It's the first full-length story I've done in the genre, so I would appreciate
any and all constructive comments.  And yes, it's a wedding story -- so have
those shmaltz detectors on HIGH.


Amy

PS -- if anyone cannot download attached files, let me know and I will try and
figure out another means of distribution.


These characters are the property of George Lucas, Lucasfilm, and other c
orporate entities.  No infringement is intended. This story can be read in
tandem with, or as a replacement for, "The Courtship of Princess Leia."  Renn
and Bria Tharen are both the creations of Ann Crispin in her wonderful Han Solo
trilogy.  Winter is the creation of Timothy Zahn. I created the muunyak, and for
this I take full responsibility.  I live for feedback, so send praise or flames
to ImXFScully@aol.com.


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THE END OF THE BEGINNING
by XFScully
ImXFScully@aol.com
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****************
Part One
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"A brunch is being given by the Kel'Torani ambassador."
"Who the hell are the Kel'Torani?"
"You know -- they look a little like bats, but with green fur.  The ones with
the Locust-class scout vessels."
"Oh, yeah, them -- what have they got to do with it?"
"The Kel'Torani helped Alderaan settle her first colony.  It's a long-standing
alliance."
"Fine, fine.  But what kind of food are they going to serve?"
"I was hoping you wouldn't ask that."
Han grimaced before burying his face in his hands.  There was a time when he
couldn't even have imagined meeting the crown princess of Alderaan.  After he'd
met Leia, it had taken him a couple of years to get used to the idea that he
could actually fall for her.  And it had taken him a few more years to realize
that, despite their wildly different pasts, they could share a future.  Even
now, it amazed him -- a smuggler without wealth, without position, without
family, had become the fiancé of Princess Leia Organa.
You'd think that would have been the hard part.  But no.  Their entire im
probable romance was beginning to look easy, compared to planning the wedding.
"Then there's the Mon Calamari to consider."
"Admiral Ackbar's planning something too?"
"Well, his people have been critical to the Rebellion and to the New Republic. 
They sheltered homeless citizens of Alderaan after the Death Star.  And the
Admiral feels -- paternal, I suppose.  There's going to be a ball next week."
"A formal ball, right?"
"Well, I never heard of a casual one."  Leia reached out and stroked Han's hair. 
"You'll have to dig out your dress uniform again."  She felt for him; she, at
least, could remember a time when she'd been accustomed to the social whirl of
interplanetary society.  When she'd had 20 ballgowns, with slippers to match
each one, and the enthusiasm to get through the endless crush of dinners and
dances and promenades without losing her diplomatic smile.
She'd lost the taste for it long ago.  And if Leia couldn't imagine how she'd
get through it all, how in the worlds would Han manage?
"This is driving me crazy," he confessed.
"Me too.  The important thing to remember is that they all mean well -- if they
didn't respect us, care about us, they wouldn't offer.  It's an honor, really,
to have these many celebrations held for us."
"I understand that.  Sometimes I like it -- I mean, most of my life, nobody ever
made much of a fuss over me."  Han said this without even a shade of self-pity;