Juhani watched the children as they silently communicated with one another. Her thoughts drifted to what journey may layahead ofthem.
She wondered how they would take to leaving their mother, the only person they had ever known, outside of herself and Canderous. That was their destiny though, and if they were indeed the twin children from the Council's vision, prophecy, then their future would not be with Revan, for that path was not in the stars.
She drifted back to when the Council had requested her presence. She had entered the chambers and was shocked to see Revan standing there.
"Juhani, I knew I could trust you, and, I'm sorry." was all that Revan had said before the Council began to explain.
"Padawan, a great path has revealed itself to us. We have been unsure of it's meaning, but now that Jedi Revan has come to us, we must act on what we believe."
"A prophecy has been discovered. The paths of two twin children, a boy and a girl, will help aid in the restoration of balance to The Force."
"The dark side will call to one of them and that future is uncertain, but could pose a grave danger to the Galaxy."
"The power in one of them is strong, very strong, stronger than any Jedi we have ever seen. We can only assume it is from inheriting the strong force that flows from one or both parents."
Juhani was confused but she tried to appear indifferent. What were they saying? A child, no, twins, of a Jedi? How could this even happen, Jedi were forbidden to love. She paused as she remembered Revan's presence in the room, along with the words she had spoken upon her arrival. But Carth wasn't a Jedi, no, she must be confused.
The Masters continued:
"These children have been conceived of one who has fallen to the dark side; that much is clear from the Prophecy. We feel that Jedi Revan may carry these children."
So it is true! She looked to Revan, noting the small movement as her friend's lips stretched out across her face, not in frown but more of, and then she heard her through the force "What can I say, I have a baby, they have a prophecy."
She snapped out of her memory long enough to realize this was one of the last times that Revan had made a comment to her that seemed of her true identity. In the later years, on Juhani's many trips to deliver necessary supplies, Revan had always appeared to have the stance and attitude more resembling of a council member than the old friend she remembered.
She went back to her memories, recalling the moment she gained the courage to speak, "But Revan is not of the dark side any longer; surely any child conceived by her would not fulfill this prophecy."
"True, we do not believe Revan to be of the dark side no longer" Master Vander spoke and then remained silent.
Realization dawned on Juhani and she turned to her friend, "But Carth? Is he not the father?" her gaze tore from Revan, to the council and then moved back to her friend.
"Revan?"
Silence.
"Answer me, Revan, answer me!" she cried out.
"Juhani" she began, her arms rose, faltered, then returned to her side. Revan looked at the ground, to the Council, at each Jedi Master standing before them. Slowly her gaze turned to Juhani, "Truth is, I do not know."
After what seemed like hours Revan continued, "Something, something happened on the Star Forge. I can't remember what, but I know how I felt afterwards and it had always made me wonder."
Revan looked around for support from someone, anyone, but found none. "I felt violated and something in me snapped, maybe it was the pressure of our journey, the pull of the dark-side, I don't know." She paused, turning her gaze upward in an obvious attempt to hide the tears that were welling up in her eyes. Slowly she brought them back to rest on Juhani. "But there is a possibility."
"You can find out" she screamed to her friend, ignoring the call to remain composed and emotionless in front of the Council. "Force Revan, it's a simple test!"
"I, I…" Revan stammered, "I do not wish to know."
"WHY THE HELL NOT!" Juhani screamed, letting the anger flow freely, ignoring the disapproving glances from the Masters.
The silence in the great hall became unbearable until finally one of the Masters spoke, "The bond with Bastilla has indeed been blocked, you may speak freely Jedi Revan. She should have the honor of the entire truth."
Now that Juhani thought about it, the silence must have been the force communication of Revan, worried about her force bond, and then the Council Members as they concentrated to ensure the bond had indeed been blocked. She had been so blinded by her own fury she had been ignorant to the exchange.
Revan, obviously feeling a bit of relief now, spoke, though the words did not flow freely.
"If there is a chance, if my child, my children." She paused, taking in a deep breath before continuing, "If they show signs of the dark side, I…" Revan looked pale, so pale and fragile at that moment. Juhani had wanted to go to her side, to comfort her, to let her know that everything would be alright. Instead she remained frozen, waiting for the next part to come from Revan. And when it did, Juhani felt her world spiraling around her.
"I … I will have to stop it, stop them"
Juhani didn't understand, the Jedi didn't hurt people; they didn't plan for such atrocities. She fell to the floor, noticing Revan running from the room, obviously in just as a precarious emotional state as she herself felt. But she couldn't help her friend now, she couldn't understand herself. She was spiraling downward and didn't know where she would land.
And then she felt the hand of Master Vrook, of all people, on her shoulder. He sent a wave of thoughts and comprehension through her and slowly she began to accept the reality of what had just played out before her.
Bits and pieces, each holding a deeper meaning ran through her mind. Wave after wave coursed through her as she felt the enormity of their meaning:
The council was fearful, the Jedi were few, there was a prophecy, it was the will of the force, Revan was the strongest Jedi ever seen, what would her children be like, if they were dark it would be the end of the galaxy, Revan had taken this upon herself, had requested it, she was willing to sacrifice her life, her future, even Carth, Revan was scared, didn't want to know if the children were Carth's or Malak's, wouldn't be able to carry out what needed to be done, had to shield herself, wanted to protect Carth from finding out, worried about her friends, the galaxy...
"NOOOOOOOOoooooooooo" she screamed, "I can't take any more."
"And now you understand" was all Master Vrook has said before leaving her on the floor of the chamber. When she had finally gained the courage to look up, they had all gone. She was alone.