Jedi Council Forums - Child of Mandalore - The Story of a Mandalorian Warrior

Jedi Council Forums » Fan Fiction » Before the Saga »

Locked Topic | Read Only Topic | Previous Active Topic | Next Active Topic

Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 - ~~Previous~~ | Next | Reload

Author	Topic: Child of Mandalore - The Story of a Mandalorian Warrior - COMPLETE at last
VaderLVR64 Title: Fan Fic Manager in Combat Boots Registered: Feb '04	Date Posted: 2/21/06 7:38am Subject: Child of Mandalore - The Story of a Mandalorian Warrior - COMPLETE at last - Date Edited: 1/11/07 11:52am (15 edits total) Edited By: VaderLVR64
	Title: Child of Mandalore Author: VaderLVR64 Characters: OCs Timeframe: Pre TPM Genre: Short Story Summary: A child finds hope after war claims his family Notes: A plot bunny attacked me while I was reading an article in Star Wars Insider #86. The article is titled “The Mandalorians: People and Culture” The language spoken by the warrior is taken from the same article and I will endeavor to portray the Mandalorian culture as accurately as possible. Quotes from the article will appear as well. Thanks for reading! Child of Mandalore “In five millennia, the Mandalorians fought with and against a thousand armies on a thousand worlds. They learned to speak as many languages and absorbed weapons technologies and tactics from every wary. And yet, despite the overwhelming influence of alien cultures, and the absence of a true home world and even species, their own language not only survived but changed little; their way of life and their philosophy remained untouched; and their ideals and sense of family, of identity, of nation, were only strengthened. Armor is not what makes a Mandalorian. Armor is simply a manifestation of an impenetrable, unassailable heart.” Star Wars Insider #86 *************************** The boy was only seven years old when his old life was swept away in a hail of blasterfire and new one was put before him in the form of an outstretched, armored hand. Instead of reaching for the hand, the boy struck out at it with the vibroblade he had held in his small, bloodstained fingers. The blood belonged to his mother, the blade he had taken from his father’s dead hand. The warrior standing over him did not flinch back when the boy struck out at him, but knelt in the bloody mud and removed the helmet covering his face. Surprisingly kind blue eyes and a shock of red hair were hidden beneath the fearsome helmet. A smile made the blue eyes crinkle and the boy was reminded of his father. The warrior beckoned the boy closer, murmuring something in a language the child did not understand. Giving a stubborn shake of his head, the boy scowled at the man with a fierce glare. This seemed to please the man, whose grin widened. The man sat back on his heels and gave the boy a moment to consider his situation. The two stared at each other in silence, neither moving a muscle. From a distance, the child could hear the screams of the dying and the wounded. He remembered his mother whispering his name just before she let go of life. “Pendar…” her voice had been weak, seeming to leak out of her just like the blood forming an ever-widening pool beneath her. She had the strength to say no more and a moment later, she was gone. He was alone then, for his father had died early in the attack. War had found their little village and the arrogance of their leaders had brought death into their midst. The life he had once known was gone forever, and as young as he was, he knew it. Never again would his mother sing to him as he fell asleep, nor would his father teach him the ways of their people. His father had been a proud man, never forgetting the heritage of his warrior ancestors. He had passed that along to his son, and it was an inbred fortitude that made the little boy stand up straight now, his eyes locked with the warrior who could so easily kill him. Pendar Epoc would not back down; it was not in him to do so. Remembering his father’s tutelage made his grief sharp and Pendar threw himself at the warrior with a cry of fury, striking out at the man blindly. The man stopped him with insulting ease, immobilizing him by wrapping his massive arms around the struggling little body. Soon, Pendar’s screams of rage turned into sobs of loss and sorrow and still the warrior held the boy. The man gave no sign that either reaction troubled him, but merely let the boy ride out the storm of his emotions. When his tears had been spent and Pendar leaned against the warrior exhaustedly, one