Jedi Council Forums - "The Light Within" - (AU post OT Winter FF piece)

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Author	Topic: "The Light Within" - (AU post OT Winter FF piece)
Geezerette50 Registered: Dec '03	Date Posted: 12/29/03 1:33pm Subject: "The Light Within" - (AU post OT Winter FF piece) - Date Edited: 12/29/03 4:37pm (1 edits total) Edited By: Geezerette50
	This is the beginning of the fifth installment to my AU story series posted at Soul of the Jedi, where I post as Sue_Parsons. waves to familiar faces here If you were to want to read that mini-saga, it is posted there under the New Republic section and culminates with "Down the Road." In this series, Anakin Skywalker survives the Death Star attack by Palpatine and embarks on a new life with his son as they begin to rebuild the Jedi Order according to a very different vision for the purpose and function of Jedi in the New Republic. This bit occurs about a month after the finish of that story, and about six years after RotJ. "The Light Within" The candle in the window could be seen in the distance, a beacon of warmth and welcome to the weary traveler. Its steady light stood alone in the black, rare moonless night of Aliba. The promise of belonging within drew the lone, cloaked figure, bathing him in relief that his stressful journey had finally ended. The Jedi Master palmed the coding device absently, acknowledged the voice prompt, then awaited the locking mechanism's release in recognition of his identity. The door had scarcely gone ajar when his acolyte Shem's anxious face appeared above him. "Master Luke! I'm so glad you're back. Everything's fine, just fine. Nothing to report." Clasping the tall young man's shoulder, Luke thanked him for his vigilance in protecting the academy, but was clearly in a hurry to get to his rooms. The Master's young face bore the evidence of the pain and loss of the past few weeks. "I won't keep you, then, Master Luke. Enjoy your holidays." Rounding the Main Hall, Luke Skywalker passed the doorway that had led to his father's room, averting his eyes from the midnight blue mourning banner that hung on the door. He needed no visual reminder of his loss tonight. Tredding silently down the long hallway, he finally reached his own entry just as his wife, having felt his arrival, opened the door to enfold him in thankful, heartfelt affection. Wordlessly, he locked his arms around her waist as she snaked hers beneath the cloak to soak in the reassuring, familiar heat from his body. When he finally opened his eyes and looked over the light brown waves of her hair at the room beyond, he was momentarily disoriented. Flickering lights from tiny bulbs, countless candles of various sizes and shapes, but all of the same pungent aroma, and sprouts from varied plantlife decorated the shelves and tables of the small room. Other scents from spiced foodstuffs fought for his attention. "What….what did you do…..?" "Shhhh, Luke. The children are asleep. Although they might know you've come back…" "It's OK. I'm trying to kinda gradually seep into the room. I hope it works…" PART TWO COMING SOON TO A THREAD NEAR YOU! -----signature----- A haven for the creative artist and author A community of learners http://www.A-Larger-World.com/
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PatttyB0123 Title: Latin America RSA Registered: Apr '03	Date Posted: 12/29/03 3:47pm Subject: RE: "The Light Within" - (AU post OT Winter FF piece) - Date Edited: 12/29/03 3:52pm (1 edits total) Edited By: PatttyB0123
	Welcome to our boards Geezerette50. Nice story. The candle part gave some suspense to the story. Wonderful post. -----signature----- Patico you will be always living in my heart Council Jedi Master of the Lightside. Don't ever look too near where you were not call you can find spooky things. lol
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Geezerette50 Registered: Dec '03	Date Posted: 12/29/03 5:01pm Subject: RE: "The Light Within" - (AU post OT Winter FF piece) - Date Edited: 12/29/03 8:02pm (1 edits total) Edited By: Geezerette50
