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Trapped in Time

Chapter 2

For the next couple of weeks, Estrella had gotten close to the crusaders. Even though she gotten her strength back, and had a proper meal, Estrella continued to travel with them. She did not know what possessed her to do so, but knew in her heart that she had to follow these six crusaders; to protect them from harm.

Godfrey had immediately became the over-protective grandfather figure to the young woman. Ramiro, as well, became the brotherly figure. And the rest of the crusaders became the uncle figures. The German crusader, Seifer, and the African crusader, Ja, begun to teach her self-defense with a double edge sword, just incase that they were to fall into trouble (which the crusaders knew that they would be soon).

Estrella picked the double-edge sword because she liked how it felt in her hands when she handed it to Ja a few days ago. She didn't know why she felt so comfortable with it rather then her own sword. And although she didn't like fighting, she only did it to prove everyone that she wasn't soft. Like back home, she did a few self-defense classes to show everyone that she wasn't such a goody-good.

But perhaps the reason for her fighting was due to someone she was spiritually connected to. The one person that Estrella knew had fought all her life; both physical and emotional.

The crusaders saw her get stronger and better day after day in her practice with them. Godfrey had a look—one day as he watched Estrella battle with Philip, the English crusader—that Hospitaler did not like. He approached his friend and commander in hopes of finding out what exactly his mind was planning.

Godfrey, sensing his friend walking up next to him, carefully considered his words, knowing what Hospitaler wanted from him.

"I am planning in having Estrella become a crusader." He whispered once Hospitaler stood next to him, "to protect my son."

The crusader stared at his commander in shock, wondering if he had heard right. Never had he heard a woman become a crusader, and if so, it would be suicide as it was against the will of the church.

"Please tell me you are only jesting, my lord?" Hospitaler asked in a desperate whispered.

Godfrey turned from Estrella, who was now taking a break and laughing with Ramiro. He looked long and hard at his friend, the smile on his lips. Hospitaler stared back, reading his friend's eyes. They stood there, having a silent argument before the younger man sighed with defeat and regret. Godfrey merely continued to smile and turned back to the clearing, walking towards Estrella.

"Leave me with this woman." He said to his crusaders.

The men looked at each other before walking away. Godfrey smiled at Estrella warmly, unsheathing his sword. He took his stand, circling her. Estrella eyed him curiously, keeping up her defense as she circled him as well. Hospitaler, however, stood where he was, watching them in interest. He had to know why his lord had such confidence in this mere child that is becoming a woman.

Godfrey than rushed forward, swinging his sword from the right, giving it all that he's got. Estrella blocked and quickly brought up the hilt to hit him but Godfrey had the same idea. Both hilts hit each other, Godfrey smirking at her. Still curious as to what this man was doing, Estrella pushed Godfrey from her and swung her own sword at his midsection.

The older crusader jumped back before quickly stepping forward and thrusting his sword towards her. Estrella blocked it and pulled her head back when Godfrey tried to punch her—something he saw Estrella do to Seifer a few days ago. Estrella smirked and threw back the crusader, kneeled and tripped Godfrey.

The old crusader was taken back, which the young woman took advantage and held the tip of her sword to Godfrey's neck, her boot on the hilt of his sword. Estrella smiled smugly down at him, Godfrey greatly impressed as she beat him fairly quick. Though, he did have some help with that as he let down his guard somewhat. Hospitaler was also taken back by this, now understanding why Godfrey wanted this woman to protect his son.

The young woman sheathed her sword, stepping away from Godfrey, holding out her right hand to him. Godfrey took it and stood up with the woman's help, smiling at her.

"I knew you had it in you," Godfrey said with a nod, confusing the woman even more. "And that is why I wish for you to protect my son—if you wish it."

It suddenly dawned to Estrella what all this fighting had meant. It was a test for her to be eligible to protect Balian. Godfrey nodded, smiling widely at Estrella as though reading her mind.

"Aye, this was a test of eligibility." He told her. "And, yes, I do have a son. But I do not think he knows it yet. Now… what do you say about protecting my son?"

