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, Ysanne Isard- Lucy Liu, Supreme General Bak'if- Mark Harmon, Ar'alani- Angie Harmon, Al'iastov- Liv Tyler, Che'ri- Jessica Brown Findley, Thurfian- Dan Stevens
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.
(Lady Eboshi-Princess Mononoke)
Stave 12: Homecoming, Part 1
Of all the Imperials Jaina Solo-Thrawn feared, Imperial Intelligence director Ysanne Isard was the one she feared the most. As is flying under the radar on the Chimaera was safe enough (it was, to a point) even with Thrawn's protection, a meeting of the top minds was going to be her first real test of her Force shielding. She was so nervous she barely ate dinner and had a hard time going to sleep. Thrawn had a harder time trying get her to calm down. "All that will be required of you is to look pretty, serve tea and take notes for me. You will be fine, my heart's half. I will be there, and Isard will not harm you. You are my aide, and she cannot touch. She most likely talk down to you, and if you do not react- you will be fine," Thrawn implored her. He kissed her gently, and Jaina was able to fall asleep.
The meeting was held in the Imperial Palace, in a large, sunny room. This was where Leia had her office, and Jaina had spent many happy hours playing there, but now she was preparing to meet people who had either died by the time she was born, or who had retired into private society. She was gripping the datapad so tightly her knuckles were turning white. Thrawn squeezed her hand, and this is where they met up with Vader. They greeted him and the Sith Lord said this was Jaina's final test, to see if she could truly stand on her own two feet as an Imperial officer. Jaina let out a ragged breath, time to get this over with.
Isard was standing at the head of the table, and she nodded to Vader and Thrawn. "Well! You're not much to look at, are you," Isard barked. Jaina looked down, "I suppose I'm not." Isard snorted, "You at least know your place." Thrawn and Vader were glaring daggers at her but maintained the masquerade as more men joined. Piett was there, his arm had been broken in the fighting out at Hoth, Gideon looked like he wanted to dissect something, and who should scuttle in but Bevel Lemelisk? Seeing as how the members were all there, Isard began by demanding to know what news was there. She was like a shark in a way, looking for blood and traitors to hang, furthering Palpatine's already slipping grasp on the galaxy.
Thrawn explained the Chimaera Bacon Rebellion and how all 12 officers who had participated in the seditious act had been executed yesterday evening under the Emperor's watchful eye. Jaina carefully poured tea and caf, before setting the mugs on a floating tray and offering it to everyone in the room, as protocol demanded. Isard was pleased with Thrawn's swift response and made the order that all officers have no bacon whatsoever for the next year effectively. Thrawn, who preferred sausage himself, said he would see to that immediately. That meant, Jaina had to type up the executive order and send it to all ranking officers within the Seventh Fleet to ensure it was enacted immediately. Jaina showed Isard what she had done, and the older woman nodded curtly.
Gideon and Piett's reports were much as to be expected, the town outside Mount Tantiss was slightly restless, but nothing a strict curfew and planned Holonet outages couldn't counteract. Piett said Ozzel had been dispatched after giving an unauthorized interview on INN. When Isard countered Ozzel should have gotten permission, Firmus explained that the interview had come out of left field, and that they had all been under Lord Vader's direct orders to prepare for battle.
Isard did not fear Vader at all, and everyone in the room thought this was most foolish. She turned to Vader, filled with contempt. "Well Vader, you let the Rebel Fleet escape to terra incognita, you allowed an inferior officer to give an unauthorized interview, these mistakes have cost Intelligence hours and credits we will not get back," she rasped. Striding over, and nearly stepping on Jaina's toes, she got right in Vader's face. She hollered at him about how was screwing up months of dedicated undercover work and blowing deep ops within the Rebellion.
Vader had dealt with Isard before, and he was not having any of it. Bad enough, he got it from Palpatine more times than he wanted to count, but this- this was the last straw. Standing up, he used the Force to forcibly sit Isard down, and it was his turn to lecture her. "I do not answer to the likes of you, Director Isard. Ozzel was dealt with, and furthermore, the Rebel fleet will be found. I was not given a timetable, and you should learn your place." He curled his finger, and Isard began to panic, grasping at the papers lying on the table, sending half filled mugs over onto to the table. Jaina wiped up the mess as the woman gasped for breath. Isard gagged and dry heaved for a moment before ordering everyone out. She did however, have the where withal to keep Lemelisk there, in order to curry favor with Old Baldy.
