N-It all started out to be a normal but busy day for the youngling known as Runa Maberrie. Having just finished her courses with her tutor in the morning and now her basic training with Lady Tamé at the local dojo she was eager to spend some time with a few of her friends. Though her aunt and uncle were always strict about where she was and whom she was with on this day Runa was pleased to learn that she had permission to spend the rest of the afternoon playing with her friend, Talliya.

The young girl that Runa called her best friend was in actuality the daughter of a former security commander and his wife, both whom had served along side Saché in both the Empire and the resistance along with Saché and Soren. It was only through years of delicate and well earned trust that Runa was permitted to spend time with Talliya without Saché or Soren’s watchful eyes nearby. However all of this was missed on the youngling who was just happy to be able to spend some time away from her studies with a good friend.

At this time both girls -with Talliya’s mother nearby- were roaming through the local shops looking at all sorts of gadgetry and knick knacks that had caught the girl’s eyes. Runa, a rather big fan of anything related to sea creatures and swimming in general was fascinated by a new collection of ocean plushies that were on display. The silky material as the sign assured made it possible for one’s child to play with their toy in water as it promised it would immediately dry upon being removed from the tub or pool. Enthralled Runa decided right then and there she just had to ask Uncle Soren and Auntie Saché for an Opee plushie for her upcoming birthday. After all, her current sea stuffy was in much need of a partner one who could handle the wear and tear of the bathtub, nevermind the lake.

‘Oh Runa check this out!’ her friend called causing the young girl to rush over only to have her tattered and worn backpack knocked over some dolls off the counter. This too went unnoticed as her eyes widen to the sight of what she thought was the most impressive toys she had ever seen.

‘I have to ask my mom for one of these!’ Talliya said proudly pointing to a series of dolls based on a local cartoon most of the younglings enjoyed.

Runa beamed and nodded though her eyes were on something else entirely as she studied a box set design for amateur mechanics. Already her mind was crafting up creations she could build with it but even this was a passing thought as she caught sight of something even more impressive. ‘Oh look! A mini kitchen!’ Runa crowed in joy as she rushed over to take another look at the small oven and the baking set it came with. ‘I could bake cookies and cakes with this!’ she continued eagerly to her friend who was now equally impressed.

However, before they had a chance to discuss all the delicious things they could make together with it, Talliya caught sight of something -or someone rather that intrigued her. Poking Runa in the shoulder, she whispered in her ear while not so subtly motioning to the direction of the shops entrance. ‘Look, it’s one of those Jedi Knights my mom spoke about! I wonder if he has one of those magical swords!’

Runa furrowed her brow and rolled her eyes to her friend’s silly remarks about magical swords but her eyes nevertheless drifted to the direction Talliya was pointing to. ‘They’re called lightsabers, silly,’ she remarked softly in reply. However Runa was just as curious to see if the young stranger—who looked to be about her age if not a bit older—did indeed have one of the infamous swords she had heard about from her aunt and uncle.

In the reformatted Jedi Order, the young Padawans were often taken on trips together and allowed leisure time in which they could visit their families. Today was one such day and as Laic and the others living in the same apartment as him, who did not have families to go to, chose to spend his time wandering in the markets for trinkets and mechanical parts. Laic could have gone to the Kenobi residence as they were sort of family and always welcoming to him, but he never felt truly like he was family. Part of him felt he was undeserving of their kindness, even though he didn’t know the full extent of his father’s abuse of the Jedi Master. He also spent enough time with Uncle Obi-Wan that to get away from him was a nice change of pace.

Another Padawan, Garren, who trained with Master Windu, also didn’t have family anymore and Laic and he became fast friends. Garren said Windu found him with Master Arxia on some world besieged by the Vaders, the surname even then sent chills down Laic’s spine. But Laic had come clean and admitted straightaway that he was a Vader. He didn’t want to hide anything from his friend and knew that doing so, living in lies, would only come to haunt him later. For a young boy, Laic was very wise, even if he didn’t know he was. Garren appreciated the honesty and this only increased his loyalty to Laic, though he would tease him for having once been a prince. Laic took it as good-natured teasing and often got Garren back for calling him his slave or some such nonsense. They didn’t take their backgrounds seriously, for they were going to be protectors of the galaxy as Jedi Knights someday.

