Hi everyone! Thank you guys so much who read, reviewed, favorited/followed! This chapter came out pretty quick! I'm so excited to continue with this story, and I hope you guys enjoy the (very) bumpy ride! And yes, I was so inspired by that Rogue One Scene.

Also to answer a question that came up in the comments:

Even I have no idea if Luke will make an appearance later on or not. It's basically been writing itself, and I'm winging it as I go along. Bear with me! If he does show up, this story will largely still be focusing on the relationship between Leia and Vader.

PS I have no idea of how this is going to go. I'm gonna be as shocked as you guys are.

Anyway, I hope you guys enjoy the second part of the prologue!

"We need to get rid of this ship as soon as we land," Captain Antilles told her as he reclined lightly in his chair. Breha Organa simply watched her captain silently, noting his attempt to look at ease, and failing in the Queen's eyes. Antilles was one of her and Bail's closest friends. She would trust him with her life, and Leia's for that matter.

"I agree," she replied, "It is Bail's consular ship – too large and recognizable to the public." It was difficult enough to manage the ship with merely two people on board, one of whom only knew the basics of piloting, lessons from many years ago still having a small presence in her mind. She hadn't flown a starship since her youth, and the majority of her lessons consisting of reading about them anyway. But it was enough to aid Antilles in the flight. "We need to land quickly, before Vader manages to leave Alderaan." Breha could only imagine, if the announcement of Leia had not been made yet, it was only because he was dealing with her husband.

'I'm so sorry, my love,' Breha thought. It was terrible of her to be relieved that Bail might be able to buy time for Leia. She did not want to think of what Bail was going through, and worse, was that she might never see him again. He would never see their daughter again. Vader would not let him live, no matter his rank, nor the fact that he was a member of the Imperial Senate. He would find a way to make sure he suffered. But, his sacrifice would mean Leia would get time. Enough time before the whole galaxy turned against her little one. Breha was well aware at how effective imperial propaganda was. They had to be faster than the HoloNet, or else, lose all hope.

"Set course for Corellia," she decided.

"I think that's best," Antilles agreed with a deep sigh, "Close enough, but less of an imperial presence than Kuat or Coruscant. It's extremely risky to stay in the Core Worlds at all as we are."

She spared a glance to her daughter; both of them having moved back to the bridge after they had their talk.

Leia had been strangely quiet after finding out the truth. Breha wished that she could comfort her daughter and take away the pain that she had experienced on this wretched day. The girl had asked a few questions, to which Breha did her best to answer honestly. Oddly enough, and Breha would not bring up questions unless her little one asked, Leia asked no questions about who her biological mother had been. Breha figured it was because she clearly saw her parents as her and Bail. Leia had asked very few questions, and the ones she did ask, were short, and mumbled.

It was much too late for Leia to be awake by Alderaanian time, and the girl had fallen back asleep on the other side of the bridge, curled up and looking so small that Breha desperately wished she had a blanket to drape over her. She could only hope her child's dreams were peaceful and innocent; unlike what she had witnessed.

"Captain," Breha began again, voice quieted as to not wake the girl up. "I want you to be honest with me."

Antilles paused, adjusting the controls, "Of course."

"Now that you know of Leia's parentage," When Antilles looked as if he was going to interject, Breha continued quickly, "Do not try to say you didn't overhear. I know you did. And please… Do you think any different of her? I understand if you wish to leave us." This was no easy task, and for certain, if she or Antilles were captured they would die. Breha knew, ever since Bail told her Leia's true origins shortly after she was adopted, that if this was ever discovered it would mean probable execution for everyone involved.

"With all due respect, My Queen," he finally replied, "The Princess could be the biological child of a Wookie and a kriffing bantha…" he paused, nearly looking sheepish, making sure Leia was still asleep, "Sorry for the language. But it wouldn't change my opinion. She is of House Organa, and I will protect her as such." Breha smiled.

"Raymus, you are a wonderful man. This is our most desperate hour. Not only for us as a family, but for the galaxy as well. If he was to ever get his hands on her… He would destroy that light she brings. He would mold her in his image." Imagining her sweet daughter around Darth Vader, or worse, around the Emperor made Breha, both as a mother and a queen sick with worry.

"The Force?" Antilles questioned, "Leia has it?"

