A/N ... Many thanks to all of you who continue to review this story, we're glad you all enjoy it
so much. :)
DESTINY
Chapter 4
Looking out the over the desolate horizon of Tattooine, Leia at last understood why Luke had always
so hated being here. It had only been three days since her arrival but already she loathed the place. It
didn't help matters that her only companion was an overly serious little creature, nor was the shelter of
Obi-Wan's deserted hut any compensation for the trials she had endured of late.
Her mind drifted to many things, not least of all Obi-Wan's unexpected and rudely unceremonious news.
'You are the daughter and the sister of Skywalker' his words fell so hard as to crush her spirit. From
the security of her cabin, this notion seemed impossible! It was only now that she was separated from
all things familiar that his revelation began to sink in. Here, in almost complete isolation, the weight finally
settled on her. Tears welled in her eyes as she considered the enormity of what lay before her. Of who she
was and what Luke had become. She had watched him run towards her with his lightsabre raised in fury to
strike her down. To kill her! If it wasn't for Yoda he would have succeeded. For as much as she desired to
not believe, neither could she deny it.
And then there was Han and the guilt of abandoning him. Would he understand why she chose
to let Lando and Chewie search without her? Why she wouldn't be there when he woke. Would he even
care? Perhaps she was saving herself the embarrassment of having read too much into their affair and it
would permit him the easy release from the Alliance which he had so often wished for. Perhaps
everything was a lie! What if she were to simply walk away and leave the squabbles and deceit behind?
She reasoned that when it came to the crunch, Yoda and Obi-Wan couldn't force her to take action against
her brother and father, they merely hope she will see their line of reason and follow it.
She swiped at a tear and studied the moisture on the back of her hand. A determination fuelled by anger
began to grow within her. These romantic whims were nothing more than a by-product of her
shock and sorrow. She kicked herself into reality, refusing to give up the battle against the Emperor, only
now knowing the victory would come at a higher cost. And it appeared she would finish as she had
begun....alone.
"Your mind dwells on many sorrows." Again Yoda's penchant for sudden appearances almost caused her
to leap out of her skin. "Difficult to train it will be if you cannot focus your thoughts on the present."
"Just when am I to begin this training?" Leia couldn't hide her annoyance. It seemed to her that she was
rushed to Yoda with the utmost urgency, almost been killed in the process and now she was left to sit
bone idle at the edge of the galaxy. "I've been here three days, listening to you ramble on about the glory
days of the Jedi, but not once have you mentioned Vader or Luke or the very destruction which is taking
place right now while we sit and pretend it isn't happening!"
Yoda dropped his eyes and sighed deeply. "You have great strength. The Force flows through you more
easily than it does your brother, it shows in your way of life and in your beliefs." Yoda stood with his back
to Leia and cast his view into the distance. "But you too have the weakness of fear, of indecision and of
failure." He turned to look directly at her "I cannot risk losing you to the Dark Side as we lost Luke and Vader.
For this reason I hesitate to train you."
Leia was astounded "You've let me sit here for three days and now you tell me this!" She pointed wildly at
the sky and yelled accusingly "I dropped everything to answer your call...and now you don't want me! I could
have been doing something...helping to stop what's happening out there! Instead I've been sitting here
wasting my time!"
Yoda spoke sadly, almost inaudibly "You have the same sense of self importance....and his anger."
"Whose anger? What are you talking about?" Leia's annoyance peaked as Yoda declined to answer. She
continued her outburst with a blind frustration. "Oh yes, I'm angry...at you!" The Princess stood, towering
over the Jedi "You and Obi-Wan completely changed my life in the space of a few minutes and now you want
to walk away!" She smacked the stone wall with such ferocity that her palm stung and she let out a curt
squeak. Cursing her action, she held her reddened hand in the other for relief.
Yoda indulged in his own annoyance and clicked the floor with his cane "For many years I have watched you
along with your brother. And hold firm I do to my belief that you are the stonger in the force, however...." he
poked her leg with his crooked finger to emphasized his point "....too proud are you! Too quick to dispense
with those who do not meet your standards. Too angry you become!"
Leia sighed and returned to her seat. Calming herself, she spoke quietly to the Master. "The two most painful
decisions of my life have led me to you." Yoda raised his vision to meet hers and listened intently as the young
girl pleaded her case. "The first was having to accept my failure to protect Alderaan. I knew full well where
those bases were located, but instead I sacrificed my home."
Yoda spoke quietly "And the second?"
"Abandoning the search for Han to others."
Yoda nodded, almost in approval which only re-opened the floodgates for Leia's exasperation. "It's not going to
be all for nothing! I won't let you take the truth away from me!"
There it was! Those few simple words....I wont let you take the truth away from me....were enough to convince
Yoda of her strength, her resolve and her courage. He reclined against the wall, satisfied with Leia's character.
"Courage comes not from winning battles, but from recognizing our fears. Faith in you I have. Train you, I will."
