Author's Note:

Thanks to Just A Reviewer, Mirkwood Warrior, Certh, DORK DOG, LadyLindariel, WoodElfJedi, Raider-K, Elleth of Mossflower, Teapot of Transformation, Jesus' girl 4ever, BrightPath2, horseyyay, Smileyxs Ice-Cream Sprinkles, Silver Ink Pen, ShatteredIce18 for their reviews.

Special thanks to all the members of the forum, for their neverending support and help.


Chapter 1

The Force coated his senses, sharpening it. The air around him was cold, but not so much that he was uncomfortable. The lights were off, except the sharp red emergency lights that came on when the systems were down. He smiled grimly. Good. It will make the hunt interesting. And if he was able to kill someone as an act of defence, all the better.

He sensed a presence behind him before he heard the light clank of a blaster leaving its holder. Thranduil turned, pulling out his lightsaber. Its green light mingled with red light, and he caught sight of the pirate.

"Welcome to Arda system," Thranduil said dryly. Then he scowled. "You have something I want."

The pirate sneered and shot his blaster. Thranduil deflected each shot easily, the walls now decorated with scorched black holes. Thranduil raised one hand and used the Force to push the pirate back. He crashed into the wall behind him so hard he was dazed. Thranduil went to the door, kicking the pirate's head in his path to make sure he was out completely. He studied the humanoid for a minute. He was from planet Weequay, judging from his leathery and wrinkled skin. For his entire wish to make the pirate suffer for his crime, Thranduil detested going against the rules of the Jedi Order. He hit the button with the palm of his free hand.

When the door opened with a hiss and he found two more pirates waiting for him. One was obviously from Umbar, a piece of land situated in the planet Gondor and was well known for piracy. He was dark-skinned, tattooed and a scar on his upper lip that pulled it back in a permanent snarl. The other also belonged to Weequay.

Thranduil deflected the shots, two of which returned and hit the man in the leg and chest. He crumpled to the floor with a groan. Thranduil sprinted to the other, whirling his lightsaber and cutting his blaster in two before Force-pushing him against a wall. The pirate hit the back of his head and groaned. Thranduil's booted feet barely made a whisper on the ground as he approached and knelt in front of him.

"Where are they?" Thranduil asked. His voice was quiet and deadly. The pirate stared at him through half-lidded eyes. "You have ten seconds to tell me where they are."

"Or what, Jedi? You can't kill me. It goes against your soft-hearted rules."

"The Jedi Order isn't here to judge me." Thranduil said coolly. "I would imagine it would be difficult to go pirating if I happen to cut off one of your hands." The pirate showed no emotion.

"Or I could give you up to your pirate king." Thranduil said with a small humourless smile. "You are not wearing the colours of your planet. That must mean you are exiled. Taking away bounty that should actually go to pirate king is a crime in your planet, isn't it?"

Fear flickered in the pirate's eyes.

"We took fifteen. Three are dead,"

Thranduil's face darkened as he heard this.

"I-I swear, it wasn't me! It was him!" The pirate gestured wildly at the unconscious man. There was a slowly growing pool of blood around him. "Turn left from here. You will find them. One-one of them is in his room." He gestured again at the man. "Turn right. First door."

Thranduil looked into his eyes directly, and passed a hand over the pirate's face.

"Sleep," he said, letting the Force seep into his voice. The pirate's eyes widened before closing. He sagged against the wall.

Thranduil rose and went left first to the only door present at the end of the corridor. It was a storage unit, also lit in red lights. His heart clenched in pity at the sight of numerous cages and the young Ellyth trapped within them. The cages were low, and so small that they were curled inside. Thranduil used his lightsaber to free them from their cages. They were trembling from their ordeal but otherwise were mercifully unharmed. He led them quickly down at the hanger where the first pirate was still unconscious. Once he was sure they boarded his own ship, Thranduil went in search of the last prisoner in the personal quarters.

