A/N: I think because I've been so excited that I've gotten inspired again with this story I didn't realize that I didn't thank my other reviewers! I am so sorry for that, you guys are the reason why I continue to update these stories and also the reason to try and fight my writer's block so I can give you guys a great story! So thank you, this chapter belongs to you guys!

Words in Bold = Another Language

Italics = Flashbacks

Italics/Bold = Letters, dreams

Trapped in Time

Chapter 16

Estrella and Balian rode hard and long towards Jerusalem, the woman dreading to see what she knew was to come should the king be already dead. Day became night, than day once again and by early afternoon on an unknown day Estrella felt her heart contract at the sight before her. Her interference seemed to have changed the event of history as the king's army was lined up alongside the walls of Jerusalem and a mile out was the army of Saladin. When they saw them the men cheered, calling out Balian's name.

Estrella noticed that despite being lined up the knight's were not ready to fight, but merely…waiting, which confused the woman. At the tent the two noticed Balian's men standing near and sighing with relief at the sight of the two of them alive, despite the blood they were covered in. Peter and Taifa rushed forward to take hold of the reins. It was then that the two notice who was within the tent. Estrella felt both relief and joy as her eyes began to water. Dismounting Estrella stands before the Muslim man and placed a hand to his cheek blinking to stop her eyes from watering.

"Forgive me Taifa, I had promised you another battle but it has seems that there will now be none…for the time being that is."

Taifa smiles understandingly and moves to take Elligero for some rest, water, and food. Taking a deep breath the woman walks inside the tent where Balian waits for her with the Muslim family, Saladin, his men, Tiberius, Baldwin V, and the king himself–alive. Tears blur her vision at the sight of Baldwin IV sitting with Saladin, watching her closely. She exhaled sharply, falling to her knees exhausted before him, the tears washing away the dirt and the blood from her cheeks. Baldwin quickly moves from his seat and kneels before the woman, gently taking her face with gloveless hands.

"A woman came to me in a dream," he started softly, his blue eyes looking over the woman. "I knew to be your mother as you look just like her. She told me that your prayers have been answered, and that the consequence for the decision has already been done when the image of yourself had to be killed."

Estrella cried out, a hand going to her mouth to keep in the sobs as the tears fell even more quickly. So if she would have saved Sarah, Baldwin would have been killed. But by killing Sarah, Baldwin was saved from death's hand. Trying to contain her cries Estrella takes hold of the king's wrist and brings one of his hands from cradling her face and to her eyes. There were no soars or scars of old soars on the king's skin.

Looking up to the bright blue eyes Estrella lets his hands go and brought up both of hers to take hold of the mask. Slowly pulling it away the woman gave thanks to God and her mother for answering her prayers. Baldwin's face was still disfigured; however his nose was not collapsed in nor was his upper lip deteriorated anymore. Giving a laugh/cry with more tears–this time of joy–falling again Estrella leaned up and forward to kiss the king's lips in a soft peck.

"You will find love, Baldwin–you always had that chance." she smiled softly, caressing her thumbs over his cheeks, "Only this time you cannot let fear hold you back. Live your life as if you never had leprosy…especially now that you do not."

Baldwin sighs softly, the hand still cradling her cheek pushing back her tangled hair from her face as a breeze blew towards them. "Even before I woke with this disease gone I have found love, but I will not fight for it for you are not mind to take." he whispered to her, not wanting Balian to hear. "But I will not let fear hold me back any longer, that I promise you."

At her smile and nod Baldwin stands with his hands on her arms to make her stand at the same time. He led her to a chair and sat her down before motioning Balian to do the same. Saladin, who was able to hear the conversation, smiled sadly for the young king before motioning one of his men to come forward with two cups of ice cold water for the two weary, battled worn knights. He watched the two of them drink slowly, something he thought was amusing as others usually drank hurriedly when dehydrate.

Saladin had seen the look the young king gave to the woman when she first walked into the tent; yes the poor man was indeed in love with the young woman, but he has seen only friendship and a love for a brother towards the young king from her. When Saladin looked towards the other knight he had looked towards the woman with the same loving eyes as the king. Watching the woman closely he saw love within her eyes when she turned towards the knight–no wonder Baldwin did not want to fight. He had too much respect for the other man to not fight for a love between a man and a woman who seemed to be deeply in love.

Whether they know it or not.

"I see your nephew and Liela are getting along well," Estrella tells the king, nodding towards the two children playing on the floor nearby, finally she has calmed down. "Is he…?" she trailed off softly.

Baldwin smiles, looking in the same direction, his mask back on. "Yes they are getting along well, and he was cured as well. I will forever thanks to God for giving us the second chances you seem to have seen for us."

Estrella smiles softly, "Those who have good intentions seem to always have bad luck," she leaned forward, her smile widening mysteriously. "They always need a second chance."

Saladin chuckled, "You are a very strange woman…and a gift from Allah himself."

Estrella flushed as Baldwin smiled. "When I requested both of your presences your men," he nodded to Balian, "and the family came instead to let us know that you two were sent by Tiberius."

"Only I never sent either of you word," the older knight tells them gravely.

"We know," Balian tells them. "It was sent by Guy who wanted us killed."

