A/N: I ran across a quote on Wookieepedia that inspired me to write this. The timeframe is post-ROTJ, very early on after the destruction of the second Death Star. The quote was from a Marvel Star Wars Comic Book, "Stars Wars 53: The Last Gift From Alderaan". This was it:

"It was night in our palace—were you awake or asleep, with Mother... or alone?"
―Leia Organa

This quote really makes me curious as to in what context Leia says this. If anyone has this comic, let me know! Anyway, this is what I envisioned and then eventually wrote:

Where Were You?

The towering trees of Endor greedily absorbed the last of the sinking sun's rays, bringing dusk upon its inhabitants swiftly. In that fading daylight, on a secluded path, Leia Organa hugged herself tight, a shiver traveling across her frame as her gown ruffled and danced against her ankles, giving life to the cool evening breeze. Finding a break in the forest canopy, she stopped and looked up in search of an animal making strange noises in the distance. Not finding anything, she shrugged her shoulders and smiled wistfully. So many quiet moments like these were to be had since the Rebels had found victory on Endor. Leia found herself searching them out perhaps more than anyone else. Although, for the warrior Princess, what was at first a welcomed blessing had slowly begun to morph into something else entirely. Time, always an elusive agent of both good and evil, held true to its character here. Time to finally breathe after so many years of running. Time to rebuild after so much destruction. Time to find love after so much loss. Time. To think. To remember. To grieve.

She shut her eyes.

Through a golden field of tall, flowing grass a young princess pranced lightly. The soft fabric of her dress billowed around her small legs and the braids of her hair swung sideways as she darted about. The sweet smell of spring blossoms wafted all around her and a large, imposing homestead loomed in the distance made warm to the child's eyes by years of fond memories and love. She heard her name called and turned toward the voice.

Leia bit her lip as the threat of tears began to overwhelm her. Father. Tilting her head back she opened her eyes and strained to find the stars through the small opening in the dense thicket of trees. She searched for the empty void in space that she knew would be there. Where were you? A tear streamed down the side of her cheek. It was night at our palace - were you awake or asleep, with Mother...or alone? No longer able to grasp onto her small semblance of control, she let the tears fall unchecked. "We did it," she whispered softly. "Just like you said." She let out a sob that was laced around a small, pitiful laugh. "We did it all."

As the salty trail of tears streamed down her face, the soft whistle of a breeze through the tree branches and a lone bird's call was the only answer to her words. She remained that way, accepting the silence, the nothing, the void that was there inside her just as much as it was in the sky. Then dropping her head down, she squared her shoulders, clearing her thoughts as she began to wipe the tears away. A few moments. That's all she allowed herself. A few moments a day or a week. She would never stop remembering. But she would also never let the memories overshadow the future. She would never stop looking ahead for fear of leaving the past behind. Her parents would've hated that. If Bail and Breha Organa had left her with nothing but that, then they had done their jobs well.

Her drive, her determination, her principles, she refused to believe that those things were all from some biological inheritance. She refused to believe that now, more than ever before. Regardless, whatever she was or had been born into, it had been her parents that had cultivated those parts of her that now made her who she was today. Encouraged and enticed all the good to its surface and corrected, redirected or disciplined all of the rest. Only now was she beginning to understand and appreciate the enormity of that task.

She didn't even flinch when two strong and familiar hands came up from behind her, sinking back into the body that was waiting for her there instead.

"You okay?" Han asked softly.

A nod of her head was her only answer as she turned in his arms and rested her cheek against his chest, the smell of him mingling with and eventually replacing the strong woodsy air of Endor.

Han accepted her silence knowingly as he embraced her. The damp evening and the silence surrounded them. The millions of branches above - a shroud, seemingly protecting them from the universe beyond. There was a certain reticence, at least for Leia, about leaving this place. Here the worries of the galaxy were but plot points on a display panel, distant and manageable. Soon they would fly toward them. In the natural balance and serenity of Endor, that seemed the most preposterous thing in the worlds to do. She wrapped her arms around Han's waist, drawing him closer.

"Just thinking," she finally whispered.

Han kissed the top of her head in response.

"About Bail and my Mother," she continued, calling the only man she had ever known as her father by his name since now it seemed that she had another. She pulled away from Han so that she could see his face. "They would've liked you."

Han cupped her cheek and ran this thumb along her jawline. "Uh-huh," he replied, not sounding convinced.

"Honestly," she said, the fire slowly returning to her spirit. "My father was...strong, determined, honest and fair. A lot like you." She smiled. "And my mother." She paused for a moment, not trusting her voice. "My mother was the most compassionate, understanding and strongest person I've ever met. And she would've loved you."

Han smiled down at her. "I would've loved to meet 'em."

She nodded her head before she returned to his embrace, burying her face against his chest once more. "I would've liked that, too."