We decide to try to eat some breakfast while we are waiting for the rebel leaders to come to their decision. Han Solo and his wookiee companion, whose name I've learned is Chewbacca, have joined us. Except for Chewbacca, none of us can manage to eat much, however, and end up pushing our food around on our plates, allowing it to get cold in the process.
"So tell us how Mother took down a nexu," says Luke.
"Yeah, I'd like to hear that story myself," puts in Han.
I smile, thinking back all those years back. "Well, it was just before the Clone Wars began, in fact the very day that terrible conflict started. Your mother and I weren't married yet; I was 19 years old, still a padawan. We had flown to the planet Geonosis to rescue Obi-Wan who had been captured by the Sith Lord Count Dooku and his faction of separatists. Well, the rescue operation didn't exactly go as planned, and she and I ended up getting captured as well. The three of us were scheduled to be publicly executed in an arena, where we were each chained to a pillar of stone. While we waited, trying to figure out a way out of the mess we'd found ourselves in, the geonosians lead in three horrific beasts, and it was obvious that we were meant to be their snack that morning. Obi-Wan and I, of course, were trained fighters; but your mother was not a Jedi. But while he and I bickered about how we were going to get out of the situation, she had managed to free herself from the binders on one of her wrists and climbed to the top of the pillar. She used her chain to whip the nexu, and then delivered a grievous kick to the beast's mid-section."
Luke and Leia exchange a look of amazement.
"Wow," says Han at this point. "Gutsy lady. Just like her daughter," he adds, winking at Leia.
"Yes, very much like her," I concur, looking at Leia. "Well the long and the short of it is we managed to make it out of there alive, thanks to the timely arrival of the Jedi and the newly formed Republican Clone army."
"The clone army fought on the side of the Republic?" asks Luke in surprise.
I nod. "Yes, remember that Palpatine at this time was the chancellor of the Republic, and had managed to fool everyone into thinking that he was a benevolent and wise leader. He masterfully manipulated the Senate into voting giving him the power he needed to commission the creation of a clone army. Of course, the army had been in the making for a decade, but no one realized it at the time. The clones were instrumental in defeating the combined droid armies of the separatists; there is no way the Jedi would have stood a chance without them. Little did we realize that he had a secret plan to eventually turn the clones against the Jedi, the dreaded Order 66."
"I remember learning about Order 66 in school," puts in Luke. "But according to my teachers it was the salvation of the galaxy, and enabled the emperor to bring peace. I kind of had a hard time swallowing that myself."
I snort derisively. "Yes, I know the late emperor had an interesting spin on the true history of the time; people of your generation really don't know what went on then, unless you had someone who lived through it who was brave enough to tell you the truth. I'm sure Bail Organa's version of what happened was accurate," I say, looking at Leia. "He was a fine man, an honorable man. I couldn't have chosen a better adoptive father for you than him, Leia."
Leia smiles, but I see the pain in her eyes as she remembers how her parents, the only parents she ever knew until recently, were killed when Alderaan was destroyed by the Death Star….while I stood by and let it happen…
"So if you were adopted," Han says, addressing Leia, "then you weren't born a princess?"
"No, well, I don't know..." replies Leia. "Our mother was a queen, but not when we were born."
"A queen? You were married to a queen, Anakin?" Han asks in amazement.
I smile. "Yes, and I spent the first nine years of my life as a slave. Boggles the imagination, doesn't it?"
"Yeah, it does," replies Han. "I can almost relate," he adds, grinning at Leia.
I laugh. "Yes, I'm sure you can. Anyway, Padmé was no longer queen of Naboo when I married her. Yet she was a queen in every way that counted though, with or without a title."
Han nods his understanding.
"You know, I've been dreaming about Mother a lot lately," Luke tells us, a thoughtful expression on his face. "I don't think I have ever dreamed of her until recently, but I think I dreamed of her almost every night for the past week."
"Probably because you know about her now," suggests Leia. "You've learned the truth of who she was."
"And you've finally seen her face," I put in.
"Could be," concurs Luke.
"I have been too, come to think of it," I tell him. "But of course, I have dreamed of her almost every night for the past 22 years," I add with half hearted attempt at a smile.
"Maybe your dreams mean something," suggests Leia. "Maybe…maybe she's trying to communicate with us."
"Or maybe she's still alive," says Luke, looking at me.
I frown, not wanting to open up this issue again.
"What did you say?" asks Leia incredulously. "Why would you think such a thing? Do you have reason to make you believe it's possible?"
"No, he doesn't," I reply. "Just wishful thinking, Leia. Believe me, I wish there were more to it than that, but I'm afraid there isn't."
"How do you know for sure?" asks Han at this point.
I turn to look at him, growing irritated by the barrage of questions.
"I just know," I reply edgily.
We sit in silence for a few awkward moments before I speak again.
"I'm sorry," I say contritely. "It's just a painful topic for me. I'd give anything to have her back, but I've had my heart crushed too many times to even dare to hope again."
"No, I'm sorry Father," replies Luke. "I shouldn't have brought it up again. It was stupid of me to say anything."
I put my hand on Luke's forearm. "Not stupid, Luke; just hopeful, just optimistic. I can't blame you for that. I'm afraid my life has left me something of a pessimist. I've seen too much, been through too much in my life to be anything but cynical."
"But Father," Luke replies. "You found us, Leia and me; you returned from the Dark Side of the Force, something no Jedi has ever done to my knowledge. You have much to be proud of, so much to reaffirm the good man that you are. I don't know how you can remain cynical after all the amazing turns your life has had recently. I know that I will never take anything for granted again, not after what we have been through, not after finally finding the family I have dreamed of since I was old enough to realize that I didn't have one."
"The kid has a good point," Han points out. "You've defied the odds more than once, from what I can tell, Anakin. And believe me, I know all about defying the odds."
I laugh, despite myself. These young people are like a tonic for my soul, and I am grateful that Destiny brought them together.
"You're right, Luke," I tell him, looking down at the plate of cold food in front of me. "I do have much to be grateful for, and believe me, I am. I suppose it's just…"
I stop as a rebel soldier approaches our table.
"Commander Skywalker?"
"Yes?" both Luke and I reply simultaneously.
"Uh, I meant this one," says the soldier, indicating Luke, the humor of the moment lost on him.
"Yes, so we figured," replies Han with a roll of his eyes.
"Do you have news?" asks Leia.
"Yes, your Highness," the soldier replies. "Mon Mothma has requested that your father be escorted at once to the conference room."
"Thank you," replies Leia, managing to sound calm despite her tension that I can feel from across the table. "We'll be right there."
The soldier stands by and waits for us. For a moment the three of us just look at one another, words not needed.
"I guess this is it," I say at last, looking first at my daughter then at my son.
They are silent, though their eyes say all that needs to be said at this point.
"Come on, let's get it over with," I say, standing up.
One by one they stand, and together we fall into step behind the soldier who waits to escort us upstairs. My heart is racing, my mouth dry. I truly do not know what to expect, for my ability to foresee the future is clouded by the overwhelming emotions I feel from my children. Both are worried, fearful even; but underneath these emotions I feel the strength of their love for me, and it gives me the courage I need to face my destiny.
