************************************
Chapter Four: The Return
*
"My wife," said Anakin in disbelief. "Master, I don't understand...."
"It was your marriage to your wife, in defiance of the Jedi Order, that led you to the dark path," said Yoda.
"And also what saved me from it," countered Anakin. "Padme's love saved me from the dark side. How can you ask me to give that up?"
"If your son you wish to be a Jedi," said Yoda. "Then your marriage must end."
"No," said Luke. "If that is the price of my becoming a Jedi, then I don't want it. My Father and Mother belong with each other. I will not destroy their happiness for my own gain. I have trained to be a Jedi for most of my life. If I am to be a Jedi or not, it will be based on my abilities, not on my Father's atonement for any sins. Especially if it means separating him from my Mother."
Yoda smiled. "Past your first test, you have, Padawan Skywalker."
Everyone stood in silence for several moments. Anakin and Luke had stunned expressions on their faces, while Obi-Wan merely smiled.
"Shocked are you," said Yoda. "Understandable. It was necessary to test the boy's selflessness. Whether the boy would put his own wants, his own desires, over the welfare of others."
"So I don't have to give up Padme for Luke to become a Jedi," said Anakin in relief.
"No," said Yoda. "In defiance of the Jedi Order, your marriage was, Master Skywalker. But...that now is irrelevant. What is relevant now is the boy's readiness to become a Jedi." The old warrior turned to Luke. "Ready are you, to face the trials?"
"I am ready," said Luke.
"Great danger, there may be," said Yoda. "Easy, the trials will not be."
"I am not afraid," said Luke.
"Oh," said Yoda, "you will be. You WILL be."
**
The Millennium Falcon streaked through space on its way to the planet Triall. In the cockpit, Han looked over a few of the controls, while Chewie made some adjustments. Leia came into the cockpit.
"How much longer?" she asked.
Han turned for a moment to acknowledge Leia's presence, before returning his attention to the onboard systems. "About an hour," he replied.
"Good, I'll go and tell my Mother," said Leia, leaving the cockpit.
Han sat there for a few moments, before getting up from his chair. "Take over, Chewie. I've got a few things to check out."
Chewie moaned his reply as Han left the cockpit. He ran down the corridor until he caught up to Leia, outside of her Mother's quarters.
"Hey, Leia," said Han.
"Yes," said Leia, turning to face Han.
"How ya doing?" he asked.
"Fine," said Leia. "Nervous, for Mother. She hasn't seen her people in so long, and didn't think she ever would after Naboo was destroyed."
"Did I ever tell ya I went there once?" asked Han. "Naboo, I mean."
"No, you never did," said Leia. "I've only seen pictures of it, and heard my Mother tell of it. It must have been beautiful."
"A bit ornate and old fashioned for my taste," said Han. "But, it was...nice. Good people, though a bit stuck up."
"Um, look, Han, was there something you wanted?" asked Leia.
"Oh, nothing," said Han. He got closer to Leia. "I was just wondering, when we were going to continue that discussion."
"What discussion?" asked Leia, a little nervous at Han's close proximity.
"The one about you being attracted to me," said Han.
"I never said I was attracted to you," said Leia. "Though now I'm convinced you're attracted to me."
"What if I am?" asked Han, taking Leia's hand, rubbing her fingers gently. "What if I do...like you? What then?"
"I thought you said that you and I were like fire and water," said Leia. "Not compatible."
"Well, I've been thinking," said Han. "Why wouldn't we have something? I mean, I know you like me, and I like you."
"I never said I like you," said Leia, with Han leaning closer to her face. Then, with a whisper, she continued. "I never said I was even attracted to you. You're not really my type."
"Oh, what's your type?" asked Han, leaning ever closer.
"Nice men," said Leia. "I like nice men."
"I'm a nice man," said Han.
"No, you're a..." before Leia could continue, Han kissed her, full on the lips. Leia made no effort to pull away.
