Tale of a Flower

~The Tale of a Flower - Part 1~

Lilee shivered and wrapped her warn quilt around her body. Somehow it had landed on the floor, perhaps a result of her dreaming. She shifted into another position and then, realizing she couldn't sleep, sat up, wrapped the blanket around her, and walked towards her window. It was a cold night, even colder than usual for Ord Mantell.

'No matter.' she thought. 'It'll still be hotter than the sun during the day tomorrow.'

It was hot every day. And dusty. Lilee had been used to it for 10 or 11 years now, but sometimes she just couldn't stand it. She suddenly became thirsty and scuffed towards the tiny kitchen to get something to drink. As she was taking a glass from the cabinet, a small murmur echoed through the room. Lilee, startled, turned around quickly to be met with the sight of her little sister, Taeya, wrapped in a blanket and mangled from her sleep.

"What are you doing?" asked Taeya in a sweet sleepy tone.

"Oh Tae, did I wake you?" asked Lilee quietly. "I was only thirsty and getting a drink." Somehow knowing what Taeya was going to say next, she took down another glass from the cabinet.

"Can I have one too?" asked the sleepy child.

"Of course sweets." said Lilee and poured her a glass. "Here." she handed the glass to her sister and lifted her blanket off of the floor. "Now come on. We can drink them in our room."

Quietly shutting the door, Lilee crept to her bed and sat facing Taeya on hers. The two sisters had to share a tiny room in their five room house, but they loved each other dearly. Lilee was always looking out for Taeya who was six years younger than she.

"We have lots of work to do tomorrow sweets." said Lilee, "We have to pick the food in the garden and help mom finish making those baskets for the stand. You should get some sleep."

The little girl stared at her big sister.

"What were you dreaming about?" she asked, her eyes fixed on Lilee's. Lilee paused, thinking for a moment. She looked out her window at the stars.

"My father," she said. "My real one. I dream about a tall man with gray hair and a long, brown, flowing cloak. His eyes stare at me warmly and have a look of sorrow in them when he sees me." she looked down at her sister.

"Maybe he's sorry he had to leave you." said Taeya, taking a sip of her drink.

"That's how I feel. He doesn't talk in my dreams, but somehow I know that's how he feels." said Lilee with a faraway look.

"Lilee," began Taeya. "How come you never dream of your mother?"

Lilee sighed. "Promise not to tell anyone?"

Taeya nodded slowly knowing that a secret was coming out.

"I overheard daddy talking with mommy and her said my father was alive, but not my mother. Maybe I don't dream about her because she is gone, but sometimes I can feel her love around me as if I have known her my whole life. I'm not really sure when she died, but somehow through some weird feeling, I know she loves me." said Lilee with a small smile.

"That's good. I like that." said Taeya putting her glass on the tiny nightstand she and Lilee shared. "I'm tired now."

Lilee rose. "Then it's time I tuck you in and say goodnight again sweets." she pulled the covers over her little sister and kissed her forehead. "Sweet dreams little sister."

"Goodnight Lilee." whispered Taeya, and closed her eyes.

Lilee moved back to her bed and pulled the covers over her. This time she fell right asleep.

~The Tale of a Flower - Part 2~

That morning, Lilee awoke at the crack of dawn. Even before then. She staggered out of bed and opened one of the drawers in her chest. She tiptoed into the tiny washroom, and slipped into her rough, tan and maroon dress that came down to the floor. The front had a maroon strip of fabric running up the whole dress with tan laces criss-crossed in front of the strip. It was a peasant dress, but Lilee, after all, was part of a poor artisan family just squeaking by selling fresh grown food that she tended in the backyard, handmade baskets her mother was skilled at, and jewelery made from Coongool rocks and Spartil gems that can be found in the caves surround Chanila Mountain, a little down south, near the Ten Mile Plateau. She put her hair up in a pony tail, and splashed her face with water. It was going to be a rough day. She creeped back into her room and picked up a basket with her headshawl draped over the handle. Placing it on her bed, she creeped over to her sleeping sister and gently shook her.

"Tae, Tae come on wake up!" she said quietly. "It's time to tend the harvest."

Taeya turned over and her eyes fluttered open.

"Is the sun up yet?" she asked sleepily.

"No not yet hun," said Lilee. "But soon. We have to pick the food for today's sale."

"Okay," said Taeya and crawled out of bed. She took her clothes from her drawer and disappeared into the washroom.

"I'll meet you in the garden," said Lilee quietly to her sister through the washroom door.

"Okay," said Taeya through the door.

Lilee picked up her basket and walked to the back door where her sandals were sitting. She laced them up to her calf and grabbed a piece of fruit from the table. Suddenly something caught her eye on the brown Tilacha wood table in the kitchen. It was a piece of clothe stained in Manza juice. It said: 'Good morning Dears! Your father and I will be gone until early this evening collecting the stones and gems in the caves and selling some jewelery in Sa'licaa. Please take charge of the stand today, and don't forget to take the baskets I finished on my bed. There should be enough for the day. We both love you very much. Be good my sweeties! Love, Mother.'

She heard the washroom door open and her sister emerged from their bedroom.

"What's that?" she asked putting her headshawl on.

"A nother from mummy and daddy. We have to be in charge today. They won't be back until early this evening. We have to hurry and get the food and baskets so we can open the stand in time." said Lilee.

"Do you think we'll be able to do it!" asked Taeya worried.

"Of course sweets!" said Lilee excitedly and tosser her her favorite piece of fruit. "Now we must hurry. Come." She opened the door and they stepped out into the early morning shadows. She could see her neighbors tending to their gardens, but they didn't sell their food. The Malei's, Lilee's family, were the only family in their neighborhood that sold their grown food. Everyone else sold other useful things that matched their talents. Lilee and her sister had a talent for growing food. They were patient and knowlegable and grew big, beautiful fruits and vegetables. Everybody loved the Malei's stand because it sold the best grown food in the whole town of Nickala, but they were still struggling since they couldn't charge as much as they wished, for they wanted to beat the prices of other food stands.

