A/N: This story fits into the Star Wars timeline sometime after the book DarkSaber. It was written before Phantom Menace was released. Therefore, this has become my own little Star Wars universe, but at the time I originally wrote it I thought it fit in nicely with the movies and books that were available. I've tried to update it slightly with the movies but have not attempted to blend with any of the newer books. I'm posting the first few chapters. Should any of you enjoy this, let me know and I'll continue posting. The main characters I owe to the creative geniuses of Timothy Zahn, Barbara Hambly, Kevin Anderson and, of course, George Lucas.

I'm not doing this for money. I just thought that after saving the galaxy that Luke deserved to enjoy himself a little.

JEDI TRADITIONS

PREFACE

The slim, elegant man crossed the living area of the vacation home in which he was staying with his wife and new born child. His hair was swept back off his face, hanging to just below his collar, displaying a slight touch of gray at his temples. Even though he did not wear a cape, one could almost imagine a floor-length mantle swaying gently behind him as Emil Quintilian hurried to the entrance of the miniature castle

"Welcome, my old friend!" he exclaimed as he saw who stood in the doorway of the small retreat. "I was hoping the Force would touch you. I can think of no one I would rather have as a godfather for my daughter."

"Daughter! Your wife has given birth to a girl?" the visitor questioned.

"Yes, why are you surprised?"

"The birth has caused a turbulence in the Force – and a link with Skywalker's son. For two years, I have waited since his birth for another ... but I had assumed it would be another boy ... a future Jedi. Instead ..."

"No! I do not care what tradition demands. I will not saddle my daughter with that monster's son."

"Emil, she cannot escape her destiny anymore than the rest of us can. Yoda sent me because he felt the connection of the children's souls. You know what this means."

Quintilian turned away and began to pace the room. "There is no mistake?"

The visitor shrugged. "You know as well as I do that it is never possible to know exactly what will come about – the future is always in motion. We will just have to watch as they grow and try to guide them in the ways of the Force."

Quintilian quit pacing and his visitor laid a hand on his shoulder.

"I am sure that the children are bound together. Yoda has sent a gift. I've not seen it, but perhaps it is something that will add to our knowledge." The visitor opened a small leather pouch and poured the contents into his hand. He smiled at Quintilian. "He must have known that instead of a companion, your child would be a mate for the son of Skywalker."

Quintilian chuckled at the sight of the crystal necklace in his friend's hand. "I see Yoda has not lost his sense of humor."

"What do you mean?"

"Come meet your new goddaughter. I felt the Force would provide a guardian for her so I have not yet named her. As her godfather, that is your right."

The two men went into the nursery. The proud father picked up the one day old baby.

"Isn't she beautiful!"

The visitor laughed. "Spoken like a true father. Let me hold her."

The baby was passed from one man to the other. She laughed up at the new face in her world.

"I see what you mean about Yoda's sense of humor. Her eyes are the exact shade of the crystal." The visitor looked at Quintilian. "I would say that Yoda has named her. Amethyst is the only name possible for someone with eyes that shade of violet."

Quintilian reached out and lightly stroked the baby's head. "I guess if I give her to the boy, if he doesn't become a Jedi, it will not be binding anyway."

"That is true. Only a true Knight will recognize the ceremony. If we're wrong – if he does not become a Jedi – he will not honor our traditions. She will be free to follow her altered destiny."

Her father nodded. "It is a rare honor. There has been no Bride of the Force for almost 500 years. Come – bring her into the other room. I want her mother to know."

The two men entered the sleeping quarters where the baby's mother was resting. The beautiful woman smiled at the visitor. They explained to her their plans for the baby.

"As you know, I was raised on a distant world," she spoke to the visitor with a heavily accented voice, "and was raised knowing nothing of the Jedi. But I felt my soul reach out to Emil's the first time we met. On my world, we did not call it the Force, but what I have learned living with Emil has made me believe that we revere the same power. I am honored to have given birth to a child that may help the Jedi avoid the destruction that seems to hang over them."

Quintilian took the baby in his arms again.

"Guided by the Force, I am lead that my child, Amethyst, is the true soul mate of your godson. I feel, through the Force, that it is her destiny to be his consort. I pledge to see her raised in the ways of the Jedi so she will be a proper wife for a Knight. I name you as her godfather. Should I be prevented from fulfilling my promise, it is your obligation to consummate this pledge. I betroth my daughter's body and mind to your godson, and entrust her to his care and protection. May they grow in love and knowledge of each other. May they grow in understanding and devotion to the Force."

Quintilian handed the baby to his visitor.

"I accept your daughter for my godson. In doing so, I accept my responsibilities as her godfather as well. I, too, feel that they are destined as soul mates. I pledge to see he is trained as a proper Jedi to be worthy of this Bride of the Force, such as is given to so few. I betroth my godson to the protection of your daughter. May the Force be in the union of Amethyst and Luke."

As if on cue, the baby began to fuss. She was handed to her mother to be nursed.

"Here, let this be the token of their espousal." The visitor handed the young mother the amethyst pendant Yoda had sent.

"Thank you," the woman said softly. "With my daughter promised to a future Knight and with you as her godfather, I will not fear for what lies in her future. When we return to the palace I will know she will be safe. You have brought me much peace and happiness this day, Obi-Wan Kenobi."

More than three decades passed.

An empire rose and fell.

The guardians of the galaxy disappeared from sight.

A rebellion successfully established a New Republic.

Twins who had been separated at birth and raised without knowledge of each other were reunited.

New friends were met and lifelong companions were made.

Heroes were revealed.

A princess married an adventurer.

A rebel base became the primary military base for the new government.

The adventurer and a con man became generals and co-commanders of the largest military base in the galaxy.

The last Jedi grew to full manhood. He served the New Republic as the old Jedi had served the Old Republic.

But finally he began to feel an emptiness in his soul.

TBC