Playlist:

❶ "Anakin's Theme"—The Phantom Menace OST

❷ "The High Council Meeting and Qui-Gon's Funeral"—The Phantom Menace OST

❸ "Parade of the Ewoks"—Return of the Jedi OST

❶ Padawan and Jedi yawned as the first rays of the morning sun crested above Bald Mountain. As the sun rose, the graduation vigil transformed from deep darkness to blazing light. Three silhouettes knelt in the chilly morning—two in Padawan gray and one in the ebony robes of a Jedi Knight.

Nearby, two knights and a master observed, attending to their protégés' needs, supporting them throughout the vigil, just as they had mentored them through their trials.

Down the hill, Lor San Tekka led the Jedi Order in procession. His ornate vestments fluttered in the morning breeze while his pointed mitre bobbed as he climbed the winding trail. Five Jedi Knights followed him, with the twenty-six Padawan traipsing behind in seniority rank.

A hundred meters behind the group, Solo and the Wookiee rubbed the sleep out of their eyes and started their ascension up the hill.

At the top of the hill, the path opened to a plateau nestled between rock faces draped with creeping kavak plants. A flock of white songbirds tweeted overhead flying past. The Jedi Knights circled the initiates while the Padawan and their guests congregated behind them.

The cleric stepped to the front and faced the initiates. "Padawan and honored Lady, are you ready to take your vows."

The spoke in unison. "Yes, Your Grace."

❷ He moved in front of Carllili. The lanky girl with brown skin trembled, her wavy locks cascading over her shoulders.

"Repeat after me, Padawan Lucbra. I, Carllili Lucbra, Padawan of the Jedi Order," he began.

"I, Carllili Lucbra, Padawan of the Jedi Order ..."

"Do solemnly swear to serve others with the Force, always to the greater good ..."

She repeated each phrase in turn.

"Forsaking all evil and selfishness ..."

"Defending the innocent and promoting justice ..."

"Respecting all life, regardless of species or creed ..."

"Displaying loyalty to no person, government, or organization, save the Jedi Order ..."

"Do you take up these vows on your own volition and promise to live them from this day forward?"

Carllili swallowed hard but straightened and answered right away in a confident tone. "I do."

San Tekka ignited her green blade and held it close to her right shoulder. "By the rite of the High Council." He lifted the blade to the left shoulder. "By the will of the Force." He moved the blade above her head. "Carllili Lucbra."

He stepped back and pointed the blade to the floor and let a thin smile slip across his lips. "Rise, Jedi Knight, and receive the cloak of your office." He extinguished the saber while Kallay placed the silk cassock around her shoulders, making sure it covered her gray Padawan uniform.

On a prearranged cue, Carllili knelt on one knee before Lor San Tekka. The Jedi Knight ignited their sabers. He raised her over her head while Kallay formed the diagonal cross.

"Jedi, Padawan, and distinguish guests, whereas Carllili Lucbra has shown excellence in her feats on the field of honor, rendering high and noble service to the Jedi Order in war and in peace, as well as passed the arduous Jedi Trials, I am minded to elevate her to the rank of Knight of the Jedi Order. I present to you Jedi Knight Carllili Lucbra. May the Force be with you always."

He finished with a flourish of the saber before deactivating it and handing it to Carllili. Kallay extinguished her saber and offered her hand to help Carllili up.

San Tekka directed, "You main join ranks with your brethren and sisters, Jedi Lucbra."

As Kallay and Carllili retreated to the circle, San Tekka stepped in front of Vinke Setarkulae, the other Padawan presented for graduation. The twenty-year-old Korunnai's bulging muscles strained at his Padawan silks. Over the last two years, he had bulked up while on his internship with Kalder. Now, his matted dreadlocks glistened with the anointing oil in the rising sun. He drew in a deep breath.

Han yawned and scratched his head while Chewie stretched his back and gave a slight groan. "You said it. Two more of these? Why are they always at dawn?"

The Wookiee rumpled Han's hair and gave a toothy grin. He mumbled a few barks.

"Don't know why Luke insisted we stay over. It's not like we haven't seen a Jedi graduation before."

Chewie chortled quietly and gave Han a side-long glance.

