Reflection Saga:
Part 11
*****
Yaddle opened her eyes, with no pain at all, now that the blood had been removed from her eyelids. Gazing around the infirmary, she watched all the other prisoners sleeping. Looking out of the window, she guessed it was morning from the darkness. It had been evening when she had been drugged by Three-ninebee.
Hearing a small but sharp snort, she jumped out of reflex. Looking to her right, she relaxed. It was Yaro, face-down on the desk, snoring like a little child. She smiled. That was mostly why she loved him so much; he was just so childish, juvenile, and immature that it was appealing. The twinkle in his eye, the twinkle that was so full of intensity, joy, and mischief, was captivating. And the fact that that twinkle shined for her gave her cold chills.
Yaro snorted again and she almost laughed. He was so charming...in an annoying, irritating kind of way. Reaching out, she tapped him lightly on his head. "Yaro? Are you awake, Yaro?"
Grunting, Yaro jerked awake, looking sleepily over at Yaddle. "What? Oh, Yaddle, you woke up!"
"I didn't, really; it was your snoring that did that."
"Oh," he said, blushing with embarrassment. "Sorry." He pulled his face off of the desk and sat up. "How are you feeling, Yaddle?"
She looked herself over; her entire chest was bandaged and her head was shaved so they could dress and stitch it. The bandages itched horribly, and she couldn't do a thing about it.
Over all, she felt rather horrible.
"I feel perfectly fine," She fibbed.
He laughed, unbelieving. "You, my love, are a HORRIBLE liar! You're in pain, aren't you?"
"Alright! You are right; I feel awful. These bandages and stitches itch, I've been drugged, and my wounds burn unpleasantly." She sighed. "But I can't complain; I could be in a much, much more worse situation." Yaddle looked back up at Yaro, smiling. "You're my knight in shining armor, you know."
Yaro smirked mischievously. "Not me! I'm no hero," He said, laughing lightly. "I just came for you, to be truthful." He looked around the room, at the rest of the refugees resting in their beds. "Didn't expect to find my father, my baby, and a ship full of prisoners!"
Yaddle nodded in agreement. "Yes, but it was a plus, I think. It is the will of the Force, after all." She took his hand in both of hers, squeezing it affectionately. "I am very glad you found your father again. After spending a year with him, I have come to know him as a very honorable and high-quality Jedi. You are a lot like him, in more ways than you think, Yaro."
Smiling, Yaro squeezed back. "I missed you. More than you'll ever know." Suddenly, Yaddle felt a great weakness rise up in his voice, his body, and his very soul. It frightened her a little; she always knew him to be so stubborn and intense that it made him successful in everything he did. "I almost lost you, you and Yosho and Yiara, all of you." His grip trembled, and Yaddle had the distinct feeling that this could be the first time he had admitted this to anyone in over a year, if not the entire time they had known each other. His eyes began to glisten, and Yaddle wondered if he was reliving her kidnapping and the entire year of searching afterwards all over again.
She tried to reassure him, though she felt on the edge of breaking down herself. "But you didn't, Yaro. We're here, and it's because you did not give up!" She patted his hand like a parent would to comfort a distressed child.
Yaro's eyes lit up, like coming out of a trance, and he said, "Yeah, you're right. We're all here, and that's all that matters, right?" Standing up, but still holding Yaddle's hand, he said, "I should let you rest more; I'm keeping you from healing."
"Don't leave!" She said urgently, a hint of desperation in her voice. He quickly rushed back, taking her hands back in his. "Don't leave," she repeated. "Just stay here, and hold me."
"I won't leave then," he whispered as he sat on the bed, leaning on the wall to let Yaddle rest her head on his chest. "I'm never leaving you again...I promise." Yaddle grinned softly, letting herself fall into his presence, feeling his belly rise and fall with each breath, listened to his soft breathing and whispers of things to come. A place of warmth it was.
*****
Later that day, Yaro stood in front of the Jedi Council. Yaddle was still in the recovery room, Yiara with her. Yosho, Mace, Rentha, and Fulageo were somewhere out on the veranda of the Temple. The refugees were at the Senate building, trying to find families, friends, and homes.
