Chapter XXXVI: Father and Son

Mara laid on the floor for a while before either one had the courage to address the other.

Finally, Luke approached her, offering her a hand. She took it after a little hesitation.

"Thank you," she said, now standing, face to face.

"You could've defended yourself," Luke said, somewhat annoyed. "Why didn't you?"

"I have no chance against a Skywalker. Nobody does."

"I know damn well—as you do—that isn't true. I know guilt can be hard to take, Mara. But don't take it so far as to put yourself in danger."

"Oh don't act like you care. And please leave me alone." She crossed her arms and sat on the bed.

Luke stared at her for a moment. "You know," he said after a pause; he sat beside her. "Last time I left I thought it best to not say goodbye to anyone. I still think it was the right choice, but there were times, when I was alone, that I wished I had had a warmer farewell."

"It was an unnecessary separation, Luke. You had no real reason to go."

"I wish I could talk to you about it," he sighed. "I know you'd understand… but you're afraid it might back fire… and now I see why. It was wrong of you to betray my sister—she's not one to let grudges go. She got that from my father."

"Point is I did—so just shut up and go."

"I still believe you wouldn't betray me—how foolish is that?"

"Very foolish," she smiled. There was a moment of silence. "Is this your idea of a goodbye?"

"Yeah, I am not very good at this. Care to help me out?"

She turned to face him; she took both his hands, slowly, as if afraid he'll flinch. He allowed her. She rested her head on his shoulder. "I will miss you," she softly said. "I always do."

"When I was little I had a droid instructor who told me war stories. He talked of soldiers going to war, never shedding a tear for their loved ones… which caused them to die on the inside. I never understood that. Right now I do."

"Are you a soldier going to war?"

He looked at her dead serious. "We agreed I shouldn't share anything with you."

"I've heard those old stories, too. I know the soldiers kissed their wives and girlfriends before leaving."

"Seems so masochistic, don't you think? They knew they'd never see each other again. Most soldiers die during war; and those who manage to come back find their beloved usually couldn't wait for them so long."

"Yes, Luke. You've become so rational."

He pulled her closer. "Not so much."

He kissed her hard.

"Farewell," out of breath, he managed to say.

She laid down on the bed after he was gone. Still cherishing the moment. "Farewell brave soldier. Please don't die before the war is over."

He knew he had no right to play with her emotions like that. He had no right to enjoy her company so much. He was aware of how damaging a single kiss from her lips was to his faith. Yet he didn't care. Kenobi and Yoda be damned, she deserved that last kiss. They both deserved it. Even needed it. When the moment of his death came, nothing would bother him so much as to not having done it. The tragic end of his poor sister's lover's was enough to make him sure of it.

The Skywalker Castle in Coruscant had been a particularly favorite place for Luke since he could remember. Not for the castle itself, or the planet, but for the company he was always sure to find there.

What would happen to her now that he was officially out of her life?

If he lived to be a hundred he'll wonder about it, yet he was sure he would never try to find out. Let her be at peace. Please. He hoped Padmé ensured that.

Luke wandered through the many halls and rooms in the castle, many memories of years past coming uncalled to his mind. He could see a little prince running away from a little princess and a little lady; a fun innocent game he would never again think about. He could see a darkened corner, where a young and careless prince called for a beautiful young lady. Stolen kisses. Giggles. Fear. Excitement. Fights. Make up. Tears…

"What troubles you, son?" Luke heard suddenly behind him. He startled back, then he faced his father.

"Nothing," Luke said. "Why?"

"You were never a good liar."

"Yeah. Can you believe people used to say I look like you?" he said ironically. "I literally got nothing from you."

"You are my spitting image," Anakin said, angrily. "I also had little regard for authority figures." He took him by the collar. "Come, son. Let's take a walk."

"Um, actually," Luke stammered. "I kinda have to do something…"

"Which I'm sure can wait. Move, boy!"

