Chapter 8

The Ebon Hawk flew in for a landing outside of the temple where a huge crowd was gathered. The Ebon Hawk landed amongst the dense collection of bodies and the landing ramp lowered.

Carth was the first one to exit and the crowd erupted as one by one the crew of the Ebon Hawk exited the ship. Carth was shaking hands as the crowd applauded and cheered each person individually, Canderous just seemed to take it in his stride, Mission was obviously excited and Zaalbar simply kept close to Mission. Jolee and Juhani also looked slightly out of their element but seemed to enjoy the attention nonetheless. Falcan turned back and saw Revan leaning against the ramp. He had changed back to a set of normal grey Jedi robes, the over cloak worn open as he looked over the scene with proud eyes.

"Aren't you coming Revan?" he called.

Revan shook his head. Then someone in the crowd noticed him and the entire gathering starting pointing at Revan and the cheers grew louder and more joyous as they all seemed to beg and beckon him towards them. Revan seemed very hesitant.

In his mind he didn't deserve to be recognised as a hero, after all the suffering and pain he had caused the Republic and its people. But it seemed these people were willing to overlook the whole thing at least for now as they all clapped him. Bastila came up next to him and both looked over at the crowd, both not sure of what to do.

"Come on will ya?" Jolee shouted back to them as several enthusiastic soldiers were hugging him. "You two are the reason we won! Just enjoy it while it lasts!"

Bastila and Revan slowly made their way down the ramp and the crowd grew ever more excited as the two walked through the column of the Republic forces receiving pats on the back and "thank you" and "well done". Bastila's hand found Revan's as they joined the crew.

"This is your moment…" Carth said to Revan. "You've been redeemed in all these people's minds. You've saved the Republic Revan…Today you're the hero" Carth clasped Revan by the shoulder as the crowd continued to roar its approval of the two redeemed souls.

"Not for long…" Revan murmured. Carth frowned and Revan inclined his head behind them. A group of Jedi knights were coming down the column. Bastila looked at Revan worriedly as the Knights came to a stop in front of them.

They were not knights in fact. They were padawans; their robes were not lavish enough to be Knights. Each one of them looked angry and spitefully glared at Revan and Bastila who simply gazed back. The leader or at least the more outspoken padawan stepped forward to address Revan.

"The council has demanded an audience with you…Darth Revan" he spat. Revan scoffed. It was a lie, and a very bad one at that. The council never demanded an audience with anyone.

"Er?" Mission stepped up here as the crowd went silent. "Sorry guys but to us his name's Revan. Just Revan" The padawan scowled.

"Regardless of his name…the council have demanded an audience" Revan looked at the padawan "With both you and her" the padawan looked at Bastila with a huge amount of dislike.

"That her has a name…" Revan replied "So start using it"

"Are you going to come with us…or do we have to use force…?" he group began unclipping their lightsabers. Though they didn't realise their plan had just been revealed to everyone. Falcan and the others stepped between them and the couple the council was 'asking' to see.

"Uh…now this is where something bad happens…" Falcan said gripping the hilt of his sword.

"Our problem is with Revan and Bastila…" the padawan growled. "You are not our concern…so just step aside" Canderous chuckled slightly.

"Now you see…that's where we're at an impasse," he replied.

"Yeah…you got a problem with them…then you have a problem with us…" Falcan added on. "So unless you want to try and take on eleven, tired, battle-fatigued but very short-tempered people I strongly suggest you back off and rethink your plan" The padawans noticeably backed up at this but then a new voice sounded: one of immediate authority.

"That's enough." The padawans froze as Vrook Lamar walked through the crowd, closely followed by Zhar, Dorak and Master Vandar. Revan thought he would never be as glad to see Vrook, as he was right then.

"I do not know what you were planning but I assure you we had nothing to do with it" Zhar stated looking pointedly at junior Jedi. "They have just saved the Republic and the Jedi Order…and this is the gratitude they receive from you?"

Master Zhar…" the lead Padawan began.

"Enough Marcus!" Vrook overruled him fiercely "What is your explanation for this?"

"Surely the council can sense it?" the padawan stated eagerly "the darkness swirling around Revan"

"Yes we can and will address that matter in due time…but as for now… you are dismissed Padawan" Vrook's tone was not be argued with. Marcus growled and with a last withering glare at Revan turned and stalked away closely followed by his lackeys. Revan and Bastila bowed to the masters.