	PART TWO "Daddy?" came the very faint, sleepy call from behind the nearly closed door to his left. And from the crib near their bed in the next room, a soft moan preceded the sound of a very small child flopping over in her sleep. Disengaging from his wife's embrace, Luke took a moment to stride into his bedroom and lay his hand on his daughter's tiny chest, imbuing her, briefly, with his protective presence. As she drifted off into a deeper slumber, he stepped silently into his son's small room. "I'm here, Kinny," he whispered. "We'll play in the morning." His only response was visual. Though the room was lacking moonlight, Luke could see that his little boy had flung his arms outward, and was waiting. Grinning tiredly, he shook his head and knelt next to the low bed, curled his arms around his son's body, and hugged him tenderly. Anakin patted his father's back and sighed contentedly. "You made it," he observed, yawning. "Didn't feel right…" "I promised I would," Luke reminded him, understanding exactly what the boy meant. It had felt…as though he were being pulled and stretched out, trying to hang onto the connection he had with his family while being systems away from them. "I wouldn't miss this for the worlds." After kissing his son, mussing his hair, and promising time and attention for the next day, Luke whispered one more good night. As he stood to leave the room, Anakin muttered sleepily, "Don't leave us anymore, Daddy. It hurt." Luke bit his lower lip, unsure as to how to reply. Then he felt his son's consciousness slip away into restful sleep, and filed the request away for a later explanation. What had felt like being pulled apart to him had been painful for his little boy. Now the pain belonged to him as well, an echo of the agony of his father's death scant weeks before. Closing the door silently, Luke removed his cloak. As he hung it on the hook near the door, he flashed suddenly on last year's Fydelia celebration when his father had presented him with this very garment. Fingering the heavy brown material, he recalled that Father had explained the history of the fabric to him, that it had been woven by nomadic herdsmen from the gathered moltings of arctic cameloids. He could almost imagine turning around and seeing that morning scene again: Father seated on the long chaise wrapping Kinny up in the warm cape, the boy strutting around like a sawed-off king to the laughter of his family, Jeliq, just barely showing in her second pregnancy, grinning and clapping for her son. But Father, beloved "Papa", was gone now, his body stolen from Luke by the Force in the night, before he had even had a chance to hug him, listen to his stories, or watch him play with his grandchildren one last time. PART THREE SOON -----signature----- A haven for the creative artist and author A community of learners http://www.A-Larger-World.com/
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Geezerette50 Registered: Dec '03	Date Posted: 12/29/03 7:25pm Subject: RE: "The Light Within" - (AU post OT Winter FF piece) - Date Edited: 12/29/03 8:04pm (1 edits total) Edited By: Geezerette50
	Here is the ending. Hope you enjoyed this. An ache of longing overcame Luke, but he stuffed it down. He managed a tired smile before he had completely turned around to face his wife. "The place looks wonderful. I'm sorry you had to do all this by yourself, though. I wish I had been here to help." "Kinny was very helpful, actually," she replied. "I think it helped him take his mind off things." Jeliq reached back to pull the clasp out of her hair, having already dressed for bed. "Let me," Luke offered. As she obediently turned her back to her husband, he carefully pulled the barrette from the masses of waves at the nape of her neck, fanning the fragrant strands out onto her back. He ran his hands through it gently, trying not to snag any tangles in his long fingers. "I missed you. Missed you all," he murmured softly. She faced him then, looking up into the visage where sorrow warred with his fixed expression. "This was the first time you went away," she pointed out, and her voice bespoke of the certainty that it would not be the last time they would struggle along without him. Needing to lighten the feel of their reunion, Luke moved to the brown wrap hanging on the hook. He patted at the pockets until he found a specific shape and feel, then retrieved the small box from the deep pocket. "Got you something." "Fydelia is tomorrow," she protested. "Well, it already IS tomorrow," he rejoined. "And I want to give this to you now." His pout quickly won her over, and she tugged him over to the