Lilee wiped her forehead with the back of her hand. It was almost mid-morning. Thankfully, she and Taeya had worked quickly enough to collect more than enough food for the stand. She put the last basket of food on the cart and sattled up the two Laandi's, work animals with five legs and sweet dispositions.

"Taeya come on! Bring out those baskets and that sack of jewlery! Quickly now!" yelled Lilee.

"Coming!" said Taeya as she emerged from the front of the house with a wagon full of baskets and a big sack draped over her shoulder. Lilee ran to help her and took the sack. She hurled it onto the cart and cleared some room so Taeya could wheel the wagon onto the cart. The wagon squeaked, but it make it up the ramp.

"Okay lock the house." said Lilee as she put the brakes on the wagon and closed the cart. She mounted Leena, her Laandi, and patted her neck. The beast let out a little purr and kicked her hoof into the sand. Taeya ran out of the house after locking it. She mounted Neesha, her Laandi, and the two took off to the town plaza.

~The Tale of a Flower - Part 3~

About twenty minutes later, the Malei sisters arrived at their stand and dismounted their Laandi's. A young man of about fifteen sauntered up the sisters.

"Hey! The Malei sisters have returned!" he said. "Where's mum and dad?"

Lilee turned her head from the cart.

"Hi Roam," she said. "Mom and dad had to go and take care of some business in Sa'licaa."

"Sa'licaa?" asked Roam. "Tough place."

"Yeah, they say they'll be beack early this evening." said Lilee as she struggled to pull a heavy food box out of the cart.

"Here let me help." said Roam and lifted the heavy box out of the cart. Lilee, not happy, took another one trying to get the best of Roam. She toppled over as the weight of the box defied her own, spilling food all over the place. Roam chuckled and helped her up.

"I think this is a man's job." he said, and unloaded the last coupld of boxes

from the cart.

"Yeah, uh, thanks." said Lilee, and began to set up the stand.

"Taeya put those smaller baskets on this side." said Lilee pointing to the rack on the right side. She turned her head and noticed a small, dark skinned boy straing at her food stand. He was eyeing the bright red Manza fruit in the front. Lilee knew he was a poor peasant boy, probably homeless. She'd seen him around before. She grabbed the bright red fruit and kneeled in front of the boy. She held it up to him and smiled.

"Here you go sweetie." she said. "It's fresh."

The little boy was dressed in a dark brown tunic, torn and dirty with tan pants and bare feet. He resembled the majority of the entire town, poor and homeless. He took the fruit and smiled. After taking a bite, he sighed and hugged Lilee. As he walked away, he waved goodbye. Lilee smiled and stood up, taking her head shawl off. She then walked over to her now completed stand, ready for business. Roam watched as she put the money box behind her chair.

"That was very noble of you." he said. "You have a big heart."

"Well the poor thing was starving." said Lilee.

"But it was still nice of you." said Taeya.

"Thank you." said Lilee, and sat down ready for work.

"I'm going to my stand for a bit. I'll come back later." said Roam, and walked towards his stand thirty feet away, selling clay pots and Rinat hides.

"Goodness it's hot." said Lilee as she gazed around the town plaza. It was a large plaze, sandy, rocky, and dusty littered with clay houses and shos no bigger than smuggling ships. She was practically in the middle of all the activity, her stand being one of the largest in the plaza. Nickala was a large town of about 10,000 people, mostly moisture farmers and artisans, just trying to make a living. It had a huge central plaza with small outdoor cafe's, shops, and artisan stands, always buzzing with activity. She liked her life here, but was always with the feeling that something was missing. Something beyond her comprehension...for now.

"Lilee, there's one last box here we forgot!" yelled Taeya from the cart.

Lilee got up to help her sister. She grabbed onto the handle and they pulled as hard as they could. It was quite heavy. As they turned to rest, Taeya looked at their stand and saw an older boy sneak around and steal four Spartil gem necklaces.

"Lilee look!" cried Taeya frightened.

"Oh no!" yelled Lilee, and before she knew what she was doing, hitched up her skirt and took off after the boy. Roam heard the comotion and ran over after hearing Taeya's shreik and could see Lilee running after the boy.

"Wow she's fast," he said as she ran like as swift animal, quick as a bird.

"But he had a blaster!!" cried Taeya.

"A WHAT?!" yelled Roam and took off after the theif and Lilee.

"Stop now!" screamed Lilee, her feet getting sore She was caught up with him and could see the frightened look on his face, surprised that the girl could actually keep up with him. She could almost sense his fear. As soon as she was close enough, she leaped from the ground and onto the unaware boy. She wrestled him until she landed on top, pinning him down to the sand.

"Give me the necklaces boy!" she said firmly with a fierce look.

The boy, though bigger and stronger than she, silently handed over the beautiful necklaces. Roam arrived and stood a distance away from them with his blaster in his hand, ready for action.

Suddenly, the boy reached into his blaster and quickly drew his blaster, but Lilee made it fly into her hand somehow. Surprised at it, she loosened up on the boy and he sprand up and ran away. Roam aimed his blaster at him, but Lilee held out her hand and yelled: "Stop!". The boy leaped forward and toppled over on the sand. Lilee and Roam exchanged glances and ran towards the boy kneeling next to him. He moaned in pain.

"Wha- What happened? What hit me?" he asked sitting up.

"You weren't hit by anything." said Lilee.

"Yes I was. It was like a giant wind gust or something." said the boy.

