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jedipoodoo · 1 year ago

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Secret Kingdoms Part Five (Sergeant Hunter x Reader)

Notes: magic and enchantments, impromptu dance party, MC eats peanuts at one point so if you're allergic to peanuts irl you aren't for this chapter. Asajj Ventress makes quick cameo to cause drama likeyado. MC gets really self-deprecating at the end of this one so take care of yourself. Dividers by @saradika . This chapter goes out to @dragonrider9905 who is writing their own medieval Hunter au!! Go check it out!

Oh, and happt belated birthday to @photogirl894

Lula roared in greeting, and rammed her head against your side the way a cat would wrap itself around your leg in an attempt to trip you.

“Woah, easy there girl!” You laughed and held out your arms, letting Lula nuzzle into your chest with a head that was almost as big as your entire body.

“I missed you too, girl,” You told her softly.

Then Padme, of all people, lighted down off the dragon’s back, graceful without even trying, and ran towards you, shouting your name.

“Princess!” You caught her in your arms as she embraced you. She was dressed in a thick woolen gown, and her face was still flushed with hairs escaping her simple braid.

“They said you had a fever!” You scolded.

“I had to make sure you were alright!” She insisted, “Crosshair and the others said they would follow Hunter to Serenno and I begged them to bring you back,” She sobbed against your shoulder, but only for a moment.

“And don’t worry for my condition, the Duchess frets enough for both of us.” She wiped her face and held her head high so that the men wouldn’t see her moment of weakness.

She looked around, finally catching sight of your strange new friends.

“Are these men…” She nodded to the Serennians, suspicious.

“They pose no threat,” You promised Anakin and the others, “They were just as much a victim of Dooku as we were.”

Three of the Serennians bowed to Padme, and the other two did the best they could while supporting each other in their injuries.

“The people of Serenno are at your disposal, your highness,” Their leader said, “The actions of Dooku were not ours.”

Padme nodded with the grace of a queen, “Thank you for your help. Now we have to help Duke Kenobi deal with the rest of your army,” She looked over her shoulder, and you could hear the faint sounds of battle in the distance; the whinny of a horse, metal clanging against metal, and men’s shouts that begged the stars above for victory.

“You mean the golems!” Tech interjected.

The sounds of battle drew your attention, clanging swords, screams of dying men, and hollow cries of the iron-made golems.

You turned to the Serrenians that had become your allies, "Do you know how we can destroy the golems?"

Their leader shook his head, "They didn't trust us enough to show us how it worked."

You ground your teeth in frustration. Grievous was smarter than you thought.

Lula appeared blissfully unaware of the conundrum, pressing her scaled snout low to the leaf-covered ground and sniffing everything within reach. It was a bit hard to try and have a conversation to plan your next step when a large dragon was wandering between everyone and you had to avoid being stepped on.

"Lula!" You scolded as she had two of the Serrenians backed up against the tree, sniffing their armor with great interest. She snorted, sending a huff of smoke up in their faces. Well, if they reminded her of her captors, you couldn't really blame her.

"Come on, you big ugly beast," Crosshair's voice lacked it's typical venom as he tried to urge Lula away from the terrified soldiers.

"Come on, girl!" Wrecker patted her side gently, trying to get her to stay still for a moment.

While they dealt with her, Padme inquired of the goblet in your hands.

You looked down at your hands, clutching the chalice that Grievous had been guarding. "If this is their anchor, how do we destroy it?"

"That..." Tech paused a single finger raised just so, "I am not sure."

"It's a cup! Just smash it!" Wrecker slid down Lula's back and snatched the cup from your hand. Grasping it by the stem, he attempted to smash the bowl of the goblet against a rock. A clap of thunder echoed through the woods, and a ripple of air hit all of you, knocking you off your feet. Hunter threw himself over you, and Tech had attempted to shield Padme from the energy. When you all had gathered your wits, the cup lay on the ground at Wrecker's feet, still intact.

