"Words in Bold" = another language
Italics = flashbacks
Italics/Bold = letters, dreams
Trapped in Time
Chapter 7
They've walked just two hours until Balian finally decides to ask someone where Christ was crucified. He kneeled before an old man sitting down with many pots surrounding him. Estrella merely rolls her eyes, not believing that a man's pride to ask for directions has started all the way to this era.
"Old man, where is it that Christ was crucified?" Balian asked.
The old man looks at him before looking upwards and pointing to a small church on a very large hill. Balian stands, walking a bit forward. Estrella looks to the old man and nods her thanks, the old man nodding back at her. She looks back at Balian to see him looking back at her. She nods at him and they continue their journey.
At the bottom of the hill, they give their horses to a stable boy, paying him a few coins to keep them there over night. They then make their journey upwards, Estrella quickly getting winded just half ways. She leans against Balian who leans up against the side of a home when an old man comes walking downwards. He had a walking stick that looked a bit like the cross.
"Salaam alaikum," the man greets them.
Estrella smiles at him, "Alaikum salaam." She greets back.
The man smiles in return, seeing the surprise look upon Balian. Estrella looks up at her charged and raises an eyebrow at his expression.
"What?" She asks innocently.
Balian rolled his eyes and continues up the hill, Estrella dragging her feet behind him. It is about half an hour until the sun sets and they have finally reached the small church. Estrella leans on her knees, breathing deeply.
'Damn, I should do more exercise!' She grumbles in her mind.
She looks up when Balian sighs, and nearly groans in protest as he walks further up. However she is grateful when Balian sits at the edge, looking at the small mound below. Some men continue to walk from one place to another, fire pits here and there to light the way to their homes.
Estrella was looking towards the church, silently wording a prayer her mother used to tell her to forgive her sins. She also prayed for the man she killed, knowing that it was his time to go in the movie but wasn't supposed to die by her hands.
After her prayer, Estrella turns to look over to Balian knowing what he was thinking… or at least some of his thoughts. She sighs inaudibly and sits on the ground, wrapping her cloak tighter around her figure. She knew that it grew cold at night, especially in the high altitude they were, in Jerusalem. But Estrella didn't think it would be this cold.
—Next day—
Estrella sighs as she could hear the people getting ready for the next day. She sits up, wondering how she fell asleep on her side. She sees Balian kneeling where he sat the day before, kissing his left fist. Than it dawn to Estrella what was happening and silently stood, brushing off dirt and rocks from her cloak and clothing. She unties her bun and brushed her fingers through her hair to take out the knots.
Balian then puts his wife's cross in the small hole he made, covering it with dirt, than with rocks. He leaves his hands there, looking up towards the heavens. Estrella bows her head, making the cross sign upon her face with her thumb and kissing the back of it.
'How can you be in hell when you're in my heart?' Balian thinks with sadness.
Estrella inhales and looks up, trying her hardest not to cry. She may have not known the woman but it was still sad that someone so young could die like the way she did. They could have had more children, if they wanted to, she didn't need to do suicide. But it was not of Estrella's business and just let it be.
Balian stands, exhaling ever so slowly. He whispered a goodbye to his wife, the wind carrying it towards the east. Though it was pointless when in truth Balian really didn't want to say goodbye to her... at least not yet. Turning around, he smiles a small smile to Estrella, who smiles sadly at him. He stares at her for a moment, the small breeze blowing her hair to the side slightly.
"Let's get some food, huh?" Balian finally asked.
—Market—
Estrella walks a little ways behind Balian on his right, munching on a green apple. They've been walking around to find some cheap clothing that they could change in to or buy some more supplies. Nothing has yet to come up, however, only food (though they needed some, it was too expensive), jewelry, fine silk, and other such items that men and women with money would be able to afford.
Balian stops by a stand, looking over the foreign foods. Estrella stops a few ways behind, looking to her left ever so slightly. The bald crusader stares at the sword that was slung over Balian's right shoulder, questions running through his mind. Estrella looks to Balian and continues to follow him, feeling the crusader watching her just as curious as he walked after them.
