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, 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 Pashatemur for answering my questions about Chiss society! This makes chapters 12 through 15/16 easier to write!
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, Eli- David Tennant, Vah'nya- Stephanie Sheh,
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.
(Promise of the World- Howl's Moving Castle)
Stave 11: Stopover On Coruscant
4 July 3 ABY was forever known as the (Second) Battle of Hoth, where the Rebel Alliance had been forced to retreat following a trouncing, led by Darth Vader. Honors had been given to Piett and Veers for bravery in battle. In between his meeting with Thrawn and Jaina, Vader boarded his personal ship, the Executor, and began prowling the starlanes, dispatching thousands of probe droids. He was hoping to find his son and get him to assist with overthrowing Old Baldy. Skywalker saw himself as a Jedi and would rather die than join his old man. If that was the case (and there was a very good chance of this outcome), Vader would merely say he didn't need his son. Luke's daughter by Leia Organa from 26 years down the road would do a better job, perhaps. Skywalker would be at a loss- he would have to join forces with Vader, regardless! It was brilliant, brilliant I tell you!
While Vader was out plotting family reunification, Thrawn and Jaina were planning the next steps in their relationship. Both had dated in the past, and Thrawn had been serious with Ar'alani back in their twenties, before the Vagaarai invasion and the slow realization on both ends that they were better off as friends. As it stood currently, Thrawn still had loyal friends in high places. Ar'alani (who was now a general in the Expasionary Defense Fleet), and her superior officer, Bak'if, former Sky Walker now Caregiver Che'ri, and his sister Al'iastov- who was his inside person within House Mitth, now that Thurfian was not only Speaker for House Mitth, but Patrial as well.
Considering for EDF handled outsider ships, he was going to have to ask Ar'alani and Bak'if to intercede on their behalf. Problems involving time travel were well documented withing the EDF, usually time jumps were small, averaging anywhere between 48 hours and a fortnight. Anything longer, and said route was avoided at all costs, if possible. With Jaina coming from 26 years in the future, all the timey-wimey shenanigans were going to be put under the microscope. Hopefully, Lord Vader would be available to act as Jaina's chaperone. What happened after that would be decided once they reached Csilla.
It was not yet 4 AM on the Chimaera, when Jaina opened her eyes and stared at the durasteel ceiling. Thrawn was sleeping on his side, his arms wrapped around her stomach and waist. They had started sharing a bed again after their meeting with Lord Vader, and they were taking it slowly until they both felt ready to take the plunge. Even so, there were condoms and birth control pills in the fresher's medicine cabinet. She let out a sigh, knowing how soon her parents and uncle would soon be imperiled by both Grandfather and Boba Fett. "What a time to be alive," she mused aloud.
"Indeed, my heart's half," Thrawn murmured into her ear, opening his eyes. Jaina rolled over so she was facing her betrothed. She told him what was going to happen, and Thrawn said it served Ozzel right for being such a pompous blowhard, underestimating the enemy, and the most damning of all- directly disobeying Darth Vader. As for Captain Needa, his death was uncalled for, also showed one could die with honor whilst dealing with a depressed Dark Lord of the Sith. Jaina mulled this over for a moment, before falling back asleep. Thrawn followed suit not five minutes later.
The next thing either of them knew, the FM radio alarm was going off. "INN morning news- Hello, this is Tamerlane Borgia, with breaking news out of the Hoth system, located in the Outer Rim. We have been informed by Admiral Kendal Ozzel of the Death Squadron that very soon they will be crushing the Rebel Alliance in a sneak attack…" Thrawn turned off the radio.
He turned on his viewscreen, it was possible INN was livestreaming the story. Jaina snorted, what a showoff! The hologram showed Ozzel fielding questions, and boasting it was his idea to surprise the Rebels. "Pardon my line of questioning, but wouldn't the Rebels be alert to your presence if they intercepted the probe droid's coding," Borgia inquired. Ozzel scoffed at this line of thinking, surprise was best!
It was here Piett appeared (his SD was being repaired after an accident involving a school of purrgill), and cut in, "This story is over. Please expect a press release after the battle is over." The live coverage was cut, and Tamerlane apologized for the interruption, and said INN would share the press release once they had been given a copy.
