By: Relena Skywalker
Email:
leia_skywalker_83@yahoo.com
A Skywalker family fic. Alternate Universe. What if Darth Vader
discovered Leia's identity on the Death Star? Just my little speculation.
Revised and re-edited for easier (I hope) reading.
Chapter 2: The Princess
On the diplomatic,
turned rebel spy ship, Tantive IV. Everyone seemed to be in high spirits, the
transmission worked perfectly. Now they have on their hands the perfect weapon
against the Empire. The Emperor won't call them an "insignificant" band of
people trying to oppose him. The plans of a newly constructed monstrosity, the
Death Star.
This recently finished battle station was designed to tighten the Emperor's hold on the galaxy. The symbol of his ultimate control. From what they heard, it has the capability to destroy a planet with a single strike. Many of the rebels decided that it is simply a rumor, a harmless bluff circulated to frighten them and weaken their resolve.
Now they have the plans, they would analyze it and confirm if this was true. But first they had to reach Alderaan. Where former Republic senator Bail Organa would pass this information to the Rebel High Command, lead by another former Republic senator Mon Mothma. They had every reason to be happy. Finally the Empire would suffer the worst blow they'd ever had. Hopefully.
But as they left the Terran home world, Princess Leia
Organa, Imperial Senator and daughter of Bail Organa, felt a sense of urgency.
Of course with every mission she undertook, there was always a sense of urgency.
But this was different. She felt as if luck had finally run out. This time there
would be no escape. No escape.
"Well, it could be worse if i just stayed
here. I'd better check on the pilots, see if everything is fine." she said
aloud, mainly to ease the fear creeping within.
She went straight to the cockpit. The pilots noticed her and smiled. The Princess smiled back.
"Is there anything we can do for you, ma'am?" one of them asked.
"I was just wondering. If you picked up any sign of Imperial ships nearby. Or any other Imperial activity."
The pilots checked the radar. Again. For she looked into it first before asking them.
"Oh, none so far ma'am, the coast is clear. We'll reach Alderaan in a matter of hours. We're now leaving the Terran atmosphere," they confirmed. She nodded.
"Alright. Thank you." Leia added, patting the pilot's
shoulders before going out.
As the Princess made her way to the quarters,
she passed by a group of rebels huddled in the hallway, talking excitedly. They
didn't notice her, so she decided to listen briefly to their conversation.
"Well, my father was a general on the Old Republic. He fought alongside the Jedi Knights. There was this great Knight they say. Obi-Wan Kenobi and his apprentice, name sounds like…Umm. Anakin. Oh I think it's like the sky or something. Anyway, this apprentice of his was a great hero and his disappearance marked the end of the Republic. They say he was the "Chosen One"...whatever that meant. And my father told me once that not all the Jedi knights died." one of them was saying.
"Oh come on! Your father can't be general! You're bluffing! This story is nothing but a legend! Jedi knights! Yeah right! They existed but they are all gone. Purged by the Empire!" another countered.
"It's true!" said the first one and they started
squabbling. Leia felt like coming up to them and telling to stop, but their
conversation invoked many thoughts...mainly about her past. She continued to
walk until she reached her quarters.
She found that she couldn't stop
thinking about her life and how she felt about it. No. She wasn't sad. But she
wasn't too happy either. Father and Mother had always provided her with the
things she needed. They raised and educated her to be the fine woman she is now
and loved her dearly. She was sure of that. But somehow, there was always
something missing.
She just didn't know what. Sometimes she would feel that she was part of something else and never even given the chance to be. Even as a child she had these feelings, and would often be reduced to crying for no apparent reason. But she never showed this to her parents. Somehow she felt indebted to their kindness and would never make them sad.
The only person she could openly tell these feelings was her friend. Padme. Or was it? Her father assigned Padme to be her babysitter and guardian. The moment Leia saw Padme; she felt an extreme rush of happiness, as if she saw her mother. But that couldn't be right, because Renoeu Organa was her mother. Renoeu loved her.
But it was different with Padme. The affection seemed
somewhat natural. Leia laid on her bed and had a dream-filled sleep.
Seven-year-old Leia woke up very early that day. She was very excited. Padme would take her to Corrine Falls, one of the most beautiful spots on Alderaan. Though people rarely go there because the road was dangerous. She once asked her mother if they could go, and the answer was a resounding no.
" Who told you that, Leia? Was it Padme? I told your father never to hire her! I'll tell him about this!"
"No, please don't, mother, I read it on a holo-pad." she
lied. Leia was afraid that they would send her friend away.
She doesn't
want Padme to leave.
She wondered why her mother hated Padme. She was very kind. Although sad. Once Leia asked her why. Padme just smiled and kissed her forehead, then hugged her tightly. She could feel Padme's anguish.
"Was i making you sad?"
"No, no, princess you would never make me sad, in fact you're the only thing that makes me happy after all that's happened."
"What happened?"
"Someday, I'll tell you. And you'll understand."
Padme grabbed Leia's arm and stared intently into the young girl's eyes.
"Promise me Leia. You wont forget me. No matter what."
"No, of course not. I would never forget you Padme. No
matter what. Because I know you'll always be here. Promise me too that you'll
always be here."
Padme nodded."Yes Leia, always."
"Thank you."
Then Padme reached into her pocket."Here, i would like you to have this."
Padme opened her palms and Leia saw a wooden pendant. An exquisite piece of art, the person who made that must have spent a lot of time on that. She could almost feel the kindness and compassion radiating from the pendant. The maker must be a very noble man.
"It's beautiful. But it's yours." Leia protested.
"No Leia, i want you to have this. Keep it as a symbol of our—my--love for you."
So no matter where Leia went she carried the necklace,
or when afraid she would touch it for comfort.
Leia dressed herself and
bounded down the stairs. She saw her parents sitting on a couch. Waiting for her
it seemed. It was her father who spoke first.
"Leia, we need to tell you something. Its about Padme." Bail Organa paused.
Leia felt her stomach tighten. It's as if a thousand mynocks were stuck on her stomach wall. There is something very wrong. But being her usual self she tried to put on her happiest expression.
"Well, what happened to Padme, father?"
Bail was unsure of what to say next.
It was Renoeu who spoke."Honey, Padme left this morning. She's gone back to her home. We're sorry." Renoeu proceeded to hug her. But Leia felt like an exploding volcano.
No! She can't be gone! She just can't be gone! She promised to stay! Always! She promised.
She brushed Renoeu's arms away and screamed."Stay away
from me! It's all your fault! You sent her away! I hate you all!" Then ran
upstairs sobbing.
Not only Bail and Renoeu were surprised by this sudden
change in Leia's behaviour. But the Princess herself. She had always been calm
and collected. Even for a seven year old, never one to give in to anger.
And she rarely got irritated. So why was her reaction so…so severe? Her father was never violent and so was her mother. How come? She just couldn't understand.
When Leia had managed to calm herself down. She stood near the open window. And whispered into the night.
"Was i making you sad?" Clutching the pendant tightly.
As a teardrop fell light years away.
She was startled awake by the ship rocking furiously.
"Your Highness! Wake up! We've got company...arghhh!"
Blaster bolts were heard. All traces of the dream forgotten, Leia rushed outside with the spare blaster she kept hidden under her pillow.
True. The Empire had finally caught up with her, but she wasn't going down without a fight.