A/n

To all my lurking readers...sorry this is late, hopefully this second to last post will convince you to review! I went out of town for the weekend, and couldn't get it ready until now.

Timing
Middle of Destiny's Way--the events right before Jacen steps onto Mon Cal soil with Luke and Mara (check out the credits at the end for where things are directly from DW)

The TK/J scene takes place during the reception following the Jedi Knighting Ceremony...after the conversation with Jaina regarding Danni Quee (aka she asks him if anything is going on between them, and he denys it)

The last section takes place after the battle of Ebaq 9.

Post 11

The galaxy spins and time whirls by…

That day, that horrible, horrible day. Donyer Camer killed himself.

I survived.

My child survived.

It is not possible to delve into the mind of a sociopath. It is not possible to ever really understand what was going through his mind. To have regrets, now, would be fruitless, because in a way, this twisted game pushed me into Tristan's arms, and gave me the life that I cherish.

Donyer Camer killed himself, and Tristan Romani came into his own. During those two days of unconsciousness, when his barriers were down, all the blackness, all the evil bled out onto the jungle floor, leaving him forever.

Not to say that there weren't scars, but those were the lessons learnt as part of another larger, important step to creating our life together.

In racing to save me he realized that Nom Anor was part of a larger evil, an enemy that quite frankly was not his to fight. In saving us, he realized his limits and fought for what was truly important.

Then, quite simply, life went on.

It was not long before we were on the run again, Borleias fell but the Vong were weakening. We found ourselves on Mon Calamari helping the refugees...mere observers to the election of Cal Omas and much, much more.

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Mon Calamari

Her feet hurt, her back ached, two sensations not wholly unexpected as she was within a month of her due date. Each step was agony, but the thought of going back to their apartments under the water was worse. Suffocating from inactivity, Keladry blinked back her tears of frustration, tilting her head to take in her husband who walked beside her.

Tristan looked forward, deep in serenity contemplating their surroundings or perhaps their coming child, his furrowed forehead wrinkled with curiosity.

Thinking back to a few months ago Kel released a small sigh...How close did I come to losing him? After Camer's death, Tristan had been her rock through the panic attacks, nightmares, and pregnancy induced mood swings. As they scrambled from Borleias, his faith had never wavered, he knew, somehow that they would survive.

Something had happened to him when he had disappeared those two days, something profound. He was at peace with himself and the world—confident and now in charge of one of the medical units based on Mon Cal. Kel chose not to pressure him for information, knowing that, with time, he would speak of it on his own.

As they strolled quietly along the Fleet Command annex concourse, her hazel eyes took in the upper limits of the Mon Calamari enclosed dome grateful to be standing on her own two feet. While she was patient in asking Tristan for information regarding that time, she did, however, have one small request. Unconsciously, she sighed again, fidgeting with the hem of her oversized tunic.

"Do you want to sit down?" There was a slight pressure at her elbow, and Keladry looked to see them near a set of benches meant as a waiting area for officers killing time before having to ship out. Tristan's eyes looked at her, mildly concerned, taking her sigh as a sign of exhaustion.

She shook her head, "No, lets keep walking to the officer's club at the end and we can sit on our way back." Above them a sleek consular ship was moving toward a docking port, maneuvering in a picture of perfect agility and grace. Her eyes flitted between glancing at the ship's progress and her husband's face, biting her lip, unsure of how to phrase her question.

They had made it back to the benches, placed next to a small, landscaped tree with orange blossoms when Tristan glanced at her a wordless smile touching his lips. "Kel, I know something is bothering you. What is it?"

She winced at the soreness in her calves, before letting the words tumble out. "I was wondering...if I could read Elbereth's letters."

Tristan arched an eyebrow, before silently pulling out the two creased pieces of parchment. He held them, silent, before placing them on her belly where her hands were clasped. Scooting closer she laid her head on his shoulder, allowing his left arm to cradle her shoulders as she unfolded the first.

