Disclaimer: Not mine
Chapter 34
"Sirs, I here present unto you Luke Skywalker and Leia Organa-Skywalker, your undoubted Emperor and Empress. Wherefore all you who are come this day to do your homage and service, are you willing to do the same?" Cody called out the masses within the room as Luke and Leia approached him. The crowd happily called back their positive answer and Cody glanced at his General, smiling slightly and Luke grinned since he was still out of sight before taking a deep breath and entering the room.
Vader stood before the Throne, smiling the best he could beneath his mask as he saw his son and daughter-in-law walk towards him and Mon Mothma who was dressed in her customary white. The couple were dressed to match with Luke in a deep blue that almost looked black and Leia in a lighter shade of sky blue. Both wore long cape of blue lined in silver that flowed along the aisle behind them and Luke wore his lightsaber on his belt. It was a nice step away from the purples and red Palpatine had favoured. Some had wanted to commission fancy crowns, but Luke had stopped that quickly. Instead two thin circlets awaited, far subtler and fitting their personalities.
Luke held Leia's hand as they walked down the aisle, coming to kneel on the stairs as Grand Moff Randd began reading out the official statement of their titles and lineage. They then stood and walked up to the thrones and sat.
"Sir, is your Majesty willing to take the Oath?"
"I am willing," Luke answered calmly.
"Madam, is your Majesty willing to take the Oath?"
"I am willing," Leia echoed Luke's answer.
"Will you solemnly promise and swear to govern the Peoples of the Galaxy and of your Possessions and the other Territories to any of them belonging or pertaining, according to their respective laws and customs?" Randd once again addressed Luke first.
"I solemnly promise so to do."
"Will you solemnly promise and swear to govern the Peoples of the Galaxy and of your Possessions and the other Territories to any of them belonging or pertaining, according to their respective laws and customs?"
"I solemnly promise so to do." It felt weird being asked each question separately, but they wanted to ensure the people knew Leia was Queen, not just a pretty face on Luke's arm.
"Will you to your power cause Law and Justice, in Mercy, to be executed in all your judgements?"
"I will." Luke just wanted the whole ceremony over and done with and felt Obi-Wan gently nudge his shields, so he calmed down.
"Will you to your power cause Law and Justice, in Mercy, to be executed in all your judgements?"
"I will."
"All this I promise to do. The things which I have here before promised, I will perform, and keep," Luke and Leia called out in unison.
Vader stepped forward, Luke's circlet on a pillow in his hands and now Obi-Wan stepped forward and took the circlet, raising it for all to see before lowering it onto blonde hair, smiling softly at Luke, his old apprentice and now son-in-law. His survival and care of Luke had been announced to the Galaxy, shocking any who remembered one of the most famous Generals of the Clone Wars. While he refused to take back his old rank, Luke had spoken at length with him and Ahsoka about the Jedi Order and Obi-Wan was looking forward to teaching, even if it would be very different. His crowning Luke was a powerful statement to those who knew of Palpatine's identity as a Sith Lord, away for Luke to distance himself even further from the first Emperor. Obi-Wan then took the second circlet from Mon Mothma and settled in over Leia's elaborate braids, smiling at his daughter.
"All hail Emperor Skywalker! All Hail Empress Organa-Skywalker!" Randd called and the people cheered.
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Luke smiled at his wife as they danced amongst their subjects, both relieved the day was almost over and they could retreat to their quarters. Luke had seen Obi-Wan sneak off shortly after the ball began, still not used to such crowds after so long in exile.
"Mind if I cut in?" Han asked with a grin and Luke chuckled but allowed it, spotting Ahsoka without Rex he walked over and offered his hand.
Ahsoka laughed but allowed him to lead her onto the dance floor. "Dancing with the Emperor, not something I ever dreamed off. Are you happy Luke?"
"I prefer the title of husband to Emperor," he admitted. "Obi-Wan as my Father-in-law is taking some adjustment."
"I bet."
"You and Rex fully settled in?"
"I'm glad Leia took him into her security forces, Rex needs to be needed."
"I figured after working with Cody for so long."
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Galen smiled wistfully as he danced with his daughter. When he had sent the message about the weakness in the Death Star, he had never imagined it could lead to this. He had never dreamed of dancing in the Imperial Palace and yet here they were, dancing at the Royal Coronation. He hadn't decided what he wanted to do but the Prin…Emperor had ensured he knew he could do as he pleased, he was free of any enforced service and Jyn's record had been wiped clean. He only wished Lyra was with them to see how the Galaxy was changing for the better.
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Ahsoka, Rex and surprisingly Obi-Wan, accompanied Vader into the medical centre. Everyone inside had been thoroughly vetted by those Luke trusted the most, to ensure no one meaning his Father harm would be able to get close the whole place was guarded by the 501st and 212th. An assailant would have better luck getting into the Imperial Palace's Royal Wing than into the medical centre. The two Force users were not only the final layer of security but were there to help in case Vader lashed out in pain or confusion while medicated. There was a seemingly endless list of surgical procedures he would be undergoing but they were all necessary if he ever wanted to live without the suit.
Ahsoka had said nothing but her main concern was Yoda. Vader had changed but he had not renounced the Sith and that would make him a target should the ancient Master decide to end the Sith totally. She'd been sparring with Luke and Obi-Wan, teaching the first and helping the second get back into fighting shape. He would never get back to the same level he'd been at during the war, but he had improved a lot since coming to Coruscant where he had good nutrition and medical aid.
