| Author |
Topic:
Peace in War - L/M vignette, NJO - Author replies!
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path-seeker
Registered:
May '08
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Date Posted:
5/29 4:09pm
Subject:
Peace in War - L/M vignette, NJO - Author replies!
- Date Edited:
6/24 11:15am (1 edits total)
Edited By:
path-seeker
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Title: Peace in War
Author: path-seeker
Timeframe: NJO, during Star by Star
Characters: Luke and Mara
Genre: Drama, romance
Summary: Luke and Mara prepare to fly into battle.
Notes: Written for the SJRS “Wordless Romance” challenge. Requirements are:
1) Begin your story with the sentence "There were fifteen minutes left."
2) Write a story that portrays "romance" without "mush". Luke and Mara may not touch. Find a way for one or both of them to express love without the use of the words "I love you". Be creative!
Many thanks to Myriad_Daydreams for beta-ing and encouraging 
There were fifteen minutes left. Luke continued racing down the crowded corridor toward the hangar, Mara just a few steps behind. The emergency alarm had sounded, prompting a rapid swarm of activity within the base. All starfighter squadrons were expected to launch in just fifteen minutes.
He and Mara would have just enough time to reach the hangar and prep their X-wings, Luke noted. They had been in the communications center with Han, Leia and a number of other Jedi discussing the war with Kenth Hamner on Coruscant, a discussion cut short by the alarm. Luke and Mara had reacted instantly, the latter passing their crying son to Leia and briefly whispering goodbye before following the other Jedi out of the room. They sprinted toward the hangar; Mara’s face was stony and unspoken regrets were mirrored in her eyes.
Despite the pilots, mechanics and droids filling the hallways, they reached the hangar in a matter of minutes and located their X-wings among the scores of starfighters. The noise escalated as the quickest pilots started their engines, and the astromech droids, once settled into place behind the cockpits, beeped and whistled as they ran diagnostics on the X-wings. Pilots jogged toward their fighters, mentally preparing themselves for battle. Luke felt both the nervous excitement and fear that permeated the hangar, but the latter now dominated as the pilots prepared to take-off.
Their squadron still had several minutes to wait. Luke shifted in his X-wing, drawing on the Force for peace and patience. Just meters away, Mara was climbing the ladder to her cockpit. Luke watched her, admiring her lithe figure and thanking the Force she was alive. Since the birth of their son Mara had finally recovered from the disease that had plagued her for so long, and she remained one of the most vibrant people Luke had ever met. Her energy was finally back in full, her fighting edge mixed with motherly concern and a fierce desire to protect her son.
Mara was settling into her cockpit now, hunching over the controls and sending a mix of emotions in the Force. He could feel her continually analyzing the stream of the information coming through the control channel. Despite her focus, Luke knew her thoughts were on their son, wishing she could be with him instead of entering a battle zone. He almost reached out to her through the Force, but decided against it and opened a private channel to her X-wing instead.
“He’ll be fine, Mara. There’s nothing else you could have done.”
“I could have stayed with him,” Mara snapped. Luke commiserated with her feelings, but they had been through enough wars to know where and when they were needed, and a force bond as strong as theirs was an asset in battle, as well as every other area of their lives. Even still, it had surprised him how fast Mara responded to the emergency alarm. She had surprised herself too, he realized, and was now feeling guilty about it.
“It doesn’t make you a bad mother, Mara.” Luke said softly, addressing her unspoken concern. “We really need you here now; I need you.” He finally reached for her in the Force, enveloping her with love and support.
He knew Mara was thinking of the brief time they’d had to adjust to being parents, and the choices the war had taken from them. They had traveled to the base just weeks after Ben’s birth, and although people were mindful of their status as new parents, that did not alleviate the demand for their leadership and help. Surrounded by New Republic troops, Jedi and friends, Luke had often been called to mediate conflicts and make suggestions on tactics and battle plans. Even Mara was separated from their beloved son to make supply runs and lead minor missions. Luke regretted the time they couldn’t spend with Ben, but it was a sacrifice. The time he spent now would help end this war, and afterward there would be time to spend as a family and grow as a couple, a chance to catch up on missed opportunities. His mind wandered briefly, and he pictured himself walking side by side with Mara on Yavin, baby Ben cradled in his arms, simply enjoying his family. He sighed, forcing his mind back on the present. That was only a wish, a distraction, and he couldn’t let his sentiments lessen his focus on the battle.
“I wish it didn’t have to be this way,” Mara murmured, catching a glimpse of those thoughts and meeting his eyes from her X-wing.