"Is the fresh air doing you ill?" Anakin asked in a mocking tone, as they entered the garden.

You are doing me ill, thought the young man.

"I understand what you're going through, Luke."

Yeah, I doubt that.

"I'm not going through anything," Luke denied.

"It would be unwise to make any great decision while your mind is in such a confused state." Anakin said, ignoring his son's denial. "I would know. I took many important decisions when I was young, which I still wished I had had more time to think through. But it was a conflicting time. More often than not there was no time to think anything through."

"Guess there never is."

"But you do have time Luke! You have all the time and the means in the world. That's what infuriates me. I have laid down everything to you in a silver platter… and you still refuse to take it!"

"That sounds foolish," he grinned, remembering Mara Jade. "I am so foolish."

"Quite. When I was your age I was battling for my life and that of billions. I had to hide my true ideas and feelings. I encountered traitors and enemies at every turn. I was astonished by the impracticality and stupidity of politicians. I had… in short, a lot to deal with—and yet I dealt. Only to have my own son put me aside twenty years later." He sighed, truly pained.

"I do care for your opinion, father. I just know I won't agree with it."

"Try."

"Father… I've always wanted to ask you…"

"Yes?" Anakin's blue eyes shone bright with hope.

"When did you start turning against the Jedi? I mean," he corrected quickly. "When did you lean closer towards Sith ideals?"

"I suppose I was never fully indoctrinated in the ways of the Jedi. And I accepted the Sith… well, this might surprise you, literally the moment it was before me."

Not surprising.

"The Jedi way, and the Sith… sometimes I think they're not so different after all."

"Perhaps, son."

"Have you ever regretted your decision?"

"No." Anakin said without wasting a thought. "That would mean regretting your mother, and my children."

"You always said you did everything for us."

"Yes."

"That makes love seem so dangerous. Love is dangerous."

"That's true," Anakin grinned. "But it's the only thing worth a damn in the world. So, again, think son. Don't do anything rash yet. You haven't lived. You will only after you find love."

"Is that the future you want for me?"

"It is. I will love the day I see you married, with your own children. Maybe that day you'll finally understand me."

"I'm sorry, Father, but that day will never come. I will never marry—let alone have offspring."

"Hush, you're too young now, of course. With age it will all change."

"What if I marry now?"

"It would be a mistake. You need to mature into a man first."

"Weren't you in your late teens when you married mother?"

"Yes, but…" Anakin was lost for words. He and Luke shared a chuckle. "That's different."

"Right."

Anakin put his flesh hand over his son's shoulder. "I wish you would come to me for advice more often."

"In the past that never worked well. You don't know how to give advice father. Pardon, you only know how to command."

"Don't ruin the moment, Luke. And if I command is because you never listen to any advice!"

"You're one to talk. I never listen? Well, that's the one thing I learned from you."

"Quiet, Luke. You are on the edge of disrespect again!"

"See? Quiet… Quiet… Listen. That's all there is with you. Things will never change. You. Will. Never. Change. I am glad I could confirm that."

"You are too old to play the misunderstood teen, my boy. Just admit you hate being obedient, and that's the issue here."

"That's the issue? You make things so simple, father…"

"Calm down, Luke. Though it might be hard for you to believe it, I was once in your place, and I know that it's not easy. So again, prepare before you act. Don't make any decisions now!"

Wouldn't you love that…

"I have to. And I have to go."

"What?"

Luke shook his head, as if suddenly aware.

"I know what this is about." Anakin said. "You do want to go on and marry."

"Uh?"

"Mara Jade. Son, you know I don't approve."

"Did the Jedi disapproving of mother stop you?"

"That's absolutely different! They wouldn't have approved of anyone period. I have great hopes for you, and I wouldn't waste you on that girl!"

"You have great hopes for me. Funny, lots of people do."

"I don't understand you."

"You never will."

I know it now.

