2ABY
Alrich Wren stood in the great hall of the Clan Wren ancestral home. The hall was empty, him alone standing by one of the great glass windows. He was looking through the tinted glass, taking in the icy scenery of Krownest. He had been waiting here for a while, intending to meet someone, but he had patience. An artist had to be patient, otherwise you'd never produce an amazing artpiece. That was something he often told his daughter, but she always preferred a quick graffiti tag. Him? He took things slow, made the time to produce something really special. And meaningful. Something that would leave a great impression.
He didn't have such a reputation as a master artist for no reason.
Alrich heard the steps as someone else entered the hall, all the way on the other side of the room. He didn't turn for a while, until the steps got louder. When he did look over his shoulder, he saw the person whom he was meeting with.
Another man, much younger. Dressed in a black jacket. Their hair was just as dark as their clothes, and short. Someone who was a bit of an outsider to this place.
"Master Jedi." Alrich greeted him.
The young man chuckled as he approached.
"I told you to stop calling me that." He said.
"Apologies, Ezra."
They were stood side by side, looking outside that same wall of glass. They both looked out at the scenery, but different things were going through their heads.
"Well, after today...I guess this will be my home." Ezra sighed. "My new home."
He'd already gotten used to living here, he's been here for a couple years now. But something about looking at it all...and knowing this was going to officially be your home as much as it was for all the others you saw daily? Those that saw you as an outsider? For it to be as much your home...as it is hers?
"I understand the position you're in." Alrich told him. "This wasn't always my home either. Though I didn't get much time to...adjust to the conditions by the time I arrived."
"What do you mean?" Ezra asked.
Alrich glanced at him, smiled faintly.
"Getting used to the cold."
They shared a brief chuckle together.
"Eh...you did well." Ezra said. "Married the Countess."
"Actually, Ursa wasn't Countess when we had our ceremony." Alrich informed. "It was only a few years later did she take her place as such. The Count of Clan Wren before her had been killed during the Siege Of Mandalore...the routine of succession took place."
Alrich explained that, like typical Mandalorians, the leader was chosen out of who was strongest. After Deathwatch fell, Ursa returned to her home to make her claim.
"She won, then. Obviously."
"Won the title. She didn't have to fight."
Ezra gave a brief, confused look. Alrich looked at him back, blankly.
"No one dared challenge her." He added.
Ursa won her place, put aside her terrorist relations with Deathwatch after Maul was defeated. Instead, she worked on being a mother, raising her two children.
"Huh...Sabine has one badass mom." Ezra said humorously. "Not that it wasn't already obvious."
She was lucky to have even gotten the chance to raise children in peace, considering her past. Although Ursa was always keen on bringing them up, she often found herself leaving her children in Alrich's care on Krownest, while she went off to fight battles with Deathwatch. And even after she returned for good, to commit to her place as Countess, she was always the...less sympathetic out of the two parents. Sabine and Tristan didn't grow up disliking her, they accepted her for what she was: their stern figure in life that was intent on making them strong Mandalorians when they grew up. And she definitely succeeded...Alrich couldn't argue with that. But she could've been more compassionate...when his children needed something, wanted something...they often went to him.
For love, their father was their choice. Not their mother. Alrich didn't like that, and he knew it bothered his wife too.
Alrich always wondered if it was just the effect being a terrorist had on Ursa. But all things considered...she was a relatively adequate mother.
"She has always had rough edges, but she mattered when it counted." He continued to elaborate.
There was a moment of silence. Ezra didn't know what exactly he thought of Ursa, even after the years living here. She...didn't make their relationship clear, but Ezra didn't feel it was positive. It was like she was suspicious of him. That having him here...was an effort on her part.
"I don't think she likes me." Ezra admitted, quietly.
Alrich looked over the young man. He could see he was a bit nervous about this whole day. A special day. Sabine had planned it all out...after the destruction of The Death Star, she felt there wasn't a better time for something like this.
"Sabine trusts you." He reminded him. "And I trust my daughter, as does Ursa. You don't have anything to be afraid of, young Bridger."
"I just hope Sabine didn't pull too many strings for this..."