Just then, the door opened to Padme's room, and out stepped its occupant, into a scene that had her taken aback. Her daughter was kissing Han Solo in the corridor outside her room. "They have to do this here?" thought Padme.
Leia pulled away from Han, and turned to face her Mother. Padme did not say a word, and waited for Leia to speak. "Mom," said Leia. "We should arrive at Triall...in an hour."
"Good," said Padme.
"Yeah, I should...get back," said Han. "Chewie may...need some help with...uh..."
Han stumbled down the corridor back towards the cockpit. Leia walked silently away from her Mother. But Padme decided not to let her daughter off that easy.
"Leia Skywalker," said Padme, in a Mother's disciplinary tone. "What were you doing out here, young lady?"
"Mom, we just kissed," said Leia, turning to face Padme. "And I'm not even sure how THAT happened."
"Yes, well, I have just one thing I want to know, young lady," said Padme. Then, she smiled. "How was it?"
Leia was stunned for a moment, before smirking slightly. "It was...nice."
"Uh, huh," said Padme. "Well, dear, I wouldn't let your Father be the one to catch you doing that with Han outside of HIS quarters. Solo would be chased down by a raving Father wielding a lightsaber."
"I'm surprised your not upset," said Leia.
"I'm more liberal about you and...growing up," said Padme. "I was a young woman once, too. I remember the first time your Father kissed me, and it was...nice, too. But he stills sees you as a little girl, not a young woman. He's protective of you."
"Well, I don't even think there is anything between Han and I," said Leia. "We argue constantly, and there was one...kiss. What's that?"
"I don't know," said Padme. "That's something you and Han are going to have to figure out. Now, I have to go and get ready to meet my people. Have you seen Wedge?"
"I think he's still asleep," said Leia. "I'll go wake him."
***
The Millennium Falcon touched down on the planet Triall. After a few minutes, the ramp of the ship came down, and out stepped Wedge Antilles, blaster in hand and ready for any threat. Han followed close behind, with his blaster also drawn. The two men surveyed the landscape around them, but found no sign of anyone else's presence. They nodded to one another, and Wedge turned around to look up the ramp.
"All clear," he said.
A moment later, Padme stepped down the ramp, wearing her white jumpsuit, arm bands of Naboo political service, and in possession of a Naboo blaster pistol holstered on her belt. Leia followed behind her Mother, also wearing a white jump suit and field utility vest. She also had a blaster holstered on her hip.
"Where's the camp, Wedge?" asked Padme.
"Just over the ridge," said Wedge.
"Fine, let's go," said Padme.
"Chewie," said Han. "Stay with the ship. Be ready to get out of here if its some kind of trap."
Chewie silently went back into the ship, while the others began to walk towards the ridge. They made their way through the forest, Padme leading the group and moving fast with enthusiasm to see her people. After about ten minutes of walking, they heard movement in the bushes.
"Freeze," said Wedge to the group, raising his blaster. "Alright," he called. "Come out, whoever you are."
A gungan stepped out of the bushes, holding a blaster weapon. He looked over the group for a few moments with his bulging eyes before speaking.
"Whosa usa," said the gungan.
"I am Wedge Antilles. I was here before. Your Gringnot, right?"
"Oh, yesa," replied the gungan, now with an expression of recognition of the rebel pilot. "Yousa made it out and back. And yousa brought some friends."
"Yes," said Wedge. "We must see the camp leaders at once. I've brought a very special visitor."
"Okedoky," said Gringnot.
The gungan led the party from the Millennium Falcon to the Naboo encampment. They came on a scene of makeshift shelters, filled with people wearing ragged clothing, their faces dirtied and their expressions downtrodden. Padme was shocked to see her people, once so proud and so full of life, reduced to shattered wrecks eeking out an existence while the Empire tried to kill them.
The Naboo in the camp surveyed the group suspiciously, with most of the stares focused on Padme. Several people whispered about Padme's attire being that of Naboo nobility, the older ones saying they hadn't seen anyone in such an outfit in many years.
