Chapter XI

Sitting on a long chair on the terrase of the villa Solo, Leia looked at the landscape in front of her. The beauty of the places was breath taking. She found in this peaceful garden the quietude which she had always known on Alderaan.

Mayra: It's splendid, isn't it?

The princess then turn to face the young woman.

Leia: Ms president... It's true, it's really marvellous!

Mayra: Please, I think that we exceeded the stage of the official titles. So Leia... From you to me, what are you doing with my big brother?

The young woman then started to redden.

Mayra: Don't start to redden! And now that I think of it, well it's useless for me to ask you such a question... He hadn't change in fourteen years! Though he seems to be prouder!

A waiter droid brought them glasses of juice and a fresh fruits plate. The president thanked him before lowering herself on one of the long chair. Far away they could heard the laughter of Han, Lando and Chewie.

Leia: You did an exploit Ms... Mayra.

Mayra: Youi think? I was going to tell you the same thing. After all, you fought the Empire!

Leia: But you succeeded in keeping them out of your borders.

Mayra: The Empire destroyed my life. The jedi were decimated, my parents were coldly killed... I wasn't going to let Palpatine invade my planet and destroy what my father had put such an amount of effort to built. You know... Han told me... for Luke and you. And for Vader.

Leia rose, almost reversing her glass.

Leia: I would prefer not to speak about him.

Mayra: Okay. But remember that Han will always be there for you. He loves you, he told me.

She came near the princess. A voice, in her head, shouted to her to tell Leia all about Anakin, all about Padmé... She deserved to know who were her real parents, that they had been extraordinary and exceptional people. But another voice said to her to wait.

Mayra: I would be there too, if you want to talk.

The young woman turned to her and smiled... Padmé's smile. Before ahe could say anything somebody took her by the size and made her turn in the airs.

Mayra: Put me back on the ground Han Solo!

Han: How did you know that it was me?

The president drove out a rebel wick of hair of her face before answering him.

Mayra: Well... you're the only one on this planet to have the notch to do it without fearing my bodyguard!

Lando: Speaking of your bodyguard, where is he? He's of excellent converstion just like Senator Gabe.

Mayra: Kyle remained at the presidential palace with Counselor Krane and aunt Adena. They ensure some extent cover. Only a few bunch of people know that we're here. But where are Luke and the droids?

Chewie growls something that everyone seems to understand, except Mayra. The young woman then launched an interrogative glance to her brother.

Han: Chewie just said that 3PO's with 8RP and that Luke is meditating in the canopy with R2.

Mayra: Thank you... and I'm sorry Chewbacca. I'lltry to learn wookie as quickly as possible. The dinner will be served in the dining room in a few minutes. Go ahead, I'll join you there.

She left them and moved towards the west wing of the villa. As she approached the canopy her heart started to beat wildly. What was happening to her? That had never happened to her before. She stopped and took a deep breath. That was surely the fact of seeing Han again. As she arrived in front of the canopy glass' doors, she felt her legs sagging. She breath with difficulty before she opened the door gently. Luke was in the middle of the room, meditating. She slowly approached, trying not to make any noise. R2 then emitted a squealing. Luke then turned over and Mayra didn't find anything to do but stupidly smiled at him.

Mayra: Sorry! Euh... dinner's ready!

Luke: Okay.

He rose, attached his lightlaser to his belt and approached the young woman.

Luke: Thanks for having come to seek me. When I meditate I lose notion of time.

Mayra: That's what I thought. My mother also use to meditated for hours.

A silence then settled down between them, a silence that R2 broke.

Luke: You're right R2, they're surely waiting for us.

He smiles at the young woman while opening the way for her.

Mayra: Thank you. I thought that you could come with me after the dinner. It's time that I hold my promise... My mother's jedi files... Will you believe mw if I told you that I never consulted them... I never went there... All I read was her diary...

Luke: If I understand well, it will be a first for you too?

Mayra: Yes... Before you arrived the diary had succeeded in filling my curiosity... But now... especially since... What I want to say... I would like to know more about the order. It was, after all, my mother second family... What I means... I can't believe it! I'm mumbling!

R2 started to make several noises.

Luke: R2!

Mayra: What does he said?

Luke: Nothing... Just droids' idiocies!

The young woman lowered her glance.

Mayra: Do you like it here?

Luke: Yes... Your villa is superb. It's a calm place and the Force vibrations are excellent.

Mayra: Yes... My father build it here for that. Mother said that she could find the same peace and tranquility as in the Temple on Coruscant.

Luke: Yes, I feel same the vibrations as in the Temple.

Mayra: You went there?

The jedi shook his head. The young woman had her eyes wide opened by curiosity.

Luke: I decided that it would be the best place to establish the new order.

Mayra: The last time I went there...

Her glance then veiled. Feeling the change in the young woman's emotion, Luke took her hand and gently hold it.

Luke: Come on, we shouldn't let them wait that long.

TBC