AN UNEXPECTED FORCE

Disclaimer: Do not own a single dot in either world.

Rating: Rated T for war.

Summary: The Arda system is a new system consisting of the planets Mirkwood, Rohan, Gondor and many others. Newly joined with the Republic, and many of its natives appearing in the Jedi Order, the system struggles to survive in the face of a new threat. LOTR story based in Star Wars. AU.

Flames not appreciated. Constructive criticism is welcome.

Enjoy!

Prologue:

32 BBY,

The Arda system lay in the Outer Rim, far from Republican domain. It was so isolated, in fact, that it cost them a fortune in fuel to reach. It was a wonder the system pledged allegiance with the Republic, when it was surrounded with systems that were hostile and lawless. But the Arda system was capable of protecting itself. Each planet was governed by a sovereign. Gondor was an off-white planet with light golden streaks, and closest to the sun. Rohan was its nearest sister, coloured in green and gold. Then came Imladris, or Rivendell, coloured green, grey and brown. Lórien was an array of grey and specks of green. Mirkwood was the outermost planet, coloured dark green and brown, almost shading towards black. Each planet had a moon of its own, except for two.

In the most centre of all the planets revolving the sun, was a gold and silver small planet with the perfect roundness. It seemed to glow with a light from within its own core. The natives called it the Grey Havens. None but the Elves dared venture there, when they were weary and tired of the world. The ships would take them to the planet, leave them there and return. Those who sought the Elves who left this way, never found them. They simply vanished. None knew where they went, and the planet held no hostile life. In fact, there was no life at all on Grey Havens.

And then there was Mordor, a black and red planet with vast black plains and black rocks, and live volcanoes dotting the surface of the planet. Master Mace Windu stared out of the window at the system which was their destination.

"Troubled, you are," Yoda said. The Grand Master sat cross-legged, his staff resting across his lap.

"I am." Mace answered.

"Trust Thranduil, you do not." There was amusement in the older Jedi's voice.

"I don't." Mace turned away from the window. "I still think it is a bad idea giving him an entire system to look after."

"Needed, was a Jedi base. Strong in the Force, Arda system is. Many younglings, we will find."

"Nevertheless, you have noticed they do not use the force like us. They do not follow rules."

"New to Order, they are. Time, you must give them."

Arguing with Master Yoda was hopeless when it came to the Arda system. Mace Windu tried numerous times and used various tactics, but Yoda was firm. But then, Mace could not blame them. The Force was strong in the younglings here, whether they were among Men, Elves, Dwarves or even the little creatures called Hobbits. It was fortunate the entire system was willing to ally them to the Republic, in spite of the hostility they were facing. Many of the systems under the Republic were not too keen on welcoming these 'outsiders' as they called them. There were very few who were willing to form a friendship. The Jedi Order did not concern themselves with such frivolities. Untrained younglings strong in the Force were dangerous for the Order and to the younglings themselves. They had to be trained, even if Mace was not in favour of it.

"Trust him, you must. Different, he may seem to you, but good, is his heart."

Their ship entered the atmosphere of the planet Mirkwood. Soon the new Jedi Temple came into view. It was a square building, with towers rising at the corners. Numerous landing pads protruded from the building itself. It was teeming with Elves and Dwarves. No Dwarf had yet become a Jedi, though there were some who were in training. Mace looked and found a lone figure waiting at a landing pad and his mouth turned down. Yoda only hummed in amusement.

When the bridge lowered, Mace and Yoda both disembarked. Mace kept his eyes lowered at the change of metal of the bridge to solid stone of land. Then finally he raised his eyes.

Thranduil was tall, taller than Mace himself. There was power in his lean figure and broad shoulders. The Elf was well-muscled and towered even over Mace himself. His jawline was strong, expressing his stubbornness, and his grey eyes were sharp. His long golden hair was bound with a single band and fell over his back. He wore dark green robes instead of the standard Jedi robes of varying shades of brown. Mace half-turned his head towards Yoda, expecting him to say something, but the Grand Master only looked over Thranduil without a word.

"Content, you are, for being home." Yoda said after greeting the Elf. His cane tapped over the cold stones. They joined Thranduil who led them towards the temple. "Happy, you seem."

"It is home." Thranduil said with a small smile. There was lilting accent to his voice. "And these are my people."

"The Jedi does not pledge themselves to one race, Thranduil." Mace could not help adding. "I am sure I do not need to remind you."

"I do not need to be reminded, Mace, though I seem to think your statement was entirely useless to express from the beginning." There was no challenge in his words, but Mace tried hard not to bristle.

"Dwarves, there are. Help, they have given?"

"Indeed, Master Yoda. They have attributed greatly in the making of this temple, as you will see."