Gringnot brought them to the hatch of a transport ship that was in the middle of the camp, one that would probably never fly again due to intense blaster damage to its hull. A man standing guard at the door acknowledged Gringnot, they exchanged a few words, and then the guard went inside.
A few moments later, a young woman came out. She was Leia's age, dressed in something similar to an old Naboo security services uniform. It didn't look like it was made to fit her, but rather was improvised attire for the young woman.
"Wedge," she called out.
The young woman and Wedge embraced one another. "Ralla," said Wedge. "I've missed you."
"And I you," said the young woman. "But, you said you would come back, and..."
Ralla stopped short when she saw Padme. The young woman said nothing, but rather stared dumbstruck at the woman in front of her. Finally, she whispered, "Its you."
"Hello," said Padme. "Are you the leader here?"
"My grandfather is, but he has been injured," said Ralla. "I'm standing in his place."
"I am Padme Amidalla Skywalker."
Ralla fell to her knees in front of Padme. "Lady Amidalla," said Ralla. "I can't believe its really you. My Grandfather has told me of you so often."
"Please, get up," said Padme. She took Ralla's hand, and helped her to stand. A crowd gathered around them. Some of the Naboo had heard Padme say her name.
"Are you really Lady Amidalla?" asked an old man.
"I am," said Padme. She turned to the crowd. "People of Naboo. I have returned, and I am here to help you, if I can."
"Where have you been?" asked one angry voice from the crowd. An older woman stepped out from among the ragged mass of people. "Where were YOU when our world was destroyed? How DARE you abandon our people to the Empire, and then come back now? Why should we listen to you?"
"Because I say so," said the voice of a man from the door of the ship.
The crowd turned to see an old man on crutches standing in the doorway. He had long gray hair and beard, and wore a blue tunic that looked battered with age and abuse. There was also dried blood on parts of the tunic. But even through the age of the man, and his ragged dress and condition, Padme recognized him.
"Sio Bibble," said Padme. "Governor...is it...is it really you?"
"Milady," said Bibble. "As always, at your service."
Padme stepped over to the old man, and slowly put her hand on his face. Then, she wrapped her arms around her former advisor and trusted old friend, whom she had known since she was the Queen of Naboo so many years ago.
"Oh, Milady," said Bibble. Padme released him from her embrace, and he looked at her with a smile. "You are still like a beautiful Naboo blossom."
"Grandfather," said Ralla, coming over to Sio Bibble. "You shouldn't be up."
"I had to come," said Bibble, patting his granddaughter on the shoulder. "To greet Lady Amidalla." He looked at the people gathered around and staring at the scene before them. "People of Naboo, I urge you to hear Lady Amidalla out. She has served our people well, and can explain her absence from among us."
Padme was silent for a moment before speaking to the people. "Leaving you was not my choice," said Padme. "I...I fell in love, with a Jedi Knight. Anakin Skywalker. We were secretly married, and conceived twin children. But the Emperor...Palpatine wanted to kill my husband and my children, because of the threat they posed to his power. I had to leave, to go into hiding with my husband to protect my children. One of them stands before you." She indicated Leia. "Her name is Leia. What I did was to protect them, but I never stopped being Naboo. Never a day went by when my thoughts did not turn to our people. I'm sorry...for all that has happened. Now, I have returned, to help to save what is left of our people."
"We can get along without you," said the angry woman from before. "Your sob story means nothing to us."
"Speak for yourself," said the voice of a young man who stepped from the crowd.
"I agree," said a young woman, who also stepped forward. "Lady Amidalla was protecting her children, and I for one will not fault her for doing so."
There were murmurs of agreement from the crowd. Then, several of the people began to clap their hands. More joined in, until a genuine ovation was heard from the crowd.
After the clapping died down, Sio Bibble put his hand on Padme's shoulder. "You have brought them hope again, Milady."
