Jedi Council Forums - The Reluctant Princess (post Invincible J/J AU) Get the Defibrilator! It's New Post Dec10/08

Locked Topic | Read Only Topic | Previous Active Topic | Next Active Topic

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 » - ~~Previous~~ | Next | Reload

Author	Topic: The Reluctant Princess (post Invincible J/J AU) Get the Defibrilator! It's New Post Dec10/08
canadianjedimama Registered: Jan '08	Date Posted: 3/25/08 7:36pm Subject: The Reluctant Princess (post Invincible J/J AU) Get the Defibrilator! It's New Post Dec10/08 - Date Edited: 12/10/08 7:26pm (8 edits total) Edited By: canadianjedimama
	Author's Note: Hi there. Canadianjedimama here with another J/J story. My aim with this story is to capture "snapshots" in the life of Jagged Fel and Jaina Solo as they rise to prominence and, eventually, the Imperial throne. There should be about about 6 posts, and each post with be broken into two parts to be posted every second Tuesday and Thursday starting tonight. This little bunny has been gnawing away at my brain for awhile, and I've finally let it out for all you fine folks to enjoy. Someone was kind enough to point out that I'd forgotten this very important part DISCLAIMER: I don't own this premise, these characters or the galaxy they play in. George Lucas does. I'm just borrowing it for my own enjoyment and will put it back when I'm done. If you enjoy the story and would like a PM, just drop me a note when you review. Special Thanks go to THE_PIED_PIPER. Thanks for taking a look, Kick! Dedicated to Mama's Little Princess. I love you baby. And now, without further ado.... THE RELUCTANT PRINCESS SECRET JEDI OUTPOST HAPAN TRANSITORY MISTS ONE WEEK AFTER THE DEATH OF DARTH CAEDUS Luke Skywalker watched the body of his sister's child bounce gently in the viscous bacta. The life-saving fluid had done an impressive job of healing the assorted welts, cuts and bruises peppering the still form. However, the damage done to the spirit within....well, that was another matter entirely. He was so focused on the scene through the transparisteel and his involvement in instigating it that he almost missed his sister's arrival at his side. "Hey," Leia said softly, eyes glued on the scene in the window before them. "Hey yourself," Luke greeted. "Are you ready for this?" A soft snort was the only answer that his twin gave him. "Is any parent ever ready for this?" she asked quietly. "I don't know. Hopefully, it'll be many years before Ben does this to me." That brought an outright laugh from Leia. "Dream on, big brother. I've seen the way he looks at Jysella Horn." The mirth faded from her face, dark eyes clouding over. "I hope Ben never does this to you," she said gesturing at the figure suspended in Bacta before them. Luke slid his arm around Leia's shoulders, hugging her to him. Her grief and shame sung across their bond in the Force. Luke reached back, silently consoling. "It's not your fault," Luke said quietly. "I'm his mother. I brought him into the world, loved him and tried to teach him right from wrong. I obviously failed somewhere along the line. How is it not my fault?" "I loved and taught him too, Leia." His twin looked at him aghast. "I never meant to imply..." "I know you didn't." Luke sighed. "We raised him right Leia. He's had all the same tracking data that the rest of us had, somehow he didn't pick the right target. Whether that's the fault of the Vong, Vergere or just damnable recessive Skywalker gene, I don't know." He sighed again, lifting his eyes from the anguished one's of his sisters to the battered and still form suspended in front of him. "And it's out of that love that we're going to try to save him." "Oh Luke, no." Luke looked down in surprise to his sister. Although her eyes swirled with grief unimaginable, there was also traces of the inner durasteel that had held her up in calamities past. "It's too dangerous." "Jaina didn't think it too dangerous." "Jaina's almost as foolishly idealistic as you!" Leia huffed out, crossing her arms. "That Sever Force trick you taught her could have killed her." "I didn't teach it to her Leia." "Well, where'd she get the idea, then?" Leia's eyes narrrowed suspiciously. "I don't know," Luke started. "Liar." Leia cut in. "I don't know. But she accomplished her mission. She eliminated Darth Caedus." "Darth Caedus is hanging there in that bacta tank, Luke." "No, Jacen Solo is in that tank. Because that's who Darth Caedus is without the Force. Just a confused and misguided young man named Jacen Solo." Leia closed her eyes agains the sudden tears pricking her lids. "I was ready for him to die," she whispered. "I'd prepped myself to feel the agony I'd felt when Anakin died. I was ready." The tears that had threatened slipped past her closed lids. "I didn't know what to think when Jaina brought him back." A soft sob hiccoughed out. "I don't know Luke, I just don't know." Luke enfolded her in his embrace. "You don't have to know today. I don't know today. I just know that I'm not ready to give up on him yet." Leia sobbed silently, her tears soaking the front of his dark tunic. She circled her arms around his waist, tucking her head under his chin. Luke squeezed her softly, pressing a kiss into the braids encirling her head. He drew back, nudging her head up with his hand. "Today isn't the day for this. Don't we have somewhere else to be?" Leia sniffed loudly, wiping the tears from her face. "If I cry them all out here, I won't embarass my daughter later." "Who are you trying to kid? You've got enough tears to drown a krakana." "Nerf herder," Leia said, sticking her tongue out at him. "Since when does the Grand Master moonlight as a comedian?" Luke smiled benignly. "All part of the job description." "Well, today that job description involves marrying off the only daughter of Han Solo. You think you're up to it?" Luke shook his head. "Nope. I'm not ready to let go of our little girl yet, Leia." Leia smiled. "Like I've been telling Han, she hasn't been his or your little girl in a great many years." "Nonsense," Luke huffed. "She'll always be five years old with pigtails and a face streaked with grease." Leia rolled her eyes. "Even if Han and I aren't ready, I know she is." Luke said quietly. He slipped his hand into Leia's and began to lead her from the med-bay observation area. "Maybe if I hadn't said those ridiculous words to her on Mon Calamari..." "Oh, Luke that wouldn't have stopped her. You know that." "I placed an unforgivably heavy burden on her, Leia. On both of them. It's hurt both of them." "Yes, it has," his sister agreed. "But it's made them both stronger. Their love is deeper, tested and firm. They're who they need to be, now, to go forward together." Her face turned thoughtful. "I don't think they would have made it, otherwise." Luke regarded her silently. They'd paused at an observation overlook, halfway between the medbay and the communal gathering space. "Mother's instict or Jedi insight?" Leia smiled ruefully. "A little of both actually." She paused. "It tore her to pieces on the inside, the last time they were together. Not that she'd tell me, but a mother knows when her daughter is heartbroken." "And then the Killiks happened." "Yes, and I almost despaired of ever seeing her again, nevermind seeing her