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 notes: Bolygó is the Hungarian word for river since I imagine Csaplar to be an intergalactic version of Budapest. In the Parliament building's dome, there really are statues representing the former rulers, and yes several are looking at the statute of Maria Theresa. Also, the CS is pronounced as a CH, and the S is pronounced as an SH. (i.e. Maris(h)ka Hargitay, Budapes(h)t.)
(Journey to the West-Princess Mononoke)
Stave 13: Homecoming, Part 2
The group had just finished toasting when Bak'if began filling in Thrawn, Jaina and Vader on what was going to happen next. The CEDF would deploy below the surface, and Al'iastov and Ar'alani would be waiting for them at the landing bay, and from there, it would be an hour's drive into the planetary capital of Csaplar. From there, they were to proceed into the Hall of Elders, where both the Syndicure and the Aristocra held court and ran the government. As the ship drew closer to its home base, it was seen Bak'if's office had some first-rate views as Csilla slowly lurched into view.
Jaina could feel her eyes grow wide and the glacier and granite encased world came into view. "Most impressive," Vader rumbled. Thrawn felt relief, joy, and trepidation upon seeing his homeworld again after over a decade. Relief for finally coming home, joy at seeing his sister and presenting Jaina as his betrothed, but apprehension over how Thurfian would not only react to the news he (Thrawn) was getting married, a rise in family rank within House Mitth, but how he would act with Vader in tow. Like Jaina, he was just going to have to wait and see. Vader knew very well he could not Force choke anyone, lest he wanted to start an intergalactic imbroglio and sacrifice Thrawn and Jaina- they were key for his usurping of Sidious. The Sith Lord folded his arms and nodded in agreement.
The entry way into Csilla's temperate interior was more or less the same as your standard docking bay. Plasma gates allowed ships entrance/egress, while keeping the vacuum of space out. Considering what Thrawn had told her about the Ascendancy's rush to industrialize after their sun cooled following an incident with an ancient superweapon, Jaina was impressed with what they had churned out within the last millennium. "Life finds a way," she mused thoughtfully.
Slowly, but with firm motion, the ships descended, still in fleet formation. If only Imperial ships could take off and land with such precision, Vader thought to himself. There was a noticeable thud as the ships made contact with the duracrete landing pad. "Sea ashore csei cart ch'tra ashore," (All ashore that's going ashore.) Bak'if joked as the intrepid band followed him down the ramp, and out into a glorious midsummer morning.
Jaina knew the caverns had artificial day and night cycles, but this was beyond imagining. If you didn't know you were a half mile underground, you would swear you were on Csilla's surface. The tech needed to keep this all going had to be something to marvel at. In a way, this reminded Jaina of Lord Hithrer's worldcraft from the time she had been kidnapped as a little girl. However, this Chiss had over one thousand years to not only perfect this but export it for use on other worlds the Chiss had settled on. A sharp gust of wind scattered some leaves and ruffled everyone's uniforms.
Jaina wasn't sure if she was more nervous or excited, would Al'iastov and Ar'alani like her? Thrawn was certain they would; Jaina was an honorable and loyal person- she would get along with them quite easily. Little did she know, Al'iastov and Ar'alani were quite excited to meet Jaina. They had never expected Thrawn to marry someone, and now he had given his heart to a human woman not yet 21 years of age, who not only traveled over twenty years into the past, but was an honest to goodness princess to boot. Apparently, Lord Vader was her maternal grandfather, and was acting as her chaperone. Having seen her picture, they both agreed Mitth'Jai'nasolo was quite the beauty.
"Ch'ah tuzir ch'itcuto vsabah Mitth'raw'nuruodo cart k'en vamci, vim tah cart sasacun'eo k'ein's'ehn," (I can hardly believe Thrawn is finally home, and he is formally betrothed.) Al'iastov gushed as she bounced impatiently on the balls of her heels. Normally, social etiquette demanded sober, but friendly behavior when reuniting with family members or sweethearts after a rotation serving on ship. Thrawn's homecoming, reinstatement in Chiss society and rise in family rank was truly worth celebrating. Not to be outdone was his formal betrothal to Jai'nasolo and the reveal of what she knew and how that would effect the Ascendancy and it's policies in the long run.,"
They were waiting in a small courtyard sandwiched in between the low brick buildings that housed the CEDF's officer's quarters, training and parade grounds, the hangars and repair garages, as well as the barracks for the CEDF's ground forces who were tasked with guarding the campus. Overhead, a murder of crows squawked and flapped they attacked some hawks who flew into their airspace. "Vohun! Cseo ch'itihsint corvids," (Ugh! Such nasty corvids!) Ar'alani commented. It was about now a black clad aide stepped out. "Han'asit Ar'alani? Nunaten Al'iasatov- van bah ch'ah ttis'ah. Rot'asahn Han'asit Bak'if viz tat veo ch'at'obart," (General Ar'alani? Lady Al'iasatov- come with me please. Supreme General Bak'if has requested your presence.) the youth instructed crisply. Both women nodded- moment of truth!
