OOM: In Gotland with Bodhi and Galen

[ostro_goth]

 It is the very height of summer now, so the fields are turning golden, the young animals in the meadows are nicely grown and running around when they are not stuffing their faces with the abundant grass, and the people are busy in the gardens and in the workshops and among the granaries.

One of the children points up at the procession coming down the barrow-hill, and then everybody is running up to meet them.

Comments

[galen_erso]

"Not just would have," Galen says. "Did, in my case. I was glad to see her for just a moment."

One of the girls nudges his shoulder, so he lowers his voice to a whisper

[imthepilot]

Bodhi nods and falls silent too, resting his head on Galen's shoulder, just listening.

[galen_erso]

Then, Teja takes over by himself and sings about the cells, which used to be catacombs, and about the sea-captain Bodhi, shaken by Saw's cruel tests, who rallies his mind when he hears Galen's name.

I am the pilot, I brought the message.

[imthepilot]

Bodhi mouths the words, aware of just how powerful an effect they had on him.

[galen_erso]

They are repeated a few times, being hinge words the story depends on.

And then, Adalgoth sings of the mountain shaking, and the cell doors braking, and Baze freeing Bodhi from his shackles. They got that bit not quite right, but it sounds very impressive, like the wrath of the gods.

[imthepilot]

How else do you explain the death of a whole city in a matter of moments? Bodhi tries not to think too hard about it, focusing on keeping his breathing even.

[galen_erso]

Galen reaches out to take Bodhi's hand again a Adalgoth sings about the evil empire's ships attacking the port and burning it to the ground even as the earth shakes and tears itself open, and Kaytoo comes to take all away -- all except the rebel leader, who refuses to leave his stronghold."

[imthepilot]

"I'm sorry. I know he was your friend." And at the time, all Bodhi could do was cower in the corner of the ship.

[galen_erso]

"I am sorry," Galen whispers, ruefully. "So sorry. I thought he was still sane."

Galen reaches out for Bodhi's hand again.

[imthepilot]

Bodhi shakes his head, squeezes Galen's hand. It's not Galen's fault.

[galen_erso]

Now follows action -- all of them racing towards the shore through earthquake and attack, mayhem and fire that made the whole island of Jedha seem 'like the horizon itself rose up to swallow sea and sky', and Kaytoo waiting with the swift, small ship and racing off in a sudden wind that was a gift of the gods.

How else to explain hyperspace?

[imthepilot]

Bodhi can't help but chuckle at that. Despite the tragedy of the event. "The wind of the gods."

[galen_erso]

"What else would it be?" Galen chuckles as well.

[imthepilot]

"I can't imagine." Bodhi looks over his shoulder to thank the girls as they finish his hair, all braided up.

[galen_erso]

Galen touches Bodhi's hair, then gives a thumbs-up to the girls and picks up his wine again.

Adalgoth sings about the discussion on board the ship as the gods bear them towards the harbour of Eadu; Jyn tells of her father's message, and they all decide to go and rescue Galen.

But then Teja takes over. "But before Cassian and Kaytoo set sails, Draven the Earl of Yavin, dour and grim..." And continues to sing about Cassian's secret orders

[imthepilot]

"I'm sorry. I should have known they couldn't be trusted. I just wanted to reach you."

[galen_erso]

"You couldn't know that they were so hard and distrustful," Galen whispers as Teja continues to give some back story about the rebellion, and how evil the empire was.

[imthepilot]

Bodhi squeezes his hand tightly, still radiating apology.

[galen_erso]

And then, Adalgoth takes over again and sings about the terrible storm on the Eadu coast, and the ship failing against the steep black rocks, bringing all to shore safely but breaking apart in doing so.

[imthepilot]

"My fault." Bodhi whispers sadly.

[galen_erso]

"How that?" Galen whispers back.

[imthepilot]

"I wasn't- I was still very- I wasn't okay to fly so Kay and Cassian flew the entry. We came in over the east ridge." And that's a dangerous flight at the best of times.

[galen_erso]

"And they had never even seen the place before?"

Ouch.

"You are not to blame. Saw is, or I am."

For sending his lover to an old friend who had changed beyond recognition.

[imthepilot]

"Galen, no." He answers firmly, loud enough to disrupt the singers. "It was never your fault. I didn't tell you because I never wanted you to blame yourself for what Gerrera did."

[galen_erso]

Adalgoth and Teja fall silent.

"He sent you to the Born Gullet," Galen says. "A monster that tortured your mind. And I -- I sent you to him."

Myrrh, worried as ever, cuddles closer; the little boy on Galen's lap looks up.

"Story?"

"This is part of our story," Galen says to him, softly. "A part that we still need to tell each other."