Chapter 148

The group entered the Naberrie home and they were led to a living room where two adults were standing. They were nervous, that much was obvious from how they were standing. Ari, Han, Chewie, who seemed too tall for the house, and the two droids hung back.

"Grandmother, grandfather, this is Princess Leia Organa of Alderaan and Lieutenant Commander Jedi Knight Luke Skywalker," Pooja introduced. "They are also family."

It was clear that both of the older adults knew that. The woman walked up to Leia and studied her face. "You look so much like her." She reached up and gently touched Leia's cheek, tears in the older woman's eyes. Then, she hugged Leia. It was clear that Leia was surprised by this, but she didn't pull back.

Luke and the other man were watching them and Ari felt as if she was intruding on a very personal moment. So, she stayed silent as the woman pulled back from Leia. "I apologize. You just look so much like her." Then she turned to Luke. "And you look so much like your father. Though not many knew who he was, I knew. We all did."

"We thought you had both died with our youngest daughter though," the man spoke up. Then he glanced over at the other five, who had not said a word. "You can all come closer. And let me make introductions. I am Ruwee and this is my wife, Jobal."

Leia spoke up before everyone else sine she was very comfortable with making introductions. "This is General Han Solo, Chewbacca, Jedi Knight Arianna Narabe, C-3PO and R2-D2." Her voice was strong and even, no sign that she had been caught off guard just moments before by Jobal.

"It is a pleasure to meet all of you," Ruwee spoke up. Ari noticed they both seemed to recognize the two droids and she wondered if R2 remembered them too. From the happy beeping, she assumed the droid did.

Handshakes and greetings were shared and then a brief pause fell over everyone. Ari knew it probably was hard for the Naberries as well as Luke and Leia. To not only see family they never knew before, but also to be told how much they resembled their parents. She felt a brief pang of sadness and grief, remembering how people would tell her that she shared certain features with her two parents. Though they had been dead for years, she doubted that she would ever truly forget them and part of her would always miss them, no matter how much time passed. Looking at Pooja, who was just a few years older than Ari herself, the young woman thought of Jett. She missed him as well. Forcing those thoughts from her mind, she came back to the present as Sola offered to get drinks for everyone.

Everyone took seats in the room, which became crowded quickly. However, Leia, always able to be diplomatic, commented on what she had seen so far of Naboo as well as the Naberrie's home and their hospitality.

With drinks, the conversation was casual, though Ari found herself watching more than anything else. When she was younger, she might have jumped into any conversation about her homeworld. Yet, this was not about her. It was about Luke, Leia and their recently found family.

"I apologize for earlier," Jobal spoke up after a few minutes. "You see, we had wondered often about our grandchildren and what it would have been like if they had lived. Now, to find out that they are alive…and heroes of the Rebellion. Oh, Padme would have been so proud of you both." She was speaking to the group, but her focus was clearly on Leia and Luke.

"Just like we are," Ruwee said.

"We couldn't have done it alone," Leia told them both, glancing back at Han, Chewie, Ari and the droids. Artoo beeped at this and none could help smiling at least a little, which helped the tension in the room.

"I am sure that there are many stories that grandmother and grandfather could tell you," Pooja spoke up. "But I have something I want to show you. If I may," she directed the last part of that to her grandparents.

"The three of us would like to show you," Jobal smiled.

Luke and Leia glanced at each other, very briefly. "We'd be happy to see whatever you would like to show us," Leia spoke for them both, then glanced at Han, Ari, Chewie and the droids.

"You go on," Han said.

Ari nodded in agreement. "We'll wait here." Her blue eyes met Luke's. No words were spoken between them, but nothing needed to be said. She gave him a small smile, which he returned before getting to his feet with the others.

Ari, Han, Chewie and the droids watched them go. They could hear the murmur of voices get quieter as they walked down the hall.

"So what do you think of Naboo?" Ari asked Han.

"It's nice," he shrugged. "I haven't seen a lot. This is where you're from, right? Still like how you remember it?"

Ari considered it for a moment. "Some things are. Yet, things are different. Though maybe the differences are because I've changed a lot."

Han nodded. "Well, don't think any of us are the same. Never expected picking up some passengers would change my life."

Ari smiled. "You mean an older man, a boy and two droids?"

"As well as a stowaway and then an infuriating princess," he smirked.

"Yeah, well I didn't plan on being a stowaway," Ari admitted. "But I have a feeling Luke would have made me stay, though I didn't have any reason to."

"He didn't seem the sort to force anyone to do anything back then."

Ari thought it over. "You're right, but look at how I was back then." It was only a few years ago, but to Ari felt like it was someone else's life.

Han nodded. "So, are you going to stay here?"

"I'd like to stay a bit longer or come back to visit again, but I won't be staying for good. I know one thing Luke and I need to do is find other Force sensitive beings and hopefully we can start the Jedi Order again."