“It won’t always be. If we fight now, the world Ben grows up in will be different…” Luke’s voice trailed off, but he held her gaze, envisioning her blazing green eyes perfectly, though he could not see their color through the tinted viewshields of their cockpits. Despite the near constant separation and the threat of battle, Luke marveled at how complete their lives had become. They were a family now, and remarkably, their bond had deepened in the months since Ben’s birth. Something about parenthood strengthened and completed the love between them.
They lapsed into silence, allowing unspoken thoughts to flow between them in the remaining minutes. The same bond that allowed them to communicate in battle was a source of unending comfort for both of them. He could feel Mara’s uncertainty ebb away as she sensed his trust in the force, his willingness to hope. Luke himself felt calmer than he ever had in his days of flying with the rebellion. How could the old Order have forbidden relationships? The tactical advantages of a deep force bond were more than worth it, but the peace shared with another – the very peace the Jedi code spoke of – could rarely be achieved by the power of one Jedi alone.
As the squadron in front of them began to take off, Mara withdrew slightly and once again turned to the instrument panel. “What do you say we win this one, Farmboy?” Her voice had a slight edge to it. She had set aside her regrets and uncertainties, and was now as calm and collected as any veteran pilot.
“Sounds like a good strategy,” he agreed. “Let’s stick together up there.”
“I wouldn’t dream of doing otherwise.” Mara began pressing buttons as the X-wing in front of her began to accelerate. “See you in space, Skywalker.”
She closed the channel and reached out to him. He could sense her unvoiced encouragement as she directed the X-wing out of the hangar. They would not say goodbye; they did not dwell on such things. They had so much to live for, and Luke would do everything in his power to make their walk on Yavin a reality someday.
Fifteen minutes after the initial alarm it was finally Luke’s turn to launch. He pulled his X-wing smoothly into the air, took a deep breath to expel any residual anxiety, and followed Mara to whatever awaited them in the battle zone.
-----signature-----
Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined. -Thoreau Vocatus atque non vocatus Deus aderit. *** The Memorial Grove, a Luke and Ben oneshot: http://boards.theforce.net/beyond_the_saga/b10477/29052877/p1/
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Myriad_Daydreams
Registered:
Jun '07
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Date Posted:
5/29 4:42pm
Subject:
RE: Peace in War - L/M vignette - SJRS "Wordless Romance" Challenge
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First! 
I love this, path-seeker! There is a side to Luke and Mara that will never be able to settle down and will always be fighting battles for their son, yet they are still able to be strong and give each other strength in hard times  You portray this very nicely, making it show the tense, 'waiting' feeling before battle and also their subtle romance 
Favorite bit:
“It won’t always be. If we fight now, the world Ben grows up in will be different…” Luke’s voice trailed off, but he held her gaze, envisioning her blazing green eyes perfectly, though he could not see their color through the tinted viewshields of their cockpits. Despite the near constant separation and the threat of battle, Luke marveled at how complete their lives had become. They were a family now, and remarkably, their bond had deepened in the months since Ben’s birth. Something about parenthood strengthened and completed the love between them.
*sigh* Love it, thanks for the sneak-peek
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Jedi_Emeritus
Registered:
Dec '05
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Date Posted:
5/29 9:45pm
Subject:
RE: Peace in War - L/M vignette - SJRS "Wordless Romance" Challenge
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Very nice. I like the way you captured their thoughts and feelings - the distress over having to leave their son behind, tempered by the determination to defend him and the entire base at all costs and the hope for something better when the fighting is done.
-----signature-----
Padawan to EmilieDarklighter If you had to identify, in one word, the reason why the human race has not achieved, and never will achieve, its full potential, that word would be 'meetings'. Take My Hand: http://boards.theforce.net/the_saga/b10476/28300611/
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Rigil_Kent
Registered:
Jan '04
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Date Posted:
5/29 10:14pm
Subject:
RE: Peace in War - L/M vignette - SJRS "Wordless Romance" Challenge
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Very nice. Great job!
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Irish_Jedi_Jade
Registered:
Jul '07
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Date Posted:
5/29 11:01pm
Subject:
RE: Peace in War - L/M vignette - SJRS "Wordless Romance" Challenge
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Hey there p-s!!!!!! Seriously, you know how to make a splash! That was amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Seriously, viggies like these are some of my absolute favorite...those little, seemingly insignificant moments that make up our lives...and that some of the biggest, most impacting things happen in them. Does that ramble make sense? Probably not, but either way, that was amazing! Definitely up there in my favorites list, I loved the emotions and the fears and wishes that you wove together so wonderfully...beautiful beautiful job!!!!!