Estrella inhaled, biting the inside of her right cheek. She could ruin the whole plot, yes, and was willingly to risk these character's lives? But just as her previous thoughts, she and her sister had probably jeopardized the plot line of just being in this time era. Though, she doubted that Sara would care or not.

Estrella looked back at Godfrey and smiled faintly. "My lord, I would be honored."

Godfrey smiled back and nodded at her. "Take a knee," he told her.

Estrella did what she was told and looked up at Godfrey. Hospitaler took this chance, as it was needed to have a witness and a high priest (which he was) for a crusader to become one. He stood behind Godfrey to his right.

"Be without fear in the face of your enemies. Be brave and upright that God may love thee. Speak the truth always, even if it leads to your death. Safeguard the helpless and do now wrong." Godfrey nods, continue to smile at the woman. "That is your oath."

And Godfrey slapped her right cheek, Estrella having been waiting for that moment. She clears her throat, holding back the urge to cry from the pain. She slowly looks back up at the grandfather figure, letting him take hold of her shoulders to help her stand. He then lets her go and takes off a ring designed of a flower with a sapphire diamond in the middle from the leather string around his neck.

"This belonged to my mother," he told her, grabbing her right hand. "To give to the woman I loved and would marry." He slipped the ring in her middle finger, which fitted well. "But now it would be served as an oath of protection rather than love."

Estrella gaped at the ring and looked at the old crusader in protest, but Godfrey shook his head.

"Keep it, I do not have time to fall in love, nor do I have any time left to live."

Estrella smiled up at him. "Thank you," she whispered, hugging him. "For everything."

Godfrey kissed the top of her head. "You are most welcome, child."

He then smiles at something behind her, Estrella turning to see what it was. Ja walked into the clearing, holding two sheathed swords that were curved towards the end of the blade. It was already tied to a small belt, which was for her to use from now on.

"I had bought these at the last village," Ja told her in a very thick English accent, handing the swords to her. "They are also double-edge… and I thought you might need a new belt."

Estrella took off her old belt and handed it to Ja, putting on her new belt, the swords hanging comfortably at her sides. She smiled up at Ja and hugged him tightly.

"Thank you so much!" She cried, jumping up and down as she let him go. "Thank you!"


—1184, mid December; Sisteron, France—

It was another two weeks until Estrella finally recognized a main part of the movie. Estrella was riding alongside Ja, her hood covering her face so as to not alarm the men of 'blasphemy' and such. It was important for crusaders to keep up a good image, even though there are some nasty ones out there causing trouble for the king of Jerusalem. And Estrella had refused to wear a dress, deciding to wear her usual clothing: tunic and pants.

Passing the crossroads Estrella glares at the priest who looks up at them from his bowing, loathing the man to no end. She knows of what he does and she cannot stop him from doing such a thing. The priest immediately looks back down, quivering a bit. Estrella smiles faintly, having some fun with the man.

Godfrey, however, turns to Estrella with a look that made her bow her own head. He shook his head lightly, knowing that she only meant well. Halfway towards the village, the priest comes running up along side them, curiously looking up to Philip.

"Are you just passing through, my lords? Or are you looking for some kind of shelter?" He asked him.

Philip looks down at him with an annoyed eyebrow, but answers nonetheless. "We are in need of food and a blacksmith to give our horses shod."

The priest bows his head. "There is one available in town. I will show you the way."

And the priest looks forward, Philip rolling his eyes at him. The group continues on silently, Estrella restless with the silence. But she knew if she uttered even one word, her cover will be blown. Finally, they reach the small village, kids running alongside them, admiring the men and the horses. Estrella smiles down at the little girls, who shyly hide behind their mothers.

Looking up, Estrella sees a man no older than twenty-seven covered in soot, wearing an apron over his winter clothing. His dark brown hair was wavy and fell to his shoulders, some strands falling over his brown eyes. He had a trimmed beard and goatee, making him even more attractive.

"That's the man! That's the man!" The priest tells the crusaders, interrupting Estrella's observation.