With the back of his hand, Han slapped him in the stomach. "Hush. He's starting again."

The priest initiated the ritual once more. "Repeat after me, Padawan Setarkulae. I, Vinke Setarkulae, Padawan of the Jedi Order," he began.

"I, Vinke Setarkulae ..."

The ceremony proceeded as before, ending with the knighting of the Korunnai.

"Ladies and gentlemen, whereas Vinke Setarkulae has shown excellence in his feats on the field of honor, rendering high and noble service to the Jedi Order in war and in peace, as well as passed the arduous Jedi Trials, I am minded to elevate him to the rank of Knight of the Jedi Order. I present to you Jedi Knight Vinke Setarkulae. May the Force be with you always."

He finished with a flourish of the saber before deactivating it and handing it to Vinke. Kalder extinguished his saber and offered his hand to help Vinke up.

San Tekka directed, "You main join ranks with your brethren and sisters, Jedi Setarkulae."

Luke stepped out of the circle and beside Naluma, who remained kneeling.

San Tekka smiled at the woman in black. He held up his hand. "Before we elevate the knight and master, Jedi Knights, step forward." The knights in the circle took one step into the center, but Vinke and Carllili maintained their positions. "Our code has changed. Thus, your former vows are annulled. Choose you this day whom you will serve—the galaxy or yourselves." None moved.

He waved his arms in a large circle to his front. "Very well, renew your vows. Repeat after me."

In turn, he passed from Jedi to Jedi, affirming their new oaths to the Order. When they had concluded, San Tekka returned to the kneeling Naluma. "Today, we elevate a knight who has served this Order without faltering for ten years. Upon recommendation of her master and her peers, we convey this honor on Lady Naluma Fau."

He lifted his head and waited. The knights intoned in unison, "So say we."

"Lady Fau, repeat after me. I, Naluma Fau, Knight of the Jedi Order ..."

"I, Naluma Fau, Knight of the Jedi Order ..."

"Do solemnly swear to serve others with the Force, always to the greater good ..."

She repeated each phrase in turn.

"Forsaking all evil and selfishness ..."

"Defending the innocent and promoting justice ..."

"Respecting all life, regardless of species or creed ..."

"Displaying loyalty to no person, government, or organization, save the Jedi Order ..."

San Tekka ignited her purple blade and held it close to her right shoulder. "By the rite of the High Council." He lifted the blade to the left shoulder. "By the will of the Force." He moved the blade above her head. "Naluma Fau."

The cleric stepped back and pointed his blade to the floor while the circling knights lifted theirs. "Rise, Master Jedi."

Luke removed her black knight's wool robe and replaced it with one of silk, embroidered with glyphs of purples and blues and silver strands. When he turned her to the Padawan, she stepped beside him. San Tekka moved before him.

"Wait. You, too, must take new vows if you are to lead us as the Grand Jedi Master of the Order, Master Skywalker. Please kneel and repeat after me."

"I, Luke Skywalker, Master of the Jedi Order, do solemnly swear to serve others with the Force ..."

It started the same as before, but the end deviated from the other confirmations.

"I vow to seek the Force's guidance in all wisdom for direction and leadership. I vow to protect each member of the Order from darkness and evil. I vow to hold the Order separate from all external interference, whether from man, organization, or seducing spirit, so the Force help me."

San Tekka ignited his green blade and held it close to his right shoulder. "By the rite of the High Council." He lifted the blade to the left shoulder. "By the will of the Force." He moved the blade above his head. "Luke Skywalker."

The cleric stepped back and pointed his blade to the floor while the circling knights lifted theirs. "Rise, Grand Master Jedi. May the Force guide you in all things."

Benae stepped from the ranks of the Padawan and handed Naluma a velvet cloak. The Jedi Master removed Luke's current robe and adorned him with the new one. Gold, green, and blue threads streaked down the surplice in archaic symbols of power.

As soon as the cloak touched his shoulders, the sun darkened, casting Bald Mountain into shadows. The circling lightsabers burst forth in even brighter light, illuminating the Grand Master.

Before five seconds had passed, the sun returned, bathing them in its warmth and light.

