Thanks, all!
Celtic Cross: This is the final story in the Journey of Discovery series. Whether I write any more fanfics, I don't know yet. All of my old ones can be found at my webpage (click on my name and follow the link.)
We're winding down to the end. This is the last chapter that takes place on Lorrd.
A Journey of Discovery ― Book Three: Prism
Chapter Fifteen
It wasn't often that Leia Organa took a backseat at affairs of state. But as Han shared a warm smile and squeeze of a hand with her, she realized that today she didn't mind. She, Han, Luke and Mara were having a private audience with Regent Ke'lor before their luncheon. The four of them had been relieved to learn that in light of the failed attempt to kidnap the Regent, the Argazdans had agreed to a temporary cease-fire. Arrangements were being made for peace accord negotiations to begin in one standard month. Leia had contacted Mon Mothma earlier in the day, and, much to Han's grumbling, the New Republic leader didn't hesitate to place the entire Lorrdian affair into Leia's hands.
The Lorrdian ruler had been courteous and appreciative to her and Han, thanking them profusely for both their contributions during the attack and for Leia's upcoming role in mediating the peace talks. But it was Luke who was now the sole focus of Ke'lor's attention. Not Luke the Tatooine farmer, or Luke the Rebel pilot. No, this was Jedi Knight Luke Skywalker ― serene, composed, radiating confidence. He reminded Leia of how he had carried himself at Jabba's palace.
Mara sat slightly behind Luke's left shoulder. Her transformation was even more remarkable. No trace of haughtiness or aggression could be found on her calm face. As Leia turned her awareness to the ongoing conversation, Mara caught her eye, favoring Leia with a shadow of a smile. In that instant, Leia knew that Mara was just as proud of Luke as she was.
"Jedi Skywalker, words cannot express our gratitude for your assistance, or our remorse over the shameful deceit we perpetrated in bringing you to Lorrd," Regent Ke'lor said solemnly. "Desperate times cause men to take desperate measures, I'm afraid. We will be forever in the debt of you and Padawan Jade."
"We were glad to be able to lend our aid, Your Excellency," Luke replied. "And we do not reproach you for luring us here under a false pretext. In fact," Luke glanced briefly at Mara, "we must confess to a duplicity on our part."
"Indeed?"
"Yes. It concerns Mara―"
"She is not your padawan learner?" Ke'lor said, his confusion evident.
Leia sat up straighter, guessing what Luke was about to reveal, and she felt Han perk up beside her. Now why couldn't Luke have been this forthcoming to her two days ago? Leia suddenly felt Han nudge her, and turned to find him shaking his head at her. Obviously he had noticed the perturbed frown on her face and knew what she'd been thinking. Leia took a deep breath and relaxed back into her seat. No, she shouldn't still be admonishing Luke. She knew how much concealing the truth had to have weighed on Luke's conscience, and she realized now that she and the others had left him little choice at the time.
"She is my student," Luke said. "But she is much more to me personally." He reached over and gently took Mara's hand in his own. "Regent Ke'lor, may I present Mara Skywalker ― my wife."
"Your wife?" The Regent's startled gaze passed back and forth between Luke and Mara. Then, as if some fact suddenly occurred to him, he smiled in understanding. "This explains your startled reaction when we were discussing marriage and the Jedi Order during your first evening here," he said. "Was that the reason you did not disclose your relationship sooner?"
"No, sir." Luke shook his head. "You see, we only recently married, and we wanted my sister to be the first to know." Luke turned, directing his gaze toward Leia. She could feel his hope that she'd approve.
"Sister?" The Regent followed Luke's line of sight, and chuckled softly. "Ah, another revelation. Tell me, Jedi Skywalker. Are you related to everyone here?"
Maintaining his serious tone, Luke's eyes traveled from Mara, to Leia, then lingered a moment on Han. "Yes," he said softly, turning back to the Regent. "Yes, I am."
"Before we adjourn for our luncheon, I have something for you, Jedi Skywalker," Ke'lor said. "For both of you, actually," he added, nodding toward Mara. The Regent handed Luke a small wooden case, elegantly decorated with Lorrd's royal seal. With Mara looking curiously over his shoulder, Luke opened the case. Inside were a dozen datacards, each nestled in a velour-lined slot.