***
Luke restlessly paced the corridors of The Executor, his anger brewing. "I almost had her!" He looked up, seeing
a Lieutenant nervously side step him. Just as he had been muttering to himself, Luke chuckled beneath his
breath at the other man's unease. He quite enjoyed the effect his sudden arrival was having on the crew.
Skywalker stood watching the Officer retreat sensing his consternation with amusement, then turned on his heel
making his way to his quarters. Then without missing a beat, he turned about sharply "Of course she is!" he spat
his revelation "What better place to hide a life!" He carried on towards the bridge to set course for Tattooine.
***
Leia opened her eyes and shuddered. Yoda questioned her lack of concentration, and she guarded her answer.
"I just saw things...people...but it seemed like a dream."
Equably accepting her response, Yoda retired for the night. Her vision was not unknown to him and he would
wait patiently for her interpretation and subsequent action. Already he held hope in her ability. She was not as
impetuous as her brother.
Grateful for the solitude, Leia settled into meditation. Of everything she had learned so far, the ability to
completely relax her mind was her favourite. Her visions encompased both past and present, sometimes
overlapping, and in the last two days she had seen what could only be the future. She held her secrets close,
even though she was aware that Yoda somehow knew her mind. She understood the challenge he was placing
before her to demonstrate how well she would control her new found ability and she was most eager to prove
herself.
She had also seen where Han was being held. So close! The temptation to go to him had crossed her mind on
more than one occassion, but soon he would be with Lando and Chewbacca and her interference would only
hinder their plan. She would have to wait for their reunion.
***
This time the Sith would better devise their approach on the Jedi. There had been a sense of bravado on
Dagobah, of a bold appearance on an unsuspecting girl. In the months since, the Princess had grown in
knowledge and become well skilled in the Jedi art, she was now a threat to be reckoned with and must be
addressed with caution.
For this reason alone, Vader refused permission for Luke to accompany him to Tattooine. His turning was only
recent and the desert world held too many close associations with the boy. If he was confronted with them, it
was possible they could trigger a sense of remorse in the younger Skywalker, thus casting a shadow over Vader's
intent. Captain Solo, the Wookiee, boyhood companions and the ruined Lars' homestead, culminating with the
Princess! A clever conjunction on the part of Yoda!
His son was obedient, yet wholly unsatisfied. The latter meant little to Vader. The boy's choice to comply with
the decision was all he desired and this was rewarded with the promise of repayment in kind. For the time being
at least, Luke was appeased.
Vader boarded his shuttle and decended to Tattooine.
so much. :)
DESTINY
Chapter 4
Looking out the over the desolate horizon of Tattooine, Leia at last understood why Luke had always
so hated being here. It had only been three days since her arrival but already she loathed the place. It
didn't help matters that her only companion was an overly serious little creature, nor was the shelter of
Obi-Wan's deserted hut any compensation for the trials she had endured of late.
Her mind drifted to many things, not least of all Obi-Wan's unexpected and rudely unceremonious news.
'You are the daughter and the sister of Skywalker' his words fell so hard as to crush her spirit. From
the security of her cabin, this notion seemed impossible! It was only now that she was separated from
all things familiar that his revelation began to sink in. Here, in almost complete isolation, the weight finally
settled on her. Tears welled in her eyes as she considered the enormity of what lay before her. Of who she
was and what Luke had become. She had watched him run towards her with his lightsabre raised in fury to
strike her down. To kill her! If it wasn't for Yoda he would have succeeded. For as much as she desired to
not believe, neither could she deny it.
And then there was Han and the guilt of abandoning him. Would he understand why she chose
to let Lando and Chewie search without her? Why she wouldn't be there when he woke. Would he even
care? Perhaps she was saving herself the embarrassment of having read too much into their affair and it
would permit him the easy release from the Alliance which he had so often wished for. Perhaps
everything was a lie! What if she were to simply walk away and leave the squabbles and deceit behind?
She reasoned that when it came to the crunch, Yoda and Obi-Wan couldn't force her to take action against
her brother and father, they merely hope she will see their line of reason and follow it.
She swiped at a tear and studied the moisture on the back of her hand. A determination fuelled by anger
began to grow within her. These romantic whims were nothing more than a by-product of her
shock and sorrow. She kicked herself into reality, refusing to give up the battle against the Emperor, only
now knowing the victory would come at a higher cost. And it appeared she would finish as she had
begun....alone.
"Your mind dwells on many sorrows." Again Yoda's penchant for sudden appearances almost caused her
to leap out of her skin. "Difficult to train it will be if you cannot focus your thoughts on the present."
"Just when am I to begin this training?" Leia couldn't hide her annoyance. It seemed to her that she was
rushed to Yoda with the utmost urgency, almost been killed in the process and now she was left to sit
bone idle at the edge of the galaxy. "I've been here three days, listening to you ramble on about the glory
days of the Jedi, but not once have you mentioned Vader or Luke or the very destruction which is taking
place right now while we sit and pretend it isn't happening!"
