Thanks to everyone who reviewed chapter one! This next post is a bit longer, so it should make up for the first one being short. As to Leia and Lando recognizing Mara, just chalk it up to a convenient plot point. You'll come across a lot of those in this story.
At last, Luke and Mara meet the Lorrdians…
A Journey of Discovery ― Book Three: Prism
Chapter Two
When the government of Lorrd had been informed that the Jedi envoy would be arriving in a military fighter, spirits had been heartened. This Jedi must truly be a warrior, it was reasoned, to travel such a distance without concern for physical comfort. Now Prime Aide Urpri-Meend, first assistant to His Excellency the Crown Regent, stood watching from the safety of a transparisteel barrier as the deceptively graceful New Republic craft lowered steadily to the landing platform. Even Meend, with his untrained eye, was impressed by the array of armament bristling from the ship's hull.
Meend strode forward as the ship's systems shut down one by one and the cockpit canopy popped open with a hiss of released air. He splayed his arms wide in salutation as the first occupant hopped lightly to the tarmac. The young man, barely out of his teens, removed his helmet and ran a hand through his tousled blond hair before bowing slightly in return.
Ah, the apprentice disembarks first, to verify the safety of the situation for his master. "I am Rel-and-Zeda Urpri-Meend. On behalf of Crown Regent Pard-and-Rand Ke'lor-Mise, I bring you greetings," Meend intoned formally. Age lines at the corners of his dark eyes crinkled with sincerity. "You must be the Jedi padawan of whom we have been apprised. We are gratified that your journey has culminated safely."
"Uh, thank you," the man replied, confusion briefly tingeing his soft voice. "We're glad to finally arrive, too, and we apologize for our delay."
"No need to apologize," the royal aide assured him.
The second pilot alighted, drawing the attention of both men. Meend's heavy gray eyebrows rose in surprise when the removal of the pilot's helmet revealed not the face of a middle-aged Jedi Knight, but a decidedly female visage no older than the padawan. He glanced in bewilderment from the girl, who was shaking out a long mane of golden red hair, to the cockpit above his line of sight. Surely there is not enough room on the ship for a third passenger.
"I'm afraid I don't understand," Meend finally said to the young woman, struggling to retain his professional bearing. "We were expecting the Jedi Knight, Luke Skywalker."
"I'm Luke Skywalker," the young man spoke up. "And this is my apprentice, Mara Jade," he added, nodding to his companion.
Meend turned to confront the speaker, looking him up and down more carefully this time. "You ... you are the Jedi sent by the New Republic?"
"Yes," the man confirmed, making a vain attempt to smooth out his rumpled flightsuit. "I'm afraid it has been a long journey for us. The cockpit of a fighter doesn't allow any room to freshen up before touchdown."
Long years of experience helped Meend to recover his composure. "I apologize deeply, Sir Knight, for my failure to recognize you. I shall see to it at once that you are shown to your suite ..." An afterthought suddenly occur to the aide as he glanced again to the silent woman. "Er, suites," he corrected. "Please follow me." He gestured to a pair of servants flanking a small hovercart. "Your luggage will be seen to immediately."
―――――
(What a wonderful first impression I must make,) Luke muttered silently as he and Mara followed their guide to a waiting ground shuttle.
(At least he finally acknowledged you,) Mara grumbled back. She had had little trouble at the docking bay sensing how self-conscious Luke had been of his youthful appearance. (His whole body language screamed disappointment as soon as he laid eyes on me.)
(I felt it was more distress or dismay than disappointment,) Luke countered. (We certainly weren't what he expected, that's for sure.)
By the time the entourage reached the ambassadorial quarters, Mara was beginning to get a headache from all the apologies that Prime Aide Meend was gushing regarding his misunderstanding at the spaceport. It was almost as if he feared the visiting Jedi Knight would be so offended that he might turn around and leave at any moment.
"It's all right, really," Luke continued to assure the distraught man. "Happens all the time."
