Title: Dreams like Soap Bubbles
Author's Note: I published this story on another site under the name of Calandria. So before you accuse me of plagiarism, talk to me and I can give you more information. =)
Dreams Like Soap Bubbles
"You're making a mistake Leia." Luke's quiet voice reached her from the doorway. The words were so simple, but they had so much meaning in them in the stillness of the tone used to utter them. She closed her heart to them. She had to. Or she might change her mind, and that, she couldn't do. Mustering her heart, she wiped her face of emotions, letting the muscles go slack, then she turned to face her brother.
"You, have no right to tell me what to do and what not." The cold tone surprised even her, and for just an instant, the pain which ghosted through Luke's eyes made her pause. What this really right? But she couldn't allow herself to think. Not now. It was too late to change the past.
"I'm not a politician Leia. I'm you're brother. No need to use that tone of voice." Shaking his head, he turned to leave. Her soft, sad voice stopped him.
"I'm sorry Luke. But I have no choice." He smiled, the corners of the lips barely twitching upwards, his eyes not reflecting what the lips tried to say.
"We always have a choice, little sister, even if we don't realize it." He reached for the door control, but her arm stopped him. The agony in her voice caused him to turn to her, and pull her into a tender hug.
"I threw the choices away. Every last one of them. And now I have to take the worst one, the only one left." Luke settled his chin on the top of her head, and struggled to keep back his tears. He would lose her. The Leia as he knew would cease to be in just under two hours.
"You're wrong Leia. I know you're wrong." She shook her head, and pushed him away.
"Go, you still have to get ready as well." Luke let himself be pushed away, a sad look in his eyes.
"I won't be coming." He hurried to walk away. He knew, that if he didn't, he would give in to her, and that he couldn't do. A wedding should be a joyous occasion, not a funeral for a starlight soul about to be extinguished by protocol and the stiff clothing of the Hapan Royal Court. Maybe things could have been different. Maybe.
Leia stared at the closed door for a very long time. Her heart slowly break inside of her chest. Deep down, she knew that it was a mistake, but it had to be. Marrying Isolder, Prince of Hapes, would solve so many of the problems the New Republic was facing, and she, Leia Organa, was but an insignificant being compared to the hopes of billions for a peaceful future. Luke was wrong. There was no alternative, not anymore. Once upon a time, she had dreams. Dreams of herself and Han, dreams of a peaceful future, dreams of children and happiness, dreams of being stolen away in the falcon. Last she heard of Han, he was back with the smuggler's alliance, blacklisted by the New Republic government as an outlaw. She had done this to him. But it was too late. Like the bubbles from a soapy bath, all of her dreams were popping.
Maybe someday, she would be forgiven.