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

Epilogue

"True love never lives happily ever after—true love has no ending." –K. Knight

"You are now crowned king."

Those words still resonated throughout Balian, even after a year of being king. Throughout the year he had gone throughout the lands that were his and made sure everything went smoothly. He never wanted anybody to be dissatisfied or unhappy. But the person that he put above everybody else was his wife, Sibylla.

When they had announced that they were to be married, everybody had gone into a frenzy. There seemed to be parties every night and endless plans to get ready for the special day. But it was all well worth it.

On the day of the wedding, it seemed as if the whole country was there. As they walked down the aisle, Balian couldn't have helped but grin broadly around at everybody and shake hands with them afterwards. Now here he was with the best life he could ever have imagined in his life.

Riding up to his home in England, Balian jumped down from his horse and took a deep breath looking around. Finally, he was getting used to, and finally loving the fresh, crisp air and the wide-open spaces of England. If this is where Sibylla wanted to be, this is where they were going to live.

"Balian!"

Balian turned towards the front door of the castle where he resided and saw Sibylla rushing down the steps towards him. Balian grinned and began running towards her, as well. As they got closer, Balian swept Sibylla up into his arms and spun her around, holding her close.

"You're finally home!" Sibylla exclaimed, pulling away from Balian and gazing lovingly into his eyes.

Balian smiled softly as he wrapped an arm around Sibylla's waist. "Yes, I'm finally home, and it's good to be back among friendly faces."

"Any news about Israel?" Sibylla asked as they headed up the steps.

Balian shook his head. "The king no longer has the finances to support more raids. I'm afraid our fight was for naught."

"At least we have each other. And I'm glad we're no longer fighting, it was a hopeless cause," Sibylla stated.

"Of course. But we still have our home in Israel if you ever wish to return, my love," Balian said.

Sibylla fell in silent thoughtfulness, but then shook her head fervently. "I don't think I ever wish to return to Israel, Balian. The sight of all that sand will bring back too many memories…memories I don't wish to remember."

Balian nodded and the two of them entered through the front doors silently. Stopping at the front of the grand staircase, Sibylla turned to Balian and gazed up at him, her eyes shining brightly that her whole face seemed to glow.

"Balian, I must tell you something," Sibylla exclaimed, "something that can't wait any longer."

Balian looked down at her in concern. "What is it, Sibylla? Is it anything wrong? Can I do anything to fix it?"

Sibylla smiled and shook her head. "No, it's nothing like that. Balian, I…oh, Balian, soon in the near future, a little one will be entering our family. That's what I wanted to tell you."

Balian broke out into a wide grin. "I'm going to be a father?"

Sibylla, unable to contain herself, grinned broadly and nodded fervently. "Yes, Balian, it is true."

Balian let out a whoop and swept Sibylla up into his arms and spun her around in a circle. Sibylla squealed happily and clung tightly to Balian's shoulders. Setting her down, Balian looked deep into her eyes and kissed her gently on the lips before pulling away again.

"Does John know of this yet?" Balian asked.

Sibylla shook her head. "Nobody knows. I wanted you to be the first to know about it."

"Well, then, let's go tell him then, and tell everyone we know about it!" Balian exclaimed.

"You lead the way, then," Sibylla said.

Balian smiled and nodded and grabbing her hand, the two of them hurried off, telling everybody they could about the new child. Upon hearing the news, John let out a yell of triumph and had said that it was the gift of God that everything turned out for the better for the two of them. He couldn't have said it better than that.

Balian and Sibylla lived the rest of their lives between England and France, their lives spent into the courts of both countries. They adopted Eamon into their family and grew up into a well-respected knight. Balian and Sibylla never returned to Israel.

John never fully recovered from the battle at Jerusalem and spent the rest of his days in England, spending many years in the king's court. He died in London at the age of eighty-four.

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Notes:

This story has come a long way from since I first started writing this, and I must say that I've enjoyed writing this and looked foreword to updating it every day. But this story, like all other stories, couldn't be written, and certainly not finished without the reviewers. I want to especially thank lateBloomer04 for reviewing every chapter that I ever updated and kept up with the story and was patient throughout though it seemed very trying at times. I also want to thank Ella for giving me that first review and inspire me to continue writing this story.

From here, I don't know what I'm going to write. I'm probably going to update some more of my seemingly endless stories that I've story yet never seem to be finished, or write another story to the store of others that I have. I hope everyone will be patient while I attempt to write and balance my other aspects of my life. Once again, thanks to all those who have reviewed and I hope you continue enjoying my stories and I'll continue writing.