Before I knew it I was sitting in a dark cell. I had no recollection of what happened in between. From the moment I watched those flames rising to the sky everything became a blur. I didn't even feel the tight grip those troopers had on me when they dragged me to their transport, I didn't hear the words they screamed at me as they pushed me inside and clasped those metal shackles around my wrists. I didn't even notice the Republic official as he told me all my rights before they shoved me into the cell. All I could hear was the sound of the fire burning away at those ships, mingled with a few anguished cries in the distance.

Did I hurt people? Had I killed them? It was all I could think about, for their deaths would be on my hands. I'd fallen directly into a trap and consequently destroyed more than I could possibly know. It didn't only impact me, no. It was much worse. I knew it would lead all the way back to Valeria. Word would soon reach Aidan that they'd imprisoned me and knowing him, he would start a war to get me back.

The only hope I had left was that they would release me before that could happen. Yet, knowing the fact that I had destroyed thousands of credits worth of ships, I knew there would certainly be some form of reconciliation. So, it was either certain war, or Valeria would have to pay for the damage using the rare resources on our planet which on itself would probably also lead to a civil war.

Was that what Lord Sidious had planned? Did he want a war on Valeria, only so that he could reach Arthas more easily? Or did he simply want the people, who were one of the few people that even stood a chance against him, destroyed by themselves?

There must be another way.

It was only when I took a deep breath in and focused on the shiny, black metal wall of the cell that I realized someone was talking to me.

"- should have been obvious. I mean, why would the jedi even be in that shipyard to begin with. Not that he's the brightest, of course, but he's not that stupid." Arthas let out a deep sigh, leaning against the wall with his one leg slightly bent. His arms folded tightly before him, the muscles showing through his tight black shirt. "If I had been there I would've smacked you on the face before you even tried to set a foot on the ship taking you from Valeria."

"But you weren't there, because I defeated you." I spoke quietly as I stared at the wall.

Arthas jolted as if shocked I was even talking back, his eyes soon focussing on my figure as I sat upright on the only bench of the cell. His mouth pulled into a self-satisfied smirk. "Yes, and where did that get you?"

I only shrugged, too tired to answer. "We could've been safely ruling over our kingdom right now." Arthas complained as he mimicked my distant stare. "Away from the republic, away from all this jedi nonsense. I would've been the best king in centuries, and certainly the most handsome, -"

"I shouldn't even be talking to you." I interrupted his ranting.

"And why is that?"

"Because you killed Eric." My nose scrunched up in disgust as my words became a cutting sneer, my eyes refusing to even spare him a glance. "You killed my father right in front of me."

"Oh, please." Arthas pushed himself off the wall as his eyes remained solely focused on me. "He was nothing but a usurper who betrayed both his friends and took the throne for himself. Not to forget, he lied to you all those years about who you were." He knelt in front of me, making me force my gaze his way. "I did all of Valeria a service when I killed him"

"You killed hundreds of innocent people in Eagle's fall." I stared him down, not even noticing a slither of guilt go through his eyes. "Not much of a service, is it?"

Arthas sighed, clicking his tongue as he cocked his head to the side slightly. "Yes, and how many people did you kill today?" I took in a sharp breath and refrained myself from slapping him immediately. He saw me flinch, a knowing smirk pulling the corner of his mouth upward as he leaned forward, our faces inches apart before he whispered.

"Not much of a service, is it?" He spoke slowly, his smirk growing wider with each mocking word he said. My glare deepened but he didn't even care. Arthas only raised himself on his feet again and walked towards the door, his hand placed on the cold metal. "You and I are more alike than you realize, Fireheart."

"I am nothing like, -" He disappeared into thin air before I could finish my sentence. I was left seething, having stood up abruptly in anger, my fists balled at my side. "Sun of a..." Cursing, I started pacing in the room.

The opening of the door ended it and had me jumping slightly in fright. "Queen Fireheart." A soft voice sounded through the room. Soon I met the brown doe eyes of Padmé, which had me nailed to the spot in surprise. "Lyanna, oh Lyanna, -" It looked like she melted as she sprinted towards me, wrapping me tightly in her arms. I stood frozen for a while, unsure of what to do, but soon found out her comfort was exactly what I needed at that time. I felt the anger towards Arthas slipping away at the feeling of her warmth.

