Author: Michele

Author's E-mail: michelesky29@hotmail.com

Spoilers: Original movie trilogy; A Journey of Discovery - Book One: Pendulum

Rating: PG-13

Summary: Luke and Mara continue their up-and-down relationship in this sequel to A Journey of Discovery – Book One: Pendulum. (Alternate Universe section)

Disclaimer: All these wonderful characters belong to George Lucas. He's just allowing the likes of Zahn, Stackpole, Tyers, and me to play in his galaxy. No Imperial or Republic credits are being made off this story.

Author's Note: Many thanks to all my wonderful, 'anonymous,' betas (you know who you are) for their words of encouragement and invaluable suggestions

"Morning," was the whispered greeting.

"Morning," came the soft reply.

The betrothed couple lay on their sides a meter apart, facing each other. Both reached out with one hand, clasping fingers in the lonely space between them.

"Today finally arrived," Mara pointed out.

"I noticed." Luke smiled at her laconic observation.

She traced the lines of his face with her gaze – the cleft chin, the upturned lips, the faint scars, the heavily lidded blue eyes still gritty with sleep. "We'll have to make a note of what date this is on Coruscant's calendar.""I already have." He tugged her small hand close enough to bestow a soft kiss on her fingertips, marveling at how hands he knew to be strong and lethal could also be so soft and delicate. Just like the rest of her, he thought, as he took measure of her full lips, her pert nose, her sparkling emerald eyes that contrasted nicely with her tangled red-gold curls.

"Guess we should be getting up," Mara murmured, though she made no move to act on her words.

"Unless there's some alternative bonding ritual that would allow us to stay right here." Luke inched closer to his lover-to-be, endeavoring to cajole her into a similar movement. "Something legally binding, but without the necessity of an officiator and witnesses?"

"There is," Mara returned sleepily. "Standard-law marriage. We have to lay here five years before it takes effect."

"I could do that," Luke joked, moving even closer. She had to be the most gorgeous, enticing woman alive, even first thing in the morning. "This inn has room service, doesn't it?"

"And could you stick to your 'no sex before marriage' rule for five years?" she teased, steadfastly ignoring his blatant coaxing to scoot nearer. Luke had been sound asleep when Mara had slipped back into bed in the middle of the night after her late-night talk with Merta. She had resisted the urge to curl up against him then, knowing such intimacy would hardly be conducive to keeping their vow of abstinence. To give in to temptation now would surely test their fortitude even more.

Luke apparently came to the same conclusion, as he halted his forward motion and pulled his arm back reluctantly. "Point taken.""Are you planning on taking a bath this morning?" he continued after a moment's hesitation.

Mara gave him a quirky smile. "Why, did you want to join me?"

"Ask me again tomorrow," Luke said with a wink. "No, I thought I'd begin heating some water while you slept a little longer." He shivered slightly as he left the warmth of their bed. "You may not get much sleep tonight, you know."

"Promises, promises."

Mara watched as Luke finished hanging full buckets of water over the newly stoked fire; she couldn't go back to sleep. Today was her wedding day – an occurrence she had never expected to happen. She wasn't about to waste another moment of this day in slumber.

Slipping out from beneath the covers, Mara quietly crossed the bedchamber and leaned against the frame of the open doorway to the refresher.

"Am I that interesting?" Luke queried as he rinsed the lather off his straight razor, then scraped the sharp blade along the underside of his chin.

"Just thinking how we've been on this trip for eight days and this is the first time I've seen you shave." She raised an eyebrow in amusement.

"How do you know I didn't shave when I was alone at the B-wing?"

"Did you?"

"No," he admitted, laughing. "I usually shave twice a lunar cycle, whether I need it or not. But I thought since this was a special occasion ..." He gave her a playful little smirk before squinting once more at his image in the murky reflecting glass.

"And here I thought you had used beard growth retardant, like some of the pilots do."

Luke's expression transformed into a sheepish grin. "Well, actually, it's just now wearing off." He rinsed the residual lather off his face before patting it dry. "Didn't want to look too scruffy-looking when we climbed out of the cockpit on Lorrd. If you wanted me to grow a beard, you should have spoken up sooner."

"Like when? A year ago?" She came alongside him, wrapping her arms around his waist and rubbing her cheek against his. "I feel like I'm robbing the cradle."

"Watch it now; I'm as old as you are," Luke reminded her. "And wasn't it my boyish good looks that attracted you to me in the first place?" He flashed her an infectious smile that left no doubt in Mara's mind as to the allurement he could generate. But she wasn't about to rise to his baiting.

"As I recall," she rejoined smoothly, "it was nearly pitch black in that detention cell. I couldn't even see you."

Luke stepped back and stared at her in wide-eyed astonishment that she would let herself be tripped up by her own words. "In the detention cell? Are you saying you secretly desired me already back then?" He curled a lock of her flame-colored hair around one finger. "Perhaps even ... lusted after me?"

She swatted his hand away in not-quite feigned annoyance. "Don't flatter yourself, farmboy," she growled. Nothing galled her more than to be caught letting her guard down, even with him. "You were nothing more than an assignment – barely worthy of my notice."

"Uh-huh," Luke scoffed, clearly not believing a word she said. "And you were just another fellow prisoner to me – no different than if I'd been sharing a cell with, say, Chewie."

"Oh, right." Mara rolled her eyes and rested her hands on her hips. "You could hardly take your eyes off me when the lights came on."

Luke gazed into her mesmerizing emerald orbs. "I'll admit you have certain ... interesting ... qualities."

"Enough with the flattery, farmboy. What's on your agenda this morning?"

Luke let out a small sigh as he hung his towel on a nearby peg. "Some project the men have for the Festival; I'm not sure what. Hiley says it's an adventure they know I'll like. How about you?"

"I know the women are decorating the Fellowship Hall." Mara frowned to herself in thought. "I'm supposed to have some part, but no one told me what it is."

"Hmmm. They like to keep us in the dark."

"We could always take a quick peek into their thoughts."

"Mara ..." he chastised. "Besides, don't you like surprises?"

"No. They make me nervous."

Luke laughed, then gave her an encouraging smile. "I do know we're to eat lunch with the vicar."

"And get interrogated by him, no doubt." Another frown crossed Mara's lovely features. "You don't think he'd refuse to marry us, do you?"

"What objections could he possibly have?"

"After what happened at the pub last night? Plenty."

Luke wrapped one arm around Mara's slim shoulders. "Don't worry. You'll dazzle him."

"A clergyman? I'm not sure I've even met one before. What if he'll only marry couples who belong to the same religion these people practice?"

"Mara ..." Luke shook his head in frustration. "The villagers know that we have different practices. They said it would be all right."

"You are way too optimistic for your own good, Skywalker."

"Just trying to balance out your pessimism, my love." He gave her a quick kiss on the forehead before turning to leave. "Meet you back here just before noon?"

"Sure, unless I meet some other handsome man to run away with instead."

"I think Odus Pruden is available." Luke just managed to close the refresher door behind him before a flying hairbrush slammed into it. Oh, what a lively marriage we're going to have, he reflected, smiling as he headed downstairs for breakfast. Sorry, Master Yoda – I'm afraid adventure and excitement are going to be unavoidable.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Eyes closed against the glare of the noonday sun, Mara sat on the rickety wooden bench near the back door of the inn, her head resting against the side of the building. She literally had to force herself to relax; she didn't want him to find her this keyed up on the happiest day of their lives. She knew better, of course. You can't fool a Jedi ...

Moments later, Luke squeezed Mara's hand as he parked himself in the empty spot next to her.

"How did your morning go?" he asked, as diplomatically as he could. "At times I could feel ... frustration ... from you."

"Frustration pretty much sums it up," she muttered. "We may have to rethink this whole 'having children' business."

Luke sat up a little straighter and studied her tired face with concern. "Why? What happened?"

She forced her eyes open and gave him a weak smile. "I had the privilege of watching a group of little darlings while their mothers decorated the banquet hall."

"That doesn't sound so bad." Luke frowned in confusion. "The children I've encountered seemed pretty nice."

"Humph." Mara rubbed her temples wearily. "Most of them behaved well enough, I suppose, but there were a couple ... Did I mention Thal to you – the boy that was molding some beast out of snow the other evening?"

Luke shook his head. "No, I don't think so."

"Well, anyway, he was there, along with a buddy, and they were both being totally obnoxious. All they wanted to do was bully the other children around."

Luke raised one eyebrow humorously. "And you couldn't handle them?"

"They were doing their utmost to try my patience, which I have very little of, as you well know," she grumbled in exasperation. "I finally had to segregate them, with the threat of bodily harm."

"I'm sure they know now who's boss." He did his best to hide a chuckle as an image of Mara holding two kicking boys by the nape of their necks sprang into his mind.

"As long as you remember who's boss." She eyed him coolly. "Enough about my lack of parenting skills. What undertaking did you get to experience?"

Luke released a melancholy sigh. "You remember I told you that Hiley said they had a surprise for me – an outing they were sure I'd enjoy?"

Mara nodded. "And noble you didn't pry into their minds, 'cause you didn't want to ruin their surprise."

"You know it's not right to do that." Luke rubbed a palm over his eyes. "But maybe I should have pried."

"Don't keep me in suspense here, Jedi."

"They took me hunting."

Mara waited for him to expound on why that would be a bad thing. "And ...? How much game did you bag?"

"None."

"None? You?"

"I couldn't do it," he muttered sullenly.

"Couldn't do what?"

"Kill anything." He fingered the hem of his jacket pensively, not meeting her quizzical gaze. "I was all right until I actually had an animal in my sights, then I froze. I couldn't bring myself to kill a defenseless creature, even though I knew we were hunting for meat for the banquet."

Mara's expression turned incredulous. "The great womprat hunter couldn't shoot some little rishhare or timberdeer?" She made no attempt to suppress her titter of laughter. "So what did you do?"

"I pretended to always miss." He gave a self-conscious shrug. "I don't think the others believed I could be that poor of a shot, though, especially after hitting all those bulls-eyes in tackdarts."

"But why, Luke?" She stifled her chuckling as best she could, and clasped his hand in sympathy. "You've told me several stories of your hunting exploits. What was different about today?"

"Nothing. It's just ... I ... I guess I've changed." He stared up at the billowy winter clouds. "I haven't killed an animal since that borrat tried to attack us, and even before that ... It's been a long time ..." he trailed off, biting his lower lip. "I don't know, maybe it was living with the wildlife on Dagobah – made me appreciate the value of all life." He stole a glance sideways to gauge her reaction.

Mara squeezed his hand warmly. Her poor, sweet, kind-hearted Jedi. She thought back to their trek to the village, when she had suggested they track some game to eat but Luke insisted ration bars were good enough. "But I've seen you eat meat numerous times," she pointed out.

"It's not staring me back in the eye when it's lying on my plate." He gave a droll smile. "Don't worry, I'm not turning into a vegetarian."

"Yet," she finished with a snort.

"Don't give me that look. I could hunt food if I had to. But the other men were getting enough; it really wasn't necessary for me to hit anything."

"I believe you, farmboy." She patted his leg, then paused as another thought struck her. "What do they hunt with here? I haven't seen any weapons, other than that big club Efam keeps behind his counter."

"It's a type of crossbow, with sharpened arrows. They're pretty accurate, and deadly, judging by how much game the rest of the men snagged. It's a good thing there's no myth about the fate of the coming marriage resting on how much prey the groom snares," he added with a chuckle.

"That's lucky for us," she agreed. "Or that the behavior of our future children is predicted by how much of my hair I pull out caring for other people's urchins. These villagers don't have us figured out by a long shot, do they? I would have loved to try my hand at hunting, and you would have been content to stay here surrounded by children." She leaned back against the clapboard building, imagining in her mind's eye a wild beast in her blaster's sights.

"Actually, I think they're getting us sized up. There was a wisecrack made about my hiding behind your skirts." Luke blew out a relieved breath. "At least no one seemed upset about last night. I didn't hear the word 'possessed' even once."

"Hmmm. I was a bit surprised that they trusted me with their children."

"Maybe they were glad to finally find a guardian they thought could handle all of them."

They shared a moment of laughing at themselves, until Luke rose and tugged on Mara's arm. "We can't sit here all day discussing our shortcomings. We've got places to go and things to do. I intend to be a married man by nightfall."

"And a gratified man after nightfall?"

"I certainly hope so," he rejoined with a smirk.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Luke glanced up the street as he and Mara strolled along. "I guess that should be the vicar's house," he noted, spying a small cottage that matched the description Merta had given them.

Mara groaned wearily. "Can't we just say we're not hungry?"

"I don't think that refusing his invitation would lead to a smooth bonding ceremony."

"All right, but you're doing all the talking."

"Mara, quit worrying." He pulled her toward the front door. "I've met him already. Vicar Serole is a very gracious man."

"Gracious to you, maybe. You weren't the one last night that—" Mara stopped when she noticed Filia's sister, the seamstress, hurrying across the street and waving to get her attention. "Hello, Lessie."

The older woman pulled her shawl a little tighter against the cold winter air. "Goin' to yer lunch with the vicar, I see." She gave Mara a sly wink. "He calls it 'The Last Repast.' It's his little joke that this may be the last decent meal the poor groom will get fer quite awhile."

Mara's eyes widened marginally, then she turned to Luke. "See? He doesn't like brides."

"No, no," Lessie said, laughing. "He's just a soft-hearted tease. But I am glad I caught up with ye, Mara. Can ye be at me house in an hour? I need to make a couple more adjustments to yer dress with ye in it."

"Of course. Surely we'll be finished here in an hour," Mara said hopefully.

"Not if we stand out here in the street all day," Luke put in. He turned and knocked lightly as Mara and Lessie said their farewells.

The door opened to show a slightly stooped, white-haired gentleman.

"Come in, come in," Vicar Serole welcomed them. "Ah, Luke, this must be yer lovely bride-to-be." He clasped Mara's hands before she had a chance to react. "I'm pleased to finally be meetin' ye, m'dear. Luke has spoken most highly of ye." He ushered them into a small dining room, where a short, plump woman was busy setting steaming dishes on a round, cloth-covered table. The vicar introduced her as his wife, Orena.