happy and settled into her life." "Well, all's well that ends well. They seem to have found their way back to each other." Leia slanted a sly look at her brother. "With a little help." Luke's eyes widened innocently. "That was Mara's idea not mine." Leia raised one perfectly manicured eyebrow at that. "Well, mostly Mara's idea. I'm may have seconded it." Luke spread his hands. "Hey, what can I say? It worked for Mara and I." "Yes, the 'if they don't kill each other, they'll fall madly in love' has always worked well for this family, hasn't it?" "Hey, it worked didn't it?" The Skywalker twins looked at each other for a long moment before bursting into gales of laughter. "I won't ever tell them, cross my heart and hope to die." "You'd better not," Leia warned through her laughter. "Or you'll get that lightsabre through your eye." Leia took a step back and eyed Luke. "Is that what you're wearing?" Luke scowled at her. "No, of course not. Is that what you're wearing?" "No, I have to change." "Well, so do I. We should get going. It wouldn't do to have the mother of the bride show up late." "Never mind me," Leia hooted. "No one's getting married until you get there Grand Master." Luke grinned and extended a courtly arm toward her. "Well, then let's go and get this done. Finally." "Yes," Leia said, smiling softly. "Finally." ******************************************************************************* "Is that what you're wearing?" "I'd thought about it." Jaina glanced toward the bed where her best flight suit was laid out. "If I may say so, friend Jaina, absolutely not." Jaina Solo met Tenel Ka's grey eyes in the mirror above her. "It's not like I could get to the dress shop on Coruscant, Tenel." "No, I thought not," Tenel Ka replied with a straight face. She made a waving motion with her hand and a handmaiden stepped forward with a large box. "And even though you are Corellian, getting married in your cleanest flightsuit is hardly appropriate." "It's what he's wearing." An auburn eyebrow arched. "I highly doubt that." Jaina stuck her bottom lip out. "It's what he said he's wearing." "I'm sure he planned to. Just as I'm sure that Director Antilles has convinced him of the error of his ways." Turning to the handmaiden, Tenel Ka lifted the lid. "Now close your eyes. No peeking." "Tenel..." "Eyes. Closed. NOW." With a sigh, Jaina closed her dark eyes. Her ears caught the sound of shimmersilk and taffeta rustling. She heard Tenel Ka softly dismiss the handmaiden. The rustling sound came closer, along with the sound of Tenel Ka's slippered footsteps. "You may open your eyes now." "Why thank you, Your Highness," Jaina said drily. Her next saucy comment died on her lips as her eyes caught sight of what was held in her Hapan friend's hands. The dress was gorgeous. The Queen Mother held the gown lightly under the arms so that Jaina could inspect it in it's entirety. Silvery white shimmersilk and taffeta seemed to pour out of Tenel Ka's hands and float to the floor. The fabric flowed down from a low scoop neck into an A-line bodice, ending in a flared skirt. The skirt was fuller in the back to allow for a small train. Though the gown all but glowed in the room lights, not one gem, pearl or bead adorned the dress. Simple and unfettered, it was completely Jaina. A new voice broke the spell the dress had cast over Jaina. "Oh, Tenel, it's beautiful." Jaina turned to stare her mother. "You knew about this?" she squeaked. Leia's moist eyes crinkled up at the corners as she smiled at her daughter. "Maybe." Jaina shot a glare at them both. "What if I'd hated it?" The Hapan Queen Mother and the last High Princess of Alderaan shared a look, "Nah." Jaina rolled her eyes at them both. "But," Leia continued, "I do have something else for you to wear." "Oh no, " Jaina said, springing up and dancing back from her mother. "I'll wear the dress, I'll let that master of torture that Tenel calls a handmaiden do my hair, but I'm not letting her put me in that contraption that she's calling underwear." Leia smiled at her daughter. "Nothing so devilish, I assure you. But it was tradition on Alderaan to have something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue. Now your dress is new, and I'm assuming that you've taken care of the something blue underneath," Leia said, nodding to the robe that encirlced her daugher and Jaina's eyes narrowed. "But I have the something old and borrowed." Leia brought her hands from behind her back and presented a small blue velvet box to Jaina. "What is it Mom?" "Open it and find out," Leia said, her voice soft. The box was covered in the deepest blue velvet, that although rich was beginning to wear at the corners. Jaina used a finger to flick open the clasp. She almost dropped the box in shock when the lid raised. "Oh Mama," she breathed. Inside the box, nestled on more velvet, was a small circlet. Although it's intricate vine and rose design, worked in white gold, pearls and precious gems looked light as air, Jaina knew for a fact that it was not. That fact had shocked her five year old self the first time she'd managed to sneak it away from her mother's jewel vault. Besides being Jaina's childhood dress up toy, it was also the coronet of the Grand Duchess of Antibes. The very symbol of Leia Organa's status as High Crown Princess of Alderaan. Jaina looked up at her mother. "But how, Mama, I thought that it was gone." "So did I sweetheart," Leia said, blinking rapidly to fight back tears. "But your father pulled it out of the starboard cargo hold, from a crate marked "Emergency Rations". After he finished ranting about losing his only daughter to a Corellian space bum." With a low cry, Jaina flung herself into her mother's arms. The Solo women hugged each other tightly. Leia pulled back from Jaina and extended an arm to Tenel Ka, "Come here, Tenel." Tenel Ka shook her head, "I'll leave you and Jaina for a minute. Just signal when you're ready." Leia's eyes hardened, "Come here, Majesty. Right now." "Leia..." "Don't Leia me, Tenel Ka." Leia said mock-seriously. "You're correct in thinking that this is a moment for family. It is and as a mother I'm sharing it with my daughters." Leia caught the Hapan girl's eyes. "Both of my daughters." Tenel Ka's mist grey eyes widened in shock even as her Force presence plused with a burst of joy. "You and Jacen loved one another, and from that love came a child. That makes you and Allana mine." "Princess Leia, I..." Tenel Ka started formally "Don't Princess Leia me, young lady. It's Mom or Mother, never princess between you and I." "Mother Leia?" Leia Solo rolled her eyes. "I don't love it, but I'll take it. Come here both of you." Jaina grabbed Tenel Ka's hand and tugged her forward. Leia wrapped both girls in a hug and dropped a kiss on each of their heads. Stepping back, she eyed Jaina critically. "What now Mom?" "Well," Leia said thoughtfully. "We'd better call that torture master back in here Tenel Ka." She reached out to brush a lock of Jaina unruly hair from her forehead. "We need to get our princess ready for her prince." END OF PART ONE Well, what did everyone think? Love it? Hate it? Please read and review.... Thanks, CJM -----signature----- Team Jag I may not always love the canon, but it amuses me so I read. Sara -- Told you so!