Yaro had requested to speak to the Jedi Council that morning, to ask them if he could train Mace Windu. He stood in front of them, remembering when he had first stood in front of them when he had been nothing more than a worthless street thief, wanting to reclaim his identity and survive one day to perhaps die the next.
Most of the faces weren't the ones who had decided on his fate, but Hismonia and Yoda remained. He took great relief in knowing they were there.
"We have heard of your heroics, Yaro," Hismonia said quietly. She was getting old, and would probably retire from the Council in a few years. "You have proven yourself to be very brave...but there are several matters that cannot be ignored."
Yaro swallowed, knowing what was coming next. He had been dreading this since he had gotten back. His past actions were coming back to haunt him; his affair with Yaddle, had a child, and illegally left Coruscant.
There was no way he was going to get out of this one.
"Is it true you had a physical relationship with Jedi Knight Yaddle?" Hismonia asked, her voice hard and stern.
"Yes, it is true, Master," Yaro said. To his amazement, his voice was full of pride, not a hint of shame in his tone.
"And it is also true that the two of you conceived a child?"
"That is also true, Master." Nope. No dishonor there either.
"And, finally, did you leave Coruscant when you had been ordered not to, under any circumstances?" She finished.
Yaro flinched at this; he knew that this crime could get the Playtoy confiscated. Inwardly, he snarled. Over my dead and rotting body. "Yes, Master. I did."
Hismonia sighed heavily; she had almost wished that it hadn't been true. "Where is your child..."
"Yiara."
"Yiara. Where is she now?"
"In the medical room. With her mother."
Understanding, Hismonia leaned back into her chair. "I see." She looked towards the door, out to the veranda where Mace and Yosho were talking. "I have heard that you found not only your father, but an apprentice?"
Yaro straightened up; this was what he had called this meeting for. "Yes, his name is Mace Windu. Although he was trained by Sidious, he is pure, innocent. He is very powerful in the Force, though inexperienced and in need of a teacher." He inhaled, preparing himself. "He is older than most, but I think he should be trained."
Yoda closed his eyes in deep thought for a moment, then popped them back open. "How old is this Mace?"
"About six or seven, I believe, Master."
Yoda frowned. "Old...but powerful. Incredibly strong in the Force is he."
Yaro's ears perked up, eager and hopeful. "So will he be trained?"
Yoda and Hismonia looked at each other and all other eyes looked at them. Turning back to Yaro, Hismonia said, "We tested him earlier, and he did incredibly well for someone not trained in the ways of the Jedi." She paused, then turned to Yoda.
Yoda looked down at the floor, in deep thought, putting all of his utmost attention on the problem. Yaro fought the urge to fidget; it would have been a lie if he had said that he wasn't nervous, for both him and Mace alike.
Yoda finally tore his gaze from the floor and said softly, "A Padawan, he will become...but not yours."
Hismonia nodded, accepting Yoda's decision. Looking down the Yaro, she said, "You, along with Mace, Yaddle, Yosho, and your child, will meet with us again, later today. We will continue this discussion then. May the Force be with you."
Yaro bowed respectfully and walked out of the room, then ran over to his friends to tell them the good news.
*****
Yaddle sat upright on her bed, positioning herself and Yiara more comfortably. They were alone in the medical room, and Yiara had decided it was dinner time. Yiara moaned in disagreement with the movement, kicking out of reflex. But it was a powerful kick, for a babe who was barely even the height of a Human's ankle. Yaddle chuckled, taking the small foot in her hand and tickling the bottom of it with her fingers.
Yiara shrieked happily and loudly and Yaddle laughed. "My! You are certainly loud for such a tiny child, my youngling." Yiara didn't give a second thought to her mother's words, deciding to concentrate on her supper instead. Yaddle chuckled softly, stroking the misplaced reddish-brown hairs on her child's head.
There was a knock on the door. Before Yaddle could cover herself up, Yaro had walked in. "Oh, it's just you, Yaro," she breathed.
Yaro made a mock act of hurt and offense. "'Just me'? Yaddle, I'm crushed!"
Yaddle only laughed again. "Oh, you'll live! So, how was your meeting with the Council?"