Both Luke and Mara immediately noticed that there were only three places set at the table. "You're not joining us?" Mara had hoped the pleasant-looking Madam Serole would temper the cross-examination she and Luke would certainly receive.

"Alas, no." Orena Serole smiled. "I have to oversee the decoratin' in the church. Who knows where those women may be hangin' things." She turned to her husband. "Now don't ye be forgettin' to offer these young folks seconds," she admonished. "And the pie I baked is sittin' on the sideboard, and—"

The elderly man placed his hands on his wife's shoulders and guided her toward the front door. "Precious, I've been doin' this for nigh on thirty years. I don't think they'll be leavin' here hungry."

"Humph." Orena gave Mara a conspirative glance just before exiting. "Menfolk are always thinkin' they can do things as well as women," she whispered. "Mark my words, ye'll have to remind him 'bout the pie."

"I'll do that," Mara returned, just out of earshot of the vicar.

Luke, Mara, and Vicar Serole were soon enjoying the delicious meal, but only Luke and the vicar engaged in the normal small talk that accompanied such a repast. Mara nibbled at her food in silence, eyes fixed steadfastly on her plate. She looked up only when Luke's hand clasped hers.

"Mara?"

"You seem nervous, child," the clergyman soothed. "Is the thought of bein' married that frightening?"

"No," Mara answered quickly. No, it's wondering when you're going to start grilling me, she thought. She had been bracing herself since they sat down, waiting for the inevitable lecture on her retaliation against the Pruden brothers.

"Mara's afraid you won't marry us because of what happened at the Red Bone last night," Luke put in, grinning.

"Luke!" Mara couldn't believe he had just blurted out that regrettable incident. She gave their host a look that implored his understanding. "Luke has learned to think before he acts. I haven't."

"Don't fret, Mara." Vicar Serole smiled gently. "While I was out and about this mornin', yer unfortunate encounter with the Prudens was the main topic of conversation. I was troubled to learn of their harassment of ye, and that it was necessary for ye to defend yerself. Ye did nothin' wrong, child." The upturned crinkles in his lined face affirmed his risible nature. "As long as ye and Luke never resort to fightin' against each other," he added with a chuckle.

"No, never," Mara assured him, and Luke nodded in agreement. He would never strike Mara, and he was pretty sure she would never strike him. Not seriously, anyway. He gave Mara an apprehensive sideways glance as Vicar Serole continued.

"Ahh, then all is well. Whatever former life caused ye to learn and practice such skills is in yer past. All that needs concern ye now is yer future." The old man leaned back in his chair and regarded the betrothed couple, who in turn regarded him with amazement at his insight.

"'Tis fortuitous fer Zembuhl, Luke and Mara, that ye have come forward with yer desire to bond, and it will be me honor to conduct the ceremony. But I'm sure it weighs on yer minds that yer kith and kin aren't here to share this day with ye." He paused as Mara reached over to squeeze Luke's hand. "So I want to stress that if ye're not ready, for any reason, don't feel pressured to carry through with the bondin' this day. Our village has survived before; it would agin."

"We're ready," Luke declared, and Mara echoed his words. Luke smiled inwardly, thinking back to a similar proclamation he had made to Yoda regarding his readiness to become a Jedi. Both instances signaled two of the most important stages he would ever experience in his life. Despite Yoda's misgivings, he had been ready to begin Jedi training then. Luke glanced over at Mara, feeling her love and strength. And he was ready to be her husband now.

"Then I suppose 'tis time fer me to begin that sermon that Mara has been dreadin' so." He reached out and clasped Mara and Luke's free hands in each of his own. "My children, marriage is a sacred rite not to be taken lightly. It is a beautiful and intimate relationship that a husband and wife are privileged to share."

In silence, Luke and Mara listened intently to the clergyman's words as he continued.

"If ye love and cherish yer spouse, yer union will continue to grow and develop, enrichin' yer entire married life. The single most important thing ye can do to preserve yer love is to remain faithful to each other." There was a lull in his discourse as he allowed his words to sink in. "During yer marriage ye will discover joys and comforts unique to the two of ye. Yer intimate lovin' is the one experience in yer lives that ye should share only with each other, and no one else."

Luke and Mara squeezed their joined hands tightly.

*Do you think he knows we haven't made love yet?* Mara sent silently.

*I think most of the village knows,* he returned dryly, a glint of amusement in his eye.

As if reading their thoughts, the vicar went on. "Yer conjugal relations should also be a most private matter between ye – not the subject of idle village gossip." At their startled looks, he chuckled. "I've lived all me life in Zembuhl, and I know what busybodies folks here can be. Ye must never feel pressured to confirm or deny their speculations."

Vicar Serole smiled inwardly at the exchange of glances between his listeners. These two young people would do just fine. "Now, I must also add, if ye ever find yerselves at odds over any aspect of yer marriage – personal or public – don't hesitate to seek guidance. Ye can talk to yer spiritual advisor, a mentor, or a trusted friend. Never let yer troubles fester inside ye. Most important of all – talk to each other."

Taking a breath, the kindly minister began the last part of his preachment.

"The Divine One willin', the result of yer lovin' will be the creation of new life. Children are a blessin' that will bring ye unsurpassed happiness and contentment." The minister turned his attention to Luke. "Findin' the right woman to be the mother of his children is a goal every man strives fer."

"I know," Luke responded quietly, a grateful smile playing on his lips as he gazed at his fiancée.

Vicar Serole then confronted Mara. "In the same manner, every young woman wants a home and a family of her own. Ye are most fortunate, Mara, to find a husband ye love to provide those things fer ye."

The slight frown that crossed Mara's face didn't escape the older man's notice. "Ye are willin' to bear children fer Luke, are ye not?"

Mara looked at Luke's gentle, expectant expression. Despite her initial indignation at the wording of Vicar Serole's query, she did indeed share Luke's dream of one day having a family together.

"Yes, someday," she replied. "When we're ready."

"Someday?" the vicar echoed, his puzzlement evident in his voice. "It's been me experience that babes tend to come into bein' when they're ready, not when their parents are."

Mara realized her error immediately. These people had no artificial methods of contraception. She thought of Aerie, expecting a baby only months after her wedding. As charming and attractive as this quaint community was, there were still countless advantages to modern civilization.

"Of course, that's what I meant," she backtracked. "We'll accept children whenever they arrive."

Vicar Serole nodded in understanding. "Good, good." He released their hands and leaned back. "Luke and Mara, I'm looking forward to bondin' the two of ye together. But if we don't shake a leg, we'll all be arrivin' late at the church."

"Haven't you forgotten something?" Mara gestured with her head toward a side table, and the pie that sat upon it.

"Land's sakes!" the elderly gentleman exclaimed. "Orena would have me head." The trio laughed, and helped themselves to the delectable dessert.

Finally, their host wiped his mouth with his napkin and pushed back his chair, prompting Luke and Mara to follow suit.

"We thank you for your counsel, Vicar." Luke extended his hand in gratitude.

"Ahh, 'twas me pleasure. I'll be seeing ye both before ye even have a chance to be nervous." He gave Mara a knowing wink.

As Luke and Mara stepped out into the street, Luke bent down and gave Mara a gentle kiss. "Could be the last time I ever get to kiss a single woman." He grinned happily, then headed toward Jaco Modesa's home to change clothes.

Mara stood a moment, watching him amble away. She relived the same sentiments she had felt when she resolved to defy Emperor Palpatine and follow Luke to freedom – no regrets; not now, not ever.

=================================================================

Luke Skywalker paced back and forth just outside the entrance to Zembuhl's quaint chapel, his bootsteps leaving a worn path across the trampled snow. Where was she? He paused, extending both his vision and his Force sense in the direction of Lessie the seamstress's home.

"Don't worry, she'll be here." Jaco Modesa laid a reassuring hand on the Jedi's shoulder. "Womenfolk take themselves ferever to get all fixed up."

"Not Mara," Luke objected. "She can change clothes faster than I can lace up my boots."

"Aye, but does she ever have two or three other womenfolk helpin' her?" Jaco gave a small chuckle. "I think it took Aerie all day to get ready fer our bondin'."

Luke nodded, though his anxiety didn't lessen. Villagers were beginning to approach the church, both on foot and by wagons and sleds. Jaco had explained to Luke that it was the duty of the couple being bonded to personally greet all the guests before the ceremony began. In fact, no one was to enter the nave before exchanging salutations with Luke and Mara. Which made the groom all the more restless, as he imagined a hundred people or more waiting in the snow for the bride to arrive.

Finally relief replaced tension, as Mara's familiar aura drew close. Luke smiled broadly and moved to intercept the gaily-decorated sleigh that approached.

"Ye weren't gettin' nervous now, were ye, lad?" Efam called from the front-facing seat as he tugged on the reins of a pair of pale gray drobbins. Filia and Lessie shared the padded seat with Efam, but Luke's attention was fixed on the passenger in the rear of the open sleigh.

"Did you think I changed my mind?" Mara teased, as Luke gave a less-than-convincing shake of his head to Efam's question.

"No, of course not," Luke declared, reaching out to help Mara alight. "But I was wondering what ... was taking ... so long." Luke's voice trailed off as Mara stood, her cape falling open to reveal the tailored dress underneath. "You look beautiful," he breathed. His eyes followed the soft white material that clung to her curves, from the bodice's scooped neckline that was trimmed in fur to the heavy flared skirt that reached the tops of her short white boots. His gaze returned to her radiant face, where wisps of fiery hair peaked out from a fur-trimmed hood, the matching cape hanging loosely over her shoulders.

Mara smiled in unabashed joy at his slack-jawed expression. "You're looking pretty dapper yourself." She reached down and ran a gloved finger along the narrow strip of low-nap black fur that trimmed both his dark frock coat and the waistcoat he wore underneath. "How did they know that black is your fav—" Mara stopped short, staring hard over Luke's shoulder. He turned his head and followed her gaze, which fell on the scowling face of Odus Pruden. Luke also met the man's cold stare just before Pruden disappeared into the crowd. Still focusing his attention in the direction the woodsman had vanished, Luke automatically lowered his arm as Mara stepped down beside him.

"If that ogre thinks he's going to wreak havoc on our wedding, I'll ..., I'll ..." Mara growled, clenching Luke's hand tightly.

"You'll do nothing, 'cause he'll do nothing," Luke returned, his face relaxing into a reassuring smile. "I've been told by several people that the Prudens wouldn't dare disrupt any part of our bonding day. Apparently all the good fortune we're bringing will extend to them also."

"Well, we certainly wouldn't want any misfortune to befall them, would we?" she bit out derisively.

"Mara, I doubt they'll even come into the church." Luke gave his bride a quick grin. "I'd say we're safe till at least tomorrow." He gently tugged on her hand. "C'mon. No more talk about the Prudens. This is our day, and our guests are waiting."

They entered the small vestibule of the chapel and were soon engulfed by a stream of overjoyed well-wishers, all eager to receive a personal greeting from the honored couple.

At last the stream dwindled to a trickle, and Mara heaved a sigh of relief as the last guest passed. As Luke helped her remove her cloak, she caught sight of Vicar Serole standing in the archway, signaling that it was time for them to enter.

"My mouth feels as dry as pincotton from saying 'welcome' so many times," she murmured quietly to Luke. Her eyes widened as he responded by licking his lips and winking enticingly at her. "Behave! The vicar is—"

"I know." He reached out and took Mara's right arm, guiding her into the main section of the chapel. Luke adopted an air of calm and seriousness as he led her to a raised dais located a few steps inside the airy, high-ceilinged room. The parishioners were seated in a semi-circle facing them, their previously anxious faces now hosting warm and expectant smiles.

The melodic strains of a traditional paean being sung by a trio of villagers drifted to an end as Luke bowed solemnly to both the waiting minister and to the crowd. He then repeated the words he had methodically memorized that afternoon at Jaco's cottage.

"Vicar Serole, good people of Zembuhl. I respectfully request your favor and your blessings as I take this woman to be my bonded wife."

He held Mara's hand loosely, but kept his gaze on the congregation. Jaco had explained that had Mara any relatives in attendance, Luke would have first been required to ask their permission for the bonding.

The village's venerable cleric stepped forward, nodding briefly to Luke in acknowledgment. "On behalf of the citizens of Zembuhl, I am happy to honor yer request. Ye came to us as strangers, seeking shelter and assistance. Tomorrow ye will leave us as friends, havin' given more to us than we could ever hope to repay. Ye have allowed us to share in yer moment of happiness, embracin' us as ye would yer own kin."

Gesturing for the couple to face each other and clasp both their hands, the vicar addressed his first words to the groom.

"Luke, as ye hold the hands of yer betrothed, know that these are the hands that will always be full of her love fer ye. These are the hands that will applaud yer accomplishments and soothe yer disappointments. Ye must use yer own hands to provide a warm home and hearty victuals fer yer family. Yet do not be so mindful of the pursuit of these goals that ye ignore the needs of yer wife."

Luke clutched Mara's hands as tightly as he dared. How he wished he could feel her soft skin with his right hand – really feel it, not just assimilate the sensation through artificial tactile sensors. He looked up as Mara squeezed both his hands in a gentle reminder that she accepted all of him, just as he was.

Pausing in his discourse, Vicar Serole then turned to the waiting bride.

"Mara, as ye hold the hands of yer betrothed, know that these are the hands that will always be full of his love fer ye. These are the hands that will hold ye and comfort ye, that will wipe away yer tears of joy and tears of sorrow. Ye will use yer own hands to tend to the care of yer home and yer children, and to prepare the foods yer husband provides. Yet do not take such pains with these chores that ye ignore the needs of yer husband."

