiers she added, "Please show our guest to his room and help him get ready if he needs it and help him to the kitchens. We'll be eating soon."

"I know my way around my own land, thank you, my lady," Balian said coldly and headed off.

Sibylla exchanged looks with her soldiers. She could see what temper they had to go through on the journey back. But no matter, she'd deal with it soon enough.

"Make sure he fares well, anyway," she told them and without another word, she swept off to her rooms to get ready for dinner.