"If Sabine wants this...then I want this." He assured him. "You let me worry about what Ursa thinks. You worry about enjoying this day."
Ezra smiled. He supposed he got what he was looking for in this conversation.
"So...I guess that means we have your blessing?"
Alrich nodded, and touched Ezra's shoulder sincerely.
"You have my blessing."
Sabine trodded in the snow, which was thick enough to swallow her feet. Although snow was always present on Kronwest, it could go from relatively thick to...this thick. And today was a particularly snowy day.
"This hasn't exactly been a fun walk." She said aloud.
In front of her, Ursa was also pushing through the weather. She didn't respond to her daughter, but simply kept going. When they reached a flatter plain of snow near the icy lake, Sabine stopped.
"Mother, can we stop?" She asked. "You didn't take me out here just to remind me how bad the snow could get here."
Ursa then stopped, then turned around to face Sabine.
"I know what this is about." Sabine told her. "I get it, you're not exactly thrilled about today. But instead of dragging me through snow and chatting about nonsensical stuff, can we just get this over with?"
Ursa's stern expression didn't change, it was pretty much her resting face after all.
"You used to love trekking through snow." She said quietly. "With your father, at least."
She remembered watching from a distance, a young Sabine playing on the ice, laughing as her father encouraged her. Thinking about it would often bring a smile to her face, but then fade when she remembered that it was her father that Sabine always wanted to play with. Not her mother.
Sabine sighed as she walked closer to her.
"Let's not touch that subject again." She decided. "Let's just...be honest with each other."
Ursa nodded. True, she wasn't too happy about today...but she wasn't exactly disapproving, or even objective to it. She believed her daughter underestimated how understanding she could be.
"I know...that you don't like him." Sabine began. "I know that it's mostly to do with him being a Jedi...but Mom, Ezra is perfect for our culture. He has all the qualities that our people look for. He cares a lot about family, he's no stranger to traditions, and he's a warrior."
"He's a child." Ursa told her. "As are you, Sabine. But at least you have our blood, you are one of us."
Sabine frowned. She had seen Ezra develop for many years, and child was the last thing she'd call him now. Maybe once upon a time, but not any more.
"Aliit ori'shya tal'din." She reminded her.
Family means more than blood.
"That is true, Sabine." Ursa agreed, nodding. "But this boy is neither blood or family. And I will consider either before outsiders."
"But he's not an outsider, Mother. He's a friend." Sabine told her, a little frustration escaping her. "What was father to you, when you married him?"
Ursa was left without a response to that. Alrich was her beloved, and while he was neither of Clan Wren nor her family, he was very close to her.
"You're a warrior, he's an artist. Despite your differences, you had two children together." She continued to remind her.
"Your father is Mandalorian." Ursa stated. "Ezra is a foreigner, he doesn't even speak our language."
Sabine squinted a bit...every attack on Ezra was like an attack on herself. She was actually working quite hard on teaching him Mando'a...she just needed time.
"Our own family roots don't stretch back to the very beginning of Mandalorian culture...like many during the Mandalore Conquests, we were dominated and absorbed into it."
If their whole family history was spawned from being adopted into Mandalorian culture, how could they judge outsiders? How could they refuse others from becoming apart of their people?
"Those were ancient times, Sabine. Don't lecture me about my own history." Ursa said. "This is now. Jedi and their practises don't sit well with our people."
"He promised he would put aside all that for me." Sabine said, trying to make her see things differently, shape up her impression of Ezra. "For Manda's sake, he fought alongside us, helped us save Father...all for me. Don't you get it, Mother? He thinks I'm more important than his Jedi ways."
A small amount of angst couldn't help but escape from Sabine.
"How can a former terrorist who helped put someone like Maul on the throne argue about outsiders?"
Sabine sighed, crossed her arms, and looked away from her mom. She instantly regretted saying that.
"But it's true..."
Sabine still didn't look up at her mother when she felt a hand placed on her shoulder. Ursa softened up her expression.
