Glitter and Gold
Chapter 17
32 ABY – Ahch-To
Ever since Vex had announced her intentions of leaving, Luke had become deeply conflicted. He understood why she had to – but he didn't want her and his great-nephew to leave. If they left Ahch-To, they'd be in harm's way – and Luke didn't want that. He couldn't – wouldn't – leave this place, but he wanted to protect them. This left Luke in a difficult position.
It'd been weeks since Vex had said those words, but she'd shown no signs of readying herself to leave. Luke was living in fear of that moment.
He heaved himself into a seat before her hearth, watching as Vex lovingly rocked her son to sleep in the cradle he'd crafted for Anakin. Luke watched her face – it was normally so sharp and worried, but now, as she gazed upon her son and sang softly under her breath, there was only softness. Love and nothing else.
"Must you leave?" Luke questioned suddenly. He hadn't broached the subject until now.
Vex looked up in surprise. "I don't want to, Luke. But the longer I tarry here, the more likely the First Order will find me. It's no longer only my life I have to worry about," she explained quietly.
"And what of Anakin? What will happen to him as you run from planet to planet?" Luke asked, tone bitter.
Vex's eyes lowered back to her son, dragging a finger down her son's velvety-soft cheek. He exhaled softly in his sleep. "I don't intend on running, Luke. I'm going to make sure my son is safe, and then I'm going to fight,"
/
33 ABY – Mid Rim Territories
Kylo Ren wondered about a lot of things lately. He wondered what Snoke hoped to gain by conquering the galaxy. As much as he believed in his master, he knew the people of this galaxy would not stay subjugated long. His own parents were a prime example. Snoke would succeed, of course, but how long could it last? At some point, someone would oppose them and actually win. It was only a matter of time.
Perhaps history would repeat itself and it would be his own son come to slay him as Luke did Vader.
Kylo Ren also wondered about Vex. Their son. Were they well? Did they feel his absence as keenly as he felt theirs? It'd been nearly a year since Vex had escaped – their son had to have been born by now. Anakin. Vex had chosen to name their son for Kylo's grandfather, and he couldn't have been more pleased by it.
Vex had told him she meant to honor Vader's redemption, not his deeds. That their son was her redemption, and could be Kylo's, too. But he didn't see how it was possible. Kylo would never meet his son, so how could Anakin possibly redeem him?
Knowing Vex and Anakin were out there – out of his reach – was torturous. Kylo could not even look for him and chance putting them in danger. He had to place the safety of his family above all else. Above his happiness, his safety, and even his sanity.
/
33 ABY – Ahch-To
"When will you leave?" Luke asked, with his great-nephew on his knee. Anakin was just starting to sit up now, and he no longer liked being cradled like an infant anymore, if you did, he'd fuss in indignation. So Luke set him on his knee, supporting him with a hand to the babe's back.
Vex glanced up from her attempt at sewing a little shirt for Anakin. She'd had ere a few lessons from her Lanai mothers, but she was still atrocious at it. "Soon, I think. Anakin's old enough to travel now. I shouldn't delay,"
Luke looked down to the little one in his arms. He leaned down, pressing a whiskery kiss to Anakin's head. Where Anakin had had dark blue eyes at birth, they'd turned brown, like his father's. The swath of black hair on his head belonged to Kylo, too. But his high cheek bones, delicate nose and sun-kissed skin were all Vex. He was a good-looking lad who would surely be a striking man one day. If he lived that long.
"I know you will miss him, Luke. There's no need to look so sad. We'll return one day, I hope," Vex said, abandoning her project to sit beside him.
"It is not only Ani I'll miss," Luke replied, turning to look at Vex.
She forced a half-hearted smile, ice-blue eyes conflicted. She kissed his bearded cheek, putting an arm around his back. "You can't fathom what your tutelage has meant to me, Luke. You delivered me from the darkness and into the light," she murmured, reaching out and taking her son's hand when he began to reach for her.
Luke looked at her, his teary gaze heavy. "You are like a daughter to me, Vex. You've suffered much and I fear it is not over," he whispered. Vex squeezed her eyes for a long moment. "What if you left Anakin here, with me?" he suggested suddenly. Her eyes shot open, looking at Luke in alarm. "I'd keep him safe. I could hide him just as I've hidden myself," Luke said desperately.
"I can't, Luke. They'll be looking for Anakin, just as surely as they'll be looking for you and me. I swore an oath to never reveal your location –"
"I don't care about that!" Luke exclaimed, startling Anakin on his knee. The babe started to cry in surprise, arms reaching for his mother.
Vex took him into her arms, rocking her fussy boy till his soft cries abated. Luke watched, eyes regretful, his hands clenching into fists. "Where will you hide him then?" he questioned, not bothering to hide his bitterness.
Vex looked up, eyes uncertain. "I was thinking of my old nanny, before Snoke took me. Ayla'Lyn. I know she'd care for him, protect him with her life," she said.
"And you're sure she lives?" Luke asked, skeptically.
Vex gave a hesitant nod. "I reached out. I found her, and her heart is still true. Love for me still lives there," she explained.
"Where is she?" he questioned, reaching out and brushing a finger against Anakin's soft cheek.
"D'Qar."
Review, Please.
HERE WE GO! We're really getting into the action/plot part now!