Luke hid a grin, "Well, my
brother would love me too, but as it proceeds I have not yet had the time to do
SERIOUS training, I've begun...but its going at a snail's pace."
"Well, can u describe for the
Alderaanian population what happened after the time you boarded the ship set
for Yavin 4, and your ship was intercepted by Darth Vader."
Leia sighed, "it isn't a
pleasant story. But, here is what happened, we felt the tractor beam, so I got
the disk with the Death Star's plans on it, informed everyone aboard what was
happening, and then hid the information in R2-D2 and instructed him to find
General Obi-Wan Kenobi on Tatooine and give him the information. Then we were
taken aboard the Death Star. The crew on the ship was brave, they didn't give
Vader the information he wanted, they denied ever recieving a transmission.
Vader killed all of them. I was taken to an interrogation room, and they tried
to find out where the Rebel Base was, when I wouldn't give it, they tortured
me. They didn't get the information, then Vader took me to Grand Moff Tarkin,
who told me if I gave them where the Rebel Base was they wouldn't obliderate
Alderaan. I told them the name of an OLD rebel base, on Dantooine. They
believed me, but they said, Dantooine was to far to serve as an adequate
demonstration so they blew up Alderaan anyway, made me watch. Later, their
scouts found that I had lied to them, they sent me to the extermination block.
While I was waiting, to be executed, a young man, Luke over here, came in in
Stormtrooper armor, I told him "aren't u short for a stormtrooper."
He then removed his mask and said, "I am Luke Skywalker, not a
stormtrooper."
Leia completed the story, making sure
not to leave out major details. Her life was for the people of Alderaan, so
they should know all about it.
"Thank you, your
highness." The media person said, and they bowed away.
"Leia, one thing I don't get is
if the media people obey you, why can't you order them to stay away from you at
certain times."
"Because that would be
hypocritical, I say my life is for the people, and I am keeping stuff from
them."
"Hey, Leia, you look, and your
sense feels tired, get some rest okay." Luke said.
"Something in YOUR sense tells me I should
listen." Leia said, frowning, "All right, I will delegate the
work."
"Good." Luke said, giving his sister a kiss on the cheek, "I
will check on you in 15 minutes, so hurry up."
"And I will be here, waiting
for you when you are done with your nap." Han said, gallantly.
Leia cracked a smile, she raised a
hand then went inside the palace to her room.
When she had left, "So I take
it you know about the coronation being tonight." Han said, turning to
Luke.
"Yup," Luke sighed,
"I am supposed to help put the crown on her head, and say I line."
"And considering how much you
love speeches...."
"Look, kid, this is going to be
a galactic event, the Great Princess Leia Organa, heir to the legendary Bail
Organa, and now Queen of the much respected Alderaanian culture, and people, so
the dressing has to be done accordingly."
"I am covered, Jedi cloak over
a shipsuit." Luke said.
"Kid, I would protest, but I
know it would do no good. Help me choose, at least."
"Han, I would wear a military
suit, with proper dressings, a little dressier then the State Dinner,
but..."
"Good idea, THREEPIO." Han
called into his com-link.
"Yes, Master Han."
Threepio answered.
"That new military suit a have,
the resplendent blue and gold one, iron it, please, carefully. I am requesting
you to do it, instead of the laundry droid because I need it for a special
event, and I can't afford to have it burnt, and you are one of the only droids
I trust to do it well, and Artoo, if he want manual dexterity would be the
other." It hurt Han to flatter Goldenrod this much, but he knew one of the
best ways to insure that he would do a good job is to flatter him.
"Oh, thank you Master Han, I
will take special care."
Luke covered a grin. "Han, you
crack me up." He said.
"Thank you."
"We can't get dressed now, it
would make Leia suspicious, and according to Alderaanian tradition if someone
even hints to the Princess/Prince about the upcoming coronation then they shall
die and the other's reign shall be cursed and I don't want Leia's reign to be
cursed." Luke said.
Han raised a eyebrow, he realized
Luke had just said about her reign being cursed, not dying. "A Jedi
doesn't fear death." Luke said, in response to Han's unspoken question.
Han snorted, "Why do you always
have to be so idealistical."
2 hrs later Luke went and
checked on Leia, "How late did she sleep last night." He asked Senta.
"She didn't." Senta said, matter-of-factly, "she stayed up all night trying to decide whether we should hire September Creek Construction Crew's, for the building of the new proposed memorial, or Elizabethan Construction. Then when that was done, the Elizabethans won the contract, where the memorial should be, how it should look, and the tone… then, she went and discussed it with the Committee and Council, and of course three different arguments. AAH, I am sooo glad I am not Leia."
Han snorted, "Say that to Leia sometime."
"All right, let her get some sleep." Luke ordered, "everyone out of her room."
"Boy, protective older brother." Han teased, shaking his head.
"And stubborn younger sister, and people revere the Skywalker Twins." Raque teased, picking it up.
"When did u get here." Luke asked his friend.
