Beauties and the Frogs, Part 2

The King was gone for nearly a decade. Queen Leia continued to hold out against Snoke's siege alone. Her brother Luke mostly retreated to his tower rooms, his guards lost and magic spent. As time went on, the First Order Clan blocked the entrance to the kingdom, making it nearly impossible for supplies to enter or leave the country. As a result, the citizens found it harder and harder to get food, and for several years, the country was starving.

After two years of constant war, the First Order Clan finally began to let up on the blockades. They never removed them, but more and more supply carts were finding ways to get through. The damage, however, had been done. The country was in dire straits, with many people still without food. Villages had been burned in the fighting; families were separated. Orphanages were filled with children with no guardians to take care of them.

Lonely for their family and guilt-ridden over the loss of life in their country, Leia and Luke took in three girls from orphanages and raised them as their own daughters. Rey was small and feisty, with wavy chestnut hair and flashing hazel eyes that reminded Leia so much of Han. She was practical and had a fierce temper, but she could also be kind and nurturing. Jessika, with her exotic Asian looks and long silky black hair, was thoughtful and strong-willed. Pretty Kaydel, with her hair like flowing gold and big fawn eyes, possessed a keen wit and sweet temper that contrasted with Rey's stormier moods.

The girls swore that they would always be sisters and take care of each other and Mother Leia and Father Luke. With all of the servants but the old family retainers Clarence and Arthur having fled in the war or joined the services, the trio did much of the work in keeping up Millennium Palace themselves. Luke, who loved mechanics, taught Jessika and Rey how to fix broken clocks and other machines. Rey helped Arthur tend to the gardens. Leia's roses gave way to fruit and vegetables, which proved to be hardier and more useful for food and to sell at market. Kaydel mended their clothing, helped their old cook Maz in the kitchen, and kept her sisters and guardians laughing with her jokes, funny remarks, and spirited dances.

One day in early March, eight years after Leia took the girls in, news came to the Palace of supply wagons that had managed to break through the blockades. Luke took it upon himself to ride to Coruscant City and inspect them. “I'll bring you each back a gift,” he insisted. “Something special.”

“Tools!” exclaimed Jessika.

“Ribbon trim for the dress I'm working on,” Kaydel added.

“A new book to read.” Leia smiled at her brother. “I've gone through all the books in the library twice!”

Luke put an arm around Rey. He loved all of the girls, but she was his favorite. He was teaching her his white magic spells, hoping to someday train her to take over as head of the Jedi Guards. “What about you, my Rey of sunshine? Would you like a new spell book, or some new seeds, or perhaps a new dress?”

“A rose.” Rey sighed. “Not only is it too early for roses, but we took out our rose bushes to plant the vegetable garden. They're my favorite flowers. I never saw them in the Jakku Home for Girls.”

He gave her a hug. “I'll bring you the most beautiful rose in the whole kingdom.” He gathered his sister and the other girls into his arms. “I'm going to miss my ladies. You'll be in my thoughts every step of the way.”

“We'll miss you too, Father.” Rey gave Luke's whiskery chin a kiss.

He laughed, finally letting them go. “You'd better get along.” Leia helped him onto his old horse X-Wing. “It's getting dark. Please be careful, brother. Avoid the woods. I don't hold with the stories about evil spirits living there, but riders have been attacked by wolves.”

“I will.” The quartet of women waved at the gray-bearded man in the sober dark robes until he disappeared from sight.

A few weeks later, Rey was taking a basket of cabbages to the kitchen when she noticed Leia admiring the portrait of the handsome man with a golden crown over his thick silver locks and boy with the big ears and dark hair in the main hall. The man held the boy's hand and gave him such a fond look, he could only be the child's father or guardian. “Mother,” Rey began, “who are the people in that picture? Every time you pass it, you look like you're going to cry.”

