Where there is Hope, Liberty will not die

"Leia" we are coming out of Hyperspace now," said Bail Organa, hoping this would get her out of the sour mood he had seen from her for the entire trip back from Coruscant. Unfortunately, all this news did was make Leia pout even more and sink even deeper into her seat. The datapad in her hands she brought closer to her face, pretending to read the contents with much more concentration than was needed.

Bail sighed, and left her to pout and read in peace until they landed.

"Do you think she will let me back in yet sir?" Asked the ever-calm Winter.

"Possibly Winter. It wouldn't hurt for you to try. I just wish I knew what was making her so moody."

"I wish I knew as well sir," Winter replied as she got up to go join her charge.

Leia continued to pretend to be interested in the datapad as Winter entered the room. But for all the effort she put on for her father she couldn't keep it up as Winter just sat across from her and waited her out. At least when she did it to Bail, HE gave up. But Winter simply sat there, behaving far better that Leia herself could behave, even when she felt like it. She smiled to her-self. Winter's behavior had gotten her mistaken on more than one account for Leia. While she found this funny, Winter did not. Leia had been known to receive a small look if she started to giggle when it happened. Finally, she could stand it no longer. With a big huff, Leia got up, dropped the datapad on the table and went to sit next to Winter.

"I am interested in Politics right now," Leia blurted out, "I came on this trip because I wanted to see the Capitol and all the excitement, but all I did was sit and listen to long winded speeches and this and that, power and might, on and on and on. What is the point anyway?"

"My only question Highness is why aren't you telling this to your father?" Winter replied, calmly changing her position to undo and fix Leia's hair that she had messed up while squishing herself to the back of her previous seat.

"I donÂ'know, I guess because I don't want him to be sad. He seemed so happy that I wanted to go with him," Leia changed position to give Winter more room; "He will be so disappointed."

"But he will anxious and worried if you don't. Plus it is not necessary for you to want to have anything to do with politics right now. It can wait."

"It doesn't matter whether I wait, what matters is whether I get anything done."

With a final look-over, Winter finished fixing Leia's hair. Just afterwards, they both felt a small jerk as the ship landed and the hiss of the airlock and hatch opened. Both girls got up and followed Bail out onto the landing platform there his wife was waiting for them.

"I am glad to see you all back safely," Breha said, giving Bail a quick peck and asking, "How was the session?"

"More of the same I'm afraid." Bail replied with frustration, "But I will tell you more once we are settled."

"Leia", Breha next swooped down to her daughter for a hug, which Leia gave only half-heartedly. "Did you have a good time?"

"It was alright," Leia replied, ignoring the look she got from Winter, "I just wish it had been a bit less boring. Are all the Emperor's speeches that long?"

"I'm sure it wasn't as bad as you make out to be dear. You may one day want to listen to it. Now, go get ready for Dinner, we are having a guest." As Leia and Winter went on their way (Leia was running as fast as she could with Winter yelling at her to slow down), Breha turned to Bail and asked, "Was it really that boring?"

"It was the longest speech I have ever had to sit through." Bail replied with a smile.

"So, she had a point?"

"A very good one."


"I thought you were going to tell him," Winter gasped out as they reached Leia's room, "But instead all you said was that it was boring?"

"I figured they would get the point," Leia gasped back, reaching up and keying the door open. "It's not like I was secretive about it. By the way, who is the guest?"

"I haven't the faintest idea," Winter called as she went into the closet, "But I suppose we should assume important, and casual?"

"Sounds good to me."

Winter came out of the closet with several outfits in hand. "Pick one you like and I will match it."

"Um... The pants and tunic. Are there any amulets?" Leia asked as she started to peel off the traveling clothes. They were much dirtier that she had originally thought.

"Check the box. There should be a few," Winter called back. "And see if there are matching earrings."

In five minutes, both girls were ready. Leia had chosen a set of pale blue loose pants and a matching tunic with an oval blue and green swirl stone necklace that she had gotten from her father for her birthday a year before. Around her waist was something special. Only months ago, Leia had been formally named the Princess of Aleraan. With this new title, came a symbol of the power and responsibility. A belt made specifically for her. The silver belt had the markings of the Royal house set symmetrically with those of the Organa family; recognizing her officially as a member of the royal family.

Upon entering the large dining room used for these special dinners, Leia immediately saw that this dinner was not going to be as bad as she had thought. The guest her mother had mentioned was none other that Mon Mothma. One of her fathers friends form the Senate.

"Leia, How nice to see you again," Mon Mothma said as Leia came over to greet her.