Mara was grateful for Luke's sure grip, which kept her own hands from trembling. As she absorbed the minister's words, she studied the hands of her soon-to-be husband. One flesh and blood – one wires, circuitry, and synthflesh. Both soft and gentle as they embraced her, caressed her, loved her. She had sensed Luke's melancholy reflections moments earlier, and was glad for the opportunity to reassure him of her understanding and acceptance.

Smiling broadly, the clergyman directed his next words to both the bride and the groom.

"Luke and Mara, the greatest gift ye can give each other is love. Without love, ye have nothin'. I invite ye now to pledge that love to one another."

Luke took a deep breath and gazed into his intended's sparkling emerald eyes. He could feel her nervousness and joy mingling with his own. "Mara, the love I feel for you is boundless and everlasting. I will cherish you and care for you all the days of my life. Will you receive me as your helpmate, your confidante, and your lover?"

"I will," Mara replied, softly and without hesitation. Luke's bright gaze reflected the overwhelming happiness that filled her entire being. She glanced quickly at the vicar, who nodded for her to continue. "Luke, you are my love and my life. I will cherish you and care for you all the days of my life. Will you receive me as your helpmate, your confidante, and your lover, as I have accepted you?"

"I will," Luke replied quickly, squeezing her hands gently.

Vicar Serole motioned for the couple to face him, with Mara's right hand still clutching Luke's left. He then gestured for them to extend their clasped hands, before turning to the silent congregation. "I now entreat yer friends here present to bestow their blessins' on this union."

Merta was the first to come forward with a felicitation, laying her weathered hand atop those of the happy couple. "May your love be as endless as the sky," she intoned, a tear of happiness rolling down her cheek, "and may yer descendants be as numerous as the trees in the forest."

Aerie and Jaco then approached in unison, enveloping Mara and Luke's hands with their own. "May ye always have joy to brighten any sorrow," Aerie recited, her eyes shining gaily. "May ye always have hope to brighten yer dreams," Jaco finished.

As the Modesas returned to their seats, Hiley and his wife stepped forward. "May yer journey home be safe and swift, and may yer nets be ever filled with an overflowin' catch," he said, speaking for both of them. Luke caught Mara's eye with a knowing twinkle at the toolcrafter's reference to Luke's supposed occupation.

The congenial owners of the town's pub were the next to come forth. "May yer larder be ever full and yer table never empty," Efam began. "May yer sons be strong and yer daughters fair," Filia continued, patting the couple's hands warmly.

Benedictions were offered by over half the congregation, reflecting virtually all the villagers that Luke and Mara had personally befriended during their brief stay. As everyone settled back into their seats, Luke addressed the crowd. "We thank you for your wishes, and in return, entreat the Divine One to bless this village with good fortune and a bountiful harvest."

Vicar Serole then laid his own wrinkled hand atop those of the couple. "Ye have made yer pledge of love and commitment to each other, and yer hearts are now bound in true devotion. As a wife belongs to her husband, so a husband belongs to his wife. Be it now and forever ordained that Luke and Mara Skywalker are husband and wife."

Luke felt Mara's hand tighten in his own. *Mara?* he inquired silently.

Instead of replying, she turned toward the congregation as Aerie's cheerful voice rang out above the jubilant applause. "Give yer new husband a kiss, Mara!"

Mara looked back at Luke, who raised an eyebrow expectantly. She matched his smirk with one of her own, then grabbed the back of his head and pulled him down for a deep, prolonged kiss. They finally parted, only to realize that the entire gathering had fell silent.

"I think ye've been practicin' that," Jaco pronounced, causing plaudits of laughter and clapping to once more fill the cozy chapel.

The newlyweds were guided into the same sleigh in which Mara had arrived, despite Luke's objections that they could walk the short distance to the banquet hall.

"'Tis tradition, son," Hiley assured him. "Ye canno' be goin' agin'st tradition."

Luke acquiesced with a nod, and settled down next to his new wife. He was silent as Efam climbed onto the forward seat, flicking the reins to propel the drobbins into motion.

"You have something on your mind," Mara observed quietly, pulling her wrap closer around her.

It took a moment for Luke to answer, as he waved to a group of children running alongside the sleigh.

"I hadn't asked you about taking my name," he finally said. "Just because the vicar called you Mara Skywalker, that doesn't mean—"

Mara laid one hand on his leg to interrupt his words. "My name is the only thing that ever truly belonged to me," she murmured.

"Then you should keep it," he rationalized.

She shook her head in objection. "The name 'Jade' was part of my old life. 'Skywalker' represents my new life. I shall do my best to keep ... our name ... an honorable one."

Luke smiled warmly, and leaned over to give her a soft kiss. "Thank you," he whispered.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Luke was the first to enter Zembuhl's Fellowship Hall; Mara trailed behind, her hand firmly clasped in his. She pulled up short, however, yanking him to a halt.

"My stars, Luke, look at this!" Mara's eyes lit up at the wonderland of decorations. "Look what they've done ..." Her voice quivered with awe. "... for us."

"Yeah," Luke breathed, his eyes darting from the multi-colored ribbons that hung from the rafters to the candle-lit paper lanterns that filled every nook and cranny to the boughs of purple-berried greenery that garnished each table. It was a tableau of every trimming they had seen throughout the festival, multiplied a dozen times over.

Filia and Merta stepped forward to usher the newlyweds to a long table at the far end of the hall, where Aerie, Jaco, and Efam soon joined them. Guests streamed in behind them, and soon every table was filled with revelers. It seemed to Mara and Luke that more people were in attendance than had crowded into the modest-sized church. Apparently the bonding fete was a gala celebration that no one missed.

And then the banquet began ...

Course after course of mouth-watering food was served, and the bride and groom were expected to sample each one.

"I think I'm going to explode," Mara muttered to Luke under her breath as she picked the smallest portion of toasted carshmea she could find from a tray being passed down the line. "Don't even try to pretend you're not getting full, too."

Luke glanced at her from the corner of his eye as he placed a tidbit of the delicacy on his own plate. "Just be glad they're not forcing us to taste all the variations of alcohol they've managed to concoct."

"That's because I gave strict instructions that you weren't to be given any ale, rum, or this stuff that passes for whiskey." Mara flashed him a triumphant smirk.

"Oh, for cryin' out loud, Mara!" Luke rolled his eyes in despair. "Are you ever going to forget that?"

"No, and I'm never letting you forget either. Just wait till we get back to Coruscant and I pass out directives to Solo, Calrissian, and all of Rogue Squadron."

"You wouldn't dare," Luke growled.

"Of course I—" Mara stopped suddenly as Merta appeared out of nowhere, setting a slice of coarse sweet cake in front of her. "Oh, no, Merta, really ... I couldn't possibly put another forkful in my mouth."

The jovial landlady laughed heartily, and all those within earshot joined her. "Ye don't hafta," she informed Mara. "That be yer husband's job."

Luke looked up sharply as he caught the end of the conversation. Wonder flitted through his mind at how quickly he recognized himself as the 'husband' being referred to. "What? What's my job?"

"This be concordium, yer bondin' cake." Merta gave the new groom a sly grin. "Ye must feed it to yer bride with nary a crumb fallin'."

Mara's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "And if he misses?"

Aerie gave an unladylike snort. "Let's just say ye'll be spendin' a lot of time sweepin' up spills in yer kitchen."

Luke picked up a forkful of the baked dessert. "C'mon, open wide and don't move. No doubt there'll be some equally foreboding misfortune for me if I don't hold my mouth still enough to suit you."

Mara relented, an amused smirk lighting up her face as she caught Luke's absurd mental image of her slaving away in a primitive kitchen. The sweet taste of the light and airy cake served to further improve her disposition, and she soon was taking her turn in feeding bites of concordium to Luke. And not a crumb fell.

No sooner had everyone finished eating when men began pulling tables and benches aside, opening up a spacious area in the middle of the hall.

Mara turned to Aerie in puzzlement. "What's going on?"

The bubbly blonde's eyes glittered with excitement. "Why, dancin', o' course!" She gave Mara a look of wonder. "Don't ye and Luke dance?"

Mara shot a quick glance at her new husband before replying. "I do. Luke ..." She paused in thought. "Well, he does his best. But I'm not sure we'll be familiar with your manner of dancing."

"Ah, ye'll pick it up right off, I'm sure." Aerie grinned as the strains of a serenade began filling the hall. "Though I guess ye'll just hafta go with yer own style on this first one. The bride and groom always lead the dancin'."

Mara's eyes widened as she felt dozens of expectant gazes turning her direction. She nudged Luke uneasily, a mixture of anticipation and trepidation flowing through her. "Showtime, farmboy."

"What do you mean?" He finally noticed the open pathway between their table and the empty dance floor. Several villagers began gesturing impatiently, encouraging the newly bonded couple to fulfill their duty. "Oh, no," Luke muttered under his breath.

"Come, shake a limb, ye two." Merta circled behind them, resting her hands on the backs of their chairs. "The rest of us canno' dance till the guests of honor take a spin."

"We're coming." Mara gripped Luke's hand, nearly dragging him through the now-clapping throng.

"But, Mara, we don't know how they dance here," he whispered in protest.

"Doesn't matter," she returned. "We'll just wow them with our own technique."

Luke pressed his lips in a tight line and relented. He was obviously outvoted, he realized, as hands reached out to slap him on the back as he passed through the crowd. He'd danced with Mara on several occasions since those first lessons in his palace suite and, he had to admit, enjoyed swirling in slow motion with her in his arms. But being the center of attention while trying to follow unfamiliar music was another matter all together.

Mara pulled him to a halt in the center of the open floor. "Just close your eyes and forget that anyone's watching. There's only you and me ..." She trailed off as Luke smiled and enveloped her in a warm embrace. They easily fell into a comfortable rhythm, swaying in synchronized harmony as one person to the soothing melody.

Mara rested her head against Luke's inviting shoulder, her nose just brushing the throbbing pulse in his neck.

"You are my life," he murmured softly, ignoring the tickle of her upswept curls against his face.

"The Force is your life, Luke," she whispered back, raising her head only a fraction.

He turned his head just enough to place a gentle kiss on her forehead. "You are the force that drives me, Mara Skywalker."

They continued to cling to each other when the music drifted to an end, oblivious to the observers that surrounded them until Luke felt a tap on his shoulder. Parting reluctantly, the newlyweds met the unabashed grins of their friends.

"That certainly be an interestin' way o' dancin' ye got there," Hiley said with a laugh. "I feared I'd hafta fetch me leverbar to pry ye apart."

"Ah, now, Hiley, let 'em be." Merta bestowed a motherly smile on the dancers. "That was their dance, and they could do it howe'er they saw fit." She reached out and grasped an arm of each of the newlyweds. "But now 'tis time fer ev'ryone to kick up their heels, and I'm thinkin' these two are goin' to need a few lessons in order to keep up."

Mara grinned.

Luke frowned.

And the lessons commenced.

Guests spilled onto the dance floor, men and women lining up into two separate rows facing each other. Luke and Mara were pulled into the appropriate ranks and were soon caught up in a flurry of bobbing, whirling, foot-stomping motions. The bride's natural grace and affinity for learning new steps made her an instant hit, and every male in attendance clamored to be her partner as the crowd paired off for a series of reels and waltzes. Luke was no less popular, but for a different reason altogether. Every female, young and old, wanted to lay claim to being the first to teach the groom how to spin through a back-door glide or skip to a piper's jig.

Just as Luke was attempting to catch his breath, the quintet of musicians struck up yet another dizzying tune. He managed to evade capture by no less than four would-be partners by scurrying back to his table, detouring just long enough to snatch a mug of sweet cider. As he melted into his seat, doing his best to look inconspicuous, he took the opportunity to study the group of local music makers. He hadn't noticed until now that Efam took center stage, plucking an oval stringed contrivance that he held loosely in the crook of his arm. The rest of the performers he recognized both from his sojourns to the Red Bone Pub and from that morning's hunting excursion. The instruments they wielded ranged from hand-hewn pipes to a highly polished horn-like piece.

"Whew! I can't believe how much faster I get tuckered out these days."

Luke turned as Aerie Modesa sank down wearily next to him.

"That's me cousin Suddy doin' the croonin' now," she continued, her tapping toes keeping time to the fast-paced melody. "He kin warble like a jitterbird."

Luke directed his attention to the current singer, a slim youth who was intoning a rousing ditty while clanging a set of bells with the precision of a master musician with Coruscant's Grand Symphony.

"He's very good," Luke complimented. "I've never had any talent for music myself."

"Me either," Aerie replied. She rubbed her slightly rounded abdomen affectionately. "But maybe I've got a future singer in here."

Luke gave a little chuckle. "At least you've got a double shot at it."

Aerie's face took on a confused expression. "What do ye mean by that? Are ye sayin' I'll be havin' twins?"

"Hmm ... uh ..." Luke worked his jaw as he realized his error. While he had no trouble detecting the two tiny presences that the young woman carried, explaining how he knew such a fact was not something he was prepared to divulge. "I'm a twin, and there's a saying in our village that sometimes twins can sense when a new set is coming. It was really just a guess, though."

"Oh." Aerie apparently accepted his explanation. "Mara mentioned ye had but one sister, but I didna' know she was yer twin. Ye must be missin' havin' her with ye here today."

"Yes, I am," Luke said in a melancholy voice. "Very much so."

Aerie took note of Luke's downcast expression, and to his relief, she didn't pursue the matter. She glanced at the stage as a new vocalist began a lilting folk ballad about a pair of reunited lovers. "This'll most likely be the last song before the petal drop," she said. "And I'm thinkin' yer wife would like to share it with ye."

Luke jerked his gaze outward to see Mara approaching, then glanced back at Aerie as he rose. "What's a 'petal drop'?"

"Ye'll see," she answered, grinning as Mara pulled her husband back to the dancing area.

==================================================================

"Looks like you've survived all this dancing." Mara twirled gracefully under Luke's outstretched arm as the tempo of the music shifted. "I do believe you're improving, too."

Luke pulled her back against his swaying body. "Yeah, too bad this is the last song of the evening."

