Disclaimer: Not mine

Chapter 22

Leia stood still as her hair was arranged in elaborate braids, wishing Winter was with her for this. She closed her eyes and took slow, deep breaths, just like she'd been taught as a child, seeking her calm. This was a big step and she was scared, not of Luke, but of the consequences of being further attached to him. She knew he would never let her come to harm, but he was not always in the same system as her, let alone close enough to protect her. She was well trained to fight, politically and physically, but she knew she had few allies here. She doubted very much that the Emperor would do much to protect her, although from their first meeting she thought she may have an ally in Lord Vader.

Her gown was a silvery white with a fitted bodice but long flowing skirts and sleeves, a delicate belt of silver was placed around her hips as a matching necklace was settled around her neck. The neckline was a little more daring than normal, coming down into a v rather than the normal scooped curve. A dark blue cloak was settled over her shoulders, Luke's chosen colour.

"You look beautiful," Bail whispered, and she turned to see him standing in the doorway. "Are you sure about this?" he walked over, and her handmaidens left the room to give them privacy. He gently adjusted the cloak and gently touched a braid. "It is not too late to turn back."

"It is for our people. If I pull out I fear what form the Emperor's wrath would take against Alderaan. Luke has told both of us we were expected of being part of the Rebellion. Luke will not harm me, I know that. You and Mother have taught me well and I will not forget that training," she swore.

"I could not be prouder of you my daughter." He kissed her forehead and then offered his arm. They went to the landing pad and got in the speeder which headed not for the Senate but the Palace. Warning of an important Imperial announcement had gone out several days ago and the gossip columns had been running wild, especially after her dance with Luke. They arrived at a back entrance and were met by Luke and Commander Cody. Luke helped her from the speeder as Bail also got out.

"Ready?" the Prince asked, and she nodded. "Remember, this is just an announcement of our Courtship, we still have just over two years before the Emperor commands we must be married. I will not force you into marriage."

"I know," she kissed his cheek, making him smile shyly which made Cody smile behind his helmet. It was rare to see his General so open anymore, only when he was with them or his Father.

"We will see you up there," Luke promised, waiving forward two troopers before leaving with Cody.

"Ready Princess?" One of the troopers asked as they fell in around them.

"Yes trooper," she took a deep breath and straightened, taking her Father's offered arm. They made their way through the Palace and into the Throne Room. The Emperor sat upon his Throne, Vader at his side. Standing on the bottom step was Luke, dressed in formal blue and black, appearing utterly calm. Bail guided her down the hall towards the Throne and the room stirred slightly at the sight. He bowed, and she curtseyed before he offered her to Luke who took offered his arm to her. Bail bowed again and stepped back into the front row of the audience.

"It is my pleasure to announce the Courtship of Prince Luke and Princess Leia Organa, Senator of Alderaan. Let this union bring us all closer together in celebration. Darth Vader has made the choice to step aside, as such Prince Luke Skywalker is now the Imperial heir." Palpatine announced to the shock of the audience before polite applause broke out.

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Ahsoka watched the announcement as it went out live over the Holonet, honestly shocked that Vader had stepped aside. Then again, the man she had once known had never been interested in ruling. The two young ones looked utterly stunning in complimentary outfits and Ahsoka couldn't help staring at Leia…she really hoped she was wrong.

"What is it?" Rex asked as he joined her, and she indicated the holo of the two, now standing on one of the Palace's balconies for the public to see.

"Tell me who she reminds you of?"

"Senator…oh. Is that even possible?" he'd learnt a lot since the Republic's fall, but human reproduction wasn't really high on the list.

"It's called twins if a human woman has two children at the same time and there are rules against siblings marrying on most planets, especially among humans," Ahsoka had looked into these things when she'd been a Padawan because no matter how Anakin and Padme had thought they had hidden things she'd picked up pretty fast that they were more than friends. She'd made sure she learnt all about human customs and reproduction just in case, because there was no way Padme could have gone to the Healers if she'd fallen pregnant. She must have fallen pregnant after Ahsoka's sham trial but Ahsoka had but the knowledge to use over the years when hiding on various planets, Healers were always in demand, especially those who could ease a birth on rim planets.

"Back to Tatooine?"

"No, Alderaan. We can ask her Majesty about the Princess' parents, leave Obi-Wan as a backup if she doesn't know."

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He tended the cooking fire and then hobbled across his small hut to sit and meditate while the meal cooked. Something had changed recently, a lightening in the Force he hadn't felt in decades. He had felt it when Vader had found and claimed the boy, had assumed he would feel Obi-Wan's death as well but his Great-GrandPadawan still lived, of that he was sure. Obi-Wan had always held a close place in his heart and for many years he had regrated pushing him towards Qui-Gon when the man had stubbornly refused to take another Padawan. Their relationship had been rocky for years, but they had finally settled and come to rely on each other. He knew Qui-Gon's death had come close to shattering the boy but for Skywalker he had pulled himself together. He had become one of the youngest to take a Padawan and had thrived in the role, if only Skywalker had given as much back. The boy should never have been trained, then again, he may still have fallen into Sith hands.

