A Star Wars Fairy Tale: New Hope, Part 3

Luke climbed on Chewbacca as soon as he could get away from his chores. Thankfully, there weren't as many duties as usual. The horses and their caretakers would not be attending the ball, after all.

He was delighted to see Ben puttering around in the herb garden he loved so much. Ben lived in a tiny cottage on the edge of Aldran Town, butting up against the Enchanted Woods. He was pulling weeds when Luke rode up to the fence alongside the thatched-roof cottage.

Ben's gentle blue eyes gazed up at the boy. He gave him a warm smile. “Well, hello there, young Luke. I wasn't expecting to see you today! This isn't one of our training days, is it?”

Luke shook his head. “No, it isn't.” He pulled the crumpled piece of parchment out of his pocket. “There's going to be a ball tonight at Aldran Castle. Cecil and Arthur think there may be people from the Kingdom of the Empire there. Maybe Lord Vader himself! The royal family could be in danger!”

Ben sat back on his heels. “I did hear about the ball.” He pulled a similar square of parchment out of his pocket. “Arthur came by with this invitation earlier this morning.” Ben finally stood, a bit creakily. “You must come with me. It'll be your first true mission.”

Luke shook his head as Ben lead him inside. “Ben, I can't. I have work to do! And what would I tell them? I'm just an ordinary peasant. I own no lands or titles. All I have are the clothes on my back.”

Ben went to a chest carved with birds and trees that were so lifelike, Luke could almost feel the feathers and the leaves. “I can help you there. I've been wanting to give you this for a long time, but your uncle wouldn't allow it. He feared you'd follow old Benjamin on some foolish knight's errand, like your father did.”

Luke gasped as Ben pulled what appeared to be part of a suit of silver-white armor. “Where did you get that? That's beautiful!” The boy took the helmet with the bright blue plume in his hands. “I've never seen armor like this. It's flexible like cloth, almost, but it's strong too, like steel.”

“It was your father's armor. The armor of a White Force Knight. Made from pure white Khyber crystal.” He pulled out more pieces of gleaming armor – arm pieces, gloves, leg pieces, boots – until he emerged with what appeared to be a long, clear sword. It was even more elaborate than the one Ben let him practice with. It's hilt was crafted of fine gold decorated with gleaming sapphires. The crystal blade glowed faintly blue in the dim light of the cottage.

Ben handed Luke the sword. “Your father's sword. The weapon of a White Knight. A more civilized weapon, for a more chivalrous age. Hang on to this sword, Luke. This sword is your life. I hope you keep better track of it than your father did. He had the habit of dropping it or losing it at the worse possible times.”

The elderly knight watched as the young man moved around the cottage, feinting and lunging with it. “For more than a thousand years, the Khyber Crystal Swords were the weapons of the Force Knights. Before the dark times. Before the Kingdom of the Empire was formed.”

Luke looked up from the sword. “Ben, how did my father die? I didn't even know he was a knight. Uncle Owen told me he was a merchant who was killed by bandits in Tatoon.”

A shadow of indescribable sadness crossed the elderly man's worn face. “Lord Vader, one of my apprentices, helped hunt down and destroy the Knights of the Force Order. He betrayed and murdered your father. He was seduced by the dark Force magic.”

Luke looked up from swishing the sword around. “The dark Force magic?”

Ben nodded as he pulled out a scabbard made of soft leather etched with birds and dragons. “The Force is the magic that gives, or gave, our order its power. It's all around us. It surrounds us, penetrates us. It changes the very air, can heal or wither a flower in an instant. However, only certain creatures are chosen by the Force to wield its power. It is, or was, a great honor for the Force to choose you to be a Knight. It runs in whole families from generation to generation.”

Luke barely looked up from the long crystal weapon before him. “I want to try. I really have nothing else, besides you and Han and Arthur and Cecil and my job.” He shook his head. “But my chores...”

Ben went to join the boy. “You'll get home in time before Dodonna or anyone knows you were gone. I'll make sure of that. No one will realize it was you at the ball.”

Luke shook his head. “I can't go alone. I'd look foolish.”

Ben nodded. “No, you can't. We'll need transportation. I have no cart or horse of my own. I have no need for them.” Ben gathered the armor in a bag made of rough homespun cloth. “Besides, while I am able to ride a horse, I have no special affinity for riding.” He smiled at Luke. “Your father loved riding, Luke. He was very much like you in that way. He rode like the wind, like he was one with the horse. His horse Twilight was his most beloved animal companion.”

Luke sighed. “I wish I'd known him. My uncle and aunt didn't say much about him, and they wouldn't talk about Mother at all.”

Ben coughed. “Yes, well, it's getting late. That ball is in a few hours. We'd better get along to Aldran Town. We'll be able to hire a cart there.”

Luke sheathed the sword. “I know someone who might be willing to take us to the ball.” He sighed. “If we can talk him into it. I think you've met Han Solowolf a few times when you've visited me at the stables.”