“The man is my husband, Han. The boy was my son Benjamin.” Leia blinked back the tears that threatened to wash over her large brown eyes. “Han traveled to other neighboring kingdoms to gain their aid in pushing back Snoke. He vanished after leaving Bespin. That was ten years ago tomorrow. Ben...he ran away from home, more than fifteen years ago. I haven't seen either of them since.” Leia ran her hand over the rough canvas, as if she could step into the painting and hold her beloved Han one more time, or kiss her little son on the cheek.

Rey put her basket aside and threw her arms around Leia. “I'm so sorry, Mother. You must miss them terribly.” She hated to see the sorrow on her mother's still-beautiful face, with its full crimson lips and soft white skin. Her long gray hair was wound into a heavy plait bound around her head like a crown.

“I do. More than anything.” Leia's eyes strayed to the bright hazel ones on the silver-haired king. “I was told that Han was killed by brigands on the road, but I know that can't be true. He's alive. I can feel it.”

“Jessika and I could look for him and Ben and bring them home,” Rey insisted.

“No, Rey.” Leia patted her hand. “I need all three of you tomorrow. We're having an audience in the main parlor with King Snoke of the First Order Clan. He says he wants to talk to me about making a treaty that would end the blockades for good. You and Jessika will have to wash your faces, and I want you all to wear your good clothes.”

“That old crone?” Rey wrinkled her nose. “I'd rather have a party for my cabbages.”

A smile played on Leia's lips. “I agree that it would be far more interesting than listening to him drone on about how wonderful his soldiers and wars are. However, we need to remove those blockades. Many of our citizens, especially in the outlying villages, are in desperate need of food. He specifically requested meeting the three of you as well. Something about a surprise for the four of us.”

“I can only imagine what his idea of a surprise is!” Rey gathered her basket. “He'll probably be marrying us to toads!”

Leia put her arm around the girl. “Perhaps that wouldn't be so bad. Toads can be very charming creatures, when you stay away from their slimy skin.”

Rey stuck out her tongue. “I'd rather marry a cabbage than court a toad!”

“At this rate, you may end up marrying the cabbage.” Leia lead her daughter and her basket away. “Let's round up your sisters and see if we can find something appropriate for the three of you to wear.”

King Snoke arrived the next day, just in time for afternoon tea. Leia wore her finest gown, a purple brocade that had faded to a soft lavender, trimmed with ruffles on the pale-blue stomacher. Kaydel and Maz had covered the worn spots with elegant dove gray bows. Clarence nestled her mother's diamond tiara in her thick gray braids.

Snoke sported a velvet and silk suit of all black, from his lace jabot to the thick breeches and floor-length coat. His dapper costume made the Queen look like a ragged peasant pretending to be an aristocrat. A bony hand covered in silk gloves took Leia's. “Your Majesty.” He brushed his thin lips over her pale knuckles. “It's delightful to meet you at last.” He held a jagged cane made of ruby-red crystal, with a small ball on the end, in his other hand.

Leia curtsied. “Your Majesty. Welcome to our kingdom.” She lead him to a soft, slightly worn mauve armchair. “I'm sorry about the state of the Palace. What with the blockades and the difficulty in getting many goods, we've had to make do with what we have.”

“That's one of the things I'm here to discuss.” Snoke leaned back in the armchair with a satisfied expression, as if he owned it. “I'm getting on in years, Your Majesty. It's time for my apprentices to find brides, and for me to take a companion.” His shining dark eyes roved over her round, curvy figure. “You're still a very handsome woman, for one of your age and figure.”

“Thank you.” Leia's perfectly calm expression belied the fire in her belly. She itched to throw this walking skeleton out of her home as quickly as possible. “You mentioned apprentices. I didn't know you'd taken in help.”

“They're all excellent youths from some of the best families in the First Order lands. I trained them myself. I'm especially fond of Kylo Ren. He's going places, that young man. He's actually quite familiar to you.” Clarence came out with the tea things and helped Leia into her own chair. “Perhaps I'll consider lifting the blockades, if you consider marrying your young ladies to my gentlemen.”