The son of Skywalker had been their last hope. How had Obi-Wan lost the boy and yet lived? He knew the other Master was getting old, for a human, but his own Master had been older when facing Maul and Dooku had lived even longer. He had failed to defeat Sidious in their confrontation…perhaps he could face the boy though. He would have to wait and see.

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"Got the list?" Luke asked as Cody joined him.

"Ah, well there's an issue with that."

"Oh?"

"Yes sir, once the men realised who they would be protecting and why it turned into something of a competition for the right to protect her," Cody answered, and Luke groaned.

"Of course they did," he shook his head in amusement. "Winners?"

"They're in the final round now Sir for her single bodyguard for situations where only one may accompany her. The men take your health and happiness very seriously and as she makes you happy that makes her safety top priority," Cody smirked, and Luke smiled.

"Alright, let's go see this competition," he grabbed his jacket and lightsaber and they left his quarters for the 212th's barracks. The men cheered as they realised he was watching and doubled their efforts. In the end, Jesse won. "I'll be sad to lose you my friend, but I know Leia will be in good hands," Luke congratulated him, shaking his hand and Jesse stood taller at the praise.

"Thank you, Sir!"

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Jesse led his small squad into the Alderaanian Embassy and hated how instantly everyone turned slightly fearful. Once the presence of clone troops would have given the people a feeling of security and he had been proud of that. He had been an ARC Trooper, trusted by his General…and then Order 66 had been given. He was just glad that he didn't have to remember turning on his General but that was outweighed by memories of attacking the Jedi temple and those within, killing any they came across…including Younglings and Babies. When the chip had been removed he'd hated himself for it, been tempted to eat his blaster over that and all the horrors he had helped in as a 'Stormtrooper'. And then Lord Vader had stood before them and revealed what was happening, giving them the chance to protect young Luke Skywalker, to serve under his command. Appo had stood beside Vader, looking proud of them and after that he had decided to live and serve.

He walked up to the main desk and saluted before standing at parade rest. "Please inform Senator Organa that her protection detail has arrived."

The young man on the desk blinked and stared ta them in confusion before quickly grabbing the commlink. The unit turned as one as soft footfalls reached them through their helmets. The Princess…or was it Senator? he found civilian rankings confusing still, walked towards them calmly, head high and he was suddenly reminded of another Senator the 501st had often worked with.

"Protection Squad reporting for duty Senator," they saluted her, and she studied them

"212th?" she asked.

"Yes si…ma'am." He quickly corrected himself. "General Skywalker has signed us over as your protection."

"Very well, come with me," she turned and walked deeper into the Embassy. She entered a conference room and sealed it. "I would prefer to see your faces gentlemen."

They looked to Jesse who hesitated only briefly before removing his helmet and the men followed his example. "Sergeant Jesse of the 212th, ma'am. This is Longshot, Lack, Havoc, Soot, Buzz, Sev, Hound and Stak. General Skywalker has ordered our squad to be your bodyguards."

"I see sergeant. Will you be reporting to him?"

"We will inform him when you leave the planet ma'am. He explained that as a Senator and Princess there are a lot of meetings that must remain secret. We will keep your secrets." He hesitated and then spoke again. "The General hinted that you know people we all looked up to during the clone wars."

"Oh?"

"Commander's Tano and Rex, ma'am."

"And if I do?"

"Please let them know we are all glad they survived."

"You don't want to arrest them?"

"No!" Soot blurted out and then straightened even further if that was possible.

Leia studied them, they were clones, that much was very obvious. She knew how they had turned on the Jedi at the end of the war, but maybe now they saw the Emperor for what he was.

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Breha smiled as the two hooded figures were admitted. "Fulcrum."

"Your Majesty." They both bowed.

"What brings you both here?" Bail is still with Leia on Coruscant I'm afraid."

"She's why we're here. We saw the courtship announcement….and it raised questions over her parentage."

Breha sighed and nodded. "You fear she is Padme's daughter, that she bore twins who were separated?"

"Yes, your Majesty." They took the seats she offered.

"Leia is not a Skywalker or Naberrie. Her mother was Sabé, one of Padme's longest serving handmaidens and the one who took her place as decoy Queen due to how similar they truly appeared. Leia favours her mother in looks. Sabé came her when she found she was with child and we sheltered her until she died giving birth, she lived only long enough to name her daughter. She was a good friend and so we agreed to raise the baby as our own."

Ahsoka relaxed at that, she doubted Vader would have taken news of a hidden daughter well. "Her Father?"

"We do not know, only that they were not married and that is why she came to us. She did not wish to risk a scandal on Naboo."

Ahsoka frowned slightly, there was something off about that…The Queen suspected who the Father was, but she must not have any proof. She would not push, if it was important surely Breha would tell.

