A fun little ficlet

[matril]

Darn. It's 2008 and I didn't meet my goal to submit my novel for publication by the end of the year. It's not that I ran out of time working on it; it's about as ready as it'll ever be. I'm just a coward. But I'm not going to give up just because I couldn't find enough courage by December 31 - I mentioned this to my family and I expect I'll have them all kicking me in the backside until I go ahead and submit it.

Meanwhile, I got an idea for a rather humorous post-ROTJ scene (which completely ignores the EU, thank you very much) and I thought it would be a good idea to sharpen up my writing skills. So here we go.


It had become almost absurdly easy to call on Obi-Wan or Yoda - not quite as simple as clicking on a commlink, but not far from that. Father was a bit harder to reach; apparently the pursuit of peace that had eluded him in life was keeping him very busy in the afterlife. But in any case it was one or both of his old masters that Luke was hoping to speak to this time. He couldn't keep a slight smile from slipping onto his face as he summoned them in the solitude of his meditation chamber, already anticipating their reaction to what he was going to ask.

Yoda had the look of someone who had been woken from a long sleep, but there was no annoyance in his tone as he nodded at Luke. "A question you have for me?"

"Yes, Master Yoda." Luke fought back his smile. "I've been retrieving the old archives here on Coruscant, the ones that escaped the Emperor's purge. It's been quite fascinating to read about the Republic and the Order." He noted the smallest bit of discomfiture slide across Yoda's face before being hastily hidden. With careful casualness Luke went on, "There's a few things about the Order you never mentioned, Master Yoda."

"Hmph. A storyteller, I am not," Yoda said evasively.

"That's all right. Artoo has already told me plenty of stories," Luke said pleasantly. "But there's something in the archives that was new to me." He looked sideways at Yoda. "This no-marriage rule in the Jedi Order." Yes, Yoda was definitely squirming. "It seemed to be considered quite important. Very strictly enforced. And yet in all my training, both by you and Ben, I never heard about it."

"More important things, there were..." Yoda was actually muttering.

"Ah, I see." Luke paused. "It's strange, though. Between what I've heard from Artoo, and what I've pieced together from the archives, it would seem that much of my father's problems came from the fact that he wasn't supposed to marry my mother. Isn't that right?"

Yoda was practically scowling. "Speak to Obi-Wan, you should. His apprentice, Anakin was."

Obi-Wan appeared almost instantaneously, looking positively sheepish. "You've been listening all this time, haven't you?" Luke said. Ben's face took on that "certain point of view" look, and Luke hastily went on before he could say anything. "So what's your answer, Obi-Wan? Why not mention this rule that carried such great importance with the Order?"

Ben frowned uncomfortably. "Times have changed, Luke. Different circumstances, you know...with all the other Jedi killed off..."

Luke looked from Obi-Wan to Yoda, seeing them exchange a glance. He blinked. "You were hoping I could breed more Jedi for you."

Obi-Wan flinched. "Such an uncivilized word."

Luke found himself laughing. "But true nonetheless."

"Please try to understand," Ben said desperately. "Your midichlorian count is considerable. You and your sister are the only ones we knew of with any potential Jedi powers. To counsel against marriage would have been -"

"Oh, I'm not angry," Luke said, finally feeling sympathy for his old master's obvious discomfort. "I can't help thinking that if my father had followed this no-marriage rule, my sister and I wouldn't exist. I'm amused, really. Especially when I imagine how Leia would have responded to anyone who tried to keep her from marrying Han." Even Ben had to let out a chuckle. "The thing is, I'm planning on getting married myself." He was pleased to see both Yoda and Obi-Wan completely flabbergasted. "It's someone I met in Mos Espa while looking for my father's old home," he went on smoothly. "Smart, kind, very level-headed, though she's certainly up for a bit of excitement every now and then. I don't suppose I could find anyone better suited to be married to a Jedi. Besides, I love her." He smiled.

Yoda found his voice first. "This woman, is she -?"

"Sensitive to the Force? Sorry, no," Luke answered pleasantly. "Midichlorians not much higher than the average count. I admit being quite relieved. If she had Jedi potential, she would have to be my pupil. I'd rather she were my partner." He looked at both his old masters. "Now are you going to try to discourage me?"

Obi-Wan laughed outright. "I know better than to try to keep a Skywalker from marrying." His face took on an expression that Luke supposed was an attempt at mock seriousness. "You do realize it's your duty to produce as many children as possible."

"Hmm. I think that decision is up my wife," Luke laughed. "But being a father is a duty I'll take on more gladly than any other."

Comments

[lazypadawan.livejournal.com]

Nice ficlet. may_child would love the fact Luke's intended isn't Mara ;).

[matril.livejournal.com]

I'm always glad to please fellow Mara-haters. :)