Their Lady Adyé [Star Wars]

Anything But a Monster?

Leia knew that she'd told Han that Luke was okay, and the quiet little part of her that was so certain hadn't wavered in that conviction since then. But she still worried. She trusted that feeling—just like she had on Bespin, when it told her where to find Luke—no matter that she didn't entirely understand why. And given the conversation she and Luke had before he went off on his own?

The idea that Luke was her brother seemed like it should have felt foreign or strange, but it didn't. It felt like the most natural thing in the Galaxy. It explained a lot, really, like the instinctive way she'd trusted him on the Death Star, when he'd first appeared in the door to her cell. She'd never doubted him, not even when it came to his irrational belief in Athara Adyé. She couldn't understand how he could trust her. She'd been an Imperial agent, Vader's Right Hand. She'd proved that, to Leia at least, time and time again. Yet he was so sure Obscura could be trusted.

He loved her. A flicker of worry that was becoming distressingly familiar to Leia went through her when she thought about it. It had become increasingly obvious as time passed that Luke loved Athara, and that worried Leia. Her head told her that Athara was dangerous and that Luke should be backing swiftly away from her. Her heart was a little more conflicted. But she couldn't deny that it seemed Athara loved him too. It was frustrating and infuriating and Leia didn't like it.

But right now, the worrying thought of Luke's feelings for Vader's apprentice were completely overshadowed by the worrying reality that Luke still hadn't been heard from. He should have made it back by now. Their strike team that had been sent to disable the shield generator had already returned to the treetop village that Leia, Han, Luke, Chewie and the droids had spent the previous night in. Their little allies were even now, according to Threepio, working to prepare a feast to celebrate their victory. They were all so convivial and overjoyed in their victory that Leia couldn't help but get caught up in the moment, once again donning the garments they had made for her and settling in to help them prepare. But now, as her hands were busy but her thoughts free to roam, the worry for Luke had returned, not giving Leia a moment's peace.

She couldn't stop. Even if she hadn't discovered he was family, she would have been worried. Could the little feeling be wrong?

No. It wasn't. Even as the doubting thought ran through her head for the thousandth time, the certain little part of her confirmed he was all right. And it proved itself by prompting Leia to look up and around to the edge of the clearing on the forest floor where Leia, Han, Chewie and their furry friends were working.

And there he was. Emerging from the shadows cast by the dimming evening light. The sense of relief that flooded through the former Senator was such that the instant she tried to stand her legs failed to obey her, feeling weak and wobbly. She hadn't thought she'd been worrying quite that much. But then why wouldn't she have? He had left their mission to confront Vader and, presumably, the Emperor himself. Vader easily could have killed him the instant Luke walked into his presence. And who knows what the Emperor could have done to him; what the Emperor had done to him. Leia had to fight back a powerful shudder at the thought.

He was here, safe. Her brother—it still felt so strange yet so natural to call him that—was safe. Though the dimming light and uniformly black clothes he was wearing did wash out his normally warm-toned skin, Leia couldn't help but notice that he looked pale. A small shiver of worry resurfaced. As soon as he caught sight of the group gathered by the huge bases of the trees that held the village aloft, he was making his way toward them. As he got closer, Leia realized he was scanning the gathered Alliance members and locals. With a smile beginning to break through her worry, Leia started to extricate herself from the cluster of their new friends hemming her in where she had been working, relieved that her legs seemed to be working properly again.