"Keladry, you know you have nothing to worry about, right?"

She met his eyes, before accepting the offered kiss. "I know. " Her gaze returned to the paper, her regular breathing filling the silence.

Tristan kept his gaze away from the words on the paper, choosing to examine Keladry's fingers instead. His left arm played with the hair on her neck, shorter than her longer tresses of the past few years. His lips twitched at that memory, remembering how he had come home to find Natir carefully snipping away, an event explained away as necessary for her sanity. He knew that it had been a decision dictated by the sudden temperature spike in the apartments, a thermometer adjustment made by his wife when she had felt cold the night before. He missed her long hair, but found the shorter curls framing her face on a frequent basis to be just as alluring.

He felt a small tremble in her shoulders, sensing that she had moved on to Elbereth's letter to him. She sniffled quietly, and then quietly refolded the letters slipping them into his inner-right jacket pocket before resting her hand over his heart. She opened her mouth to speak when a sudden commotion near the officer's club caused her to raise her head, using her hand to wipe away loose tears.

"...It's Senator Sneakaway! And Senator Scramblefree!" Together the pair's eyes took in a Phindian in a Defense Force uniform moving towards the two consulars who had just disembarked from their ship at the end of the concourse. Troubled, Tristan and Keladry listened to the accusations, disgusted at the fact that these two beings had rushed away from Coruscant with such a lack of regard for those who would perish. The obviously drunk officer gestured back to the officer's club, her voice echoing down the wide space. She loudly urged the two senators to vote for the fleet appropriations bill, proclaiming in what Tristan ascertained was mutinous, "If you don't give us the money...we'll take it. After all, we've got the guns, and we already know how brave you are around guns, don't we?"

Keladry elbowed Tristan in the side, and he absently helped her sit up, watching the rest of the altercation, while worriedly glancing around the rest of the concourse and up at the mezzanine where a hooded couple stood. "Trist...look it's the Skywalkers."

Tristan followed her eyes, recognizing Mara Jade Skywalker's signature red hair. He thought back to the holodisc describing the events on Valdet and Danshitie, of the Jedi Master's role in bringing stability back to his worlds. I owe her a measure of thanks. Tightening his grip on his wife's shoulders they were quiet as the applause from the officer's club gave way to a gentle rumbling.

"Dangerous thoughts." Keladry whispered matter of factly.

Nodding he took his eyes off the Jedi releasing a deep breath. "We'll see. If Cal Omas wins the election..." he trailed off. "Otherwise, we're in trouble." His words spiked another thought. When did I start identifying myself as part of the NewRepublicIt was a decision he didn't remember making, and he wondered if that would change once he returned...

Returned home. Tristan had not consciously thought about returning to Valdet, believing in his heart that it was a closed door. Now though...things were different, it seemed almost within the realm of possibility that after the war he could go home. When had the change happened?

"It was the turning point."

"What was?" Her voice was light, almost returning to a level of relaxation.

Tristan didn't realize he had spoken the words aloud. Twisting slightly, he found himself staring at his wife's eyes. "When I was in the woods, unconscious, that was when everything changed for me." Her eyes grew wider, and he realized that she had been stopping herself from pushing him about those days. Tapping her lightly under the chin, he went on wonderingly. "I don't know what happened Kel. I was unconscious. I mean I remember the chaos, the intense burning anger that arrested me as I ran from the med center. I remember realizing that I had run outside and into the jungle and that a sort of bleakness and blackness had taken over my senses.

I think my heart stopped. I think I...died." Her hand twitched, and he was quick to reassure, "I had myself checked out quietly afterwards and was assured that everything was alright, but..."

