Chapter Text
Leia Organa is the princess of Alderaan. She’s also the Senator.
In secret, like her mom and dad, she’s a rebel. She’s also strong, she thinks. Ready to fight with all she has.
And, of course, there had always been dangers, but never as real as this.
Darth Vader has boarded her ship. Others are fighting the stormtroopers, and Leia’s heart hurts, knowing the likelihood of their deaths.
Which is why she has to get the plans out of here.
“[I do need to get you out of here, too,]” Artoo says. “[My soul-bonded would want it deep in his stupid heart, and so would Bail-Organa.]”
“Who or what is a soul-bonded?”
“[I can not tell you and there is no time,]” Artoo beeps, almost angrily. “[Now hurry the fuck up and record!]”
Leia nods.
“Begin,” she says.
“General Kenobi,” she says, “Years ago, you served my father in the Clone Wars. Now he begs you to help him in his struggle against the Empire. I regret that I am unable to present my father's request to you in person, but my ship has fallen under attack and I'm afraid my mission to bring you to Alderaan has failed. I have placed information vital to the survival of the Rebellion into the memory systems of this R2 unit. My father will know how to retrieve it. You must see this droid safely delivered to him on Alderaan. This is our most desperate hour. Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi. You're my only hope.”
Artoo leaves, with Threepio, of course, and Leia goes her own way. She can still get out!
But she fails. She’s stunned.
Still, she forces herself not to fear. She plays her part. She’s a Senator!
Except that she’s not, and she’s been caught. Probably, everyone else has been killed, but she has the advantage of being in charge. She’s taken to the very place she’d just been carrying the plans to, just before.
And she isn’t afraid. Not even when the mind probe digs inside and she can feel something… else? Following it.
(Except that this trauma stays with her for years right alongside Alderaan’s destruction and Han’s capture as the reasons that she will never forgive Vader.)
But she’s never more afraid in her life as when she hears Tarkin threaten her entire planet. She gives up something minor, trying to save her people.
She fails.
And she can almost hear their screams as her planet explodes into rubble. Darth Vader’s hand is still on her shoulder.
(She will never forget this moment.)
She’d thought she was strong, but, in this moment, she’d never felt so weak.