"Words in Bold" another language
Italics flashbacks
Italics/Bold letters, dreams
Trapped in Time
Chapter 5
Estrella gratefully take the goblet of water from Seifer, who knows the young woman will not touch a single drop of alcohol. Philip begins to chat with Balian of the world they rest in and that of Jerusalem. Estrella's mind drifts off as she looks into the orange lit waters of the Mediterranean Sea. The words of Godfrey an hour ago haunts her as she was reminded of her twin.
What has become of Sarah? Where was she now after she had murdered a Lord in Spain? Has she figured out that they were in the movie, Kingdom of Heaven, or simply believed that they had fallen back in time?
Estrella was so wrapped up in her thoughts, that she didn't hear Balian calling her name or him shaking her arm lightly. Finally, Philip claps his hands before her face, Estrella jerking her head away, blinking confusingly at Philip.
"Why'd you do that for?" She asked him annoyed.
Philip merely rolled his eyes, Seifer the one speaking up. "Balian was trying to get your attention, but you wouldn't focus."
Estrella smiles sheepishly, downing the rest of her water. "Just thinking," she told them. "My mind wondering to… memories." She muttered the last part.
The three men looked at one another, Seifer being the one to speak up as the others didn't know what to say exactly.
"Perhaps we should return, the sun is setting and it is almost time." He told them with a twinkle in his eyes.
"What is almost time?" Balian asked as everyone stood.
Philip smiled mischievously as Estrella chuckled; placing a hand on Balian's left shoulder.
"You shall find out tonight, Balian." Her voice had a teasing tone to it.
—Night—
Once they returned to the healing house, Balian stayed on the ground level to pray for his father, the men and Estrella went to their rooms to prepare for the knighting. Estrella, however, did not had much to prepare so only took the opportunity to take a very long bath. She was only to comb her hair into a braid—which she did only half-ways—and dressed in a white tunic and leggings.
She mentally thanked Godfrey, knowing it was his doing, and request, that she was to be given the clothes of men rather than a dress. As soon as she finished dressing, someone knocked at her door, no doubt an escort to take her to the chambers that the healers were letting them use for the knighting.
Looking over herself once more in the metal that was used as a mirror, Estrella walked over to the door and opened it. She smiled at Ja, taking his offered arm.
"Shall we, my lady?" He asked, the last part in his own language as he did not know the words in English.
Estrella shut the door behind her and let the tall African take her down the hall to the right. She looked to her left, watching Balian on his knees next to the fire in the middle of the ground level, his hands together in prayer.
"Be grateful that you are to be close to him since you are oath to protect him, Trella." Ja whispered into her ear.
Estrella blushed glaring at Ja. "I don't know what you mean, Ja." She whispered back.
Ja only chuckled, Estrella returning her gaze to Godfrey's son. Once she lost sight of him from a hall heading further eastward, Estrella looked forward, her heart racing. She didn't know how Balian would react to her being his guardian, his protector. The young woman only hoped that Balian would let her fulfill her oath and protect him as best as she could when they get to Jerusalem and to his acquired land he inherits from his father.
Once inside the borrowed room, the priest/healer and the six knights that were to help out begun to protest when they saw Estrella. But they were quickly quieted down as Godfrey's knights—besides Philip since he was technically a serf—had started to protest against them. Hospitaler then silenced them completely saying that he himself performed the ceremony and that there was nothing else to be done but let Estrella to be there.
She stood on Godfrey's right, while the others stood on either side behind them. Hospitaler was by the alter full of candles, praying and preparing for the knighting. As Estrella looked up towards the entryway, two figures entered the room. Philip looked back at Balian, who has changed into a white robe.
"Hurry," he says, walking forward through the first see through curtain.
The four knights, also in white robes, walked behind the two, creating a v-shape with Balian. Philip then stops before the second curtain and looks down for a moment before looking at Balian with a nod.
"I can go no further."