As soon as he opened the door, he was met with a metallic odour of blood. Thranduil wrinkled his nose and entered. Cold fury washed over him when he found the Elleth curled on the bed. She was unclothed, without even a blanket to ward off the cold. The bloody lashes stood out in the red light. Her shoulders shook and Thranduil's Force heightened senses told him she was sobbing quietly. He shrugged off his outer robe and placed it over her. The result was instantaneous. The Elleth crawled to a corner, sobbing and pleading in broken words.

"I am a friend," Thranduil said in Sindarin. She went still and looked up. The sight of a friendly face, and also one not different from her own calmed her somewhat. "I am a Jedi. You are safe now. Let me help."

It took a little more of his consoling words to allow him to carry her off the ship. Once he placed her in the med bay and had the medical droid treat her, he returned and studied the three pirates.

It was odd how only three pirates managed to capture fifteen she-Elves. But he knew they had a lot of help through stun guns and smoke grenades. And such a large ship often gave the illusion there were more than just three. What interested him more was the lack of insignia on the ship or on their clothes. These pirates may seem to be vagabonds- or rogues that had no affiliation with a pirate organization but Thranduil knew better. The systemic attacks across the entire Arda system was too calculated and organized to be passed off as random. He needed to interrogate them. He bound them all and one by one boarded them on to his ship. He slashed the controls by using his lightsaber, further damaging the ship. Let it pass off for salvage, but this ship will never fly again.

Back on board, Thranduil loosened a breath and sighed. The adrenaline rush faded and a cool calm took its place. Some Jedi might find this short excitement too little for gratification, but Thranduil it was enough.

Once he was sure all the girls were taken care of, he went and reluctantly made sure that the pirates were not too severely injured. The man from Umbar was treated for his wounds but the medical droid announced he would make a full recovery.

"Good," Thranduil said grimly. He was bound by the Order not to inflict torture. But he hoped passing that man to Gondor will bring back some form of retribution. He watched the medical droid amble up to the injured Elleth before pressing the intercom button on a nearby panel.

"Pilot," Thranduil said. "Map a route to Rivendell."

"Yes, Master," the pilot's voice came back, sharp and crisp. "Right away."


Galadriel looked at herself in the mirror. She was dressed in a shimmering white dress. It flared at the hips and ended in a train behind her. Her hair was free and unadorned except for the silver circlet resting on her head. She smiled dryly at the deep neck of her dress. She wasn't the kind to enjoy such daring clothes but at times she indulged her handmaidens.

"Senator Galadriel, Captain Haldir is here to see you."

"Excellent," her voice was musical and calm. She strode out of the small dressing room and found her loyal captain standing in wait.

"We are reaching Coruscant in a matter of few minutes, my lady." Haldir said. He, too, was dressed in his best. His silver hair gleamed, the warrior braids in place. He wore standard grey uniform with the dark red cloak to state his station as a captain. Pity, since the red cloak did not complement his silver hair.

"I hope you are now at ease, captain." Galadriel teased lightly. "There is no threat to protect me from." But Haldir was not convinced.

"We haven't reached Coruscant yet, my lady."

Galadriel sighed and gestured at her handmaidens to stay behind. She walked alongside her captain towards the bridge where they would disembark.

"You worry too much. I assume my husband might have warned the consequences of your failure to protect me but I am sure Coruscant will be safe, given the numbers of politicians that are present."

"None of those politicians have our problems, my lady. I am not one for politics and my concern only lie in the orders that I am given. But I know enough. I will not let harm come to you, my lady, not only because of Lord Celeborn, but for the mere reason that our people should be entitled to the same protection as the Republic offers all else."

"I am sure the Senate will not allow anything to happen to me, Haldir. They would not risk this talk."

"I am not so sure."

"You are mistrustful."

"I am merely cautious."

"Nevertheless, for an alliance to work, both sides must extend hands. And in this case, it should be us first."

Galadriel spoke with such finality that there was no room for Haldir to argue. So the captain only looked at the lady and held his tongue.

Their ship landed on a landing pad. Galadriel's handmaidens assembled behind her. Haldir's form was tense but Galadriel knew no amount of consolations would cease his worry until he escorted her back to Lórien.