Following the aide, Ar'alani and Al'iastov walked down the tiled floors, as aides and support staff passed by, doing whatever errands the needed to be carried out. Their combined excitement was reaching a fever pitch as they tread the corridor, and they soon reached the heavy wooden door that the office sat. Al'iastov could swear she hear a muffled conversation, and Ar'alani pushed the door open, better to get this over with. She simply couldn't stand anymore excitement; out of fear she might have a heart attack.
Thrawn looked up to see his other best friend and baby sister standing at the threshold, to overcome to speak. "Al'iastov-" Thrawn began to say before the younger woman burst into tears and gave him a crushing hug, holding him close to convince herself her older brother was truly alive. Once she had been convinced, she hugged Jaina- she had a sister now, as well. Ar'alani just gave a grin and squeezed his shoulder, "Bun'zan'i vamci," (Welcome home!). She greeted Jaina in a friendly manner, and it could be seen the three women were going to get along swimmingly. Likewise, Vader was formally introduced, and he was given respectful salutes. This pleased Vader, and once everyone had calmed down enough, they bid goodbye to Bak'if and headed for the parking lot. "Vah cart ch'tra ch'at ch'acah veb san'csi bah to isni Csaplar, Jai'nasolo. Ch'otci ch'an'cevzo vun'rcsoim vim tsahe'ami, vim hah reb ror to Bolygo csezar vim cart hah ch'aah tsut'r vziscit. Vah veb, seo isb viz hah ch'aah tsut'r vziscit, sea can ch'itrico vizasn'i, ch'at cattir ch'an'ciuh tutoibi. Veah vah csarcican't veb, to k'ascah can vah ch'at k'abar vim ch'akasi san'csum, to btavah vah cart ror to socio- cavun'ucah rossict," (You are going to love seeing downtown Csaplar, Jai'nasolo. Many ancient buildings and churches, and it sits on the Bolygo river and is it's own district. You see, each city has it's own districts, all in different caverns, to prevent contamination. As you'll see, the closer in you to federal and business centers, the lower you are on the socio-economic scale,) Al'iastov informed her. Jaina had seen this before on other planets, and she said as much.
All the buildings, either commercial or residential, were built of bricks or stone. Graceful trees lined the streets, and there was quite a bit of greenery. Each cavern was connected by a series of tunnels, since some caverns were more urbanized than others. The largest of these caverns were reserved for the Nine Families and everyone associated with them. The manor house itself was reserved for the Patriarch and their blood relatives. There were other houses scattered around the property, all maintained by house staff. Rank had its privilege, after all. Al'iastov had a picture of the house Patriarch Thooraki had left to Thrawn in his will, and he and Jaina would see it after their presentation. She was able to find a place to park, thank goodness.
(Dance of the Knights- Prokofiev)
The Hall of the Elders was where the Syndicure and the Aristocra held court and handled the Ascendancy's government and laws. It was an imposing edifice, three acres in area, and that was just the building itself. There was a large central dome roofed with gold leaf and intricate tile work. One of the Aristocra's walked down the granite stairs to escort them into the grand building.
The interior was well lit, and airy. The gothic arches gave way to stained glass windows in the upper levels. It felt like a cathedral in many respects, and in the main chamber, just under the dome, were statues of the founders of the Nine Families. Eight of the founders were men, but the founder of House Mitth was a woman, and this was why all of the male statues were looking at her. Jaina smiled softly at this, and the only sounds that could be heard was the drone of tourist groups from other worlds within the Ascendancy.
The chambers where the Joint Meetings were held was a large auditorium, with desks for speakers representing each of the Nine Families, but also the Forty Great Families, specially selected representatives of the Expansionary Defense Fleet, along with their aides. The politicians were wearing white and also had capes, a symbol of rank for both genders. Each one had a badge if they represented of the Nine. As they proceeded towards the central podium, the onlookers nodded neutrally towards Thrawn, and were a great deal more respectful to Vader and Jaina. When they were front and center, the Elder Speaker intoned Mitth'raw'nuruodo had returned triumphant, reinstated as a full member of Chiss society and with the official House Mitth rank of ranking distant, and this also applied to Jaina as well. Once Thrawn had accepted this recognition, he turned the podium over to Jaina. It was showtime.'