"Me and your father...we just want what's best for you." Ursa told her gently. "You and Ezra both care for each other, that much is clear. But do you not think...that this is a step too far? You are still so young, Sabine. Relationships, especially with boys, they come and go."
Ursa knew this very well for herself.
"Not this one." Sabine shook her head. "He's done so much for me. He helped me get my family back...helped me get you back! He understands the value of family, because he hasn't had one in years."
Ursa had to consider that fact.
"I want to give him a new family."
Sabine had the power to do that, but Ursa was still giving her that look.
"I'm not a child." Sabine said assertively. "This is my decision. Why can't you respect that?"
"I do respect it." Ursa assured her. "But you don't owe him anything, Sabine."
"It's not about debt..."
Sabine felt her mother place her hand on her cheek. She looked at her daughter, at the woman she now was. She was proud of her...but she was still so stubborn.
And like always, Alrich would be there to point out that shared quality between mother and daughter.
"It doesn't matter." She dismissed. "If this boy is truly as great as you often like to claim...then I suppose I will see in time."
"You've known him for years...you should've already seen it, Mother. You just refuse to."
Ursa let go of her. No matter what she did, it didn't seem like she could please Sabine.
"What do you want me to say, Sabine?"
Sabine frowned again. What did she want? Ursa was the one who brought them out here in the first place.
"Gee, what do I want? Your kriffing approval would be nice." Sabine muttered. "Maybe a bit of enthusiasm? Mothers are supposed to be leaping with joy for their daughters on a day like this."
Ursa was then reminded again of the talks she often had with her husband, about being more compassionate. It pretty much took up all their pillow talks. But it was just never her strong suit.
She always showed her love in her own way.
"Sabine, I...I AM happy for you." She told her. "If this is what you want, then I am happy."
"Can you show it, then?" Sabine asked, raising an eyebrow.. "Or will you have that same moody look plastered over you at the celebratory party?"
Ursa was silent. Sabine shook her head, sighed, and walked off back to their home. She had to get ready for later, anyways. No one was going to change her mind about this.
"I guess we'll find out."
Hours later, Ezra stood outside on the balcony, watching the sunset over Krownest. The light from the sun reflected off the ice and snow, and made for a pretty scene. The cold air on his nose was a feeling he got used to now, and he quite liked that. The cold didn't phase the Wrens, as this was their home...and soon it would be his.
"Think I prefer the Lothal fields, though..."
Whatever was left of it, after what The Empire did. But he took his mind off that...this was supposed to be a happy day for him.
"For me and Sabine."
They had picked a nice time for them to do this. This was to be the pinnacle of their day...possibly of their life.
He heard the door slide open behind him. He looked behind and saw Sabine, standing still and staring at him.
"Hey."
Ezra smiled at her.
Sabine had changed her appearance for this occasion. Such as her hair, which was short and brown, but with some red shadows. She was clad in her usual armour, but painted in traditional Wren colours for once, her helmet under her arm. Another thing Ezra noticed was that she was wearing a small cape over her shoulder, a sign of importance for special occasions within Mandalorian culture.
She was probably the cutest Mandalorian in whole kriffing Galaxy, right now.
"You look lovely." He complimented her.
Sabine returned his smile as she approached, standing by him at the end of the balcony. They both looked out at the sights. The air between them seemed a bit awkward. Today was to be a big day for the pair of them, and they had knew of it for some time...it's what they agreed to, what they wanted. They...were looking forward to it.
But now the day was here. And it was almost a bit overwhelming.
"I have so many childhood memories of this place." She said, breaking the silence. "I never thought I'd ever come back all those years ago. Guess I have you and Kanan to thank for that."
"Family councillors, we were."
"I call it more of an example of peer pressure but...that works too." She chuckled, then looking at him again.
She didn't say anything. Instead, they just looked at one another in silence. It was a while before Ezra spoke up.
"I talked to your father." He said. "We have his blessing."
Sabine nodded. She didn't expect her father to not give it otherwise. It was her mother who was the skeptical one.
"My mother, in her own way, sorta did too." She said.
Even Ezra didn't seem all that confident. She could tell that this was definitely a bigger step for him than it was for her. She wasn't switching cultures, changing her home, creating new ties...this was initially her idea, her suggestion.