"Nice," Crosshair grunted, brushing leaves from his hair. He had been sitting pretty on Lula's back until the ripple of energy had knocked him off.

Lula crooned curiously, leaning down towards the goblet.

"Lula, no wait!" You had no idea what the dark magic could do to her, but Lula had no fear. She growled at the goblet, and took a deep breath.

"She's gonna blow!" Wrecker grabbed Padme and pulled her behind one of the trees to protect her.

Lula roared with the crackle of white-hot fire as Hunter shielded you with his cloak. Lula shot a powerful, concentrated flame at the goblet, and with an eerie, high-pitched scream, the chalice shattered as if it was just waiting for Wrecker's strike to kick in.

The shriek faded, and a low rumbling echoed through the forest like a minor ground quake.

"Did... Did that do it then?" Wrecker asked.

You looked up, stomping out a stray burn that had caught on the dry leaves of the forest bed. Lula glared at the smoking circle of ash where the chalice had been. She huffed and sat down, satisfied with her handiwork.

"Fascinating," Tech adjusted his spectacles and took a few steps towards the dragon, trying not to startle her, "I had read hearsay of dragon flames defeating dark magic, but I found it quite unprobable. It seems I was wrong."

"For once in your life," Hunter chuckled, and pulled you closer.

Everything happened in a blur after that. The battle was over, and with it went the adrenaline and energy you’d been running on since your escape. Captain Romar and the Serennians officially surrendered to Duke Kenobi with the condition that their people be spared. The only caveat was that Grievous had escaped.

Duke Kenobi enlisted Captain Romar and the Serennian King’s Guard to lead a contingent of men to Serenno, arresting Dooku’s allies and making sure Grievous didn’t return.

In the meantime, the rest of you returned home.

The princess re-entered the capital, flanked by twenty men, including Hunter and his brothers, led by Sir Skywalker. The people lined the roads, throwing flowers for the heroes of the war.

“God save the princess!” They cried, trying to get their blossoms to land in her lap. Young ladies waved their handkerchiefs to catch the attention of the knights. Wrecker waved shyly to the girl whose kerchief landed on his head.

Most of the soldiers stayed in the city to join in the celebrations. Winter was coming closer, and the weather could only be so nice for so long, but you followed the princess inside the castle walls, where the king and queen were waiting for her. Anakin anticipated Padme’s anxiety to see her parents, and was down from his horse in time to help Padme down from hers. She sprinted across the courtyard, meeting her mother halfway there. A few ladies tittered with whispers, but not many could find fault with the king and queen’s joy to see their daughter again.

“Allow me,” Hunter gently placed his hands on your waist and lifted you down from your horse. You gasped in surprise, but you were already on the ground.

Hunter leaned in close to your ear, “Is my lady afraid of a simple knight?” He teased.

“Hunter!” You clasped your hand over your mouth to keep yourself from making any unseemly noises, and ducked your head to hide your blush.

“Apologies, milady,” He whispered, tucking a bit of hair back behind your ear, and with it, a flower, one of the blossoms thrown by the crowd.

You looked up at him at last, and cupped the blossom delicately, stroking its silky petals, and dreamed of wearing a dress that felt so wonderful. You were almost tempted to kiss him, but then you remembered that you were in the middle of the courtyard, surrounded by vulture’s eyes and mockingbird’s beaks.

“I need to be by the princess,” You realized softly. Hunter could sense your reluctance with his own as his eyes softened.

“Okay. I’ll see you at the ceremony?” His hand squeezed your shoulder.

“I think so,” You bit your lip. Out of habit, you reached for your collarbone, trying to feel the pendant Hunter had made you, only to remember in a rush of sadness that it had been lost when you escaped Ohnaka and the pirates.

Padme and her parents were already heading inside, and you needed to take her cloak. Hunter tried to grasp your hand as you hurried after them, only for your fingers to slip through his hand. You kept yourself from looking back. He was a knight, you were a maid. You both had your duties to perform.