"I have to go." Luke said in a most pained voice.

"Take your time," Anakin said in an understanding tone, one Luke hadn't expect. It affected the young prince so much he almost changed his mind. But he couldn't… I know I have to go…

Luke left his father with an emotional heart, remembering why he hadn't said goodbye to anyone last time he left.

It was torturous, and it made him—he couldn't believe it— not want to go!

He decided he should avoid seeing his mother or his sister at all costs. Those would be encounters he'd not get over.

He decided he couldn't waste more time. He entered the room in which he knew he'd find R2-D2. Like he expected he found his droid bickering with his counterpart.

"I don't know what's happening to the royal family," 3PO was moaning. "Granted, only Queen Amidala received a truly formal education, but the twins at least should've taken something from their upbringing."

R2 beeped many shut up's.

"Um, hi guys," Luke smiled at Threepio's sudden distress. "Sorry to interrupt. Artoo, I'm going to check something on the ship. Do you want to come?"

"Oh surely, Master!" the golden droid exclaimed though he hadn't been invited to go.

"Um," Luke couldn't find the words to get rid of him without hurting his feelings. So he just let him tag alone, figuring on the way there C-3PO would go back himself.

The young prince and the two droids entered the massive hangar of the Skywalker Castle.

They passed by many guards, many soldiers. Luke could see the party that was meant to accompany the family on the trip to Naboo.

He passed the many large, impressive ships and vessels. He almost wished to inspect a few of them, knowing he would probably never see, let alone fly, an imperial ship. And if he did see one again… it would probably be a less thrilling experience.

As he was pacing, again trying to think of words to rid himself of 3PO, Luke noticed a ship he had not seen before. This was no imperial ship. He got closer, regarding the almost pathetic spaceship; up-close it looked worse. He wondered how Leia managed to survive in such a thing for so long… Of course, it was not her merit, he grinned, now able to touch the Corellian freighter. The Corellian…

"You seem intrigued by the Millennium Falcon," 3PO suddenly said. "Captain Solo claims it is the fastest ship in the galaxy. By my recollection, though I am not so familiar with all the ships in the galaxy, I would still say he wasn't entirely dishonest about it."

"So the looks are deceiving?" Luke smiled.

"The looks are deceiving," 3PO agreed.

It was a curiosity he just had to ease…

Luke entered the Millennium Falcon, followed by the two droids. R2 beeped as if rushing Luke, remembering him they had something important to do, somewhere important to be.

Luke brushed him off.

"Not bad," he said, exploring the interior. "Could be worse, the floors are yet to snap. Wait, Artoo. Let's look around. Threepio, you must know this place well."

"Better than I would like to, sir."

Threepio walked Luke to the cockpit. "Is it really so fast?" Luke said, caressing the controls. "How the hell did they escape a bounty hunter, and the freaking Empire at their tale…"

"It is not a pleasant tale," Threepio said. Nonetheless he begin telling it. Luke was for once very interested in hearing it.

"I do wonder how Captain Solo could've left his ship here," 3PO said. "I never saw a man so attached to his mode of transportation. Not even Master Skywalker."

Luke sighed. "Yeah." He looked around, sort of guiltily. "Well, he's not using it anymore."

R2 beeped. "I'm kidding Artoo! I would never—I wish I could ask the captain how he managed his famous escapes. Even more with my sister, probably nagging at his ear every moment. May he rest—" he cleared his throat. "Threepio, what was he like?"

"Your Highness—I mean Master Luke; oh I know you don't like your royal title, sir—"

"Threepio!"

"Right. Pardon me. Oh sir, do you know if Captain Solo is all right?"

"My friend, you sound worried? Was he so nice to you?"

"Oh quite the contrary, sir. But he did save our lives. And he really seemed to care for the princess."

Luke sat on the captain's usual seat. "May the Force be with him."