Mara snorted at his ill-concealed sarcasm. "One might think you were anxious for this merrymaking to end."

"They can make merry without us." He paused in his lamentation as they both rotated in place, effortlessly executing the steps of the quaint folk dance. "After all, we still have to consummate a marriage tonight."

"You make it sound like some kind of chore." She pulled back slightly to gauge his expression.

"Hardly." He gave her a light kiss on the forehead.

She nodded her head in agreement before letting her gaze drift outwards, unmindful of the revelry that surrounded them. "I just keep thinking of all the times I've asked myself if I was ready for that step."

"Hmmm ..."

"And I know you've asked yourself the same question, admit it."

"Uh-huh ..."

Mara smiled at his apparent inattentiveness. "I think we're both ready now," she pronounced softly.

"Yes, we are," he murmured with a wink, proving he wasn't daydreaming. They glided to a halt as the music ended, hoping they could soon make their exit.

"I'll get your cloak," Luke whispered as they edged their way back to their table. "I spotted a doorway along the rear wall. We can just—"

"Now where do ye think ye be goin'?"

Luke gritted his teeth in frustration as he heard Merta's voice behind him, then put on a halfway convincing smile as he turned to face her. "Isn't the dance over? I thought we'd get ready to leave."

"Not so fast, lad. The night's still young; ye've got plenty o' time fer yer other activities later on." She gave Luke a sympathetic grin. "There be only the petal drop yet, Luke. Then ye two kin leave."

"Oh." Luke vaguely remembered Aerie's mentioning something about petals. "And Mara and I have to participate in this ... whatever it is?" he asked, clinging to the slim hope that her answer would be negative.

Merta gave a hearty laugh, her hands planted on her wide hips. "Do ye not have any customs in yer village the same as ours? Who'd ye think would be catchin' the petals?"

"Sounds like we are," the young Jedi muttered disconsolately as his landlady steered both him and Mara back out to the open area that they'd just vacated.

"You find out what this is about?" Mara whispered to her husband, her eyes now tracking a trio of young girls who were clambering up ladders along a far wall. Each carrying a large wicker basket, the girls trotted across the wide ceiling beams until they were directly above the newlyweds.

"No," Luke murmured, his body tense as he went on alert at the three children's precarious position. "What are they doing up there?" He directed the question at Merta, though his gaze was still focused upward.

"Now how else did ye think the petals would be dropped?" Merta shook her head in patient resignation. "Come on, ye two. I'll explain as ye get ready." She accepted two wide shallow pans that Filia had brought out, shoving one each into Luke and Mara's hands. "The lasses up there will be droppin' dried flower petals, and ye catch as many as ye kin."

Mara stared at the empty pan in her grasp. "Uh ... why?" she asked cautiously.

Merta rolled her eyes in feigned exasperation. "Land's sakes, child. To tell yer fortune, o' course. The petals be different colors, and each color stands fer somethin' representin' yer future."

Luke and Mara exchanged curious glances.

"Do we get to know which color stands for what, so we know which ones to aim for?" Luke asked, his brow furrowing as his question met with laughter from the surrounding crowd.

"It wouldn't do ye much good," Filia spoke up. She produced two large strips of heavy cloth and handed one to Merta. "Seein' as how ye won't be able to see 'em."

*This just gets better and better,* Mara sent silently, stifling her groan of dismay.

*Keep remembering that this is the last ritual tonight,* Luke replied, following Filia to a designated spot a half dozen meters away. *Then we can leave.*

*And if it's not the last ritual?* Mara grimaced as Merta tied the blindfold in a tight knot at the back of her head.

*We're leaving anyway,* declared Luke, squatting slightly so Filia could fasten the cloth over his eyes.

"Don't look so glum, Mara." Aerie's voice drifted through the cacophony of noise in the hall. "This'll be fun."

"Aye," Jaco chimed in. "It was fun fer us, till I saw what Aerie had caught in her pan."

"Why? What did she—?"

"Don't be scarin' 'em, Jaco Modesa," Merta warned. She placed her hands on Mara's shoulders and spun her into position. "Now, yer husband be 'bout ten paces across the floor. Soon as I give ye a bit of a shove, ye hold out yer pan and start circlin' round. Luke'll be doin' the same thing from his side."

"And be careful when ye bump into each other," Aerie called. "Jaco almost knocked me flat twice. Nearly lost all me petals."

"Humph," Jaco retorted. "Wouldna' hurt to have lost a few o' those yellow ones."

Mara turned her head in the Modesas' direction, wincing as she heard Jaco grunt from what must have been an indignant swat from his wife.

Without warning, all the guests began clapping and stomping their feet, and Mara felt herself being pushed out into the open area of the makeshift dance floor.

*Luke?* She could feel his warm presence coming her direction.

*I can sense ... something ... falling on our heads. Flower petals, I suppose.* He shifted deftly to avoid running into her. *Just catch what you can.*

*That's what I'm doing.* She swiveled around to snare a sizable accumulation of the colorful flakes. *Why I'm doing this still eludes me.*

*Because it's ...* His pan outstretched in one hand, he darted around Mara to snag a newly dropped floral windfall. *... fun.*

*Hey, I was going after that batch!* She made a mad dash to beat him to the next lot of booty drifting their way. *Don't forget, there's a reason they put blindfolds on us.*

*So quit acting like you can see the petals coming,* he chastised, at the same time blocking her path to a flowery snowfall directly in front of him. *Stay on your own side.*

*Stay on your own side,* she shot back, grinning as she sensed an even bigger cluster of petals showering down within her reach. *I don't think we're supposed to have sides.*

Just as Luke was about to retort, the din surrounding them stopped as abruptly as it had started. He halted as he felt Jaco approach, and held still as his friend untied the blindfold.

"Are ye sure ye could'na see through this thing?" Jaco held the strip of cloth out, peering at it suspiciously.

"Aye, 'twas odd how ye each managed to avoid the other," Merta added, undoing Mara's blindfold.

"I guess ... we could hear each other's footsteps," Mara said, fumbling for a believable explanation.

"O'er the racket we were makin'?" Aerie questioned. She glanced at the rainbow of petals heaped up in Mara's pan. "I ne'er seen such a passel o' flakes in a single pan, either."

Luke shrugged as Filia stepped forward to retrieve his pan, also mounded high with a myriad of colors. "It looks like we were just ... lucky."

"If ye have that kind o' luck nettin' fish, ye'll be a rich man," Hiley put in.

I should have bumped into her on purpose, just to make it look good, Luke thought, then looked up as Mara, ever attune to his thoughts, glared at him. Or let her bump into me.

"So what happens now?" the Jedi asked. He watched as the petal-tossers overhead descended to the ground floor and joined several other children gathered around a nearby round table.

"They separate the petals; ye two wait," Merta replied, as she sent the newlyweds back to their seats.

Luke pulled their chairs close together before they slumped into them, Mara resting her head against his shoulder.

"I wonder if these will count, too," Luke murmured, picking a pair of errant pink flakes out of Mara's crown of curls. She glanced briefly at the petals he handed her, then let them drop to the floor.

"You realize that this is all a lot of nonsense."

"Ah, Mara, lighten up. Didn't you ever have anyone tell you your future when you were growing up?"

"Not unless you count Palpatine saying I had the privilege of serving him for the rest of my life." She raised her head slightly to see the faraway look on his face. "Don't tell me in that dreary life of yours you encountered a fortune-teller."

"As a matter of fact ..." He paused, rubbing her shoulders lightly. "Forget it, it's a boring story."

"Go on, farmboy. We don't have anything better to do, at least until we can escape this den of jubilation."

Luke laughed quietly in agreement. "Well, one season there was this traveling carnival that stopped in Anchorhead. It was, I guess, the first year I attended school, and all the other kids were talking about going. So I whined and moped at home until Aunt Beru finally broke down and said she'd take me."

"Whine a lot, did you?"

"Of course not."

Mara raised one eyebrow challengingly.

"Maybe. Occasionally." Luke shifted in his seat, then continued. "So we went to the carnival one day, when Uncle Owen was busy repositioning vaporators or something. I met up with the other kids, but Aunt Beru insisted she needed to stay close by, which annoyed me no end. Fixer and some of the others already called me a baby; I didn't understand why she had to treat me like one."

Mara made a hurry-up gesture in the air with her hand. "The point, farmboy."

"Okay ..." He sighed. "After trying out a few games, we came to this booth where this old lady sat. A soothsayer, she called herself. For a half-credit, she would tell you your future. All the other kids tried it, and she said things like they'd get married when they grew up, they'd be farmers or mechanics or the like. So naturally, I wanted to hear my future, too. Aunt Beru hesitated, but I guess she finally decided the old woman would just say I'd be a farmer forever, since that's how I was dressed."

"And ...? Don't keep me in suspense," Mara drawled, snuggling against his inviting shoulder.

"The lady laid her hand on my head, then got this strange look on her face. She looked up at my aunt, who suddenly started to look kind of scared herself, like she dreaded to hear what the soothsayer would say."

"What did she say?"

"She said that I would be very powerful when I grew up, and would be a savior to the entire galaxy."

"Guess that made you feel pretty good, to look that important in front of your friends."

"For about ten seconds, until they all started rolling on the ground laughing. Then I just hid in my aunt's skirts, crying with embarrassment." He could feel Mara quivering with barely controlled laughter herself. "Hey, I was only six or seven years old."

"Sorry." Mara sat up a little straighter. "But she was right about you, of course. And you had to be relieved that she didn't say you would be stuck on the farm forever."

"Nah, I thought she was just making fun of me. Aunt Beru told me afterwards that fortune-tellers make up good things every so often, just to get people to come and pay them. I was crushed, but the worst part was when we got back home, and I made the mistake of telling Uncle Owen what happened. He blew up at Aunt Beru for even letting me go to the carnival, and declared that the old lady there was crazy, and I shouldn't talk to one of those fortune-tellers ever again."

"You poor thing." She hugged him in sympathy. "Another Skywalker tale to tell our children and grandchildren."

"One of these days I'll rout some childhood stories out of you."

"I didn't have a childhood." Sighing, Mara laid her head back against her new husband.

Luke leaned over and kissed her forehead softly. "I'm sorry," he soothed.

Mara squeezed his hand in gratitude, then glanced up as Filia joined them at the table, setting down a clear glass vial with graduated markings etched on one side.

"Are ye two ready to hear what fate has in store fer ye?" The mistress of the Red Bone gave them a sly wink.

"Do we have a choice?" Mara muttered under her breath, ignoring Luke as he cleared his throat loudly to cover up her complaining.

"As ready as we'll ever be," he replied. He smiled at the young girls who approached their table, each carrying a small leather pouch. The rest of the guests gathered round, all eager to learn the destiny of this year's Festival bondmates.

Filia nodded to a small dark-haired girl in front. "Would ye like to go first, Tenna?"

The girl beamed, and proudly handed her pouch over to Filia. "I collected the yellow petals," she announced.

"Aye, so ye did." The elder woman carefully shook the contents of the bag into the vial. "Two measures," she announced loudly, before noticing the puzzled looks on the newlyweds' faces. "Ye'll have two daughters," she explained patiently.

"Oh." Luke paused, then broke into a happy grin. "Oh! That sounds wonderful, doesn't it, sweetheart?"

"Wonderful," Mara repeated, seeming to mull it over. "I guess I can handle two children."

Filia gave her a little grin, then directed her attention back to the little girls. "Did any of ye find some blue petals?"

"I did!" Bouncing on her toes with excitement, a small blonde produced the pouch requested.

Mara's eyes grew wide as a multitude of blue flakes poured forth into Filia's flask. She had a sinking feeling as to what 'blue' stood for.

Luke peered closely at the final measurement. "Three? Three ..." He looked around, waiting for someone to interpret.

"Three sons!" Jaco called out, reaching over to slap Luke on the back. "Ah, ye lucky buck. Aerie and I had six measures of yellow petals, but not a blue one in the whole lot."

"There be nothin' wrong with baby daughters," Aerie protested, patting her stomach. "Ye'll be happy enough when this one comes."

"Aye, 'tis true," the father-to-be agreed. "'Specially if she be as beautiful as her mother."

*They actually believe these foolish predictions,* Mara sent silently, in amazement.

*It's their culture, Mara,* Luke returned. *You know the future is always in motion.* He gave his wife a discreet wink. *But she's having two of those daughters this time around.*

Mara stared at him, then directed her Force sense to her new friend, who was prattling on about the practicalities of having a bevy of daughters. Lips pressed in a tight line, she concentrated as unobtrusively as she could, then frowned in disappointment. *You'll have to teach me that skill,* Mara directed to her Jedi husband.

*You mean how to get pregnant with daughters?* he returned jokingly. *I think that involves trial and error.*

"Mara, lass?"

The red-haired bride jerked up at the sound of her name, saving Luke from certain retaliation. Merta stood next to her, laughing in merriment. "Ye that famboozled o'er the thought o' havin' five babies?"

"Five? You think I'm going to have five children?"

"Well, not all at once!"

The surrounding crowd snickered at Merta's retort, quieting down when Filia called for the next pouch. Oohs and ahhs filled the Fellowship Hall as two more colors were systematically gauged – six measures each of pink and white, representing passion and purity. Green was brought forth next, and sympathetic moans were heard as a single measure filled the fateful vial.

Luke shrugged as he learned that green stood for bountiful harvests. "Guess this means I'll never be rich as a fisherman," he said, laughing. His good-natured mirth turned to a frown as three measures of red were soon followed by a like quantity of black – 'bloodshed and death' were the given explanations.

"What does that mean?" Mara demanded. "Whose bloodshed? Whose death?"

Filia patted her hand in an effort to allay the young bride's anxiety. "Not necessarily yers or Luke's," she assured her. "It may be folks in yer village that ye barely know, that simply live near ye." The older woman met the concerned looks of the other guests. "Though I must admit, I've not seen that many measures of either of those colors in all the bondin' fetes I've tended to."