As soon as the doors opened wide, Mace had to confess the architecture was not only sound but beautiful. Metal was beaten into shapes of plants crawling up the walls and budding flowers. Metal leaves pulled away from the vines as if they had a life of their own. The floor was covered with a strip of carpet leading through the corridors."

"Beautiful, this is." Yoda commented. Neither Yoda nor Mace visited the temple once it completed construction.

"My father and my people helped as well. It helps in meditation."

They were led into a meeting room which was large enough to hold the entire Jedi council if such a need rose. A droid brought in refreshments.

"How are things in the Senate?" Thranduil asked to break the long silence.

"As they have always been," Mace said. Thranduil laughed dryly.

"And by that you mean they are arguing over many things and yet reaching to no conclusion."

On that, Mace fully agreed. The Jedi Order was meant to protect the Republic and all it stood for, but a room full of politicians bickering away and reaching no solution was only wearying.

"What of the condition of Arda system in the Senate?"

"Indecisive, they are." Yoda said, his long nails scraping the swollen head of his wooden staff. "Do not know what to make of this system."

"When we said we would stand by the Republic, we meant it. Then why doesn't the Republic see reason?"

Too serious, Mace thought as he watched Thranduil. He is too serious. There were rumours the Elf was not as serious as he seemed once he was in the absence of fellow Jedi. But Mace, having hardly seen the Elf with a genuine smile, found it difficult to believe.

"Arda system lies in the Outer Rim, where we have many enemies willing to do whatever in their power to bring the Republic to its feet. It is difficult to trust anyone here."

"And while the Republic is still looking for a clean slate, we have our own troubles." Thranduil leaned forward, one finger tapping the table between them. "Our girls are disappearing. The pirates attack in hoards and steal what they could. Hostilities are increasing. We were meant to have protection as a part of our deal. And yet no Republic ships have arrived to give aid."

"You are no politician, Thranduil, you are a Jedi." Mace said sharply. "Try to remember that."

"No, I am not a politician. But I am son of a King. My father rules this planet, if you would try to remember. I am as part of this system as this system is a part of me."

"You gave up your titles and your possession when you entered the Jedi Order, Thranduil."

Thranduil was not a child when he entered the Jedi Order. In fact, according to the Elves, he was past his majority. But Yoda allowed him to enter their ranks anyway. Thranduil learned quickly and Mace personally knew the Elf was deadly when it came to combat.

"Really?" Thranduil asked loftily. "I do not seem to recall."

Thranduil leaned back in his chair and Mace caught sight of the light golden thread tracing a leaf pattern along the edges of his Jedi robes. Such extravagance was not befitting a Jedi. Thranduil looked directly at him and raised a brow with a smirk. Mace tightened his lips. Proud, defiant; he will be his own undoing. It was a wonder Thranduil did not succumb to the dark side when he was but an apprentice.

Yoda only watched their interaction with a knowing smile.

"Like each other, you do not." Yoda said. "But brothers, you still are. Help each other, you will in danger. Certain, I am."

"Help him?" Mace jerked his chin towards Thranduil. "Unlikely."

"The sentiment is mutual." Thranduil said but Yoda shook his head and remained silent.

"How long do you intend to stay?"

"Not long. Leave immediately, we must. Many things to do, there are."

Thranduil inclined his head.

"I understand."

They stayed a while longer, checking the temple for any flaws but found none. At last they were back to the ship. Now that Mace knew they were leaving, he was unwilling to leave as if something withheld him.

"The reports say you leave on a mission." Thranduil said.

"Oh, you read reports now?" Mace asked in pretended surprise. "You impress me."

For the first time, he saw a smile on Thranduil's face that was not tinted with mockery or bitterness. It was small, merely tugging at the corners of his lips but it was genuine. Mace could not help but smile in return.

"Try to look after yourself."

"I will, though," Mace looked at Thranduil. "I think you need that advice more than I."

Thranduil's laughter followed him as he ascended the bridge.

"May the Force be with you," Mace said.

"And with you as well," Thranduil called, stepping back to safety as the bridge began to rise.

Mace watched the Elf as the bridge lifted up until it closed fully. But Thranduil kept his gaze on the ship until it disappeared in the sky.

"I am not from here." Thranduil said softly once they left. "I don't know where I am from. But I am not from here."

Author's Note:

-The new upcoming movie of Star Wars kind of got me hyped and made me want to write this plotline that was stuck in my head for years.

- In Star Wars: The events that occur from here will occur between the Episode I: Phantom Menace and Episode II: Attack of the Clones.

-Placing the story here in spite of a crossover because it is dominantly LOTR.

-Thanks to Silver for helping me with the title.

-Do leave a review. :)