She looks to the left corner of her eye to see another crusader dressed as the bald one, only in a magenta color. He stood up slowly, eyeing Balian before turning around. As Balian and Estrella were about to pass into another part of the city, Balian turns his head slightly to the left, looking over his shoulder for he too had felt as though being followed.
"Yes, we are." Estrella tells him in a low, but loud enough for him to hear, voice.
They continue to walk forward and over to a water fountain. Balian sets his things down and took out his sword. Estrella turned in time with Balian, standing before him, her arms crossed. She eyes the four crusaders before her and Balian, feeling the other two on either side of them. They surrounded them just incase they wanted to escape.
"You must have known him." The bald, obviously the leader, said suddenly.
"What?" Both Balian and Estrella asked in confusion.
Though Estrella was only playing dumb for now. Balian may know of her 'seeing things' but the others didn't need to know, at least not at the moment.
"Since you carry Godfrey's sword, you must have known him."
Balian nods his head, looking down at the sad memory of his father. Estrella, however, narrows her eyes, hating the fact that the crusader was ignoring her.
"I did," Balian answers him.
"A man my size?" The crusader questioned.
Balian looks up at him and takes a step down to be on even level. He nods after seeing the height of the man, answering at the same time.
"Yes."
"And green eyes." The crusader questioned further.
Estrella frowns in thought and turns to Balian questioning. "Didn't he have blue eyes?"
All though she has seen the movie, it didn't mean that she paid to every detail. She watched the movie with her best friends—although David and Alex complained about watching a chick flick. And because of this, she didn't pay attention to everything that was said because David and Alex were making rude comments and making her laugh.
The only reason Estrella asked if Godfrey's eyes were blue was because she remembered that every time she looked into his eyes, it reminded her of the sea, which always calmed her. Balian nods his head, not once taking his eyes off the taller man.
"Blue."
The crusader looks to the other men before looking back at Balian and Estrella. He now knew what this had meant and he and his men had to accept the fact that this man was now their lord. They only wished that they could have said goodbye to Godfrey.
"Come with us, my lord."
The six crusaders all bow their heads, Balian looking at them in shock. Once they stood, the bald crusader motioned his right arm to the entrance they just came from. The one standing next to the leader looked up and down at Estrella.
"Who are you, woman?" He asked a bit annoyed. "Why do you were men's clothing and carry swords?"
Estrella merely raised her left eyebrow at him. Balian, who re-sheathed his sword and shouldered everything on to his right shoulder again, stood next to her. Estrella looked to Balian, who nods at her. She looked back to the man who asked the question, even more annoyed that she has yet to answer him.
"I carry swords because I made an oath to Godfrey to protect this man." She told them in a quiet voice.
She let Balian follow after the leader before walking behind him to his left, since the leader was on his right.
"That still does not explain why you wear men's clothing." One of the others stated from behind her.
Estrella rolled her eyes. "Because I'm comfortable in tunics and pants rather than a stupid dress!"
"You do not like to talk much, I gather my lady." One of them in front of Balian stated.
Balian smiled slightly, looking back at the even more annoyed woman. He looked to the crusader who asked the question, deciding to relieve the woman of answering any more questions.
"She likes to keep to herself until she gets to know you." Balian smirked, looking over his shoulder at the woman. "It took me naught but two days to gain her trust."
Estrella rolls her eyes once more. "You're such a liar! It was five days!"
The group laughs slightly, the crusader next to her placing a hand over Estrella's shoulder. Balian saw the gesture and felt something within him stir. It felt a bit like jealously, but he didn't want to admit it.
"I bet we can get to know each other very well if you just let me." He almost whispered.
Estrella took hold of his wrist and twisted it as she turned to the left. She continued to walk as did the man, though more awkwardly since he was bending his body downwards in pain.
