Luke walked up, put his arms around Leia, and everyone else
came up, soon it was a group hug.
Just then the door chimes rang. Threkin entered. He bowed low, when he saw
Leia's disgruntled look, she hated all these formalities, "your highness,
speaking as the head of your advisory body, you had better get used to these
formalities." He said, eyes twinkling.
"Yes, but amongst friends, and
colleagues its unecessary." Leia answered, "any way, Threkin, come on
in, and sit down, you look dead on your feet."
"Thank you, your highness." Threkin said, coming
in and sitting down. "Your highness, I came to discuss the coronation
plans."
"Ah." Leia said, not sure what to answer.
"Well, your highness, we were
wondering if you wanted to do it on the planet that General Solo has so
graciously given to us, or at the Alderaanian embassy."
"In my opinion the new planet.
See, we must begin to form a connection...an identity with the new planet, and
if we do the coronation on Coruscant it will be a step in the WRONG direction.
So we should set the date, AFTER the New planet has been, reasonably,
settled." Then seeing Threkin's shocked look, "that doesn't mean I
won't assume leadership role. It just means it will be as Princess instead of Queen."
Threkin relaxed, both in his face
muscles, and sense. "Well, I think that is a good idea, but you'll need to
make a speech about that."
Luke gave, with the force, Leia a
reassuring touch, to show that he agreed with what she said. "That is
going to be the only annoying thing, having to reassure and explain my
decisions, so people know I am not going to be a cruel or powerhungry ruler.
Luke, Han, Jeanie, Saty, senta, Stephaine, Alizabeth, Aunts Rogue, Tia,
Rainier, Uncles, your thoughts."
"Our thoughts, at least your
uncles and our's are that you are going to make a great Queen and ruler."
Rogue said, with tears in her eyes.
"Ditto for the cousins."
"Ditto for your brother and
myself." Han said.
"And I believe it is a good PR
move, as well as a move for the good of the Alderaanian refugee's."
Jeanie, the PR director, said.
"Good, then it is settled,
seeing that Threkin also agrees. Jeanie, will you call the Alderaanian media
together."
"Yes, your highness."
Jeanie, said curtsying to Leia before she left.
Leia got up. "Where are you
going." Han asked.
"To get us some lunch."
"Oh no, your worshipfulness,
you are going to need your energy and your brother and speech adept advisors to
help write your speech, and since I can't write speeches..."
"Oh all right, but please stop
calling me your worshipfulness." Leia said, sitting down, reluctantly.
"All right, your
worshipfulness." Han said, playfully.
"I give up." Leia said,
under her breath.
Luke did his half grin at that, and
Saty tried hard to conceal a laugh. "Cousin Leia, if you give in that
easily, good luck as a councilor."
"I only give in that easily
with..." Leia caught herself, realizing that what she was about say would
get her in trouble. Saty had trapped her. Saty broke out laughing as Leia
blushed.
"Why you...you
manipulator." Leia said.
"Hold it you
two." Luke said.
"What goes on in the coronation." Luke asked.
"Oh, that is unspeakable, see
the PEOPLE, through special council's and stuff plan it. It is called 'the
test', to see whether the monarch is ready for it. THere is only one part known
beforehand, and that is the part when, if the Monarch passes all the tests,
then the next day, The Crown is brought out by the People Appointed chief, the
chief puts the crown on the Monarch's head, and while the chief says the prayer
binding Leia and the land she can not move, speak, or blink. That is why, in
the old days before the Old Houses pact in which we swore away Royal
Assassinations planned by other houses, that was the time when the most
Alderaanian monarchs got it, because they can't move to defend themselves, nor
is anyone but the chief supposed to, though the people can move there hands a
bit, and blink." Rogue looked worriedly at Leia, realizing she could be
next.
"Why didn't they call in the
Jedi, they could deflect Blaster Bolts and other stuff with a flick of their
hands."
"When the Order was formed many
did just that." Rogue said.
"Don't worry, Leia, I will be
in the back, and I'll deflect the Blaster Bolts for you."
"AWWW." Everyone else in
the room, except for Leia, Rogue, and Rainier said.
"Protective Older Brother isn't
he."
"Who said I was older, I don't
know who is."
"That is right, I didn't tell
you." Amidala exclaimed, appearing. "Luke IS older, by the way, by 34
minutes, which according to medics is strange, normally its quicker, I guess
Leia didn't want to face the trials of the world."
"Well, she was the one who
never shirked duty afterwards." Luke said.
"Boy, you two got close
fast." Amidala said, peering between them, "I am glad, that was my
only regret separating the two of you, you wouldn't know sibling love. But
looks like u got the good parts of it. Now, I want to be a part, as much as I
can from here."
Just then, the door chimes sounded,
breaking the moment. "Its Jeanie." Luke announced.
The door was opened. "Your highness." Jeanie said,
curtsying, "we have arranged a Press confrence at the Embassy in an
hour."
Just then, "Oh man, its Ferme, and he is upset." Luke said, as the
door chimes rang again.
