Chapter 2 – Onwards
D93/1 ABY
The feast had begun. Loud music emanated from the palace and was reciprocated throughout the planet. People from all over the planet and beyond were invited to attend. Truly a sight to behold. There were parties… and then there were Asgardian parties. As Kanan looked around, he saw many faces. There were a few faces he didn't see though – namely Ygritte, Kuzan and Tarre. Banging Gungniir on the floor, Allfather Thor turned the attention of all the attendants towards him. The crowd was a mix of many different species. Hera had earlier learnt that these people were from the galaxy of Asgardia, whose capital was Asgard.
"TODAY, WE CELEBRATE OUR VICTORIES, THE SACRIFICES MADE BY THOSE WHO ARE NO LONGER WITH THIS. WE HONOUR THEIR LEGACY BY REMAINING TRUE AND LOYAL TO WHAT THEY STOOD FOR. TODAY, WE ARE REMINDED OF ALL THAT WE FOUGHT FOR AND ALL WE HAVE FOUGHT WITH. TODAY, WE CELEBRATE.", King Thor spoke in a loud and clear voice, which was followed by cheering voices, booming of utensils and the sound of so many yelling, "ALL HAIL KING THOR!"
Thor then raised his hand and the applause subsided, "AND NOW, WE WELCOME IN OUR MIDST – PRINCESS HERA SYNDULLA, MY DAUGHTER.", Thor spoke in a booming voice and gestured towards Hera who stood at his right side, along with Fenrir. At Thor's left side were Loki, Issho and Heimdall. Silence followed this as Hera looked around nervously, but then suddenly that silence was broken by large shouting – "ALL HAIL PRINCESS HERA. ALL HAIL PRINCE FENRIR. ALL HAIL PRINCE LOKI. ALL HAIL PRINCE ISSHO."
"You'll get used to it.", Fenrir whispered to her, turning his head slightly.
"I don't think I ever will.", Hera whispered back.
"Give it time.", Thor whispered to her. Hera then looked around for Kanan, whom she saw was smiling at her. Behind her was their family who all smiled, laughed and cheered with the crowd. She was most intrigued by Sira, who had climbed up on Ezra. Apparently Sira had been frightened by the excessive noise and Ezra was comforting the small ice-lothwolf.
Fenrir, who was standing closest to the crowd was suddenly lifted by his fellow Asgardians and thrown into the fountain at the center of the palace, following which there was loud and boisterous laughter. Those same Asgardians then came forward to do the same to the newly proclaimed Princess of Asgard – Hera Syndulla, daughter of Thor. Fortunately, she was saved, as the doors of the palace suddenly opened. Silence followed this and at the door stood a man donning blood red mandalorian armour, with Mjolnir strapped to his waist. As he entered, the doors behind him sealed. Surprise and shock were in the air as this man stepped in. King Thor, stood up from his throne, putting Stormbreaker on the throne and yelled, "ASGARD, HERE STANDS THY CHAMPION."
Following this crowd again broke into a massive cheer, crowding the man at the door, lifting him up on their shoulders and tossing him into the fountain along with Fenrir. Thankfully the crowd had now completely forgotten about throwing Hera in the fountain, who breathed a sigh of relief. As the cheer broke out, and everyone got busy with themselves – Hera turned to look at Thor. "I am glad not to have been thrown into the water."
Thor gave a hearty laugh at this, "So am I."
"I better go get Fenrir out of the fountain.", Loki said out loud.
As the royals now mingled with the people, Hera saw Zeb arm-wrestling with an Asgardian and lost easily. But both he and the victor laughed at this and went for another round. A little distance away from them, she saw Mace Windu and Talia talking and laughing at the antics of others, looking happy and content in their company. Hera saw Kanan being surrounded by some very attractive women, who was looking very uncomfortable at this. Behind him, she saw Rex walking with a rather beautiful woman.
"You better go rescue him.", Thor said with a smile. Hera shook her head at this and went to rescue Kanan. "It's moments like these that make life worth living.", Issho spoke.
"Indeed. Who would have thought that things would turn out like this?", Thor said as he walked around, leaving Heimdall and Issho behind.
"If he means about him becoming King… then everyone.", Issho spoke.
"Thor knows the truth about ruling, more than most. That is why he never wanted it.", Heimdall spoke.
