Archive of Our Own

Hello Love,

I'm thinking about legacies and destiny. No surprise, of course, considering the company I'm keeping. Palpatine's son, if you'd believe it. Yes, that's right, Vader's son has found Palpatine's, and he is a truly lovely human being. We're bonding over how our evil fathers didn't spend enough time parenting us to have the evil transfer properly.

And not just Palpatine's son! I've also met his charming wife, and their adorable daughter, Rey, who could crack the universe with the Force if she's not careful about it. What strange company we make, Vader's son and the Emperor's, trying to keep a child on the path of light.

I won't be sending this. Not now, with the Emperor's hired lackeys hot on our heels, nevermind that he's long dead. Apparently his money is still good. I wouldn't want to endanger the family. Or myself, I suppose. So I'll keep hiding, until I can bring them safely back to you.

You must be worried sick. I said I'd only be gone for a few days, and we're already on our second month. I'm sorry. If there was a safe way to send you a letter I would. I just have to trust that in your years of working with me, and the temple, you've learned to not worry overmuch at the unexpected.

I will come home to you, I promise.

I know I'm mostly saying this for me, at this point. By the time I can hand this to you, you'll already know I'm safe. But still, it's good to have it said.

You're going to love Rey. She's made this whole slog of a trip bearable. Bright, eager to learn, excited to be around someone who understands her abilities. I can't wait to bring her back to the temple, settle her family into the grounds, introduce her to the others.

That's what's got me thinking about legacy the most, honestly. Where would I be, now, without you? You broke my world open, you connected me to a history I thought was lost forever. You've helped me find the people and information I need to rebuild with a strong foundation.

I don't think it's overdramatic to say that you saved me. And I know, I know you, you're going to shake your head and say that Cassian did most of the intel work that found us the Jedi sources. And Jyn and Chirrut took over the fundraising so we could be independent of the New Republic. And you mostly just helped Baze a bit with logistics. And K-2SO a bit with the security, and Cassian a bit with the…

You never like it when I say it to your face, so I'm going to here and now, so you can't stop me. I wouldn't know any of them if you hadn't been the ethical, moral, brave man that defied the New Republic for me. My legacy is your legacy, because you made sure I had the resources to build one.

And that's just the temple.

My darling, you also found a young man nearly breaking under the burden set upon him and reminded me how to laugh. Reminded me I wasn't alone. Reminded me of all the ways I was loved.

Thank you.

I miss you, I miss holding you, I miss your touch. I always do, no matter how short or long I'm gone for.

I've just heard Rey laugh. I'm learning her laughs, and unfortunately, that one sounds a lot like 'I have found a new and exciting way to break things with the Force.' I'd better go see if her parents need me.

Take care, my love,

Luke

I swear, you overdramatic nerf-herder, if you come back here half-burned and leaking again after being gone ten times longer than you said you would it's going to take more than a soppy love note to get me to stop being mad at you!

'You've learned not to worry overmuch.' HA. HA. Loving you is terrible for my anxiety. You're lucky you're so cute.

You're right, though, Rey is adorable. And I'm glad you've come home safe. Maybe someday you'll tell me what you found on that spooky dead planet before you came back here. It's fine if you never do, though. I don't need to understand everything to know that I love you.

Besides, as grumpy as I've been at you, it's not like I live a danger-free life. Next time it'll probably be me, you know, chased by assassins and all that. I just want you to remember this. No lectures, just support, and (1) furious note where you get all your emotions out.

Alright, I think I'm done being mad. Love you across the stars,

Bodhi

 I think I speak for all scholars studying the founding of the New Jedi Order that we are very fortunate that Jedi Master Skywalker had a habit of letter-writing to his beloved. In this exchange, we see references to several pivotal moments. The most obvious being the meeting between Master Skywalker and his most famous apprentice. 

However, considering the timeline, when Rook says, 'spooky dead planet' it is generally agreed to be Exegol, and as we now know, what Master Skywalker in fact found was the barely preserved body of one of his old foes, the 'Emperor' mentioned above. That battle is largely considered to be the turning point in the rise of the New Jedi Order, and its triumph against the Sith.

It's a fascinating exchange, eliding monumental historical moments in a few sentences to focus on the mundane and practical. If you'll forgive an old academic a moment of sentimentality, I think that this is part of the letter's value as well. I have always loved the love shown here. And while I have no doubt that Rook and Skywalker kept this exchange private in their lifetime, I like to imagine that both of them would be pleased that love is a part of their legacy.

~Doctor Meeish Tongrabrook, Personal Histories of the New Jedi Order