Reunion

Here have this.

A/N: Sorry it took so long. Work picked up and I started another story that I worked on a bit in place of this one briefly. It is another SI called Flamekeeper and is in the 40k verse if your interested.

Reviews and criticism are welcome.

Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars.

I did my best to keep sand out of my face with the Force. I figured since I was walking in a random direction in one of the biggest deserts on the planet, I would have to learn. The little sand platforms I managed to master right away. Soon enough as I walked along the dunes, I found I could direct the wind around me and filter out the sand. It required focusing and finding oneself in tune with the area around them. I did grow confident enough to attempt trying the Avatar air ball. I… I just ended up with a face full of sand.

Regardless, I walked on, only stopping to take a break under a patch of shady rocks poking out the ground. Part of me was glad I had left this place. The sand and wind were something that constantly ate at you. I mean my folks were good people, but I was a city girl now. Even if Coruscant had its own dangers. Speaking of Coruscant I wondered how the Unseen were doing. I knew they started getting new donors other than Bellicose. With all the craziness that was going on I hadn't had time to check their status. Well I did have a window, I just forgot to ask, considering the prison complex in the core I now owned. Still had no idea what I was going to do with that.

I didn't think I had to worry about Anakin at the moment. He was hopefully being folded into lessons with the other younglings his age. I wished I had time to say goodbye. The Council left me little time other than to pack with Katri watching over my shoulder the whole time. Luckily Plo said he would keep an eye on Anakin while I was gone.

After a couple hours, the sun's heat lifted enough for me to get going. I was more than a little annoyed, but that was the way of the desert. I walked for another hour before I got bored.

"Your journey lies along a different path," I said in a snide and mocking tone mimicking Katri. "No I can't allow you to come back to the spaceport with me, you have to walk through the karking desert to find yourself and gain enlightenment or something."

I sighed as I climbed the next dune. I decided to stop and take a breath. I listened to the wind and sand. I looked through the sixth sense the Force gave me. I felt vibrations in the ground. The Golithorpions racing under the surface. There were some small lizard and snakelike creatures around, but the massive scorpion-like borrowers were the kings of this place. I knew deserts boasted life, but I never thought it was this much. The burrowers activity caught my attention. They had a single minded determination to head to a destination and sate their hunger. I reached out further and- Oh no.

I took note of their direction, and focused only to sense more life. Sentient life. I took off in that general direction, following the trail vibrations. I kicked up a cloud of dust behind me, gaining speed. With giant leaps I bound over dunes entirely leaning into the speed in order to head off the Golithorpion and their quarry. I sensed horror, desperation, and anger. The Golithorpions had found some prey that wandered too close to their hunting grounds.

I stopped briefly on the dune overlooking a caravan of around twenty hovertracs. A couple of the massive mobile homes were tipped over. I saw some people trying futilely to shoot the beasts with blasters. Without hesitation, I charged, my blue blade ignited. I leapt on the nearest beast stabbing down into it back. It squealed and slunk back into the sand. I hopped on to the next one, employing the same maneuver, but I was forced to kill a few of the beasts to prevent the loss of sentient life. I used my battle meditation to calm the people in the caravan and send the Golithorpions slithering away.

After they were gone, I turned back to the people of the caravan and deactivated my lightsaber. I hooked it back to my belt as I sensed no immediate danger. The Golithorpians were still out there, but they were biding their time. Looks like I wasn't getting any sleep tonight.

The first man to walk up was familiar. His dark blue robes had faded somewhat and his hair and beard were a shade greyer, but I found his yellowish face unmistakable. He held a blaster rifle in his hands. Yet here he was. Dear Old Dad. I was glad I still had my face veil on. I wasn't sure I would be recognised regardless or whether or not my gobsmacked look could be seen.

"Thank you Master Jedi for your timely arrival. Our caravan would have been devoured were it not for you." He bowed. I returned the gesture.

"I was simply following my order's calling." I said humbly.

"Indeed. The Sky Goddess provides. We would thank you all the same Master Jedi. Once we are clear of this wretched territory, I would see you honored. I am Rand Unduli." he said.

