Chapter 2, Reckoning
Han had returned from dinner with the stark realization that he had never been and would likely never be good enough for Leia, and had flopped into his bunk still in uniform and tried to find his unfaltering determination in the cabin's ceiling. He awoke feeling that he was being watched he cracked a single eye expecting a Hapan assassin to take him out of the picture. He found instead Leia sitting in his desk chair staring at him intently. He was surprised to find her still wearing the evening gown from the night before though it appeared she had traded the high heeled shoes for a pair of spacer boots. Her face bore the evidence that she had been crying but the expression she currently wore was hurt. He sat up immediately her name leaving his lips in concern it was as he swung his legs off the bunk that he realized what sat in her lap.
"That's my book," he exclaimed grabbing for it only to have her pull it out of reach hugging it to her chest.
"No," her voice tired and the anguished expression on her face intensified, "it is mine." He paused slumping back onto the bunk as she continued. "I knew some of the things in this book," her face still distressed and her voice wavered, "others I did not, so the question I have for you is this," she paused pleading now, "did you ever intend to share the rest with me?"
"Of course," was his immediate answer his confusion clear.
"When?" she asked sadly.
"Whenever," noticing her pained exasperation he continued, "I was never in any hurry I thought we had the rest of our lives."
"You asked me to marry you on Endor," hope was spreading across her visage, "do you still want to marry me?"
"Leia," he answered heart in his throat, "I've wanted to marry you since Yavin, nothing's changed." She stood one hand slipping to her side with the book, the other hand reaching out to touch his cheek. She leaned in and kissed him deeply then stood again. By the time she spoke she was again holding the book with both hands.
"The Alderaanian High Council is meeting in two hours I'll give you my answer there," she was still hopeful when she left his cabin.
Han had changed into a fresh uniform and barely managed to find himself a seat in the back row just as the meeting was getting going. He looked around not surprised to find several groups of men and women in uniform bearing the patch that denoted their Alderaanian heritage. Han soon realized that every Alderaanian in the system that could be here was here. Leia was a well-loved part of their society and it was a weight of responsibility that he had never considered in his ruminations of marring the feisty princess. Threkin Horm led the meeting through the usual paces before getting to the situation at hand. He asked that they table all other business so that they could focus on the pending wedding Princess Leia to Prince Isolder. Han was surprised to hear one of the members ask if the princess had even agreed to marry the Hapan. Threkin quickly replied that it was a mere formality at this point and turned to Princess Leia for confirmation. Leia stood resplendent in her senatorial white robes, every bit the regal princess Han knew she was capable of being and approached the lectern taking the floor from Horm. When she spoke her voice was steady and true.
"I would of course be pleased to have this council's assistance in planning a royal wedding," Han's heart stopped, but felt slightly venerated by the mixed reactions of the crowd, as Leia paused holding her hand up slightly asking quiet and continued, "but not to Prince Isolder, I have already declined his offer."
The crowd erupted, Han felt his heart beat again as he found Leia staring straight at him her face still the blank mask of the perfect princess but her eyes shown with love, a love that was now and always he realized for him. Horm pounded his gavel asking for order and started his rant as soon as he could be heard over the din.
"If not to Prince Isolder," Threkin sputtered, "then who is this illustrious body to plan your wedding for?" The fat bureaucrat turned to Leia waiting for an answer. She did not disappoint.
"The only wedding this council would be able to plan for me would be to General Han Solo," she was again interrupted by the vast majority of the crowd on their feet in applause Han looked around the room seeing each and every group of soldiers in the room on their feet looking either at him or her cheering loudly. It was again Horm who interrupted the din.
"If this crowd cannot contain itself I will have the room cleared and this council meeting will be held in private," the noise quickly died away no one wanted to miss this, "Now, when did this proposal take place, and what could the," he sneered the word, "General, offer to a woman of your station." It was at that moment that Han noticed the book resting in Leia's hands which she had clasped together at her waist. When she spoke the room was absolutely quiet.
"General Solo proposed shortly after the battle of Endor," She sought him out again asking forgiveness for the slight lie she was about to tell, "We have been waiting for the right time." The room remained silent waiting in anticipation, "He has offered me," she glanced briefly to the manuscript resting in her hands, "only that which I wish for every child of Alderaan, happiness, peace and most importantly love." The room stayed starkly quiet waiting in anticipation for what would happen next.
