Lunch with her father had become a daily occurrence a few years back. After the Vong ambush that had claimed the life of Tenel Ka's personal assistant. Prince Isolder had never fully recovered. No one knew what had happened but speculation was he was poisoned, bringing him to a feeble state of mind. But he was all Tenel Ka had left. Even the great Ta'a Chume was gone, another victim of the Vong ambush.
She slowly entered the small room, worried about what she might find. A small sigh of relief escaped her lips when she saw her father, sitting at the head of a small table looking more alert than she's seen him in a while. His personal bodyguard stood behind his right shoulder and acknowledged Tenel Ka with a short, crisp nod before exiting through a door, presumably to order the food brought it.
Tenel Ka sat to her father's left, but not before giving him a swift hug and kiss on his cheek. A smile spread on Prince Isolder's face as he realized his daughter had joined him.
"My wonderful daughter. How wonderful it is that you could join me. It must be difficult to steal time away from your Jedi training on Yavin 4 to come home and dine with your family. Your mother is currently occupied in a meeting. I'm afraid she won't be joining us today," Isolder said, his voice flat, his eyes never moving from their position, staring straight ahead where her mother would have sat.
"That is alright, father. Mother is always busy now a days," Tenel Ka replied, her voice soft, betraying her heavy heart. The memory of secret lunches with her lost mother flooded back to her and Tenel Ka had to turn her face from her father as tears welled up in her eyes. How any years had it been and the loss of her mother at such a critical time in her life still stung as if the pain were still fresh. She wondered if it would ever get easier.
Tenel Ka quickly composed herself as she heard the door to the kitchen open and their meal was brought in. Tenel Ka was served first, as always but she waited to enjoy her simple meal until she has helped her father begin eating. All he ever needed was a reminder of how to use the fork and knife and then he could usually finish himself. T Another sigh escaped as Tenel Ka finally sat back down to her own meal. Isolder's bodyguard returned silently to his side and stood watch over the sad family picture.
Isolder quickly worked through his meal, like a young child unable to carry on conversation as he focused himself on the food. Tenel Ka watched him out of the corner of her eye, pushing her meal around her plate. Her appetite had diminished over the years as the war had peaked. There seemed to be to be too much to worry about that taking care of herself had fallen by the wayside. Her face had thinned a bit since her childhood and her eyes had darkened and had a haunted look about them. She had kept up her daily calisthenics and running, which had chiseled her body, creating a very lean effect. All in all, she was stunningly beautiful. Yet her heart was empty, her emotions closed off and this radiated off her to everyone she met. And those close to her knew the exact reason.
It had been over a year since Jacen Solo had returned and yet he seemed to want nothing to do with the Queen Mother. True, he had been very busy with the end of the war and his new responsibilities but there hadn't even been a holo-letter telling her he was alright. He had just left it to the rumors and holonews. And while Tenel Ka never voiced her concern, it was evident in her eyes whenever his name was mentioned. She missed him
Half an hour passed before the servants came back to remove the plates. Tenel Ka watched her father hopefully, waiting for some sort of conversation. She always allowed Isolder to speak first, letting him guide the discussion. Today, however, Isolder just stared at the empty chair across the table from him, a goofy smile on his face. Nodding to his bodyguard, Tenel Ka rose to her feet. She hugged her father and kissed the top of his graying head. Without a backward glance she strode from the room and for the second time that day, ran into her personal assistant.
"Alana!" she cried as the other woman bent to pick up her dropped datacards.
"Your highness, I am so sorry. I was just coming to remind you of your meting this afternoon. I thought you would like time to prepare. I did not plan to interrupt your lunch," Alana spoke rapidly, pulling the datacards into a pile before picking them up in a jumble.
"It's alright, Alana. Thank you for your concern. I was just on my way to my office."
Tenel Ka started off and Alana fell in step behind her.
"Your highness, while you were away we received a message from your friend, Major Jaina Solo. It would see that the New Republic is having a large gala on Mon Calamari to celebrate the end of the war. It would seem Major Solo wanted to personally invite you. Now I have already checked you calendar and the day of the gala is free. I do suggest you attend, Your Highness. It would be nice to see your friends again and get away from Hapes for a while. As well as keep Hapes in the front of the holonews of reconstruction."
"Yes, thank you Alana. When is the ball?"
"Two weeks, Your Highness."
Tenel Ka stopped short. If Alana had not been looking up, as well as expecting this reaction, she would have ran right into the Queen Mother's back.
