I am sorry this has been late guys! I have been sick and very tired. I hope this chapter makes up for it! Thank you all for your support and comments!
Chapter Nineteen
Falynn had remained quiet through the rest of her healing.
She didn't speak much to either Kylo or Henne as she remained in bed rest. She had asked Mayea to close the door after she had rebandaged her wounds each night and morning so she could be left alone. In the middle of the second week the cuts and stabs from the laigreks had mostly closed and were beginning to scab over in the parts that had closed. Whenever Mayea had left, Falynn had gotten herself slowly out of bed and walked around stretching out her stiff legs, before hobbling back to the bed and sitting down. She did the basic exercises a couple of times a day, if for no other reason to keep herself sane.
She hadn't left the bedroom once during her recovery. Other than the master bedroom's fresher Falynn didn't even know what the rest of the house looked like. Henne had brought most of her meals to her, before departing back out of the room. Falynn was getting tired of looking at the same walls over and over again. It didn't allow her any source of distraction from her thoughts. Her thoughts of how empty and hollow she had felt.
She was ready to get off of Dantooine.
In the short time they had been on the planet Falynn had come to quickly hate it.
She was tired of the cream-colored walls, the grasslands outside of her windows, and the mistakes she had made constantly shadowing her.
Mayea was now sitting by Falynn on the small wooden chair as Falynn laid down on her back. She laid there quietly as Mayea slowly and carefully unwrapped the bandages around Falynn's leg, arm, then gingerly sat her up so she could reach the bandages around her shoulder and back. As the young doctor began on her shoulder a smile touched her soft pink lips.
"Your wounds healed much better than I thought they would," Mayea pleasantly mused "The scars won't be as large as I anticipated them to be."
Falynn returned the smile with her own weak one. "This wouldn't be the first time I have gotten scars."
Pursing her lips Mayea nodded eyes going towards Falynn's stomach. "Whoever gave you those wounds were doing their best to end your life. The injuries must have been deep."
"Not deep enough to kill me," Falynn added quietly.
They probably would have, if Leia hadn't found her. Falynn swallowed down the thought as Mayea moved to the bandages on her back.
"Seems you like to cheat death," Mayea spoke, dry humor dripping in her words. "I suggest, my lady, you don't make that a known habit of yours."
Falynn only shook her head, before she hesitantly asked. "How is my husband doing? He hasn't been coming into the room as much with you...I guess he fully trusts you now."
Mayea paused her movements on the bandages.
Instead of seeing Kylo several times a day, the last few days he had only dropped by once for a few minutes. He didn't even speak with Falynn. He had beckoned Mayea to the door, and then a second later he was gone with the door shut. Whenever Falynn fell asleep, she expected to find him somewhere in the room or beside her but he never was.
"I see him as much as you," Mayea finally said as she removed the last of the bandaging before disposing it in the metal can that was placed by the stool. "He usually keeps to himself in the study from what I heard." The young doctor sighed as she started with some fresh bandaging on Falynn's leg. "You two are a complicated lot...don't tell him I said that."
Snickering Falynn rolled her eyes, "I won't say a word...and you're right." Falynn slowly sat her body the rest of the way up before looking over her bare shoulder. She was pleased to see that the wounds were now fully scabbing over. "Would it be alright if we go outside?"
Arching an eyebrow Mayea queried. "Are you sure? You should still take it easy you know."
Falynn nodded. "I haven't gotten fresh air in almost two weeks now. I also need to stretch my legs out."
Mayea studied Falynn for a moment before she finally smiled and nodded. "Very well. Just let me finish up with the wrapping."
Falynn made sure she remained still as Mayea finished by wrapping up Falynn's shoulder, before finishing with her back, then lowering down Falynn's loose black shirt. Standing up Mayea gently took Falynn by the arm pulling her up then led her over to the door. Falynn fought the urge to shrug off the help but didn't want to push her independence. That would only cause trouble and send her right back to the bed. Out in the hallway, Falynn took a look at what she could see of the rest of the farmhouse and realized that the walls were all the same. She paused when they reached a hallway that was different than the rest. Standing in the middle of it they were surrounded by glass on each side. On the right side of the glass was what looked to be once a garden or a greenhouse. Falynn stepped up to the glass and peered inside taking in the tree that was centered directly in the middle of the dead grass. The tree was tall enough that it breached past the glass ceiling.