Luke let him in. "HEY
SACRE." He said, giving Luke a hug. "Hello your highness." he
said, bowing, "and hello to everyone else in the room. I come on grave
business, we have uncovered an assasination attempt, I just can't figure out
who is going to do it, I know when, where, but not who. At the coronation, at
the part where her Highness can't move."
"Oh, well, we were kinda
expecting that to be the vulnerablemoment, so Luke will be on guard, join us
for Lunch." Han said, coming in with lunch
As they sat down and ate, "Is there any way you could make sure blasters don't come into the room." Ferme asked.
"There is one way, that is completely last resort." Luke said, cautiously.
"What is it."
"Putting a sign on the door: Warning if u bring blasters in to the coronation room it is at your own risk, they will be crushed. And then if I sense blasters I could crumple them with the force, though deflecting blaster bolts is probably the safer, and better political way."
"Yeah, I like the original idea better." Leia said, "Now I need help with my speech. Listen to what I have so far, People of Alderaan, when you asked me, through the Alderaanian council to lead you, I promised to lead justly, and for the people and I will honor that promise, yet I request you to let me lead you as a Princess for awhile longer. I request that you let me postpone the coronation; see a coronation is a binding, a grand event and having it here at the Alderaanian embassy would mean binding us to the embassy on Coruscant, severing the ties from our new planet. I believe, and I hope you agree, that this event should wait until our new planet is sufficiently settled and life has been rebuilt. Yet, coronations always have been, and shall remain the people's event, if you would like it earlier, that is your decision. But I believe ties are what are important and our first tie should be with our new planet."
Luke whistled, "and you needed our help for what?" He asked.
Leia smiled, "glad you like it."
30 minutes later, "All right, Luke, I look all right, right." Leia asked, nervously.
"Just like a Queen." Han assured her. Leia went over to the embassy and was set up 6 minutes before the confrence was set to begin. Luke didn't want to take a chance, so he went up on the balcony with Leia, out of sight, but on the balcony, just in case.
Leia made the pre-arranged speech,
showing through her tone and gestures that she was sincere. "We agree with
you Your Highness." The crowd intoned in one voice.
Leia gave them all a grateful smile.
"Great, because now I need to ask you all a favor. We should now take
over, or at least go and assist in the building, development and settlement of
our new planet. But, if we all go at once there will be a rush, so we need to
have groups go to our new planet, and aid in settling it."
"I volunteer for the first
group." One young man, said out of the crowd.
"Thank you, Sercent, can you
pilot a ship?"
"Yes, very well, your
highness."
"Good, because then I assign
you to pilot the first shuttle ship, when will you be ready to leave."
"At your convienience, I am
single and have no other attachments, but service to Alderaan and felow
Alderaanians."
"Admirable sentiments,
Sercent." Leia said, focusing her smile on him for a moment.
"Any one else, whose stuff is
on the first shuttle ship?"
Leia chose 10 others, they decided
to depart later that day. "All right, now, we also need a building
advisory committee, and a settlement advisory committee. The former should be
people with construction experience."
"Your highness, I was the head
of the Aldera Construction Committee, and would like to offer my
expertise."
"Thank
you." This way, 7 other Alderaanians volunteered.
"Leia, you were cut out for
this type of work." Han said, back at Luke's apartment.
"Thanks, Luke pull up the
direct interface, again, so we can see whose houses are ready, and whose
aren't."
Luke did
"Wow." Leia said, "I
am glad to see I won't have to pull anyone from the first transport, everyone
who is going's houses and businesses are finished."
"I should probably go on the
second transport." Leia said.
"Why the second." Rogue
asked.
"I don't want
to seem like a watchdog, at the same time the castle should be set up as well,
and I can get the committee's ready as well so I don't have to do
everything."
Han whistled, "well you
certainly think ahead, but in all of this busy schedule can you find some time
for u and I to have dinner at my place."
Leia pretended to think about it,
"Hmm. I think I can make time in my EXTREMELY busy schedule."
"Good," Han said, "Leia,
meet me at my place tonight at 1800 hrs."
The next few days passed pretty
uneventfully. Leia was busy organizing the schedules of the development of the
planet that would serve as the New Alderaan, but she always found time to be
with her brother and Han. They all grew closer and closer. "Luke,"
Leia said, "do you think the time has come for me to ask the council to
let me marry Han." Leia asked one night, as she and Luke lay watching the
starry night.
"Leia, ask yourself, and i
think you will come to the same conclusion I have....wait until after the
coronation, and the date is nearing, Dathomir is almost ready, businesses are
starting up, again, we are going tomorrow to set up the palace again. Patience,
or you will destroy everything."
Leia sighed, she knew Luke was
right, "It is too bad Han can't come with us to set up Dathomir."
"Yes, but his assignment is
also important, Admiral Ackbar HAS promised to lighten up his schedule a little
bit so he can be here for the coronation, and be posted nearer to New Alderaan,
so I think you've got a fair trade off."
"Luke, why do you have to be so
sensible and perfect all the time, tell me." Leia asked, with mock
exasperation.
"Familial trait." Luke
shot back.
"Oh, really." Senta said,
walking up, "fighting already. I thought not having siblings would cause
it to be so that when u do have siblings you don't fight."