Mara glanced at Luke. *How reassuring.*

*You're the one that said this was foolishness,* he reminded her. *Don't start believing anything now.*

Filia dumped the ebony flakes into a large clear belljar, where they joined the rainbow of petals previously counted. "I guess that be all the ..."

"Wait!" a small voice squeaked from a cluster of children near the table. "Ye haven't got my pouch yet!"

Mara felt Luke tighten his hold on her hand, and she glanced at the worried expression that filled his face.

"I've got a bad feeling about this," he mumbled quietly, as Mara also experienced a prickling sensation of dread.

"What do ye have there, Rasa, child?" Filia held out her hand for the bulging sack. "I can't think what color could be left."

"I've got the prettiest color of all." Rasa grinned in triumph. "Gold!"

Filia's smile froze, and a disturbing hush fell on everyone present. With trembling hands, the matron shook the glittery flakes into her vial, gasping as they nearly overflowed onto the tabletop. She stared back at the child standing before her. "Ye got these from their pans, Rasa?"

Rasa nodded vigorously, and the other young girls who'd been separating the petals confirmed her claim.

"They're were lots of 'em," the girl named Tenna said.

"We let Rasa collect 'em, cause she be the youngest," another girl put in.

"I see." Filia studied the gleaming mound of petals, and Luke and Mara had no trouble sensing the anxiety pouring out of the now-trembling woman, nor the feelings of mistrust rolling though the crowd.

"What is it?" Mara asked pointedly. "What does gold mean?"

"It ..." Filia took a breath before continuing. "It stands fer ... magic."

A voice growled from the crowd. "Dark magic ..."

"Witchery," someone else called out.

Mara was on her feet instantly. "Now hold on a minute! This is absurd! Just because of some silly flower petals, you're accusing us of ..."

Luke grabbed her arm, halting her tirade as he stood also. "Mara, they're not accusing us of anything." He scanned the crowd of suspicious faces. "Are you?" he challenged quietly. "We had no control over what colors fell in our pans. We didn't even know what they represented." He directed his gaze at Filia. "Surely there have been couples in the past who have caught golden petals."

"A flake or two, every few years," she admitted. She glanced again at the filled vial. "Never in me born days have I seen anythin' like this."

Mara shook her head in disbelief. "But if you drop the same amount of each color, how can others avoid—"

"The sol-blossom be very rare," Filia interrupted. "We have only a handful o' petals to include. It looks like ye've caught 'em all."

"Only a magic spell could direct ev'ry gold flake into their pans."

Mara recognized the sharp voice of Aerie's Aunt Pit, and turned to confront the elder woman. "We didn't cast any spells, and we didn't direct anything anywhere. We didn't even want to do this preposterous stunt." She bristled as she felt Luke's disapproval at the same time that he clutched her arm.

The young Jedi took a calming breath, then addressed the scowling audience. "Many of your customs are unfamiliar to us, but we do not mean to ridicule any of them. Perhaps ..." He searched his mind for some sort of explanation. "Perhaps this unusual occurrence came about because we are strangers in your land." He turned once more to Filia. "You said the black and red petals could foretell events of people near us, not necessarily ourselves. We may encounter others with mystical influence after we return to our own village – beings we have no knowledge of yet."

Merta spoke up for the first time. "'Tis true. We canno' be condemnin' 'em fer somethin' they haven't done."

"Aye," Aerie agreed. "We've no proof Luke and Mara have any doins' with the dark magic."

"The gold petals may have a diff'rent meanin' altogether fer them, 'cause they be outsiders," Jaco put in. "We've been callin' 'em our friends, and I fer one'll not be disownin' 'em o'er a few colored petals."

A murmuring ran through the crowd, as those in agreement began to sway the opinions of the dissenters.

Hiley suddenly stood on a chair, holding out his hands to hush the crowd. "I say we be takin' the golden petals as a sign of how the arrival of these two young people saved our festival this year, and many of yer crops along with it. If there be any magic, it's that there won't be another drought comin'."

"Aye." Filia nodded her gray head. "Me grandmother taught me when I was but a wee lass that interpretations of the colors varied by village. 'Tis possible in their case that gold bears a diff'rent significance."

Luke finally let out a breath of relief, as the majority of the guests voiced their assent. He turned as Efam's large hands fell on his and Mara's shoulders.

"I've got the sleigh waitin' by the rear door," the pub owner whispered. "I'm thinkin' this be a good time to leave."

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

"How can you always stay so calm?" Mara groused, after she and Luke had gratefully accepted Efam's ride back to the inn. The whooshing of the sleigh's runners through the snow did little to lull her turmoil.

"Jedi training," he replied simply, holding her close against the biting sting of the wintry night.

"But how can they think we're some kind of witches? Just because of some stupid colored flakes."

Luke glanced at the back of Efam's head and lowered his voice. "Sweetheart, to them we would be witches. Not the kind of image we want to create." Snuggled under a thick coverlet with the souvenir jar of petals on Mara's lap, they ignored the slap of the reins as the pub owner drove the team of drobbins forward. "As soon as Hiley makes the new stabilizer rod tomorrow we'll be on our way, and you can forget all about superstitious villagers and fortune-telling flower petals and ..."

"All right, all right, I get your point." Mara laughed, hugging him tightly as the sleigh bounced over a bump in the road. "No more talk of mystical magic tonight. We're just two normal, ordinary ...,"

"Newlyweds on their wedding night," Luke finished. He pulled her into a tender kiss that continued until a loud cough jolted them back to reality.

"Don't mean to be interruptin', but would ye not rather continue that in yer room?"

Luke pushed the coverlet back and stood quickly in the now-still sleigh. "Sorry, Efam, we didn't notice that we'd arrived." He jumped out lightly and helped Mara down. "Thank you, for everything.

"'Twas nothin'." The big man chuckled. "I be just a poor, ignorant tavernkeeper who never took no stock in tryin' to see ahead to what a body had in store fer 'im. I love me wife dearly, but I canno' understand why she thinks it be necessary to get young folks all jittery on their weddin' night, 'specially 'bout things they have no say so o'er." Grinning sheepishly, he gestured with his head toward the front door of the inn. "Now ye two get up there and get to doin' what ye're supposed to be doin' tonight. And don't be frettin' o'er what anybody else is thinkin'."

"We'll take you up on that advice, Efam." Luke's hand was dwarfed by the older man's giant paw as they shook warmly. "And thank you again."

"Get on with ye now." Efam climbed back onto the front seat of the sleigh. "Don't be keepin' yer bride waitin'." He gave a snap of the reins to urge the drobbins forward, waving behind him as he disappeared into the night.

"You heard the man." Mara raised one eyebrow invitingly.

"At your service, ma'am." Luke gave a half-bow, then scooped his bride into his arms and entered the homey foyer of the inn. He put her down hurriedly on the second-floor landing, however, as their elderly neighbors Gerd and Rosella stepped out of their room.

"I didn't know you had left the party already," Mara blurted out, straightening her cape and hoping the pair hadn't heard too much of her squealing laughter moments before.

"Some o' us old folks hafta rest our bones fer a spell, didn't ye know." Rosella patted Mara's shoulder in motherly affection.

"But where are you going now?" Luke asked, seeing that they were wearing their heavy cloaks.

"Why, back to the celebration," Gerd answered.

"I thought everything was over for the night." Mara's face showed her puzzlement.

Madam Rosella chuckled good-naturedly. "Only fer the bride and groom. The rest o' us will party till the wee hours o' the morn."

"Ye'll have the inn to yerselves fer most o' the night." Gerd winked conspiratorially to Luke, then escorted his white-haired wife carefully down the stairway.

"You think that was a polite way of saying we can make as much noise as we want?" Luke asked as they continued their ascent.

"You plan on making a lot of noise, farmboy?" Mara teased.

"I may surprise you," he declared. "And myself," he added in afterthought, as he held open the door to their room for Mara.

"Speaking of surprises ..." Mara stared in wonder at the transformation their bedroom had undergone. "I don't think Gerd and Rosella did much resting."

Luke agreed as they stepped into the room. The fire had been newly stoked; lit candles and fragrant greenery adorned the small table and bureau. Even the bedcovers had been turned back in silent invitation.

"Subtle, aren't they," he remarked, as he hung his coat next to Mara's cloak on the wallpegs behind the door. Luke turned to see Mara already sitting on a chair, bending to unfasten the laces of her boots. He watched her a moment, then pulled out the other chair and quickly removed his own boots and socks. Mara was methodically finishing her second boot, so he pushed his suspenders off his shoulders and was beginning to unbutton his shirt when his bride suddenly appeared standing before him.

"Would you undo the back of my dress for me?" Her voice sounded almost timid to Luke's ears. He hopped up instantly as Mara turned around. "Are you nervous?" she continued.

"I'm doing my best not to be," he replied, willing his fingers not to tremble.

"We need to go slow and easy."

"Fat chance of that."

"Luke!"

"I know, I know. I've been advised."

Mara gave him a look over her shoulder that clearly stated she didn't want to know who had been giving him advice.

"Gentle," he recited, as he neared the end of the row of tiny buttons, "yet with just enough force to— Blazing stars, Mara! You're not wearing anything under this!"

Mara laughed at his astonishment. "I was ... advised ... your first reaction would be shock."

"Were you like this all evening?" he sputtered.

"Of course. It's tradition for the bride. The bonding dress is like a wrapping for the gift she is giving her new husband."

Luke thought it best not to comment on how surprised he was that Mara would go along with such a sexist custom. "All brides here do this?" he questioned instead.

"Yes."

He paused in thought. "So, every married man at the banquet, all those ones you were dancing with, knew what you were wearing— uh, not wearing?"

"Not every married man." She gave him an amused grin. "You didn't."

"Everyone but me." He shook his head. "That makes me feel so much better." He finished his appointed task, then straightened up, not sure what to do next.

"I could use some help with these ribbons and pins in my hair, too." Mara tilted her head back, giving him a coy look out of the corner of her eye.

Luke laughed softly. "This from the woman who insisted she didn't need my help even when lying unconscious in a ravine."

"I've gained a new perspective," she said flippantly.

He carefully removed each hair fastener, then ran his fingers through her silky locks as they tumbled over her shoulders. He fingered the open back of her dress, then paused in hesitation.

Mara gave him a gentle smile of encouragement. "Go ahead, ... husband."

He slipped the dress off her shoulders, watching it pool at her feet before she stepped aside and turned to face him. "You are ... exquisite," he managed to get out in a ragged breath, his eyes raking up and down his new bride before returning to her shining face. "I think ... I could use some help with these shirt buttons, too," he stammered, before licking dry lips as she reached out and systematically undid each fastener, stopping only when she reached his trousers. "Keep going, ... wife," he said, forcing calm into his voice as Mara proceeded to silently undress her husband.

Spoken words no longer disturbed the stillness as previous inhibitions were supplanted by desire and acceptance, basic human instinct guiding inexperienced fingertips. Hands and lips began caressing and exploring, seeking and savoring. Two bodies melded into one entity, warmed as much by the heat of their passion as by the fire in the open hearth, its flickering flames casting a shadowy silhouette of the entwined lovers against the far wall.

Innocent, yet intuitively wise ...

Careful, yet carefree ...

The spark that had startled Luke and Mara so long ago in an Imperial prison cell now fanned into a conflagration of Force awareness, rippling through them subtly and unobtrusively, enhancing, not directing. This was their reward, their privilege, their destiny.

The galaxy continued its hectic pace of recovery and rebuilding, oblivious to the rapturous euphoria erupting in a small attic room of a quaint boarding house, in a mysterious village on an obscure planet. For that same galaxy's only Jedi Knight and his bride had embarked on a breathtaking, long-awaited, journey of discovery.

==================================================================

The attic room's hearth fire had burned down to smoldering embers, waiting to be stoked once more into blazing flames – much like the burning passion between the room's sleeping occupants.

Dawn was just beginning to break as Mara Skywalker forced open two weary emerald eyes, and found her vision filled by a head full of disheveled dark-blond hair. Snaking one arm around the waist of her new husband, she pressed against the warmth of his back. Luke stirred after a few moments, then gently escaped her grasp just long enough to turn over to face her.

"We did it," Mara whispered.

"Yeah," Luke breathed in agreement, not needing to ask to what she was referring. "More than once," he added, an amused grin lighting up his face. Snatching Mara's hand as it shot out to playfully swat at him, he brought the delicate fingers to brush against his lips.

Mara smiled as she pulled her hand out of his clasp, then gently stroked his face. "Last night was the first time I'd ever seen you sweat so much, Jedi."

"Won't be the last time," he declared, his blue eyes twinkling.

"I'll hold you to that," she said, accepting his vow. "Oh, Luke, it was so incredible, so unbelievable ... I swear I could feel everything you were feeling."

Luke raised up slightly, eyes wide as he recalled their experience from the previous evening. "You too ...?" He trailed off as he relaxed back into the soft mattress. "Maybe you did," he continued, gazing into her puzzled expression. "I thought I was imagining things. I wasn't just sensing your emotions, like I always can. It was more like I was ... experiencing ... everything that you were. I know we have a strong connection, but ..."

"But this went way beyond our usual bond," Mara finished. "Is this normal, for two Force-users? Some kind of wedding present from the Force?"

"Don't know." He cracked a wry grin. "I'll have to check in the 'Jedi Guide to Sexual Practices' when we get home."

Mara snorted in derision at his joke. "Maybe we'll have to write our own—" Her retort was cut off as he suddenly pulled her against him, crushing her mouth with a ravenous hunger.

*We need to conduct more experiments first,* he sent silently.

They kissed and caressed with a voracious fervor, letting their emotions run free and wild. The sensual tingling that coursed through them quickly escalated, and both partners reveled in each other's pleasure.

Finally Luke pulled back, gulping a much-needed breath. "Nope, we weren't imagining anything. Even with just touching, I could feel ... oh, wow ..." He traced her swollen lips with his fingers. "I love you so much, Mara," he murmured.

"And I will always love you, Luke," she returned, clinging to him. "I can't conceive of anything more wonderful than having my best friend love me, and make love to me."

