This chapter deals with General Tarful's memorial and Zeb's promotion to Wookiee warrior leader. The story is getting close to the end and probably the next chapter is the last one. Hope to finish it before I leave for a month long house sitting job.

Chapter 13 Tarful's Memorial and New Leader

The preparations for Tarful's memorial had begun and also for the ceremony of Zeb being made warrior leader.

The Lasat was still recovering from his wounds received at the Kessel mines. The physical wounds were healing nicely, but the emotional scars would take longer. His ribs were still tender and he now had a new scar on his upper lip to match the one he had on his left cheek. He tired easily as a result from breathing mining dust. He was left with a chronic cough that K'Pek treated with a potion that helped. Besides physical discomfort, Zeb began to have nightmares alot and Orla hugged him close as he tossed and turned, tormented by memories of enslavement.

Zeb loved being home with his lifemate and children. Netalli couldn't get enough of her "Da Da", little Ketuunka trilled and purred when Zeb would hold him.

Kanan, Hera, Sabine and Ezra decided to stay on Kashyyyk for awhile to make sure Zeb would be okay. The Lasat didn't turn down the chance for his family clan to spend time with him. Hera and Kanan knew he would need their support during Tarful's funeral. The memorial was nearly ready to be performed by D'Mari and K'Pek.

Orla watched as her lifemate became more somber and quiet. The night of their reunion and the mating afterwards, was the last time she had seen him smile. She knew it was because of the strong bond that had been between Tarful and Garazeb. She heard him cry softly in the night as they lay close in the hammock. The only thing she could do was hold him close and murmur words of love and comfort.

The next day dressed in his Honor Guard armor, the pyrel cat pants and the new amulet around his neck, Zeb stood with Orla. Along with his lifemate, members of his family clan and other Wookiee warriors, D'Mari and K'Pek began the service.

Orla felt Zeb tremble and put an arm around his waist. She stole a glance and saw the Lasat's eyes shiny with tears. She looked over at Hera and Kanan. With just a glance, Hera knew Orla wanted her next to Zeb in case he broke down.

D'Mari adjusted his translator and cleared his throat.

"Today we lay to rest a great Wookiee warrior...Tarful. Tarful was not only leader of our people's strongest warriors, but a mentor to all the warriors who came after him. This brave warrior met his end at the spice mines of Kessel while rescuing Garazeb, Chaka, Mycha and our new friend Gevus from enslavement by the Empire."

Orla felt Zeb tremble more and tears beginning to fall from his eyes. She reached over to kiss him on the cheek and he closed his eyes to the pain he felt in his heart.

"Tarful was a strong and at times a harsh mentor to the younger warriors. One of our newest warriors is Garazeb Orrelios and he was with Tarful when he passed. It was Tarful's last wish that Garazeb be made the new leader of the Wookiee warriors, and all of the clans agree with his dying wish."

Zeb's bottom lip quivered as more tears fell. Kanan and Hera went up to offer the Lasat comfort seeing he was ready to break down.

K'Pek with D'Mari's help placed a wreath of flowers on top of Tarful's shrouded body. His bowcaster and spear where layed next to him. Zeb watched and uttering a sob, he fell to his knees. Orla bent down to cradle him in her arms. Hera patted his back and Kanan used the Force to try and calm Zeb's despair. Ezra and Sabine holding Netalli and Ketuunka watched the sad scene and felt the children react to all the sadness. Netalli sobbed against Ezra's neck and Ketuunka sniffled while sucking a thumb.

When the memorial was finished, Orla with Hera's help, got Zeb back onto his feet. Kanan helped Ezra and Sabine with the youngest children.

"He needs rest," K'Pek said a few hours later after giving Zeb a potion to help him sleep, "His experiences at the mine have caused him much sadness and despair."

"He loved Tarful very much," Hera said pulling a pyrel cat blanket up to Zeb's chin.

"Yes he did," K'Pek answered, "Garazeb was very attached to Tarful and still is. This is a bond of love that will never be broken...even in death."

Ezra and Sabine seeing the older adults taking care of their big brother, took Netalli and Ketuunka for a walk. The hybrid toddler had settled down but still wanted Ezra to carry her. Ketuunka lay in his sling against Sabine's chest cooing and sucking on a thumb. The girl caressed the Lasat kit's furry head getting a little smile.

