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.)
(Summer- Joe Hisaishi)
Stave 14: Homecoming, Part 3
As far the official observers had been concerned, Thrawn and Jaina were truly an ideal couple. These were elders from the Aristocra and the Ascendancy who oversaw what couples courted, how they meshed together, and how they reciprocated each other. Mitth'raw'nuruodo and Jai'nasolo were fitting together so well, it was agreed by all to go ahead and prepare the paperwork announcing their formal betrothal and recognition as a member of House Mitth by marriage. Thurfian wasn't thrilled at this turn of events, but since the younger couple had their own residence, it wasn't like he would be seeing them at the breakfast table or anything like that. So, he agreed to go ahead and sign off on it.
Thrawn and Jaina were still holding hands as they walked into the front door, Jaina fumbling with the key as the oak paneled door open. Thrawn was smiling an honest to goodness smile, how many years had it been since he had been this happy and content. Internally, he was giving thanks to every galactic deity for bringing Jaina into his life. He felt like he was discovering some part of his soul he had locked away long ago. Jaina was feeling the same way. Ever since she met Thrawn, her life had opened up in so many ways. She had learned that Imperials were not the villains Mom and Dad made them out to be. Many of them were good and decent folks who felt the Imperial Empire was a genuine way to spread peace throughout the galaxy. She remembered Obi-Wan Kenobi's words about how situations were perceived from a certain point of view. Having grown up the daughter of two heroes of the Galactic Civil War, she had been taught only the Rebel/New Republic perspective, but now she could see more clearly that there were good and honorable people of both sides, something which seemed to be lost in the narrative.
Considering that the Jedi of the Late Republic Era were more focused on dogma and maintaining the status quo, was it any wonder the very people they were supposed to protect turn against them? They frighten me with their thinking, no wonder Ahsoka chose to leave, Jaina mused thoughtfully as she pulled out some kielbasa, rice, beans and various vegetables. Thrawn walked into the kitchen and kissed her cheek. "And what are we making tonight," he asked as he pulled out the needed utensils before setting the table for two. Jaina said she was making new market soup and requested Thrawn please start prepping the vegetables while she sliced the kielbasa and measured the rice.
Once the broth was simmering, Thrawn added the vegetables and began corralling the utensils as Jaina took over the rest of the cooking. The servants had left for the day back to the manor house, unsure on what to make of Jaina. Upstairs, Vader caught the scent of the cooking soup, and remembered when he and Padme had been like that. He was saddened she and Jaina had never met. Once Sidious was dead and Jaina was ruling at his side, things would be different. That of course entirely depended on if Skywalker would cooperate. Reaching out with the Force, the bounty hunters he had contacted were a few days out from joining the Death Squadron and his personal flagship. Better to focus on Thrawn and Jaina's impending formal engagement. He decided to join them for dinner.
About an hour later, Vader lurched down the staircase, his mechanical breathing alerting the young couple he would be joining them. Thrawn had just shown Jaina to her seat when Vader joined them. "Do not rise for me, I merely wish to join you for the meal," he told them. Thrawn nodded, and after a simple prayer to bless their home and meal, they tucked in. The dinner was delicious, and the meal went well. The discussion turned to the search for the Millennium Falcon and Skywalker. Jaina knew how this was all going to turn out, and it was vexing Vader he couldn't get anything out of her. Thrawn was wisely staying out of this.
Dinner wound down, and once the dishes were washed and put away, Jaina asked Thrawn if there were any sports he wanted to watch. Thrawn told her he did not like sports, and they scrolled through the holoscreen with a remote when Vader called out, "Stop!" The couple turned to look at him when Vader sat down and stared at the screen. It was a rerun of the Boonta Eve Race, and sure enough, the announcers had just called his name!
"Grandfather, is that you?"
"Yes, it is, a lifetime ago. I was nine then, and that's where I met your grandmother. I imagine all of this is still buried in Artoo's long term memory banks. Your mother hasn't had memories wiped, has she?"
"No, she hasn't. Artoo will mention The Clone Wars sometimes when we have dinner guests, and Threepio will tell him to switch off."
"Of course, he would- I programmed that chatterbox myself."
Thrawn caught the ghost of a smile cross Jaina's lips as they settled in to watch the race, Vader seemed interested in reliving a far happier time in his life, before his fall from grace. As the race progressed, Thrawn was finding himself drawn to the design of the pod racers, and Anakin had been the best pilot out of the whole bunch. The race had been certainly exciting to watch, and once it was over, Vader strode off to bed, seemingly in an odd state of mind. It was something neither Thrawn nor Jaina wanted to dwell on.
Jaina sat at the budoir, combing her hair as she sat in her bandeau and boy shorts. She was nervous about this, she and Thrawn were experimenting tonight with sleeping together semi-nude, i.e. in their underwear. As much as they could not keep their hands off one another during their downtime, with their formal engagement tomorrow morning, Jaina was wondering if they were going to actually go for the plunge afterwards, so to speak.
Thrawn was already in his black silk boxers, waiting for Jaina to join him. The lights had been dimmed, as she slid in and curled up in his arms. Kissing her gently, Thrawn asked if she was all right, he was a bit nervous also. His skin was surprisingly warm, and Jaina eventually let his steady heartbeat lull her to sleep. Thrawn was surprised how soft Jaina was, and was silently kicking himself for not suggesting this sooner.
