Beyond - Legends And Forever: 2023 Fanfiction Olympics- Thrawn/Jaina

AU Archery Event

Pairing: Thrawn/Jaina




The bleak midwinter left the meadows of Serenno’s northern climes covered in delicate patterns of frost and ice, the sky some mix of hazy blue and gunmetal gray. The days were so still, startled flocks of birds suddenly taking flight were taken as something to speak about. It was into this muted, soft world that Jaina Solo, grand daughter of Darth Vader, second leader of the Sith Tetrarchy, had been sent to live there after the death of her mother, Leia Skywalker. She had been a small, skittish girl of about five or so, raised by her mother, having seen very little of her father, Darth Maul.


Dooku knew the girl had the Force, but she treaded towards the Light, a Grey Jedi. He raised her to be a lawyer, a sensible choice for a young woman born to the aristocracy. As it was, she was due to inherit quite the estate when she came of age, but her grandfather kept her monthly stipend to a modest sum. So, she was raised as a mere ward for a planetary governor who had no interest in raising children, especially inquisitive little girls who liked mechanics and riding. Suffice to say, it was a lonely childhood.


Jaina grew into quite the beauty, petite height, long brown hair, melted chocolate eyes with a melancholy air about her. She was broody, longed to be loved, and hid a fragile, gentle heart. She had just gotten a position with the planetary court system as a prosecuting lawyer, a prestigious job for someone who was just 25 years old. Her colleagues had congratulated her, as had her serving girls. Count Dooku had merely stated it was what society expected of her, as an educated woman of her class before cooly dismissing her from his presence.


She saddled her faither and rode out into the woods, and took the road less traveled, and that would make all the difference. “I am not a failure, so why am I treated like one,” she mused to herself. She would muse to herself a lot, mostly in the privacy of her rides. She was self-conscious of her half-human status, marked by the perfect circle of ebony horns rising from the crown of her head and silver nails.


She had been riding along the road when something came streaking across the sky. It was an Imperial shuttle, and it was under attack! “Dank ferrik, something exciting,” she shouted excitedly. Spurring her stead, she readied her blaster. She didn’t have to go very far, as the shuttle had landed in a small clearing a few minutes away.


Galloping at full tilt, Jaina was rosy cheeked when they arrived, and she jumped down and arrived at the scene, and it was going to be ugly, wrecked debris everywhere. Ducking between the thinning trees when the landing ramp opened. A squad of stormtroopers baled out, shooting everywhere when their commander stepped out, and Jaina could feel herself blush from her toes to her face. He was one the Chiss, allies and rumored descendants of the Celestials. The powder blue face gazed up at the sky, glowing red eyes tracing the flight paths, oblivious to the hidden sniper…


Pew! Jaina pulled her blaster and shot the sniper dead, and the body fell into the ankle-deep drift with a soft thud. Thrawn turned around to see the young woman standing there, trembling at the sight of the dead body. Who was she? He turned around to thank her when Jaina turned away and headed for home.


She could not believe she had killed someone; she had committed murder! How could she possibly justify her act? Grandfather was sure to be pleased by this act, and when she arrived back at the manor house, one of the housemaids came flying at her with a flurry of intrusive questions. Where had she been off to? Jaina used a strong Force Push, but was sidelined by her senior serving girl, “Mistress! You must be bathed at once, a suitor has come to call on you!” Jaina could only balk, what?


When Count Dooku gave an order that related to Jaina, she had to do it, or be subject to corporal punishment, something she resented greatly. She was bathed and polished until she glowed like a Queen of Naboo. A grey dress with a plunging neckline was forced on her, with a small yellow ribbon acting like a bustier. Her hair was braided into a knot at the nape of her neck.


Jaina was dreading this, how often did men try to marry her, only to be frightened off by her intellect and looks? Even if she was royalty by birth, no man wanted to marry a freak like her, or so she had been told time and again by the boorish hangers on her guardian hired to do his political bidding in the Imperial Senate.


