Chapter Eighty- Six
As Aalea's tears finally quieted, she pulled away from Luke. He gazed sorrowfully back at her.
"Do you ever regret, Mistress Ve'Red?" he asked.
Aalea looked over at him, her eyes soft. "Regret, young Luke?"
Luke sighed. "Having loved when you have known such pain?"
Aalea lowered her head for a moment. Then she squeezed Luke's hands and looked back up at him, her violet eyes serene.
"No, I do not regret. Yes, there was pain, but there was also joy, Luke. Such sweet joy! I once read in one of Valorum's book that love is the most precious gift we can give to one another. That it's only through love that we learn who we really are." She reached over and stroked Luke's hair. "Don't be afraid to love, Luke. With love there is always pain, but without it there is only the abyss."
Luke nodded. Then he frowned. "But there's something I don't understand, Mistress Ve'Red?"
"What is that?" she asked gently.
"Jarel. Qui-Gon and Cian's son. From what you've told me it almost seems as if the Force meant for him to be born. Destined for something greater than to die so young. Was he strong with the Force?"
"Oh, yes, very strong. He had inherited both his parents' Force sensitivity and he had Qui-Gon's strength and Cian's gentleness." Aalea took a deep breath. "Yes, if he had lived he would have become a great Jedi."
"But, why?" Luke shook his head. "I don't understand? Why did he have to die? Why did she?"
Aalea gazed sadly back at Luke. She reached over and cupped his face, tears shimmering in her eyes.
"Oh, my dear, dear Luke. Why did any of them have to die? That is the eternal question, is it not? And one I'm afraid I can't answer."
Aalea sat back and put her hands in her lap.
Luke reached over and took her hands in his. He looked down at them. The bones of her fingers were as thin as twigs.
"Mistress Ve'Red, I want you to come back with me. To the new Republic."
Aalea shook her head. "There's nothing there for me, Luke. My time has come and gone."
"Don't say that. You were once a Jedi. And you knew them all. The great Masters. Obi-Wan, Qui-Gon, Yoda, Windu. You were there before it was all swept away. We need you." He leaned closer and looked deep into her eyes. "I need you. I would like you to help me rebuild the Jedi Order."
"Luke, I'm honored you would want me. But, I don't know..." Aalea lowered her head.
"You don't have to decide tonight. R2 and I will return in the morning."
Aalea looked up at him. "But, where are you staying? I know there are no hostels in the village."
"I'll sleep in my ship. I've done it before."
"Nonsense." Aalea stood and limped over to a chest. She opened it and pulled out a somewhat dusty pallet. She turned back to Luke and smiled sheepishly. "I'm afraid it's probably not what you're used to."
Luke walked over to her and took the pallet from her hands.
"Believe me, Mistress Ve'Red, I slept on much worse during the war."
Aalea nodded and smiled. She glanced over at R2 and once again Luke saw a look of recognition flit across her face, then vanish.
"Will your droid be needing anything?" she asked.
Luke looked over at R2 who trilled at him.
Luke smiled. "I think he's saying he's fine, but thanks for asking."
Aalea smiled back at him.
"Well, good night, young Luke. I'll see you in the morning."
"Good night, Mistress Ve'Red."
Aalea turned and walked into her tiny sleeping area. As she closed the door, she looked back and saw Luke carefully laying the pallet on the floor.
Aalea closed the door. A warm feeling stole over her. Talking with Luke had brought back painful memories, yes, but it had also helped her remember that it had not all been pain and sorrow. There had been the joy of companionship, the excitement of adventure and the sweetness of love.
Aalea sat carefully on her bed and took a deep breath. She was so tired. Her life since Cian and Jarel's deaths had been a hard one; hiding, running, trying to stay one step ahead of the Force Hunters, the assassins sent out by the Emperor and Vader to destroy anyone found to be strong with the Force.
Aalea had encountered one of the Hunters on Tolak and had barely got away with her life. The battle with him had been fierce and had left Aalea's face badly burned but she had killed him and had taken great satisfaction in doing so.
Finally, she had fled here, to this bit of dust on the edge of the known galaxy. And here she had lived until she had grown old. Old, forgotten and lonely. Yes, there had been that, the terrible loneliness which she had endured all these years, longing so much for the touch and the sound and the sight of those she had loved so dearly.
Then one day, like the roar of waves from a distant ocean, Aalea heard of the Empire's defeat and the death of both the Emperor and Vader. And, for a time Aalea had considered going back, but everyone and everything she had known was gone, swept away by a tide of darkness and oppression. It was a new time, meant for the young.
Aalea smiled. Yet, perhaps she would take Luke up on his offer. It would be good to see Coruscant again.
Aalea reached over to the small table next to her bed and picked up a black lacquered box. The edges of the box were chipped and much of its finish had rubbed off. She slowly opened it.
Inside was a long violet ribbon, frayed and faded. Aalea picked it up and pulled it gently through her twisted fingers, her eyes brimming with tears. And for a moment, a moonlit night filled with the scent of roses, orchids and the Attar of Love filled her senses.
"Dearheart," she whispered. "He's a good young man. You did fine, my love. You did fine."
Aalea lay slowly down, the ribbon still clutched in her hand. Her breath moved in and out of her body for a bit as she lay in the darkened room and then, suddenly, a final exhalation; as soft as a sigh, as gentle as a whisper, as absolute as eternity.
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Luke felt the morning sun shining on his face. He rolled over and sat up. Aalea's bedroom door was still closed. He looked over at R2. The droid was still in shut down mode. Luke stood, then stretched.
He bent down, quickly rolled up the pallet and carried it over to the chest, placing it inside.
Luke looked over at Aalea's door again. He hated to wake her, but he'd been away from Coruscant for quite some time as he had searched for her. Leia and Han would begin to worry if he didn't return soon.
Luke walked over to her door and knocked softly.
"Mistress Ve'Red? I'm sorry for disturbing you, but I'm afraid I'll have to leave soon. May I come in?"
Luke waited. There was no sound. He knocked again. Then something tickled his awareness. Luke reached out to Aalea with the Force. He felt nothing.
He quickly opened the door and walked in.
The tiny room was dim. A sliver of morning light through which swirling dust motes danced fell upon her face.
Luke walked over slowly. He sat on the edge of the bed. She did not stir.
He reached over and touched the side of her neck with his fingers.
"No," he whispered. Tears welled in his eyes. He leaned over and stroked her thin gray hair.
Then Luke glanced down and saw she was holding a faded violet ribbon. He lifted her hand and kissed it.
"Go to him," he said softly.
To be continued....