Today in the marketplace, something seemed strange or oddly out of place to Laic. He couldn’t put his finger on just what it was, but it felt familiar. Wandering with his nose in the air as though he were sniffing out the cause of the odd feelings, Laic wandered past a few stalls and shops. Something wasn’t right...or was it? He felt as though there were something he ought to know but couldn’t quite comprehend. It was itching in his brain and driving him mad. Glancing in one of the shops, his eyes fell on a brunette girl with freckles and wide, blue eyes. That’s when it clicked. ‘Runa,’ he breathed, hardly believing it was true. The last time he saw her, she was four. His heart jumped to his throat in expectation.

There were many times, especially recently, that he had asked of her. All he knew was that she was doing well, but not where she was or if he would be able to see her. Now she was here, right in front of him. His family. Despite joking around about it, deep down Laic really did wish for his family and to have a family as Isellé did. Now, seeing Runa again, it was as though the Force was giving him a sign, though of what for certain he had yet to find out.

When Runa set her eyes on the Jedi Knight the last thing she ever imagined was that he would not only take notice of her but come barrelling on over. Her eyes widened in embarrassment as the young Padawan caught sight of her. This was hardly the reaction she wanted and soon a deeply blushing Runa was absentmindedly returning the kitchen utensils she was eyeing onto the wrong shelf. Though she was hardly frightened by the approaching Jedi she knew she had been caught staring and was most embarrassed for it.

‘Oh gods he’s seen us!’ her friend whispered hoarsely.

Laic pulled her into a tight hug. ‘I’ve missed you so much! How are you? What have you been up to? Do you go to school here?’

Staring at him in confused concern now she could only blink in surprise at his words. Missed me!? But you don’t even know who I am! she thought frantically.

Talliya looked to her in impressed shock. ‘You know him?’ she breathed in awe as Runa not responding to Laic’s hug just looked at her friend with wide eyed concern as she shook her head weakly.

No, but he seems to think he knows me, she thought to herself before her attentions returned to the eager boy before her. ‘Who are you?’ she asked in wary tones as she moved to step back to withdraw from his hug. ‘I think you mistook me for someone else. I really don’t know who you are,’ she admitted in concern wanting nothing more than to leave this stranger and return to window shopping.

Laic was too overjoyed at seeing his sister again to register that she was not responding to his hug. Her shock was expected, but then her concern and desire to get away from him filtered in past his joy. ‘It’s me, Laic,’ he said, wondering if she had a head injury or something. ‘Your brother...’

Runa just stared at him in further confusion as the young boy before her explained told her his name as though she should not only know this but know he was her brother too. ‘My brother? What?’ she looked over at Talliya who was studying her with equal curiosity and confusion now. Her aunt and uncle very rarely spoke of her family and even then it was only at her insistance. It was for her safety that she didn’t know too much was the general reply though upon occasion a hint or two was given.

His eyes searched Runa’s hoping something would help her to remember. Surely, whoever she was living with told her she had a brother... They had to have told her! Laic didn’t even look at or acknowledge Runa’s friend as he was focused solely on his long-lost sister. ‘I’ve been training as a Jedi. I’m a Padawan with Uncle Obi-Wan, I mean Master Obi-Wan...’ He smiled genuinely at her.

Obi-Wan. That name she knew well from her basic studies, though she couldn’t be certain it was the same Obi-Wan she had learnt about in class. Master Kenobi as his formal title went was the only Jedi who had any connections to the infamous Vaders. In fact she had only recently learnt that the Jedi Master had been the emperor’s brother. The thought made her blood run cold. Though she knew nothing of this boy his simple statement caused her thoughts to run wild with fear and doubt. ‘Obi-Wan? As in Master Kenobi?’ Runa breathed before quickly shaking her head.

‘Yeah, Master Obi-Wan is great! He’s really wise and very patient with me, even when I don’t deserve it...’ he began to explain, but something stopped him. Runa’s fear and denial was deafening.

‘I don’t know who you are or why you want to trick me into thinking your my brother, but frankly I don’t find it funny at all!’

‘I’m not trying to trick you,’ Laic began again. ‘Why would I do something like that?’ he asked innocently, unaware of why Runa was acting this way. He knew why their parents had to give them up, though it was certainly not good to talk about it here. In fact, he was becoming quite hurt, to be honest, about how she didn’t believe him, nor seemed to want to.

This isn’t real, this can’t be real! This isn’t happening! Runa’s mind raced as she stared at Laic in disbelief. ‘This has got to be some joke, an awful one at that,’ she continued shaking her head as her mind began to piece it all together.

‘I just thought you would at least know about me...even if you didn’t recognise me,’ he added despondently. Maybe this wasn’t the best way of introducing himself. His eyes fell to the floor.

