Courascant
"it's not fair!" Leia screamed throwing a vase across the room and
shattering it. Grateful the kids were at school and not witnessing their
mother's temper tantrum. " I want to see him! and they've turned me away
three times! three times! they can't do this to me!"
"Apparently they can, Leia." Han said calmly knowing this discussion
very well indeed. "I told you before, Rank is not important to them. They
don't care about you being the Chief of State for the New Republic. This is
a law you can't do anything about. Only Mara Jade can help him now."
"Mara Jade!"Leia screeched "She can't do anything for him, she wants to
kill him!"
"Leia" Han said angrily, standing up with a menacing tone in his voice
she'd never heard before. He didn't want to have it come to this, but now
he had no choice. "Stop being so self-righteous! You're acting like a
spoiled brat and you know better. Just because you're the head of the New
Republic doesn't make you a goddess or responsible for running people's
lives! Especially your own brothers" His voice was cold and lashing and
Leia's rebellious anger rose another notch.Angrily she stamped towards
him.
"Han don't you dare speak to me like-" But Han's hand came up quickly to
place a stinging slap on her cheek. Leia gasped and recoiled in shock. Han
stood up and towered over her with his most intimidating gaze.When he
spoke, his voice was cold and level.
"I didn't slap you for me Leia I slapped you for Luke! I can't see you
treat him like this anymore. I won't let you ruin him again! you don't
deserve to be the leader of the New Republic if you can't give your own
brother the freedom to make his own choices! "
Leia rubbed her cheek and fought back tears of shock "Han-"
"No I want you to listen to me just once Leia. I know some things about
Luke and Mara you will never understand. I know you won't let him get close
to anyone because you're afraid of losing him like you lost everyone on
Alderaan Isn't it?"
Leia didn't answer. Han stepped forward and repeated louder
"Isn't It!!"
Cowering, she whispered "Yes" Han had her now. He had to get the message
across.
"You play to win at getting everything in the government and family life
Leia. Well I won't let you win this round now. Not this time. Luke is a
human being and he deserves to be happy with Mara Jade . He's gotten over
what she was ten years in the past but you haven't. Your self righteousness
keeps you from forgiving and forgetting people. Even...your own father!"
"Han! Don't"
"I'm not talking about Vader Leia. I'm talking about Bail."
"Leia's eyes were full of panic at that. "what- what do you mean Han"
she whispered.
"I mean I know about how your so called adopted father felt about the
people less fortunate than himself.He was the one who made the law of peace
and beauty on Alderaan true at the cost of several people on your world. He
never acknowledged the poor and the needy people of Tatooine to visit his
world. He told your people to turn their back on them. Ignore them because
he didn't want to have anything to do with them."
"No-No that's not true Han"
"Isn't it? You know I visited Alderaan a long time ago and got to study
their records. Well honeybun, it's time you spilled the beans to him."
"Han please-" Leia began to sob now. Han spoke his next words with
absolutely no-nonsense.
"If you don't tell him Leia then I will!!"
**********************************************************************
Deadly Laws- Chapter Eleven-In the Caverns.
"This is it?" Luke gasped in wonder at the gigantic cavern they arrived
to. It was beautiful.There was a small lake centered in the middle of the
cavern with four chambers clearly marked and well-stocked with
supplies.Coming closer ,Luke could see the engraved writing to label the
chambers. KITCHEN CHAMBER, SUPPLY CHAMBER, WATER CHAMBER and BEDROOMS.
Luke couldn't help but smile in delight at his new surroundings. It was
magnificent where they were staying in a romantic hidden kind of way.And
the feeling of total privacy was very appealing.
Luke walked down the corridor that held the bedroom chambers to unpack.
Choosing one near the end. It was very large. One probably meant for a
family. On the small raised platform was a king size bed freshly made and a
dressing table with a mirror. On the ends of the bed, placed in attractive
glass protectors ,were candles.
Walking down three steps decorated by a sandrail cement. Luke sat on
the large soft plush currant coloured sofa near a fire circle hole. Putting
his box down on the dresser beside him, he examined it for a long time.
"Do I really want to know what's in here?"
"Yes I think you should open it." Luke whipped his head around to find
Mara at the entrance to his room. With a gentle look in her eyes she came
forward and sat down beside him as he idly ran his hand along the smooth
surface.
"Well?' she asked with a warm smile. Luke looked uneasily at her and
trembled a little.
'I-I-I'm not sure I can do this." he whispered, trembling a little bit .
