Rogue took Leia's arm, gestured for Luke to take the other one

Rogue took Leia's arm, gestured for Luke to take the other one. Luke took the other arm, and they led Leia inside to the dressing room. Inside the dressing room Rogue addressed Leia, gravely in Alderaanian "Leia, by going farther you are accepting the burden of leadership. By saying I DO and stepping out of this door onto the Altar you are saying, My life is for Alderaan. That phrase is one that should be taken literally. Leia, this burden is one that must be honored until death. The House Organa has been known for generations for its fair rulers. It has been the envy of all Houses and Alderaan of all House-Ruled planets."

Luke assumed, correctly, that Rogue knew the room was bugged, and everything said was being carried out to the audience. He guessed that this was part of the ceremonial tests.

"Leia, it is perfectly honorable to back out now. Say, I am not able to carry this burden, but it is not honorable to shirk on duties once you accept them. You musn't complain when your duties require to rise at early hours, or sleep at late ones. You must learn to balance your family time and Alderaan time. Alderaan shall come first, then your family, then you. Do you Understand and accept this."

Leia made a partial bow. "I understand and accept." She said, in Alderaanian

Leia took the ceremonial steps, and at the doorway, "I do." in Alderaanian

Han had sat down next to Leia's cousins, so they could whisper the traditions to him, and translate, though there were translation boards all over the place, as long as it was polite. "Oh boy, Cousin Leia really is setting herself up for a lot."

"Why do you say that." Han asked, anxiously.

Saty rolled her eyes, "Weren't you listening, rather reading. All those vows are literal."
The Officiator, Threkin Horm, motioned to Luke and Rogue to take a step forward in line with Leia. "Princess," Threkin addressed her, gravely, "You have set yourself up for a lot. But now, it must be determined if you are worthy. But, you will need more for success."

"You are right, oh, honorable Officiator." Leia answered.

"I shall need three more things."

Threkin and the rest of the council members tried to cover their surprise at her answer, but Luke felt it through the force. "I will need the blessings of the force, and it to be on my side." Leia said, in basic kneeling with her hands in the air.

Then she got up and faced the audience, "I will need the blessings and good-will of all Alderaanians, and Republicans."

Then she turned to Luke, Rogue, and gestured to where the rest of her family was sitting, with her closest friends "I will also need the blessing of my family and friends."

Luke had been told that this ceremony was about truth, so whenever, except for that one time when the binding ceremony was taking place, he could say whatever he wished in response, or any gestures. Luke walked forward. He extended his hand to Leia, who grasped it, and looked into his eyes. Luke smiled a smile that she returned, then she released his hand, and he stepped back into his place behind her.

Leia passed all the tests with flying colors. Luke was happy, but he couldn't help be a little nervous. Now it was time for the binding ceremony, when someone could attack Leia.

Leia knelt in front of the altar, outwardly not nervously, but Luke could sense she was. As Threkin said the binding prayer, Luke's attention was distracted, he felt a grate in the force, SOMEONE MEANT TO ATTACK LEIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Luke was prepared, he concentrated on the room as a whole, and as he did so, he saw the blaster and perp. He sighed, it was the troublemaker Ouiki from Tatooine, Ouiki wasn't doing this for political reasons, he just liked bloodshed. Luke crumpled Ouiki's blaster without even a gesture. He'd been practicing, just in case. Luke saw, through the force, Ouiki swear and retreat from the room.

Luke grinned to himself, if only all problems were this simple, no bloodshed was perpetrated.

"Ali to twa Alderaan aur Alderaanians [you are now bound to Alderaan and Alderaanians.]" THrekin said, saying the final words.

Luke knew that was his cue. He stepped up to the altar, and he lifted one end of the crown as Threkin lifted the other. "Leia, we are all here for you, by aiding in putting this crown on your head, I am in turn reinforcing the fact that I'll always be here for you, and your vows, are mine." Luke said.

They then put the crown on Leia's head. Leia got up slowly and turned around. She stood there, still for a moment, as everyone gasped at how the crown looked and threw color.

Flashes, the same color as the jewels on the crown showed up, and flashed around for a moment. Then Leia curtsied to the crowd, and they all curtsied or bowed back. "LONG LIVE QUEEN LEIA." Threkin said.

"LONG LIVE QUEEN LEIA." The crowd, including Han, Luke, and the House Organa members (excluding Leia, of course) bellowed back.

