Chapter 19

An hour later, Luke came downstairs for breakfast where he met a cheerful Leia. Han had evidently gone back to bed as it was unlikely he had gotten much sleep last night either. Deciding he didn't want to inform Leia that he had accidently spied on her and Han this morning, Luke asked "Why are you so happy this morning?"

She flashed him a radiant smile, her face glowing in a manner he hadn't seen in months. "Han and I made up," she informed Luke happily.

"That's wonderful," Luke exclaimed, feigning surprise. "How did that happen?"

Leia shrugged, still smiling broadly. "I don't really know," she told him. "We both kind of decided to stop being angry at one another."

Nodding, Luke reached out into the Force cautiously, trying to get a read on his sister's internal state. Unsurprisingly, he was greeted by a strong wave of positive energy, boundless enthusiasm and love was pouring out of Leia's spirit. Yet probing further, Luke encountered a familiar darkness deep within her. Doubt, frustration, and perhaps even self-loathing…

"Stop that," Leia said suddenly, the smile gone from her face.

Looking up at her quickly, Luke gave her a puzzled look. "What's wrong?" he asked.

"You don't have the right to sift through my mind like that," she told him with her hands on her hips.

"I'm just trying to help you, Leia," he replied.

"Well you don't have to invade my privacy to do that," she retorted haughtily.

"I know there's still darkness within you. I need to understand its source if I'm going to help you control it."

Leia opened her mouth to reply but closed it again as she considered Luke's words. She had instinctively pushed him away when she felt him reaching out to her through the Force, panicked that she had lowered her guard so much. She knew it was wrong to close herself off from Luke, but she was still deeply uncomfortable with disclosing her deepest secrets with anyone. Leia was saved from having to explain herself, however, when Sola entered the kitchen.

Seeing Luke and Leia, Sola paused for a moment. "Morning," she said cautiously.

"It's okay, Sola," Luke told her. "Leia and I aren't angry with each other. Please join us."

Visibly relaxing at Luke's assurance, Sola entered the kitchen. "You guys really beat up the poor patio," she said good-naturedly.

"Sorry about that," Leia said sheepishly.

"Oh, don't worry," Sola told her. "It was beginning to crumble anyway."

"Our parents were married on that patio," Luke said softly, remembering the scene fondly.

"Where they really? Padme sure was good at keeping secrets, I guess," Sola said thoughtfully. "I wish she would have confided in me more, perhaps she I could have helped her…" Luke gave Leia a pointed look causing her to look away. Why does he have to be so self-righteous all the time Leia thought to herself.

Maybe because I'm right?

Leia swiveled her head in shock. Luke was looking back at her with an equally surprised expression on his face. Did you just read my thoughts? she asked silently.

Did you just read mine? Luke asked back.

Too deep in thought, Sola missed this strange interaction and continued talking. "Anyway, I was wondering what you two are planning to do with the remainder of your time here?

This is so weird Leia thought.

Wait, what did she just ask? Luke asked.

I don't know, I thought you were paying attention!

"Are you two okay?" Sola asked, perplexed by the expressions on her niece and nephew's faces.

"We're fine, really," Luke answered quickly. "I'm sorry, what was it you asked us?"

Sola gave him a funny look, thoroughly unconvinced by Luke's answer. "Uh… well, I just asked what you two planned to do while you were here on Naboo."

Wait, can you hear everything I'm thinking? Leia asked suddenly.

Shut up! Luke insisted.

"I'm not sure," Luke said, trying to ignore Leia's thoughts. "Maybe Leia has an idea," he added with a pointed expression.

"Huh?" she asked dumbly causing Luke to snigger.

Very mature she told him.

"We didn't have much of a plan when we decided to come to Naboo," Leia said out loud, ignoring Luke's mirth. "It was all very sudden."

"Are you no longer affiliated with the Rebellion?" Sola asked causing Luke and Leia to hesitate.

"Not really, I suppose," Luke said finally. "Leia could have stayed behind to help rebuild the New Republic, but she decided to come with me and train to be a Jedi."

"I might rejoin politics one day, though," Leia said.

Sola looked at Leia warmly. "Padme would have been so proud of you if you were to help restore the Republic." Leia pursed her lips and looked away, questioning her decision not for the first time. Maybe I should have stayed in politics she thought to herself.

It's too late for that now Luke told her.

What do you mean? she asked indignantly. It's my decision.

You're only beginning to understand your powers. You would be too dangerous if you returned without being able to control them.

You just want me to become a Jedi so that you're not alone Leia told him.

You know I'm right, Leia he responded, not addressing her assessment. You're a danger to yourself and all those around you in your current state.

"Are you sure everything is alright?" Sola asked again. "Why are you two staring at each other without saying anything? It's kind of creepy."

"Were we doing that?" Luke asked innocently. "Sorry, we were just erm… it's a…"

"It's a Jedi thing," Leia interrupted, saving Luke from his ramblings. "It's very hard to explain."

