Author Note: Thank you, grammar gurus! It now makes sense to me that if we are referring to the Queen Soruna, she would be described as "the Queen". If I am saying, "the queen of Naboo is traditionally a teenager" than it would be lower case queen. I'll go with that.
14 weeks later, 12 weeks after the full liberation of Naboo by the Rebel Alliance
Varykino, Naboo
Pooja Naberrie jumped hastily from her speeder and waved a thankful hand at her pilot.
She approached the front door of the Main House at a near run, and was relieved when her mother Sola came out to meet her.
"Mother, I'm so sorry I'm late," Pooja gasped breathlessly, "There was an extra session for the Representatives regarding upcoming war crimes trials and I couldn't get away earlier as I'm on the committee."
Sola put a comforting arm around her daughter, even as she guided her upstairs to her room. Pooja noticed, abstractly, that the new construction on the house was nearly finished. It looked much better than the last time she was at Varykino, when the front hall had been nearly demolished.
Her mother said reassuringly, "It's all right, my dear, Luke and Leia are running a bit late as well so we're delaying the ceremony until they can get here."
Pooja paused in the act of pulling off her dress and spun around, "I am so thankful Luke and Leia could get away to be here!"
Sola nodded, even as she pulled out a dress of light green from Pooja's clothing chest.
"Yes, but do get dressed, my dear. I'm going to go down to mingle with our other guests. Please come down as soon as you can."
Pooja nodded and applied herself to the task of swiftly changing her clothing. Her hair – well, it was a mess, so she ran a brush through it and hastily rolled it into a complex bun. With a sad smile, she remembered her early attempts at this hair style when she was a child. Her Aunt Padme used to help her. Another beautiful memory, with the accompanying sorrow of having lost Padme too soon.
She slipped on the dress of green, which was the color of mourning for House Naberrie. She looked in the mirror. The last several months of stress and fatigue had worn new lines in her face, but she didn't mind. Great things had happened, and were happening, on Naboo. And she was a very small part of it.
She descended the stairs at a dignified pace, and walked toward the back of the house.
The large chamber she entered had been variously used in the past as a ball room, a sleep area for an overflow of extraneous guests, and, in times past, as a meeting hall for the Lake District.
In the past years of the Empire, it had been used infrequently.
Pooja was thus startled to see it full of people, most of them sitting on chairs conversing quietly. Pooja recognized some of the politicians from Theed, some neighbors from nearby villages and cities, and an extensive array of distant cousins and relatives. There were two sections of seats with an aisle up the middle of the room. At the front of the room stood a simple table made of Nabooian greenwood.
The room was a viridescent sea, as all those present were wearing a variety of shades ranging from sea green to emerald to jade. There were tall vases scattered variously along the walls, filled with exceptionally beautiful snowblooms.
Sola gracefully broke off her conversation with another Representative and came over to Pooja.
"Queen Soruna herself sent the snowblooms," she said softly to Pooja,"Snowblooms were your aunt's favorite flowers."
There was a prolonged rustle from the guests, as the back door to the chamber opened and Queen Soruna herself came in with her attendant handmaidens. In deference to the occasion, they were dressed in matching garb of muted green. The Queen moved gracefully towards the front of the room, where a group of chairs had been set aside for her and her retinue. She paused to speak briefly with a red haired woman sitting in the front row on the other side of the aisle.
"Who is that?" Pooja asked softly.
"Mon Mothma, one of the leaders of the Alliance," her mother replied just as quietly, "She and Padme were Senators together in the waning days of the Old Republic."
The soft notes of a flute sounded. Pooja and Sola walked swiftly to the front of the room next to Queen Soruna. All other attendees moved to their seats, but stood to face the aisle.
The doors in the back swung open. A box, inlaid with silver, floated through the door, followed solemnly by Luke Skywalker, Leia Organa Solo, and Han Solo, all dressed in dark green.
