Leia followed closely, as Maz led her down a gravelly path, towards a set of abandoned stone buildings, tucked away among the trees. "Thank you again for this," she said earnestly, as they fell into step with each other. "I don't know many people that would have helped us. If any."

Looking up, Maz focused her deep-set eyes on Leia's face. Ancient eyes, that bore straight through her. It was rather disconcerting, but Leia did not to look away, she had nothing to be ashamed of. That what they had wanted, for her to feel shame. Unconsciously she gritted her teeth. Even now, she could feel the council member's hostile stares on her, like an uncomfortable itch. It was a satisfaction she refused to give them. She met Maz's eyes head on. It was one she refused to give anyone.

Maz frowned slightly at her expression. "There is no need for that. The chosen one's work is not yet done," she said. "But as you already know, most will not see that way."

Leia found no hostility on Maz face, only understanding. In fact, she had been nothing but understanding, ever since they had showed up here, with their rather dubious cargo. It made Leia feel slightly foolish for her overreaction. Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to relax.

She nodded, managing a smile instead. "I do. But it's done, there is no turning back now."

Maz gave a thoughtful nod, before they continued down the hill in silence. Soon the top of Kian's ship became visible beneath the canopy of trees.

Maz stopped. "We all have our part to play Leia, and you will find yours," she said softly. "It might not have been the one you wanted, but it's the one that's lies ahead of you."

"Perhaps," she replied dully. "I just wish the choice had truly been mine."

"Dear child," Maz lifted her goggles to the side, eyes mild as they looked up at her. Lifting a small hand, she pointed down towards a dark figure seated on a bench, in the shade of a small stone hut. "You are not the first one, thrown into a role you did not want. And you will not be the last. "

In the sharp sunlight, Leia squinted down at the figure. But there was really no need, she already knew who it was. She knew it in the same way, she knew Luke was close by.

Just like Luke, she felt him more strongly than anyone else. Perhaps it was because they were all powerful in the force. Or simply because they were family, always connected by blood, now by something more. Though when it came to her father, she was still not sure what that meant. Perhaps she never would. It was simply what it was. Maybe that was enough. It would have to be.

She started to move away, but Maz grabbed her hand, gently twisting her back around. "The force flows through all of us. In those as powerful as you, the shadow is always a threat. But remember, it's not our blood that condemns us, but our actions. And they are always all our own."

Leia frowned down at her, "That's what I am afraid of," she admitted.

Maz gently patted her hand. "Don't be. It's the light that calls to you, not the dark. Just listen and you will know the difference."

Leia swallowed, managing a tight smile in response. Maz returned the smile, but Leia noticed, it did not quite reach those ancient eyes. Eyes that had no doubt seen a great deal of the past. As they gazed up at her now, Leia got a distinct feeling, that perhaps like her, they might have seen some of the future. A future that might turn out to be as bleak, as the one they had just managed to destroy. And she could not help but wonder, if that was the case, if they had truly won at all.

"I will try," she replied. Lifting her head, she stared over at her father again, he was still seated motionless on the bench. From here, he looked harmless. But she remembered. She would always remember. The ruthlessness, the cruelty. The anger.

As she moved, her lightsaber bumped up against her thigh, reminding her of its weight, of the burden of her blood. Good men did fall, she knew that. And when they did, they fell as far, as they once had soared. And there was no denying the rage that lived within her own heart. If she chose to do this, she had no idea what would keep her from falling. From following in her father's footsteps.

"Maz, "she asked, as some of Maz's earlier words returned to her. Words she had heard her speak once before. "Who, or what is the chosen one?"

Maz tilted her head, casting a meaningfully glance over at Anakin. "That is not my tale to tell. It's your father's, "she replied, giving Leia's hand one last squeeze, before pushing her gently in the direction of the bench. "Go now child. We will speak again soon."

Reluctantly Leia made her way down towards Anakin. He had left his hood down, and from this angle, she could see the ragged scar that went across his bald head, cutting into his pale flesh. It was impossible to look at him now, without also remembering what they had witnessed in the prison tomb. Agony beyond comprehension. Acts beyond forgiveness. Yet, this man was her blood. Her father. Even now, that thought was strange to her. Unreal.

He looked up at her approach, eyes crinkling at corners as he smiled. "Leia," he said warmly.