Mara saw this and put her small warm hands on his shoulders to steady him.
"Why Luke? What are you afraid of?I know You've been afraid since we
first placed you on the farm. Why are you so afraid?"
Luke's expression grew wistful as he regarded the box again. Mara knew
he was going to tell her something important.
"I never told anyone this before Mara. But I can't keep this inside
forever. I would have told..." he swallowed hard and fought back his grief
"..Callista if she stayed with me."
"But she didn't" Mara said simply ,never wavering her gaze from him and
his eyes began to fill with pain again. " But now I have to. Now after
everything you've done. You deserve to know."
Mara put he hand gently on top of his and he continued .
"I've had to make myself forget so much during and after this bloody
war. Ben, Yoda and Leia have told me never to look back and focus on the
task at hand. But it's cost me. It's cost me so much."
"What? what has it cost you Luke?" Mara asked softly.
"I never got to say goodbye To my aunt or Callista. I should have done
something to help them more."
"And you've never forgiven yourself for that?"
"No. But when I found Dariel I saw a chance to make amends with my past.
Maybe even add things to my life that my aunt and Uncle would approve of. I
see bits and pieces of both of them in Dariel. I..I..I' he gasped and felt
the long buried tears of grief start to come. He hunched forward and
started to cry but Mara came forward to hold him in a comforting embrace.
"I didn't want.....Dariel to... die... the..way they...did." he cried
sobbing hard now. "I wanted..to help her.. but I..wasn't good
enough...why?..why wasn't I good enough?" he continued crying and
crying.Mara just held him. She couldn't think of anything comforting to say
and she knew words were not needed.
Finally, Luke wiped his eyes and slowly raised his head. He looked sadly
at the metal box still in his lap. Mara smiled and gave him a small prybar.
"We'll open it together.' she whispered.and slowly together they cracked
the box open.
Luke gasped in wonder as he reached inside the box.
"What is it?" Mara whispered. Slowly Luke pulled out a beautiful crystal
music box.
"Oh gods. I had no idea..." he whispered. Winding the box slowly and
playing it. The tiny chimes sounded through the room like small drops of
water, filling Luke's head with memories long forgotten. It was the same
tune Dariel played on her sandharp.
"Tell me about the music box Luke" she whispered, moving closer to him.
"This was my aunts favorite music box." Luke began cradling it gently as
the song slowed down. "She used to play it to me at night when I couldn't
sleep. She had the most beautiful voice as she sang the lullaby to me.When
I was little, she held me in her lap on a rocker and would sing me to
sleep."
"That's a lovely memory Luke" Mara whispered.
"What happened next isn't. When I was seven, I brought some of my
friends over to play tag in the house. My uncle always forbade me running
in the house but my aunt usually let me. Anyway, I got really excited and
got caught up in the game and in my excitement I knocked over the music
box...just as my uncle came in the door."
"Oh no."
"All my friends were terrified, they raced out of the house with me
facing my uncles wrath. He slapped me, just once not very hard but I saw my
aunt come into the room behind me. I guess she heard my uncle yelling at me
and wanted to explain what happened but my uncle was so angry he wouldn't
give her or me a chance to explain. Shortly after, I was sent to work in
the fields everyday. I think my uncle knew how valuable and rare that music
box was and punished me for breaking it. I never saw it again...Until now."
'She fixed it." Mara said softly. Luke nodded.
"This music box is a rare thing, it's hard to get pure glass like this
anywhere on Tatooine. I wanted to fix it but I couldn't. My uncle claimed
he threw it away. But I guess somewhere my aunt retrieved it and fixed it
herself."
"Maybe it's her way of telling you something that happened wasn't your
fault. Maybe that's why she kept it."
Luke gave a small sniff "Yeah...maybe. Always maybe"
Luke pulled out a few more items from the box. Inside there was a
beautiful vivid green silk scarf and wrapped inside was a beautiful gold
chain with emeralds . Mara's eyes widened at the beautiful piece of
jewelry.Giving her a sheepish look, he slowly held the necklace to her.
"Mara, this was my aunts only piece of jewellery she ever had.If-if you
don't mind...I 'd like you to wear it."
Mara smiled warmly "I'd be honored Luke." he slowly came closer and put
the necklace on her. It accentuated her beautiful neck and seemed to fit as
though it had been made for her.
"It's beautiful Luke, I shall wear it always."
