A/N: Sorry, aside from writer's block, school and work have been in the way! I hope everyone has had a good holiday and is (already had) going to have a safe and good New Years!

"Words in Bold" = another language

Italics = flashbacks

Italics/Bold = letters, dreams

Trapped in Time

Chapter 12

–Balcony–

Balian watches the princess eat all that was before her; unlike other women who would pick at their food and eat only little. The princess reminded him of Estrella, who ate all that she wanted despite what others would say or think. However, unlike some women, she does not gain an ounce of weight as she tends to train with some of the crusaders, helping them get either better or be quick on their feet.

After sucking on her thumb, Sibylla looks up to see Balian staring. However she notes that his mind was not all there. She hopes to change that, knowing his mind was on the woman that protects him. The princess was ever grateful that the woman decided not to dine with them, and instead Estrella wanted to spend some alone time then with this man she has come to admire.

"What?"

Balian blinks out of his thoughts and strains a smile at the princess. "I just have not seen another woman, besides Estrella, eat."

Sibylla barely holds back to insult the woman not present, only to smile at the man sitting before her. Taking his mind off the woman was to be harder than expected, as Balian all seems to do is think of the woman.

"Truly?" Sibylla asks in disbelief.

Balian smiles at the memory he has of Estrella eating with him and the other crusaders, giving a sharp nod at the princess. Knowing the woman was only out scouting to protect not only him, but of the hundreds of families that live upon this land, he misses her presence nearby. She has truly become his shadow, one that he cannot live without, so it seems.

Seeing his mind start to wonder off once more, Sibylla decides to pick up on the conversation. "I was watching you today."

Balian looks down, feeling uncomfortable at the thought of someone else watching him. Both Anisa and Taifa looked to one another, making a point to keep an eye on the princess. Despite her title, the aunt and nephew did not want this woman to take what already belongs to their mistress; even when the friends, themselves, did not know it.

"You've been given a patch of dirt, and it seems... you will build a New Jerusalem here."

"It is my land," Balian whispers, looking out to his green land before looking back at the princess. "Who would I be if I did not try to make it better?"

Not knowing what to say, Sibylla merely smiles ghostly at him before looking down at her hands. They continue to eat their dinner in silence, Balian thinking about the woman out scouting and the princess trying to gain his attention without being so obvious about her annoyance with the woman who is his shadow.

Hearing a rider approaching, Balian turned back to the land to smile, watching Estrella looking about the land as she made her way towards the building. She seemed to be in deep thought and so did not notice him or the princess on the balcony. Sibylla glares at the woman who acts like a man for a few seconds before bringing her attention to the man she does want.

Anisa and Taifa smile at this, glad that their mistress' protector had only eyes and thoughts for Estrella. Perhaps there was a chance that the princess will not get her hands on Balian after all. But even so they would keep an eye on the princess, just in case.

D5D5D5D5D5

In the weeks that came, the princess has yet to leave, aggravating Estrella to no end. At the first signs of dawn, Balian (having not able to sleep at all the night before) was up early to tame the beard that had started to grow wildly. Estrella had teased him about him being a wild man out in the desert, while Balian, himself, kept telling him that he had no time as they needed to continue to build the dry land back up once to its former glory.

With no shirt on, a cloth over his right shoulder, and a large metal bowl with a bit of water left, Balian looked out to the land on the east in hopes of looking for Estrella, or even capture a glimpse of her. Sibylla (who had woken early due to her hand in waiting of letting her know about Balian's movements) had walked out into the balcony in hopes of speaking to the man for a while.

Though she can tell that his thoughts had drifted to his shadow (as he stared out towards the east), the princess had merely stood by the door and watched the man who had fascinated her from the beginning.

Instead of seeing the dark figure he wanted to see, Balian saw men who were Muslims facing east towards the rising sun, doing their ritual prayers. Balian never said anything to them, knowing that it was just a part of them, a part of their life. Sibylla, who continued to watch him closely, thought that he was only thinking about the men who were praying and decided to explain their daily ritual, walking towards the setting area to pour them both a drink of wine.

"They try to be one–one heart..." Sibylla starts, looking down at the task at hand.

Balian turns from the men and walks towards the woman slowly, placing the bowl on a nearby table. He watches as the princess pours some wine for the both of them, not really wanting to drink so early but did not say a word. Balian drapes the towel over one of the chairs before taking hold of his tunic, uncomfortable to be half naked in front of the princess.

"One morality. Their prophet says, 'Submit'." Sibylla stands with a smile as Balian puts on his tunic and hands him the drink. "Jesus says, 'Decide'."

Balian takes a drink as he looks at the older woman by a few years before saying, "Did you decide on Guy?"

The princess bites her lip as she looks down, not really wanting to get into the subject. Though she knew if she wanted to get close, she would have to open up all that she would hate to bring up. So she looks up at Balian, who waits patiently for her to say something about his question.

