Leia tossed and turned in her huge bed that could practically swallow her whole. Her sleep was being haunted by nightmares of an evil man draped in black, a blood red lightsaber, and deep feelings of dread and fear. At first her cries were only whimpers, but soon they evolved into desperate wails.
Bail Organa heard his daughter's terrified screams from down the hall. He threw on his robe and rushed into his little girl's room. His predictions about the cause of her fear were confirmed when he saw her writhing on the bed, tears streaming down her face.
He approached her softly and gently shook her to wake her up.
"Leia, my precious darling, it's okay. Papa's here, it was just a nightmare."
It took some more shaking to wake Leia, and a few more seconds for her to become aware of her surroundings. Upon recognition of her father, she crumpled into his arms and sobbed.
"It was so scary, Papa! The man in black was here to get me again! And he was going to get you too." She whimpered the last part.
Bail tenderly graced his fingers upon Leia's cheek, wiping away her tears. If only he could just as easily wipe away the nightmares. Her deep, brown eyes were filled with such fear, and he hated that Vader had to terrorize her dreams. She should be dreaming of playing, sunshine, and happiness. Three-year-old dreams should be innocent, and he hated that Vader stripped her of that one piece of childhood purity. But unfortunately, the nightmares showed no sign of stopping, only becoming worse.
"I know what will make you feel better," Bail stated, looking at Leia with a gleam in his eye.
Leia pondered this for a moment, then the same gleam appeared in her eyes.
"A dance?"
"Precisely! Now let's see if you remember everything I taught you." Bail rose from her bed and offered Leia his hand.
"May I have this dance?"
"Yes you may, Viceroy Organa," Leia replied politely.
Bail and Leia faced each other. Then Bail bowed, his robe billowing out behind him, and Leia curtsied in her white lace nightgown. Bail picked her up and placed her on his feet so that she could reach his hands. Even after three years, she was still so tiny.
He proceeded to rock back and forth, with Leia resting her head on his belly.
"Wait, Papa, we don't have any music."
Bail chuckled, held his daughter closer, and began to hum an Alderaanian lullaby. Holding his daughter tight, he felt like nothing in the galaxy could ever hurt her again. All that surrounded them was peace and undying love.
Bail soon noticed that Leia's head began to droop and that she was fighting to keep her eyes open. He scooped her up and carried her back to her bed. As soon as she made contact with the surface, she was fast asleep. Bail tucked the covers under her chin and pressed a light kiss to her forehead.
"Sweet dreams, my Princess."