Mara suppressed a snort at Luke's words. It wasn't an exaggeration – slight and unassuming as Luke was, strangers frequently overlooked him when seeking the Rebellion's greatest hero.
Meend led the way to an ornate door halfway down a long hallway. "Jedi Skywalker," he began, opening the door then stepping back so Luke could enter first, "this will be your suite. We did not know that your student was female. Fortunately, there are available quarters directly across the hall for Padawan Jade."
(Padawan?) Mara questioned silently.
(I assumed it was some sort of Lorrdian term for knight, but now I think it means apprentice,) Luke answered as he and Mara both surveyed his accommodations with interest. "Are there not two bedchambers?" he asked aloud, peering at adjoining doorways off the main room. "We wouldn't mind sharing this suite."
Prime Aide Urpri-Meend looked aghast at the notion. "Sir Knight, we would never subject you to such impropriety."
"But—"
"A room across the corridor will be acceptable," Mara said softly, interrupting Luke.
"Excellent." The relief on the Prime Aide's face was abundantly evident. "The Regent would be most pleased if you would join him for evening meal. Would one hour be sufficient for you to refresh yourselves?" he asked politely.
"Yes, of course," Luke replied with a nod.
"Excellent," the elder man repeated, his wide sleeves skimming the floor as he bowed in acknowledgement. "I shall return in one hour."
―――
"Ironic, isn't it?" Mara commented once they were alone. "In Zembuhl, we were given no choice but to share a bedroom, even though we weren't married. Now that we are, we are sequestered in separate rooms. I wonder what his reaction would've been if I'd insisted on staying in your room?" she added with a wink.
"Let's not rock the ship," Luke replied seriously. "We're on shaky enough ground as it is, arriving this late."
Mara turned to enter her own quarters when a sudden thought gave her pause. Surely Luke wouldn't be so insistent about not doing anything to jeopardize our unmarried cover story that he wouldn't ... we couldn't ...
"You won't be able to keep me away," Luke said, his tone now laced with laughter. "As Han would say, we'll just have to be real sneaky-like."
Mara looked back over her shoulder just in time to catch his wide grin before his door shut with a soft thud.
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
A half hour later, Luke tapped lightly on Mara's door and, receiving her silent invitation to enter, stepped into the common room. His eyes took in the small room – not as elegant as his suite, but comfortable and tastefully decorated. It hadn't taken him long to shower and change, so he wasn't surprised that she wasn't ready yet. He was standing before a gilded mirror near her door, combing his hair back with his fingers, when Mara cleared her throat from across the room.
"Getting vain on me?" she quipped.
Luke turned to face her and didn't even attempt to hide his smile as he saw his wife leaning against the bedchamber's doorway, clad only in a silky robe.
"Just, uh, checking to see if I looked all right." He straightened his floor-length cloak so it hung evenly over his shoulders. "So what do you think?" he asked, giving her a little grin.
"You look as calm and collected as when I saw you at Jabba's."
"That bad, huh?"
Mara's musical laughter acted as a soothing balm to his jittery nerves. After being mistaken for a mere apprentice by the regent's aide, Luke was determined to epitomize a true Jedi Knight.
"Surely the Lorrdians won't throw you to the rancor," Mara said, leaning her head to one side as she began towel drying her hair.
"Or the sarlacc," Luke added with a chuckle.
"You do have a habit of encountering things that want to swallow you," she pointed out.
"Yeah, from a dianoga to a wampa to a tribe of Ewoks." Luke frowned to himself. There had been a lot of creatures trying to eat him over the past few years.
"You must taste good," Mara purred, coming closer and running one hand down the front of his tunic. "Let me check." They kissed slowly and tenderly before Mara pulled back with obvious reluctance. "As much as I'd like to continue this all night, we're due to dine with the Regent soon, and only one of our robes is sufficiently Jedi-ish," she said, glancing at her own attire.
