CHAPTER EDITED

And hopefully is better than previous version

Swan Queen, Star Wars AU. It's actually the first story I started to write ever. I am leaving it here because I want to see how many of you will be interested in reading it. My main priority is my other (DQ) story, but I'm going to write this one when I will have time, so don't expect updates too often, but don't worry story will be finished (unless I die).

Sooo yeah... I don't own OUaT nor Star Wars. I only own all mistakes.

Enjoy!

CHAPTER 1

"Master! They can't be serious!" - said newly promoted Jedi Knight while leaving Jedi Council chamber on Dantooine - "Please tell me you're not truly considering this, there is no valid reason why we should do it."

"I am, it will be a good training for you" - said Kai'tuku. Human male, tall, in his mid fifties with steel eyes, greying brown hair and same beard which reaches upper part of his chest. He wears a standard brown Jedi robes with the cloak. Despite his age he is still considered as handsome by many people he meets, even by teenagers. - 'Scars and him being a Jedi is scaring them off though' - thinks young Knight, finally catching up with him - 'Not like he could act on one of these attractions...'

"Master!" - she tries again, feeling that this is the last chance to try to affect him in any way.

"No, no arguing Regina. I endured your complaints and stubbornness when you were a Padawan but now... now you're a fully-fledged member of Jedi Order and you must behave like one." - his voice is stern, leaving no room for further discussion. They are going on this mission, it's final.

She sighs heavily, but luckily her Master doesn't notice it, she wouldn't hear the end of it otherwise - "I- yes, you're right, I'm sorry Master. I just don't understand why protecting them, why they are so important that we must intervene" - admitted Regina Mills, young Jedi with dark, shoulder length hair, brown eyes and olive skin. She is twenty one and started training in her teenage years after being found and rescued by Kai'tuku.

He looks at her with understanding in his eyes, while walking past outdoor training grounds, full of young Padawans - "Honestly? So far neither do I, not entirely..."

"What?" - saying that Regina is surprised would be an understatement, she is shocked. It shows on her face too, her mouth hangs open, eyes widened.

"Don't make that face!" - chuckles the man - "I know that I'm making impression that I know everything but you should know by now that it is not true!"

"Right" - she smiles to herself, remembering when Kai'tuku's lack of knowledge almost get them killed month ago at one of planets controlled by Ralians. Humanoid race, with skin looking like kind of armour made of rocks. They are taller, stronger and quicker than humans. Also they are very secretive and wary of other civilizations. So it wasn't really Kai'tuku's fault, who could have thought that his scarf will angry them so much? Well, he would, if he had listened to clearance, in which, for some reason, she wasn't allowed to participate. The scarf was made of Lingur, their most sacred plant, which is also one of most used textile in galaxy. Unfortunately making something of it... well according to Ralians is one of most serious crimes and deserves a death penalty. Luckily the old man was able to convince them that he took it from some riders they defeated earlier and wanted bring plants remains to it's place.

"Hey it worked! I lost my favourite scarf though" - he says, thinking about the same thing as she did but becomes serious quickly - "Heading back to the task on hand, Council felt disturbances in the force, several times and every time it pointed to Tipua. As you should know it's-"

"One of most important places on the political, due to planet being settled between Empire and Republic influence zones, and trading map, at the beginning it become one thanks to destruction of Taris centuries ago but now? They can thank their ruling queen and her rather... brave politics. She raised planet's economy pretty well, after everything her father did. " - Regina interrupted him and Kai'tuku looks at her for a while, moving hands behind his back and interlacing fingers before speaking.

"So you did your homework after all? - he teases her and she rolls her eyes at him - "Good. Yes that's true. And that's one reason why we're heading there. The queen is adamant about being part of the Republic and as you imagine Empire is not happy about it."

"Yes" - Regina agrees - "but the Queen's view at the matter was known since she gained her title, why she and her family needs protection now, after twenty years? And what is the second reason?" - this all doesn't make sense, besides she doesn't like being in dark and the more information she gets, the better job she will be able to do, right?

"Well... in last months Sith are becoming more and more bold in their actions, Jedi Council and Republic Senate are starting to worry about planet safety. They're sending division of soldiers to strengthen their defence." - he explains calmly, his voice lower with every said word.

"Two Jedi and whole division?" - mumbles surprised Regina and stops right in front of Kai'tuku - "What aren't you telling me?"

"Something that I'll tell you as soon as the Council informs me... meaning - most probably tomorrow on the ship." - he pauses and looks around, then whispers - "But remember, the less people will know details about our mission, the better" - he straightens himself and says to wide eyed woman - "We will speak about specific tasks on board. Prepare your equipment and rest, we're leaving tomorrow at 4 a.m." - with that he walks away

"4 a.m.? - she sighs and looks at her watch, it's 6 p.m. - "I better pack everything now and take a nap before leaving, I can never get a proper sleep in hyperspace" - she mutters to herself, rubbing back of her head and heads to room at Padawan's house wing when she hears her master calling her from distance, his arm raised to catch her attention.