"We would like to discuss a few matters with you in private…" Vandar stated. The two nodded and followed the council away from the group who remained behind in the crowd.

"What do you think the council will do?" Mission asked as they crowd began cheering again.

"If they're wise…" Jolee replied. "They'll allow them to remain together …if they're wise"

Revan finished telling the tale to the council who had gathered on the beach to listen to the details of the quest. The Dantooine council and a number of others were present. Kavar, a famed Jedi guardian, Zez-Kai Ell, Atris and Vash members of the Jedi High Council along with Vrook. The council took quietly amongst themselves for a few seconds before turning their attention back to the two padawans who waited for the council's next question.

"Very well…now we have one final question". Kavar stated. Revan and Bastila nodded.

"We sense a great deal of emotion between the two of you…no doubt caused by the powerful bond you two share…" he began. "We must know this…what is the depth of the feelings you possess for each other?" Revan and Bastila looked at each but didn't reply. They did not have to the council had already figured it out.

"Now usually such emotional attachments are frowned upon by the Jedi…" Zez-Kai Ell said softly. Revan and Bastila held their breath. "But in this case we are willing to make an exception" The two looked at each and back at the council.

"Before you ask why the answer is simple," Vandar answered their unasked question with a smile. "We have seen that perhaps emotions such as love can be a positive thing"

"So you will be allowed to remain together…" Vash added. "The love you two share has redeemed the both of you from the dark side and shows you as a great credit to our order…" the Masters all nodded collectively. Atris looked very disapproving at this notion but stayed her usually acid tongue.

"But remember this experience well…" Vrook said finally "you walk on dangerous ground young ones…May the Force be with you" Revan and Bastila bowed as the Council one by one left the beach. Vrook however remained behind for a moment.

"Revan…"

"Master?"

"I…I believe I owe you an apology" Revan's jaw dropped. "I based my presumption of you on your actions as the Dark Lord. I see now perhaps it was overzealous…" Vrook stated.

"I accept your apology Master Vrook" Vrook nodded gruffly.

"Now if you excuse me I have pressing matters to attend to…remember my warning" and with that Vrook turned and left the beach, leaving the two together they looked at each and smiled.

Bastila then walked forward wrapped her arms around Revan. She felt Revan's own powerful yet gentle arms envelop her lovingly and they stood together on the beach allowing the air to refresh them for a few moments.

"It's over…" Bastila whispered gently.

"Almost…" she looked at him. "We've still got the celebrations…" Bastila looked down.

"I'm not sure I want to…after…" she faltered.

"That makes two of us…" Bastila looked up at him again and gently laid her head on his chest allowing herself to fully take comfort from his embrace. The couple stood on the beach just taking comfort in each other's company and allowing their minds to meld once again, as the ocean breeze blew softly around them.

The next morning had been a loud affair to say the least. Admiral Dodonna had awarded the Cross of Glory to the entire crew due to great heroism displayed on the journey. The entire crowd had sounded its approval as the medals were given out, Revan had been the mostly loudly cheered and the last to receive his medal and the reason for this was soon made clear.

As the Admiral stepped back Master Vandar came forward to greet Revan. The entire crew stood back to allow Revan his moment, this was the true mark of his redemption.

"On behalf of the Jedi Council…" he stated sweeping his arm towards the Council standing on his left, "defenders of the Galaxy and sworn protectors of the Republic I too would like to honour you for your actions"

Revan spared a glance at Bastila who smiled at him with encouragement. Unlike Revan himself, she felt he truly deserved this as did most of the Jedi order apart from a certain padawan who was standing seething as the exchange took place.

"We Jedi now have another tale to weave into the grand history of our order".

By this point all eyes were on Revan, both those of the crowds and his companions all of whom looked at him with pride.

"The redemption of Revan" Vandar stated looked very proudly at Revan "The Prodigal Knight"

As Vandar finished, Falcan began clapping, for a few moments by himself then was followed by Carth, then Canderous, then Mission and then Jolee. Soon the entire crowd was involved in a chorus of applause directed at the newly proclaimed Knight. Revan turned and looked at the crowd with a strange glance. Bastila came over to him and slipped her hand into his, he looked at her and she smiled softly.

The eleven warriors of the Republic looked over the crowd, Mission waving as the others stood each in their own way enjoying the moment as the star fighters flew over them signalling the victory of good over evil.

I know this chapter was rather short. I know the final celebration is usually where the story ends but I want to end with something a little different, so stay tuned for a final chapter guys.

Anywho any thoughts for this chapter?