"I know about as much as you about the Force," Breha replied, "Bail knew more than I did." She was already talking of her husband in the past tense, and felt terrible about it. "Master Yoda, the Jedi master. Bail was told by him she was strong in it."

"Oh," Antilles simply voiced.

"He's kept many things from me as well," she added. "To minimize knowledge is to minimize the chances of that knowledge being spread." She could not help a bitter and exhausted laugh, "But it still ended up being not enough." Now, Breha was left with more questions than answers in this dangerous time. She allowed herself a moment of weakness to hang her head in her hands, "I have no idea of how best to protect my own child, nor my planet. With Bail still on Alderaan… What will happen to the Alliance?" It was rhetorical, a moment for Breha to vent, and Antilles was silent. "We could contact Senator Mon Mothma, but I already can predict that outcome." The Rebel Alliance was underfunded and a fledgling movement; covert operations and if Mothma, or any other prominent Rebel commander was caught aiding the fugitive child of Darth Vader, it would sink the Rebellion forever. She admired Senator Mothma, and Bail had been in correspondence with her since the fall of the Republic, but Breha was cautious of her attitude. She had no doubts the woman would ensure the survival of the Rebellion by any means necessary – including turning over a child that would do more harm to them, than good.

"Whatever we decide, Your Highness," Antilles finally comforted her, "We must have hope. Hope in the end of tyranny and hope of a better future."

She smiled, only slightly, but a smile. "We must." Without hope, the Queen decided, they would have nothing.

The slight shuffling alerted both the adults that the girl was awake once more, and their discussions came to end, Breha turning her attention to her daughter once more, and Antilles turning his to the console.

Leia rubbed at her eyes, and she looked so devastatingly vulnerable, sorrowful, and scared that Breha's heat felt pained by the sight. "Hi," Leia simply said, still cradling her toy, eyes downcast. She looked defeated and Breha could not blame her. She was too young for this, too young to fully comprehended her situation. She had tried, and would continue to try and make Leia have a life, rather than an existence.

"Hello, love," Breha greeted, "How are you feeling?" Her worry only increased when Leia did not reply, still silent as she was when she fell asleep. How was she supposed to help her traumatized child? Breha wondered whether Leia truly had registered anything at all. She was very intelligent, astute, and mature for such a small girl, but she was still a child. Barely a few more years old than a toddler! One that had the weight of the galaxy on her shoulders. With no response, Breha prompted, "Leia? You need to be honest with me."

Finally, she fidgeted in her seat and glanced up at her mother, "Bad."

She could not cry in front of Leia, it would only startle and terrify her even more. "I know Leia, I know. I wish I could take your pain as my own." She moved to sit next to her, "Do you want to talk more?"

"No," she said, "I had a really bad dream." She sighed, and somehow sounded years older than she was. "I dreamed that I couldn't move again. A-And Darth Vader was killing everybody again." Her little chest heaved, and Breha moved immediately for another hug. "It was so scary! I-I thought it was happening, it was so real!" It wasn't fair, Breha thought, that Leia have this much to deal with. Why her daughter? "T-Then he looked at me. I thought he was going to kill me! "

'No,' Breha thought, 'What he wants to do is more cruel and longer-lasting.' Exposing her daughter to the Dark Side of the Force was the only outcome Breha could think about. Instead, she said, "He will not, Leia. I will not let him get anywhere near you."

"How?" she questioned, "You said he has powers."

"He cannot use his powers when he won't be able to find us." She promised. "Leia… You won't be able to go back to Alderaan. For a very long time. And nor will I." More realistically the Queen thought, she would never see Alderaan again, but she could not bring herself to tell her child the truth. Another lie, but one that would keep Leia more content than the truth.

"Where are we going?" She asked. She was still so shaken, and there was nothing she could do to placate it.

"Many places," was her vague response. Her first instinct was to travel to the less-patrolled planets in the Outer Rim, like Tatooine. As a mother, she wanted to haul herself to where the only Jedi she knew was hiding. Obi-Wan Kenobi would be able to hide and protect Leia. But he was already protecting something else. Breha was in conflict with her daughter's interests, and the fate of the galaxy. If the Imperials were ever to follow them to Tatooine, every hope would be lost. She could not lead them, not even for Leia, right to the Jedi and the boy. Luke. That was his name. Leia would never know she'd have a brother, and if her prayers were heard, neither would Vader. "We'll have to move around very often. But right now, we're on course for Corellia."

"Corellia?" Her curious girl questioned, "Why?"