big hand came to rest on top of the boy’s dark head. “Shhh…” Pendar relaxed completely, his mind recognizing the sound of comfort from an adult voice. He was so very tired. The boy collapsed against the warrior and the man stood up and carried the boy away from the hut, away from death. ***************************** When Pendar woke up, he sensed movement beneath him, as if the floor was shaking in the grip of some terrible quake. He gasped and sat up, wondering why his mother had not woken him to urge him to safety. The sight that greeted him was unexpected. Smooth, pale walls rose up around him and he realized that he was cold. He shivered and pulled the blanket up more closely about him, suddenly taking note of its alien texture. This was not a blanket his mother had woven, for it was not as bright as the colors of the flowers in his mother’s garden, or as soft as the wool she transformed into small comforts for her family. This blanket was somewhat coarse and a uniformly gray color. Pendar thrust the blanket away from him despite his chill. A chuckle from the far end of the room drew his eyes. “Such a fierce little cub,” said a deep voice. As the figure walked out of the shadows, Pendar could see that it was the red-haired man. Immediately, the boy began scrabbling to find his blade, eliciting a bark of indulgent laughter from the man. “Rest easy boy, I mean you no harm.” Pendar hesitated, staring up at the man with wary eyes. Indeed, there was nothing threatening in the man’s expression, only approval. Pendar wondered at that, for it seemed out of place for his situation. “You speak my tongue,” Pendar snapped. “I speak many languages,” the man replied easily. Once more, the man knelt down so that they were eye-to-eye. “I won’t hurt you,” he reassured the boy once more. “Why would I save you only to kill you now?” He tilted his head and gave the boy a friendly smile. With a shrug, Pendar answered quietly. “How do I know what an idiot like you is thinking?” One hand continued to search the folds of the blanket for the blade. The warrior gave a small shake of his head. “You have much spirit, young one, and this pleases me,” he replied. Then he held up the blade with a slight smile. “But I’m afraid you can’t have this back, not just yet anyway.” Pendar frowned at him and considered trying to snatch it from the red-haired man’s hand. The warrior merely shook his head. “I wouldn’t try it, cub.” The two were silent, each caught up in their own musings. Finally, the warrior reached out and brushed back Pendar’s dark hair with a gentle hand. “We have a saying among our people, little cub. Aliit ori’shya tal’din,” he said quietly. Reluctantly, the boy muttered. “What’s that supposed to mean?” The warrior reached for the boy’s hand and grasped it in his own. “Family is more than bloodlines.” TBC -----signature----- If you have to choose between tears and laughter, remember that laughter burns more calories. Proud New Army Mom - off to bootcamp!
	~~Locked Topic~~ \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
Layren Registered: Oct '03	Date Posted: 2/21/06 8:42am Subject: RE: Child of Mandalore - OCs, short story
	Remembering his father’s tutelage made his grief sharp and Pendar threw himself at the warrior with a cry of fury, striking out at the man blindly. The man stopped him with insulting ease, immobilizing him by wrapping his massive arms around the struggling little body. Soon, Pendar’s screams of rage turned into sobs of loss and sorrow and still the warrior held the boy. The man gave no sign that either reaction troubled him, but merely let the boy ride out the storm of his emotions. When his tears had been spent and Pendar leaned against the warrior exhaustedly, one big hand came to rest on top of the boy’s dark head. “Shhh…” Awwwwww your Oc's are always so marvelous, Kim! Marvelous job!! -----signature----- Proud Master to Ara-gon The Triad Chronicles http://boards.theforce.net/before_the_saga/b10475/25934993/p1/?177 (OC's) Into Another Day http://boards.theforce.net/before_the_saga/b10475/27926050/p1/?0 2008 Dear Diary Challenge I am Jinngerbread.
	~~Locked Topic~~ \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
VIII Registered: Aug '05	Date Posted: 2/21/06 1:03pm Subject: RE: Child of Mandalore - OCs, short story - The Story of a Mandalorian Warrior
	Incredible. I´m going to keep my eyes on this one... -----signature----- Lord of Numbers. Follower of Waru -----signature----- High Inquisitor of the Disciples of Lumiya I see that your Schwartz is as big as mine.