She hesitated, suddenly feeling very awkward. When she had left, he had still been out of it, barely even breathing. But in the end, it seemed nothing could kill this man. Once, that would have caused her no end of grief, now she was glad at his persistence.

And he had done it all for her.

That uncomfortable thought, made her look away beneath his gentle scrutiny, instead focusing her attention on the grass beneath her feet. Twisting her white boots into dirt, she resisted the temptation to kick at a tuft of grass, just by the foot of the bench.

The last time they had spoken, she had called out to him like a frightened child. Like a little girl. But she was no child, she was a grown woman, responsible for her own actions. And now she couldn't help, but to some extent, feel responsible for him as well. After all, he was only here because of her.

She pretended to study the tip of her boot, it was so small in comparison to his black ones. It hadn't occurred to her until this very moment, that reaching for him in the way she had, would make her feel small in other ways. Small and exposed, in a way that had nothing to do with size. If he wished, he could hurt her now. Hurt her, in a way he had never been able to do before. A stranger for a father hurting her was one thing, one that knew her was another. And now it would be her fault if he did, because she would had have given him the tools to do so. Her trust.

She bit the inside of her cheek. His large boots did not move from their spot on the grass, they didn't even twitch. Nor did he say anything, she almost wished he would. But she knew he was waiting, waiting for her. The only thing left to do, was hope her trust in him was not misplaced.

"So," she started uncertainly, before dropping down onto the bench next to him. Clearing her throat, she finally looked up at him. "You look a lot better."

Anakin gave her another small smile, easing some of her tension. He was still pale, but there was a warmth in his eyes she had not seen before, that gently offered her comfort without words.

Whatever her mother had told him, it had lit him anew. But the bottomless sadness still lingered there, behind his smile. She felt it, as much as she saw it, and she was no stranger to sadness. They had that in common at least. That, and the rage. Although he seemed to have been able to let his go, she had no idea if she could. Not entirely. That was too much to ask.

"I do feel a lot better, thanks to your good doctor," he replied.

"That's good," she replied, fiddling with the fabric of her white trousers.

"Were you with the rebels?" he asked, after another awkward pause.

Her head snapped up. "The alliance, "she said sharply. "And now, the new republic."

Anakin grimaced. "Sorry Leia, it's just an old habit," he replied, rather sheepishly.

She relaxed her suddenly stiff shoulders, letting out a breath she didn't even know she had been holding. It seemed, he was not the only one giving in to old habits. After having spent most of her life hating this man, these new emotions, whatever they were, defined or undefined, left her feeling confused.

Anakin on the other hand looked relaxed, one of his hands resting on the moss covered stone by his thigh. It was only then, she realised he wasn't wearing gloves.

He noticed her stare. "Hideous, isn't it?" he asked, lifting his hand fletching the metal fingers in the sunlight.

She lifted her eyes to study his face. His metal skeleton, the scars, they all made him to recognizable. Though luckily, not many people had ever seen his face.

"We could get that covered up?" she asked carefully.

He gave her an odd look. "I don't like pretence," he said, tapping the fingers against the stone surface. "Nothing can change what I am. You may cover it up, but you can never truly hide what's underneath."

"It's not about hiding," she protested rather weakly. Before she had always seen him as a brute, as an enforcer of someone else's will. But there was a shrewd intelligence behind those blue eyes.

"Isn't it?" he asked, as they narrowed slightly at her, searching her face intently. "Whatever it is, it's certainly about deception. What have you done Leia?"

She gave him an angry glare, "What I had to."

"And that is exactly? I am no fool– "his metal hand pointed to the forest surrounding them. "And this is certainly no alliance prison."

Leia shifted her glare over to Luke, who was seated next to Ahsoka, beneath the shade of a large tree, chatting happily.

"Luke didn't tell you, did he? Typical," she sighed, before muttering under her breath, "Leaves it to me to take the blame, does he? I suppose this is what it's like to have a sibling."

When she turned back to Anakin, he looked more amused than angry at her outburst. She bristled. "I don't know why you are upset with me. Your free. I would think you would prefer that, to imprisonment."

"I'll never be free. Not in this life at least," he said softly, avoiding her gaze for a moment, before shaking his head. "But this isn't about me. Or what I want. And even if was. What I want, is to never hurt you again." He looked so sincere, she swallowed.

