Chapter Text
Stories were considered integral on Alderaan. True, fiction, myth, legend, whispers of a land long ago that may or may not have existed, even simple tales created to teach children lessons, were welcomed on Alderaan.
Leia grew up fascinated by stories. As the princess, it was expected, of course. But, she often found herself imagining herself in the stories. She wanted to save the day. She wanted to win over her enemies, like a warrior of old. But, most of all, she wanted to rule justly and fairly, like the stories she heard of the famous Padmé Amidala.
She idolised the former Queen and Senator from a young age. It helped that her parents brought some of Amidala’s handmaidens to Alderaan to help care for her.
Sabé was her tutor in fighting, teaching her how to be deadly with a hairpin, much like the one that saved Amidala in the tales of her bravery.
Eirtaé designed her gowns, teaching her of the importance of colours and flowers in Naboo tradition, how each originated in myth of that beautiful, watery world.
Saché told her about her birth parents, their sweet moments in-between the war, her mother’s inability to cook, her father’s prowess on the battlefield. Leia yearned to know more, even if it is just their names. But all she ever gained is a promise for one day to learn them, for their names have a story that cannot be told before Leia is ready.
Years passed, and Leia embraced every lesson from every story these beautiful handmaidens taught her, taking their wisdom, their bravery, their symbolism, and incorporating it into every aspect of her role on both the Rebellion and politics. Among the older members, she is often told that she reminds them of Padme Amidala and she is pleased, happily informing them of her history with Amidala’s handmaidens. Many smiled, but Mon Mothma sharply warned her of how potentially dangerous sharing information could be.
Leia never fully understood how handmaidens could be considered dangerous knowledge, even for a bastion of Democracy like Padme Amidala, but she keeps silent on the subject from then on.
She learns the hard way, after losing her planet, gaining a brother and a husband, and toppling the Empire. She tracks down Saché, who had been visiting family when Alderaan was destroyed.
She is greeted with a weary smile and enters alone. Luke is off finding Jedi texts and Han remains on the Falcon, ready to pick her up, but willing to give her privacy.
Saché gives her tea, the cups used similar to the bone white cups they used on Alderaan, exchanging stories. If she looked hard enough, she could imagine the chip in her cup that happened when she was five. But now was not the time for memories.
“You gave me a promise once. I am here to collect. You owe me a story.” She tells the older woman after pleasantries had been exchanged. She is a busy woman these days and it had taken much to arrange the time she had.
“I did. I told you that I would give you their names when you were ready. Do you believe you are ready now?” Saché asks calmly, taking a sip of the floral tea she had favoured.
“I knew my father’s too late for him to be anything other than a monster to me. He is something else to my brother, but that is another story.” If Saché was surprised by the news, or even any part of the message, it did not show. “I have my suspicions, especially from the stories I was told, but I would believe I am ready to know for sure.”
Saché sat her tea down.
“Then let me tell you their story. There once was a beautiful queen. She was kind and just and fair. She was tested early and came out glorious. She was beloved throughout her planet when she was younger than you. During this test, she met a poor slave boy, one whom challenged her and befriended her. They formed a close friendship that was quickly ended, as he was meant for a different path. Time passed. The Queen became a Senator and even more beloved by her planet. But, with that devotion came more enemies from the galaxy at large. Some of her handmaidens gave their lives for her, for their devotion was great. But, she was persuaded to allow an old ally, some Jedi she knew years before, to protect her.
“With that protection came a reunion, for the slave boy had been freed and trained in the ways of the Jedi. Once reunited, he went above and beyond to protect her, not only out of duty, but out of his devotion to her kindness to the little boy he once was. She, being moved by his devotion, as well as a habit of impulsiveness and a romantic streak, quickly fell in love.
“Her love for him was all-encompassing, overwhelming her and his for her was equal. But all was not well. For, in the duty of protecting her, a war was ignited. And, wanting to hold onto their newly-formed love, were married within a few weeks of their reunion. They saw each other when they could, finding moments of happiness, always yearning for more. They had many adventures, some of which I have told you, others that no-one living know. But it was always mere moments.
“Do not be mistaken, though. Their love was flawed. It was too encompassing. It was too secretive. It was too little expressed. It was a wildflower that grew despite the circumstances, not a garden. But, it was theirs. And you are a product of that love. You, who encompass the best qualities of Padme Amidala and Anakin Skywalker.”
Leia was silent at this. She wasn’t sure what she had expected, outside of having her thoughts confirmed, but the story was not what she had been prepared to hear. She thanked Saché and finished her tea. Leia made her excuses and prepared to leave.
Perhaps noticing Leia’s confused thoughts, Saché hugged her as she prepared to leave.
Her parting words did nothing to stop those confused thoughts, though.
“You say you know your father is a monster. I do not dispute what you have learned about him. But he was once a good man, one who was worthy of your mother and created you from their love. And your brother. What happened to make him a monster, I do not know. I have done my duty and leave you with your promise fulfilled. If you wish to know more about either, I shall be here for you. I send you off with my love and hopes that you continue to shine.”
The traditional goodbye the handmaidens would give her as a child echoed in her heart long after she left and returned to Han, who asked no questions, only holding her as she cried, not fully aware of what she was even feeling.