"You are welcome… I am Knight…" Oh kark it. "Unduli," I said awkwardly. "I will help in any way I can. We must get moving." I noted the look of surprise on his face, but he nodded still aware of the danger he and the caravan was in. I quickly walked away before he could say anything else. I strode up to some men who were attempting to pull one of the fallen hovertracs over with some ropes. "Please step back." I said curtly.

They did. I used the Force to lift hovertrac up and back on the replusor lifts carefully. I repeated this with the other two. All of them were able to get started once again. I sensed the beasts nearby making another surge at the caravan. I sent them back again using my battle meditation.

"We better get moving. The Golithorpians will soon return." The borrowers in truth wouldn't come back, but it got everyone moving an ounce faster.

The caravan set off. I stood on the roof of the middle hovertrac in the line, watching and sensing for the beasts in the sand. They could attack from any direction so it was best to be ready. I could sense life in my Father's hovertrac. My Mother was there, and so were four others. I guess I wasn't their only child. Which was good. I was glad they moved on.

I spent the next couple days guarding the caravan, and keeping my distance. I think my father sent his friends to ask me questions. I told them I was using my power to keep the burrowing monsters at bay. Which was somewhat true. I wouldn't have the excuse to avoid them once we got into safer lands. Which would not be far. The Golithorpions were getting wary of traveling further and wanted to give up in search of other prey.

That left me with time on how to approach this. I wanted change in the Order, and staying in contact with a Jedi's family was something I could get behind. I mean the whole monk celibacy thing was recent if you looked at the whole of Jedi history. Of the twenty five thousand years, it was only until Exar Kun turned that it became practiced in whole around four thousand years ago. Hell, Naomi Sunstrider was a mother of two and trained as an adult. Not that I personally was going to have kids, but that should be up to the individual no?

Where did I draw the line in my desire for reformation of the Jedi as they are today? Perhaps some contact could be allowed. I mean if the Salamanders in 40k could handle it… I chuckled to myself. It was amusing thinking I would only confront this issue through dealing with Anakin and Shmi.

That moment would come soon. The Watcher. The leader of the caravan said we were in the clear. I was forced to agree as the burrowers had given up.

While we stopped to rest the engines during the heat of the day, I smelled some food. Real food, not the ration bars I was nibbling on for the past few days. I turned to see my mother. She had her veil hanging to the side. There weren't any wild winds to toss sand around for it to be necessary. Her dark green face held a warm smile.

"I thought you might want some proper food." she said, holding out a bowl of soup.

"Thank you," I took the bowl. It was still steaming. She sat down next to me under the roof top canopy.

I took a cautious spoonful. It was rather good. A bit hot, but not so to burn the tongue. There was some spice in it. The meat in it was rather good. I ended up wolfing it down unceremoniously on my part.

Things were quiet for a time. Part of me wasn't sure what to say.

"It was good." It was good. Really? I felt so embarrassed. I think a blush even escaped my training.

"I would hope so. It was from your kill. I had just enough time to carve off some chunks of the Golithorpion before the caravan got moving again." She talked like I hadn't been gone for twenty two years.

"I thought their meat would be dangerous," I admitted.

"No, very nutritious even." She said, and she stretched briefly.

"Have you and Father been alright since I left." I asked.

"We have been doing fine. The order wanted us to move into a fancy house in the capital, but we are children of the sands and could never get used to it. So they pay for repairs to the Naqila." She smiled.

"Good, I sense one of your replusor lifts is beginning to have issues." I said. She smiled and nodded. I continued. "Is it just you and Father or…"

"Oh, no, we had another son and another daughter. Tarl and Hylo. In fact your brother has a wife and son. Rona and Arwen." She said excitedly. "Arwen is so great. Though he is very rambunctious at times. Reminds me of you."

Hopefully not too much like me, I thought.

"They sound great." I said. There was an awkward silence. I didn't know what to do. I looked away. I was glad that they moved on without me. I truly was. She reached an arm around me, pulled me close and pressed my head into her shoulder.

"Neither I nor your Father ever forgot about you." She whispered, seemingly seeing through my thoughts. She traced the fading scar along the side of my face. "We worried what battles you were in. What things you must have seen? Even Tarl and Hylo would ask why they never saw you." She was crying now and I even felt warmth leaking from my own eyes. "We would tell them you were off helping people as a Jedi Knight and more importantly a Priestess of the Sky Goddess."

