Chapter One~ New Orders
A/N: Yes, I know, I really need to focus on my other stories, but for some reason, I keep coming up with new ones. It doesn't help that I've never seen the newest Star Wars trilogy until last night. I grew up with it and have always been interested in it, but never enough to do much research or anything. So, here goes my attempt to make this fic.
Don't hate too hard, please.
Playlist starts with "Holding out for a hero", and "Rolling in the deep".
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"Master!" the modulated voice gasped in surprise. "You cannot think this is a good idea!"
"I have given you your command, Kylo Ren. Now, you must do as you are told. This is for the best." Snoke chuckled a bit at the last bit. "She will be here tomorrow, and I expect you to be presentable." He waved a hand in dismsal. What does that even mean? With a small growl, Kylo stood from his kneeling stance and began to stalk out of the room. "And leave that damnable helmet in your chambers. No need to scare the poor girl."
Kylo pretended not to hear him as he continued on his way out. He moved like one of the big cats he had heard about in his youth from other systems. Apparently, this type of walk was effective, because people moved out of his way as quickly as possible. When he had made it to his chamber door, he hardly slowed down enough for the doors to open. He hit the panel hard, nearly putting a dent in it. Once inside, he actually did put a dent in the wall as he chucked his helmet at it in anger.
"This is ridiculous!" He yelled to himself, wishing that he had had the courage to speak up to the Supreme Leader. "I am the leader of the Knights of Ren! I am not getting married!"
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"Father, do I really have to do this? There are plenty of men on Ophuchi that have been vying for my hand."
Farlo Okenda glanced at his daughter in amusement. "I thougth you didn't want to get married."
"I don't," Telnorra squared her shoulders under the long barely see-through veil. "But if you are going to marry me off despite my wishes anyway, you could, at least, make sure the man I'm marrying isn't going to kill me."
"Oh, do stop being so dramatic." He shot her a dirty look.
"I am not being dramatic. You've heard the stories, just as I have. This Kylo Ren character is well known for his hissy fits that usually end up with officers or equipment damaged beyond repair. I will not be another casualty." She shifted again, trying in vain to get comfortable in her extremely heavy, very tight ceremonial dress. Pulling at the bodice, and moved her shoulders a bit. Between that and headdress with the thick veil dragging her head down, she felt that she would surely fall over at any moment.
"Quit fiddling!" her father hissed at her. "You are to be as poise as a flower. As your mother taught you." The mention of her mother brought a quietness to the elevator.
After a bit, she sighed. "Mother wanted to be here."
"I know," Farlo said gently. "She would have given anything to see you married."
"Yes," she drawled. "Too bad she's busy running a city for you. I still don't see why she couldn't come. You have plenty of other dignitaries to run things back home."
"None that I trust."
"But you trust mother to run everything in your absence. If only the rest of the people had such faith in their women." She thought for a moment, then turned to him. "And what would you have me do, Father? Become a quiet wife to one of the most feared men in the galaxy? To be seen and not heard? Arm candy for a monster?" Facing forward again, she said, "I should think not."
"You never know, dear. One day, you may be an influential part of things. If you play your cards right, you will be the most powerful woman in all the known systems."
The elevator came to a stop and the doors opened. They exited into a large receiving room. They were greeted by a group of officers and Storm Troopers at attention. There was a red-headed man, a Storm Trooper in silver armor, and someone else. He was standing taller than most, though she couldn't see his face for the strange helmet that covered it.
"Forlo Okenda," the red-haired man spoke. "Welcome aboard the Finalizer. I am General Armitage Hux. If you need anything, please, do not hesitate to come to me."
"Thank you, General."
There were pleasantries being exchanged. And yet, Norra couldn't follow. Her shoes were pinching her feet. She tried to subtly take weight off her left foot to relieve some of the pressure. She counted herself lucky that no one could see her face, because she was grimacing something fierce, her face pinched up in pain.
"Telnorra," her father hissed at her. Realizing that he had probably been introducing her, she straightened up. They were all looking at her. When he finally had her attention, Forlo gestured for her to step forward. She followed the silent command. "As I was saying, this is my daughter, Telnorra. Daughter," he urged.
Bowing as low as she could in the damned dress, she inclined her head, hands crossed over her belly as her mother had taught her. "It is an honor to make your acquaintances, General." She stayed in her curtsy position, hoping with everything she had that someone would speak, to relieve her of the pain she was going through. Once all the formalities were over with, she could retreat to her room and disrobe into something more comfortable. Though, honestly, anything would be more comfortable than what she was currently wearing. Something niggled at her mind. Something she couldn't quite name. It was a pressure, a presence.