They donned the necessary gear and entered the room where Vader's suit was removed piece by piece, both having to release their emotions to the Force before Vader could sense them. Obi-Wan was sickened by what he had caused, if there had been any other way…and yet the Emperor could have, should have, ensured better healing than this. He had purposely left Vader in a weakened state. Vader lay on the medical table, squinty through damaged eyes as IV's were inserted and then the sedative was administrated and Ahsoka leant over him, so he could see her.
"We're right here, you're safe," she soothed, offering her help in entering a healing trance and Vader accepted it, used to letting Luke help him. His son's work had greatly reduced his pain over the years but hopefully these operations would take away the rest.
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His mind was fuzzy, and he felt like he was floating but ever so slowly he opened his eyes. For the first time in decades he could make out a ceiling above his head. His eyes didn't hurt, and his vision was clear. It was quiet too…he could not hear a ventilator. He could feel something soft under him now and…a hand holding his. He wanted to turn his head to see and was surprised when he could, he hadn't had this much movement since before Mustafar. He saw Obi-Wan on the chair beside his bed, his head pillowed on an arm, his other hand holding his. He lifted his other arm and stared at what looked like a real flesh and blood hand, just like Luke's prosthetic. He ached, but there was no agony like before.
Obi-Wan had stayed with him, he hadn't expected that. They hadn't spoken much since his old Master had returned and when they did it was usually about the children. He hadn't thought Obi-Wan cared anything for him anymore. So why stay. He cautiously flexed his hand in Obi-Wan's and the older man shot up, eyes wide.
"Welcome back," Obi-Wan greeted softly, unable to bring himself to let go.
"You stayed."
"Of course." Obi-Wan slowly reached up to fix the blanket over his old Padawan. "How do you feel?"
"Fuzzy, confused."
"Any pain?"
"Just achy." He admitted, voice no more than a hoarse whisper.
"You're due for more pain medication soon," Obi-Wan promised even as he reached out with the Force to sooth him. Looking at him now…he looked much more like the Anakin he remembered, just older and with more scars. The surgeons had worked miracles, but they hadn't managed to fully remove all of his scars although many would be hidden once his hair regrew, he already had a pale fuzz covering his skull. He once again looked human, albeit one who had been out of the sun for decades. "Try to get more sleep, the new prosthetics are still making connections."
"Stay?"
"Of course," he promised, gently easing him into a healing sleep before slumping in his seat. That had been nothing like he'd expected, it was like having Anakin back and it hurt. Was it just the medications talking? He knew Luke's presence had mellowed Vader or else he would have died. But this was beyond that. What had Sidious done to Anakin to make him Vader, Luke had admitted his Father had changed since the Emperors death. He would do whatever he had to in order to help him find himself.
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Luke and Leia stood in the Senate Chamber in the central pod, gazing out over the others as they began to activate. Less than half were occupied but they hoped over time, as the people realised, they were serious about the Senate having a real role in their government, that all of the pods would once again be occupied. As of yet, there were only three alien representatives, but they had pushed through legislation to ensure that humans could not represent other species unless there was a good reason like the species wouldn't be able to survive the atmosphere of Coruscant. Both missed their Father's, but Vader's surgery was necessary. It still felt strange to Leia to have a Father other than Bail, but she cared for Obi-Wan. It had been a mutual decision for her not to use his name, not to muddy the waters, but if anyone asked, she would tell them that he was her biological Father.
Luke smiled at her and Leia stepped forward, eyes looking over the pods, nodding when she spotted Mon Mothma and Pooja Naberrie. Finding out Pooja was Luke's cousin had been a shock, the two young women had been friends since Leia entered the Senate. She had never seen any sign Luke and Pooja knew each other but he had been protecting his Mother's family by not acknowledging the link which had hurt. He didn't have to hide it anymore and the whole Naberrie family would be arriving to meet their new cousin-in-law soon. Leia took a deep breath and began her first address to the Senate as Empress.
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Luke stood on the landing platform, practically rocking in place, Cody in the background to keep watch. He finally spotted the shuttle and relaxed a little, reaching for his Father who reached back, and Luke gasped, eyes sliding shut. He felt so different, so much lighter and there was only a mild ache instead of the agony he usually felt. The shuttle landed and Ahsoka bounced down, hugging him and Luke hugged her back even as Rex shook his head.
"You did good," she whispered, kissing his cheek before leaving with her husband.
Obi-Wan was next off and even he appeared less burdened than when they had left. He clasped Luke's shoulder and went to find his daughter.
Finally, a cloaked figure emerged from the shuttle, walking down the ramp. He was shorter, smaller all over really and then the hood was carefully removed to reveal a face Luke knew only from mirrors and holo's, though older. His head was covered in silvery hair, though very short and several nasty scars were still visible.
Luke stepped forward and then broke into a run towards his Father. Vader opened his arms and Luke ran into his embrace, clinging to his Father in a way he'd never been able to with the suite.
"Luke…" seeing his wonderful son with his own eyes was more than he could ever have dreamed of.
"I missed you," Luke choked out, not ashamed to admit it. He pulled back enough to study his Father's face and Vader allowed it. "I really do look like you," Luke grinned, and Vader laughed.
TBC…
In case anyone's wondering, the coronation has its basis in the English ones.