Luke froze again as he was mesmerized by her eyes again. He was within
kissing distance of her face and the way she was looking at him sent
shivers up his spine. Mara sensed his uncertainty slowly moved forward and
gently brushed a sweet kiss on his lips. He almost recoiled in shock as she
kissed him lightly again and again filling his lips with her
sweetness.Slowly he pulled her closer and began slowly to kiss her back.
Mara smiled and sighed as she pulled him gently into her embrace...
********************************************************************
Dariel Anglethorn waited, crouching in a well hidden sand dune . She'd
survived getting through the worst of the raiding parties angry shouts,
fists and dodging a stray laser blast. But she couldn't have survived if
Luke and Mara were with her.
She had to see to their safety first. They were her guests on what once
had been her property but now the main house had been siezed and sections
of it burned. It wasn't completely destroyed, but now the land her family
had once owned was no longer hers. The eviction left her abandoned.
Three days had passed and she'd been able to get into some of the
hidden emergency rations her father put in the desert. She scurried around
at night and retrieved them, avoiding the angry sound of Tusken raiders and
the cold Tatooine night winds. She had to meet up with Luke and Mara in the
caverns to let them know she was all right. She couldn't forget the look in
Luke's eyes as she ran out to fight the evictors.It was a look that said to
her "Don't leave me!" and Luke needed to know he was in no way responsible
for what happened to her property. He needed to know he hadn't lost another
friend.
************************************************************************
He tried to sort through the barrage of confused feelings into some kind
of order. But he couldn't. The last nights events and feelings resurfaced
in his mind and forced him to think about the consequences.
He was halfway through his coffee when he heard the sound of an echoing
footstep in the corridor and saw the outline of a shadow. Putting the cup
down, he cautiously leaned against the side wall as the steps came closer.
When the figure was close enough, Luke gave a hard shove to the intruder
and slammed her against the counter, placing a knife to her neck as he
reconized the face of his intruder."Dariel!"
She grabbed his wrist and pushed the knife away as Luke got off her.
'Nice to see you too Luke. I take it you're not satisfied with the room
service here.'
Luke put the knife down and gave a smile of relief. "No nothing of that
sort. This place is excellent. I just thought you were somebody else is
all. What happened to you?You look like you got run over by a bantha
stampede."
" That's what it felt like but there isn't much to tell. My farms, both
of them, got evicted violently."
"Evicted? you mean..."
"Yes. the farm I owned is destroyed. I don't have anyplace to go now.
except here. Nobody knows of this caverns except you and Mara.It was the
safest place I could think of to put you for another two weeks until you
go back."
"I'm glad you got us to come here Dariel I think-"
"Hey Luke! can't you pour the ladies some coffee?" Luke turned around to
find that Mara had arrived and was standing in the kitchen chamber dressed
in a lovely silken robe the billowed gently out before her as a soft breeze
flowed through the doorway.
"Oh. Uh..." he looked at Mara and Dariel and back again then motioned
for them to sit down "sure I'll get you your coffee. Why don't you sit
down?"
***********************************************************************
The next week passed by fairly comfortably. Mara didn't mention to Dariel
about the night they shared together but Luke suspected Dariel knew. He was
grateful that Mara persued the subject no further.
Finally three days before he was due back at the podium,things came to a
shocking change.
Luke had finished a nice refreshing swim in the underground lake cavern.
He'd gone in his pants and undershirt and had wrapped himself in his cloak
to dry himself off, when he heard Mara approach him. She sat down beside
him with a look of lethal calmness and dead seriousness. For a moment,
nothing was said betwen them. Luke glanced back at her as she made like she
was about to say something to him.
Running his hands through his damp hair, Luke finally assumed the
initiative to start the conversation.
"Was there something you came here to tell me Mara?"
"Well...yes there is. It's..very important."she clunched and unclenched
her hands nervously, trying mentally to prepare herself for what she was
going to say. She'd gone through the scenario hundreds of times, now that
it was here, she didn't know how to tell him.
"Really ?Does it concern Dariels home situation, I've been giving it a
lot of thought and maybe-'
"Never mind Dariels home search right now Luke" Mara said taking his
hands in hers grasping it so he couldn't get free."There's something I have
to say to you."
Luke's blue eyes met Mara's green ones and what he saw there made his
heartbeat quicken. She moved closer to him.
"Luke from the first moment I laid my eyes on you on that podium I
realized how much you meant to me. I know you've been hurt during this last
year but I've kept a secret of my own from you. Something I didn't want to
say because I was afraid. But now I know if you die on that podium, so will
I.'