"I heard what happened." She pulled back too soon and kept me at arm's length. "I know you wouldn't purposely destroy those ships, and I've been trying to convince them otherwise but you know the senators, we've been arguing for hours. I've at least convinced them to hear you out and hold a trial before they rob Valeria blind. Tomorrow you'll have to stand before the entire senate, and if that fails we could-"

"Padmé." A masculine voice interrupted her rambling, making us both turn towards his figure in the doorway. Much to my surprise, Anakin was there, leaning against the entrance and watching me with guilty eyes.

"Anakin." I spoke softly, watching as he pushed himself of the wall and walked towards me, his dark robes flailing behind him. If anyone had told me months before I'd be relieved to see him, I would've doubted every word that came out of their mouth. Yet now, seeing him there whilst previously having thought he was on a mission far away, couldn't help the intense relief that blossomed in my stomach. "Anakin." Whispering again, my voice broke and before I knew it my knees were buckling.

He rushed towards me and wrapped me in his arms, his hand holding my head tightly against his chest. "I came as soon as I heard." Anakin spoke. "Are you hurt?" He pulled back and let his eyes roam over my body.

"No, no, I'm fine." There would be bruises on my neck, but that was of no concern to me. "It was Lord Sidious. He's going after Arthas; we have to stop him before he finds him."

Padmé quickly glanced to Anakin with a frown as he narrowed his eyes in thought. "He was there?" He questioned with a dark gaze.

"Yes, he was." I mumbled, glancing between them. "Didn't the jedi tell you? Surely there were cameras on that shipyard, didn't they pick it up? He lured me there and attacked me. If I hadn't flung him away, he would've breached my mind and found Arthas before we could've stopped him."

Anakin sighed deeply and started pacing in the cell as I followed him closely with my eyes. "No." I mumbled as I realized the meaning behind his silence. "No, you can't be serious." Desperation was laced through my voice. "There were none? None at all that can confirm my story?"

He simply shook his head as a response. "There was a power shortage. They were all shut down."

"By the gods." I breathed out deeply, trying to control the rising panic. "He planned all of this."

"Your majesty, some in the Senate believe you destroyed the ships on purpose, as recompense for keeping you here." Padmé spoke softly yet spoke hard words that each sent daggers through my chest. "They believe the jedi angered you. The troopers that were guarding you confirmed that they heard you and master Kenobi arguing right before it happened."

At the sound of his name, I shrunk into myself even deeper and fell on the bench. Both Padmé and Anakin noticed and quickly walked towards me. "What happened?" Padmé asked gently as she laid a hand on my shoulder.

"It doesn't matter, -" My mouth felt dry as I looked up, tears gathering in the corner of my eyes. "what happened..." I tried to control my breathing, tried to breathe out slowly but it became harder every second. "What matters is that I'm fucked, and so is Valeria." I glanced towards Anakin and saw the hurt that flashed through his eyes. "Where is Stefan?"

"We're holding him in your quarters." Anakin put up his hand to reassure me. "I'll find a way to convince them." He spoke with determination. "Ahsoka is already rechecking all the cameras. We will get you out of this, I promise."

"Anakin." I sighed, simply shaking my head. There was no hope, I knew. Darth Sidious had thought of everything and he didn't care who got hurt in the process. "How many?" I saw in his eyes that he knew what I meant. Anakin glanced away quickly, clenching his jaw. "Anakin, how many people got hurt?" Pressing, I grasped his arm in a tight grip.

"12."

There was a silence as I processed. 12 people, 12 innocent people got caught in the flames because I fell into a stupid trap. Because I was too blinded by both fear and love that I didn't see what was right in front of me. My jaw clenched as my eyes stared at the wall, moments passing by as I gritted my teeth and tried my hardest not to cry out.

I had broken one of the vows I had made years ago when I first became the Valkyr. One of the fundamental vows on which my entire being was built, my very essence, the vow that I would never harm the innocent. Who the hell was I, if I couldn't even uphold that?

"I would like you to leave now, please."

"Lyanna, -" Padmé tried to reach out to me.

My voice was devoid of any feeling, any emotion that was tearing me apart from within. "Please."

Her hand froze mid-air, and in the corner of my eyes I could see her eyes widening with sadness. Anakin put his hand on the small of her back without a word, gently pushing her towards the door leading out of the cell. She tried to protest, but after seeing the look in his eyes she obliged reluctantly and stepped away slowly. Only he remained in the doorpost, his hand gripping the edges as he stood with his back turned towards me. "Obi Wan hasn't been here to see you, has he?"

I glanced at his figure, at the tense shoulders and his knuckles that had turned white from their tight grip. He was angry, frustrated, and we both knew why. Even with him, the boy he had raised all these years, Obi Wan still couldn't talk about his feelings. He couldn't face the countless emotions that existed in relations and it tore them apart.