Sola nodded once slowly, clearly perplexed.

"You know, I have been thinking about doing something for a while," Luke said, changing the subject. "But I haven't even had the resources to do it."

"What's that?" Leia asked him.

"Founding a new Jedi temple," he answered. "I know the one on Coruscant is still there, but it seems a bit too… grand for my purposes."

"And you want to build it on Naboo?" Sola asked.

"Perhaps," Luke replied. "I can't think of a better place. It's so beautiful here."

Sola crossed her arms and tilted her head, evidently thinking about something. "You know," she said eventually. "It's possible that the Queen could give you the resources you need."

"Why would she do that?" Leia asked, knowing from experience that politicians rarely give funds freely, and hardly ever would they do it without any strings attached.

"If you can prove that you are the children of the great Queen Amidala, I doubt there would be anything Queen Soruna wouldn't offer you."

Luke stroked his chin thoughtfully, considering Sola's proposition. What do you think? he asked Leia silently, making a point not to look at her this time.

I don't know, Leia replied honestly. I don't think it would be as easy as she says it would be.

"I don't think that would be enough," Luke said aloud, echoing Leia's doubts. "We've never done anything for Naboo, why should we expect to be treated so exceptionally?"

Sola smiled faintly at her nephew. "I don't think you understand how much your mother is revered on this world," she told him. "And I don't know if you know this, but your father is a bit of a hero here as well."

"He is? Why?" Luke asked.

"Young Anakin Skywalker was here on Naboo during the first year of your mother's reign when the vile Trade Federation invaded," Sola told them. "He was only nine years old, but somehow he got himself on a fighter plane and managed to destroy the Droid Control Ship orbiting the planet. He single-handedly ended the war."

"That's incredible," Luke said, shaking his head in disbelief. Would the wonders of his parents never cease?

"Oh come on, how could a nine year old do that?" Leia asked cynically. "Sounds like a myth to me."

"Perhaps," Sola said with a shrug. "But we all knew about the 'Hero with no Fear' during the Clone Wars. He was supposed to be the greatest pilot in the galaxy."

Leia shook her head, not wanting to hear any more about how wonderful Anakin Skywalker was. "Well, he turned into Darth Vader," she said with a frown.

Sola raised her eyebrows, somewhat surprised by the malice in Leia's voice. "I suppose he did," she said wistfully. "It's just so sad what happened to him. He was such a lovely young man when I met him. He absolutely adored Padme."

"He did it to himself, you know," Leia said harshly. "He doesn't deserve your pity."

Sola didn't know what to say to that, so they fell into an awkward silence. Clearing his throat to break the tension, Luke spoke. "Well, I think we might as well talk to the Queen if you think it's worth it, Sola," he said.

"I assure you it will be," Sola said, grateful for Luke's interjection. "If you'll excuse me, I'm supposed to contact my husband this morning,"

"Of course," Luke said, watching his Aunt leave the kitchen hastily.

Did you know we could do this? Leia asked soundlessly after Sola had left.

No, Luke answered. I don't think this is normal, though.

What do you mean?

I could communicate telepathically with father a little bit when he was alive, but it was never this clear Luke said. Our Force presences must be so intrinsically connected that we are able to communicate this way.

But why now? Why couldn't we do this before? Leia asked.

You are becoming stronger in the Force, Leia. Your powers are growing exponentially. This is why it is imperative that you complete your training. You must learn how to… Luke stopped when something hit him in the back of the head. "Ow!" he exclaimed out loud, looking around to see an apple on the ground at his feet.

"I'm so sorry!" Leia said unconvincingly, trying hard not to laugh. "I – I just thought I would try to move something with the Force because you said I was becoming more powerful. I didn't mean to hit you, I swear!"

"Well, congrats," Luke said bitterly, rubbing the back of his head tenderly. Luke's eyes narrowed as Leia continued to giggle at him. She stopped suddenly, however, when the apple floated off the ground and hovered menacingly next to Luke.

"You wouldn't –" she tried to say, but was cut off when Luke threw the apple across the room, hitting Leia squarely in the forehead. "Luke!" she exclaimed, stumbling backwards due to the impact.

"That's a reminder to you," he said with false gravitas. "I am still the master here." The twins stared at each other silently for a few moments before they both began to laugh, suddenly conscious of the hilarity of the situation. They laughed for a solid minute until they both had tears in their eyes.

"I really am sorry," Leia said after they had stopped laughing, reassuming a genuine tone.

"I know you are," Luke replied solemnly, knowing that she was no longer talking about the apple. "We'll get through this together, Leia. Don't forget that you're not alone."

Leia smiled at him weakly. "Thank you, Luke," she said quietly, wishing she could convey how much she appreciated her brother's undying support. Thank you for everything she told him silently prompting Luke to smile back at her warmly.