The final chapter, it is short, but it works and it is a requiem. Enjoy!

Chapter 15:

Requiem of Dreams

Canderous solemnly carried Krysta back to the Ebon Hawk as she wrapped her arms around his neck, and rested her head against the warrior’s chest. The walk was long, but there was virtually no strain on the Mandalorian, despite the injuries of his own. Back in my arms again.

And here to stay.

Once the Former Dark Lord was in the medical bay, and was administered the first proper first aid she had in years, she rested. Canderous stayed by her bedside as Carth set a course for Telos. The Jedi awoke as the Ebon Hawk was still in hyperspace.

“Hey there beautiful,” said Canderous, as Krysta’s eyes fluttered open. “Now there are the eyes I’ve been looking for.”

Krysta smiled, and sat up. “And there is my rescuer who I fell in love with all those years ago.”

Hearing the voices, Lyna and Carth peered into the doorway, and smiled at the reunited couple. “What were those monsters?” asked Carth.

“Massassi,” stated Krysta in a similar tone as Lyna’s earlier. “Ancient servants to the Old Sith. They were looking for enough Force to bring them back. And I foolishly fell into their trap.”

“Are there more?” queried Lyna.

“No my old friend, that is why they were so desperate.”

Carth’s console beeped from the cockpit, and the pilot returned to his post. “We’re almost to Telos,” he said over his shoulder.

“How did you get Carth to come along?” asked Krysta once he was out of earshot.

Lyna pointed to Canderous, and the Mandalorian gave a smirk. “I can be very convincing.”

Krysta gave a short laugh and smiled back, “Yes you can be.”

The Hawk finally exited hyper space, and Carth landed in the hanger at the Telos Station. After escorting Krysta to the medical wing, Carth and Lyna went back to the Admiral’s office in order to arrange a shuttle to the surface for the Exile. Despite his intentions, Krysta shooed the warrior away to enjoy himself. Some R and R? I didn’t think that it would happen without Krysta by my side.

As Canderous strolled, ( very man like of course) he reflected back upon the rescue mission for his lover. Ziost, Dromund Kaas, and Deralia. Struck by an epiphany, Canderous entered a shop to his left. Perusing the merchant’s wares, he spotted the perfect gift, and shelled out almost his entire store of credits that he had on him.

Hours later, Canderous re-entered Krysta’s room to find the Jedi just finish tying up her robes. “If only you were faster Canderous, you would have had a free show.”

“Aren’t you the one that told me that nothing is ever free?”

“So I did,” she said, embracing him and kissing his cheek. “So you’ve saved the Republic twice and you’ve got the girl Mandalore. What will you do now?”

“I was thinkg a jungle moon, full of predators and bloodthirsty warriors,” said Canderous, referring to Dxun.

“Sounds romantic.”

After saying goodbye to Carth and Lyna, the couple walked with one arm wrapped around each other’s waist to the Ebon Hawk. Once inside, the droids quickly came to greet them.

“Statement: Master, I am glad that my photoreceptors have registered that you are still functioning. Query: Shall we continue the slaughter of hundreds? Or shall I embark on an assassination?”

“Thanks HK, but I’m going to have to ask you to shut down?”

“Query: Why Master? Have I failed you in some way? There must be someone or something that you desire to be terminated.”

“Just the opposite, I have no task for you. Consider all of your objectives accomplished, and shut down.”

“Resignation: Very well Master, I shall shut down in the cargo hold.”

After watching the assassin droid walk off, Krysta and Canderous charted their course to Dxun. After sighing and leaning back in his chair, Canderous watched his Jedi to his left slowly fall asleep. Goodnight my wildcat, you deserve your sleep.

Krysta did not stir when the Ebon Hawk left hyperspace, or when Canderous struggled to land at the Mandalorian base. The warrior even went ad far as to carry the sleeping Jedi to his room. After closing the door, Canderous went around the encampment to inspect the men. He found that Kelborn had returned to the computer room after fighting on Telos. He relieved his old friend, and began to assess the state of affairs. Half of my men are still on Telos. The rest are still fixing this place up, and some are on Onderon making sure nobody tries to kill the Queen. That leaves me with fewer men than usual, but least now we have the entire moon scanned. Satisfied, Canderous sought out some sleep of his own. He gently entered the bed on order to not wake Krysta as she slumbered. Finally, a room to ourselves.