"I understand the appeal of such a romantic notion," Threkin placating spoke into the silence, "but as the Crown Princess of Alderaan you have other considerations that cannot be ignored." He shook his head gravely as he continued, "you must think of your people Princess."
"It is with those very people in mind that I have made my decision," she now spoke with the fire that was usually reserved just for Han and that man prepared himself for the onslaught that would follow, "I will not allow any being of Alderaan or any other society to be used as a bargaining chip." She looked down at Horm with utter contempt, "nor will I be one." She spoke to the crowd directly for her next statement, "if that is unacceptable behavior for the Crown Princess of Alderaan," her eyes roved the crowd connecting with each and every one in the room, "I will renounce both my title and my crown here and now." The crowd sat in shocked silence except for the various uniformed people in the room whom immediately stood at attention a navy captain, the highest ranking Alderaanian in the room, called out.
"Goddess save the Princess!" and was answered by the others, "Long live the Princess!" The entire auditorium joined them for the next round and continued over and over again. Leia walked away from the podium as Threkin pounded a gavel calling for quiet. She walked around the front of the stage shaking hands and accepting well wishes the whole way. It took her half a time part to make her way through the throng of well-wishers to Han. It took the couple another time part to make their way outside of the auditorium. Threkin Horm calling for order over the pa the whole time. The couple shared a semi chaste kiss when they finally got a moment to themselves a few yards from the halls entrance, breaking the embrace Leia looked to her comlink which had been sounding insistently. With a sigh she looked up to Han.
"They have called a meeting of the High Council," she smiled self-consciously, "I suspect there are going to be repercussions for what I've done today."
"And how do you feel about that?" Han asked fear coloring his voice.
"Happy," she answered confidently, "and sure about what I'm doing. I have to go see them I will contact you when I can." Han nodded in understanding and the two separated to take care of their respective duties.
When he had traveled to the surface that morning he had been directed to one of the smaller private bays at the military space port, on his way back to the Falcon Chewie had informed him that they had been moved to one of the large public bays used for welcoming dignitaries. It was odd but Han didn't think much of it with the constant shuffle that was Coruscant ground and space control. It was a mere twenty minutes later that Han received his second surprise of the day, in the form of Winter and a handful of naval officers pushing several hoover carts up to the Falcon. "What's this?" Han asked meeting the group at the bottom of the ramp.
"These are Leia's things from the Rebel Dream." Winter answered smiling at Han and Chewie who had joined the menagerie, "where should we put them." Han had Chewbacca direct the sailors into the aft hold before turning his attention on Winter.
"So," the word dragged on, "do you know what's going on and are you going to tell me?"
"A reckoning," was her immediately reply, "and I suspect that none of them are quite prepared for Leia Organa in her my mind is made up mode." She shook her head before continuing, "Horm is still attempting to abdicate Leia's royal status, and from the messages I've received from both Leia and various members of the fleet I suspect she has either removed herself or been forcefully removed from the High Council." Winter smiled wistfully at the former Corellian Pirate, "I hope you realize what you've started."
Han's reply was interrupted but the sound of marching as a group of Marines all in dress uniforms and carrying ceremonial rifles marched into the bay. The soldiers created a corridor from the entrance to the safe distance for one to stand from a ship for takeoff and circled the ship. A Lieutenant stepped up to Han and snapped to attention in time with the group's sergeants calling out the same. "Sir," the lieutenant spoke as Han returned the salute, and the group fell into parade rest. "Honor guard for the Princess, and her consort."
"And who does the consort," Han grated out his new title, "have to thank for this honor?"
"Not sure, General," the younger officer replied, "scuttlebutt has it that the Princess has told everyone from the Ruling Council to the local dog catcher where they can collectively stick it." He leaned in conspiratorially, "every Alderaanian in the service has been relieved of duties and told where she would be leaving from," it was at that point that Han noticed that while every one of the marines standing in this honor guard bore the patch denoting their Alderaanian heritage the unit patches where from various units, "orders have been coming down from top brass, and it goes without saying that if the military community knows, the entire local Alderaanian community knows." Answering the lieutenant's cue a handful of shuttles entered the large bay, immediately disembarking soldiers from every branch in every state of dress from coveralls to full dress, it was obvious that some had simply stopped what they were doing and ran to the transports. The highest ranking officers made their way to Han and Winter, snapping off salutes to Han and taking their proper place in the line, among them Han recognized the captain whom had started the chant at the meeting earlier and the commanding officer of the Rebel Dream. Civilians had also started entering the bay filling in the available space between the Honor Guard and arriving shuttles.