"What―" Luke began, clearly confused.
"A gift," Regent Ke'lor said simply. "Many generations ago, historians here began documenting the teachings and practices of the Jedi Order. Twenty-five years ago, when reports began to reach Lorrd of the treachery of Emperor Palpatine against the Order, it was decided by King Auti-Trul that our written records of the Jedi should be hidden." He nodded toward the case in Luke's hands. "After that time, knowledge of the Order was only discussed amongst trusted friends and family by word of mouth, or word of hand, if you will." Ke'lor smiled as he waved his hands in an intricate pattern. "Even though following all the teachings of the old order may not be possible or practical for the Jedi of the future, I suspect you may still want to read as much as you can about how your predecessors trained."
"Yes, definitely." Luke's eyes sparkled in anticipation. "But we couldn't accept your only records."
"I saw to it that copies were made," the Regent returned. "Though from now on, we will be following your achievements as a guide to the new order of the Jedi." Regent Ke'lor solemnly folded his hands on his desk. "I foresee great things in your future, Jedi Skywalker. You are building a foundation for a new beginning for the Jedi Order." He held Luke's gaze with a sincere smile. "You are a prism, through which the Light of the Force will pass, diffusing out into the galaxy into a spectrum of multi-hued illumination."
Luke hesitated a moment at the ruler's words. "Thank you," Luke said quietly, his natural modesty shining through. "May the Force grant me the wisdom and skill to live up to your faith in me."
Regent Ke'lor nodded graciously before rising in his seat to clasp Luke's hand. "And may the Force be ever with you and your wife, Jedi Skywalker."
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
"I can't believe I'm meeting a princess!" Jahnna said from her seat next to Leia.
"But your station is equal to that of a princess, isn't it?" Leia responded, smiling warmly at the enthusiastic teen seated next to her.
"Sort of, though Father isn't really a king. But you're a real princess." Jahnna gazed dreamily around the dining table. "First a Jedi Knight, and now a princess. This has been the best week ever, except for those Argazdans."
"I heard you were very brave," Leia said kindly.
"Did Jedi Skywalker tell you that?" the girl asked, her face beaming. "Father told me last night that you were once rescued by Jedi Skywalker, too."
"Indeed I was. More than once, actually. Though the first time, he hadn't become a Jedi yet. And in all fairness, he did have some help." Leia nodded across the table at Han and Chewbacca.
Jahnna's eyes grew wide as she regarded the towering Wookiee, who favored the girl with a toothy grin. "Can you tell me about it?"
"Certainly." Leia took a sip of her drink. "It was about four years ago ...
"... and then the Millennium Falcon and Luke's ship just managed to fly away in time before the Death Star exploded," Leia concluded a few minutes later.
"Wow," Jahnna breathed. "They were so brave and heroic."
Leia laughed lightly. "They were in the wrong place at the wrong time. Naturally they became heroes."
"Did Jedi Skywalker rescue Padawan Jade, too?" Jahnna asked, glancing at the two Jedi at the end of the table.
"In a way," Leia said. "In fact, I believe she was his greatest rescue."
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
Second Aide Serl-and-Jeem Vazan-Jayce took his duties seriously. And he considered those duties to still be in force, even after the unfortunate death of his superior, Prime Aide Meend. Regent Ke'lor had personally instructed Jayce to prepare new rooms for not only the esteemed Jedi, but also Princess Leia and her party. The Regent, however, had not mentioned any change in Jayce's previous assignment to entice the lovely Jedi Padawan to make Lorrd her home.
Jayce arrived at the dining hall just as the luncheon was ending, having spent the last two hours making sure not a flower stem was out of place in the guest suites of the royal villa. He adopted his most charming smile as the Coruscanti guests swept out the doorway. But it took all his diplomatic training not to frown in confusion when his discerning eyes fell on Jedi Skywalker's arm ― firmly encircled around Padawan Jade's slim waist.
