Family and Flame [The Mandalorian]

The Lesson

The Armorer's summons had left me with a sense of curiosity tinged with apprehension. I made my way through the dimly lit tunnels of the covert, my heart pounding with anticipation.

What could be so important that she needed to see me?

As I entered the Armorer's workshop, the sight before me took my breath away. The Armorer stood at her forge, working on a piece of gleaming beskar armor. I couldn't help but feel a sense of awe at the craftsmanship before me, knowing that each piece was forged with skill and dedication.

Turning to face me, the Armorer's gaze bore into mine, her expression unreadable. "You have been summoned for a special reason, young one." She said, her voice commanding yet oddly gentle.

My mind raced with possibilities as I tried to decipher her words.

Had I done something wrong?

The uncertainty gnawed at me, leaving me on edge.

But then, the Armorer spoke again, and her words washed over me like a wave of relief. "Your bravery in facing the Raptor has not gone unnoticed." She said, her tone softening ever so slightly. "You and Ragnar showed great courage in defending yourselves against such a fearsome creature."

Pride swelled within me at her words, the memory of our encounter with the Raptor still fresh in my mind. It had been a terrifying ordeal, one that had left me feeling like that scared child I was six months ago.

With a deft motion, the Armorer reached into the flames of the forge, retrieving a piece of gleaming beskar armor.

"If you wish to become a Mandalorian, you will need this." The Armorer announced, presenting the vambrace to me with reverence. "This is your first piece of armor. Wear it with pride, for it is made of pure Beskar."

With trembling hands, I accepted the piece of beskar, its weight reassuringly solid in my grasp. As I slipped it on, I felt a sense of belonging was over me.

"You have much yet to learn, young one." She said, her voice softening. "You are far behind the other foundlings."

"Thank you." I said quietly.

But as I prepared to leave the workshop, the Armorer's voice halted me in my tracks. "Din Djarin waits outside for you."

I nodded and headed out of the forge.

~🌗~

I hit the sand with a thud, the impact jarring my senses as I lay there, breathless and defeated. Mando stood over me, his helmeted gaze intense and unwavering.

"Again." Te commanded, his voice firm and resolute.

I pushed myself up, feeling the grit of the sand against my palms as I rose to face him once more.

Mando had always been protective, but ever since the incident with the Raptor, he had become even more focused on preparing me for any danger that might come our way.

As we circled each other, I could feel the weight of his gaze upon me, his concern for my safety palpable even through the metal of his helmet. I knew that he only wanted to protect me, to ensure that I was capable of defending myself against any threat that might arise.

But sometimes, his overprotectiveness felt stifling, suffocating even. I wanted to prove to him that I was strong, that I could handle whatever came my way without needing to be constantly sheltered.

With a surge of determination, I launched myself into the fight, putting all of my energy and focus into each strike.

But try as I might, I couldn't seem to gain the upper hand. Mando was like a wall of steel, his defenses impenetrable as he effortlessly deflected my blows.

Frustration bubbled up inside me, threatening to overwhelm my senses. I wanted to scream, to lash out at him for treating me like a helpless child. But I knew that wouldn't solve anything—it would only prove his point that I wasn't ready to face the dangers of the galaxy on my own.

With a deep breath, I forced myself to calm down, to channel my emotions into something more productive. Mando was only trying to help me, to prepare me for the harsh realities of life that I already knew. I couldn't let my pride get in the way of that.

As we continued our spar, I focused on Mando's movements, studying his technique and searching for any weakness I could exploit. And slowly but surely, I began to make progress, landing a few solid blows that seemed to catch him off guard.

With each exchange, I felt my confidence growing, my movements becoming more fluid and precise. Mando's relentless training was paying off, and I was determined to prove that I was capable of defending myself, even against him.

As we sparred, I noticed a momentary lapse in Mando's defense, a split second where his guard faltered. Seizing the opportunity, I launched myself forward, putting all of my strength into a powerful strike aimed directly at his midsection.

To my surprise, Mando staggered backwards, his balance thrown off by the force of my blow. For a moment, time seemed to stand still as he teetered on the edge of defeat, his helmeted gaze locked with mine.

And then, with a resounding crash, Mando hit the sand, his form sprawled out before me in a rare moment of vulnerability. I stood over him, my breath coming in ragged gasps as I struggled to process what had just happened.

Grogu clapped from his place on the rock. His reaction sending a surge of pride through me.

Mando rose to his feet slowly, his expression unreadable beneath the visor of his helmet. "Well done, Mara." He said, his voice gravelly with emotion.

"Why couldn't I use my Lightsaber?" I asked.

Mando sighed. "Because, I wanted you to learn to defend yourself without it. It's just one of your weapons."

"Okay, Okay." I smiled slightly. "But I did manage to beat you!"

I gasped as I feel back onto my butt. Mando stood over me and chuckled. "Don't get cocky, verd'ika."

I rolled my eyes and stood back up dusting myself off.

I missed them so much.....

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AN: I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Because there is only a few episodes left before the season finale!
Wc: 1022
Thank you for reading!
K out!