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Chapter Twenty-One: Unity
Musical instruments blared joyously as a gentle breeze rustled through great banners and thick vines. The gray and white stones lining the interior of Yavin's throne room shone dazzlingly in the warm sunlight that streamed onto them and reflected merrily off the gold tips of the Yavin roses which crept along the walls. Hundreds of noble and common people filled the great room, each person in their respected group. Commoners, which consisted of bounty hunters, smugglers, pilots, soldiers, and a whole array of different people, sat on the left side of the room while queens, Jedi masters, chancellors, and other noblemen sat on the right side. Everyone was speaking quietly to each other, excited, yet dignified and orderly.
A great hush fell over the immense crowd as a man in a black suit, the edges lined in intricate gold trimming, stepped onto the stage before them. With a single gesture of his hands, the chancellor of Yavin brought the audience to their feet and then stepped aside so that Nicholas could be clearly seen by all. He was nervous, all could tell, but he glanced throughout the crowd, nodding respectfully at friends such as Mike Solo, Blake Antilles, Queen Jamilia, and others. His eyes came to rest on Obi Wan Kenobi, who stood respectfully in his appointed place next to Yoda in the front row on the right side. He continued to keep his eyes on his dear friend, even as Chancellor Arin announced his name, "Captain Nicholas Jade," to the audience. A few seconds later, however, all thoughts of Obi Wan were forgotten as, "her majesty, Queen Crystal of Yavin," was announced.
Nicholas hardly noticed as the whole audience turned to face the entranceway to the throne room. A sense of complete peace and pride flowed over him as he caught sight of the queen, in all of her beauty, beginning to walk slowly towards him as two young Jedi padawan walked before her, uncertainly sprinkling gold-tipped, lavender rose petals on the deep red carpet. Crystal's beautiful gold crown, necklace, and earrings sparkled brilliantly in the sun as she walked, ever so gracefully, towards Nicholas. Her dress was long and white and was the most beautiful dress anyone in the audience had ever seen. Her hair was down; parts of it braided, and intermingled in the braids were the roses of Yavin.
Nicholas couldn't breathe as Crystal came to a stop before him. She held out her hands to him and he took them without looking at them. His eyes gazed only into hers, and hers only into his. They repeated their vows, speaking them after the preacher did, and great was the silence in the immense room when the queen of Yavin and Vanisher from Tatooine were pronounced husband and wife.
Great thrill rippled through Crystal as Nicholas took a step closer to her, his eyes never leaving hers, a glorious smile of accomplishment and joy on his face as he moved it closer to hers. Her heart pounded with anticipation as he brought his lips close to hers and then whispered, ever so gently, "I make this commitment to you, Crystal, and will ever keep it." Crystal closed her eyes, overcome by love and happiness, and tears streamed down her cheeks as the great Undefeatable Jedi touched her lips with his own.
"We did it!" she cried, throwing her arms around him in an embrace as he pulled away from her and the witnesses began to cheer exuberantly. "The first Jedi to ever be married. We didn't think we could do it, but we did! Oh Nicholas, I am so happy!"
"One last duty have we to perform, Captain Nicholas, Queen Crystal," Chancellor Arin said quietly to them, the audience once more becoming silent.
Nicholas never took his eyes off Crystal's face as she turned to the side and picked up an article that was held in the chancellor's hands.
"Captain Nicholas Jade of Tatooine, please kneel," she said aloud, tears still streaming down her cheeks as Nicholas obeyed. "Friends, you now witness before you," Crystal said, taking the gold band in her hand and placing it gently on Nicholas' head, "King Nicholas of Yavin!"
Cheers rose high into the air as Nicholas stood up, took one of Crystal's hands in his, and then held his and her hand up in the air exuberantly. Bells tolled in the great towns surrounding the palace, and children raced about the streets shouting and laughing.
"Let me be the first to congratulate you," Obi Wan said, walking to Crystal and Nicholas and reaching out to hug them both. They eagerly returned his embrace, and the three stood together silently for several seconds, reveling in the warmth of the hug. "I am so, so proud of you both," Obi Wan said, pulling away from them with a great smile on his face. "What a day in history this is for us all."
"Strong in the force you must stay," Yoda said, approaching them and gazing up at the three with wide, expressive eyes.
"Of course sir," Nicholas nodded, the sun illuminating brilliantly off his golden crown.
"If ever we are needed again in the galaxy, we shall be there, together," Crystal smiled, linking her arm through her husband's.
"Excuse us," a very soft voice said quietly from Nicholas' side.
Nicholas turned his head to see Owen and Beru Lars standing next to him, smiling warmly up at him.
"We thought that you might wish to see Luke," Owen said gently, gesturing to a small boy who stood next to him, his hand in the older man's.
"Luke," Crystal whispered, letting go of Nicholas' hand and kneeling down to look at the sandy-haired child. "It is so wonderful to see him again. He has grown so much."
"He has just started walking," Beru smiled, watching as Nicholas picked the boy up.
"He looks just like his father," Nicholas said quietly, gazing into Luke's blue, beautiful eyes.
"Let us hope, when he becomes older, that he will not appear to look too much like him," Owen stated.
"Of course."
"Congratulations on your marriage," Beru said gently.
"Thank you very much. Thank you both for coming and for bringing Luke with you. It is so good to see all of you," Nicholas said, handing Luke back to Owen.
"You are welcome to visit him anytime," Owen commented, and then he and Beru left, carrying Luke with them.
"Such precious children," Crystal said quietly, wrapping her arm through Nicholas'.
"Yes. Senator Organa brought Leia here as well. We shall see them at the reception in a couple of hours," Nicholas nodded.
The grand reception that afternoon was the greatest that Yavin had ever experienced. Rows and rows of tables full of food filled the inner courtyard of the palace. Crystal and Nicholas were served their food first, and then followed great entertainment from many famous entertainers from many different planets.
All in all, the events of the day tired the new couple, and while they enjoyed seeing their comrades and the Skywalker twins, it was with great relief that they arrived at the country home later that evening.
After getting dressed in more comfortable clothes, Nicholas stepped out of his room and onto the balcony where Crystal stood, gazing at the great waterfalls ahead. She wore a brown robe over her light green nightgown, and her long hair was still in the braids from the wedding ceremony. She didn't turn to face Nicholas as he approached her, but a small smile appeared on her face, and she closed her eyes happily when he put his arm around her and drew her closer to him.
"Today was the happiest day of my life," Nicholas said quietly, gazing at the waterfalls with her.
"How shall you ever manage, being a great king with men and women waiting on you all day and night?" Crystal smiled up at him.
"I shall manage by knowing that I have the most beautiful queen in the entire galaxy," Nicholas smiled in return.
"This is a dream come true. I am so happy, and the day was simply marvelous," Crystal said wistfully.
"It was very nice to see Luke and Leia," Nicholas added, reading her thoughts.
"Yes," Crystal said quietly, her voice lowering noticeably.
"All will be well eventually, Crystal."
"I just wish Anakin had come back to us. He has given up hope on himself," Crystal said sadly.
Nicholas didn't reply, but kissed her forehead and held her tightly.
"I shouldn't be concerned with the rest of the galaxy right now," Crystal said a few minutes later, wrapping her arms around Nicholas. "The galaxy can be left alone for a short while."
"Yes, and now that we are together, we can overcome any obstacles that may happen in the near future. Don't worry, Crystal. Everything will be all right."
"I know," Crystal said, laying her head against his chest and gazing up at the stars. "I know."