Lukes brows drew together in confusion. "Mara what are you trying to-"
"I love you Luke!" she blurted. "I love you with all my heart. I loved
you for years but I was such a stupid fool I didn't know it."
A twinge of excitement surged through him at Mara's words but he pushed
it down. He needed to make her understand.
"Mara Please you musn't say such things."
"It's true Luke! I love you! I love You! I didn't realize how much
until now. I don't want you to die on that podium. I want to spend our
lives together!"
Lukes eyes went wide in shock. "What did you say!"
"Dammit Luke you heard me! I want to marry you, I want to spend the rest
of my days beside you as your wife!I love you with all my heart Skywalker
and I always will. Say yes!" she was pratically begging now and tears were
filling her eyes, anticipating his response.
For a full minute, Luke's eyes remained wide with shock and the cavern
was filled in a brittle silence as he felt a cold breeze grab his arms.
With a determined effort, he released her and grabbed his cloak to wrap it
around him. Swallowing his despair and speaking in a low tormented voice,
he whispered.
"I can't Mara. I'm so sorry."
***********************************************************************
A few minutes later Mara came to the Dining chamber to eat but instead
found a lone Dariel Anglethorn.
"Where's Luke" she asked looking around.
"I thought he was with you? didn't you say you were going to talk to him"
"Yes I was but-"
'But what? Mara did you say something to upset him?"Dariel's eyes
searched her face,trying to find a clue what happened between them.
Disconcerted ,Mara crossed her arms and looked pointedly away.Then Dariel
realized it; they reached the point where their relationship had to be
resolved and she told him how she felt. Sighing she come to Mara and put
her arms around her as tears filled her eyes.
'Oh Gods Mara, you did."
Tears flowed down her chheks." Oh Dariel" she gasped in-between sobs
"What did I do wrong?"
"Absolutely Nothing. You told him the truth." she said giving her a
handkerchief to blow her nose and wipe her eyes.
"But where is he? You don't think he-"
"No he isn't. But I know part of him is considering it Mara. But he
won't" She filled her voice with certainty on this last fact.
Mara looked up in wonder at Dariel."How-How do you know that?' she asked
very softly.
"Because I've seen the love he has for you Mara. He loves you so much
it frightens him. His love for you excites him and is the kind he wouldn't
admit to feel...even to himself. Farmboys are somewhat blind to that kind
of love but he knows. When he finds your love for him is real, he will
respond to your proposal."
"Are you sure of that?"
"Believe me, Mara he won't die. He loves you and he will come to realize
it. I know part of what he's been through." the two women looked at each
other and smiled in earnest.
"Come on Mara, we have to get back to town. while we're going there I
have some instructions on how to recite the wedding vows..."
"Wedding vows?! now wait a minute..."
Mara protested in the speeder halfway into town.
*****************************************************************************
Tatooine- detention cell.
Luke paced in his dark cell, holding in his hands a single bottle of
poison but making no effort to drink it. Tommorrow would be his day. His
day of Judgement. The day he would give his final answer to the punishment
the law allowed for him. But now everything was different.
He paced his room and even though the room itself was dark, thoughts
swirled and flowed faster and clearer for him. He'd lived this last three
months a a simple human being with all it's frustrations and fears and
joys.
Leia and the rest of the New Republic might have thought of him as a
Jedi but in so many ways it was more fulfilling just to be human. During
the last three months he'd found real comfort and healing with the two of
them. Dariel didn't see him as a hero.She saw him as a person and so did
Mara. Being treated as an equal was ten times more rewarding than being
treated like a god. The thought was an awakening experience that left his
sense reeling. Leia had become so self-righteous in her own quest to become
a leader and a senator she'd left all her emotions behind her. He'd been
suckered into believing that gaining power was the path to gaining love.
but with Dariel, Mara and Han It was different. They loved him for who he
was, not by his rank or heroic deeds . They loved him because he made
mistakes and cried for friends and had vulnerabilities. They weren't faults
They were part of who he was.
The room seemed to grow lighter as more understanding came rushing
to him. He'd been clinging to one fantasy after another with Leia, Callista
and the New Republic that he'd forgotten what was real. Mara's love for
him was real!the night they shared together had been real and there was
still a chance for the two of them to have that life she yearned for. One
he could provide for.