"You ever so touch me; I will cut off your hands so you will not be able to touch another woman again!" She said in a dark voice. "And I best not find out that you have done so with another woman, understand me!"
The crusader nodded, wanting his arm back and the pain gone. Glaring at the man, Estrella lets his arm go. But not before quickly kneeling and stretching out her right leg, tripping the man to the ground.
"Pendejo!" She hissed walking away.
The men have all stopped but the woman only continued, angered that a man would think he can do whatever he wanted. Balian chuckles, walking after Estrella, as the bald crusader does the same. He was grateful that Estrella had not fallen for the crusader's tricks, though he doubted that she would for anyone's. Estrella was a strange one, not of this place, Balian noted.
"She's a feisty one." The leader commented.
"No, no she's not." Balian said just as Estrella whirled around.
"I just don't like idiots who think they can overpower every damn woman they meet." She said as she waited for them to catch up and walk along side Balian.
Both men just shook their heads, a smile on their lips. Estrella huffed and crossed her arms, the rest of the crusaders not coming close to the young woman.
—Ibelin Knight's home in Jerusalem—
It didn't take long for the group to get to a part of the city—after gathering Balian's and Estrella horses—to an estate belonging to Hospitaler. He has yet to arrive, but it didn't matter. Both Balian and Estrella went straight to their rooms, bathed, clothed, and, except Estrella, fell fast asleep without supper.
Estrella, however, spoke with the rest of Godfrey's knights, telling them of her twin just incase. She told him of how much they were alike and Sarah could be using an alias name. But to be able to tell them apart, Estrella told the knights that her sister had dark blue eyes while she had pale green. The knights took note of this and looked out for the twin just incase she was in Jerusalem. The bald crusader, which his name turned out to be Peter, gave orders to tell the others that were coming in from the city.
After this, Estrella returned to her bedroom but did not fall asleep. Instead she was out on her balcony watching the people below her continue on their day. She was tired, yes, but the woman was restless and too alert. Estrella kept her cloak on and the hood to cover her face. If Sarah was truly in Jerusalem there will be no doubt that she'll spot Estrella first and hide.
A knock was heard and Estrella told the person to enter before sighing and turning away from the balcony. Ja, Seifer, Philip, and Hospitaler entered her room with smiles on their faces. Estrella smiles back and jog over to them, throwing back her hood. She jumps into Ja's arms, who swings her around, hugging her tightly. Estrella laughs before she is set down only to be crushed into three other hugs one after another.
Finally pulling back, Estrella smiles at the group widely, shaking her head and breathless from laughing so much.
"How was your trip?" Estrella asked, gesturing to the chairs around the table in her room.
The men sat down, sighing in content. Estrella only shakes her head and sits on top of a trunk before her bed, looking at the tired men before her.
"Too long." They all complained.
This brought out another laugh out of Estrella, the men smiling at her. But something clicks to the woman's mind and quickly sobered up.
"Wait—where's Ramiro?" She said almost fearfully.
"Do not worry, little one," Ja said with a smile. "He went to rest instead."
Estrella nodded, letting the breath she didn't know she was holding out. She looked over the men that have become her older brothers and friends.
"Why don't you guys go rest as well? We can catch up tomorrow." She told him rather than suggest it.
The group rolled their eyes, standing up. "Yes mother," they cried in unison.
"You better listen to me, young men!" Estrella teased, glaring teasingly with her hands on her hips.
The men only laughed with a roll of their eyes, kissing Estrella's cheek or forehead, muttering their goodnight's. Before Hospitaler could move away, Estrella called him back. She asked him not to tell the princess of her, that she wanted to make it a surprise. The older man eyed her suspiciously but agreed to it nonetheless.
Laughing quietly after closing the door, Estrella went around the room, blowing out candles. Then she took off her cloak to reveal a long white undergarment, dress thing that Estrella didn't know the name off underneath. Walking over to the balcony doors, Estrella looks below once more before closing the white curtains together for privacy.