‘Did Kashé put you up to this? She did, didn’t she?’ Runa continued in agitation as she knew what some of her friends were like. ‘Well you can tell her that it’s mean to pull these sort of pranks on me!’ she snapped in reply before growing confused at his reaction.

When Runa yelled at him, accusing him of tricking her, he was dumbfounded. Shaking his head, he tried to protest, but she was having none of it. ‘This isn’t a prank!’

It was only then that she began to register the fact this was no joke. Runa’s face paled as her eyes flickered to Talliya who had been witness to it all. ‘I think you’ve mistaken me for someone else Jedi Laic. Now if you’ll excuse me I should be going,’ she murmured recalling her aunt’s words of advice. When in doubt, step back and figure it out. At one time she used to laugh at the silly rhyme as it made no sense to her, but now she was not laughing and right now she needed to get to the bottom of all of this. Preferably without the watchful eyes of Talliya or her mother who was now approaching to check up on the girls.

Then his sister was leaving his life again. Tears came to his eyes. ‘No, I’ll leave you two with your shopping,’ he said, knowing he’d feel better if he were to be the one leaving. ‘I’m sorry I bothered you.’ With that, Laic turned away from her and walked out of the shop. A single tear made its way unheeded down his cheek.

Frozen in silence Runa could only stare at Laic as he politely excused himself and departed. Though she wasn’t a Force sensitive, she wasn’t ignorant either and immediately felt torn at the fact she had obviously hurt him. But knowing it was too late now to undo the damage done the young girl decided her best course of action was to return home herself. There was just so much on her mind and too many questions that had been unanswered.

Laic struggled to keep his emotions together, but it was hard. He was shocked and deeply saddened by the way Runa reacted and treated him. Perhaps it was better this way. Perhaps it was for her safety to hate him and think he was a liar. He didn’t even hear a word his friend said as he stormed back to the Jedi Temple on his own.

‘That was weird. Why do you suppose he’d come out of no where and just blurt that out?’ Talliya asked a still shell shocked Runa who was staring at the shop’s entrance.

Weakly shaking her head Runa gave a shrug before turning her attentions to Talliya’s rather concerned ama who was now asking if they were both all right.

‘I think I should be going home, I have a lot of homework to do,’ Runa truthfully admitted though her homework was hardly related to school.

The young mother nodded in understanding as she apologized for not coming sooner having believed the young boy was one of their friends. The journey home was by far the longest Runa could ever remember but not nearly as long as the hours that would follow it.

Runa didn’t want to talk to anyone and as soon as she arrived home the ten year old was departing for her room. If there was one thing she loved about her aunt and uncle was the fact they respected her need for privacy. In this case it was needed more than ever before. Reminded of her aunt’s words Runa was quick to pull out her studies -a first for her as she normally dreaded homework. But this time this wasn’t about school but personal interest or in this case fear. Laic’s words continued to haunt her and the youngling feared that there was more truth to his statement than she wanted to admit. While she felt bad for hurting him and in reality was curious now about what her mysterious brother was like, the greater part of her feared the fact that she just might truly be a child of the feared and hated Vaders.

Scrolling down the data pad to the chapters she sought Runa found herself suddenly grateful that she was in the accelerated classes. The normal classes she should have been in for her age would hardly have this sort of knowledge available to her as it was considered too advanced. But Runa was considered too advanced for her classes and thus was placed in special courses designed for those who were considered honour students.

The information she did find however offered little answers to her questions as the history surrounding the Vader’s rule was too recent for decent records. Also there was the matter of security to tend to and as such certain information was kept purposely vague. The records pertaining to the Vader’s children being one of them. All that was mentioned in the data pad was that the Emperor and Empress suffered the loss of a daughter named Aené. A memorial it said could be found -unscathed no less- in and amongst the remnants of the palace. In the side notes there was a vague reference to the fact they had other children but nothing more was mentioned beyond that point. Uttering a curse she once heard her aunt use upon cutting her finger while in the kitchen Runa gave a frustrated sigh as she shut off her datapad and tossed it back onto her bed.

Ever since Runa returned home, Soren could tell she was in a foul mood. She didn’t seem like she wanted to discuss it either, much like her Aunt. There was only one solution. Soren slipped to the kitchen and returned to the room Runa was in with a plate of cookies and a tall glass of milk. He set it in front of her and grabbed a cookie from the plate to eat it, knowing she wouldn’t be able to resist. ‘Want to talk?’ he ventured.