There was no need to answer.

The muscles on Anakin's back tensed even more before he walked away without a word, the force field again activating to keep me inside. I sighed, leaning my head against the cold metal and closing my eyes.

Obi Wan wouldn't come, I was certain.

Not after what I pulled.

~

The rest of the next 24 hours passed too quickly and without any sleep. Even though I was drenched in anxiety, the cell remained quiet apart from the occasional rambling coming from Arthas. The moment he realized I wasn't even listening, he would sit on the ground and look at me. In a weird way, I found comfort in his company and the watchful eye he kept, even though I wasn't even sure he was really there.

Before I had gathered the courage to face the entire senate, the force field dropped and showed Mace Windu looking at me expectingly in the doorway. "Your majesty." I had expected contempt, maybe even hatred, but the sympathetic gaze he gave me was the last I had thought to see. "It's time." He said, waving towards the hallway.

Standing up without a word, I followed him as he led me down the hall and towards the exit of the Republic's prison. My legs trembled as I walked, but somehow I managed to remain upright with a straightened spine. We passed troopers who glanced at me warily, but I kept my gaze focused on the ground before me. I could feel their hesitation, feel the anger that they tried to suppress. The 12 people... they must have been clones.

"You're taking me to court." It was a statement rather than a question, and I nudged my head the slightest bit his way but kept my gaze on the floor.

"There is one more stop on the way." Mace answered nonetheless, laying his hand on my arm to guide me towards another room.

"Seems you were right after all, master Windu." I said numbly. A danger to us all.

"I was wrong." He said instead, keeping his gaze fixed on his destination. I, on the other hand, couldn't help the confused glance I stole his way. "We all felt him; The dark lord." Windu at last looked at me.

"You believe me?"

"We do." He stopped us before another large door. "Your majesty, we jedi have been trying to sway the senate but the lack of evidence..." Windu sighed deeply and I could've sworn I heard sympathy in his voice. "We need you to calm your brother before we figure this out. We wouldn't want another war."

I glanced towards the door, realizing he had taken me to a communication centre. "I will." Even Windu seemed swayed by the determination in my voice. He moved to grasp the doorhandle, but I grasped his wrist before he could. "Master Windu, I'm..." Our eyes connected, and I felt the last bit of hatred I had felt towards him slip away. "I'm sorry about your troopers. If I could take it all back, I would in a heartbeat."

Mace nodded. "Convince him." He said and opened the door, revealing the huge hologram in the middle of it. It took me mere seconds to recognize the shape of the king of Valeria, clad in armor. His blond hair was tied in a ponytail at the base of his neck, a few strands of rebellious locks hanging before his eyes.

The blue light casted eery shadows over the few people around it. I had to adjust to the bright light before I could make out Anakin's signature dark hair and black tunic, and the auburn hair and light one of a jedi I hadn't seen for quite some time. At least, it felt that way. It had been but two days since I last saw him.

The memory of the outright disappointed look in his eyes flashed before me together with the hurt I had felt through our bond that shattered my heart into a thousand pieces. Obi Wan. I stood frozen there, refusing to look at him, his fingers tangled in his beard and his other arm folded before his chest. He was anxious, I realized in a heartbeat, and knew soon enough why.

"- had promised to protect her, for Odin's sake! Now you tell me that she was attacked in the middle of the night, on your damned watch, and is now locked up in the republic's prison because of your own -" Aidan's electric voice boomed through the chamber, his fists clenched at his side as the hologram of him flickered and shut out the undoubtedly hateful things he was spewing.

I saw the remnants of the council table splayed on the ground at his feet, documents scattered over the ground and knew he had shattered it. "- and to think I had once trusted you with her life, only to have you condemning her to this fate like she's nothing to you! You can be damn sure that if you don't release her right now I'll bring the entire vanguard down upon your hopeless city and take her after I ki, -"

"Aidan Stormrage!" I yelled the moment I had collected my wits. In the corner of my eyes, I saw Obi's shoulders tensing as he realized I had entered.

Aidan froze too, remaining silent before he slowly turned around and came eye to eye with me and Master Windu. "Sister." A sword fell out of his hand as his mouth fell open, his eyes widening in both shock and relief. The few sparks that had played feverishly around his fingers started to eb away.

"I would advise you to lower your voice." Righting my back and rolling back my shoulders, I tried to appear stronger than I felt. I had to convince him I didn't need his help, even if he was my only chance at freedom. "The jedi are trying to help."

