Disclaimer: Well, here goes again...I can claim Siel-own, Lalaith, and Anarion, but the other characters are property of George Lucas and the many other authors of Star Wars...my thanks to them for bringing a galaxy far far away to life...Please take time to review after reading! Thanks bunches!

Chapter 2

"Master, shouldn't we report to the Council first?" Anarion asked as the ship landed outside his Aunt's home.

"No, the Senator wanted to see you immediately. Something to do with your family..." Siel-own said quietly.

Anarion's heart dropped. He knew who is mother and father were and he wanted nothing to do with them or their legacy. There had been times when he had even thought of dropping the name of Skywalker, but the Council wouldn't allow it and he knew it would have broken his Aunt's heart.

He waited patiently as his master settled things with the pilot and then they drew their robes about them and walked down the ramp. They saw a man standing outside, surveying something on the building, and a smile grew on Anarion's face.

"Uncle Han!" he cried and ran the rest of the way, receiving a large hug form the man before him.

Han Solo smiled at his nephew and tousled the boy's hair. "You've certainly grown since I last saw you, what have they been feeding you, Kid?" he asked, his eyes grinning roughishly.

Anarion laughed and returned his Uncle's smile. "Only the best for a Jedi," he returned. "Where's Aunt Leia?"

Han's smile grew. "She's in the sitting room with a guest. Another senator...all politics, I'd stay far away if you know what's good for you, Kid."

Siel-own laughed as he joined them. "Unfortunately, that's exactly why we've come." He placed a hand on hid padawan's shoulder and his eyes darkened visibly. "It's time, Han."

Han's dark eyes glimmered as his smile faded into a frown. "Leia's idea?" he asked, and Siel-own nodded.

Anarion looked between the two, wondering what had changed their mood so quickly. "Well, better get on with it then..." he said.

Han smiled weakly and nodded. "Come on, I'll show you in," he acquiesced, and turned, leading the two Jedi into the house.

They could hear voices coming from the Solo's finest sitting room, two women. Anarion recognized his Aunt's right away, but the other he couldn't place. It sounded familiar...

"Leia, they're here," Han said softly, knocking on the door and then opening it.

"Send them in, Han..." he heard Leia say, and her voice sounded heavy.

Siel-own entered the room, followed closely by Anarion. The two bowed slightly to his Aunt, and then Anarion's eyes went to the other person in the room. She was a young girl, probably around his age. Her dark auburn hair was twisted into a silver headpiece and her blue green eyes stared back at him, as if she were analyzing the person before her.

"Master Jedi, I believe you know Senator Risal?" Leia said softly and Siel-own bowed his head to the young girl.

"I do, though it has been a long time since I have seen her...You were a small child when we last met..." he smiled graciously.

"How are you, Master Darklighter?" she asked, rising to her feet, a faint blush painting her cheeks at his memory. "Indeed, but it has been awhile since I found need of hiding behind my father's robes..." she smiled.

"Senator, may I introduce my padawan, Anarion Skywalker."

Anarion saw the girl's eyes darken at the name and he fought the heat that rose in his face. He would not be ashamed of his family. After all, Leia was a Skywalker as well, and she never let anyone shame her. He inclined his head to the girl, his eyes hardened.

"Pleased to meet you, my lady," he said softly.

Leia motioned for them to sit, and Anarion saw her give a fleeting look to Han before he shut the door again, leaving the four of them alone in the room.


Lalaith listened patiently to her friend, but she couldn't contain her eagerness when she heard the rumbles of a ships engine. She tried to keep herself composed when she could hear the sound of voices headed towards the room and then when Han, Leia's husband, knocked on the door and announced the arrival of the other guests. She stared in surprise as two Jedi entered the room. What were they doing here?

She stood as Siel-own addressed her. She had seen him a few times, mostly in her childhood...visiting her father and watching with eager eyes as they almost always fell into deep discussion about something. The other regarded her with curiosity. He was a young padawan, around 20, but his eyes caught her attention. The same blue green as her own, and the same that continued to haunt her in her dreams.

When Siel-own introduced him as Anarion Skywalker, her heart froze. This was Luke Skywalker's son...Leia's nephew. He saw her stiffen and seemed to take it as an insult, his voice was cool and icy as he addressed her.

The two Jedi sat down at the table and Lalaith retook her seat, uncomfortable in the present company. Why had Leia brought them here?

"How are you, Master Siel-own? It's been a long time...and I see you've taken good care of my nephew!" she said, her voice softening as she looked at the young man.

A smile turned his lips and he reached over and took her hand. "It's good to see you again, Aunt Leia."

Siel-own smiled, but a darkness continued to dominate his features. "He keeps me on my toes, Senator, but he's a wonder...as powerful as his family dictates."

A silence fell at those words and Lalaith shifted uneasily. "Senator, perhaps I should be going. You should catch up with your family. I can visit another day..." she stood, but Leia motioned for her to stay.