Ben sighed. “Yes, I have. He behaves like a greedy rogue, but there's more to that young man than he wants to believe. I think he'll do nicely.”

That was that. They rode into Aldran Town together, on Chewbacca's back. They took their swords with them, but Ben said Luke could leave the Force armor at home. It would be there when he needed it.

The Eisley Tavern was in the roughest, meanest part of Aldran Town. Mos Street reeked of garbage and filth. The Tavern itself wasn't much more attractive, just four crumbling walls, some barely-standing tables, and a scarred bar that had seen better days. The clientele was even less attractive. Luke had never seen a more motley collection of huntsmen, gamblers, thieves, and criminals. Two of them even attempted to pick a fight with him...until Ben pulled out his sword. The moment the man's arm hit the floor, the entire bar backed very far away from the elderly knight and his apprentice.

Luke was searching the bar for his friend. “Where is Han?” He made a face. “I should have known he wouldn't keep his word. He's probably off on another get-rich-quick scheme...”

Ben frowned. “Perhaps we should try the alley behind the Tavern. He may have encountered some difficulty.”

They met an agitated Chewbacca outside, thankfully still tied to a hitching post. He was snorting and stamping the ground, looking more nervous than Luke had ever seen the Wookie Stallion. They followed the spooked equine into the rat-infested alley between the Tavern and the sagging inn next-door.

Luke heard two voices, one amused, one annoyed. The amused voice belonged to Han. No one could ever match his level of insolence. Luke didn't recognize the other voice, which was higher and squeakier, almost like a rodent, or perhaps a lizard. He thought he heard the other voice say something about taking Han's cart, which was met with a growled “Over my dead body.”

They didn't hear the rest before two mighty thwacks and the sound of arrows hitting flesh and wood cut off the argument. When they rode into the alley, Han was turning away from what might have been a body, but all Luke could see was mottled bright green and brown scales with an arrow protruding from them.

Luke gulped. “Han, what happened?”

Han grabbed Chewie's bridle. “Let's just say I found out I have to get out of here really quick, kid.” He looked up at Ben as he lead the horse out of the alley. “Nice of you to join the the Kingdoms already in progress, Kenobi. Got tired of talking to your chocolate mint plants?”

“Good to see you too, Solowolf.” Ben frowned as Han lead them across the hard-packed dirt road. “Luke and I need to hire you for the ball tonight. We require someone fast and reliable to get us there and back to the stables and to my cottage afterwards.”

Han's smirk was back in full force. “Local trouble?”

Ben met the smirk with a serious gaze of his own. “Let's just say we're trying to avoid any entanglements with the Kingdom of the Empire before the ball begins.”

“That's the real trick, isn't it?” Han tugged Chewie around holes in the dusty soil. “It's going to cost you, old man. I want 10,000 credits, all in advance.”

“Ten thousand?” Luke's blue eyes were incredulous. “Han, we could buy our own carriage with that!”

Han smirked. “But who's gonna drive it, kid? You? Driving a carriage is a lot different than riding a horse.”

“You bet I could! I drove my uncle's carriage all the time in Tatoon!” Luke shot back angrily.

Ben waved the blond boy away, turning to the amused smuggler. “I can pay you five thousand now, plus another six thousand when we get to the ball.”

“Eleven thousand, huh?” Han looked like he was thinking it over, scratching his rather scruffy head. “You've got yourself a deal, old man.”

Luke had often heard Han boasting about his beloved carriage, the Falcon, but he'd never actually seen it. Han usually rode Chewbacca to the stables and left the carriage in town. As soon as they rode up to the carriage house, Luke understood why. It must have been a fine gypsy cart, once upon a time. Now the paint, a once gay white, red, and yellow, was dirty and peeling. The doors were coming loose. The wheels looked like they were being held together with spit and hair from Chewbacca's mane.

The boy couldn't hide his dismay. “What a piece of junk!”

Han was already hitching Chewie up to the cart. “She may not look like much, but with Chewie pulling her, she'll ride like a champ. I've made a lot of special modifications myself.”

Ben nodded. “The ball is less than an hour away now, and we really don't need to be spending more time in this wretched hive of scum and villainy than necessary. I suggest we move along.”

Han climbed into the driver's seat. “Maybe you're smarter than you look, old man. I was about to suggest the same thing.” He flicked the leather reins, sending Chewie flying down the street.

One part of Han's boasting was true. Chewie was one of the fastest horses Luke had ever seen. He rocketed across Aldran Town and down the main path to the castle like a dark magic demon in pursuit of a foe. A ride that would have normally taken an hour barely took half that.

Han pulled up alongside the stables, turning to Ben as he halted Chewie. “Ok, old man, how are we gonna get into that castle? We're not exactly dressed for balls.”

