Fate, So Beautifully
A Star Wars Romance
Written by: Nehru_Amidala
Inspirations: the myth of Hades and Persephone, Sailor Moon, Edward Scissorhands, The Nutcracker, The Thrawn Trilogy, Neil Gaiman's Stardust, Downton Abbey
Pairings: Thrawn/Jaina (Main!), Luke/Mara, Han/Leia, Jacen/Tenel Ka, Anakin/Tahiri, Ar'alani/Paelleon, Thooraki/Thurfian, Eli/Vah'nya
Author's note: Please do not nitpick with the ideas presented here. I will not change my stories to make you happy. Also, big thanks to Darth Bernael for suggesting the idea for the ops mission.
Tropes used in this story and trigger warnings: time travel, true love conquers all, earning a happy ending, grey vs gray morality, miscarriage, premature birth, abandonment, redemption, rising to meet your fate, to see with eyes unclouded
Timeline: Mix of Legends and Canon
Voice cast list: Thrawn- Benedict Cumberbatch, Jaina- Anne Hathaway, Luke- Mark Hamill, Mara- Karen Gillam, Han- Harrison Ford, Leia- Carrie Fisher, Jacen- Elijah Wood, Tenel Ka- Renee Felice Smith, Ar'alani- Angie Harmon, Paelleon- Joe Spano, Thooraki- Hugh Bonneville, Thurfian- Elizabeth McGovern, Eli- David Tennant, Vah'nya- Stephanie Sheh, Ochi of Bestoon- John DeLancie, Justinian Konstantin (OC)- Peter Capaldi, Theodora Konstantin (OC)- Catherine Tate, Cassandra Konstantin (OC)- Michelle Dockery
Author's note: I claim nothing, except this is probably the VERY FIRST fan fiction is Star Wars fandom history to pair Thrawn with Jaina Solo. Having read all the Legends books, I can say for certainty that everyone will be in character. Any naysayers will be fed to Moro no Kimi.
(Overture from Edward Scissorhands- Danny Elfman)
Stave 6: Undercover on Berchest, Part 1
Berchest's main claim to galactic fame was the city Callus Saj Leeloo, wedged along the southern coast of the inland Leefari Sea. It was carved from one gigantic crystal that contained high amounts of iron and zinc, giving it a distinct orange glow to it. Over the past several millennia, people had carved roads, stores, and houses out of it, so the crystal was also a thriving small city of about 300,000 loyal Imperial citizens. Jaina had always wanted to visit, and Thrawn wanted to take her as he was keen on studying the city's artisanal history.
However, there was no time to take a sightseeing tour with romantic overtures, there was a spice manufacturing rumor to investigate. The shuttle ride was something of a shlep, an 8 and a half hour at hyperspace speeds. So, in the interest of keeping everyone on the same page, Konstantin regaled them all with tales about his family and their estate, Grantham House. It was an older keep, having been sold to his family after the last owner lost his fortune in a series of bad sabacc games and drinking madeira wine under the table while his wife had affair after affair, ending with a botched suicide attempt in the sauna located in the basement, just off the scullery and weapons armory. Keeping in mind that when this was all going on, Count Dooku had just left the Jedi Order and returned to Serenno.
A lot of this was just rehash to pass the time, but it was only when he got on the subject of his family, Konstantin got his dander up. His aunt and uncle made their money in trade and family connections. They had the ear of the Imperial governor, who happened to away on a family vacation to Chandrila for a comic book convention. "Of course, you will have to judge them for yourselves," he told them. The shuttle pilot told them that they were very close to landing, so Konstantin gave them the coordinates for the Imperial garrison.
When they arrived, they were shown to a speeder and driven further north, if such a thing was possible. The roof had to come up, and Jaina stared out the windows. For miles she could nothing but thick forests of black pine and stony ground, grass the only other color under a stormy sky. A large estate house the color of butter appeared, or rather the turrets of some provincial castle. Jaina was impressed, Thrawn was wondering about these people, and Konstantin was dreading this meeting.
At least twenty or so black clad servants in house livery were gathered in the midday gloom, with all the expression of a bowl of cold oatmeal. The stormtroopers on guard opened the doors, and Konstantin sneered as they were greeted with the loud tremolo of an electric bass. "Master will be down in a minute," the butler informed them.