"It is nice to see you as well, Senator." Leia replied as they all went to sit down.
The dinner was not very exciting, and it did not help that for the main course was Duck. Leia hated Duck; both alive and dead. They were noisy, like the dinner. It was mostly Bail chatting with Mon about the most recent set of speeches. Breha chimed in a few times with a question, but mostly just listened. Leia pretended to be interested only in her food, but she paid close attention to their reiterations; as they made more sense. She managed to use his tactic for almost all of dinner until Bail mentioned that Leia had come with him on the latest trip.

"Really, and did you enjoy yourself Leia?" Mon Mothma was asking.

Jolted back into the present, all Leia could say at first was nonsense.

"Huh? Oh, the trip, well it was mostly confusing."

"In what way dear?" Bail asked, "I'm sure we can clarify them for you."

"Finally." Leia thought. "For starters,Â" She began, "What is the point of the Senate if there is an Emperor and he says he is in complete control? Moreover, if he is in complete control, why does he need a Navy? Why does he have Lord Vader? Who is Lord Vader? How come---"

"Slow down Leia," Mon Mothma interrupted, "Let us answer one before you start with another."

"Now," Bail started, "The senate is left over from the Republic, which fell about the time you were born. It basically is a tool for the Emperor to help him keep control of all the systems. If it were to disband, he would have even more trouble keeping control than he already is having. The Navy is left over from the Clone Wars. It originally was for the Republic, but now serves the Emperor. Lord Vader---" Here Bail stumbled. To explain Vader without letting slip anything he did not want known to Leia was going to take more planning than he had. But luckily, Leia already had an answer for him.

"---is nothing more than a puppet and coward. Yet he can be ruthless and act on his own." Leia finished for him.

"We could not have said it better ourselves." Mon Mothma said before Bail could open is mouth.

"Yes," Bail concurred, "Could not have said it better."

One week later...

"You're sure about this?" Breha was not convinced. "Last time she was not exactly well-behaved."

"I'm positive," Bail assured his wife, "Over the past week she has grown even more interested. It is time she saw for herself and was introduced. She needs to be well known and well liked. We need to encourage this while we can."

Breha nodded in understanding. They gave each other a goodbye kiss as Leia came out with Winter.

"All set?" Bail asked.

"All set." Leia replied.

"Before you go," Breha stopped Leia, "I have a present for you. Go on, open it."
From under her cloak, Breha pulled a package. Leia looked at it with interest. I was not normal for her to receive something when there was no holiday. The package had some weight to it, but had no set structure. It moved with ease when she pulled the flap up. Out of the package came a bright white dress. It was plain, there were no special seams, or embroidery, the only different thing about it was a large hood attached to the back. However, the package was not yet empty. Still inside, was another white dress. This one, however, was form fitting and had a small drape for the back and arms.

"For the Session and Reception, in that order." Breha was beaming, "Your new belt goes with both of them. I want you to make a good impression."

"Thank you." This was all Leia could think of to say. She was speechless. She was still in a daze as she hugged her mother and the ship lifted off.

As the stars turned to lines and they entered Hyperspace, Bail came in.

"Leia, we need to talk about a few things before reaching Coruscant."

"Alright," Leia said with a similar serious tone, realizing that this was important. As she sat down next to him she asked, "Should Winter hear this as well?"

"Now that I think about it, yes. Winter should hear this too." Bail smiled, "This is very important, for both of you." With that, Bail began:

"At about the time you were born Leia, there was a big change in the Republic.
We had been at war for nearly three years, and signs of stress and need for closure were popping up. Many Senators were worried. The Supreme Chancellor had too much power. They feared that when the war was over, he would not relinquish them. In the end, they were right.

"Palatine Eventually called an emergency session, and told all of the senate of an elaborate plan to take over by the Jedi that had failed. He said his deformity was a result of their attempt to kill him. As a result, Palpatine declared himself Emperor in order to maintain the Republic."

"But it is no longer a Republic if there is an Emperor," Leia added, "It doesn't make sense."

"Exactly," Bail Beamed, "There isn't a Republic anymore. There is an Empire."

"And where there are Empires, there are rebellions." Winter whispered.

"Rebellions?" Leia questioned, "There is a rebellion?"

"Yes," Bail replied, "Mon Mothma and I are at the head. We stay in the Senate in order to help in any way possible. Leia, I was hoping that just from the small amount of Session you saw earlier would help you to understand. The Imperial Senate means nothing anymore it is simply there for a transition. It has no real power, and could disappear at any moment. Time is dear, and must be used wisely. The question now is, are you willing to make the best of it?"

Leia's mind raced. Was she ready for this? The diplomatic training she already had, but could she use it correctly? Would it be enough?

"Yes, but I cannot do it alone yet."

"You won't have to." Both Bail and Winter said at the same time.

Leia smiled. "Well," she thought, "at least we're all in this together."