Private Oathsworn

[Thirdas Heavenshield]

Fondor
Jedi Temple

Nida Heavenshield Valery Noble ​

When he last strode these halls, he'd been a soldier. Stoic, rigid, alert. Chieftain of the Ironsides. This man was none of these, not anymore, and his intent for retracing these same steps was entirely different. His heart lay elsewhere now, the source of this change in him walking beside him. There she was, in the flesh, and not some mirage or wish-fulfillment concocted by a preoccupied mind. Nida Perl had returned, their love reignited, and yet the Young Lion's fealty sworn to the Grandmaster of the New Jedi Order remained intact. Before they could embark on their new life together, Thirdas must first ask to be released from his vow.

Honour demanded it; may none speak of the Lion's wanton disregard for oaths taken.

"I'm actually nervous," he whispered, adjusting the collar of his dress uniform feeling more restrictive than ever. The occasion demanded the very finest; decorations, ribbons, rank insignias, and campaign badges worn to their fullest extent. "I've trod these steps many times, but this is different."

Feeling her hand in his, he siphoned from her all the strength and courage necessary to stand in Valery's presence and impress upon her the urge to step down from his duties. But it wasn't merely the Grandmaster's approval he sought, but that of his battle-brothers. His Ironsides had remained by his side since the Battle of Sev Tok and their last stand at Anvil. They've fought together for years, first under the battalion banner of the 88th, then as Ironside's Irregulars. Their opinion in this matter meant everything to him.

"Commanding Officer on deck," a strong voice barked as they turned the corner.

Upon finally reaching the Council Chambers, where his oath as huscarl to the Grandmaster had been sworn in full, the couple were met by the striking image of all eleven members of Thirdas' unit standing at attention, each having donned their finest. Ezekiel Creed, his first officer and longest-serving brother, stepped forth with impeccable form. They exchanged no words, but rather a look of supreme respect as Creed brushed away the slightest crease on his Chieftain's uniform. Stepping aside, Creed and the others began pounding his chests in unison, rythmically paying homage to their fearless leader.

As Thirdas walked past, he stopped to look each man in the eye, knowing they might never see each other again. There would be time for a proper send-off in the hours to come, but for now this show of loyalty and reverence had to suffice. Into the chambers they proceeded.

There stood Valery, practically glowing in her brilliant radiance. Thirdas approached, Nida at his side, then knelt in the centre of the room.

"Lady Noble. Honoured Grandmaster. Sword of the Jedi."

Titles he knew she cared little for, but today could prove the last he might address her as such. Not knowing how to best broach the subject, he briefly glanced over at Nida for reassurance. Feeling like he was about to betray an oath, this went against every fibre of his being.

"I, uh... I don't..."

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Lightsabers

Valery stood with her hands folded lightly in front of her, her amber gaze soft but steady as Thirdas knelt before her. The weight of the moment was palpable, not just in the way he hesitated to speak but in the silent presence of his battle-brothers, their show of respect echoing like a heartbeat through the chambers. Her expression softened further, a warm smile curving her lips as she stepped forward.

"Rise, Thirdas," she said gently, her voice carrying an almost maternal warmth that contrasted with the formal grandeur of the moment. "You don't need to kneel before me, especially not here. You're among family."

Her gaze shifted briefly to Nida, and her smile deepened with genuine kindness. "Nida," she greeted, dipping her head slightly in acknowledgment. "It's wonderful to see you. Thirdas speaks fondly of you whenever I see him." The same way that Valery often gushed about her husband.

It was cute.

Valery returned her attention to Thirdas, her tone calm and encouraging. "You've walked these halls as a soldier, a leader, and a protector. And now you return with something on your heart that's not easy to say. Whatever it is, speak freely. I'm here to help you."

Her eyes, glowing with her characteristic fire but tempered with patience, locked onto his. "What's weighing on you, Thirdas?" she asked, her voice low and steady. "How can I help?"

She waited, her presence a steadying force, offering him the space to find his words.

Thirdas Heavenshield Nida Heavenshield ​

 

[Nida Heavenshield]

Nida could not recall the last time she'd been to Fondor – or if she'd ever been.

Still, the halls seemed to hold an almost ethereal energy. Perhaps because she and Thirdas were on the precipice of the life they'd always envisioned. Throughout their walk, and during their brief meeting with the Ironsides, Nida stroked the back of Thirdas' hand with her thumb with a slow, soothing rhythm.

Seeing him with his battle-brothers was a glimpse of the life he'd had in her absence. She smiled to them, silent and thankful.

"Grandmaster Noble." Nida bowed her head before the woman, returning her gesture. "What a pleasure it is to see you, too. Congratulations on your newest arrival."

A healthy birth, she'd been told.

Thirdas' searching glance caught her eye. Nida slipped her hand from his grasp, and laid it on his shoulder, where she squeezed in reassurance. It was like silk pressing against steel.

"We've something to ask of you, Grandmaster."