Ezra just couldn't refuse her.
"All of this can be yours." Sabine told him, gesturing to the scenery. "You live here now, but it can truly be your home. I want to give all this to you, Ezra...I want to give you my name."
It was in her power to do so. She paused. They had already been through this quite a bit...but now it was for real. And Ezra had to show he was willing to let go of the past, and sculpt his future with her at his side.
"All I ask is one thing in return."
Ezra looked down at himself, then back at her. He had been thinking about it, and they talked about it a lot. About him, about his ways as a Jedi. They agreed that it was something that didn't do him much service within Mandalorian culture...or to anything at all. But if he was truly going to be accepted as one of them, he had to put away his lightsaber.
Literally.
"It's funny, I was very excited to be a Jedi when I met Kanan." Ezra began. "The Force, having superpowers...huh, it was just kid-me getting excited."
Now it was less appealing. As he got older, he found himself getting more concerned with himself and Sabine and less about the Jedi ways. It certainly doesn't help that Kanan, his master, was now gone. Hera, Zeb and Chopper stuck with The Rebellion, who seem elusive these days after The Battle Of Yavin.
So it was just him and Sabine.
"You would do anything for me, Sabine." He continued. "And I would do the same for you."
He reached into his jacket, and pulled out his lightsaber. An object of great tension in a place like this, and of great importance to him. Slowly but confidently, he held it out to Sabine.
She looked at the weapon, then back up at him.
"Are you sure?"
"I've never been more sure of anything in my life." He assured her. "The direction we want to take...what I want for us...this needs to be put away."
The Mandalorian couldn't help but smile. She took the weapon from him, gave it a long look...this was very symbolic to her. She wasn't familiar with Jedi customs, but it was said that a lightsaber was a Jedi's life.
And he had given it to her.
"You once said that you were not going to leave Lothal after seeing what the Empire did to it." She reminded him. "But you did...for me."
Ezra nodded. He did.
"You wanted to stay with The Rebellion, but you came here instead, for me."
Again, he did.
"And now you've given up being a Jedi...for me."
To say Ezra was committed to her would be an understatement.
"For you."
He reached out with the palm that held his lightsaber, and took her hand in it instead. They stared at one another, and in each other's eyes...they saw hopes, dreams...a future.
Together.
Sabine swallowed. Things between them were now set in motion. She was excited, but she couldn't help but feel a bit nervous too. She could tell he felt the same.
"Well then...are you ready?" She asked quietly.
Ezra nodded...he had been ready for this for a while now. And so she took his arm in hers, both standing close together. This was the moment that Sabine had prepared for, and she hoped Ezra had done the same.
"I hope you remembered the words..." Sabine muttered.
There was a glimpse of doubt over Ezra's face. He really did try...
"Your language is stupid." He sighed. "I can't just confess my love for you in Basic?"
Sabine frowned. She elbowed him right in his ribs. He wouldn't be able to say stuff like that after today. And she was going to teach him Mando'a no matter how much he complained, if only because it would prove to her mother that Ezra was willing to change.
If Mandalorians weren't so...xenophobic, he wouldn't have to change in the first place. Sabine personally loved him the way he was. But alas, this is how things need to be.
"Say it."
He sighed. Here goes nothing...
"Me...solus tome, me solus dart...?"
Sabine rolled her eyes as he lazily slurred the rest of it, sounding completely off and butchering the language. Ezra did spend time revising the words, but the language just didn't stick with him. Sabine spoke over him, telling him to pay attention to her, then speaking much clearly and confidently.
"Mhi solus tome, mhi solus dar'tome, mhi me'dinui an, mhi ba'juri verde."
It was a short vow. When spoke properly, Ezra could admit it was quite a beautiful language. When she was done, he went to kiss her, but she leaned back to avoid his lips.
"Ezra, your turn." She told him.
Ezra wanted to sigh, Sabine was really intent on sticking to tradition. So he remembered what she said, and made a poor imitation of the words. But it was, at least, a better performance than his first attempt. When he was done, he saw Sabine giving a judgemental look, deciding if it was still good enough.