"Ezra, let's take them for a walk by the stream. I know they like that."

"Okay."

Wullffwaro and Chaka readied Tarful's armor for Zeb to wear as new leader of the warriors. With Tarful's larger size, it had to be adjusted and parts of it were just too big for Zeb's smaller frame.

"It's no longer General Tarful's armor but that of Garazeb Orrelios or new leader of the elite Wookiee warriors," Chaka said proud of his son-in-law. He knew Rukalo was also proud of him.

"An honor most deserving, regardless of his Lasat heritage. Garazeb is a Wookiee warrior no matter his species. He has proved that in ways we can't even imagine," Wullffwaro answered his eyes reflecting the love he felt for Zeb.

Orla stayed with Zeb while he slept with the help of K'Pek's potion. Kanan and Hera went for a walk, emotionally drained from the past few days experiences. The Lasat tossed and turned as nightmares disturbed his slumber.

"Tarful...no," he murmured his eyes closed.

"Ssh...my love," Orla whispered as she caressed his cheek, "Rest...sleep."

"Tarful!" he cried out and his eyes flew open to see Orla sitting beside the hammock.

"Garazeb...go back to sleep," she said her voice soothing and so was her caress.

"Orla...," he said his eyes overflowing with tears, "C...Comfort me?"

She crawled into the hammock beside him. Placing her arms around him in a comforting almost nurturing way, she kissed him on the cheek. Zeb cuddled closer to her and closed his eyes, beginning to doze off. Orla hummed a Wookiee lullabye and set the hammock to rocking gently seeing her lifemate drifting off to sleep. Feeling his warm soft fur against her body, made her relax more and she fell asleep too.

Several hours later, Orla woke up to find Zeb gone. She grew concerned and went to look for him.

The object of her concern had made his way to the sacred burial ground. Zeb stood beside Tarful's platform and looked up at the shroud covered body. Tears blurred the image and spilled down his furry cheeks.

"Tarful," he whispered, "I...I can't go on without you and your wisdom."

He bowed his head beginning to sniffle, placing both hands over his face to hide the tears. Then Zeb fell to his knees.

You are not alone...

"Huh?" Zeb murmured lifting his head up. It was as if he had heard Tarful's powerful but calming voice. He got up looking back up at the body of his mentor and father figure.

Young cub, you will never be alone.

"What the...?!"

His eyes widened as he saw in the twilight a figure forming as if made from smoke. The figure solidified and it became:

"Tarful!" Zeb said his eyes getting bigger.

Yes, Garazeb, it is I or should I say...my spirit.

Zeb's green eyes welled with tears and a sob escaped his throat.

"I'm...sorry I couldn't save you. I failed..."

No, young cub, you didn't fail. You lead your people out of the spice mine.

"They're not my people," Zeb murmured the tears flowing more, "They'll never be my people. I...I'm a Lasat..."

Maybe you were born a Lasat, but in your heart and soul, you are Wookiee. You are a part of this world and it's people.

"Tarful...I miss you."

I know, Garazeb, but someday we will be reunited in the next world. Don't give up hope, you have alot to live for: a loving lifemate and two beautiful children. I only wish I could've met little Ketuunka.

"H...He looks a bit like you...even though he's a Lasat."

The spectral image of Tarful moved closer and Zeb felt his heart beat faster almost in fear.

Garazeb...don't grieve. You will be a great warrior leader.

"I...I'm not worthy," Zeb muttered his pointed ears drooping.

The Lasat felt a gentle touch on one shoulder and it was comforting like the touch of a parent.

Young cub, you are worthy to wear my armor as warrior leader.

"I...I'm scared."

Of course you are. Admitting you are afraid is one of the most important traits of a leader. A true leader admits that he has faults and can be afraid. Don't worry, Garazeb, for I will be with you, inside your heart and in your memories. Go...my son...become the leader you were meant to be...

The image disappeared and Zeb fell to his knees again. Suddenly he felt two arms embrace him around the waist.

It was Orla.

"Beloved," she whispered holding him closer, "I'm here and I'll never leave you."

