The Legend of the Jedi Queen

40. Crystal Sun

The sun shot through the crystal, illuminating the entire Rainbow Palace. Nellith scrambled to her feet and leapt into the fresher. In a frenzy of getting ready, Nellith managed to get her dark blonde hair into two buns reminiscent of her grandmother and into the dress shirt and pants she'd decided she would wear for the majority of the trip. She wanted to at least be comfortable if she was going to be stuck in the diplomatic conference hall.

She grabbed her lightsaber, putting it on her belt and hiding her grandfather's DL-44 under her blouse and tucked into the waistband of her pants. That way, if they insisted on taking her lightsaber, she would at least have some way to protect herself.

She stepped out into the hall at the same time as Tallis and her parents.

Tallis stayed surprisingly close to Rey and Ben as they waited for General Mitaka, Jaina, Kiernan, and Rowley. Rey and Ben weren't paying him any mind, instead touching foreheads and holding hands.

Nellith smiled. Seeing her mother so happy, and so in love with her father was truly touching. They had been kept apart so long, that now that they were together, they never seemed to be apart.

Nellith looked to Tallis and wondered if she would ever feel that close to someone.

"Is everything alright?"

Nellith turned to see Princess Miri, amber eyes bright and red hair in a sort of braided crown peering at her with an interest she didn't quite understand. The princess was missing her diamonds now, but was at least dressed pretty in a shimmering golden gown reminiscent of Padmé Amidala.

"We're fine, thank you," Nellith said.

"I'm sorry if we got off on the wrong foot last night," Miri said. "I keep forgetting the rest of the galaxy doesn't really share our beliefs about bloodlines and destiny. I have heard you are something special, though."

"Um, thank you," Nellith said. "I'm sorry if I was a bit rude—"

"No, no, I get it, you thought I was insulting your mother," Miri said, her hands out in a placating gesture. "Don't worry about it. We want you to feel welcome here. I suppose I didn't really do that. I want to make it up to you, though."

"You don't have to do that," Nellith said quickly. "It's okay, I forgive you and everything—"

"Come on," Miri said, taking Nellith's hand. "Come on."

Before Nellith could protest or say anything, she was tugged along like the little x-wing pilot doll or stuffed tauntaun she had carried around in the meadows and streams of Aquilae.

Miri tugged Nellith along through the Rainbow Palace and out into the surrounding meadows. Miri kicked off her shoes as they left the path and started into the meadows, as the grasses and flowers climbed up to their waists.

Something about this breathless urgency appealed to Nellith, being strung along into the beautiful world of Aquilae. Nellith didn't even know if she'd ever told Miri that she wanted to see more of Artorias, or if Miri had just assumed.

The puffy clouds drifted by in beautiful shapes as the two girls continued to the edge of the meadows. Miri started scrambling up the rock covered hills, and had to let go of Nellith's hand. Nellith still continued to follow her, entranced by this princess.

Miri continued into the woods. Nellith observed all the interesting plants and vines crawling up the trees and looking up into the canopy. Dappled light touched the warm ground, and Nellith could hear the trickling of water. There was a stream or even a pond somewhere. She perked her head up, trying to listen for it.

Miri looked back and beamed, her grin as brilliant as the dawn that had illuminated the entire palace.

"I think you'll like it here," she said. "Come on, we're almost there."