"I never forgot you either." I whispered. There were times I thought of Mirial, and lamented getting caught in the orders grasp at times. The sand was usually something I was glad to be rid of, but not this, this love.

She let go of me and she beamed. "Good now, come along." She wiped the tears from her eyes. She clipped her veil on. I noted the wind had picked and did the same. Sand was so annoying.

She led me to a familiar hovertrac. It had been ages since I had been here. Inside things looked close to what I remembered, but different. Everything looked pristine. There was a holoterminal that was currently off. I remembered it only worked when we were close to civilization. The Gathering would have an access hub for a holonet connection. The table had been folded up and four people sat in the center of the room. All in all it was akin to a large pondering, hovering, yet more ruggedly built winnebago.

Seeing me, the others in the room stood up from their cushions.

"Lumi, this is Tarl, his wife, Rona, and their son, Arwen." She gestured proudly to Arwen, clearly excited to be a grandmother. I bowed respectfully, and Tarl and Rona returned the favor. Arwen was still just a toddler. She then gestured to my sister. "This is Hylo." I inclined my head to her as well. They seemed on the edge. Tarl and Hylo both seemed to inherit our father's height standing about six and half feet tall and six foot respectively. I guess I got my mother's height. I wasn't jealous, honest.

"It is good to meet you all." I said more awkwardly than I intended.

Tarl was the first to speak. "It is a pleasure that a Knight of the Jedi Order graces my father's humble abode."

"Very much the same here," Hylo was a bit more excited than Tarl. To be fair I think my brother was trying to make a more formal impression. "I'll take that, Mother." Hylo was about eighteen or nineteen from the looks of it. Tarl looked about twenty two.

"Thank you, dear." Mother said and handed the bowl to Hylo. Hylo ran over to sink.

"She's nervous," Mother looked over at me. "She is to marry her betrothed when we arrive, and then you show up."

"Do they know each other well?" I asked.

"Of course, Hylo and Riordan played together as children. He grew into a nice young man." Mother said. It eased my fears somewhat. Arranged marriages were a common practice on Mirial. Out in the Sands at least.

"I see you have found your way back home." I heard a voice boom behind us.

Father strode in.

I inclined my head, but was immediately swept up in a hug. "My daughter, the Sky Priestess, returns to her humble roots."

"It is good to be back if only for a few days." I said as he set me down.

"I hope you stay long enough for the Gathering," he said. "It would be nice to hear the tales of your adventures among the stars and have you there for the wedding."

"It seems you caught me in the middle of one of those adventures at the moment." I joked, if a bit weakly.

"Oh," I heard Hylo pipe up as she returned from washing dishes. "Do tell. If you hadn't been here we would have died." She glared at father. He gave her a look that said, we'd been over this.

"Well," I tried my best to not sound like I was tooting my own horn. "Master Katri and the Council," I heard an intake of breath from my mother. Katri was a well known figure on Mirial. "They sent me here for a test. A test that I should pass will see me promoted to Jedi Master. However, the test is only half done. It seems the destination of this test is somewhere out beyond the system."

Everyone was silent. There was a surprisingly short pause, before young Arwen gurgled some baby talk. Rona picked him up and sat him on her hip.

Father said, "You are so young."

"Let's just say I earned it." I was so glad I was wearing a glove over my Force arm. I didn't want them to see I was maimed despite my recovery.

"What does such a test entail?" Tarl asked. He looked intrigued. Mother ran out of the main room. She seemed excited.

"That's up to the individual," I answered and shrugged. "Now that my reasons for being here are explained, mind me asking why your caravan was going through such a dangerous area?"

Father for his part, seemed to glare in the general direction of the Watcher's hovertrac. "I was outvoted."

"I thought you used to lead the caravan?" I asked.

"We merged with another larger caravan for protection from raiders. I didn't have enough pull to become the Watcher of the newly formed caravan." I nodded. That made sense. "I did protest, but the Watcher's desire to make it early to the Gathering was shared by many. She had found a navigator she believed knew a way through the dead sands. I would question where the navigator found his information, but he was the only one to be devoured in the opening attack."

