Disclaimer: Still not mine

Chapter 21

Vader read the latest report on Krennic's project and had to squash his anger. Kyber Crystals were being mined and taken from Jedha, from the Temple itself even. They had been taking crystals for years, but the rate had increased very significantly. He may no longer be a weak Jedi but even he still respected the ancient Temple there, to take from it… he put the report aside and opened one from his son, pleased to see him doing very well with his command, less pleased he was back on Coruscant, without him. The Emperor was ensuring their separation more and more as Luke grew and he didn't like it.

He also didn't like his Master forcing Luke to court the Alderaanian Princess. He had never met the girl himself but if she was anything like her Father than she would be an excellent diplomat and most likely a good match for his son. Dynastically it was a good choice as well, but when had his Master become interested in establishing a proper dynasty, against the Rule of Two? No, this had to be part of a deeper plan to Turn his son. And the longer he knew his son…. the less he wanted to see that happen. The time was coming that he would have to face his Master once and for all.

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Luke smiled as he watched Han happily claim the pot. If he ever left the Navy, Han would make an excellent gambler. He'd just cleaned out half of the 12th Squadron who were on planet for training exercises. Thankfully they would be shipping back out soon, it would give tempers time to cool over Han taking all their money. Not that they would try anything, Han was known to be favoured by him after all. Thankfully Biggs was still safely anonymous among the squadron, his oldest friend would be seen as a rather large weakness by many. He took a sip of Caf and felt Boomer's amusement at the reactions to Han's win.

It was rare for him to be seen in the barracks, the Emperor preferred he keep his distance from the men, but after a grueling day in the man's presence he had needed to unwind amongst other pilots, even if he rarely flew combat missions. The new Senate session would begin in a few days and while Luke wasn't looking forward to attending, he was looking forward to seeing his Father again.

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Luke marched through the halls of the Palace, using all his training to hide his annoyance and boredom. He detested politics, give him a ship or even a training day with his battalion any day, but the Emperor had commanded his presence. He had hoped to sneak his men out for a mission but unfortunately nothing had come up that could need their attention, he knew they were getting restless and that was never good. Today was the day new Senators were sworn in and there were quite a few this year.

He tugged at his short cape as he walked, making sure it was in the right position. Dressed black and dark blue, his lightsaber at his belt and with brilliant blue eyes and dark blonde hair that curled ever so slightly where it met his collar he had been named the Galaxy's most eligible bachelor as soon as he'd come of marriageable age, something he detested. Talk over the nature of his and Leia's relationship had exploded after the dance and chaste kiss they had exchanged on Empire Day at his Birthday Party. There had been no official announcement of their courtship, yet, but it was in the works.

Luke strode into the Throne Room and took his place on the lowest stair, cool blue eyes roaming over the crowd of senators, aides, droids and guards. For a second, he felt a familiar presence but why would she be there? Seconds later he felt his Father's presence as Darth Vader strode into the room, standing just above his son. The room fell silent until the only noise was that of Vader's breathing and it was then that the Emperor entered the room, everyone instantly dropping to one knee before him. He bid them all rise as he took his seat and Luke prepared himself for hours of boredom, falling into a light meditation until he received a mental nudge from his Father to pay attention. At least the crowd had thinned some, he forced himself to pay attention and memorise names and faces.

Two figures approached the Throne and Luke was surprised to find Bail organa and his daughter, dressed in a modest white gown, her hair coiled up in twin braided buns. She curtsied as her Father bowed to the 'Royal Family' of the Empire. Leia straightened, and blue met brown, he could see the shakiness in her gaze due to the Emperor's presence and gently reached out towards her, soothing her, and she relaxed before her eyes widened as she realized what he had done.

Vader glanced at his son, feeling the way he comforted the Princess and he would have chuckled if he could. He felt the reaction between them as their eyes met and was forced to push back at the memories it evoked of happier times. Looking at her was like looking back twenty years into the past, to a time when he had been happy. How could she look so much like Her? He knew the girl was adopted, was it possible her mother had been a Handmaiden? Sabé was the most likely candidate, she had looked the most like his angel and had gone missing around that time. He had never met the Princess before, only seen her picture in her Imperial file but in person the resemblance was much more striking. He could understand Luke's confused reactions to her.

The Emperor noticed all three reactions and was pleased. Perhaps the girl could drive a wedge between Father and Son where all else had failed, even having Vader beat the boy with a whip in punishment hadn't broken their bond. If only his own men had found the boy first, he could have ensured they hated each other. He had considered killing the boy many times over the years, but he was too useful for that. The way things were, he would soon be elevated to head of the Army, as Vader was head of the Navy. He was powerful, potentially more powerful than himself or Vader at his prime. He would make a good replacement for the cyborg when he outlived his usefulness or failed to kill Sidious. The only problem was his reluctance to use the Dark Side and Fall. But seeing his reaction to the Princess in person he was sure the girl would be the key to his finally having the apprentice he should have, if not for Kenobi's actions on Mustafar. Yes, young Princess Leia could prove very useful if things were handled carefully. Her physical similarities to another Senator could also be used and such a young girl, only barely seventeen, would be easy enough to manipulate, even with her Rebel Sympathies. As long as the children behaved the girl would live long enough to bear an heir and then her death would be used to ensure young Luke's loyalty.

