"Ah, Katrine, it's good to see you again," Elyse said. She had met the Duchess a few times over the years; even though the two sides were not friends, they were not enemies either.
"It's good to see you as well, Elyse. How are Varn and little Rayden doing?" Katrine greeted Elyse and glanced at the other Knight clan members, who moved back to give them space.
"They are doing well right now. In fact, Rayden is competing in the clan games we are hosting along with Verdran, Tov'ra, Vhar'kar, and Drav'korr."
"It looks like Rayden may have a girl he likes! I can't wait to see where their relationship takes them."
Katrine was surprised to hear about these clan games. The Duke and she had not heard anything about this, as they had been focused on the Death Watch and the other martial traditionalist clans. She knew she could not just ask why they were holding these games; Elyse would either say nothing or provide a false reason.
"That's excellent news. Who's the lucky lady?"
"It's Veyra's daughter, Lexi. She's a sweet girl; I can tell she likes him as well and would be a good influence on him."
It took Katrine a moment to remember Veyra, the clan leader of Serdran. In her mind, she ran through scenarios, considering that the two clans could unite in the future. While thinking along those lines, she reflected on the clan games happening right now in the north. These five clans might join, and a new House could be born.
Katrine looked at Elyse's smiling face while her mind churned through these scenarios in just a few seconds.
"Ah, Veyra, the leader of Serdran. Your son knows how to pick them if he is pursuing another clan's heiress."
As they continued their conversation, Qui-Gon raised his eyebrows, and Obi-Wan looked surprised as they both turned to Elyse.
"You have a son?" Qui-Gon asked.
Elyse knew this was something she would have to address. Jedi don't form attachments or have children, but she chose to have both, and she did not regret marrying Varn or having Rayden.
"Yes, my son's name is Rayden, and he is five years old," Elyse said with a sweet smile.
"You know we don't form attachments or have families of our own, Elyse," Qui-Gon said in a neutral tone, as if stating a fact. While he followed the teachings of the Order, he did not adhere to them religiously.
"I know, Jin, but I don't regret my choices. I've kept this a secret from the Order, and I hope you respect my wishes."
Obi-Wan glanced at his Master, unsure of what decision to make. They should report this to Master Yoda and the Council. From there, they would decide what to do about Elyse.
Qui-Gon noticed out of the corner of his eye that Obi-Wan was looking at him. He met Elyse's gaze and saw her firm will; he knew she was happy and wouldn't be tempted by the dark side.
As he tried to make a decision, Qui-Gon recalled a romance he once had and how he almost made the same choices as Elyse but ultimately did not.
"Elyse, you know me. I will respect your wishes and not inform the Council. But be mindful that they may find out some other way. They may assign you a mission in the future that could take you away from your family," Qui-Gon assured Elyse while reminding her of her commitments.
For the past six years, she had been reporting on how she had been helping people in this sector, and the Council had largely ignored her, as she was a sentinel who tended to spend years away from the Temple and the Order.
"Thank you, Jin. If you're ever in need of help, you can come to Clan Knight, and we will welcome you. My husband, Varn, is the leader." Elyse sighed in relief, feeling the tension she hadn't realized she had begun to dissipate.
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Elyse joined the group as Katrine continued to show Sandari to Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan. The sounds of the bustling marketplace surrounded them as they continued on their tour. The vivid colors of fabric stalls and the tantalizing aromas of street food enveloped them, creating a rich tapestry of sensations.
As they navigated through the marketplace, they explored serene parks filled with blooming flowers and monuments that told stories of valor and heritage. Young children played under the watchful eyes of their parents, their joyful shouts ringing out like music, while traders called out their wares, enticing passersby with the allure of exotic goods.
Upon their arrival at the palace, Elyse and her clan members were escorted to their elegantly furnished rooms, which reflected the royal aesthetics of the palace. The lavish accommodations were a testament to the high regard in which the royal family held Clan Knight.
As the sunlight began to fade, casting a golden hue over the landscape, Elyse joined for dinner. During the meal, Katrine invited her to the grand banquet scheduled for the following day.
After dinner, while Katrine and Adonai were alone, she shared the details of their meeting with Elyse with her husband. She relayed to him her guess that a new House would be formed around Clan Knight.
This could reshape the political landscape of Mandalore. When she revealed that the matriarch of Clan Knight was also a Jedi, Duke Adonai's eyebrows shot up in surprise.
He had some respect for Varn in that he was able to win the heart of a Jedi. They were known not to form attachments. For him to be able to pull that off is commendable.
The two talked into the night about how their stance should be towards this new House that was forming.
======
The next day, while the palace staff bustled about preparing for the evening's banquet—arranging flowers, arranging tables, and testing recipes—Elyse found a moment of serenity alongside Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon in a quiet meditation room. The space was softly illuminated, with gentle light filtering through ornate stained glass, casting colorful patterns on the stone floor. Elyse closed her eyes, syncing her breath with the tranquility around her.
Qui Gon had devoted the morning to instructing and lecturing Obi-Wan, and now he was utilizing this time for meditation to encourage Obi-Wan to reflect on the lessons learned.