"Nothing he serves could be as delicious as you," Luke murmured, sighing as she slipped from his arms. He busied himself looking over the datapad of negotiation outlines until Mara's voice from the adjoining bedchamber interrupted his reading.
"Luke, we've got a problem."
"What kind of problem?" he asked, automatically reaching out with the Force to scan for any danger, but finding nothing.
"Just get in here and you'll find out," was the impatient reply.
With an effort, Luke managed to stifle any suggestive comments as he discovered Mara standing in the middle of the room, hands on her hips and wearing only her undergarments. Instead he followed her gaze toward what seemed to be every article from her luggage spread across the top of her bed.
Mara bit her bottom lip worriedly, her eyes darting from one garment to the next. "I have nothing to wear," she finally declared matter-of-factly.
Struggling to understand what was apparently obvious to Mara, Luke opened and closed his mouth several times, then shrugged his shoulders in defeat. "I give up. Is this some sort of test?"
"Look!" Mara cried, waving a hand across the clothes-strewn bed. "Do you see anything that even remotely resembles...," she tugged impatiently on the hem of Luke's tabard, "this?"
"Why—" Luke began, but Mara cut him off.
"I'm supposed to be— I am your Jedi apprentice. I should dress like you."
"Mara, sweetheart," Luke soothed, touching her arm lightly. "This isn't some kind of Jedi uniform that you have to copy."
"That's what I've heard you call it," she countered.
"Well, yes, but..." Luke paused, trapped. He knew she was right in that regard. He had referred to his black tunic and trousers as his 'uniform.' "That doesn't mean it is." He glanced down at himself and frowned. "In fact, it's nothing like what Ben or Master Yoda wore."
"So why do you wear it constantly?" Mara challenged. "I've seen the inside of your closet, farmboy. Nearly your entire wardrobe is of a similar pattern."
"I guess I just like it," Luke admitted with a shy smile. "At first I thought it made me look ..."
"Dashing?" Mara supplied, her eyes twinkling.
Luke shook his head. "Older," he corrected. "It seemed ... appropriate."
"You don't worry that others might perceive you as emulating Vader?"
"Maybe dressing like my father is appropriate for me." He shrugged, smiling wanly. "But that doesn't mean you need to dress like me. And...," he glanced at his chrono, "it's getting late, so let's pick out something that feels 'appropriate' for you."
In the end, they chose a hunter-green tunic, with a darker green vest and matching leggings. While Mara dressed, Luke slipped back to his room, returning shortly with a dark gray hooded cloak.
"You just happened to have an extra cloak?"
"I knew you were coming, and I had already pronounced you to be my Jedi apprentice." He grinned as he draped it over her shoulders. "Call it wishful thinking that you wouldn't kill me before I could give it to you."
"I always did think you were way too optimistic for your own good," she retorted, even as she studied her reflection in the room's full-length mirror.
―――――
Prime Aide Urpri-Meend arrived right on schedule. Evidently Luke and Mara's new attire satisfied his notion of what a proper Jedi should look like, as he continually nodded his clear approval. The trio attracted a good deal of notice as they traversed the magnificent, tree-lined promenade that connected the ambassadorial wing to the regent's official residence. Lorrdians appeared out of nowhere along their route, waving their arms animatedly in obvious excitement.
"They've been awaiting your arrival for some time," Meend explained, his arms sweeping out to encompass the crowd of agitated well-wishers.
Mara peered out from under her hood, wondering at the amount of attention which seemed to be directed solely at Luke. On Coruscant she'd witnessed firsthand both grateful citizens pumping his hand, thanking him for their liberation, and females fawning over him as if he were a god. But this display went well beyond simple ogling of a hero. Lorrd had had very little trouble with Imperial occupation, yet these people were acting like he was their personal savior.
"I didn't realize negotiations with the new government of the Republic would be anticipated so fervently," Luke commented to their escort, resolutely ignoring the exuberant adulation. (If the Regent is half this enthusiastic,) he sent silently to Mara, (the trade talks should be a piece of ryshcate.)