His face showing not just one, but a variety of expressions, like he couldn't decide on just one, Yaro walked over the bed and sat down on the edge. "Mace will be trained-" "That's wonderful! He will be a great Padawan, I am sure."
"-but not by me. Someone else is going to train him."
"Oh." Seeing something on Yaro's face, something being held back and caged, Yaddle pressed on, becoming confused. "Is there more, Yaro?" She watched his face curiously. A look of worry and dread came over it, and she felt it pulse strongly in his presence.
Yaro sighed. "I'm in ALOT of trouble, Yaddle." He held up his hands and ticked off his crimes one by one. "Our affair, having a child, disobeying the Council, and left Coruscant against my orders." He let his hands droop and his face followed it. "Yaddle...I could quite possibly be expelled from the Jedi Order. They seem fairly upset, and I do not blame them in the slightest bit. You know as well as I do that the Code forbids marriage between Jedi."
Yaddle sighed in frustration. "Yes, yes, I know." She grunted in anger and confusion, shoving herself backwards into her pillow. Yaro laughed at her aggravated antics and sat down by her side, stroking her arm with a finger. The action, though small, was very comforting.
"Don't worry, Yaddle," he murmured. "Everything will come out all right. You'll see." He rubbed her arms lovingly and gently, making her feel very comfortable and drowsy. She looked down at Yiara, seeing her napping once again. Her toes clutched at thin air, wriggling in her sleep. Yaro chortled and slid his finger into her palm. Reflexively, Yiara's tiny fingers clasped it tightly. "She's tough," Yaro said quietly, so he wouldn't disturb her.
"Well, she is your daughter, after all."
Yaro smiled lopsidedly, as usual. "Actually, I think she gets it from you, Yaddle." He looked over at a clock, checking the time. "It's almost time for us to meet with the Council."
Yaddle sat up, pulling her sheets with her. "All right. Just give me a moment, and I will meet you outside."
Yaro nodded and walked outside to wait. Yaddle reached up and pulled off her scarf, wrapping it around Yiara's tiny body. The baby moaned in her sleep, waving her short arms irritably. Yaddle comforted her, both with thoughts and whispers, and said, "Time for us to decide our future, little one."
*****
Mace stood outside of the Jedi Council room with Yosho, waiting for Yaro and Yaddle to come. Despite himself, he fidgeted with anxiety and impatience.
Yosho, noticing the Padawan's nervousness, put his small hand on Mace's shoulder and said, "You need to learn to control your emotions, and your patience, Padawan Windu."
Blushing as red as Darellian fire crab, Mace stopped squirming and said, "Yes, Master Yosho."
Now it was Yosho's turn to blush. "I am no longer a Jedi Master." Mace could feel a bit of embarrassment, or possibly shame, leaking out from the old man's inward defenses.
"How come?"
Yosho looked at him sadly. "Because I chose to leave, to live with Yaro's mother. Jedi are not allowed to marry or have any attachments."
Mace snickered. "But that doesn't make sense! Where do the little Jedi come from, then?"
Yosho's face was overcome with surprise and shock, then was absorbed by a curious, crooked smile. "You know, I have never thought of it like that!" Both Master and Padawan laughed together. But the uneasy silence returned in minutes, and with it came Mace's worries. "Sir?"
"Yosho. Just Yosho, Padawan."
"Oh, okay. Yosho?"
"Yes?"
"If Jedi can't love...why do Yaddle and Yaro love each other? Isn't that breaking the rules?"
Yosho frowned heavily, making himself a mirror image of Yoda. "Yes, it is. And they are in trouble with the Council because of it." His frown increased. "They could quite possibly be expelled from the Jedi Order because of it."
"That's not good," Mace blurted out before he could stop it. But Yosho only smiled and said, "Yes, it is." The scowl returned to Yosho's face. "But I do not agree with the Council with their decision."
"Why?"
"Because nothing happens by chance; everything happens by the will of the Force." Mace nodded. He had already heard this from Yaro, but he didn't mind hearing the advice again. "And I am SURE it was the will of the Force for these two to fall in love. But they never think outside the Code, and that, I believe, is their ultimate weakness."
Mace was a little taken aback. From what he had been told, most Jedi considered the Masters to be the best Jedi Knights there were. "How, Yosho?"