"I know that."

His expression softened, and he continued in a gentler tone. "If this is discovered, all they will ever see you as is Darth Vader's accomplice, there will be no going back. That's the very last thing I would want for you."

Something inside her snapped, and she flew to her feet, turning to stand before him. For once taller then, he was. "They already do!" she bit out, unable to hold back her bitterness. He flinched. "To the galaxy all I am now, is Darth Vader's spawn. "She held a hand to her face, blocking out the light, the bitterness. Not wanting to see his grief-stricken face. Or for him to see hers, "So, tell me, in the end what does it matter?"

He bowed his head. "Please don't call yourself that."

Her anger faded, at the sorrow in his voice. "I am sorry," she said, not quite sure why she apologizing to him, of all people. Faced with their glares, their suspicion, she had wanted to lash out at the council, at all of them. But her dignity hadn't allowed it. Yet here she was, doing it in front of him.

Again.

He seemed to bring it out in her. She dropped her hand, as another more unsettling thought hit her. Perhaps it was because he made it so easy. He listened to all of it, endlessly patient. He was doing, as she was starting to realise, exactly what she had known he would. But this was all still to odd, their relationship still too raw. She almost took a step back at the revelation, but his quiet voice stopped her.

"Never apologize to me Leia, you owe me nothing."

At his words, she sank back down on to the bench instead, dropping her head into her hands. "I know. It's just... I am just so tired of being angry," she admitted. "Of being angry at them, for their judgement. Of being angry at you," her breath hitched in her throat, as another unwanted truth surfaced. "I am tired of hating you, of forcing myself to hate you. And now hating myself for not hating you enough. I can't do it anymore." She twisted away from him, focusing on tree somewhere in the distance, its vivid green colours blurring before her eyes. Angrily she blinked.

"Leia, "he said softly, as cold fingers gently touched her hand, where it was now resting on the bench, besides his. From the corner of her eyes, she saw where his fingers touched her skin. Metal to flesh.

"You don't have to. You don't have to do anything you don't want to do," he said gently. But when he saw her stare, he retracted, as if he had just realised what he had done. She almost reached after him. To bring it back. It was an odd sensation, and still so foreign to them both.

He cleared his throat, resting his hand in his lap instead. "And in the end, it does matter Leia. The revelation of your parentage is not only news to you, but to everyone. You have to give them time to adjust."

"Now you sound like Luke."

He smiled sadly at that." I wish that was true."

"Perhaps you are both right. Yet– "she hesitated, unclipping her lightsaber from her belt, she held in her open palm.

"I fear it won't matter in the end, none of what we have achieved will. After all this, it was all for nothing," she said bitterly, unable to help it her fear spilling out. The warm sun caressed her skin, trying to warm her, but it reached only skin deep. She was so tired, after having used all her willpower to rid herself of one nightmare, she didn't know if she had the strength to face another. Not alone at least.

Anakin stayed quiet for a while, but she could almost feel him thinking. "So, you did have a vison. I feared as much."

Leia nodded, forcing herself, she turned back to his honest face. "Most of it is fading. But I have only ever felt such horror in my life once. When I watched Alderaan burn. And all I know, is that I need you to help me. This cannot happen again. I won't allow it!"

His eyes were gentle, earnest as they searched hers, "You know I will help you Leia, however I can. But basing your life on fear of what might happen, is no way to live. One look at me should tell you that."

"It's not a vision of might happen, that wants us dead, now is it?" she snapped, feeling suddenly defensive, her hand tightened around her lightsaber. "Someone very real tried to kill Luke, and you."

"I know, and we will figure out the truth. But we won't do so guided by fear," he continued in a gentle tone, seemingly unfazed by her ire. "Sometimes, we can't stop bad things from happening, no matter how much we may want to. You are not responsible for any of it Leia. Help if you can, if you want to. But there is a world of difference between helping, and carrying everything on your own shoulders. That is too heavy for anyone to carry. Even someone as strong as you."

"I do know that," she replied. "But tell me, what is the point of it then? Why do I see these things if I am not meant to do anything about them?"

"I honestly don't know, "Anakin said quietly. He seemed to hesitate, looking down into his lap. "To me, your mother's death was not a vision, it was a certainty. And it drove me mad."