	Locked Topic \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
THE_PIED_PIPER Title: Chapter Rep Knoxvill e, TN Registered: Jun '06	Date Posted: 3/25/08 7:38pm Subject: RE: The Reluctant Princess (post Invincible J/J specualtion/AU)
	first -----signature----- The only boy who could ever reach me was the son of a preacher man The only boy who could ever teach me was the son of a preacher man Oh yes he was.
	Locked Topic \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
Jedi_Latin_Student Registered: Mar '05	Date Posted: 3/25/08 7:49pm Subject: RE: The Reluctant Princess (post Invincible J/J specualtion/AU)
	Love it. ~Latin Geek -----signature----- Book Worm Here Rebirth: http://boards.theforce.net/Message.aspx?topic=27963427&brd=10477&start=27997657 Footprints in Ashes of a World Long Forgotten: http://boards.theforce.net/Message.aspx?topic=21698899&brd=10477&start=21701989
	Locked Topic \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
canadianjedimama Registered: Jan '08	Date Posted: 3/25/08 7:52pm Subject: RE: The Reluctant Princess (post Invincible J/J specualtion/AU)
	blinks in disbelief That was fast! Tell all your friends.... -----signature----- Team Jag I may not always love the canon, but it amuses me so I read. Sara -- Told you so!
	Locked Topic \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
Trickster-Lead Registered: Aug '07	Date Posted: 3/25/08 7:58pm Subject: RE: The Reluctant Princess (post Invincible J/J specualtion/AU)
	I loved it, really. It was lovely. More? -----signature----- How come I get the girl gun?- Jane Smith Happenings at Coruscant High- http://boards.theforce.net/beyond_the_saga/b10477/28236916/p1 The Serious Dilemma of Princess Jaina Solo and General Jagged Fel- http://boards.theforce.net/beyond_the_saga/b10477
	Locked Topic \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
ccp Registered: Apr '05	Date Posted: 3/25/08 8:06pm Subject: RE: The Reluctant Princess (post Invincible J/J specualtion/AU)
	Excellent! You should do Han Soontir and Jag. face_grin] -----signature----- Padwan to Big Fatty If someone says, "Have a nice weekend," I never say, "You too." Because I never know if, perhaps, by the time the weekend rolls around, I will have other plans for that person. Come Friday, I may wish to have them slain. - George Carli
	Locked Topic \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
Solo_and_Fel Registered: Apr '04	Date Posted: 3/25/08 8:37pm Subject: RE: The Reluctant Princess (post Invincible J/J specualtion/AU)
	Sweet. -----signature----- "Hurling black lightning is one thing, but quoting Kyp Durron puts me lower than I ever expected to get." To Suffer & Be Strong: http://boards.theforce.net/Message.aspx?topic=28435487&brd=10477 Check profile for more fics.
	Locked Topic \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
Idrelle_Miocovani Registered: Feb '05	Date Posted: 3/25/08 9:26pm Subject: RE: The Reluctant Princess (post Invincible J/J specualtion/AU)
	Oh, that was a wonderful start! I loved the Luke/Leia conversation -- perfectly in character. And the part at the end with Tenel Ka and Jaina and the dress had me giggling. It's just like Jaina not to want to wear a dress to her own wedding. Glad Tenel Ka and Leia talked her out of it, though. This is going to be one awesome fic, I just know it. I love speculation fics, so if I could be on your PM list, that would be awesome! -----signature----- Nat is my new Muse. Yes, you may have one of those flowy Greek-robe things you say you can't spell. This Time Around: http://boards.theforce.net/the_saga/b10476/27062943/p1/?2 DarthIshtar's Padawan
	Locked Topic \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
canadianjedimama Registered: Jan '08	Date Posted: 3/26/08 3:35am Subject: RE: The Reluctant Princess (post Invincible J/J specualtion/AU)
	Big to all that have read so far...I'll be back later with replies. -----signature----- Team Jag I may not always love the canon, but it amuses me so I read. Sara -- Told you so!