"Oh! And Regina! Congratulations!" - saying that he returns to walk in earlier chosen direction.

"Thank you, master" - Regina whispers to herself. smiling and enters the wing.

TWO HOURS LATER

She wakes up to a rather loud commotion outside her room, which looks like all other Padawans rooms. Meaning there is a bed, wardrobe, shelf, desk to, as her master would say, do homework, whenever it is studying a rather large number of datacrons or building and upgrading the lightsaber. In front of it is the door leading to bathroom. Also there is some space left for meditation. Meals are most often eaten at big hall not far from library - 'It was my home for eight years, but when we return from mission on Tipua my room in Knight's wing will be ready' - Regina thinks to herself - 'I guess I'll have get used to that' - she sighs at loud voices outside, stands up grabbing the robe and puts it on, while walking to the door.

"What is happening out there?" - she says opening the door and sees young Padawans talking in, what they consider is, hushed tone. When they notice her they immediately silence themselves and look down at floor covered by fluffy, dark red carpet, the hall's walls painted in beige color. Scones are hanging on them, spreading warm light on the whole corridor - "Well?" - she insists.

One boy from the group looks at her and asks - "Is that true? You've been promoted?" - in this moment all children look up at her, waiting for answer.

"I- yes, how do you know that? It was supposed to be announced at tomorrow's muster, who told you?" - she questions surprised, while she holds the door and leans on it's jamb.

"So it is true!" - says, almost shouts girl with blond, braided hair. Amongst the group can be heard that this is awesome and cool.

Regina chuckles at that and crosses arms at her chest, then responds smiling - "Yes, indeed it is, but why you're so excited about that?"

"It's a first promotion since we came here!" - answers the boy who spoke first and smiles widely. They all are very excited about the fact.

'It is true' - thinks Regina - 'Despite them being only 12 they have been here for 6 years and not even one promotion was held in this temple, of course Padawans from Dantooine were being promoted to Knights, just not here, they were send to other temples. Actually there wasn't one as long as she is here, so 8 years for sure... maybe longer, what changed, why now and why me?' - she contemplates when she feels tugging at the robe, it causes her hands to fall on her sides. - "Yes?" - she asks

"Does that mean you are going to move out from our wing?" - the girl, she looks similar to previous one, just with dark hair. - 'They are most probably twins and she is the grumpy one' - thinks Regina

"That's right, why you're asking?" - now she is the curious one.

"Because I'll take your room when I end my trials!" - answers the girl and with that children run away arguing which one of them is going to get lightsaber first.

"That's the attitude isn't it? - asks newcomer friendly. The voice makes her turn head to the left.

"Daniel! What you're doing there?" - she asks surprised and happy at the same time. Daniel is a thirty years old man, with dark, medium length hair and steel eyes. She ends hugging his taller form - "You weren't supposed to come back for few more months!"

"I know but I heard the big news and I couldn't not come here to congratulate you in person." - he smiles, kissing tip of her head and adds after a while - "Besides, Council and Republic decided that my assistance was no longer needed at Baru so here I am."

"I see... what are you going to do now?" - she asks untangling herself from him.

"I'm allowed to rest for some time, little vacation you would say, then? I have no idea." - Daniel explains while scratching cheek.

"Good, you've been working hard for last years, you deserve some rest."

He smiles and says - "Maybe you're right... let's go, I'm hungry so it's time for dinner!"

She chuckles - "It's 8 p.m. But... traveling is always making you hungry, that's why I'm suprised by you playing the role of mediator on so many worlds, those constant trips, you have to be always hungry!" - then teases him.

"Hey! I'm good at it! And I'm not always hungry" - Daniel pretends indignation

"I never said you weren't. Right, not always hungry, only most of the time."

He playfully glares at Regina and nudges her - "Changing subject, I've heard you and Kai'tuku have got a new mission..."

"Yes, we're leaving tomorrow morning and heading to Tipua."

"Hmm... and what are you going to do there?"

"I- I'm not sure. And the things I know..." she pauses and remembers her master's words - "I'm sorry, I'm not allowed to talk about it." - Regina smiles apologetically at man she knows many years, her first friend in the Order.

"It's okay, I understand" - Daniel smiles back at her reasuringly and pats her back - "Look, we are here"

"I can see that, let's come in."

NEXT DAY, MORNING

Regina looks impatiently at her watch - "It's already 4.30 where is he?" - just then she notices her Master heading toward the landing, slowly. - "Master! You're late! Did something happen?"

"Happen? What could have happen here Regina? No. And what do you mean late? I'm half an hour before our flight."

She blinks several times, not believing in what she just heard. - "What?! You said we're leaving at 4 a.m. and it was half an hour ago, now you're telling me we were supposed, we are suppose to leave at 5 a.m?"

He waves his hand in dismissive manner - "Nah, I'm sure I've told you right time, besides that doesn't matter right now, does it?"