Luke raised his voice. "As our sabers lit the mountain in the darkness, may each of you light the galaxy."

The Jedi lifted their sabers over the heads, jumped, and fell the ground. "Bright suns!"

Luke said, "A celebration breakfast is in order." The Jedi and Padawan cheered. "Then attend to your duties. We'll meet in the courtyard at 1700."

Naluma sneaked her arm into his and kissed him on the cheek. "I've got a ton to do before tonight. See you then, my love."

He smiled and returned a kiss. "Get a nap. I plan on keeping you busy tonight."

She beamed at him. "I'm looking forward to it."

Jannah grabbed her by the arm, tugging her back into the moment. "Come on, Naluma."

Kallay sauntered beside her and took her other arm. "See you later, Master Luke." They escorted her down the hill, leaving Luke with a handful of Padawan.

As the Jedi dispersed down the hill to the lodge, Han stepped over to Luke while Chewbacca followed the Padawan. "Hey, Luke."

"Han, thanks so much for hanging around today. It really meant a lot to me."

"It was good to see you become grand master whatchamacallit. Congratulations. Really. You deserve it." Han raked his gaze over the passing Padawan. "Hey. Have you seen Ben anywhere?"

Luke sighed. "He wasn't with the Padawan during the ceremony?"

"I didn't see him."

"Don't worry about it. He couldn't have gone far." Luke looked past Han down the hill.

"How's he fitting in?"

"Has his good days and his bad. But he seems to be settling down. He's gaining some control."

"Well, that's good. I guess I'll catch him next time. Chewie and me gotta head out."

Luke grabbed his arm. "Really?" He shuffled his feet. "I know this is last minute and everything. Probably should have asked you yesterday when you arrived with the supplies ..."

"You need something? Anything, Luke. Just name it."

"Will you stand up for me at my wedding?"

"Naluma?" He grinned and slapped him on the shoulder.

Luke nodded.

"Took you long enough. When?"

"Tonight. 1700."

"You weren't kidding about 'last minute.' Yeah. I'll be there." He wrapped his arm around Luke's shoulder. "Is Leia coming?"

Luke shook his head. "No. I'm sorry."

Han pressed his lips together.

"By the way, I've got some crates of yours ..."

❸ Chewbacca loped down the hill and into the woods. He lifted his snout and snuffled the air before turning down a trail. He crunched through the kedari needles until he reached his target.

Sitting in the middle of a small grove, Ben hunched over a stack of stones balancing precariously on each other. A few red sparks fluttered around it. He heard the sobs first and then the angry cursing.

He padded to the youth and lifted him under the arms from behind. Squeezing him in a Wookiee hug, he rumbled a greeting. He buried the boy in his fur and rubbed his head.

"Unca Chewie?" Ben wiggled down, but instead of fleeing, he stared at the Wookiee.

"Grwoer? EEr oiwwer rahr."

Ben wrapped his arms around his uncle's legs and plastered his body against his. "I've missed you, too."

Chewbacca moaned a few words and lifted the boy once more, holding him to his chest.

"Prooyr borUUrr woor."

Ben mumbled, "Thanks. I've messed this all up, and I don't know how to fix it."

Chewie barked a few sentences.

"Wookiee hugs don't solve everything." Ben smiled. "But you're right, it's just what I needed."

After a few minutes of consoling his nephew, the Wookiee growled a question.

"Yeah, food sounds good. Hope they have flatcakes in the dining hall."

"Rwoar weur err?"

"Yeah, they usually have ronto strips and zered eggs, too." Ben pointed his head toward the lodge. "Come on. Let's go clean them out."

As they plodded down the path, Ben asked, "Uncle Chewie, think I could take a ride on the Falcon later? Just you and me?"

Ha! Uncle Chewie wasn't born yesterday, kiddo. He answered with an unquestionable "No."

Did you know ...

● I had a hard time figuring out how this hurting boy was going to open up since he still didn't trust Luke and Naluma. I figured fun Unca Chewie had to be the key to his heart.

● This is the first scene I've ever written from Chewbacca's POV. You should try it, LLMontez.

Tell me what you think ...

● What do you think Luke's symbols of power look like?