	Locked Topic \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
Aiel Registered: Oct '04	Date Posted: 3/26/08 4:12am Subject: RE: The Reluctant Princess (post Invincible J/J specualtion/AU)
	Beautifully done, I loved the interaction between Luke and Leia, and then the moment with Jaina Leia and Tenel Ka getting Jaina ready to marry a "space bum," (I loved Han's words!) was lovely. PM for me please? -----signature----- Master to ElvisTheCat. Bar-Wench of The Meanders Inn, now featuring Fooshie! Revolution of Fate: http://boards.theforce.net/the_saga/b10476/29771499 http://dailysnarlandmore.blogspot.com/
	Locked Topic \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
MarasFire Registered: Jun '07	Date Posted: 3/26/08 5:25am Subject: RE: The Reluctant Princess (post Invincible J/J specualtion/AU)
	I adore this! It's so sweet and, well, perfect. Please PM me when you update! -----signature----- It's better to laugh than to cry, don't you think? I do. Even when the world is scary and sad. Especially when the world is scary and sad. That's when you need to laugh. —Marco
	Locked Topic \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
THE_PIED_PIPER Title: Chapter Rep Knoxvill e, TN Registered: Jun '06	Date Posted: 3/26/08 6:44am Subject: RE: The Reluctant Princess (post Invincible J/J specualtion/AU) - Date Edited: 3/26/08 6:47am (3 edits total) Edited By: THE_PIED_PIPER
	canadianjedimama posted: Special Thanks go to THE_PIED_PIPER. Thanks for taking a look, Kick! No, thank you, My Dear. The pleasure was all mine. And, now, my formal review. Luke Skywalker watched the body of his sister's child bounce gently in the viscous bacta. The life-saving fluid had done an impressive job of healing the assorted welts, cuts and bruises peppering the still form. However, the damage done to the spirit within....well, that was another matter entirely. I like Luke's inner reflection and thoughts here. He was so focused on the scene through the transparisteel and his involvement in instigating it that he almost missed sister's arrival at his side. "Hey," Leia said softly, eyes glued on the scene in the window before them. "Hey yourself," Luke greeted. "Are you ready for this?" A soft snort was the only answer that his twin gave him. "Is any parent ever ready for this?" she asked quietly. "I don't know. Hopefully, it'll be many years before Ben does this to me." That brought an outright laugh from Leia. "Dream on, big brother. I've seen the way he looks at Jysella Horn." The mirth faded from her face, dark eyes clouding over. "I hope Ben never does this to you," she said gesturing at the figure suspended in Bacta before them. Luke slid his arm around Leia's shoulders, hugging her to him. Her grief and shame sung across their bond in the Force. Luke reached back, silently consoling. "It's not your fault," Luke said quietly. This is really good; I was hoping to get a similar scene between the two of them in Revelation, but didn't. Leia needs to know that he doesn't blame her and Han. I mean, I'm sure she does know, but she needs to hear it. "I'm his mother. I brought him into the world, loved him and tried to teach him right from wrong. I obviously failed somewhere along the line. How is it not my fault?" "I loved and taught him too, Leia." His twin looked at him aghast. "I never meant to imply..." "I know you didn't." Luke sighed. "We raised him right Leia. He's had all the same tracking data that the rest of us had, somehow he didn't pick the right target. Whether that's the fault of the Vong or Vergere, I don't know." He sighed again, lifting his eyes from the anguished one's of his sisters to the battered and still form suspended in front of him. "And it's out of that love that we're going to try to save him." "Oh Luke, no." Luke looked down in surprise to his sister. Although her eyes swirled with grief unimaginable, there was also traces of the inner durasteel that had held her up in calamities past. "It's too dangerous." "Jaina didn't think it too dangerous." "Jaina's almost as foolishly idealistic as you!" nods She can be. Leia huffed out, crossing her arms. "That Sever Force trick you taught her could have killed her." "I didn't teach it to her Leia." "Well, where'd she get the idea, then?" Leia's eyes narrrowed suspiciously. "I don't know," Luke started. "Liar." Leia cut in. I am rather anxious to see how that all works out. "I don't know. But she accomplished her mission. She eliminated Darth Caedus." "Darth Caedus in hanging there in that bacta tank, Luke." "No, Jacen Solo is in that tank. Because that's who Darth Caedus is without the Force. Just a young man named Jacen Solo." Very interesting Cyn, I like how you have Luke being much more forgiving to him than Le..very appropriate characterization for the Skywalker twins. Leia closed her eyes against the sudden tears pricking her lids. "I was ready for him to die," she whispered. "I'd prepped myself to feel the agony I'd felt when Anakin died. I was ready." The tears that had threatened slipped past her closed lids. "I didn't know what to think when Jaina brought him back." A soft sob hiccoughed out. "I don't know Luke, I just don't know." Luke enfolded her in his embrace. "You don't have to know today. I don't know today. I just know that I'm not ready to give up on him yet." Classic Luke Skywalker, perfect my friend. Truely the child of Amidala! Leia sobbed silently, her tears soaking the front of his dark tunic. She circled her arms around his waist, tucking her head under his chin. Luke squeezed her softly, pressing a kiss into the braids encirling her head. He drew back, nudging her head up with his hand. "Today isn't the day for this. Don't we have somewhere else to be?" Leia sniffed loudly, wiping the tears from her face. "If I cry them all out here, I won't embarass my daughter later." No, that will be her father. Maybe, a Han toast if you write a reception? "Who are you trying to kid? You've got enough tears to drown a krakana." "Nerf herder," Leia said, sticking her tongue out at him. "Since when does the Grand Master moonlight as a comedian?" Luke smiled benignly. "All part of the job description." "Well, today that job description involves marrying off the only daughter of Han Solo. You think you're up to it?" Luke shook his head. "Nope. I'm not ready to let go of our little girl yet, Leia." Leia smiled. "Like I've been telling Han, she hasn't been his or your little girl in a great many years." "Nonsense," Luke huffed. "She'll