Sad Aidan being beautiful ^^^^

Everything still felt so unreal. The warm air that glided against my skin, the waterfall that sounded in the distance calming each nerve in my body, the excited chatter in the city and the clattering sound of the repairs in the streets, the voices of the guards in the halls and the conversing of the people that were with me.

I dozed off every few seconds, enjoying each single tiny thing as if it was my first day alive. Which in fact, it was, in a way. My entire body felt reborn. Scars I previously had were gone and with that some of the memories I once could picture so vividly. I should've been afraid of the consequences my resurrection had brought but all I could do was just sit there and be thankful of the time I had been given. I had been given a second chance, a chance most people could never get no matter how hard they tried.

Yet that extra given time seemed to frustrate me somehow now that Obi-Wan wasn't there. After I'd convinced him to stay Aidan had practically dragged me back to the palace, stating that I'd have to get ready for the feast whilst he orchestrated the entire thing. I protested to my full might but he was relentless and even Obi-Wan agreed to it. I would've been disappointed, had it not been for the wink he'd given me just before I left. It was some kind of silent promise, I hoped, that we would find some time alone later in this mess of a day.

With all that time I had been given it still felt too short for it was his last day here. After that night he would venture into the galaxy once again. I was afraid I wouldn't see him for at least a while. I didn't dare think of it, for even these last few hours had felt like an eternity without him.

"Gold, definitely gold." One of my servants stated as she glanced at the dress the other had collected. They'd been arguing about my entire appearance for the feast, saying that it was of utter importance for it was my first official event as queen. Another silently braided my hair, zoning out just like me and leaving them biggering between themselves.

"She's the phoenix, she should be wearing red!" The other contested, making me sigh deeply as I slumped in the chair, staring back at my reflection in the mirror.

Even my face was different. The skin seemed clearer, smoother and younger. The scars my first kill had given me on my cheek were gone and the green of my eyes had become more vibrant, my hair even redder than before. On it they had placed my crown, the gold shining in the sunlight. I almost didn't recognize myself. Especially now that they had put a layer of make-up around my eyes, making the green pop out even more it was hard to imagine that I'd grown into this person.

The dark tint in my eyes sent chills up my spine. Somehow I couldn't divert my gaze away from my own reflection. The entire time since I awoke I hadn't given myself a moment to even think about what I had sacrificed to come back. Now, I was scared that if I would divert my eyes those consequences would break free from the glass and haunt me for the rest of my days. That dark, sinister glint in my own eyes reminded me of him. Arthas. Yet he was gone, I reminded myself, yet that feeling remained.

"Your majesty, what do you think?" I hadn't even noticed that they'd continued to argue until she snapped me out of my thoughts, pulling me back to reality. Blinking a few times, I gathered my thoughts and lifted myself up in the seat.

"Gold." I decided with a shrug and a sigh, hoping to get this over as fast as possible. "I've seen enough red for the coming couple of months." One of them cheered loudly whilst the other's face grew red with both shame and anger. A knock on the door spared me the awkward moment that would've followed after. "Come in!" I spoke excitedly, turning the chair to try and face whoever was coming in. Chills ran up my spine, hoping that I'd meet his ocean eyes soon after.

"Your majesty, you look gorgeous." Instead, Stefan walked in. An everlasting smile still decorated his face as he walked towards me, kneeling so our eyes were on the same level. He was wearing his official armor, a blue cape waving elegantly behind him as the silver armor reflected the light of the sun.

"You don't look so bad yourself, commander." I smiled back as he shifted into a comfortable position. He then handed me two small medals which I immediately recognized as a medal of honour, the highest reward we could give to our soldiers. Twisting it around, looking at the shining adamantium, I scoffed softly.

"You're to give it to master Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker at the beginning of the feast." Stefan said as he watched my expression closely. "Aidan thought it would be fitting."

"Thank you, commander." I spoke softly after a while, placing the medals on the desk next to me. Feeling his burning gaze on the side of my face I sighed, turning back towards him and looking deep into his cyan eyes as he lifted one questioning eyebrow.

"Are you all right, Lyanna?" He inclined his head so he could take a better look at me.

"I'm better than all right, Stefan. We defeated Arthas, everyone is unharmed and I'm alive. It's more than I could have ever hoped for yet..." I bit on my lip as I folded my hands in my lap. "I don't know what I'm going to do after." Cocking my head to the side I quickly added. "After he's gone."

"Well, you'll be queen." Stefan stood back up and then winked. "You'll figure it out." He turned back towards the door, holding it in his hand as he faced me again. He took a moment for himself to just take it all in, a satisfied grin covering his face. "We'll be waiting for you."