The next day, after a royal feast had been held to celebrate Padme’s return, King Ruwee wanted to honor the heroes of the battle with Serenno.

“Why do all of you look gloomier than a cat in the mud?” You asked Hunter’s brothers as you prepared them for the ceremony. Each of them stood stiffly, in polished armor and vibrant ceremonial cloaks, shuffling on timid feet as they eyes darted about the empty hallway. You could hear the murmurs of the assembled courtiers just inside the throne room, and they were about to march out in front of all of them.

Tech chuckled, “It’s…not really our thing.”

“Accolades,” Crosshair tossed his cape over his shoulder, hitting Hunter in the face.

Hunter nudged Crosshair meaningfully, “King Ruwee is doing us a great honor today. Maybe today is finally the day we each get our own titles.”

He tugged at the neck of his cape, and you took the ties from his hands, carefully tying them securely so that the cape rested just so on the shoulders of his polished armor without choking his neck.

Before you could step away, Hunter caught your hand. He placed a kiss as soft as a butterfly’s wing on your knuckles.

“I’ll see you in there, milady,” He murmured as you collected your thoughts.

You couldn’t help the smile that fluttered on your lips, “Good luck, Sir Hunter.”

You left Hunter and his brothers to brace themselves for a different kind of battle, and snuck in through the servant’s halls to make it to your spot at Padme’s side.

Padme sat on her throne, just off to the right of her mother’s high seat. She wrung a handkerchief in her hands, and you could faintly make out a blue flower embroidered on the corner. Embroidery work that she’d done for Sir Anakin.

“Are you alright, your highness?” You asked, placing your hand just over hers to massage her white knuckles.

She flashed a nervous smile at you, “You’ve saved my life, I think we’re past the whole ‘your highness’ thing,” She laughed weakly.

“Padme,” You scolded, “I’m still responsible for your well-being.”

Padme squeezed your hand, “And I will always be grateful for that.”

Before you could press Padme for what was wrong, the trumpets sounded a fanfare. A hush fell through the throne room, and all turned towards the door as they opened with a majestic groan, making way for the heroes of Naboo.

It was the six of them who had been sent to rescue you and Padme: Hunter and his brothers, and Anakin, the man who had ridden through several blockades with just his horse and sword to rescue the princess and bring her to safety.

Hunter and his brothers were credited for the death of Count Dooku, and for that, King Ruwee made each of them a Duke.

Your heart beat erratically as Hunter knelt before the King, the last of his brothers to be dubbed a duke at the edge of the king’s blade. Hunter caught your nervous glance as he knelt, and subtly winked at you before giving the king his focus.

You knew he didn’t understand. A Knight and a servant wasn’t too much of a stretch, but a Duke and a servant were something else entirely. King Ruwee would never allow it, especially if Padme was hoping to marry her own beloved Knight one day.

The court was disappointed that Anakin was only made a duke, particularly when the herald had just finished reading a list of his noble accomplishments, but from the twinkle in Duke Kenobi’s eye, that wasn’t all that King Ruwee had in mind.

King Ruwee handed his sword to Queen Jobal and held out his hand to raise Anakin from the food, as he had done with the others before him. “Rise, Sir Skywalker, Lord of the Varykino lakes.”

The room thundered with applause for the Princess’s heroic rescuer. Anakin smiled for the crowd, but he stood awkwardly under all the attention. King Ruwee took pity on him after a moment and raised his hands for silence.

“As hero of Naboo, I will grant you one boon; whatever you will ask of me, I will grant it.”

The nobles gasped, whispering again at the king’s extreme generosity.

“Your majesty,” Anakin sank to his knees, “As a knight of Naboo, I want for nothing.”

The assembled crowd of nobles tittered approvingly at Anakin’s display of humility, and you rolled your eyes. You knew for a fact that was a lie.

“Except for one thing,” Anakin raised his head to face his king, but his eyes landed on Padme.

“I am afraid, however, that it is not something that you can give me, your majesty.”

