Chapter 8: Pieces Of The Puzzle

She was already late, and very aware of the fact, yet the Princess did nothing to make her actions any quicker. Lying on the floor of her bedroom in Alderaan, Leia wrote down everything she knew about Anakin Skywalker, ink and paper.

"Princess," she heard behind her door, "Viceroy Organa is wondering if you're ready."

"I'm coming," Leia said carelessly, without getting up.

She was writing:

Sported blue lightsaber…

Used R2-D2…

Historically saved Naboo prior to the Clone Wars; aged 9-12 (probably). Yet that doesn't appear on any history books approved by the Empire. Veracity is not questionable, as witnesses claim and confirm— Trustworthy source (Miss Sabé).

Died sometime around the Birth of the Empire (as I was being born, chilling, oh Force). Aged 24-27 (probably).

"Leia! Hurry up!" a handmaiden cried.

"Just a moment!" she cried angrily, furious at being distracted.

Served Queen Amidala. R2-D2 belonged to the planet Naboo—the Queen recognized the droid's value. Years later Skywalker used R2-D2 during the war. Connection: R2-D2.

"Damn droid, why won't he speak?" she wondered out loud.

"Leia, what the hell are you doing?"

She never heard the door being opened. She was therefor quite shocked watching the tall, dark form of her father.

"What are you doing?" he repeated his question, his voice more bothered than before.

"I… just," Leia stammered and begin gathering every piece of paper and evidence she couldn't allow her father to see.

"Leia! Why do you hide those papers from me?!" Bail demanded and tried to snatch a few from Leia. She fought him all the way till she could hide them behind her back.

"They're mine!" she cried. "And they're private."

"But why can't I look at them?" Bail asked, bewildered.

"Because they're… they're…" Leia couldn't think of anything to say.

She saw herself cornered and considered to just say the whole truth, but then a noise interrupted and broke the uncomfortable, painful silence. Her comlink.

"Who's trying to reach you?" Bail questioned, seriously.

Leia breathed out in relief, happy to change the subject. "I don't know," she said. "Let me check."

It was her new friend. Her now partner in "crime". "Darred," she smiled. "I am with my father," she said as if to warn him to not say anything about their research on Skywalker.

"Oh," Darred's voice was heard, "Hello, Your Majesty."

"Leia, break that call, we're talking now." Bail ordered.

"Okay…." She nodded, a little afraid. "Bye, Darred."

"See you in Coruscant," he said.

Leia laid the comlink on the floor and stared at it.

"I know what's going on." Bail said and Leia's heart started to race.

"You do?"

"Yes, and I don't need to read what you were writing to know… Leia, there's something going on between you and that boy," he said as an affirmation, truly pained.

"What?" Leia was confused.

"This is why you spend so much time alone in your bedroom, skipping meals, wondering and dreaming of Naboo… You are in love with that Nabooian mechanic!"

Leia's first instinct was to burst out laughing for such a ridiculous accusation—but she saw the opportunity, and embarrassing and foolish as it made her feel, she took it.

She couldn't say anything, she turned her back so Bail wouldn't see her grin, and nodded.

"Oh my child! So it is true?" Bail cried.

"Yes," she found her voice, unsteady from suppressed giggles. "I was just writing a few verses to him—do you want to look at them?"

"Oh, no! No, never! And I will not allow this!"

"Father, do be reasonable," Leia forgot about her amusement at the situation and pitied Bail. "It's nothing serious—"

"Nor will it ever be!" Leia jumped at Bail's sudden stentorian voice.

"What do you mean?" she shrunk in fear.

"You will never see that man again!"

At first she wanted to snort just hearing Darred being referred to as a man; then she was angered by the loud, commanding tone her father used. Then her rebellious nature exploded at being ordered and prohibited.

"And what if I do?" she challenged.

"There's no if," Bail growled.

"We'll see!" she cried and ran out of the room.

"Leia! Leia! Don't turn your back on me, young lady!"

"Bring my things!" the princess commanded to a servant as she walked to the hangar.

Her blood ran swiftly and hot through her veins; her beating heart pounding with vehement strength. She felt a need to grunt and scream and cry like a child; and she felt extremely embarrassed and disgusted with herself and her outburst when an hour passed and she, as much as her hormones, had calmed down.

The trip to Imperial Center was quiet, an absolute nightmare. She wanted to go to her father and apologize, but she couldn't begin to imagine how to go about it. Unthinking, but feeling, she left her chamber in the Tantive IV and went on search for her father, but she received news that felt oddly similar to the feeling of being kicked in the stomach.

"Viceroy Bail Organa stayed in Alderaan, he'll be rejoining you in Imperial Center shortly." A handmaiden said.

"When is shortly?" she asked, almost with tears in her eyes.

"Later today or in a few days, Princess."

She cried all the way to the Capital. She seemed perfectly composed when arriving, though.

"Teenagers nowadays," Sabé sighed with contempt. "Thank the Force I only have to deliver her and then she's someone else's responsibility. I don't have the patience for this job—this emotional princess amidst her transition."


Mina wasn't sure if she was glad of the orders she received or not. On the one hand, she felt powerful knowing she could deny Leia of leaving the apartment—on the other, she was annoyed at the fact she had to stay and watch her.

"This is ridiculous," Leia complained. "Why is my father treating me like I broke the law or something?"

"Going out with an older man… I think it's the Nabooian who could be jailed for this," Mina grinned.

"Shut up."