"Guy was chosen by my mother." Sibylla finally tells him, "I was fifteen at the time."

Balian nods sadly in her direction, pitying for the young girl who was never able to live due to duty. Looking back towards the praying men, Balian feels his heart rise as his eyes light up. He walks forward to watch Estrella ride back to the building, smiling towards the men whom had stopped their morning prayers.

She slowed Elligero and spoke to the ones who were not in a hurry to start their work, wanting to know that they, as well as their family, were important. And should they ever need anything they can always go to her or Balian. The said man knew that the woman had started to leave the city two hours before the sun rose so she may return at dusk to start the day's work, and was ever grateful as he could not be himself should Estrella was not near.

Sibylla seethes in silence as Balian smiles towards the girl she knew had returned from her scouting. How she truly hated the woman–and never had the princess felt such hatred before. Not even towards her own mother when she had to be forced to marry because of duty.

Estrella had dismounted not too long ago and was walking towards the entrance to return Elligero for a good rest. She laughed with the men that had surrounded her as they swamped stories of what she had missed the day before or what had happened when they had returned to their families. Looking up on instinct, Estrella smiles shyly at Balian, who merely smiles in return and bows his head in her direction.

The younger men started to tease Estrella in Arabic, knowing that Balian doesn't fully understand their language just yet. The older men merely smile, keeping out of the friendly banter as Estrella looks away from her protector and argues with the teasing younger men.

As Balian watches the woman walk away with the men, something inside him angers him to see her so close to them as she was with him. It confused him, not really knowing what the emotion he felt for the woman really was–though he did know what emotion it was but didn't want to admit it for unknown reasons.

It's been a month and half since water have been dug up and a month since Sibylla has been staying with them. The dirt land was now a patch of green, a great scene to everyone who has been waiting for their home to become home again, and not just a patch of dirt.

As Balian and Estrella walked towards a man raking at a patch of green for weeds, the woman looked up towards the balcony where she knew Sibylla was getting a Hanna tattoo on her hand, watching the son of Godfrey and glaring at her with hatred. She smirked, wishing to see that hatred look from the woman who supposedly is not to hate anyone in the movie.

The princess was glaring down at Estrella, who seemed to be in her way all the time. Not once had she seen Balian by himself during the day; only at dawn and dusk, but even then one of the family members that Estrella had saved was always with him at those times. Every trace, every turn, there was some sort of presence of this woman–a shadow protector–there was no escaping her.

D5D5D5D5D5

—Night, study—

Estrella cracked her neck as she and Balian went over the paper work Godfrey had been neglecting for a while. Okay, more than just a while. And, oh, how she hated it! Should Godfrey had been alive Estrella would have given him an earful, make no mistake.

"Must you do that always?" Balian complained, feeling the hurt and tension in his own neck.

The young woman rolled her eyes, continuing to read the paper in her hand. "If I wish to be comfortable and stress free–although that would never happen with you around to protect—yes, I must do that always."

Balian only rolled his eyes, trying to translate what she had just said. But because she said it too quickly, it was a bit harder to understand the meaning. A soft knock was heard, Balian looking up in alarm and confusion.

"It is only Anisa, Balian; calm down." Estrella reassured him, not even glancing up.

Anisa looked at the relaxing young man in amusement, already used to the odd ways of her mistress. She set down a tray to make either hot tea or coffee for the two who would be staying up at least half the night–as usual.

"Thank you Anisa, you may go rest." Estrella said with a smile, looking up at the older woman.

Anisa also smiled and bowed her head, saying goodnight in Arabic to both adults. 'They are one in both mind and soul, yet they cannot see it. The child cannot—and will not—see it.' Anisa sighed, walking down the barely lit hall. 'Secrets she keeps, but looks as she cannot tell a soul. May God help her through this journey of hers.'

"Why do you think the princess is here, Balian?" Estrella suddenly asked, putting down one paper only to pick up another one.

The man sighed, leaning back in his chair and rubbed at his eyes tiredly. He knew that the question was to come, but the answer he did not want to know. He didn't want to know now more than ever at the tone of Estrella's voice.

"I know that Ibelin is not in the way to Cana."

Estrella rolled her eyes, putting down the paper and stretching out both her legs and arms, feeling tired himself. "What else do you know?"

Balian sighed, looking at the young woman over the paper he was reading. "She's been here for over two months, I know, Estrella; but what can I do? I cannot just turn her away."

"I can always do that for you, you know." Balian laughs, Estrella smiling as she slanted a look to the man. "I just think that it is time for her to go back to her husband and brother, that's all."

Smiling in return, Balian stares at the woman intently, roaming over her face as though for the first time. Estrella frowns at him, blushing at the intense stare. Taking an intake of breath, Balian looks back down to the paper, frowning not at the contents but at the way he was acting towards the woman he's known for over three months now. She was his best and only friend, yet that night something seemed to be different.