"They refuse to think outside the Code, to try new things, think new ideas." Yosho sighed, and he suddenly appeared much, much older to Mace. "They see the lust between Yaro and Yaddle and realize how much they love each other, but because it is against the rules they will not allow it." He closed his eyes and leaned against the wall, saying no more.
Mace did likewise, pondering on what he had just heard. He did think it was unfair that Yaddle and Yaro could be expelled from the Jedi Order, but rules were there for a reason, weren't they? His head began to ache with confusion. He hoped he would never have to deal with these kinds of problems, like the Jedi Council did.
He felt three familiar presences approach and opened his eyes. Sure enough, it was Yaddle, Yaro, and Yiara. Yosho, too, opened his eyes and straightened his posture. "Where have you two been, eh?"
"Around and about. A lot of the Padawans and Jedi wanted to speak with us and see Yiara," Yaro said. He laughed. "Yiara's got quite a fan club going for her!"
Mace walked over and tickled Yiara's ribs. "That's cause she's the cutest Jedi in the entire Temple, right Yiara?" Yiara yelled gleefully at Mace, trying to squirm out of Mace's reach. Mace giggled and only prodded further, receiving louder shrieks.
Yaro laughed, but then stopped. He became much more serious, his posture stiffening, his facial expression turning stern. "We need to meet with the Council now."
"Yes, Master Yaro." Mace flushed with pride, even though Yaro was not his mentor. He wished that he had been paired with Yaro; he didn't like the idea of training under a complete stranger.
He walked in the back of the group as the group walked into the chamber of the Jedi Council. All the Jedi Masters that had tested Mace sat there, all looking quite somber and focused. Mace wished he could sense what they were feeling, but their minds were completely shut off from him. But he was fairly sure that they could read his thoughts like an open book.
Mace bowed respectfully when the others did, just as Yaro had taught him. The Masters nodded at them, signaling for the meeting to begin. "Master Yaro, Master Yaddle? Step forward, please," Hismonia said.
The two Jedi did as they were instructed, stepping a few steps closer to the Master. Hismonia drew in air, then said, "You have both broken the Code of the Jedi. This cannot go without notice, nor without punishment. You do understand this?"
"Yes, Master," said Yaro and Yaddle together. Mace admired their courage and strength; he felt that if he had faced the same situation, he would have crumbled. But both Yaddle and Yaro stood strong, like stone pillars in a raging sea. He wondered if Yaro could teach him that...if Yaro was even allowed to remain a Jedi.
Hismonia leaned back in her orange-cushioned chair. For a minute, no one spoke. Breaking the eerie silence, Hismonia said, "May I see the child, Yiara?"
Yaddle glanced for a split second at Yaro, then walked forward and handed Yiara to Hismonia. Holding her like the babe was pure glass, the Twi'lek gazed down at the tiny child, who had just awoken from her nap. Suddenly realizing she was in unfamiliar arms, Yiara instinctively froze, staring nervously up into Hismonia's eyes.
Hismonia, giving up her charade of seriousness, chuckled softly and stroked Yiara's head, cooing, "Hello, youngling."
Evidently not caring for the words, Yiara scowled and wriggled under Hismonia's fingers, grasping one with her entire hand. She stopped, suddenly interested in whatever was in her grip. She pulled it closer, inspecting all sides of it, gurgling and squeaking all the while under her breath. Hismonia smiled, and said, "Beautiful. And very strong in the Force, as well." She gently pulled her finger out of Yiara's hand and held her out to Yaddle, who took her back. "Oh yes...very beautiful," Hismonia said quietly.
"Thank you, Master," Yaro said, apparently proud of his little daughter. Mace also felt his face flush with honor, knowing that he had (kind of) helped the little life come into this world.
Bringing his thoughts back to the present, he stared at the Council, who were no longer smiling. All had bleak expressions, and Mace suddenly realized what they were about to say.
Hismonia inhaled, bringing herself up as high as she could sitting. Her lekku twitched irritably. "Yaro, Yaddle...I despise to be the ones to say this, and wish I did not have to..." She paused, letting the tension float in the air. "You are both expelled from the Order of the Jedi."
