The Mandalorian: Beskar and Bone

Epilogue

"Elaine!" Mando called from the living room. "Let's go!"

"I'm coming!"

Mando shook his helmeted head. There was a festival in the city that night, with fireworks, food, and music. Greef had told Elaine and Grogu about it, and they were extatic.

Grogu was waiting outside while Mando paced the floor impatiently. Elaine was supposed to be getting her armor on, but it wasn't uncommon for her to get distracted by something in her room. She never did grow out of her childish wonder. It seemed like only yesterday she was a shy little girl, afraid to even talk to someone. Now, she was a bright, outgoing young woman, ready to take on the galaxy.

"Hurry up!" Mando called again. "We're gonna leave without you if you don't."

"Coming, Papi!"

The familiar sound of her door opening echoed down the hall. Footsteps ran Mando's way, until the owner of the boots reached him. A young girl of 15 stood before him. Her brown eyes glinted excitedly in the evening light. The soft markings down her face and pointed horns, that grew more prominent as the years flew by, glowed with a gentle energy on her olive skin. Her thick chocolate hair flowed past her shoulders, part of it tied back in a little tuft of hair. Small braids were woven throughout, some pulled back into the tuft, others hanging loosely.

Elaine smiled as she adjusted her pauldron. She didn't wear much armor, mainly because she never expressed and interest in fighting. But she was still a Mandalorian, and earned the knowledge of weaponry. She wore her family's signet on her shoulder and the symbol of their people, the Mythosaur, on her horn.

"Ready." She said with a smile. She walked of towards the door.

Mando watched her, trying to remember where the time went. His little girl was gone, and in her place stood a young woman.

"Papi?" Elaine's tone held concern. No doubt her Empathy was picking up on Mando's nostalgic feelings. "Is everything alright?"

Mando shook himself from his thoughts. "Yeah, Sarad'ika. I was just thinking about when you were little." He smiled under the helmet as he walked toward her. "I'll never forget the way you attacked that kid."

Elaine flashed a smile. "Yeah. I was too little then, but if I was as strong as I am now, I bet I could've taken on Gideon."

Mando pulled her to his side with one arm. "Don't go and take unnecessary risks. I can't lose you."

Elaine leaned into him. "I won't, Papi. Gar cuy ner aliit."

(You are my family)

Mando smiled, pulling away slightly to look at her. He cupped her cheek in his hand, his gloved thumb tracing over her swirling markings.

"Ni kar'tayl gar darasuum, ner cyar'ika adi'ka." He said, leaning his helmet against her forehead.

(I love you, my darling little girl.)

Elaine leaned into his touch before pulling away. Her eyes sparkled as she smiled. "Come on, Grogu's waiting for us. Kaysh guur' skraan." She tugged on his hand, leading him to the door.

(He loves his food)

Mando chuckled as he walked with her. There was no doubt in his mind that Elaine and Grogu could survive in the galaxy on her own. He didn't spend 10 years protecting them and didn't teach them everything he knew.

His children would be just fine, but that wouldn't stop him from trying to protect them.

The End

​​​​​​​