Canderous was awakened by a slender hand caressing his cheek and neck. Taking his lover’s hand in his own, he kissed each finger one by one. “Come Mandalore, it is time to lead your people, they await an official debriefing.” Groaning in protest, but still agreeing, Canderous stood and walked out into the camp with Krysta by his side. Soon the rest of the Mandalorians assembled in a larger circle around the two.

“Friends, I have returned victorious,” began Canderous, receiving loud cheers. “Not only were we victorious at Telos, but I was victorious in reclaiming something I had lost. This is the woman that gave me the strength to take the title of Mandalore. And while she may have been Revan, her name is Krysta, and I expect you all to refer to her as such. And despite her regained Jedi status, this woman is a thief,” a murmur of confusion ran through the crowd, and Krysta raised an eyebrow. “Yes, a thief. She stole my heart. And I care for her,” Canderous took Krysta’s hand, and dropped to his knee. “Krysta, will you marry me?” asked the warrior.

Here, Canderous revealed the gift that he had purchased while on Telos: a silver ring with a small piece of an Upari crystal set in the center, the same stone that Krysta kept in her lightsaber. To the left of the crystal, Canderous had the image of a mythosaur skull etched into the metal, and a double bladed lightsaber on the other.

At a loss for words, Krysta answered by jumping into the Mandalorian’s arms, and kissing him furiously on the lips. The gathered men cheered and either raised their rifles or threw their helmets high into the air. Amid the celebrations, Krysta asked her new fiancé, “Did you really have to ask?”

The man smiled, “Don’t act like you didn’t want me to, Krysta Ordo.”

Krysta chuckled as she remembered the name she had given to Cal Jeanus. “So how does one get married to a Mandalorian?”

“Now, now, that would be telling,” smirked Canderous

Weeks later, with the arrangements made, the couple was set to marry. Accompanying Krysta to the altar was Bastila, Lyna, and Mission. With Canderous were Kelborn, Carth, and Bao-Dur. Canderous wore is Mandalore armor without his helmet, the srmor itself was shined with the many scratches filled in. His companion’s wore classic tuxedos, but Bao-Dur’s lacked sleeves in order to accommodate his large Zabrak arms. Krysta’s women wore simple turquoise dresses with white flowers in their right ears. As Krysta walked down the aisle, Canderous had to resist the urge to run down to her and carry his Jedi off to bed. The dress started as white lace at Krysta’s breasts, and slowly transitioned into a shimmering material. To Canderous, Krysta looked like a mirage. No, she is real. And what is more, is that she is mine, and I am hers.

Marrying the lucky couple were Master Vandar, and Kex. Vandar spoke first, “While many Jedi view love as an emotion of the dark side, these two have shown just what love can do. I have little doubt that through this marriage, these two will grow stronger together, and show us all the possibilities that come in finding true love. Canderous Ordo, do you pledge yourself to Krysta?”

“Of course I do.”

“And Krysta, do you pledge yourself to Canderous?”

“I do Master Vandar.”

“Then I pronounce you man and wife.”

Next, Kex stepped forward, “By assembling here today, we show that we are truly happy for this lucky couple. By marrying, these two swear to be each other’s beskargam, (armor), and kotra, (fire). I believe Mandalore has something to say before I continue.”

Canderous nodded, and cleared his throat. “From the moment I met Krysta on Taris, I knew that she was perfect in everyway. As we traveled and grew closer, I constantly felt that she was too good for me. And looking at her standing here today, se still is. Not only do I love her, but I love the way she loves me. I never thought that we would actually officially marry, but I finally wanted to do something for her after all she has done for me.” The crowd applauded and Carth, along with the women, wiped tears away.

“Truly touching,” said Kex. “Do you, Mandalore the Iron-hearted swear to be true to this woman through glorious battle and peace, feast and famine, and fire and ice?”

“I do.”

“And do you, Krysta swear to fight side by side with this man, stay true to him through battle, peace, feast, famine, fire, and ice?”

“Bah darasuum.”

To eternity.

So this story has finally come to an end. I would like to thank all those that read, reviewed, and made any suggestions!