"Maybe it's not such a big deal for him. After all, Naboo is an ancient planet, I guess we're within their age of consent—"

"Shut up!"

"Fine, Princess. Sorry to bother you," Mina said, acidly. "Whatever. I'm tired of this seating around. I'm going out."

"You're supposed to stay and watch me."

"You're a big girl, hon. Specially as of lately… I never would have guessed you're into older guys—"

"Stop it, Mina! First of all… he's not that old. Besides, it was all just a misunderstanding. We're just friends."

"Hmm, I knew it was too good to be true. You're so boring and perfect, Princess. Well, in case you want to add fuel to the fire, and turn those rumors true. You might come with me," she laughed watching Leia's shocked and scared face. "Thought so. Bye, Your Highness!"

"She's horrible!" Leia grunted when she was alone.

She was very angry, not just with her scathing handmaiden, but with her father, too.

Why must Bail act that way with her, almost like a tyrant. And why does she have to obey so blindly?

I don't! She decided.

She got ready with a fancy dress, mature makeup; high heels. She stared at her reflection on the looking glass, wondering what was missing… and she thought of something. Looking around the things she had in all her suitcases and bags she found it: the silver locket the Emperor had given her.

Looking incredibly imperial and beautiful, she went to work to the Imperial Senate.

She expected to turn a few heads, giving how everyone in the House of Alderaan had been behaving towards her; but in Imperial Center no one knew of her recent delicate situation. They greeted her just fine, a few complementing her good look of the day.

Only one "person" didn't say anything to her, which she also didn't expect. She was really starting to lose her fear of Darth Vader, customary as his presence was becoming.

"Good afternoon, Darth Vader," Leia smiled, she had no intention of ever referring to him as Lord—even if it shocked people. Vader only nodded and continued walking past her.

Leia grinned and went on to her office. Before reaching it, she ran into the tall red-clothed royal guards, behind them was Emperor Palpatine.

"Good afternoon, Princess Organa," he greeted. "I swear, child, you are older and more beautiful each time I see you."

"Your Majesty," Leia bowed respectfully, even when the action hurt her. "What an honor to see you again."

"Yes. I am glad to see you working so hard. You certainly got that from your Father. Is he in his office? I would love to greet him, too."

"Um," Leia muttered, "I am not sure. We didn't come together. I suppose yes…"

"But why didn't you come together—oh, open the way!" he suddenly commanded to the guard. "I cannot see the Princess. Come dear, we can walk together to Senator Organa's office."

Leia didn't falter for a second, though she inwardly gulped; she got in the circle the royal guards made around Palpatine and joined the Emperor by his left side. They reached Bail's office and as she had expected it was empty.

"Hmm, it will be another time, I suppose," the Emperor said. "I love seeing this around your neck, by the way," he put his wrinkly hands around Leia's throat and caressed the necklace that hung above her chest. "I am glad to see you liked it, Princess. Female taste varies so much, I was afraid I made the wrong call."

"Oh no, it's great!" Leia faked a thankful smile. "I love it so much. Thank you for it, Your Majesty."

"And have you figure it out what it does?" he opened the locket and saw nothing inside. "Guess not. You can guard here data, holovids, and record messages. It was highly expensive—nothing short of what a future queen deserves, of course."

"I thank you again, Your Majesty. I was not aware of its benefits beyond that of looking pretty. What a wonderful gift!"

"Yes… Well, I'll leave you my dear. Go back to work, and say hi to your Father for me, when you see him."

"Absolutely. Goodbye, sir."

She breathed out in relief when he was gone. She had never been more disgusted being in the presence of anyone.

Leia followed the Emperor's advice. She worked till late, though not on anything Palpatine could imagine. She now looked at everything in the Senate from a Rebel point of view, and many ideas were blooming in her brain, which she couldn't wait to put to practice.

When she came back to her apartment she was so tired she couldn't wait to have a night of peaceful sleep. As soon as she entered the lobby, though, she realized that wouldn't happen.

"Oh Princess!" she was welcomed by Mina's loud cry and preoccupied face. "Finally you return! Oh where in the worlds have you been?"

"What?" Leia grinned confused. "What are you talk—" she saw Bail had come back, he was standing by a corner with a serious expression, watching Leia.

You've got to be kidding me.

"Hello, Father," she greeted carefully. "I am glad you're back—"

"Answer the question, Leia. Where were you, child?"

She shook her head and resisted the urge to roll her eyes. "At the Senate, Father. Where else would I be?" she said, almost offended.

"Is that so? Why don't I believe you?" Bail sighed. "You are not going out Leia, ever again, without someone accompanying you."

"What?!" Leia cried. "You're being ridiculous!"

"Leia, have care of how you speak. You are disrespecting me."

She was damn tired of his constant reproaches. She grunted like a child and ran to her bedroom. She wished for her bedroom of classical architecture in Alderaan so she could shut the door with a thud, this one closed by itself didn't hold the same impact. Though Bail didn't seem to think so…

She heard him scream behind the door, "Open it Leia! We need to talk!"

"Leave me alone!" she repeated constantly.

She shed a few tears that night. Seated on the floor, she held the papers she had written on Skywalker, and found strange comfort only there.

"Did you ever feel like this?" she asked to the shadow of her hero. "I don't believe you were above feelings like this."

She cleaned her tears. She felt better. She thought not of her father Bail but only on the great Anakin Skywalker.

"How could you have disappeared? How could you be forgotten? I'll make sure your memory lives!"

She didn't know what a delicate string she was about to tread.