Indeed, he was, and he was a sour faced older man with curly white hair, and the brogue of someone from Wild Space. "Ah, ya couldn't wait five minutes for me ta finish my solo, Cashus. I was in te middle of my set, you sorry sod." Konstantin glowered, and it was only now his aunt and cousin came out. They were decked out in older finery that had not been seen since they heyday of the Clone Wars. They seemed more like hags under the veneer of gentility. Jaina knew people like this who ran around in her social circles, and Thrawn knew people like this back from when he been much younger, when the Nine Families argued over him, his future. His eyes were starting to glaze over, when Jaina took his hand in hers.
She comforted him the Force, but he was being stubborn, something he did not want her to see, not yet. She pressed her face into his back, and this very act brought him back to reality. Such a simple kindness, and it was breaking his heart he had found her. He would kiss her, but later. The older woman, her red hair bright as a beacon stared at the guests in a way that made them feel unwelcome, small. Konstanin introduced them. "We are here under Lord Vader's orders to investigate the spice production here on the grounds."
At the mention of the battle tank that was Lord Vader, Justinian went bone pale. Why would Lord Vader send his reprobate nephew here…unless they had been sent here by the Emperor himself! That would be the end of everything! Doing a quick turnaround, he invited everyone in. "Apologies for that, not every day we receive such high-ranking guests." It was here he showed everyone to their rooms, and Thrawn and Jaina were sharing a room. What?
Thrawn was sitting in the window seat, staring out the glazed window. The wind howled outside, buffeting the shutters back and forth. It was breaking Jaina's heart to see him like this, how much had silently suffered? Sitting down across from his, she took his hands in hers and leaned over to kiss him softly.
Thrawn's mind was years and a lifetime away, when he felt Jaina kiss him. Thrawn broke out of his melancholy, and returned the kiss as he pulled Jaina closer, craving her soft warmth. His fingers wove into her hair, Jaina curled into his lap. Thrawn came back to his senses, and stroked her cheeks, so lovely. He held her close and kissed the top of her head. How had he lived without her? "Never leave me, my heart's half," he whispered fiercely. No matter what happed now, he would never let her go. They spent the rest of the evening holding each other, watching the rain move in and fall hard and thick as a waterfall.
Dinner was served promptly at eight p.m. and it was a lavish affair; suckling pig with a fat pear wedged in it's mouth, drizzled in a glaze garnished with figs and winter squash. Potatoes carved into camellia blossoms, stained with expensive chardonnay, and polenta trimmed with parmesan rinds. It was delicious and Jaina was going to give her compliments to the chef when Theodora cut in.
"Kassius, it has been far too long, now who are our guests," she asked half interested, her voice oozing with honey. Thrawn felt his teeth were going to fall out, "I am Grand Admiral Thrawn, and this is my aide, Jaina Antilles." Closing his eyes, he swallowed his wine before taking Jaina's hand and placing it to his lips, kissing it gently. This action made it quite clear she and Thrawn were seeing each other exclusively. Cassandra snorted haughtily, "You're courting that little girl?" Jaina shot her fellow brunette a dirty look.
Cassandra stirred her polenta, "Wouldn't catch me serving on one of those death traps. I would much rather stay here; girl has to have a social life." "Feh! Your social life? How many men have you turned down," Konstantin snarked back.
Well, this is going well, isn't it?
This is nothing! You should hear my dad and Prince Isolder snark at the dinner table whenever they visit my parents.
You have a lovely inner voice, my heart's half.
Jaina was blushing when she realized she had been having a Force conversation with Thrawn, oh no! Rising from the table, she excused herself and ran into the bedroom. How could she have been so foolish, letting her guard down like that, letting herself use the Force like that? She really was an idiot.
She was sitting in the window seat, when Thrawn entered the room. He crossed the room and took her hands in his. Jaina blushed and looked up, Thrawn helped her up and they both shared another deep kiss. Jaina asked, "Was it wrong that we had a conversation with the Force?" Thrawn stroked her back, relishing her soft warmth. "It wasn't wrong, but you should be careful," he told her softly.
When they did fall asleep, they were snuggled in each arms, holding each other in a sweet embrace.