Family and Flame [The Mandalorian]

The Convert

I opened my eyes again as the Memory faded. I was still in Mando's arms. His cold chest plate pressed against my tear stained cheek. I could feel the heavy rise and fall as he breathed.

"Mara?"

I looked up to see his helmeted gaze. He wiped a tear from my cheek with his gloved thumb.

Grogu cooed from his place standing next to me. He climbed into my lap and I held him close. He snuggled his little head into my chest.

"I'm ok, we're all ok." Mando's voice was gentle, even with the modulator. His arms wrapped around us both.

Bo-Katan looked over at us as Mando helped me stand.

"I am redeemed." He breathed.

"We witnessed it. You bathed in the Living Waters. You are Mandalorian again." She rose to her feet. "Can we leave now?"

Mando bent down and scooped some of the water into a small container. He then walked back over to me. With his arm wrapped around my shoulders he guided me to walk. He was in worse shape than I was and yet he allowed me to lean on him.

Bo stopped and looked back at us. "Can I ask you something?"

"What is it?" Mando answered.

I set Grogu back in his pram but he refused to let go of my finger.

"You see anything down there?" Bo-Katan asked.

"I saw the chasm passing me as I fell. I didn't realize it was so deep."

"It wasn't." Bo adjusted her gloves as she spoke. "The bombings from the Purge must have triggered seismic activities. Did you see anything alive?"

"Alive? Like what?"

"Nothing. Let's get out of here."

Mando nodded and guided me forward back through the tunnels. Grogu floated in his pod next to my side, my finger still in his hand. His big eyes looked up at me with worry. I didn't have the heart to keep eye contact.

I shouldn't have let those memories come.
I told myself I wouldn't.

~🌗~

I sat in the seat next to the Pram in the silent, Gauntlet. Mando, Bo-Katan, and R3 sat before us. My knees were tucked into my chest as I stared out at the stars.

"Bring me to my ship and I'll be on my way. You will forever have my gratitude." Mando spoke, finally braking the silence.

"I would invite you in for a feast, but I'm guessing that helmet isn't coming off again."

"This is the Way." Mando replied.

"This is the Way."

Grogu babbled something that sounded remotely like, 'this is the way.'