Chapter Text
Chapter Twelve
“We cannot always assure the future of our friends; we have a better chance of assuring our future if we remember who our friends are.” Henry A. Kissinger
As a girl, Bo-Katan had despised feasts. Her father held them, although he didn’t enjoy them much himself, saying that they were necessary evil. They were a way to celebrate, a way to plan, and a way to conduct politics. Now as an adult, Bo-Katan still couldn’t bring herself to like feasts. But there was someone who liked them even less, and that was her husband.
“You know, with the General on Mandalore, there should be someone patrolling at night, just to make sure everything is…”
“No.” Bo said, cutting him off before he could finish his thought. “If I have to do this, so do you.”
“Her husband isn’t here.” Din grumbled.
Bo rolled her eyes as Trygga and Jlora helped her into her gown and do up the black pearl clasps that trailed from her lower back all the way up to the high neck of her dress.
“No, he is not.” Bo said. “You’re still not getting out of it.”
“Fine.” Din said before taking a moment to admire his wife. Her gown was a deep green color, looking nearly black depending on the light. The fabric clung to her hips just right and trailed down to the floor, leaving a slight train behind her. “At least I’ll have someone to preoccupy me.”
“Oh really?” Bo said as a loud crash came from Grogu’s room followed by a giggle. “Our son by chance?”
“No, he’ll be too busy eating to notice any of us.” Din said before pressing a quick kiss to Bo’s lips. “I’ll be too busy looking at you to notice much else.”
Bo only playfully swatted at Din as he smirked and walked away to make his way to Grogu’s room to see what kind of trouble he was in now. And as he left, Bo couldn’t help but smile.
---
“You look beautiful this evening, Lady Kryze.”
A shiver ran up Bo’s spine from where she sat at the banquet table. Dinner had been served, and while everyone had begun to enjoy their meal, Din had slipped away silently before he began to eat. A moment ago, she had been smiling at Grogu and Chewy, who seemed to be in a contest of sorts at who could eat the most. Now she felt a deep, wonderful heat growing in her stomach as she felt the warmth from the man standing behind her.
“I don’t know if my husband would approve of you speaking to me this way.” Bo whispered playfully as she kept her eyes forward.
“Then your husband is a smart man.”
Bo let out a burst of light laughter as Din sat down beside her, slipping his hand onto her lap and lightly squeezing her thigh as he did so.
“I thought for a moment that you’d left and gone back to our chambers.”
“I thought about it.” Din said as he picked up his fork to take a bite of food. “But then I remembered that I was hungry, and my wife would make me sleep on the couch for a week.”
Bo chuckled as she laced her fingers with Din’s before picking up her fork with the other and began to eat.
“General Solo seems to be enjoying herself.” Din said as me motioned down the table.
“Yes, it seems so. Hopefully tomorrows talks’ go well.”
“They will, Darling. Don’t worry.”
Bo smiled softly again, eternally grateful for Din’s confidence in her.
---
“I must admit, I am impressed with what you and your people have been able to accomplish, your Majesty.” Leia said as she and Bo walked side by side out of the mines of Mandalore.
“It’s been a lot of hard work, but we are nothing if not persistent.”
“Yes, I can see that.” Leia responded. “I know Mandalore was an independent world during the Clone Wars, but I believe we could benefit from each other.”
“I agree.” Bo said. “Many of my people wish to be able to trade off-world.”
“We would be able to help with that. You would have access to all systems within the Republic to trade with.”
Bo nodded. “What’s the tax rate?”
“On top of whatever rate you set for Mandalore, the New Republic would add two percent.”
Bo nodded again. She thought it would be higher. Two percent wasn’t half bad. “So, what’s the catch?” Bo asked.
“Catch?” Leia asked.
“There’s always a catch. Forgive me, General, but I believe the New Republic wants Mandalore for more than just trade opportunities.”
Leia sighed heavily. “You would be correct. The truth is, while the Emperor is gone, many of his assets remain. It seems like just as quickly as we capture or defeat an Imperial Warlord, another pops up in their place.”
“So, what would you like from us?”
Leia paused as the women began walking through the streets of Sundari and towards the palace. “I know your husband has been completing bounties for the New Republic.”