The situation Leia had walked into with the New Republic High Council was tense to say the best. That Isolder was at the meeting waiting did not escape her attention. "We have much to discuss," Chief of State Mon Mothma had started as soon as Leia had taken her seat, "it would have been easier had we discussed this prior to your statement at the Alderaanian council," the elder stateswoman sighed, "on to damage control. Prince Isolder has chosen to ignore the mistake made there and with your apology here we can make a statement to the press to the effect that you were swept up in a romantic notion but your statement was misunderstood."
"Leia," the prince started, "your devotion to a man whom has been a part of your life for so long is understandable but surely you see the impropriety of such a relationship going any further."
"Leia," Mon picked up where the prince had stopped, "I know what the General means to you but there is simply too much at stake here." The entire council looked to Leia waiting for her reply.
"You are, of course, correct Madam Chief of State," Leia looked straight into Mon's eyes hoping to find the onetime mentor and confidant there, "and I had hoped it would not come to this," she opened the leather bound book in front of her and gave a folded piece of flimsy from inside to the Chief of State, "but like you said 'there is too much at stake,' and after everything else I have given to the defeat of the Empire, and know that I would gladly give my last breath to that pursuit." Leia pause taking in the members of the room, "I will not however sell my soul." She turned to face Prince Isolder seeing Rieekan smile with pride urging her on as she continued, "You have my sincerest apologies for any embarrassment that I may have caused both you and the Hapan Consortium," she held up a hand to ward off and interruption, "but my decision is final." Leia then gestured to Mon who having just finished the document Leia had given her looked tired, "with that document," Leia continued noticing Rieekan leaning to converse with Admiral Ackar and typing furiously into his data pad, "I tender my resignation to both this council and to the New Republic, I feel that I can no longer serve either in good conscious. I will clear my office and apartment immediately." She smiled as she continued, "if you will excuse me I won't be taking up any more of this council's time."
Cleaning out her office had been a simple affair the only things of any importance being some ancient Alderaanian documents with she would transfer to the Alderaanian council later, and some of her father's personal documents which had survived in the Alderaanian Embassy and some holo's of friends. She had packed the last of these items into a secure briefcase and was taking one last look at her office when a throat cleared behind her. Leia was shocked to see Mon standing behind her with a small smile.
"You dropped a bomb on us Leia," she said with mirth, "and while I cannot say it publicly I am happy for you." She offered a hand and the princess took it as Mon continued, "your father would be very proud of you Leia." Leia smiled at the thought and bid the Chief of State good bye.
Han couldn't believe how the crowd just continued to grow. Rieekan had joined Han and Winter moments before arriving in a breathless state. "Solo," he started offering his hand, "these are your orders, Ackbar and I managed to get you two months leave." He smiled at the Correllian's enthusiasm "after that we're going to try to put you in the reserves." Han's thanks where over shadowed by applause rolling across from the front of the bay. The two turned to see a handful of transports at the entrance to the bay the sailors from earlier already starting to unload crates onto hoover carts. It was the person framed by the scene that caught their attention although diminutive in figure she stood larger than life. The princess took barely a minute to bask in the adulation of the crowd before moving from side to side shaking hands and accepting well wishes.
The treasure trove of art antiques and artifacts from both lost and conquered societies found in the Imperial palace had forced the creation of a unit of care takers, who would catalog inventory and return if possible the things found. A group of women from that very unit sent by General Rieekan took little time to pack various art and artifacts from Alderaan that had been gifted to Leia over the last several years into protective storage containers and onto the large military transports in which they currently rode to the Falcon. Leia had noticed as they buzzed around the apartment that they all bore the patch of Alderaan, when Leia had questioned it they had merely told her that they were behind her and were happy to help. Leia for her part had thrown her clothing including formal gowns haphazardly into a handful of duffle bags and watched the women work in a daze. She had remained in that daze until they reached the spaceport when the stout woman driving the transport in which the princess rode broke her spell. "Princess," the woman a sergeant Leia realized, touched the princess's arm lightly and pointed towards the Falcon, "it looks like you have a lot of folks rooting for you and the general." Leia for her part could only stare in awe at the large bay filled to capacity with beings of every shape, size and species, Civilian and military. An Honor Guard of Marines made a corridor through the throng to the Millennium Falcon, Han and a handful of officers. The honor guard that led to her future she realized as the troops snapped to attention a large smile spread across her face as she started toward that future. She took her time stopping frequently to shake hands snap holos and thank the soldiers along the way. She reached Riekan first at the Millennium Falcon's ramp and he pulled her into a fierce hug.