chaise so they could sit close together as she opened the thin, old-fashioned wooden box. Shaking her head as she ran her fingers over the ornate carvings, she marveled aloud, "Where DO you find these things?" Not waiting for the answer, she released the hinge that popped the top open and gasped as she caught a glimpse of what was inside. "Oh, Luke, it's too nice….so pretty….we don't have the money for something this special…" In answer he unfastened the bejeweled hairpins from the case and began threading them through her hair, one on each side of her head. "There, perfect," he commented. "Honey, they're too expensive," she continued to stammer. Taking her face in his hands, he kissed her into silence. Then, drawing back, he thumbed the helpless tears away and reassured her. "These are perfect representations of Fydelia. The green crystals continue to grow slowly, and the metal is found on the surface, so no mining to damage the landscape. Even the box is made from timber downed in nature's way - lightning strikes or flood. Fydelia - Harm no living thing." At Jeliq's continued upset at the expense of such treasures, Luke went on. "The Jedi Master's wife should have some nice things. You never know when we'll be called away to a function together." Protests bubbled up, and he kept talking over them. "Leia was telling me about some other Senate discussions that might involve us again. The next time I go, we ALL go. No more time apart." Jeliq sighed, defeated. "OK. If you have to leave again….it WAS awful. We've never been separated before. Maybe that's why it was so hard on all of us, especially right after losing your father. You would have been so proud of Kinny, though, Luke. He soothed 'Nelle when she fussed, telling her you'd be back soon. Never complained once." Luke nodded, at once grateful that his son could be so mature at such a young age, yet regretful that he had to be. Again attempting to lighten the mood, he asked, "So, do I have to wait til tomorrow for MY gift?" "It already IS tomorrow," she reminded him blithely. Her demeanor turned serious as she lowered her voice. "No, you don't have to wait." Eyes glimmering from an inner light, she reveled in her secret. This was a package that could not be opened until months from now, but, for a Jedi, easily revealed. "Your father spent the last several years of his life living the precepts of this holiday season every day. He not only revered all lifeforms, but also passed on, by his example, those tenets to the young ones at this Praxeum. May the model he gave us all live on in those he leaves behind." Gently placing her husband's hand on her belly, she whispered, "Papa's newest grandchild, Luke, conceived on the night after his death. Nobue Fydelia." -----signature----- A haven for the creative artist and author A community of learners http://www.A-Larger-World.com/
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PatttyB0123 Title: Latin America RSA Registered: Apr '03	Date Posted: 12/29/03 8:50pm Subject: RE: "The Light Within" - (AU post OT Winter FF piece)
	Wow good descriptions. -----signature----- Patico you will be always living in my heart Council Jedi Master of the Lightside. Don't ever look too near where you were not call you can find spooky things. lol
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Geezerette50 Registered: Dec '03	Date Posted: 12/29/03 9:14pm Subject: RE: "The Light Within" - (AU post OT Winter FF piece)
	Thank you for both comments, PatttyBO123. Glad you enjoyed it. Sue -----signature----- A haven for the creative artist and author A community of learners http://www.A-Larger-World.com/
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Sock_of_Darth_Vader Registered: Dec '02	Date Posted: 12/30/03 12:08pm Subject: RE: "The Light Within" - (AU post OT Winter FF piece) - Date Edited: 12/30/03 2:17pm (1 edits total) Edited By: Sock_of_Darth_Vader
	Welcome to the boards(such as they are )! Very sweet. Nice to see Luke happy There are far too few Luke fics around these boards these days. I would go </ granny mode> here, but, well... -----signature----- All your privets are belong to us. Catré, Handmaiden of the Crest. I'm the mini-oba! Fic in Bio. http://a-larger-world.com : Star Wars fanfiction http://catofthejedi.users.btopenworld.com Star Wars is a two-trilogy saga; everything else is optional.