"The House Organa has taken care of the customary banquet, as usual. It is in the Great Banquet Hall, the invitation is extended to every person here." Rogue announced

Leia kept standing, and smiling regally until everyone in the room, excluding her cousins and Luke exited. (Han had been told that he'd have to leave, he could come back in immediately, but custom dictated that the Princess couldn't move or speak until everyone in the room, excluding family exited.) "Phew." Leia said, plopping down in the chair that Luke pulled up for her.

"Cousin, it isn't over yet, you still have the banquet to get through." Saty said.

Leia scowled, "My least favorite part, the banquet."

"I thought you didn't mind state dinners, and banquets." Han asked, reentering.

"This one is different, every noble on Alderaan, and a representative of ANYTHING, be it a corporation, or just a neighborhood club, makes a flowery speech and pledges loyalty, and sometimes presents something to the new monarch. Then any one who feels like it, makes a speech, pledges loyalty, and presents something."

"It is tradition, Leia dear." Tia said, gently.

"I KNOW." Leia said, "Which is why I'll deal with it. What are you doing with seating."

"You know the customs, Leia, you sit in the middle with a representative of every family around you, as well as many others as we can fit, and the House Organa members shall be in the back, and lowest ranks sit closest to you, so the nobles will be closest to the back."

"Oh, I had forgotten that tradition. Its one of the more sane ones."

Tia looked surprised, "I'd expected you to grumble."

"No, i get the symbolism, this way the new monarch hears everyone's concerns, if Palpatine had done this he wouldn't have been cruel. Now, see other traditions I don't realize the WHY behind them, like the one about the flowery speeches and pledges of loyalty."

"Those date back to the time in which usurpers existed. The time in which traitors were abundant."

"Aah, I get it, FOR BACK THEN." Leia said.

"Dear, let's get going, many people have already got inside." Rainier said, coming in.

Han had extended his arm to Leia. "Just until we get outside this place." He said, noticing the people who were going to mention the PR concerns of him doing that.
When they were into the third speech, made by someone called Bornan Thul, a minor noble, of the House Thul, Han realized that Leia was right, these things were all a bore, but he wanted to make a good impression on the Alderaanians, 'cause he knew that, no offense Leia, but the Alderaanians were generally a very touchy race, which came from all the peaceloving, so if Leia put the question of there marriage in front of the Alderaanians, they would vote on Han Solo.

Han turned his attention to Luke. He saw the usual Jedi Calm, but Han had learned how to see Luke's real emotions. It was a trick you learnt as a smuggler trying to appraise your employer. He saw the kid wasn't bored, but not enjoying it. Well that was expected, Han thought.

A minute later, Leia had a spare moment as the House Thul's couriers brought up the gift, and she turned and looked at Han. Just looked, and made goo-goo eyes. Han, who was completely engrossed in analyzing people's feelings, as a way to ward off boredom, didn't notice, but Luke did, he also noticed that Han's attention was elsewhere.

He tried to cover a smile, as Leia noticed that Han's attention was elsewhere and got mad. Leia scowled at Han. Luke winked at her, Leia blushed and turned her attention back to the House Thul, whose courier had just brought the gift in. Luke winked at Han, who was totally oblivious to what had just happened.

All Han knew is that Leia was FURIOUS with him at this point. He could feel her rage, and he saw the kid smiling. What just happened here, he thought.

"Us in the House Thul hope you, Your Majesty, accept this gift as our pledge of loyalty, it is a tiara, made from precious gems mined in the Hapes cluster." Bornan Thul intoned.

"I accept this gift and your pledge of loyalty." Leia answered, getting up and doing a half curtsey, a dismissal sign.

Bornan Thul did a full bow and returned to his seat.

Finally, after an hour all the speeches were done. "All right, now its time for the food." Rogue announced.

Leia would now get a chance to talk, really talk with ordinary citizens, as they were the ones seated next to her. The room was set up so that 200 Alderaanians were sitting around her.

Leia, to her surprise enjoyed the rest of the evening. She saw that after the 'common folk' got used to talking to her, they talked naturally about natural topics, (e.g, clothes, music, books, holovids[movies]) and in there somewhere Leia got an idea how the 'common folk' thought. She also got a little about legislature out of them. She saw they all were grateful for the new planet.

She also very subtly asked if she were to give them the choice of marrying her to some Consortium guy, or a man she loved, who would they vote for. All of them said, it depended on who the man she loved was. The answer was bittersweet to Leia, she was pretty sure she could make a case for Han...but what about his past as a smuggler. She couldn't narrow it down any, because she was sure they'd guess then.