"Understandable." I said. "I am just glad to have gotten here in time."

"As are we all." He smiled. It was a familiar smile. I remembered back when I was little when he would read to me from an old book of Mirialan Fables. Then an image flashed in my mind of another man. A serious and haggard one. One I remembered from the vision. My father's yellowish skin tone contrasted the other man's face and light brown skin tone. The resemblance to Gaul was uncanny and I couldn't unsee it. I resumed the conversation, having been schooled to keep my facial expressions well controlled.

We talked for a long while. I got a sense of what they had been through the last two decades, and I told them of a few of my adventures. It was clear Tarl wanted to expel the Trade Federation. Father and him would argue about it. This wasn't a new sentiment. Apparently the Planetary Capital had been transformed for the worst and the Trade Federation had mines and refineries all over the place. Mirial was suffering. I will admit it didn't sound good. Katri and I had bypassed the capital landing in the nearest settlement close to the Deadlands. It seemed the people of Mirial had been galvanized by Naboo's expulsion of the Trade Federation.

The movement hadn't really gained speed yet, but the will was there. I found out another reason that the caravan risked passing so close to the Deadlands. The Raiders had been more active lately. Many assumed the Trade Federation was paying them to harass cavavan's.

I shared some of my less eventful stories. Some of my adventures with Komari, in particular. The Bal'demnic affair, and that fancy party on Alsakan. They were in awe for the most part. I told them I had the honor of being a temple guard for two years as well. I didn't tell them about how it was a punishment.

After supper, I resumed my meditations in full. I had my mind partitioned to keep an eye on the sands, but I felt the need to keep my guard up. It was good practice. I would have to keep multiple things going in my head during the battles to come. With the mention of raiders I felt that the last leg of our journey would be our most vulnerable. Luckily the ancient place was chosen for the hard ground that the Golithorpions couldn't dig through, and the raiders was what I had looked for most. I don't think they would dare attack such a populated meeting of the caravans.

Thankfully Nothing happened and we reached the Gathering in time. We met with the family of my sister's betrothed. Her soon to be husband was around the same height as her. His skin was more green than yellow. He was handsome and Hylo seemed to get along just fine with him. It was clear that he was just as nervous as she was.

The Gathering itself was full of colors that stood out against the pink sands, as tents ranging from small family ones to large almost circus like ones stood up. Father's caravan melded in with the others. Ironic I would be parting ways with them here of all places. It was here Talor led me away the first time. I took my time of course as I drifted through the crowds and stalls that were set up. I guess that the vendors from our own caravan were selling meat from the burrowers I killed. My lightsaber drew stares and bows for those I passed. I would occasionally incline my head in acknowledgment.

There was a decorum as a Sky Priestess that I had to follow. I sensed no malice toward me. Some individuals had found me an inconvenience disrupting some less than legal means, but that was it.

I noted a Trade Federation tent with battle droids flanking the entrance. It was a bit of an eyesore.

After seeing the sights. My brother found me.

"I see you are enjoying yourself." he offered me a kabob of some meat with a couple grilled vegetables. I took it and He led me to a small tent with an open flap with a series of tables.

"I remember it was here that Talor led me to the temple." I said. I took a bite. I didn't recognise the meat. I didn't ask.

"Yeah, Mother and Father never seemed to enjoy coming here when I was little. Over time, they put on a happy face for Hylo and me." he said. He frowned. I saw Gaul's face again. Part of me wondered the type of man The Bastard Prince of the Dea was.

"I suppose losing a child and never hearing from them would do that." I admitted. "Perhaps I should have made an effort to visit at least once."

"You had your duties." he consoled. "Those given to the Temple were always expected to drop their old lives even before the Jedi made contact. Mother and Father had always been honored in spite of their desire to see you again."

"I missed them as well." I admitted. "I was busy far too often to reflect, I will admit."

"At least you had friends." Tarl said. "This Komari you speak of sounds like a good friend." I nodded. We finished our meal in silence for a time before he asked me a question.

"What do you think of the Trade Federation?" Tarl asked.