Leia had to strain to hear his softly spoken word. He did his best, but she knew Padme was still a sore subject. "That's what you saw in your vison wasn't it? Her death," she asked. Although she already knew the answer.

His pain flared at her question, and she drew back on instinct, he didn't seem to notice, lost in his own thoughts for a moment.

"Every night. Over, and over again. Unrelenting, unending," he said in a hoarse whisper, shaking his head slightly. "I couldn't eat, I couldn't sleep. All I could hear every time I closed my eyes, was her calling to me, begging for my help." His eyes flew to hers, and beneath the pain, Leia saw a determination there she recognized, another thing they shared.

"I was willing to do anything. Kill anyone to make it stop. Just to silence her screams, to keep her safe." He lifted his right hand, clenching it into a loose fist. "You have seen with your own eyes how well that ended."

He dropped his hand, squeezing his eyes shut, before whispering. "In the end, it was my fear that destroyed her."

Leia said nothing, just watched him as he drew in a deep breath, sagging in on himself slightly.

When he opened the again, they seared right through her with their intensity. "Do not let fear destroy you too. Please."

Unable to look at him anymore, she twirled the lighsaber in her hands. Playing with the button, but she didn't turn it on. Maybe the best thing would be if she threw it away. "There is so much anger in me," she began uncertainly.

Anakin said nothing just watched with his kind sad eyes. They both knew he saw it in her, perhaps as an echo of himself. Her anger, her rage, but most of all her fear.

A beam of sunlight hit the sabers shiny surface, making it sparkle. It was new, untainted. But she wasn't. "I believe that through politics, through thought, we make a better future. Not with weapons, and violence."

Anakin seemed to relaxed a bit at her words. "Now you sound so much like your mother."

She smiled at that. "Perhaps, but I am also like you. I will fight when I have too. And perhaps even when I don't," she admitted.

Anakin leaned back against the stone wall. "You know, your mother would fight when she had to as well, make no mistake about that. "

He studied her for a long moment," Leia, will you tell me what is really bothering you? If not me, then Luke. Or Han."

She opened her hand, staring at the saber. ""It's this. No matter where I turn, it always comes back to this. This gift, or curse, whatever it is. And I am not like Luke," she bent her head, before pushing the words out on a whisper. "I am afraid of it. Of what it could do to me." She looked up at him. "Of what it could make me into. "There it was, it was done, she had said it. Speaking the words felt like easing a burden. She had never said it out loud, not even to Luke. Though she knew he suspected that was one of the reasons she had turned down his offer to train her.

"I know you are Leia," Anakin replied. She searched his face but found no trace of mockery.

He smiled sadly. "In some ways, it would be stranger if you weren't afraid. I have made sure of that."

She rose from the bench. "I would throw this thing away, and never look at it again if I could. But I can't can I? This power is a part of me whether I want it to be or not. And I meant what I said, I will not stand by and watch this happen again. And if this is the way to best help. Then so be it."

Making her mind up, she held the saber out towards him. "Will you teach me?"

He hesitated, making no move to take it. "Luke could do that, Leia."

"I know that. But I want you to." When he said nothing, she spoke again. "Are you not supposed to be the best after all?"

"At killing perhaps," he replied bitterly.

Now she was the one to hesitate, "That's not why I want you to be the one to teach me, and you know it, "she turned away from him, feeling exposed again. "You know. You understand. More than Luke does."

She heard a rustling sound behind her, as he moved. And then he was standing in front of her. He touched her shoulder, in a firm but gentle grip. "I do understand. But I also know, in the end, the only one that can keep your rage in check, is yourself. I cannot do it for you."

She looked up at him. "So, you won't help me then?"

"I didn't say that. But I won't lie to you either. This path is dangerous for someone as angry as you are."

She tried to push him off, "So, you think I will end up like you after all. That's why you don't want to teach me?"

He let her go, but held his hand out. "No, you are a lot smarted than me, for one. I refused to talk to anyone about what was bothering me. So, I will make you a deal." Her saber flew from her hand into his. "If you keep talking. I will. To me to Luke, to anyone. Just don't try to do it alone. Promise me that."

She nodded. "I promise,"

That seemed to satisfy him and he smiled, giving her the saber back. She clipped it onto her belt.

