Chapter 146
Ari looked from Leia to Pooja and then back to Leia. She could tell Luke was also surprised by this news. This means that this woman had to be related to Luke and Leia in some way.
Deciding to say something after this awkward and silent pause, Ari cleared her throat. "Naberrie…were you related to someone that used to be a Queen and Senator?" she asked and could see Luke offer a small, almost unnoticeable smile to her, clearly glad to have that question asked. It is very possible he would have asked it if the silence had gone on for another minute.
"Yes," she nodded. "Padme was my aunt. She was Queen and then Senator." She looked from Ari to Luke, Han and Leia, as if for some explanation to this question.
"You probably knew her better than almost anyone else…" Ari started, then trailed off when she saw Pooja frowning.
"I won't discuss my aunt's personal life. She died tragically and when she was too young. That's all you or anyone else has to know."
Luke decided to speak up at this. "Ari was born and spend her childhood on Naboo, unlike us. She remembered hearing about your mother. Her own mother was a handmaiden, thought not for your aunt." Pooja still didn't look pleased so Luke continued. "Also, we find we have ties for Naboo."
"We?" Pooja asked, frown still on her features, arms crossed.
"Leia and I have recently found out that we are twins," Luke smiled at Leia, and then turned back to Pooja.
Pooja, was now focused on Leia. "You were an only child though."
"I thought so too. We were separated shortly after we were born. Neither of us knew that we were related to each other until recently. Our…" Leia paused and Ari knew she was having difficulty thinking about Darth Vader as her father. Luke explained that their father died and became Darth Vader, but Ari was sure if she were in Leia's place, she would find it difficult to connect the two of them.
"Someone told us that we were twins and it was explained to us that we were separated to be kept safe, since it was during the same time during the Jedi Purge and when the Emperor came to power," Luke spoke up.
"Your mother…she is an aunt. My aunt. Luke's aunt," Leia spoke up. "Our mother was Padme Naberrie also known as Queen Amidala and later Senator Amidala."
Pooja looked at Leia, then Luke as if for some sign for this being a joke. She didn't see any. "Leia, that isn't possible," she insisted. Clearly, from her tone and using Leia's name without titles, Ari could tell there was some familiarity between them. Though they were Senators together, they must have known each other outside the Senate. Perhaps in less formal circumstances.
"It is true," Luke spoke up. "You knew of your aunt's love for a Jedi, which was forbidden. You knew of the fact that she was with child. Those children were born. Yet, to assure Leia and I would not be hunted down, everyone had to believe that we had not survived."
Pooja shook her head, clearly having difficulty with this. However, her arms were not as tightly crossed as they had been before.
"The Queen will see you now."
Everyone turned to see a hooded figure, cloaked in a rich dark red cloak. It was a young woman, though it was hard to see her features under the hood. Her hair was hidden and her eye color was almost impossible to see. Immediately, Ari felt a kinship with this young woman. This Nubian was a handmaiden like Ari's mother had been.
"Pooja, we have much to talk about," Leia told her. "Please…stay. We will prove it to you."
"Search your feelings," Luke told her gently.
It was obvious that Pooja was torn between listening to Luke or leaving. Ari could tell she had decided the former when Pooja looked at Leia, very closely, studying the young woman. She started with her hair, which Leia had pulled back, but not an elaborate style. Then, her eyes traveled over Leia's facial features. No one spoke. Even the handmaiden seemed aware that something was happening.
Then, still silently, she looked at Luke. Ari watched her eyes follow the same path, taking in all of his features. Then, she looked back at Leia. She didn't seem doubtful anymore. However, there was sadness in her features. "You look so much like her." Then she glanced at Luke. "And you look like him."
No one had to ask who she meant. Everyone, except the handmaiden, knew who Pooja meant. Without warning, Pooja hugged Leia. Leia was caught off guard for a moment but hugged her back. They were like this for just a moment before the handmaiden cleared her throat.
"The Queen," she reminded them quietly.
Pooja nodded and pulled back from Leia. "You shouldn't leave her waiting. I must just send a message, and then I will wait here until you are done," Pooja told them, then gave a bow. Without another word, she turned and walked quickly down the hallway.
Luke walked over to Leia and touched her shoulder. They didn't speak, but she saw Leia nod and Luke smile slightly in return.
Ari felt like she was intruding, watching this, so she glanced at Han. He clearly felt the same way because he met Ari's eye and gave her a small, quick smile before tugging on his vest. It was clear that Han was a General and while he had proven himself many times, he certainly did not enjoy the formal clothing he sometimes had to wear.