She walks over to the bed and snuggles underneath the covers. Estrella curls up on her left side, hugging the pillow underneath her head and close her eyes. It took a while, but Estrella was finally able to fall asleep. But her dreams were anything but sweet.
—Next day—
Balian was fast asleep in the comfortable bed when several women that were servants in the knight's home walked in. They opened the windows to let in the morning sun in, looking over to the man still asleep. They giggled to one another as they spoke of the handsome man before running over to the side, a couple more girls opening the side doors. But they all quickly quiet down when they see Balian stirring awake. The women giggle once more and rush out of the room, leaving the man be.
Balian sits up to see the clean clothes his father—his knight's gave him the day before. It was then that he knew it wasn't a dream. He truly was in Jerusalem, only to get ready to leave to his estate out in the desert. Smiling slightly, Balian gets out of bed and walks over to the table that held a basin and a pitcher of water. He cleans his face quickly before getting change.
Looking around the room to see it better since he went to sleep early, Balian looks out the windows that faced the church on the hill Christ was crucified. He sighs and looks around once more to see if he needed anything. Balian walks out, seeing no one in the halls. He was about to walk to the right to find the kitchen when he heard anguish cries coming from Estrella's room. Believing that she might be in danger, Balian hurries inside the room in front of his, looking around for the intruder. But when he only sees Estrella tossing and turning her bed, Balian is immediately at her side.
He takes hold of her shoulders, trying desperately not to get hit. Balian calls out her name, but it seems as though Estrella couldn't hear him. Still trying to hold her still, Balian wonders what the woman was dreaming to make her toss so violently.
Estrella was fighting with her sister out in the desert, multiple wounds upon each other's bodies. They were both out of breath, but the twins continued to push themselves, wanting to destroy one another. The tension and the hatred could be felt between them. Although Estrella does not hate her twin, she still felt tensed around Sarah.
Their blows were even, neither one could over power the other. The twins were leaning against their weapons between them; Sarah glaring at Estrella while the said girl only stared at her twin with pity and remorseful. Sarah noted this and growled at her twin, pushing her forward but falling to the left herself.
Estrella staggered to the right, turning to her twin who was panting on the sand, her grip tightening around the hilt of her sword.
"Don't you dare look at me like that, Estrella!" Sarah hissed, glaring over her shoulder.
Estrella merely shook her head, not taking heed of her twin's threat behind her words.
"How did you ever become like this, Sarah? Tell me, how?" Estrella demanded.
Sarah stood, growling. "The day when you first got an A on your test, 'member, in the seventh grade?" Estrella furrowed her eyebrows together. "Mom was so proud of you! She didn't even acknowledge the B minus I got!"
"You're mad because of a stupid grade we've gotten when we were eleven years old? You hate me because of that!" Estrella said in disbelief.
"No," Sarah said, shaking her head. "I hate that our mother always encouraged you rather than the both of us! That's why I hate you so much!"
Before Estrella could say a word, Sarah charged at her. The two spared a longer while until both of them were leaning against each other, both wondering what happened. Sarah was gasping, dropping her sword to the sand next to her twin. Estrella's eyes were wide with fear and confusion, looking at her blood stained blade that belonged to her sword behind her twin.
"No!" Estrella cried, sitting up in bed.
She was immediately crushed into a strong chest, strong arms encircling her. Not caring about the tears falling down, Estrella hugged the person back, crying into their chest. They said soothing words, rubbing her back in hopes of trying to calm her. Estrella hoped that this wasn't a vision from up above. She hoped that it was just a nightmare—a nightmare to never come true.
"It can't be true! It can't be true!" Estrella muttered over and over again. "It can't be true!"
A/N: Okay, this chapter was dedicated to jinxedpixie, 19, scarlet-reBELLE, and Hope and love, for reviewing and waiting OH SO PATIENTLY (LOL) for me to update. So this was for you guys. I hope you liked this chapter! Please review!