Chapter Four: The Return
*
"My wife," said Anakin in disbelief. "Master, I don't understand...."
"It was your marriage to your wife, in defiance of the Jedi Order, that led you to the dark path," said Yoda.
"And also what saved me from it," countered Anakin. "Padme's love saved me from the dark side. How can you ask me to give that up?"
"If your son you wish to be a Jedi," said Yoda. "Then your marriage must end."
"No," said Luke. "If that is the price of my becoming a Jedi, then I don't want it. My Father and Mother belong with each other. I will not destroy their happiness for my own gain. I have trained to be a Jedi for most of my life. If I am to be a Jedi or not, it will be based on my abilities, not on my Father's atonement for any sins. Especially if it means separating him from my Mother."
Yoda smiled. "Past your first test, you have, Padawan Skywalker."
Everyone stood in silence for several moments. Anakin and Luke had stunned expressions on their faces, while Obi-Wan merely smiled.
"Shocked are you," said Yoda. "Understandable. It was necessary to test the boy's selflessness. Whether the boy would put his own wants, his own desires, over the welfare of others."
"So I don't have to give up Padme for Luke to become a Jedi," said Anakin in relief.
"No," said Yoda. "In defiance of the Jedi Order, your marriage was, Master Skywalker. But...that now is irrelevant. What is relevant now is the boy's readiness to become a Jedi." The old warrior turned to Luke. "Ready are you, to face the trials?"
"I am ready," said Luke.
"Great danger, there may be," said Yoda. "Easy, the trials will not be."
"I am not afraid," said Luke.
"Oh," said Yoda, "you will be. You WILL be."
**
The Millennium Falcon streaked through space on its way to the planet Triall. In the cockpit, Han looked over a few of the controls, while Chewie made some adjustments. Leia came into the cockpit.
"How much longer?" she asked.
Han turned for a moment to acknowledge Leia's presence, before returning his attention to the onboard systems. "About an hour," he replied.
"Good, I'll go and tell my Mother," said Leia, leaving the cockpit.
Han sat there for a few moments, before getting up from his chair. "Take over, Chewie. I've got a few things to check out."
Chewie moaned his reply as Han left the cockpit. He ran down the corridor until he caught up to Leia, outside of her Mother's quarters.
"Hey, Leia," said Han.
"Yes," said Leia, turning to face Han.
"How ya doing?" he asked.
"Fine," said Leia. "Nervous, for Mother. She hasn't seen her people in so long, and didn't think she ever would after Naboo was destroyed."
"Did I ever tell ya I went there once?" asked Han. "Naboo, I mean."
"No, you never did," said Leia. "I've only seen pictures of it, and heard my Mother tell of it. It must have been beautiful."
"A bit ornate and old fashioned for my taste," said Han. "But, it was...nice. Good people, though a bit stuck up."
"Um, look, Han, was there something you wanted?" asked Leia.
"Oh, nothing," said Han. He got closer to Leia. "I was just wondering, when we were going to continue that discussion."
"What discussion?" asked Leia, a little nervous at Han's close proximity.
"The one about you being attracted to me," said Han.
"I never said I was attracted to you," said Leia. "Though now I'm convinced you're attracted to me."
"What if I am?" asked Han, taking Leia's hand, rubbing her fingers gently. "What if I do...like you? What then?"
"I thought you said that you and I were like fire and water," said Leia. "Not compatible."
"Well, I've been thinking," said Han. "Why wouldn't we have something? I mean, I know you like me, and I like you."
"I never said I like you," said Leia, with Han leaning closer to her face. Then, with a whisper, she continued. "I never said I was even attracted to you. You're not really my type."
"Oh, what's your type?" asked Han, leaning ever closer.
"Nice men," said Leia. "I like nice men."
"I'm a nice man," said Han.
"No, you're a..." before Leia could continue, Han kissed her, full on the lips. Leia made no effort to pull away.