The guests watched in grave silence as the traditional music of House Naberrie wafted through the room, and the box levitated to the front of the room and sank gently onto the table.
Padme's children and Solo sat down next to Mon Mothma, and everyone else in the room lowered themselves into their chairs as well. After a moment, Ruwee Naberrie rose carefully to his feet.
Grandpa Ruwee's health had continued to deteriorate, and Sola stood to help her father walk slowly to the front of the room and stand next to the table with the box holding Padme's remains.
For a long moment, Ruwee stood observing the crowd. Finally, he spoke in a voice redolent of age and infirmity.
"Dear friends, colleagues, and neighbors, it is truly an honor to welcome you here to Varykino as we lay to rest the earthly remains of my dear daughter, Padme Naberrie.
"As the eldest living member of House Naberrie, I thank Queen Soruna and her government for offering to design and build a new monument for Padme after the wanton destruction of her tomb in Theed. However, after discussions with the rest of my family, including Padme's children, we decided to lay her to rest here on Varykino, where she spent some of the most precious times of her life.
"I am an old and ill man, and look forward to joining Padme in death in a short time. For those of you who did not have the privilege to know her, I wish to say that she was the Light of my life, along with her sister Sola. Padme was a brave and brilliant woman, a patriot, a leader. She was also a gracious daughter and sister, a loyal wife, and she fought hard for her children when the end came."
"Friends, it is my honor and privilege now to introduce my grandchildren. It has been the greatest gift of my old age to discover that Padme's children lived after 24 years of believing the child had died with the mother. To learn that …"
Ruwee choked up now, but then gathered himself, "To learn that Padme's children, twins, survived and have fought for the freedoms that their mother did has brought joy to my life and all those of House Naberrie. Friends, I am privileged to introduce to you Leia Organa Solo and Luke Skywalker."
Pooja watched as the twins stood up with almost spooky synchronicity, and walked forward to stand side by side, hand in hand, at the front of the room.
Leia, being the politician, spoke first, but simply, "Friends and family, I found out during the last two years that Darth Vader, formerly Anakin Skywalker was my father. That was, as you can imagine, very difficult news. Sometime later, Luke and I learned that Padme Amidala was our mother. As the adopted daughter of Bail and Breha Organa, I spent much of my childhood studying politics. I poured over my biological mother's speeches and writings, long before I knew of my relationship to her. The anguish of learning of my paternity was greatly lessened when I learned that Padme Amidala, one of the greatest of Naboo's queens, a patriot, and a truly great lady, was my mother.
"It is our privilege to be here as her biological remains are laid to rest here at Varykino. More than that, we delight in meeting and knowing our new family and our mother's friends. While our mother died too soon, we hope and believe that her legacy will be carried on in our lives and in the lives of my own unborn twins."
There was a rustle of astonishment at this announcement of her pregnancy, but her brother Luke spoke up now.
"I am thankful to be here at Varykino, on a free Naboo, in a galaxy which has changed rapidly in the last few months due to the death of Emperor Palpatine. Our father's crimes were monumental, and there can be no full absolution. Nevertheless, he did choose to attack Emperor Palpatine in spite of the full awareness that it would likely lead to his death. While his soul dwelt in darkness for decades, his love for our mother and care for her children turned him back toward the Light. While our parents' marriage ended in tragedy, Leia and I are thankful for the legacy of hope – hope that even the hardest heart can be softened, hope that the future can be brighter for beings across the galaxy. And while we grieve that we never knew our mother, we are blessed to learn more about her life and love from those who knew her personally. We thank all of you who have shared memories, both extensive and simple, about her life and legacy. We are honored to be her children."
There was a solemn pause, and then, in accordance with custom, all present stood. The doors at the back of the room were opened by Pooja's second cousins, and the mourners filed gravely out into the garden. Again, an aisle was formed by the attendees, and Padme's remains, in their box, were levitated and guided by the Force down the aisle and into a hole that had been dug in the soft soil next to a bed of snowblooms. Pooja felt a quick glimmer of amusement at the surprised look on various faces at the floating box. It had been many years since a Force user had operated openly on Naboo.