The crusaders all halt to a stop; Hospitaler moving his horse forward to be closer to the young man who Estrella knew from her own time was so much popular with the ladies. This man standing before them even looked so much alike the man who plays him that it scared Estrella greatly but giddy at the same time.

"We need all these horses shod. We need food, and we'll pay." Hospitaler tells him in a voice that wasn't negotiation.

The blacksmith looks to his right sideways, looking at the boy of no older than fifteen years old. The blacksmith nods at him. Hospitaler faintly smiles as he sees this and looks back to Godfrey.

"Says yes." He tells them as the priest nods at the others.

The crusaders and Estrella all look back at the blacksmith only to see him return back into his open shop. The group dismounts and brought their horses closer to the shop. They took off their helmets and fur, sitting on awaiting chairs by a blazing fire in the middle of the shop, warming up quickly. Godfrey places his furs over a chair, looking to the right to see open space behind. He stood up right and walked towards the back of the shop.

Estrella stands near the entrance, watching the blacksmith working away; making him somewhat uncomfortable, she noted. She smirked, looking over to Seifer, who was watching her curiously, a grin on his lips. Estrella narrows her eyes but leans back on the supporting beam with her arms crossed and watching the village going on about it's business.

She stares off into space, wondering if she should tell Godfrey that his son, Balian, will follow him a day and a half after him and she should not stay. Or should she just stay and wait for everything to unfold on it's own accord.

Her thoughts are interrupted when she hears Seifer ask what the carving above the blacksmith's head on a pillar said. She turns her head back over to Balian, seeing Godfrey walking towards them.

"'What a man is a man who does not make the world better?'" Balian answered Seifer, continuing to pound away the horse shoe.

"Leave me with this man." He tells the priest, Seifer, and Estrella.

Sighing, the young woman merely moves from the side to the front of the pillar, and continues to lean back on it. The priest stands near her, enough that he was able to eavesdrop on the conversation inside. Seifer, however, walks over to the other men talking by the horses. Estrella hears Balian continue to pound away and begins to imagine the scene in her mind.

Godfrey gets closer to his son, Balian looking up at him as he stops the pounding.

"I am sorry you lost your wife and child." He tells the younger man, stopping next to him. "I also have lost."

Neither of them says a word as Balian looks down, feeling the pain ever more within him. Godfrey sees this and decides to break the silence, walking a bit to the side to give the blacksmith some space.

"Some say Jerusalem is the very center of the world for asking forgiveness." He looks up at Balian, who looks back at him somewhat curiously. "For myself, I call it here… now."

Not really interested in the way this conversation was going, Balian goes back to pounding on the horseshoe, wanting these men out of his shop quickly. Godfrey walks forward to whisper to Balian so that the priest nearby does not hear a word he says.

"I knew your mother," Balian immediately stops and looks up at the old man in confusion. "To be courteous, I should say that it was against her objections. But I did not force her. I loved her in my fashion. Balian, I am your father."

Balian only stares at the man before him, wondering if he should believe a word he says or not.

"I have forgiveness to ask of you." Godfrey continues, bowing his head slightly.

Balian, however, gets his emotions straight within his head but not his heart. So as not to jump into something that he would regret later, he walks away, getting back to work so these men could leave faster. Godfrey slowly looks up and turns to Balian, a bit hurt that this blacksmith would not acknowledge him. But he somewhat expected this.

"I am Godfrey, the baron of Ibelin." Balian looks back up at Godfrey. "I have one hundred men at my arms in Jerusalem. If you will come with me, you will have a living, and… you will have my thanks. There it is."

Estrella glares at the priest, clearing her throat loudly for him to hear. He looks away startled, his hands fidgeting with his sleeves. Shaking her head, the young woman looks inside to see the rest of the scene.

"Whoever you are, my lord, my place is here." Balian tells him sternly.

Godfrey stares at his son, almost nodding at him. "What made it your place is now dead."

Estrella closes her eyes as she knew that this statement has struck a nerve in Balian. Opening her eyes, the young woman looks on to see Balian shake his head, tears slightly glistening in his eyes.