"Well are you allright?" asked Lilee.

"Yeah sure." said the boy. "I uh..I guess I'm sorry for trying to take your jewlery. I don't have any money. Nothing."

"So you should have asked and I would have given you something to eat at least." said Lilee helping him up.

"Really?" he asked.

"Of course." said Lilee, "But here. You need this more than I." and she handed him a necklace. Roam covered his eyes in disgust. "Lileeeee!"

"What?" she asked sternly. "If he had gone far enough to steal something he must really be desperate!"

The boy took a good look at Lilee's beautiful, delicate features spotted with dirt and her hair falling into her face. He smiled.

"I'm sorry to have stolen something from the stand of such a beautiful person." he said.

"Thank you." grinned Lilee not used to complements. "You're forgiven."

"Enough." said Roam, and stood in front of the boy. "I better not see you near her or her sister or her stand again or I will blast you into nothing ya hear?"

The boy nodded as Roam led Lilee back to the plaza. Lilee look at the boy giving him a crooked smile. He smiled back as if they shared a secret. At the last second he called out.

'I guess you should know my name since I know yours! It's Corie!"

Lilee smiled and nodded and continued back to the plaza with Roam. Corie grinned, took a look at the necklace, and headed to his shack on the outskirts of town.

"Lilee!" cried Taeya as she ran and hugged her big sister. "I was scared!"

Lilee knelt down in front of her sister, and hugged her. "Everything is okay see?" she held up the necklaces.

"Hey Lilee!" called Roam. Lilee looked in his direction and stood up. "Are you okay?" he asked.

"Of course thanks to you." she said.

"No it was all you, but what I can't understand is how you got that gun to float to your hand and how you got that theif to fall right down head first without even touching him." he said.

Lilee looked puzzled, suddenly remembering those incidents.

"I don't know Roam," she said. "I'm kind of scared.

"Don't worry," he said. "He probably tripped or something."

"Right," said Lilee...not so sure.

~The Tale of a Flower - Part 4~

The bar was tiny, with little windows allowing thin beams of light shine through... one of them resting on the bar tender. He was a tall, friendly old man, and he stood behind the bar table, wiping it down with a rag. He smiled when he saw Lilee, Taeya, and Roam enter the bar, age wrinkles lining his friendly eyes and his hair sticking up as if it wanted to touch the ceiling.

"Well if it isn't my favorite customers!" he bellowed. "How are you Lilee? Busy?"

"More than usual Miguel." she said. "My parents are doing business in Sa'licaa."

"Ah I see." said Miguel. "You two deserve extra refreshment." he winked at Taeya who giggled. "What'll it be?"

"Anything freezing." said Lilee.

"Figures." said Miguel. "And how about this dashing young man over here? Still busy with the clay?"

"More than ever." said Roam. "It's pretty demanding. After all you have to have something to eat Lilee and Taeya's food from right?" he smiled. "I'll have anything cold."

Miguel chuckled. "Coming right up!" he said, and went to get their drinks.

Lilee turned to Roam. "I've been thinking all morning and can't seem to figure out how I did all that stuff earlier."

"Maybe it was a gust of wind, I don't know, but it's a good thing you caught his blaster before it went off." said Roam.

"Blaster?" asked Miguel turning around. "What happened?"

"Someone stole some necklaces from my stand and I chased after him and caught him. I pinned him down and he took out his blaster to shoot me, but somehow, I made it fly into my hand." Miguel widened his eyes as Lilee continued. "And then he tried to run away but I held up my hand and he just fell forward as if someone pushed him. I can't explain what happened."

"Someone stole something from your stand?" asked Miguel. Lilee nodded.

"That's absurd!" said Miguel forcefully. "He must be an outsider..."

"Well whoever he was-" began Lilee.

"You must have Jedi reflexes." said Miguel cutting her off.

"Excuse me?" asked Lilee. "Jedi reflexes?"

"Yeah," said Miguel. "You know what a Jedi is right?"

"Somewhat, but how could I possibly have their reflexes?" argued Lilee.

"Honey, you're adopted right?" asked Miguel.

"Yes..but," began Lilee.

"Maybe your parents were Jedis?" he finished.

Lilee paused. She had never though of that. This concept was very new to her.

"Jedis?" she asked.

Miguel nodded. "They hail from Coruscant in the Temple of the Jedis."

"I wish I knew." said Lilee. "I wish I knew at least one of my parents." she clutched her drink in both hands. Taeya put a comforting hand on her thigh.

"Maybe one day you will find them...or at least one of them." said Miguel. "Until then, never stop being the sweet, caring Lilee Malei okay?"

Lilee smiled and nodded. Miguel turned to Taeya.

"And you too sweetie cake." he said. "Never stop being so darn cute!"

"Okay!" said Taeya flashing a toothy smile.

"And Roam," said Miguel turning to him. "You take good care of these young ladies here okay? Protect them any way you can. They are special. Stay with them."

Roam nodded. He would of course.

The three walked out of the bar and back to their stands for the rest of the day. It began to grow dark as Lilee and the rest of the stand owners packed up to go home for the night. The Malei's and the Leawor's, Roam's family, rode home together since they lived across the road. It was getting cooler out, and Lilee wrapper her head shawl around her shoulders. She felt and eeriness she had never felt before. It was colder than cold... and black. So very black. What could it be?

The two families reached their houses and bid each other goodnight, wishing sweet dreams and good things to one another. Lilee and Taeya fed their Laandi's and brought the baskets and jewelry back into the house for the night. They had sole a lot of food and would have to get up early again tomorrow.

"Mother?" yelled Lilee. "Father!." she stopped and looked around the house. Everything was the way she had left if before they went to the plaza that morning. She felt that coldness again. It reached out and slapped her across the face, as if it was trying to tell her something. She watched as her sister too, realized their parents hadn't arrived yet.