"Your Highness, Mistress Jade," Jayce addressed the ladies first. He blinked as the black-clad arm moved up Mara's back. "It ... It is my honor to escort all of you to ..." One hand began lightly massaging Mara's right shoulder. "to your new quarters." Jayce realized he was staring, and immediately averted his eyes. Perhaps the Jedi was simply comforting his student, after the strain of yesterday's events. Yes, that must be it.
Leading the way toward a waiting ground transport, Jayce couldn't help but notice that the Jedi Knight continued to hover close to Padawan Jade. In fact, the pair sat closer together on their bench seat than social propriety dictated. A stab of anxiety shot through the young aide. If Mistress Jade was this traumatized, then Jayce had been remiss in his duty to see to her well-being.
In a matter of moments, the group reached the guest wing of the villa. Before Jayce could slip out from behind the steering column, General Solo and Jedi Skywalker were already helping the ladies from their seats. Jayce could feel any hopes of earning the Prime Aide position slowing swirling down the drain. He realized he must not have been doing a very good job of concealing his disappointment when he felt a large hand land on his shoulder.
"I feel your pain, friend," General Calrissian intoned. "Such visions of loveliness should not be limited to only one man each."
Jayce swiveled around to face the New Republic hero. He immediately was impressed with the general's dashing wardrobe and suave air. "But General Calrissian, it is my duty to attend to every need of Padawan Jade."
A cryptic smile crept across the general's face. "A noble aim, to be sure, and a quite enjoyable one, if it could be achieved. But I would be remiss if I did not at least warn you to watch out for that nasty blaster she keeps up her sleeve."
"I beg your pardon?" Jayce was thoroughly rattled now. "Sir, my intentions toward Mistress Jade are completely honorable."
"Good." The general winked, glancing to the side. "Maybe they won't cut you into too many little pieces with those lightsabers, then."
Jayce followed the general's gaze to see Skywalker and Jade staring back from the open doorway, arms crossed, impatient frowns on their faces as they waited for their guide.
―――
"Lando and Jayce together," Mara muttered. "This can't be good."
"Relax," Luke said. "Lando knows you're married."
"You're not relaxed," Mara countered.
"Jayce apparently still doesn't know." Luke's right hand dropped a fraction toward his lightsaber. He gave Mara a playful smirk. "You are sworn to keep me from doing anything rash, aren't you?"
"I don't remember that part in the vows." Mara nudged Luke's arm away from his weapon just as Jayce hurried toward them. "But it sounds like a good addition for Jedi marriages," she added quietly.
"Jedi Skywalker, Padawan Jade," Jayce cried as he hurried forward. "A thousand pardons for the delay." He then turned and bowed in apology to Han, Leia, and Chewie, also waiting to the side. "Please follow me to your suites."
Jayce led the way down an airy corridor ― not as elegant as the ambassadorial quarters they had been staying at, but plush and well-appointed nonetheless. The aide paused at the first door they came to, opening it wide in invitation.
"This is for you, Master Chewbacca," Jayce said, holding an arm out for the Wookiee to enter.
Chewie walked in slowly, sniffing the air warily. /There are too many flowers in here/ he said as he crossed the common room.
"So we'll take some of 'em out," Han said, sticking his head through the doorway.
/The bed is too short/ Chewie continued, ducking back out from the bedchamber.
"They probably don't get many oversized hairballs like you," Han returned, shaking his head.
Chewbacca stepped back out into the corridor. /I will sleep on the Falcon./
"Is there a problem?" Jayce asked anxiously, backing up as the Wookiee towered over him. "We will be glad to alter the accommodations, if necessary."
"He's just too picky," Han said. "He's gonna stay on our ship."
"As you wish, sir." Jayce crossed the hallway to another door. "We have prepared this suite for you, General Solo."
Han didn't budge from his spot. "Where's she staying?" he asked, nodding toward Leia.
"Her Highness will have the Grand Suite at the end of the hall," Jayce replied.
"Then that's where I'm staying." Without waiting for a reply, Han took Leia by the elbow and headed off down the hallway.
