The morning of the ceremony, Anara foregoes her usual workout in the training room and goes instead outside to the deserted parade grounds. The soldiers who normally practice there have been given the day off to prepare for the evening's festivities. Tossing her cloak to the side, she ignites her lightsaber, savoring the feel of it in her hands, its dark blue light a balm that soothes her soul.
Because they have not found a weapon that can match it, she has not been able to use it during weapons practice, and she misses it. Though the armorers are trying to replicate it, they have been unsuccessful so far. Both the circuitry and the crystal's structure appear to be outside their abilities to recreate. She herself could piece together a working handle from the remains of her ship, but without a crystal, it still wouldn't work. Putting those thoughts aside, Anara clears her mind and begins stepping through the forms of the ancient Jedi moving meditation.
The hum of the blade fills the air, and soon she has an audience. A few palace staff that come to investigate the strange noise are quickly joined by off-duty guards. As word spreads quickly through the palace, the entire royal family is soon watching, awestruck as she moves from one form to another. Slicing, spinning, flipping-it is a beautiful dance.
Though Anara knows she has an audience, she ignores them and immerses herself fully in the forms, letting all of her worry and stress melt away. Doing one final flip and a spinning flourish for her audience's benefit, she deactivates the blade, returning the lightsaber in one smooth move to her belt and bowing to complete her practice. Those assembled erupt into wild cheers. She is quickly surrounded by the crowd, all exclaiming their amazement and delight at what they have just witnessed. Through a break in the mass, she sees Odin, who gives her a smile and a nod, before being blocked from her sight once again. Anara is eventually rescued from all her admirers by Gabrielle who, pushing through the crowd, finally gets to her side.
"My lady, we must get you back to the palace, there is much to do!"
Thor, hearing this, bellows over the noise of the crowd.
"Enough! I know you all have work to do. It's time to get back to it."
Thus chastened, the crowd disburses and the field grows silent again.
"Thank you, your highness. If you'll excuse us, I really do have to get my lady back to the palace," Gabrielle says.
"Of course," Thor replies. Taking Anara's hand, he raises it to his lips, giving it a gentle kiss.
"That truly was a sight to behold, my lady. I look forward to seeing you tonight." Addressing Gabrielle, he says, "I will escort Lady Anara to the Grand Hall tonight. See that she is ready on time."
Curtsying low, Gabrielle replies, "Of course your highness."
Giving Thor a slight bow, Anara follows Gabrielle down the hill and back to the palace.
Back at her chambers they are met by an army of women, all in a tizzy. Anara's workout went longer than she'd planned, and apparently they are already behind in preparations. Letting herself be led into the bathing room, she gives in to being pampered, listening to the chatter of the servants and remembering her early years in her parent's palace on Alderan II. As she steps out of the bath, she's met by several women with their arms full of towels. Realizing they're for drying her hair, she asks the women to stand back. Using the Force, she pushes the water from her hair, leaving it completely dry. Several of the women gasp in wonder.
Laughing, Anara says, "There, does that put us back on schedule?"
The woman in charge of her small army of attendants, a rather rotund woman named Helga, replies, "Almost, my lady, almost."
Clucking to herself, Helga starts issuing orders, and Anara is shuttled off into her chamber to be dressed and have her hair styled. Several hours later her hair is finally done. Pulled back from her face, her hair is set in nearly a hundred braids with silver beads threaded throughout. Looking in the mirror, she is reminded of the Alwari warrior women of Ansion with her braids and black-lined eyes. Considering the oath she is about to take, it seems fitting.
Her hair and makeup done, she's given her clothes for the evening. A close-fitting sleeveless silver tunic is belted over tight-fitting black leather pants with matching knee- high boots decorated with chased silver insets. A royal blue leather and metal breast and back plate are placed over her tunic. These too have chased silver insets which match the designs on her boots. She looks again in the mirror and does not recognize herself. The blue of her ensemble makes her eyes an almost electric blue and reflects off her hair in iridescent waves, the white streak standing out in stark contrast. Never in her many years of service to the Order has she looked so regal. Her army of attendants stare in silence. Levitating her lightsaber from its place on her nightstand, she snaps it into a special clip set low on the side of her breast plate. She turns to address everyone.
"Ladies, thank you. You have pampered me better than my own staff on Alderan, to the point that I do not even recognize myself. You should be proud of a job well done."
As one, they bow to her. Wishing her well, they file out of her room, only Gabrielle and Helga staying behind.
"Truly Helga, you and your staff have outdone yourself. Thank you."