They descended off the bridge, and Galadriel raised her eyes to see a small group of three reaching their ship, no doubt to greet her. Suddenly her senses pricked. She looked up and saw a slim carrier making its way towards their ship. Strange, there was no traffic allowed about the landing pads reserved only for dignitaries.

"Haldir..."

The warning in her voice was enough. Haldir barrelled into her, knocking her off her feet. Haldir's heavy body shielded her as the ship exploded with a loud blast. Screams echoed in the air, accompanied with the ringing in her ears. Haldir was saying something but she could not register it. The ringing ceased gradually and Haldir's weight lifted from her. She was pulled up by the elbow. Galadriel looked about her.

The ship was in pieces, and bodies scattered the landing pad. The accompanying fighter planes were blown off the landing pad from the blast. She caught sight of two bodies of her guards hanging off the landing pad. Her handmaidens' bodies scattered over the floor. Blood was beginning to pool. Galadriel took a step towards them with trembling hands but Haldir pulled her back.

"We have to go." Haldir's voice was rough.

"My handmaidens!"

"My lady, it is your protection all of us had sworn to!" Haldir said. "Come!" Haldir clutched her by her arms and dragged her away from the ruins.


A few hours later, Galadriel sat in Chancellor Palpatine's office. She wore a dark red dress, her hair bound tightly around strings of black pearls. The Chancellor supplied her with new servants to serve her temporarily and guards from his personal security. That did nothing to console her.

Chancellor Palpatine sat behind his desk. It was long, wide, with a polished surface. Its size alone made Palpatine seem unreachable, irreproachable. The man sat behind him like someone who not only was comfortable in power, but also enjoyed it. He was thin man, but sprightly for someone his age. His hair was greying, and there were wrinkles on his brow and corners of his eyes. Master Yoda and Master Windu both sat on either side of the Chancellor. All three held respectable silence in her company, while Galadriel clasped her hands on her lap and fought to control her emotions.

"How could this have happened?" She finally asked. Her voice was devoid of any warmth. She sounded cold even to her ears but she held on to her anger with a mere thread. Sunlight streamed into the room, warming her skin.

"I apologise for the incidence, Senator-"

"Apologies will not bring back the lives of my escort." Galadriel said sharply. "Nor will it sooth my anger. Your representatives assured me I will be given proper security."

"The landing pads are not always secure," The Chancellor tried to reason. Galadriel gave a scoff and looked away into the window behind the Chancellor's desk in an image of an offended dignitary.

"It would seem that the lack of security of your landing pads makes only one thing certain, Chancellor, that the Senate does not take our arrival and coming dialogue seriously."

"My lady, I assure you that is not so."

"The deaths of my staff say otherwise!" Galadriel said. "Of the thirty Elves who accompanied me today, only one is uninjured aside from myself, and three more are barely living in the hospital."

"Upset, the Senator is. And rightfully so." Yoda said. "Grave is this matter." Palpatine nodded slowly.

"I understand that, Master Yoda. I would like to suggest a suitable guard to you." Palpatine said. "Perhaps you might consider the company of a Jedi for protection."

"I will consider no such proposal!"

"My lady, it will be for the best." Mace tried to reason but Galadriel turned her attention to him. Her cold grey eyes were difficult to match. Galadriel did not let her eyes falter. The Jedi met her eyes with a wavering glance of his own but he did not look away. Finally she shifted in her chair and looked at Yoda.

"And what are Master Yoda's thoughts to all this?" Galadriel asked. Yoda opened his eyes but did not look at her.

"Serious, is this attack. Listen to counsel, you must." Galadriel sighed at his words.

"I will consider this proposal." Galadriel said. Then she paused and added, "In fact, I would welcome it, if you deem it best."

"My lady, your safety is a deep concern for us," Palpatine looked directly in her eyes, "for me."

Galadriel likened that man for a snake.

"I thank you." It was difficult for her to say those words with as much warmth as he did.

"We will send you a suitable Jedi," Mace Windu said. The man was only in his thirties, but Galadriel had to admit, he held himself well. "You need not fear; we will choose the very best and the ones we trust ourselves."

Galadriel stared at each one of them before shifting her sash away and standing up in a proud stance.