Bo remained silent as they walked. While she didn’t know all the details of what Din was doing for them, she knew that it was supposed to be secret.
“Captain Teva and I are good friends. He made me aware as soon as it was arranged. Don’t worry, it is still not common knowledge. Would you be able to spare a few more warriors to help with other missions as needed?”
“Off the record?” Bo asked.
“Off the record.”
Bo bite her lip as she thought. The offer was far less extensive than she thought it would be, but then again, she was not sure how she felt about supplying the New Republic with their own personal assassination squad. If they were discovered, it would be Mandalore that would pay the price.
“I must think on it.” Bo said.
“Of course,” Leia said as they reached the palace. “If it is alright, can we continue our conversation later? I’d like to lay down for a bit.”
Bo bowed her head lightly as Leia disappeared up the stairs and inside before Bo ignited her jet pack and flew off towards the training yard.
---
Mandalorian’s prided themselves on their ability to fight, but that could sometimes get in the way of their common sense. Several Mandalorian’s seemed to think it would be fun to spare with a Wookie. Din at least had more sense than that. He could tell that Chewie was holding back, despite tossing a Mandalorian warrior across the training yard so fast that they didn’t have time to ignite their jetpack. They landed on the ground with a thud, but not seriously injured save for a couple of bruises. Grogu was enjoying the show more than anyone, and each time someone was thrown, he giggled and clapped his hands together.
“I want to fight like a Wookie.” Ragnar said as he stood beside Axe.
“Your father was nearly as strong as one, trust me.” Axe said. “One day, you might just get your wish.”
When Chewie picked up Grogu, Din ignited his jet pack in a flash, but before he could reach them, Chewie gently tossed Grogu up in the air before catching him. Din quickly turned off his jet pack, but earned a warning growl from Chewie as his feet touched the ground.
“Well, I didn’t know what you were doing.” Din grumbled as Grogu was tossed in the air again while he giggled like mad.
Out of the corner of Din’s eye, he saw two blue and silver Mandalorian’s flying their way. While Din wasn’t always the most observant of men, he couldn’t help but notice the small smile on Axe’s face when he noticed the incoming fighters.
Bo’s feet touched the ground lightly as her jet pack turned off, followed closely by Koska.
“How’d it go?” Din asked as Bo walked towards him while Grogu let out a happy laugh again.
“Better than I expected, but there is slight problem.”
“What’s that?” Din asked.
“In exchange for Mandalore joining the New Republic, Leia has asked that we supply more Mandalorian’s to aid them, like you are now.”
“Did you tell her?” Din asked.
“Of course not, she already knew. Apparently, Captain Teva told her.”
“So, they want what exactly? A Mandalorian assassination squad?”
“In a way.”
Din sighed. “Well, what do you think?”
Bo pursed her lips as she thought. “I think if there are volunteers, then it is alright. But I won’t force anyone to do it.”
“Do you think anyone will volunteer?”
“Mandalorian’s do like a good fight, and things are calm here. I think we may be able to find some.”
---
For years Bo had suspected that something was going on between Axe and Koska. The two had shared longing looks on countless occasions and Bo had seen Koska coming from the direction of Axe’s quarters in the early hours of the morning far to often for it to be a coincidence. Ragnar also had seemed to take a liking to Koska, and she could be seen occasionally give him a pat on the back when he lost in a duel or words of encouragement to keep trying – just as a mother would.
When the offer was presented to the Mandalorian people to help fight for the New Republic, it was met with hesitancy, but many were also excited for the opportunity. The Mandalorian’s were a people who liked to fight, and now that Mandalore had been retaken and peace made amongst the clans, there wasn’t any fighting to be had, and the people were growing restless. Of all those who offered, Ragnar was the first.
“No.” Axe, Koska, Bo, and Din said in unison.
“You’re still an apprentice.” Axe said.
“And your still too young to be away from home.” Koska said firmly.
“Your Majesty, you can approve it.” Ragnar said as he huffed from where he stood in between Axe and Koska.
“I will not go against your mentors’ wishes,” Bo said. “And besides, I agree with Koska, you are too young. In a few years, you can spend the rest of your life fighting. Enjoy your youth while you have it.”
