Smoke drifted into the night sky— it was as clear as it was four years ago— another night on Tatooine when the desert was afire.

This was not the same, however, as the night when Allana had lost everything. There was no panic, no fear, no running around trying to escape, to find those she loved and help them flee with her.

Instead of holding her little brother in her arms as he died, she stood at a distance holding the hand of the man she loved. Said little brother stood closer to the fire, with the rest of the family she had once feared had been lost in that fire. She wasn't clad in an old nightgown, but rather formal mourning wear amongst the Jedi, her finest clothes beneath a rich brown robe with the hood drawn all the way up.

But like on the night of the Purge, Allana had lost a sibling, and there was great sorrow in the Force. But it was not the same kind of sorrow that they held then, for innocents and good men who had been slaughtered by traitors and an evil that refused to die.

This was for the potential of a young woman who had lost her way, only to regain it in the very bitter end.

Allana couldn't help but wonder if she had been there, and not Nellith, if she could have turned Thea back to the side of he light, if she could have saved her oldest sister.

A part of her knew better than to blame Nellith for Thea's death— she had to make her choices, alone in the heart of Centerpoint Station. But the part of her that continued to love her sister in spite of all the atrocities she had committed would nag at her for the rest of time, what if, what if?

But just because she held that conviction in her heart didn't make it true, and Allana had to admit that she was less familiar with what their sister became than Nellith was.

Maybe it was for the better, that Nellith had been there, able to do what Allana never could.

The twin moons moved further in their trajectory as the flames began to dim. The silence felt less necessary— so whispers and low voices began to fill the night air.

"It's a tragedy, what happened to New Alderaan," Valin finally said. "When they finally regained their royal heir, they ended up becoming involved with their great monsters."

"They're moving more towards a democracy now," Allana explained. "At least, a democratic monarchy—- and none of us would be willing to step up and take over Thea's role as the queen. So it may be another generation before the House of Organa is returned to New Alderaan."

Valin nodded as he stared into the heart of the flames. He seemed to be thinking. Allana thought back to her questions before she had ascended on the Throne of Balance.

"I have to return to Hapes shortly after this," she confessed. "I have responsibilities now that keep me chained there. I'm afraid I can't go gallivanting around the galaxy much after this."

Valin nodded again, not looking at her. Allana bit her lip, irritated at his lack of a response.

"I wish we had more time together," Allana tried again. "I was meaning— I wished to ask, that is, if you would return with me."

Valin turned to look at her, hazel eyes wide and startled. "Return with you?"

"It does get rather lonely at Per'Agthra." Allana attempted a coy expression. "I know you probably want nothing to do with me after all that has happened to you, and I wouldn't blame you if you did, but—"

Valin interrupted her with a kiss. It was short and sweet, and they broke away quickly. But it was confirmation of the years to come in an abstract after that was drawing closer to reality and the present.

"I thought you'd say no," Allana admitted. "I know you're like your father, you care so much about being a Jedi—"

"I do." In the firelight, Valin's face was half shadow, half light. "But I could do with some peace and frivolity, for now at least. And yes, I someday will return to patrolling the galaxy and doing my duty to it. But that doesn't prevent us from pursuing anything."

"No, it doesn't." Any excuses, like her people or nobles' preferences rang hollo even to her own mind. She was the Queen Mother and could pursue whomever she wanted.

And this— Valin— was who she wanted.

Soon enough the sun would rise and their family would scatter once again. But it would not be like the past three years.

They would see each other again and communicate frequently. There would be so many joys and tears ahead of them.

The absolute latest they'd see each other again would be Tahiri and Jacen's wedding. And then Jaina and Kitri's following it.

Naboo, Ahch-To, Tatooine, Hapes— they might be all across the galaxy, but their hearts were united in a desert between two twin suns and twin moons.

It was a few days later when Nellith stood on the high cliffside at the peak of the Jedi Temple on Ahch-To, watching the sun for a moment peak through the gray clouds.

Even with all the clouds in the sky, there was a light breeze and a beautiful day promised on the island.

"You could stay here, if you wanted."

Nellith turned to see her father standing in the center of the cave. It was here that they had both spoken for the first time after she'd reawakened and the events that night on Tatooine.

"I'm good, but thanks." She smiled. "I'm too much like you— too much to do."

"I'm glad." Ben nodded. "Purpose suits you."

Nellith had to agree.

"I'm glad the Falcon is going with you," Ben said. "It has many more adventures left in her."

"I hope so." Ben and Nellith then hugged as Anakin and Rey came through.

"You'll come back to visit us, won't you?" Anakin's hazel eyes were wide and anxious.

"Of course, and maybe sometimes I'll bring you something." Nellith promised.

"Stay safe out there," Rey said as she hugged her daughter.

"I will." Nellith pulled away. "I love you all."

She then turned to descend the steps and rejoin her crew— formerly of Serenity and now of the Millennium Falcon.

But she was only three steps out the door when her mother stopped her.

"Nellith?"

She turned around. "Yes?"

Rey smiled serenely. "May the Force be with you."

Nellith nodded, silently returning the sentiment.

Her crew was waiting for her, starting with Sam, who was waiting outside of the loading ramp.

"We're ready to go," he declared.

"Great," Nellith said.

She and Sam headed inside, closing the ramp behind them. They entered the cockpit to see Tash Arranda, Jysella Horn, and Kyp Durron waiting for her, Kyp in the coveted co-pilot's seat.

In some ways, the Falcon seemed empty without all of the people they had just dropped off. They'd decided that Ben and Rey and Anakin would return to their rendezvous point, the site of all vacations in the Skywalker family to take some time and heal from what had happened. Especially poor Anakin, who had not yet come to grips with being dead for such a long period of time.

Jacen and Tahiri they had dropped off before at Varykino, and they would return soon enough for the wedding.

Nellith remembered that shattered look in her brother's face, when they first had met him on New Alderaan after he had been captured by Darth Keera. The man that they left on Naboo looked completely different.

It would be good that everyone who needed it could get some peace.

Of course, that option had been extended to her and her crew as well.

But if there was one thing Nellith now understood, it was that because she didn't have some great role or destiny, the war had not burned her out like it had the rest of her family.

She was so much like Jaina, fighting and blazing and burning till the last moment.

A life without peace, a restless life, no longer sounded like a curse— it was a blessing. That was peace for her, in and of itself.

"So, where to next?" Nellith asked as she took the captain's chair.

"We picked up on a signal from Neelgaimon," Kyp said. "Sounds like there's trouble with pirates."

"Nothing we can't handle, captain," Jysella said with a grin. "I've been ready for a fight for a while now."

She twirled the hilt of the saber in her hand. She had redeemed herself in the kyber crystal, and it ignited for her now again.

"Can't be as bad as Korriban," Tash shrugged.

"Let's get moving then," Nellith declared as she started the liftoff sequence.

And so the Falcon flew off, into the stars.