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Leia accepted the message and smiled, it was an invitation to the Imperial Opera as Prince Skywalker's guest in the Imperial box itself. She would need a special gown for such an appearance, at least the tailors were getting a lot of work. She got up from her dressing table and left her bedroom, Jesse falling into step just behind her. "I have been invited to the Imperial Opera in four nights as Prince Skywalker's guest," she told him, and Jesse nodded.

"I will arrange security with Commander Cody. The Senate today?"

"As always," she smiled, and he grinned a little. She was getting used to their presence, learning to tell them apart even in full armour. Their presence made a lot of the other Senators nervous and she understood. If they weren't Luke's men and if she didn't trust Luke, then they would make her very nervous too. After the session broke for the day Leia settled into her office to work but smiled as Mon Mothma entered. "I am so glad to see you." She came out from around her desk and hugged the older woman.

Mon Mothma returned the hug, glancing at the Stormtroopers posted in the room. "I am sorry I haven't had the chance to congratulate you yet."

"Thank you, Mon," she led her over to the couches. "Sergeant?"

"Yes ma'am." He pulled out a scanner. "Room is clean," he announced after a few minutes before removing his helmet and attaching it to his belt, saluting Mon Mothma. "Sergeant Jesse of the 212th, the 501st during the Clone Wars, Senator."

Mon Mothma blinked and then looked at Leia. She knew the Empire had stopped cloning troops and he looked the right age to have served under General Skywalker. But the clones remaining in the Empire where controlled, Fulcrum and her partner had worked in the early years to rescue those they could, and the Alliance accepted them so how was this clone showing such personality?

"No clone left in the Imperial Army has the chip still Senator, Lord Vader saw to that. We were a threat to General Skywalker as long as we had them, so they were quietly removed," Jesse knew she had to be confused by his behaviour. "We serve Lord Vader and General Skywalker."

There was no mistaking that statement, the remaining clones were loyal to the Skywalker family, not the Emperor. Then why did Father and Son still bow to the tyrant? She believed Bail, that the Emperor had made veiled threats towards Alderaan which meant the Courtship had to have other reasons, but she couldn't see them, other than attempting to tear Alliance leadership apart. "Leia…"

"It's alright Mon. General Skywalker assigned the men as my protection and they have sworn to keep my secrets."

"Even from the General. Not that he doesn't already know you're a rebel," Jesse shrugged.

"Leia what is going on. Your Father said you had no choice in this."

"General…Luke made it clear to both my Father and I that our courtship is the Emperor's command and that the Emperor himself suspects our ties to the Alliance. He also swore to keep me safe and he is doing his best to do so," she indicated Jesse. "I really think that if there had never been an attempt to kill him which killed one of his men instead, that Luke would have joined up. As it is, he is willing to work with My Father, Fulcrum and myself."

"Does he know about me?"

"He probably at least suspects since you work with Father, and with his own Mother in the last days of the Republic. We have the time until the Emperor had commanded we announce our engagement to come up with a workable plan to remove him from power. Luke did confirm the Emperor is a Sith, he said the Sith lord the Jedi were hunting during the war?"

"We all suspected as much," Mon admitted. "I know Bail brought Master Yoda, the head of the Jedi Order, to confront the new Emperor and that Master Yoda was defeated and went into exile."

"If he could be brought back from exile, as well as Master Kenobi, and then they worked with Luke and even Vader…surely four Force users could take out the Emperor," Leia asked.

"I will ask your Father. Although I doubt they will be eager to work with Vader," she warned, and Leia nodded. But surely, they would see it was better to all fight together at least in that?

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Leia walked up the grand entry stairs of the Imperial Opera House, her squad of troopers around her. She could feel people staring at her, she had received a lot of stares since becoming Senator, the youngest on record. Were the stares now because of the Courtship…or because of her gown? She had chosen something far more daring than she had ever worn before and if Jesse's double take was anything to go off, Luke was in for a surprise. It was floor length but off-the-shoulder, baring a lot of skin compared to normal. The bodice was fitted, with a V-neck and then flared out at the waist into a fuller, layered skirt. The dress was a dark navy colour, but the sleeves were white and covered in tiny white and blue gemstones. She wore only the golden bracelet he had gifted her when she agreed to the Courtship for jewellery and her hair was partially up in a few fancy braids, the rest allowed to tumble freely in waves down her back.

Jesse and Longshot grinned behind their helmets as Luke's jaw dropped when he saw her in the lobby, they had won the bet! None of them had ever seen the young general so off balance.

Luke was stunned by Leia's appearance, she was breathtaking! He took her hand and bowed over it, kissing the back, before taking her arm and leading her to the Imperial box.

TBC…

Leia's dress is here, just take out the spaces. www . jjshouse. / Ball-Gown-Off-The- Shoulder-Floor-Length-Tulle-Evening-Dress-With-Ruffle-Beading-017 056135-g5613

It is in the colour shown.