Just then, the door opened to Padme's room, and out stepped its occupant, into a scene that had her taken aback. Her daughter was kissing Han Solo in the corridor outside her room. "They have to do this here?" thought Padme.
Leia pulled away from Han, and turned to face her Mother. Padme did not say a word, and waited for Leia to speak. "Mom," said Leia. "We should arrive at Triall...in an hour."
"Good," said Padme.
"Yeah, I should...get back," said Han. "Chewie may...need some help with...uh..."
Han stumbled down the corridor back towards the cockpit. Leia walked silently away from her Mother. But Padme decided not to let her daughter off that easy.
"Leia Skywalker," said Padme, in a Mother's disciplinary tone. "What were you doing out here, young lady?"
"Mom, we just kissed," said Leia, turning to face Padme. "And I'm not even sure how THAT happened."
"Yes, well, I have just one thing I want to know, young lady," said Padme. Then, she smiled. "How was it?"
Leia was stunned for a moment, before smirking slightly. "It was...nice."
"Uh, huh," said Padme. "Well, dear, I wouldn't let your Father be the one to catch you doing that with Han outside of HIS quarters. Solo would be chased down by a raving Father wielding a lightsaber."
"I'm surprised your not upset," said Leia.
"I'm more liberal about you and...growing up," said Padme. "I was a young woman once, too. I remember the first time your Father kissed me, and it was...nice, too. But he stills sees you as a little girl, not a young woman. He's protective of you."
"Well, I don't even think there is anything between Han and I," said Leia. "We argue constantly, and there was one...kiss. What's that?"
"I don't know," said Padme. "That's something you and Han are going to have to figure out. Now, I have to go and get ready to meet my people. Have you seen Wedge?"
"I think he's still asleep," said Leia. "I'll go wake him."
***
The Millennium Falcon touched down on the planet Triall. After a few minutes, the ramp of the ship came down, and out stepped Wedge Antilles, blaster in hand and ready for any threat. Han followed close behind, with his blaster also drawn. The two men surveyed the landscape around them, but found no sign of anyone else's presence. They nodded to one another, and Wedge turned around to look up the ramp.
"All clear," he said.
A moment later, Padme stepped down the ramp, wearing her white jumpsuit, arm bands of Naboo political service, and in possession of a Naboo blaster pistol holstered on her belt. Leia followed behind her Mother, also wearing a white jump suit and field utility vest. She also had a blaster holstered on her hip.
"Where's the camp, Wedge?" asked Padme.
"Just over the ridge," said Wedge.
"Fine, let's go," said Padme.
"Chewie," said Han. "Stay with the ship. Be ready to get out of here if its some kind of trap."
Chewie silently went back into the ship, while the others began to walk towards the ridge. They made their way through the forest, Padme leading the group and moving fast with enthusiasm to see her people. After about ten minutes of walking, they heard movement in the bushes.
"Freeze," said Wedge to the group, raising his blaster. "Alright," he called. "Come out, whoever you are."
A gungan stepped out of the bushes, holding a blaster weapon. He looked over the group for a few moments with his bulging eyes before speaking.
"Whosa usa," said the gungan.
"I am Wedge Antilles. I was here before. Your Gringnot, right?"
"Oh, yesa," replied the gungan, now with an expression of recognition of the rebel pilot. "Yousa made it out and back. And yousa brought some friends."
"Yes," said Wedge. "We must see the camp leaders at once. I've brought a very special visitor."
"Okedoky," said Gringnot.
The gungan led the party from the Millennium Falcon to the Naboo encampment. They came on a scene of makeshift shelters, filled with people wearing ragged clothing, their faces dirtied and their expressions downtrodden. Padme was shocked to see her people, once so proud and so full of life, reduced to shattered wrecks eeking out an existence while the Empire tried to kill them.
The Naboo in the camp surveyed the group suspiciously, with most of the stares focused on Padme. Several people whispered about Padme's attire being that of Naboo nobility, the older ones saying they hadn't seen anyone in such an outfit in many years.