"Because it's close. We have to sell Papa's ship for our own safety. We have to sell our clothes. Speaking of which," she turned to address Antilles, "Captain do you have the-?"

"Yes," he replied, "Started downloading when I uh… overheard your chat. They were stored on the encrypted part of the ship's memory drive."

"What?" Leia asked.

"Identity chips." Breha explained, "Do you understand, Leia? We can't go on as ourselves. We have to be other people unless it's safe." Which would be never. "We're so lucky Papa was so paranoid," she commented, tousling her hair. "He was a genius, he always knew what to do."

"…Is Daddy going to be okay?" She inquired finally, looking directly at Breha, and it felt like the little one was looking into her soul.

"He…" And Breha felt like a monster for supplying false hope. Leia could not take another heartbreak today. "He will probably go to an Imperial prison, Leia."

"We'll save him one day, then," Leia said after a moment, and she looked at her with such determination. But when she spoke, it was with such anger, that Breha was shocked into silence. "Darth Vader is not Papa. He isn't." Leia was scowling, eyebrows furrowed, and looking so much like her mother, but with the expressions of her father. It was almost unnerving. She had seen her daughter angry, of course, and Leia was like any other child with bouts of tantrums. But… Breha couldn't remember a time where it was with this kind of anger. She insisted. "Once we save Papa, he'll make sure that I don't have to go with him ever." She pulled her doll close once again, and shook her head, "He's a monster! He should be the one in jail, not Papa!" Breha had no response.

Luckily, Antilles interrupted the strange moment with a, "Ha! They finished, and I have a physical tag for you both. Has all your 'information,' name, place of birth, blood type." Both Leia and Breha glanced over, and he passed them over, first one to Breha. "Lady Mirax Ardellian." He smiled softly at Leia, handing it directly to her. "And little Kieran Ardellian. Both of you were born on the planet Corellia, and you prefer to move around space for the thrill. And because Lady Mirax's husband had passed away, mother and child have the freedom to explore the galaxy." Her husband had been very thorough, and Breha missed him dearly. He had thought of everything, and now they had to continue on without him.

Breha was not expecting Leia's face of confusion as she looked over the tag. "Mama… I think there's a mistake," she spoke up.

"What?"

"…Kieran is a boy's name. It says I'm a boy."

This was going to be the hardest part. Breha sighed, and thought best of how to explain it to her. "Leia… Once Vader's story on Alderaan circulates, the entire galaxy is going to be looking for a little, brown-haired girl."

Leia blinked.

"This is your best defense Leia. They will not be looking for a little boy."

"…I have to be a boy?"

How did one explain this to a child?! "Not in private, you can be Leia when there's no one else around. But… In order to hide, you have to act like one. Can you do that?"

She hesitated, obviously not a fan of the idea. "Will I have to wear a wig? Aunt Deara wore one once to a fancy dinner. They're very itchy."

Breha laughed, shaking her head, trying to not dwell on where her sister was at the moment. She had visited and left a few days before Breha's life had turned towards the worst. All she could hope was that Deara would not be punished in her place. "No, darling. You won't have to wear a wig. But…" She stroked her fingers through Leia's long hair, "You won't like this, Leia."

"Oh no," the child voiced in wariness. "What is it?"

"We'll have to cut your hair."

There was a long moment of silence, and in any other situation, Breha might have found a semblance in humor in Leia's look of pure 'are you kriffing kidding me?' The thought and language was certainly un-queenly, but Breha could not help it. Finally, Leia asked, "Is it the only way to look like a boy?"

Her face would be all over HoloNet; long hair and innocent smile that Breha feared would fade too quickly. "I'm afraid so."

Leia sighed, shoulders slumped, "Okay," she said in a very small voice.

"Okay," Breha agreed.

"…I'm going to look ugly." Breha didn't fault Antilles for laughing in the background.

Papa, I don't want to be a princess

What do you want to be when you are older, Leia?

You!

Me? That would be very odd, my dear.

No! I want to be like you – a senator! I can do lots!

'Very much' Leia.

Very much! I want to help people!

You will, child. You will. You are a light this galaxy desperately needs.

Leia… Leia, run. RUN! He's here. By the Maker, he's here!

Lord Vader, what is the meaning of this?! Alderaan is a loyal planet under the –

Spare me the lies, Senator. I am here for my child, who you have taken from me. Where is she?!

