The Once and Future King

[Hadeah Katella]

One of her handmaidens was being overly fussy about the Chume'da's hair. Just a particular strand as it were, one that refused to stay pinned behind the young leader's ear.

"Just let it be." She finally snapped, and the younger girl recoiled.

"Deeah'ta" Her paternal grandfather called her by his pet-name for her, hoping to tap at some unhardened part of her childhood. "Are you sure you want to do this, and now? Shouldn't you give things time to cool a little?"

While the old man's words were not falling on deaf ears, they didn't change her opinion of the matter. The sooner Amir was part of her past, the sooner they could both move on. Delaying this announcement would only make her appear weak and unsure. After speaking with her father she had attempted to contact Amir so that this could be a joint statement from them both, but she had been informed by Cassie he was already off-world: onboard the Anakin Solo and in a "very dark place." Not even Cadien had been able to reach him since the day before.

So she would do this on her own then. Her father, who was refusing to speak to her, was not present. Instead her life-long body guard Arturo and Grandfather served as her advisors. Though there was little either of them could do to sway her mind or her words. Her would-have-been in-laws, Joan Dagar and Chane Solo, were also present with Hadeah's permission; a sign of good-will since Amir could not be there. She'd also permitted Cadien to be in attendance, though he declined her request.

"They're ready for you now." The woman behind the recorder prompted her with a count-down.

In her thrown room Hadeah was the only one visible to the camera's. Her hair was swept back out of her face, the top pinned behind her head but left down so that her long copper mane fell in soft curls past her chest. She'd decided to forgo any tiara given the sensitive nature of her news but instead wore a pair of immaculately gaudy sapphire earrings. Her high collard gown and mature features made her appear beyond her years.

"Good evening, it is on a personal note that I address all of you tonight, to bring you news that my Prince Consort and I have decided to go our separate ways. His dutiful nature calls for him to be abroad and for the two of us to be either across the galaxy from each other or our homes far more than we feel is fair to ourselves or our people. But trust assuredly that I intend to receive my crown in two months time, on my eighteenth birthday, as intended and to serve you in solitude as so many Queen Mother's have before me. The Jedi and the people of Anaxes will always be welcome among us, and it is our hope that this great friendship will only strengthen the bond between our naval forces. I hope this message finds you in times of great prosper, and long live the Consortium!"

Her entire speech had been given in her native tongue, and translated to Basic for those present who were off-worlders. She had, in advance, declined a follow-up question and answer session, feeling confidant that her statement would squash enough rumors. She had no interested in being bombarded with questions about non-existant pregnancies or potential new suitors.


"I hope Amir will be satisfied in how I chose to end it." She said to Joan once the filming crew had cleared the hall completely. "And I again want to extended my apologizes for my rash choice of words. You are of course, welcome to stay...for generations if it pleases you!"

A very large, very obviously forced smile followed.

"Your statement was well played." Joan acknowledged. "In truth, I'm sure he'll be very pleased."

A sense of relief Hadeah had not realized she had been lacking washed over her and gave her an unneeded boldness.

"Lady Dagar, there is one more thing I'd like to ask of you. Please, emphasize to Cadien that it is my deepest wish that he will see me before they depart."

Joan's look soured immediately, and it was not unnoticed by the Chume'da.

"Please." Hadeah insisted.

[Cassie Veila]

Cassie's cheeks were damp with unstoppable tears after Cadien had opened himself completely to her. It was a sad but beautiful love the Princess and her brother shared, something to be envied if Cassie was honest with herself.

She refrained from wiping away the dampness as she stood in response to her Aunt and former Master's sudden appearance. If the situation hadn't been so serious Cassie would have found the pulsating similarities between mother and son's mirroring anger in the force amusing. Each word exchanged sent a wave, echoing and rebounding, back and forth. It could have been a choreographed dance until finally the tide waned and Amir rushed out, almost taking down Cassie's own flustered mother in the doorway.

The room stood still in silent tension as the door slid closed behind Aniri encasing the groom's remaining family members inside what now felt like a very small space. It was hard to tell if the heat was radiating from the massive amount of emotion running through the force or from the physical bodies.

"The Chume'da's not unreasonable." Most of the time, she added silently, not unreasonable most of the time.

