Disclaimer: I am not George Lucas or Rick Riordan.

Enter Luke, carrying Silfinia Ell (Lumiya) across the Ravelin.

Lumiya. Do you still want to slap me, dear?

Realizing who is in his arms, Luke drops Silfinia into the river.

Silfinia rises to her feet and assumes her true form: Lumiya, Queen of Tython.

[laughs] Oh, my. That wasn't very heroic, even in a dream.

Luke. Six months. You stole six months of my life for a quest that took a week. Why?

Lumiya. You mortals and your short lives. Six months is nothing, my dear. I lost eight centuries once, missed most of the New Republic.

Through the Force, Luke summons a wave of water to be used against Lumiya.

Now, now. Don't get testy. If we are to defeat Abeloth, our plans must be timed perfectly. First, I needed Jacen and his friends to free me from my prison . . .

Luke. Your prison? You were in prison and they let you out?

Lumiya. Don't sound so surprised, dear. I'm a sweet old woman. At any rate, you weren't needed at the Imperial Remnant until now, to save the Empire at its moment of greatest crisis. The six months between . . . well, I do have other plans brewing, my boy. Opposing Abeloth, working behind Zonama's back, protecting your friends . . . It's a full-time job. If I had to guard you from Abeloth's monsters and schemes as well and keep you hidden from your friends back in the Core all that time . . . No, much better you take a safe nap. You would have been a distraction, a loose cannon.

Luke. [angry] A distraction. A loose cannon.

Lumiya. Exactly. I'm glad you understand.

Luke sends a wave crashing at Lumiya, but the Queen vanishes and rematerializes elsewhere.

My, you are in a bad mood. But you know I'm right. Your timing here was perfect. They trust you now. You are a hero of the Empire. And while you slept, Jacen Solo has learned to trust the Jedi. They've had time to build the Millennium Falcon. Together, you and Jacen will unite the camps.

Luke. Why me? You and I never got along. Why would you want a loose cannon on your team?

Lumiya. Because I know you, Luke Skywalker. In many ways, you are impulsive. But when it comes to your friends, you are as constant as an electrocompass needle. You are unswervingly loyal. And you inspire loyalty. You are the glue that will unite the Seven.

Luke. [sarcastic] Great. I always wanted to be glue.

Lumiya. The Heroes of Tython must unite. After your victory over the Emperor on Coruscant . . . well, I fear that wounded Zonama's self-esteem.

Luke. Because I was right. And he was wrong.

Lumiya. [shrugs] He should be used to that after so many eons married to me. But alas, my proud and obstinate husband refuses to ask mere demigods for help again. He believes the Yuuzhan Vong can be fought without you. And Abeloth can be forced back to her slumbers. I know better. But you must prove yourself. Only by sailing to the ancient worlds and closing the Doors of Death will you convince Zonama that you are worthy of fighting side-by-side with the Je'daii. It will be the greatest quest since Jax Pavan sailed from Haruun Kal.

Luke. And if we fail? If the Empire and the Jedi don't get along?

Lumiya. Then Abeloth has already won. I'll tell you this, Luke Skywalker: the one who will cause you the most trouble is the one closest to you . . . the one who hates me most.

Luke. [angry] Mara? You never liked her. Now you're calling her a troublemaker? You don't know her at all. She's the being I most want watching my back.

Lumiya. [smiles] We will see, young Jedi. She has a hard task ahead of her when you arrive on Bastion. Whether she is up to it . . . I do not know.

Using the Force, Luke sends a wave of water at Lumiya.

Exit Lumiya.

Luke awakes.

Exit all.