"Ah, yes, my lady." The general acknowledged her, and she finally stood straight again, relieved to be out of the curtsy. Under her veil, she let out a quiet sigh, so ready to be done with all this.
The man in the mask stepped forward. "Let us be done with this. We all have better things we could be doing. Besides, she's uncomfortable." Everyone stopped and stared at the man, especially Forlo and his daughter, who openly gaped at him.
"I assure you, sir, I am quite alright." She told him with practiced speech. It was not a lady's place to make a scene, that's what she'd been taught.
"Uh, my lord," General Hux nodded to the man. "I do believe it was the Supreme Leader's wish for you not to wear your helmet. On behalf of him, I must insist." There was a palpable tension between the two men as the masked man stared at him. It took second, but before the man could reach for the helmet, it clicked.
This was Kylo Ren.
Well, shit. Would have been nice for him to introduce himself. Or maybe he did...when I wasn't paying attention.
He finally lifted his hands. There was a hiss as the hydraulics released. Norra could tell he was as not happy by how slowly he pulled the helmet off. When he did, though, she was a bit shocked. He was not much older than her, maybe a year or two, if even that. Thick black hair framed his face, which to her, looked as if he hadn't smiled in years, if ever. He had a very prominent nose, though that did nothing to diminish his looks. He had a sort of sulky attractiveness to him...She stopped herself right there, he was saying something else.
"So," he started, "I've shown my face. I think it's only fair for me to see the face of my...intended." There was a bit of venom in his voice at the last word. It was like a bitter pill he was trying to swallow.
Forlo stepped forward. "O-of course, my lord. As you said, it's only fair. Telnorra." She turned to her father with wide eyes that no one could see. She was supposed to be faceless until the wedding. They both were. At least, that's what she had been told. Her father gestured with his head. She gulped. Attempting to control her breathing (a feat that was not easy in that damn dress), she faced Kylo Ren and reached for the bottom of her veil. Slowly, she lifted it, and it felt as if everyone held their breath. What will he think of me? She thought to herself as her hands passed over her face. Finally, with a small flourish, as she had been taught by her mother (something all ladies should learn to do, she had said), she flicked the end of the veil over her head and waited for his reaction.
There was none.
"Show them to their chambers." Was all he said, before walking away.
Norra stood in shock. That was it? No comment on her looks, on how her nose was too small and upturned for his liking, or that her eyes were too firey? Maybe he thought her skin was too dark? Surely, he had some complaint about how large her hips were. Most women in the systems craved to be waifs. And most men looked for that in partners, someone to look good. Her mother had drilled into her head from a young age that this was why the populations were dying off. Women went so far as to augment their bodies to fit societal standards, which caused them to not be able to bear children as well. As such, her family line had consisted of 'healthily' robust women. Large bosoms, rounded hips, and a slightly larger set of thighs than the norm. Strong, is what her mother had said. Strong foundations to build on, good hips for childbearing, and a lovely face to look at.
She felt a bit...disappointed. He had hardly even looked at her. How was she supposed to marry someone who couldn't even look her in the eye?
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Norra yanked her headdress off, pulling a few hairs out with it, and threw it on the bed. How dare he! She paced back and forth, kicking off her pointy shoes as she did. Her father stood just inside the door, watching her every move.
"Calm down, child."
"Calm down? Calm down? Father, he just blew me off. You cannot expect me to marry someone who will just ignore me the entire rest of our lives. Not only that, but you know that Force users live tremendously long lives. I'll die long before him anyway, and I'll be nothing more than a tiny blip on his radar compared to what he's got going on!"
"Telnorra!" he shouted. She stopped in her tracks. "You are going to marry this man. We need his favor and protection. He won't kill those who are loyal to him." She snorted. "No, you stop it. This is happening, whether you like it or not. So, you might as well get used to the idea." With that, the man tapped the panel and left the room. Sitting down heavily, Norra huffed. Knowing there was nothing she could do that evening, she begun to pull the pins from her chestnut hair, letting it loose around her shoulders.
She was almost halfway done when there was a beep at her door. Straightening up, she called out, "Come in?" thinking it was her father again.
It was not.
Instead it was General Hux. She stiffened. Something about this weaselly man didn't sit right with her. The fact that he was in her chambers without anyone else made her hair stand on end.