"Well?"
"Eh...close enough." She smiled faintly.
There was a pause. Sabine looked at him with as if expecting something, but he only gave a blank stare.
"Now you can kiss me."
Oh. Ezra returned her smile, leaning forward and touching the side of her face. He gave her a long, delicate kiss. When they straightened up again, they looked at each other with a fresh perspective. Like a new chapter in their life had just began.
To Ezra, Sabine suddenly seemed a hundred times more attractive than she already was. Now she was truly his.
"So...what now?" Ezra wondered, stroking the side of his wife's face.
"Well...I did manage to convince Mother to have a small party for us." She said to her husband with an eager look. "Zeb is coming."
Ezra was surprised. He hasn't seen the old lug in a while.
"Really? Hah, that's great. But...I hope your mom is okay with this..."
"She'll warm up to you, Ezra. She just doesn't like outsiders, much less a Jedi." She told him. "Well, former Jedi in your case. Hey, you get it pretty well all things considered. She is grateful for you bringing me back all those years ago."
If it wasn't for his involvement with taking The Saxons down, Ursa would've never entertained the idea of this. But even then...it's not her decision. Her power as Countess only went so far. Sabine would've left Mandalorian Space with Ezra if she had to, probably stick with The Rebellion.
"My home away from home."
"Just don't use The Force...and you'll be accepted as one of us."
"Eh, I can use it sometimes, right?"
Sabine curled her lips as they began slowly walking back inside.
"I don't think you should, unless it's important."
"What about when there's something out of my reach at the dinner table?" He suggested. "Or when there's something heavy that I can't lift naturally?"
Suddenly he wondered how he would get by in his daily life without The Force.
"No, Ezra." She told him sternly.
Ezra mumbled. It looks like he was going to have to disconnect himself...as Kanan did once upon a time. It was almost like things had come around full circle. But if it made Sabine happy...he would do it.
His time as a Jedi was over.
"Five minutes into our marriage and you're already bossing me around." He muttered humorously.
Sabine chuckled. When they got inside, they stopped for a moment.
"I'll make some preparations, make sure Zeb finds his way here okay." She said. "You...should head to our room."
"Oh? Wanna hide me from your family?" He wondered. "Or is this a...very private celebration party?"
Sabine smirked at him.
"No, silly. I left you a gift." She continued, getting his interest as she trekked her fingertip on his chest. "You'll just have to see it for yourself. Meet me in the great hall when you're ready."
Sabine left him, a slight excitement in her movement as she walked off. Ezra was left on his own, but he also moved with some excitement as he made his way in the opposite direction to the room he shared with Sabine. When he got there, he went inside and saw his gift.
"Oh, wow..."
In the room, there was a full suit of Clan Wren Mandalorian armour, fitted for a man. He approached it, looking it over...it looked fresh-forged. The paintjob of the armour was in typical Wren colours, but clearly the handiwork of his dearest, having a slight messiness to it that signified her style. One twist on the armour, was that the right pauldron had a unique detail: a Lothcat. It put a smile on his face.
"So thoughtful of her..."
The armour was a symbol, almost. A symbol of his new home, yet still had a reminder of his old one. He reached out and took up the helmet...his own helmet. Sabine talked about how armour was so important to a Mandalorian, like it was apart of their very being. His marriage to Sabine, being adopted into a Mandalorian Clan, having his own armour...it really shaped up the person he was now.
"Ezra Wren."
Zeb looked over his shoulders at the impressive Great Hall, taking in the place. He never knew that Mandalorian architecture could be so...pretty. It was not only nice to see Sabine again, but to also have a look at the place she called Home.
Sabine was stood next to him, watching him amuse himself.
"Ezra scored big, getting to live in a place like this." He said. "Meanwhile I'm still stuck in that small cabin on The Ghost."
Sabine shrugged. At least he didn't have to share a room with Ezra anymore. That was her blessing.
"How's Hera?" Sabine asked.
"Ah, she's fine." Zeb assured her. "We're all fine. Got a base set up on a planet a bit like this one, I'd tell you where it is but then..."