Once the box was in the hole, Luke and Leia physically shoveled dirt into the hole to cover it.
When the hole was filled and the soil patted smooth, most of the guests retreated to the house for refreshments and conversation. Pooja, her mother, her grandparents, and Luke, Leia and Han Solo remained behind for a few minutes of reflection. Pooja noticed, vaguely, that the Alliance Leader Mon Mothma disappeared into the back yard with an aide by her side.
Luke and Leia stood side by side in front of the grave, again holding hands. Solo stood to his wife's right, with his arm around her shoulders. Pooja moved slightly to watch the twins. While their eyes were closed, there was an intent look on their visages that made her think they were communicating. Pooja noticed for the first time the very slight bulge in her Leia's abdomen, the first physical sign of the babies' presence. She smiled to herself at the thought her aunt's grandchildren.
After a few minutes, Leia said softly, "That's fine, Luke. Han and I can be the official presence."
Luke frowned, "Are you sure? I don't want to dump you with this."
Leia dug a gentle elbow into her twin's side, "Seriously? I can do a kind and welcoming crowd for hours. I'd far rather do that then…"
Pooja's eyes met Solo's. He grinned at her and said, as if reading her thoughts, "Yeah, they are like this a lot. It's like listening to a quarter of a conversation."
Luke flushed slightly, "I'm sorry, Pooja…"
"No, that's fine," she responded promptly, "Since your activities on this planet resulted in the death of a vile despot, you have my official permission to be as weird as you like."
The twins smiled and then, after another exchange of looks. Luke stepped forward and said, "Pooja, would you like to accompany me on a walk on the estate? Leia and Han will host the gathering back in the Main House."
Pooja's eyebrows knit is bewilderment, but a quick look at her mother showed Sola nodding so this was obviously sanctioned and planned.
Quietly, she followed Luke into the woods. She quickly realized that the path they were taking was the same as the one she and Leia had taken back to the dilapidated guest house, except that now the track was well worn and, when she looked at it carefully, had been stabilized with small stones.
She wasn't sure what they were doing, but she enjoyed these few minutes of silence as they walked through the trees. The mild winter of Varykino would be on them in a couple of months, and the late autumn wildflowers were in evidence.
All too soon, they approached the old guest house. To Pooja's astonishment, a fence had been erected which completely surrounded what she could see of the guest house. The fence was not a casual affair either; it was tall and bristled with electronics and warning signs declaring that the area was under quarantine. In the air above the safe house, Pooja noticed the effervescent signature of a force field containment system. How much did this all cost?
"Is this where our relative is staying?" Pooja asked, the pieces fitting together suddenly.
Luke lifted an eyebrow, "That depends on which relative you are talking about."
Pooja frowned as Luke walked over to a gate, where he entered a code which caused the gate to slide open.
"Mother said that one her distant cousins had been recovered from a prison where … where the Empire was doing experiments with biological agents. There were concerns that he had been contaminated or infected and needed to stay away from people until he had finished quarantine."
"That's the official cover story, yes," Luke replied apologetically, "The truth is…well, you'll see the truth in just a minute."
Curiously, Pooja followed Luke into the guest house. It had been improved further, with the entrance now completely redone so that there were no longer splinters or holes in either floor or walls. She followed Luke into the main living room area and stopped in bewilderment.
Four people occupied the room, with three sitting on comfortable but casual chairs and the fourth standing with focused attention against the wall. Two of those on chairs were Mon Mothma, the leader of the Alliance, and her aide. The individual standing drew Pooja's eye quickly. She was a Togruta of medium height, with long white and blue montrals. Her bearing was military, and Pooja noticed a lightsaber on her belt.