King Ruwee looked to his daughter. Padme’s hand rested on her chest, trying to keep her breath steady, but the look she shared with Anakin never wavered.

Ruwee smiled like he knew this was coming.

“Whatever you shall ask, Sir Skywalker, I give you my blessing.”

Anakin slowly pulled himself to his feet with shaking limbs, and you backed away from your position just behind Padme’s throne. Padme stood as Anakin approached her, clutching his hands in her pale fingers.

“Your majesty, Princess,” He whispered. You might have been the only one to hear his heart-melting declaration of love to Padme, but it was just as well. They deserved to have this one thing for themselves in a life full of courtly machinations.

“Yes,” Padme whispered. She broke out into a smile, and Anakin’s forehead rested against hers as he heaved a sigh of relief.

They held hands, but now they turned to face the court.

“Your majesties King Ruwee and Queen Jobal, I ask for your blessing in taking Princess Padme Amidala Naberrie, the first of her name, as my wife.”

Ruwee looked to his wife just to be sure. Jobal dabbed away a tear at the tender display, but nodded all the same.

Cheers all the louder filled the throne room, echoing through the stone chamber. Wrecker perhaps cheered the loudest, but it meant more to you and Hunter than it did to anyone else. He caught your eye as Padme and Anakin linked arms for all the court to see.

”I love you,” He mouthed.

It was a familiar scene, the chandeliers flickering overhead as the minstrels played jaunty tune after jaunty tune. Not only was this ball a celebration of the defeat of Dooku, but now it was also a celebration of the beloved Princess’s engagement. You ran interference with the other nobles to let Anakin and Padme have their moment on the dance floor, the center of everyone’s attention. Even King Ruwee, with his blood pressure, escorted his wife to the dance floor for a turn or two.

You were wearing the shimmering blue gown again, not that anyone else would care. Padme was convinced that the dress had been what caught Hunter’s eye at your first ball, and promised that it would capture his attention. Or at least, it would if you could ever find him in this crowd.

You were trying to distract a few well-wishers with a delicacy of sugared dates and pistachios when you heard a sultry voice.

“The new title suits you, my Lord.”

That voice itself didn’t mean anything to you, until you heard the reply.

“Oh, well thank you.”

You froze. That was Hunter’s voice. In the constant hum of chatter from the around the ballroom, it was hard to make out the tone of his voice, but you spotted him easily enough. He stood with the Baroness Talzin and her daughter, Asajj.

“I have heard of your many exploits in battle, my lord. Should you be looking for a sparring partner, something…different, perhaps, to challenge your skills, I should be happy to lend a hand,” Asajj toasted Hunter with her ruby red goblet of wine. There was no mistaking her tone, she had a little more in mind than simply sparring.

You kept your breathing even. Despite Padme’s generosity, you were still a maid. You had a job to do. You took the tray of dates and turned to the nobles you were supposed to be entertaining, speaking more forcefully than usual to both catch their attention, and distract yourself.

Someone called your name over the crowd, and you tried to brush it off as you had Baron Papanoida speak with Duke Kenobi and Duchess Kryze in an effort to give Padme and Anakin a few more moments alone.

“Milady!” He had found you now, it was impossible to avoid it. So when he tapped your arm to catch your attention, you place the tray between the two of you.

“Figs and nuts, sir?”

Hunter blinked, and glanced down at the last treat on the tray. “Have you had any?”

It was your turn to be confused, “Well, no, I’m not supposed to-”

“Forget what you’re ‘supposed’ to do,” Hunter plucked the tray from your hand and took the last date, setting the tray aside and holding it out towards you.

Slightly embarrassed at his insistence, you refused to open your mouth until the sugary dusting brushed your lips. No use refusing it now. You opened your mouth and let Hunter place the date on your tongue. The slightly sour flavor exploded with the sugar, and you hummed in pleasure, just now realizing how hungry you had been.