"You will never see me again." Godfrey tells him almost desperately. "If you want anything of me, take it now."

Balian looks down, shaking his head. "I want nothing."

Godfrey sighs, putting on his hat. "I am sorry for your troubles. God protect you."

And he walks away, his son the blacksmith looking after him before looking down. Estrella sighs as she sees this and turns to the left, going after Godfrey to speak with him. She saw him standing at the end of the open building, as though he were waiting for her. Looking around to make sure that no noisy priest was near by; Estrella looked straight into Godfrey's kind eyes.

"Your son will come along with us," she whispered before he could speak up. "Something terrible will happen and he would need to flee. In result, he will take up on your offer." Estrella looked over to Balian, watching him pounding on the horseshoe. "But if you wish it, my lord, I will stay behind to keep him safe."

Godfrey carefully studies the young woman, wondering what it was that made her say such a thing. Feeling his eyes on her, Estrella looked back to Godfrey, blushing lightly. She cleared her throat, smiling shyly.

"I just… know when things are to happen." She told him.

Godfrey frowned in confusion. "You mean like a Seer?"

"No—will…" Estrella sighed, rubbing her eyes. "Please, just trust me that I just know what is to happen. Have I ever given you any doubt not to trust me?"

Godfrey studied her a while before raising an eyebrow. "Yes, when you, Ramiro, Ja, and Philip decided to play that prank upon me a week ago."

Estrella gave a snort, holding back a laugh at the memory. "Okay, but truly? Do you honestly believe that I will betray you? Any of you, after what you have done for me?" Estrella asked more seriously.

"No… you have not." Godfrey exhaled slowly, looking back at his son. "If you truly believe that he will come on his own will after me… then I say you come along with us. Let Balian find his own path." Estrella smiled and bowed her head. "Now… why don't you go back near the fire and make lustful eyes to my son."

Grateful that her hood shadowed her face, Estrella smacked Godfrey's upper arm, feeling her face burning with embarrassment.

"I am not giving your son any lustful eyes! For God sake, he's mourning for his deceased wife and child!" She hissed quietly at him.

Godfrey put up his hands in defense. "I do not blame you, Trella; he looks just like I did when I was his age."

Estrella rolled her eyes, walking away. She didn't want to hear anymore stupid things, and she was getting cold. Godfrey's laugh echoed after her, Estrella glowering at the fire before her. She placed her hands before the open flames, feeling warmth spreading through her body.

'Yes, Balian is attractive, but I can't fall for him.' Estrella scowled.

"Why do men have to be so damn annoying?" She muttered with a huff, wrapping her arms under her cloak.

"If you continue to talk to yourself," a deep voice whispered from her side, startling Estrella. "People will begin to talk."

Estrella looked to her left to see Ramiro smiling, his hands out before him to get some warmth. She scowled at him even further and turned her back to the fire, watching Balian once more—this time not intentionally—losing herself in her thoughts. Thoughts of what has past and what will come to pass.

Although it didn't seem longed, Balian announced that he was finished with his work. Everyone gathered their things and mounted their horses. They all ride the way they came from to take the path the crusaders took. Estrella stayed in the back with Godfrey, wondering if she should say anything.

"You should at least give him directions to Jerusalem if you want him to follow."

Godfrey looks at Estrella before suddenly stopping and turning his horse back towards the shop. Estrella also stops and looks back to watch Balian walking out of his shop curiously, but he tries to hide it.

"Jerusalem is easy to find." Godfrey started, "You come to where the men speak Italian, then continue until they speak something else. We go by Messina. Goodbye."

He rides away, pass Estrella. She stares at Balian, who in turn stares back. He could see nothing but the light green eyes, her hood shadowing her face completely. Giving him a soft nod, Estrella motions Elligero to the right. She caught up with Godfrey easily, slowing her stallions pace to ride alongside him.

"Now, that wasn't too hard, now was it?" Estrella teased.

Godfrey only rolled his eyes, earning a chuckle from the woman next to him.

A/N: Review, please!