"This was a greenhouse," Falynn spoke quietly more to herself than to Mayea. "To think there was probably a lot of life in these walls at one point."
Mayea had stopped walking as well as she stood next to Falynn, placing her hands in her cream-colored coat tilting her head.
"Dantooine was once a planet of full vegetation," Mayea explained. "I am sure most of the homes here, had greenhouses such as this built into their homes."
"Do you think they all had trees as tall?" Falynn eyes stretched up with the tree, dreaming that it could take her back into those stars she had truly started to miss. "May we go in please?"
"Certainly," Mayea smiled. "It will probably be safer anyway to keep you safe in the walls just in case."
Falynn didn't wait for Mayea as she pushed her hands against the glass door, and entered the glass enclosure. Walking over to the tree Falynn placed a hand on its trunk before leaning her head against its rough bark. Closing her eyes a vision slowly came into her mind forming blurred images. Her brows furrowed together willing the vision to come into focus until she saw the several humans attending to the garden that was once lush and in full bloom. The images became fully clear allowing Falynn to see a small family. The mother with thick black hair tied back in a braid was carrying a basket of vegetables as she held onto a little girl's hand with matching colored hair. The two of them were smiling at an older man who was kneeling down in the dirt. The man had tanned worn skin but a dimpled smile as he waved over to another youngling a young boy, who brought over a tool and handed it to his father. The four individuals were covered in dirt, their clothing worn with tears, but they seemed happy. Falynn noticed in the middle of the garden was a small sapling that was sprouting from the middle of the greenhouse. The vision quickly melted away and turned into someone else. They were a tall figure dressed in black tilting their head back as they stared up at the now fully grown tree. Her breath caught as her mind watched Kylo turn around as if he were facing her. His dark hazel brown eyes seemed pained, and it looked like he was looking at someone. Falynn sucked in her lips as she studied her husband's face. It was the first time she had seen it bare in almost two weeks even though it was only a vision. She watched as Kylo reached out a hand and touched the tree...in the same spot where her head now rested. She kept herself there as long as he had once stood in the same spot she now was until the vision faded out, and it was only her and Mayea once again.
Stepping back from the tree and looking up, Falynn steadied her breathing.
That was the first force vision that she had ever had.
Haymond nor Leia ever spoke to her much about force visions or how they worked. The vision had almost come to her immediately as she had placed her head on the tree. Tilting her head back Falynn starred up to the sky that now was now becoming gold from the setting sun. The tree looked like it could reach the hemisphere breaking past the layers of Dantooine towards where Falynn wanted to be.
Off of this planet.
The planet...this home that once had carried happy memories.
Not for her.
All that had come out of this place, were those sad hazel eyes that had just stared straight through her. That and more injuries to her own person, and the trust she broke not just with her husband, but her closest friend.
"Mayea when do you think we can leave?" Falynn asked, keeping her eyes towards the glass ceiling. "I think I am ready to leave."
"Soon, my lady '' was Mayea's sympathetic reply as she placed a gentle hand on Falynn's shoulder. "Soon."
The glowing of the holographic map was the only thing that had kept Kylo company these last few days. It was the only room in the farmhouse that Kylo had taken off his helmet as he sat staring mindlessly at the map that he no longer had use of. He sat in the desk chair bent forward hands clasped in front of him, or running through his tangled black hair. Kylo tried to mark the map, trying to mark where he had possibly made a mistake, but found none. Dantooine wasn't ever meant to be a success. Knowing that he still kept himself in front of the map, not wanting to interact with anyone else. He was getting sick of hearing people ask what he needed, when he thought they would depart, and how the Empress was doing.
He wasn't quite sure himself.