"They'll be back soon right?" asked Taeya. "It's getting dark."

"Of course sweets." said Lilee. "Now lets go change into something more comfortable and clean."

In the washroom, Lilee slipped into her only smooth, silk dress. She felt like a princess wearing it, proud and beautiful. She tied her hair up in a matching ribbon and smiled at the figure staring back at her in the mirror. She splashed her dirty face with water, and went into her room, allowing Taeya to change.

Two hours later, it was very dark and her parents had not returned. Taeya was in the sitting room, asleep on the couch, and Lilee was in the kitchen looking out of the window waiting for her parents to arrive. She was getting nervous, not only for her parents, but for herself and her sister too. Robbers, bounty hunters, and criminals roamed the streets at night making them very dangerous for innocent people. Noone was here to protect her and she had no knowledge of self defense. Suddenly a knock came at the door. Lilee opened it a crack, to see who it was. When she saw it was Roam, she let him in.

"Roam! What are you doing here? It's not safe!" hissed Lilee.

"Lilee that's exactly why I am here!" said Roam closing the door. "It's not safe."

Lilee signed. "I thank you for coming, but you don't need to do this."

Roam held up his blaster. "Yes I do. You don't know anything about defending yourself."

Lilee sighed again. She wasn't going to win. "Okay Roam, but keep quiet. You'll wake Taeya."

Roam nodded and sat down at the tiny quitted table. "I noticed your parents weren't home yet, and to say the least I'm a little worried."

Lilee pulled down two glasses from the cabinet and poured a hot drink into each of them.

"I'm very worried Roam." she said putting the cups on the table. "You have no idea."

The wind began to howl outside and she could hear the sand blowing against the house. She thought of her parents out there alone in the dangers of this planet. The horrible dangers. That feeling of blackness swept over her again, and she sighed heavily. It seemed to speak to her, trying to give her a message, but she did not understand. At that point she didn't want to.

"I'm here." whispered a voice inside her head. A deep voice, full of power, and sincerity. She looked around, but only saw Roam, looking worried staring out the window. She did not understand. She couldn't understand.

Hours passed and there was still no sign of Lilee's parents. Roam had carried Taeya to her bed hours before and he and Lilee were still seated at the kitchen table, waiting for anything.

"Roam, I'm scared." said Lilee.

The young man patted his companion's hand.

"They'll come home." he said. Lilee stared at him blankly.

"I think you need sleep Lil." said Roam looking into her eyes.

Lilee let the hand resting on her chin collapse on the table. "Yes I guess you're right." she said, and rose.

"I'll still be here until your parents come." said Roam facing her.

"Thank you," whispered Lilee.

"Look Lilee," said Roam "Everything will be allright."

Lilee did not smile. Tears filled her eyes, but she fought them. She couldn't cry now. Not when there was still hope. Roam leaned over and kissed Lilee's forehead, slightly surprising her, but making her feel safe... protected.

"Goodnight Lilee." he said.

Lilee shut the door to her room and collapsed on her bed. Her sister was fast asleep nearby, her breathing slow and her movements nonexistent. How she loved Taeya. She would do anything in the galaxy for her. She hoped everything would be allright.

Silently, Lilee slipped under her warm quilt, and fell fast asleep before she knew it. A man stood in front of her. The same man she dreamed of every night. Her father. And for the first time he spoke to her.

"Trust the force." he said. "It flows through you like a river of flowing water. Feel it. I am near."

He was so real, so lifelike. Lilee wanted to reach out and touch his face, but somehow she couldn't.

"I love you." said the man, and Lilee awoke with a jerk. She was sweating and full of questions. She looked out the window. She must have been asleep for a couple hours now, but she knew she wouldn't be able to sleep anymore.

~The Tale of a Flower - Part 5~

Lilee could hear voices coming from her kitchen. She rose excitedly and opened her door to be met by Roam, his parents, and strange man, all sitting at her kitchen table. They all stared at her, surprised. Roam looked at her as if he was trying to tell her something. Something important.

"Lil-Lilee sit down sweetie." said Mrs. Leawor.

This was not good news. Sitting down was not good. Not good at all. Carefully, Lilee sat in her chair. Her fingers under the folds of her dress shook as she waited for what was coming next.

"Lilee," began Mr. Leawor. "This man here has some news on your parents." Lilee turned her eyes towards the tall young man wearing silver armor. She waited for him to speak, not wanting him to.

"Uh - I'm Swe Badana. I uh...was traveling from Sa'licaa to here in Nickala and found your parents." he paused and took a deep breath. "Apparently Lilee, they were robbed and then killed by criminals. I uh, I'm sorry to have to bring you this news." The man spoke slowly and carefully, as if he didn't want to harm the child in any way, but knowing he would no matter what.

Lilee sat frozen in her chair. She knew what that feeling meant now, and she didn't like it. Not one bit. Not at all. She sat there not moving, averting her eyes from everyone, not wanting them to look at her... see her face. This was too much to bear. Her parents were gone. Gone forever. Gone so she will never touch them again. She will never feel her mothers soft skin against hers as she rocked her to sleep. She would never again see her mother as she was everyday, her long brown hair braided down her back, and she would never hear her voice that never rose above a gentle tone. She would never feel her father's warm embrace as he protected her, or see his kind eyes that danced whenever he smiled. She would never again see, smell, hear, touch, or experience her parents as they always were again. Her beloved parents that took her in as their daughter even when they couldn't support her. They were no more. Never to be there. She didn't want that. Not now. Her sister. She had to support her and love her for theree people now. What about the house? The stand? Her life? Her sister's life? She was alone. All alone. In the cold world where everything can harm her and there was noone to help her. Noone. In the whole galaxy. Noone to experience her pain with her, except Taeya. She was a little girl, now responsible and forced to face billions and billions and billions of people and society head on. Out of the midst of her pain, she heard a faint voice.

