The concourse outside the ceremonial halls was thronging with people as Han, Luke and Chewbacca approached, pushing their way through the crowd and being allowed past the Alderaanian security guards to mount the steps up to the venue. The ceremonial building itself was an imposing structure of white stone, arranged in layers of arching pillars and curved lines. The carving still reminded Han of gigantic bones and the inside of the hall, more so.

The main hall was the largest room Han had ever seen, with an enormous curved marble staircase descending to the main floor area. At the far end rose another smaller staircase rising to a dais on which had been arranged a pedestal, and on the pedestal, a metal box with heavy hinges and reinforced corners. Han assumed it contained Leia's orb. The vast space between the two staircases was framed by a row of the gigantic bone-like arches that broke up the floor area, forming an aisle down the centre, and around which gathered several hundred people. Mon Mothma and various other dignitaries stood nearby, some of whom Han recognised from his few previous visits.

He exchanged a look with Luke and Chewbacca gurgled quietly. The hall hummed with the sound of a hundred  conversations.

"No, pal. This place makes the Yavin Throne room look like a refresher unit."

"Are these people all Alderaanian?" Luke asked, trying to take in the crowd.

"I think so," Han confirmed. He guessed that their smart attire of various styles, all in the blue and white colours of Alderaan, was a confirmation of that.

Luke looked around the hall at the huge banners that were hanging down from the ceiling, supported by curved metal frames that complemented the line of the arches. All were alike; blue with a cream-coloured horned animal symbol.

"Is that Leia's symbol?" he asked Han.

"Yeah, I've seen it on her uniform. I think that's the Organa household crest." Chewbacca growled nervously. He didn't like crowds and, although this one seemed peaceful enough, he was expressing his wish to be somewhere else. "It'll be alright, pal," he reassured his friend. "Leia asked us to be here so try to put a brave face on it." The Wookie nodded.

As they stood taking in the spectacle, an official in shining gold ceremonial dress approached them.

"General Solo.  Commander Skywalker.  Chewbacca." He greeted them formally. "The Princess asks if you could please wait over here." He indicated a wider level area about half way down the first staircase and began to descend. They followed him and gathered off to one side. They were now uncomfortably in full view of the crowd but also had a good view of their own back up the staircase to the gigantic, ornate double doors through which they had just walked.

Until Han looked back, he had no idea the doorway was so spectacular. At nearly three times the height of the Falcon, it was hard to imagine how the doors could be moved let alone opened manually and yet, there were no mechanisms attached. Each was decorated with intricate carvings accented with gold leaf.

He adjusted his jacket awkwardly, feeling self-conscious in front of the crowd.

"You're looking very, uh... ceremonial, by the way," Luke teased him. Han glanced at him ironically, looking in turn at Luke's Jedi robes.

"Yeah, I was told to smarten up. I notice she didn't ask you to wear anything fancy."

"This is what Jedi wear," Luke laughed, holding his hands out to display his usual attire. "Clothing for all occasions." Chewbacca gurgled.

"Yeah." Han looked at him, not amused. "We know you dress for all occasions too."

"How is Leia coping with all this?" Luke enquired. He had had a lot of time to consider her abhorrence at the request that she take part, and was concerned at the pressure the anticipation of the event may have had on her.

"I haven't seen her. I kinda said something I shouldn't have yesterday." Han looked sheepishly at Luke who gave him a vaguely reproachful look. "I expect she's holding up," Han continued. "She's good at this stuff." He felt a little guilty that she had told him she didn't want to do this by herself, had been ill at ease after her unsettling vision and must be wondering whether he would keep his promise and turn up.

Two officials closed the giant doors, signifying the start of proceedings, confirmed as the noisy chatter of the thousand strong attendees hushed to an excited murmur and an orchestra to the left of them began playing gentle music.