"She reminds far too much of Orson Krennic for my tastes," Vader said casually as he strolled along with Jaina and Thrawn. They were taking a smaller frigate to Csilla, and Ar'alani and Bak'if had been informed of Thrawn's return with his betrothed and had requested they intervene on behalf of the Chiss Expansionary Defense Fleet. It had been over 13 years since the Syndicure had "exiled" Thrawn, and now he was returning with a fiancée who had time traveled from over 25 years in the future, and she had pertinent information she felt both the Syndicure and the Aristocra would be very interested in hearing. On top of that, she an honest to goodness princess on her mother's side of the family, and her grandfather was a Sith Lord and a man of high rank and a fierce warrior. Considering how family oriented and militarized Chiss society was, Thrawn was returning in a grand triumph. As it stood, both the Syndicure and the Aristocra had voted overwhelmingly to reinstate Thrawn as a Fleet Admiral in the CEDF, merit adopted of House Mitth, and whatever pay he had earned over the years was unfrozen. Al'iastov was going to be thrilled her big brother was coming home and getting married.
(Dance of the Swans- Swan Lake)
It was a two-day trip for the shuttle to get from Coruscant to Chiss Space, and that was considering the space anomalies and the sheer distance it took from the center of the galaxy into a place that was barely mapped at all. Thank goodness for a point five hyperdrive engine, otherwise it would have taken a week. Vader did not have a week, he had Rebels to hunt and a son to find.
As the hours passed, Thrawn gave Jaina her engagement ring, or rather a betrothal ring, the actual engagement would happen at the beginning of the following year. Jaina started crying and she peppered Thrawn with kisses. Vader tried not to roll his eyes, he was jealous at their happiness. The young couple excused themselves.
Thrawn had told Jaina that they could only kiss in the privacy of the house that had been left to him in Thooraki's will, otherwise they would stick to hand holding and fond gazes. Jaina said this made sense, an older culture that in some ways was a bit more reserved than neighboring sectors in Known Space. "You will have to use the Force to reveal what happens in the future. Will you be up to the challenge," he asked quietly. Jaina said she was ready and was looking forward to meeting everyone. Thrawn chuckled at her enthusiasm.
As they strapped in, the shuttle lurched out of hyperspace, and greeting the small Imperial craft were three gunboats, several squadrons of clawcrafts flying in formation, and a central assault frigate. The central frigate was Bak'if's flag ship, Skidbladnjer. One of the lower ranking officers said that an outsider ship was hailing them. Bak'if grinned, Thrawn's triumph had been achieved. He could not to rub this in Thurfian's face the next time the two men met.
A holographic symbol representing the CEDF popped up on the captain's viewscreen, and it was handed to Thrawn. Thrawn activated it, and the form of a middle aged Chiss male in an immaculate black uniform, medals strung along across the lower neckline. Saluting Thrawn, he intoned in formal manner, "Csei s carcir sakn han'asit Bak'rah bah ch'at Expansionary Defense let'ir, hailing ect'aseo nizat Slytherin. K'ir vah tahn ch'ah?" (This is Supreme General Bak'if of the Expansionary Defense Fleet, hailing Imperial Shuttle Slytherin. Do you read me?)
Letting a small smiled cross his face, Thrawn greeted his old friend. "Csei s carcir Mitth'raw'nuruodo, batahn ch'abcesit Thrawn, vim nah ritot vah ror tisci bah ch'at ect'aseo ect'asei." (This is Mitth'raw'nuruodo, Grand Admiral Thrawn, and we greet you on behalf of the Imperial Empire.)
Bak'if nodded and gazed over at the girl and the asthmatic cyborg sitting next to him, and asked warmly, "Ttis'ah, ch'itmon'o ch'acevi. Vea cart veo hirci vah ch'atvun'bovah vamci bah vah?" (Please, old friend. Who are your guests you bring home with you?) Thrawn gestured to Jaina and then Lord Vader, allowing them to speak for themselves.