"They are jubilant that the New Republic honored them by sending a Jedi Knight as a representative," Meend explained. "Ah, here we are."
Luke and Mara looked up to take in as much of the palace of the Crown Regent as they could from their vantage point outside the side entrance. Magnificent spires overlaid with glittery red tiles reflected the waning glow of sunset. Four-meter-tall double doors, covered in bright gold, stood out boldly against the rich burgundy of the building's walls. Flowering plants in a kaleidoscope of colors spilled over from a myriad of jewel-encrusted window boxes. As accustomed as she had been with the hanging gardens and crystal roofs of Coruscant's Imperial Palace, Mara quickly decided that this was the gaudiest edifice she'd ever seen.
The uniformed doormen of the palace were not the solemn type usually found standing at attention in royal palaces, but rather gaily-dressed, lively thespians who greeted them with a pantomimed salutation. The stroll through the stately corridors to the Grand Dining Hall was less crowded, but the courtiers and servants who did appear were no less animated. As the large, ornate doors swung open, the scene inside the vast chamber was even more surreal.
A trio of musicians was tucked into one corner, their rousing tunes accompanying a troupe of flamboyant dancers who cavorted about the outer perimeter of the room. Their limbs gesticulated wildly while their painted faces contorted in amazingly accurate depictions of species from across the galaxy. Watching them was a diverse group of people seated around a long, oval dining table. They included men and women dressed in military uniforms, robes of state, civilian clothes, and elegant finery. A tall man in brocade robes looked up sharply, then allowed a guarded smile to appear on his face as the trio of newcomers approached. Mara estimated he was probably in his fifties; subtle age lines decorated his dark brown skin, and gray was sprinkled liberally though his once-jet black hair.
"Excellency, may I present Jedi Knight Luke Skywalker, ambassador from the Alliance to Restore the Republic, and his padawan, Mara Jade," Meend announced, bowing low. He straightened, then addressed the cloaked figures accompanying him. "Jedi Skywalker and Padawan Jade," he held out a hand to indicate the now-rising gentleman, "His Excellency, Crown Regent Pard-and-Rand Ke'lor-Mise."
Luke drew back his hood, then bowed in acknowledgment. "It is our honor to meet you, Your Excellency. May I offer my sincerest apologies for our delayed arrival."
"Your safety is of greater consequence than your punctuality," the Regent responded, waving off the apology. "It has been many years since we've been honored by the presence of a Jedi on Lorrd."
"We thank you for the opportunity to conduct negotiations on behalf of Mon Mothma and the New Republic," Luke answered.
Mara noticed that Regent Ke'lor didn't seem to be taken off-guard by Luke's appearance. Either the black does make him look older, she thought, or Meend already informed the ruler on what to expect.
"Oh, yes, yes, the negotiations." The Regent paused, stroking his neatly trimmed beard in contemplation. "I suppose we shall deal with that tomorrow."
Mara glanced at Luke as Meend ushered them to their respective seats. (Isn't that the reason we're here?)
(Of course,) he sent back, not looking at her. (Remember to school your expressions. Lorrdians are extremely adept at reading the slightest twitch.)
(I know, I know,) Mara huffed. She nodded graciously as she was introduced to her table companions ― Madame Ke'lor-Ola, the Regent's wife, to her left, and to her right was Coena, their older daughter. As unobtrusively as she could, Mara took in the locations of the others around her. The Crown Regent sat alone at the head of the table, with Luke in a place of honor to his left. Next to Luke, and directly across from Mara, was the Regent's younger daughter Jahnna, a lively girl who looked like she'd just entered her teens. On the other side of her sat a heavy-set man who alternated between scowling at being placed next to a bubbly teenager, and gloating to everyone else at the table that he'd been selected to sit so near the royal family. A mixture of military and state officials filled the remaining seats, and Mara followed Luke's lead in acknowledging each as they were introduced.