"I'll go talk to her. I'm sure she's expecting me." After all, the Princess did just sleep with her lovesick brother, abandon her cousin at the alter, and banish her Order, virtually ensuring the forced relocation of her best friend. If Hadeah wasn't expecting a visit Cassie would be deeply offended.

"There is time to work this out and change minds. We shouldn't panic yet."

[Hadeah Katella]

The water streamed down from the rocks above several meters before it crashed into the pool off water, the narrow lake at the base of the palace, on the opposite side from where the cliffs broke off into a several kilometer plunge. It was the final destination of a passage way from the Queen Mother's bedchamber, one that led down through the catacombs beneath the palace and out the side of the mountain, with a thundering waterfall to guard its exit. Originally purposed to guide the royal family out of the castle and to safety in the event of an overthrow, Hadeah couldn't think of a single Queen's life that had been saved by it. But because so few knew of it's existence it had proved to be the perfect hiding place for her and Cadien many times. But today it seemed, just for her.

The sunlight beyond the water painted a scenic view for the young chume'da to take in as her thoughts weighed in on her. Her father had cut her off completely, refusing to even see her since the news began to spread. He'd cited her selfish behavior for his sudden disconnect from his only child, and she had inferred that it was at least in part because of hurt that she had kept something of this nature from him, for so long. She wasn't sure if or how much she could trust Alija anymore, and didn't know how Cassie had responded to the truth, much less that it was kept from her. There was a kingdom full of people all here to celebrate Hadeah's nuptials, and yet she found none among them that could comfort her in her moment of need. A bitter chill ran through her, and she knew it was not the cool wind off the water but a wedding day gift from her departed grandmother, reaffirming that Hadeah was now just as alone as the Queen Mother before her.

[Cassie Veila]

"Princess, you need better guards." Hadeah's head whipped around as Cassie took seemingly effortless steps across the rocky waterfall entrance to glide down to her long time friend. Cassie had been here once before, in what felt like a lifetime ago, when they'd all been so young that this far away wedding day seemed a silly joke, something to tease her new little redhead friend about and watch in delight as her cheeks took on a similar hue. That day had been filled with laughter and joy for all four of them. Amir had even been able to convince a nervous Cassie to jump off the rock cliff with him into the basson below. It was one of her most treasured memories blemished only by the severe scolding they all received from Hadeah's grandmother upon their sopping wet return. Cassie had never been back after that day but she'd never forget it either so after jedi mindtricking the guards posted at Hadeah's chamber into letting her in and finding her apartments void of the copper haired bride it wasn't hard for Cassie to guess where she'd run off too.

Cassie moved to stand next to her friend and gaze off across the water. She looked exhausted but beautiful and Cassie could immediately feel that she didn't regret her actions but even so stress and sadness poured off her in waves.

"How are you?" She asked pushing away her own negative feelings. Despite the hurt and broken trust between them Cassie still loved her like a sister and Hadeah needed to know she still cared.

[Hadeah Katella]

"I am...as I would be expected to be." Hadeah remarked simply from her thrown-like perch made of rock. Cassie was not the Veila she wanted to be in the company of. Still, even through her anger over the outcome of events, Hadeah had to appreciate that Cassie was even trying. It was more than anyone else had offered. When she finally turned to face her friend she wondered just how much she knew, and where exactly her information had come from. She and Cadien had been meticulous in their secret keeping, which was nearly impossible to do from one with...gifts such as Cassie's.

Hadeah pondered if Cadien was relieved to have the affair out in the open, even though rational thought said it was over now, as well. Either way, she would have preferred if had remained quiet. There was something about it's secrecy that made it more real to her, more meaningful. Her relationship with Cadien had been the only thing that had ever truly been hers, and hers alone. It was the one aspect of her life that wasn't picked at and pried apart by everyone from her advisory council to the Galactic Inquisitor. And she gained a twisted sense of pleasure from watching other girls fawn over him, even throw themselves at him, and knowing that he would remain hers and untempted; a sense of security never afforded to her when Amir was concerned. Her blood again began to boil at thoughts of Amir, and she quickly shut her eyes, opening them to a view once more filled with crystal blue flowing waters. She took a few deep breaths.

"Have you come to scold me as well?"