"Help?" He gritted his teeth and nervously leaned his weight on his other foot. Aidan seemed to calm down slowly at the sight of me but the anger was still apparent. "They were supposed to protect you, and then you got attacked in the middle of their city while Master Kenobi, -" He turned to face him once again with a hateful glare. "- you honourless, disloyal, absolute, -"

"It wasn't his fault." I interrupted him and soon felt both my brother's and Obi's gaze fixed solely on me as I paused. "It was mine." Even then I didn't dare meet his eyes. "I fell into a trap. Master Kenobi had nothing to do with it."

The jedi lowered his gaze to the ground and even through the broken bond I could feel the remorse that filled him. "Pff." Aidan waved the comment away, starting to pace through the mess he had made on the floor. "He made a promise and he broke it. That's all I care about."

"Your majesty, I, -" Obi Wan's velvet voice filled the room, making me suck in a deep breath but the interruption that followed had spiders crawling over my skin.

"YOU DON'T GET TO SPEAK!" Aidan suddenly burst, pointing at him furiously. "Not after what you pulled!"

"Aidan!" I walked towards his hologram till I was but a foot away, staring into those blue eyes. I waited till his heaving breaths had slowed down, till he was slowly breathing through his nose. Lowering my voice and looking at him sadly, I added. "This is not helping."

He let out a deep breath to calm himself. "I'm sorry." Aidan sighed, dropping his arms beside his body. His fists clenched, showing the white on his knuckles. "I just feel so... helpless. I can't do anything from here." His mouth pulled up in a snarl, no doubt hiding the sadness he felt.

"I know, and it isn't your fault." I whispered back. He merely nodded, silence following as the three jedi watched us closely. Windu was no doubt waiting for me to follow up on my promise. "Aidan, I need you to promise me something."

He looked up at me, tears shining in his eyes as his jaw clenched. It was a rare sight, the king of Valeria donned in his armor, still managing to look so utterly defenceless. "Promise me you won't gather the army. Don't attack the Republic, not for me. Valeria is not ready for another war."

"But they have you, Lyanna, you're our queen" His brows furrowed. "Imprisoning you is an act of war."

"That is my problem to deal with, Aidan." Slowly I raised my hand, trying to wipe away the single tear that rolled down his face. Instead, my fingers went right through the blue hologram as it flickered. It broke my heart to see him this way, knowing I would probably not see him again. "I need you to trust me; trust that I can get out of this."

He hesitated, his eyes flickering between mine as he contemplated. He seemed to right himself once again, appearing like the king he was. "You're the king, Aidan." I continued. "You have to do what's best for Valeria."

"I trust you; you know I do." He whispered. Aidan nodded and slowly turned towards Windu. "I know better than to make a promise with a jedi." In the corner of my eye, I saw Obi Wan shuffling awkwardly, lowering his gaze to the floor. "Help her." The king ordered, the iron authority suddenly appearing in his voice as if it had always been there.

"We are doing our best, your majesty." Windu inclined his head.

"Good." His electric eyes turned back towards me. "Because without her, Valeria won't make it for long."

"She will, because she has you." I summoned a small smile and lifted my hand, holding it up in the air. Aidan hesitated, but soon followed the movement with his own, placing his palm against mine. Even though I didn't feel his skin, somehow it still felt like he was there. "Be strong, Aidan."

"Odin guide you, sister." He whispered back. "And may Freya bring you back home."

His image flickered until he was gone entirely, leaving me in the middle of the room with nothing before me. My heart sunk in my chest as my strength to uphold this facade wavered, tears reappearing in my eyes. It took all my willpower to muffle the sob that threatened to escape from my lips.

"Good." Mace Windu broke the silence that followed and I was glad of the distraction. "Skywalker, come with me. We'll see if the senate is ready for her." I glanced towards Anakin, meeting his gaze as he hesitantly followed the master. He nudged his head towards Obi Wan worriedly but I refused to follow his gaze. Anakin's eyes widened with worry, but he didn't say anything as he continued on his path.

When the door closed behind the two jedi, my gaze fixed on the spot Aidan had been before. Nerves wrecked my body and it wasn't only because of the court coming up. No, it was him, his presence in this room that utterly destroyed me from within. I couldn't feel him like before, didn't know what emotions were swirling through his body. I didn't know whether he was still furious, if he hated me for what he did or if he was just as anxious as me. The knowledge that he hated me after what I did slowly tore me apart.