Though she was hardly in the mood for a snack Runa was grateful for the company and was soon joining him. Her uncle’s question was to the point and with a soft sigh she eyed the cookies and milk before finally speaking. ‘Yes...and no. Well more yes but only because if I don’t figure this out I think my head is going to explode,’ Runa muttered finally.

‘Explode!’ Soren exclaimed, pretending to take her remark dead seriously. ‘Well the cookies will cushion the blast and the milk will definitely calm your head.’ He pushed the plate closer to her, but not without taking another for himself.

Runa giggled at her uncle’s attempts to lighten the mood as she couldn’t resist the offer of cookies and milk. Taking one of the cookies from the plate she promptly gave took a bite as her expression grew pensive. Mentally replaying the events that had occurred at the toy shop Runa couldn’t help but feel bad now for the way she had treated the young Jedi. She hadn’t meant to be so mean, but she was shocked at the news and the reality of it all. It was with this in mind that she began to speak.

‘I was at a toy shop today with Talliya and her ama when I ran into a Jedi boy named Laic -I think he said he was a padawan whatever that is- who seemed to think I was his sister,’ she began. Runa paused then and moved to sip from her milk only to hesitate and set the glass down once more as she studied it in concern.

‘But that’s not the worst part. He-’ she frowned then as her expression grew both troubled and disgusted. ‘Apparently he claims we’re related to Master Kenobi. The very Jedi Master my history books and tutor says was related to the Vaders. I don’t mind being related to either Laic or this Master Kenobi but I—’ she bit her lip feeling as though the walls were closing in around her. ‘Uncle Soren, please tell me that this Laic boy was just playing some awful joke on me?’ Runa said in desperate tones as she studied him with fearful blue eyes. ‘I can’t really be related to those awful people can I?’

When the name Laic was mentioned, Soren’s eyes widened and a sour feeling grew in his stomach. They hadn’t ever told her about Laic because they thought it would be for the best that she didn’t know...that it would only lead to questions... But it seemed Laic did enough of the revealing. Soren shook his head, not wanting to get into this because he wouldn’t lie to Runa. Saché was better at evading her direct questions than he was. ‘Laic Skywalker is your brother,’ Soren admitted softly. He was afraid the boy also told her of their parents, but hoped it wasn’t the case.

Runa studied her uncle in silent fervency desperately hoping that Laic had been wrong that he just mistook her for someone else. But his reaction only served to confirm her fears and in silence she bowed her head as she stared at her milk as though it held the answers she sought. ‘He was telling the truth after all...’ Runa murmured in quiet tones. Closing her eyes she fought back tears of anger and frustration. Why did Laic have to ruin everything? I was so happy before he had to come along and tell me what I didn’t need to know! Runa thought in anger as her small hands shook and then clenched into fists.

‘Why did he have to tell me that? Why couldn’t he just have left me alone? I don’t want to be a part of that family. They’re evil, they’ve hurt so many people...I don’t want to end up like that!’ Runa continued in panicked tones as she struggled to wrap her mind around it all.

Soren nodded at his adopted daughter’s words. Though he was sitting across from her, he moved to sit next to her, putting an arm around her shoulders. ‘He probably assumed that you knew all of this already.’

Runa fell silent as she found comfort in her uncle’s silent comfort. He always knew what to say and do to ease her troubled thoughts. However this time things weren’t so simple anymore and though she was still fearful of the discovery made she was grateful for his support.

‘I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about it. I just—’ He fell silent, hoping she wouldn’t be angry with him for not telling her the truth long ago. He was surprised the Jedi Master had told Laic all about his family, for Soren and Saché both felt it would be best if the children were unaware.

Runa shook her head as she looked up at him sadly. ‘I’m glad you and auntie didn’t tell me. I wish Laic didn’t have to tell me either. I was happier not knowing the truth.’ she murmured softly.

‘You won’t end up like that, Runa. You have a good heart and you’re a heck of a lot smarter than both of your parents, me and Saché included.’ He smiled at her.

Though his final words were meant to reassure her Runa’s thoughts were still racing. Though her uncle didn’t say it outright, his statement said all that needed to be said. As much as she wanted to believe that all of this was just a bad dream, or that she truly wasn’t a direct descendent of the Vaders Soren’s statement left no room for doubt. In silence, Runa bowed her head as she stared at her milk and the cookies on the plate. ‘You’re certain about that?’ she asked softly referring to her fears of becoming evil like her parents. ‘Will everyone hate me now because my parents are evil? I mean will I never be able to become—’ she gave a deep sigh as she closed her eyes forcing herself not to weep. ‘No one is going to let me protect them now because of this will they,’ she said quietly feeling as though her dreams for the future had now been all but crushed.