“That will depend on what my girls say.” Leia nodded as Clarence poured her tea. “I refuse to force them into unwanted unions for political reasons.”

“Perhaps they'll change their minds when they see my boys.” Snoke called over his shoulder. “Gentlmen, you may come in now. Her Majesty wishes to inspect you.”

Leia shot out of her seat as the trio stepped in. The tallest of the three was her son Benjamin. She was certain of it. His heavy black hair was longer and wavier, his nose and chin now as strong as his father's, but with his mother's pale countenance and liquid-dark eyes. His sullen expression held none of its parents' determination or kindness. The brown orbs were as hard as amber.

Her heart leaped when he smirked. It was just like his father's, though with a tilt to the upper lip that made it more cruel than lazy. “Hello, Mother,” he began calmly. “It's good to see you again. I've come to claim my throne, and perhaps a bride for myself and my two companions.”

The two young men on either side of him were, other than their sober but well-made clothing, as unalike as two humans could be. The taller of the two shared Benjamin's pale skin and hard amber eyes, but his short, straight hair was the brilliant orange of an autumn pumpkin. Everything about him, from his aquiline nose to his perfectly polished boots, was harsh angles and straight lines. There wasn't a hint of softness in his person, especially around the cruel, cold pink lips.

The youth on Ben's right was much shorter, with skittish little eyes and short black hair plastered to his head. His gray breeches and short coat belay his youth, compared to his two companions. His face rather resembled a frightened mouse, with a slightly twitchy nose and long, oval ears.

The red-head bowed deeply before her. “My name is Lord Armitage Hux, my queen, son of Lord Brendol Hux of the Arkansis region. My father fought against you in the Empire Wars. He spoke highly of your strong mind and battle tactics.”

“I...I'm Dopheld Mitaka,” the smaller boy managed to stammer. “Of the Mitakas of Coruscant City. My parents once saw you and your husband and brother ride through the main street, after you liberated Coruscant. It was...really grand, they said.”

Leia went to her son and hugged him. “Where have you been? Why didn't you write us, or at least give us some message? I've missed you so much, and so has your uncle!”

Ben continued to stare coldly at his mother. “My name,” he hissed, “is Kylo Ren. Ben was a weak, silly fool. I've learned about power now, Mother.” He played with the dark red cane at his side, the one with the small crystal ball on the handle. “Uncle Luke was wrong. The dark magic is so much more powerful and useful than the light. Perhaps I'll show you someday.”

Leia withdrew her arms. “Yes,” she said shortly, “someday.”

Clarence came in with the three girls as Leia pulled away from her wayward son. Each were dressed in their very best frocks for the occasion, Rey in yellow brocade, Jessica in a faded blue satin, and Kaydel in a pink velvet with a lace fichu. Their simple gowns still looked plain and worn next to the young men's fine dark suits, with their furs and lace collars and brass buttons.

“These are my girls.” Leia nodded as they each curtsied in turn. “This is Rey,” she curtsied awkwardly, nearly ended up on the floor, “Jessika, “ she settled for a more mannish bow, “and Kaydel.” Kay's curtsy was far more elegant than that of her sister's, executed perfectly.

Snoke grinned a wide, nasty smile on seeing the trio. His eyes fell on Rey, whom Ben was looking over as if she were a cow in a stockyard. “You, girl. Princess Rey, have you ever taken lessons in magic? There's something of a...feeling...about you.”

“Yes, I have,” Rey replied stiffly. She didn't like this pasty-faced man, with his skeletal face and intimidating airs. She wouldn't let him intimidate her in her own home! “My father, Sir Luke, is teaching me.”

“You should learn black magic.” Kylo grabbed her hand. “I could teach you.”

Rey yanked it away as if stung. “I don't want to learn black magic! I want to heal people, help things grow, not do harm.”