Queen. That's what I'd become. Not a simple orphan, not the Val'kyr, not the phoenix but the queen. I gazed back into the mirror after Stefan had shut the door, studying myself and truly letting the message sink in. In some way that dark sinister glint stared right back at me as if it was reminding me it was still there. I bit my bottom lip and narrowed my eyes, not giving it any quarter. "Then queen I shall be."

~

"You seem nervous." Anakin simply commented, eyeing Obi-Wan in the corner of his vision. He shifted slightly so he could take a better look at him and noticed how the master flinched the moment he spoke, his eyes darting to the gate through which she would soon arrive.

"Oh, I'm fine, Anakin, not to worry." Obi-Wan commented dryly as he diverted his gaze back to the altar in front of him. He'd folded his hands behind his back yet still managed to fumble nervously with his light brown tunic.

They were standing on the far end of the Heroes' terrace. The rubble and dust from the battle had been cleaned up and replaced by numerous tables covered with mouth-watering dishes and ale, chairs and benches, candles and lanterns for the feast. Where previously Anduin's now broken statue was placed two thrones were situated, simple yet elegant and surrounded by the weapons of the attendees as a declaration of peace. On them numerous flowers were scattered, contrasting to the dried-up blood that still covered the blades.

Behind that the mist of the waterfall rose to the skies, coloured a deep red and orange due to the setting sun. Lanterns were hung between the numerous statues, giving the environment a warm glow. The soft sound of an instrument unknown to Obi-Wan sounded in the distance as the crowd calmy chatted, waiting for their rulers to arrive. Even the clones were given their own tables. They laughed and joked as their generals awaited the beginning of the ceremony.

"I'm going to be honest, I'm going to miss this planet." Anakin told him as he looked around himself. The city was well on its way with its repairs and the ashes and bodies had been cleaned off the streets. Now all that remained of the battle were the memories of those that had passed, yet that loss didn't seem the phase the inhabitants. Quite the contrast, they celebrated their sacrifice and honoured them with the feast, or rather, by drinking entire barrels of ale. "Especially the lack of diplomacy."

Obi-Wan scoffed at that and smiled slightly, looking at his former padawan and feigning disappointment. "And here I thought diplomacy was your favourite part, Anakin. I see no other reason for your clear fascination for senator Amidala."

"Well, -" Anakin chuckled lightly and diverted his full attention to Obi-Wan. He lifted his one eyebrow as a smuck smile played around his lips as he continued. "I didn't think you'd be as fascinated with power as you are, master, for your clear attachment to-"

When Obi-Wan's playful gaze suddenly turned into a shocked one and his mouth fell open Anakin first thought he'd gone too far, until he noticed that Obi-Wan wasn't even looking at him. The jedi knight quickly turned to follow his gaze, only to see the two rulers appear at the other end of the terrace. It was like the entire crowd was suddenly at a loss of words.

"Wow." Anakin simply mumbled as he looked at them. The king was dressed in his usual armor, safe the excess plates that usually covered his chest and legs. Instead, he wore a simple blue coat with golden rimming and a white button up underneath. Aidan smiled graciously as he waved at the crowd that had immediately risen from their seats as he climbed down the stairs, aiding his sister and carefully holding her arm as she still tried to collect herself from the amount of attention she was suddenly receiving.

"Wow, indeed." Obi-Wan couldn't help the blush that had suddenly appeared on his cheeks as he looked at her. Her red hair had been braided away from her face to the back of her head where it cascaded down in brilliant, orange waves to the small of her back. The soft smile that played on her lips and the evident freckles around her nose softened the fierce look of the black coal around her piercing green eyes.

Lyanna seemed to have collected her wits as she let her brother guide her down the stairs towards the terrace where the crowd had created a small pathway for them to the altar. As they walked the people they passed bowed down in respect and put their hands on their chest as a sign of their undying loyalty.

Obi-Wan didn't notice how the crowd revered them, no, he couldn't possibly take his eyes away from her. The white dress that was embroidered with golden feathers flowed around her body, tight around her chest and waist but loose and free around her legs, dragging behind her as she walked.

"She's quite the vision, isn't she?" Anakin noticed the loving look in his master's eyes and he couldn't help but feel his own heart soften at the picture. The two had their eyes locked on each other and he knew that they spared little attention to anything else. Anakin chuckled as he nudged his former master's side when the two came near, snapping him from his trance and reminding him to bow in respect before them as they walked past and up the altar.