The music playing in the background lowered as servants brought out the first course of the meal, but the dancers continued their histrionics, mutely performing a regalement of parodies for the esteemed guests. Dinner conversation began with polite inquiries into the well-being of the Jedi after their ship malfunctions, but it wasn't long before the youngest diner brazenly piped up with questions that had apparently been burning in her mind ever since she was informed that the galaxy's only Jedi Knight was coming to Lorrd.
"Is it true that you blew up both Death Stars, and killed the Emperor and Darth Vader all by yourself?" Jahnna asked Luke, her dark eyes wide with wonder.
"No, most of the stories you've heard are gross exaggerations," Luke explained patiently.
"Really?" the young woman said. "Perhaps, if you say so, since Jedi aren't supposed to lie." She smiled with unabashed admiration. "Certainly the rumor that you were as old as Father was an exaggeration. Why, you can't be much older than my sister."
"Jahnna, allow Jedi Skywalker time to taste his meal without bombarding him with questions," Madame Ke'lor admonished.
"Yes, mother," the girl dutifully murmured. Her downcast eyes brightened, however, as the surrounding performers launched into a new dramatization. She joined the others at the table in watching as one of the female dancers, clad in a brightly colored feathered costume, assumed the role of a prisoner of two of her male counterparts.
"This enactment is one of my favorites," Coena informed Mara. "It is an ancient Firrerreon legend in which Sung-Gi, a princess, is kidnapped from her clan."
Mara followed the artfully choreographed movements, her attention now caught by a young male performer who boldly battled the princess' captors. "Let me guess," she ventured to her table companion. "The handsome prince rescues the princess, and they live happily ever after."
"Yes!" Coena exclaimed. "I think it's very romantic, no matter how many times I've seen it."
"I'm sure it is," Mara agreed. (Except when the princess turns out to be the prince's long-lost sister,) she sent silently across the table, mentally smirking as Luke rolled his eyes in exasperation. Mara chuckled inwardly when he chided her for making him lose his calm façade.
"I'll bet you could rescue a princess," Jahnna piped up to Luke, heedless of her mother's earlier warning.
Luke blinked. Apparently the entire galaxy didn't know of his early heroics on board the first Death Star. "Well ..."
"Do you have a girlfriend?" the young girl prattled on, not giving him a chance to respond. "Do you think you'll ever get married? Will your children automatically be Jedi Knights also?"
Regent Ke'lor frowned as he caught the questioning of his younger offspring. "Child, clearly you weren't paying attention when I was informing you of the history of the Jedi. It is not their way to fall in love and marry. In fact, it is forbidden to them."
Luke, unfortunately, had just taken a large bite of sautéed deur steak at the moment of Regent Ke'lor's pronouncement. All eyes turned his way as he coughed loudly, raising his napkin to his mouth as he struggled not to choke.
"Jahnna only remembers the parts of her lessons that she wants to," her sister put in, laughing. "She has a drawing of a young Jedi Knight wielding his lightsword tacked above her bed."
The younger princess forged ahead, giving her meddlesome sister a glare before turning back to the object of her attention. "Is that true, Jedi Skywalker? You're not allowed to marry, ever?"
"Uhh ..."
"Why, Master," Mara interjected smoothly from across the table, "you failed to mention that directive during my training." Though her words were light, the unsettled feelings she was sending to Luke were anything but.
"Didn't want to scare you off," Luke mumbled, lowering his napkin.
Madame Ke'lor reached across the table to lay a hand on Luke's arm, her many rings sparkling under the room's lights. "Is there any chance you'll end the practice of taking infants from their families to begin Jedi training?" she asked. "It always tore at my heart, knowing those poor children never knew their families."
"Ola, my dear," the Regent interjected, "the Jedi Order became their families. Emotional attachments would have been detrimental to a Jedi's commitment to the galaxy."
Mara could feel Luke tensing inside, though his outward appearance remained calm and serene. Wondering how he would respond, it was all she could do not to stare as Luke cleared his throat and collected his thoughts.