Soren hugged her tightly, knowing there wasn’t anything he could say to make it better. He tried to reassure her that she wasn’t going to be evil, but her words broke his heart. ‘They won’t hate you. Those who really know you would never hate you and would be glad to have you protect them. Anyone who doesn’t want to get to know the real you isn’t worth your time anyway, Runa.’

Silently she returned her uncles hug while trying to find what comfort she could to his words. She knew deep down that he was right but Runa couldn’t help but wonder if anyone would ever allow her to be her friend long enough so they’d know her. But it was as her uncle said only those worth her time would have such patience. Runa hoped that there would be at least one person out there that was like that and was grateful to know that her aunt and uncle had given her this chance. She tightened her embrace at this thought as a hint of a smile crept into her features.

He brushed her hair from her eyes. She was such a kind-hearted and giving child. There was no doubt in his mind that she would be the best at whatever career path she took. ‘It’s kind of neat to find out you’re a princess though, right?’

But as Soren drew back the hair from her eyes and tried to lighten the mood Runa furrowed her brow and wrinkled her nose. ‘I guess so...Though I’d much rather do what you and auntie Saché does, or maybe even be a knight like Laic.’ she frowned then as she recalled once more her harsh words to Laic.

‘Well I’m not sure about the Jedi training schedules or what they’re allowed or not allowed to do, but maybe you could invite him over here sometime?’ Soren suggested, although as he thought more on it, he figured making contact with Master Kenobi first would be better. By the time he thought of this it was too late, as he had already made the suggestion to Runa.

‘...I was so mean to him uncle. I wish I could tell him I’m sorry. I just didn’t know if he was just playing a trick on me. And then when I realised he wasn’t I got scared,’ she admitted sheepishly.

‘I’m sure he’ll understand when you speak with him,’ he assured her before scooted the cookies closer to her once again.

Runa’s expression lightened at her uncle’s suggestion though it soon grew sheepish and almost shy as she furrowed her brow nervously. ‘But I don’t have his private comm channel codes. Maybe I could see him at the temple and just invite him over?’ Runa offered in hopeful tones before fretting if he’d even talk to her again after the way she had treated him.

Soren nodded. ‘I think that would be all right.’ He knew the Jedi Temple was one of the safest places for the Vader children. He would escort her there, but wouldn’t need to accompany her inside.

With a far more relaxed mindset she silently grabbed another cookie and took a large bite from it. ‘I wonder what he’s like,’ Runa pondered out loud in curious tones before snickering as she told Soren of how her friend thought Laic’s lightsaber was a magic sword.

He chuckled at what he friend said about magic sword. ‘Who knows, maybe you have more in common than you think,’ Soren said lightly.

Runa gave a contented sigh of relief though it was obvious she was both curious and nervous about the thought of meeting her brother again. But soon her thoughts were shifting to the lighter aspects of her encounter with her brother and soon Runa was snickering at the memories as she took another cookie and began to munch on it. ‘I hope so,’ Runa said.

For seven years, Laic Skywalker trained with his uncle Master Obi-Wan Kenobi to be a Jedi. As the years passed after the fall of the Vader Dynasty, the Jedi Temple was eventually rebuilt and training of new Force sensitive younglings resumed. Those who had been relocated to Naboo were transported to Coruscant, but were permitted to visit their families. The Imperial Palace remained uninhibited and in disrepair, a testament to the evil that once resided there. It was an evil Laic never wanted to be a part of, an evil he thought would always infect him.

Today, his uncle told him that he would soon be going to the desert planet of Tatooine to be reunited with his parents. The last time he saw them, he was only five-years-old. He only knew a little surrounding the events that separated them, but he knew of the crimes they committed and the reason why Runa and he were given new homes. Even so, he knew it would be strange to see them again and became nervous about it. He tried to meditate, but it did little to help.

Laic kept thinking about his sister, Runa, whom he had run into by happenstance not too long ago. She didn’t remember him or the fact she even had a brother. It seemed she didn’t know who her true parents were either. Now he would be going to a planet he had only heard and read about with a sister who really didn’t seem to like him.

‘But couldn’t you come with?’ Laic asked his Master.