He brought his hand out and imitated a blaster. And Sabine chuckled.
"But you're okay?"
"Don't worry about it, Sabine."
The Empire were hunting hard for The Rebellion after they blew up their precious Death Star. The Empire haven't even gone into Mandalorian Space as they're busy diverting forces into keeping stability in The Galaxy across the regions they ruled.
"Well, I hope you have a good time." She told him. "But I gotta warn you, Mandalorian parties like this are pretty tame."
Regardless, the Lasat was intrigued.
"I hear so much about how apparently Mandalorians have the best drinks, stuff that'll knock out the unprepared in a single swig..."
Sabine smiled at him. He was correct...but she never had the stomach for it.
"Well then..." She crossed her arms and spoke teasingly. "...I'll see what I can do."
Zeb turned when a Clan Wren warrior approached him.
"I'm sorry sir, you have to leave." They told him.
Zeb was caught by surpise. He just got here and he was already being told to get lost. Was he THAT poor a guest?
"Huh?"
"We have a limit here on body odour stench, surpassing it as you have will offend The Countess and her beautiful daughter."
The Lasat looked at Sabine, frowning, confused. But she only glared at the Clan Wren warrior.
"Is that so?" She wondered, approaching them and pulling off their helmet. "Ezra!"
Zeb could've been annoyed at the insult on his hygiene, but instead he was pleasantly surprised by the face under the mask and threw his big arms around him, picking him up and squashing him.
"Ezra!" He called out his name with glee. "How you doing? Look at you, a grown up Lothrat!"
"Careful Zeb, those are my goods you're damaging." Sabine sniggered.
When Zeb let go, Ezra had to take a moment to recover from being near-killed. On his wedding day.
"Yep...good to see you too, Zeb." He breathed out.
Ezra looked at Sabine, who gave him a warm smile as she looked him over from tip to toe.
"It suits you." She told him.
Zeb watched as the two almost lost each other in their eyes, before Sabine went close to him and gave him a hug. Ezra truly looked like hers, now.
"Uh hu, I may have came to celebrate your big day, but that doesn't mean I have to witness this." Zeb said, turning away and walking off. "I'll go explore this ice-ball you call Home. Let me know when we're having that party."
Zeb left them, and soon Ezra and Sabine were alone again. She was still admiring him in his armour.
"Hm, you look really nice in some armour." She said, touching him all over as she readjusted some pieces, and sorted his collar out. "Your own beskar, Ezra."
"Gee Sabine, save the touchy-touchy for later." He whispered, checking to see if anyone was watching.
Sabine let go of him, smirking. She looked forward to peeling him out of that armour tonight.
"So how's this gonna go?" He wondered.
"We've never really sat down as a family together." She told him. "Take this as an opportunity to impress Mom."
Ezra sighed. He would certainly try.
A couple hours later, Ezra found himself sitting at the large table in the Great Hall. Next to him was his beloved Sabine. Opposite them was Zeb and Tristan. Some Wren clan members particularly close to their family were also sat at the table. On the two bigger seats at each end of the table, was Alrich and Ursa. Conversations were being made to set the mood, though Ursa was pretty much silent, simply watching over the table.
"So, you're Sabine's brother, eh?" Zeb said, looking over his shoulder to Tristan. "You know much about this?"
Zeb gestured to the bottle of liquid he was drinking. Sabine arranged for some drinks as well as food, as she felt it would break the ice between everybody. She wanted to know for sure that Ezra was being fully accepted as a Wren.
"It's called Ne'tra Gal." Tristan told him, rather sternly almost. "I wouldn't drink much if I were you."
Zeb would willingly take that challenge.
Sabine looked at Ezra. She looked a little bored, as if she felt something she was hoping for in this party wasn't occurring.
"Mother hasn't even said a word yet." She said to him, whispering. "Maybe we should make an announcement or something?"
"What kind of announcement?"
"I dunno. About your induction into our Clan?"
Ezra gave a hesitant look.
"What exactly should I say?"
"Logically you would say it in Mando'a, but..."
"You're never gonna let that go, are you?"