About four hours later the Banquet finished, as people were beginning to tire, and one of the old dreary customs, as Leia liked to refer to them, was that any person above the age of 10 could not yawn in front of the monarch, but it had later been amended to at state events. So people bowed, or curtsied, to Leia, who did an acknowledging curtsey back, and left.

After everyone had left- Leia slunk down in her chair from relief. "So, did I pass." she asked.

"Leia, darling, from now on, it is not us you have to convince, but the Alderaanian people, but you can always come to us for advise and council, and I believe you passed with flying colors." Tia said.

Leia smiled at her adoptive aunt, "Thank you." then she turned her attention to Luke and Han, "How do you think it went."

"Well," Luke said, after considering his answer, "I mean, the beginning seemed pointless with all those speeches, but then..."

Leia nodded, "Yeah, I know what you mean. I almost rolled my eyes in the middle of some of them."

Han chuckled, "and, then YOUR MAJESTY, I think you would have appalled some high level people."

"You know what I used to do when i was little," Leia said, "hide holo projections in my hair. So they'd come down and only I could see them. Once, I almost got caught, someone in the audience was standing at such an angle that he saw the projections, but I got lucky, it was one of those events where the person couldn't say anything."

"So that's why you always wanted that long hairstyle." Rainier said, snapping her fingers "I always wondered why you chose the hairstyle that took the second longest amount of time to make when you hated messing with your hair too much."

"If you are all done, I think Leia, at least, needs to get to bed, I just looked at her appointment book, and it looks mighty full, starting 8 A.M."

"Han, how long are you here for." Luke asked.

"Oh, I leave after lunch tomorrow, I am stationed near Calamari for about 3 weeks, then I go to Coruscant."
Well the next year passed easily for Han, Leia, and Luke. Luke spent most of it helping Leia with her diplomatic duties, for once in his life he knew what it was like to be CLOSE to someone. Owen and Beru had been kind, but distant, times were not such that they could've been to close. And, Luke reasoned, something good had come out of that. If they'd been really close there was a good chance he would have been at the homestead when Imperials came, and/or been so angry at their murder that he'd have gone to the dark side.

Leia, was also learning, she learnt what it was like at the other end of the spectrum, from the struggling person's point of view. Most people would have wilted at the amount of work she was expected to do, as the leader of Alderaan, and a Councilor of the New Republic, maybe it helped that Rogue, Rainier, and Tia were there along with her cousins and uncle's, because all House Organa members were good diplomats, so Leia was no longer one of the sole trained diplomats in the New Republic council. Plus, they all helped with her duties, as did Luke when he understood them. Luke had also been dividing his time from helping the New Republic battle Imperials, who were still kind of active in parts of the galaxy, and being ewith Leia.

Han also helped, he was always there, whether in spirit or body. They all knew that if they needed him all they had to do was send him a holo and he'd be right over.

Then, exactly one year and 3 days later, Leia decided she'd better take the marriage thing into her own hands. "Han," she said, over a com-link line.

"Yes."

"Do you still want to marry me."

"With all my heart."

"Good, then I'll set up elections after making a speech in the Alderaanian council tomorrow."

"I love you, Leia."

"I love you too."

They broke the connection, "Luke." Leia called.

"Coming." He called, he been doing some exercises.

"Luke, I was thinking of having the people vote on whether I can marry Han, tomorrow after I make a speech in Council tomorrow."

Luke took Leia in his arms, "May the Force be with you."

Leia then got to work, she told Senta, Stephaine, Alizabeth, and Saty, and then with all of their help, they got to work setting up working, unbiased, election booths. They decided that people would have to leave their houses and vote at a central place in a town. They also decided Leia would make a broadcast tonight, saying that the next day at 4 P.M after the Alderaanian Council meeting people could vote on something that Leia would make a speech about, and present in council the next day.

"Leia, calm down." Luke advised her, watching her pace up and down the floor.

"Oh, Luke." She said, whirling around to face him, "In just a few hours I make the most important speech in my life. To see whether or not I will be allowed by my duty to marry the man I love."

"Well, your brother is right, being all uptight won't help any." Senta said.

"Here, do the Jedi Calming exercises I showed you." Luke said, he gestured for everyone in the room to be quiet."

Leia took three minutes and calmed herself down using the Jedi Calming techniques. When she was calm. "Leia, Han asked me to give you this note." Luke said, handing her a note. Han had decided to be absent from this room so that he couldn't make her more nervous.

Leia read through the note, her eyes filling with tears as she read the thoughtful words- Leia, whatever happens, I love you. Even if you marry someone else-I love you and I'll understand. Leia, all that matters to me is that you tried. ~Yours always, Han Solo, the official Scoundrel and Rogue

"It is time." Rogue said, gently, coming inside the room.