He gazed out at the opposite end of the long, light filled space. "I somehow found myself in limbo...with a seemingly endless amount of time to calm myself down, to think of what was left for me. I was unconscious to the world, but my mind kept moving." Tristan's grey eyes blinked. "I realized that while Iker Rafagr and Nom Anor were one and the same, that Elbereth died as part of the Vong scheme to take over the galaxy, it was not my personal fight. There were bigger things at stake then my vengeance, and that there were others more equipped—perhaps destined to fight the greater fight." His eyes flitted to where Mara and Luke Skywalker had been standing. "I found that if I could not accept responsibility for things I could control I would spiral into an unending descent. I would be the cause of our ruin, and would live in effect, a living death." Tristan turned further so that he was facing her directly, "I understood what Elbereth was trying to give me, by writing those words, urging me to let her go. She was giving me a second chance, with you."

He closed his eyes remembering. "When I woke up, regained awareness, there was a residue of bitterness, and I remember hearing Nestor's words saying that you were captured." Looking down at his hands he shivered, "All I could think of was my behavior when Elbereth told me of her pregnancy. How I ignored her instead of giving her the support she needed. I am ashamed to think of who I was of how alone I left her and how we were deprived of weeks that may have saved her life. Hearing those words again, hearing of how my actions and my obsessions left someone I loved vulnerable and in danger, I knew that there were more important things in my life then vengeance. More important things than hate, fear and anger." He cupped her face in his hands, forehead touching forehead.

Keladry bit her lip, tears welling up "Shavit, not again." She pulled away and wiped her eyes. "Your wife, was a beautiful woman Tris, and I know how much you miss her." Her face contorted into a blissful smile, and she reaching for Tristan's hand placing it where she had just felt their child kick. "Look Tristan. She's here, everything she dreamed for you, is here. Our daughter, Elbereth is here."

His expression grew quizzical, "Elbereth?"

Keladry nodded, no longer reticent about her wish. "I want to name our child Elbereth, after a woman who saved our family, and brought you hope."

Speechless, Tristan gathered her up into his arms, his heart bursting. With infinite tenderness he slid to his feet, supporting her as she struggled to stand. He was hoarse as he whispered, "Thank you." Dipping his head gently kissing her face, before pressing his lips to hers. As they embraced again, Keladry on her tiptoes, she took in the beauty of the stars above them, bursting in fireworks of brilliance in a world gone mad.

As they left the concourse, taking the lift to the Mezzanine level, they found themselves paces behind Mara and Luke Skywalker, a toddling feather like creature and...

"It's Jacen Solo." Keladry whispered, careful to keep her voice low.

Tristan looked closer, surprised, wincing as Keladry squeezed his forearm, her expression one of excitement and joy. "Kel...?"

She whispered, just as low, but filled with an unknown magnitude of sparkling, gleaming and endless light. "Little hopes, little joys." Keladry looked at her husband and smiled.

"We will survive this war...I can feel it within my heart. This is the turning point."

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After the Jedi Knighting Ceremony

Mon Calamari

She stood away from the rest of the party, her bodyguards lurking nearby, hidden in shadow, perhaps to give her a semblance of privacy. As the Queen of 63 worlds it would not be long before one of the new senatorial candidates came to lobby for her attention.

At the moment, she would accept some peace, to reflect, to accept the shifting tides of Galinore and the fact that she was now a Jedi Knight.

Yours is perhaps the most difficult task of all. The path of a queen is different from that of a Jedi. Your duty as queen of Hapes will inevitably come into conflict with the simpler values of the Jedi. I don't tell you to choose one path over another. I only hope that you choose with your heart, and choose wisely.

Master Skywalker's words had asked her to choose with her heart. For Tenel Ka, in this moment in time, she knew that her heart wanted to choose a path that could never be. Eyeing the drink distastefully, she took another sip, taking care to scan the room for individuals that she needed to be wary of.

Or rather, the one that she had been desperately avoiding.

Jacen Solo.