Aidan smiled as he held Lyanna's hand, waiting patiently as she gathered her dress and sat down in her seat, her eyes gliding over the vast crowd that had come. She was sure that it was the entire population of Eagle's Fall, save a few wounded and the doctors that were caring for them. She looked back up at Aidan as he seemed to do the same, his eyes wandering over the thousands of faces that were all looking at them expectantly.

"Please, take a seat. Makes me feel less forced to keep standing myself." Aidan sighed playfully as he plumbed down in his seat, gratefully accepting a gallon of ale that he was handed as the crowd chuckled and sat down themselves. Stefan shook his head and scoffed but remained standing on the other side of his throne, his eyes remaining stern and attentive and his hand vast around his weapon.

"It's safe for me to say that we've all had a rough few weeks." Aidan said and took a huge swig of his ale, practically gulping it down. The crowd laughed at his antics but the mood changed as he waved with his hand. "No, but seriously." The king regained his breath and sat up, putting his now empty mug on the ground. "We can all laugh it away, pretend that we weren't at death's door just a few days ago but I don't think we should."

It was like the air was stolen from everyone's lungs. People glanced at each other worriedly, trying to figure out if they were the only ones hearing this. "I'm going to be real with you and I want you to listen carefully." Aidan wiped at his eyes, sighed as he placed his elbow on his knee and leaned forward, his stern gaze gliding over the crowd as they stared at him, dumbfounded. "Arthas Blackwing had us pinned. We were dying. We were hopeless and we would have lost. Lost our kingdom, honour, our traditions and our home."

"Now I can hold a victorious speech about how glorious we were and how even Odin would be impressed by our vigour and strength. About how we defeated Arthas by ourselves and that we were what we always thought we were: unbreakable. But I can't, because it's simply not true." Aidan spoke harder with each word, the last word practically echoing through the entire city. Everyone hung to his lips as and watched as he stood up slowly.

"I, myself, was wrong. I believed we could do it alone just like we've always done. I've learned a valuable lesson these last few weeks. One that my sister, -" He glanced back at Lyanna who sadly smiled back at him and nodded for him to continue. "has tried to teach me for as long as I've known her. It took an entire war for me to finally see it."

"We're not perfect." His eyes grew sad as he looked at her apologizingly and full with regret. "Empathy, courage to admit when we're wrong and selflessness." He looked back at the crowd. "Those are all important traits we forgot about. We may be powerful, fierce, loyal, strong and brave but that doesn't mean we don't need help every now and then. We're only humans, we make mistakes and we can break like everyone else. Yes, we have pride and we don't want to lose it to people we barely know but that stubbornness has cost us more than I had ever thought it would and I regret it with everything I have."

Aidan's eyes diverted to the two jedi as they watched him carefully. "We had a chance. A chance to end this war before it even began simply by sitting down with those we didn't yet trust and have a conversation about what was really happening. Yet we were blinded by hatred and prejudice and we made a mistake that may have cost us everything. That would have cost us everything had it not been for them."

He walked down the altar and motioned for the jedi to come closer as he spoke. "You, jedi of the republic, you fought for us even when we didn't trust you. You gave us everything you had even though we'd tried to kill you without proper cause." He spoke to them rather than to the crowd.

"There is a lesson to be learned here." Aidan smiled at them and then turned his gaze back to the people. "I mean, I would've never thought we'd learn anything from the jedi, gods I hated them. Yet here I am." He put his hands on his hips and laughed shortly.

"We owe everything to them." He fell silent after that and nodded thoughtfully, glancing between the faces of his people as he let his words sink in. "They came here to stop Arthas even before they knew who he was. They came here, were immediately bombarded by Derik's men yet they continued to try and search for the 'weapon' and still tried to kill as few people as possible even though we were trying to hurt them. We didn't give them a chance to explain, no, we ran in face first and tried to kill them too, we idiots."

Aidan scoffed at the memory and ran his hand through his hair. "If it wasn't for them capturing Lyanna and convincing her they weren't our enemies, Arthas would've recaptured the planet in the first few hours." His voice rose an octave as he spoke and realized his own stupidity from the time. He started to walk amongst the crowd, between the tables.

"What I'm trying to say is..." He sighed, pinching his nose. "We flatter ourselves with words like strong, brave, honourable and just and then go about our way, slaying and raiding wherever we please, justifying it by saying they were 'evil' and then drink our bellies full whilst there are people like these two jedi who risk their lives every day and do not even expect anything in return. We had your queen, -" He turned around and pointed at Lyanna. "saving people every day whilst almost the entire kingdom called her a dishonourable orphan and a petty thief."