The last individual was unknown to Pooja. He appeared to be a tall male human, but his face was completely pale. His uncovered head was a mass of scars. Pooja shuddered sympathetically. What had the Empire done to this man?
Mon Mothma looked up and said, "Welcome, Commander Skywalker, Representative Naberrie. Commander, your father has just given us key insights into the situation on Kashyyyk. As you know, the Alliance is pushing into that sector and if we can free Kashyyyk and the Wookies…"
Mothma's words faded away for Pooja as the meaning penetrated her mind.
Her shocked gaze focused in on … Uncle Ani? This was Uncle Ani?
Tears sprang to her eyes. She barely remembered Anakin Skywalker from her childhood, but she had vague memories of a handsome man with dark blond hair and an easy smile. This poor soul looked like he had been through hell. For all the suffering he had inflicted on the galaxy, he too had obviously suffered much.
Too late, Pooja realized that she was surrounded by two strong Force users. Or perhaps three. Luke and Vader (Anakin?) were now looking at her intently, and she noticed the Togruta had taken a step forward as well and was staring at her.
Mothma's voice trailed off.
Luke spoke up apologetically, "I'm sorry, Pooja. I should have warned you. We've been careful not to discuss the situation outside of the compound but I should have explained once we were inside the force field."
Pooja felt her face flush in embarrassment. She was dimly aware that she was broadcasting her horror to people who could feel every iota of pity and distress, and that was humiliating for a politician like herself.
Anakin didn't seem upset, though, as he stood up and approached her with a gentle smile on his face.
"It's all right, Pooja, I know how I look and it takes some getting used to."
The voice was very different as well. It wasn't the intimidating bass of Darth Vader, but a soft and husky voice. Belatedly, Pooja noticed the tube going into a hole in Anakin Skywalker's neck, which was attached to a cylinder held at his waist. She guessed it was oxygen support for his lungs.
Pooja put her hands out and grasped his prosthetic hands, which she noted were covered with synthskin and looked different than in his former persona as Vader. His legs, too, were thinner than before. And he didn't seem as tall as in the holovids.
In fact, he looked like an entirely different person. And he certainly sounded like a different person, gentle and understanding of her shock at his appearance.
"I apologize for interrupting your meeting," Pooja said.
Mon Mothma stood up.
"That's quite all right, Representative Naberrie. If you don't mind keeping Skywalker company, his son and I have a few things to discuss so we'll take over the office."
"How about the kitchen?" Luke asked, "I'm hungry."
There was a mutual chuckle, and Mothma, her aide, and Luke left the room.
Pooja was left standing awkwardly in front of her erstwhile uncle.
"Sit down, Pooja," he suggested gently. He disengaged his hands from hers, and sat back down and looked at the Togruta.
"You too, Snips. You don't need to loom over me constantly like an especially hungry Rancor," he chided.
"I prefer to stand, Skyguy," the Togruta responded, "I just spent the last 3 days on a Starfighter getting here and I'm tired of being hunched up like a vine snake in a drain pipe.
Pooja lifted an inquiring eyebrow at 'Snips'.
"I'm Ahsoka Tano," the Togruta explained, "Anakin was my master back in the days of the Clone Wars."
"You're a Jedi?" Pooja demanded in amazement. She had thought they were all gone, except for Luke.
"I was never knighted," Tano explained. A shadow passed across her face, but Pooja couldn't interpret it, "I left the Order before the Purges, drifted around for a time, got involved in the Rebellion, and now I'm Skyguy's…"
"Jailer," Anakin finished calmly.
Pooja looked around her.
"So that's what this is?" she asked evenly, "A prison?"
Anakin nodded, "For now, anyway."
Pooja sank into another chair. She wasn't sure what to think about all this. On one hand, Darth Vader deserved death. On the other hand, surely Anakin Skywalker had earned some thanks and reward for sacrificing himself to kill the Emperor.
"So has there been a trial?" she heard herself say.