"Lilee?" asked Roam's gentle voice.

"Yes?" she stammered.

"Lilee dear we know what it's like...." began Mrs. Leawor.

"Naiia," Mr. Leawor cut in. "Not now. Can't you see she needs this to sink in? Let's leave her be for now." he rose to leave.

"Oh Milan, we can't leave her alone!" exclaimed Mrs. Leawor.

"I'll stay with her." said Roam, who looked at Lilee. Lilee nodded.

"It is dangerous." she said. "It's okay."

"Okay child," said Mrs. Leawor. "If you need anything at all, please come to us. Anything."

"Yes, thank you," said Lilee quietly, and nodded to Swe who whispered: "Good luck."

Lilee let them out and collapsed on the couch in the sitting room. Roam sat across from her, eyeing her every move. Lilee signed and wiped her eyes. She had to think. One question appeared in her head at that moment. A question that need answering in the cruelest way.

"Well," she said to Roam. "What do I do now?"

Roam stared at her, not being able to answer. Suddenly Lilee's face fell and she began to sob. She was put under a burden she couldn't sustain. She missed her parents. Terribly. She sobbed so loud, Roam shut the door and pulled Lilee into his lap as she cried and cried. He rocked her back and forth, stroking her head. She sobbed like never before, experiencing pain like she never felt. She didn't know what to do, where to go. She was nothing. Nowhere. She wailed on his shoulder asking "Why? Why did this happen?" she couldn't stop, her sobs were taking over her body. After a while, her body was empty of tears and she began to fall asleep in Roam's arms asking "Why?" Before long she was asleep, anticipating the comfort of her dreams.

~The Tale of a Flower - Part 6~

A bolt of sunlight shot through the small window in Lilee's sitting room and spread across her eyes. They fluttered open, and she turned her head to look around. Roam was gone. She was no longer in his safe, comfmortable arms, sleeping like a child. Instead she was stretched across the sofa, the sunlight spreading through the room like a wildfire. She had not had any dreams that night. Nothing. Just blackness. Her heart felt empty inside, like some part of it had wasted away. And indeed it had. Lilee sat up and brushed the hair out of her eyes. Outside, people were on their way to their stands, unaware that her life was gone. She news and various rumors would spread like creamm all over the town when they saw that the Malei's were ot at their stand. They never missed a day. Not one. Lilee groaned and stood up to go to the kitchen. When she opened the door, she saw Roam setting the table for breakfast. He jerked his head up and looked at Lilee for a long moment. When his mouth finally found words, he said, "Morning Lil."

"Morning." replied Lilee hoarsley, her throat still alseep. "Making breakfast?"

"Well I don't know anything about cooking, but how doess some bread and fresh fruit sound?" he asked.

"It sounds fine." said Lilee still standing. She looked in the direction of her room and immediately thought about Taeya. She moved to the table and slumped into her seat.

"How am I going to tell this to Taeya?" she asked.

Roam sat facing her, his eyes with no expression.

"I have no idea." he said. "Just tell her the truth."

Lilee turned her eyes till they met Roam's.

"I couldn't handle the truth." she said to him. "What makes you think Taeya will?"

"You're both strong,and she really is very much like you. You handled it pretty well. I was actually proud of you." he said quietly.

"Maybe I handled it well on the outside, but how do you know what's going on inside of me?" challenged Lilee.

Roam kept his mouth shut while they ate in silence, Lilee's mind racing the whole time trying to figure out how to tell a seven year old that her parents were robbed and killed by criminals. Her thoughts were interupted by a hissing sound and the door of her room slid open revealing her little sister mangled from her sleep. Taeya rubbed her eyes and looked around the sunny kitchen.

"How come we're not at the stands?" she asked sleepily. "Where's mommy and daddy?"

Lilee sighed under her breath and lifted her head to meet Taeya's eyes.

"Tae, sit down." she said gently.

Taeya did as she was told and sat at the head of the table... eyeing the bowl of fruit in the middle.

"Taeya," began Lilee. "Mommy and daddy aren't coming back." she cringed waiting for her little sister's response.

"What do you mean?" asked Taeya wide-eyed.

"Well, uh. They fell asleep and aren't going to wake up." said Lilee choosing her words carefully like Swe did. Now she knew how he felt.

"You mean I'll never get to see them again?" asked Taeya.

"Of course you will!" said Lilee. "In your dreams. In here." she pointed to Taeya's head. "And in here." she pointed to her heart. "They will always be there."

"Why not here?" asked Taeya pointing to the floor.

"Because they can't be here when they're sleeping." said Lilee. "But their spirits will always be around us. Like thier love. Forever and ever."

"Will I be able to touch them?" asked Taeya, clutching her blanket.

"No Taeya, you won't." replied Lilee as if she had been defeated somehow.

"Lilee?" asked Taeya, her eyes filled with tears.

"What?" she replied, her own eyes beginning to water.

"I miss mommy and daddy." she sobbed and crawled into Lilee's lap who kissed the top of her head, her own tears spilling onto her little sister's head. Roam looked on, his own eyes welling up.

~The Tale of a Flower: Part 7~

The sun began to set as a crowd of people huddled together in the center of the plaza. The funeral pyre was set up and the bodies of Lilee's parents were yet to be delivered, by Swe Badana himself, who graciously offered to bring them to their funeral.

Lilee wrapped her cloak around herself tighter as the night air grew colder, and listened to the whispers up ahead. She and Taeya had ridden their Laandi's to the plaza for their parents' funeral, but Taeya was not going to stay long. She would not witness her parents' creamation.

