Chapter 10
Luke stared at his father in disbelief for a second and then came to his senses. "Good morning Dad.", he said. Anakin looked down at his son, and at the girl who sat across the table from him. He had seen the look in their eyes, it was the same one he had when he was with Padme on Naboo. Anakin said, "Morning son. Aellara. May I join you?" Luke nodded and Anakin sat down next to his son. Aellara smiled at Anakin and said, "Thank you again for your courage on Hoth Master Skywalker. Luke has…" Luke widened his eyes and shook his head almost imperceptibly to signal her. Anakin didn' notice his son as Aellara continued, "…told me that you were a hero during the Clone Wars." Luke made a small sigh of relief. If his father found out about him training Aellara, he would never allow them to meet. Not because he disliked Aellara, but because of the rule of attachments. Anakin smiled and ruffled Luke's hair and said, "He did? Well I wasn't a hero. I was just an overconfident young Knight who fell to the Dark Side." Aellara nearly spat out what she was drinking. She swallowed hard and said, "You fell to the Dark Side?" Anakin smiled grimly and said, "So he didn't tell you that. I did fall to the Dark Side. Do you see Master Windu's missing a forearm? That was me. The late Darth Sidious, or Emperor Palpatine as he was commonly known, lured me to the Dark Side with visions of Padme, my wife, dying during childbirth. He played on my fears of losing her and told me that the only way to save her was to turn to the Dark Side. That was the only way I could have enough power." Aellara was fascinated and motioned for him to continue. Luke turned away. Anakin said, "So I turned. I almost killed Padme in my rage and then dueled Obi Wan on Mustafar, a lava planet. Obi Wan struck me down in my overconfidence, cutting off my one remaining real arm and both of my legs. I burned alive until I was a scarred, screaming torso. The Emperor found me when only my rage kept me alive and put me into this terrible black respirator suit." Aellara whispered, "Wow. So how did you get out? How are you here?" Anakin opened his mouth but the bell to begin the daily training tolled. He said, "That story will wait for another day. Go to swordsmanship training Aellara. Luke, wait, come with me." Luke said, "I have to meet with Master Windu." Anakin said, "I already told Master Windu that you would be with me. There is much we must discuss."
Anakin led his son into a dimly lit room with two poufs. Luke motioned for his son to sit down on a pouf. Anakin sat cross-legged opposite to his son. Luke said, "Why have you brought me in here father?" Anakin said, "I want to talk to you about the dangers of attachments." Luke rolled his eyes and said, "Look. I know about attachments Dad, and how they can lead to the Dark Side. Besides, having you and Leia as my family is already an attachment." Anakin considered this and said, "True. But I think you know what I mean. Aellara?" Luke was glad his father couldn't see color rise in his cheeks in the dark room. He said, "She's just a friend. Like I told Leia, we just look out for one another." Anakin chuckled and said, "Luke, it wasn't that long ago that I was in your same position. A talented, young apprentice who fell for a stunning woman." Luke said, "But there is no Palpatine or anybody around to turn me like he did to you." Anakin said, "Regardless. I'm not saying you're not allowed to love. That's the shortcoming of the Jedi Code. I'm saying be very careful about your emotions. I will be watching you. If you wish, you have my permission to see Aellara AFTER your training. Besides, I need you to find out about her. Her presence on Hoth was suspicious at best." Luke said, "Now you're asking me to spy on her?" Anakin waved a hand back and forth and said, "Not spy. If she enjoys your company as much as you do hers, she'll gladly tell you when you ask." Luke stood up as Anakin did. He hugged his father quickly and said, "Thank you my Master." Anakin smiled at his son in approval.
Leia had spent the day discussing plans for a second mission to Hoth to gather information with Shaak Ti. At dinnertime, she left the Council Chamber and went to the dining hall. Looking around, she spotted Luke sitting by himself, munching on a sandwich. She quickly walked over and sat across from him, noticing that he was daydreaming. She tapped him on the hand and he snapped out of quickly. He looked at her for a moment before recognizing her and then said, "Morning Leia." Leia said, "Hey Luke. Are you just eating by yourself or…?" Luke said, "I'm waiting for Aellara actually. Here she comes." Leia looked up to see the tall girl striding toward them, her white robes swishing as she walked. Luke said, "I don't remember if you've met her already but Aellara, this is my twin sister Leia." Leia rose and shook Aellara's hand. She was surprised to feel that it was metal. Leia said, "You have a prosthesis." Aellara said, "Yes. I was attacked on Hoth." Leia nodded and said, "Well, I have to go." She walked away and then doubled back behind a nearby pillar. Luke was so entranced in Aellara he wouldn't sense her. She listened to their light conversation and was about to leave when Luke began to ask her about her past. Almost immediately, Leia could sense that she was telling the truth, but not all of it. Aellara was born on Tatooine to a force sensitive family and was raised to use the force. At the age of 10, she was sent away to learn the more powerful force powers from an age old Jedi Master who remained anonymous. Eventually her master died but he asked her to go to Hoth where he sensed Sith presence. Leia began to think about this and jumped as a hand touched her shoulder gently. It was Padme. Leia whispered, "Sorry mom…" Padme said, "It's fine. This is how I get info on some of those shady senators anyway." Mother and daughter listened together, trying to find out more about Luke's mysterious friend.