Han thought this over for a moment, then said, “That makes sense. But it’s still risky. How do you know they’ll catch on to this Rubber Gambit or whatever it is?”
“Han, they’re Jedi Masters,” Mara said. “They caught on before Luke finished his speech.”
Luke suddenly lifted his chin and looked past them toward the entrance to the library. “This will have to be the end of our discussion. The first Jedi is coming to tell me her decision.”
A sad heaviness began to fill Leia’s chest. “Of course.”
She took Han’s hand and turned to go. Danni Quee was already coming through the entrance, her blue eyes shining with unshed tears. When she saw Leia and Han already in the room, she stopped abruptly and looked a little flustered.
“I’m sorry.” She started to withdraw. “I’ll come back later.”
“That’s okay, Danni,” Leia said. “We were finished here, anyway.”
Leia started to lead Han past, but Danni put up her hand to stop them.
“Please don’t leave on my account. This won’t take long, and what I have to say isn’t private.” Without waiting for a reply, Danni turned to Luke. “Master Skywalker, I hope you won’t think I don’t value what I have learned with the Jedi because I came to this decision quickly, but I was never a true member of the order, and my future lies with Zonama Sekot. There is still so much to learn from her that I’d be lying to myself if I said that the Jedi came first. I wish you and the Jedi the best, but I’m going to return to Zonama Sekot.”
“I understand, Danni.” Luke rose and stepped around the table, then took her hands in his. “You were a tremendous help to the Jedi in our most desperate hour, but we’ve all known for some time that your destiny lies elsewhere. Thank you, and may the Force be with you always.”
Danni smiled and wiped her eyes, then embraced Luke. “Thank you, Master Skywalker. And please come see us when you can. Sekot would enjoy visiting with you again.”
“I will,” Luke promised. “I’d enjoy visiting with her, too.”
Danni released Luke and embraced Mara and Leia and Han, then left the room.
She was barely gone before Tenel Ka, the Queen Mother of Hapes, strode in. She held her dimpled chin high and her shoulders square, but the resolve in her eyes was more heartbreaking than reassuring.
Tenel Ka flashed Leia a sad smile, then turned to Luke. “Master Skywalker, I would like nothing more than to place myself entirely at the Jedi order’s disposal.” She bit her lip, then reached under the Jedi robe she had donned for her visit and removed her lightsaber from its clip. “And if there were only myself and my daughter to consider, perhaps I would.
“But that would be irresponsible. I am the sole able-bodied sovereign of an interstellar empire, and if I were to relinquish my throne, my nobles would spill lakes of blood fighting to take my place.” She held out her lightsaber to Luke. “It is with great regret that I must surrender this. I simply cannot fulfill the duties of a Knight in the Jedi order.”
“I understand.” Luke accepted Tenel Ka’s lightsaber, then pushed it back into her hand. “But please keep your lightsaber. You earned the right to carry it, and that can never be taken away.”
Tenel Ka managed a sad smile. “Thank you, Master Skywalker. Your gesture means a great deal to me.”
“Thank you, Queen Mother,” Luke said. “You may have assumed other duties for now, but you carry within you everything that a Jedi Knight is. Perhaps one day you will be free to return to the order. There will always be a place for you.”
Tenel Ka’s smile turned more hopeful. “Yes, perhaps that is so.”
She embraced Luke with her one arm, then surprised Leia by embracing her and Han. “You mean more to me than I will ever be able to tell, my friends. I am going to miss you both.”
“Miss us?” Han replied. “This isn’t forever, kid. We’re going to visit, you know.”
“That’s right,” Leia added, returning the Queen Mother’s embrace. “Your security chief may not allow baby holos, but I still want to see your daughter-and if we have to come all the way to Hapes to do it, we will.”
Tenel Ka stiffened in Leia’s arms. “That would be… nice.” She stepped back, her anxiety permeating the Force. “Be sure to let us know when you are coming, so we can arrange the proper security.”
“Of course.” Leia had to force herself not to frown. “Thank you.”
Tenel Ka gave Leia and Han an uneasy smile, then turned her attention to Luke and Mara as well. “Goodbye. May the Force be with you all.”