The Enigma

The Haven

Ember awoke to a light tapping on her shoulder and through groggy eyes turned to find the Mandalorian inches from her, trying to get her attention. She let her eyes adjust to the bright morning sun and heard squeals coming their way. It was no sooner that about a dozen young children were surrounding the cart excited to see the new arrivals. She rubbed the corner of her eyes and turned to the hunter. 

"Well, someones happy to see us," her tone came out more sarcastic.

"Looks like," the Mnadalorian hopped out of the cart, beginning to grab some of the supplies and throw them over his shoulders. More kids were now coming up to them and stared at every move the bounty hunter made in awe of the rare shiny armor he dawned. Ember and the shock trooper hopped out of the cart just as a middle-aged woman was walking up to the guests. She greeted them by a silent nod of the head and led them to their quaint village. There were men and children pulling on fish nets hauling in the fresh catch of bright blue krill. Ponds scattered along the edge of the village supplying them with much livestock. She led them to the nearest hut pointing and spoke for the first time. 

"You to can stay in this one," she gestured towards Ember and the shock trooper. "It's small but it's all we have."

The Mandalorian stepped forward causing everyone's attention to turn to him. "The girl will be staying with me," he said firmly addressing her standing at his side. The village woman eyed them both curiously and without a word or comment, led the two further down to another vacant hut similar in size. 

"I hope this is comfortable for you. I'm sorry this is all we have," she paused before adding, "I'm Omera, by the way." When no one responded to her welcome, she awkwardly shifted to the corner of the hut. "I stacked some blankets over here," she patted the material showing them where to find them.

"Thank you. That's very kind," the Mandalorian spoke for both of them then turned around and bending low to pull things out from his trunk. There was a sudden presence sensed and he reacted quickly whipping around blaster aimed at the intruder. The young girl nervously ran and clutched tightly to the woman in the doorway. His defense position eased and Ember could see his sudden tension dissolve as he slowly lowered his pistol.     

"This is my daughter, Winta. We don't get a lot of visitors around here so she's not used to strangers," the lady who's name was Omera explained, laying a comforting hand over the girl's head and looking down at her. "This man is going to help protect us from the bad guys." The young girls eyes turned from fear to something close to happiness in an instant. 

"Thank you," her two words came out shyly. Omera was about to turn and leave when the Mandalorian stopped her with his voice. 

"Wait, do you have any extra clothing for the girl?" 

Ember looked up as he addressed her looking shamefully down at her ripped, dirtied, stained clothing she'd been forced to wear back at the Imperial remnant base. She suddenly felt too exposed and wrapped her arms around her waist for some protection. Omera nodded looking at the girl and exited the hut leaving them alone. There was a single wooden chair next to the stack of blankets and she claimed the spot trying to clear the awkward silence filling the room. He was continuing to unpack his things keeping his back to her the entire time. 

"Do you think you can protect this entire village?" it was a question meant to ease the silence and as he continued sorting his weapons she feared she spoke too soon. She was surprised a moment later when he paused and turned around.

"Honestly? I don't know. It depends what we're up against." his modulated tone held little emotion. 

"What if what we're up against can't be defeated?" she pressed. "What then?" She furrowed her eyebrows genuinely concerned as she had quickly noticed in the short time already that these people were kind and had no intentions of hurting her. She had seen something she wasn't used to seeing and needed to know the answer. 

"If the danger is too much, then we leave. They will either leave too or we leave them behind. It's not our business," he replied firmly. 

"How could you-" he cut her off mid-sentence.

"I am not their hero. I am a Mandalorian so don't get into any of that Resistance osik," the fierceness in his tone caused her to shrink back in her chair. She didn't know why she was taken aback by his tone as she reminded herself who he was. 

A bounty hunter. All he ever does is for his survival and his survival only.

"I...I must have forgotten," she lowered her gaze from his visor to the plates of metal fastened to his chest. He stood stiff in his Beskar armor-not even the steel he wore couldn't shield him from her words. "I'm the enemy and anyone who isn't you." 

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The sun had begun to set casting bright orange beams of sunlight to stream through the evergreens. After the awkward conversation left between her and the bounty hunter she let the children of the village coax her into playing games in the grass. Through their giggles and bantering she took the moment to take in her surroundings. She took in deep breath and felt the hot rays of dawn brush her face. The clean, warm clothes the village woman had given felt like a warm hug wrapping its arms around her body and the soft velvety grass beneath her feet she compared to how walking on clouds would feel. There was a tiny tug on her shoulder snapping her out of her daze. The face of a little girl smiled up at her and she couldn't help returning a friendly grin. 

"Can I bwaid your hair?" her sweet and tiny voice asked. Ember nodded, kneeling down to her level and let the young child do her magic. As the little one worked her small fingers through her thick long locks, she couldn't help but watch with a smile on her lips as the other kids ran around her, their laughter and happiness touching deep inside her soul. She was filled with delight but also great sorrow-delighted that these children were raised with loving family in a safe environment and had the ability to grow up as a kid ought to but sad she never had the chance. Her heart was happy to see there was still good in the galaxy despite the wake of destruction the Empire brought and found herself wishing the best for these innocent young ones.

"Done!" the little girl bounced around excitedly looking for a reaction. Ember smiled big and picked her up swinging her playfully around in a circle.

"I love it!" It was the first time anyone had touched her hair and the gratitude she had exceeded the little girls expectations. It was no sooner that the little ones mother called for her along with the other kids playing, to go into their huts for bedtime. 

"Goowd night!" the little one beamed then turned around to run inside. Ember waved the kids off and decided it was time for sleep. She hadn't seen the Mandalorian since their brief conversation and once she reached and entered the hut, found him lying out a blanket on the dirty ground. She watched silently from the doorway as he threw another blanket on top of the other still unaware of her presence. He didn't turn around, look her way or pay any attention to the fact she was behind him. Maybe he was still upset, maybe he was in one of his quiet spells, she could never tell with him.

"You can take the bed," the sound of his voice nearly startled her. So he had sensed her presence. His back was still towards her and she shifted past him to the bed and was surprised to find one of the blankets already pulled out along the top. She hadn't made the bed. It may have just looked like another haystack to someone else, but to her at this moment felt like paradise as she curled herself into it's soft warmth. Watching in the dimness of light, her eyes followed the hunter as he shifted over to his weapons and begun cleaning them as if no girl was in the same room. Annoyed she turned over so she was facing the dirt wall comfortably situating her head on the pillow and stared blankly ahead as the noises of him working buzzed around in her ears. They were slowly drowned out and eventually her eyes closed, sleep finally taking over.