And Philip pulls back the curtain. Balian takes a step forward, Philip letting the curtain go. Estrella smiles at him when he looks confusingly at her. Hospitaler turns from the alter and walks to stand over on Godfrey's left, who was wheezing quietly.
"Get on your knees." Hospitaler tells him with a nod at the floor.
Balian looks from Estrella to Godfrey and walks forward, going on his knees. Godfrey holds up his right arm, Estrella taking it as she and Hospitaler helped him stand. The two take a step back, letting Godfrey go. He stands a bit unsteady, slowly bringing down his arms to his side.
"Be without fear in the face of your enemies." He starts quietly, wheezing all the while. "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 no wrong. That is your oath."
Godfrey brings up his left hand and takes off his ring, handing it to his son. As Balian takes it, Godfrey slaps him—Hospitaler leaning back so as not to get slap himself.
"And that's so you remember it." He tells him, staggering to the floor on his knees.
As Balian lefts his right hand to his left cheek, Hospitaler moves to the left. He picks up Godfrey's sword from the table and walks back to him. Balian watches his father take the sword in confusion. Godfrey hands Balian the sword, feeling pride swelling up and his life fading quickly.
"Arise a knight and baron of Ibelin." Hospitaler tells him almost sadly.
Balian stands, holding the sword at his right side. Godfrey mutters something unintelligible and leans forward. Balian quickly kneels, catching his father before he hits the ground. Godfrey looks up and shakily, but firmly, holds his son face.
"Defend the king. I—if the king is no more, protect the people." He tells him in a whisper.
Godfrey then looks to his right, Estrella holding back her tears as she looks down at him. Turning from her, Godfrey smiles to his son almost painfully.
"Estrella is to be your personal guard to protect you always." Balian opened his mouth to protest, but Godfrey shook his head. "She has taken the oath before I ever met you, my son. And she did it on her own will."
With that all said, Godfrey leans backwards, Hospitaler putting an arm around his friend's shoulder, letting him lean on his leg.
"It is time now, my lord, to confess to holy God, not your son." He tells him.
Balian stands, frowning at Estrella before looking back at his father. Estrella sighs, somewhat hesitant to hear what Balian has to say of this oath she has taken upon herself.
"Are you sorry for all your sins?" Hospitaler asks.
Godfrey nods slightly, looking back at his son. "For all but one."
Hospitaler is taken back as Balian is, both knowing what Godfrey had meant by this. Godfrey suddenly sighs and closes his eyes, feeling the life now leaving him completely. He completely falls next to Hospitaler, who begins to speak in Italian. The healer pours some water on to Hospitaler's hand and he does the cross upon Godfrey's lifeless face.
Everyone, but Balian and Estrella, in the room all bow their heads in respect. Balian looks up, wishing he had more time with his father and what he was to do now alone towards a world he does not know. Estrella was also looking up, tears falling down her face as her shoulders shook with holding back her sobs. Godfrey was the only one who knew of her problem and would have continued helping her if she had not warned him of the arrow.
But deep down, the twenty-two year old knew that this had to be. Even if she changed most of the plot already, Godfrey had to die.
Feeling a hand on her shoulder, Estrella looks forward to see Balian standing before her with a worry and confused look. Inhaling a shuddering breath, Estrella wipes her tears and steps down, Balian letting her shoulder go. He followed along side her out of the room. When they were in the middle of the building, Estrella looked down to the fire burning on the ground level. She could feel Balian's eyes boring into her, waiting for an explanation.
"Why did you do it?" Balian finally asked. "Why make an oath when you did not know me?"
The woman sighed quietly, turning so that she was facing Balian. She gathered her thoughts, trying to carefully choose her words.
"Because I foresaw what was to come, than darkness on another path that can become true."
Balian frowned in confusion. "What do you mean?"
