Jianna Merrowmere-The Bard of Adarlon

Jianna Merrowmere · Vagrant Joined: 20 Sep 2008 Posts: 356

Jianna stood outside of her parent's cottage lost in thought. The workings of her inner turmoil were readily visible on her expressive face. Jianna's large green eyes were as round as saucers and she clenched her hands, twisting and turning them. A tear formed at the corner of her eye and her shoulders shook with sobs. The garden area she was in was filled with the aroma of beautiful flowers. The many shades of roses and orchids created a myriad of colors pleasing to the eyes. Spring had come to Adarlon. Everywhere but in the heart of Jianna Merrowmere.

She walked towards the cottage door, her long skirt swishing as she glided. Usually Jianna's steps had a spring to them, but not today. Today was decision-making day. Her choice had been put off for a long time and could no longer be ignored. Jianna was eighteen years old. At the age of ten she had begun to display Force Powers. Her parents had not wanted to send her away, so said powers had been ignored. Now however, it seemed that she needed to address the issue. A Jedi Master had been on the planet and perceived her force-sensitivity. He had suggested that she go to Coruscant and present herself at the Temple there. She was old to be a youngling, but perhaps an accomodation would be made. He would contact them in preparation for her arrival. The Jedi Master Castillion had told her and her parents that to be Force-sensitive carried with it a responsibility and a duty. Such a gift was supposed to be used to aid the galaxy. Not to be hidden away ignored and unused.

Her parents Trik and Sharra had listened to the words of the Jedi Master. Could he be right? Had they denied their daughter a heritage of service and fulfillment?

Jianna however was about torn in two. She was a musician. Her violin-playing made the hardened weep with joy, she was that talented. Her guitar almost sang when she strummed it. Jianna had been playing in inns with her parents for years already. Both of them were musicians as well. Even they said however that she far surpassed their skill. She sang like a nightingale, her voice haunted the patrons who listened to her performances. Here on Adarlon her career as a musician was assured to be a success. Performing off world was also an option and she had been approached in that regard already. Jianna had been considering options when the Jedi Master had made his pronouncement.

Why had he come along to disrupt her life? She sobbed to herself. What difference could one less Jedi possibly make to the workings of the galaxy?

Jianna opened the door and stepped inside, tears still streaming down her heart shaped face, the green eyes glistened with those as yet unshed.

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Jianna Merrowmere · Vagrant Joined: 20 Sep 2008 Posts: 356

Jianna opened the door and stepped inside the house. She wiped her tears on her shirtsleeve and drew in a breath, releasing it with a forlorn sigh. She entered the parlor. Her parents were sitting there waiting for her. Both of them had serious expressions on their faces. Jianna was only eighteen. Among the Jedi she was old for training. To her parents she was still a babe. Her mother looked up from the folded hands she had been staring at in her lap. She spoke softly as was her wont.

"Well my daughter, we must decide today. The ship leaves in the morning with the traveling troupe. You can go part of the way with them. Then change ships and go on to Coruscant. This decision is not easy for us. Your father and I ignored these talents of yours for a long time. Hoping against hope that they might disappear. That is not going to happen. Is it right for us or you to deny those abilities? To cast them aside? I am not so certain any longer. Neither is your father. Our hearts will be torn asunder to have you leave us. This house will be so empty without the sounds of your playing and singing. But we must do what is right. What do you think and feel about all of this?" Her mother's dark-haired head and expressive eyes were bowed towards the floor. All of the emotions of a creative and sensitive heart showed in her distraught facial expression.
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Jianna Merrowmere · Vagrant Joined: 20 Sep 2008 Posts: 356

Jianna looked from one parent to the other then between them, staring momentarily into the unknown. She remained standing though her legs felt that they might fail. Never had the floor felt so hard. The walls of the living area felt as though they were closing in.