His mouth hanging open in shock, Jayce glanced at the rest of his charges, then approached another door. "Your belongings have all been moved into this suite, Mistress Jade."
Mara nodded a perfunctory thanks and swept into the room. She immediately headed for the bedchamber, noting that her garments were already hanging in a wide closet. She and Luke had packed up their things that morning, leaving them for the Lorrdians to transport them here. Mara had been relieved to discover that all her clothes had survived with only a minimum of dust and wrinkles. Even the glass jar of flower petals miraculously had toppled onto the bed without breaking.
As Mara inspected her things, Jayce and Luke followed her into the room.
"I trust everything is satisfactory, Mistress," Jayce said.
"Yes," Mara answered.
"No," Luke said at the same time. Mara and Jayce both turned their attention to him. "I don't see my satchel anywhere."
"But ... but, Sir Knight," Jayce stammered, his confusion abundantly evident. "Your belongings are in the suite I've chosen for you."
"But I'm choosing to stay in here." Luke gave Jayce a pointed look. "With my wife."
"Wi- wife?" Jayce swayed on his feet, and Mara started forward, afraid that the man was going to faint. As much as she disdained the aide's actions, she almost felt sorry for him. His wide-eyed stupor left no doubt that the revelation was a complete surprise. Jayce turned fearful eyes to Luke, then bowed his head in submission. "My humblest apologies, Jedi Skywalker, for my inappropriate liberties toward Mis- Madam Skywalker. Any punishment you wish to bestow on me will be accepted with humiliation and contrition."
Before Luke could answer, Jayce fell to one knee in front of Mara. "Madam, I beg your forgiveness. If I had any inkling of your relationship to Jedi Skywalker, I would have defied my superiors' commands."
Mara exchanged an exasperated look with Luke over the top of Jayce's bowed head. "Get up, Jayce," she said. "You had no way of knowing."
"We're sorry for not telling you," Luke said. "We had personal reasons at the time." Starting to head for the doorway, Luke put a hand lightly on the small of Mara's back, then turned back to Jayce. "And, uh, I'm sorry you got shocked the other day."
"Shocked?" Jayce frowned, then a light of comprehension shone in his dark eyes. "You—?"
Luke nodded sheepishly.
As the trio moved to the common room, Lando stood with his hands on his hips. "About time! What was taking so long? I, for one, will be delighted with whichever suite you give me," he said to Jayce.
"My pardon, sir," Jayce gushed. With one last look at Luke and Mara, he ushered Lando out into the corridor.
"You didn't have to tell him that you were responsible for shocking him," Mara said to Luke.
"Yes, I did," Luke said. "Petty jealousy is unbecoming a Jedi." He took Mara's hand, raising it to his lips for a soft kiss. "And childish behavior for a husband. I promise to do better in the future."
"I'll hold you to that, farmboy."
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
Pomp and pageantry reigned once more the next day as the Jedi and their companions prepared to leave Lorrd. It seemed half the city had turned out to bid farewell to the celebrated guests. Leia agreed to return in one month to oversee the peace negotiations, but she made sure to stipulate that Luke and Mara had to sit in on the meetings also.
Standing with her companions in an ornamental garden near the spaceport, Leia listened as Regent Ke'lor addressed all the Lorrdians in the vicinity, publicly thanking the Jedi and their other visitors for their assistance during the attack. Second Aide Vazan-Jayce stood silently to the side of the podium, the same apologetic look plastered to his face that he had been sporting when Leia last saw him yesterday.
A silence descended on the crowd as Ke'lor eulogized Prime Aide Meend and seven others who had lost their lives, followed by cheers when the ruler announced the long-awaited peace talks. At the end of the ceremony, well-wishers surrounded Luke, Mara, and the others, thanking them over and over for their help. Many of the Lorrdians, Leia decided, simply wanted to be able to say they'd shaken hands with a real Jedi. It was apparent that only the Regent and his staff of advisors had been privy to the plan to have Luke lead the fighting against the Argazdans. Several men in military uniform approached Luke, apologizing for the deception they'd help perpetrate.
By mid-morning, the throngs of citizens had dispersed, and it neared departure time for Coruscant.