The next day Leia boarded Luke's
ship, accompanied by her honor guard, to go to Dathomir. They had decided, in
committee to address it by that name until it was fully developed. When they
reached Dathomir Leia drew in a breath. "Oh, Luke, it looks SOOOO much
like Alderaan." She breathed.
"All the construction work is
finished." Binns said, coming and greeting Leia and Luke.
"Thank you SOOO much."
Leia said, looking Binns in the eye.
"It was our pleasure."
Binns said.
Leia and Luke went to the Palace.
Leia took her stuff and set up the throne room, the other House Organa members,
who had come with the shuttle, helped. With all the help it took 2 days, only,
to set up the whole palace, and plant the gardens, etc. By that time everyone
else had also finished settling there homes, and offices. So, Leia, declared
the next day to be the official naming of the planet. From Dathomir to New
Alderaan, that would also be the day all businesses officially started under
the Alderaanian name. Leia declared it a holiday, the rebirth of Alderaan.
"Luke," Leia said, early
the next day, "I can't believe this day has finally arrived. I can't
believe the Alderaanians are finally together again."
Luke, who was standing on the
balcony of the palace with her, just put his arm around her. "Leia, you
look beautiful." Rogue said, coming out.
"Yes, she is right." Luke
said, looking at Leia's outfit and hairstyle.
"Aah, look people have already
started gathering." Senta said, "You really have proven yourself
worthy of there respect."
"Its time for me to fade into
the background." Luke said.
Leia made a decision, "No,
Luke," Leia said, grabbing his arm," you are my brother. You also
shall stand here, with Aunts Rogue, Tia, and Rainier, and my uncles and
cousins. You also are part of my family as are they."
"All right." Luke said, slightly reluctant, but
realizing there was no point in arguing.
Two minutes later, the speech started. "PEOPLE OF ALDERAAN." Leia
said, amongst cheering, "this day brings me great pride. We, and the fact
that we are all here today, together proves an old saying-EVIL CAN NEVER WIN.
The Evil Galactic Empire, aided by Grand Moff Tarkin tried to kill all
Alderaanians, and peaceful Alderaan, and Alderaanian spirt, but did he
succeed."
"NOOOOOO." The crowd
cried.
"Instead what happened? His
weapon of death rebounded on him, and he was the one destroyed, with his weapon
of death. Alderaan, lives once more, the planet and 5 Alderaanians died because
of this weapon of death. But we shall rebuild our culture and society. We thank
the planet we currently reside on, for giving us this chance. We thank the
Force, and the Almighty for this chance. We shall not let you down, we shall
take this opportunity and continue Alderaan."
"We shall continue the
Alderaanian way." The crowd chanted.
Leia gave them one of her smiles,
"Well, citizens of Alderaan, this has been our victory, and it shall
continue to be. LONG LIVE NEW ALDERAAN AND ALL ALDERAANIANS."
"Long Live Alderaan and all
Alderaanians." the crowd chanted.
Leia gave them another smile and
said, "Well, we must also thank some people for gracing us with their
presence, Mon Mothma, Chief of State of the New Republic." Mon Mothma, who
had been standing next to Rogue, bowed. "Admiral Ackbar commander of the
Fleet." He bowed, "General Crix Madine," he bowed, "and all
of you."
"It is my wish to see Alderaan
prosper, and this be a lesson that EVIL NEVER TRIUMPHS. Cruelty to others is
NEVER the way." Leia, then bowed her head, "Let us observe a moment
of silence for guidance from the spirits of the planet Alderaan, the 5 who died
with the planet, the almighty, and the Force."
Everyone in the crowd bowed there
heads. 5 minutes later, Leia said the words of an Alderaanian prayer to bring
an end to the moment of silence, "Alet, Monet, sogathan kartan hain. (Now
we end this solemn moment with a hope of a happy continuation.)
"Arem (So be it)." The
crowd rumbled.
"Now we have the guidance of
those Great's, nothing can stop us." Leia raised her hand, signifying an
end to the speech.
The crowd dispersed. "Leia, you were great." Luke
said, giving her arm a squeeze.
"Thanks, Luke." Leia said, throwing him a smile, "I wonder if
Han saw it, wherever he was."
"I am sure he did, your
highness." Admiral Ackbar said, in his gravely voice.
"Well, Princess Leia, you have
your mother's oration skills." Mon Mothma said.
"Liar." Amidala said,
appearing, "I never was that good at oration."
"Another thing, mother daughter
have in common selling themselves short." Mon Mothma said.
"Its a trait you learnt in the
Old Republic senate." Ami tossed back, "from certain senatorial
leaders."
"You still have it." Mon
Mothma said, wryly.
"Have what." Luke asked.
"Amidala still has her ability
to debate herself out of a corner, most people couldn't do what she just
did." Mon Mothma answered.
"Leia, your speech was excellent,
you would be great in the Senate, or whatever you are calling it, as a
peacemaker. Which is good news for the Republic." Amidala said.
"Yes, it is." Mon Mothma
said.
"Hey, Mon Mothma, there are a
few things we need to discuss, so join me on your ship. I'll talk to you later,
Leia and Luke." Amidala said.