Gringnot brought them to the hatch of a transport ship that was in the middle of the camp, one that would probably never fly again due to intense blaster damage to its hull. A man standing guard at the door acknowledged Gringnot, they exchanged a few words, and then the guard went inside.
A few moments later, a young woman came out. She was Leia's age, dressed in something similar to an old Naboo security services uniform. It didn't look like it was made to fit her, but rather was improvised attire for the young woman.
"Wedge," she called out.
The young woman and Wedge embraced one another. "Ralla," said Wedge. "I've missed you."
"And I you," said the young woman. "But, you said you would come back, and..."
Ralla stopped short when she saw Padme. The young woman said nothing, but rather stared dumbstruck at the woman in front of her. Finally, she whispered, "Its you."
"Hello," said Padme. "Are you the leader here?"
"My grandfather is, but he has been injured," said Ralla. "I'm standing in his place."
"I am Padme Amidalla Skywalker."
Ralla fell to her knees in front of Padme. "Lady Amidalla," said Ralla. "I can't believe its really you. My Grandfather has told me of you so often."
"Please, get up," said Padme. She took Ralla's hand, and helped her to stand. A crowd gathered around them. Some of the Naboo had heard Padme say her name.
"Are you really Lady Amidalla?" asked an old man.
"I am," said Padme. She turned to the crowd. "People of Naboo. I have returned, and I am here to help you, if I can."
"Where have you been?" asked one angry voice from the crowd. An older woman stepped out from among the ragged mass of people. "Where were YOU when our world was destroyed? How DARE you abandon our people to the Empire, and then come back now? Why should we listen to you?"
"Because I say so," said the voice of a man from the door of the ship.
The crowd turned to see an old man on crutches standing in the doorway. He had long gray hair and beard, and wore a blue tunic that looked battered with age and abuse. There was also dried blood on parts of the tunic. But even through the age of the man, and his ragged dress and condition, Padme recognized him.
"Sio Bibble," said Padme. "Governor...is it...is it really you?"
"Milady," said Bibble. "As always, at your service."
Padme stepped over to the old man, and slowly put her hand on his face. Then, she wrapped her arms around her former advisor and trusted old friend, whom she had known since she was the Queen of Naboo so many years ago.
"Oh, Milady," said Bibble. Padme released him from her embrace, and he looked at her with a smile. "You are still like a beautiful Naboo blossom."
"Grandfather," said Ralla, coming over to Sio Bibble. "You shouldn't be up."
"I had to come," said Bibble, patting his granddaughter on the shoulder. "To greet Lady Amidalla." He looked at the people gathered around and staring at the scene before them. "People of Naboo, I urge you to hear Lady Amidalla out. She has served our people well, and can explain her absence from among us."
Padme was silent for a moment before speaking to the people. "Leaving you was not my choice," said Padme. "I...I fell in love, with a Jedi Knight. Anakin Skywalker. We were secretly married, and conceived twin children. But the Emperor...Palpatine wanted to kill my husband and my children, because of the threat they posed to his power. I had to leave, to go into hiding with my husband to protect my children. One of them stands before you." She indicated Leia. "Her name is Leia. What I did was to protect them, but I never stopped being Naboo. Never a day went by when my thoughts did not turn to our people. I'm sorry...for all that has happened. Now, I have returned, to help to save what is left of our people."
"We can get along without you," said the angry woman from before. "Your sob story means nothing to us."
"Speak for yourself," said the voice of a young man who stepped from the crowd.
"I agree," said a young woman, who also stepped forward. "Lady Amidalla was protecting her children, and I for one will not fault her for doing so."
There were murmurs of agreement from the crowd. Then, several of the people began to clap their hands. More joined in, until a genuine ovation was heard from the crowd.
After the clapping died down, Sio Bibble put his hand on Padme's shoulder. "You have brought them hope again, Milady."