Unexpected Visitor

1

Masyaf, December 1195

Yes they'd talked about having children someday hopefully in the future. But now looking down at the small bundle in her arms it was a wonder that she hadn't known sooner. She's been told that she'd be sick for months, but she only remembers that one week. And yes she'd gained a few pounds but she brushed it off as a product of her idleness. She pulled down the blanket to get a good look at the child's face and sighs, "I wonder how Altair will take this."

--
Acre, March 1195

Altair grasped tightly to one of Maria's hands and she was startled from her thoughts. She placed a hand to her chest, feeling her heartbeat pounding though her tunic. "Christ above Altair you scared the hell out of me!" He gave her a cheeky grin and placed his other hand to her cheek, brushing a few strands of hair away from her face. "My apologies habibti." She smiles and leans into his touch, "Did you need something?" He grins and leans forward capturing her lips into a firey kiss. When the two break apart he answers, "Just you."

She scoffs and pulls away, "You aren't going soft on me are you?" She jabs him in the stomach with her elbow, "Besides, you already have me, we'll be married by the weeks end." She stands and pulls her cloak tightly around her form as a cool breeze brushes past. She purses her lips, I thought the desert was supposed to be hot. Blast this freezing night air. She feels his arms wrap securely around her waist and she can't help but to stiffen under his touch. "Let's go back inside, before it gets much cooler."

She pulls out of his grip and strides forward, peering over the building to see just how high up they were. "You can go back inside if you like, but I need a bit of time to myself." He grows quiet but she can feel his eyes trained on her back and she flexes the muscles in her legs. He speaks just as she's about to jump, "Maria... You're not going to run again are you?"

She can hear the pain in his voice and her heart flutters. All this time since her last escape attempt and he still thinks her the flighty woman of before. She chuckles to herself, he's right though, she was going to run, but she'd be back. Right? She stands straight and he smiles, "That's right habibti, come inside." He reaches out to grab her but she's gone, his finger tips just grazing the end of her cloak as she jumps from the building. She hears his frantic screams for her to come back but she ignores them, darting away as quickly as she can.

He's close behind her only momentd later, she pulls herself up onto a higher part of the roof. "Maria wait!" She picks up her pace, he can't be further than a few feet. There! She sees a ladder from the corner of her eye and scrambles towards it. She pulls herself up and she feels his hand grab at her boot. She swings her foot back on instinct and winces when she hears the sickening crack of her foot connecting with his cheek. He let's out a pained howl and she swings her head back just long enough to see that he was still chasing after her. Persistent bastard.

She scurries up the rest of the way up and darts towards an open door, bless heaven above, to the tower. She slams the door shut just before he can pull her through, he pounds on the door for a few minutes and she sighs in relief when he finally gives up. His footsteps grow distant and she smiles, I finally have a minute to myself. She hums happily to herself and makes her way up the dark tower.

She climbs up through the hatch and walks her way to the edge admiring the city below. Not many people milling about. She hears a thud behind her and can't help but to roll her eyes, her little bit of solitude quickly interupted. She puts on her most seductive face she can, knowing she'd be in deep shit for that kick to his face. "Maria-"

She turns around and lowers her hood, words dying quickly on his lips. She smirks and hops down from the ledge, beckoning him closer. He strides forward, pulling her quickly to his chest. "We could have just as easily done this in our room if this was your intention all along." She pulls him down closer, "And where's the fun in that?"