Obi Wan started to walk slowly towards me and it had every muscle in my body tensing. "Lyanna, what happened is, -" He spoke suddenly, the sound ripping apart the silence that had endured for so long.

"I have a plan." I didn't want his explanations, didn't want to linger on what happened. We had to focus on what was important right now, and not on what was already broken. For I knew that if we really talked about it, I would break apart before I even appeared at court.

He froze in his steps, his brows furrowed in confusion. "But you're not going to like it." Finally, I gathered the courage to look him in the eye, but the ocean blue had me trembling before I could force my gaze away again. Even though it wasn't there right now all I could see was that hurt I caused.

"Tell me." He insisted, folding his arms before his chest. Obi Wan seemed relieved by the interruption and the option to focus on something else.

"I can't."

"Lyanna, surely you realize that it is of utmost importance that this court doesn't go, -" The frustration was clear as he raised his voice.

"I can't tell you because you would stop me if I did."

At that he sucked in a deep breath. "Then isn't that even more reason to do so?"

I raised my eyes towards him, meeting his eyes again. This time I held them, seeing the countless emotions swirling beneath them. "You were right, Obi Wan." His eyes widened, his mouth falling open just slightly as his eyebrows raised. Pain flashed through his eyes at the defeated tone I spoke with. "That day before we faced Arthas for the first time."

His brows knotted together as he realized. "This... thing between us." I walked towards him, motioning between us. "It will only bring destruction and pain." My fingers went for his as I stood before him, softly lifting his hand and holding them between us. I relished in the coarse feeling of them and regretted the fact that it was probably the last time I would be holding them. My eyes were trained on them before I lifted them back to him.

"He used our bond to lure me there." I whispered. Realization then struck Obi Wan, and I felt the jolt in his hand. "He used it against us, just like you predicted."

"I'm sorry I didn't realize it sooner." My voice broke completely and tears streamed freely down my face.

"Lyanna, please, tell me what you're planning." Obi Wan begged and strengthened his grip on my hands. His voice was soft, so soft that my heart swelled at the tone.

"I'm sorry for what I did, and for what I'm going to do." I slowly tore my hands from out of his grasp, leaving his fingers hovering in the air between us. His eyes widened even more, his breath quivering. "But I'm not your responsibility anymore. You don't owe me anything."

And just like that, I cut the remaining strands of the bond from my side. It snapped like a strained cord, sending sharp shots of pain through both our bodies. Then, a bright burning light appeared around both our arms, twirling around the flesh and leaving a scar there, angry and stark white. It climbed all the way up to our elbows and seared the flesh it passed.

Obi Wan glanced down at the flowing scar now imprinted on his arm, his limbs trembling as the pain passed. "I'm sorry." I repeated, sobbing softly at the devastated expression on his face and the hurt in his eyes as he looked at me. The place where the strands of the bond had first dangled loosely, ready to be prepared, there was now nothing but ashes. Where we had first broken it, it was now all but destroyed. Vanished, gone forever. Permanent.

"Lyanna, I, -" He was interrupted when the door swung open, revealing both Anakin and Windu. We both glanced their way as Obi Wan dropped the hand he still had lifted in the air.

"Your majesty, it's time." Mace said as he held the door open wide.

I nodded, fear freezing my limbs as I took in a deep breath and glanced up at Obi Wan. He only stood there, watching me with the same emotion plastered on his face. It was his last opportunity to voice his emotion, to fight for what we had. But I knew he wouldn't, not with Anakin and Mace here, not when his position was at stake.

Not after what I did.

With reluctance I stepped away from him and followed Master Windu out the door, each step sending shivers up my spine.

"Lyanna!" Obi Wan stopped me before I had walked out. I turned around to face him once again with hope fluttering in my stomach, only to see his jaw clenching as he refrained himself from saying what he had been planning to. "May the force be with you." He decided at last.

I felt Windu's questioning gaze watching us, saw the desperation suddenly appearing in Obi's eyes. The guilt. Slightly below the sleeve of his tunic I watched the white of the scar, the evidence that it was already too late.

In the blink of an eye, I decided who I was and who I was going to be. I was the queen of Valeria, one that now had to decide to save her planet above all. I wasn't the girl that fell in love with a jedi, only to watch that love crumble to dust. I had to bury her to withstand what I was going to do. Within a second I built up a wall, a wall made of thick granite that surrounded me.

In that moment all emotion was wiped from my face as I straightened my spine and nodded at him curtly. "Master Kenobi." I addressed him curtly, turned back towards the hallway, and continued walking without looking back.