Though her timid nature had faded with time and age, she was still very soft-spoken. Now, her words came with a gentle surety rather than a nervous stammer. Nida looked to Thirdas with a smile of encouragement.

"About the life we wish to pursue with one another."

Thirdas Heavenshield Valery Noble

 

[Thirdas Heavenshield]

At Valery's bidding did he rise. She was kind, and thoughtful, and compassionate, always. She represented everything he thought Jedi should be, and that only made what he came to say that much more difficult. That reassuring smile from Nida, however, reminded him of what he stood to gain.

"Ma'am, you know my quality. I've stood and fought by your side this last year as your sworn huscarl. I took an oath to protect you, swearing allegiance only to you," he began, feeling his parched throat become braver by each syllable. "And I am not one to break an oath once taken. But..."

He looked to Nida, and reached for her hand.

"I also made a promise to an old friend, in his final moments. He asked that, once we are reunited, Nida and I go and live the life he never got to enjoy. That we've never got to enjoy. Now that she's returned to me, I must follow my heart's desire after a decade of denial."

Thirdas bowed his head.

"Which is why I must ask your permission, ma'am. I humbly request that you free me from my oath to you, so that I may finally live the life I've longed for. I cannot in good conscience break my word and disappear, for the shame would be too great to live down. It would hound me 'til my dying day, and I would never forgive myself."

He lifted his gaze to meet Valery's, those amber eyes piercing his very essence. It hurt his eyes just to look at her, the sting of oncoming tears not doing him any favours. He was genuinely saddened to leave her service so soon, but for the sake of his happiness it had to be done.

"You have been a most kind and considerate master to my men and I, Lady Noble. You've restored my faith in the Jedi, and hope for a lasting peace among the stars. To serve you has been a joy, Grandmaster. Absolute joy."

Nida Heavenshield Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Lightsabers

Valery's expression softened further as Nida spoke, and the mention of her newborn daughter brought a radiant smile to her lips. Her fiery amber eyes brightened with warmth, and she inclined her head in gratitude.

"Thank you, Nida. Yvaine is healthy and absolutely adorable — she's already got her father wrapped around her little finger," Valery said with a soft laugh. "We're so grateful for her and for the family we've built. It means a lot to hear you mention her."

As Thirdas began to speak, Valery's smile remained, though it took on a more solemn note. She listened intently, her hands folding lightly in front of her. His words carried the weight of deep conviction, a lifetime of service, and the fragile but powerful love he had rediscovered. She could feel the conflict within him, but more than that, she saw the man who stood before her with honor and courage, asking for her understanding.

When he reached for Nida's hand and spoke of his old friend's dying wish, Valery's gaze briefly flickered to the floor. The memories of her own pain came rushing back — the days when Kahlil had fallen to the Dark Side, and later, when she had believed him gone for good. Those were moments when her world had felt shattered, her heart an empty void, and she'd sworn that she would never stand in the way of love for anyone else. Love had saved her, just as it was saving Thirdas now.

She looked back at him, her eyes glowing not with judgment, but with compassion. As he finished, Valery stepped closer, her presence calm but filled with the energy of understanding and encouragement.

"Thirdas," she began, her voice steady but warm. "You've given everything to the Jedi, to the Alliance, and to me personally as my guard. Your service has been more than I could have ever asked for, and your loyalty has been unwavering." She paused, her gaze flicking to Nida with a gentle smile before returning to him.

"But I know what it means to be separated from the one you love. I've lived that pain, and I've seen what it does to the heart and soul. No Jedi, no person, should ever have to choose between love and duty when both can shape us into better people."

Valery took another step forward, her hand resting briefly on his shoulder, her grip light but firm. "You don't need my permission, Thirdas, but you have my blessing, wholeheartedly. You are free from your oath. Go, live the life you've longed for with Nida by your side. It's what your heart is telling you to do, and it's what you deserve."

She straightened, her expression softening into a smile that carried pride and genuine affection. "Thank you, Thirdas, for everything you've done. For your service, for your courage, and for reminding us all that love is one of the strongest forces in the galaxy."

Her eyes flicked back to Nida, her smile deepening. "Take care of each other. Build the life you both deserve. And know that wherever you go, you'll always have a place here with us."

Valery stepped back, giving them space and time for their moment. Her chest felt lighter, her resolve stronger. Letting him go wasn't easy, but it was the right thing to do.

Thirdas Heavenshield Nida Heavenshield ​

 

[Nida Heavenshield]

"Yvane," Nida repeated. Her voice was light, but steady. "A fine name. I - we - " she looked to Thirdas "- would love to visit her. The whole family, too. If you'll allow."

She'd missed quite a lot during her journey through the Outer Rim. Two of Valery's children were grown enough to be Padawans, now, where they'd just been small things the last time she'd met with the Grandmaster. The blood relation she shared with them had not been lost on Nida. Perhaps, the only time she'd been thankful for her connection to Darth Carnifex , and thus, Kahlil Noble .