Looking at the vial in his hand with sudden contempt, he hurled it to the
wall and it shattered . He was going to live! He was going to live his life
to the fullest with Mara Jade. Whether Leia welcomed Mara into her family
or not. He knew with more clarity than ever what he was going to do
tommorrow.
Tommorrow, where there was always hope and always fresh and memories
could be wiped clean. And Callista was the memory he would wipe clean. It
was the right way to heal himself and gain some semblence of his personal
justice and freedom.
**************************************************************************
Deadly Laws- Chapter Twelve-Back On the Podium:Final choice.
. Luke stood at attention as he stood on the podium again with the noose
around his neck, waiting for his final choice and judgement. The same high
priest adressed the crowd and him.
"We, the people of Tatooine have arrived to oversee the progress of
Sanctuary and to verify the fate of the man who stands before us."
He paused then turned to speak to Luke. "Luke skywalker, three months ago
a plea of mercy was placed on this podium for your life. In that three
month period ,have you come to a decision about the fate that awaits you?"
"I have High priest" Luke said in a clear voice. It didn't seem possible
but he looked taller.
"What is your decision then Man?"
"I wish to live high priest. I have my intended here with me today and I
wish to begin my life with her."
A thunderous roar rang through the crowd. standing Nearby the podium
Mara felt her eyes fill with tears of Joy. A minute later, the priest
raised his arm and the crowd fell silent.
"You have made a good choice. Commander and Jedi Skywalker. Before we
ask your intended to take her vows with you, I must request if you have a
witness.?"
"Yes I do. I wish to bring forth Dariel Anglethorn to verify and witness
our marraige vows and union."
Both Dariel and Mara came forward as the priest removed the noose from
his neck and Luke stepped off the trapdoor to meet Mara. Her eyes were
shining as she took his hand. Smiling ,Luke and Mara turned towards the
priest.
"Mara Jade does your heart beat for this man and for him only? Will you
honour, cherish and protect him as your husband for the rest of your
days.?"
"It does and I will." Mara said softly repeating the words Dariel
instructed her to say "He is the air I breathe and the blood in my veins,
My heart is his now and forever."
The priest smiled and adressed Luke.
'Luke Skywalker, does your heart beat for this woman who stands before
you, does it beat for her only? will you love, cherish and protect her for
the rest of your days?"
"It does and I will" Luke said with an enigmatic smile. "She is the airI
breathe and the blood in my veins. My heart is hers now and forever."
The priest then spoke to Dariel.
"Miss Anglethorn ,as the word of a friend to this couple, can you verify
that the words they have spoken are true? Have you seen and witnessed the
love between them they have spoken of?"
"The words they have spoken are as real as the twin suns guarding this
world .May their love endure as long as they have."
"Because they have spoken these words and said these vows. the
termination law is now officially annulled!"
Another round of happy cheers went through the crowd. as they cheered
Luke could hear the priests words to them.
"Mara Jade and Luke Skywalker may you walk together in happiness and
Joy. Let your years together be blessed with happy healthy children. May
you never part from the love you have discovered and Fate has nearly taken
from you. Be wise in your decisions and pass it down to your young ones.
With this blessing I give you your freedom back." the priest walked away,
going back into the door and Luke and Mara stepped down from the podium. at
the bottom of the stairs they kissed. Feeling their intermingled joy at the
future that lay ahead of them.
************************************************************************
The End.
Epilogue.
Luke and Mara returned to Corascant three days Later. Dariel came with
them. Luke went to the royal Palace of Courascant to try and talk to his
sister about his marraige to Mara but her stubborn pride kept her from
listening to him. after a quiet farewell toHan Luke left for their
Honeymoon Dariel covered for Mara in the smuggling and trade operations
while they were gone becoming Mara's assistant and good friend to both her
and Karrde . Eventually she earned enough money to buy a ship of her own
and win a seat and a home with the New Republic.
Six months after being seperated from her brother Leia slowly began to
realize the cruelty and pain she caused him and humbly asked her brother to
forgive her . Which he joyously did. A few days later another joyous
message came to the Solo Family. Mara Jade was with child and less than a
year later, gave birth to a beautiful girl.
Luke and Mara lived the remainder of their days in hapiness. They passed
their wisdom down to their biological and adopted children and lived to
see another generation together.They made the best choice either one could
ask for.
S.B-1998.
I'd like to thank everyone who's complimented me on this story and
helped to encourage me during my times I got stuck. You know who you are. I
hope this story was entertaining and you enjoyed reading it as much as I
liked writing it!
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