"No, my dear, you're here for a reason..." Leia said softly, her voice dropping. "It's time you knew the truth, both of you..."

Siel-own lowered his eyes, looking darkly at his hands, and Leia played absently with the glass before her.

Lalaith looked in disbelief from one to the other, then finally her eyes met Anarion's and a sudden pain ran through her. She gasped and fell back as the little boy's scream echoed through her mind again and she felt the unseen force pulling at her with cold fingers.

"Lalaith!" a voice called and she felt strong arms supporting her, but the chill continued to sweep through her.

A dark shape passed before her eyes and calm settled over her again, but the cold crept back into the far reaches of her soul. Her eyes fluttered and she found Leia and Siel-own bent over her. She looked up and saw Anarion's concerned eyes looking back at her.

"She'll be alright," Siel-own sighed and returned to his seat. "It was only a vision."

Leia sat back as well, not looking quite as confident as Siel-own, but trusting the Jedi's judgement.

Anarion helped Lalaith sit up and then moved back to his stony position beside his Master.

Lalaith shifted her dress around her, trying once more to put on her now broken facade as a dignitary. Her eyes swept the three others in the room as her pale features hardened. "What is going on?" she demanded, the senator in her now coming into sharp focus.

Anarion seemed to be lost as well, for his piercing eyes were fixed on his master and aunt. "You bring two complete strangers to a meeting and tell us that you have something important to tell us...and then we find out that this...senator...has visions...does even the Senate employ Jedi now?" he scoffed, his voice sneering as Lalaith turned a hurt glare to him.

Leia's dark eyes flashed. "Anarion, there are many out in this galaxy that have Jedi senses...perhaps not matching your own...but just because they do not attend an academy does not make them any less then you...even powerful Jedi who have been trained by the finest masters fall sway to dark powers..." she returned, the memory of Luke coming to mind, and by the dark cloud that came over Anarion, she knew that he too was thinking of his father.

"Never the less, he is right, Leia...they need to know..." Siel-own sighed, his voice heavy. "You are not strangers, young ones...you have meet many times before...but you were very young...so very small..." his voice faded, as if lost in some fair memory.

Leia looked over at him, then sighed visibly. "And there are so many reasons why this has not been explained to you before now..." she added. "Anarion, Lalaith, you are both dear to me...I would see no harm befall you...but there are forces at work, even now, that would wish to see you harm..."

Anarion stood, his dark robes swirling around him. "Tell us, Aunt...what is this about...I am in danger at all times simply because the Skywalker legacy gives me that...but who is this Senator that she would be in danger...only a cushion would endanger her..."

Lalaith stood as well, her eyes flashing as she regarded the young Jedi. "You know not of what you speak, young sir...I have seen much more in my years then you could dream...and accomplished far more then you could ever..."

"A senator? Accomplish more then a Jedi? You think highly of yourself, my lady..." he returned.

"As well I should, when in the presence of such a man...son of Luke Skywalker, traitor to the Republic he swore to serve..." she spat, her small frame shaking with anger.

"Enough!" Leia demanded, standing and slamming her fists into the table, her normal baby doll face scarlet. "I have seen enough bickering between people to last me a life time, that I do not need to see you two doing it...do you not understand what is happening? My brother..." she paused, swallowing the words. "Luke and Mara are powerful...they will stop at nothing to have those powerful join them or destroyed..." She sank into her chair, weak and pale.

Anarion immediately was at her side, and Lalaith kneeled down, taking the other woman's hand.

"I'm sorry, Aunt Leia...I didn't mean to upset you..." he apologized.

Lalaith nodded an agreement, her blue-green eyes fearful. "Please, Senator...drink this..." she pleaded, handing Leia a glass of water.

"I'm fine...just seeing the two of you fighting..." she replied, resuming her seat with the dignity only she could muster.

"Leia..." Han's voice came from the outer room. "The Chancellor has called for you...two emissaries are here...from the Empire's Alliance..." he spoke softly, his dark eyes blackening over the news.

Siel-own's face drained of color as he helped Leia to stand.

"Tell the Chancellor that I will meet him in a moment..." she replied wearily, and began towards the door.

"I shall accompany you, my lady...these emissaries...you will need assistance..." Siel-own added, taking her arm.

"I'm going too..." Anarion spoke up, standing to join them.

"No! Anarion, you must not...you are not ready for this...stay here and guard your...watch over the Senator...talk...it may do both of you some good..." the Jedi Master returned.

"But if I am to take the tests...what better way to prove myself?" he pleaded, and Lalaith nodded.

"If I am to be a great a senator as you wish, Leia, I must learn...please, take us with you..."

Leia and Siel-own exchanged glances, both seeming not to know how to respond to the two before them.

"They must learn sometime..." Siel-own spoke softly.

Leia nodded slowly, turning to the two youths. "Be careful...these two have come to Courascant before...and they are not to be taken lightly...let me do the talking...stay back...be alert...both of you..."

With the warning given, she continued forward, knowing what lay ahead of them; and fearful of the outcome.