Leia hated, she dreaded with all her being whenever she felt her heart beat in that violent way. Why did human beings have such strong emotions if they were impossible to control? She was tired of feeling so much. As she paced, walking in anger, she couldn't help punching the walls and groaning at every step.

Damn Luke, he should've let her kill Mara.

Damn Mara, she was like a sister and yet she betrayed her.

Damn them all! For making her suffer so.

But she didn't curse anyone now as much as she cursed Han.

What if she didn't care about him? How easy would her life be right now?!

What if he was just the pilot she found in a dirty cantina? What if his disappearance meant nothing to her? What if she was still oblivious about everything?

Well, she was yet oblivious about the one thing she cared most about.

How did her father kill him?

Oh she still couldn't accept it. How was it possible that she was never to see him again?

She remembered still the sweet taste of his lips, the excitement in his very touch, the happiness he could bring… she felt him. She felt him still within her heart, so close, and yet so far… she felt him… in the Force.

The strong presence of her father clouded the feeling she was experiencing.

His dark, strong presence within the Force could make apparent that he was the only being in the galaxy. She walked further till she couldn't feel her father and master.

A lighter presence, the one she knew so well seemed to call to her. Closer and closer, here in the castle. She walked faster and faster till she was practically running. She didn't want to let it escape, she didn't want it to fade… till it inevitably did, her father coming after her erasing everything.

"Why were you running, Leia?" he asked, confused.

She seemed to not hear. Her starry eyes looking ahead, as if in a dream.

"Did you hear me, child?"

She tried to block him. It was so hard when his presence was so strong and so connected to her own.

She tried to focus like Luke had told her.

She could hear Anakin speaking to her, but she wasn't listening to him.

She suddenly gasped, and almost fainted. "Force," she breathed.

Anakin stared down at her for some moments, completely bewildered.

He hadn't really much time to react, as Leia jumped ahead of him and ran fast, towards the dungeons.

"Leia!" he screamed but he couldn't stop her.

She could hear her knees cracking and her ankles almost twisting at the tremendous effort but she didn't care. When she met the guards, she ordered them to move away and let her pass. She could hear her father screaming her name.

She was let into the grimy hidden place. A droid, reminiscing of her dear C-3PO though completely silver, greeted her. "Princess Leia," he didn't bow.

"Prin..cess?" a low voice said, filled with disbelief.

Leia wasted no time. She struggled lifting him from the ground. He was chained, he said a few things that didn't make sense—he probably still wasn't aware that it was her who held him in her arms.

"Let go of him. Now." Leia heard her father say. The tone of the order left no hesitation in her.

She stood before Han, as a sort of shield.

"How could you…" she said accusingly at her father but her voice broke.

"Step aside, Leia. He is my prisoner."

"He was your prisoner. Father, you will never hurt him again. You will never hurt anyone again! I promise it-I swear it! I will not allow it!" she spoke with the same assured determination and strength. Just about the same mad menacing quality.

"Leia?" Han seemed to recognize her voice.

He let his head fall over the princess's shoulder. She clearly relished in his touch. She breathed out with supreme relief.

Anakin groaned dangerously. "Enough!" he said. "I will kill him now. Before your very eyes, child. I don't care! In fact, this will teach you a lesson. Move aside, Leia. I will not stop just to not hurt you."

"I don't fear you!"

"Move now!"

"No!"

"Why Leia! Don't make me do anything crazy. Move aside now."

"I will not."

"Why not?!" he screamed and both Han and Leia jumped.

"Because I love him!" she declared, unashamed.

There was a moment of silence in which the two Skywalkers just stared at each other. It was broken only by the faint sound of, "I knew it," coming from Han.

Leia vacillated. "Father," she said, knowing she had to be merciless. "The rebel I fought in Dagobah, who left me almost half dead, he will not leave the Rebel Alliance. Not until the Empire is defeated. I trust him to do it. You were wrong, the Jedi are not the weaker ones. He will win."

