Chapter Text
The accomplishments of Emperor Eli VI are too many to numerate, chief amongst them the resettlement of Malastare, the Rusaan Peace Reformation, and the establishment of Wild Space hyperspace routes bringing countless new planets into the fold. It cannot be said that his reign was devoid of conflict; the decimation of Dathomir being a bloody and cruel chapter of Galactic history out of place in this accounting. There are numerous detailed chronicles of the achievements of Emperor Eli VI’s reign; those will not be my focus here.
It would be remiss of any truly honest historical account of Emperor Eli VI’s reign to ignore his relationship with his paramour, Mitth’raw’nurodo.
And here we must digress a word about our sources, as the finer details of this happened behind closed doors, in meeting rooms, stairwells and bedchambers. We have the chronicles laid down to us by Imperial Intedent Lomar, but to rely on that source would make us fools; Emperor Eli VI’s successor did not cleanly keep the records preserved through this era, as we will discuss later. To examine this history we will have to take records from the personal writings of first hand observers, rumours that whispered around the Imperial Court, weary stories passed down from aged serving men recalling their youths. While these are undoubtedly of use, these conflicting memoirs and recollections have caused a series of contradictions and misremebrances that I must not overlook. Thus, to call this a wholly honest accounting is folly, rather myself and you, as a reader, must use sound judgement to decide the truthfulness of the tale.
Why Mitth’raw’nurodo came to the Imperial court in the first place is a point of contention. The writings of Imperial Intendent Lomar called Mitth’raw’nuruodo a cup-bearer in the household of a high lord - Mitth’urf’ianico. Grand Moff Tarkin’s journals - a source only recently uncovered by historians in the last decade - submit his opinion that Mitth'raw'nuruodo was positioned to seduce the Emperor. It is important to note that Grand Moff Tarkin stood in opposition to Emperor Eli VI for the majority of his brief reign, and many of his journals write the Emperor in a contentious light. The varied and often drunken chronicles of the court fool Darth Vader say that Mitth’raw’nuruodo came as part of a fire dancer troupe to perform to the Emperor.
However, on one point all historical accounts agree, is that Mitth’raw’nurodo arrived at Imperial court in 15 BBY accompanying Lord Mitth’urf’ianico as part of his household and was presented in court upon his arrival.
“You have dressed me like a fool”
Thurfian gave him one of his jovial smiles that never reached his eyes. “Nonsense. The colour suits you. It was made specially. Painted by the finest in the Ascendancy, that corset is a work of art”
Thrawn’s jaw twitched. “The colour is not what I take issue with”
The speeder hit the rocky ground with a jolt. Thrawn flinched. He could smell wet mud and the stink of sweet, syrupy flowers. The air had a harsh chill, which was his current main concern. A layer of bumps covered his dark blue arms
“You could not begrudge me a cloak?” Thrawn tried to shift and winced as the purgill bone cut into his rib. “I understand making a statement, but a bad statement to make would be trotting in your ‘cup-bearer’ into Imperial court near naked”
Thurfian laughed, moving to peer out of the curtained windows of the speeder. “You exaggerate my dear. This is simply because you have spent the better part of your adult life in that ghastly CEDF uniform. This, dear , is the height of imperial fashion at the moment. All the sophisticated persons of the court will be wearing it. You will fit in perfectly”
“I thought the point was to stand out” Thrawn said shortly. “To. Make a statement”
Thurfian pulled at the fine velvet of his cuffed sleeve. “Do not cheek me, Mitth’raw’nurodo. You know better than that”
He did. Thrawn shifted back into the plush seat of the speeder and tried to get comfortable. He thanked the stars he had persuaded Thalias to dress him in trousers this morning, skirts were not made for carriage travel. Thurfian had not commented on it, but Thrawn could guess that he was displeased. No matter, he what do what he was bid, smile, bow-
“-and say nothing” Thurfian said firmly. “Are you quite clear?”
Lord Mitth’urf’ianico’s household was presented in the Imperial court shortly before sundown. That this timing was out of disrespect is clear; whether it was their alien status or their citizenship belonging outside the Imperial Galaxy is not clear. I would argue the latter however, the prevalence of alien presence in Emperor Eli VI’s court encouraged inclusion throughout his reign. Still, the lateness of the event cut the exchange down to scarce more than a few remarks, it cannot be certain that the Emperor even noticed Mitth'raw'nuruodo - a mere cup-bearer - upon their first meeting.
Eli’s arse was sore.
It always was sore after hours perched on his throne, but today it ached. Duke Krennic was to blame, as per usual, droning for simply hours this morning, allowing the court to break for only a short period mid-day. Eli could have ordered for more time, but he did not want the day to be a second longer than it had to be. He wished for his bedroom, for comfort, for an outrageous stack of pillows and a mead thick enough to chew on, none of that watery grape crap. Eli took a sip of said watery grape crap from his goblet and made a face. Juice.
“Lord Mitth’urf’ianico, of the Chiss Ascendancy”
This announcement was at least of little interest to Eli. Growing up on Lysatra his people were neighbours to the Chiss, though Eli himself rarely saw them. His mother had described them as a selfish, haughty species. They had asked for an invitation and Eli had responded eagerly, he was keen to tighten relationships with entities not in the Empire. Eli watched as the tall blue Chiss walked slowly into the centre of the courtroom and bowed. Maybe twelve of them at most - a humble household, to be certain. Eli wondered if that was typical for the Ascendancy, he should really know. Perhaps the Lord was poor. Lord Mitth’urf’ianico was the one standing clear and centre, obviously. He was dressed fine enough, but that meant nothing. A few similarly faced folks buzzed around him, clearly kin. A girl with curly hair stood far in the shadows, and to the right-
He was… Eli could not guess at his age comparative to human standard. But he was flawless. Shiny dark blue hair fell down his back, brushing his shoulders lazily back and forth as he moved ever so slightly on his feet. Eli was dimly aware that Lord Mitth’urf’ianico was talking. And the Chiss’ clothes… A tight painted corset and loose travel trousers. That corset…. It was nothing Eli hadn’t seen in the Empire- on a whore, of course. But while they looked cheap, he looked…elegant. Red eyes stared at him, gleaming in the torchlight. Eli pleaded with the stars to make sure he wasn’t blushing. His reputation could not take that hit at the present. A quiet cough echoed around the cavernous hall.
Silence. Eli looked up. The blue Lord had finished speaking and was looking up at him expectantly. Eli cast around for the root of the conversation, failing. Shit shit shit.
“Welcome to the Empire my Lord, I look forward to speaking properly with you about affairs of state soon” Eli nodded. The Chiss blinked at him.
“Of course, your excellency”
Silence.
People were still looking at him, waiting for orders. Eli always hated that, the sheep. Could they do nothing themselves? Did they need Eli to order them to wipe their arses? Eli pursed his lips. Grand Moff Tarkin was rolling his eyes in the far corner. That fucking cu-
“Court dismissed”