He bowed his head. "My lady. I was sent to inform you of a formal dinner that will be held tonight. Think of it as a welcome party for you and your father. You will be attended to shortly to change for dinner. I don't imagine you'd be able to eat much of anything in that." He looked her up and down. "Though, maybe you should keep it on. No need to plump the pig." Norra stared with wide eyes at his retreating back. At the last second before he exited the room, she grabbed up a glass and threw it at him. She had been aiming at his head, but missed and shattered on the wall next to him. He startled, looking back at her. Then he grinned. "It seems the two of you will be well suited to each other." Then he was gone.
Her legs went numb underneath her, and she stumbled to the closest table to keep from hurting herself as she lowered to the floor. Tears leaked down her face. Even here she was not free from the scrutiny of people. Her whole life she had been tormented by children who thought she was too big to be pretty. By mothers who thought she would never marry because she was too round. Granted, she wasn't heavy, just more gifted in the curves than most. Still, it stung. This man who didn't even know her had just insulted her with such skill, it was as if he had seen the one thing that niggled at her mind every day.
A short time later, a few of her ladies came through the door, finding her still on the floor with tear tracks down her face. They cooed and tried to comfort her, asking what had happened. She didn't answer them, only ordered them to prepare a simple burgundy gown for her to wear to dinner. It was her favorite dress, as it accentuated the curves of her breasts and waist, but hid her hips and thighs. It made her seem smaller. She liked it that way, despite all her mother's reassurances that's she was beautiful. She wanted to be like the other ladies in court, thin and angular and lovely.
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"Why exactly am I here?" Kylo growled as his sat in the chair at the head of the table with his chin on one clenched fist on the arm.
"Please, my lord," Hux said calmly. "It is protocol. It's just a short dinner with the main officers to greet the guests. An hour or so and then you can go back to you sulking."
Kylo shot him a deadly look, which quickly made the other man look away. Then he felt it. The same strange energy that had radiated from the young woman he had met earlier. He turned towards it right as she and her father came through the door, followed closely by their attendants. Everyone stopped to look at her as stealthily as they could, though some openly. He sat up straight in his chair. She looked...different. Her hair was down and she seemed steely for some reason. She looked around the room at all the officers milling about, and when her eyes found the General, they hardened. Curious, he reached out.
It came in rolling waves.
The hatred,
The pain.
The self-loathing.
Reaching farther, he found what he was looking for.
...calling me a pig. I will make him pay. He seems to forget who I'm supposed to be marrying.
He was stunned. All of that hatred was turned towards two people. The General, who had apparently insulted her, and herself for looking the way she did. That was when he really took a good look at her.
She had a good jawline, proud green eyes, a small, regal nose. She was...slightly rounder than the average lady, though not in a bad way. Her hair fell in gentle waves down her back, held by only two strands of hair at her temples. All in all, she wasn't too bad to look at, contrary to his original brief inspection. That dress her father had her in had done nothing to flatter her figure, instead making her look larger than she was. But this...she reminded him of her mother in a way. Not in looks, but in the way she held herself, the determined look in her eyes.
Turning his eyes to Hux, he saw that the man was staring at her, too. For some reason, the gleam in his eyes made Kylo's insides squirm. He decided then and there, that he was going to kill General Hux. Or rather, he was going to help this girl destroy him. Then, as a small mercy towards the end of it, he would kill him.
He looked back to the young woman, who he had honestly forgotten her name. Kylo stood, putting his hands on the back of the seat beside his and gesturing for her to sit. She looked surprised, and suspicious. So, to ease her nerves, he held out a gloved hand to her. Neither of them said anything as everyone looked on in awe. Kylo Ren was not a gentle person, not by any means of the imagination. But, then and there, as she shakily took his hand, he held it as gently as the one of the songbirds his mother had kept in the gardens. Guiding her to the chair, he let go, only to assist her in pushing the chair to the table, then sat down in his own chair beside her.
Everyone else took this as an indication to sit as well. The attendants came to fill the glasses with wine. It was a quiet affair, though all the men kept glancing his way, as if waiting for something. He did nothing, but took another bite of the reconstructed food. He happened to glance over and notice that she had eaten almost nothing. Only stared at her plate and played with the pieces of food. Kylo's eyes slid to the General, who was starnig down at his food smirking. Once again, he entered the girl's mind. This time, it wasn't her own thoughts that he saw, but a memory that seemed to by playing on repeat in her mind. He saw exactly what Hux had said to her, and it made his blood boil. There was no reason to pick on her. She had done nothing...yet.
