My Brother's Keeper

Chapter One

I am five years old as Mumma and Dad send us to live with our uncle, Luke Skywalker, to be trained in the ways of the Jedi. Ben is kind of upset at being sent away, but I am more scared than anything. I have never met our uncle.

As the ship lands, Ben takes my hand, leading me down the ramp into the grassy field Mumma has landed us in. Dad hadn't known what to say or do about the situation, so Mumma had told him to stay behind to lead the rebellion.

Outside the ship, a man stands waiting for us. He looks a little similar to Mumma. As Ben brings us to a halt in front of him, he leans down a bit to get a good look at us.

"It's been awhile, Ben," he says, before turning his attention on me. "I don't believe we've met."

I sidestep behind Ben, refusing to let go of his hand. I have always felt safer huddled behind Ben's towering frame. Even at thirteen he is nearly as tall as Mumma, and still growing.

It's alright, Adi, Ben whispers to me through our mind connection.

"Luke, this is Adalee," Mumma introduces as she walks up, gently tugging me out of my hiding place. "She's force-sensitive, too. Like her brother. I guess it just runs in the family."

"You want me to train them," Luke assumes.

"I know you taught Ben a little to hold him for a bit, but he just keeps growing stonger," Mumma explains. "He needs a teacher, Luke, and so does Adi. Ben taught her the basics to meditation, but they need to learn from someone who has mastered the ways of the Jedi. But, Luke, the children; they've somehow bridged their minds. They don't need words to speak to each other, and they don't need to be face to face to see one another."

"And what does Han think?" Luke asks.

"Oh, he's Han about it," Mumma chuckles. "He knows nothing of the Force, and refuses to learn. Thinks he doesn't need to know. But he agrees that the children do."

"Alright, I will teach them," Luke agrees, smiling a little. "I have a class starting in just an hour. Will you be ready, Ben?"

My brother nods. "Yes, sir, I will," he grins.

"And Adalee, you are my youngest student," Luke adresses. "I will teach you separately, to begin with. But you may watch the older class. Watching can sometimes be the best teacher."

"Yes, sir," I answer quietly.

"I must be going, now, children," Mumma announces. "Can't leave your father in charge for too long, now can I? Ben, do as you're told, remember your manners, and... watch after Adalee. Please."

"Yes, Mumma," Ben answers, his smile turning sad.

"Please don't go," I beg, wrapping my arms tightly around Mumma's legs.

"Oh, my dear, I don't have a choice," Mumma sighs as she smoothes my hair. "But just as Ben must watch over you, you too must keep him in line. Solo boys know how to get into trouble."

"Yes, Mumma," I say, but I can't stop the tears.

She's really leaving us here. And Dad is letting her. It will be just me and Ben, now. Our uncle will teach us, but he can never be a replacement for our parents.

Ben pries me off of Mumma, holding onto me as she boards her ship and takes off. I can't help but cry.

Stop it, Ben whispers low in my mind. They're gone, ok? They left us here, alright? All we can do now is show them how good we can become without them. We show them that we don't need them to stay in the light.

I give a little nod. "Ok," I answer aloud, earning an odd look from Master Skywalker.

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