"Good. Although I warn you, I am rusty at this. Like I am at everything else," he looked over his shoulder towards Ahsoka, "I haven't trained anyone in a very long time."

"That reminds me, I brought you something," she said. Digging into her pocket, she pulled out the strand of beads, holding her hand out towards him. He didn't move. "Take it," she insisted. "I had thought to give them to Ahsoka myself, but somehow I think you should be the one to do it."

He eyed the beads dubiously, a flash of old hurt flickering in his eyes. It was brief but she noticed it all the same.

"She is here," she said, pointing over towards the tree. "She is right here, despite everything. At least try, to make an effort. For her sake, if you can't for your own."

Anakin looked her in the eyes now, but still made no move to take them from her.

Exasperated she reached forward and grabbed his hand, and pushed the beads onto the mechanical palm. "Don't be stubborn. Take them."

When she let go, his clasped his hand shut. Judging by his expression, it looked to her, like he was holding a poisonous snake. Not a harmless set of beads.

Anakin gazed back across the clearing, towards Ahsoka. "There are some moments in your life that feel monumental. That make an impact, that stays with you forever. Good or bad." He turned and looked her straight in the eyes. "I think you more than most, know what I mean."

Leia looked down, swallowing hard at his words. The loss of Alderaan still hurt, it would always hurt. Yet, the ache had dulled somewhat. Her living nightmare finally over. But she knew it would never truly fade. Some scars simply ran to deep. But she would learn to live with it, she had to let go. For her own sake.

Anakin unclenched his hand, his thumb caressing the beads gently. "This is such a little thing in comparison to all that. Yet to me, at that moment in my life, it felt like everything. Like another thing taken from me, another person that abandoned me," he laughed bitterly, "I was such a selfish creature. Making it all about me, when it wasn't. Had I been any wiser I would have seen that, and not taken it as a personal insult." His voice trailed off, and he bent his head. "Or another failure."

"You are talking about when Ahsoka left the order?" she asked.

He nodded. "After she was proven innocent. I asked her to stay. Offering her these very beads," he hesitated. "She refused them. I suppose I only kept them in some faint hope, she would return to the Jedi one day," he shook his head ruefully. "No that isn't true. Not to the jedi. To me."

"You are afraid," she whispered, as it dawned on her. The reason for his hurt, his fear. "You're afraid, she will reject you again."

His head snapped up. "Am I?" he stared at the beads in disbelief, "Perhaps I am."

"Give them to her now," she told him. "Believe me, she will take them."

"How do you know?"

She arched an eyebrow. "For someone so smart, you can be incredibly stupid."

"Now, that is true," he agreed, "Or else, I doubt I would have ended in this mess to start with."

Leia shrugged, "If emotions were rational, we would all be machines. It seems to me, your head wasn't the problem, as much as your heart."

Dubiously he looked down at himself, "Perhaps, but that doesn't excuse anything."

She nodded. "I know, and don't look to me for absolution."

A sad expression crossed his face, but he nodded. "I never will Leia. Not from anyone. Least of all you."

Uncomfortable she glanced away. "The way I see it, Ahsoka is as foolish as my brother. She loves you anyway, regardless of all you have done."

After a moment, she glared back at him, "I will never understand how you do that, make people care for you, despite the fact you were literally their worst enemy."

Anakin cocked his head, but said nothing. He did not bring up the words she had spoken to him, in their vison. When exhaustion, and fear of losing another person, had gripped her. Nor did he press, or ask her for anything. And for that she was grateful.

"No one is as surprised as me, as that particular turn of events, "he said finally. She heard the smile in his voice, before she saw it.

"Well, maybe except for you."

At his words, she smiled despite of herself. "Come, let's go,"

He nodded. The mid-afternoon sun was getting warmer, she glanced up at Anakin's pale face. At this rate, he would get a sun burn. "At least put the hood back up."

He lifted his head to the sun, closing his eyes. "No, I think I like it this way."

"Suit yourself, but it's your own fault if you burn."

He turned towards her, opening his eyes.

"It always is Leia."

Notes: I am alive:) Thanks for all your kind words as usual. I always appreciate it. Sorry about the really long wait.

IntelEwok Awwww:) Thank you for that. I am always cautious about writing scenes directly from the movies, since they have already been shown. When I read fanfics myself, I want to see something new, not just a rehash. So I am glad you loved the prologue so much.