"Can you sleep, heart's half? You are very soft."
"I can, but I can't help to think of Grandfather, how he felt seeing his younger self."
Thrawn squeezed her hand and reminded her that Vader had to figure this out, and soon he would be confronting her uncle. Thrawn was right about that, so Jaina finally let herself fall asleep, followed by Thrawn.
The following morning dawned bright and early, with Al'iastov stopping by after breakfast to make sure Jaina was ready for the betrothal ceremony. There was a certain way Jaina had to be styled and this was a grand formal occasion. Formal betrothal ceremonies were held at the cathedral on the Parliamentary Grounds opposite the Hall of Elders. A thick fog still hung over the sky, giving the outside world a slightly gothic feel to it.
Once Jaina was out of the shower and wearing a slip over her skivvies, Al'iastov grabbed the nearest fine toothed comb, and detangled the hair before pinning it up in an elaborate braided bun, and fastening in with hairpins as tightly as possible. After that, Jaina slipped into a light, cream colored petticoat, and then the dress itself. It was maroon satin, with open shoulders in between the tops of her shoulders and four inches down. Delicate silver chains hung across the openings, adding a slightly avant garde touch to it. The dress had a crewneck collar.
Thrawn's uniform had been laundered and pressed until it was in as pristine condition as his dress uniforms back on the Chimaera. Vader was also up, and made sure that his armor was at its best. Once they were all downstairs, Thrawn glanced up the staircase as Jaina held her skirt as she gracefully descended.
Al'iastov poked her brother, "Csehisbah vah! k'ir nah vizehn cssi vit'cah rot'sah- vsi hah sir to cabpehn nuvci." (Look at you! Don't get too caught up- save it for the wedding night.) Thrawn chuckled as they climbed into the aircar and made the trek back to Csaplar.
The cathedral was ancient, black ebony windowpanes surrounded by equally black granite flying buttresses and intricate stone, illuminated only by decorative glass windows that bore no colors. The pews were of cedarwood, and the house orchestra was warming up in the nave. It was tradition to play a processional before the young lady (or man depending on one's sexual preference) was escorted down the aisle and presented to the fiancée. In the case one of the Nine Families was involved, the groom was presented with a cape to then adorn the bride (or groom). This highly symbolic act formalized the engagement of said couple, binding them together in Chiss society, as well as welcoming the young lady (or man) into their spouse's family, immediate or otherwise.
The chaplain was tall and thin, walking with a slight limp and rather sharp minded for someone who had turned 183 years old last week. The man pulled out his holy book from which he would read to the young couple. Thrawn took his place up front, as Vader gently took Jaina's hand.
(Finale: Apotheosis- Sleeping Beauty)
The processional began, and Jaina was led the aisle to where Thrawn was waiting by Lord Vader. The Sith Lord had a certain pride about him leading his granddaughter to her future husband. When they arrived, Vader pressed their hands together, and Jaina was blushing brightly when her eyes met Thrawn's. He gave her a slight smile, before the chaplain addressed the both of them.
"Visot ch'acico, nah cart vutavcah cseah s ch'at ch'acarcin'ci to k'usci k'ein's'ehn bah K'on'bah Ch'abcesit Mitth'raw'nuruodo bah to Cavrt'in'rei Bakan'bi Let'ir ch'at Jaina Rutas bah to Ect'aseo Ect'asei. Vah viz ch'acniuh vun'ran't ch'at ehe'ah k'ein's'ehn ch'at in'a ch'an'ucw, vim eihn bah ch'a mir cat non, ch'at cart csimco cabpehn veah beken tar neo votcosi vim ruseaci. Cabpehn vim to vum vun'bovah ch'at hah cart nah vuckust ch'islah. Cat veo Ch'ah cart csecisvah, ch'acniuh bah vah rsah csei s cart k'itro. Ch'ah tsapan't csei s ch'in'cati ch'at recnuto k'eb, k'ebatas, bun'kisibi vim ch'acah cacasn. Mitth'raw'nuruodo, ttis'ah bsit'esah csei s sesvio'ah veo vur ch'aah boun'i, veah vah viz tsacan'b len ch'at cart," (Dearly beloved, we are gathered here to witness the formal betrothal of Rear Admiral Thrawn of the Expansionary Defense Fleet to Jaina Solo of the Imperial Empire. You have both agreed to become betrothed to one another, and one day with a year from now, to be lawfully wed as defined by our culture and society. Marriage and the path leading to it is not easily trod. From what I am observing, both of you know this be true. I present this cloak to symbolize faith, loyalty, charity, and love everlasting. Thrawn, please drape this around your heart's half, as you have claimed her to be.), the chaplain preached. Gingerly taking the merino garment, Thrawn draped the garment around Jaina and fastened. Jaina felt herself blush, and Thrawn met her eyes.
The chaplain lit a small dish of incense and walked around the couple three times, before he invoked holy blessings upon them. This ended the ceremony as Thrawn led Jaina out to the aircar, and off to a private lunch at his favorite bistro (he had rented the whole place out for a few hours).
Seeing the young couple off, Vader returned to the house. He had paperwork to do with regards to the Battle of Hoth, and he had to contact the Bounty Hunter's Guild to see how quickly their top agents could get to his flagship.
One chapter was ending, and the next one was about to begin.