	~~Locked Topic~~ \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
correllian_ale Title: Manager Emeritus Registered: Jun '05	Date Posted: 2/21/06 1:28pm Subject: RE: Child of Mandalore - OCs, short story - The Story of a Mandalorian Warrior
	Here we go, another heart-string tugger. Very nice intro VaderLVR, and I'm very into your "mysterious" armored character. Very excited to about the possibilities of where you could be leading us. “Family is more than bloodlines.” (I think Mr.Drumond said something like that once... ) -----signature----- Consider this my "throw back" jersey... I govern my life around my own personal code of ethics, and I suggest that you do the same.
	~~Locked Topic~~ \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
leia_naberrie Registered: Sep '02	Date Posted: 2/22/06 12:43am Subject: RE: Child of Mandalore - OCs, short story - The Story of a Mandalorian Warrior - Date Edited: 2/22/06 12:44am (1 edits total) Edited By: leia_naberrie
	Is there anything you can't write? The boy was only seven years old when his old life was swept away in a hail of blasterfire and new one was put before him in the form of an outstretched, armored hand. Instead of reaching for the hand, the boy struck out at it with the vibroblade he had held in his small, bloodstained fingers. The blood belonged to his mother, the blade he had taken from his father’s dead hand. From the first paragraph I was hooked. What an opening. Pendar thrust the blanket away from him despite his chill. “How do I know what an idiot like you is thinking?” I love this kid. Please if you have a PM list, I'd be very glad to know when you update this. -----signature----- Mortal Instruments {Palpatine/Padmé/Anakin} http://boards.theforce.net/the_saga/b10476/27482874/r27847574
	~~Locked Topic~~ \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
Bale Registered: May '05	Date Posted: 2/22/06 7:00am Subject: RE: Child of Mandalore - OCs, short story - The Story of a Mandalorian Warrior
	Most excellent! I love how you show the transformation of Pendar's emotions and reactions over the loss of his parents and the appearance of this stranger. It's very well written and very believable. Unfortunately, some will pass this story up, rolling their eyes, saying," Great ... another orphaned Mandalorian story. How original." But as you've poignantly pointed out, war and family is paramount to their existence, it is who they are. It is their "circle of life," so to speak. Inevitably, there would have been countless orphaned Mandalorians over the ages, and as you've shown, it would not be unusual, if not expected, for others to take them in. The Mandalorians are a fascinating culture and this story has all of the trappings to be a great one. So to those that would pass this up, shame on you! Great work here, Vadey. I definitely look forward to seeing where this goes. Please feel free to PM me w/ any updates to this. -----signature----- Missing scene: Vader in the meditation chamber: http://boards.theforce.net/the_saga/b10476/26817395/p1/?4 Decoy teaser trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvDksDPJoyk
	~~Locked Topic~~ \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
VaderLVR64 Title: Fan Fic Manager in Combat Boots Registered: Feb '04	Date Posted: 2/24/06 6:46am Subject: RE: Child of Mandalore - OCs, short story - The Story of a Mandalorian Warrior
	Layren Thank you. I've discovered that writing OCs is a bit addictive. VIII Glad you liked it! correllian_ale Wish I could take credit for that line. It comes from the article and is a saying among the Mandalore. leia_naberrie The kid's got spirit, which makes him a perfect candidate for adoption by the Mandalore! Bale When I read the article and it mentioned how the Mandalore commonly adopted war orphans (even accepting adults into their society) I thought it might make an interesting story. This little boy wasn't born a Mandalore, but family is more than bloodlines as the Mandalore say! Thanks so much for reading! -----signature----- If you have to choose between tears and laughter, remember that laughter burns more calories. Proud New Army Mom - off to bootcamp!