Snoke waved his hand dismissively. “You young people run along, spend some time together. Get to know one another.”

Leia nodded. “Girls, take the boys and show them the palace.” Her lips turned up in a knowing smile. “But boys, please keep your hands to yourselves. My brother and I have taught our daughters how to defend themselves if a suitor becomes too familiar.”

Hux bowed before her like a puppet on a string. “We wouldn't dream of it, Your Majesty. We were raised to be gentlemen.” His eyes flickered over to Kylo Ren. “Or some of us were.”

Kylo glared at him. “What was that, Armie?”

Armitage reached for him. “Don't call me that!”

Snoke cleared his throat loudly. “Gentlemen, please!”

Rey grabbed Kylo Ren's arm. “Why don't I show you my garden? I'm very proud of it.” She steered him away before any damage was done.

Kylo looked disappointed when she almost dragged him over to the vegetable gardens. “I thought this was the flower garden! Where's the hyacinths, and the early snowdrops, and the crocus? Where's Mother's rose bushes? What's with all the dirt?”

Rey straightened a seedling packet on a stick. “There's still some early spring flowers by the main house, but we had to take out most of them. There simply wasn't room. With no supplies coming in, we had to grow our own vegetables, far more than the old walled in kitchen garden could provide.”

“Don't you ever get bored out here?” Kylo wrinkled his aristocratic nose. “They're not even growing yet! I'd rather deal with things that come up right away. I never understood Mother's interest, either. Seedlings take too long to grow.”

“That's not true!” Rey raked away leaves, revealing tiny green shoots coming up through the ground. “Here's the cabbages!” She pulled more away, bringing out little straight pale-green stalks. “And the beans!” She grinned as she pulled away more, showing pretty little flowering plants. “And the strawberries. They're my favorite. When they come up, the first thing we always do is make a strawberry tart. I'm glad we're able to get flour from a local mill and eggs from our own hens, and Father Luke is good friends with a dairy farmer in Dantoonie Village.”

Kylo gave her a small, slightly wistful smile. “Maz always made the best strawberry tarts in the kingdom.”

“She still does!” Rey raked the leaves back into place. “There! Now they'll be covered in case of another spring storm.” She waved her hand over the leaves, letting a golden glow settle over them. “And that will aid their growing process.”

“You are a magician.” Kylo took her hand. “I felt it the moment you stepped in the room. Why don't you come with us? You could learn some real magic. Snoke is the master of the dark arts. He taught me everything he knows. Far more than scaredy-cat Uncle Luke ever did.”

Rey snatched her hand away. “The Dark Arts cause more harm than good. I'd rather heal plants, not destroy the lives of innocents people.” She wiped her hand on her skirt. “And Father isn't a coward! He just prefers his towers and teaching to leading the guards now.

“Uncle Luke never understood.” Kylo narrowed his eyes. “Power is what matters. If you have power, you can have anything you want, do anything you want.”

She glared at him. “Maybe I don't want everything. Maybe all I want is my garden and my nice, slow healing magic. I've enjoyed learning from Father Luke. He's never been anything but good to me!” The girl threw her hands on her hips. “And maybe I want nothing to do with you, even if you are something close to my brother. You abandoned your parents, for what? An ugly old man?”

“They never cared about me!” Kylo's fingers gripped his red cane. “Mother loves you more than she ever did me! Snoke took me in, showed me power.” He poked his stick at the dirt. “If you had that power, you could make these plants bloom whenever you wanted. You are a naive child!”

“And you are an idiot and a spoiled brat!” Rey's fists were clenched. “I don't need to show you the gardens. You already know this castle, anyway. I'm going to find Mother.” She stormed off, leaving him sputtering among the mounds of soil.

The other young men weren't doing much better. Hux only sniffed at Jessika's workshop, with its dirty tools and grimy clockwork and gears. “I have people who do this type of work for me,” he sniffed. He held a wrench with the tips of his fingers. “I'm going to take over my father's military command someday and lead the armies of the First Order Clan to greatness. Don't you find it terribly dull to spend all your time playing with toys?”