Yoda dropped his eyes and sighed deeply. "You have great strength. The Force flows through you more
easily than it does your brother, it shows in your way of life and in your beliefs." Yoda stood with his back
to Leia and cast his view into the distance. "But you too have the weakness of fear, of indecision and of
failure." He turned to look directly at her "I cannot risk losing you to the Dark Side as we lost Luke and Vader.
For this reason I hesitate to train you."
Leia was astounded "You've let me sit here for three days and now you tell me this!" She pointed wildly at
the sky and yelled accusingly "I dropped everything to answer your call...and now you don't want me! I could
have been doing something...helping to stop what's happening out there! Instead I've been sitting here
wasting my time!"
Yoda spoke sadly, almost inaudibly "You have the same sense of self importance....and his anger."
"Whose anger? What are you talking about?" Leia's annoyance peaked as Yoda declined to answer. She
continued her outburst with a blind frustration. "Oh yes, I'm angry...at you!" The Princess stood, towering
over the Jedi "You and Obi-Wan completely changed my life in the space of a few minutes and now you want
to walk away!" She smacked the stone wall with such ferocity that her palm stung and she let out a curt
squeak. Cursing her action, she held her reddened hand in the other for relief.
Yoda indulged in his own annoyance and clicked the floor with his cane "For many years I have watched you
along with your brother. And hold firm I do to my belief that you are the stonger in the force, however...." he
poked her leg with his crooked finger to emphasized his point "....too proud are you! Too quick to dispense
with those who do not meet your standards. Too angry you become!"
Leia sighed and returned to her seat. Calming herself, she spoke quietly to the Master. "The two most painful
decisions of my life have led me to you." Yoda raised his vision to meet hers and listened intently as the young
girl pleaded her case. "The first was having to accept my failure to protect Alderaan. I knew full well where
those bases were located, but instead I sacrificed my home."
Yoda spoke quietly "And the second?"
"Abandoning the search for Han to others."
Yoda nodded, almost in approval which only re-opened the floodgates for Leia's exasperation. "It's not going to
be all for nothing! I won't let you take the truth away from me!"
There it was! Those few simple words....I wont let you take the truth away from me....were enough to convince
Yoda of her strength, her resolve and her courage. He reclined against the wall, satisfied with Leia's character.
"Courage comes not from winning battles, but from recognizing our fears. Faith in you I have. Train you, I will."
***
Luke restlessly paced the corridors of The Executor, his anger brewing. "I almost had her!" He looked up, seeing
a Lieutenant nervously side step him. Just as he had been muttering to himself, Luke chuckled beneath his
breath at the other man's unease. He quite enjoyed the effect his sudden arrival was having on the crew.
Skywalker stood watching the Officer retreat sensing his consternation with amusement, then turned on his heel
making his way to his quarters. Then without missing a beat, he turned about sharply "Of course she is!" he spat
his revelation "What better place to hide a life!" He carried on towards the bridge to set course for Tattooine.
***
Leia opened her eyes and shuddered. Yoda questioned her lack of concentration, and she guarded her answer.
"I just saw things...people...but it seemed like a dream."
Equably accepting her response, Yoda retired for the night. Her vision was not unknown to him and he would
wait patiently for her interpretation and subsequent action. Already he held hope in her ability. She was not as
impetuous as her brother.
Grateful for the solitude, Leia settled into meditation. Of everything she had learned so far, the ability to
completely relax her mind was her favourite. Her visions encompased both past and present, sometimes
overlapping, and in the last two days she had seen what could only be the future. She held her secrets close,
even though she was aware that Yoda somehow knew her mind. She understood the challenge he was placing
before her to demonstrate how well she would control her new found ability and she was most eager to prove
herself.
She had also seen where Han was being held. So close! The temptation to go to him had crossed her mind on
more than one occassion, but soon he would be with Lando and Chewbacca and her interference would only
hinder their plan. She would have to wait for their reunion.
***
This time the Sith would better devise their approach on the Jedi. There had been a sense of bravado on
Dagobah, of a bold appearance on an unsuspecting girl. In the months since, the Princess had grown in
knowledge and become well skilled in the Jedi art, she was now a threat to be reckoned with and must be
addressed with caution.
For this reason alone, Vader refused permission for Luke to accompany him to Tattooine. His turning was only
recent and the desert world held too many close associations with the boy. If he was confronted with them, it
was possible they could trigger a sense of remorse in the younger Skywalker, thus casting a shadow over Vader's
intent. Captain Solo, the Wookiee, boyhood companions and the ruined Lars' homestead, culminating with the
Princess! A clever conjunction on the part of Yoda!
His son was obedient, yet wholly unsatisfied. The latter meant little to Vader. The boy's choice to comply with
the decision was all he desired and this was rewarded with the promise of repayment in kind. For the time being
at least, Luke was appeased.
Vader boarded his shuttle and decended to Tattooine.