"She didn't stop caring. They didn't stop trying to save us even though we spat in their faces." Aidan emphasized. Lyanna shifted slightly in her seat, uncomfortable under everyone's stares. "They are far better than us 'valerians'." Aidan said and glanced into every direction, trying to get his message through everyone's thick head, waiting a few moments to let his words sink in.

"When Arthas stood here on this very spot, ready to destroy this city, it wasn't us that opposed him. No, we were either engaged in some pointless fight or hiding. It was them that stopped him, them that fought with their every breath and even sacrificed their own life so that we could live. They fight not only for themselves, their fame or honour or even for wealth, for gods' sake, no. They fight for others, for something that is far greater than themselves."

"So, what I'm trying to tell you is this; - " Aidan stood amidst the crowd, far from his throne on the altar. He took in a deep breath as he glanced around, knowing that he was amongst equals and not his subjects. He made the same mistakes they did and he knew it.

"Let go of your pride. It won't do you no good in the end. Be the change you want to see in this galaxy and help others in achieving the same. These heroes cannot and will not be there every day to clean up the mess we made. Instead, be that helping hand and accept help when you need it. Don't just sit there idly but take action. See not through only your own eyes but try to see the galaxy in a different perspective. Learn how to be patient, learn to understand each other and show compassion."

He turned back to the altar. "Be the symbol of hope the Firehearts aspired us to be and the jedi already are. That, my dear friends, is the only way to make sure that this does never happen again. To honour our fallen friends, family and loved ones. To finally be what we were destined to be and make this world a better place." His eyes locked with his sister's and he continued to speak with a softer voice. "To be deserving of their love."

He smiled and then looked around, trying to see if his message had arrived. All he saw were those faces, determined faces, looking back at him and nodding. They understood, he knew, and that was all he could wish for.

"Now, all seriousness aside let us hasten this long-overdue ceremony for I am dying for more ale." Aidan suddenly cracked a smile, making the entire crowd laugh with him and let out a sigh of relief. The mood immediately changed back into a feisty one as he literally hopped towards the altar and took Lyanna's hand to pull her from her seat while the entire crowd cheered him on. He stood there for a few seconds, looking at her and questioning her with his gaze if he did well.

"I'm proud of you, Aidan." She whispered and pulled him in for a tight hug, nuzzling her face in the crook of his neck.

Aidan's chest rumbled as he chuckled, pulling her back at arm's length. "All because of you, my dearest sister." He wrapped his arm around her waist as he turned back towards the jedi. "Now, please step forward, jedi."

Obi-Wan and Anakin glanced at each other before stepping forward and up the altar, halting just a few steps down from the king and queen and looking up at them in anticipation. "You have saved our kingdom and proven yourselves to be two of the greatest warriors our planet has ever known and thus are deserving of the greatest reward we, as king and queen, are capable of giving you." He waved towards Lyanna as she produced the two medals and stepped further down to meet them. "Please, accept this gift and our undying gratitude. May your heroics be an example to us all."

Lyanna came face to face with Anakin, smiling at him as a smug smile appeared on his lips. "Anakin." She narrowed her eyes playfully as she held the medal between them. "Thank you for everything you have done for us."

"Your majesty." Anakin smirked and then bowed his head almost dramatically, allowing her to put the cord around his head. When he felt the heavy metal against his chest he rose again only to meet her eyes. "It was my genuine pleasure, feathers."

Lyanna scoffed at that, shaking her head in disbelief and had to restrain herself from slapping him playfully. The nickname was an all too familiar one, throwing her back to the times when she was still his captive. It was only four weeks ago but it felt like years. With those memories in mind she stepped to the side, glancing up only to be ripped back to reality by his mesmerizing blue eyes.

"Princess." Obi-Wan's voice was soft and as were his eyes, scanning her face as she visibly paled under his adoring gaze.

"Master Kenobi." She whispered back, all the tension in her muscles evaporating and feeling herself relax in his calming presence. She didn't notice the thousand eyes that were staring at them or the noise of the waterfall behind her, mixed with the sweet melody of the Valerian instrument.

There was a moment when he saw something flashing through her eyes, be it relief or just plain amazement, but it was there and he felt his heart warm at the picture. He allowed himself a moment to take it in, to really feel the emotions swirling within him that he'd tried to supress for so long. Slowly but surely he bowed his head, breaking their eye contact as he gazed at her hands that were covered with the white silk embroidered with golden patterns, holding the metal between her fingers delicately.