always be five years old with pigtails and a face streaked with grease." Leia rolled her eyes. "Even if Han and I aren't ready, I know she is." Luke said quietly. He slipped his hand into Leia's and began to lead her from the med-bay observation area. "Maybe if I hadn't said those ridiculous words to her on Mon Calamari..." "Oh, Luke that wouldn't have stopped her. You know that." "I placed an unforgivably heavy burden on her, Leia. On both of them. It's hurt both of them." nods I've always thought he should have kept the sword comment to himself even if he thought it. "Yes, it has," his sister agreed. "But it's made them both stronger. Their love is deeper, tested and firm. They're who they need to be, now, to go forward together." Her face turned thoughtful. "I don't think they would have made it, otherwise." Yes, everything in life has a season; Jag and Jaina had to wait for their's but IT HAS COME, Troy Denning...it has come! Luke regarded her silently. They'd paused at an observation overlook, halfway between the medbay and the communal gathering space. "Mother's instict or Jedi insight?" Leia smiled ruefully. "A little of both actually." She paused. "It tore her to pieces on the inside, the last time they were together. Not that she'd tell me, but a mother knows when her daughter is heartbroken." Do you mean at the end of the YV war here? "And then the Killiks happened." "Yes, and I almost despaired of ever seeing her again, nevermind seeing her happy and settled into her life." "Well, all's well that ends well. They seem to found their way back to each other." Funny, I have a similar line in the latest 'fic I just finished. Leia slanted a sly look at her brother. "With a little help." Luke's eyes widened innocently. "That was Mara's idea not mine." Leia raised one perfectly manicured eyebrow at that. "Well, mostly Mara's idea. I'm may have seconded it." Luke spread his hands. "Hey, what can I say? It worked for Mara and I." "Yes, the 'if they don't kill each other, they'll fall madly in love' has always worked well for this family, hasn't it?" "Hey, it worked didn't it?" I knew when I read Exile thats why Luke put them together, so they could work through all of it. Hah! I love Luke Skywalker! Luke put them together on purpose, it was so obvious even then. The Skywalker twins looked at each other for a long moment before bursting into gales of laughter. "I won't ever tell them, cross my heart and hope to die." "You'd better not," Leia warned through her laughter. "Or you'll get that lightsabre through your eye." Meh, they'll think it's funny...well, Jag will anyway. Leia took a step back and eyed Luke. "Is that what you're wearing?" Luke scowled at her. "No, of course not. Is that what you're wearing?" "No, I have to change." "Well, so do I. We should get going. It wouldn't do to have the mother of the bride show up late." "Never mind me," Leia hooted. "No one's getting married until you get there Grand Master." Luke grinned and extended a courtly arm toward her. "Well, then let's go and get this done. Finally." "Yes," Leia said, smiling softly. "Finally." sighs Tell me about it. ****************************************************** "Is that what you're wearing?" "I'd thought about it." Jaina glanced toward the bed where her best flight suit was laid out. "If I may say so, friend Jaina, absolutely not." Jaina Solo met Tenel Ka's grey eyes in the mirror above her. "It's not like I could get to the dress shop on Coruscant, Tenel." I love Tenel Ka; she's so regal..beautiful...elegant. "No, I thought not," Tenel Ka replied with a straight face. She made a waving motion with her hand and a handmaiden stepped forward with a large box. "And even though you are Corellian, getting married in your cleanest flightsuit is hardly appropriate." "It's what he's wearing." An auburn eyebrow arched. "I highly doubt that." Jaina stuck her bottom lip out. "It's what he said he's wearing." "I'm sure he planned to. Just as I'm sure that Director Antilles has convinced him of the error of his ways." Turning to the handmaiden, Tenel Ka lifted the lid. "Now close your eyes. No peeking." "Tenel..." "Eyes. Closed. NOW." Don't argue with a Queen. With a sigh, Jaina closed her dark eyes. Her ears caught the sound of shimmersilk and taffeta rustling. She heard Tenel Ka softly dismiss the handmaiden. The rustling sound came closer, along with the sound of Tenel Ka's slippered footsteps. "You may open your eyes now." "Why thank you, Your Highness," Jaina said drily. lol Her next saucy comment died on her lips as her eyes caught sight of what was held in her Hapan friend's hands. The dress was gorgeous. The Queen Mother held the gown lightly under the arms so that Jaina could inspect it in it's entirety. Silvery white shimmersilk and taffeta seemed to pour out of Tenel Ka's hands and float to the floor. The fabric flowed down from a low scoop neck into an A-line bodice, ending in a flared skirt. The skirt was fuller in the back to allow for a small train. Though the gown all but glowed in the room lights, not one gem, pearl or bead adorned the dress. Simple and unfettered, it was completely Jaina. Simple but beautiful; yes, Jaina. A new voice broke the spell the dress had cast over Jaina. "Oh, Tenel, it's beautiful." Jaina turned to stare her mother. "You knew about this?" she squeaked. Leia's moist eyes crinkled up at the corners as she smiled at her daughter. "Maybe." Jaina shot a glare at them both. "What if I'd hated it?" The Hapan Queen Mother and the last High Princess of Alderaan shared a look, "Nah." It's a Princess/Queen thing. Jaina rolled her eyes at them both. "But," Leia continued, "I do have something else for you to wear." "Oh no, " Jaina said, springing up and dancing back from her mother. "I'll wear the dress, I'll let that master of torture that Tenel calls a handmaiden do my hair, but I'm not letting her put me in that contraption that she's calling underwear." Leia smiled at her daughter. "Nothing so devilish, I assure you. But it was tradition on Alderaan to have something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue. Now you're dress is new, and I'm assuming that you've taken care of the something blue underneath," Leia said, nodding to the robe that encirlced her daugher and Jaina's eyes narrowed. "But I have the something old and borrowed." Leia brought her hands from behind her back and presented a small blue velvet box to Jaina. "What is it Mom?" "Open it and find out," Leia said, her