Star Wars: The Colors of the Force

Epilogue

"Follow me, Naluma" the light voice of Padmé Amidala said.

"Hey, why can't I come?" Luke asked.

The ghostly image smiled and caressed Luke's face. "Naluma is not getting married without a wedding dress, and you don't get to see her in it until the ceremony. Nabooan tradition. Now, be a good host and greet the guests who are arriving. And you might want to give Paskelo a hand until the queen's servants arrive."

"The queen's coming here?"

Naluma shook her head. "Better tell Paskelo right away and help him, Luke. I told him to expect the Jedi and Leia's family, not Her Royal Majesty."

"She's bringing my parents and my sister's family, too. Better get a move on, Young One."

With the last word, Padmé swept out of the library and up the grand staircase to the attic. "Quickly, Naluma, you'll have to drop the hem. Can you sew?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Call me, Padmé. I hope we can be friends. I get so lonely here."

"When I can drag Luke away from Jedi business a few times a year."

The ghost stopped in front of a brick wall. "Here, push on the third brick from the top, fifth from the right. Give it a good push."

When Naluma did so, the wall slid back and to the side revealing a tiny closet. A stockpile of canned food and basic toiletries littered the floor. Moth-eaten blankets and a variety of outerwear cluttered the rack.

"That white box up on the top shelf. Can you reach it?"

Standing on her tiptoes, Naluma could graze it but not get a handle on it. She stretched out with the Force and pulled it to her hand. Dust floated everywhere, coating her yellow dress.

She lifted the lid and pushed the tissue paper away. A lace headdress rested on top, with a lace wedding gown beneath it. Naluma held it up. "It's beautiful. This was yours?"

"Yes, but I couldn't risk anyone finding out we were married. Do you see the bottom edge? It has a hidden tuck. Cordé had to shorten it a bit. It was my mother's before mine. Just snip the threads, and it should relax perfectly."

"Won't there be a crease?"

"Spray it with water and let it hang for a few hours. Go on, I can't wait to see you in it."

"Naluma!"

She turned to see Jedi Knights Kallay Flo'et and Jannah Witerspah standing in the doorway.

"Oh, that's gorgeous!" Jannah said, fingering the lace. She brushed a stray blond curl behind her ear and tried on the headdress. "What do you think, Kallay?"

The short brunette with golden skin laughed. "That it would look better on Naluma. Come on. Let's go get you sorted."

Naluma stood. "Shouldn't you be helping in the kitchen?"

Jannah chuckled. "You really want me in the kitchen? You know the only thing I make for dinner these days is reservations."

"Besides, Kalder kicked us out. Said he didn't need us under foot while he had a cake to bake and a dinner to prepare." Kallay blew a bang out of her eyes. "Sometimes I regret he had the mission at the culinary school."

"Not I. The food is going to be great tonight. Thanks for coming."

"We wouldn't miss it for the world."

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As the sun set and twilight was almost upon the terrace overlooking Lake Varykino, the guests and bridal party gathered. Kallay served as Maid of Honor, with Leia and Jannah as attendants, each wearing their own unique dress in a different color: Leia in red, Jannah in orange, Kallay in yellow. Each woman held a small bouquet of flowers gathered from the gardens.

On the opposite side of the terrace stood the best man, Han, and the groomsmen, Kalder, Wei'ahtt, Tandolleau, and Chewbacca. The groomsmen wore accents of green, blue, indigo, and violet with their formal black uniforms. While the Wookiee sported a violet sash across his chest where his bandolier usually hung, Han refused to conform to any modicum of formality and stood in his Corellian-striped blue pants and white, cotton shirt with dark vest.

On his side, a little farther back from the wedding party, R2-D2 and C-3PO observed, R2's camera zooming in on the guests and the party.

In the audience on Luke's side, Queen Elsa and her handmaidens and ministers watched. His grandparents and aunt's family, whom they had only met an hour earlier, also looked on from the family seats. On Naluma's side, the Jedi and Padawan converged. Young Ben Solo, only four years old, played with Baby Grogu, both propelling the shiny ball back and forth with the Force.

"Who's going to officiate?" The queen asked in a booming voice?

As the sun lowered on the horizon, Force-ghosts materialized around the terrace. Master Yoda landed right on the balustrade, eye level with the wedding party. Obi-Wan and the others from Luke's master trials—Mace, Aayla, Shaak, Kit, and Plo—ranged around the terrace. "Jedi, you know your job. Hold the elders here," Luke commanded.

Grogu held up his hand toward Yoda and cried, "Dada."

The small Jedi Master waved at his son.

Naluma waited behind the audience for the music cue to walk down the aisle. The string orchestra struck the chord as she took her first step into matrimony.

Clothed in the ombre dress once more and her hair held together by the combs, the wavering figure of Padmé Amidala solidified with Anakin beside her. They stood among the Jedi, his arm wrapped around her waist.

Master Yoda lifted his voice. "Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to unite in holy matrimony Jedi Master Luke Skywalker and Jedi Knight Naluma Fau."

Queen Elsa gasped. "Who's speaking? Who's officiating?"

Luke turned to her and smiled. "A Jedi Master, ma'am. Master Yoda."

"Impossible. He's dead."

Yoda coughed and smiled with a twinkle in his eye. "No one is ever truly gone, Your Majesty." He flicked his hand and smoothed it down his tunic.

The queen jumped. "You are real."

"Yes, yes, I am, Your Majesty." He turned back to the couple. "Do you, Luke Skywalker, take Naluma Fau to be your lawfully wedded wife?"

Luke took her hands in his and locked eyes. As before, the moment they touched, the tendrils of the Force, blue from him and violet from her, surged and intertwined. "Naluma, you are my light, my love. Without you, I am nothing. I promise to protect you, to love you, to spend my days with you as your adoring husband, now and for eternity in the Force." A gentle breeze fluttered across the terrace, the Colors of the Force pulsing between them.

Yoda continued, "Naluma Fau, do you promise to take Luke Skywalker as your lawfully wedded husband?"

"Luke, without you, I am nothing. From the first day we met, I loved you. Every day as the Force binds us together, merging our auras, I know I can only be complete when you are by my side. I promise to love and respect you, now and for eternity in the Force." Again, the trees at the edge of the lake shook in the wind as the Force bathed the couple in its eerie glow.

Yoda raised his hands. "What the Force has bound together let not man nor ghost put asunder. I pronounce you now husband and wife."

Luke took her in his arms and kissed her chastely in front of the guests, but Naluma pulled him back and merged her lips to his.

The audience cheered and clapped, and an aurora borealis shimmered above in the star-smudged sky. Fireworks cannoned over the lake and the band broke into a happy tune.

When does the honeymoon start? Naluma asked Luke through mindspeech.

Patience, Jedi. Soon you will see. Luke winked at her before kissing her once more.

[21,350 words]

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THE END