"During the Old Republic, there were tens of thousands of Jedi Knights," Luke explained, addressing all those within earshot. "Their teachings may not be practical, or possible, for future generations of Jedi."
"You intend to forsake the Jedi Order's directives?" asked Regent Ke'lor, a worried expression lining his face.
"The Jedi Order," Luke said, looking the elder man straight in the eye, "currently consists of two members. If Force-strong candidates are to be found and recruited, adjustments to the teachings and training methods will undoubtedly be necessary."
"But you yourself, were you not trained by a Master of the Old Order?" asked Admiral Gorra, joining the conversation.
"I was," Luke confirmed. "I began my training under Obi-Wan Kenobi. After his death ..." Luke paused, and Mara caught the brief surge of his emotion before he continued. "I eventually continued under the tutelage of Master Yoda."
"Master Yoda!" the admiral exclaimed. "He lives?"
"No," Luke replied quietly. "He died about four standard months ago."
Jahnna suddenly broke her temporary silence, bringing the conversation back to her mother's earlier concern. "Did you begin your training as a baby, Jedi Skywalker?"
Luke shook his head, laughing. "No, I was eighteen before I'd even heard of the Force."
Gasps of shock sounded from around the long table.
"But that means ..." Viceroy Blin-Ars, a rotund man who'd been introduced as deputy of Lorrd's southern continent, faltered as he tried to put his consternation into words. "How old are you, Sir Knight, if I may ask?"
"Twenty-three standard years," Luke answered truthfully. Mara sensed that Luke suspected, as she did, where the question was leading.
"So you've only trained for five years?" the viceroy blurted out incredulously, his heavy-set jowls wobbling. "And yet you claim to be a full-fledged knight, with a padawan of your own, no less? Impossible!"
Mara's hand clenched around her fork, her knuckles threatening to turn white. How dare that pompous so-and-so question Luke's credentials? She flicked her eyes across the table as Luke sent a silent command of 'Calm down.'
"I use only the title promised me by Master Yoda," Luke responded to his denouncer. "Earned after I confronted Darth Vader."
"And well-earned, to be sure," Regent Ke'lor pronounced, making an undecipherable gesture to the subordinate viceroy. "Your accomplishments leave no doubt of your abilities. I apologize for Viceroy Blin's outburst."
"No offense taken," Luke reassured the monarch. He then turned to the chastised official. "Viceroy, I realize I may not be what some people expect when thinking of a Jedi Knight, but I assure you that I am striving to uphold the values of the Jedi Order, and I take very seriously my responsibility to restore the Order as protectors of the galaxy."
"Will you soon be ready for your trials, Mara?" Coena asked Mara as the tone of the dinner conversation settled down.
"Trials?"
"Close to completing your training?" the girl rephrased.
"Well ..." Mara looked across the table at Luke, relieved that he seemed to be following Coena's questioning. "My master would be the best one to answer that query."
"She's closer than she thinks," Luke answered with a smile.
"It is unusual, is it not, for a padawan to be of a like age to her master?"
Luke looked over Jahnna's head to reply to the viceroy's inquiry. "Indeed, but there isn't much we can do about our ages. I was the one who was trained as a Jedi. When I discovered that Mara was also strong in the Force, I offered to share my knowledge with her. She was willing to make the commitment to the Jedi Order, so she became my apprentice. As other possible candidates are found, she and I will recruit new students to join us. It will be a slow process, I know, but a worthwhile one. As I said before, we don't have the luxury right now of pairing up teams of teachers and students based on age and gender."
The viceroy conceded the point to Luke with a not-too-gracious "Humph!" The rest of the dinner proceeded in much the same manner, with Luke and Mara doing their best to fend off the inquisitive probes of their hosts.
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
As soon as the Jedi, the Regent's family, and all other extraneous guests had departed the dining hall, the war council reconvened.
"Now what are we going to do?" blustered Viceroy Blin-Ars, slapping the table loudly. "He's little more than a boy! A barely trained boy!"