"Me either." Luke trailed his fingers along the side of her face, pushing an errant strand of red-gold hair behind her ear. He let out a tired sigh, then rolled onto his back. "You wore me out last night, Mrs. Skywalker."

"I wore you out?!" she retorted, reverting to her usual sassy demeanor. "I feel like I've been trampled by a runaway bantha. I'm not sure if I can even get out of bed."

"Why would you want to?" he teased. "We'll just lie here until we get the urge again to—"

"Stars, Luke, I haven't recuperated from all the boundless enthusiasm you've already demonstrated." A low moan escaped Mara as she stretched wearily. "I have muscles aching that I didn't know existed."

Luke chuckled lightly, reaching out with the Force to massage her gently. "You weren't exactly lacking in zeal yourself last night." He paused, a note of anxiety permeating his voice as he extended a hand to stroke her. "You are sore. I did hurt you."

"No, Luke, I'll be fine," she assured him. "I'm just a little stiff."

"How can you be certain? What if ...?"

"Will you stop fussing over me? I only need to rest a bit before getting up."

"And you shall, as long as necessary." He kissed her shoulder, then rubbed his cheek against her smooth skin. "I'll be right here to make sure of it."

"You, sweetheart, are the biggest obstacle imaginable to my getting any rest. And don't pretend you don't ache at all, either. I know better."

"Nothing gets by you."

She laughed, then grabbed his arm as he started to rise. "Where do you think you're going?" she growled.

"Stay put, you'll see," he replied cryptically as he slipped out from under the woolen coverlet.

"I'm seeing quite a bit." Her bemused expression gave testament to Luke's obvious discomfort. "What I don't see is why you're over there, while I'm over here."

Standing near the large fireplace, Luke quickly donned the pair of shorts that had flown across the room into his outstretched grasp. "It's cold in the room," he muttered, as he began coaxing a glowing fire into existence.

"That fact does nothing to answer my query," she called, as Luke disappeared into the refresher. Lying sideways across the bed, she pulled the warm covers tighter around her shoulders and watched as he returned moments later with two buckets of water. "Gonna take a bath?" she surmised aloud, as he hung the pails over the flames.

"We both are," he replied. "I hear that warm soaks are very therapeutic for sore, aching muscles." He glanced in her direction. "Surely you have no objections. I seem to recall you trying to lure me into a shared bath our first night here."

"An attempt which failed miserably," she reminded him.

"Yes, well ... I've gained a new perspective since then," he said, echoing her words from the previous evening.

Mara's cat-like eyes tracked Luke as he padded back and forth – filling, hanging, refilling buckets of water. As the water heated, he began to fold their accumulation of borrowed clothes into a large basket.

"You certainly are a busy little banabee this morning."

"I just think we should be ready to leave as soon as we get the new stabilizer rod. I'll head over to Hiley's shop right after ..., after we ... uh, get cleaned up," he stammered.

"You mean, after you seduce me once more." He blushes so beautifully, Mara thought, her laughter filling the room.

"I think that works the other way around," he corrected, turning to face away from her. "And I'm not blushing."

"Not eavesdropping on my thoughts either, huh?"

Luke just shook his head and continued his packing chores.

"Merta offered to let us have the coats we've been using, and whatever other clothes we'd like," Mara informed him.

"If we wear those coats while traveling, we'd have to carry our flightsuits. It would be too bulky to wear both. It makes more sense to wear the flightsuits, and just keep one change of clothes for underneath them. We can put on our fatigues when we're ready for take-off."

Mara sighed at his logical reasoning. "All right, as long as I can use one of your pairs of trousers. I'm not wearing a skirt under a flightsuit. But I am bringing my wedding dress along."

"You are?"

"Of course. Why wouldn't I?" She frowned at him. "I would have thought you'd want me to keep it. You sure were anxious that we drag that slinky green dress with us through Coruscant's underground."

"Which I have yet to see you wear again," he reminded her.

"I don't recall you asking me to go anyplace where a dress like that would be appropriate," she shot back.

"I ... guess I didn't." Luke gave her a sheepish grin. "We've got a lot of missed opportunities to make up for."

"Sure do, buddy," she rejoined with a snort. "Get married, have sex, start dating – isn't that the order most people follow?"

"Just proves how special we are," he said with a laugh as he surveyed his work. "Okay, survival gear is packed, clothes to keep are packed, and clothes to return are gathered. I think we're all set to leave as soon as Hiley makes the rod. By the way, I'm saving a few dekas to give him, but I thought I'd give the rest of my tackdart winnings to Merta."

"Good idea," Mara agreed. "Though maybe we could keep one or two as souvenirs."

Luke nodded. "Yeah, I don't think that would hurt."

"Oh, and Merta is preparing a rucksack of food for us take along." She chuckled. "She must have heard that you're not a very good shot when hunting game."

"I ate rishhare at the banquet last night, didn't I?" he replied as he went over to the fireplace and checked the temperature of the water. "If you caught something, I'd eat it."

"You'd eat anything, farmboy," she drawled. She stretched out languidly, watching as Luke carried the buckets into the refresher. "If only I didn't have to watch those little hellions this morning," she muttered to herself.

"What's that?" Luke returned to the bedroom.

"I have to babysit that same group this morning, this time while their mothers take down the decorations in the Hall." She grimaced unhappily. "It'd better not take them very long." She raised her chin off her crossed arms and looked up as Luke moved to stand next to the bed.

"You've faced down crimelords, Imperial defectors, Sith, and an occasional Jedi. You can handle a group of children, Mara." He held out both arms invitingly. "How about we go ease those kinks and cramps?"

"I thought you'd never ask." Mara started to edge off the bed when Luke scooped her up in one swift motion, laughing lightly as she clutched one of the covers around herself.

"Now who's being modest!"

"It's still cold in here," she muttered as they entered the adjoining refresher. "And I can walk, you know. There's no need to carry me."

"Humor me." He lowered her body slightly, then lifted her up again. "I may work this into my weightlifting routine." He deftly deposited her in one end of the oval bathtub, the coverlet falling away of its own accord.

"The only thing I've seen you exercise lately is your libido."

"I didn't hear you complaining last night."

"I don't always complain." She smiled as he shed his undershorts and stepped into the water. "Sometimes I'm quite ... appreciative."

Luke watched the water level rise as he sank down to a sitting position. "Maybe I put a few too many bucketfuls in," he murmured. "We'll have to be careful not to splash any over the sides."

"You're kidding, right?" Mare scooted forward on her knees, straddling his hips as she sat down on his lap. Wrapping her arms around his shoulders, she pulled him in for a deep kiss. *Fat chance of that, farmboy.*

"You're right,* he sent back, duplicating her ardent embrace. *We've got plenty of towels to clean up ... any spills ... Oh, Mara ...* Luke moaned as his bride's nimble fingers did some underwater exploring. Her lips blazed a trail along the side of his neck, then down his chest.

As Mara's face dipped below the surface of the water, Luke threaded his fingers through her already-wet hair. "Hmmm ..." He leaned back, relishing her ministrations. "This reminds me of when that borrat attacked us in the underground."

"What?!" Mara's head jerked up with a start, droplets falling from her nose and chin. "Did I just hear you compare me to a rodent?"

"No, no!" he backpedaled. "That's not what I meant."

Her green eyes narrowed dangerously.

"You remember I didn't sense the creature coming because I had been daydreaming."

"Go on." Mara fought the tendril of amusement that threatened to displace her stern expression as she began to imagine what those daydreams had encompassed.

"I had, uh ... been thinking about a dream which I'd had the night before we escaped," Luke stammered in confession.

"And that dream was about ...?"

Luke smiled shyly, pulling her back against him. "Read my thoughts," he invited, "and I'll show you."

Mara entered his mind and followed a 'preview clip' of his fanciful vision. "What a naughty little mind you had already then, Jedi."

"It was a dream," he defended himself. "A guy can't help what he dreams."

"That is the most pathetic line I've ever heard. Though ..." She reached out and trailed a wet finger down his cheek. "It would be a shame to let something that erotic go to waste."

"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"

"You know I am," she retorted. "A re-creation, at least as much as we can manage in this small tub."

Luke grinned in anticipation. "I think we can manage quite a bit."

Reverie became reality as two bodies and two minds intimately joined, improvising their way through the never-forgotten fantasy of a love-struck farmboy-turned-hero.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

"I can't believe the water is still warm." Mara lazily swished a hand through the tepid water as she reclined against Luke's chest. "What has it been, an hour since we got in here?"

"Well, actually ..." Luke rubbed one foot against her smooth leg. "I've been keeping it warm."

She twisted around to look at him. "How? With the Force?"

He nodded and gave a wan smile. "You simply have to agitate the molecules, the same way heat affects water."

"I know we've been generating a lot of heat in here, especially when we first got in, but ..." She gave him an incredulous stare.

"But not that much," he finished with a chuckle. "Follow what I'm doing."

Mara reached into Luke's mind, observing as he sought out the individual water molecules and stirred them into action.

"So I guess you could say you're keeping the water Lukewarm," she quipped.

Luke laid his head back against the rim of the tub and groaned. "That's it. I'm definitely keeping you away from Janson and Klivian and their bad puns."

"I already avoid those two like the plague," she said with a snort.

"They've got a crush on you, you know," Luke observed. "Along with half of Rogue Squadron. They all flock around you, no matter how much you ignore them."

"Yeah, until they spot you heading across the hanger bay. Then they scatter like frightened hawkbats." Mara settled her head back against Luke's shoulder and swirled one finger in a circular motion. "Let me try to—" She was interrupted by Luke's clearing his throat. "All right, let me do the heating up trick."

He enclosed her outstretched hand in his, then wrapped his arms around her. "No hands," he said, kissing her temple lightly. "These aren't parlor tricks. I know it helps you focus, but you can't always rely on being able to hold out your hands." He let her again follow his mental actions, then withdrew his influence as she continued the activity on her own.

"Very good," he complimented her. "You have a natural affinity for the Force." He was silent a moment as he hugged her tighter. "I think teaching you these Force skills officially makes you my apprentice."

Mara frowned as he shifted nervously and fell quiet once again. "Okay, Skywalker, spill it." She twisted around and gave him a pointed glare. "I felt that wave of guilt when you said the word 'apprentice.'"

"Hmmm." Luke bit his lip and raised pleading eyes to his new wife. "There's, uh, something I need to tell you. Before we get to Lorrd."

"Lorrd? What's this got to do with Lorrd?"

"The Lorrdians are sort of under the impression that you're my apprentice."

"And just where would they get that idea?"

"From Mon Mothma."

"And she got the idea from ...?"

"I wanted you to come with me on this assignment," he blurted out. "But the Lorrdians insisted they would negotiate only with Jedi. So I told her you were my Jedi student."

"And she believed you? Here I always thought she was a smart woman. How did you convince her, with a little Force nudge?"

"Of course not," he assured her indignantly. "I used my smooth charm and honest face."

"And dishonest tongue," she added. "Does your sister know about this little ruse of yours?"

"She probably does by now."

"I'm surprise she and her pirate aren't out looking for you."

Luke shrugged. "Maybe they are. But we're still a couple of days shy of the ten days I told the Lorrdians we would be late."

"If they even heard you," she countered. "As garbled as their transmission was to us, who knows how much they caught of what you said."

"Guess so," Luke agreed. "Which means we should get up and get going. I'd like to be on our way by midday." He reluctantly rose, pulling Mara up with him.

Amid plenty of bantering and kissing, Luke and Mara managed to get dressed for their last morning in Zembuhl. Luke held the door open, and with a bow and a flourish he invited Mara to exit ahead of him.

"After you, my love."

"How gallant." Mara started through the doorway, but paused and frowned suspiciously when she noted a sensation of triumph from her husband.

"Gallant nothing," he admitted. "Everyone knows what we've been doing up here. I just want you to be first through the gauntlet of snickers and winks."

"Oh, no." Mara groaned as she thought of all the teasing and sly looks they were sure to encounter as soon as they showed their faces. She grabbed his hand tightly. "We're in this together."

"Yeah, together," Luke echoed.

"At least we have the consolation that we'll never see any of these people again," Mara continued as they descended side by side.

"Hmmm. That's kind of a shame, don't you think? We've made some good friends here." Luke turned to his life companion with a wistful look. "Perhaps we could come back sometime, for a visit."

Mara laughed. "You mean us and our five kids?" She squeezed his hand. "Sure, farmboy. We shouldn't make any promises to them, but I suppose we could find our way back someday."

Luke wrapped one arm around Mara's slim shoulders as they reached the bottom of the stairwell. The newlyweds braced themselves and made sure the smiles on their faces masked the apprehension they were feeling, then entered the crowded dining chamber.

"Good morning, everyone ..."

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Tilting her face upward to enjoy the warm sun, Mara Skywalker sauntered through the slushy snow toward the village school building. She was in no hurry to reach her destination, though she guessed that whoever was currently watching the children was surely impatient for her arrival.

She had parted company with Luke moments earlier, as he headed off to fulfill the chore that had brought them to this tiny village in the first place. In a few hours they would be on their way back to the B-wing, and back to civilization. As she walked, Mara reflected on the life she'd soon be returning to – a life as different from her tenure as Palpatine's puppet as Zembuhl was different from Coruscant. Indeed, even different from the aloof and mostly solitary existence she'd led hardly more than a week ago. Luke would do his darndest to draw her into his circle of friends – and she would follow. Not because he'd insist or pressure her, but because she loved him.

Mara had let Luke do most of the talking at breakfast. He had satisfied Merta and their fellow boarders' curiosity with charm and finesse. As much as he maintained that he wasn't skilled in statesmanship, his actions proved otherwise. Luke's words might not be as polished or diplomatically correct as Leia's, but he could convince even the most obstinate being to embrace whatever credence he promoted. How else could one explain why a brainwashed assassin would defy her master, or why a conceited smuggler would take sides in a war he claimed he had no interest in. She had overheard Solo admit that Luke's cajoling had as much to do with his joining the Rebellion as Leia's obvious attraction. Mara only hoped her new husband's powers of persuasion would effectuate a favorable treaty with the Lorrdians.