*****
*****
Yaddle opened her eyes, with no pain at all, now that the blood had been removed from her eyelids. Gazing around the infirmary, she watched all the other prisoners sleeping. Looking out of the window, she guessed it was morning from the darkness. It had been evening when she had been drugged by Three-ninebee.
Hearing a small but sharp snort, she jumped out of reflex. Looking to her right, she relaxed. It was Yaro, face-down on the desk, snoring like a little child. She smiled. That was mostly why she loved him so much; he was just so childish, juvenile, and immature that it was appealing. The twinkle in his eye, the twinkle that was so full of intensity, joy, and mischief, was captivating. And the fact that that twinkle shined for her gave her cold chills.
Yaro snorted again and she almost laughed. He was so charming...in an annoying, irritating kind of way. Reaching out, she tapped him lightly on his head. "Yaro? Are you awake, Yaro?"
Grunting, Yaro jerked awake, looking sleepily over at Yaddle. "What? Oh, Yaddle, you woke up!"
"I didn't, really; it was your snoring that did that."
"Oh," he said, blushing with embarrassment. "Sorry." He pulled his face off of the desk and sat up. "How are you feeling, Yaddle?"
She looked herself over; her entire chest was bandaged and her head was shaved so they could dress and stitch it. The bandages itched horribly, and she couldn't do a thing about it.
Over all, she felt rather horrible.
"I feel perfectly fine," She fibbed.
He laughed, unbelieving. "You, my love, are a HORRIBLE liar! You're in pain, aren't you?"
"Alright! You are right; I feel awful. These bandages and stitches itch, I've been drugged, and my wounds burn unpleasantly." She sighed. "But I can't complain; I could be in a much, much more worse situation." Yaddle looked back up at Yaro, smiling. "You're my knight in shining armor, you know."
Yaro smirked mischievously. "Not me! I'm no hero," He said, laughing lightly. "I just came for you, to be truthful." He looked around the room, at the rest of the refugees resting in their beds. "Didn't expect to find my father, my baby, and a ship full of prisoners!"
Yaddle nodded in agreement. "Yes, but it was a plus, I think. It is the will of the Force, after all." She took his hand in both of hers, squeezing it affectionately. "I am very glad you found your father again. After spending a year with him, I have come to know him as a very honorable and high-quality Jedi. You are a lot like him, in more ways than you think, Yaro."
Smiling, Yaro squeezed back. "I missed you. More than you'll ever know." Suddenly, Yaddle felt a great weakness rise up in his voice, his body, and his very soul. It frightened her a little; she always knew him to be so stubborn and intense that it made him successful in everything he did. "I almost lost you, you and Yosho and Yiara, all of you." His grip trembled, and Yaddle had the distinct feeling that this could be the first time he had admitted this to anyone in over a year, if not the entire time they had known each other. His eyes began to glisten, and Yaddle wondered if he was reliving her kidnapping and the entire year of searching afterwards all over again.
She tried to reassure him, though she felt on the edge of breaking down herself. "But you didn't, Yaro. We're here, and it's because you did not give up!" She patted his hand like a parent would to comfort a distressed child.
Yaro's eyes lit up, like coming out of a trance, and he said, "Yeah, you're right. We're all here, and that's all that matters, right?" Standing up, but still holding Yaddle's hand, he said, "I should let you rest more; I'm keeping you from healing."
"Don't leave!" She said urgently, a hint of desperation in her voice. He quickly rushed back, taking her hands back in his. "Don't leave," she repeated. "Just stay here, and hold me."
"I won't leave then," he whispered as he sat on the bed, leaning on the wall to let Yaddle rest her head on his chest. "I'm never leaving you again...I promise." Yaddle grinned softly, letting herself fall into his presence, feeling his belly rise and fall with each breath, listened to his soft breathing and whispers of things to come. A place of warmth it was.
*****
Later that day, Yaro stood in front of the Jedi Council. Yaddle was still in the recovery room, Yiara with her. Yosho, Mace, Rentha, and Fulageo were somewhere out on the veranda of the Temple. The refugees were at the Senate building, trying to find families, friends, and homes.
