Leia Organa was a great many things, depending on the setting.
To the rebellion, she was a General. A leader who'd run countless operations for Intelligence and other divisions. She was someone who'd served The Alliance diligently since her days as a spy in the Imperial senate. And to the nascent New Republic, she was a politician. Someone who would lead in a different way, and begin the long overdue process of rebuilding. Someone who would champion the rights and lives of people, and work to make those lives better.
But to those who remained of her people, Leia Organa was a princess.
As the last survivor of Alderaan's royalty, Leia was the keeper of her world's culture, history and traditions. To the remaining Alderaanians, she was not merely a leader, but also a symbol and a beacon that'd rallied them from across the stars towards a new home in the colony of New Alderaan on Dantooine. And Leia didn't miss the symbolism of the choice.
A world primarily covered in grasslands, lakes and rivers; what Dantooine lacked in Alderaan's once-famous mountain ranges, it made up for with its pleasant nature and fertile soil. How the planet avoided being turned into an agriworld for so long, Leia didn't know. But she certainly wasn't complaining.
The population of Dantooine had always been small, consisting mainly of single-family settlements and small communities. Hence why the colony of New Alderaan, built at the site of the rebellion's long-gone temporary base, had quickly become the largest settlement on the planet by far. The colony consisted of a beautiful city that incorporated every aspect of Alderaanian architecture, with several farms surrounding its outskirts. Said farms focused especially on the now-rare Alderaanian cattle and crops, to say nothing of the preservation centers dedicated to restoring Alderaanian flora and fauna in every way available.
Her people had wanted to crown her as Queen in place of her late mother, but Leia had declined. For as Queen, she would have to dedicate herself fully to New Alderaan, and Leia knew that she wouldn't be able to do that for a very long time. Although she didn't miss the irony of both her mothers holding the title of Queen at some point.
Nevertheless, today was an important day for the survivors or Alderaan.
Leia sat in the chamber she'd been assigned as a dressing room in New Alderaan's great hall, the white dress she wore practically gleaming. She'd chosen the same one she'd worn for the celebration on Yavin IV all those years ago, on the day where she'd presented those medals to the two men who would go on to become the most important people in her life. It was a day both deeply painful and hopeful. A day on which she lost and gained almost everything in her life.
"If you're nervous, remember that Han is probably producing enough sweat to fill Mon Cala's oceans." Her maid-of-honor quipped, almost finished with her hair. Leia chuckled and did her best to keep her head still. She and her oldest friend had settled on her wearing her hair down, with some Alderaanian flowers embedded into its curls and small braids.
"I'm not nervous, Winter." The Princess said. "Although I'm certain Chewie is barely keeping him from freaking out."
"Can't say I blame him." Her old friend said with a grin. "The Princess and The Scoundrel. Almost feels out of a bedtime story."
Leia's smile turned bittersweet. Her life was certainly no fairytale, nor had she ever been a storybook Princess. Back when they were kids, people would often mistake Winter for the princess because of her natural grace and poise, which contrasted Leia's somewhat cantankerous personality. Her antics had given everyone hell for a long time back then, creating numerous amusing memories that she currently cherished.
The door to the room opened, admitting Evaan Verlaine. A tall, blonde Alderaanian pilot, Verlaine was both a decorated hero of Yavin and a close friend. "Everything is set, your highness. And I'm telling you this now before anything starts: If Solo ever does something you don't like, come to me."
Leia turned to face Verlaine just as Winter finished. "I think Chewbacca already has that covered, but I appreciate the offer..." The Princess said, noting the highly unusual sight that was Evaan in a dress. Although she wore the bright yellow garment well, Leia suspected that her friend didn't entirely enjoy her current attire.
Everything felt suffocating to Han, from the decently-sized dressing room, to the fancy suit he didn't feel comfortable in. Even Chewie's reassuring hands on his shoulders weren't much of a help.
It was happening. It was really, truly happening. The most amazing woman in the Galaxy was about to become his wife, and he couldn't be more scared. He'd faced Darth Vader, torture and the full might of the Empire, but today was somehow the most scared he'd ever been.
"I haven't seen you like that since the job on Denon." Lando said with his trademark suaveness, seeing through Han's evidently unconvincing calm. "Don't worry. I'm sure Leia's more reasonable than Sana."