I am trapped in a bower that I did not enter willingly. Where is the doorway? She thought the enigmatic words to herself and that 'unknown' space between her parent's faces. She nodded slowly before speaking. "I do not wish to leave Adarlon. This is my home. The place I love. I thought perhaps to leave to perform on other planets, but always my intentions were to come back to Adarlon. If I become a Jedi, is there really ever any true returning? I will be changed, as will you. Will the high places and the laughter of innkeepers ever seem the same? Somehow I think not. If I had a choice I would stay right here and cast those 'powers' away into the deepest abyss I could find. But that I know I can not do. What then is right? Is right ever certain? I will go to the Temple on Coruscant and fulfill my destiny, though I do not know the path it will take me on. I will miss you terribly. My heart will be empty, my spirit lonely. One day I will return here, to you and to this place I love." The scent of roses drifted into the room, but the glorious aroma went unheeded by the grief-stricken family.

Jianna's father Trik nodded. "Though my heart is broken dearest daughter, I believe that you have made the right choice. I will miss you more than you can know. " He had come over to her and taken her hand in his grasp, then raised it to his lips, kissing it lightly. Like a tide emotion had overwhelmed them and he had reached out pulling her into a loving embrace. Her mother had stood and joined them. Together the three had stood in a circle arms wrapped around each other tightly. For a long time they stood, tears fell to stain the carpet but no one cared.

Finally the embrace broke and the preparations began. She would travel on a transport ship going to Tatooine with a traveling troupe of minstrals. There she would switch ships and go on to Coruscant. Her father knew the lead minstrel, and wanted her to have guidance part of the way. Jianna packed clothes and personal items. Lovingly she put her guitar, violin and flute into their cases. Old friends, they would not be left behind. Then she went down to eat a final meal with Trik and Sharra. The dinner table was silent. Strained attempts were made at conversation, finally they were abandoned. Her parents took her to the transport, her father walking beside her carrying her bags while her mother held Jianna's hand all the way. They took a passenger vessel to the transport named 'Nightwing' and her father's friend Maxwell met them in the hangar. He took her father aside and they spoke quietly for a few minutes. Jianna could see the heads nodding and the hand movements as the two men discussed the trip. Jianna's mother hugged her tightly and the two women wept again. Then her father came over and kissed her on the cheek. Maxwell smiled and took her arm. She walked beside him with faltering feet, hesitant til the last. Together they went up the ship's gangway. Jianna turned. Her parents stood close together arms locked around one another's waist, tears flowing freely. She waved at them and blew a final kiss of farewell. Then she turned and entered the ship. The hatch closed behind her. Jianna's journey had begun.
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Jianna Merrowmere · Vagrant Joined: 20 Sep 2008 Posts: 356

Jianna entered the transport vessel and looked around. They were in a bridge area and the 'Nightwing's' captain nodded at her. He was a robust man with a florid face. His hair was steel gray and his eyes twinkled as he looked at her. He walked over to Maxwell and Jianna, holding out his hand in welcome. His voice was deep and sonorous.

"Welcome to the Nightwing lassie. I will have a crew member take your bags to your quarters and show ye around. This oaf here has traveled with me many times before to exotic destinations." His tone was a good natured growl as he looked at Maxwell. Then the two men began to laugh and Jianna could not help but join in. The tinkling quality, caused heads to turn on the bridge. Even Jianna's laughter was beautiful.

His gaze fell upon the violin case she carried. "Perhaps you might play for us later. We're a bit bored with old Max's playing. We've heard his whole repetoire lots of times. New talent is always welcome. We be a friendly group. I promise no hooting and hollering. Anyone who does will do deck scrubbing for a week or so." His lopsided grin brought one from Jianna in return. "I will gladly play for the crew after I am settled captain." He nodded in delight and then Maxwell spoke.

"I will show Jianna to her quarters and around the ship. I have her bunking with Elaine. I hope they can be friends. Even if it is only a couple of days until Tatooine. This old scow doesn't go any faster than before does it? Haven't had any hyperdrive upgrades to speed our journey along?"

If was obvious to Jianna that the two men were old friends who loved to tease one another. The word 'scow' had brought a flash to the eyes of the Captain though. Jianna watched, bemused by the friendly word play and chuckled along with them. Maxwell took her arm and the two of them exited the bridge. They walked silently down the corridor for a few moments. It was narrow, but lined with lights up near the ceiling. Doors were off the inner side, and viewing ports were in several places. They came to a turbolift and entered. Maxwell seemed to be pondering his words before he spoke.

