Theed's council members were seated in tall white stoned chairs. The chairs were formed to create a half circle where they could all see one another. The Queen who was not even able to sit in her throne, sat by Falynn who replaced the seat of the throne. Hux had instructed that Queen Winama to show her respect to the Supreme Lady, and to take her place next to her. An order that Falynn wasn't able to shoot down, unless she wanted to undermine herself in front of the whole council. They stared at her loathingly their eyes cutting through her like glass. Queen Winama had kept her gray eyes straight not once turning in Falynn's direction.
Falynn kept her own eyes on the two white stoned doors that led them into the throne room wishing she could flee through them. She was finding it hard to breath in her heavy black dress, with billowing red sleeves, and the black headdress that sat on top of her head. They dressed her to look like the authority they wanted her to embed on these people. Falynn resisted pulling at the collar that clung to her throat. She sat in the chair, back straight, arms pinned to the large arm rest of the throne. Hux sat on the other side of her. She wanted to spit on his smug face.
All eyes were on her, and she knew that it was time for her to speak, to begin whatever discussions that needed to be had. She wasn't even sure what that was, Hux hadn't explained any of that information to her. Was he expecting her to lead the whole thing?
"G-good afternoon," she began. A silent pause. The council members exchanged glances at one another looking a bit confused. Falynn swallowed her mouth going dry. "We are gathered here today, to discuss what has been recently revealed."
"You mean of your betrayal," an elderly man spoke, on the far right of her. The words stung like a blade slicing across her throat.
She straightened her back more as she continued, "I-I don't see myself as a traitor."
"Then would you care to explain," Queen Winama's cold voice snapped turning her stone colored eyes to Falynn. "Why the First Order has come to invade my people, when we have done nothing to offend them."
"My...my husband wants to create order," lies Falyn wanted to scream as the words scratched up her throat. "And peace. We have not come here to cause any harm."
"Tell that to the innocent man, who fell dead yesterday," another voice.
"I...I understand," Falynn took a deep breath through her nose, her chest rising and falling rapidly. Believe me I do. Right after it happened she had let her all of her powers unleash from her own grief. "I will do everything I can so that won't happen again."
Next to her Hux made a sound that sounded like a harsh snicker. Falynn looked up at him, but he sat perfectly still in his chair one of his legs crossed over the other. He looked perfectly content, comfortable even. Snake. She wanted to to hiss at him. You are no better than Kylo. You are a snake.
"The only way you can achieve this is for you and these troops to leave," said a woman from the far right of the semi circle. She was wearing a velvet blue dress, with a violet hood that shadowed her face. "We promise we will not interfere with the rest of your affairs. That is if you leave this planet immediately." Everyone else in the semi-circle nodded in agreement. Including the Queen.
Falynn and Hux were the only two that had remained silent from the demand. Hux's snake cold eyes turned to Falynn in question. Wondering how she would respond to not just the command, but how they were speaking to her. The Supreme lady. His lips twitched as he waited. As they all waited.
Falynn wanted to speak but she couldn't.
Because she agreed with them. She didn't want them to be on this planet either. What was she supposed to say though? Speaking against the Order would be undermining Kylo, which would put these people in even more danger. She didn't have the will to bark at them. To be cruel. So she sat there in silence as they watched her. General Hux leaned slightly forward in his chair a hand lifted up to his lips unable to hide the sneer that had formed there.
He had done this on purpose. He had set her up to this.
And she was going to fail.
She was going to fail right there on that throne. She was going to fail in her part as the Empress. She was going to fail a Leia and the Resistance and the promise she wanted to keep them. She was going to fail because as she sat there amongst the council she was trapped. If she spoke one way she would be a traitor to Kylo, if she spoke another way she would be a traitor to herself. She swallowed as her eyes burned. As the very blood beneath her skin burned. There was no other way. She would have to risk the hatred of her people. If that is what it took to save them. Even if it meant the words would tear her apart. Taking in another deep breath she opened her mouth again, hating herself for what she was about to say.
"You don't really have a choice," a voice echoed from the entrance of the opening to the throne room just as the words were at the edge of her lips.