His death had hurt, had dug into through the leather armor of her Dathomir heritage, through the walls that she had carefully built to survive the mission to Myrkr. Like claws slashing through meat, he had disappeared from her heart, shredded in coupled grief, bits and pieces alluding to memories of a better time. As a result, watching his sister fall and return from the dark side, Tenel Ka had found a new life, a new love in the people of the heritage she had previously disdained.

But he was alive. Alive, and had been for quite some time. In her private quarters she had felt his return, sobbing with relief before donning the glittering and sleek attire of a Hapan queen. She had become the golden warrior, the royal to Jaina's goddess—both masks that they had been forced to wear in the name of war.

Reigning in her emotions she found herself seeking his presence, finding him standing next to that Fosh Jedi, Vergere. His captor, his tormentor...his friend.

Tenel Ka?

She would not hide, she had nothing to be ashamed of. He was one of her best friends, and why should that change even though she wished for more? Using her hand she gestured for the guards to stay in their places, raising her chin proudly and approached him. By the time she reached him, the Old Republic Jedi had disappeared.

She broke the silence. "Friend Jacen."

"Tenel Ka, congratulations." His manner was easy, and he raised a drink in toast.

She answered back, self conscious—"And to you. I..." She trudged on. "I am pleased to see you well." Of all the Dathomir suns, maybe Jaina was right--you have the emotional depth of a ronto. There were too many people, people who would talk. Talk unnecessarily, of course.

Jacen eyed her curiously before draining his drink and handing it to a passing droid. "I feel good." A memory flashed through his mind, before the capture on Myrkr of Tenel Ka's bruised face raised, waiting for something...waiting for a kiss. He frowned, disconcerted, recalling his recent conversation with Jaina about Danni Quee. Blast!

He gazed at his feet, reminiscent of the old Jacen, and then looked up at the red curls framing his friends face. Looking over his shoulder she smiled sadly, asking quickly, "Jacen, do you want to hear a joke?"

He shook his head, a slow grin spreading across his face. "That's my line," he chided.

Almost at ease she tipped her head graciously, "I know. I missed it." There.

He could feel the annoyance rising from her senses, before she cut it off and straightened—returning to her royal bearing. He turned as a pair approached them, two senators from the Elrood sector.

"Your Royal Highness...we would like to congratulate you on..." Tenel Ka tuned them out momentarily, sliding her eyes towards Jacen in desperation. She missed running free...but change had come and she accepted it for what it was.

Returning to the present, she answered, "Thank you, kind sirs." The beings moved away, and as Jacen opened his mouth one of her bodyguards gently tapped her shoulder.

Turning, Tenel Ka tried not to glare and failed. "Yes?"

"Queen Mother, your father wishes to speak with you." Father, allow me this one moment of bliss. If it was not important, he would not have called. Turning to Jacen to say goodbye, and found him staring at a blond figure, whom she recognized as Danni Quee, the scientist. Ah. Ah Ha. Her heart had already shattered, the fragments reforming to become Tenel Ka, Queen Mother—but fragile as it was, it could not break again.

She held herself too close for that to happen. Regaining her bearings she placed her hand on his arm before pulling Jacen into a hug.

"Why did the Ewok cross the road?"

His eyes twinkled at her, filled with mirth. "Why, your highness?"

"Threepio was there." She shrugged, acknowledging that the joke was not quite up to par with Jacen's.

He laughed, a short bark that made her spirits fly.

"May the Force be with You, Jacen Solo. Remember me sometime." She turned and marched away, determined to have the last word.

Jacen watched her retreating back and murmured to himself. "May the Force Be With you too, my friend. May the Force be with you too." Reaching out he sent her a non-verbal message with his support. I missed you too. She paused, and her back straightened almost imperceptibly, spirits brightening.

He couldn't tell from where he was standing, but Tenel Ka was smiling. Fact.

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That Same Evening

Tristan paced outside the med center glancing every five minutes at the sliding door to one of the larger medical bays on Mon Cal. Pausing he shot an jittery glance to Nestor, "It's been longer than five minutes. Do you think something is wrong?" He shoved his hands into his medical coat resumed to carve out a path.