Every time he had gone into the room she was still lying in the bed. From the quick glimpses he had given, color was slowly starting to return to her face, her hair seemed more brush with each visit, and he could feel her life force fully coming back to her. She was healing quickly. Enough where he felt like he didn't need to constantly check on her, but still wasn't aware of when they would be able to leave. Doctor Mayea had given him quick updates and told him that her wounds were mostly closed and that she was even mobile, but that Falynn should still be taking it easy. Kylo had only responded with nods and "thank yous," before wandering out. He didn't want to give an opportunity for Falynn and him to speak again. He didn't want any more arguments or pleaded and broken looks from her. He just wanted her to get better, where she could walk up straight again and for the fire to return back in her eyes. Seeing her look so defeated cracked something inside of him, just as it had when he found her broken and bleeding on that dirt crusted base floor. He couldn't stand it. Kylo didn't know how to speak with Falynn. He didn't know if he wanted to continue to yell at her in his frustration or to clasp her face in his hands and plead with her never to do something so foolish again. Glaring at the map, Kylo quickly stood from the chair he was in as it scraped on the floor beneath him before he grabbed his helmet and placed it back on his head. He had yet to make his quick visit to the bedroom.
Opening the door Kylo made sure no one, including Henne, was in the hallway. The few officials or troopers that had stayed on Dantooine always had a question for him when they came across him. A question he didn't really have an answer for. Henne never bothered to speak to him, just gave him respectful nods or bows...he still however still did not wish to interact with any of them. He was surprised that Falynn had not blown up at him when he practically admitted what he had done with the handmaiden. Falynn's eyes only seemed to gutter with what looked like to be guilt. Kylo should have seen anger in those sea-colored eyes of hers, but the only thing he saw was guilt. Broken, and shattered guilt. It didn't make any sense to him.
Rubbing the back of his neck Kylo began to make his way towards the bedroom. He stopped when he noticed the doors to the garden opening, then heard the glass door click shut. Narrowing his eyes inside of his helmet Kylo approached the glass wall of the garden before stopping then taking a step back. To his surprise, Falynn and Mayea were inside of the greenhouse. Falynn with an outstretched hand slowly walked over to where the lone plantlife. Kylo moved himself to the shadows of the hallway where they wouldn't be able to see him. Kylo used the privacy he had to take in his wife as she placed a hand on the large trunk of the tree. She was wearing a sleeveless loose black shirt matching with a flowing, black knee-length skirt. No doubt clothing that Mayea recommended that she'd wear. He took in the clean fresh bandages that now wrapped around her shoulder, and that she was walking around with her bare feet with more clean bandages on her leg. Her copper hair was brushed and falling into long loose waves down her back. Mayea stood behind Falynn's hands in her pockets as Falynn pressed her forehead against the tree. Kylo stiffened as he felt a shift in the air. He took a quick look down the hallway back to his study but didn't see anyone. That was strange the air had definitely changed around him. He could sense it if not feel it through his powers. Turning his head back to where his wife was, Kylo eyes widened as unfamiliar images began to form around her.
The garden that was once bare was now full of fruits, vegetables, and flowers and blooming in a variety of colors. A father he presumed with a tan dimpled face, was waving over to a young boy who had brought him a small gardening tool. There was a woman too, who was holding onto a small girl's hand as they carried their crops in large woven baskets. They were all smiling as they moved around Falynn who looked like she was now leaning against nothing, but instead hovering over a small sapling that was sprouting from the ground. The first sign of life, from the tree that now sprouted well past the encased glass. The vision of the happy family faded out bringing back just Falynn and the now grown tree. Kylo swallowed as he watched Falynn's fingers gripping onto the bark sucking in her lips. She stepped away from the tree and turned to Mayea.
