Epilogue

R2 warbled at Luke. Luke put down his shovel and wiped his forehead. He walked over to the droid who was finishing work on a stone slab Luke had gotten from the village.

"That's good, R2. You did a great job."

R2 chirruped at Luke and pulled his laser pen back into its compartment.

Luke picked up the stone and carried it over to the grave. He positioned it firmly at its head. He stepped back. He had buried the photos and the ribbon with her. He lowered his head for a moment.

Then he heard a sound behind him. Luke turned. The man who had given him the stone was walking towards him. He had a little girl with him. She carried a bouquet of flowers.

The man took off his hat. He gestured toward Aalea's grave.

"We didn't know her well. Pretty much kept to herself. But she had a great liking for Khali." He nodded at the dark-haired girl who gave Luke a gap-toothed smile. Luke smiled back at her.

The little girl handed the flowers to Luke.

"Thank you," Luke said. He turned and planted them in the freshly dug ground. He stood up and wiped his hands on his pants. Khali tugged on his sleeve. He looked down at her. She pointed to the headstone.

"What does it say?" she asked.

Luke swallowed as he gazed at the words R2 had carved at his instruction on the stone.

"Here Lies Aalea Ve'Red," he read, "Jedi Knight, Servant of the Republic and Beloved Wife of General Obi-Wan Kenobi"

"What does 'be-be-beloved' mean?" Khali asked him

Luke smiled. "It means greatly loved."

"Will they be together?"

"I hope so, Khali. If the universe is kind."

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As Luke's X-Wing streaked through the stars, he thought about Mara Jade. For some time he'd been considering getting to know her better. As he programmed in the coordinates for home, he decided he would share with her the story Aalea had told him.

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Aalea woke up. She was lying on her back in a field of sweet-smelling grass. She turned her head slightly. A soft warm wind, rich with the scent of flowers tickled her nose. She sat up. A light blue-green sky arched over her and billowy clouds the color of golden moon pearls floated serenely above her.

She looked down at herself. She was wearing a long gown which shimmered with a dozen different colors. She lifted up her arms. They were bare and Aalea's eyes widened as she looked at them. She ran her hand over her skin. It was smooth and unlined. She touched her face. There were no scars or wrinkles. The wind blew her hair about her and the strands were thick and black.

She stood and looked around. She didn't recognize this place but it was the most beautiful she had ever seen. Like something out of a dream. She gazed off towards the horizon where she could see the soft outlines of purple mountains.

Then, as Aalea turned around, she saw a tall man striding through the gently swaying grass. She squinted her eyes. The sun was behind him so Aalea could not make out who he was, but he was walking quickly towards her. Then, as he drew nearer, Aalea's heart nearly stopped. Lifting up her gown, she ran, her heart beating wildly.

"Master, master," she cried, waving her arm.

The man stopped and waited for her. Aalea flew into his arms and rested her head against his broad chest.

"Oh, master," she cried, tears flowing down her face.

"Aalea," Qui-Gon said softly.

She held him for a long moment, still unwilling to believe it was truly him. She pulled away and looked up into his warm blue eyes.

"Welcome, little one. Come, the others are waiting."

"The others? Who?" she asked.

"You will see," Qui-Gon said, his eyes twinkling. He took her by the hand and led her over a softly rising hill. When they crested it, Aalea looked down and saw a sparkling blue lake. Next to the lake was a red-roofed cottage. Qui-Gon led Aalea down to it.

"She's here, love," he called out. The door opened and a woman with dark gray eyes stepped out, a small boy clinging to her green skirt.

"Cian," Aalea cried. She ran over and hugged the woman tightly. "Oh, Cian, how I've missed you."

"And I you, dove," Cian said as she clutched Aalea to her.

Aalea then looked down at the dark-haired toddler who gazed up at her with large blue eyes. She bent down.

"Hello, Jarel," she said softly.

Jarel stared at her for a moment, then ran and threw his arms about her neck. Aalea wept as she held on to his little body.

She looked up at Cian.

"Oh, Cian, can you ever forgive me for not protecting you and Jarel?"

Cian knelt down and put her arms around Aalea.

"Put your heart at rest, dove."

Aalea nodded. She kissed Jarel on his soft round cheeks. Then she stood and looked back at Qui-Gon. He saw the question in her eyes.

"Look over there, little one."

Qui-Gon pointed to a boat which was moving swiftly across the lake. A young man was in the boat, the sunlight shining on his hair, his lean muscled arms deftly steering it through the shimmering water. Aalea glanced back at Qui-Gon. He nodded for her to go.

Aalea ran down to the lake. The boat scraped up onto the shore.

Obi-Wan jumped out. He splashed through the water and grabbed her, sweeping her into his arms. He swung her around and around, his laughter as bright and sweet as a new dawn.

"Obi-Wan!" she cried. "Put me down, silly!"

"Never, my Lady Aalea, never," he cried out. "I shall never let thee go! I care not what dangers or foes beset me. I can finally claim my prize."

Aalea put her arms around his neck and hugged him.

"You and your awful holovids," she whispered laughing.

Obi-Wan put her down. They looked deeply into each other's eyes and then, gently, softly, they kissed. Only after a long, sweet moment, did they finally pull away from each other.

"Aalea, I've waited so long. I've missed you so much," Obi-Wan whispered.

Aalea lifted her hand and touched his cheek.

"And I you, dearheart. So much." She hugged him tightly, then pulled back, her eyes lighting up.

"He came to see me, Obi-Wan! He searched and searched until he found me."

"Who?"

"Luke."

"Luke," Obi-Wan said softly, his eyes warm. "I'm glad, Aalea. I'm glad you got to meet him. He is well?"

"Oh, yes. He's fine. He's rebuilding the Jedi Order."

Obi-Wan's eyes shone. "Is he now?"

Aalea cupped his face with her hands.

"Yes. He is." She kissed him warmly. "You did fine, my love. You did fine."

Obi-Wan smiled. He put his arm about her shoulders.

"Come, let's join the others."

And as Aalea and Obi-Wan walked to where Cian and Qui-Gon waited, Jarel in his father's arms as he pulled playfully at his long brown hair, all became light and love and joy. Forever.

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"The soul takes flight to the world invisible, and there arriving she is sure of bliss...and forever dwells in paradise." Plato

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The End

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Thanks to those of you who took the time these past few weeks to review my story. Your comments and encouragement were greatly appreciated! If you have the time or the inclination, do drop a review in the conveniently placed review box below or send me an email at nightwriter56@hotmail.com.

Take care and May the Force be With You!

Moonscribe