"We both know how it all goes down, so what in the blinking galaxy possessed Ozzel to even give a live interview en route to battle," Jaina commented to Thrawn as they made the bed. Thrawn wasn't sure, but said it was probably due to pride, with a dash of stupidity.
After the bed had been made, hospital corners and all, Thrawn hit the shower while Jaina brushed her teeth. Whoever took the first shower of the day varied, but Jaina loved seeing Thrawn towel off. To think, she had this sapphire god to herself. Jaina could only blush! Thrawn knew she had been eyeing him and teased her, wearing his towel around his hips, "Easy on the eyes, am I?" This broke Jaina out of her daydream, and he kissed her sweetly, before leaving to get dressed.
Once they were in their uniforms, off to breakfast. As they walked along, Thrawn observed Jaina's uniform. Olive green was a tricky color to wear, it certainly hadn't done him any favors. Jaina sensibly had gone for the trouser option instead of the jodhpurs, and they accentuated her long, toned legs. From a practical perspective, trousers just looked nicer. She smiled at him as a caught up with Eli, who fell into step with them. Eli was helping Thrawn with finding an engagement ring for Jaina, and they had it narrowed down to a couple of choices. If Thrawn ordered it within a day, it would be on board no later than the ninth.
The officer's commissary was a step up from the one reserved for support staff and stormtroopers. Actual (organic) food, rotating weekly menus, cloth napkins, and a fully stocked bar and flatware made of sterling silver. Upon entering, it seemed some of the officers were in a foul mood, but why? Lyste waved them all over, "The puffer pig bacon ran out, and there was a near riot when the vegetarian option was served instead." Jaina choked down a snort, the officers were rioting over a lack of bacon? Thrawn agreed, it was idiotic. Of course, it was Konstantin leading the charge- they wanted red meat! Paelleon tried to talk him down, but all he got for his efforts was a broken nose.
Jaina took a bite and was pleased. "You can't tell the difference," she announced. Thrawn, Eli, and Lyste were inclined to agree, the only difference was caloric intake. As they were enjoying the cafs before shift start, there was a clamor of boots rushing the counter! A dozen officers, including Konstantin, were storming the register. Thrawn shot his blaster at the ceiling and activated a panic button under the table. A whole platoon of stormtroopers burst into the dining room, and promptly cuffed the dithering morons.
Standing on the bench, Thrawn addressed the rabble rousers, "Enough of this! You are Imperial officers of the Seventh Fleet, and all of you are under arrest for enacting a mutiny en masse. All of you will be held in the brig, until we reach Coruscant, where your punishments will be handed down by Imperial High Command." There were loud complaints from everyone as they were hauled away- the loudest coming from Konstantin. Jaina had recorded this for trial evidence. Now, to write up the report for the ISB.
"An insurrection over bacon?! Such ingratitude during a major battle, I am disgusted," Palpatine shrieked during the call with Thrawn and Jaina later that morning. The galaxy's reigning Sith Lord was not in a good mood. First, Bevel Lemelisk had weaseled his way out a deadline regarding the second Death Star, and escaped house arrest; Vader lost track of the Rebel fleet, and now Konstantin led a mutiny over a lack of bacon! Thrawn calmly explained his follow-through and had included Jaina's video evidence as backup. Palpatine then requested, "As a seditious leader, Konstantin must be made an example of. Bring them all here, I wish to deal with these peons myself. Also, I an holding an Imperial Intelligence meeting tomorrow, I request your presence. Your aide shall also attend." Palpatine cut off the video, ending the call.
Jaina admitted she was feeling anxious about meeting Emperor Palpatine face to face, but Thrawn assured her with the shielding she had done for the past weeks, that would do the job. She felt happier after hearing this, thank goodness. A lambda class shuttle was prepped for Thrawn, Jaina, and the accused officers. Paelleon and Eli were left in charge until the others returned. Konstantin was once again complaining about his unfair treatment. "I don't think you realize how much trouble you're in," Jaina informed him. Konstantin spat on her, but Thrawn slugged him for that.
It was just before noon, local time, when the shuttle landed at the Imperial Palace. A retinue of Royal Guards stood at attention, and it was unnerving to see. This is where Jaina had been born and grown up, after all. Thrawn gave her hand an affectionate squeeze. "Breathe, my heart's half. I am at your side," he told her.