Helga blushes. "It was an honor, my lady. I look forward to seeing all the jaws drop when you walk into the Great Hall."
Curtsying low, she leaves the room.
Gabrielle, smiling, says, "My lady, if Thor's jaw doesn't hit the floor when he sees you, we have failed in our mission."
Laughing, Anara replies, "If Thor's jaw drops, Fandral's head is likely to explode!"
They giggle like young maids at that and continue joking for several minutes, until a knock at the door interrupts them.
"Come," Anara says. Her back to the door, she doesn't see Thor enter, but she knows it's him.
"Are you ready, my lady?"
Turning to face him, she says, "What do you think?"
She is momentarily stunned by the sight of him. Resplendent in full armor, his blond hair flowing back from his face, he looks every inch the god the Midgardians believe him to be. Thor too is completely speechless, his mouth hanging open in astonishment. It takes him several moments to recover his wits, all the while, Anara can hear Gabrielle trying desperately not to laugh.
"In all my travels through the realms, I have never seen such a sight as that which is before me now."
Walking up to her, he takes her hands in his. In his eyes is a look that melts her heart as he says, "You are truly the most beautiful warrior I have ever laid eyes on." He raises her hand to his lips and after a gentle kiss, says, "Shall we?"
Tucking her hand into the crook of his arm, Anara walks with Thor towards the Great Hall.
"Are you nervous?" he asks.
"No." She replies, telling the truth. Her Jedi training allows her to call up her lines for the ceremony at will and having been a part of similar events, she knows what to expect. So there is no reason for her to be nervous. Thor glances at her, not sure she's being honest, but says nothing. As they walk through the halls, servants and palace staff peek out of doorways and alcoves to watch them pass, murmuring in their wake. As they approach the anteroom to the Great Hall, they can hear the voices of the other Companions over the noise of the assembled crowd. Household staff, high-ranking soldiers, the Home Guard, and others are renewing their oaths in a large group ceremony before the main spectacle of the Companions' oath-swearing. Smiling up at Thor, she slips her hand from his arm and assumes the mask and demeanor of a Jedi Master.
Thor lets her precede him into the anteroom. She knows it is to watch the reactions of his friends to her entrance. He is not disappointed. A serving girl sees her first and gasps before dropping to one knee and bowing her head. As one, the Companions turn and stare. They are a magnificent looking group. Each one is dressed in full ceremonial armor. Light glints off highly polished metal, and the smell of oiled leather permeates the room.
Loki is the first to gather his wits. In high spirits, for the spotlight will be on him when he presents Anara to Odin and all of Asgard tonight, he approaches her.
Bowing low, he says, "My lady, you are a wonder to behold. I am honored to be the one to present you tonight."
Anara can sense nothing but sincerity from him. Giving him a regal nod in return, she says, "And I am honored to be so presented."
He smiles at her, his grin lighting up his whole face. It transforms him, and she wishes she could see that look more often on him.
The silence broken, servants resume circulating with goblets of wine, while others continue to attend to the needs of those assembled. The rest of the Companions surround her, complementing her on her look and talking animatedly about the ceremony to come. Everyone will precede her, Thor being last to give his oaths, and then Loki will answer the call to bring her before Odin. Grabbing a goblet from a passing servant, Thor hands it to her.
"A toast!" he says, raising his goblet high. Everyone raises their glasses in response.
"To good friends and the most valiant warriors I have had the pleasure to fight with in all the Realms!"
Answering cheers from the Companions briefly down out the noise of the crowd in the Hall. Taking a small sip as everyone else drinks heartily, Anara notes that the wine has been watered down. Frigga's orders, she assumes, seeing how much everyone seems to be drinking. As if reading her mind, Thor throws his goblet into the fire pit and yells, "Another!"
Anara has to hold back her laughter. Though she's seen Thor and others do that before, it always startles her, and she finds the whole act slightly absurd. Loki catches her eye, smiling, and gives her a knowing look, apparently feeling the same about the whole thing.
From the shadows appear members of the Home Guard, each with a helm in hand. Handing them to their respective owners, with the exception of Anara who will be given hers by Odin, they melt back into the shadows. It is almost time.
The Chamberlain enters the room, slightly winded.
"Come! Come… it's time. Places!" he says, ushering all but Anara out of the room.
Thor and Loki each give her one last look before they exit the antechamber and begin the processional through the Great Hall.
The Chamberlain returns after getting everyone moving and says to her, "My lady, you look stunning! The crowd is going to love you! Now come, you can stand just here." He indicates an alcove just at the edge of the hall, out of sight of the crowd, but allowing her to see the hall.