"I am so happy for you Lelila," he spoke into her hair, "you couldn't have made a better choice." He pushed her back to arm's length before he continued looking her in the eyes, "Your father would be very happy for you too."
"Leia," Winter cried as the two sisters embraced, "can't you just imagine the look of horror on the aunts' faces." They shared a laugh as she continued, "just let me know when and where to be for the wedding." They shared another strong embrace before Leia turned to Han jumping into his waiting arms kissing him passionately.
"Thank you," Leia told him when they broke the kiss her face buried in his chest, "you have saved me from myself yet again." She looked away from him to the waiting crowd, "I have to say something."
"I'll get the ship started," Han said loosening the embrace as she turned to the crowd. She stepped back to the edge of the honor guard holding up her hands for silence as Han entered the ship. The Lieutenant leading the honor guard produced a comlink merged with the bays public address system. Chewbacca tuned into the signal as Han initiated the startup sequence.
"I don't know how to thank you all for your support," Leia started, "but know that I will carry all of you in my heart always to whatever endeavors the future holds for me." She faltered there noticing a familiar golden protocol droid moving as fast as it could toward her. Shaking her head with a smile she continued, "Both General Solo and I thank you from the bottom of our hearts, may the force be with you."
"Princess Leia," Threepio sounded breathless, "I thought I would miss you." Leia smiled again as she lead the droid up the ramp.
"Not at all Threepio," she answered, "we were just waiting on you." She cut off his reply telling him to get strapped in as she could now feel the Falcon coming fully to life. Han was conversing with the flight controllers as she took her seat.
"Permission granted Millennium Falcon," the controller answered, "transferring departure vectors to you now."
"Please confirm exit vector, control," Han asked perplexed as he and Chewbacca eased the ship off the ground turning to exit the bay, "this is going to take us right down Republic Boulevard at roof level."
"Well we couldn't get everyone who wanted to say goodbye in the bay," came the reply, "You have an escort waiting though just follow their lead."
"What kind of escort?" Han asked cautiously as he and Chewie exited the bay and they saw the familiar red striped X wings of Rouge squadron forming up on the Falcon, "I see them now control."
"Well, sir," the controller hedged, "in my experience they are nothing but trouble." The controller continued in a much more somber tone, "on a more personal note Millennium Falcon, all of us here in control would like to wish you and the princess good luck and clear skies."
Han returned the traditional spacers goodbye and followed the Rouges down Republic Boulevard, a sense of awe as he noticed groups of people on sidewalks and balconies waving them off. Leia had been holding his shoulder the whole time leaning forward for a better view. "Han it's the embassy," she gasped pointing to the Alderaanian Embassy currently draped in banners he didn't recognize. "That's the crest of house Organa," she answered his unspoken question, "that is only done after a ruler has died or ascended to the throne, or generally very special occasions."
"Like the Crown Princess deciding to shirk her responsibilities and run off with a space pirate?" Han asked with a smirk.
"More like the Crown Princess getting engaged," spoke with pride, "it's yet another showing of support." Their fighter escort had by this point led them though the atmosphere and in between a line of capital ships towards the military nav beacon, the jump point for outgoing military ships. They were traveling between the last two ships the Mon Remonda, Han's command ship, and the Rebel Dream, Leia's, when Wedge's voice broke over the comm.
"Millennium Falcon," Wedge spoke clearly, "Rouge one here, we will be anxiously awaiting wedding invitations, and more importantly Bachelor party invitations. Good luck guys, and clear skies."
The farewell was answered by the Falcon shortly before that ship slipped into hyperspace. They went to Kashyyk first dropping off Chewie to spend some time with his family. Two messages had been waiting on them when they exited hyperspace, one from Luke wishing them the best and saying that he would catch up with them when they found a spot. The second offered exactly what they two were looking for. Pooja Naberie an old friend of Leia's from back to the Imperial Senate days had offered her family's own private retreat, Varykino, in the Lake Country of Naboo.
"You're wrong, you know," Han said as he punched in the coordinates for Naboo. He looked up to find her staring at him confusion evident, "you saved yourself this time." She laughed as the ship surged into hyperspace hurtling towards their future.