Jessika's upper half had disappeared under a carriage. “Don't you find it terribly dull to stand around all day, pushing papers around? I'd rather learn a trade than sit behind a chair and do nothing to earn my bread.”

Hux's face was almost the same color as his hair. “I'll have you know that I work very hard....”

“At sitting and giving commands to your troops.” Jessika emerged from the carriage, dirt smeared on her cheek. She wiped her hands on a calico cloth. “Talk to me when you can do something besides give orders and be colder than a block of ice.” She finally took off for the parlor, Hux following in annoyance and frustration.

In the eastern wing of the Palace, Mitaka was completely baffled by Kaydel's gaiety. He watched, wide-eyed, as she sang a cheerful tune, dancing around the hallways in her blue dress. “You look at me like you've never seen someone dance before!”

“You're kind of silly.” Mitaka blushed. “Don't you ever take anything seriously?”

Kaydel laughed. “Don't you ever have any fun?” She tried to pull him into her dance, but all he did was trip over his feet. “You're not around the other boys or that horrid old crone now. You can dance as much as you want!”

“King Snoke isn't horrid! He's a great ruler!” Mitaka nearly fell over a table. Kaydel managed to catch the antique vase before it ended up on the floor. “I'm so sorry,” he whimpered. “I'll make it up to you. Really! I didn't mean to trip!”

“Oh, stop it!” She grabbed her arm away before he could attempt to kiss it. “I'm not going to hurt you.”

“Oh, thank you!” Mitaka's eyes showed desperation, not love. “I'll do anything for you!”

“What you need to do is calm down.” Kaydel brushed herself off. “That's not love. That's slavery.”

“The other boys like it when I do things for them,” the smaller boy whimpered, clinging to her arm. “If I don't, they get terribly angry with me. Kylo Ren might even try to choke me!”

Kaydel pried his hand off her arm. “Then they're terrible friends!”

Kylo Ren made his way down the hall at that moment, his pale face as dark and angry as the storm cloud gathering overhead. “This is why I left home in the first place,” he muttered. “Come on, Dopheld. We're going to find Snoke and leave this place, before we're further insulted.”

Snoke and Leia had adjourned to her office. She'd once shared it with her husband. His messy desk was still pushed up against hers, the papers still scattered around its surfaces. Han always did insist when Clarence wanted to clean up that his desk was an organized mess, and he knew where everything was, thank you. The books on his shelves were shoved in any old way, making a jarring contrast to Leia's perfectly organized and arrayed volumes.

“I want to come to the point.” Snoke turned to a huge map of the kingdom pinned to the back wall. The remaining blockades were outlined in dark red. “I'm willing to release your people and allow the supply wagons through, if you agree to join our kingdoms. Even with all your financial troubles, Alderaan is still rich in many resources. The First Order Clan is growing. We've annexed many fine kingdoms...”

“Forced them into your clan, you mean,” Leia snapped. “I've heard the rumors of what you and your so-called Knights of Ren do to countries that don't automatically bend to your will. Hosnia alone was reduced to ashes after they refused to join you.”

“And I'm sure you don't want that to happen to your fair country.” He lifted the red cane. The light from the ball at the end clenched Leia's throat, causing her to gasp. “Now, my dear. You will tell the princesses that they are to wed my apprentices. Then you will sign the paperwork that will officially sanctify the union of the First Order Clan and the Kingdom of Alderaan.”

“No!” Leia managed to choke. “This kingdom...family has ruled it...for generations...”

“Oh, you'll still rule it.” He smirked. “I could use such a fine underling. Your people like you. They'll obey you.”

“But not...you...” Leia's knees were buckling. She would have dropped to the floor if the three First Order apprentices hadn't burst into the room.