Jaina bowed her head, and blushed a little bit before clearing her mind, "Ch'ah cart Mitth'Jai'nasolo, bah Buhn Tiri catazib- Rutas. Ch'eo en'casn'im'i nuhn cart Jaina Rutas, vim Ch'ah cart vasabin'ci ch'at to cssun'i bah to ch'itksoo ttin'abi Ch'atbasio. Ch'eo csen'ai cart Tsen'sum Leia Organa bah Ch'atbasio, vim Ch'ah csact'i vumer bobav rar mir can to carcen'casi vim Ch'ah cart k'ta ch'a tao'can'in't can to Ect'aseo Let'ir, veah na veah Mitth'raw'nuruodo ch'aah vatt'in't. Tah viz tsacan'b ch'ah veah reo vur ch'aah boun'i, vim tah cart ch'eo veah na." (I am Mitth'Jai'nasolo, of House Skywalker-Solo. My core name is Jaina Solo, and I am heir to the throne of the late planet Alderaan. My mother is Princess Leia Organa of Alderaan, and I time traveled twenty six years into the past and I am currently a lieutenant within the Imperial Navy, as well as Thrawn's aide. He has claimed me as his heart's half, and he is mine as well.) Bak'if grinned at Thrawn, it was about kriffing time the younger man found his heart's half. A week or so of social observation, and they could be formally engaged in Chiss society. His attention now turned to Vader.
Vader's Cheunh was not as fluid as Jaina's, and it was punctuated with his heavy, mechanical wheezing, "Ch'ah cart To ren'mur Csesin K'user, bavrcso ch'in ch'at Ect'asearcsi Palpatine bah to Hit sceso Ect'aseo Ect'asei. Ch'ah cart Jaina ch'aah ticsen'o ch'azi, vim csarcican't cart len sit'at bohn neo roncan'i." (I am Lord Darth Vader, right hand to Emperor Palpatine of the Galactic Imperial Empire. I am Jaina's maternal grandfather, and will be her chaperone during our stay.)
Bak'if nodded, they had done their homework. He spoke Basic well enough, but he still had a thick regional accent (Rentor born and raised and proud of it), and so far all was going well without incident. The Ascendency were allies with the Empire, after all. "Thank you all for your introductions. Please pilot the shuttle into the cruiser's landing bay, and I shall greet you in person." The transmission cut off, and the pilot turned a questioning look to Vader. The Sith pointed to the cruiser, and shuttle Slytherin was soon inside the durasteel docking bay.
The landing ramp was lowered and Thrawn strolled down first, holding Jaina's hand. Hand holding was allowed for betrothed couples, kissing and making out in public was not. Vader followed, his cape billowing behind and his ominous breathing filling the space. The Chiss soldiers and staff, both men and women were all standing at attention. They must have been informed outsiders of considerable social standing were arriving.
That was what they had been told, for it was now Bak'if strolled out, and he was overjoyed to see Thrawn alive and well all these years later. You could see it in the way he carried himself, they way his eyes shown, at least from Jaina's observations. She deduced that the Chiss communicated more with nonverbal body language as well as words, and she would be correct on that matter. He shook hands with Thrawn, and kissed Jaina's hands gently. He would have profferd his hand to Vader, but the Sith Lord did not offer a hand, only a brusque nod of the head. "Right then, let's go to my office for we have much to discus," Bak'if told them.
The cruiser was roughly half the size of a Star Destroyer, so it took less time to get to Bak'if's office. The troopers had helmets, but you could see their eyes. Much more practical for seeing your target. "At least they can shoot straight, Imperial troopers can't," Jaina commented offhandedly. Bak'if was surprised by this, what was the point of stormtroopers wearing helmets if they could not see. Vader snorted, the helmets were based off what the clones had worn during the Clone Wars, and it had been Lemelisk's brilliant idea to change where the lenses were, and it was uniform across the board. He failed to take into account height, weight, and possible vision issues.
Bak'if's main office was much the way Thrawn's was, with the exception on the space maps and the wooden furniture. He had a percolator going and offered his guests tea. There were several forms on his desk, and Thrawn was curious about them. Bak'if explained that with Thrawn's return, the Syndicure and Aristocra had overwhelmingly voted to restore his rank within Chiss society not as a trial adoptee, which was what it had been before his exile, but not he was a ranking distant, his bloodline was officially part of House Mitth. Thurfian had dragged his feet on the matter, but had been soundly outvoted. "This applies to you as well, my dear," he explained to Jaina. She nodded and said she was still trying to figure out the ranks within Chiss society.
"Al'iastov will explain it all to you after we land," Bak'if told them. After the forms were signed, they were sent back and were officially on record within the half hour. A toast was raised, cheers!