"After I delivered the Dolfrimia to the Karrde group."
"Dolfrimia," Lando asked,
"Dolfrimia is SUICIDAL TO RUN. I mean, you can smell it all over the
place," then Lando gave Han a sly look, "just ask Han."
"Be quiet." Han growled.
"Of course its suicidal, thats
why I run it." Raque said.
"Raque has a death wish he runs
everything that could get him boarded."
"'Cause then
when I get boarded I get a chance to kill Imperials. Its worked so far."
"Really, but what about when u
operate in New Republic system." A voice came from the doorway.
"Leia, you need MORE
sleep." Luke said, annoyed that his sister couldn't take better care of
her health, "You will fall ill."
"Well," Leia pouted,"
Han won't come here often, and I'll get busy, so I won't see either of u for
awhile and that won't be any fun, so I just want to hang out for awhile."
"Han has 3 days off, and he is
positioned near here for awhile, so he can visit, and I will be here as long as
you want, okay, get some sleep."
"Fine," Leia pouted,
"but only another hour."
"Leia, and pouting." Han
asked, amused, "Wow. Usually she would've been stubborn and not
listened."
"Leia can throw TANTRUM'S when
she wants. Trust me." Rogue said, "I've seen them, they used to shake
Aldera."
"But still," Rogue said, with
an amused grin, "you are very good at the protective older brother thing.
Leia'd better watch out."
"Why watch out." Amidala
said, appearing, "its good that they take care of one another. I mean, I
am not saying they should stop their life work of protecting the Republic.
Just, when they can help it."
"Well, mother defending kids,
brother defending sister, sister defending brother. Protective older brother,
who is really the only person who can make the sister do something she doesn't
want to, boy these relationships make my head spin." Han said.
"Well, I am certainly glad that
the fact that circumstances made me have to seperate them didn't spoil their
relationship." Amidala said, " Hey, that is one thing really funny
about the way the Force works, I mean, their paths COLIDED, literally."
Han had never thought about it that way.
But now he did and realized it made sense. Han looked up and he realized that
the kid was blushing. "Listen, Luke, you probably don't want to know this,
but the Jedi council has told me you need to, but you get to decide when to
tell Leia."
"Something tells me this news
is going to be VERY unpleasent."
"Depends how u look at it,
yes." Amidala said.
"What is it." Han asked.
"Palpatine is also very
distantly, but is, related to your father."
Han snorted, "I guess the
Skywalker line has a perfect record, whenever u think things have settled down
another jolt hits you."
Amidala glared at him, "Well,
excuse me, no offense or anything but your family line also has quirks in history
like that, you just don't know them. Luke does know SOME of them, but he
decided not to bring it up, until u brought some of your past up."
"What things, in my family
line."
"Simple, it
goes back 30 generations, the Suul/Solo line was out of control. All force
capable, all dark side...tainted blood, until 20 generations later, Marque Da
Solo was born, she was force powerful, too, but good. At the same time her
father kidnapped a witch, the witch cursed the Solo family, ever generation
shall there be an evil one born. Marque was appalled, she appealed to the
force, itself through penance. This penance actually directly effects you, you
will see why in a moment. Finally 10 years later the force appeared to her, in
the form of an old lady. She asked that, so her family couldn't torment any
longer, they be stripped of there force powers and the curse be revoked. The
Force agreed, as a member of the family was asking herself, the Force said for
10 generations your family will be stripped of the Force, then shall be born a
child, who shall marry into a Force Strong family, and have children that shall
be VERY powerful in the Force, and that shall restart the Force in the family,
also then shall the curse be ended, as when u'r force powerful your decisions for
evil are your own. Marque went home happy."
Amidala gave Han a twisted smile.
"That was why you were abandoned, 2 generations after Marque the family
line turned, mostly, good, the curse reigned, so one in the family line was
evil, but everytime a child was born they tried to see if that was the evil
one. U were supposed to be it, ironies of ironies, and Thracken, the good one,
but we know how that turned out."
"Who is Thracken ." Rogue
asked.
"My cousin Thracken Sal-Solo,
an Imperial, he is EVIL and CRUEL." Han said, "I am hoping he is
dead."
"So is the galaxy."
Amidala said.
They sat there for about 4 hrs. just
chatting, then Leia woke up. "Hey u guys."
"Hey, Leia, your sense is
finally feeling rested." Luke said.
"Thank goodness for that."
Leia said, glaring at him, "otherwise you'd make me go to sleep
again."
Just then the Door chimes rang,
"See, what happened." Leia hissed, "the moment I woke up, now, I
have to go back to work."
Leia went and answered the door.
Han, Luke, Rogue, and Ami exchanged glances behind her back. They knew it would
be the Alderaanian council informing her of her coronation. "Why, come in,
Threkin." Leia said.
"Thank you, your highness. My
visit is brief, I wished to inform you that your coronation and Official Tests
are in 2 hours at the Royal Hall."