“Snoke, we want to leave...” Kylo stepped back, his brown eyes shocked at the sight before him. “What are you doing to Mother?”

The ancient magician once again waved his cane. The light vanished, releasing her. She rubbed hard at her throat. “How dare you threaten me in my own home,” she hissed. “I want you out of this house. Now! Before I call the guards!”

“Now now, Your Majesty, I only wanted you to listen.” Snoke grabbed her arm, ignoring the angry glare from her son. “You are a very stubborn woman.”

Leia struggled. “I have some magic of my own, Snoke. If you try to harm me or my daughters...”

“What, you'll call that ineffectual brother of yours?” Snoke's sneer twisted his mouth until it was nearly demonic. “Or your dead husband?”

“Han isn't dead!” Leia pushed him away as Kylo Ren stepped up to her. “I don't know where he is, but he's not dead. He's still alive. I can feel it!”

“Don't be silly, woman,” Snoke chided. “Your husband was killed by brigands years ago. Oh yes, we heard about the king's unfortunate demise. You have to face facts. Your country is starving. You must either accept my proposal, or thousands will die.”

“Mother!” The three girls hurried into the room, Rey leading them with a big smile. “Father Luke's home! Arthur saw him on the road while he was chopping wood in the forest. He should be here any minute.”

Kylo Ren coughed. “Perhaps we should be moving along, then. It's obvious Mother doesn't want to save the kingdom.”

“Give me a chance to think this over.” Leia glared at her son. “This is a lot to take in. Including my own flesh and blood's betrayal.”

“Not betrayal, Mother,” Kylo scoffed. “I just chose the right side.”

Snoke and his apprentices were gathering their cloaks to leave as Clarence came in with Luke on his heels. “Announcing His Excellency, Sir Skywalker.” The tall, thin servant gave Leia a rare grin as she went right to his arms. “Or, as you already know, your brother.”

“Father!” Rey lead the other girls over to their adoptive parent. He opened his arms wider to let all of them in. “I'm so glad you're home! I missed you.”

“I missed you too, my ray of sunshine.” Luke's warm smile under his bear didn't quite reach his ears. “I'm so glad to see all of you! I thought of all of you every day I was away.”

Kaydel grinned. “Did you bring us gifts, Father?”

“I did what I could.” Luke's shaky smile fell. “The supply wagons had been mostly stripped by thieves before I could get at them. I did find some things I thought you ladies would like in town, though.”

He pulled his brown satchel from under his simple tan cloak. “Here's the latest book on warfare for my sister.” He handed Leia a leather-bound volume. “And ribbons in all colors of the rainbow for my future actress.” Kaydel gave him a kiss on his cheek before she took the lengths of satin. “And for my brilliant inventor,” he pulled out a bag, “all the tools I could find.” Jessika threw her arms around him and hugged him hard.

“What about me, Father?” Rey looked up at him with shining eyes. “Did you get my rose?”

Luke shook his head. “They didn't have any real roses in town. Not at this time of year.” He pulled out a rose made of gold, with red enamel petals and green stems. “But I did find this one at a small shop.”

“Thank you, Father!” Rey took it, but she saw the sad look on his face as he handed it to her. “What is it, Father? Something's wrong.”

He frowned. “Girls...on my way home, I stopped by the old Deckard Manor in Corellia to give my horse a drink and rest a while. When I was looking for something to eat, the rose slipped out of my bag and fell in the lake. It was too deep and too cold for me to go after it, and I couldn't make it appear with my magic. I thought I lost it, until the frog came along.”

Leia looked up from thumbing through her book. “A frog?”

“Not just any frog. The biggest frog I'd ever seen.” Luke pulled his hands wide apart to show how big. “He was covered in warts and mucus and had the slimy brown skin, but his arms were thicker than a frog, and he walked on two long legs, like a human. He was quite well-spoken, too.” His eyes dropped to the floor. “He said he'd get the rose back if I gave him something in return.”