"Trained by Yoda himself, don't forget," countered Admiral Gorra-Vodma.
General Chukla-Bref shook his head in dissent. "We have no proof of how extensive his training was. We need to test him ourselves."
"Test him how, Bref?" the admiral asked. "You expect him to just perform for us?"
"Why not?" the general countered. "Asking for a demonstration of his Jedi skills should not be that out of line."
"It would," insisted the admiral. "Jedi are notoriously reticent to put on 'shows' of their powers."
"But do they not need to regularly practice those skills?" Colonel Pimar-Archa put in. "And does he not have a padawan to train? We should graciously offer him the use of a workout room, then observe his expertise."
"Gentlemen," the Regent said quietly, "I think you are overlooking the fact that it is his leadership and command skills that we need. Above all, his ability to direct our pilots through the use of the Force."
"But, Excellency," General Chukla said. "Even if he is able to lead our forces to victory in this current crisis, what happens the next time the Agzardans rise up against us? Can we rely on the galaxy's only Jedi to come running every time we call?"
The colonel waved a hand dismissively. "Simple. We don't allow him to leave."
"One does not 'simply' keep a Jedi hostage," Admiral Gorra contended. "We cannot hold the promise of a trade agreement with the New Republic over his head indefinitely."
"Are we forgetting that Skywalker is not the only Jedi here?" declared the general. "If he will not become our patron Jedi, perhaps his apprentice will."
Viceroy Blin-Ars threw up his pudgy hands in disgust. "She has less experience than he does!"
"All the more reason to allow him the opportunity to finish her training as soon as possible," reasoned Colonel Pimar. "And I distinctly overheard her telling Miss Coena that she was well acquainted with all types of fighter craft."
"True," Meend spoke up from his seat behind the regent. "She was piloting the ship that they arrived in."
"She will not willingly stay here any more than he would," the viceroy scoffed.
"She might with the right incentive," General Chukla mused. "She is an attractive young woman. Surely we can provide a suitor to lure her into making Lorrd her home."
"Were you not listening at dinner?" Admiral Gorra berated his fellow conspirator. "Do you know no more about the Jedi than His Excellency's younger daughter? They are immune to such involvement."
"Are you so sure of that, Vodma?" rebuffed the general. "The noble knight nearly choked when it was mentioned that Jedi cannot marry, and the girl was visibly shaken. I tell you, they were as surprised as Miss Jahnna."
"Are we discounting the possibility that the Jedi and his padawan may already be involved with each other?" the colonel noted.
"For a master to make any type of romantic overtures to a student would be cause for expulsion from the Jedi Order," the Regent declared.
"But as they themselves pointed out," said the colonel, "they are the Jedi Order. Skywalker made it clear that adjustments to the teachings of the old order will be necessary."
"I saw no evidence of an amorous liaison between Knight Skywalker and Padawan Jade," Meend testified. "She especially was most agreeable to their having separate accommodations."
Regent Ke'lor sighed in resignation. "Very well. Meend, find a suitable match among your staff to escort the padawan. However," he raised a hand authoritatively, "make certain he understands he is to be the model of decorum. The last thing we want to do is alienate either of the Jedi by being too obtrusive."
"As you say, my lord," the aide replied, smiling. "I have the perfect person in mind."
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
Later that night, as Mara sat brushing her hair at her mirrored vanity, she could see Luke stretched out on the bed behind her. Clothed only in his sleep-pants, he had found one of the elastic bands she used to fasten her hair and was distractedly shooting it at the ceiling, then calling it back to his hand and repeating the motion over and over.
"Luke," she said, not turning around. "I know it's eating at you that the Lorrdians know more Jedi history than you do, but if you're going to sulk all night, you can go back to your own quarters."
He stopped suddenly and his eyes flickered toward her profile. "You want me to leave?"
"What do you think?" she snapped sarcastically, rolling her eyes.
"I'm not sulking," he muttered, sending the band to the top of her vanity.
Mara shook her head, then padded over to the bed and lay down beside him.