―――――
The Millennium Falcon, already loaded with a sample of norumite crystals, was now berthed next to Luke's B-wing, and royal guards were directing servants on where to store the visitors' luggage. As Leia glanced over at the scene in the docking bay, she noticed Luke conversing with a servant pushing a cart laden with what looked like his and Mara's satchels. As he talked, Luke began sending questioning glances in Han's direction, and Leia could see that her brother was purposefully avoiding Mara's scowling face behind him.
"Han," Leia said quietly to the Corellian standing close to her side. "Surely you offered to give Mara and Luke a ride to Coruscant on the Falcon."
"After all the trouble they caused?" Han groused. "Worrying you half to death, getting married in secret, telling you not to marry me."
"You know Luke didn't tell me not to marry you."
"He didn't encourage you, either."
"He told me it was my decision, which I've now made. Don't make me regret that decision."
"Well, I'm still not offering." Han crossed his arms in protest, but Leia didn't miss the gleam in his eye. "They'll have to come begging."
"Oh, you nerfherder!" Leia shook her head in amusement. She looked over to now see Luke holding up one hand, freezing the servant in place. Mara reached out and gave Luke a not-too-gentle shove, propelling him in their direction.
"Uh, Han?" Luke smiled wanly.
"Yeah, Junior?" Han raised an eyebrow questioningly.
"Uh, we ... Mara and I ... we were wondering ..."
"Oh, for Force sake, Skywalker." Mara stalked forward, nudging Luke to the side. "Solo, we'd like to ride to Coruscant on your ship." She paused, then added in a more subdued voice. "Please."
Leia wasn't sure how Han managed to keep a straight face. She sure wasn't having an easy time of it.
"Is that so?" Han rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Let's see. The going rate for a Skywalker charter is seventeen thousand ― two thousand now, and fifteen when we get there."
"Can you do a better job of avoiding Imperial entanglements this time?" Luke asked, narrowing his eyes in challenge.
"You're a fine one to be lecturing anyone on avoiding entanglements with Imps, kid," Han shot back, nodding toward Mara. His twinkling eyes belied his serious words.
Leia rolled her eyes. "Han, the porter is waiting."
"Ah, Leia, you're no fun. The kid should know he's always welcome to hitch a ride. That goes for his lovely bride, too." Han shot Mara a sly wink. "Now, let's see if the hull clips can handle that spinning monstrosity you came in."
"Lando clamped my X-wing onto the hull once, while you were ... uh, indisposed," Luke offered.
"Lando did lots of things to my ship that I'll never forgive him for," Han growled. "Most of them involved you."
While Luke and Han debated the best way to attach the B-wing to the Falcon, Mara wasted no time directing the servant where to take her and Luke's luggage. "And be careful with that jar!" She watched the repulser cart wobble, then suddenly darted forward and snatched the fragile item from the top of the stack. "On second thought, I'll carry it myself."
Leia looked curiously at the bell-shaped jar in Mara's grasp. "You're taking one of the room decorations with you?"
"This?" Mara laughed lightly. "No, this was a souvenir from our bonding celebration. I can't believe it survived the attack, though the petals did get jumbled up quite a bit."
"I think that just means we won't necessarily have the girls before the boys," Luke put in over his shoulder.
At Leia's bewildered look, Mara gave the jar a slight shake. "Fortune petals. We told you those people were as superstitious as the galaxy is wide."
"But what do you mean, girls before boys?" Leia directed her question to her grinning brother.
"The petals were supposed to predict our future." Luke flashed a proud-as-a-rhencock smile. "Two daughters and three sons."
"If you don't wipe that silly grin off your face," Mara scolded, "you won't have to worry about stowing the B-wing onto the Falcon, because you'll be flying it home by yourself."
"C'mon, Luke," Han said, taking pity on his friend. "We'd better get out of here before they decide we both should occupy that tin crate."