‘I will accompany you there, but I will not be able to stay,’ Obi-Wan replied softly.

‘Why not?’ Laic persisted. ‘What if they don’t even want me to be there? What if Runa still hates me?’

‘She doesn’t hate you,’ Obi-Wan replied. ‘She just needs to get to know you. Your parents have missed you so much, Laic. They will be very happy to see you again.’

‘Well how long do I have to stay there?’ he asked, already eager to get back to Coruscant and the familiarity of the Jedi Temple.

‘Until such a time that I come back for you,’ Obi-Wan said uncommittedly. He knew their family would take some time to heal and that the boy deserved to be with his parents as much as the other younglings in the Temple. So much had changed in the wake of the Vader Dynasty. Even Yoda no longer objected to having the families of youngling Padawan living in the Temple together. It was a blessing for Obi-Wan in more ways than one, as his daughter, Isellé, trained with Master Arxia.

The night before the journey to Tatooine, Laic tossed and turned. Finally giving up on sleep, he rose from his bed, and padded his way through the main living area he shared with other younglings who did not live with their families. Most of the younglings his age who were alone at the Temple had lost their parents in the war or their families chose to remain on their home-planets because it was less expensive than living on Coruscant.

He needed to get out. He needed air. Coming upon the leftovers of his latest mechanical creation, Laic picked up the remains and hurled it across the room, causing quite a noise as it crashed against the wall and broke in several pieces. He watched it shatter before stomping out into the hallway. He wasn’t supposed to leave the chambers after hours, but as he was leaving for Tatooine soon and not knowing when he would be returning, he didn’t much care about the rules. The young Padawan’s wanderings inevitably took him to the Garden of a Thousand Fountains, luckily too late in the evening and much too early in the morning to be heavily populated. If he had not been so caught up in his emotions, he would have been able to sense only three Force signatures, all of whom were in fine states of meditation until he arrived.

When he had walked far enough into the foliage, Laic fell to his knees, crying. This Temple had been his home for over half his life and now his parents just decided to take him back. Despite Master Obi-Wan’s words, he didn’t know if he’d really ever be back or how long it would be until then. He had friends here. He didn’t want to leave. Though the last time he saw his father, he wasn’t consumed by the scary dark side, there was so much else to be afraid of then with the rebels invading their palace home with intent to kill.

Over the years Laic had grown less afraid of using the Force, but even still, he was hesitant about the power, the abilities as though they were nothing more than a curse. He felt this even more strongly after seeing his sister again, for she had no Force sensitivity. He found himself jealous of her, jealous of her innocence. Unlike him, she wasn’t corrupted. Perhaps it was better for her to remain unaware of the truth of their family. No one ever asked him if he wanted this!

Furiously wiping his eyes, angry with himself for letting his emotions get the better of him, Laic closed his eyes once more, remaining on his knees as he begged the Force for guidance.

‘Don’t be afraid,’ a girl’s voice whispered to him.

It was strangely familiar and felt dear to him, though he couldn’t explain why. ‘I can’t help it,’ he replied.

He felt an odd warmth come over him and he ventured to open his eyes. The sight floored him. It was a young girl, not much older than himself, with long blonde hair and shining auburn eyes that matched his own. He gaped at her.

‘Everything will be all right, little brother. Trust me.’

‘Aené?’ he asked the Force spirit of his sister.

Aené nodded, smiling at him as though she had a secret she couldn’t tell. She drew nearer, cupping his face in her hand before leaning over to kiss his brow.

Laic only felt a slight impression as though made by the wind, but it was enough to fill him with courage.

‘Runa will need you during this trying time. It will be hard for both of you, I know, but she most of all needs your support and understanding.’

Laic exhaled a shaky breath before asking, ‘Will you come with me, please?’

‘I am always with you, dear brother.’

Even though he never met her in life, Laic felt as if he always had known her, as though she were part of him. This filled him with a sense of longing for his family, his mother and sister especially, wishing Aené could be there in body not just spirit. ‘I’m afraid,’ Laic whispered.

‘I know, Laic.’ As though reading his thoughts, Aené spoke up again, ‘Daddy will need you too.’

Laic sighed heavily at this, knowing it was now his mission, a sign from the Force that he would not be able to ignore. ‘Why?’ he whispered, but Aené was gone and there was no answer. He would just have to learn to be patient... It was one of those lessons Master Obi-Wan insisted he needed to work on. Now was the perfect opportunity.

A/N: Coming up - Anakin and Dormé are reunited with their children...