He leaned closer the girl. "Miss?" Her eyes shot up to him, confused. "It seems that I must apologize."
"What for?" she asked hesitantly.
"I can't, for the life of me, remember your name," he told her with a very slight upturn of the corner of his mouth.
She looked down, a light dusting of color rose in her cheeks and ears. Taking a breath, she looked back to him and said, "Telnorra."
"Telnorra?"
"Most people just call me Norra, except for my parents, or at formal occasions."
"Norra..." he tested the sound of the name on his tongue. "I think I like that better. Would you mind if I called you that?" He watched her throat work as she swallowed thickly. She looked over at her father, who was busy talking to one of the officers. When she looked back to him, he was waiting expectantly.
Nodding, she told him, "I think, in our current circumstances, it might be appropriate. Seeing as we're supposed to be getting married." She watched his face tighten. "Look, I don't like this anymore than you do. But, between my father and Supreme Leader Snoke-"
He stopped her. "I think we should continue this conversation another time. Too many ears listening." His eyes pointed to Hux, who tried to pretend that he hadn't been listening. He looked back to her, seeing her nostrils flare in anger. "I'll speak with you about it later. For now, how about we enjoy some of this food. You've hardly touched your plate." When she stiffened up, he said, "Ignore him." Her eyes shot up to meet his. He nodded. "Come on, you can manage a few more bites before dessert gets here. I think you'll like it. The kitchen has actually been working on something real. Not this," he stuck his fork into the small pile of meat on his plate, "reconstituted mess."
Kylo could sense her confusion. He could understand. Surely, she had heard the stories about him. Honestly, he didn't understand what he was doing any more than she did. But she nodded and started taking bites in a renewed vigor. If anyone could see the side of his face turned away from them, they would have seen a strange quirk at one edge of his lips. Luckily, they hadn't. He had a reputation to uphold after all. The dinner continued quietly, with only hushed tones around the table. Finally, Hux stood with his wine glass in his hand.
"Gentlemen," he hesitated, then turned to Norra and raised his glass a little in acknowledgment, "And lady. We have been brought together, as a celebration for the engagement of our Lord Kylo Ren and the Lady Telnorra Okenda. As such, I would like to propose a toast." He turned to the two at the head of the table. "Congratulations."
All the other men raised their glasses as well and echoed the sentiment.
Kylo stood, no glass in hand, and looked over the table. "There is no need for congratulations at this time. There has been no agreement between Lady Okenda and myself as of yet. I have decided that there will be a period of time for the two of us to get to know one another before any negotiations occur."
"But, sir!" Hux hissed at him. "Supreme Leader Snoke has already given the order-"
"I said," he spun to face the man, glaring at him, "I am putting a hold on any and all celebrations until we have had a chance to talk." At that moment, the chef walked through the door with a tray laden with pastries. As he put the tray down, Kylo moved to the side to get away from his chair. "Miss," he addressed her, "enjoy the rest of your evening. I look forward to speaking with you again." He turned back to the men. "Gentlemen." And with that, he left.
There was silence for a moment. At least until her father, ever the diplomat, exclaimed, "My dear, would you look at these. I haven't had desserts like these in a long time. Shall we dig in, gentlemen?"
The others began to pile their plates. While they did, Norra wiped her mouth and stood. The men noticed this and all stood. "If you'll excuse me, I believe I'll turn in for the night."
"Telnorra," her father stopped her with a hand on her arm. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine, father. I'm just tired. It's been a very long trip. I'd just like to go lay down." Extracting her arm, she left the room.
As soon as she had stepped down the hall a ways and out of sight of any of them, she leaned against the wall and took a deep breath. She had been suffocating under all those eyes. Her ladies soon followed and escorted her back to her room. They helped her out of her clothes and into a nightgown. When they had finished, she dismissed them for the night. Sitting down at the vanity, she stared at her reflection in the mirror. There were slight bags under her eyes. It had, indeed, been a very long voyage from Ophuchi. She looked away, no longer able to look at herself. Picking up her brush, she undid the simple hairstyle and began to run the bristles through her locks. Her hair had gotten a bit tousled during her wardrobe change. She had begun to calm down as she brushed her hair.
Very shortly afterward, she climbed into bed, setting the temperature at very warm, and commanded the lights to go out. As tired as she was, it still took her a while to fall asleep, but eventually she managed it.
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A/N: So? What did you think? Love it? Hate it? Let me know.
Also, this might be slightly AU from the original storyline, obviously.
AcaciaDawn