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Leia sat at her dressing table, slowly taking her hair down with still shaking fingers. Her Father had warned her what it was like to be in the Emperors presence, but she still hadn't realised just how bad it was. It was like a heavy weight pressing against her mind, her very being, and commanding her to submit. It had scared her but….it had lifted when she had looked at Luke and she knew he had helped her, protected her, even as her Father had introduced her as the new Senator. She ran her brush through her hair and then braided it simply before going to lay in bed. She closed her eyes and fell asleep to dream of warm blue eyes and a soft smile.

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Before the entire Senate and much of the Imperial Court, Moffs, and other military personnel, Luke was officially promoted to the rank of Grand General of the Imperial Army, the highest Army rank there was below the Emperor. Luke knelt before the Emperor, in full dress uniform, as he was given the new rank insignia and the man waxed lyrical over Luke's many military achievements, leaving out any 'failures'. He could feel the pride coming from his Father, even though they both knew the promotion was politically motivated, he was far too young to actually earn the rank.

As the clapping began he stood and saluted the Emperor before taking his normal position on the stairs where he glanced around for a familiar young woman. He saw Leia standing amongst the Senators in a beautiful gown of light blue with silver jewellery, his colours. She was breathtaking and as their eyes met she smiled softly, shyly. As soon as he was able he made his way to her and she curtseyed as he bowed. "You look incredible Senator."

"Thank you Grand General, congratulations on your promotion," she smiled and accepted his hand out onto the dance floor.

"Are you nervous?"

"About the announcement?" She asked, and he nodded.

"No. We've known it would have to happen since the start and most already suspect."

"True…" Luke tensed, and Leia frowned. And then he was moving, shoving her down as his lightsaber ignited, parrying the shot as the guests screamed. Red robed imperial guards and Imperial Intelligence flooded the Throne Room, searching for the shooter and getting the Emperor to safety. Luke bent, scooped the startled Leia up, and then ran with Force aided speed until they were safely in the security hall behind the Throne. He set her on her feet and she held onto his shoulders to steady herself. "Are you hurt?" he cupped her face and she shook her head.

"I wasn't hit," she assured him before stiffening as the sound of mechanised breathing reached them. Luke turned to face his Father even as he hooked his saber back onto his belt.

"You are both unharmed?" Vader asked, and Luke nodded.

"We're fine Father. The shooter?"

"Found dead wearing a stolen caterers uniform. I apologise for the interruption of your dance Princess." He bowed slightly to her and she quickly curtseyed.

"It is an honour to meet you Lord Vader, I regret the circumstances," she was thankful her voice remained steady. Honestly, Vader scared her, though nowhere near as much as the Emperor did.

"Take the Princess to our tower and keep the 212th close son."

"Yes Father," Luke commed Cody and Han as he led her through the Palace to the connection to their home. He led her through the tower until he reached a door that needed a code before opening.

As they stepped through Leia gasped in awe. It was a garden! "It's beautiful." He walked beside her as she looked around before guiding her to a bench. "I never imagined…."

"Father had it commissioned shortly after he found me. He thought I should be exposed to greenery after growing up in a desert or on a ship. It's modelled on the gardens of the Palace of Theed on Naboo."

"Why those ones?" Naboo fascinated her, always had.

Luke smiled sadly. "Because of my mother, she was Queen of Naboo when they met, and she loved the Palace gardens."

"Your Mother?" There had never been so much as a rumour as to his mother, not to mention his name didn't even match his Father's. She'd heard of the Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker, a hero of the Republic so why did his son call Darth Vader Father?

"You have a lot of questions," he commented, and she frowned, she was too well trained for her expression to betrayed her. "The Force is powerful and can show many things." He lifted his hand and two apples drifted over from a tree. He took one and gave the other to her. She took a bite after he did and smiled at the flavour. "My mother was Queen Amidala," he answered her question and her eyes went wide.

"Senator Amidala? She's my inspiration. If I could be half the Senator she was…."

"I'm sure you will be."

"What happened to her? She vanished from the record when the Empire formed," Leia asked gently, in case he didn't want to speak of it.

"She died in childbirth," Luke answered softly. "Obi-Wan Kenobi took me to my Father's stepbrother on Tatooine to hide me from the Emperor and it worked for over ten years. I still have family on Naboo who I visit, you should come soon to meet them. You can listen to stories of her there," he promised.

"I'm so sorry Luke," she squeezed his hand in support and he smiled.

"Thank you." He reached up to brush a stray strand of hair from her face and then chuckled. "Weapons in your hair?"

"The life of a Senator isn't always safe."

"Very true," he agreed before hesitantly leaning in and Leia's eyes widened but she didn't pull back. Instead she shifted closer and their lips met for the first time. The kiss was soft and chaste, neither wanting to rush into anything. There were still a lot of secrets between them, torn loyalties… but for right now they could just be Luke and Leia.

TBC…