"Here I'm supposed to be this great Jedi, hero to the galaxy, and school girls here are more knowledgeable of the Jedi than I am," he complained, a whining tone creeping into his voice.
"For what it's worth, I though you did a good job covering up your ignorance."
Luke turned his head and gave her a 'Thanks a lot' grimace.
"Listen," she continued. "You only trained a few months with Yoda. There wasn't time to learn everything."
"He wasn't shy about spouting all kinds of other platitudes in my ear as I carried him around the swamp." He rolled onto his side to face her. "Maybe I should borrow a Jedi history book while I'm here."
"So you can find out how much you're doing wrong? What are you going to do then? Dissolve our marriage? Look for a younger apprentice?"
"Of course not." Luke pulled her toward him, kissing her softly. "Aren't some rules made to be broken?"
"Hmmm..." Mara trailed her fingers down his side. "Do you suppose that was partially to blame for the Jedi's downfall?"
"What?"
"I know Palpatine was the main reason. I'm not disputing that. But what if in-house squabbling could have contributed to their inability to defend themselves from the Empire? Perhaps rebellion against their own strict customs weakened the Jedi Order."
"Or even caused some to turn to the dark side," Luke murmured. "Perhaps my father wasn't married to my mother. I had just assumed ..."
"Or perhaps they married in defiance of the laws," Mara added. The last thing she wanted was another reason for Luke to feel sorry for himself. "Did it ever occur to you that there was a reason Yoda and Obi-Wan omitted all these tidbits of wisdom? Maybe they didn't intend for you to know them. Maybe 'pass on what you have learned' translated into 'pass on only what we've taught you.'"
"Why would they deliberately hide teachings from me?"
"I'd say it was because they finally realized that not every rule of the old Order was a good one. Think about it. If it was so important for a Jedi to begin training as a baby, why didn't Ben just take you to Dagobah to grow up, instead of having you live with the Larses? Or why didn't he at least send you to Yoda right after Yavin, instead of waiting three more years?"
"I've wondered that myself," Luke admitted.
"Maybe because even a Jedi needs the structure and love of a family, needs real-life experience out in the galaxy, instead of being cloistered away in some temple all the while he's growing up."
"It sounded like the Jedi took their padawans out in the galaxy to gain experience," he countered, frowning.
"But Ben or Yoda couldn't do that with you, could they? Han and Leia and the rest of the Rebellion were your substitute teachers in that regard."
"But by the time I did get to Dagobah, Yoda said I was too old to begin Jedi training."
"Clearly he was just messing with your mind, wanting you to be that much more determined to work hard. Didn't you tell me that just before he died, Yoda said you already knew everything you needed to?"
"Yes."
"See? He and Kenobi decided they didn't want you to know all the do's and don'ts that Jedi had followed blindly for generations. They trusted your judgment in making up a new set of rules as you went along."
"That was a lot to dump on me."
"Yes, it was. But I believe you're up to the task, Luke Skywalker. This is not something to be done overnight. You should spend as much time as necessary easing into the Jedi Master role. Luckily, you have a very patient apprentice."
Luke looked up at the word 'patient,' arching an eyebrow questioningly.
Mara ignored him and continued. "Odds are, a lot of the rules you decide will be the same, or similar, to what your predecessors had. In other cases ..." She stroked his cheek softly. "If you'd known Jedi weren't supposed to marry, would you still have proposed?"
"I ..." Luke faltered, emotions swirling on his face. "Yes, I would have."
"Good." She kissed him soundly, relishing the feel of his arms around her. "But I know you. You would have been plagued with guilt nevertheless."
"You're probably right."
"Of course I am. I'm always right."
"And we were right to marry." He slipped a strap of her nightgown down, brushing his lips against her soft shoulder. "Speaking of being married, isn't it about our four-day anniversary? Surely that still qualifies us as being on our honeymoon."
"Skywalker, I intend for us to treat every night as our honeymoon for the rest of our lives ..."