"It's going to take you a long time."

"But it will be worth it."

Han opened his mouth to say something, then voices could be heard as they heard the others returning.

Leia seemed to be a little stunned as she sat down again.

Chewie made a concerned sound and Han frowned. "What's wrong?"

Leia glance at them and offered a small smile. "We just saw some pictures. It was odd."

"And Leia looks a lot like her," Luke offered, sitting down next to Leia. Ari could tell that he was affected by what he saw too, but he was handling it much better. Ari knew it must have been hard for both of them.

"It just is a surprise. Seeing her like this after so long. I saw holos of her, but not since I found out," Leia explained.

"Well, while you get used to the idea, how about some food?" Jobal suggested.

Ari could feel some of the tension from all the emotions lessen at this idea. Hopefully it would help put everyone more at ease.

It had been a good meal and everyone had tried to keep the conversation light talking more about Naboo, though Leia and Pooja also shared some funny stories involving politicians they had met through the years.

After dinner, everyone settled into the living room. The Naberrie family asked about all of them and then the conversation turned to their family as well as Padme. After about a half hour of stories, Ari felt the need for air and slipped away.

She stepped into the back yard, breathing the clean air, looking up at the stars

"All the stars are different here."

Ari didn't even turn around. Instead, she just nodded, eyes still skyward. "We've seen dozens of different skies," she remarked.

"Each time, it is so different," Luke responded as he slowly walked to join her. Ari felt his presence, both physically and through the Force, as he stopped, standing next to her.

"And you can see the sky here. It's beautiful," she murmured. "It is hard to see the stars on Coruscant."

She could sense that Luke was looking at her and she glanced over. He was giving her a quizzical look. "Why are you thinking of Coruscant?"

"We're going to be rebuilding the Republic. That is where it will happen."

Luke nodded. "That is where the seat of the government should be. I am not sure if it is the place for the Jedi."

"That is where the Temple is," Ari reminded him.

"I know. It is just very busy. And political. I would like to have it here, but from what I know of politics, that might not go well."

Ari shook her head. "People from Naboo try to have peace. I think it would be too busy with all the Jedi here. And favoritism."

"And not very close to Coruscant if we are needed there," Luke agreed.

"But if you chose another planet, maybe just for training, to get away from the politics, maybe that would be good," Ari suggested.

Luke was silent, but Ari could tell he was thinking it over, even when he glanced up at the sky again. Ari looked up as well, trying to remember the names of some of the more prominent stars.

"The temples on Yavin Four were good for the Alliance. They could work for the Jedi," Luke commented after a long pause. "And there are really no settlements there now. It might be a good place for training."

Ari nodded. "It would be. Though, you would have to ask Leia and the rest, I am sure."

"They will want the Jedi back," Luke answered. "I see no reason why they would say no. Though that is still quite some time off. We have more Force sensitive beings to find and the Temple to rebuild."

"You'll be busy, Master Skywalker," Ari said with a small smile, nudging his shoulder with her own.

"I said we," Luke reminded her. "We've spent much of this war apart. I think it is about time we spent some of it together."

Ari couldn't deny that she was happy to hear this. It felt that ever since they had embarked on this journey, their paths divided often, even if they did continue to cross. Her Jedi training and living through war did cause her to grow up, though she did miss her best friend when he was gone. He had changed even more. No longer just some kid from Tatooine; he was a Jedi Master. Mostly serious and serene, but on occasion, she would see the spark in his eyes that made her think of cool sandy nights when they used to plan what they would do when they got older. She knew that neither of them had expected this. "I think so too." She heard the sound of voices inside and remarked. "I am surprised you are not in there still. I am sure they have a lot to say about your mother."

"They do. And I will hear more. I had noticed you were gone though and thought you might like some company."

Ari nodded. "I was feeling a little out of place. Listening to stories about your family just as you are learning about them too."

Luke reached out and squeezed her hand. "They might be my grandparents and aunt and they might be talking about my parents, but you are a part of my family, in a way. We grew up together. And friendship turned into love."

Ari squeezed his hand back and just as she was about to respond, she was interrupted.

"This is where you two have gone off to."

Ari and Luke both turned to see Leia standing there. "I didn't mean to interrupt, but we were wondering where you two were. You seemed to just disappear."

"We were just enjoying the night sky," Luke responded.

"It is pretty," Leia agreed. "Which is why, though we need to go back, we should stay a few more days. Pooja mentioned a place that our mother used to love and I would like to see it. She is already contacting to Palace to see if we can have use of it."

Ari had to admit, she was surprised. She expected that Leia was going to want to move on as soon as possible, to begin rebuilding the Republic. However, maybe a break is what they all needed. "What is the name of the place?" Perhaps she knew of it.

"There wasn't a specific location exactly, but she said it was beautiful. She described it, along with the fields and waterfalls. They call it the royal lake retreat."