She told him she would, if he made a good impression tonight. So Ezra sighed and stood up, he would improvise as he went along. He got everyone's attention, and soon things were silent.
"Hey, so I just wanna say...thanks to everyone who came." He said, forcing a small chuckle. "Though you were probably gonna come anyways. But still."
Sabine rested her head's weight against her arm on the table as she listened to him, looking unimpressed.
"I'm just...really happy that you've all been so great to me and Sabine about this." He continued. "And...I promise I'll make good use of this armour."
He brushed his hand against his Wren insignia, showing some forced pride.
"And yeah...thanks."
He went to sit down again, but was near dragged on his feet again when Sabine stood up with him. She smiled sweetly as she put her arms around him.
"Well said, cyar'ika." She said before kissing his cheek, then looking at Ursa. "My dear Mother, do you have any words you wish to share with my husband?"
All eyes went to The Countess. She looked back at all of them before standing up herself, then looking specifically at Ezra.
"You have my most sincere wishes of the best." She told him, though not even with a smile. "For both you, my daughter, and the future you will shape together."
There was some nodding as The Countess sat back down, and then the couple.
The party proceeded, and things were getting a bit louder as conversations grew more engaging and Zeb got a bit tipsy, barraging Tristan with many nonsensical questions. But the whole while, Ursa didn't speak a word. But soon, Alrich came to her side, crouching down next to her.
"Our daughter's wedding, one of the most important events in her life." He told her. "Yet you don't seem so pleased."
"If she is happy, then so am I." She replied firmly, still looking forward. "But what I think doesn't matter, they are now wed."
"Sabine cares very much for what you think." Alrich informed her. "You are her mother. You underestimate how important you are to her."
Ursa didn't seem so keen, however.
"Look at them, Ursa."
Alrich gestured for her, and she looked. She saw what she had already seen. She saw Sabine and Ezra conversing, listening to the Lasat and giving uneasy smiles as he embarrassed them.
"You wanna know what their first meeting was like?" Zeb laughed as he practically spat at Tristan. "Kid near swooned from looking at her!"
Ezra and Sabine chuckled. They were both a little surprised, yet touched, by how far they had come since that awkward interaction they had seven years ago. It made them look at each other, admire themselves and the point they got to, then kiss.
"She's happy." Ursa sighed. "I know she's happy, Alrich."
Ursa felt her husband's hand go over hers on the table. She looked up at him with a small smile.
"Do you remember our ceremony?" He asked gently. "Our celebration party?"
A chuckle escaped Ursa, how could she forget?
"You wanted to take a painting of me..." She scoffed, shaking her head.
The large portrait of her that hung in the Great Hall was by Alrich.
Remembering how she felt about her own wedding allowed her to see into how Sabine must feel about hers, and what Ezra makes her feel, what he means to her.
Alrich patted her hand when he saw that Ursa understood.
A little while later, Ezra and Sabine were trying some of the Ne'tra Gal that Zeb had been drinking, partly due to Sabine thinking that he had enough. When they tried some shots for themselves, it was definitely a funny sight. They both coughed and spluttered over the ridiculously strong stuff.
"It's strong enough to work as engine fuel." Sabine stated as she held a hand over her mouth before coughing.
Ezra thought it was disgusting. But maybe that was the point. But he didn't want to drink much, it would definitely be rude to feel sick on his own wedding day.
"Ah, it's not that bad." Zeb told them. "You just can't hold your liquor."
"Yeah? Try to stand up, Zeb."
The Lasat took the challenge, and almost immediately fell on Tristan when he planted his feet on the ground. So he slumped right back down on his seat.
"I think he's had enough, Sabine." Tristan advised her.
Sabine chuckled and agreed.
A while later, the place was quieter. People were starting to clear out. When it looked like the event had mostly passed, Sabine turned to Ezra.
"I need to stretch my legs, let's go outside."
Before Ezra even replied, she had took his hands and pulled him out of his seat. She continued gently tugging him along with her as they began walking out. They both felt a little tipsy, but definitely not as bad as Zeb, who was left sleeping at the table. Ursa watched them both go outside together, then sighed at the sight of Tristan clearing the table, as well as the Lasat and the mess he was in.
