Chapter 101
AN: I apologize for how long it has taken me to update. However, it is a bit longer than some of the previous chapters. Also, I have been spending some time working on a website for Arianna and this story. More should be added over the next few days. I hope you all enjoy that as well. The address is Han," Ari called to him, maneuvering past some of the Rebels who were either standing together talking, or exiting the briefing room.
"Hey, Kid," Han greeted her. Chewie gave a bark in greeting as well.
"Hi Chewie," she smiled at the Wookie, and then it faded as she looked back at Han. "Do you have a moment? I need to talk to you."
"We have a few minutes, I think," he answered. "I'll be right back Chewie." He walked over to a few now vacant seats and sat down. He was sitting a bit more upright than usual, Ari noted, and she wondered if he knew what she wanted to talk to him about. Ari took the seat next to him.
"Han, I am glad you thought I was capable in a leadership role." Ari noted that Han's posture had changed, becoming slightly more relaxed as she said this. "However," she continued, and noted he had tensed up ever so slightly again. If not for the Force, she probably would not have noticed it. "I do have to ask why you suggested that. You did not have a command crew yet and we both know the importance of having a good one. That leads to my question. Why Han? Why did you urge them to put me in this position instead of asking me to be part of your command crew?"
"I didn't know if you would want to do it," Han replied, but then stopped, seeing the look that Ari was giving him. She clearly did not believe that was the reason. He sighed. "Listen, I am just trying to help you."
"Help me?" Was he joking? He was the one who had been frozen for nearly a year. She had been on numerous missions on her own. She had also been training on her own and with Luke on rare occasions. She was much closer to becoming a Jedi than she had been a year ago.
"Well, I figured after hurting your shoulder you would want to take it kind of easy."
Ari looked at him for a moment. That was not all of it. Yes, it was nice of him to think about her injury, but Chewie had been injured more than her and he had become the first one to join the command crew. However, Chewie was Han's best friend and had proven himself numerous times. Ari's running thoughts came screeching to a halt. Could that be the reason? That Chewie had proven himself in a tough situation and Ari had not? Could it be that Han did not trust her ability to deal well when things became rough?
Her now widen blue eyes went to look at him. "You don't think I can handle it do you?" she asked him, voice showing just a hint of hurt. She took a deep breath and let it out, letting a type of calmness come about her through the Force.
"It is not that."
"Then what is it?" Ari asked him.
"What is it? I told you. I was watching out for you. Besides, you might have decided to join Lando and-"
"General Solo," a voice interrupted. It was Mon Mothma who was standing in the aisle. "When you have a moment, I need to speak to you."
"I'll be there in just a moment," he told her and then he turned back to Ari. "I really should go," he motioned to the older woman.
Ari looked at him for a moment, eyes not showing any emotion. "I will see you on the transport, General." She got to her feet and without another look back, exited the briefing room.
She started back toward her room, lost in her own thoughts. She had gotten injured, but had Han thought she had been no help at all? It bothered her, and she knew she should let it roll off her shoulders. Her lightsaber brushed her leg with every step, reminding her that she was now a Jedi in training, not just a Rebel. Once back in her quarters she could do some meditation, which seemed to help a little. It could help in this case. So would some sleep, which she planned on getting a little bit of before they left. She also would have to look up a little more about Endor so she would know what to expect, until what had happened on Hoth where she had landed without any prior knowledge of the planet.
She reached her room without being stopped, aside from just a few greeting with others in the hallway. She got to her room and entered. "Hi R4," she greeted the droid, knowing he was most likely recharging in her room. As the door shut she smiled slightly in the darkened room. "Hi Luke."
The lights in her room turned on, revealing Luke, who was sitting on her bed. He had used the Force to do it since the light switch was close to her and she had not turned it on.
"Hi," he greeted her with a small smile. While it was not wide like she had seen as a child in. However, it did reach his eyes for a minute. It was a look of happiness of an older, more mature person. He was longer the innocent farmboy from Tatooine. "You could sense me?"
"Well, you didn't try to hide it," she pointed out.
"Impressive," he remarked. "You have been practicing haven't you?"
"As much as I can," she answered, pleased that he had noticed that. "We don't have a lot of time though," she added and Luke nodded, motioning for her to sit down next to him.
"So tell me, what is wrong?" he asked as she sat down next to him, one leg tucked under the other.
"What makes you think something is wrong? Ari questioned.
Luke gave her a look. "I know you better than that. Something is bothering you."
Ari sighed, running a hand over her face. "It's Han. He got me basically assigned to a different position because he does not think I can handle command crew."
"Are you sure that is the reason?" Luke asked.
"He said he was worried about me, but I just sensed it was more. I mean, I can see his point. I did not help in his rescue," she sighed, lying back on the bed, her legs still hanging over the edge.
Luke looked at her for a moment and then laid down next to her in the same manner. His hands were folded behind his head, while only one of Ari's was behind her head, the other resting on the mattress "Are you sure some of those feelings could be because of how you feel?" Luke asked her.
Ari turned slightly to look at him. Luke had shifted as well so they could look at each other. "Well, some of it," she admitted, almost sheepishly. "Not all of it though," she added.
Luke nodded. "We've all changed in a year. He'll see how much you have improved as a Jedi and a leader."
"I hope so. I will try, just-"
"Do or do not, there is not try," Luke interrupted her. "A Jedi phrase," he explained. "You will prove to him that what happened during his rescue could have happened to anyone. You were brave to go through what you did. You will do well on this mission as well," he added.