"We will not let that happen," Anakin breathed troublesome.

"Father," she almost dared not say it. She felt it cut her just to say the words. "The rebel who's bringing down our empire, the Jedi who will rise a new Order, who proved with me is stronger than the Sith, the Alliance's biggest hope… is Luke."

Silence.

"Luke is the Jedi helping the alliance."

Leia knew that look she saw now on her father's face. She had seen it before in herself. That look of utmost despair, of absolute heartbreak, sickening anguish, of shattered hope, terror and helplessness… and she knew she had to advantage the moment.

She reached down to her waist, grabbing a lightsaber that felt now foreign in her hands, and she slashed at her father. It is hard to say who was most astonished, him, falling back, or her, staring at the limb now on the floor...

He quickly tried to rise and she couldn't allow it. She waved her hand, quick as a predator, and she threw the torture device droid, who flew through the air, across the room, hitting the Emperor in the face, leaving him unconscious.

The princess held her breath as she removed Han's chains and urged him to run.

They passed by the guards, running together, holding hands. "You know I was just jesting before?" Han said in a dither as they hurried, running in no particular direction.

"What?" she said, stupidly, not knowing anything.

"About what I said before? I love you, too."

"I know!"

They stopped by the hangar's gates. Leia still felt she wasn't breathing.

"Give him your weapons," she said to the guards.

"Your Highness?" they shook their heads, confused.

She repeated her order in a harsher tone. They handed Han their weapons.

"Damn it, why do I feel like he's behind us?" Leia said as they kept running, looking for the Millennium Falcon.

"Maybe because he is."

Han looked faint and beaten, Leia felt like crying, just imagining how he ever could fly in those conditions.

She guided him, supporting him, almost falling; they stumbled to the floor a few times.

Finally Leia found the ship. The gates were opened.

She dragged Han inside. She screamed at the same time Anakin did.

"LEIA! LEIA! STOP THEM!" the stentorious shout echoed in the hangar.

Leia left Han and ran to the cockpit. She screamed again when she realized it wasn't desolate.

"What are you doing here?" She shrieked.

Luke seemed lost for words. "I was just—"

"Start the ship!" she cried. "Now! We need to get out of here!"

"Leia, I can't… I—"

She hit him. "He's gonna kill us!"

"Shoot em' now!" the Emperor ordered, as loud as he could. Everyone just stared at him, gaping.

"Your Majesty," the soldiers couldn't look more confused. "The prince and princess are on that ship."

"That ship is flying away!" Anakin looked beside himself. "Don't allow it! Shoot it down!"

His orders were finally obeyed. Too late. The Millennium Falcon had flown away.

The soldiers and guards stood tall, struggling to conceal the fear palpable within the hangar. But the Emperor said nothing. He punished no one. He just turned away.

The fancy drawing room in the castle was an almost cozy place to say goodbye. Mara's heart can hardly stand another farewell to a person she loves, yet the queen's presence is such comfort she cannot reject it. She even feels thankful for it.

All is well in the Force as she seats beside her, holding hands, saying her goodbyes… when all darkens.

The door busts open, a strange tall form storms in, scaring Mara and Padmé. It takes a few moments, but they at last realize it's the Emperor.

It had taken them time, because his face was completely covered, dripping blood.

"Anakin? What happened to you?" Padmé cries, frightened.

The queen is ignored, instead, Darth Vader walks past her.

Mara can't believe it, but he is coming towards her. He could easily call her to him, without making an effort; but she can feel, as the huge hand wraps around her neck, seizing her throat and her breathing, he wants to feel as he hurts her.

She feels herself being dragged by the throat and hair, as if by a monster, across the floor, blood dripping over her.

"Anakin, stop! What are you doing to her?"

"She will help me."

She wishes she would drop dead so she doesn't have to know how exactly she has to help him. She wishes to at least faint. But she isn't so lucky, and she is now perfectly aware of everything that happens.