“It’s good, right?” Hunter took a handful of peanuts from the serving dish and handed a few to you, “I first fell in love with figs when we were sent to Mandalore. Everyone eats them there.”

“It’s delicious,” You agreed, popping a few more in your mouth. You ate ravenously, Hunter could hardly get a word in edgewise until you were finished. Unable to wipe the peanut dust from your fingers onto your silken dress, Hunter offered you his handkerchief.

“Dance with me, milady?” He asked. He held out his hand, giving you the choice.

“I told you, don’t call me that,” You said, resisting the urge to pout like a spoiled child. You twisted his kerchief in your hands. The edge was embroidered with vines, just like the pendant he had made you.

Hunter simply smiled, “To recognize you as anything but a gracious lady would be just as impossible as stopping the sun from setting.

”Milady.”

Your face flushed, but it was impossible not to smile in reply. Of its own free will, your hand slipped into Hunters, and he spun you close, leading you to the edge of the dance floor.

“Last time, I hardly got the chance to dance with you,” He whispered so that only you would hear, “This time, I intend to have you as my only dance partner.”

Your breath caught on the lump in your throat, and you almost started to cry, but crying was forgotten as Hunter spun you under his arm, pulling a laugh from your chest that wrapped around the both of you and seemed to carry you far from the cares and worries of the ballroom.

It was almost enough to make you forget your staggeringly different places in society.

Almost.

Padme sat in the window the morning after, soaking up the sunlight of the early morning.

“Isn’t it so beautiful?” She asked you.

“Yes, it is, your highness,” You nodded, gently brushing her hair. The world had changed, but it still continued to spin on, and you still had work to do.

Padme turned, gently taking your hand, “How are things with you and Sir Hunter?” She asked.

Your smile wobbled, “Nevermind all that,” You said in a hurried whisper. You gently turned Padme’s head so that you could finish with her hair.

She had worn an elaborate purple velvet dress for the ceremonies yesterday, and a shimmering gown in a yellow and pink gradient that was much better suited for dancing at the ball, but today was full of meetings to discuss what was to become of the Serennian lands after their surrender. She needed something dignified and elaborate to convey the sense of importance that these meetings held. The dark red- almost brown- dress she was wearing was perhaps a little drab, but not when partnered with the cream sash and golden headpiece.

Padme kept trying to get you to tell her everything that had happened while she was recovering at the Mandalorian Fortress, but you stubbornly refused.

“You look stunning, princess!” You told her, earnestly trying to avoid the worries in your heart.

Padme smiled at you, but you knew that she wasn’t buying your excuses. Fortunately for you, there was a knock at the door to her chambers and you had to answer it.

The falconer’s apprentice handed you a scroll, sealed in black ink with Serenno’s traditional coat of arms. You gave the boy a coin for his troubles, and gave it to Padme to read as she hurried to the meeting.

King Ruwee and Queen Jobal were already there, as were most of the council members. You quickly retrieved a pitcher of wine, pouring one for Padme and for several of the other council members who didn’t have their servants with them.

“As I am certain you all know, the purpose of this meeting is to decide the future of the kingdom of Serenno. Under Yan Dooku, who was slain by one of our own, all members of the royal family and those who would have a chance at a claim to the throne were wiped out. Those who were spared were absolutely loyal to Dooku,” Jobal began.

“As Serenno has surrendered to us, under the treaty of the Nine Kingdoms, we are free to absorb Serenno into our kingdom, or allow it to govern itself.”

Lord Taa harumphed, “If all who remain are loyal to Dooku, who is to say they won’t attack us again if we let them be? We’d be setting ourselves up for certain doom!”

King Ruwee held out his hand to calm his portly courtier.

“My dear, I believe you had more information on this front?” He asked Padme.

Padme sat up straight, holding the parchment she had received. "We have word from Romar, the captain of the King's Guard, that Dooku's allies have fled Serreno. His people offer their unconditional surrender."

"Unconditional Surrender seems very extreme for a people who had nothing to do with their tyrant's machinations." Kenobi pondered, stroking his beard as he thought.