"This is quite impressive." Luke was in awe. The atmosphere was taking on a decidedly religious tone as the room was darkened by the banners, and candles, scattered around the hall, flickered gentle light on all the expectant faces. Audience members began to look curiously at Han, Luke and Chewbacca, whispering to each other as if they were wondering who they were and if they were going to do anything. Han tried to ignore their stares.

"What's supposed to happen at this thing?" He whispered to Luke.

"No idea," Luke whispered back. "Leia just told me to keep an eye on the Star."

"Right." Han kept his voice low. "Are we expecting trouble?" Luke shrugged and looked sideways at him.

"Aren't we always?"

"Right," Han repeated, his hand instinctively checking that his blaster was on his belt, where he'd attached it.

Luke could feel a slight surge in the Force, gentle and tingling, and put it down to his proximity to the Kyber crystal. It was faint, and that, he surmised, was due to the make-up of it's container. Material that could survive an explosion on a planetary scale could surely mask the crystal's emanating force.

Their attention was grabbed by the orchestra playing more rousing introductory music and the official at the top of the staircase announced to the audience:

"His Lordship, Duke Delcar Pax of the House Alde, General of the Alderaanian Security Forces on Iridonia and Governor of it's people." With a flourish, he backed away.

The large doors opened to admit the Duke who moved to the top of the staircase. He was dressed in a cream-coloured formal uniform, military insignia and the Alde household crest on the lapel of his jacket. His dark blue cape flowed behind him as he descended the staircase, all eyes from the crowd on him. The doors closing behind him, he paused at the level area to acknowledge Han, Luke and Chewbacca, then made his way down the aisle section, across the vast hall and up the far staircase to stand on the dais. He turned to face the crowd. They seemed to know what was happening next because all faces were now turning back to the doors.

Han started to feel decidedly nervous and more than a little awkward and Luke sensed his discomfort, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

"She's here," Luke whispered to him, his Force sense becoming aware of his sister.

The official moved once again to his announcing position and the orchestra struck up a very regal arrangement.

"Her Royal Highness, Princess Leia of House Organa, Senator to the New Republic, Esteemed Member of the Alderaanian High Council, Commanding General of the Alderaanian Security Forces and Protector of her fleet." Han wondered, if it ever came to it, whether they would reel this lot off at their wedding.

As the doors opened, all eyes focussed expectantly in that direction. Han was transported back to the Throne Room on Yavin. He had felt awkward then too; had had his first experience of real royalty. It had been a brief glimpse of Leia's royal status as she presented them with medals, a status she didn't like to flash about.

Today, however, was a different story. When she'd said he would be served with a spectacular view of her past life, she hadn't understated it as her appearance in the doorway demonstrated. If he had been holding his breath from nerves before, he was holding it for another reason now.

Tiny against the backdrop of the ornate gilt doorway, her presence nevertheless filled the vast hall as she approached the top of the stairs. A subtle gasp spread through the attendees and Han and Luke exchanged quick glances.

Luke smiled. He had no doubt that the choice Obi-Wan had made all those years ago to place him on Tatooine and Leia on Alderaan, had been the right one. Perhaps there was some truth in her theory that there had been a design for their destiny all along. He was sure she would have approached moisture farming the way she approached any other challenge, with determination and courage, but he wouldn't have carried this sort of thing off with the grace that she did.

Han couldn't take his eyes off her. Her lavish cream-coloured dress was incredibly flattering and spread, together with a cloak embellished with gold embroidery, several feet behind her as if arranged by unseen hands. Her hair was held back from her face with her traditional braid, but the full length of it now hung round her shoulders in cascades of curls, decorated with tiny jewelled flowers, and she wore a subtle crown-like head piece that held some of the curls up at the back of her head. It glittered in the candlelight like thousands of sparkling stars. She was regal. Elegant.

Luke nudged Han.

"Breathe," he said to his friend.

If Leia was nervous, she didn't show it. Her head held high, she looked straight ahead. At the other end of the hall, the Duke bowed low and long as did the adults in the crowd, and Leia returned with a deep curtsey and bowed her head, not to him but to the crowd. Considering how she deplored setting herself above others, Han recognised her gesture of respect to her people. As they rose, so did she, and she began descending the staircase, her train rippling on each stair as she went.

