Between Pirates and Princesses

Chapter One: An Unexpected Invitation

It was a bad way to begin the day. Tenel Ka found that her breath was coming in short, spasmic gasps, and a cold icy grip seemed to close around her throat, choking her breath off. A trickle of sweat ran down her neck, but she knew it wasn't from the humid, tropical temperature of the moon, Yavin IV.

No, not at all. This chill came from a premonition in the Force, a premonition so strong, she had almost fallen over in shock and pain. The feeling had been like knives pressed into her back, the cold steel biting into her skin, stabbing her heart and puncturing the breath from her lungs.

Yet, the premonition wasn't the only thing causing her problems.

Luke Skywalker's face, scarred innumerable times, with the skin around the eyes crinkled slightly with lines borne of many battles and countless troubles, looked at her with deep concern.

"Tenel Ka? Are you okay?" he asked in a gentle, yet firm voice, belaying concern for one of his top students and dear friend of his oldest nephew.

Tenel Ka took a deep cleansing breath, closing her eyes, and drew on the Force for some peace before nodding gravely, her red-gold braids swishing against the bare skin of her shoulders.

"There is no doubt she will die?" Tenel Ka questioned, praying for some kind of hope.

Luke's face twisted with sadness and he shrugged helplessly, knowing the answer would hurt.

"I'm sorry Tenel Ka, but the woman I spoke with made it clear that Augwynne is on her death bed," he said with a soft voice.

Tenel Ka closed her eyes again and exhaled loudly. She knew this was coming. Her great-grandmother was a very old woman, and her time had been running out recently, Tenel Ka's mother had said as much in her last communication. Still, that didn't make the pain of losing the woman that she had always admired, loved and looked up to any more bearable.

As Tenel Ka tried to reconcile the way of life with her grief, she realized that every second she was here was a second that she could not spend saying good-bye to her great-grandmother. She would have to leave immediately.

"I must go Master," she said respectfully to Luke, standing up from her plush chair and bowing towards the Jedi Master reverently.

Luke, standing as well, seemed to have expected this, for he only bowed in return and gave her a brave smile.

"Tenel Ka," he said loudly from behind her as she walked towards the door. She stopped and faced him, wonderingly, "Take someone to accompany you."

Tenel Ka considered for a moment. She hadn't planned to bring anyone with her, considering grief a private thing to be dealt with in solitude. Yet, when Luke mentioned the idea, it made sense. And whom would she bring? The answer was easy. There was no one who was a better friend, a sweeter or more thoughtful companion, or a person who understood her more completely.

Nodding, Tenel Ka replied, "I will ask Jacen to come with me."

And as she walked silently out of the room, she tried to wipe away the tears that were running down her face.

There were not many things that puzzled Jacen Solo. Yet Tenel Ka D'jo managed to confuse him, frustrate him, and intrigue him all at the same time.

It was a week after his family's vacation at Crystal Reef on Mon Calamari. Jacen had returned to do some work with Tionne and the younger students and Tenel Ka had returned because she wanted some time to think about the direction she wanted her life to take. Or at least that was what she had told him. Jacen had seen a lot of her lately, and they had walked along the roof of the Great Temple, mostly in contemplative silence, but occasionally discussing topics pertaining to the Jedi. Jacen had thought everything was going well between them.

That was until just a few minutes ago. Tenel Ka had been in Jacen's quarters, watching him feed his crystal rock snake and listening to him talk. Then Luke Skywalker had appeared at the door and requested to speak with Tenel Ka privately.

Now, as she walked into the room, Jacen sensed she was shielding her emotions carefully, but he knew she had been crying.

"What's wrong?" he asked bluntly, crossing the room to stand in front of her, trying desperately to make her meet his eyes.

Tenel Ka raised her head to look at him, and Jacen had to restrain himself from grabbing her and hugging her. Never had he known the warrior princess cry, much less have tears in her eyes. He immediately knew that whatever his uncle had said to her must have been some very devastating news indeed.

"My great-grandmother, Augwynne, is dying. I have to return to Dathomir quickly," Tenel Ka confided in a low tone, keeping her voice very quiet in an effort to contain emotion.

"Oh Tenel… " Jacen breathed. He knew that was one of the few relatives that Tenel Ka could stand, and nearly the only one she loved. This time, he did bring his arms up to hug her briefly, trying to bring her some comfort.

As he let go, trying not to be to intrusive, Tenel Ka smiled slightly, a small, reserved gesture that only moved the corners of her mouth, showing none of her teeth.

"I want you to come with me," she offered confidently, and Jacen sense her trying to rebuild the proud, tough warrior exterior that she carried in her heart.

He was taken aback for a moment, scarcely understanding this unexpected request of hers.

"Well, um, certainly, um, whenever you want to leave," he stammered, "I'll get my stuff ready."

"Excellent," Tenel Ka said, "I will see you by the Rancor Tooth in ten minutes."

She turned abruptly and nearly out of the room, when she spun on her heel, saying, "And Jacen?"

Jacen, who had started towards his clothing storage unit, preparing to pack, turned back to face her, raising his eyebrow to acknowledge the question, "Hmm?"

A smile worked at Tenel Ka's mouth again, "Thank-you for your support."

Watching her retreat down the hallway, her warrior braids swinging rhythmically with her pace, a lop-sided grin lit Jacen's face.

No problem, he thought, and eagerly began packing.