"One night, before I ever met your father, I foresaw what was truly to become your destiny," Estrella said in a low voice. "But a week before I met your father, I foresaw you on a ship but darkness took over after a storm hit." Balian nodded slowly, understanding somewhat Estrella had meant. "And because of this darkness, it means danger is on it's way."
"So you wish to accompany me to Ibelin so no harm will come to me." Balian stated, now fully understanding.
Estrella nodded. "Aye, so no harm will come to you."
Balian sighed deeply, brushing his right hand through his hair, closing his eyes momentarily. He looked at Estrella as through trying to consider her oath to his father. But at the end, he nodded in agreement. He does not want to continue this journey to find himself again alone; it would be a great change to have someone that was as close to his father as he wished he could have.
"Very well," Balian smiled, Estrella returning it with one of her own, "you may come along and fulfilled that oath to my father."
—Next Day—
Hospitaler, Balian, and Estrella stand facing one another before the docks. The rest of Godfrey's men were behind Hospitaler, all but Ramiro smiling to the two. Estrella had already said her goodbyes to the crusaders, not wanting to cry at the docks. But she felt the battle quickly losing as sadness engulfed her.
Though she did noted the darkness of some clouds, and knew what was to come. But hopefully both she and Balian would survive it.
"You sail now for Jerusalem, as your father wished. We'll follow within the week." Hospitaler informs them, mostly looking at Balian. "This journey can be perilous. If God has purpose for you both there, he'll keep you safe in his hands. If not," Hospitaler steps forward, placing a hand on Balian's right shoulder. "God bless you." He turned to Estrella and hugged the young woman. "Take good care of him, Trella."
Estrella hugs back, nodding. "I will, Hospitaler, do not worry."
Letting each other go, Hospitaler nods to Balian and turns. The other crusaders merely smile and wave at the two before following their now new leader. When neither Balian nor Estrella sees the group any longer, they both turned towards the dock where a single ship is anchored, waiting for others to board.
Once the ship was full and everyone was settled in, the ship quickly left the port and into open sea. Estrella kept her hood up, covering her face. Not many women boarded ships full of crusaders, and knowing that this trip would take at least a few months, perhaps a day, depending on the speed of the ship and the winds. Estrella was ever grateful of the invention of the motor and engine to speed months, possibly years, of trips to one country to another upon a ship.
Estrella prayed quietly, hoping that God would spare her life along with Balian's. She always wondered how Balian ever survived the shipwreck while others did not. It was a miracle all on itself. But of course, it was just a movie… though it seemed to be true if she actually met the characters…
The young woman shook her head to rid herself of the tangled confusion she herself had fallen upon.
"Are you all right?" Balian asks quietly.
Estrella turns to him with a smile, nodding. "I just trapped myself in a confusing thought, don't worry."
Nodding, Balian leans back against the ship and closes his eyes for a rest. Estrella also leans back but does not close her eyes, fear of being discovered by frustrated men. She knew that Balian was a good fighter but he would not be able to fight off over three dozen men on his own.
A week has passed and the ship was almost to it's destination, but as it was suppose to happen, the ship—as well as others who were coming and going—had caught themselves in a storm. Balian wrapped an arm around Estrella to keep her from tossing next to the crusader as the waves violently thrashed against their ship. Thunder roared up above them, shaking the ship with it's echoes as lighting flashed through the small holes on the side of the ship.
She prayed silently to be alive after this destruction, to be able to protect Balian who might be in danger if her twin figured out where they where. Estrella also prayed so that she may find a way back home to her mother, her friends, her family.
She knew it was coming, but didn't know when or on what side. But once it came, it seemed to Estrella to come forever. The ship jerked forward, everything and everyone falling towards the front of the ship. Then it fell to the side, again everything and everyone rolling to the left. Soon darkness took over them all as water filled the ship quickly.
Balian kept a firm hold on Estrella as they tried to keep above the water to be able to breath. The waves continued to come down hard on the two destroyed ships, washing away the destruction of the two ships towards shore. And at some point, the group that was trying to stay above the water had passed out from either tiredness or a blow from a hard object.