"I am not afraid." Galadriel said. She tilted her head. "My enemies should have been afraid had I been killed."

Galadriel left the room in a brisk, confident walk. Haldir easily matched her pace but stayed behind her. Her hands were balled into fists, her fingernails digging deep into her palms. The dark red sash about her waist whipped side to side and she pulled it forward impatiently. She finally reached her room.

"Leave me," she commanded the servants. They murmured assent and left. Only Haldir remained. Galadriel sat down on a lofty couch. She leaned forward and rested her head in both of her hands. She did not allow the grief of her lost company overwhelm her even though it threatened to. Haldir did not say anything, but remained behind her like a silent protective pillar. Her common senses told not to grieve since her handmaidens and guards would want her to continue her cause. For a moment she wondered if the cause was worthy enough to risk more lives before she curtly nipped the thought in the bud. Of course it was worthy. Arda system needed this allegiance. As much as it could its own in the dangers of Outer Rim, it needed reinforcements.

"Senator Bail Organa is here to see you, my lady." Galadriel raised her brows in surprise.

"Send him in." She said. The aide nodded and left. Galadriel rose from her seat as the man entered the room. He was dressed in deep purple robes that only added to his elegant stride. The man was young, and new to politics, but already he was well-loved and with many allies.

"Senator," Galadriel greeted the man with a warm smile. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

"I heard about the attempt on your life. I needed to make sure with my own eyes that you were safe." She raised her hands which he clasped in his own. There was bare honesty in his dark eyes.

"I am well, thanks to my loyal captain," Galadriel looked over her shoulder at Haldir, who bowed his head towards the man. "I am beginning to be in great debt of him."

"I was only doing my duty, my lady." Haldir murmured.

"I only wish we had many men like you in the galaxy, Captain Haldir."

"You honour me." Haldir only said. Organa smiled and turned his attention to Galadriel, who ushered him to a seat.

"So how are things at the Senate?" Galadriel asked.

"As well as they can be under the circumstances. The incident of Naboo and the consequent blockade and war brought tension into the Senate."

"And my arrival did nothing to worsen it?"

"It would seem they were not expecting you to arrive."

"I see." Her two words came out cold and clipped. Organa passed her an apologetic look.

"Do not blame them. Any system that newly joins the Senate is often underestimated."

Galadriel only give a bitter laugh and said nothing. This was starting to become a headache.

"Have you not been offered additional guard?" Organa said.

"No, I haven't. At least not yet."

"That is unacceptable." He said firmly. The young man stood up. "I will speak to Chancellor Palpatine immediately. You must be offered Jedi as guards."

"Oh, you mean Jedi. Yes. I have been offered them. And I was advised to accept."

"And the Jedi did not arrive yet?"

"It has barely been half an hour since I left the Chancellor."

"Ah, I see. Well, then. I am sure there will be a Jedi knocking your door within the hour. As for the talks," Organa rose and pressed his lips against her hand. "Do not worry. I have many allies in my favour and I am sure I can move them to sympathise your position." With that, the young man looked up at her face and winked.

At the sight of Bail Organa's warm smile, Galadriel could not help but smile in return. There was something so plainly sincere about the man. It was as if he wore his emotions bare. And yet there was steel inside him that made him firm and capable of politics. She hoped he remained the same in this dirty game of politics. He bowed and took his leave. When he left, Galadriel's heart was somewhat lighter.

"What do you think of Senator Organa, Haldir?"

"He seems to be a man willing to work for the greater good, and brave enough to take the risk, my lady."

"Yes," Galadriel said softly. "It would seem those are my very thoughts." Then she stirred and turned to a nearby servant. "I need to speak to Jedi Knight Thranduil."

"I will see to it immediately."


Author's Note:

And there we have the first chapter. :) Do leave a review.

Help List:

-Coruscant is a planet where the Senate as well as the Jedi Order resides.

-Weequay is a planet well known for piracy.

Replies to Anon:

Just A Reviewer: Shire? Tsk, tsk, that would be telling, my dear friend. :D Yes, Mace is definitely an important Jedi. Don't worry though. I won't lose you guys in the description. :D