Yaro had requested to speak to the Jedi Council that morning, to ask them if he could train Mace Windu. He stood in front of them, remembering when he had first stood in front of them when he had been nothing more than a worthless street thief, wanting to reclaim his identity and survive one day to perhaps die the next.
Most of the faces weren't the ones who had decided on his fate, but Hismonia and Yoda remained. He took great relief in knowing they were there.
"We have heard of your heroics, Yaro," Hismonia said quietly. She was getting old, and would probably retire from the Council in a few years. "You have proven yourself to be very brave...but there are several matters that cannot be ignored."
Yaro swallowed, knowing what was coming next. He had been dreading this since he had gotten back. His past actions were coming back to haunt him; his affair with Yaddle, had a child, and illegally left Coruscant.
There was no way he was going to get out of this one.
"Is it true you had a physical relationship with Jedi Knight Yaddle?" Hismonia asked, her voice hard and stern.
"Yes, it is true, Master," Yaro said. To his amazement, his voice was full of pride, not a hint of shame in his tone.
"And it is also true that the two of you conceived a child?"
"That is also true, Master." Nope. No dishonor there either.
"And, finally, did you leave Coruscant when you had been ordered not to, under any circumstances?" She finished.
Yaro flinched at this; he knew that this crime could get the Playtoy confiscated. Inwardly, he snarled. Over my dead and rotting body. "Yes, Master. I did."
Hismonia sighed heavily; she had almost wished that it hadn't been true. "Where is your child..."
"Yiara."
"Yiara. Where is she now?"
"In the medical room. With her mother."
Understanding, Hismonia leaned back into her chair. "I see." She looked towards the door, out to the veranda where Mace and Yosho were talking. "I have heard that you found not only your father, but an apprentice?"
Yaro straightened up; this was what he had called this meeting for. "Yes, his name is Mace Windu. Although he was trained by Sidious, he is pure, innocent. He is very powerful in the Force, though inexperienced and in need of a teacher." He inhaled, preparing himself. "He is older than most, but I think he should be trained."
Yoda closed his eyes in deep thought for a moment, then popped them back open. "How old is this Mace?"
"About six or seven, I believe, Master."
Yoda frowned. "Old...but powerful. Incredibly strong in the Force is he."
Yaro's ears perked up, eager and hopeful. "So will he be trained?"
Yoda and Hismonia looked at each other and all other eyes looked at them. Turning back to Yaro, Hismonia said, "We tested him earlier, and he did incredibly well for someone not trained in the ways of the Jedi." She paused, then turned to Yoda.
Yoda looked down at the floor, in deep thought, putting all of his utmost attention on the problem. Yaro fought the urge to fidget; it would have been a lie if he had said that he wasn't nervous, for both him and Mace alike.
Yoda finally tore his gaze from the floor and said softly, "A Padawan, he will become...but not yours."
Hismonia nodded, accepting Yoda's decision. Looking down the Yaro, she said, "You, along with Mace, Yaddle, Yosho, and your child, will meet with us again, later today. We will continue this discussion then. May the Force be with you."
Yaro bowed respectfully and walked out of the room, then ran over to his friends to tell them the good news.
*****
Yaddle sat upright on her bed, positioning herself and Yiara more comfortably. They were alone in the medical room, and Yiara had decided it was dinner time. Yiara moaned in disagreement with the movement, kicking out of reflex. But it was a powerful kick, for a babe who was barely even the height of a Human's ankle. Yaddle chuckled, taking the small foot in her hand and tickling the bottom of it with her fingers.
Yiara shrieked happily and loudly and Yaddle laughed. "My! You are certainly loud for such a tiny child, my youngling." Yiara didn't give a second thought to her mother's words, deciding to concentrate on her supper instead. Yaddle chuckled softly, stroking the misplaced reddish-brown hairs on her child's head.
There was a knock on the door. Before Yaddle could cover herself up, Yaro had walked in. "Oh, it's just you, Yaro," she breathed.
Yaro made a mock act of hurt and offense. "'Just me'? Yaddle, I'm crushed!"
Yaddle only laughed again. "Oh, you'll live! So, how was your meeting with the Council?"