Normally, Han would've had a scathing reply to his old friend's joke, but his mind was simply not functioning normally at the moment. He was terrified and knew why. He was afraid of not being good enough a husband or a father. Of messing things up. But he was also done letting those fears stop him.
He loved Leia. More than he loved anyone or nothing in his entire life. And he would do his damndest to be the man she deserved.
The door opened to admit the young man who would soon be his brother-in-law. "Looking great, Luke." Lando said. And coming from the most fashionable man in the rebellion, that meant a lot. By that point, Han had given up on counting how many capes Lando had.
"Thanks, Lando." Luke said cheerily "How's the groom doing?"
Lando chuckled, "Exactly as expected."
"That bad, huh?"
"Are you two going to do something useful, or should I have Chewie show you the door?"
Lando showed his palms. "Easy, old pal. We're just trying to cheer you up. You know it's normal to be stressed on your big day."
Han snorted. "As if *you* would ever know."
Lando chuckled again. "You got me. It'll be a dark day before anyone tied this old scoundrel down. I'd never have it in me to leave behind so many broken hearts."
Han finally smiled. "Always loved your modesty, old pal."
Not that the Corellian didn't know his share of women in the days since leaving Corellia. But aside from Leia, he had only over loved one woman, and that bond hadn't ended the way he hoped at all. Thankfully, Leia and Q'ira couldn't be more different.
"There's nothing to fear, Han." Luke said, seeing through his facade as usual. "No one and nothing makes Leia happy more than you do. And you're both no longer the people I met all those years ago. You're made for each other now."
Somehow, Luke's words seemed to get to him, pacifying his raging mind. "You're not using the force to calm me down, are you?" the former smuggler asked jokingly.
Luke smirked. "I would only do that as a last resort. And only because Leia would kill us all if the wedding doesn't go as planned."
The ballroom of the Great Hall had a beige-and-sky-blue color scheme that worked well with the natural light passing through the skylight. The chamber had been hastily modified by adding a central podium and wide seats arranged in concentric circles to accommodate the guests. A part of the Alderaanian traditions, this arrangement was done to evoke the oneness of the union.
Luke stood behind the groom, alongside Chewbacca and Lando. The Wookiee's fur was surprisingly well-groomed, and Lando looked as dashing as ever in his dark blue suit and cape. Luke had opted for a simple black suit with a white tunic underneath, not unlike the one he wore at Ktath'atn. Although that wasn't a memory he wanted to relive at the moment.
The ceremonies, both Alderaanian and Corellian, were nearly finished by now. The Wedding was being officiated by a pontifex of the Brotherhood of Cognizance, a monastic order of the Naboo faith system. The elderly man had been sent by the Queen of Naboo herself at Leia's request, and she'd told Luke that it was her way of honoring their mother on their special day.
Behind Leia, stood three of her closest friends: her childhood friend Winter Retrac, pilot Evaan Verlaine and smuggler Sana Starros. Luke didn't miss the irony of Sana's presence, given the fact that she had once been briefly involved with Han herself. All three women looked beautiful, but none more so than his sister. And Luke suspected that the sheer joy he sensed from her contributed to her breathtaking beauty today.
And as he looked at his sister and the man who was like a brother to him, Luke saw their future. Not through The Force, but through the love they all shared.
Their path wouldn't be easy, because nothing worth it was ever easy. They were both beings of fire, with heads that could be as hard as solid rock. But they loved each other deeply. And no matter the spats and arguments, they will always find their way back to each other at the end of the day.
It was a rather simple wedding, considering it was for a Princess. But it had nearly everyone from their remaining loved ones, and that was what truly mattered. Nevertheless, there were many people they wished could be there. People who had become one with The Force a long time ago.
Luke frowned as a strange expression crossed Leia's face for a moment, but it softened again as a bittersweet smile crossed it. Following her line of sight, Luke found himself adapting a similar smile.
For in one corner of the room, handsome and bright, stood their father with a grin on his face.
Author's Note:
A short chapter because I'm bad at weddings. Next chapter should be the last one, aside from the Epilogue. Both should drop together, so it might be a while. Hope you guys enjoyed this wedding special.
As usual, let me know what you think. Likes/dislikes/thoughts...it will mean the world to me.