She paused when she got to the level area where Han, Luke and Chewie were waiting and looked very regally at Han. He wondered, looking at her unsmiling expression, whether she would now reprimand him for yesterday's behaviour but instead she stepped towards him.

"Would you accompany me please, General?" she requested formally. She caught Luke's eye as she waited for Han's reply, smiled briefly and turned her attention back to Han. He offered his arm and guided her back to the stairs.

"Is this normal procedure?" he whispered as they began to descend.

"No," she whispered back. "This is your introduction. I want them to see how important you are to me." They looked briefly at each other and he felt a sense of relief that he hadn't ruined everything.

"What do you need me to do?"

"Just don't let me fall," she whispered, flicking her eyes quickly to him and back to the hall. So she was nervous. He smiled. The sea of faces, all beaming, obviously shared his love of her.

"You look amazing," he said under his breath as they crossed the hall.

"Thanks," she smiled warmly.

Reaching the smaller staircase, Pax came down to meet her and she swapped to his arm.

"You'd better wait here," she instructed Han and he nodded. Raising her skirts a little with her other hand, they walked up to the dais and Pax left her by the pedestal. He spoke a few words to the crowd about nature, bountiful harvests, new life and new beginnings – Han drifted off and the official bit went on for about half an hour.

Luke and Chewie could just about see the proceedings from where they were, enough at least for Luke to see Leia raise her eyes to meet his gaze. He was already on alert, but understood her cue to pay attention and subtly nodded back.

She took a deep fortifying breath and reached out her hand, placing it on the formed panel on top of the box. As she did so, the hissing sound of a releasing seal echoed loudly round the hushed hall and Leia raised the heavy lid with both hands, folding it backwards. The thousand strong crowd got their first view of the Killian Star for years and gasped in awe. Luke felt a surge in the Force. The crystal was strong, almost calling to him.

Han had to admit, the orb was mesmerising. Too large to be held in one hand but small enough for two, it's crystalline appearance made it glitter, even in the moderate candlelight. The whole aesthetic of the ceremony was based on light of some kind; the glittering crystal globe, Leia's sparkling robes and even the hundreds of flickering candles. The Ceremony of Light was an appropriate name, although he recalled her saying that the Star did something and he was still waiting for that thing to happen.

Behind Leia, Pax seemed to be hypnotised by the Star, his gaze fixed on it, a hint of avarice in his eyes, and Han looked to the other end of the Hall to make sure Luke was watching. He was. Han looked back at Leia. She was staring at the Star too but her gaze was not the same as the Duke's. She was concentrating, running her tongue over her lips and, for a moment, he thought she had changed her mind. After a few moments, though, she raised her arms, her long sleeves hanging to the floor, and cupped the orb in both hands.

As soon as she touched it, the orb began to glow, light beginning in the centre like the spark of creation at the birth of a new star, then growing slowly, throwing light onto her and a few feet around her. Little rays of light reflected off the jewels on her clothing and headdress. She raised the orb out of it's container gently and walked to the front of the dais. Whispers of amazement at it's beauty rippling through the crowd rose to louder murmurs. She looked briefly at Han and then longer at Luke before raising the orb meaningfully higher so that the whole crowd could see it. The room was instantly filled with a blinding light as if a silent, non-destructive explosion had gone off in the hall. Light crept round every pillar and filled every darkened corner like a living entity. Han shielded his eyes, tried to watch the oozing nature of the light creeping round the hall.

Luke was overwhelmed by the power he felt. He moderated his breathing and absorbed the light, feeling surprisingly elated. He felt Leia's calm; felt the Force channelling through her. She was amplifying it's power. He wondered whether part of the reason for her reluctance to perform the ceremony was her realisation that it tapped into her Force ability.

