Disclaimer: I don't own them; I'm only having a little fun. No harm done right!?!

Summary: The daughter of General Rieekan is evacuated from Hoth. Her background makes it imperative to reach her new home before anyone realizes what she is. Before leaving Hoth she encounters the future Jedi, Luke Skywalker, and even though he doesn't know what she is he can still feel their connection. She must hide her identity as much as possible until she can reach her new guardian on Coruscant and fulfill the destiny of her race.

Daanahlin

Chapter 3 No, for so many reasons

School was going well for Nanya. Six months had now passed relatively quickly as she focused on her work. Things had settled down for the most part in the first few weeks when everyone had been given the chance to meet the purest living unclaimed Danaahlin. She had also been informed shortly after her arrival that her father had in fact survived, and was working just as hard as ever for the Alliance against the Empire.

Though she knew he was alive she was hesitant about letting him know of her presence on Corusant. Madame Hera had promised to protect her even if it meant from her own father since it was obvious that he was unable to grasp what it truly is to be Daanahlin. Nanya was quite certain that if he were to find her he would do the right thing and leave her there.

What was foremost on her mind was the arrival of several Jedi Knights the night before. Sarah had come to here late in the evening during her studying to warn her of their arrival. It was the first visit from any Jedi since her arrival, and she was frightened by their presence especially since the one Sarah and the others had warned her about had been one of the ones to arrive.

This Jedi was definitely one to be feared. His name was Eric DeWinter, with the height of well over six foot, and shoulders broad enough to give him a look of power and strength that was not common for a Jedi. It was rumored that even though his size seemed a hinderance that he was lithe and skillful with his light saber and a master of the force. His age wasn't known, but it was estimated that he was in his 40's making him way to old and extremely unsuitable for any of the young ladies in the house and especially Nanya since she was not quite 12 yet.

The four girls had been nearly inseperable over the past months since she had arrived, and were commonly seen together throughout the house so Nanya's abscense did not go unnoticed. The first morning went smoothly with only a few random comments about her absence, but when she didn't show for dinner the rumors began to circulate rampantly until everyone knew she was missing and had heard someone's opinion as to why.

With all of the noise about this one girl it was a wonder Eric didn't ask about her sooner, but he waited until breakfast of the next morning to ask about her. The second he was told he shot a blazing look of hatred at the three girls sitting a few tables down that couldn't be ignored. No matter what the rumors said he knew exactly why the girl was hiding all the sudden, and it made him all the more determined to find her and see if the rumors about her were all they were cracked up to be. After all he had waited a long time for such a prize to fall into his hands and he would be damned before he would let her slip away if she turned out to be what he was looking for, life debt or no life debt.

oo0O0oo

Nanya hadn't eaten anything all day. The snacks that Sarah had brought her had only lasted through dinner the night before, and they had not gotten around to bringing her anything today like they had told her they would. She hadn't wanted to leave her room with the risk of running into any of the Jedi that were here so she had waited well into the night to sneak down to the kitchen and snatch something to eat. She felt weak and a bit lightheaded since it had been more than 24 hours since her last meal, and it had only been a meager one consisting of an apple and what was left of a small loaf of bread.

If she had been strong and alert she might have seen the situation as a trap and might not have stumbled right into it, but hunger is a strong instinct able to blind one who has rarely been without one. As she tiptoed silently into the kitchen she opened the door just enough to let her slim body fit through. She slipped passed it only to turn around suddenly as it was forcibly slammed shut behind her. The lights were then flicked on blinding Nanya enough to let her attacker catch her by the wrists and back her against the wall nearest the door.

Nanya gasped in pain as her back made contact hard against the wall then winced as her head followed hitting with a dull thud. Her head was swimming from the combination of hitting the wall, fear, surprise, and the underlying hunger. Her eyes fluttered open as a shadow overtook her blocking the harsh white of the lights. She was still unable to focus her vision when her brain finally caught up with the now, and she realized that the blurry shadow in front of her was holding her against the wall and was the reason she was there.

Suddenly Nanya stiffened with fear, and closed her eyes against what she knew she would soon be able to see clearly. She knew who was holding her, and she knew now why her friends hadn't been able to bring her food. She had been set up, and she had walked right into his trap. The one man she had wanted above all others to avoid and she had all but walked into his hands. She felt his grip on her wrists loosen and one of his hands trailed up her arm slowly as if in a caress all the way over her shoulder to stop at her neck. With one thumb Nanya felt him lift her face to look into his, and she felt warm clean breath whisper over her lips for a moment.

It seemed right then that everything around her had frozen with her. There wasn't a sound to be heard in all of the room, and even though all she wanted to do was run she was unable to do so.

"Open your eyes for me," were the words spoken, but they were more felt then heard at this proximity, and she knew in that moment that if she was not rescued from this man that she would be claimed this very night. With as much hesitation as she could muster against following a direct order she kept her eyes closed. "Willful..." The man chuckled and then made the demand to see her eyes again. This time she could not refuse, the slave in her obeying even when she wanted to defy.