Surprised they all turned to the entrance of the throne room. Falynn straightened her back up on the throne eyes slightly widening. When had he arrived back on Naboo? This morning his ship had been gone. Kylo Ree n was moving towards them like some type of wraith, his black hood pulled up and his cape flowing behind him. She didn't think that she would ever be relieved to see him, but she was. So relieved that a sigh almost escaped her lips. She caught it quickly and kept her face neutral as he came in front of the throne.
"No one, is to speak against my wife," he called out to the council members who stiffened in their chairs. Now that Kylo had entered the room everyone had gone silent and deathly still. Kylo turned his head halfway to Hux and waved a hand at him. "You may take your leave. We need an extra seat."
Hux glared up at Kylo, his nostrils flaring, unmoving from his seat. Kylo easily fixed Hux's arrogant bravado, as his fingers flexed with his hand still raised. Hux quickly shuffled to stand up on feet, and Falynn snickered quietly under her breath. He must have heard, because he shot her a look that could kill, before turning his attention back to Kylo and his hand.
"Supreme Leader I-," his voice shook as he bowed his head.
Kylo quickly cut him off. "I think it would be unwise for you to speak," he hissed through his helmet. "I do not remember setting a time for a meeting with the council."
"You were absent," Hux responded tightly, lifting his head back up. "I didn't want to concern you with such trivial matters."
"But you would burden, my empress?" Kylo challenged.
Hux didn't answer as he slightly lifted his chin higher, meeting Kylo's helmet with his ice blue eyes. Hux's eyes moved around the room examining the members of the council. His eyes stopped when they reached Falynn. A chill ran down her spine, as those icy eyes pinned her to where she stood. There was a promise in those eyes, that this wouldn't be the last time she would see him. He gave a slight bow of his head, before moving his way out of the courtroom.
Kylo extended his hand towards Falynn who did not hesitate to grasp onto it. With a surprising gentleness Kylo, pulled her off the throne, and sat her down on the chair that Hux had just been sitting in. Falynn's body sank a little on the smaller seat, glad she was no longer on that throne. Kylo released their hands as he sat down between her and the Queen then leaned back
"We come here," Kylo began as he surveyed the council members, "to bring peace and order to your lands." He let out a sound similar to a hiss as he motioned his hand towards Falynn. "And you show your gratitude by insulting a woman who is from these lands and cares for her planet deeply. Who My empress who wore the traditions of your people to show her unity to all of you. And this is the thanks you give her."
"We will never show our gratitude to your control," Queen Winama retorted boldly as she stood. She turned to face Kylo her stone eyed stare sliding over him, then to Falynn.
Falynn swallowed down the sickness that threatened to burn up her throat. This was her Queen who she revered and respected. Who at one point she would have gladly served under if there were ever a time in need. Now she was looking at Falynn as if she was some type of monster. "She is no longer a part of our people."
The throne room flooded into darkness as Falynn's mind went blank. Disowned by her own people. From the lands that she loved so deeply growing up. She had once stood on those waterfalls arms outstretched feeling the salty breeze dreaming. Dreaming of a possible bright future for herself believing one day she could serve a great purpose. It had all been a false hope, one she naively believed unaware of who her father was loyal to. Her knuckles turned white, as she tightly gripped onto the sides of the white chair. Her eyes lowered, as she sucked in her bottom lip. You must play the part, Falynn. Do not allow them to see your devastation.
Kylo slowly stood up from the throne, where he could face Queen Winama directly. She was a great deal shorter than he was. Her black hair, was pinned up in several large buns. Golden chopsticks poked out from her hair with yellow jewels dangling down. Her robes, were of golds, blues, and yellows. Her gray eyes seethed up at Kylo. Daring him to take a step closer. There was no fear in her. Her people were strong, and unbending. Under different circumstances she knew this moment would have made her proud.
That bravery and that light was quickly snuffed out, as Kylo flicked his wrist, cupping his hand as he slowly moved it up. Queen Winama's gray eyes widened as she made a choked gasp. Her feet began to slowly lift from the ground. The council member's watched as their Queen began to choke, their faces growing pale as death.