"Ready?" Luke spoke up. Ari pulled her attention back to him and nodded.
"I am ready." She felt Luke's hand reach for hers, giving it a small squeeze. She squeezed it back before letting it go. Then, she waited for the handmaiden to lead them in. Leia was first, followed by Luke and Han who were just a few feet behind her. Chewie followed Han and Ari was after Luke. T
It was clear that everyone was taking their cue from Leia, because when she stopped, the others did too. Ari did the same, letting the Princess of Alderaan make introductions.
"Your Majesty, may I present myself, Princess Leia Organa of Alderaan," she gave a small nod of her head. "This is General Han Solo. And Jedi Knight Luke Skywalker." The two of them gave bows to the Queen. "Chewbacca and Jedi Knight Arianna Narabe." Chewie gave a bow while Ari gave a small curtsy, like her mother had taught her years ago.
Ari knew that if the droids had been there, Leia would have introduced them too even if it wasn't a common practice. Yet, she and the others felt that the droids were more like people than machines. They certainly had their own personalities.
"We come to ask for your assistance," Leia told her. "The Empire has fallen, but there is much rebuilding to be done. On behalf of the Alliance and the New Republic, we ask for you to join us. The trials ahead will be difficult and will not end immediately. They will take time, but together, we can rebuild the Republic. Each planet that joins us will become a part of it, with an equal voice in hopes we never must endure another war."
Ari was impressed with this speech. It was direct and to the point, but not without flair. Her gaze traveled to the Queen, looking at her closely for the first time. She wore white facepaint with some deep red on her lips and dark makeup around her eyes. There was a moment of thoughtful consideration before the Queen spoke.
"Why would you choose Naboo as one of the first planets to speak to?"
It was an odd question to Ari when she heard it, then she thought about it. It made sense to ask that question. Naboo was a small planet and certainly not one of great importance, unlike others.
"We have been to Coruscant and even have an ally of the former Imperial planet of Bakura. The reasons for choosing Naboo are political and personal. Politically, your planet is known for peace and democracy, two things that the New Republic strongly believes in," Leia answered.
The queen considered this. While she did, Ari looked at her, trying to figure out how old she was. The makeup made it hard to tell, but Ari could tell from her voice that she was not old, perhaps fifteen years old. She certainly couldn't have been older than a teenager. Certainly not the youngest Queen, yet not the oldest either. Her green eyes looked over the group before she turned her attention back to Leia. "And the personal reasons?"
There was a moment where Leia glanced over at Luke and he nodded. Leia took a deep breath and slowly let it out. "First, Jedi Knight Narabe is from this planet. She was born here and spent her childhood here."
The Queen turns to me and studies me. "Then your family left the planet?"
I nod, giving another small curtsy. "Yes, your Highness. They were part of the resistance. We had to flee when I was a child."
The Queen nods, and then turns back to Leia. "You said first. What are the other reasons?"
"Master Skywalker and I have recently learned that we are twins who were separated at birth. He was adopted by his aunt and uncle, while I was adopted by the Organa family on Alderaan. We also learned that our birth mother was from Naboo."
There was a silence as the Queen appeared to want more information, but Leia did not offer any more information. Ari knew it was probably difficult, especially since it meant her father was the man who eventually became Darth Vader. Taylor probably told Luke and Leia a lot about their father and who he used to be, but Ari knew it was probably a lot to take in.
"I will have to meet with my advisors to discuss this," the Queen answered. "Though I am fairly certain I know we were all agree on this decision. Will you be staying with us longer?"
"Yes," Leia answered. "We will leave the necessary information if you need to contact us."
"Very well. Expect to hear from me or one of my advisors tomorrow."
Everyone in the group bowed, even Ari this time though she had started to do another curtsy. Then, leaving the way they came, with Leia in the lead, they exited the throne room.
"It sounds hopeful," Leia responded once they had left the throne room and the doors had shut behind them.
"So are we done?" Han asked, clearly glad to be done.
At that moment, Pooja appeared. She looked excited, but also concerned. "Do you have any other business to attend to?"
"No," Leia shook her head, giving her a questioning look.
"You…all of you, have been extended an invitation for dinner," Pooja explains.
"Thank you," Leia answered for them. "But you don't have to do that."
Pooja shook her head. "It isn't just my invitation. It is from my parents and my grandparents who are yours as well. Your aunt, uncle and grandparents."