voice soft. The box was covered in the deepest blue velvet, that although rich was beginning to wear at the corners. Jaina used a finger to flick open the clasp. She almost dropped the box in shock when the lid raised. "Oh, Mama," she breathed. Inside the box, nestled on more velvet, was a small circlet. Although it's intricate vine and rose design, worked in white gold, pearls and precious gems looked light as air, Jaina knew for a fact that it was not. That fact had shocked her five year old self the first time she'd managed to sneak it away from her mother's jewel vault. Awe, yes, a fundamental aspect of every girls childhood..plaing in your mothers clothes, shoes, perfume, make-up and jewelry. Besides being Jaina's childhood dress up toy, it was also the coronet of the Grand Duchess of Antibes. The very symbol of Leia Organa's status as High Crown Princess of Alderaan. Damn, Cyn, your making me cry. Leia with her TWO daughters! Jaina looked up at her mother. "But how, Mama, I thought that it was gone." "So did I sweetheart," Leia said, blinking rapidly to fight back tears. "But your father pulled it out of the starboard cargo hold, from a crate marked "Emergency Rations". After he finished ranting about losing his only daughter to a Corellian space bum." HAN SOLO'S DADASSERY KNOWS NO BOUNDS! With a low cry, Jaina flung herself into her mother's arms. The Solo women hugged each other tightly. Leia pulled back from Jaina and extended an arm to Tenel Ka, "Come here, Tenel." Tenel Ka shook her head, "I'll leave you and Jaina for a minute. Just signal when you're ready." Leia's eyes hardened, "Come here, Majesty. Right now." "Leia..." "Don't Leia me, Tenel Ka." Leia said mock-seriously. "You're correct in thinking that this is a moment for family. It is and as a mother I'm sharing it with my daughters." Leia caught the Hapan girl's eyes. "Both of my daughters." Tenel Ka's mist grey eyes widened in shock even as her Force presence plused with a burst of joy. "You and Jacen loved one another, and from that love came a child. That makes you and Allana mine." "Princess Leia, I..." Tenel Ka started formally "Don't Princess Leia me, young lady. It's Mom or Mother, never princess between you and I." "Mother Leia?" Leia Solo rolled her eyes. "I don't love it, but I'll take it. Come here both of you." Jaina grabbed Tenel Ka's hand and tugged her forward. Leia wrapped both girls in a hug and dropped a kiss on each of their heads. Stepping back, she eyed Jaina critically. "What now Mom?" What now, Jay? You're fixing to marry Jagged "freaking fine" Fel, Sweetheart. You are, in fact, the luckiest woman in the galaxy. "Well," Leia said thoughtfully. "We'd better call that torture master back in here Tenel Ka." She reached out to brush a lock of Jaina unruly hair from her forehead. "We need to get our princess ready for her prince." Oh yes, we must do that. I love this on so many levels, I can't even say. You use your characters in a fantastic manner that is true to them. And, I really love the happiness here; which I think we could all use at this point. Good job, and I can't wait to see Jag. -----signature----- The only boy who could ever reach me was the son of a preacher man The only boy who could ever teach me was the son of a preacher man Oh yes he was.
	Locked Topic \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
jadesabre75 Registered: Nov '07	Date Posted: 3/26/08 7:47am Subject: RE: The Reluctant Princess (post Invincible J/J specualtion/AU)
	J/J story! Yay!!!! Luke Skywalker watched the body of his sister's child bounce gently in the viscous bacta. The life-saving fluid had done an impressive job of healing the assorted welts, cuts and bruises peppering the still form. However, the damage done to the spirit within....well, that was another matter entirely. He was so focused on the scene through the transparisteel and his involvement in instigating it that he almost missed his sister's arrival at his side. "Hey," Leia said softly, eyes glued on the scene in the window before them. "Hey yourself," Luke greeted. "Are you ready for this?" A soft snort was the only answer that his twin gave him. "Is any parent ever ready for this?" she asked quietly. I LOVE their interaction. After everything that has happened before this they can still banter with each other. "I don't know. Hopefully, it'll be many years before Ben does this to me." Keep dreaming Skywalker. You had a kid with Mara, it's all downhill from here. That brought an outright laugh from Leia. "Dream on, big brother. I've seen the way he looks at Jysella Horn." The mirth faded from her face, dark eyes clouding over. "I hope Ben never does this to you," she said gesturing at the figure suspended in Bacta before them. Luke slid his arm around Leia's shoulders, hugging her to him. Her grief and shame sung across their bond in the Force. Luke reached back, silently consoling. "It's not your fault," Luke said quietly. "I'm his mother. I brought him into the world, loved him and tried to teach him right from wrong. I obviously failed somewhere along the line. How is it not my fault?" "I loved and taught him too, Leia." His twin looked at him aghast. "I never meant to imply..." "I know you didn't." Luke sighed. "We raised him right Leia. He's had all the same tracking data that the rest of us had, somehow he didn't pick the right target. Whether that's the fault of the Vong, Vergere or just damnable recessive Skywalker gene, I don't know." He sighed again, lifting his eyes from the anguished one's of his sisters to the battered and still form suspended in front of him. "And it's out of that love that we're going to try to save him." Damn it, it's about time someone put it this way. Those are my thoughts exactly about the situation. "Oh Luke, no." Luke looked down in surprise to his sister. Although her eyes swirled with grief unimaginable, there was also traces of the inner durasteel that had held her up in calamities past. "It's too dangerous." It's amazing that Luke still has that farmboy mentality this many years later. He always looks on the bright side and that's what makes him such a great leader. "Jaina didn't think it too dangerous." Enter the first J! "Jaina's almost as foolishly idealistic as you!" Leia huffed out, crossing her arms. "That Sever Force trick you taught her could have killed her." "I didn't teach it to her Leia." "Well, where'd she get the idea, then?" Leia's eyes narrrowed suspiciously. "I don't know," Luke