Work Text:
Leia Organa stood in her quarters on Coruscant, looking out the large glass window to the endless city below. Recently, she was elected to the First Senate of the New Republic, serving the former citizens of Alderaan and other planets destroyed by the Empire.
A near constant stream of speeders drove by, their bright lights flashing with the lights of the towering skyscrapers. The distant sound of cheers emanated from each speeder, their occupants screaming with joy.
Leia snorted. Even though she hadn’t known Luke for a long time, she could definitely see him and Han renting a speeder and going on a joyride. Despite both of them verbally objecting when asked, they were close friends.
Suddenly, Leia sensed someone at the door of the apartment. A few seconds later, they knocked, the sound ringing through the apartment.
Cautiously, she crept to the door, sneaking across the blue carpet. After all she had been through, it was old habit at this point to be careful.
Opening the door, Leia saw a single package, wrapped in light brown paper and white cording. It was addressed to a “Leia Organa.”
She rolled her eyes. The handwriting was messy bordering on illegible- Leia could immediately tell that Han had sent this, probably with the aid of Luke. Luke and Han were researching/raiding old Jedi areas in search for information about their teachings and demise.
Picking up the package, Leia walked back into the apartment, peeling the brown paper back from the item in question.
When she opened the package, Leia uncovered a storybook and a note. The storybook had an old leather cover, marbled with age. The pages had a distinct smell to them, one of old books and slight must.
Setting the storybook aside, Leia began to read the note.
“Leia,
During our travels, I found this old book about the folklore of Naboo. I’ve been attempting to find out who our mother was, and I think this book might be relevant. I marked the story where you should read- it’s the one about the senator-queen. We will be back soon- maybe sooner if Han stops picking fights . I hope to see you soon,
-Luke”
Leia smiled. Picking up the book, she opened the pages and began to read.
Folklore of Naboo
Long ago, in the time of the mythical Jedi and the evil Sith, there lived a queen.
This queen was different, however; she was not born a queen, but an ordinary girl. She grew up running and playing in the mountains of rural Naboo, sharing her kindness and compassion with the people of her village.
Word of her compassion for her people soon spread throughout the planet, catching the attention of those in Theed. The queen was soon elected to the position by the people of Naboo, as a representative of all.
The Queen was fair and just, accompanied by five handmaidens who carried out her will. She promoted cooperation and friendship among neighboring planets, building Naboo into the force it is today. She became the champion of Naboo, burning brightly.
Eventually, her reign came to an end. Much to the sadness of her people, she stepped down from her role as Queen, bidding them farewell. Her people did not falter, however; they elected her to the Republic Senate, as a representative of their will.
The senator-queen was sent to Coruscant, where she faced many trials.
She fell in love with a Jedi knight, but that is not the point of the tale.
A demon with the face of a kindly man ruled over the Senate, and he wanted the Republic for himself. He was evil as he was deceptive, and always hungry for more. More planets, more power, more ships- his greed was endless.
Then, the Clone Wars broke out, where Republic planets, led by another masked demon, broke off from the Republic. The war was terrible and bloody and dangerous, and the people of the galaxy pled with the demon to save them.
They gave the demon everything; ships, power. But it was never enough- he needed the galaxy for himself.
Eventually, the senator-queen realized what was behind the mask. She cried at the devastation he had caused, and what she had failed to protect her people from. She resolved to speak with him, to get him to stop his trail of destruction.
But, the old demon knew of her kindness, and how she intended to reason with him. He also knew that the Galaxy stood behind her; that she was the brightly burning star showing them the way to freedom.
The senator-queen went to speak with him, to stop him from destroying her beloved Republic. She fought with words, attempting to bring him down and spare his life.
Alas, words can only do so much in the face of terrible violence! The demon had hidden a mythical blade of light up his sleeve, and he went to kill her. He believed that destroying her would be the final piece to his new Empire.
Despite her kind nature, the senator-queen was not weak; she was not docile, she was not demure. She was a woman with the heart of a blazing star, and she fought back with all of her might. She battled for herself, she battled for her people, she battled for her loved ones, she battled for the dream of the Republic!
The blazing star could not stop the demon; despite having the fire of a million suns, she could not keep the blade away. She fell asleep, weakened by the mythical blade.
The people mourned the senator-queen, for she had been mortally weakened protecting them! In their sorrow, they built a temple to her, praying that even after her fall, her inner sun would continue to protect them.
They dressed her in an elaborate gown, covering her hair in flowers. In her hands, she held a small token, carved out of japor.
Then, they laid her to rest in her temple, letting the waters of the Lake Country she loved so much wash over her wounds. Now, she sleeps in her temple, her spirit protecting her people.
Now, the senator-queen waits. She waits until her people call for her assistance, until they need the blazing sun to protect them. When she is needed, she will awaken.
Then, she will fight for the people of Naboo.
Leia closed the book, a tear pooling in the corner of her eye. It seemed that she would be taking a trip to Naboo in the near future.