Issho sighed, "The realms will do well under the care of Allfather Thor. He encompasses the best of all of us."
"Yes, he does… and he has us with him.", Loki appeared next to them.
"Hmm.", Heimdall looked into the sky.
"What is it?", Loki asked.
"The dwarves are here.", came the answer.
"Should we be worried?", Issho asked.
"Nay. They bring a gift for our King.", came the answer.
"They weren't invited though.", Loki spoke in a serious tone.
"Loki and I will deal with them.", Issho spoke.
Thor was approaching Ahsoka, who was standing with Sabine and Ezra. The latter was still clutching Sira, calming her.
"This is so much like a mandalorian party.", Sabine told Thor as she saw him approach.
"It is to be expected, both our worlds boast strong and capable warriors.", Thor answered at which Sabine smiled.
"Everything alright?", Thor asked Ezra, who was holding Sira. She had buried her head into his chest.
"Sira doesn't like the noise.", Ezra answered.
"I understand. Perhaps a bit of fresh air will do her good.", Thor said.
"I don't want to miss this.", Ezra said, looking at the party.
"Some do.", Thor looked at Bendu and Bruce, who were sticking out like sore thumbs. Thor gestured at Bendu to come towards him.
"Let Bendu take her. He doesn't like social gatherings.", Thor suggested.
Ezra then looked at Sira and asked, "Will you be alright going to Bendu?"
Sira whined at this and Sabine stroked her neck, "Sira, you'll like Bendu."
As Bendu approached them, he looked positively annoyed. "May I have your permission to leave, master?", he asked.
"Bendu, I am no longer your master. You are a full-fledged angel now, and yes you may leave. Take Sira along with you… she is not comfortable here.", Thor answered.
"Very well.", Bendu said and extended his arms, as Ezra brought Sira towards him. She whined a bit but willingly went into Bendu's arms. "I will take her to my house.", Bendu said. The moment she was comfortably nestled in his arms, Bendu made a quick exit.
"We'll check on them after some time.", Ezra said. Sabine was looking around curiously. "Where are your sister and brother?", she asked Thor.
"Didn't Hera tell you?", Thor asked.
"No.", Sabine answered.
"Ygritte is now the Queen of Xadia… it was our grandmother's last wish. Kuzan on the other hand is now the King of the Frost Giants.", Thor said.
"How did that happen?", Ezra asked.
"Apparently… all he had to do was kill their previous King in single combat.", Thor answered. As Ezra looked at Thor in a confused expression, Thor turned towards Ahsoka, "You have my thanks. No one has ever been able to convince Tarre to attend a gathering such as this. No one except you."
"Really!?", the three spoke surprised.
"Indeed. So, what's the secret?", Fenrir asked appearing behind them, drenched in water.
Ahsoka looked a bit uncomfortable at this as Fenrir, Ezra and Sabine smiled knowingly at her. Thor cleared his throat, "Where is Tarre?", he asked.
"Lost in the crowd.", Fenrir answered. Ahsoka then felt his presence in a nearby crowd and spoke, "There.", pointing at the crowd. The group then walked towards Tarre, who was sitting on a stool, wearing his helmet. As the crowd was looking at him intently, they heard Tarre speak, "At which the barmen said – 'May I push in your stool'." Following this the crowd roared with laughter, and Thor cleared his throat, "I would like a private word with our champion." The crowd then let Tarre walk out, who like Fenrir was soaking wet.
"Took your time.", Tarre said to Ahsoka, "I had almost run out of jokes.", holding her hand with his right hand.
"Well atleast you didn't run out this time.", Thor said.
"Yeah.", Tarre sighed.
Ahsoka smiled at this, but the moment between the two was interrupted by Fenrir, "So, what is the secret? You have never ever in your life stayed in a party for longer than two minutes for anyone."
Ahsoka looked uncomfortable at this and Tarre merely turned his head in Fenrir's direction. "I swear Fenrir, if you weren't a Prince, I would whack you right now."
"Didn't stop you before.", Fenrir smiled.
"Fenrir.", Thor looked at his nephew.
"Ok.", he said raising his hands. "By the way, where is dad and uncle Issho?"
"Outside, dealing with uninvited guests.", came Heimdall's voice from behind him.
"Who are these uninvited guests?", Thor asked in a serious tone.