Pain, fear, anger… help… Leia, I love you. Hurts…

"Organa, I know you can hear me."

Bail Organa could not remember where he was, nor how long he had been there. He couldn't remember how long he'd been here. Had it been that long? He roused slightly from his state of semi-consciousness, physical and mental feeling intertwined. He remembered working late in his office, only to be notified that a Star Destroyer was in orbit of Alderaan. He remembered imperial squadrons coming down onto the planet.

Senator! Senator! They say Darth Vader is with them!

He remembered the unimaginable fear that he felt, not for himself, but for his family. Coming face-to-face with the Dark Lord himself, attempting to be the cool and collected Bail Organa the rest of the universe knew. He had felt an intruding, crushing, presence in his mind, searching for answers, and Bail, despite his proximity with the Jedi of the Old Republic, was not force-sensitive. All the instruction on how to hide his thoughts from such beings could only go so far.

You are a traitor, Bail Organa. You will be brought to interrogation and –

I will deal with you later! After I have located my child!

Pain. Choking.

Lord Vader, he is resisting every drug we administer to him.

Daddy! Help me!

"Organa," the voice repeated, impatient and angry, so threatening that every ounce of Bail's self-preservation was urging him to wake up, to do as the malicious voice was instructing him.

"What…" He asked, his voice feeling raspy. How long had it been since Vader had touched down on Alderaan? Days? Months? Years? "Where is… What has happened to Leia?" the senator asked, unable to really open his eyes, drug coursing through his veins making him disorientated. Where was the imperial interrogator?

Pressure skirted across his throat, and Bail winced, gasping, expecting the crushing, bruising force on his neck again. As he was becoming more coherent, Bail remembered that Darth Vader, just in their initial encounter before he had invaded his home, had broken several of his bones, and the memory of the crack raced through his mind. "She is not your concern!" She was. She was his light, his precious daughter, everything.

"She is my…"

"She is not. You stole her to undermine the authority of the Empire. She is mine." Bail could feel himself drifting again, under the effects of whatever substance they had painfully injected into him, along with the presence of the murderous Sith Lord. "You will tell me, now. Where is she? Where has your treacherous wife taken her?!"

He was probing again, Bail could feel it. He panted, memories of his daughter being ripped from his mind for the Sith to view. He fought, he fought to push him out of his mind, but he knew he was no match, especially after this weakened state.

I'm so sorry, Leia. Forgive me.

Bail kept thinking of his wife. His child. His wife. His child. If his mind strayed elsewhere, Vader would pick up other things he couldn't know. He couldn't.

"Why did you take her? When? It has only been a few hours, Organa. Mere hours." Vader had to have been messing with his mind; it wasn't possible this had only been happening for hours. And he knew what Vader was seeing in his mind; every moment he had with Leia and Breha as a family. He saw him braiding Leia's hair into loops, he saw him tucking her in bed at night, he saw him supervising her first history and politics lessons. Every private fatherly moment.

Father! I love you!

Father, look at this drawing!

Papa, I want to come to the Senate with you!

He could tell that made him angrier than anything else when he felt his grip on his mind increase. "Trying… to keep her safe," Bail whispered finally, and he knew his body was shaking uncontrollably as all of this information was taken from him.

"From who?" Vader asked furiously. "Her father?! You have no right!"

And all Bail felt for Darth Vader was hatred. He hated him, he hated what he had done to the galaxy, and what he would do to his little girl. His little girl who had no choice. Anakin had a choice when he turned to the Dark Side. Leia did not, and Bail wanted to sob as he imagined Leia's only figures in her life being her biological father and Palpatine. If Vader got her in the end, she would be doomed. Bail could feel his teeth gritting as his mind filled with his anger, "Anakin…" he nearly spat, the name sounding like a venomous curse. "After what you've done… you have no claim to any child in the galaxy."

"Organa," his voice warned dangerously, so dangerously. "You are edging very close to death." Death would be a mercy at this point, Bail thought sadly. The more Vader probed his mind, the more he'd discover.

"I am her father," Bail insisted, "Anakin… f-for Padmé's sake! Do not drag Leia down with you! Padmé wouldn't have – !"

"DO NOT SPEAK HER NAME!" Was his reply, a roar that sounded in his ear, loud, and embedded was the power of the Dark Side; raw and composed entirely of rage.

Bail didn't know pain until that moment.