"Here goes." Leia said, taking a deep breath and running through Jedi exercises once more.

Luke walked up to Leia, grasped her arm. "Leia, may the force be with you."

Leia stepped up to the Podium at Council Hall on Alderaan. "Alderaanians. I need to discuss with you my marriage. I pledged my life to Alderaan, so only you can, through your vote decide whom I marry. I will bow to any decision you make, but I would like you to know the man I love, and hope you will love him too. The man's name is General Han Solo, a hero of the New Republic and the Rebellion. I love him dearly, and I think its reciprocal. I know he has a shady past. I know he was a smuggler, but he has a golden heart." Leia spoke for awhile and ended her speech with," You have trusted me with your freedom, and i hope you trust me on this decision. But the decision is yours." Leia sat down.

Luke, who was standing just behind his sister, noticed that the audience had tears and the eyes, as they gave Leia's speech a standing ovation. They all curtsied, or bowed to the Queen and exited. "Leia," Luke said, quietly, "I think you reached them."

"Great speech, your worshipfulness, I think you really love me." Han said, hopping on the stage.

Leia broke out crying, and went into Han's open arms

"Cousin Leia, General Solo, Luke." Senta said, gravely coming in, "I have the election results."

Leia had turned off her force abilities to read emotions, she wanted to experience this normally, but now she was regretting her decision, she couldn't tell if Senta was just using the tone and expression to throw her, or was the news bad... "The vote says........YOU CAN MARRY GENERAL SOLO." She screamed, then she gave Han a sly look, "Or should I say cousin-to-be Han."

"The latter." Han said, smiling broadly, "Well your worshipfulness, no excuse now."

"Oh, you little nerf-herder." Leia said, she grasped Han's hand, and with her free hand grabbed Luke's. Han grabbed Rogue's who had been in the other room, but had just come inside, "Good news, I presume." She said, seeing the looks on their faces.

"It was fated to be this way." Amidala said, appearing, "but congratulations. The people of Alderaan made the right choice, I can't think of anyone better for a son-in-law."

"Thank you." Han said.

"Oh mi gosh." Obi-Wan said appearing, "Han, you need to understand what this means, Amidala doesn't compliment frivolously, in fact, its hard to get her compliments."

"Well, thank you." Han said, bowing, "I promise to take good care of your daughter." He threw a teasing smile at Leia.

Leia drew in a breath, "I can take care of my self. I don't need anyone else." then she dropped the cover, and drew Han close to her, "but I still like having people by me."

"Here, Here." everyone in the room, cheered.

"Now, I expect to have grandkids, AND a daughter-in-law soon." Amidala said, raising an eyebrow.

Luke sputtered and blushed, "You will have to wait for the latter."

Leia grinned, and pulled Luke closer to her and Han. "Well, it doesn't matter. You have one wedding to plan, right now, but knowing Aunt Tia, we might not have much more to plan."

Tia blushed, "Just a few ideas."

Leia looked at her aunt's drawings and grimaced. "Let's see what I had in mind."

"But." All the aunts protested, after they saw Tia's plans, hers were the elegance plans.

"What about a compromise." Luke broke in.

The Aunts and Leia looked grumpy, while Han looked amused. "Here, Leia, let me see your drawings."

Luke studied both sets for a moment, "Here, why don't we do a pattern that is somewhat like this." He drew a sketch that incorporated both designs on the wall decor (Leia's hearts, and her aunt's Alderaanian insignia and cloth dips.) For the dress, with her aunt's conservative, and Leia's slightly liberal, he did a combination, again. For the cake he did Rogue's design of a 17-layer cake that symbolized all the houses of Alderaan being behind this, and on top would be Leia's figurines, her and Han holding hands supported by all her family and friends. The ceremony was high Alderaanian, as was wanted by both parties, and the ship that took them on their honeymoon was, at Han's insistence, the Falcon. After both parties agreed everyone let out a sigh.

Han drew Luke away, "You handled that well, Kid, I was afraid there would be an argument."

"Thanks, Han," He gave Han a mischievous smile, "or should I say to-be-brother-in-law and king of Alderaan."

Han groaned, "Don't remind me of the latter, I am trying to forget that I'm going to be a king. Boy, I wonder what the people on the Run are going to say!"

"Good compromising, Luke." Amidala said, "so looks like both of you are teaching each other things, but Leia, work on your Jedi training at least a little more, I know with building a working government you have limited time...but come on."

"Looks like I don't really have a choice." Leia said, dryly.

