Author's Note: I'm sorry this is such a short chapter. My plan is to post a new chapter every week, and this one is supposed to have two parts to it. But I've been really sick this week, so I didn't have time to write the second part. To make up for it, I'll try to post the second part early.
It's been quite a while since I've written a 'work in progress'. I'd forgotten how much fun it is!!!
I hope you enjoy!
Disclaimer: Not mine. It all belongs to Disney. Dammit.
CHAPTER 2
Luke studies the Mandalorian who lies lifelessly on the bed. The Jedi considers whether he should meddle with the man's mind and worries that he could do more harm than what has already been done to him.
It had been difficult to bring the warrior and Grogu back here to Luke's adopted home planet; here at his slowly growing school.
Difficult. An understatement.
Luke shudders as he remembers the scene he walked into once he found Grogu and the Mandalorian. It had not been hard to find them since the disturbances in the Force were particularly evident once Grogu had slipped over to the Dark Side. The little cabin on Nevarro seemed so peaceful from the outside, but on the inside it was a horror.
Chunks of bloody tissue coated the living room floor, and a thick trail of blood was spread across the ceiling. Blood had dripped from the ceiling, and the floor was painted with ghastly maroon spots amidst the graying globs of flesh. Gagging from the smell and trying to avoid the mess on the floor, Luke followed the blood trail to a rear bedroom. That's where the true horror began.
Blood was everywhere.
Grogu, eyes closed and unresponsive, was spattered in blood and huddled against the Mandalorian's side. Luke sensed the child was in a deep meditation, but he could not penetrate the little one's mind any further. As for the Mandalorian, Luke could sense nothing but a painful absence. The man's body was corpse-like, pale, and practically gray. But the body was obviously alive, since the Jedi could plainly see him breathing. Other than his helmet, Mando was not wearing armor, but his clothes were covered in blood and more of those terrible bits of human flesh.
Needing to help, Luke stepped closer only to be pushed violently away. Grogu. Grogu was using the Force with a strength Luke had never experienced from him before. An incredibly strong power from one so young. Luke tried to penetrate the child's mind again and still was rebuffed.
Things went on in this vein for a long time: Luke reaching out, both physically and mentally, and Grogu pushing him away. It took nearly a day for Luke to reach through Grogu's meditative state and reassure him that he was a friend. Only then, with R2D2's help, was Luke able to transport the pair to his ship. In flight he contacted the closest Nevarran city and reported the barest of information to the authorities. From there, he concentrated on getting his passengers stabilized and to a place of safety on his adopted planet.
Now, sitting in the quiet room and considering the Mandalorian's condition, Luke's thoughts drift to Grogu. The child has not communicated with him. At all. Currently, the little one is performing solitary meditation in a peaceful grove not far from where Luke sits. It's the first time Grogu has left the Mandalorian's side in three days.
The Jedi sighs deeply and makes a decision. He closes his eyes and mentally ventures forward to explore the Mandalorian's vacant mind. He travels a long while, finding only nothing and nothingness. Despair assails him. He does not think Grogu will live if this man dies.
But then, a spark. A small one, but a spark of intelligence lies there just the same. Din Djarin. It is the Mandalorian's name. It hangs like a silken strand loosely looped around the mind. A few other strands, not many, but a few hang nearby.
Luke drifts forward, and strums one of the strands. He senses this is Grogu's work, piecing together the Mandalorian…no, Din Djarin…bit by bit. This is hard work, and Luke cannot believe that such a child could have the strength and stamina to produce it. He is amazed.
Careful not to break the delicate thing, Luke pinches the sparkling strand that is linked to Din Djarin's name and gently pulls it upward. Abruptly, he senses the man's essence return back to its mind where it belongs. Luke smiles and withdraws.
He is back in the small bedroom, and the Mandalorian moves his helmeted head. He then draws breath deeply, as if he has been holding it for a long time.
"What?" Din Djarin asks. "What?"