"That is not a lot of time, Alana."
"I know Your Highness, but I highly suggest you go. It would be good for you to get away and see your friends."
"I will contact Major Solo immediately and gather more details. Then I will give you my answer of RSVP."
Reaching the large dark wood doors to her office, Tenel Ka turned to face Alana. Her features softened as she looked upon her closest confidant. Alana looked dejected that she was unable to convince Tenel Ka to attend the festivities. Tenel Ka put her hand on Alana's shoulder and firmed her grip. Their eyes met and a small smile glanced over Tenel Ka's lips.
"I promise you I will give it my fullest consideration. Unless something else comes up, I plan on going. You are right. It would be nice to see my friends."
A larger smile crossed Alana's face as Tenel Ka's faded. She had conceded but in a way, she was glad Alana had pushed so hard. She nodded to Alana and opened the large door, stepping into the quiet of her private office. She was taken aback by someone sitting with their back to the door in the plush seating area.
"Identify yourself," Tenel Ka spoke, firmly, drawing herself up, her hand falling to her lightsaber.
The person stood, the short cropped black hair followed by a grey uniform trimmed with royal blue. As he turned, Tenel Ka recognized the man immediately. A small smile crossed Jagged Fel's face upon seeing his old friend. He bowed deeply as Tenel Ka loosened up a bit. She crossed to stand near Jag as he stood erect.
"It's good to see you, Your Highness."
"Yes, Jag. It has been far too long."
Tenel Ka surprised Jag by gathering the pilot in a swift, tight hug. "No doubt you have heard about the celebration the New Republic is holding on Mon Calamari?" Tenel Ka asked as she motioned for Jag to sit.
"I was ordered to bring the message to you myself by Major Solo. Jaina regrets she couldn't contact you live. She is very busy trying to help rebuild the New Republic military as well as helping Master Skywalker for a new Jedi counsel. My Great One barely has enough time to herself. I can only hope things will calm down soon. There is plenty of other planning to do." Jag's voice faded away as thought turned to his eventual wedding to Jaina.
"So a date has been set for your vows?" Tenel Ka asked, suddenly feeling very distant from her close friend.
"No. Of course not. Jaina hasn't even picked a dress yet. As far as I know she hasn't even been looking. She's just so damned busy. I'm starting to believe it will never happen."
"Do not worry, Jag. Jaina's work is important and will help set the future of your children. It will happen, in time."
They fell into silence as a knock fell on the office door. Tenel Ka stood and swiftly crossed to the entrance, clearly upset at the disturbance. She flung open one of the doors and moved quickly aside as servants came hustling in. They were carrying trays of cookies of caffe respectably. They sat the trays down on the low table near Jag, bowed to him, turned to Tenel Ka bowed lower then quickly shuffled out the room. Tenel Ka happened to catch Alana's eye and saw she was smiling. Turning, Tenel Ka shut the door harder than she has wanted, causing Jag to jump a bit while reaching for one of the delicate cookies sitting in from of him.
"I take it all is not well in paradise?" Jag asked watching Tenel Ka stalk back to the seating area.
"I am afraid I do not understand," Tenel Ka replied throwing herself into the large chair.
"You have asked how I was doing but I have a feeling that no one has honestly asked how you are doing. Or at least you haven't answered them honestly."
"I am fine Jag. Thank you for your concern," Tenel Ka answered in her carefully rehearsed voice.
"If you say so. So what about the gala? I know it would mean a lot to Jaina if you were able to make it."
"I believe I have no say in the matter then. Of course I will attend, Jag. It would be… fun."
"Wonderful. I believe the tactics part of this meeting is over. I would love a private tour of the spectacular fountains in the palace, by my fiancé's close friend, if it's not too much to ask."
"Of course, Colonel Fel. While I'm not the best person to conduct this tour I do have access to some the more stunning fountains," Tenel Ka replied, the smallest smile gracing her lips as she stood.
Jag offered her his arm, which she took, enjoying the company of a friend for once in a long time.
Upon returning from his tour, Jag excused himself, leaving Tenel Ka alone in her office to ponder her near future. Sitting down at her large desk, Tenel Ka took a moment to rub her hand over her face trying to loosen the tension that had settled there. She took her crown off and ran a hand through her hair as well. These actions seemed to have the desired effect as the tension lifted, if only a little but. Charging into the datawork that seemed to have accumulated out of thin air, Tenel Ka pushed the gala from her mind and got down to business.