Chapter Text
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Din carried the baby, swaddled tightly against his chest plate, while Bo walked beside him as they went deeper into the ancient city of Sundari.
They nodded to each Mandalorian they passed. Each one who paused their work to watch their leaders go by so they could salute them and glimpse the baby as best they could. A child born to a Royal House had always been a reason for celebration in Mandalore’s long history and the birth of the girl was already being rejoiced by all tribes.
The rebuilding of the once magnificent city was progressing beyond Bo-Katan’s wildest dreams. It had been just over a year since the battle with Gideon and the reclaiming of their home world was continuing with great dedication. Parts of it were starting to look again like it had in her memories. She was so proud of her people and their unified effort and so proud that her daughter would grow up on Mandalore with perhaps the same happy memories of her youth that Bo-Katan had seen only in her dreams for so many cycles.
The Co-Leader of Mandalore was happy to fit in her armour again after the uncomfortable final months of her pregnancy and she walked proudly with her family as they passed under the arch to the Living Waters. She had carried her helmet for most of the walk but put it on just before she entered the chamber where the waters had pooled for millennia.
Din Grogu followed along, just behind his parents and his sibling, hovering in his pod and chirping happily at the people as they passed. They all smiled at him and waved.
They saw the Armorer waiting for them on the steps into the water and she nodded as they approached. There were only a few Mandalorians there to watch the ceremony, mostly apprentices to the Armorer who were to learn the Way from the veteran.
Din and Bo walked down the steps until their ankles were in the water where Bo took the baby from her husband and carefully unwrapped her swaddling and handed it back to Din. The little girl opened her eyes sleepily and smiled at her mother. She had only recently started smiling but Bo had instantly recognized that the tiny girl had her father’s smile. It warmed her heart every time she saw it.
“Bring the child into the water.” The Armorer gestured for them to come closer.
The new parents stepped down until the water was at their waists and Bo held their daughter carefully until she was immersed up to her tiny neck in the sacred water. The girl’s eyes opened wide, but she did not cry.
The Armorer dipped the sacred bowl and lifted it to pour water gently over the baby’s tiny head.
Bo lifted her quickly out of the cold water and held her close, rocking her slightly to calm her though the little one barely needed it. Din leaned forward to wrap the blanket back around her so she was not too chilled. The baby still did not cry and Bo looked on proudly as the Armorer spoke,
“This child, born unto the united Houses of Kryze and Mudhorn, is accepted from this day forth as a child of Mandalore. She will be taught the way of the Great Mand’alor. The words of the Creed shall forever be forged in her heart. She will honour her ancestors and their songs. She will be a warrior.”
Both of her parents spoke in unison. “This is the Way.”
Another chorus of the words echoed in the chamber from the witnesses.
The Armorer affectionately wiped a drop of water from the girl’s brow and then attached a small beskar bracelet on the girl’s wrist. She pressed a button on it and the baby’s first chain code hovered above her hand, officially declaring her name to be recognized in song,
“Satine Kryze-Djarin... You have the most honourable parents I have ever met. You are a blessed child of Mandalore who will help to herald a new beginning for us all. The adventures you are going to have will be the envy of generations. And you are so loved already...”
Din Grogu started to warble and chirp excitedly and the three still standing on the stairs looked down as the formerly still water started to lap around their waists. They looked to Din Grogu who had hopped from his pod to stand just above the water line. He continued to babble excitedly and he raised one arm out towards the deeper water. They turned their heads to where he pointed and a gasp could be heard from each of their voice modulators.
They all saw the enormous shadow move under the water and a small waved rippled against the shore shortly after as definite proof. The creature made another pass a little closer to them the next time and not a sound was uttered in the cavern by any living being except Din Grogu.
On the third pass, the giant breached the water and every set of eyes in the chamber saw the Mythosaur’s identifiable tusks before it slowly immersed itself again. Not a single soul moved offensively, or defensively for that matter, they were all in shock at what they were seeing. The Great Beast was not extinct. They had all seen it. The Songs-of-Eons-Past were true.
The legendary Mythosaur made one more approach of the group, who were all unable to move at the life-altering sight before them. They would all admit later they had felt no fear in the moment. They had all known there was no danger. A giant eye narrowed and lingered on the baby the longest before glancing to each of her parents in turn. It blinked and then moved to the small creature beside them. It blinked slowly once more at Din Grogu and then disappeared back into the depths. The water was instantly calm as though nothing had happened.
There was silence for a long while except for the two children cooing at each other happily.
“It appears that Satine Kryze-Djarin has been accepted by all of Mandalore.” The Armorer finally moved to leave the water. She said not another word and left the cavern quickly to attempt to process what they had just witnessed. Her apprentices followed as silently as their master.
Din and Bo stared in awe at their daughter, who had been completely unfazed by the entire event and gnawed on her tiny fist as she was held tightly by her mother. They had known their child was special but now they had inkling of really how much. Their tiny princess was going to rule their world, but they had known that since the day they had discovered her existence. And she would walk any world she wanted, Din had sworn it to her on the day of her birth. Her song was going to be exceptional.
Bo carried the child up the stairs and smiled beneath her helmet at Din Grogu as he leaped into his father’s arms. Din held his son close to the baby and his little hand gently stroked his sister's face. Both father and son adored the girl so much and would spend hours upon hours just staring at her.
Din Grogu chirped happily at her and her little mouth smiled at her brother’s voice. A powerful bond had been cemented between them already.
“Are you ready for this?” Bo asked her family.
“As long as we’re together.” Din pressed his helmet to his wife’s forehead and they stood in each others embrace for awhile with their children between them.
All was perfect. For now.