Chapter 8:
Months later, Ben strolled down the path leading towards the training circles on a light spring day. The blossom was falling from the trees, their glossy pink petals lining the pavers as they were blown about in the wind. Passing a pavilion full of Jedi students watching the training circle, Ben stopped at the entrance and stared. There, in the centre of the circle was Master Luke Skywalker sparring against a young lady dressed in Jedi robes. Her scarlet and black hair flowed out from her in a cloud and she laughed as Luke missed, the purple eyes sparkling with merriment. Bowing, the girl stood and turned, her keen eyes spying Ben and the students standing there.
Ben fingered a small scar on his cheek, his memento from that mission on Coruscant and she nodded. As Luke snuck up on her and wrapped his arms around her, she squealed and kissed him carefully as the students laughed and pointed. They liked joking about the love between the two and relished the ability to snigger without punishment. As the bells sounded, they flocked into the Jedi Temple and took their assigned places. As the music started, the members of the Jedi Academy walked in, Knights, Masters and members of the Jedi Council all present on the stage. As the trumpets sounded, all turned to the entrance and saw Luke Skywalker walk forward down the aisle.
----
Taking his place, he announced the name of one person – Miennya Skywalker of Coruscant. As the trumpets sounded, a lone figure walked down the aisle and bent before Luke. Her hair still flowed down her back, the scarlet and black tresses smooth and shiny. Her eyes were still that mischievous purple, but they were different. They held such memory, such pain and such wiseness. The whispers had gone around that she had once been a Dark Jedi, trained by the former Emperor himself as his apprentice. All knew that she was knowledgeable about the forbidden Sith but none save the Council and a select few knew the details of her life. Bowing, she smiled as her Jedi robes flowed out around her and then took the offered hand of her old master as she rose. Pinning something on her chest, Luke turned her to face the audience as they all cheered.
In a loud voice, Luke proclaimed "Miennya Skywalker has now achieved the rank of Jedi Master through her skill and dedication to the Force. May we all rejoice with her as she takes up the post on the Jedi Council that they have allotted for her. In honour of this rare event, I proclaim a feast and holiday in the name of Master Skywalker for all who reside here."
Bowing to the assembly, the new Master took up a position next to the tallest Council member as the students and apprentices sidled out and escaped the ancient building. Shaking the hands of the new Master, the rest filed out and left her alone with Luke. Hugging him, she kissed him on the cheek and smiled up at her adopted father. Taking her arm, the two walked out into the spring day and smiled at each other secretively as the students threw blossoms at the pair and the Council members whispered that truly Miennya was the Priceless Gem of the Jedi Academy...
Months later, Ben strolled down the path leading towards the training circles on a light spring day. The blossom was falling from the trees, their glossy pink petals lining the pavers as they were blown about in the wind. Passing a pavilion full of Jedi students watching the training circle, Ben stopped at the entrance and stared. There, in the centre of the circle was Master Luke Skywalker sparring against a young lady dressed in Jedi robes. Her scarlet and black hair flowed out from her in a cloud and she laughed as Luke missed, the purple eyes sparkling with merriment. Bowing, the girl stood and turned, her keen eyes spying Ben and the students standing there.
Ben fingered a small scar on his cheek, his memento from that mission on Coruscant and she nodded. As Luke snuck up on her and wrapped his arms around her, she squealed and kissed him carefully as the students laughed and pointed. They liked joking about the love between the two and relished the ability to snigger without punishment. As the bells sounded, they flocked into the Jedi Temple and took their assigned places. As the music started, the members of the Jedi Academy walked in, Knights, Masters and members of the Jedi Council all present on the stage. As the trumpets sounded, all turned to the entrance and saw Luke Skywalker walk forward down the aisle.
----
Taking his place, he announced the name of one person – Miennya Skywalker of Coruscant. As the trumpets sounded, a lone figure walked down the aisle and bent before Luke. Her hair still flowed down her back, the scarlet and black tresses smooth and shiny. Her eyes were still that mischievous purple, but they were different. They held such memory, such pain and such wiseness. The whispers had gone around that she had once been a Dark Jedi, trained by the former Emperor himself as his apprentice. All knew that she was knowledgeable about the forbidden Sith but none save the Council and a select few knew the details of her life. Bowing, she smiled as her Jedi robes flowed out around her and then took the offered hand of her old master as she rose. Pinning something on her chest, Luke turned her to face the audience as they all cheered.
In a loud voice, Luke proclaimed "Miennya Skywalker has now achieved the rank of Jedi Master through her skill and dedication to the Force. May we all rejoice with her as she takes up the post on the Jedi Council that they have allotted for her. In honour of this rare event, I proclaim a feast and holiday in the name of Master Skywalker for all who reside here."
Bowing to the assembly, the new Master took up a position next to the tallest Council member as the students and apprentices sidled out and escaped the ancient building. Shaking the hands of the new Master, the rest filed out and left her alone with Luke. Hugging him, she kissed him on the cheek and smiled up at her adopted father. Taking her arm, the two walked out into the spring day and smiled at each other secretively as the students threw blossoms at the pair and the Council members whispered that truly Miennya was the Priceless Gem of the Jedi Academy...