Kylo's slowly moved his arm upward, the Queen's body gravitating with the movement. Her body was stiff, arms pinned by her side, and Falynn's once powerful and respectful Queen was nothing more than a stiff ragdoll, in Kylo's power.
"I don't believe," a dark power rumbled through the room as Kylo's voice echoed off of those white walls. "That you have the power to make such decrees."
"Ren," Falynn's voice cracked out.
He didn't hear her as he kept that grip of the force around Queen Winama. Her strong-willed gray eyes were beginning to grow dim. Her mouth gaping open like fish.
He was going to kill her. Kylo was going to end her life in front of all of them to make a point. To show that the men and women in this woman had no power. Not anymore.
Falynn stood up from her chair, and placed a shaking hand on his arm, her fingers gripping onto him as she whispered. "You made your point to them. Please release her."
Kylo didn't release his grip as the Queen's body became limp in the air, and Falynn's fingers tightened. Her knuckles were beginning to hurt. "Ren, please! Not here. Not now. Let her go."
Kylo jerked his arm down where the Queen roughly thudded against the ground with a crack. Falynn's body jerked next to Kylo's. Alive. He let her live, but Falynn could see as the Queen laid on the ground that many parts of her had been broken from the impact of the fall.
"All we ask is for your cooperation and loyalties," he said at last, his voice hoarse through his helmet. "Do that, and we won't have any problems." Grabbing Falynn's hand he gave his final warning. "The next time you challenge mine or Falynn's authorities, every single one of you in this room will die."
Kylo grip onto Falynn's hand tightly as he stormed them out of the throne room.
She did not dare to look behind her to see the Queen's broken and unmoveable body. He kept her alive, but she heard the sound of those cracks. Her body was badly wounded. He didn't kill her, but who knew how long it would take for the Queen to recover from those injuries. She wasn't sure if he had displayed mercy for her sake, or just prolonged the Queen's death. She couldn't ask, as she still felt hollowed. Would Naboo no longer be able to be considered a home for her? Her eyes made to search for those waterfalls, tall mountains, and trees. A piece of her heart shattered within her chest.
When they made it out to the front of the palace,Kylo spun around on her. Falynn, leaned back as Kylo's body towered over her own. Falynn realized just how much taller he was then her. Falynn herself wasn't considered short as she was 5'7''. Despite he own height, Kylo made her feel small as the shadow of his body eclipsed her own.
"I give you space," he growled quietly at her underneath the helmet. "Then I come back to see that you are holding council meetings without me."
Wait.
Falynn frowned and blinked. "Giving me space?"
"Isn't that what you wanted?" he spat out at her. "Last night...you were angry with me. Don't bother denying it. I could see it."
Falynn paused at his words. So that was why he was gone this morning? He knew she had been upset, and wanted to give her time and space? Yet somehow he showed up at the most opportune moment, right when she felt like she was going to break.
"T-the council was not my idea," she tried to defend herself as he continued to hover over her. "General Hux conducted it, and told me as the Supreme Lady that I should be present...I didn't think he meant for me to conduct it."
"And you listened to him?" he scoffed. "He is no one for you to listen to."
Falynn straightened up her brows furrowing. "How was I supposed to know that? He said he was the commander of the troops...I just figured…" She hadn't known that he had set it all up hoping that she would fail. He did not bother to hide his intentions once they were there. She had seen it all over his face. He was fairly easy to read.
Kylo let out a breath through his helmet as he pointed his index finger at her before slowly drawing out again straining on each word. "He...is...not someone...you should listen to."
"I am sorry!" she snapped back at him. "What would you have me do, Ren?"
"Stay away from him," Kylo instructed straightening his body back up, allowing the sun to fall back onto Falynn as it reflected it off her copper colored hair. "And don't ever attend these affairs without me. That is not your job."
"Then what is my job?" she placed her hands on her hips. "Tell me what you would like of me, supreme leader."
"To be my empress," Kylo replied his voice softening. "And to follow me."