	~~Locked Topic~~ \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
CodyMonKenobi Registered: Jan '01	Date Posted: 2/24/06 12:57pm Subject: RE: Child of Mandalore - OCs, short story - The Story of a Mandalorian Warrior
	This is a great start. I am intrested to see how the boy progresses. Please PM me when you update it. -----signature----- We rednecks like to stay with-in the four main food groups. Steak, potatoes, gravy, and beer, with hard liquor in moderation. U.S. Army Field Artillery The Blood of Patriots http://boards.theforce.net/the_saga/b10476/24316253/p
	~~Locked Topic~~ \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
Darth_Abtranor Registered: May '05	Date Posted: 2/25/06 5:59am Subject: RE: Child of Mandalore - OCs, short story - The Story of a Mandalorian Warrior
	UP!! -----signature----- "Wipe them out. All of them." "At last we shall reveal ourselves to the Jedi. At last we will have revenge." "Execute Order 66." "The brightest light casts the darkest shadow."
	~~Locked Topic~~ \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
VaderLVR64 Title: Fan Fic Manager in Combat Boots Registered: Feb '04	Date Posted: 2/28/06 3:12pm Subject: RE: Child of Mandalore - OCs, short story - The Story of a Mandalorian Warrior
	CodyMonKenobi Thanks for reading, and I will! Darth_Abtranor Thanks! I hope to update later this week! -----signature----- If you have to choose between tears and laughter, remember that laughter burns more calories. Proud New Army Mom - off to bootcamp!
	~~Locked Topic~~ \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
JadeSolo Title: NSF managing NSWFF Registered: Sep '02	Date Posted: 3/1/06 7:35am Subject: RE: Child of Mandalore - OCs, short story - The Story of a Mandalorian Warrior
	Whoa...my roommate and I were just reading that article earlier this morning. Okay, we were ooohing over the fem-Mandalorian costumes we could make based off the pictures, but never mind that! The article was fascinating, and I love that you're expanding from it. My favorite bit? That the Mando warrior just automatically accepts Pendar as his own. Of course, that doesn't mean Pendar wants to be accepted. Please PM me when you update! I promise I won't report you to a mod. -----signature----- "If you expect a kick in the balls and you get a slap in the face, it's a victory." "May God bless you and keep you always...I mean that in a civic deist way." -Prof. Siegel "No guaranteed money, but all guaranteed fun!"
	~~Locked Topic~~ \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
VaderLVR64 Title: Fan Fic Manager in Combat Boots Registered: Feb '04	Date Posted: 3/1/06 10:50am Subject: RE: Child of Mandalore - OCs, short story - The Story of a Mandalorian Warrior - Date Edited: 1/19/07 7:16am (2 edits total) Edited By: VaderLVR64
	JadeSolo Please PM me when you update! I promise I won't report you to a mod. Sure...that's what you say now. Chapter 2 The two of them stared at each other, the boy trying to absorb the man’s words, and the man trying to let the child see that he intended him no harm. Naturally, the boy was distressed; he had lost everything and everyone he had ever known and loved. The sleep that had claimed the child had been deep, and the warrior hoped it had been enough to start the boy on the path to healing. He would always remember his lost family, but in time, the thought would not pain him. Loss was a part of life, and though young, the boy was not too young to accept this hard truth. There was a deep core of strength in the child before him, the warrior sensed that clearly, and it pleased him. The red-haired man shook the child’s hand firmly. “My name is Ghee Rendanali,” he said. He continued to hold the small, dirty hand in his and gave the child a look that said he was waiting for an introduction. Pendar studied the warrior for a moment, obviously wary but content to let his hand rest in the man’s grasp. Finally, he gave a stiff nod. “I’m Pendar Epoc,” he said quietly. “I’m honored to meet you, Pendar Epoc,” Ghee replied with a slight smile as he released the boy’s hand. He noticed with amusement that the boy wiped his hand on the blanket. Spirited indeed, he mused, and not easy to frighten. “Were you the one who killed my parents?” Pendar asked suddenly, his eyes daring the warrior to lie to him. Ghee had a feeling this one would know if he lied. Pendar was spirited and intelligent, and suddenly the man could not wait to see Kyri’s face when she saw the child. “No,” Ghee answered. “But one of my men was,” he continued, driven to brutal honesty by his own nature. Ghee would not dishonor this fragile beginning by lying to the boy, and it would be wise to see if the child had the strength he would need in the months ahead. Many changes were coming for the boy, and he would need to face them head on, without flinching away from harsh reality. They two were silent for a moment, the boy absorbing this truth and the man giving him the time to do so. Then the child’s dark eyes came up to meet the man’s gaze, and the warrior