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

Chapter Twenty-One

"Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night." –Psalm 1:1-2

Staggering away from the city, Balian collapsed with exhaustion and pain onto the sandy ground. Sibylla knelt by his side as Eamon watched on. Looking wearily up, Balian could see the worry and concern etched deep in Sibylla's face. Stroking her face gently, Balian smiled a small smile.

"I'm ok, Sibylla, I just need some rest, that's all," Balian stated.

"I know, Balian, you don't need to say anything more," Sibylla said softly.

Several moments of silence, Balian sat up quickly and began moving towards the corner of the city. Sibylla stood and followed him from behind.

"What's the matter, Balian?" Sibylla asked.

"It's too quiet. It shouldn't be this quiet," Balian exclaimed.

Sibylla stared at Balian, confused, and cocked her head. "What do you mean? I don't understand."

Balian turned back to Sibylla. "There's a battle going on. Isn't it a bit odd that you don't hear anything? Anything at all?"

Sibylla fell silent and listened, as well. It was a little odd that there wasn't so much as a shout or the clanging of swords in battle. Moving to Balian, Sibylla clutched his arm tightly.

"Does that mean they've retreated?" she asked softly.

"It certainly seems that way," Balian answered.

"Balian!" Eamon called out, his voice panicked, "come quickly!"

Balian turned and saw Eamon bending over a body on the ground. Heart pounding, Balian hurried over to where the boy was standing with Sibylla following in his wake. When he finally came over, Balian felt his heart break as he sank down to the ground beside the body. It was John.

"Oh, no," Sibylla cried as she realized who it was as she hurried over. "Please let him be alive…Balian, do something. He just can't be…"

Balian didn't answer; he was in too much of a shock. He had come to see John as a brother—someone to look up to. Yes, he had been too harsh with the man more times than not and apologized even less, but somehow Balian always knew that John would always be there and now here was the greatest man ever to live, broken.

The only sound that broke the silence was Sibylla's heart-wrenching sobs and Eamon's grunts of grief. Balian said nothing—he simply folded his hands in his lap and looked down on the face of his best friend. It was very simple act that he did at his wife's grave so many times before back home. Now it was reserved for his friend.

A simple groan emitted from John several moments later got everyone to scramble around him and Balian felt his heart soar as he scooted closer and helped sit the struggling John to sit up. He was alive!

"Balian," John said hoarsely. "I knew you'd be here for me. They said you'd come to rescue me…"

"Of course they did," Balian smiled, not caring what John's words meant.

"Balian, I want to go home…take me home," John said.

Balian nodded and slowly pulled the wobbling John to his feet. Turning to Eamon, Balian motioned for Eamon to come over and help him with John.

"Sibylla, you don't feel vulnerable with all of us preoccupied, do you?" Balian asked.

Sibylla smiled and shook her head. "Of course not. Let's go home now."

Balian broke into a broad grin. "Lead us home, then."

Sibylla came over and gave Balian a kiss on the cheek and soon they were on their way back.

--

Back at camp, everyone was gathered around one huge campfire that night. They were telling stories as they usually did, but tonight, the stories brought grief and sadness. They were telling stories of John, Balian, and Sibylla.

Suddenly, one of the outside guards came hurrying into camp. Everyone turned their heads to the man, wondering what was wrong this time. It would be a horrible ending to an already sad day if there were a sad attack on them tonight.

"It's Balian and John and Sibylla!" cried the guard man, "they have returned! It's by the grace of God, surely!"

Turning behind him, he gently helped John into camp and behind him, Balian escorting the lady Sibylla.

A loud cheer erupted throughout the camp and soon everybody surrounded the three people who came back from the dead. Getting them comfortable around the fire, the whole camp erupted into a party. Several hours, with the party still going on, Balian snuck away from everybody else. Noticing his leaving, Sibylla got up and melted away from the crowd.

"Don't like parties, Balian? They're doing this whole thing for you, you know," Sibylla said when she found Balian.

Balian turned to the woman and smiled. Sibylla was so beautiful, especially tonight with the stars reflecting into her eyes and whole face.

"Not just me, but for all time," Balian replied.

"Of course." Sibylla walked over to Balian and rested her head on his shoulder. "You know it was really a gift of God that we made it—that John made it, especially. I didn't know that we'd survive."

"A gift of God, you say?" Balian looked down into her face and smiled. "I believe you are a gift of God, Sibylla. You're my gift of God."

"Am I? I hardly think so, Balian. I'm just a simple woman who's going to be kicked off the throne. Today's the last day that I can proclaim my husband. It's been six months," Sibylla said sadly.

"But it's still not too late to tell them, Sibylla," Balian said.

"How can I? The only person that I've ever loved won't have me," Sibylla exclaimed, feeling choked up.

"No, I don't think so." Balian pulled away from Sibylla and lifted her chin up so she could look into his eyes. "I love you so much, Sibylla, that you would hardly know. I've loved you since I first let my eyes gaze upon you. I'm sorry for everything that I did for the past six months. Sibylla, will you marry me?"

Sibylla gasped in surprise. She couldn't believe that Balian had finally asked her the question. So long she had waited for this moment and now that it was here she couldn't believe that it was actually here.

"Yes, of course I'll marry you, Balian. But…Balian, what made you change? You told me you never wanted to become king," Sibylla stated.

"When I realized that so many depended on me, that I was what everybody needed it and that I enjoyed helping others," Balian said, smiling a soft smile. "And because I've learned that I must move on and let my past rest in the past."

"Of course." Sibylla snuggled close to Balian. "Because you were appointed by God to do this. Everything happened for a reason."

Balian said nothing and slowly bent down and kissed Sibylla gently on the lips and soon they sunk into the ground, letting their passion spread across their whole being. There wasn't anything else that Balian wanted to do or go. This was where Balian wanted to be forever, with Sibylla. Nothing else mattered.