ALDERAAN

AUGUST YEAR 1046

Leia watched silently from the co-pilot seat as her husband finished going through the landing procedures on the Millennial Falcon. Even after he had become her King Consort he had refused to give up his ship, his first love. She knew that many of the royals from other planets- and even some of the nobles from Alderaan- considered it eccentric at best, and couldn't understand why the royal family didn't have a staff to fly them to their destinations. Or at least a more luxurious ship.

But Leia knew what the Falcon meant to her husband. Knew that he had given up so much of his old life to be with her. He had stepped into the role of King Consort- and all that the title entailed- with minimal complaints. Flying in the old ship he loved so much seemed a small price for her to pay in return.

Han's face was inscrutable as he continued to move through his check-down in meticulous silence. But Leia knew her husband. Knew that he could land the Falcon with a blindfold on. He was trying desperately to distract himself from the Sith's deal they had made with the Emperor, trying to control his impotent rage.

"Han," Leia called, voice gentle.

Han didn't answer, but his hands clenched tighter around the landing gear. Leia sighed, then leaned forward. Removing his hand gently finger by finger, she then took it in her own. Though she was the picture of calm, inside she was just as furious as her husband. But she knew giving into that anger would gain her nothing.

"Han," Leia repeated, squeezing her husband's hand tenderly. "We had no choice."

Han snorted and ripped his hand back, "Aren't you the one who's telling me all the time how 'we always have a choice'?"

"Not if we wanted to keep our family safe. Keep Alderaan safe," Leia answered, a bit more sharply than she had intended. His words had struck a chord. "Like it or not, we have a duty to protect our people. We had no choice but to agree if only to save thousands of lives!"

Han glared at her, eyes hard, "So we had to sacrifice the happiness of our only daughter for your precious Alderaan. We had no choice. Well, If that's what helps you sleep at night, sweetheart."

Leia recoiled as if he had slapped her, and Han's eyes immediately softened. He reached out and grabbed Leia's hands, eyes apologetic.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean that. You're right there was no choice," he admitted. "Doesn't mean I have to like it any."

Leia squeezed his hand, "Trust me, Han, I don't like it any more than you do."

Han sighed in resigned acceptance, running a hand wearily over his face, "So. How do we tell her?"

Leia glanced away, biting her lip in thought, then looked back at her husband. "I don't think we do," Leia began slowly.

She lifted a finger to silence her husband as he raised a questioning eyebrow.

"Not yet, at least. It's still years away, after all. She is young, doesn't need to carry this burden. Let her enjoy the innocence and happiness of childhood while she can. It will be stolen from her soon enough."

Han nodded slowly, "Maybe you're right. And I mean, anything can happen, right? Something could change. Maybe she'll never even have to know."

At that moment, Han prayed to a Force he didn't quite believe in, as long as it would grant him that one wish.

"The future is always in motion," Leia mused, thoughtfully.

The Alderaanian court and representatives waited in the great hall once again. And once again all three Solo children stood in the front row, eager to hear the latest news.

Jaina felt a sense of déjà vu, remembering the last time she had been in this room. The day they had learned the fleet had been defeated and Soontir Fel had fallen. The last time she had seen Jag.

Jaina had promised him she wouldn't forget him and she wouldn't. How could anyone forget the young man who held all their hopes and dreams? She just hoped he wouldn't forget her, all the way out in the furthest reaches of space.

Jaina felt the nervous shuffling of the crowd, and the moment of déjà vu faded instantly. Unlike last time, there was no sense of hope, only the anticipation of something terrible to come. The fear was tangible in the air.

All knew there would likely be a price to pay for the failed rebellion. The question was how high would it be?

Jaina straightened to attention as her mother and father entered the room. Her mother carried herself with her usual regal bearing, her face a demure mask. Giving away nothing.

Her father, however, had never been as good at hiding his emotions. Gone was the easy Solo smirk, replaced instead by a tight-lipped frown. Jaina caught his eye across the crowd and flashed him her most brilliant smile.

He looked at her for a moment, his eyes haunted, before pulling himself together and giving her a pale imitation of his signature grin. Jaina felt a moment of prescient trepidation, which she quickly pushed aside as her mother addressed the crowd.

"Thank you all for coming. To be honest, there is little to tell. Due to the circumstances, we were able to deny knowledge of the rebellion, and it seems that the Empire currently has no solid proof to the contrary," Leia started.

There was murmuring of relief across the court, thankful that they had escaped the Emperor's vengeance. All had heard about the fate of Corellia. Thousands had died at the hand of merciless stormtroopers. More had lost everything they owned, been forced to leave their homes, put out on the street with nothing. All for the crime of supporting their Dukat and rightful ruler.

"Your Majesty," a voice called from the crowd. "We are most grateful for your news. But are you sure the Emperor will not act against us? Forgive me, but he is not known for his trusting nature, after all. And the fact that you have been summoned means he was not completely convinced of our innocence."

Leia acknowledged the gray-haired noble who had stepped forward with a nod and a kind smile "Lord Gervano, no need to ask forgiveness, my friend. You are correct in your assessment of the Emperor, and no doubt have only expressed what others were thinking."

Leia turned back to the rest of her people, her smile gone, face serious.

"The Emperor was indeed suspicious of our involvement. But my husband and I have reached a personal agreement with him that has assuaged his concerns. The terms were not to our liking, but for the sake of Alderaan we have accepted them," Leia said grimly. "We took a gamble and we lost. Emperor Jovan has demanded that we send many of our pilots to swell the Imperial Navy. While it will weaken our own defenses, it is a small price to pay to keep him out of Alderaan."

Leia's gaze swept the crowd, seeing grim nods of agreement and relief.

"I want to thank each of you for your support at this difficult time and your faith in the ability of myself and my husband. There are some tough times ahead of us, but we must continue to hold onto hope. We have been beaten but we have not been broken," Leia stated with heartfelt conviction, voice rising. "Remember my friends, we still hold the spark that will burn the false Empire down. It may seem now, that the flame of rebellion has been put out forever, but over time we will rekindle that fire. It will be stronger and more powerful than ever before! And we will succeed!"

The nobles, who had been spellbound through their Queen's powerful speech, broke out in roars of approbation as soon as her last words left her mouth.

The people of Alderaan believed in the rebellion. Believed in a better future. Believed in their Queen. And at that moment, they forgot their worries and concerns, would have readily followed Leia to the deepest pits of hell if she had asked it of them.

Jaina cheered along with the rest, her eyes bright with excited determination, tremendously proud in that moment to be Leia Solo's daughter. She knew in her heart that her mother's words were true, that the spark she spoke of was a young man with piercing green eyes. The pretender would not win.

Jagged Fel would burn the tyrant and his whole regime down to the ground.

The Empire's hope would return.