The sounds of children's squeals reached Mara's ears all too soon. She squared her shoulders and set her chin in determination as she approached the looming doorway. She could do this. She was Mara Ja—, Mara Skywalker, Jedi wife ... and Jedi apprentice.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

There was a noticeable spring in Luke's step as he headed toward Hiley's metalcrafting shop. He didn't let himself dwell on concerns of how the Lorrdians would receive him, especially after his delayed arrival. He wasn't contemplating his plans for rebuilding the Jedi Order. No, Luke Skywalker's thoughts this sunny winter morning centered on his beautiful wife, and on what a lucky man he was.

"That be a mighty big grin ye got on yer face, lad." The friendly voice greeted the young Jedi as soon as he stepped through the doorway.

"Can't deny that," Luke replied, his smile getting even wider. "Life is good."

Releasing the bellows he'd been pumping, Hiley slapped the younger man on the back with a laugh. "Spoken like a true bridegroom." The wiry toolcrafter had his sleeves rolled up and sweat beaded on his brow. "I wondered how long it would take ye to drag in this mornin'. Ye're actually here sooner than I thought ye'd be. I just now got me fire stoked back to a usable state. Winter Festival be the only time o' the year I let me forge go cold."

"I'm sorry if you rushed because of me," Luke said. "But Mara and I really should be returning to our ... uh, village ... as soon as possible."

Hiley waved off Luke's apology good-naturedly. "I needed to get back to me work anyway." He nodded at a table filled with an assortment of implements in various states of disrepair. "Folks' ability to break things don't take time off fer Festival."

"So I see," Luke returned, his eyes sweeping in fascination over the haphazard pile of unidentified gadgets. "Say, Mara's going to be tied up for awhile this morning. I'd be happy to give you a hand until she's finished, if you show me what to do."

Hiley smiled at the younger man's ill-concealed eagerness. "Ah, lad, that's music to me ears."

Luke and Hiley finished the stabilizer rod in short order, with Luke being as vague as possible when questioned about what part of his 'boat' the contrivance belonged to.

Several hours later, Luke paused to wipe perspiration out of his eyes with his rolled-up sleeve, then continued pounding at the bent pump handle he was currently working on. Blowing out a breath, he held the piece of hardware aloft with a pair of long tongs, frowning as he tried to decide if it had acquired the necessary shape yet.

"Ye need a tad bit more of a curve, lad ... right along there." Hiley reached past Luke's shoulder and pointed to a crook along the handle's tapering end.

Luke nodded and plunged the faulty half of the apparatus back into the fire until the metal glowed red. Laying it once more on the anvil, he resumed shaping it with smooth easy strokes of his heavy hammer. As he toiled, Luke reflected on how much more satisfying this labor felt than the similar repairs he'd performed for his uncle. Perhaps it was because his current exertion was voluntary instead of coerced. Or maybe the level of maturity he'd achieved since his years of servitude on the Lars' homestead had given him new insight into appreciating a simpler way of life. Or possibly ... Luke smiled to himself, ... possibly it was because he was in such a great mood this day. He glanced with pride at the stack of equipment he'd already repaired – a wagon tongue that had been snapped in two, a foot treadle that somehow attached to a churn, and a circular contraption that he still had no clue to its usage. Wouldn't Mara be impressed when he told her—

Mara! Almost feeling ashamed that he hadn't thought to contact her earlier, Luke reached out tentatively for his new bride's presence. He was immediately assaulted with feelings of frustration and irritation.

*Mara?* Luke sent hesitantly.

After several long moments, a reply came back. *Listen, farmboy, I don't want to hear what a great time you're having; I can already tell. Go back to playing with your tools, and leave me alone.*

Luke pursed his lips in concern. *Sweetheart, do you want me to come and—*

*No! I'm doing fine. Just let me be.*

Luke had serious doubts about how 'fine' Mara was doing, but he knew better than to argue. He felt her put up barriers against him, and smiled to himself. She knew as well as he did how ineffective any wall between them was. It was more of a 'mind your own business' signal than anything else.

Respecting his wife's wishes, the young Jedi turned back to the task at hand.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Mara Skywalker glanced down as a small fist tugged on her skirt. Grateful for the distraction, she hoisted the toddler into her arms.

Luke meant well, she knew. But as much as she loved him, he could still exasperate her with his concern. Apparently he'd been so engrossed in his tinkering that he hadn't even noticed when she'd touched his presence earlier in the morning. She hadn't disturbed him, had simply basked a few moments in his calm, happy aura.

Perhaps she should have soaked up a little more of his unruffled composure, Mara thought, as the din in the room rose another notch.

"Give me that!"

"No!"

"Madam Skywalker, make 'im give it back!"

"I'm tellin'!"

"Madam 'kywalker, do ye wanna see me doll?"

"I want me momma."

"Madam Skywalker?"

"Ma'am!"

"Aaarrgghh!!" Mara let out an anguished cry, startling the child she held into squirming her way back to the floor. Blast it, where were these kids' mothers?! She had known the children were wound up by how fast their first caretaker that morning, a young woman barely out of her teens, had exited the building. The poor girl had looked distraught as she tossed Mara a grateful 'Thank the stars ye're here!' before flying out the door. Mara had nothing but admiration for the school's regular instructor, who was taking a much-needed vacation this week.

Rubbing her temples wearily, the red-haired newlywed glanced in the direction of the latest outbreak of crying.

"Give me dolly back!"

"No! Yer silly doll is goin' flyin'."

Mara recognized the complainant as being the little girl who had produced the bevy of gold petals the previous evening. The main perpetrator was none other than the adolescent snow-sculptor who doubled as the group's resident bully. He and a friend were tossing a small ragdoll back and forth, just out of its owner's reach.

"What's going on here?!" Mara growled, making her way across the room. "Thal, I told you yesterday that I wouldn't put up with this kind of behavior. Give Rasa back her doll."

"No!" the young hector shouted. "Ye're not our teacher, and ye can't make me do anythin'."

"I can and I will," Mara returned hotly. The thought crossed her mind that this was probably how Palpatine behaved as a child, and she nearly laughed in spite of her anger. "Do what I say, now!"

Thal threw the cloth figure to his buddy Shae, causing a new round of crying from Rasa. "Ha, ha, ha," the ruffians taunted. "It's a cawbird. It's flyin'. Ye'll never get it!"

Thal's miscreant partner let the doll sail back over Rasa's outstretched arms, chortling at the little girl's vain attempt at snatching it back.

"Thal! Shae!" Emerald eyes blazing, Mara clenched her fists in frustration. "GIVE ME THE DOLL!"

Thal dangled the doll in the air, snickering in glee. "No, no, no! I won't—" His impudent retort died on his lips as the unfortunate doll suddenly flew out of his grasp and into Mara's waiting hand.

"How would you like a taste of flying?" Mara growled in a low, dangerous voice.

"You can't touch me," the boy returned brazenly.

Mara had had enough. It was time somebody taught this boy a lesson. "I don't have to." She lifted one hand slowly, and Rasa's oppressor let loose a squall as he rose a half meter off the floor. The rest of the children froze in place. Only their wide eyes darted between Mara and the kicking, struggling bully who hung suspended in thin air.

A shrill scream unexpectedly pierced the room, and Mara glanced over her shoulder to see two women standing in the open doorway, hands clasped to their mouths in horror.

Oh, Sith! Mara quickly lowered Thal back down, berating herself for letting her temper override her judgment. Her self-reproach turned to dread as she heard one of the women utter a single word of accusation.

"Witch ..."

==================================================================

Chapter Fifteen

Steam sizzled loudly as Luke plunged the newly repaired pump handle into the tub of cooling water.

"Ye're doin' a fine job there, lad," Hiley complimented from across the cluttered shop. "If ye take a notion to stay in Zembuhl a spell, I'd be glad to give ye a job." The toolcrafter frowned as the younger man stared vacantly toward an outside wall, not replying. "Luke? Somethin' wrong?"

The Jedi's head jerked around, his eyes blinking rapidly. "Oh ... I ... No ... I need to go." He laid the handle near the stack of his other mended contrivances, then quickly removed his borrowed gloves and rolled his sleeves back down. "I'm sorry, but ... I need to check on Mara," he said, fumbling for an explanation. "I think she ... something's going on."

"If ye say so," Hiley replied, puzzled by the abrupt change in his temporary assistant. "I thank ye fer the help ye did—" He was cut off as Jaco Modesa suddenly rushed into the shop.

"Luke!" Jaco shouted, struggling to catch his breath. "Ye've got to come quick! They've got Mara!"

"Who's got her?" Luke grabbed his coat and headed to the door, ignoring the incredulous look that Hiley gave him.

"Half the village. They've got her trussed up in the school buildin'."

"Trussed up?" Luke narrowed his eyes. "What happened?"

"I'm not sure." Jaco put a hand on his friend's shoulder. "But they be callin' her a witch."

"I thought that nonsense was settled last night," Hiley put in, as he followed the pair out to the street.

"So did I," Jaco said, glancing aside at Luke, who appeared to be deep in concentration as he strode along at a brisk pace. "But somethin' happened with the children—"

"Children?" Luke interrupted. *Mara? Answer me,* he sent silently. He shook his head in frustration as Mara sent back a sense of wellness, but refused to answer in words.

Jaco nodded at Luke's query. "Some of the womenfolk were near hysterical – kept blubberin' that the witch was hurtin' their young'uns."

"Sithspawn." Luke bit out the low curse and quickened his pace. "I should have gone to her sooner ..."

Hiley grabbed Luke's arm, jerking him to a halt. "Ye knew Mara was in trouble before Jaco showed up." He lifted an eyebrow more in curiosity than accusation. "How?"

"It's ... hard to explain." Luke's steady gaze bore a plea for understanding. "I need to make sure she and the children are safe."

Hiley let go, cognizant of the younger man's anxiety. His questions could wait.

As the trio mounted the steps of the school building, they were immediately confronted by the angry mob inside.

"Look, it be the witch's husband!"

"He surely be one of 'em, too."

"Don't let 'im through."

Luke couldn't see Mara, but felt her presence and her tightly controlled emotions. Before he could start to push his way ahead, he caught sight of a friendly face coming his way.

"Luke!" Merta was wringing her hands frantically. "Thank the Divine One ye're here. I couldna' stop 'em from holdin' her."

"It's all right, Merta." Luke lightly touched his landlady's shaking hands and sent out a calming touch. "Just tell me exactly what happened."

Merta relaxed noticeably and drew him away from his accusers. "Alfa Jueldent and Theda Nondes left the Hall early, to give Mara a hand with the young ones. Alfa come runnin' back fer help, cryin' that Mara had cast a spell on the children. She claimed ..." The stout woman took a deep breath and continued. "... that Thal Ulhas was danglin' in midair, and that Mara had her arm pointin' to 'im, keepin' 'im that way. I ne'er heard such a wild tale in all me born days, but folks are believin' it, and won't let her loose."

Luke blew out a breath of exasperation. "Was the boy hurt?" he asked. "Or any of the other children?"

Merta shook her head. "Not so I could tell. He was whinin' to his momma, lookin' fer sympathy, but that be his nature. The rest o' the children were a might shook up, that be all."

"I need to talk to Mara." Luke patted Merta's arm in comfort. "Thank you."

As the Jedi headed away, several villagers stepped in his path, blocking the way. Luke held up one hand and stared the men down. "You will let me pass." His quiet voice projected a calm authority, and the crowd parted as if possessed. The resulting passageway afforded Luke his first glimpse of his wife.

Luke could see Mara sitting quietly on a bench against a back wall. Paying scant attention to the surrounding men holding long-handled axes, wide-bladed hunting knives, and other crude weapons, he sat down lightly next to his wife.

"Aren't you afraid you'll be guilty by association?" Mara stared straight ahead, refusing to look him in the eye.

"I'm quaking in my boots," he retorted dryly, before directing a pointed gaze at the heavy cord binding her hands together.

Mara shrugged noncommittally. "It makes them feel safe."

"Are you going to tell me what happened?"

"I'm sure you've already heard."

Luke gave a barely discernable shake of his head. "I want to hear it from you."

Mara bit her lip and fingered her rumpled skirt. "You know I have no experience with children."

"That's not what I asked." He waited until she finally met his gaze. "What did you do, Mara?"

"She cast a spell on our children," someone in the crowd called out.

"We should hang her, like she tried to do to poor Thal," another voice put in.

Luke shot a silencing, warning look at the eavesdropping villagers, then turned back to Mara. "Tell me."

Mara grimaced at the commanding tone of his voice. Why didn't he just say it? He was disappointed in her. He'd expected better of her. Mara started to lash out at him, then found herself drawn to his pale blue eyes. In them she saw not condemnation, but concern. Concern, compassion, ... and love. Shame flooded through her as she hunched forward, squeezing her own eyes shut. She felt Luke's arm slip around her in a comforting embrace.

"I love you, Mara," he whispered, his forehead pressed against her temple. "I just want to hear from you what transpired, so we can work through this together."

How could anyone in the galaxy possibly be this understanding? Mara raised her bound hands and rubbed at her eyes. She would NOT cry. She had learned that lesson at the tender age of seven, confessing an unpardonable training error to an unforgiving master. Admit your failure. Accept your punishment. Taking a deep breath, she shook away the Emperor's voice echoing in her head.

"Thal was taunting little Rasa, and wouldn't stop." Mara lowered her voice, more an indication of her reluctance to disclose her actions than a precaution against anyone overhearing. "I levitated him a bit, just to scare him."

Mara waited for the expected reaction, then narrowed her eyes when all he did was compress his lips in thought. "You already knew," she bit out.

"I knew what," he replied calmly. "Not why." He glanced at her out of the corner of his eye with what Mara could only interpret as a mixture of amusement and reproach. "Actually, I'm still waiting to hear the 'why' part." His half-smile abruptly turned to a frown, and he sat upright in consternation.