His face showing not just one, but a variety of expressions, like he couldn't decide on just one, Yaro walked over the bed and sat down on the edge. "Mace will be trained-" "That's wonderful! He will be a great Padawan, I am sure."
"-but not by me. Someone else is going to train him."
"Oh." Seeing something on Yaro's face, something being held back and caged, Yaddle pressed on, becoming confused. "Is there more, Yaro?" She watched his face curiously. A look of worry and dread came over it, and she felt it pulse strongly in his presence.
Yaro sighed. "I'm in ALOT of trouble, Yaddle." He held up his hands and ticked off his crimes one by one. "Our affair, having a child, disobeying the Council, and left Coruscant against my orders." He let his hands droop and his face followed it. "Yaddle...I could quite possibly be expelled from the Jedi Order. They seem fairly upset, and I do not blame them in the slightest bit. You know as well as I do that the Code forbids marriage between Jedi."
Yaddle sighed in frustration. "Yes, yes, I know." She grunted in anger and confusion, shoving herself backwards into her pillow. Yaro laughed at her aggravated antics and sat down by her side, stroking her arm with a finger. The action, though small, was very comforting.
"Don't worry, Yaddle," he murmured. "Everything will come out all right. You'll see." He rubbed her arms lovingly and gently, making her feel very comfortable and drowsy. She looked down at Yiara, seeing her napping once again. Her toes clutched at thin air, wriggling in her sleep. Yaro chortled and slid his finger into her palm. Reflexively, Yiara's tiny fingers clasped it tightly. "She's tough," Yaro said quietly, so he wouldn't disturb her.
"Well, she is your daughter, after all."
Yaro smiled lopsidedly, as usual. "Actually, I think she gets it from you, Yaddle." He looked over at a clock, checking the time. "It's almost time for us to meet with the Council."
Yaddle sat up, pulling her sheets with her. "All right. Just give me a moment, and I will meet you outside."
Yaro nodded and walked outside to wait. Yaddle reached up and pulled off her scarf, wrapping it around Yiara's tiny body. The baby moaned in her sleep, waving her short arms irritably. Yaddle comforted her, both with thoughts and whispers, and said, "Time for us to decide our future, little one."
*****
Mace stood outside of the Jedi Council room with Yosho, waiting for Yaro and Yaddle to come. Despite himself, he fidgeted with anxiety and impatience.
Yosho, noticing the Padawan's nervousness, put his small hand on Mace's shoulder and said, "You need to learn to control your emotions, and your patience, Padawan Windu."
Blushing as red as Darellian fire crab, Mace stopped squirming and said, "Yes, Master Yosho."
Now it was Yosho's turn to blush. "I am no longer a Jedi Master." Mace could feel a bit of embarrassment, or possibly shame, leaking out from the old man's inward defenses.
"How come?"
Yosho looked at him sadly. "Because I chose to leave, to live with Yaro's mother. Jedi are not allowed to marry or have any attachments."
Mace snickered. "But that doesn't make sense! Where do the little Jedi come from, then?"
Yosho's face was overcome with surprise and shock, then was absorbed by a curious, crooked smile. "You know, I have never thought of it like that!" Both Master and Padawan laughed together. But the uneasy silence returned in minutes, and with it came Mace's worries. "Sir?"
"Yosho. Just Yosho, Padawan."
"Oh, okay. Yosho?"
"Yes?"
"If Jedi can't love...why do Yaddle and Yaro love each other? Isn't that breaking the rules?"
Yosho frowned heavily, making himself a mirror image of Yoda. "Yes, it is. And they are in trouble with the Council because of it." His frown increased. "They could quite possibly be expelled from the Jedi Order because of it."
"That's not good," Mace blurted out before he could stop it. But Yosho only smiled and said, "Yes, it is." The scowl returned to Yosho's face. "But I do not agree with the Council with their decision."
"Why?"
"Because nothing happens by chance; everything happens by the will of the Force." Mace nodded. He had already heard this from Yaro, but he didn't mind hearing the advice again. "And I am SURE it was the will of the Force for these two to fall in love. But they never think outside the Code, and that, I believe, is their ultimate weakness."
Mace was a little taken aback. From what he had been told, most Jedi considered the Masters to be the best Jedi Knights there were. "How, Yosho?"