Palpatine strode to meet them, in his usually wizened, hunched form. Thrawn bowed and Jaina curtseyed, and the Sith inquired about Konstantin. Said man was brought out, and he once again spoke out and reacted badly, "Who is this tramp you are paying homage to?" Konstantin had only seen images of the kindly grandfather avatar of said Sith Lord. Palpatine hobbled over to him, and their eyes met. It was only now Konstantin realized he had publicly insulted the Emperor. Kassius groaned in embarrassment, and wished he was dead.
"You will get your wish, heh heh. Grand Admiral, Lieutenant, follow me please. I have gotten word that the other eleven have been imprisoned. I have planned a public flogging for them at sunset. I expect to see you then," Sheev informed them. Thrawn nodded, and as he escorted Jaina back to his apartment, she caught sight of a very familiar redhead. Aunt Mara? Hustling out the door, and dragging her boyfriend with her, Thrawn asked her to slow down. Jaina blushed, and Thrawn knew she wanted to avoid drawing more attention to herself, thereby polluting the time stream even more. Visiting Csilla to have her presented as his fiancée, with Vader as her chaperone seemed like an excellent idea.
Thrawn's apartment was at 500 Republica, the ritziest property in the Federal District. In fact, Thrawn had been gifted the apartment, after his promotion to Rear Fleet Admiral, and that had been a little over six years ago. The former occupant had been Senator Amidala, also known as Mrs. Darth Vader- the irony was not lost on Thrawn at all. Taking the exterior turbolift, they reached an large, airy chamber hued in soft neutral tones. The furniture was of antique design and the walls were covered in art. It was part living space, part art apartment. There were three rooms to each side of the main chamber, and on the lower level, rooms for the servants and security details.
Thrawn pulled Jaina into a very deep and passionate kiss. His arms wrapped around her shoulders, and Jaina stood on her tiptoes. It was quiet in the apartment, except for the sound of water running in one the apartments next. Jaina happily sighed, it was rare they had some time alone, and Thrawn suggested they have some lunch. Jaina, who was feeling puckish agreed. They wandered into the kitchen and raided the fridge. Between the two of them, they whipped up some tip-yip sandwiches with a mustard vinaigrette and beet greens, along with some hot tea. After lunch, and the dishes were stashed, Jaina wandered off and Thrawn found her sacked out in the bedroom. Smiling softly, he removed her boots and tunics, and likewise did the same, before holding her close and dozing off.
The plaza where the public flogging was held was a stone arena where snipers held practice. Jaina had an empty feeling in the pit of her stomach as she and Thrawn filed in with other officers of high rank. "I have a bad feeling about this," she told Thrawn, who was agreeing with her. Oddly, Vader was also there. Earlier in the afternoon, Thrawn had floated the idea of taking Jaina to Csilla to present her to the Syndicure as his fiancée, and Vader agreed to be her chaperone. He was too focused on finding the Rebel fleet, and this would give him the chance to refocus on finding his son. They would all leave first thing after the intelligence meeting.
Once they were all sitting, Palpatine charged them as guilty of sedition and mutiny, and the punishment was flogging to death by knotted whips. One Deathtrooper per accused, and the whips they used were iron and jagged with knots of barbed wire. The whips cut into the flesh slowly, and the smell and sight of blood was almost too much to bear. Jaina tried her best not to be physically sick in front of everyone, but the shock made her pass out into Thrawn's arms.
Palpatine turned around, "Has she not seen a public execution before?" Thrawn said Jaina had lived a sheltered life by her isolationist aunt and uncle on Corellia who ran a flight school. Vader agreed and made the suggestion that the young couple retire for the night. Palpatine bid them good night, and Thrawn returned home, putting Jaina right to bed and fell asleep soon after, holding her close.
Meanwhile, Vader fed of the fear and agony as the men pleaded for their lives. Ah, much better. Once the spectacle was almost over, Palpatine had the heads severed and stuck on pikes. Pleased with such a gory sight, Palpatine walked cheerfully off to dinner with his concubines. "Good riddance to bad rubbish," Vader commented as he made his way back to his own quarters. Tomorrow was going to be quite the interesting day.