Hoping to get this over with, she was shown into the drawing room, where she caught sight of the Count having an animated conversation with the Chiss she had seen earlier. His uniform was that of a Grand Admiral. Heavens! He was even more handsome than she imagined!



The butler announced her arrival, and Dooku rose to take her hand. Smiling, he led the young woman to his guest, and the man smiled softly at her, as Jaina curtseyed. Thrawn gently took her hands in his and kissed them gently. He smiled softly, “I have heard much about Lady Vader, and I pleased your grandfather has allowed me to court you formally ahead of our official betrothal.” He went on to tell Dooku about her bravery earlier. The older man frowned, but if the Emperor was going to arrange this marriage, he was not going to interfere. He decided to let the couple be alone for a while. There were matters he had to attend to.


Once it was just the two of them, Thrawn could Jaina was still processing what was said. Like her, he came from a lonely, privileged background. He could see the hurt in her eyes, and he was attracted to her bravery. Inviting her to sit, he told her, “Please be sure I want to be sure of your love as our relationship progresses.” Jaina could sense his honesty.


Letting down her guard, Jaina spoke of her upbringing on Serenno, her career as an attorney, and her wish to explore the stars. She wanted to see the galaxy and experience what was out there. Thrawn could see her vulnerable side, and she was warming up to him. Thrawn felt he could also be himself around her, not just the pillar of ice and steel.


As the afternoon wore on, Jaina and Thrawn had started a beautiful friendship that would blossom into a happy marriage.

 

Jaina and Thrawn.
AU to the extreme where she is the daughter of Leia and Maul and Dooku her guardian. Great to see where this leads

 

There is so much to take in here. Leia and maul? Jaina the lawyer? Hmmmm. Following.

 

Fascinating! Leia and Maul as a pairing is like WHAT?! The backstory to this AU feels rich and deep.
Thrawn and Jaina click in any timestream it seems.

 

Thank you, I wanted to try something a bit different this go round. This is my stab at trying the gothic romance/costume drama genres.

Glad to see it peaked your interest.

Thanks, I wanted to expand on some world building, so I pulled from early medieval history and Regency era social norms, with a little bit of women's lib thrown in. I intend to expand this into the marathon swimming event.

 

I admit to coming here just for the “Wait, what?” of it all.

 

200 word freestyle:

Ensign Ezra Bridger had not been to sure what to think when the Seventh Fleet of the Imperial Empire defected in full to the Chiss Ascendency after Darth Talon and Darth Caedus, the current Third and Fourth Tetrarchs, declared open war on the other 3 Sith. Aside from the loyalty and refugee crises permeating the galaxy, the fleets were under the control of any of the 12 warlords, each of whom swore fealty to one particular Sith Tetrarch. It just so happened that Warlord Thrawn happened to be the grandson-in-law of the Second Tetrarch, Dath Vader. The falling away did not matter to the Sith, better to lose one good fleet led by an outsider than to lose any other fleet, superior only in the sense they were led by humans.

Gazing down as the sweetly nestled newborn in the maroon swaddling cloth, Ezra carried the newborn boy from the birthing room where Lady Jaina rested to where the father, Warlord Thrawn, awaited with his Chiss and Imperial allies. Silently entering the room, Ezra gingerly handed the infant over. In that moment, Thrawn could not have been any happier, and he kissed the downy forehead, “Welcome to the world, Thrass.”

 

Ezra in it and caring for the baby. Lovely to see him helping Thrawn and Jaina

 

Nice to see more details of the structure of how the government and allegiances lie. I enjoyed Ezra being involved and with fealty to Thrawn.
Aww on welcoming Thrass into the family, something with personal and political implications.