Wondering what Balian was thinking, Estrella shook it off and returned to the paper, needing to get the many stacks of paper back in order. Because a month or two of trying to get the land back in order was more of priority, the paper work was pushed back immensely despite trying to make some sort of dent in it. Now it bit them back, harder, for its revenge.

'Why am I acting like this? It is not like I was blind to Estrella's beauty.' Balian scolded himself, too deep in his thoughts and the paperwork. 'I do not understand what I am feeling; should I not still be in mourning for my wife and son?' he sighed inwardly, 'But how can I be in mourning when Estrella is there to make me smile and feel joyous? I should not feel like this only after three months; should I?'

Looking to his left, Balian was confused to see the candles they were using was low in both wax and flame. He went to tell Estrella they should stop for the night only to see her head laid against her crossed arms on the desk, fast asleep. With a smile, Balian quietly stood and carefully picked the woman up. He frowned at how light the woman felt and made a mental note to tell her to eat more.

Setting her on the bed, Balian took off her boots, swords, and hidden daggers. He was surprised, however, to see so many weapons on her small frame. Had he not decided to keep her than instead of waking her up, Balian would have never known that Estrella packed so many weapons. Shaking his head with a quiet chuckle, he walked back into the small study to continue the paper work for as long as he could.

D5D5D5D5D5

Estrella stared out to the vast green that was still growing, the clean water shining brightly from the western sun, inhaling a deep breath. She felt a kiss to the side of her temple as a hand went to her bulging stomach. Smiling in the dream, Estrella was thoroughly confused as to how and why she was pregnant–especially of how big she really was

"Are you sure that you do not mind living here?" a male voice asked against her ear before kissing just below it.

Estrella smiled, leaning back against the strong man as he wrapped his arms around her, his hands upon either side of her large stomach. "I have always moved around, my love; I never truly had a home."

Humming, the man kissed her neck, "Now you do have a home and I will do all I can to make sure you are always happy."

With a laugh, Estrella turns her head to look back, a hand going to the back of his head. "So long as you're here with me, Balian; I'll always be happy."

Balian's face came into focus, his smiling lips coming down to touch hers. "Good," he whispered, kissing her deeply.

D5D5D5D5D5

–Next Morning–

Estrella woke to someone nudging her lightly, than violently being shaken awake. She blinked open her eyes to see Liela smiling down at her. The woman quickly pushed the covers down, touching her stomach only to sigh with relief. She kicked herself, wondering why she would be dreaming about a man she knew she could never have.

"It is time for your daily patrol," Liela whispered, wondering what was wrong with her mistress.

The woman was about to ask why she was whispering when she noted the girl's gaze darting next to her, her face flushed. Sitting up on her elbows, Estrella looked to her left and nearly shrieked. Sleeping above the sheets with no shirt was a sleeping Balian, his head turned towards her. Pursing her lips and blushing herself, Estrella got out of the bed and threw the single sheet over Balian's well toned back.

She nodded to Liela towards the door, strapping all of her weapons on. Grabbing her boots she quietly walked out, both her and Liela walking into her room. Liela was blushing, giggling softly as she has never seen a half naked man before as her family always shielded her from such things.

"We did nothing, Liela. We were up doing reports, I must've fallen asleep." she said tiredly, undressing to change into clean clothes.

"Too bad," Estrella turned sharply at the seven year old, surprised. "You both look at each other the way my aunt and her husband used to look at one another before my uncle died."

The woman blushed, tightening her belt and wisely not saying a word. "I am off to patrol; I will be back in two hours or so."

Smiling, Liela watches her mistress walk out of her room. If only the two adults could just see how much they care about each other; maybe then they would be even happier than they are now. The girl sighs and goes off to do her chores, thinking up a plan to get Estrella and Balian even closer.

D5D5D5D5D5

Sibylla paced angrily within her room, muttering a curse every once in a while. She had waited all night for Estrella to leave Balian's room. Only a few moments ago did her servant told her Estrella had finally left for patrol of the land. If it wasn't for the male servant entering Balian's room, she would have gone in.

If the princess didn't know better the family Estrella saved seemed to always be with Balian whenever that woman was not around. Her presence was all over the place and Sibylla loathe it. But the one thing she wants, she will get. That may be selfish of her, but it is the reward for her after being the loyal princess to her family and duties.

And, oh, how she wanted Balian desperately; he was just different from Guy. The only tough part would be for him to forget the woman, which would be hard if Sibylla cannot even speak to him freely without that family always hanging around. With an angry sigh, the princess walked over to her window to see Estrella just riding out just an hour before the sun was to rise.

One way or another Sibylla will get Balian, if it's the last thing she does. And no servant will stop her in anyway.