When he felt the warmth of her arms drawing near he closed his eyes, inhaling deeply and smelling the sweet aromas of her perfume. He felt the weight of the medal around his neck and her soothing hand on his chest soon after, making him lift his gaze back to hers only to find out her own was focused on her hand. Even though she was further up the steps, they were still on the same level, making a small smile appear around his lips.

Her hand carefully pressed against his tunic, feeling the thumping of his heart against the palm of her hand. "Thank you." She lifted her eyes back to his. "Without you we could never have done this." She said, keeping his gaze locked on hers. "I couldn't have done this."

He felt the heavy weight of her words, felt the emotions that she send out to him through the force, the meaningful and deep gratitude she felt that almost overwhelmed him. The connection between them was still strong, perhaps even stronger than before she fell. "Princess, -" A playful smile immediately played on both their lips. Obi-Wan saw her shoulders relax immediately and her eyes light up when he said the word. "it was all you. All I did was guide you."

She nodded, clearly not entirely convinced but not willing to put any effort into arguing with him. Aidan took it as a form of telling him they were done, his loud voice soon echoing over the terrace. "Now let us drink and make sure our fallen brothers hear us all the way in Valhalla!" He bellowed, raising his drink and shouting together with all the others.

As all the others took no spare second to wait with eating, drinking or dancing Aidan stepped down also, glancing between the two jedi and placing his hand on Anakin's shoulder. "I hope I've somewhat made up for trying to kill you." He ran his hand through his hair awkwardly, remembering how he had almost beheaded Anakin in front of an entire crowd. "And... you know, blaming you for everything."

"Well, we did destroy an entire city, so I guess we're even." Anakin joked and crossed his arms before his chest. He looked to the side to see his friend's reaction only to find out that he was still staring at the queen. A blush covered her cheeks as she cast her eyes downward, but Obi-Wan made no effort whatsoever to hide his emotions.

Instead, he offered her his hand. "Your majesty, -" He said, almost sounding like a song in the velvet manner he spoke. "may I have the honour?"

Lyanna quickly glanced to her brother who only shook his head and scoffed but then gently pushed her towards him. A bright smile soon decorated her face as she delicately placed her hand in his, relishing in the coarse but warm feeling of his fingers as they wrapped around hers. His hands were battle hardened, covered with scars and rough to the touch but the way he handled them gave them an unusual soft and safe feeling, a contradiction that utterly amazed her.

"The honour is all mine, master jedi." She whispered back, seeing his face light up at her words. Obi-Wan didn't hesitate to pull her with him to the dancing crowd, placing her hand in the crook of his elbow.

"He's not even trying to hide it anymore." Anakin chuckled to himself and watched the adoring look on his friend's face as he still couldn't keep his eyes off of her. The younger jedi looked aside when the king stepped down beside him, following his gaze and sighing deeply.

"Yes, well..." Aidan followed Anakin's actions and crossed his arms before his chest. "He did think she was dead. Seeing her alive is..." The king's expression softened and his grip loosened. "probably the best thing that has ever happened." He glanced aside, studying the jedi's face and seeing countless emotions cross over it.

When sadness settled into his gaze they both suddenly felt the weight of the coming morning. Anakin sighed deeply, not wanting to see his old friend hurt. "Sadly, the worst is yet to come."

Heeeey

I'm back.

How you doing.

It's been some time. I needed to make sure Aidan's speech was just perfect and heartfelt because that baby has been through so much and I'm proud of him. Also, his speech was also kind of me trying to show you guys the message I have been trying to convey through this story and I hope it has landed or at least given you something to think about.

Anyways more about all that soon because I have just 2 chapters left to write and an epilogue! I'm thinking I'm going to publish them all at once, don't want to drag this out for you guys too long. So there is a chance that next update will be much later than usual but at least than I can guarantee its quality and a much better reading experience!

Which leaves me to another thing; I'm thinking about maybe writing some more smut (hehehe I can almost hear some of you yelling in excitement) but I don't know if I should write it just like before (more in detail) or just in a few short sentences to not make it too overwhelming for the ending so I want to leave that up to you guys, see what you want. I'm fine with both.

Lastly I wanted to thank you. I've been going through a rough patch lately and the support you've shown me made it a bit more survivable, which is nice. I wanted to thank @northbeast in particular for all the votes and comments. You're amazing.

Anyways, I hope you're all safe doing well! If you have any health concerns or just need someone to talk to feel free to message me and I'll be right there!

See you guys next chapter!