"They refuse to think outside the Code, to try new things, think new ideas." Yosho sighed, and he suddenly appeared much, much older to Mace. "They see the lust between Yaro and Yaddle and realize how much they love each other, but because it is against the rules they will not allow it." He closed his eyes and leaned against the wall, saying no more.
Mace did likewise, pondering on what he had just heard. He did think it was unfair that Yaddle and Yaro could be expelled from the Jedi Order, but rules were there for a reason, weren't they? His head began to ache with confusion. He hoped he would never have to deal with these kinds of problems, like the Jedi Council did.
He felt three familiar presences approach and opened his eyes. Sure enough, it was Yaddle, Yaro, and Yiara. Yosho, too, opened his eyes and straightened his posture. "Where have you two been, eh?"
"Around and about. A lot of the Padawans and Jedi wanted to speak with us and see Yiara," Yaro said. He laughed. "Yiara's got quite a fan club going for her!"
Mace walked over and tickled Yiara's ribs. "That's cause she's the cutest Jedi in the entire Temple, right Yiara?" Yiara yelled gleefully at Mace, trying to squirm out of Mace's reach. Mace giggled and only prodded further, receiving louder shrieks.
Yaro laughed, but then stopped. He became much more serious, his posture stiffening, his facial expression turning stern. "We need to meet with the Council now."
"Yes, Master Yaro." Mace flushed with pride, even though Yaro was not his mentor. He wished that he had been paired with Yaro; he didn't like the idea of training under a complete stranger.
He walked in the back of the group as the group walked into the chamber of the Jedi Council. All the Jedi Masters that had tested Mace sat there, all looking quite somber and focused. Mace wished he could sense what they were feeling, but their minds were completely shut off from him. But he was fairly sure that they could read his thoughts like an open book.
Mace bowed respectfully when the others did, just as Yaro had taught him. The Masters nodded at them, signaling for the meeting to begin. "Master Yaro, Master Yaddle? Step forward, please," Hismonia said.
The two Jedi did as they were instructed, stepping a few steps closer to the Master. Hismonia drew in air, then said, "You have both broken the Code of the Jedi. This cannot go without notice, nor without punishment. You do understand this?"
"Yes, Master," said Yaro and Yaddle together. Mace admired their courage and strength; he felt that if he had faced the same situation, he would have crumbled. But both Yaddle and Yaro stood strong, like stone pillars in a raging sea. He wondered if Yaro could teach him that...if Yaro was even allowed to remain a Jedi.
Hismonia leaned back in her orange-cushioned chair. For a minute, no one spoke. Breaking the eerie silence, Hismonia said, "May I see the child, Yiara?"
Yaddle glanced for a split second at Yaro, then walked forward and handed Yiara to Hismonia. Holding her like the babe was pure glass, the Twi'lek gazed down at the tiny child, who had just awoken from her nap. Suddenly realizing she was in unfamiliar arms, Yiara instinctively froze, staring nervously up into Hismonia's eyes.
Hismonia, giving up her charade of seriousness, chuckled softly and stroked Yiara's head, cooing, "Hello, youngling."
Evidently not caring for the words, Yiara scowled and wriggled under Hismonia's fingers, grasping one with her entire hand. She stopped, suddenly interested in whatever was in her grip. She pulled it closer, inspecting all sides of it, gurgling and squeaking all the while under her breath. Hismonia smiled, and said, "Beautiful. And very strong in the Force, as well." She gently pulled her finger out of Yiara's hand and held her out to Yaddle, who took her back. "Oh yes...very beautiful," Hismonia said quietly.
"Thank you, Master," Yaro said, apparently proud of his little daughter. Mace also felt his face flush with honor, knowing that he had (kind of) helped the little life come into this world.
Bringing his thoughts back to the present, he stared at the Council, who were no longer smiling. All had bleak expressions, and Mace suddenly realized what they were about to say.
Hismonia inhaled, bringing herself up as high as she could sitting. Her lekku twitched irritably. "Yaro, Yaddle...I despise to be the ones to say this, and wish I did not have to..." She paused, letting the tension float in the air. "You are both expelled from the Order of the Jedi."
*****