LUKE: Leia... do you remember your mother? Your real mother?

LEIA: Just a little bit. She died when I was very young.

LUKE: What do you remember?

LEIA: Just...images, really. Feelings.

LUKE: Tell me.

LEIA: (a little surprised at his insistence) She was very beautiful. Kind, but...sad. (looks up) Why are you asking me all this?

LUKE: (he looks away) I have no memory of my mother. I never knew her.

We all know what happened in Revenge of the Sith. Padme dies literally moments after the twins are born. So what are supposed to think? Was Leia lying or deluding herself when she had the above conversation with Luke in Return of the Jedi? Was she confusing her real mother with her adoptive mother Mrs. Organa? Was this simply bad storytelling?

Well, I have my own theory. I think she did indeed have memories of her mother. The evidence to support my theory is Timothy Zahn's excellent novel, The Last Command (the final book in the Thrawn Trilogy). The following quote is a bit of a SPOILER so be advised!

Leia is about to give birth to the twins. Here is what Zahn writes:

* * * * *

"Deep within her, the small lives that she and Han had created were starting to move...and abruptly their fluttering fear had become full-blown terror. Don't be afraid, she thought at them. Don't be afraid. It'll be all right. I'm here. Soon, you'll be with me.

She wasn't really expecting a reaction - the twins' minds were far too undeveloped to understand anything as abstract as words or the concept of future events. . . .And then, to Leia's everlasting joy, one of the tiny minds reached back to her, touching her in a way that neither twin had ever responded to her nonverbal caresses before. . . . Yes, she told the infant. I'm your mother and I am here. The tiny mind seemed to consider that." (p. 77)

* * * * *

Now bear in mind that this book was published in May 1993, well before the prequels were released. Whether my coincidence or by plan, the above quote does show that it is possible to communicate with the unborn, especially in the moments just before and after birth.

In this case, Leia was actively using the Force to commune with her soon-to-be offspring. Padme's force abilities are not known, but at most were undeveloped. However, Leia and Luke were both very strong in the Force, so it is entirely possible that Leia could sense her mother's state even without active communication.

One should also note that the above quote states that only one of the two twins communicated with Leia. The second twin wasn't made aware of the situation until the first somehow communicated with the other. This could be the similar situation with Luke and Leia.

Anyway, that is my theory and I feel pretty confident about it. Does anyone want to give a retort?