Gliding out of one of the egg shaped seats by a window, Nestor stood in front of his friend, forcing him to stop. "Hey, calm down. I was like this when I heard Isa was going into labor, and do you know what a wise woman told me?"

Nonplussed, Tristan resumed his anxious fidgeting by slapping his hand against his thigh. "No, what?"

Nestor's head dropped, chagrined. "I don't actually remember, I was too busy thinking about my daughter and her son and how much I wanted to be on Danshitie instead of Valdet." He grinned, "I got you to stop pacing didn't I?"

Tristan's fist came flying through the air, in mock revenge. He was smiling too.

Peering into the shorter man's face, Nestor laid his hands on his shoulder. "You can do this Doctor. Just breathe. Breathe."

Tristan exhaled, "Nestor, why did you bother?"

"Huh?" Nestor straightened to his full height, confused.

"Why did you bother staying with me? It must have been awful being with a man who barely acknowledged your presence, leaving your daughter your grandson behind for an open ended amount of time." He winced, "I'm pretty sure that I never once asked you about your family about Isabelita, Iralian and Alden."

Nestor's face could have been chiseled in stone, as if he was insulted that Tristan was questioning his duty. A split second later, the façade collapsed, breaking into a grim smile. "I don't suppose telling you that I was bound to serve would answer your question?"

Tristan stared at him, blank faced.

"Your, Highness." Nestor chose his words carefully, enunciating. "Elbereth asked it of me, and while I was not bound to complete her word upon her death, my oaths to the family and to our worlds were not mere prattle." He was formal, almost reverent. "I chose to be a member of the Morodin Honor guard, to serve and protect, but I am also a selfish being."

The former royal raised an eyebrow in surprise, his elbows now crossed with rapt attention.

"I read Elbereth's letter and knew that I could not betray her trust. I watched Bran torment that family, I saw what he did to Illian and his twin sister; what he did to your sister, but while I promised to go with you on your search for vengeance, I calculated and schemed for my own justice."

"They were my worlds too. Iker Rafagr had betrayed us, he had manipulated me too. We were seduced and played for fools." For the first time Tristan heard anger in Nestor's voice.

"Then you had your accident, and how could I walk away from you on your death bed? How could I explain to my conscience if I had left you stewing in your anger and despair?

Sir, you forget that I knew you before all of this, before when you and Elbereth were courting in secret. I knew that you both had the power and the strength to lead our worlds to a better place. I knew...that if I stayed with you, kept you on the right path that that man would return." He tilted his head sagely, "He has, you know, returned—wiser and stronger. You have grown, and I know that your people would be proud, as I am."

Tristan ducked his head in acknowledgement and thanks. Then he looked Nestor straight in the eye. "You refer to my wife as Elbereth. You always have, but I have been 'Doctor,' and on occasion 'sir' or 'Your Highness.' The few times you have slipped, it was when you were playing the role of my friend rather than that of my bodyguard and protector." He grinned amused, "And those moments were normally when you were impassioned or had your guard down."

This time, Nestor did not reply. He didn't really have an answer, and was saved as the door behind them slid open and a 2-1B trotted out. "Doctor Romani, if you please follow me. We are ready to begin."

Nestor laughed as Tristan broke into a run down the hall.

Later, as they stared at the tiny baby bundled up in a pink swatch of fabric her tiny nose wrinkled in sleep, and a wisp of black hair peeking out from the cap, Nestor fell in love for the fourth time in his life.

Tristan rocked her in his arms, his voice revealing the awe, he murmured "May I present, your god-daughter, Elbereth Almeretta Romani."

Stunned, Nestor's eyes moistened and he turned his head away from the angel before him to face Keladry where she smiled tiredly, propped against some of the pillows. Syla, who was standing next to him slipped her hand into his and squeezed.

