Chapter 12:
That night, the Academy gathered to hold Miennya's funeral in the ceremonial hall. This was the sad part of the death of a Jedi, no body to bury but to burn instead. Seated in their set places, the whole Academy was turned out to view this unusual occasion. Dressed in their most ceremonial robes as respect, they waited silently as the hall grew quiet and all noise was stilled, even the sounds of nature were stilled into an uncanny silence that made them very nervous. Then, the doors opened and the Members of the High Council filed in silently and took their place. Each wore their hoods and all were red-eyed and either close to tears or trying to hold back the emotions. Miennya had been well-loved; a conduit of the Force, a valuable ally in the darkness and her death was sudden and abrupt.
It was during that time that the weeping started from the very back and made its way slowly up to the front as the black-clad forms of Ben and Luke Skywalker came into view carrying a bier made of scented sandalwood. On it lay the body of Miennya, her corpse dressed in flowing robes of white and with a wreath of flowers on her curled hair. Her face was serene, her body lying with the hands clasping a bunch of flowers on her body and the weapons she had owned next to her. Her lightsaber was deactivated and the shoulders of both men shook as they walked up the step to a pedestal of marble stone. Placing her bier gently on the platform, they bowed their heads and kissed her on her forehead gently as if she were only asleep. Then, they stepped back and let the tears flow as the Assembly stood and bowed. Then, Mara Jade Skywalker took the stand, her auburn hair caught up in a braid and her puffy eyes more composed than the rest. She pulled out a scroll and read from it slowly as the words washed over the beings.
"Miennya Avayya Skywalker was indeed a promising student of the Jedi order, her short life cut down in a fateful battle to save the lives of all here today. She was beautiful beyond compare, yet always full of humility. Her death came as a great shock to us all, unexpected and leaving us in a vacuum. She will be missed by us all, her death a lesson to learn from in what ways we can find to help us through this bleak time of mourning."
Stepping down, she smiled and then watched through tear-filled eyes as the service continued and the tributes flowed without hesitation. Each person that passed by or spoke would place something next to the bier and touch her hands lightly. Finally, only Ben and Luke still hadn't said anything and Mara squeezed their shoulders as she passed them. Nodding, she smiled faintly before saying a short prayer and signalling torchbearers to circle the bier. As she spoke in a slow and emotion filled voice, the flames were applied one by one. Then, the bier crackled to life and began to consume her body as the tears flowed and made puddles on the carved marble floor.
Be it in life or death she will rise again Watching over them all below, the spirit soars free Without limitations she soars into the clouds and into the wide reach of space The stars know her name, the eternal goddess calls her Life back there is forgotten as she meets her destiny
Time passes away and all that remains is withered Forgotten are the deeds of the valiant and the wise It all fades to nothingness and still she soars A speck of light in a floundering world And with it brings faith and hope everlasting Hope springs from her and in that hope An ever-green spring is planted And the cycle begins again
As the flames faded into nothing, the assembly stood and walked out as they dropped flowers and comforted each other, Daniella hanging on to another student as if she would fall with every step. Consoling each other, the Council left until only Ben and Luke stood there silently. Wiping the tears from his cheeks, Luke bent down and dropped a red rose by the pile and then strode out to leave Ben alone with his thoughts.
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Falling to his knees, Ben cried out desperately to the stars above as he wept copiously and didn't even attempt to wipe them away. He was so broken, so stricken with grief that he cradled himself as he tried to deal with the emotions that pounded inside of him. Looking up slowly, he thought he heard the impish laughter of Miennya in the breeze and sighed. Then, he smelt her perfume on the slight breeze and felt the slightest impression of a kiss on his forehead. Looking around, he saw the ethereal form of Miennya smiling at him. She nodded at him and then came over. Planting a full kiss on his lips, she whispered "I will always be with you, my love. Trust to hope, I will watch over you..."
Then, she was gone and Ben blinked as if it were a dream. She could not have been real; he was just grieving for his lost love. But, the words still rang in his ears and the kiss lingered on his lips. Glancing down, he started as in that hand was her signature flower, a cherry blossom of the most delicate pink sphere. Stroking it, he inhaled the perfume and smiled as he heard the laughter again. She was with him, he knew and she would watch over him forever. Taking the flower, he walked out of the Temple as the trees blew mysteriously and the sounds of ethereal laughter could be heard by all as it floated along with the breeze....