I was feeling nice today, so here is chapter 9. To InsaneJediGirl and Jedi-Master-Mouf, thanks for reviewing. I hope you all enjoy!
Chapter 9
Jaina Solo stood in the middle of the crowded room in a cold sweat. There was silence and all eyes were focused on her, waiting for her answer to the question that would change all of their fates. As she heard Isolder say the four words that would change her life, the four words that every little girl dreams of hearing, her heart dropped. Turning to look at Tenel Ka, there were tears in Jaina's eyes. All she could do was nod, unable to speak the actual words.
Isolder rose and placed the beautiful, shining tiara on the head of the future queen, his fiancé. Taking both her hand and and his daughter's he lead the two beautiful teenagers onto the stage to join the rest of the Royal family.
From her new height Jaina was able to view the entire crowd. At the back of the room she spoted two figures almost hidden by the masses of people; Kyp Durron and Jag Fel. Her heart droped even further as she could both see and feel the two's obvious disappointment and anger. I'm sorry, she sent to Kyp, what else could I have done? He merely shook his head.
Pulling her towards the front of the stage, Isolder announced, "You're future queen, Jaina Solo," as the crowd erupted in roaring applause.
Light-years away, Tahiri Veila sat in the living room of Luke and Mara Skywalker's small apartment at the military base the family was now currently stationed on. She was relaxed on the couch watching the Holo-news while Luke, Mara, Leia, and Han all stood in the temporary nursery that had been set up for little Ben Skywalker, cooing over the adorable baby boy.
A news flash suddenly appeared on the screen. It showed footage of a large press conference going on in Hapes announcing the death of the Queen Mother, Tennenial Djo. The next shot of footage showed something almost to shocking to believe. The camera was focused on Jaina Solo standing before Prince Isolder as he went down on one knee and asked her to marry him. With an almost terrified look on her face, Jaina noded her acceptance.
"Oh my stars," was all that Tahiri could manage. "I think you guys better come see this," she called to the others crowded into the baby's nursery.
Luke led the way back to the living room but stopped short once he saw what was on the screen. His niece with a crown on her head standing next to Isolder and Tenel Ka Djo. "Maybe you were right Leia, Jaina could accept an offer of marriage from Isolder."
Staring in shock, Leia simply said, "I think we need to go back to Hapes."
That night after the engagement Jaina went for a walk outside the palace. Once more not knowing where she was going, she headed out into the darkness to see where she would end up. After a while, Jaina found herself outside the door to Jag Fel's quarters. Not completely sure why she was there, she hesitantly knocked.
Jag had a rather surprised look on his face when he opened the door, "Jaina?"
"Hey," she replied, still not sure why she had come to see him. "Can I come in?"
"Oh, of course," he said as he moved out of the doorway so that she could pass. "Congratulations on your engagement. I guess you got what you wanted."
"No, I wasn't expecting that at all. By the way, what did you mean when you told me to stick to my rank?"
"Well, I meant for you not to marry Isolder, what did you think I meant? Anyways, I hope you two are very happy together. You're going to be a great queen, just be sure to invite me to the wedding, ok?"
"Oh, it doesn't matter what I thought. So how long are you planning to stay on Hapes?"
"I'm probably leaving tomorrow. Have to get back home, work to do. It's been nice seeing you, though. I had a lot of fun at that dinner. Well, if you and Isolder ever make your way down to the Unknown Regions, you should look me up. I would be glad to see you."
"Yeah. So be sure to come back for the wedding. I'm gonna miss you," she said softly as she leaned over for a hug.
He returned the embrace; a little reluctant to let her go when she pulled away. "Goodbye"
As Jaina left Jag's room she had tears in her eyes. What am I getting myself into? I don't love Isolder, but there is nothing else I can do. By the time Jaina got back to her room in the palace, all she wanted to do was lay down and cry.
The Solo and Skywalker families, as well as Tahiri Veila, all left to go back to Hapes as soon as they saw the news cast about Jaina's engagement. Han was infuriated not only because Prince Isolder had proposed to his eighteen year old daughter, but also because she had accepted. He knew that Jaina did not love this man, but he also knew that his daughter was an adult who no longer needed his approval for everything she did. That thought scared him deeply. Had his baby girl really grown up? Where had he been?
Leia was also very concerned about her daughter's predicament. Having at one time been put in that same position herself, she knew how the girl must feel. Leia only hoped that she could convince Jaina not to go through with it, no matter what the costs.