'
Letting her shield drop and feeling the collective gazes of several hundred pairs of red eyes transfixed on her tall, willowy form, Jaina let out a deep breath and addressed the congregation, "Bun ch'ican, visot batahet vim attachés, Ch'ah cart Mitth'Jai'nasolo, vur ch'aah boun'i vim k'ein's'ehn bah CEDF ch'aah K'on'bah Ch'abcesit Mitth'raw'nuruodo. Ch'acacah ch'eo ch'azi, To ren'mur K'user, Ch'ah tuzir ipah ch'acuzah. Veah vah ch'im mihn rsah, Ch'ah csact'i vumer cat bobav- rar mir can to carcun'co, vim Ch'ah baper ch'at vucon'ev veo g'evipi csarcican't g'evipah can Rsah Rt'isi. Ch'ah csarcican't ipah ch'acuzah ch'at tsumavt can veo rt'eseci ch'at vatt'i ch'eo tisut." (Good morning, fellow delegates, and attachés, I am Mitth'Jai'nasolo, heart's half and betrothed of CEDF's Rear Admiral Thrawn. Like my grandfather, Lord Vader, I can use the Force. As you may already know, I time traveled from twenty-six years in the future, and I wish to impart what events will happen in Known Space. I will use the Force to project into your minds to aid my words.) Having said that, Jaina tapped into the Force to demonstrate what she was talking about.
Millennia before, the Chiss had encountered both the Jedi and the Sith, and having thoughts projected at them was not pleasant. Aside from being long lived (the average lifespan was about 200 standard years), the Chiss experienced synesthesia. Jaina's thought signature was a soft yellow and smelled of cedarwood, vanilla, and cinnamon, sounding like birdsong. So gentle was respecting was her touch, everyone allowed themselves to see her memories and mental images. Jaina did not boast, she stuck to the facts and gave the information in a straightforward manner. By the time she had finished, she had won them over, and scored quite a few brownie points for her husband and House Mitth. Thurfian decided she wasn't horrible, but he felt he could only deal with her and her art loving husband no more than once a month, at the most.
Prolonged Force projections exhausted even the most resilient of Jedi, and Jaina was no exception. She looked pale as she finished with a sincere and quiet, "Bin'vi sir tascarah ch'ah ch'at tisut." (Thank you for allowing me to speak.) With their business completed, they were all excused. Once they were settled into the aircar and en route, Al'iastov told them about their house. It was a two-level stone house with a gray slate roof. Elegant square windows graced all of the sides, complete with forest green shutters. There was an attached garage, small shrubs lining either side of the front walk. There were trellises on either side of the house, a gazebo and vegetable garden in the backyard. House staff from the manor house came by every day to tend to both the house and grounds. She gave Thrawn the keys, he and Jaina had an actual home now. Al'iastov insisted that they visit her cabin later on. Waving goodbye, Thrawn dipped Jaina into a deep kiss, which she returned.
The interior of the house was notable for the uniform maroon wallpaper (official House color), hardwood floors and brass wall lamps in each room. The staircase leading upstairs ran against the left wall of the entry way. There were sixteen rooms in total, eight on each floor. Each room was spacious, filled with antique furniture and looked well lived in. Plenty of room to raise a family. As was expected, Thrawn and Jaina took custody of the master suite, and Vader took a guest room. A bacta tank and medical droid had been set up for his personal use. Settling into the tank, Darth Vader began to meditate about finding his son and the best way to do so in an efficient manner.
Thrawn was having a sense of déjà vu as he dressed in a maroon set of trousers and tunic, similar to his current Imperial uniform. It was mandatory to dress in house color when you were at the estate of one of the Nine Families, and Jaina found herself wearing one of the gowns that belonged to the late Lady Thisbe, Thrawn's adoptive mother. They were beautiful to look at and feel. They were empire waisted with crewneck collars and princess sleeves, and the shoes were Mary Jane slippers made of reinforced suede (Ar'alani had found a few pairs up in the attic that hadn't been worn in over 300 years). Jaina's hair was partially braided, the rest was left down. She looked fabulous after changing, and she thought the same of Thrawn.
Now that they had changed clothes and settled in, Jaina inquired what they should do. They had a few hours at their leisure before taking dinner. "We should participate in a walk about. That is when betrothed couples spend time together to see if they are compatible," Thrawn told her. He added that while they were quite compatible with each other and the formal betrothal ceremony being held later that week, this would show Jaina was receptive and accepting of Chiss courtship rituals. She was keen, as she wanted to see more of Csaplar.
The area of Lake Balatán Park had an area reserved for couples out on their walk abouts. Most of what constituted PDA was nonverbal, only hand holding, and fond gazes were allowed. Taking in the summer colors and fauna, Jaina and Thrawn spent a lovely, quiet afternoon. They enjoyed each other's company so much, they only got home after dark.
All it all, it had been a day well spent.