This is what the Alderaanian's had been waiting for. They surged forward into the aisle and up to the foot of the staircase where Leia stood. Han was shoved accidentally by some children and had to climb a couple of stairs to stop himself being knocked over. The crowd were cheering, some hugging, others patting each other on the back. The atmosphere was jovial and excited. After a short while, Leia lowered the orb and returned it to the box, leaving the lid open to display it, and the light subsided to a glow as she removed her hands. She appeared to Han as if the experience had taken something out of her and it was a relief to let the orb go.

Luke surveyed the enthusiastic crowd with mild amusement.

"Chewie, shall we see if we can make our way over there?" Chewbacca growled that he was fine where he was so Luke made his way through the sea of people until he stood next to Han. By the time he got there, Leia had moved down the stairs and was now walking into the crowd, children clutching at her robes, smiling and chatting to people as she went, trying to acknowledge as many as possible. The absence of their princess for four years had created a eager demand in the crowd to be next to her which must have been quite overwhelming.

Pax appeared at Han's side, watching her, his role apparently over.

"Is she OK doing that?" Han asked him, worried that he wouldn't get to her in time should anything happen.

"Of course," Pax assured him. "The palace used to try to stop her doing this but she was of the opinion that the royal family shouldn't be separated from everyone else and she did it anyway." Han had witnessed that tenacity a few times himself. "None of them will hurt her," Pax continued. "She and the Viceroy were very popular."

Luke watched the amount of children that were being pushed forward to meet her and the way she bent down to talk to them all. He whispered in Han's ear.

"Watch out. She might want to take some of them home," he teased. Han raised an eyebrow and looked at him but blushed a little. He hadn't thought about children but, should he ever think about it, she would be the one he would want to be their mother.

As she had now come to sit on a step nearby, he went and sat down a couple of steps above.

"Having fun?" he asked her, resting his forearms on his knees.

"This bit is better than the last bit, at least. They are such lovely people. I realise how much I miss them," she replied nostalgically, taking an offered flower from a little girl and hugging her. She turned slightly and looked him up and down.

"See something you like?" he challenged, clocking her interest.

"Maybe," she countered. "You are looking very dashing today. I have no idea who could have bought you that suit, but they have excellent taste. You should dress like that more often." A smile played across her lips. He looked sideways at her as if to say she had another thing coming.

"You should dress like that more often," he waved a finger at her outfit.

"Next time we're blowing up a shield generator or running an assault on an enemy base together, I'll be sure to wear this," she said, tilting her head sardonically. His charming crooked smile appeared. The one that made her feel the unbreakable bond between them.

"I'm sorry for what I said yesterday," he apologised, helping her up from the step. "You know I love you don't you?"

"I know," she said softly, holding on to his hand. "And you know I love you and would never lie to you, even though you may not like what I say, don't you?"

"Yeah. I know." Leia smiled broadly, her eyes shining like the jewels in her hair, and she gracefully moved down the stairs and back to mingle with the crowd like a beautiful shell being washed back into the sea by the tide.

Luke appeared at Han's side, watching his sister go.

"Has she forgiven you then?" he said playfully.

"Of course." Han's voice echoed mock indignation. " It's me," he grinned. Luke smiled and gently shook his head at Han's familiar cockiness. "How's that thing looking?" he asked Luke, jabbing his finger over his shoulder at the orb.

"I haven't seen anyone show any interest in taking it so far but I'm keeping my eye on it," Luke assured him.

"I guess it's not unreasonable to think someone with Force power would want to get their hands on it," Han mused.

"I guess not," Luke agreed. "But there's something niggling at Leia and I don't think even she knows what it is, so I'm remaining vigilant."

"This is a bigger deal for her than I think she wants to admit. Maybe being in the political thick of things is making her a bit paranoid." Han looked at Luke, his eyebrows raised to make a point.

"Maybe." Luke returned the look. "But that's not unreasonable either is it?" They were both silent and reflective for a moment, surveying the hall.