was pleased to note that his eyes were dry, his expression fierce but no tears. “You came to our planet because of King Nehwo, didn’t you?” the boy asked. “What he did to the Ziira, right?” The warrior nodded. “Your king attacked a peaceful planet and slaughtered many,” Ghee replied. “But the Ziira were not without financial resources. So they hired us.” “Who’s us?” Pendar asked, further surprising the man with his curiosity and adaptability. All of these were good signs that the boy would adjust to life among the Mandalore. He had chosen well, recognizing the boy’s spirit. It had been right to give him a chance at the glorious life of the Mandalore rather than spending his youth on the harsh soil of his homeworld. Pendar Epoc was meant for greater things, that much was obvious. “We are the Mandalore,” Ghee answered. “We are a warrior people.” Pendar tilted his head. “My father spoke of the Mandalore once,” he said. “He came from a warlike people, too.” The boy smirked. “He said the Mandalore were nothing compared to the Tuugaats.” The warrior grinned at the boy. “I see you have your share of pride, cub.” He nodded. “That is good, a man should be proud of who he is and what he has accomplished.” “My father told me we were descended from noble warriors,” the boy explained. “And my father never forgot that.” Pendar shot a sly glance at Ghee. “He said the Mandalores weren’t much more than glorified bounty hunters.” To the boy’s surprise, Ghee did not take offense but burst out into laughter and shook his head. “Leave it to a Tuugaatian mud crawler to come to that conclusion,” he said without rancor. His temper suddenly pricked, Pendar hopped to his feet, his little fists clenched at his sides. “Take it back!” he cried. “Take back what you said about my father!” The boy launched himself at Ghee, his fists flailing, but the warrior caught him easily and held him at arm’s length. Pendar was breathing hard, his fury written clearly on every line in his face. His dark eyes were narrowed, hard – much older than his years. War not only made orphans, it made men out of children, Ghee mused. “Easy, boy,” Ghee said quietly. “It is good to honor your father’s memory,” he continued. “We honor our ancestors, as well. But your father would not want you to get hurt over a few harmless words.” Ghee smiled slightly. “The Tuugaats are proud to be called mud crawlers, boy. Your father would agree.” The warrior patted the boy’s shoulder. “He would have clapped me on the back as hard as he could and told me that it was better to be a mud crawler than a Mando, and we would have had a friendly argument about the matter.” Ghee brushed back the hair from the boy’s sweaty brow. “And I would have bought him a drink and we would have forgotten the matter.” He shrugged. “It is the way of fighting men.” His nostrils still flared, the boy calmed. His outburst seemed to have exhausted him. He slumped gracelessly back to the floor and looked up at his captor. “Where are we going?” Pendar had been wondering where the warrior was taking him ever since he woke up. “We are going to my people,” Ghee explained. “We have been gone a long time and all of us want to go home and see our families.” “Where is home?” the boy asked. It did not really matter where they took him; everyone he had loved was gone now, dead. He no longer had a home or a family. “Home is where our armor is,” Ghee replied quietly, shrewdly guessing at the direction of the boy’s thoughts. “That’s stupid,” Pendar replied listlessly. “You can’t live in your armor,” he noted. “A Mandalorian can,” Ghee assured him with a confident grin. The boy snorted but did not answer. Then his dark eyes focused on the warrior. “So why did you take me from my village?” Ghee sighed quietly. “You were the only one left alive,” he explained. “Perhaps others escaped early on, but…” Pendar nodded. “Most of the families with children left yesterday,” he said quietly in a tight voice. “They escaped into the far hills. But my father said no one was going to run him off his farm.” His eyes filled with tears that he would not let fall. Angrily, the child wiped them away and scowled. “My parents argued…” “Your father would defend his home,” Ghee murmured. “I can understand that, for I would feel the same.” “A lot of good it did him,” Pendar said bitterly. Ghee raised the boy’s chin and frowned slightly. “Do not dishonor your father’s sacrifice. He made a noble choice and he died a warrior’s death,” the man said softly. Pendar blinked but his gaze did not break away from Ghee’s blue eyes. Then the boy nodded stiffly, and Ghee smiled approvingly. “Good,” he whispered. “You are stubborn, not stupid.” With a flash of his dark eyes, Pendar noted dryly, “Too bad I can’t say the same thing about you.” A bark of laughter escaped the man. “Ah, cub… How my Kyri will love you, for she would agree with you much of the time!” -----signature----- If you have to choose between tears and laughter, remember that laughter burns more calories. Proud New Army Mom - off to bootcamp!