Lilee jumped off of her Laandi and was met by Roam who hugged her and led her and Taeya to the pyre. The people cleared a pathway for them, offering their condolences as they passed, slightly annoying Lilee. Condolences were the last thing she needed... or wanted.

An older woman leaned over and whispered into Lilee ear.

"I really am sorry, sweet Lilee." she said. "I know how you must feel."

Lilee nodded towards the old woman, but didn't hear one word she said. She didn't want to. Suddenly everyone around her was whispering to her, trying to tell her they were sorry, as if the death of her parents was their fault. Lilee didn't want this. She wanted to be left alone. She couldn't gather her thoughts here. Everything was distracting her. The whispers and the comments. They were more of a niusance than a help. A small tear trickled down her cheek as the frustration shined through. Lilee quickly wiped it away and ignored everybody around her.

A commotion waved through the crowd as Swe Badana arrived with Lilee's parents. He dragged the cart through the crowd and carefully placed each body on the pyre. After closing the cart, he walked up to Lilee who whispered a thank you, and Swe set off to his business. Taeya began to wimper as Lilee led her up the small steps to be next to their parents. Lilee knelt down next to her mother and looked at Taeya who did the same. Quietly, so only she and Taeya could hear, she whispered into her mother's ear:

"I never thought it would turn out like this mother," she began. "but I know you left loving us. Now that you're gone, a piece of our hearts is missing, and we miss them, but we know we will never get them back. We love you, and miss you already. We'll get by so please don't worry about us." Taeya began to cry, but Lilee continued. "Remember that song you sang to us when we were little? The pretty one about the flower? It went:

I love you like the flowing wind;
hugs the trees and the flower petals;
and the colors of the dimming sky;
when behind the valley the sun settles.

And I sit here now to tell you a story;
from the deepest of the valley to the tallest tower;
a story full of truth and shining in glory;
my dears, I tell you;
the tale of a flower.

One day the flower of which I speak;
will stand to face the doom;
the dangers of life she will not find bleak;
it is then
the flower will bloom.

And in her life this lovely flower;
will fall and wilt away;
but she knows she has the power;
to rise again to stay.

And now I end the tale of a flower;
who lived a life of doom;
who rose again in glorified power;
and finally, she bloomed.

"Do you think we could wake them up?" asked Taeya hopefully.

Lilee stared at her sister for a moment before shaking her head. Taeya left no expression on her face after that, but Lilee could tell that deep down, Taeya knew what was going on. That their parents were dead.

"Daddy." whispered Lilee. "We miss you. A lot. We will forever feel your presence around us though, so that we look forward to. I miss everything about you. The way you would shelter us from a storm, or the way you would and mother would sing while gardening. I feel...I fell that you're here, but you're not. I promise we will be okay, and take good care of Taeya. Please don't worry about us, and wherever you are, tell mother not to worry about us either. You know how she is." Lilee paused, and looked at Taeya.

"Do you want to tell daddy something?" she asked her.

Taeya could only nod as she slid next to her father's ear.

"Listen to Lilee daddy. She's like my mommy now. She will take good care of me. And if you can, please wake up. Please daddy, wake up. Please." Taeya began to cry and looked at Lilee who returned her gaze. Suddenly, something connected between the girls, and it was almost as if Lilee could hear Taeya's thoughts. They both leaned closer to their beloved father and whispered:

"We love you daddy." and rose to walk away.

Lilee helped Taeya onto her Laandi, and Naiia Leawor looked on from ahead.

"Why aren't you coming home?" asked Taeya.

"I'm going to stay a little while longer to talk to the people." said Lilee. "I'll come home soon."

"Okay." said Tayea.

"Taeya?" asked Lilee. "Mommy and daddy will always be with us okay? Tru and be happy, but if you have to cry, go ahead. Mommy and daddy will be there with you. They love you."

Taeya nodded and kicked the Laandi's side to make it walk. She met up with Mrs. Leawor and the two began to head home together. Taeya kept on looking back at her sister, who watched them until they were out of sight. Roam walked up to Lilee just as she was turning around.

"How is she taking it?" he asked.

"Better than I thought she would." said Lilee.

"You're both brave." he said. "I'm not surprised."

Lilee nodded and continued to walk to the pyre. Now that Taeya was gone, they were going to creamate the Malei's. This was something Lilee was not prepared to watch.

Mr. Leawor lit the torch and put it up against the pyre. It burst into flames, and Lilee looked on, accepting the fact that her parents were really gone, but at the same time, she didn't want to. Lilee buried her face in Roam's chest and cried until there were no more tears left.

~The Tale of a Flower - Part 8~

The ashes of Lilee's parents were placed in two intricately carved boxes and given to Lilee before she prepared to leave. On her mother's it said "Elio sa na til da dribt nachya; hy rind buna ladtra sa hura ki buna grana; hy udra ji frua sa greta na dira; doi bruna ji ninda virua ce shira." which translated into Basic meant "Death to me is a sweet repose; it upped the bud to show me the rose; it broke my cage to let me fly; and build my happy most on high." Lilee thought the phrase fitting, and ran her hand over the ornate carving. Her father's was shorter, but had a blunt meaning. "sadea til da drua forlara; doi bur di bala chira; buna drian peranda til fra; yuna dras harila ki na." which translated to "Youth is a fading flower; and this we often see; the truth whereof is now; you may behold in me."

Lilee wasn't leaving so fast. She wanted everybody gone, and luckily, they retreated faster than she thought they would.

Finally, she was alone so to speak, next to the pyre. Roam was waiting for her at the edge of the plaza on his Laandi. Lilee knew he wouldn't leave her alone. Not for one minute.