 

1500 Word Dash:

When Thrawn asked Jaina Solo to marry him, it had been the happiest moment of their lives, to that point. They had been courting for the better part of two years, at first under the scrutinizing gaze of Lothal’s ex-governor Arindha Pryce, Jaina’s assigned tutor, and later by drone. There had been many social outings, art museums, fleet inspections, and the like. However, it was when they were alone, going for long rides of faitherback along the bucolic back paths in the changing season’s of Serenno’s gentle climate that the young couple really got to know each other.


The would dally over picnics in secluded nooks, staring at the blue skies under the emerald canopies of elm and ash trees, laughing and speaking about the matters closest to their hearts. They spoke for hours about their people, the weight and duties on the shoulders, how they wanted to see the best for all citizens, etc. There had been some arguments over their courtship, in particular about politics regarding what was best for the common folk. Thrawn, coming from an oligarchic background, found democracy confusing. Why should all voices be heard for every little thing, when instead the government should make those decisions. Jaina had countered that a “one size fits all” solution did not always work. Thrawn could see where she was coming from, but it was still alien to him, as was the Force. Jaina had relented a bit, there was still much she needed to learn about his people as well.


Their first joint trip to Csilla had been a resounding success, and Jaina had fallen in love with the system. So much to explore, and her inner pilot got to fly a clawcraft, and she even participated in a mission to rebuff a Grysk scouting party, earning herself major brownie points with the Chiss Expansioary Defense Fleet, not to mention the Syndicure and the Aristocra. She and Al’iastov had hit it off rather well. Thurfian was a bit more distant, he disliked Thrawn, and was a bit jealous he was marrying a princess. For a human, she was intelligent and charming, and Thurfian found himself slightly attracted to her.


Upon the return to Serenno, Jaina felt like she had finally found someplace she could truly be herself, not the heiress attorney subject to whispers and gossip about her half-human heritage and her happily arranged marriage to the highest ranked non-human within the Imperial armed services. He was the most competent of the Warlords, with the lowest civilian death rate and the best records all around, not to mention he was the second Tetrarch’s soon-to-be grandson-in-law. So, the young couple found themselves the center of many rumors, untrue and otherwise.


Now that she was formally betrothed, Vader began to take a more active stance in their relationship. He invited her to Mustafar as a guest, and told her about her parents, Leia, Lady Vader and Sidious’s heir apparent, Darth Maul. It had not been the love match that Thrawn and Jaina had going, Vader was loathe to admit. However, Leia had been a wonderful mother and Maul had been a distant father. This had irked Vader, who still pined for his beloved Padme all these decades later. Maul had been killed by Darth Talon during a sparring match, around the time Leia had been poisoned by a political rival. Vader had assumed custody of his granddaughter and had her shipped off to Serenno, where it was safer.


Jaina began to attend sessions of the Imperial Senate, where she witnessed the corruption that had taken hold, the massive bureaucracy that kept everything going. How was it that anything was able to be completed in a timely manner? She noticed that the armed services had half of the budget, followed by education and security, everything doled out after that. The senator from Tatooine, a kindly Hutt named Gee, was the only one brave enough to call out the corruption. The former front man for Star Waver had over time lost his band mates (and his found family) and dedicated his life to righting the wrongs the downtrodden of the Outer Rim had to face. He was an outcast from Hutt society, but he kept up the good fight.


Gee had met Jaina once or twice, and he had told her that she reminded him of a dear, dear friend of his named Jay, and told her, “Don’t lose your spark, Starfire.” Those words haunted her, she would strive to serve her people. Later that day, Thrawn had her to a spectacular lunch at Yolanda’s Fireside. They had feasted on steamed lobster tails, tossed salad, and polenta as the skies opened up.


Jaina’s fingers traced the outlines of the rain and mused thoughtfully, “When I was little, I would tell Mom the sky is crying.” Thrawn gave a small smile, “Very poetic, my heart’s half. I hope you tell that to our little ones.” Jaina blushed slightly, before he gave her hand a soft squeeze. Over the romantic meal, they made small talk, aware of the paparazzi nearby. Thrawn made a small signal under the table, summoning one of Noghri guards to please escort the gossip columnists away. Once that action had been engaged, Thrawn led Jaina out to one the upper level outdoor patios.


