Disclaimer: I own nothing from Star Wars.
Chapter Twelve: The Proof of Innocence
"We've found her!"
"Where is she?!"
"Here, sir! She's messed up pretty badly. Not sure how much longer she'll last."
The voices sounded distant, too distant for her ears to clearly hear. Aliana couldn't move, and it was getting dark. No, it was still early afternoon, her eyesight was just fading. It's time, then, she thought wearily. I just wish I could've seen Pareus one last time. Pareus, and Shadow.
As if summoned by her thoughts, Shadow's face penetrated the grey haze that was slowly obscuring her vision, and his voice was the last thing she heard.
"Aliana!"
The Denevan Army poured in through the streets to the cheers of thousands of Denevans. At the front were the hostages, who enjoyed tearful reunions with their families. The cheers of Deneva died down, however, when they saw the cost: twenty Denevan soldiers killed, several wounded. Lastly in the march came a stretcher surrounded by the Eagle's Talon: Lady Aliana was escorted through the streets to the center of the capital. Shadow walked beside her, head bowed, truly believing her dead. Aliana, why? Why did you need to prove yourself?
"Finally, our world is free!" a hard voice came from the crowd. "The usurper is dead, and a free Deneva has finally arrived!"
Shadow darted forward and pulled the offender from the crowd: a young man, smooth blond locks slicked back from his head. He made a pretty picture, and Shadow knew he was also an Imperial toy, a Denevan who had sided with the Empire to better his own position.
"A free Deneva, you say? Have you forgotten what Aliana did for you?" Shadow glared at the crowds, crowds now jeering at the fallen princess. "Do you remember how devoted she was to you before her parents were murdered? How she risked everything to free you from the Empire only months ago? Have you forgotten the hours she spent helping us rebuild our world? If you have, then you shame yourselves and me: I am disgusted to call myself a Denevan now, when once I spoke the name with pride."
"She conspired with the Empire! She lied from the beginning!" The crowds refused to be swayed, at least until a cloaked figure stepped forward and cast back his hood. Pareus glared at the crowds, anger rising in his heart.
"I never would have believed it of my own people. My sister is no murderess, she has never lied to you or betrayed you. She did all she could to save our lives, and this is how you repay her? You sicken me." Turning his back to the crowds, Pareus gazed at his sister's form; touching her head, he started when she opened her eyes.
"Pareus?" she asked weakly.
"Aliana, I'm here. You need to rest."
"For that I have eternity. My time has come." She closed her eyes, murmuring kindly words.
"Pareus, forgive me for failing you…you and our parents. I brought us to this pass, and now I pay for my own mistakes. It had to happen like this, there was no other way."
"Ali, you're going to be fine. We'll get a doctor and…"
"No." She tried to shake her head, but couldn't. "It's already too late." A tear rolled down her face, blue eyes clouding over as she whispered, "Forgive our people, they're not to blame. The Empire has a long arm, and it is not easily shaken.
"Shadow, I'm sorry," she whispered. "I had to do this, there was no other way this could go down. Forgive me."
Shadow's eyes filled with tears. "There is nothing to forgive, dear one," he whispered, taking her hand. A small, sad smile touched her face, her eyes closed, and Aliana was silent.