"There has not," Luke said as he walked back into the room, taking random bites out of a ration bar, "Because officially, Darth Vader is dead."
"But thanks to you, Luke," Anakin said, "I did not die. The fact that the galaxy believes I am dead doesn't make it right to hide my survival. It is only appropriate that I be officially tried and if convicted, executed. Certainly, I deserve death for my crimes against the galaxy."
Mon Mothma walked in at the tail end of this sentence, "Anakin Skywalker, I realize that you've been used to largely directing your own life and actions, but this obsession with being tried and likely executed is growing tedious. You are no longer in charge. You are a prisoner of war. The Alliance council, along with your children, will decide your fate. If we decide you must spend the rest of your life lolling around in a comfortable prison while we pick your brain of useful information, you will just have to live with it."
Luke and Ahsoka smiled, and Pooja belatedly realized she had walked into what was apparently a well worn argument.
"Seriously, Father," Luke said, "Leia and I will abide by the decision of the Alliance Council, but you must see the information you are providing on a regular basis is of vital importance for the war. And as we discussed in the Force Vision a couple of months ago, there is much we can learn from you about the ways of the Force."
Pooja saw Anakin's scarred face grow sadder and grimmer, "I realize that, all of you. But the reality is that the galaxy deserves my death. You are putting certain Imperials on trial for war crimes, are you not?"
Luke looked uncomfortable, but Mothma responded calmly, "Yes."
"How can you ethically justify putting those on trial who worked for me, or for Palpatine, and yet not try me, the instigator of some of the most heinous crimes ever perpetrated against the people of the galaxy? I live every day with the awareness of my crimes, Mon Mothma. I fear that my children's high rank in your government is swaying justice falsely in my favor. I also fear that if it ever leaks out that I'm still alive, my children will suffer. I have already caused them untold pain. I urge you to reconsider whether I should be allowed to live even another day."
There was a dreadful silence, and Luke's face grew white.
Pooja spoke up without thinking, "Uncle Ani?"
The pale, hairless face of Anakin Skywalker turned to her, looking slightly surprised that she was introducing herself into this discussion.
She reached out her hands and grasped her uncle's hands, "Uncle Ani, I am not your child, or your former apprentice, or the woman who is helping lead the Alliance to victory. I'm a junior representative from one insignificant planet in the Outer Rim. Mother has told me much about Aunt Padme, though I don't remember her well. I do know this. Padme was brave, and she was loyal, and she did her duty. Madame Mothma is right. This decision is no longer yours to make. You are here, right now, and you are alive. All you can do is live each second, each minute, each hour, and each day to the best of your ability. You don't know the future. None of us do. I urge you not to agonize over your sins of the past to the point that you cannot do good for the future of the galaxy. And do not deprive your son of his time with you, time that he obviously longs to spend with the only father he will ever have."
She stopped, surprised at her outpouring of words and suddenly frightened she had said the wrong thing. But Luke looked at her with gratitude and tears in his eyes and said, "Pooja is right, Father. Every second, every minute, every hour, every day is a chance for you to leave a positive legacy."
The former Darth Vader straightened his back and disengaged his hands from his niece's. His blue eyes, so much like his son's, grew bright with tears and a gentle smile transformed his disfigured face. He patted Pooja gently on the shoulder and, then, looking at those around him, nodded and said softly, "As you wish."
The End
Authors Note: I know, this ended rather abruptly! But I felt like this was a good place to end it, with Palpatine dead and Naboo free. Anakin's fate is somewhat unknown, but that's realistic for a man who has that kind of history. But I know that he and Luke will cherish the time that they have together. And if I get inspired, I'll write an Epilogue!
Also, I haven't been publicly thanking my husband for beta'ing this. Thank you, honey! Your keen eye for typos and logic errors has been invaluable.
And last but not least, thanks so much to those of you who have read and reviewed this fanfic. It has been fun to write.