The Legend of the Jedi Queen

84. The Hardest Part

Jaina sat down cross-legged across from her apprentice.

"It's important to still have ritual meditations," Jaina said. "At least you aren't dreaming about the Throne anymore."

"That's true," Nellith admitted. "But I feel like I'm more connected now, to the entire galaxy. And I think sometimes I'm dreaming of problems that are occurring everywhere."

"And some of those dreams might be trauma, or just dreams," Jaina said. "Not everything a Jedi does is in pursuit of the Force and Balance. We have lives. That's important, too. Hence why we have a full Jedi Order."

"So there isn't one Jedi being forced to carry all of the burdens," Nellith said. "I know that— but that's never been true for Skywalkers."

Jaina shrugged. "Learning to balance it all out takes time, kid."

"I hope I'll get it someday," Nellith said.

"Rey and Ben learned to," Jaina said. "And Ben took most of his life figuring it out. It was probably when you were born that he had it completely figured out. So take your time. You've got a long life ahead of you, and nothing has to happen yet. All the danger— it's over for now."

Nellith smiled weakly. "I'll admit, that is good to hear."

Jaina reached out to touch her niece's shoulder. "Come on, let's get this meditation over with so we can do something fun, like lightsaber fighting."

Nellith laughed, and closed her eyes. Mentally, she reached out, sensing all the usual things— except the world was at peace, like it was on Aquilae during her childhood. Excluding the vision that had begun everything, of course.

But she felt one presence flare up, like the sun had suddenly wakened after being swallowed by the Sunrcrusher. Her eyes flew open, and she scrambled to her feet. Jaina opened her eyes.

"What's wrong?" Jaina asked.

"Tallis," Nellith said breathlessly. "He's awake."

Then she bolted out of the room, never having run so fast in her life. She ran through the sleek black hallways, dodging storm troopers and officers in teal and gray and black, shouting hurried apologies as she exited the main palace. The snow barely crunched under her boots, she moved so quickly and so fast. She didn't care about the wind biting at her face, or the shocked people around her, or Jaina struggling to follow her several paces back.

All she cared about was the exhilaration, of knowing that the last loose piece was fitting into the puzzle, that at last everything was perfect.

She ran through the medcenter, slowing to a stop when she came across the doorway to his private room. She keyed in the passcode, and lingered in the doorway just as his eyes flew open.

Immediately, Tallis pressed his palms to the glass, pounding against it in a wild panic. She could sense fear, confusion, and a sense of dread that lingered from that final confrontation.

She ran to his side, and pressed the button to cause the top to retreat. Gasping for breath, Tallis sat up, each breath shaking his body. Nellith placed a hand gently on his shoulder, and he reached for her hand, grasping it as it she would disappear any second. He dipped his head to his chest, closing his eyes as he regulated his breathing.

After a moment, he looked back up to Nellith, his eyes lilac-gray again.

"You're alive," he croaked.

"So are you," she replied, a smile spreading across her face as tears bubbled into her eyes. She then embraced him, nearly tackling him on the hospital bed. Tears fell from her face as they both laughed, for relief and everything they had gone through.

As Jaina entered the room, Nellith stood, but didn't dare let go of Tallis's hand.

"Don't run off like that!" Jaina protested as she clutched her side, gasping her breath, but she still looked fairly pleased.

Tallis looked to Jaina, and Nellith could feel his heartbeat quickened.

"Is Abeloth. . . " he trailed off, too afraid to possibly curse the ancient deity back into existence.

"Gone," Nellith promised. "Forever."

He kissed her right then and there, running his hands through her braid.

"Calm down, you two," Jaina said. "At least wait until a medic clears you to get off that bed."

"Right," Nellith said, blushing.

"So it's all over, the war, Abeloth, everything?" Tallis asked.

Nellith nodded, tears still running down her face.

"I-I can't believe it," Tallis said, tears welling up in his eyes as well. "And I'm—"

"Pardoned," Nellith said. "Not everyone knows you're alive yet— and those who do think of you as a hero for making the armistice happen."

"I-I'm a hero?" he pointed at himself, dumbfounded. "Like Mom always wanted me to be?"

"Yes," Nellith said. "We're both heroes."

And they embraced, welcome to the future that now flowed towards them like a lazy Aquilae river. And in Nellith's mind, she saw the two of them, watching the Twin Suns set many years into the future.