started. "Liar." Leia cut in. "I don't know. But she accomplished her mission. She eliminated Darth Caedus." "Darth Caedus is hanging there in that bacta tank, Luke." "No, Jacen Solo is in that tank. Because that's who Darth Caedus is without the Force. Just a confused and misguided young man named Jacen Solo." Leia closed her eyes agains the sudden tears pricking her lids. "I was ready for him to die," she whispered. "I'd prepped myself to feel the agony I'd felt when Anakin died. I was ready." The tears that had threatened slipped past her closed lids. "I didn't know what to think when Jaina brought him back." A soft sob hiccoughed out. "I don't know Luke, I just don't know." Luke enfolded her in his embrace. "You don't have to know today. I don't know today. I just know that I'm not ready to give up on him yet." Leia sobbed silently, her tears soaking the front of his dark tunic. She circled her arms around his waist, tucking her head under his chin. Luke squeezed her softly, pressing a kiss into the braids encirling her head. He drew back, nudging her head up with his hand. "Today isn't the day for this. Don't we have somewhere else to be?" Leia sniffed loudly, wiping the tears from her face. "If I cry them all out here, I won't embarass my daughter later." "Who are you trying to kid? You've got enough tears to drown a krakana." "Nerf herder," Leia said, sticking her tongue out at him. "Since when does the Grand Master moonlight as a comedian?" Luke smiled benignly. "All part of the job description." "Well, today that job description involves marrying off the only daughter of Han Solo. You think you're up to it?" Again, the banter is fantastic. Luke shook his head. "Nope. I'm not ready to let go of our little girl yet, Leia." Leia smiled. "Like I've been telling Han, she hasn't been his or your little girl in a great many years." "Nonsense," Luke huffed. "She'll always be five years old with pigtails and a face streaked with grease." Now there's a mental image! Leia rolled her eyes. "Even if Han and I aren't ready, I know she is." Luke said quietly. He slipped his hand into Leia's and began to lead her from the med-bay observation area. "Maybe if I hadn't said those ridiculous words to her on Mon Calamari..." "Oh, Luke that wouldn't have stopped her. You know that." "I placed an unforgivably heavy burden on her, Leia. On both of them. It's hurt both of them." "Yes, it has," his sister agreed. "But it's made them both stronger. Their love is deeper, tested and firm. They're who they need to be, now, to go forward together." Her face turned thoughtful. "I don't think they would have made it, otherwise." Luke regarded her silently. They'd paused at an observation overlook, halfway between the medbay and the communal gathering space. "Mother's instict or Jedi insight?" Leia smiled ruefully. "A little of both actually." She paused. "It tore her to pieces on the inside, the last time they were together. Not that she'd tell me, but a mother knows when her daughter is heartbroken." "And then the Killiks happened." "Yes, and I almost despaired of ever seeing her again, nevermind seeing her happy and settled into her life." "Well, all's well that ends well. They seem to have found their way back to each other." Leia slanted a sly look at her brother. "With a little help." Luke's eyes widened innocently. "That was Mara's idea not mine." Leia raised one perfectly manicured eyebrow at that. "Well, mostly Mara's idea. I'm may have seconded it." Luke spread his hands. "Hey, what can I say? It worked for Mara and I." "Yes, the 'if they don't kill each other, they'll fall madly in love' has always worked well for this family, hasn't it?" "Hey, it worked didn't it?" The Skywalker twins looked at each other for a long moment before bursting into gales of laughter. "I won't ever tell them, cross my heart and hope to die." "You'd better not," Leia warned through her laughter. "Or you'll get that lightsabre through your eye." Leia took a step back and eyed Luke. "Is that what you're wearing?" Luke scowled at her. "No, of course not. Is that what you're wearing?" "No, I have to change." "Well, so do I. We should get going. It wouldn't do to have the mother of the bride show up late." "Never mind me," Leia hooted. "No one's getting married until you get there Grand Master." Luke grinned and extended a courtly arm toward her. "Well, then let's go and get this done. Finally." "Yes," Leia said, smiling softly. "Finally." Ah....love it! ******************************************************************************* "Is that what you're wearing?" Here we go... "I'd thought about it." Jaina glanced toward the bed where her best flight suit was laid out. "If I may say so, friend Jaina, absolutely not." Jaina Solo met Tenel Ka's grey eyes in the mirror above her. "It's not like I could get to the dress shop on Coruscant, Tenel." "No, I thought not," Tenel Ka replied with a straight face. She made a waving motion with her hand and a handmaiden stepped forward with a large box. "And even though you are Corellian, getting married in your cleanest flightsuit is hardly appropriate." Actually, for them I think it is. "It's what he's wearing." An auburn eyebrow arched. "I highly doubt that." Jaina stuck her bottom lip out. "It's what he said he's wearing." "I'm sure he planned to. Just as I'm sure that Director Antilles has convinced him of the error of his ways." Turning to the handmaiden, Tenel Ka lifted the lid. "Now close your eyes. No peeking." Wedge is always the voice of reason...well not always but most of the time. "Tenel..." "Eyes. Closed. NOW." He He. With a sigh, Jaina closed her dark eyes. Her ears caught the sound of shimmersilk and taffeta rustling. She heard Tenel Ka softly dismiss the handmaiden. The rustling sound came closer, along with the sound of Tenel Ka's slippered footsteps. "You may open your eyes now." "Why thank you, Your Highness," Jaina said drily. Her next saucy comment died on her lips as her eyes caught sight of what was held in her Hapan friend's hands. The dress was gorgeous. The Queen Mother held the gown lightly under the arms so that Jaina could inspect it in it's entirety. Silvery white shimmersilk and taffeta seemed to pour out of Tenel Ka's hands and float to the floor. The fabric flowed down from a low scoop neck into an A-line bodice, ending in a flared skirt. The skirt was fuller in the back to allow for a small train. Though the gown all but glowed in the room lights, not one gem, pearl or