"Sabine made some interesting friends."
Alrich stood beside her again, and watched their daughter drag away Ezra, that strange boy she had brought to Krownest after all her time away from home. Who would've knew it'd end up like this.
Ursa was unhappy that it felt like so much of Sabine's life had just slipped from her, that she never got to be there for her. Even in her early life, it felt Alrich was the real parent to Sabine as she grew up. Then for years, Sabine must've felt betrayed and disconnected after the incident at The Imperial Academy. And now, despite all that...she was home, happily married, moving on from all the bad in her life.
"I'm proud of her." Alrich said.
Ursa breathed out and nodded. She was starting to get a little emotional. This wedding day now seemed pretty great after all. She finally gave off a smile.
"As am I."
Ursa felt her husband wrap his arm around her shoulders, and the two embraced.
Sabine and Ezra trodded outside in the snow, the moonlight reflecting off the white ground and illuminating it. Ezra was taking particular interest in it all as Sabine slightly leaned on him while they walked.
"Did you enjoy your party?" She asked.
Ezra brought her closer with his arm, squeezing her.
"Our party." He corrected her.
They had smiles plastered on their faces as they walked around the edge of the large frozen lake outside the ancestral home of Clan Wren. Sabine then walked ahead of him, looking out at the pretty scenery.
"This is now your home as much as its mine." She told him. "How does that make you feel?"
"Still sinking in, I guess." He said.
It was gonna take some getting used to, being called Ezra Wren.
"Well, now it's really important I teach you Mando'a." She reminded him. "Can't be Mandalorian without the language."
Ezra curled his lips as he crouched down. That didn't sound appealing at all.
"That doesn't sound so fun..."
Sabine was then suddenly attacked as a ball of snow hit her in the back of the head. She gasped and spun around, seeing Ezra smirking guiltily.
"...that though, that was pretty fun."
Sabine shot a mischievous look back at him, then quickly went to scoop snow in her own hands. Ezra did the same, and soon the two were throwing snowballs at each other.
"Ow!" She yelped as another one hit her ear.
"Haha-omph!" He was interrupted when Sabine caught him in the chest.
After their onslaught against one another, Ezra chuckled as he scooped up more snow in his hands, but began to run at Sabine. She saw what he was going to do and backed away.
"No, Ezra!" She told him. "No-aaargh!"
He grabbed her and they began struggling against one another as he tried to smother snow into her face, but instead they ended up falling over and rolling over a bit, until Sabine found herself on top of him.
"Stop it!" She told him, with a smile, as she grabbed his collar.
Ezra raised his hands in surrender, giving up. But soon he got lost in her face, which was so close. The features of his pretty wife. He placed his arms around her, holding her back and keeping her close. She looked just as amused as he did.
"Thank you...for taking me in." He said, letting out some sincerity.
Her smile grew, and she nodded.
"You were worth it, Ezra."
They touched lips with a great amount of passion, their hands rubbing against each other as they shared the moment of intense love. When they parted, their foreheads rested together.
"We should probably go back inside." She suggested.
He agreed. Sabine got off him. And helped Ezra get on his feet. They began walking closely together back the way they came, but then Ezra decided to suddenly scoop her up and carry her in his arms.
To their first night as husband and wife.
"I look forward to the future we're gonna sculpt together..." She said quietly, resting her head against him.
"The Empire better watch out, we're coming for 'em."
A spark of hope across the galaxy had been ignited when The Death Star was destroyed. What was once a dream, now seemed like a very possible reality.
But The Empire wasn't exactly what Sabine was referring to.
"I meant after all that, silly."
Ezra gave her a glance.
"You got plans that far ahead?" He asked. "I think we should focus more on this war, Sabine."
"Didn't need to plan it...its just what will be expected of us."
"Now you lost me."
Sabine closed her eyes, a small smile on her face. Ezra should've paid attention to the vows and revised them properly...if he did, he would understand.
"Mhi ba'juri verde."
We will raise our children as warriors.
"Together."