Can't wait to read more from you in the future! If Myriad can't beta something for you, I'd be happy to help out!
Huggles!
 Irish
-----signature-----
Biology homework has me down...the only prescription is plot bunnies and more cowbell!!!
Let the dancing begin!!!!!!!
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Jade_eyes
Registered:
Aug '04
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Date Posted:
5/30 3:24am
Subject:
RE: Peace in War - L/M vignette - SJRS "Wordless Romance" Challenge
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Path-seeker, cool user name. Magnificent detailing of the tenseness before battle. Luke and Mara's relationship and feelings are very much in character and very beautifully described. You do the subtle thing very well. I too offer my SQUEE!ing assistance to beta for you. Huggles!!!! You're a stellar addition let me tell you!!! 
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dancing_star
Registered:
Feb '07
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Date Posted:
5/30 8:42am
Subject:
RE: Peace in War - L/M vignette - SJRS "Wordless Romance" Challenge
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Wow! Simply amazing! I agree with what others have been saying- you're great at the subtle thing, perfect characterizations, capturing their thoughts, etc... Very nice! Bravo and looking forward to more from you!! 
-----signature-----
See my updated bio for fics   God bless America and our troops. "The LORD gives strength to his people. The LORD blesses his people with peace." Ps 29:11 ~~~ http://boards.theforce.net/beyond_the_saga/b10477/28298541/p1/
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path-seeker
Registered:
May '08
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Date Posted:
6/24 11:12am
Subject:
RE: Peace in War - L/M vignette - SJRS "Wordless Romance" Challenge
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Thanks for reading everyone! I appreciate your feedback!!
Myriad_Daydreams: I'm glad you liked it - thanks again for all your help!!
Jedi_Emeritus: I think that Luke and Mara as parents was a bit overlooked in NJO, so I thought I'd add to it. Thanks for reading!
Rigil_Kent: Thank you!!
Irish_Jedi_Jade: Thank you so much! That totally makes sense - I love vigs that fill in the missing moments too, and I think it gives a more complete look at the characters.
Jade_eyes: The subtlety was the hardest to write, so I'm glad it worked. Thanks for the comment!
dancing_star: Thank you so much!! I'm glad you enjoyed it, and I'm looking forward to writing more!
-----signature-----
Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined. -Thoreau Vocatus atque non vocatus Deus aderit. *** The Memorial Grove, a Luke and Ben oneshot: http://boards.theforce.net/beyond_the_saga/b10477/29052877/p1/
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Jedi-2B
Registered:
Nov '00
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Date Posted:
6/24 1:48pm
Subject:
RE: Peace in War - L/M vignette, NJO - Author replies!
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I thought sure I'd responded to this when I first read it, but must've been one of those DRL days. Anyway, I loved it. Great job of showing their love, and concern for Ben.
-----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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ginchy
Registered:
May '05
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Date Posted:
7/24 7:00am
Subject:
RE: Peace in War - L/M vignette, NJO - Author replies!
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Wha--?? How did I miss this?
It's just brilliant. I love your Mara here--so fierce with love and the need to protect her son and family. Luke's thoughts were perfect, and I could really feel the moment in the action, if that makes sense. Excellent! I hope we'll see more from you!
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divapilot
Registered:
Nov '05
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Date Posted:
7/24 12:24pm
Subject:
RE: Peace in War - L/M vignette, NJO - Author replies!
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So sorry I missed this earlier! I love how you maintain the energy of preparing for a battle, but still show the love that Mara and Luke have for each other and for their son.
Nicely done!
-----signature-----
Never tell me the odds. AKL
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Jade_Pilot
Registered:
Dec '05
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Date Posted:
7/24 12:38pm
Subject:
RE: Peace in War - L/M vignette, NJO - Author replies!
- Date Edited:
7/24 12:39pm (1 edits total)
Edited By:
Jade_Pilot
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What ginchy and divapilot said!!! I hope you will write more for us!
Bravo!
-----signature-----
Fall semester now commencing...se habla español and more cowbell!!! ** "ginchy's gambit" http://boards.theforce.net/Message.aspx?topic=29089731&brd=10477&start=29091637
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Jedi_Drizzt
Registered:
Nov '06
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Date Posted:
7/24 1:34pm
Subject:
RE: Peace in War - L/M vignette, NJO - Author replies!
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Very cool vig.
-----signature-----
"What hope might we find if we know all of the answers?" Drizzt Do'Urden
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