I thought carefully. I remembered Chut from Troiken. That seemed like so long ago. It was hard to remember what I felt, thinking of that conflict brought back memories of Stark's ship. Overall I felt any nobility left died with Chut. Considering Gunray had all the power now, I was not their biggest fan. Not that I cared for them much to begin with.

"They have lost their way, and the Outer Rim suffers. You mentioned that other parts of Mirial suffered under their rule back in the caravan." I said.

"An understatement. The only reason they haven't set up out here is because of the Golithorpions, in a cruel twist of irony. They scour the lands and the resources in our solar system." Tarl had a growing anger seep into his voice. He felt helpless being out here. His concern for Rona and Arwen also kept him from going out and galavanting with a rebellion against the Trade Feds.

"Have there been incidents or an insurrection of sorts?" I asked.

"Yeah in the capital, some parts of the movement stormed a warehouse. Some believe it was staged, others believe it wasn't coordinated well enough. I think it was just random violence. Regardless, things haven't been good. The Trade Feds have stops in every trading hub. Even here of all places." he said and I did notice some battle droids and Trade Federation soldiers earilier.

He gave me a look, judging me. I think he was uncertain if aired his thoughts too openly. I decided to calm his fears.

"What you need is to build a case for the senate." I held up a hand forestalling the expected dismissal and cursing of their inaction. I continued, "I am not saying to rely on them because you really can't, but you have to look like you exhausted all possible options and foremost to get your side of the story out first. The Naboo Crisis soured a lot of people's opinions of the Trade Federation. You will gain sympathy from the public at least. That goes a long way."

"What you're saying is to be subtle." He said. Thinking it over. I nodded. "Bide our time and gather your strength in preparation for the Trade Feds to tighten their grasp."

"You shouldn't be the face of this if possible. The Jedi Council and I don't see eye to eye on many things and if they'll find out I met you go off leading a rebellion…"

"We will lose possible Jedi Support." he finished.

"Well, sanctioned Jedi Support at least." He smiled when he heard me say that. I smiled back.

"I will keep my involvement to a minimum then. Perhaps I could act as a go-between for the Free Mirial Movement and the Carvan's." It seemed I wouldn't have to run things from behind the scenes. I could sense the gears turning in his head. I decided to give him a boost with battle meditation for a bit. His face was alight with an idea. He got up.

"We should head back. Unless you have to depart for the stars again?" he asked. I thought for a moment. I reached out and things felt fine on the Force's end. It was for another day at least.

"No, I would love to stay for the wedding. I still feel bad about missing yours, and only just finding out you exist at all." I said as I got up. Tarl chuckled as we exited the tent.

"I will admit that I resented you at times growing up. That you would abandon Mother and Father so easily. Those thoughts were unworthy of me." Tarl admitted.

I sighed, "I don't blame you, buy hey at least you'll inherit the hovertrac."

Tarl smirked. "I will admit there is a benefit of you being a monk that forswears worldly possessions." Tarl mused as he led me back to the caravan. I found myself chuckling considering my growing blaster collection. Father seemed to be in a happy mood when he saw us.

"Well, are you ready for the ceremony tomorrow? The preparations are finalized." He looked right at me.

"Of course?" I said with a questioning look.

"Wonderful, Having you here saves me the trouble of tracking down another priest or an acolyte." he trotted off to talk with some more guests.

I was bemused for a moment. Right. That made sense. Of course I'd be expected to officiate the ceremony.

"You seem surprised." Tarl said.

"I have had so much on my mind recently that it didn't occur to me until now." I said.

"Have you done this before?" he said.

"No, but Master Ta'lor made sure I knew the rites and proper ceremony. I think I am going to go and meditate on what must be done. It has been awhile since I brushed up on this." I said.

Tarl inclined his head. "By all means." Tarl and I parted ways for the day. I entered the hovertrac. Hoping to find a quiet place to meditate. While I was hesitant to venerate the goddess back in the temple. It gave off an eerie dark feel. However the goddess the modern Mirialans worshiped today was bastardized to the point where you couldn't connect the two or the Jedi might have not have been so gracious in their terms for Mirial's induction into the order. The Sky Goddess was mostly an avatar of nature in some aspects like Mother Nature. So I let the notion slide.

