Dear Qui-Gon,

It was mid-morning when Sabé escorted me down to the Great Hall of the Delanieve Palace, where Queen Breha was holding court. She sat on a massive throne of gold and white, several steps above all those in the room. And yet her expression was serious as she listened to her trade minister give his report, a dedicated and involved monarch. To her right and down one step sat Bail Organa on a smaller throne of brass, although his attention was distracted by the small girl on his lap.

My heart leapt at seeing little Leia after five years, so different from the serene infant I had once held in my arms. In many ways she resembled Breha, dark hair bound in braids around her head and wearing a gown of shimmering blue. But her skin was fairer, the most obvious indication she was not an Organa by blood. They had of course never hidden Leia's adoption – she was one war orphan among many and we had taken great pains to ensure everyone believed Padmé's child had died with her.

I see so much of her mother in the child, and Anakin too. While Breha sits absolutely still, her hands resting lightly on the arms of her throne, young Leia is squirming in Bail's arms, seeking to escape. I glanced at Sabé with an indulgent smile, but see the corners of her mouth slightly downturned. Evidently Leia's behavior is not as one would expect from a princess of Alderaan, although I think privately that it is exactly what one would expect from a Skywalker.

"She is just a child," I say under my breath. "Is so much required of her?"

Sabé arched an eyebrow at me. "Any more than was required of younglings at the Temple?"

"Fair point," I conceded. Have I already forgotten the rigorous study and responsibilities of young Jedi, that I contrast Leia's upbringing to Luke's rather than my own? I think back to the harsh life on Tatooine, and the struggles Luke will face ahead, and yet while he will never know the finery of Leia's life, perhaps he will have a different sort of comfort.

The public audience ended soon afterwards, and as the various attendees filtered out of the room Sabé brought me forward in a way that was oddly formal. Yet as I reached the base of the steps which lead up to the throne Breha's face split into a friendly smile.

"My dear Ben." She rose gracefully and approached, kissing both of my cheeks in greeting. I had met Breha a handful of times in my life, and yet her demeanor made even me believe we were family. "How good of you to come."

Bail brought Leia forward, the child's hand grasped gently in his own. "Leia," he introduced her as she eyed me warily. "This is your cousin Ben."

I crouched down to Leia's eye level and gave her my most charming smile. "Hello, Leia."

She gave me a curtsy, but it was very shallow indeed. "Have we met before?" she asked, her voice crisp and her dark eyes inquisitive. "You feel familiar."

I glanced up at Bail, and he grimaced. And yet Leia's gaze was so probing, I could feel her unconsciously reaching out through the Force to discern the truth. She was not a child who could be easily lied to.

"Once," I said, reaching forward to pinch her cheek. "When you were a tiny baby."

"Perhaps you should adjourn to the private apartments," Sabé suggested, giving a worried glance to the collection of officials still clustered near the doorway.

"Yes," Breha nodded. "But Leia is due for her equus lesson."

"I'm going to be a steeplechase champion," Leia declared, her little chin lifting proudly.

"Oh?" I smiled at her confidence, and thought perhaps we had found some common ground. "I once rode a varactyl, she was a very fine mount."

Leia cocked her head to the side and looked at me quizzically. "What's a va-rac-tyl?"

"A kind of giant lizard," I told her, impressed by the way she'd sounded out the word. "Native to the world of Utapau."

Leia's eyes widened in excitement, but Bail touched her lightly on the shoulder and shook his head. "Don't even think about it."

"Cousin Ben can tell you all about it later," Breha said kindly, reaching down to give Leia a kiss on the cheek. "You don't want to be late for your lesson."

"I will take her, my Lady." Sabé took Leia's hand and gave me a reassuring nod before leaving the chamber. Breha led the way to more private rooms, and I took a seat on the low couch she indicated, crossing one leg over the other. It was not unlike a session in the Jedi Council, as Bail and Breha sat opposite me. It felt good to be consulted again.

"So you have not told Leia who I am?" I asked, simply wishing to confirm the protocols.

"That was more for the benefit of any spies which may be lurking about," Bail said seriously.

"Many members of my family have been visiting this year for the millennial celebrations," Breha explained. "So your presence is easily explained, but we must be careful. It is really only in private we can speak openly."

I nodded, stroking my chin in thought. "In your letter you mentioned Vader planned to attend the celebrations."

"The Emperor is suspicious of me – with good reason," Bail said with a grimace. "Although I keep a low profile in the Senate, and am forced to vote horrific measures in support of his regime, he likely fears we will use the ceremony to spread dissent."

"We worry most for Leia," Breha spoke up, a crease forming between her eyes. "He is her father – will he not be able to sense her through the Force?"

"It is possible," I considered. "He would certainly be able to sense me, if I were here. But he has never been in Leia's presence, so he would not know her unique signature."

"But you cannot be sure," Breha pressed, looking worried.

"I have had some success in teaching Luke to suppress his Force abilities. He is a powerful empath, and he had learned to…cocoon himself, for lack of a better word."

The couple shared a glance, and Bail reached for Breha's hand, clasping it tightly. "Leia's gifts are so extraordinary," Breha said. "We would not wish to stifle her."

How different, Qui-Gon, from Owen and Beru's attitude. And yet they live very different lives, with very different expectations.

"Would you wish for Leia to be trained?" I asked, careful to keep the hope out of my voice. Another glance between the two, which told me everything I needed to know.

"Being the future Queen of Alderaan is pressure enough," Bail said, but it was kindly, as if knowing his words would disappoint.

"So what would you ask of me?" I spread my hands. Bail looked to Breha again, and she nodded her head slightly, as if in consent.

"If you could teach Leia some basic skills, enough to decrease her risk of detection by Vader or the Emperor, we would be grateful."

I sighed, but forced a smile. "Of course."

This is the third time I have received such a request – perhaps this time I will finally get it right?

Ben Kenobi