Kylo waited as the two women spoke, then entered into the hallway. Mayea kept close to Falynn as they headed back in the direction of the bedroom. Kylo took a moment before he followed them making sure his footsteps were silent. The vision had been odd, and there was no reason really for the force to show him. And why had Falynn not vanished during the vision? Perhaps it was because he was fatigued. Or maybe it was because of everything that happened, maybe the Force was trying to show not everything on this planet was terrible. For once he wished he had someone to speak with on the matter seeing that he no longer had any master or mentor. Close behind them Kylo was ready for the two women to open the bedroom door and was taken aback as they walked past it. The woman did not stop until they were in the kitchen. Instead of following them in, Kylo pressed his back near the round opening arch they led into the room. He did not care to confront them and was curious as to why they didn't go back to the bedroom. Hadn't the doctor said that Falynn should still be resting?
His wife looked around the room for a moment then frowned as she turned to Mayea before sitting down at the large round table.
"Where is Henne?" she asked. "I thought she would be out in the hallway somewhere."
"I believe the young miss went back to the base," Mayea answered as she poured some hot liquid into a cup before setting it down in front of Falynn. "She came in to check on you earlier but you were asleep. After that, she told me she was heading back to the base and would be back in a few hours to see how you were doing."
"I see," Falynn answered quietly as she took the cup that Mayea extended towards her. "Did...did she seem well?"
"She seemed herself," Mayea simply replied. "She didn't appear to be in bad health."
Falynn only nodded again before taking a sip from the cup. Mayea cast Falynn a glimpse before grabbing a bowl of berries and nuts and setting it down in front of her. Sitting across from the Empress the doctor rested her chin in her hand.
"You can leave in two days' time," Mayea said picking out a red berry from the bowl. "I will tell the Supreme Leader once he comes in to visit. In the next couple of days, you and I can walk around the farmhouse allowing you to stretch before you head to Geonosis."
In two days' time? Did Kylo hear that right? He took in his wife's state. She did seem to be much healthier than she had been. All of her color was now back and flushing her fair cheeks. Luster had returned back to her hair, making it look soft once more. Her movements seemed steady and her appetite seemed normal as she took a handful of berries and nuts in her hand and began to plop a few in her mouth.
"Can't it be sooner?"
Mayea looked up at Falynn with warning in her eyes, and Falynn responded with a lowering of her head and a sheepish laugh.
"Sorry," the Empress apologized. "I am just feeling a bit restless."
"And you will," Mayea promised. "I know you are getting bored, but give it a couple of more days. Your wounds are no longer bleeding, perhaps even tonight we can completely remove the bandages as long as you remain careful."
"I know," Falynn said. "I just hate knowing that...I am…I am the reason that everything…," Falynn clenched her first that held the berries and nuts juice now emerging between her fingertips.
Kylo held himself back as some of the juice ran red.
She didn't even have injuries on her hand, he reminded himself.
"You can blame yourself all you want," Mayea reached across the table placing a gentle hand over Falynn's clenched hand. "However that isn't going to solve anything, Empress. Just make sure next time you stay by our master's side."
"I was planning to," Falynn smiled then looked down at her hand. "Oh...shit."
Mayea only laughed as she stood and grabbed a cloth off the counter before handing it to Falynn.
Falynn's words echoed in his mind as he turned around and headed back to the office.
I was planning to.
She was being honest. There was no reason for her lie to Mayea. Kylo clutched a fist to where his heart was beating as he replayed their conversation in his mind. Mayea said that Falynn would be good to leave in two days...he needed to contact General Jase and to check in where they were standing on Geonosis. He stopped in the hallway briefly half turning his head behind him. He was relieved to see that Falynn seemed back to her usual self. Shadows still seemed to loom in her face, but her body movements seemed well. Mayea even mentioned that Falynn's wounds wouldn't need to be tended to and wrapped anymore. Kylo wasn't sure how he felt about that, but he had felt better than he had in the last week and a half. This meant he could begin to progress more in their plans. So far General Jase hadn't given him much word on how things were on Geonosis other than the fact, nothing had seemed out of the normal. They hadn't even located the ship yet. The sooner Kylo kept with his troops the better.
Things were going to get better.
Soon they would be able to leave Dantooine behind, and everything that went wrong with it.