"Someone's in trouble," Mara mouthed, knowing Luke had felt the same tingling of danger that she had.

"Yes, but where?"

"FIRE!!" The cry echoed into the building from the street. "The Hall's on fire!" Agitation rippled through the crowd as some villagers immediately ran for the Fellowship Hall, while a few others debated on whether to abandon the current crisis for the new one.

The newlyweds both sprang up in unison, Mara's bonds falling to the floor as she casually flicked her wrists. Their forward movement was halted by a hayfork menacingly pointed their way.

"Where d'ye think ye're goin'?" a grizzled farmer warned.

"Let 'em though, Bidlu." Hiley stepped up to intervene. "It'll take ev'ry hand we kin muster if the Hall be on fire."

Whether it was Hiley's argument or a desire to get to the fire themselves, Bidlu and the remaining 'guards' put their weapons aside, allowing Luke and Mara to join the flow of anxious villagers running toward Zembuhl's Fellowship Hall. There they found the community already furiously battling the quickly spreading inferno. Nearly the entire wooden floor of the immense building was ablaze, fueled by the paper decorations which had been gathered into baskets by that morning's work crew.

A brigade of men, women, and children were passing buckets of water from a nearby well, while others shoveled snow onto the flames. Desperate villagers were attempting to smother the tongues of fire with coats and blankets, but most found themselves driven back by the heat and smoke.

As the Jedi approached and began assessing the situation they were hailed by Jaco, who had reached the site ahead of them. A distraught Aerie was wailing uncontrollably, and it was evident that Jaco was having to bodily hold her back from rushing into the burning building.

"Luke! Mara!"

"Jaco!" Luke returned, shouting to be heard over the surrounding din.

"Aerie's little sister be trapped on the rafters inside, with two other children," the dark-haired man explained in a rush. "They were takin' down the streamers when the fire started, and their ladder has been felled by the flames."

"We'll get them out," Luke vowed, already turning toward the conflagration. After giving her sobbing friend a reassuring hug, Mara followed her husband.

"Find me some strips of cloth and wet them," he directed. "The smoke will be worse near the roof."

Without pausing to think, Mara pulled up her overskirt and ripped off sections of the petticoat underneath. She doused them in a nearby pail of water and handed the strips to Luke, who stuffed them in his pocket. Mara started to follow Luke to the wide doorway of the Hall, but he held out a hand to stop her.

"I'll get the children down," he shouted.

"I can help you," she countered.

"Mara, I need you to help put out the flames." Luke glanced around at the white drifts of snow. "Scoop up the snow with the Force." He swept one arm out to demonstrate, and startled villagers scurried out of the way as a large sheet of snow flew through the air and landed on the edge of the flames inside.

"Got it," Mara acknowledged with a nod. Even her staunchest accusers recognized that she was helping, not hindering, and they begrudgingly cleared a path for the 'witch' to work her magic.

Luke stepped as far into the Hall as he could, the smoke already stinging his eyes. Above his head he could sense the children – terrified and losing hope. Taking one last deep breath of fresh air, Luke leapt up and landed lightly on one of the wide beams that crisscrossed the inside of the structure. Squinting through the haze, he could make out a solitary prone figure clinging to a rafter for dear life.

The Jedi sprinted across the expanse, then knelt in front of the frightened girl. "Almie?" he called, hoping he had remembered correctly the name Aerie had rattled off last night.

The girl raised her head at the sound, peering into the stranger's face with a child's curiosity. "I'm ... Tenna," she croaked, coughing as she spoke. "Who ... are you?"

"Luke," he responded, doing his best to instill a wave of calm into the child. "From the party last night, remember?" He laid one hand on the girl's shoulder in a gesture of reassurance, then grimaced as he looked below him to see that the fire had already spread to the spot he had jumped from. Without a safe area to land, all he could do was collect all three trapped youngsters and hope that the fire would be extinguished enough by then to descend. "I'm going to get you down from here, but we have to get the other children, too."

Tenna bobbed her head in understanding.

"Tenna, I want you to climb onto my back." He gently tried to pry the girl's iron grasp away from the rafter. "Tenna, honey, you have to let go of the beam. I won't let you fall, I promise."

"I'm scared," the child squeaked, tightening her grip on her wooden security blanket.

"I know," Luke soothed. "But you can't stay here." He remembered the strips of cloth in his pocket when he paused to choke back a cough. "I'm going to put a scarf over your mouth and nose, so you can breathe better. All right?"

Tenna allowed him to tie the wet cloth around her head and after another round of coaxing, sat upright on her perilous perch. Luke was beginning to wish he'd had Mara accompany him after all, as the girl refused to relinquish her grasp on his arm. Finally he was able to maneuver around to where Tenna was at his back.

"Now, put your arms around my neck."

The girl needed no further encouragement, clinging to him in a chokehold. "Not that tight!" Luke gagged reflexively, reaching back to settle Tenna's light form into a more comfortable position. "Okay, now we need to get the others."

Proceeding a bit slower to avoid frightening his passenger, Luke edged his way across the network of rafters toward the next youthful victim. "Almie?" he called, hoping he had the right name this time. A wracking cough mixed with sobbing was his only answer.

"That's Almie," Tenna affirmed into his ear, her voice muffled by the damp cloth.

Luke laid a hand gently on Almie's back. "Almie, I'm Luke. I'm going to get you down." Looking below him, he could tell that the orange glow of flames was beginning to diminish, but thick smoke still hung in the upper reaches of the room. "Hold on just one more minute, all right? I'm going to put a wet cloth over your mouth, to keep the smoke out." He deftly tied the strip onto the shaking child, carefully maintaining his balance while choking back his own coughing.

*Mara!* Luke called silently as inspiration struck. He reached into his jacket and pulled out his lightsaber. *I'm going to cut a hole at one end of the roof. Can you help me channel the smoke out?*

*Yes,* came the terse reply, Mara's voice sounding distracted.

Luke felt Tenna's hold tighten as he levitated the saber into the air, but to the child's credit, she didn't panic. He triggered the activation switch as the instrument neared the opposite end of the roof, the green blade glowing eerily through the smoky haze. As quickly as he dared, Luke sliced a circular hole in the eave, then lowered the slab of wood to the floor below. Quickly calling his lightsaber back, he felt Mara join his effort in pushing the dense smoke out the natural draft created by the opening.

Now breathing a little easier, the young Jedi turned his attention back to his rescue mission. "Okay now, Almie. I'm going to help you sit up, then I'll pick you up."

"Don't be scared, Almie," Tenna put in. "He won't drop ye."

"'kay," Almie sniffed, scooting upright on the beam as Luke kept a steady hand on her.

Luke brushed the girl's blonde curls away from her soot-streaked face, then hoisted her into his arms. "Two down, one to go," he murmured to himself.

"We not be down yet," Tenna reminded him as they moved toward the third trapped child.

Luke chuckled softly. How could Mara have trouble with children such as these? "Just a saying, Tenna." He looked across the two-meter open expanse to where the last lone figure clung tenaciously to a broad timber. The nearest crossbeam was at least fifteen meters away, and directly in the path of where the lingering smoke was now being drawn out into the winter sky. Bad planning on his part, Luke thought, but nothing to be done about it now.

"Girls, what is your partner's name?"

Tenna, definitely the talkative one, spoke up first. "Kavan."

"Kavan!" Luke called to the boy. "We're going to jump across to you."

"Jump?" Almie and Tenna asked in unison, both their heads swiveling to survey the distance.

"Sure." Luke hugged Almie a little tighter, and patted Tenna's arms that encircled his neck. "You trust me, don't you?"

After a moment of hesitation, both children answered affirmatively.

"Good. Now close your eyes, and don't look down." Luke took a deep breath, sharing an aura of security with his passengers. "One, two, three ..." Bending his legs, he sprang across the yawning gap and landed lightly near Kavan's head.

A cheer arose from Tenna and Almie, but it was drowned out by the terrified gasps coming from the adults watching from below.

*Thanks a lot, farmboy,* Mara sent up to her husband. *Leave me down here to deal with the neurotic parents who're witnessing your crazy antics.*

*You can handle it, sweetheart,* he returned. *I'm a little busy.* Luke turned his attention to the young boy who was eyeing him warily. "Kavan, are you doing all right?"

"Uh-huh," the youngster replied. "I knew ye had to get Tenna and Almie first, 'cause they be girls, and girls be more scared."

The girls in question huffed indignantly, and it was all Luke could do to stifle his amusement. "Well, you're a brave lad, Kavan, but now it's your turn." Luke crouched down by the boy, helping him to sit up with his free hand.

Kavan narrowed his eyes suspiciously as he surveyed his already-burdened rescuer. "I can stand by meself. Ye canno' carry me too, with both o' them."

Luke hesitated, gauging the short distance they would need to travel to be over a safe spot to descend. It would be rather cumbersome to carry all three children, and no doubt the boy had excellent balance or he wouldn't have been up there. "All right, but you have to hold my hand. We're going to walk along the rafter until we're close to the doorway." He shifted Almie slightly in one arm, and gripped Kavan's hand tightly. "Everybody set?"

A chorus of yes's answered his question, and the troupe made its way carefully across the heavy beam, stopping just before the end wall of the building.

"But how are we gonna get down?" Tenna voiced the obvious question. "The ladder fell down in the fire and burned up."

"We're going to jump," Luke replied. "Just like we jumped over to Kavan."

"But this is farther," Almie objected, her head turning around to look below.

"Are ye gonna use yer magic agin?" Tenna asked.

"Magic?" Luke wasn't quite sure how to answer the query. Did the adults' prejudices extend to their children?

"Like ye floated yer light stick to cut the hole," Kavan clarified.

"Ye had lots o' gold petals last night," Tenna continued in a matter-of-fact manner. "So ye must have lots o' magic."

Luke remembered that Tenna was one of the children separating the fortune petals at the previous evening's banquet. "Uh, yes. It will take a little magic," he admitted. Better to admit to magic, he reasoned, than to have them think they could try a stunt like this on their own someday. "We're going to float down, just like a leaf floats to the ground when it falls off a tree."

Even Almie's apprehension change into anticipation. Luke convinced Kavan to let him hold him in the crook of his arm, and the group readied themselves for the coming drop.

"All right now, everyone, on the count of three."

Brimming with nervous excitement, the children hugged their savior tightly, joining him in the countdown.

"One, two, three!"

Calling on the Force more intensely than he could ever remember, Luke stepped off into empty space, hoping that the screams of terror below them wouldn't rekindle the children's fear. The quartet drifted slowly downward, landing lightly near the open doorway.

Panic-stricken parents rushed forward, snatching their children away from the Jedi as quickly as they could.

"Are ye insane?" one of the fathers shouted. "Jumpin' from that height with our children!"

"I—" Luke began, but he was cut off by a distraught mother.

"Don't ye ever touch our children again," she cried, clutching Tenna against her.

"Welcome to the world of child abusers," Mara smirked. "They're convinced I started the fire with my witchery."

Luke frowned and shook his head in dismay. "You did contribute greatly to putting it out, my darling sorcerer. I was watching you work out of the corner of my eye, you know."

"The corner that wasn't tearing up from smoke?" Mara rejoined dryly.

"Exactly." Luke stepped wearily to Mara's side, slipping his hand into hers. He watched as the parents and other villagers fretted over their offspring, examining them for any injuries. "How did the fire start? Do you know?"

"From what I gathered, when word reached here about my ... uh, indiscretion ... at the school, one of the women knocked over a candle in her hurry to leave." Mara grimaced, leaning back against Luke. "So I guess, in a way, it was my fault."

"Nonsense," he replied. "It was an accident." He looked up as Jaco and Aerie approached.

"I want to thank ye fer savin' me sister and the others." Aerie grasped Luke's free hand, squeezing it in gratitude. "And Mara, I don't believe those terrible things they be sayin' about ye. I know ye would never hurt anyone."

"Thank you, Aerie," Luke answered for both of them. "We're just glad no one was hurt." His gaze drifted to where Hiley was making his way through the crowd, grateful for another supporter amid the sea of scorners. The Jedi's hint of a smile turned to a frown, however, when he saw the look of dismay on the toolcrafter's face.

"Luke, Mara." Hiley nodded in greeting as he neared. "I seen what ye both did, and I'm thankful ye were here to help, but ..."

"But what?" Mara said warily, her mind swimming with possibilities of what else could go wrong today.

"Some of the villagers, well ..." The older man scratched at his head, reluctant to reveal the directive he'd been elected to deliver. "They be wantin' an explanation of ..."

"Of who we are," Luke finished. "And all of you deserve that much."

"I'm supposed to bring ye to the pub," Hiley continued. "The village council is meetin' there."

"Very well." Luke laid one arm lightly around Mara's shoulders as they followed the metalcrafter down the snow-covered street. Other citizens were streaming the same direction, giving the newlyweds looks of both awe and contempt.

"I'm sorry about what happened with Thal," Mara said quietly to Luke as they walked.

"Sorry you levitated him, or sorry you got caught?" He squeezed his hand gently on her shoulder to show he wasn't angry.

"Both," she admitted. "He was being a bully, and I lost my temper. It was a stupid thing to do." She gave him a sideways glance. "I don't know how you stayed so blasted calm at the school."

"What did you expect me to say? – 'Mara, how could you have pulled such a bone-headed stunt?'"

"I would have deserved it."

"I'm practicing my serene Jedi Master role," he explained lightly. "Besides, I didn't have a gimer stick handy to rap your knuckles with." Luke shrugged and turned serious. "I couldn't convince myself that I wouldn't have done the same thing in your position." He smiled wanly. "Where were you when Fixer was picking on me?"

"Training to pick off targets at a thousand meters," she replied matter-of-factly.

Luke just nodded, once again reminded of how different his and Mara's upbringing had been – and how much alike they could have been if his father had raised him. In hindsight, perhaps being hidden and lied to had been to his advantage after all.