bead adorned the dress. Simple and unfettered, it was completely Jaina. A new voice broke the spell the dress had cast over Jaina. "Oh, Tenel, it's beautiful." Underneath it all, Jaina is still a girl. However reluctant she acts. Jaina turned to stare her mother. "You knew about this?" she squeaked. Leia's moist eyes crinkled up at the corners as she smiled at her daughter. "Maybe." Jaina shot a glare at them both. "What if I'd hated it?" The Hapan Queen Mother and the last High Princess of Alderaan shared a look, "Nah." Jaina rolled her eyes at them both. Perfect! "But," Leia continued, "I do have something else for you to wear." "Oh no, " Jaina said, springing up and dancing back from her mother. "I'll wear the dress, I'll let that master of torture that Tenel calls a handmaiden do my hair, but I'm not letting her put me in that contraption that she's calling underwear." Leia smiled at her daughter. "Nothing so devilish, I assure you. But it was tradition on Alderaan to have something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue. Now your dress is new, and I'm assuming that you've taken care of the something blue underneath," Leia said, nodding to the robe that encirlced her daugher and Jaina's eyes narrowed. "But I have the something old and borrowed." Leia brought her hands from behind her back and presented a small blue velvet box to Jaina. Awwww..... "What is it Mom?" "Open it and find out," Leia said, her voice soft. The box was covered in the deepest blue velvet, that although rich was beginning to wear at the corners. Jaina used a finger to flick open the clasp. She almost dropped the box in shock when the lid raised. "Oh Mama," she breathed. Inside the box, nestled on more velvet, was a small circlet. Although it's intricate vine and rose design, worked in white gold, pearls and precious gems looked light as air, Jaina knew for a fact that it was not. That fact had shocked her five year old self the first time she'd managed to sneak it away from her mother's jewel vault. Besides being Jaina's childhood dress up toy, it was also the coronet of the Grand Duchess of Antibes. The very symbol of Leia Organa's status as High Crown Princess of Alderaan. Jaina looked up at her mother. "But how, Mama, I thought that it was gone." "So did I sweetheart," Leia said, blinking rapidly to fight back tears. "But your father pulled it out of the starboard cargo hold, from a crate marked "Emergency Rations". After he finished ranting about losing his only daughter to a Corellian space bum." Han loves Jag no matter how much he doesn't want to admit it. I think he sees a little of himself in him. With a low cry, Jaina flung herself into her mother's arms. The Solo women hugged each other tightly. Leia pulled back from Jaina and extended an arm to Tenel Ka, "Come here, Tenel." Tenel Ka shook her head, "I'll leave you and Jaina for a minute. Just signal when you're ready." Leia's eyes hardened, "Come here, Majesty. Right now." "Leia..." "Don't Leia me, Tenel Ka." Leia said mock-seriously. "You're correct in thinking that this is a moment for family. It is and as a mother I'm sharing it with my daughters." Leia caught the Hapan girl's eyes. "Both of my daughters." Tenel Ka's mist grey eyes widened in shock even as her Force presence plused with a burst of joy. "You and Jacen loved one another, and from that love came a child. That makes you and Allana mine." "Princess Leia, I..." Tenel Ka started formally "Don't Princess Leia me, young lady. It's Mom or Mother, never princess between you and I." "Mother Leia?" Leia Solo rolled her eyes. "I don't love it, but I'll take it. Come here both of you." Jaina grabbed Tenel Ka's hand and tugged her forward. Leia wrapped both girls in a hug and dropped a kiss on each of their heads. Stepping back, she eyed Jaina critically. "What now Mom?" "Well," Leia said thoughtfully. "We'd better call that torture master back in here Tenel Ka." She reached out to brush a lock of Jaina unruly hair from her forehead. "We need to get our princess ready for her prince." Group hug!!!! Beautfiul CJM! I can't wait to see Jag Fel's badassedness next chapter! Hint hint. -----signature----- Stories are in my bio! Have at it! "Writers block is when your characters get tired of everything you do to them and go on strike." Lucky Member of the Jagateers: Jagateer of the Imperial Red Swim Trunks
	Locked Topic \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
Iverna Registered: Feb '08	Date Posted: 3/26/08 8:16am Subject: RE: The Reluctant Princess (post Invincible J/J specualtion/AU)
	I like it! To my own surprise, because I don't like LOTF at all. But this promises to be interesting and, well, nice. You write Leia really well, actually, and it's great to see Jaina in more normal circumstances. Can you add me to the PM list, please? -----signature----- "Agent Winter, you've got ice water running through your veins." - Tycho Celchu *** "I am NOT a committee!" - Leia Organa
	Locked Topic \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
Flowerlady Registered: Dec '05	Date Posted: 3/26/08 8:43am Subject: RE: The Reluctant Princess (post Invincible J/J specualtion/AU)
	Wow!! I love this... Wonderful interactions between Luke and Leia and then the girls at the end. Fantasically well written... I can't wait for more. May I have a PM please... FL -----signature----- Master to DanaeMariSkywalker, JediMasterArmada and PHGS_Weyr All WIP's on hiatus.... website: http://www.authorswe.webs.com/ Thank you to all that believe in me...Love ya!
	Locked Topic \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
Jaina_and_Jag Registered: Apr '03	Date Posted: 3/26/08 11:38am Subject: RE: The Reluctant Princess (post Invincible J/J specualtion/AU) - Date Edited: 3/26/08 11:42am (1 edits total) Edited By: Jaina_and_Jag
	OMG! I love it!!! Nice beginning, with Luke planning on somehow saving Jacen (which BTW I love... I hate that we went all evil. I used to love him! ) and Leia admitting that she had been ready for her son to die. It's so horrible that a mother would have to prepare for that. But anyway, the preparing for the wedding was lovely! I love that Tenel and Leia conspired to get Jaina a dress for it. And Leia saying that they were both her daughters?? Beautiful! I wonder where all this leaves Tahiri... Great job!!! Definitely excited to read more! EDIT: Goodness! I have a foul mouth!
	Locked Topic \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 » - ~~Previous~~ | Next | Reload