The new mother waved her hand at him, "It was his idea."

Nestor shook his head, "But the name was yours." His smile was filled with appreciation, and reached his eyes, lines of joy spreading out like a starburst from the edge.

Kel merely sighed contently, refusing to give up her secret. Instead Tristan spoke up, "Being a God-father comes with certain stipulations."

Kel's eyes opened, and she added, "Rather, one stipulation."

Tristan looked at her, amused. "One."

Nestor's eyes narrowed, "Go on."

"From now on, my name is Tristan. Not—doctor, not your highness, but Tristan." The grey eyes were stern, but sparkling with an inner light and confidence that had seemed to have been destroyed with the destruction of the palace on Valdet.

"Nestor, I am no longer the ruler of any planet, at least as far as the citizenry is concerned. So it's either Doctor, or just Tristan--do I make myself clear? Those words, so similar to the ones spoken had been in anger, having just found out about Iker's survival. Then Nestor had remained duty bound and chosen Doctor...now...

He leaned over and kissed the new baby on the head before bringing himself to his full height. "Consider your offer accepted...Tristan."

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Stars above, those were happy almost peaceful times. Cocooned from the fighting, but still seeing the influx of refugee's pouring in and the dead mourned we were confident in life, that we could not have come this far to see it all destroyed.

Having struggled through personal sorrow, it was time once again to make decisions based on new responsibilities, new dreams. Our catalyst was the collapse of the holonet after Ebaq 9. Repercussions for the war were enormous, but in our microexistance, it was no longer possible to send or receive information from Tristan's home planet.

Dually concerned about their isolation, and Eli's safety we made one of the hardest decisions of our lives.

It was time for Tristan to go home.

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The sobs of a baby broke through the hanger bay where the Selanore was docked calling attention to the gathering of well wishers. Turning away from some friends Tristan took the few quick steps to carrier where Eli had been sleeping mere moments before. "Good morning," he cooed crumpling his face in an attempt to make her smile. Simmering down to a whimper the Elbereth's face smoothened out before she slammed her small fist into her mouth. Lifting the girl into his arms, Tristan moved back to the group he had just left rubbing his hand over the baby's back in a soft soothing motion.

Dr. Tan eyed him his scales rippling. "What route are you taking?"

Tristan shrugged, "Not sure. For most of the trip we'll be in the hold of the transport ship. They're trying to get to Thyferra to replenish on bacta. From there...we hope things will be smooth, based on the success at Ebaq 9 the fight seems to be in a holding pattern."

"That's why we decided it was the best time to leave." Keladry appeared at his side, gently pulling their daughter from his arms cradling her small body. Her eyes never left Elbereth's face. I'm going to miss you... She sniffled, and looked up with glistening eyes.

On her right was Iella Wessiri Antilles who, since their escape from Coruscant, had become an acquaintance of sorts. Her blonde hair had been braided back, serious and determined. She waved her datapad, "I can't promise you much, with the holonet down, but at the very least we'll know that they made it as far as Thyferra."

Tristan nodded, "Yes, and hopefully there will be something we can do to help the war effort...they need to be warned before it's too late." He glanced over at his wristchrono and then at his wife, who had returned her gaze to their child. It was going to be hard, leaving her. He squeezed her forearm lightly, before glancing at the ship. "We should go."

Keladry nodded and watched as Tristan said goodbye to their friends, and then carrying Elbereth in one arm, grabbed the baby bag that was by the ramp making her way to the onto the ship. Syla and Natir followed her up the ramp.

"You all right?" Natir whispered.

Keladry shrugged, "Yes and No, I'm going to miss them both, but we both accepted that this was the best way to keep her safe." She looked at her sleeping child before continuing. "We're at war Natir, I couldn't abandon the New Republic. I couldn't shirk my duty while keeping her safe at the same time."

"We all have had to make choices." Syla gently pushed a curl out of Eli's face. "They'll be safe."