Afraid to even be more than a few feet away from the farmhouse in fear of something else getting in the way, Falynn had taken a seat on the front porch that night. Her back was leaned against the door her head tilted where she could look up at the stars as a heavy black shaw laid around her shoulders. Two days...they would be leaving in two days. Falynn didn't think she had ever been so excited to get on a ship and to fly off somewhere else. She was half tempted to go on to the command shuttle and to strap herself in until they were ready for take off. Sighing Falynn placed a hand on her shoulder that was now clear of any bandages. The wounds still looked red with their scabbing but even some of the scabs were beginning to fall off forming her scars. They would be a reminder she decided, a reminder for her not to fly so blindly into what she wasn't familiar with. The scars on her stomach could testify that as well.
Mayea had been the only one that had kept Falynn company for the whole day. Kylo had never come in to check on her, and neither did Henne. Falynn assumed it was because Mayea had updated them on her recovery. With Falynn now up and moving there was no point. Especially if they were both still upset with her. Though she understood the source of their upset and knew she was guilty, she still felt an emptiness with those pieces missing. She missed Henne's bright smiles and the mischievous twinkle that always stayed in her eyes. She missed having her friend there, as a comfort to her, and the jokes and laughs the two of them shared together. She wasn't exactly sure what she missed about Kylo, but the absence of his presence still felt strange. She believed this was the most the two of them had been apart since they had been married. Kylo forever brooding, with his stiff posture, or his outburst it was different from all of that no longer surrounding her.
True the two of them didn't spend much time during the day together, but she knew at one point the two of them would speak or see each other. The silence between the two of them seemed more unnatural than their quarrels.
"May I join you?"
Falynn's eyes widened snapping her eyes away from the sky and to the person who stood in front of her. Henne with hands clasped behind her back, wearing a simple red dress, her hair braided behind her gave Falynn a small smile.
"Of course!" Falynn piped up quickly scooting over and patting the paved porch next to her. "Please! How are you doing?"
"Shouldn't I be asking you that?" Henne lightly giggled.
Falynn gave her handmaiden a smile as she shrugged off her shaw, revealing her scabbed over wound, then held up her leg. "I am doing quite well."
Henne examined the scar for a moment before her eyes shadowed moving to her back.
"They are about the same," Falynn said noting to where Henne was looking. "A little deeper than the rest, but they have closed as well."
"They must have hurt."
Shrugging Falynn pulled the shaw back over her shoulder. "It happened because of my mistakes. Lesson learned."
"Why did you go off on your own?" Henne asked brows creasing. "Why did you even hide doing such a thing from me?"
Falynn tried not to wince at the hurt in Henne's tone. She had kept it from Henne, she had lied to her friend. After telling her she was going to rest for a while, no sooner than Henne had left Falynn was on the move towards a pointless destination. There was no excuse that she could give her friend. Even without telling Henne her plans to find the Resistance she could have at least had not lied about one thing. Everything about Falynn's life seemed so dishonest now. She felt like she had no more truths in her. If she could she would at least like to keep some honesty in her friendship with her handmaiden, knowing it could never be there between her and her husband. Not if she wanted to stay alive.
The only answer Falynn could give Henne was placing her head on the other woman's shoulder.
Henne was quiet but didn't move away from Falynn. The only sound for a moment was the quiet rustling of the tall grass until Henne sighed placing a hand on her mistress's head.
"I'm sorry," Henne finally whispered. "Your marriage...your life...all of it must be very complicated."
Falynn choked on a laugh as a tear rolled down her cheek. "I wish that wasn't the case...and I could identify the feelings that I have. I can't though, and sometimes I feel like I am going to explode...I'm sorry for lying to you. I promise it won't happen again."
"Thank you," Henne quietly replied then moved and leaned forward as she smiled. "The good news is we will be leaving this dreadful planet soon. I don't believe Geonosis is much better though."
"Anything is better than this place," Falynn said wiping away tears. "I am ready to leave."
"I think we all are," Henne nodded tilting her head back. "May the force be with us."
Falynn couldn't agree more, as she moved her gaze back up towards the sky sending a call for a better tomorrow out into the hemisphere.
Dantooine would definitely be a planet she would soon and hopefully quickly forget.