Leia smiled to herself as the men took off to direct the connection of the two ships. There had been precious few sightings of carefree Luke since Bespin. But Leia had always known he was still buried in there somewhere, and his playful interactions with Mara proved that without question. Watching the wistful expression on Mara's face as Luke ambled away, any lingering doubts that Leia might have had about the pair of Jedi were washed away. Mara was good for Luke, and Luke was good for Mara. This acknowledgment to herself firmed Leia's resolve to ask the question that had been hovering in her mind since the day of the Argazdan attack.
"Mara, could I speak to you a moment?"
Finishing her instructions to the luggage porters, Mara turned an apprehensive gaze Leia's way. "Yes?"
"I've been meaning to ask a favor of you."
"I see." Mara glanced toward the Falcon's lowered ramp. "Shall we go inside?"
Leia considered the idea for only a brief moment. "Threepio's onboard," she said.
"Point taken." Looking around the busy docking bay, Mara waved toward a small bench tucked off to one side.
Even with her fledgling skills, Leia could detect the curiosity emanating from her new sister-in-law as they settled themselves in the shady nook.
"As I said, I have a request to ask," Leia began.
Mara's bland expression didn't waver. "Go on."
Leia carefully kept her gaze fixed on Mara's face. Not because the woman had to be stared down like some political rival, but because Leia was afraid she would start snickering at the absurdity of a highly trained, deadly assassin clutching a jar of colored flower petals as if it were a valuable treasure.
"Well ... You're training to be a Jedi, and Luke has been after me for months now to begin training, but I've just been so busy, and I'm not sure when I will have time, if ever ..."
Mara's slightly widened eyes were the only break in her composure as she listened silently to Leia's babbling.
"... and I have a responsibility to the New Republic. I can't simply shirk my duties right now, even if I wanted to."
"And do you want to?" Mara broke in. "I got the impression you weren't very keen on training in the ways of the Force."
"I wasn't," Leia admitted. "But this trip has been an eye-opener for me in more ways than one." She took a deep breath, making the split-second decision to reveal more than she had intended. "I didn't want to train in the Force because I thought it would associate me too much with Vader. I couldn't separate him in my mind from Anakin Skywalker. Not the way Luke does so easily."
"It's not easy for Luke, either," Mara said in her usual direct manner. "He isn't trying to ignore the atrocities that Vader committed. He has accepted them as facts. But he chooses to not ignore the good man that Anakin was before, and that he returned to at the end."
"The way I ignore those details, you mean." Leia closed her eyes briefly. Luke had said practically the same thing to her many times. But somehow hearing it from an outsider ... No, not an outsider. Not anymore ... "I'm not ready to embrace my father's memory without reservation, but I am ready to acknowledge him as my father."
"Luke will be glad to hear that."
Leia nodded. "And I know now that training to be a Jedi should be seen as a tribute to Anakin's deeds as a Knight."
Mara's gaze traveled to the distant landing pad, where Luke and Han were gesturing to several dock workers who were attempting to swing the B-wing on a crane toward the Falcon. "Is that the favor you wanted? For me to let Luke know that you will eventually train with him? Because you—"
"No." Leia shook her head. "Luke is very patient, but ... well, until now I never considered having any other choice in a teacher." She turned and looked Mara in the eye. "I'd like you to be my master, when I'm ready."
"Me? But I—"
Leia held up one hand to forestall Mara's protests. "It will most likely be a few years down the road. You'll be a Jedi Knight yourself by then. And, I think it would be easier for me to learn from another woman." She chuckled lightly. "Though you may not find me always a patient student, or a very adept one."
"From what I've seen, you're a quick learner." Mara smiled warmly. "I'd be honored to have you as my first student, Leia."
―――
Han turned away from his ship, unable to bear seeing the New Republic fighter clanking against the hull of his beloved Falcon as the workers struggled to line up the B-wing with the freighter's clamps. Looking back toward where they'd left Leia and Mara, he squinted his eyes in disbelief.
"Hey, kid." Han swatted Luke on the shoulder. "Look over there and tell me if I'm seeing things."
Luke followed Han's pointing finger, then broke out in a wide grin. "What's the matter, Han?" He couldn't contain his delighted laughter. "Haven't you ever seen two sisters-in-law hug before?"