Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars.
Epilogue
Darth Vader fought for control of his TIE fighter as he flew away from the Death Star. But his movements were automatic, his thoughts distant. Images were flashing across his vision. He saw Mustafar, seventeen years ago. Obi-Wan was running to Padmé's ship, cradling the unconscious woman to his chest.
Padmé was lying on an operating table, screaming in pain with tears coarsing down her cheeks. A med-droid handed a small, failing body to Obi-Wan who announced "It's a girl!" "Leia," Padmé wept, a pain-filled smile on her face as she craned her head to see.
Obi-Wan standing in a Nubian bedroom, with people Vader thought seemed vaguely familiar. "I must ask that you claim her as your own," the Jedi was saying.
The vision zeroed in on the face of the baby, and he watched her grow from an infant to a young woman dressed in a dark tunic and pants, with a lightsabre hilt in hand. A name echoed in his mind: Leia Naberrie. His daughter.
After landing in the main hangar at the Rebel base on Yavin 4, Leia climbed out of her battered X-wing to be greeted by a throng of cheering Rebels. As she descended the ladder beside her ship, she searched the crowd for one face in particular, and then she saw him.
"Leia!" Luke shouted as he rushed to her. She threw her arms around his neck and they danced around in a circle.
As Leia spun, she saw C-3PO make his way through the crowd to stand beside the X-wing, then saw Han and Chewbacca come running toward them.
"Han!" she cried joyfully. As soon as he was in reach, she jumped in his arms and pressed her lips to his, feeling one of his arms pull her closer while the other supported her head. The surrounding Rebels let out various whoops and wolf-whistles at the action.
"I knew you'd come back!" Leia declared, a bright smile lighting up her face. "I just knew it!"
Han shrugged, giving her a roguish grin. "Well, that kiss sure as hell beat any money I could get from smuggling."
A maintenance crew had removed R2-D2 from the X-wing and lowered him down to the hangar floor.
"Oh, no!" Leia gasped at the sight.
"Oh, my!" C-3PO cried. "Artoo! Can you hear me? Say something!" When no reply came from R2-D2, C-3PO looked to the maintenance crew imploringly. "You can repair him, can't you?" He begged.
"We'll get to work on him right away," one technician told him assuringly.
"You must repair him!" 3PO insisted. Turning to Leia, he added, "Madam, if any of my circuits or gears will help, I'll gladly donate them."
"He'll be all right," Leia said with great assurance. She was filled with a relieved sense of glee at what had just happened, despite her grief. She had just done what dozens of Rebels had sacrificed themselves for. She had blown up the Death Star.
The next day, trumpets sounded over the Massassi temple. In the expansive ruins of the temple's high-ceilinged main throne room, hundreds of uniformed Rebel troops stood at attention and faced a long aisle. The aisle extended to the far end of the chamber and ended at steps that led up to an elevated level, upon which stood the various Alliance leaders, including Luke.
Leia, Han, and Chewbacca entered the throne room. Leia wore Nubian clothes, a spliced purple tunic with flared-out sleeves and lilac stitching on the chest along with a pair of dark purple leggings. Her hair had a thin braid on either side of her head, going into a cascade of curls that spilled down her back.
Han wore his own clothes, including a clean shirt he'd been saving for a special occasion.
Chewbacca wore his bandolier. The Wookiee followed the two humans up the aisle, passing the silent troops as they marched solemnly toward the prince. When the trio arrived at the steps, Chewbacca glanced aside and barked at the troops.
As if in response, the troops turned simultaneously on their heels to face the Rebel leaders. Leia and Han ascended the steps and stopped just below Luke.
Chewbacca was uncomfortable with the situation and remained on a lower step behind Han.
Prince Luke wore a formal Alderaanian suit. He looked to Han and Leia. Leia was unable to maintain a serious expression and broke out in a big smile. Luke smiled back at the girl who had quickly become his best friend.
General Dodonna handed a gold medallion to him.
Han bowed as Luke placed the medallion around his neck. As he rose, Han winked at Leia who beamed back him broadly.
Leia glanced over to C-3PO, who stood beside the Rebel leaders. The protocol droid was gleaming from head to toe, and appeared very proud. She nodded to acknowledge him, then returned her attention to Luke and the ceremony. Luke had just finished giving Chewie his medal and was now holding out Leia's one.
She lowered her head, and Luke placed a medallion around her neck too. Then the three of them bowed to Luke respectfully, and a happy beeping sound came from beside C-3PO.
It was R2-D2. The astromech had been completely refurbished, and looked better than he had when he'd been brand-new. R2-D2 wobbled back and forth with excitement, causing all to grin.
Leia, Han, and Chewbacca turned to face the assembled troops, and the ancient temple was suddenly filled with loud cheers and applause. Chewbacca surveyed the crowd and growled.
Even though friends had been lost, and the battle against the Empire was far from over, the fact remained that a small band of heroes had destroyed the Death Star against impossible odds. For that, the Rebels found cause to celebrate. And they did.