"Look at how far Luke has come, it was only 6 years ago that he was the impatient, kid, and now look at him, I am going to show you something, and tell me if you could see the 'new' Luke doing this." Amidala said, "See I got the Jedi counsel to let me keep these, since Leia and Luke are my kids..."

Luke grimaced, he wasn't sure which one his mother was going to show, but there were many to choose from. A moment later, Luke saw an image of him on Tatooine come on the screen, he also saw that it was Ben's house, he was pointing to screen. All of a sudden it came back to him....he started blushing.

"Uh, uh." The Leia on the screen said.

"Are you crazy?"

"It can be done," the Luke on the screen said, stubbornly, "Its only 12-1 odds, we distract the star destroyers as Dash leads the Millennium Falcon through the hole goes to Boba Fett's ship and rescue's Han."

The projection ended and everyone, except for Luke and Leia, broke out laughing, "Only 12-1 odds?" Senta said, stunned.

"Well you have to remember, at this time that was good, we were taking on the Imperial Fleet." Luke said, blushing.

"All right, enough laughing at my son's expense, I was making a point." Amidala said.
"Yeah." Leia said, putting her arm around Luke, "Stop laughing at his expense. Besides, it almost worked."
Just then Luke tensed, then he relaxed an amused grin spreading on his face. "Hey, Han. You were worried that the news would get to Corellia. I think it just did. One of your friends is on the roof above us."

Han groaned, a heartfelt groan. Leia put her hands on her hips in an indignant gesture. "What, you are embarrassed that people know you are getting married to me."

"It's not that. It's just that all the Corellian Smuggling guild people are going to call me legit."

"Ah." Luke said, sympathetically.

"I don't get it." Leia said, puzzled.

"In the smuggling world that is the biggest insult you can give another person as it separates that person from The group." Luke explained.

"How did you know that." Han asked, puzzled.

"Simple, I know people who flit between the two worlds."

"Wait a sec..." Han said, "So does that mean you know some stuff about my pre-alliance adventures."

"A teensy-bit." Luke admitted.

"And you are still letting me marry your sister." Han asked, astonished.

"Yes. First of all, it's not my choice it was Leia's and the Alderaanian people's." Luke said.

Leia walked up to Luke and put her arm in his. "But I always need your advice and input. You are my brother."

"Thanks, Lei (Pronounced lay.)

"Good, you two are close again." Amidala said with delight.

"I am just curious, to-be-mother-in-law, why is that so important to you."

"First off, it is just Amidala. Second-it is important to me, because that means their destiny didn't overcome their love. It means the Jedi Council didn't totally ruin their lives."

Han laughed; he hadn't known a Skywalker could speak that way about the Jedi council.

And Han said that aloud.

"Oh, I have been mad at them for that for years." Amidala said.

"I mean I know I haven't been the best mother in the world to them, but that doesn't mean I have no maternal feelings."

Han seemed to realize he had touched a nerve, "Easy, mother-in-law-to-be, I wasn't accusing you of not being a good mother." He smiled, "On the contrary, you are good mother, you let Leia marry me."

Amidala broke out laughing, "Well, you do have a sense of humor, which lacks in many Jedi council members."

"Now, come on, Amidala." Jedi Master Qui-Gonn said, appearing, "I have an adequate sense of humor, as does Obi-Wan and Master Yoda, most of the time."

Amidala laughed, "But you are the only ones."

"Ami, you have just held a vendetta against us all for making Luke a Jedi and choosing planets so far away." Obi-Wan said, appearing, "Hello, young Jedi, by the way."

"No, I don't hold a vendetta against you, you did your best to keep Luke and Leia together. But, why did you address him as Young Jedi, instead of Luke."

"Because, that is how I have been addressing him since I met him."

"I still don't like it." Amidala said, pouting in a way that matched Leia's style.

"Now you see why they are mother and daughter." Obi-Wan said out of the corner of his mouth to Han.

Han broke out laughing. Amidala rolled her eyes, "Leia, darling, I might just say that you are marrying the wrong guy."

Han became quiet immediately. Leia, Amidala, and Luke broke out laughing. "What is so funny." Han asked.

"Don't ask, trust me." Obi-Wan advised.

"One thing you learn hanging around the family line for awhile is that it is better not to question these inside jokes." Master Yoda said.

"Ah." Han asked, his experiences would definitely second that.

"Well, Leia, shall we go and buy your wedding outfit now." Luke asked.

"Yea, and CERTAIN PEOPLE" Amidala said, glaring a glare full of fire at Han and Yoda, "are not accompanying us."