Lilee sat on the steps of the pyre, thinking about her parents. This was hard to accept, and she placed the two wooden boxes on the pyre and stared at them. Her parents were in there. The people that raised her and loved her for who she was. The parents that brought her wonderful little sister into the world, and gave her life...

Suddenly, she began to fun. She ran faster than any racer, through the plaza, through the neighborhoods, until she reached the edge of town. She wanted to run away from her problems, from her life. It had become unbearable. She needed to be renewed, to find herself. She ran past a shack where Corie sat on the steps. He saw her go by and yelled out ehr name, but she didn't hear. She was too busy wondering what she was doing. Suddenly a hand reached out and took a firm grasp of her, causing her to cry out in pain, and she found herself in darkness.

Lilee's head ached as she slowly rose from her position. She looked around herself and realized she was in a ship, in space, and drifting away from her beloved Ord Mantell. She was inside a prison cell in front of the cockpit, not even big enough to fit two people. A tall, grotesque looking alien dressed in gold armor over his green, scaley skin stood over some controls in the corner. His eyes were yellow and evil.

"Who are you?" demanded Lilee as the alien walked in her direction.

"Ah," said the alien. "I thought the only thing you could do was sleep."

"What do you want from me?" she demanded again.

"Only to make a profit." said the alien. "You will make a fine pet for his Majesty."

"Whose majesty?" asked Lilee frightened.

"Why, King Zuna of course. Of the planet Di'nabi." said the alien with what seemed like a grin.

"I am NOONE'S pet!" screamed Lilee. "Where are you taking me! I want to go home!"

"You are going home." said the alien. "Your new home."

Lilee began to sob and her planet drifted further and further away. It was all happening so fast, she couldn't get a grip.

"Take me home!" she sobbed.

The alien didn't even look at Lilee as she sobbed in the prison cell behind him. She noticed that he began to breath funny, with a strange wheezing sound, she slumped back into the cell.

"That blasted friend of yours shot away my last hydrogen cartridge." said the alien. "Now I have to make a detour and pick up some more before I choke from lack of it. You know if he hadn't done that we would have gotten to Di'naba by now."

Lilee said nothing as she cowered in the corner. She thought of the people back home. Corie, Roam, her sister. They must be going ballistic. She didn't want them to, as if they didn't have enough troubles. Lilee silenty cried herself to sleep.

"You are near." said a voice. "Be strong, not afraid, sweet Lilee."

Lilee shuddered and woke up. The bright light eminating from the planet they were orbiting shone all over the cell and cockpit. She rose and hung on to the bars in the cell.

"Where are we?" she asked.

"Orbiting Gaaka. They have the biggest hydrogen cartridges in the galaxy." said the alien. "After this, you're off to Di'nabi."

Lilee shivered, but remembered that voice. She watched as the alien landed the ship in a busy docked bay, and left Lilee alone to buy the cartridges. She huddled in the corner of the cell again, scared of whatever was out there. She fell asleep again, almost unexpectedly, but drifted out of unconsciousness to the sound of her cell unlocking...

Lilee tried to grasp the moment, but wasn't fully awake. Her eyes fluttered, but fought to close. She finally gained control of her body and slowly opened her eyes. In front of her wasn't the alien, as she had expected. It was a man. A tall man. He had long gray hair pulled back in a clip... and a long brown cloak. She opened her eyes the whole way and stared at him. He looked familiar. Strangely familiar. She slowly sat herself in a sitting position, but kept her eyes on him for the whole time. Her mind drifted awake and jumped as soon as it recognized the man. It was... he was... the man from her dreams! Her... father...

"You..." she stammered.

"Yes." said the man. "It's me Lilee."

"Father?" she asked sleepily, like a child.

"Yes!" the man said excitedly kneeling next to her. "Yes Lilee, It's me... I am your father, Qui-Gon Jinn."

Lilee couldn't grip her mind on the thought that this living, breathing human being was her father...the man who gave her to two people and never came to her in person for years. Her own flesh and blood. The man she was supposed to live her life with, but somehow turned in a different direction.

"How did you know I was here?" she asked him.

"Well, I heard your cries. I've been here for some time." said Qui-Gon.

"How did you hear my cries?" Lilee asked.

"Through the Force my daughter. I knew you had the reflexes." replied Qui-Gon. "But this is no time for explanation. I must get you out of here. Come now." his large, strong hand gripped her arm and lifted her up as if she was a feather. She followed him until he reached the doorway. Suddenly, her father reached into his belt and pulled out a strange handle and turned it on. From it came a brilliant green, and glowing beam of light, like a blade. Never before had she seen something more elegant, yet vaguely familiar.

"Get back Lilee!" yelled her father as he began to battle with the alien who abducted her. She didn't realize he had arrived, but somehow it didn't matter. She knew she was safe.

She ran to the back of the ship and watched as her father bravely fought the alien and his unusually strong blaster. His glowing blade deflected the blasts and hit the alien in the leg. It fell with a loud groan, and Lilee knew this was her time to run. She rushed to her father who led her out of the ship and through the busy spaceport.

"Where are we going?" she asked Qui-Gon.

Qui-Gon didn't look at her, but kept walking straight ahead. "Where you have your heart set on going."

He didn't have to explain that to Lilee. Her father seemed so calm. So calm after being reunited with his daughter after so many years. He was almost unreal to Lilee, like something out of a dream, but then again, he was.

~The Tale of a Flower - Part 10~

Qui-Gon and Lilee rushed through the busy streets of the spaceport. Lilee was slightly nervous in such a strange place. She never remembered being away from her comfortable life back on Ord Mantell.

"Stay close to me." said her father.