There was also the rudeness of rejecting to consider. I wanted to change the Jedi order for the better. I think staying in contact with family was something beneficial to the Jedi that was lost after Exar Kun's war. It isolated the order in a way that harmed its relations with the average peoples.

I pushed those thoughts away in order to brush up on the rites using memory recall. I was pretty good at it. Though I was always annoyed that the memories of my old life were so hard to recall with exception those relating to the Star Wars verse.

It was as night began to fall that my mother exited her room. She had been so busy that I rarely saw her since she excitedly ran off. She smiled as she sat down next to me. She reached up and snatched my veil. I was stunned, no one had ever done that ever. She looked it over.

"I see you have inherited my sewing skills at least. Shame Hylo never had the gift for the tailor's arts. I may have to take on an apprentice with her place in the Hovertrac soon to be vacated." She said more to herself than me.

"Did you make that for me?" I asked. Ta'lor was the one who gave it to me. I thought it was ceremonial.

"Of course," She smiled and looked back at the old veil. "I wanted to spend some more time with you, but I couldn't let you run around with this worn out thing any longer than necessary. Not if you were to become a Jedi Master."

"Thank you. The old one still reminds me of Ta'lor somewhat. But it would be best to retire it before it wears out." I found it hard to give the old thing up, but it had to be done.

She handed me another veil. It was the same color, dark brown only this one had golden trim along the brow and tips. It was simple but still noticeable. It was slightly wider too sticking out a bit more on each side.

"Well, let's see how it looks." Mother grabbed it and started placing it on my head. In moments she had it adjusted perfectly. She held up a mirror. I was startled by what a mere few touch ups did. It wasn't too gaudy or modest. The gold trim highlighted my authority without bonking you over the head with it. I liked it

"Thank you." I said. I… hugged her. I wasn't used to that. There was no hesitation to embrace me on her part.

"I am proud of you." she said. I hoped I could live up to that.

The next day all was put in place. I had brushed up on all the rituals and hopefully didn't make a fool of myself. It was a beautiful day.

Hylo and Riordan stood before me, facing each other. The crowd was rather large. Then again, it was quite an event to see a Sky Priestess to begin with. I began the ritual. It was not overly complicated and grabbed their hands. Taking out a long ribbon, wrapped their hands together. I used the Force to calm their nerves a little bit. Just enough to relax. I wasn't going to banish the nervousness entirely. That nervousness was a strong emotion to anchor this event to their memories.

After I finished, I spoke. "Today we gather in celebration of the union of two souls in the journey of life. May the Sky Goddess guide you with her winds and warm you with her star. May you flourish in spite of the obstacles set before you as you create a legacy of your own." I looked at Hylo and then to Riordan.

"Do you swear to shield and comfort each other through the hardships and challenges ahead." I asked.

"I do," they both intoned.

"Do you swear to remain loyal to your spouse and make the most of what the Goddess has granted."

"I do."

"Then I pronounce you bonded before her glory." I said. The crowd clapped as Riordan and Hylo kissed and led the crowd into the reception tent.

Father approached, "Well done."

"I thought I would forget a line." I said breathing in relief.

Father smiled. "I assume you must part ways now. I felt the wind shift as soon as they entered the tent." Now that he mentioned it, I did feel a tug of the Force.

I nodded, "Yeah it is time. It was nice to see you again." Father embraced one more time. I was about to leave when I remembered something.

"Father," he raised an eyebrow. "There will be a great hardship to befall the galaxy in time. I don't know how long, perhaps a decade down the road. The biggest conflict in a thousand years will plunge the Galaxy into chaos. I hate to leave you with such an ill-tiding, but I have had visions of this conflict for sometime now and I wanted you to be ready. I will have to be actively involved when it breaks out and my enemies may target you."

He set both hands on my shoulders. "I understand. I will ensure they never find us if your fears come to pass. Now go do what you have to do, Sky Priestess." He picked me up in another bear hug. I hugged him back this time. After he set me down, I nodded and turned to leave Mirial. I don't know if I'll ever return here or see them again. I hoped I would. I figured an Irish goodbye would be appropriate and found a transport off world.