Prologue

"You summoned us, Master?"
"Yes." The hollow voice echoed through the great chamber and sent chills through the other two in the room.
"Your children have grown strong. It is time for the Skywalker family to be joined again," the voice continued, eagerness evident in it's hollow form.
"What of my sister and the Jedi Council? They would never hand over our children, no matter what the cost," the man stood, his brownish blond hair peppered with silver and his light blue eyes shining with an evil anticipation.
The woman beside him stood as well, her green eyes, having never lost their fiery glint, now bored into the darkened features of their master.
"Have faith, my friends. We will give them an offer they cannot refuse, the meddlesome Council will have their minds and hands busy elsewhere. As for Senator Organa-Solo." the briefest of pauses fell on the trio. "Did I not say that the Skywalker family shall once again be joined? Now, go, they await your coming.and bring them back to me," the hooded form ordered, his voice dripping with anticipation.
"Yes, Master," they both returned and, bowing, they excited the chamber, the wicked smiles on their faces growing with each step.

Chapter 1

"You must trust your feelings, Anarion," the Jedi Master Siel-own stifled a laugh as another one of the sparring droids shots got past his padawan.
Anarion Skywalker ripped off his blindfold, growling in disgust. "And how long must I do this?" he asked through clenched teeth.
Siel-own smiled thoughtfully, sitting back in the pilot's seat of the small shuttle ship. "Until we reach Courascant."
Anarion's blue green eyes widened. "Master! You know I'm the best in the galaxy! Why must I practice technique like a child?"
"My point exactly," Siel-own stated and the twenty year old padawan sighed in defeat, knowing his pride had gotten the better of him.
"Master," Anarion shut off his blue blade and sat down, his face troubled. "Why are we returning to Courascant?"
"There's a few reason's," Siel-own replied, his blue eyes suddenly turning serious. "I must speak with the Council about some things."
Anarion looked over at his Master, trying to figure out what was so pressing that they had to return immediately. Sensing his padawan's impatience, Siel-own continued. "And they have requested that you be tested for your trials."
Anarion's eyes widened as the news sunk in. "My trials?? To become a Jedi Knight??"
Siel-own smiled and nodded. "And your Aunt Leia wants to see you. She said she had someone she wants you to meet." His master's eyes seemed to darken at this, but Anarion didn't ask.
His mind swimming with thoughts and ideas, he watched as the city- planet of Courascant came into view, and with every moment, his excitement grew.

* * * *

A young girl ran happily though the fields of her home planet, laughing as her twin brother tried to keep up.
"Wait, Lalaith! Wait!" he called after her.
She began laughing again, but her laugh turned into a high cackling and blackness fell around her.
She heard a scream from behind her and turned, finding her twin being yanked away from her by an unseen force.
"NOOO!" she cried, reaching desperately to grab hold, but only seeing his outstretched hands and terror-filled blue green eyes.
"Senator?" a voice called, but the little boy's scream still echoed through her dreams. "Senator..Senator Risal?"
Lalaith Risal sat up abruptly, sweat beading her forehead and her dark auburn hair tangled about her shoulders.
"Senator, are you alright?" her handmaiden, Cerde, asked.
Lalaith nodded slowly. "I'm fine, just a bad dream," she assured, slowly edging her way off the soft pillows and blankets.
Her Courascant senatorial chambers loomed above her, mixing the city's technology with the grace and beauty of her home planet, Ceciliam. The walls were covered with a soft burgundy material, and the dark wood of her dressers and wardrobe stood against it majestically. Scenes of a grand city, lush forests, and a bubbling waterfall and stream flashed across one wall, holographic pictures of home.
She stood up, her white nightgown fell down her legs and her hair tumbled down in soft curls to the middle of her back.
"You have a busy day, Senator. Padma is down getting us breakfast right now," Cerde said softly, leading her mistress over to a chair and setting her down in it. She began to softly brush the long curls and to twist them into four braids, which she wrapped intricately with a silver crowning about the senator's head.
Lalaith watched patiently as Cerde twisted her hair and picked a gown of light blue for her to wear.
"Is something troubling you, my lady?" Cerde asked, as Lalaith stood and slipped the dress over her head.
"Just dreams...the same dreams, over and over.I don't understand, Cerde. Why do I keep having these nightmares?" she asked.
Cerde shook her head sadly. "I can't answer that, my lady.." she whispered. "But your going to see Senator Organa-Solo today, perhaps she could answer that for you.she does have Jedi senses."
Lalaith nodded, looking into the mirror at the poised young woman that was a Senator in the Galactic Republic. Her auburn hair set off her narrow blue green eyes, making them sparkle with youthful intensity. The soft blue material framed her figure perfectly, tightening around her midsection, leaving a bit of skin revealed. A cape fell back about her shoulders and arms, tiny blue and white flowers accenting the fringe.
"Come on, my lady. The Senator will be waiting," Cerde said softly, leading Lalaith from the room.
The two sat down for a small breakfast with the rest of the representatives of Ceciliam, then Cerde arranged transport to take them across Courascant.
Lalaith traveled in silence, her mind struggling to replay the dream and make sense of it. When they arrived, the Senator was waiting for them, and she gathered Lalaith into a hug.
"It's been a very long time, my dear. Come in, please, I've had Han put on some food for us."
Leia Organa-Solo ushered the company in. Despite her long years in the government of the Republic, she still carried herself with the utmost dignity. Her clear brown eyes were still sharp and alert, and the only sign of her age was the slight gray starting to streak through her long brown hair. She was held in great esteem, and had even served as Chancellor of the Senate at one time; but that was before the tragedy of the Skywalker family had hit. She had lost her youngest son, Anakin, in a dangerous mission, and her twin brother, Luke, had joined the remnants of the Empire, and turned to the darkside.
No one else seemed to notice, but Lalaith's heart was immediately concerned about the extra lines she saw in her friend's face and the cloud that seemed to hang over her.
"It has been long, dear Lalaith. When your parents asked me to take care of you." she trailed off.
"Senator, is something wrong?" Lalaith asked, laying a hand on Leia's arm.
The older woman looked down at her, then managed a weak smile, shaking her head. "Let's eat something before we talk, shall we?"
Lalaith didn't really want anything to eat, but she kept her silence, knowing that whatever Leia had to say would be said.
"We'll have a couple of visitors today," Leia continued and Lalaith's heart leapt.
"You mean Jacen and Jaina are home??" she asked excitedly. She had always been friends with Leia and Han's children. They'd practically grown- up together.
"Well, yes, they are, but that's not who I'm speaking of. Perhaps when we're finished you can speak with them."
Lalaith nodded quietly as Leia led them into a sitting room and began talking about the different political issues in the Senate. Lalaith listened half-heartedly, her mind wandering to who these mysterious guests might be.