"Why...why thanks for telling
me." Leia said, flustered.
When Threkin left, Leia rushed to
Luke. "Oh, the tests, I am SOOO nervous."
"You'll do fine." Han,
Luke, and Rogue said at the same time.
"Thanks." Leia said, with
a weak smile, "Hey, was this the reason u made sure I was well
rested."
"One of them, yes. I really
meant what I said about u getting enough sleep."
"I'd better go and get
ready."
"Yes u'd better."
Luke herded Leia into her dressing
room. Leia was acting really dreamily. "Oh, boy." Han said.
"Oh boy is right." Rogue
said, "Leia'd better get her act together or she won't survive those
tests."
"You have no faith in Leia do
you." Senta scolded.
"Senta is right, Leia has
survived more tests then the rest of us could dream of." Luke said, coming
out, "come on, we need to get ready as well."
They all went and got ready. For
Luke it really was no big deal, he wore basically what he did everyday. "I
am ready, anyone else." He called into the com-link 30 min. later.
"Kid, help." Han yelped
into the com-link reciever.
Luke stifled a laugh and went over
to Han's quarters, where he saw Han tangled in all the accessories. Luke
couldn't help himself, he broke into PEALS of laughter. Han glared, "All
right, laugh, but help me."
"First, let me get a
picture." Luke said.
"Kid, don't u dare." he
began, but stopped when Luke got a photo.
"Coming." Luke said, he
helped Han reassemble everything.
"LUKE!" Leia clipped into
the com-link.
"Yes, sister dear."
"I thought you'd come and help
me over here once u were ready." A definite hurt tone in her voice.
"Well, one of our friends is
having a dress crisis, so..."
Luke could feel the hurt leave her,
to be replaced with amusement. He knew Leia had thought he'd forgotten about
her, on one of her most important nights. He sent Leia a reassuring touch, then
decided to lighten things up. "Thought u were rid of me, did you. You
thought I'd leave you stranded."
Leia snorted, "Keep talking
like that and I will strand YOU."
Luke laughed, "Talk to you
Later."
Luke helped Han put an outfit he
could be PROUD of, together. Han struck a pose in front of the mirror.
"Thanks for helping me, buddy."
"No prob."
"Lets go see Her Highness,
though, otherwise she'll throw another Tantrum."
Morals rule - 09:17am Aug 17, 2000 PST (#78
of 113)
Leia,
Han, and Luke-the trio that brought down the Evil Empire.
They rushed to Leia's dressing room,
"General Solo, will you wait here as there is something I wish to discuss
with you." Duchess Rogue, said.
"Sure." Han said,
exchanging a puzzled look with Luke.
While Han went and talked with the
Duchess. Luke proceeded inside. He whistled, "Leia, you look
awesome."
"Thanks." Leia said,
turning away from her mirror and toward him and giving him a genuine smile.
"Looks like you are over your
nervousness." He said.
"Of course, now Luke, do you
think this hairstyle would look better." She said, fixing her hair in a
nice pile up style above her head, "or would this." she said, taking
her hair out of the pile up, and putting it in a braid.
"I would say a combination of
the style's." Luke said, after thinking for a moment, "then the crown
would be supported, but you would still see some hair. Put some jewels in your
hair."
"Can you grab the jewels."
Leia said, with her mouth holding pins.
"Sure." Luke grabbed them,
by the time he came back she had her hair in a good pile up, and braid.
"Here, let me put the jewels
in." Luke said. Luke strategically placed the jewels, one at every
crossing in the braid, and a couple in the pile up.
"Luke, its good, but something
is wrong." Leia said, examining herself in the mirror.
"Oh, wait, the jewels in the
pile-up don't look good at all." Luke said.
"You are right." Leia
said, after examining herself once more, "let me take them out, though.
You don't have practice doing it without dislodging the whole hairstyle."
Leia got the jewels from the pile-up
expertly. "Wow, Cousin Leia." Senta exclaimed, coming inside,
"You look better then us, and you haven't had as much practice as
us."
"Thank you, Senta."
"Leia, you are going to be
late." Rainier called.
"Coming." Leia said.
Luke reached and grabbed her arm.
"Shall we." He asked.
Leia stood up, gracefully leaning on
her brother's arm. "Luke, you look great, yourself." She whispered.
"Thanks."
He whispered back, "I'd wish you luck, but you don't need it, may the
force be with you."
"What are you two whispering
about." Han asked, mock glaring at them.
"Well, I was just telling
her-May the Force be with her."
Han rolled his eyes,
"Figures."
"Shall we go." Leia said,
ignoring Han.
"Sure." Rainier said.
Luke helped his sister into the
waiting Hover Car.
Leia used Luke's Jedi Calming
techniques 3 or 4 times. She knew this was her test: Was she, or was she not
worthy of serving Alderaan. This is how selfless she was, she thought only of
Alderaan. "We are here." Luke said, gently, breaking into Leia's
thoughts.
"I guess this is it." Leia said, taking a deep breath.