Estrella turned to Baldwin, looking between the king and Tiberius. "What has happened to Guy and Reynald?" she asked quietly, "Please tell me something has been done, not just thrown into a cell?"

Baldwin leans forward and placed his hand on hers, "I will tell you…after both you and Balian have washed and rested." Estrella went to argue, "I promise you will know what has happened. Now go to your home within Jerusalem."

D5D5D5D5D5

Estrella wrapped herself in the silk robe that Anisa took out for her, feeling the exhaustion taking over her body as she walked towards her bed. Clean clothes were also laid out at the end of the bed, but the young woman was barely able to keep her eyes open. With her hair still wet Estrella laid across the middle of her bed, curling up slightly. Perhaps, she had decided, she would sleep for a few minutes before going to see Baldwin. With a soft sigh the woman fell into a deep sleep without meaning to.

That was how Balian found her ten minutes later, quietly closing the door and smiling at the sleeping young woman. He was tired after bathing, but he wanted to check up on Estrella as it has been an emotional few days for her before they went to see the king. Now he knew that they were not going to meet with the king that day. Without much thought he laid next to her, wrapping an around her waist. He felt safe. That was the only thing he can think of when he held on to Estrella; he felt safe and not so alone anymore. It has been a very long time since he felt it, he thought as he reached to spread one of the sheets over them.

He didn't want to let her go, not just for that one moment, but for a very long time. He wanted to have her at his side, and not just for the companionship she offers willingly, but as something more. He froze when Estrella started to shift against him, moving closer to him, shivering slight, before settling down once again. He smiled; yes he wanted to be with her for as long as God is willingly. With that in mind Balian simply fell asleep.

It wasn't until an hour later did Tiberius and Anisa entered Estrella's room after not finding Balian in his. The two adults came to a stop at the sight before them. The Muslim woman smiled wide at the younger sleeping adults while Tiberius merely sighed. Deciding to let them sleep he ushered the woman out, closing the door softly. After what they've gone through the two knight's deserved the rest they obviously needed.

D5D5D5D5D5

Estrella looked around the farming behind Balian's home in Ibelin, wondering what was happening. When she faced the house she saw herself–pregnant–and Balian standing behind her. It was the same dream she had months ago, but this time it seemed she was seeing it from a different point of view. An emotion went through her at the sight and she wanted to look away but for some reason couldn't.

"You have a choice to have this, my dear daughter." Estrella turned to see her mother watching her with a small smile. "Or to try and love the king,"

The area changed to Baldwin's bedroom to see herself laying above the king, the both of them watching the sun through the curtains. The bedroom looked the same with a few hints of her personality here and there, but not overpowering. Estrella watched the two of them talking–though no words could be heard–the king looking as happy the woman has ever seen him. Herself, however, looked happy, but something was just…off.

"Or you can be traveling this world, alone." her mother continued.

The area changed again to a forest road, a cold and lonely self riding Elligero forward to who knows where, but the forest road looked familiar. Estrella wanted to walk forward but merely placed a foot forward; she saw herself so lonely and out of place. She really didn't belong in this time anymore than she deserved to love anyone or be loved in return.

"I have changed everyone's fate, mom; this should be my fate. I don't deserve anyone's love for I do not belong to this time." Estrella shook her head, turning to look at her mother who watched her sadly. "Those men I have saved deserve love from the women in this time that know their place, not the one who likes to fight and dress like a man."

"My dear Estrella, how blindly in love you are." her mother whispered, "Should you run he will follow."

Before Estrella can respond everything went black.

D5D5D5D5D5

Estrella snapped her eyes open, looking around without moving her head, her heart beating rapidly. Trying to make sense of where she was, the young woman slowly sat up only to have a heavy object holding her down. Looking behind her in panic, Estrella sighed when she saw a sleeping Balian. Shaking her head she slowly eased away from the man as carefully as she could, noting that she was still wearing the silk robe from the night before. Sitting at the edge of the bed Estrella brushed her hands through her tangled hair, hating just how long it was but knew it was appropriate for that time era.

She hated the dreams since she woke up during this era; they were warnings or events that were to become true. Looking up at the window that faced east Estrella knew that she had slept throughout the day before, letting her know that knowing the truth of what has happened to Guy and Reynald would be revealed today.

Estrella jumped out of her skin when a hand fell on to her shoulder. Looking to her left she saw a concerned looking Balian who was now wide awake. She must've been deep within her thoughts if she didn't hear the older man stir awake or move around on the bed to sit next to her. She patted his leg in comfort, trying to smile to ease his worry. Balian, however, wasn't having it. He brought up his other hand to touch her cheek. Estrella leaned against his hand, her eyes closing with longing before opening just the slightest.

He couldn't help it. The way she looked from waking up with her hair disheveled and just wild; waiting for someone to take hold of it and brush their fingers through it. Then his eyes fell down to her lips that were parted just the slightest. Not thinking twice Balian leans forward and crashes his lips to hers. Estrella was shocked at first before kissing the man back, wrapping her arms around his neck as he moves her down to the bed. Balian moved until he was covering her body, his hands tangled deep into her hair.

Maybe just a tad bit longer. Estrella thought, her hands moving down to Balian's back. Yes, just a bit longer.