The howling wind caused the windows to shudder inside the Royal Palace of Alderaan. Leia approached one of the large paned windows and squeaked the heel of her hand over the condensation that had formed over the glass. Outside, heavy, relentless snow plunged towards the ground, creating another thick layer of the cold substance over the dormant Alderaan ground.

Sighing, Leia thought back to her sixth year and realized that was the last winter that she could remember seeing so much snow. Now, ten years later, it felt as though the seasons would never change. Absently, her right index finger began to draw out images onto the condensation. In her mind’s eye she saw blades of fresh, pale green grass that tickled and prickled her bare feet. From the jagged line she drew a trunk of a tree and created long branches that she generously weighed with blooming shurra fruit blossoms. Closing her eyes, the blanketed gardens down below sang with life. Birds merrily chirped as they raced through the air, and flutterbugs decorated the trees with their vibrant purple wings. The fresh, floral scent of spring held the promise to nourish her cold soul.

She opened her eyes and scowled. Still winter.

The noise of servants rushing about caught her attention. Swiftly, she approached the back door and beamed. “Father!”

“Hello, Princess,” Bail exclaimed as he removed his hat and gloves. Leia gladly took the cloak from his shoulders and handed it to a servant before she tightly embraced her father. When he pulled away from her, he said, “You look prettier each time I see you…I can’t believe you’re sixteen already!”

“And you don’t look a single day older,” she replied.

“Liar! I’m turning into an old man,” Bail replied, pointing to his receding hairline.

Leia saw past his chipper attitude, and saw melancholy marring his brown eyes. She asked, “Father, why have you returned from the Senate so soon?”

He gazed at her and sighed. “I never could get anything past you, could I?”  He walked along with his daughter clinging to his arm. Together they entered his study and sat upon a large nerf-hide couch. The musky scent of rich leather permeated the air. Absently, Bail picked up one of Leia’s braids and ran his index finger over her soft hair. He explained, “The Emperor does nothing to ease the suffering of people all over the Galaxy, Leia. I don’t know what to do. I think I’ve given up all hope on ever getting through to the man.”

“He shot down your impoverished aid bill,” Leia stated.

Bail nodded. Curling his fist under his palm he fought back a swell of frustrated tears. “It’s hopeless. Now the poor will never receive the aid they need.”

“No it’s not. Father, you haven’t been working with Mon Mothma and the others for so long to give up now! You know why you must remain in the Senate,” Leia stressed.

Bail gazed at his daughter with pride and sadness. She certainly possessed her mother’s dogged determination.

“I don’t think I can do it any longer, Leia,” he replied.

Setting her jaw, Leia stared at her father and said, “Then let me take your place.”

“What?”

“Come on, father, you know I’m ready,” Leia excitedly exclaimed.

Bail launched to his feet. “Absolutely not! You’re only a girl. You’ll get eaten alive by those vicious, power-hungry politicians.”

Scowling, Leia stated, “I’m not a child any longer.” She got up and raced in front of him, forcing her father to meet her pleading eyes. “I’m ready to take your place. I’ve been studying political theory for over ten years…”

“Studying is one thing, but actually being a member of the Imperial Senate is another! No one will respect you!” Bail shouted.

Grinning, she replied, “And what’s wrong with that? Our plan has always been to keep ourselves visible while we secretly plan its demise. What better way to keep them unawares of our treachery than to send your inexperienced, young…”

“Headstrong…”

“…daughter in your place?  You will do more good working for the Rebellion here than on Imperial City.  Please, the time is right,” Leia explained. “Too many people depend on us.” Bail seemed uncertain. She continued, “You taught me to never give up. And I won’t give up on the dream of restoring Democracy to this Galaxy. And neither can you.”

Bail secretly beamed, this was exactly the outcome he had hoped for in his early return home. When one person’s strength fails, another must rise to the occasion. In this instance, Padme’s daughter would now carry the torch for freedom that her mother had always held so long ago.

Silently, he nodded his head.

Leia squealed with delight and squeezed him tightly, “I won’t ever let you down, Father. I promise.”