After completing their meditation session, the three shifted their focus to practicing with their lightsabers. Unlike the training saber she used to instruct Rayden, Elyse wielded a magnificent double-bladed lightsaber, its vibrant blue blades radiating with energy. The hilt of her saber features a sleek and elegant design, intricately crafted with touches of Naboo aesthetics, a thoughtful tribute to her beloved homeworld.
Elyse's lightsaber is remarkably versatile, allowing her to wield it either one-handed or two-handed, adapting to her fighting style as the situation demands. Adding to its unique charm, when she married Varn, he presented her with a gift of Beskar ingots.
This precious material was skillfully crafted by smiths who forged the beskar into a replica of her original hilt, allowing her to change the shell seamlessly.
It combined her heritage of her homeworld, her being a Jedi, and now being a Mandalorian.
After the training was completed, they each left for their rooms to get cleaned up.
The shower felt nice as the warm water cascaded down Elyse's body, washing away the day's sweat and fatigue. The steam enveloped her, creating a soothing atmosphere while she took a moment to indulge in her thoughts. She savored the lingering memories of the day, her training with fellow Jedi sharpening her skills and renewing her spirit. When she finally stepped out, the plush fabric of her robe brushed against her skin, and she wrapped it securely around her as she noticed her communicator flashing—someone was calling her.
With a slight smile curving her lips, she grabbed the handheld holoprojector resting on her bedside table and responded. Almost instantly, Varn's armored figure appeared on the screen, his familiar visage bringing warmth to her heart.
"Morning, dear! How's everything going in the capital?" Varn asked, his voice rich with affection and a smile playing at the corners of his mouth.
Elyse's eyes sparkled with love as she beamed back at him. "It's going well. I ran into an old friend and his Padawan while shopping yesterday. The Force guided me here to meet them, along with the Duke and Duchess."
"Oh, you met with Adonai and Katrine?" Varn said, his expression showing a hint of nostalgia. He remembered the couple fondly but knew their differences often put them at odds. Their opposing worldviews had created a respectful distance, but there was no denying the goodwill between them. "I'm glad you got to meet your old friend, honey. So we have two Jedi on the planet?"
"Three, dear," Elyse replied, a small pout forming on her lips, playfully emphasizing her status.
Varn shook his head, a chuckle escaping him. "Three Jedi? How could I forget my sexy Jedi wife?"
"Oh, I'm sexy? You sweet talker, Varn!" Elyse giggled, feeling flirty as she teased him by slowly opening her robe, revealing just enough to tease his imagination.
Varn's eyes widened slightly, his heart racing at the sight. He was no stranger to her playful antics, but it still thrilled him to see her like this.
"Ahem," he coughed lightly, attempting to redirect his focus as he tried to shake the growing restlessness in himself. "When do you think you'll be back?"
"Missing me already, dear? So sweet! I have to give you a reward," Elyse teased, fully unfurling her robe with a mischievous smile that lit up her face.
"Damn, woman, you just love playing around," Varn replied, trying to keep his composure but clearly enjoying the view.
"Only with you, love." Sensing his attention shifting and the playful banter amplifying the heat in the moment, Elyse closed her robe and adopted a more serious demeanor.
"I should be back tomorrow. Katrine invited me to a banquet tonight. They are sending their eldest daughter to Coruscant to gain experience. I think they are planning to put their full focus on Death Watch and the other martial clans."
Varn's expression turned thoughtful, the concern etched on his brow evident. "Be careful, dear. The Kryze and their pacifist movement have been gaining more ground lately. They are gradually squeezing the martial clans out of power, and they will most likely retaliate. Death Watch wouldn't sit idly by when they have the chance to cause chaos."
Elyse felt a swell of affection in her chest at her husband's concern for her safety and well-being. She appreciated the wisdom they shared, knowing that their mutual respect would guide them through the turbulence ahead.
"I'll be fine, honey. I have my armor, my lightsaber, and the others with me. If anything happens, I can make it back home to you and Rayden."
"That's good to hear," Varn replied, nodding in approval. "While we may agree with the martial clans about preserving our traditions, we do not support dragging our people into another civil war. We've had too many in our history."
Elyse, though relatively new to the ways of the Mandalorians, had been gradually acclimating to their culture. Varn and Clan Knight shared some similar views with the Jedi in that they preferred dialogue and peaceful negotiation over brute Force. But they were still fierce warriors who would fight ruthlessly when necessary. It was this delicate balance that had initially drawn Elyse and Varn together.
"I agree. Now, let's shift topics. How are the clan games going? Who won the cook-off, the forging competitions, and the marathon race yesterday? How did Rayden and Lexi do?" she asked eagerly, her curiosity piqued at the thought of her son and his friend participating in the exciting events.
"The cook-off went well. Everyone who participated made truly delicious food." Remembering the flavors he tasted yesterday, Varn found himself craving more.
"Rayden helped out wherever he could. He wasn't too bad considering he had never cooked before. He must have inherited that talent from you, dear."
"Oh, hush," Elyse said sweetly.
"I saw our boy enjoying the food Lexi made. It looked like she prepared something special just for him. I even saw her feed him a few bites," Varn chuckled, thinking about the budding relationship between the two.
"Really? I missed that! Dang," Elyse exclaimed, half mockingly and half with a sad expression. She wished she hadn't missed the cute moment between her son and his crush.