Thirdas began, broaching the subject in a way that only he could. The Zeltron fell quiet, but her presence did not diminish, radiating a silent warmth beside her love as he spoke. She felt his words sink into her core, and in deep violet irises danced both admiration and affection for the man before her.

Then, she squeezed his hand and looked to Valery. Though confident in the Sword's compassionate nature, there was an unmistakable plea in Nida's gaze.

She was reminded of Valery's own struggles with her love, earlier in their relationship. The healer only knew snippets, but it was enough to piece together heartbreak. This woman, who had been though and unfathomable amount of pain and joy in her own lifetime, gave them her blessing.

A beat passed, during which elation took hold of her expression. She bowed her head to Valery.

"Thank you, Grandmaster. Your blessing means as much as it would coming from my own mother."

Straightening out, she turned to Thirdas and placed her free hand upon his cheek with a blissful smile.

"You have served honorably." Though whispered words were just for him, her voice seemed to carry. "I could not be more proud, nor more in love with you, Thirdas."

Thirdas Heavenshield Valery Noble

 

[Thirdas Heavenshield]

Thirdas fell silent after all was said and done. A lifetime of service — as a Ranger, as an Ironside, and as a huscarl — had come to an end with but a few words, and now he knew not how to react. A soldier's life was all he'd ever known, and part of him was mortified to leave it behind. For those to whom selfless service was everything, to be well and truly on their own was an all the more daunting notion.

Only, he wasn't on his own.

It was Nida's words that broke through to him, causing him to turn and look at her. Were it not for her, he might well have broken into pieces there and then, still torn between duty and love. To receive such praise from not only his charge, but the woman he'd loved his entire life, proved too much to him. He embraced Nida, weeping into her shoulder. He wanted to apologise, not realising just how hard it would hit him to walk away from the life he knew in favour of the life he'd always sought, but no words materialised.

Perhaps it was simply two decades of endless war that finally resurfaced, and the countless lives he'd taken and the friends he'd lost along the way. Perhaps it was survivor's guilt; that he should live while so many did not.

Sniffing, he was able to stem the tide of tears long enough to turn to Valery with an expression of absolute gratitude. He stepped towards her, knelt, reached for her hand, and kissed her ring. With that, his oath was disolved, and his last duty fulfilled. Thirdas stood and embraced the Grandmaster in an unexpectedly familiar fashion.

"Thank you," he uttered softly past her ear. "Thank you, my lady." It took every bit of restraint not to squeeze her too hard, and once over he stepped back with his hands resting upon her shoulders. "When next we meet, I expect it won't be just you carrying little ones," he grinned. "I'll rest easy knowing whomever Nida and I welcome into this world, they'll have plenty of brothers and sisters by the name of Noble."

He then kissed Valery on the cheek before stepping back toward's Nida, wrapping his arms around her waist and smiling down at her, finally at peace. In her violet eyes he saw his entire future; their love, their family, and their joy. Thirdas kissed her right there and then, and whilst their lips remained locked together he whisked her off her feet and carried her as if she were little more than a child.

Before they exited the chambers, Thirdas turned towards Valery with Nida still in his arms, and uttered that timeless phrase.

"May the Force be with you, Valery Noble. Forever and always."

As the two lovers crossed the threshold, both now free to live their life, they were once more greeted by his fellow Ironsides applauding their commander, for they knew in their hearts there was none more deserving. Thirdas lowered Nida to the floor as they were being celebrated, until their chieftain demanded to speak.

"My friends. Long has been our journey together; from the walls of Anvil to the extinction of the Bryn; from the waning days of the Antarian Rangers to the Ironside Crusade; from the liberation of Coruscant to pledging our allegiance to the Grandmaster." He looked each of them in the eye as he spoke. "But each of us must know when it's our time, and this is my time. As I have been absolved from my oath, so do I release you from the oath we all took when forming this band of brothers."

His gaze fell upon Creed, his most loyal and longest-serving battle-brother, whose stone facade appeared to have finally cracked somewhat at his commander's departure. "Lieutenant Colonel Ezekiel Creed," he addressed him. "You have been a rock to these men in my moments of weakness. You've shouldered every burden, and I look upon you as an older brother."

Thirdas plucked a badge of office from his own uniform and pinned it to Creed's, marking him as his chosen successor. "You are Chief Ironside now, and I take comfort in knowing I'll leave Lady Noble in the most capable hands that can be found." Creed kept his composure even as a lone tear marched its way down his cheek. They saluted each other with the utmost love and respect, then shook hands.

"Good luck to you, sir," Creed spoke for the rest of the group. "You know where to find us. Just give us a call, and we'll be there. Ma'am," he nodded to the Zeltron woman, finally understanding what his chieftain had been fighting for all this time.

The Ironsides parted to let the couple pass, and Thirdas took Nida by the hand and did not look back. He only looked to the future.

"Let's try out some of that peace I've heard so much about."

Nida Heavenshield Valery Noble