She let her eyes meet liquid blue and watched entranced as they widened slightly then dialated drastically letting her know that the situation had just gone from bad to worse. She felt his shuttering breath against her face, and wondered if it would be painful when he took her just before she felt his lips against hers. The hand on her neck slipped under her hood and into her hair as the other made it's way around her waist to pull her small frame against his. Nanya had never felt so small before in all her life. Even in some of her earliest memories she had never felt so small. The kiss was gentle, but it was definitely the kiss of a man laying claim and not one of romance or love.

This was the sort of kiss she had been expecting from her master, just not so soon, and definitely not with the man before her. Just as she was about to give up hope of escape and as the kiss began to deepen there was a subtle sound behind them letting them know someone else was in the room. Eric opened his eyes suddenly and stepped away slightly, but didn't let go of Nanya.

Madam Hera was standing in the middle of the kitchen as if she had used the side entrance to enter, and looked at both of them as if she had expected to find them like this but disapproved of the position she found them in regaurdless of her expectations. She lifted her arms to cross them just under her chest lifted one eyebrow signaling that she was waiting for an explaination.

"Madam I have made my choice. This Daanahlin is perfect. I could not have asked for more. I would like to claim her as soon as possible so that she may begin her secondary training immediately. I don't want to be away from her anymore than I have to."

He stood confidently with Nanya held close to him letting Madam Hera know that he had no intention of changing his mine. There was a long moment of silence, and Nanya could feel that there was a power struggle of sorts going on without the use of words right over her head.

"Eric, you have already been shown the girls that were available to you. Since this one was not present I had thought you would understand that she is not available."

Eric stiffened slightly but it only seemed to stengthen his resolve. "She is not claimed, and she is definitely Daanahlin so I don't see why I shouldn't claim her. She is the only one I want, and I always get what I want. You know how long I have waited for one like her and I am a patient man, but I must insist that I lay my claim this night."

Fire erupted in Madam Hera's beautiful black eyes, and for the first time Nanya understood why everyone treated her with not only respect but a reverence usually only reserved for someone with great power. It was now obvious that Madam Hera had great power and was able to hide it well until it was needed.

"You will unhand her now Eric. This is my house you are in and by right she is mine so you are holding my property. If she weren't bound by her life debt under Daanahlin law then I would definitely allow you the chance to buy her, but she is not free, and I am not free to do so at this time. I have known you a long time Eric, and I think you are smart enough to know better than to burn this bridge so if you know what's best for you, you will let her go right now."

Slowly Nanya was released from Eric's powerful grip, and allowed to move away. She made her way slowly to Madam Hera hiding behind her from the angry Jedi before them.

"Now Eric, I know this is frustrating, and I will definitely make sure that you are taken care of for the rest of your stay, but you must understand that she is not available. You will respect my rules, and do as I command in my house or there will be consequences, and you wouldn't want to force me into doing anything rash would you?" There was a short pause before Eric shook his head, and Madam Hera Continued, "I'm glad we understand each other. Now I know you've been torturing this poor girls friends all day and I must insist that you stop that as well."

Eric looked insulted before a guilty look crossed his face. "I only wanted to know what all the fuss was about Madam. There was talk of little else tonight at dinner or the night before. She is definitely worth the talk though. She is without a doubt the most beautiful thing I've ever laid eyes on. If she becomes available I want to be the first to know. You know that I would take care of her properly."

Madam Hera sighed, and Nanya whimpered quietly behind her. "Yes, I know you would, and if she is freed you will be the first to know. Now it is getting late so I bid you both goodnight, and I shall see you in the morning." She gave a pointed look at Nanya about seeing her as well, and turned, leaving the room swiftly through the side entrance from which Nanya had guessed she came.

She looked back quickly as the door swung shut realizing that she was now alone with him again. She saw that he was now in front of her, but not so close as to make her uncomfortable.

"What is your name?" Eric asked softly, and Nanya realized that his voice along with his eyes were kind making her smile a little.

"Nanya." She answered softly hoping she would be allowed to leave soon. He was after all still much larger than her.

"A beautiful name for a beautiful girl. Nanya. Who is your life debt to?"

Nanya's expression changed and Eric knew he would not be getting an answer so he went on. "Never mind, it doesn't matter right now. I just wanted to tell you that I shall wait for you. If he doesn't want you when you go to him I will be here. Don't be afraid of me...please." He reached out and gently held her cheek in the palm of his hand stroking the softness of her skin with the pad of his thumb, smiling when he felt her lean into the touch, before letting it fall back to his side. With a small bow of respect he turned and left her alone in the room with nothing but her thoughts.

Without a second thought she returned to her room and went to bed not remembering why she had gone down to the kitchen in the first place. Hunger was the last thing plaguing her thoughts that night.

End of chapter 3 Feedback is appreciated. Thanks.

Also thank you to those of you who took the time to review. I really appreciate your kindness and encouragement. It does help.