"Dwarves from Khazad-dȗm.", Heimdall spoke.
"Excuse us.", Thor said as he gestured at Heimdall to accompany him.
"Is everything alright?", Ahsoka asked as Thor and Heimdall left.
"It is. If it were urgent, Heimdall would have sounded the alarm. They're probably here to make some outlandish demands.", Tarre answered.
"Remember last time, when they arrived thundering and demanding that Asgard help them invade Alfheim.", Fenrir said.
"Wait seriously?", Sabine asked.
"Yeah. Allfather Odin took a firm stance with them, and warned them of deadly repercussions, if they did anything to hamper the peace of the nine realms.", Tarre answered.
"Did that stop them?", Ezra asked.
"Well, not at first. Disregarding grandfather's warning the dwarves tried to invade Alfheim, but before they could… Asgard stopped them and placed the instigators under arrest for war crimes.", Fenrir answered.
He then turned towards Tarre and Ahsoka, "Seriously though, what's going on with the two of you?" The two remained silent at this and Fenrir spoke evenly, "You both tied the knot, didn't you?"
As Sabine and Ezra smiled at the two, Ahsoka sighed, "Yes."
"Congratulations.", the three of them told the two.
"Thanks for telling the rest of us.", Fenrir spoke sarcastically.
"Yeah. Thanks for that.", Sabine spoke with a smile. The five of them laughed at this and after some time Sabine spoke to Tarre, "That paint on your armour… it's horrible, you know. My offer to paint something nice over it still stands."
"The current paint holds a meaning Sabine.", Tarre responded calmly.
"Maybe, you should take up her offer. This paint… it reminds us of a certain person.", Ahsoka said as Sabine and Ezra nodded.
Before Tarre could say anything, Fenrir interrupted him, "Go for it, buddy. It is not good holding on to that memory."
Ahsoka knew exactly what memory Fenrir was referring to and Tarre knew exactly who Ahsoka was referring to, but Sabine and Ezra looked at the three and each other in confusion. After a while, Tarre sighed, "Alright. Sabine, I take up your offer of repainting this armour."
"Ok, but in exchange can Ezra and I know about this memory?", Sabine asked.
"One day, in the future. But not the immediate future.", Tarre answered.
"Come on. You told me about the other stuff.", Sabine said annoyed, but Ezra placed a hand on her shoulder and shook his head.
Tarre sighed, "Sabine I trust you. I trust all of you with my life. This memory… it is painful."
"Ok.", Sabine said understanding. She was able to relate. It had taken her three years to open up about her past with her space family. She trusted Tarre and that was enough for now.
"How're you holding up?", Tarre asked interrupting her thoughts.
"Hm.", Sabine took a moment to register the question, "Better than I expected. It's not every day you accidently hit yourself in the face with a paint cannister, which you moved using the force unconsciously."
"That's good to hear. Most people would be having a full mental breakdown.", Fenrir said.
"I am not like most people. Though I am a little annoyed, that none of you told us.", Sabine said.
Fenrir chuckled at this, "She gets like this with everything.", Ezra said, to which Sabine lightly punched his side.
Fenrir then turned to Tarre, "So, how many requests have you received?"
"A lot of them. 99% of them are by the Bagdwella clan.", Tarre answered.
"Gnome Infestation?", Fenrir asked. The Bagdwella clan had the infamous gnome problem.
"Yes.", Tarre answered.
"How does it work? You have to answer every call?", Ezra asked.
"Yeah. When Thor was champion, he was constantly riddled with requests like these. Which is why he was always in a grumpy mood.", Tarre spoke.
"And ended up with high blood pressure.", Fenrir chimed.
"That doesn't sound good.", Sabine said as Tarre internally groaned.
"What are you guys talking about?", Hera asked as she and Kanan approached them, with members of the crowd making way for them.
"The many tasks of Asgard's champion.", Sabine answered.
"Oh.", Hera said.
"Where is Sira?", Kanan asked.
"With Bendu. He took her back to his apartment.", Ezra said.
"Did you know that Tarre and Ahsoka…", Sabine began but was interrupted by Hera.
"Yes, we know.", Hera answered.
"Wait so you told them, but not us?", Fenrir asked.
"Unlike you three, Hera and Kanan can keep a secret.", Tarre said as Ahsoka laughed internally.