Lilee nodded and moved closer to him, felling his soft cloak against her arm. She had never felt more safe in her life. It was almost as if he had a white aura that was protecting her from even thinking she wasn't safe.

The pair arrived at a smaller hangar, and stood before a large, rust colored ship that looked as though it had been through alot.

"Come on Lilee." said Qui-Gon, "We're going home." He gave her a warm smile that gave her the realization that this was her father, her own flesh and blood. His smile looked just like hers.

Qui-Gon led his daughter up the ramp and into the ship. Lilee stared at her surroundings. Everything looked luxurious, prim, and proper. The co-pilots chair felt warm and soft as Lilee sat back and waited for them to take off. Qui-Gon sat in the pilot's chair and looked at Lilee, who smiled his smile.

"Well, you've had quite an adventure." said Qui-Gon returning her smile.

"Yes, I suppose so." said Lilee, "but how-" she was suddenly interuppted by the voice of another passenger on the ship.

"Master!" said the voice, and Lilee turned around to be met by the presence of a tall man dressed like her father, but much younger. "You've returned!"

"Yes my young padawan, and I've brought someone with me." replied Qui-Gon rising out of the pilot's seat. "I'd like you to meet my daugter, Lilee."

Lilee stood up and faced the young man. A look of disbelief crossed his handsome face.

"Your-your daughter?" he said finally.

Qui-Gon nodded, and Obi-Wan sagged and slumped into the pilot's seat.

"I didn't know you had a daughter master." he said with one hand on his forehead.

"Well, now you do." said Qui-Gon.

"How did this... why... how can this be?" asked with his head propped on his elbow, still with a look of disbelief on his face.

Qui-Gon motioned for Lilee to sit in a soft, plush chair and he sat in the co-pilot's seat. "Take off and head for Ord Mantell. I'll tell you on the way there."

Obi-wan switched on the ships computer and guided it out of the spaceport and into the deep, vastness of the galaxy. He put it on auto-pilot, and sat back in his seat looking at Qui-Gon, who had no expression on his face. Lilee sat and watched the silent communication between the two, saying nothing, but knowing the two of them had special ways of talking to each other, like she and Qui-Gon did.

Finally, Qui-Gon spoke. "You two have both been yearning to know how Lilee was brought into my life. Well, it's all quite simple, yet so complicated." he turned to them and they both watched them with large, questioning eyes. "When your mother, Lilee, was pregnant with you, we were called to a planet inhabited by the Sith. I didn't want to leave your mother, so I unwillingly took her with me, in case she gave birth, I wanted to be there to see my first born child. While there, I infiltrated some secret files in the database, and was accidentally discovered. When I arrived at our ship, your mother was in labor. I certainly couldn't take off with her in labor, but the Sith warriors were coming. Now let me remind you, the Sith were quite angry with me, and had their hearts set on killing me, and everything I had with me, including you and your mother. One of them, stood outside the ship, and knew what was going on inside by the Dark Side of the Force. He knew! And there wasn't anything I could do, but hide you. When we took off, they knew who I was, who your mother was, and who you were. There was nothing I could do, but hide you, and save your life. I couldn't allow myself any contact with you, to be sure the Sith would not find you. I was not about to let you be taken by the Sith and killed... or worse."

Lilee was sitting watching Qui-Gon with an expressionless face. She had to let this whole story register. "So you brought me to Ord Mantell to... my parents?" she asked.

Qui-Gon nodded. "Yes. They were good friends of mine and could readily keep you safe from harm. I trusted them with you, and from the looks of it, they've done a wonderful job." he smiled.

Lilee smiled back and lowered her eyes. "Why didn't you come to see me at least once?" she asked.

Qui-Gon sighed and sat back. "It was too dangerous, child. The Sith have been after me ever since, but now, they're extinct. Or so we think. Whoever is left probably doesn't know about you. I was coming to see you, and felt your cries and knew where you were. We were always connected, Lilee."

Lilee nodded in understanding. She understood. Obi-Wan did the same, and Lilee knew that he understood as well.

"I just wanted to be sure that we were absolutely safe from the Sith." said Qui-Gon.

Lilee shifted in her seat, trying to get her next question out, but debating whether she should ask it.

"Where is my mother?" she asked.

His eyes opened wide, and Qui-Gon took a deep breath. "Well Lilee, your mother is gone. The Sith got to her, thinking she knew the secrets that I knew. I couldn't protect her. It was just so unexpected...." his voice trailed off. Lilee knew what he was thinking about, and she felt awful to ask such a question.

"I...I'm sorry father." she said softly. Obi-Wan put a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"It's okay Lilee." said Qui-Gon. "I wanted you to know."

There was a long pause. Lilee could see that Obi-Wan was sneaking glances at her. He was probably trying to register this too.

"Father..." began Lilee.

Qui-Gon looked up at his daughter.

"My parents...they're gone too." she said quietly. Qui-Gon stared at her.

"I'm sorry Lilee. I didn't know. How could I not have known?" he stood up and hugged her. "You're alone now aren't you?"

"No, I'm not." replied Lilee. "I do have a little sister, and some good friends. I'm far from alone."

Qui-Gon let go of her. "Good." he said. "I don't know how long I'll be able to stay. If I stay at all. A Jedi's job is never over."

Lilee let out a soft laugh. She knew that. Everyone who knew what a Jedi was knew that.

"I will always be with you though Lilee, even if I'm not." said Qui-Gon.

"I know." replied Lilee looking up at him. "But, what happens now?"

"I'll know when we get to Ord Mantell." said Qui-Gon.

Obi-Wan just looked at the two with a far away look on his face.

DISCLAIMER: This story is fictional and was not used to make money in any way. All the characters: Qui-Gon and the like are property of LucasFilm. No infringement intended.