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

Chapter Seven

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the sons of God." (Matthew 5:9)

John studied Sibylla silently as the two of them walked. The woman seemed to have a million things on her mind and he desperately wanted to know what it was but he knew better. She would say what was on her mind when she was ready to tell whatever it was. For John, that was fine with him, as long as he could be in the presence of lady Sibylla.

Finally stopping at a particularly high spot, Sibylla turned to John. John, sensing Sibylla's urgency, stopped to, both of them watching each other in quiet regard.

"What is it that you wish, my lady Sibylla?" John asked finally, breaking the silence.

"I wanted to ask you for some advice, John," Sibylla said.

"Ask away, my lady," John exclaimed, his thoughts reeling with what the woman could possibly ask advice of him for.

"I was wondering how a person can love someone so deeply, but love them enough to let go," Sibylla said.

John stared at Sibylla. "My lady?"

"I am sorry, I should explain myself, but there are so many questions on my mind that I do not know where to start or how to phrase them," Sibylla exclaimed, beginning to pace back and forth.

John watched her quietly, somehow knowing that this conversation was going to be about her and Balian. Somehow he knew that the weeks were going to lead down to this—what else could it be?

"Take your time, my lady, I darst say we have all the time in the world at our fingertips," John stated.

Too late, John realized, that he said the wrong thing as Sibylla whipped around to face him, a look of fury on her face. He wasn't surprised, though, everything seemed to give Sibylla a temper lately, or so he heard.

"No, we don't have any time, John. I don't have any time, don't you understand. I have to find myself a man before sixth month's time or it's goodbye Sibylla. No more my ladies or how can I help yous have that," Sibylla spouted.

John nodded modestly. "I am sorry, my lady, I spoke out of turn. It was quite bold for me to say and I hope that you disregard what I said."

Sibylla glared heatedly for several moments before continuing on. "It's just that I love someone, John, but he doesn't love me back, and I don't know how to let go of what we had or to say goodbye—to him and the wishful dreams that I thought we had together."

John gave a small smile. "I see." He twirled his thick moustache thoughtful. "How do you know that he doesn't love you back?"

"Because he said so to my face that he does not wish to be with me!" Sibylla exclaimed.

"Maybe you just misunderstood him, my lady," John said, grinning broadly now, "maybe he didn't want to jump before he looked, as it were."

"What do you mean, John?" Sibylla begged, "I don't understand."

"Neither do I, lady Sibylla. Perhaps a little jumping the sword perhaps?" John stated. "I assume the man in question is someone that you haven't seen in quite a while?"

"Yes, as a matter of fact," Sibylla exclaimed and John noticed a slight reddening in her cheeks. "Circumstances have kept us apart for quite a while."

"Well, then, there's your problem, my lady. You two haven't seen each other in a long time and assuming things were the same as always, you pronounced your love for all the world to hear and the man, having not sorted out his own thoughts reacted in a fit of rage because you just stated what he'd been trying to piece together for all this time and there you have it," John said excitedly, pleased at Sibylla's shocked face.

"For certain?" Sibylla asked, "or are you just saying all of this for a dramatic effect?"

"My dear lady, have I ever lied to you? I've seen situations like yours many times and understanding my sex quite well, I can assure you that my answer is quite sound," John said, smiling profoundly.

Sibylla smiled broadly and suddenly leaped into John's arms and hugged him tightly, much to John's surprise.

"Oh, you're such a sweetheart. Remind me to give you a pay raise," Sibylla nearly shouted, giving John a kiss on the cheek.

"Yes, my lady," John said, giving a slight hug.

Pulling away, Sibylla smiled up at John and hurried away into the distance. Watching her leave, John shook his head in amusement.

"What a way some things turn out," John muttered to himself.

Turning away from his stance, John started down the hill. He had chores to do and nothing in the world could stop him from doing them.