"No, I guess it doesn't Master..." - sighs annoyed, young Jedi

"Great! You have everything?"

"Yes..."

"Good. Let's get on the ship and meet our pilots. They are going to cover this mission, so anywhere we or we and our well... targets need to go, they will take care of that." - they start walking in direction of the ship.

After short walk Kai'tuku smiles at men, who are discussing something near the loading platform - "Hello, Regina meet captain Jones, with whom I had a pleasure of working on few missions before you joined me, and his co-pliot lieutenant Jones"

"Greetings" - says Regina, then asks - "Are you both Jones?"

"Ah yes, I'm Liam and this is my younger brother Killian" - answers older of two men, most probably in his early thirties, his brother looks like he just finished aviation school, so he must be twenty five. They both are tall, Liam is a little taller tough, dark haired and Killian has short beard, a stubble. He nods in her direction as a greeting. - "Where we are going Master Jedi?" - Liam asks Kai'tuku

"To Tipua." - answer is given while they board the ship.

He nods and says with smile - "Very well, the trip is going to take few hours, most probably eight, I suggest you relax or do whatever you were going to do anyway and we will take care of transport." - with that he follows his younger brother to cockpit.

Regina and Kai'tuku are standing in the living quarters, with very raw interior. Even if they haven't been in other rooms on this ship, it's clear that it was made for military, as whole furniture and equipment must be functional. How it looks or how comfortable it is, is secondary problem. The only outstanding items are round table and curved couch that is standing on one side of table, under the wall.

After a few moments of silence Regina speaks, while looking at him, as he fills the glass with water - "So... Master, are you going to tell me about second reason or not?"

"What? Ah, yes, of course. Sit." - she does as she was told and currently sits behind round table, Kai'tuku stands on the other end, puts glass and his hands on table, then leans on them - "As I said on Dantooine the Jedi Council sent us to protect Queen Mary Margaret White, 42, for some reasons known as Snow White, don't ask me why I don't know, her husband David White, 43, also known as Prince Charming or just Charming those days, I'm assuming that his title originated from his ability to charm royalties before he married the queen. And their daughter Emma White, 19, it's some miracle she doesn't have a nickname too." - he coughs up, while Regina tries not to laugh at his commentary, then continues - "You also know this isn't our only mission. It's a common knowledge that the Queen's father, king Leopold White was cooperating with Empire and Sith. But there are rumours, very dangerous rumours, that he had a very high position in the Empire's ranks, that he have been a Lord of the Sith-"

"What?!" - asks, close to shouting, shocked Regina.

"Now you know why I told you to sit? And why I didn't want to talk about this in the middle of temple?" - he looks seriously at Regina and she nods in agreement - "In my opinion this rumour is not true, I mean- the part about him being the Sith Lord or a Sith. He could have been important in the Empire, he was for sure, not many, even not every Sith can speak to Dark Council and he could, if they had a meeting, almost whenever he wanted. That's what servants and slaves relations say anyway. And it may be truth. The question is: did he had this position, and if he did, how he get it and why Sith allowed a man from outside to gather so much power." - he stops and drinks.

"But if he wasn't man from outside? I know you said that you don't think he was a Sith, Master, but if he was?" - contemplates Regina.

"We don't have any sort of evidence to prove it, if it is the truth. But the Council suspects that he was given a powerful artefact of Dark Side, which he was supposed to keep in safety for as long as Dark Council needed it."

"That just proves he was important for the Empire and Sith, Master. Doesn't explain why tough. Why they would trust him with it? And... what was it?"

"Council doesn't know that. And we are supposed to find out if he truly was in possession of this kind of artefact, what was it and if it still is on Tipua find it."

"And protect the royal family at the same time? Wonderful." - she sighs and rubs her forehead - "Do we know where to start or is this some kind of blind run?"

"We can talk to people who have been in the palace more than twenty years ago. It would be best if we could find one of his personal servants and convince them to speak with us." - Kai'duku responds and straightens his robe. - "Now, more practical things. You will protect the princess and I'll take care of her parents. You're supposed to be near her 24 hours per day. I was informed that she already has her own personal bodyguard - Graham Humbert but that doesn't change a thing."

"Master, I get that protecting them is a very important part of our mission, but how we are supposed to gather information without them finding out if we will be around them for most hours? And what if we find it? How we will go to look for it if we are cuffed to them?" - she asks, leaning on her elbow.

"We will have to figure something out, be elastic"

"Thank you Master that helped me a lot" - Regina says sarcastically and adds in hushed tone - "And pilots? Can we fully trust them?"

"Yes, Liam and I, we survived few hard situations in previous years, we are loyal to each other. " - he pauses and scratches chin- "and Killian... he is his brother I'm sure he can be trusted too Regina."

She hums in agreement then asks, leaning against the seat - "So what now?"

"Now?" - Kai'tuku chuckles - "Now we rest because we have a tough mission ahead of us." - with that he walks away to sleep.

"Great..."