"Stay here until Loki announces you. Guards will fall in behind you when you pass the first columns, so don't be alarmed."
She nods, having rehearsed this already.
Odin silences the crowd by rapping his staff against the stone floor.
"Bring forth the Defenders of Asgard and the Nine Realms."
As Thor, Loki and the Companions come into view of the crowd, it erupts in deafening, thunderous cheers. Everyone, except Hogun, waves and smiles at those assembled as they walk past.
The crowd goes silent as the Companions reach the base of Odin's throne. Anara watches from her alcove as each bows before Odin and renews their oaths to him as his vassals and defenders of the realms. Thor is last to swear, his vows being lengthier than the others as his status as heir to the throne dictates. Loki looks up and catches her eye.
In her mind she hears, "Be ready, it is almost time."
Thor, his vows made, rises and moves to stand next to his mother and brother at the foot of Odin's throne. Odin stands, an imposing figure in his golden armor. Rapping his staff against the floor once more, he says, "Loki Odinson, come forth."
Loki leaves his position and kneels before Odin.
"My son, in a feat of heroism, you rescued a young woman, a princess and warrior from another world. Only by your swift actions does she live. I wish you to call her forth."
Loki stands and turns to face the opposite end of the hall.
"Princess Anara Solo, Jedi Master, I summon you to stand before Odin, King of Asgard."
Loki's voice easily carries the length of the hall. Anara steps out from her alcove and begins walking down the long aisle to Odin's throne. Head held high, she looks straight ahead, eyes locked with Loki, her entrance a stark contrast to the Companions' more casual parade. Murmurs follow her up the aisle. Words such as "stunning" and "beautiful" catch her ear. Ignoring it all, she stops before the steps leading to Odin's throne. The crowd goes absolutely silent.
Loki bows to her and turns to face his father.
"Odin AllFather, may I present Princess Anara Solo, Jedi Master, and defender of the peace in her own realm."
Bowing once again to his father, he returns to his position next to his mother and brother on the dais. As Odin begins to walk down the steps to her, she takes a knee, bowing her head. She can hear Frigga's dainty steps as she follows Odin and stops near her.
"Princess Anara Solo, daughter of Mara, Queen of Alderan II."
Anara raises her head to look at Odin.
"Through no fault of your own, you have been stranded here on Asgard. Gravely wounded, my son, Loki rescued you. You were given the Elixir of the Golden Apples and thus our healers brought you back from the brink of death and healed your wounds."
The crowd gasps, understanding the enormity of the gift given to her.
"You have passed the tests I've set you, proved your worthiness to stand as a member of the Companions. Will you join their ranks?"
Bowing her head again, Anara says clearly, "If they will have me."
Turning to the Companions, Odin asks, "Will you have this woman as a member of your esteemed ranks?"
As one they reply, "Aye!"
Odin turns back to her. "Then take these oaths. Do you swear to guard the Nine Realms?" he asks.
Raising her head, she says, "I swear."
"Do you swear to preserve the peace?"
"I swear."
"Do you swear to uphold the laws of Asgard and those of the Nine Realms?"
"I swear."
"Then rise, Princess Anara of Alderan, and receive the symbols of your new station."
Frigga, smiling, hands Odin a pair of blue and silver bracers, twins in pattern to her breast plate. Snapping them on her wrists, he then takes a cape from Frigga's arms and swirling it around Anara, snaps it into place on her shoulders. Next, he places her helm on her head. It is much simpler than Thor's or Loki's. A peaked forehead guard curves into the polished silver waves of the cheek plates which sweep back, extending just past the back of her head. Scroll work decorates the edges.
"A Companion must always be ready to defend the realms and the innocents who inhabit them. Wear this armor with honor and integrity."
Odin takes her wrists and presses a concealed switch in the bracers, activating her armor. Silver scales flow up her arms, linking with her breast plate, and a studded split skirt unfurls over her pants. Oohs and ahs can be heard in the crowd. Odin backs up, and Anara, taking that as her cue, uses the Force to bring her lightsaber to her hand. Igniting the blade, she salutes Odin and turns to the crowd. Loki steps forward again.
"Ladies and gentlemen, may I present to you, Lady Anara, Royal Companion and Defender of the Nine Realms!"
She flourishes her lightsaber to the delight of the crowd. Shutting down the blade and returning the lightsaber to its clip, she turns once more to face Odin, who has returned to his throne.