Kel nodded, "I know they will be..." She sighed, and then continued to one of the sleeping berths that had been converted into a baby room. Gently she laid her daughter on her stomach on the bed placing pillows around to prevent her from rolling off. "I'm going to go say goodbye." Turning around she made her way back to the foot of the Selanore noting the now clear hanger bay. She paused at the top, and watched the slightly strained conversation occurring between Nestor and Tristan.

Spotting her Tristan tilted his head, and placed a comforting hand on Nestor's arm before clasping him in a quick hug. Moving closer she heard his final words,

"The best thing you can do for me, is make sure she is safe. I'll have a full group of escort pilots protecting the pilots, and after that I'll have my copilot."

Nestor snorted, "Somehow that's not reassuring Tristan. Your daughter is not quite at the point of shooting one of the lasers."

Tristan laughed, "I know. A former New Republic Observer, Halden Onith contacted me. He said that he had some information to bear and that if possible, he would be willing to accompany me to Valdet. He's meeting me on the transport."

Nestor glanced at the dark haired woman approaching them, "I bet that makes you feel better."

Kel nodded, "Much."

Nestor's eyes flickered between the couple and turned to enter the ship. "I'm going to go say goodbye to my goddaughter. " He looked at his friend, "May the Force be with You Tristan."

Keladry watched his retreating form, suddenly finding herself in a firm embrace. Tristan's lips were upon hers—tasting, caressing, imprinting his sense of love for an eternity in one kiss. When they finally pulled away, Keladry caught her breath, aware of her flushed cheeks and tear filled eyes.

"I love you." He smiled, a look that never ceased to thrill her.

"I love you too." She gave him a tentative grin back.

Tristan leaned in and kissed her again, this time softly before straightening and pulling out a datacard. "I had a short conversation with Onith. He told me, in more detail, what happened after I left Valdet."

For a moment his wife could see his royal bearing, his pride. "Oh?"

He nodded, "I wanted to speak to Mara Jade Skywalker before I left, but found that she was unavailable. So I wrote this..." Tristan handed the card to Keladry. "When you get the chance, tell her...thank you." He shrugged, "When you read it, I think it'll make much more sense."

Ignoring the sudden buzz of her commlink, she glanced at Tristan chagrined. "You should go."

The final farewells were hard, but none so much as Keladry's final glance at her daughter, still sleeping peacefully. "Dear heart, I'll see you soon when the galaxy is safe once again." She latched her finger into the tiny palm her heart lurching with a gentle tug as Elbereth fingers wrapped around it. "Momma has to stay here and help her friends—I'll see you soon...take care of your father for me." A sob caught in her throat and she wrenched her finger away, wiped her tears then stumbled past the cockpit and off the Selanorewhere Natir, Syla and Nestor were waiting.

Wrapping her in his arms, Nestor's looked up to where Tristan sat in the cockpit, aware of his anguished gaze. Blast it if this war doesn't end soon. So many deserve happiness. Lifting his right hand from her back he waved, moving the group away from the ship.

Just as the ship slipped out of its berth, Keladry lifted her head. Be safe, and may we meet again when the stars still with crystal arms leading the way.

End Post 11

Credit:

In the first half, the atmosphere and the conversation between the Phindian and the Senators is a POV change from Luke and Mara who are waiting for Jacen's shuttle to arrive to Keladry and Tristan... (the original is in Destiny's Way)

Also all that turning point business is also from Destiny's Way b/c Luke says it twice when he realizes that Jacen is alive and I thought it was an interesting theme to keep going in the part of the story that mirrored that time period.

The second half--the italicized portion regarding Tenel Ka is from Destiny's Way as well. The comment regarding Tenel Ka's emotional depth is...from either Star By Star or Dark Journey (I'm pretty sure its Dark Journey but i'm not near by books right now)...

The rest of the post is all mine...

Just a post and the epilogue to go...