Snoke snorted. “A frog monster? Now really, Sir Skywalker, do you expect us to believe that?”

“Father wouldn't lie!” Rey yelled right at Snoke's ugly face. “If he says there's a frog monster, then there is one!”

Leia put her book aside. “What did he want?”

Luke's blue eyes locked with her brown ones. “He wanted one of my daughters to live with him and his master for a year. Otherwise,” he turned from Leia, “I would have to stay as his master's prisoner.”

“I'll go, Father.” Rey took his hand. “It was my rose that caused the trouble.”

“No, Rey, I won't allow it. Not alone. I'll go with you.” Leia turned to Clarence. “I want you to pack our bags. We're going to be away for a while.”

“Mother, please!” Kylo Ren's mouth dropped open. “You're not going to obey some...some frog thing, are you?”

“Half-men, half-frogs are not something you see every day.” The queen started towards her room. “Clarence, set out our day dresses and cloaks. There isn't time to make the appropriate travel outfits. Luke, where is this lake?”

“Just outside of Deckard Manor, on the edge of Alderaan and Corellia.” He frowned. “Leia...there's some kind of magic there. I felt it. I don't think the frog itself or the manor are evil...but there is evil there.” He looked thoughtful. “And something familiar. I thought I saw a flash of silver-gray in one of the windows. It was as if I knew the person...or whatever it was.”

“Then this is the perfect time to investigate,” Leia insisted. She then turned apologetically to Snoke. “I'm afraid we'll have to discuss the blockades another time. Perhaps you could return in a few months and talk to my brother.”

Luke nodded. “I'd love a chance to question you all about how you're managing to keep these blockades going when you've lost thousands of your own men and tons of resources to these invasions.”

Snoke stood stiffly as his apprentices hurried in. “I think you're making a mistake, Your Majesty. There's nothing in those woods or that manor except for myths and legends.”

“Mother, can't we all go?” Jessika grinned. “It sounds like a grand adventure!”

Kaydel was already starting for her room. “Anything is better than hanging around here! And I'll have someone new to dance for!”

“But they're girls!” Kylo Ren began. “Barely children! What if these creatures are monsters?”

“Ben, stop acting like they're a bouquet of dainty violets from the garden. I taught them all how to defend themselves, and Luke has trained Rey in the magical arts.” The queen turned to her daughters with a smile. “Yes, we'll all go.” She put an arm around Luke. “But if there's the slightest hint of evil around the manor, we'll leave.”

“That seems fair.” Luke gave her a hug. “Just be careful, sister. You don't know what's out there.”

“I'll be fine.” Leia let him go to glare at her son. “Ben, you'll always be my child. I love you, but it's obvious that you love your master and your magic more. You and your companions are not fit suitors for my daughters. Come, girls.” She lead the three young women to the bedrooms. “Let's prepare for our journey.”

“Mother!” Kylo started after her, but Snoke took his arm.

“Let her go, my boy.” Snoke showed his a smile filled with sharp teeth. “We'll bide our time.”

“Master Snoke, Princess Jessika was impossible!” Hux complained. “An ill-mannered hoyden, completely inappropriate for the son of one of your greatest generals.”

Mitaka wrinkled his nose. “The little blond was so silly. All she ever did was dance and laugh!”

Kylo Ren made a face. “I offered to teach Princess Rey the dark arts, and she turned me down. She is a pretty chit, but too naive and sharp-tongued for my liking.”

“Don't worry, gentlemen.” Snoke's grin continued to spread as he watched the four women retreat down the hall. “You'll rule Alderaan, whether you wed Queen Leia's spoiled wenches or not. I have plans for this land in their absence.”

Kylo Ren narrowed his eyes. “But if they figure out that my father...”

“They won't. The spell we cast is too strong.” Snoke's laughter was deeper than you might think for such a withered creature, soft but threatening. “Who could ever learn to love frogs?”