—Next day, afternoon on a beach—
Balian slowly wakes up to seagulls crying out, feeling hardwood beneath him. He sits up, his body aching all over. Looking around, he sees that everyone seemed to have died of drowning. Standing, Balian gathers his things that had not been washed away (his sheathed sword and belt). He walks over the part of the ship that had saved his life by bringing him to shore and looks up at the beach.
His eyes widen when he spots Estrella lying not too far off from him, Elligero pacing and stomping his feet in a fit, whining for his master. Panic rising inside him, Balian quickly runs towards her, falling to his knees at her side.
"Please God; don't take her away from me too." He prayed as he took hold of Estrella's face in his hands.
Balian looked down to her chest to see that it wasn't rising like it should. Tears forming, Balian hugs the young woman close to his chest tightly, kissing her hair. How was it that God took everyone he cared away from him? Estrella was the closes person to his father and now he would never know more about him.
He sat there, letting the tears fall down his face. He didn't want to let the woman go, or give her a burial. Only then would it be real that he was now alone in a strange world. If God was able to protect him from dying, why couldn't he protect Estrella—his bodyguard, his protector—from dying also?
Balian continues to look around, trying to see if anyone would come and help him.
"Estrella…"A female voice echoed.
The young woman lying on the floor groaned, hearing a faint voice in the distance.
"Estrella… wake up, honey…"
Inhaling deeply, Estrella blinked open her eyes, seeing nothing but darkness before her. Panicking, Estrella quickly stands, looking all around her. Nothing but darkness surrounded her.
"You look so beautiful…" The female voice echoed.
Estrella's breath started to come in gasps as she turned on the spot, trying to find the source of the voice.
"Don't fear me, my daughter…" The voice said.
Estrella's eyes widen. "Mom?" She whispered doubtfully.
Light a few inches away from her shone down, the figure of a woman who looked a bit like Estrella only more older and wiser. She wore a white dress, her hair left down to caress her back. She wore a smile on her lips, her eyes shinning brightly due to the tears that were forming in her eyes.
"What are you doing here? What is this place?" Estrella asked confused.
"You are in limbo, my daughter."
Estrella was taken back. "So I died in the ship wreck?" She whispered.
Her mother shook her head. "No, merely hanging on to life while the water stuck in your throat tries to take it." Estrella frowns further in confusion, so her mother continues to explain. "The reason was so I can talk with you; Trella, you must be careful of Sarah. I know what it is that she has done in the past four years in the time of the Crusades." Her mother shakes her head tiredly. "Even in death, she continues to give me headaches. But I must warn you, she will soon find out where she is and will do anything to destroy the storyline."
"But I don't know where she is! If I did, I would try to stop her."
Her mother nods. "Yes, I know, but you will find her a year before the war which Saladin takes over Jerusalem. She will try to assassinate Balian in his home in Ibelin."
"Over my dead body." Estrella stated angrily.
Her mother smiled knowingly, walking forward. "I should be telling you not to tempt fate, to let things be…" She shakes her head. "But I see that you are happy." Estrella opened her mouth to ask what she meant but her mouth spoke first. "I also brought you here to tell you that you cannot go back to our time. Me, you, and Sarah had all died and had been buried by our loved ones."
Estrella looked down, tears falling down her face. Her mother smiles sadly and takes hold of her daughter's chin, making her look up.
"But you will move on, I know this, because you are strong like your father." She kissed Estrella's forehead ever so lightly. "Be well, my daughter, and forget where you come from… rather live in the now."
Before Estrella could say a word, she felt a strong blow to her stomach, darkness taking over her.
"I love you…" Her mother's voice whispered in an echo before she passed out completely.
A/N: Sorry for not updating in such a long time! Life is just getting in the way, and I just don't seem to have the same spark to write—or at least to break my writer's block. Well, please review, I'll try to write up another chapter!
