The Legend of the Jedi Queen

65. The Trials of Nellith Solo

Nellith awoke to the sounds of ships landing at the base of the First Jedi Temple. She propped herself up on her elbows and saw that her parents had already left the hut. She got to her feet and scrambled outside. From the pavilion, she could see Jaina, Rey, and Ben greeting Jedi Knights who had not allied themselves with Kiernan, including former Knights of Ren, like Rowley.

"It's shaping up to be a war now."

Nellith turned to see Miri standing beside her in clothing that was both fashionable for the young queen, and practical, with a golden jacket, a black top with a lacy pattern, and slim black pants with built-in knee pads. Miri looked ready for a war.

"I wish it had never come to this," Nellith murmured.

"There's nothing you could have done to stop any of it," Miri said. "Everyone is making their own choices."

"But I'm supposed to lead the galaxy someday," Nellith said. "I should have some say in this, I should be responsible somehow."

"You aren't queen yet," Miri assured her. "And you're still learning what you need to be. The Force is only a small part of the larger galaxy. We need so much more."

"I know that," Nellith murmured. "I don't know why anyone thinks I can lead everyone someday. I'm still trying to gain control over my life, become a Jedi Knight."

"You've got to at least be getting close to the end of that," Miri said. "You've already passed a few of the trials."

"I don't think we use the Trials anymore," Nellith said with a frown. "Luke didn't use them, according to Jaina."

"We have protected and cherished information about the Force," Miri said. "That includes the traditions of the Jedi. After Order 66, we were a safe haven for the survivors. After Jedha, we took in the refugees. We learned about the Old Republic's Jedi traditions."

"What were the Trials?" Nellith asked.

"Trial of the Flesh," Miri began, counting off of her fingers. "Basically, were you in battle and did you get hurt? With that lost hand, I'd say it more than counts. There's the building of your own lightsaber, Trial of the Star. There's Trial of the Fire. . . That doesn't count in the Jedi anymore, I think. Then there's the Trial of the Dark. That's why Jedi kept their temples close to a place of darkness."

"Jaina told me about that, she, Mum, and Dad visited a pocket like that on this island," Nellith said.

"We should go visit it," Miri said, her amber eyes lighting up with excitement. "We could finish your trials!"

"That won't make me a Jedi Knight, Miri," Nellith reminded her.

"But wouldn't it be fun to see if you could pass the old Jedi's trials?" Miri asked.

"I suppose." Nellith looked down to the green lightsaber in the palm of her hand. She could feel the weight of Luke's legacy even more, now that she was directly compared to the legendary Jedi Master.

"Come on, then, let's go!" Miri took Nellith by the hand, pulling her along.

"I'm the one who knows where it is, remember?" Nellith said.

"Oh, right." Miri dropped Nellith's hand quickly. "This is going to be so fun!"

Nellith followed the cliffside, since the tide had hidden the beach she had accessed the cave from before, looking specifically for the feel of the sudden cold, the sudden death that had nearly overtaken her before.

It led them to a hole in the ground on the cliffside. Nellith squatted in front of it, Miri directly in front of her. Miri peered down into the hole.

"Looks like a long way down," Miri said.

"Yep," Nellith said, before jumping into the hole.

She plunged into the icy water, leaving Miri behind. Kicking and flailing her arms around from the shock of the cold, Nellith managed to reach the shore, and stood in front of the rock face, shining like a mirror behind a thick layer of frost. As soon as she reached her fingers out to it, she heard the sound of a lightsaber.

She turned, igniting Luke's lightsaber. Standing in front of her was a replica of herself, with yellow eyes and black elegant robes and a crown resembling that of Tallis's in the visions of the future.

"You're not real," Nellith said, reminding herself more than the replica.

The replica tilted her head. "Am I? You've dreamed of me, a great many times."

"I'm not you," Nellith said through gritted teeth as she clutched her lightsaber, raising it over her shoulder.

"Not yet," the replica replied. "But destiny has already decided."

Nellith's heart pounded. Already, she felt as if all the walls in her life were closing in on her. She was to lead the Jedi into a glory Luke Skywalker never managed, she was to lead the galaxy and resolve the rift that had been alive for nearly a century, and the vision itself was solidifying every time she dreamed it.

Everyone was deciding her destiny for her. And she didn't even have a choice.

"You don't," the replica replied. "And now— you have to defeat him. That's your destiny."

Tallis appeared, just as in the dreams. His double-edged lightsaber was now completely red, not red and yellow like before. His expression was dead, nothing other than pure hatred radiating off of him.

Nellith's hands shook. Then she turned off the lightsaber, tuning into the light that had always been inside her. She calmed herself, and threw her lightsaber to the side. It rolled on the rocks, but Nellith no longer cared.

When she opened her eyes, it was just her and the vision of the future Tallis.

"I know this isn't you," Nellith said. "And I won't stop trying to rescue you. Even if it's from yourself."

The vision blinked, and dissipated in front of Nellith's eyes, like smoke. She turned to pick up her lightsaber, and swam out to the lagoon.

When she returned to camp, the circle of Jedi were just finishing their conversation. Ben and Rey turned around upon sensing Nellith's approach.

"I think we're ready," Ben said.

"What's the plan?" Nellith asked, crossing her arms over her chest.

"All you need to know is that you're staying here," Rey said.

"What?" Nellith protested.

"You're too important, and you shouldn't have to fight this time," Rey said, glancing at Ben. "We need for you to stay here. Do you understand?"

Nellith hesitated. "I understand."