Chapter 1: Ariala (edited)
The wind whistled fiercely before pausing almost afraid of solitary figure that stood in the desert land. Whatever animals were nearby quieted as well as the figure sighed deeply and closed her eyes. She was trying to get in touch with the powers that surrounded her. The breath of the rocks, the heartbeat of the wind, it was there and her unsettled mind needing to hear the relaxing sounds.
Growling when she could not concentrate, she opened her eyes and walked into the small house that she had lived for the 15 years of her life. At a round table in the center of he room sat an elderly man with a gray beard, mustache and hair. His eyes were downcast with a worried yet thoughtful look.
"Master?" the young girl hung up her cloak on a hook near the door and sat down at the table.
The man looked up and gave a small smile. "Ariala."
"What is it, master? Is there something wrong? A disturbance in the force?"
"No, no. Nothing's wrong." He smiled again. "In fact everything is good."
"Then why the downcast look? Master I know you. Something is bothering you."
The man sighed and stood going over to a small window that faced the rock formation Ariala was previously looking at.
"Ben," Ariala said rising as well "Master."
Ben looked at the girl and sighed once again. "Let me tell you a story. Come sit down." He gestured to the table and the two retook their seats.
"Thirty years ago, the Jedi race was thriving. The council stood strong and the Sith were just beginning to once again become a problem. I was still a padawan then and was surprised by the sudden drop of peace that I had grown so accustomed to.
"My master and I had come to Tatooine to refill on supplies and while there we came upon a young boy named Anakin. He had an unbelievable connection to the force and my master decided to take him with us. After my masters death I became Anakin's master and he was truly the one of the prophecy. Stronger than any youthful Jedi I have ever seen. But he had always had a clouded future – one that led him to become Darth Vader. His sudden change caused most of the Jedi to fall and his wife –"
"I thought marriage wasn't allowed for a Jedi," Ariala said suddenly interrupting the elder.
"It wasn't, still isn't. The two married in secret. Now if I may continue?"
"I'm sorry master."
"Quite alright. Now, where was I? Ah; Anakin's wife – Senator Padme' Amidala - had become pregnant during the clone wars and after Anakin turned she gave birth to two beautiful children. She died while still in labor giving birth to one last child. Master Yoda and myself knew of the first and also knew that if the empire ever got hold of them they would be killed or turned. ButI was the only one told of the third child. So, in order to protect them- all three of them - they were hidden. From each other as well as the empire's reach. "
Ariala nodded. She didn't know why but that was a surprisingly interesting story. "Why did you tell me this?"
"Because, young padawan, Padme' and Anakin were your mother and father."
Ariala stared at Ben her mouth agape and looked around as though trying to find the breath that had escaped her. "Darth Vader is my father?"
Ben nodded. "I know it is hard to believe but it's true. I was there at your birth."
Ariala shook her brown head. It couldn't be. Darth Vader – the Sith who had always wanted to destroy was her father? No. she did not believe it…but she knew it was true. She could feel the reality of Ben's words settling in her heart despite her wish that they would not.
"Y-you said Padme' had three children. Who are the others?"
"This might be better if I didn't tell you but when I decided to take you in I had decided that you should know. Luke Skywalker – he is you twin brother."
"Luke? That would explain why I have always felt drawn to him."
"Yes. The force will do that."
"And the other?"
"Your twin sister, Princess Leia of Alderaan."
Ariala was quiet. Being so far from any other planets and isolated in the little land that belonged to her master she had not known much of the universe.
"I want you to go and protect her. I can teach you very little else of the Jedi ways and I foresee trouble with her. Go to Alderaan."
"Yes, master."
The room was quiet for a while while Ariala took in the information that had just be thrust upon her shoulders.A journey lay before her and she knew it too. She had things to plan - espcially if she was to protect her long lost sister.
"They do not know of me," she said at length."do they?"
Ben shook his head. and Arial looked passed him towards a trunk in a back room. For many years she had gone digging into that trunk and on one of her adventures into it she discovered a blue lightsaber. Obi-Wan said it belonged to her deceased father.
"You told me my father was dead," she said suddenly looking at him with narrowed eyes.
"In a sense he was. As yoda told me, I will tell you. When Anakin turned toward the Sith he killed the good spirit that was Anakin Skywalkerand became Darth Vader. Therfore, in a sense, Darth Vader killed your father."
The young teen shook her head and sat for while in silence before rising and leaving for her room. After a moment of loud racket, Ariala appeared again, a smile on her face.
"Master," she said and pulled out a long metal cylinder object with a diameter of 3 inches. Most of it was covered in a graspable fabric but for two edges that were skillfully designed. The only part that wasn't metal was a little red button. "I finished it." Pressing the button a purple beam of light extended from the handle.
"Very nice, Ariala. You have the mechanical skills of your father."
At the mention of her father she retracted the saber and sighed. "I still don't believe it. I'm not sure if I ever will. But I know its true."
"The sooner you come to accept it, the easier it will be to avoid the dark side. Your reluctance will make you weaker and if the empire finds you they will be able to turn you without much difficulty. Remember, Ariala, fear, anger, sadness, are keys to the dark side. Avoid them."
"Yes, master."
0-0-0-0-0-0-0
The sun rose over the plains as a cloaked figure entered the pirate city. Her cheeks were stained with tears and her eyes were still bloodshot but she new what she was doing was good for the outcome of the future.
Her eyes scanned the surroundings before they settled on a small port where two males sat talking of space trips that they had gone on. Walking over she took a seat and looked at them through hooded eyes. "How much for a ride to Alderaan?" One man looked up and smirked?
"Who are you?"
"An interested passenger," Ariala said and repeated her original question.
"Why are you so interested in Alderaan?"
"Why are you so interested in me?"
"I like to know my cargo."
"What if I give you 10,000 for the ride and 2,000 for not asking any questions?"
"12,000? You got yourself a pilot. Well, well, well," he looked at his partner. "Must be a pretty important trip." He looked back to Ariala "When do we leave?"
"Whenever your ship is ready."
"Good, then lets go." The three rose and headed toward the nearby hanger.
0-0-0-0-0-0-0
On the ship, in the deep regions of space Ariala finally came to realize why she had been crying. For some reason, she felt that when she said goodbye to her master it would be the last time she would see him.
To be continued…