Zeb just leaned against her more.

"Let's go home."

The next day D'Mari , K'Pek and the other Wookiee elders stood in front of a large totem depicting leaders both past and present. Tarful's carved image was the most recent and there was a spot that waited for the new warrior leader's image, that of a former Lasan Honor Guard captain named Garazeb Orrelios.

"Garazeb Orrelios," D'Mari said gesturing Zeb forward.

Zeb's eyes widened and he swallowed hard. He gripped ahold of Orla's hand his heart beating faster.

"Young one, come forward."

Orla gave the Lasat a little push and he stopped in front of the Wookiee elder. D'Mari gestured to two of his fellow elders and they brought over a new set of warrior armor. Zeb's big green eyes grew wider and filled with tears, as he recognized that the majority of the armor was Tarful's. The Lasat blinked his eyes, two tears trickling down his cheeks.

"Garazeb...come closer young one."

Wullffwaro with Chaka and Mycha's help lifted up the armor to place it on Zeb. The Lasat began to tremble. Wullffwaro helped Zeb out of his old chest and back armor and was relieved that his pyrel pants could stay on. Orla watched with much love and pride.

"Garazeb, with the placement of the armor, you are now the leader of the Wookiee warriors."

Wullffwaro gestured to Mycha and they stepped forward. The readjusted shoulder armor was put on the Lasat's shoulders and a form of chest and back armor smiliar to a Lasan Honor Guard's was also fitted. Arm and leg gauntlets were also placed.

Zeb was finished being dressed in the armor and Wullffwaro turned him around to face the other Wookiees and Zeb's family clan.

"All Wookiees and others..within the sound of my voice," D'Mari said, "Allow me to introduce you to your new warrior leader, General Garazeb Orrelios!"

Roars of happiness sounded as well as cheers from the humans. Zeb lowered his eyes his face darkening with embarrassment.

"Way to go, big guy!" Rex said giving the Lasat a punch to the shoulder.

"Yeah, Zeb," Gregor answered, "You now outrank us all...even Hera!"

The Twi'lek pilot smiled and gave him a hug and a kiss to the cheek. Kanan gave him a hug while Ezra and Sabine gave him even bigger hugs. Zeb felt his eyes tear up from the strong emotions he was feeling. It came to a head when Orla gathered him up in her arms in a hug lifting him off his feet. She gave him such a deep kiss that he felt his ears tingle with desire.

"I'm so proud of you...love," she whispered, "I love you so much...and will show you more...later..."

Zeb's ears perked up at her words and a toothy grin appeared on his face.

The whole village broke out in cheers and the clone troopers whistled.

"Zeb's getting a little tonight," Gregor said to a chuckling Rex and Wolffe. Kanan gave the three troopers a stern look and Hera shook her head. Thankfully Ezra and Sabine were too busy with Ketuunka and Netalli to hear the off-color remark.

Celebrations broke out through the village and Zeb couldn't get enough of the affection everyone was showing him, but he hoped to get away for some time alone with Orla. Hera signaled to them to go ahead and leave, for her and Kanan would watch the children.

"Whew!" Zeb gasped as he held Orla's hand walking along the stream, "That was getting to be a bit much!"

"I agree," Orla answered clutching his hand tighter.

They walked farther from the village not saying anything, just enjoying the quiet of the forest and the feel of each other's touch. When it became darker, signaling nighttime was nearly upon them, they stopped and sat leaning against a wroshyr tree.

"Garazeb, you look very handsome in your new armor," Orla said laying her head against his shoulder.

"I do?" he answered nuzzling his head to hers.

"Yes you do. I am so proud of you...my lover...and warrior."

"Thank you...Orla."

Orla lifted her head up from his shoulder and looked into his big green eyes.

"Kiss me...," she whispered and put her arms around his waist.

Zeb moved closer and gave her a lingering kiss feeling her reach down to loosen his pyrel cat pants to lower them. She thrust her body against his uttering seductive purrs getting him aroused.

"Orla...," he moaned pulling her on top of him, kissing her harder. As the wistiants appeared in the darkening skies, the newly ordained Wookiee leader mated with his lover. All was fine with Kashyyyk and the couple moving as one...