“Fine.” Ragnar muttered before storming out of the throne room.
“I apologize, your Majesty. Ragnar seems to have forgotten his place.” Axe said loudly so Ragnar was here.
“It’s fine.” Bo said. “He’s his fathers’ son. He was headstrong and now so is Ragnar.”
Koska was the next to volunteer, which was met with as much opposition as Ragnar’s had.
“Koska, your more than capable.” Bo said. “But I would prefer you here.”
“As do I.” Axe said.
The words came out so quickly and muddled that Bo suspected he hadn’t meant to say them out loud at all.
“And why is that?” Koska asked with a raised brow as she dramatically turned towards Axe.
“You, uh, you do a great service to her Majesty. It would be a shame to have to have someone new trained to do your duties.”
Din’s helmet was on, but Bo could more than imagine the look of confusion and suspicion on Din’s face as he glanced her way. And since Bo was amongst the people she was closest with, she couldn’t hide the look on her face as she fought off the urge to shove them into a room and lock the door behind them. She wasn’t sure if they were together yet or not, but she supposed the secrecy had become exhausting. It had been the same for Din and herself, albeit briefly, and that was one of the hardest things Bo had ever done. Love was something to be shared, not kept a secret.
“Well said Axe.” Bo said, suppressing a giggle as she smirked towards Din.
Others came forward afterwards as the throne room was opened to volunteers from all Mandalorian’s, and soon Bo had more volunteers than she was willing to send. Din was given the final say as he knew what the team would be up against, and soon there was a team of ten, ready to aid the New Republic when called on.
---
“I cannot thank you enough for your help.” Leia said as she and Bo walked side by side towards Leia’s shuttle.
“You have accepted Mandalore into the New Republic, that is more than enough.”
“I hope this is the beginning of a long lasting friendship.” Leia said as she glanced to Bo.
“It is.” Bo said firmly. “We are stronger together after all.”
“When will you begin your travels again?” Leia asked as she glanced over her shoulder to Din, who walked a few steps behind as the group reached the landing platform.
“In a few weeks most likely.” Din said.
“I’ll let Captain Teva know. He’ll be glad to hear it.” Leia said before motioning over Din’s shoulder to Chewie, who was tossing Grogu up and down in the air as they walked. “I hate to break them up.”
“I know. They’ve become quite the pair.” Bo said warmly as Grogu giggled.
“Until we meet again, your Majesty.” Leia said as she held out her hand to Bo.
“We will. And call me Bo, please.” Bo said as she shook Leia’s hand in return.
Leia smiled as she nodded before shaking Din’s hand and then going to collect Chewie and C-3PO, who tottered along behind everyone else. “Chewie, come on, we can’t take him with us.”
Chewie let out a sad roar as he tucked Grogu under his arm.
“I know he’s your friend, but he belongs here with his parents. You can play again the next time you see him.”
Reluctantly, Chewie slumped over to Din and handed Grogu over, who looked just as upset as Chewie did.
“It’s alright buddy, you’ll see him again.” Said Din, noting just how sad Grogu was.
Chewie let out a few soft roars then before suddenly reaching out to Din, pulling him in for a hug, and patting him on the back. Din supposed for a Wookie it was a gentle hug, but Din felt like his armor might be caved in the process. Chewie then moved on to Bo, who was given the same hug. She let out a yip as her back was patted so hard that she began to chalk. The Wookie leaned back then, letting out a few soft barks as he cocked his head and looked at Bo with concern.
“I’m alright, Chewie. I’m alright.” Bo said before looking back to Leia, who had walked to Grogu to give him a gentle tap on the nose goodbye. “Save travels, General.”
“Thank you, and may the force be with you.” Leia said before the trio boarded the Millennium Falcon.
The craft hovered for a few moments while Chewie waved sadly from the cockpit. Bo and Din glanced down to see Grogu waving back. A few moments later, the Falcon’s engines ignited with a burst and the ship was off and flying towards the horizon.
“I’ve got to get me one of those.” Din as the ship disappeared into the sky while adjusted his hold on Grogu.
Bo smirked as she slipped on her helmet before the pair ignited their jetpacks and returned to the palace.