"They're terrified," You spoke up. Suddenly, all eyes were on you. You gulped nervously, white-knuckling the pitcher. Padme hadn't been in Serenno. She hadn't seen what had become of a once prosperous mining kingdom. But you had.

"Dooku killed their king, and anyone who could claim to be heir to the throne. He used dark magic that he found with the help of merchants from Nemoidia and the guilds in Geonosis, and he used that dark magic to threaten Serenno's people to submission. If they didn't give in to Dooku's reign, he would have wiped them out as well as us."

King Ruwee sat back in his chair, regarding you curiously. "What would you say they want, then?"

"Food," was your immediate answer, "They're starving. All of their resources went to Dooku and his allies. They have no loyalty to him. But they will be loyal to those who will take care of them and establish peace."

The council members murmured thoughtfully as they considered your words.

“Perhaps it would be best to absorb Serenno into our kingdom,” Ruwee said, “It would eradicate tariffs on food supplies-”

“And their mines would certainly be advantageous!” Taa said. He toasted the King, letting a few drops spill over the brim of his goblet.

“The new Dukes, aside from Lord Anakin, have yet to be assigned their own vassals. We could divide Serenno between them,” Jobal pointed to the map on the table.

Your spirits lifted. At least something was going right; Hunter and his brothers would be certain to take care of the people of Serenno, and if their interactions with the Serennian King’s Guard were anything to go off of, they would fit right in at home. And it would be far away enough to keep them away from the vultures of Court.

You were so pleased with this turn of events that you hardly noticed when the subject of conversation turned, if only for a moment.

“Speaking of the dukes, my sister is set to inherit a large portion of land upon her wedding day,” Duchess Kryze said slowly, “You have that accounted for, I assume, your majesty?”

You cocked your head to the side, trying not to sound too interested as you refilled Lord Taa’s goblet of wine.

“Of course, Satine, I promise I wouldn’t forget,” Ruwee chuckled.

“Good,” Duchess Kryze took an elegant sip from her goblet, “I had the notion just the other day, she would make a handsome partner for Sir Hunter, I think.”

You heard the pitcher crash against the stone floor, and as the noise rang in your ear you felt something soaking into your boot.

“Forgive me, my lords,” You said on autopilot. Two footmen ran forward to help you clean up your mess, and you tried to mop it as best you could with your apron.

“No worries, my dear,” King Ruwee waved it off, and nodded to the duchess to continue.

“It’s a sizeable land, and with their skills I feel that Sir Hunter and my sister, Lady Kryze, would be a good match. Certainly a strong ally to your majesty should another enemy such as Dooku raise their ugly head. I would have to speak to my sister, of course, but this marriage would prove advantageous to the young duke. I understand he wants what is best for his brothers, and this would help Sir Hunter arrange further advantageous marriages for them.”

“Are you alright?” Padme whispered as you shuffled your way over to her side, trembling and soaked with wine.

“I’m fine,” You assured her. You picked up the metal pitcher, ascertaining its condition, and fled the room with as much dignity as you could muster.

You tossed the pitcher at the scullery maid. If you had any of your scruples about you, you would have moved on and grabbed a fresh pitcher so that you could return to the council room. Instead, you climbed down into the cellar and shut the door behind you, trying not to scream as tears burned into your cheeks.

You knew that you were well below Hunter’s station, but hearing the mere suggestion of Hunter being married to someone else was tearing your heart apart with every beat.

Thump-thump. Thump-thump.

Hunter always put his brothers first, Duchess Satine was right about that. How could he refuse an offer like this?

You buried your face in your hands and fell to your knees.

You had to face it now.

Hunter would never be yours.

Lady Luck (Prequel)

#lizart writes #sergeant hunter #sergeant hunter x reader #tbb hunter #tbb hunter x reader #the bad batch hunter #the bad batch hunter x reader #fantasy au #the bad batch fantasy au

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