Ari couldn't help but smile at this. "You know the right things to say, don't you?"
"I tell you the truth," he replied. The small spark of smile in his eyes disappeared as he sighed. It was a tired sound and as if he had the weight of the universe on his shoulders.
"What is bothering you?" Ari asked, propping her head up on one elbow. Luke was silent for a minute, as if he was bracing himself to explain everything, or trying to think of the right words to say. Over the years he had become more accustomed to thinking things through before speaking.
"You know the truth about my father," Luke stated after the long pause, looking straight up at the ceiling. Ari nodded in reply. How could she forget? His father had been the reason that millions had been killed; her family, Luke's aunt and uncle, Ben Kenobi, the Jedi, everyone on Alderaan and countless others. Seeing Luke though, she could not believe that he could be the son of such a powerful and evil man. If he could even be considered a man.
"I found out more," he told her.
"What?" Ari asked after a moment. All she knew is that Luke had a feeling that Vader had told him the truth. That somehow, he knew Vader was his father. She worried about what else he may have learned.
"Yoda and Ben both admitted that Vader is my father," he said quietly. "Ben told me that in a way, Vader did kill Anakin, because Vader came to be, Anakin ceased to exist."
"Wait, Ben? Ben Kenobi?" Ari asked. She knew a little bit about Yoda because Luke had told her about studying with the Jedi Master but she did not ask too much about him, in the off chance someone could overhear them, even in their rooms.
"When I saw him on Hoth, I thought it was because of the cold, that maybe I had imagined it. However, he was there, transparent but clearly there. He told me I have to face him again. My own father," he sighed deeply, sitting up.
Ari did as well, watching him, concerned. She remembered how troubled he had been after the duel in Cloud City. Yes, he had trained more, but she still feared for Luke. She worried about what Vader might do to him, no matter if they were father and son or not.
"There is more," Luke told her. He looked up and gave her the faintest of smiles. Ari responded with a small, somewhat nervous smile. While she was glad he was showing some happiness, she wondered why.
"I always used to want a brother or sister."
Ari nodded. While she and Jett spent time with Luke, it was not always easy to get away, especially at harvest time.
"Yoda became one with the Force. Before he did though, he told me that there was another Skywalker."
This caught Ari off guard. Another Skywalker? It was probably not Vader, since according to the Jedi, the Sith Lord was no longer considered Anakin Skywalker. Also, she doubted Luke would have mentioned a brother or sister. Was it possible he had a brother or sister somewhere in the galaxy?
"I have a sister. A twin sister," his smile grew somewhat as he looked over at Ari, who was shocked by this. A twin sister? Who could that be?
"We were separated so that we would be safe from the Emperor and Vader. She is strong in the Force, it runs in my family. However, she has not had the training to be a Jedi. She does have other strengths that she uses often…" Luke looked over at her again and all of a sudden an image came to mind. One of Princess Leia.
"Luke…" Ari trailed off. Was it the Force giving her the image or what is something Luke was doing?
"It is Leia," Luke smiled. "She's my twin sister."
Ari was speechless for a moment as it sunk in. "She is your sister?"
Luke nodded. "That explains it all. The connection I have with her and how we both were linked to Ben in one way or another."
It did make sense. Ari smiled over at him and hugged him. "I am so happy for you, Luke." She truly was. She knew that Luke had always wanted a sibling and as it turned out, he had one. It also explained why Ari no longer felt the strange, jealous feeling she used to when Luke and Leia were together. She would not admit that though. "Have you told her yet?"
Luke shook his head. "Not yet, but I will. When the time is right. You are the only one that knows at the moment. Please don't tell her, or anyone else."
"I won't. I promise," she assured him. Her arms will still around him and she rested her head on his shoulder. Luke put one arm around her waist and rested his head gently on hers for a moment. It was a comfortable silence that followed. They were both lost in their own thoughts, but they were not dark ones. Even though she had many thoughts rushing her mind, Ari was very much aware of Luke's arm. She could feel the rise and fall of his chest with each breath he took and was aware that he smelled of soap, probably from a recent shower. It was nice and she closed her eyes for a moment, enjoying it as she inhaled deeply.
"Leia might be my sister, but that won't change us," Luke told her; his voice was a low whisper. His lips were so close to her ear she felt a small shiver run down her back.
"Good," she whispered, voice barely audible. She thought she felt him shiver. Had she really felt it or was it her imagination? She decided not to worry about it though as she felt Luke's fingers move ever so slightly in a soothing circular motion on her lower back. It had been a long time since she had felt so at ease. They stayed like this for another few minutes. It might have lasted longer, but Luke's comm. chirped and he sighed. "A reminder that we only have another two hours before departure," he explained, slowly pulling away from her, much to Ari's disappointment.
"Oh, before I forget." He pulled something out a small pouch on his belt. He took her hand in one of his and then moved the other over it. As he moved his hands back, Ari smiled. There was her bracelet, back on her wrist where it belonged.
"Thank you," she smiled at him, fingers on her other hand brushing the familiar smooth metal.
"Well, you said you would come back for it," he reminded her as he got to his feet. "I will see you in a few hours."
"Yes. And Luke? Thank you."
"You are welcome. And thank you as well." He turned to exit.
"Luke, one more thing," Ari spoke up.
Luke turned back to her, question showing in his features.
"Well, I do think you got the rough part of the placement. However, since your sister is a Princess, does that mean I should call you Prince Luke?" she joked.
Luke laughed, the first time he had in quite awhile. "Maybe," he teased. His gentle laughter hung in the air even after he had left the room.