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Jedi-2B Registered: Nov '00	Date Posted: 12/30/03 12:19pm Subject: RE: "The Light Within" - (AU post OT Winter FF piece)
	Welcome to the boards, Sue. I remember enjoying your series at Soul of the Jedi, even if Luke did end up with a different wife. You have a wonderful writing talent, and I hope you post more of your stories here. Michele -----signature----- It was on her fifteenth day in the darkness of the Nirauan cave when Mara Jade awoke to discover a rescuer had finally arrived. It was not, however, any of the potential rescuers she would have expected. It was Luke. ~~And the rest is history~~
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Geezerette50 Registered: Dec '03	Date Posted: 12/30/03 2:27pm Subject: RE: "The Light Within" - (AU post OT Winter FF piece)
	Hey, SoDV, thanks. You know how I endeavor to add to the list of Lukiefics at any and all opportunies, even insisting upon posting them at Han/Leia sites. And thank you also, Jedi-2B. I believe I have also read many, many stories of your authorship on other sites. Looks as though I am in good company here. Sue -----signature----- A haven for the creative artist and author A community of learners http://www.A-Larger-World.com/
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anakin_girl Title: Founding Member & Retired FF CR Charlotte , NC Registered: Oct '00	Date Posted: 12/30/03 5:02pm Subject: RE: "The Light Within" - (AU post OT Winter FF piece)
	Love this, Sue. Glad you decided to post it here. Great description--the combs remind me of "Gift of the Magi", and the whole situation with Luke being apart from his family takes me back to my own childhood, when my military-officer father was gone a lot. You did a great job portraying the emotions of the characters. Hope you'll post some more here. -----signature----- Room 225, the Geriatric Ward Alternate ending to ROTS: "Chancellor, you're full of crap. This opera sucks. I'm going home to my wife."
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Geezerette50 Registered: Dec '03	Date Posted: 12/30/03 9:46pm Subject: RE: "The Light Within" - (AU post OT Winter FF piece)
	It should be duly noted that anakin_girl is the one who forced me to post here. It's all her fault. So any complaints should be addressed to her. Sue -----signature----- A haven for the creative artist and author A community of learners http://www.A-Larger-World.com/
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Sock_of_Darth_Vader Registered: Dec '02	Date Posted: 1/5/04 7:45pm Subject: RE: "The Light Within" - (AU post OT Winter FF piece)
	fic drowns in sea of Jaina/Random Bloke fics Cat hauls fic to surface again -----signature----- All your privets are belong to us. Catré, Handmaiden of the Crest. I'm the mini-oba! Fic in Bio. http://a-larger-world.com : Star Wars fanfiction http://catofthejedi.users.btopenworld.com Star Wars is a two-trilogy saga; everything else is optional.
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Geezerette50 Registered: Dec '03	Date Posted: 1/6/04 6:23am Subject: RE: "The Light Within" - (AU post OT Winter FF piece)
	It is interesting that a Cat effectively rescued a ficlet that was drowning.....but I won't question my luck. Sue -----signature----- A haven for the creative artist and author A community of learners http://www.A-Larger-World.com/
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ivylore Registered: Nov '00	Date Posted: 1/6/04 11:18am Subject: RE: "The Light Within" - (AU post OT Winter FF piece)
	Takes break from superhero cleaning and leaping over tall buildings in single bound with her vacuum cleaner Welcome to the boards Sue. Lovely entry! Awww... Ivy May the pork be with you... [Luke's tormented voice]No. No... It's not true! Sue didn't really say that.... [/Lukes tormented voice] -----signature----- http://www.aurabesh.net
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Geezerette50 Registered: Dec '03	Date Posted: 1/6/04 5:34pm Subject: RE: "The Light Within" - (AU post OT Winter FF piece)
	Ivy!!!! Well, yeah. You know me....much to your dismay, I am sure. You may now return to your regularly scheduled pre-Mom visit frenetic cleaning activities. Sue -----signature----- A haven for the creative artist and author A community of learners http://www.A-Larger-World.com/
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_Derisa_Ollamhin_ Registered: Jul '00	Date Posted: 1/16/04 11:14pm Subject: RE: "The Light Within" - (AU post OT Winter FF piece)
	Geez, I too can't wait to read some of your other works here. You have me intrigued by Luke's wife: she's fascinating... I wanna know how she trapped the second most eligible bachelor in the Galaxy... and I really want to hear more about Luke's relationship with his father, as well as your alternate history of the galactic civil war... so much story there, and you only brush on the top levels of it. (Please feel free to PM me links of the other works you refernce in this story!more, darn it! ) Derisa -----signature----- In memoriam: Talon Squad Leader . When you can't run anymore, you crawl and when you can't do that...well, you know the rest. . Clear skies, General. You will be missed.
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