"People of Asgard, you have renewed your oaths as vassals, knights, soldiers, and servants. I thank you one and all for your service. Now, go and celebrate this longest night!"
Rapping his staff a final time against the stones, he concludes the ceremony.
Anara is quickly surrounded by her fellow Companions. Sif is the first to welcome her, giving her a bear hug, the first of many she would receive that day.
"Long have I wished for a sister-at-arms. Welcome!"
Fandral, being his gallant self, bows to her and kisses her hand. "A more beautiful addition to our ranks we could not ask for."
Volstagg surprises her by grabbing her shoulders and kissing her on each cheek. "Welcome, my lady, welcome!"
Hogun makes his way to her as well. Bowing low, he says, "It is an honor to have you in our ranks. You are a formidable warrior, and now you look it."
Anara is pretty sure those are the most words she's ever heard Hogun say - ever.
She senses Loki at her back a moment before he puts his hands on her shoulders, preventing her from turning to face him. Leaning down and whispering in her ear, he says, "Let us start over. No hard feelings, kitten?"
Smiling, she tells him mind to mind, "I'm willing to start over- wipe the slate clean, if you are."
"Done."
Coming around to face her, he bows to her and says for everyone to hear, "It was an honor to present you tonight. I echo Fandral in saying that we could not have asked for a more lovely addition to our ranks."
Thor, not to be outdone, picks her up in a huge bear hug, lifting her off the ground.
"Welcome to the Companions, Sword Sister. Maybe now Roygan will let Volstagg and me spar with you, " he tells her, still holding her aloft.
Laughing, she teases, "Yes, well, we all know why you both want that don't we?"
Thor feigns innocence and she hears Volstagg sputter while the others laugh.
"Now put me down you big brute! I can't breathe!" she says, squirming in his arms.
Thor laughs and puts her down, bowing to her in apology.
The next hour passes in a blur of faces as nobles, politicians, military leaders and others are introduced to her. She catalogs them all, making notes of those who tweak her senses one way or another. Finally, the steady stream of well wishers comes to an end, and the Chamberlain calls them to the Feasting Hall.
Volstagg exclaims, "It's about time, I'm starving!", and heads off to the feast.
A little weary of all the male attention, Anara offers her arm to Sif, who takes it with a mischievous smile. Thor and Loki, both surprised by this move, share a look, shrug, and then laughing, link arms themselves and follow the two ladies.
The Feasting Hall, reserved for Odin and only the most honored guests, is situated in the top of one of the palace towers. Open on one side, it affords a spectacular view of the city below. Two huge wood-plank banquet tables fill the room, easily seating 40 guests apiece. Both are laden with platters filled with delicacies from all over the Nine Realms. Volstagg, barely able to contain his delight, bows to Odin at the head of the nearest table and quickly finds a seat, eying the feast hungrily. The others follow suit. Sif and Anara earn a quizzical look from Odin and Frigga upon their entrance arm-in-arm. Frigga motions for Anara to take the seat next to her, and Sif moves off to a place further down the table. Thor and Loki sit opposite Anara and their mother, with Thor sitting at Odin's right hand. After everyone gets settled, a hush falls over the room, and everyone looks to Odin. He stands, goblet in hand.
"A toast," he begins. "To old friendships renewed, and new ones created."
Everyone stands, and raising their own goblets, shouts, "Skål!"
After taking a long drink, everyone takes their seats again and begins passing platters around. The evening passes in friendly companionship and the wine and mead flow freely. Anara, deciding to let go just a little, allows herself to maintain a good buzz without getting too drunk. As the longest night wears on and guests start to drift away, the Companions bid Odin and Frigga goodnight and make their way to the less formal Mead Hall. Thor, deep in his cups, drapes himself over his brother for support, and Fandral leans on Sif, shamelessly flirting with her the entire way there. Once in the Mead Hall, Sif ducks from under Fandral and pushes him down onto a couch, as Loki does the same with Thor. Sif and Anara take a couch together, denying any of the men a chance to sit with them. They hold fast in the face of idle threats to forcibly move one or the other, and eventually, the men give up, grumbling about "damned warrior women anyway."
They pass the remainder of the evening heaping praise upon one another, drinking and trading stories of battles and heroic deeds. When Anara decides to tell a story of her own about a battle on a small moon in which they were outnumbered 100 to one by New Imperial forces and barely made it off-world alive, the Companions listen with rapt attention, for she has been less than forthcoming about her own adventures. Servants keep the mead flowing, and as dawn approaches, one after the other passes out where they sit.