"I have known your father Jianna for many years. Once we performed together. Then he met your mother and it was love at first sight. He chose a different life, to settle down on Adarlon and become a local musician. He and your mother had great success and their greatest success was producing you. I have not heard your playing but word of it has gone outside of Adarlon. Only respect for your father and his wishes has kept you from being bombarded with offers. He wanted your talent to grow with the years and be nurtured with love and care. Your parents succeeded in their goal. You are a gentle-hearted and lovely young woman. I look forward to hearing you play. This decision was difficult for them. To send you into the unknown, the gracious little lady you have become, filled their hearts with fear. Make them proud. Fulfill your destiny. I think you can do it."

The two completed their trek down the corridor and turned left onto a smaller hallway lined with doors. The transport's guest section. Maxwell went over to the second one on the left and pushed a button. B...zzzz sounded in the hall and the door slid open. A middle-aged women stood there dressed in a long blue dress. Her sapphire eyes crinkled as she smiled and drew Jianna in, putting an arm around her shoulders. She nodded at Maxwell who set down the bags. "This is my sister Elaine, you will stay with her until we arrive." He gave her a brief hug and exited the room.

The guest quarters were small but well-proportioned. Elaine led her to an area where there was a small table and two chairs. Two cups sat on the table. Steam rose from both and she helped Jianna off with her coat. "I took the liberty of hoping that you like tea. I thought us two ladies might get acquainted over a cuppa." Jianna felt herself relax, these people seemed nice. She sat down. "Oh, thank you I love tea. This one smells so good."

The two women sat in companionable silence for a few moments, stirring their cups with spoons made of a material Jianna had never seen before. "I am grateful for your kindness. I have been so frightened. My whole life is changing. I already miss my parents and Adarlon."

The kind-hearted woman, had listened to the woes of many over the years of traveling and performing across the galaxy. This one however touched her heart as few others had. When she spoke her words were gentle. "Maxwell has told me of your dilemna. I know that you must be heartbroken at leaving your home and parents behind. Maxwell loves your father like a brother and always will. I have come to believe Jianna over the years that the meaning of some things is inscrutable. The purposes are hidden and need to be discovered. The only way to do so is to take the journey, follow the winding path to its destination. It will be okay, that I do believe. If I can ease your trepidation while you are with me I will. But know this, already your life has taken on something new. Maxwell and I are now your friends." The blue eyes were full of soft wisdom.

This woman is a treasure. Jianna reached out and the two women joined hands across the table. Tears dripped on the edge of the cup, splashing onto the table. Then Jianna drew in a breath and girded her thoughts with courage. "I know that you are right. It has not been easy for me. All I know and love dwells upon Adarlon. It is there that my heart rests and then soars to the mountain tops. Will I ever find another place where it can take wing again?"

Elaine gazed upon Jianna with worry in her heart. Having traveled extensively, she knew the dangers that awaited the young woman. She is still so child-like, a doe ready to fly at the crack of a twig. So unprepared for the wider world. We can only hope that she will succeed. Elaine kept these thoughts to herself and instead said, "Eventually as I have you will find ways to make other places like home. I too love Adarlon and what I do is look where ever I go for something similar. Then I close my eyes and see the crags and the snow shining in the sunlight. Home is always here Jianna." She had reached across the table and pointed at Jianna's heart. "It is always with you. Keep it alive in memory and it will never fade away to become a lost horizon. Would you like to rest for awhile?" Jianna had nodded and Elaine led her to the sleeping area which was screened off from the rest of the quarters. Two beds were there with only a small space between them. Jianna lay down on one and fell immediately asleep.

Elaine watched as the young woman's breathing became more regular. Her face was creased with a frown of worry and concern. It would have been easier when she was a child to do this. She shook her head. Once Jianna was asleep she covered her with a blanket and left the room. She exited the guest quarters and went to seek her brother.

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