AN :

October 2014...It's been so many years, yet this story still gets (sporadically) read and (even more sporadically) reviewed... I did give up on it though.

But once upon a time, I wrote the epilogue of this story. I can hardly fill the blanks between what you've read and the epilogue any more - still, let's try...

The Rebels on Endor learn about Luke's presence on Naboo through officials channels, and Leia get Han to Naboo as well; they are welcome as war heroes. My Imperial original characters explore Theed: Sagan (the one I liked) "accidentally" finds a history book mentioning Anakin Skywalker, and puts two and two together. Devs (the one I liked to dislike) gets into real trouble because of that book, which was planted there exactly for that reason: get the Imperials to do something stupid. Let's throw in a bit of political intrigue, and of course, Anakin/Vader has to get involved; but things turn out badly... The situation is artificial enough that it's obvious even to Leia, who distrusts her father an awful lot, that he is but a victim here. Vader acts one last time Dark and Angry and Scary, until Luke, with Leia and Han's help, show him that there are ways other than anger to resolve crappy situations. For some reason [insert plot hole here], when Anakin comes to his senses, he is absolved of his (most of) his sins [yes, it was a big plot hole]. Eventually, Anakin consciously decides to become a "Jedi" of some sort again (for lack of a better word).

The relationships between the Skywalkers were supposed to be slowly mending during the course of the story; but there is too much baggage between Leia and Vader for her to learn how to trust him in just a couple of weeks.

Anyway, this epilogue was written from Leia's point of view. The Skywalkers visit Padmé's grave for the first time.

Asj Johnson, this post is dedicated to you ;)

Revulsion. Similar to the one she'd felt when she'd learnt about her parenthood with Darth Vader.

Hatred – but not as strong as before. It was a hatred she was able to overcome.

Loneliness; above all, loneliness.

They were on her mother's grave. Father and son, together, united by their grief. She did not think she would be able to join them. It was still too early, too hard.

He had made her suffer too much.

He had suffered as well, she had discovered the past couple of weeks. He had not always been the cold-hearted servant of the Empire she had known for those years. And he certainly wasn't him any longer. There were still large patches of darkness within his heart – darkness and hatred and fear – but she had come to acknowledge that there was such darkness within every being she'd met. As long as there was a fair balance with Light…

They were both aware of her presence, she knew it; but they also realised that she did not want them to acknowledge her. She kept looking on them, her family. Luke's hair was a mess as always, and as always he did not care. His posture was much different from that of the young man she'd met on the first Death Star. He was calm, composed. He corresponded perfectly to the idea she had of the Jedi.

Their father's position was much similar. Legs slightly spread to keep a better balance. Head lowered, but shoulders straight. She guessed his hands were clasped together before him.

She saw Anakin take a step forward and kneel down before the gravestone. Luke did not move, but he still glanced at her. She nodded to him, and they both turned their eyes back to their father. They could only guess what may be his feelings – and Leia quite frankly did not want to find out. Anakin's feelings were a mess that was his to solve out. She couldn't help but feel a bit of sympathy at the thought. Sympathy? For the man she held responsible of so many crimes? Was she softening?

She knew she was, but she also knew why: these past few weeks, she had discovered a man. Behind the dark mask had survived a compassionate person. She would not give him absolution; but she had, in her heart, decided that one day she would forgive him. It was not as if the whole responsibility was his, anyway.

Somewhere before her, Anakin's hand moved. She could not see what he'd done, but she saw him get up slowly and turn around, facing her. He froze, paralysed with shock. Perhaps he had not been aware of her presence, after all.

She moved forward despite herself. She heard the meadow whisper under her feet, and felt the soft caress of the wind on her cheeks. She did not know what she would tell him when she reached them, but she moved on. She stopped about a yard away from him, and she held his troubled gaze.

From the corner of her eyes, she could see Luke smiling softly.

(She then silently walked past them, and knelt down at the place her father had previously held. She did not move when they left her alone.)

The end.