They walked under the pergolas covered with scarlet runner beans, queen’s hearts from Naboo, trumpet vines and other decorative climbing plants, the soft patter of silver rain drizzling on the granite stones paving the verdant walkways. Laying her head on his shoulder, Jaina sighed contentedly. Thrawn reached for the ring box in his utility pouch on his belt, before pulling away. Kneeling, he proffered her the delicate band of onyx and rose gold, a sapphire sitting inside a rose gold rose. It was the most beautiful ring Jaina had ever seen, and holding back tears, she more than accepted the marriage proposal. They stood there under the pergola, kissing and holding each other until they needed to breathe.


After a formal announcement was released from Vader’s office, the work of planning a royal wedding began. Vader fired Pryce from her job, and she was forced into a desk job at a lower level government office. Free from her tyranny, Jaina began to delegate tasks to her loyal serving girls about setting up a gift registry, planning invitations and guest list, scouting out a venue for the reception, etc. Thrawn helped also, they were able to get Moff Gideon to officiate the ceremony. For the wedding itself, there was a chapel within the Imperial Palace that would well.


Finally, the day came where Jaina’s wedding dress was delivered, and oh what a sight she was! A misty veil that caught the wind, sheer sleeves, a corseted top with spaghetti straps, and a full skirt. Jaina felt beautiful, and when Thrawn saw her that afternoon, the breath left his body. Truly, she was a vision in white. He bowed to her, and she curtseyed. He was wearing a freshly pressed dress uniform. They were getting wedding photographs taken ahead of the wedding, so that when they went to press, no gossip columnist would dare crash the wedding or reception, unless they wanted to face the wrath of both Darth Vader and Moff Gideon.


The photographer was standing at the ready, holocameras ready for action. He waved the couple over, and began taking shots of them. One of the first shots taken had Thrawn move his arms around her, Jaina gazing at him warmly, the sentiment returned from her. “Perfect! Okay, Grand Admiral, move one of your hands to hers, okay! Got it!” The pictures came quick and fast, each one equally romantic. Once the session had ended, the couple had the rest of the day at their leisure.


Once Jaina had changed into one of her nicer tunics and trousers, she sat down on the sofa in Thrawn’s apartment, and sipped some tea as Thrawn joined her. Giving her a gentle kiss, he asked if she was ready for the wedding the day after tomorrow. Jaina nodded, she was more than happy. “I never knew I could be this happy, I feel like I am coming home,” she confided. Thrawn nodded, Csilla would be the perfect home for them, away from the necrotic corruption of the Sith that destroyed her family and had failed to corrupt her, his heart’s half.


She asked about the Seventh Fleet, would they defect en masse as she had foreseen, if they were given the chance? Thrawn said he had weighed his options, and considering he was seen as something of an inspiring leader, and the fact they were all recruited from worlds loyal to Darth Vader, their loyalty would be to Jaina, and would follow her wishes. They may have families to relocate, but that could be done easily enough. Tricking the creaking bureaucracy was a simple enough task, and it would all go well. They had a bright future ahead, indeed.

 

Exquisite! I love the courtship, the proposal scene, and I adore and applaud their career choice after the wedding. They're still involved and pivotal to all the galactic goings on without being sucked into the Imperial corruption.

 

love the scenery and what they will be after the wedding
and a nice picture too

 

Oh wow, this is AUificatious in. the. extreme., even by your AUification standards! Between Maul being Jaina's father, Ezra being an ensign of this version of the Empire, the Sith Tetrarchy, Pryce being relegated to a lowly desk job, Caedus and Talon turning against the regime for their own ends... there's a whole world here in the making!

I'm very curious to see where you intend to take this, and I hope we get to see more of the "kindly Hutt named Gee" because that tiny detail is just too good not to develop!