Falynn was taken aback by the softness of his voice. Even through the helmet. He was facing her, and for a moment she thought she saw his dark frame shaking, beneath that powerful suit. How long she wondered had Kylo been a Sith? How long had he been wandering that dark path, and who was walking on that path with him? Falynn realized the monster that he was. She knew of the lives he took, the cruel ways of his dictatorship. There was no redemption for that, but perhaps there was no redemption for her either. For she was now on that path with him, whether she wanted to be or not. The two of them would crumble and fall together, she would destroy who she was to be with him in order to protect the future of the galaxy.
Falynn tilted her head back, as her sea colored eyes shone with that determination. "Together."
Falynn immediately requested for her things to be exchanged to an Inn and out of the palace. She couldn't stomach being in those glorious stone walls. Not after what she had seen today. She could still hear the crunch of the Queen's bones as she hit the floor. She had asked Henne later that evening if she had heard any news about the Queen's well being. Henne looked tentative as she explained to Falynn that Queen Winama was now on bed rest. Her spine and leg bones had been shattered. There was a chance that she would be paralyzed from the neck down. Falynn knew the Queen would probably rather have died than to face those odds. How could a Queen rule if her body couldn't even move.
Kylo had taken his company to the command shuttle for the rest of the day, and Falynn kept to herself in the Inn for a few hours before heading back out. She made her way to the library first grabbing some books, refusing to make eye contact with any of the civilians. She walked out with the books in her hand, not bothering to check them out. She made her way on top of a field where the wind whipped her skirt around her legs, and hair around her face and all you could hear was the roaring of the waterfalls as they fell from the cliffs. She allowed Henne to follow her this time not wanting to be alone. They had brought with them along with a loaf of five blossomed bread, and a large cloth. Falynn laid out the cloth smoothing it out so they both would have room to sit on the blanket. Falynn looked over the waterfalls and mountains covered in green in silence. Henne remained quiet for Falynn's sake so she could read. Falynn had laid herself back and opened a book that was filled with short stories of her people. Of legends. Falynn read for hours enjoying the breeze, and allowing her hair to fall around her shoulders. She had changed out of that awful heavy black dress and dressed in a light, silver dress with sleeves that flowed down her arms and off her shoulders. She wanted to be comfortable. Forget the horror she just had to face.
When the light touched the edge of the mountains Falynn closed the book setting it down, then popped a berry in her mouth before sitting up. Brushing her fingers off onto the skirts of her dress. She turned to Henne who was enjoying some of the wine she had poured for herself. Henne's body seemed relaxed and content. The two of them looked the epitome of privileged. Falynn pushed down the guilt that welled up inside of her, as she laid down on her side perching her head on her hands angling her head towards Henne.
"Henne."
Henne's brows rose, as she set her cup of wine down onto their blanket. "Yes, my lady."
Falynn winced at the formalities but asked, "have you ever seen, Ren's face?"
Henne's eyebrows raised in surprise, "My lady, you have not seen our supreme leader's face?"
Falynn didn't answer, realizing she had possibly given away something she shouldn't have. Henne's eyes colored so familiar to Falynn's own, looked at her mistress sympathetically, but did not ask anymore questions. Instead she just shook her head as she finished. "The emperor only shows his face, to those he wishes to see."
And his wife, was not included in those individuals it seemed.
"I have only been told," Henne continued, "that the master has a scar down the right side of his face...given to him by a Jedi."
Falynn's eyes widened, trying to remember any information Leia had given on such matters. Leia had not spoken much of the Jedis. She only knew of one that had been amongst the Resistance, but she had never met them herself. Falynn's hands went to her own stomach, where her own scars were from the last brawl she had been in.
Henne reached out and placed a reassuring hand on Falynn's leg. "Do not worry, my mistress. I am sure the Supreme Leader will reveal his face to you soon."
Falynn grabbed her own goblet of shining liquid, as she chugged it down her throat, then tossed it into the basket they had brought with them, before standing. Henne stood as well, and helped Falynn pack the books, and the rest of the food before heading back to the city. The light had barely been visible by the time they made it to the Inn.
When Falynn had entered her room, Kylo had not been there. After she had bathed and slipped into her silk nightgown and returned the room still remained empty. Falynn laid in bed that night, and as she slept she dreamed. Dreamed and when she awoke for a moment, she thought she saw a black helmet laying on top of the nightstand by her bed. When she re-awoke the helmet was gone.