	~~Locked Topic~~ \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
Layren Registered: Oct '03	Date Posted: 3/1/06 10:57am Subject: RE: Child of Mandalore - The Story of a Mandalorian Warrior - Updated 3/1
	Awwwww I'm just loving their relationship, Kim!! Truly touching! Well done! -----signature----- Proud Master to Ara-gon The Triad Chronicles http://boards.theforce.net/before_the_saga/b10475/25934993/p1/?177 (OC's) Into Another Day http://boards.theforce.net/before_the_saga/b10475/27926050/p1/?0 2008 Dear Diary Challenge I am Jinngerbread.
	~~Locked Topic~~ \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
JadeSolo Title: NSF managing NSWFF Registered: Sep '02	Date Posted: 3/1/06 11:13am Subject: RE: Child of Mandalore - The Story of a Mandalorian Warrior - Updated 3/1
	“It is the way of fighting men.” Yeah, roll around in the mud, and then buy each other a beer. Men in general. I love how Pendar seems to have quietly accepted his new life (for the moment, anyway). It's both impressive and sad. What was especially interesting was how he went from vehemently defending his father to almost hating him for staying behind. Like he hates his father for dying. Can't wait for more! -----signature----- "If you expect a kick in the balls and you get a slap in the face, it's a victory." "May God bless you and keep you always...I mean that in a civic deist way." -Prof. Siegel "No guaranteed money, but all guaranteed fun!"
	~~Locked Topic~~ \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
VIII Registered: Aug '05	Date Posted: 3/1/06 11:20am Subject: RE: Child of Mandalore - The Story of a Mandalorian Warrior - Updated 3/1
	Damn, this good.. It´s really, really good. I love how you´re establishing the relationship between the boy and the Mando. And of course the dialouge is great too. I´m looking forward to seeing more of this fic... -----signature----- Lord of Numbers. Follower of Waru -----signature----- High Inquisitor of the Disciples of Lumiya I see that your Schwartz is as big as mine.
	~~Locked Topic~~ \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
Quiet_Mandalorian Registered: Apr '05	Date Posted: 3/1/06 5:56pm Subject: RE: Child of Mandalore - The Story of a Mandalorian Warrior - Updated 3/1 - Date Edited: 3/6/06 3:43pm (4 edits total) Edited By: Quiet_Mandalorian
	Ni imuuri ibic, Vader-riduur. Ori'jate, or very well done, in other words. I'm going have to try and find time for a review for you. -----signature----- I killed them. I killed them all. They're dead. Every single one of them... ...and not just the mechs, but the femmes and the protoforms too. They're like Sharkticons, and I slaughtered them like Sharkticons! I hate them! ~Rodakin Primewalker
	~~Locked Topic~~ \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History

Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 - ~~Previous~~ | Next | Reload

Jedi Council Forums » Fan Fiction » Before the Saga »