Ben climbed out of the cart, ignoring Han's question. He walked around the Falcon, circling it like a magpie looking for something shiny. “Yes...yes. It's not beautiful, but it will do.” He went to Chewbacca, stroking the horse's mane. “You'll do as well. How'd you like to be a driver for the night? Rest those weary bones of yours.”

Han and Luke exchanged confused looks. Han put his hands on his hips. “Would you mind telling us humans what you're up to, old man?”

Ben finally looked up from Chewbacca's mane. “We're here to scout out Vader and discover what he has planned. The costumes and dancing are only covers.” He concentrated, lifting his hand as a blue light surrounded it. When the light subsided, the bag with the Force armor that had once belonged to Luke's father appeared. “Luke, you'll wear this. The helmet will hide your identity.”

“What about me?” Han pointed to his chest. “If Chewie's drivin', what am I gonna do? I ain't sittin' around, waitin' for the Empire to arrest us.”

Ben was making his way towards a small barn on the edge of the stables. Smoke drifted up from a large chimney in the center of the barn. “No, Han, we'll need all the help we can get. You'll be coming with us, too.”

The elderly man returned with Cecil and Arthur. Arthur wore a singed, dust-smeared leather apron around his regular clothes. Cecil was still in his gold uniform, his dark hair slicked back from his long, narrow face and owlish gold-brown eyes. Arthur's fingers were flying...and to Luke's surprise, so were Ben's. Cecil translated for both. “Arthur, I don't mind aiding Sir Kenobi. I remember how valiantly he fought for King Bail all those years ago. I just don't like how dangerous this is. We don't need to be getting mixed up with the Empire, of all the rude people!”

“Ben,” Luke said in surprise, “you can speak Arthur's language?”

Ben nodded with a smile. “Arthur and I are old friends. He taught me the language of the mutes years ago, when he was the blacksmith for the White Force Knights.” The older knight turned to Cecil. “It won't be dangerous. It's just a simple mission.” He raised his hand. When the blue light around Arthur subsided, he wore the blue and white livery of a footman. Arthur turned around, grinning at his fancy new uniform. His fingers flew as he lifted his arm to show Cecil.

Cecil's long face was exasperated. “All right, yes, I do think you look as handsome as I do. Remember, though, a butler still outranks a mere footman.” Arthur made a face, his fingers twisting. Cecil looked offended. “I am just as useful around the castle as you are! I'd like to see you announce all the nobles who arrive or translate the languages of sixty different kingdoms!”

“That will be enough.” Ben's put a hand on Cecil's shoulder. “You will announce us as Sir Benjamin Kenobi, Prince Hannel of the Kingdom of Corellia, and Court.”

Han groaned. “Me, a prince? I ain't no prince! There's no way I can be a prince!”

Ben ignored him again. “Luke, do we have any mice here? I know you said they'd been having problems with mice in the stables, and the barn cat is getting too old to catch them all.”

Luke nodded. He hurried into the stables and emerged with a trap that held six fat white and gray rodents. Ben removed the bridle and harness from Chewie, pulling him next to the Falcon's driver's seat. Ben directed Luke to release the mice in front of the Falcon, where Chewie had been.

“Now I know you're crazy.” Han leaned against the wall. “How can mice pull a carriage? And Chewie may be the fastest horse alive, but he doesn't know anythin' about drivin'.”

“You'd be surprised, my boy.” Ben stepped away from the carriage. This time, he closed his eyes, his face showing the concentration. He waved his hand...and the blue light swirled and glistened around the entire cart, from the very tips of the back door to the whiskers of the mice.

Neither Han nor Luke could believe their eyes. The cart, the mice, and the horse were growing, lengthening, reshaping themselves. The mice became white and gray dappled horses with white plumed regalia and bridles of pure gold. The Falcon had grown into a fine carriage, all white and red paint trimmed with tendrils of gold leaf. The doors were fastened; the sides no longer splintered. Chewbacca was a towering man with a bushy brown beard and the thickest hair Luke had ever seen. He had large blue eyes under heavy deep-set brows. Though his gold uniform was similar to Cecil's, on him, it looked less like the stiff costume of a servant and more like the typical wear for a dashing pirate.

“Hey,” the enormous man-horse exclaimed, in the accent of the northern kingdoms, “not bad at all!” He showed very large, even white teeth when he grinned at Ben. “You sure know how to dress a stallion, Old Magician.” He showed those very big teeth to Han. “And you think I can't drive this bloody vehicle? I've been watchin' you for nearly fifteen damn years now. You humans don't think us animals bloody pay attention to what you do an' how you do it. I can drive a damn sight better than you can, colt!”

Han rolled his eyes. “Now I'm glad you can't always talk.”

Luke indicated him and Han. “But what about us? We can't go to the ball in a stable boy's outfit and an old leather vest.”

Han pulled his vest further around his chest. “Speak for yourself, kid.”

Ben nodded at the bag. “That will be your next lesson. I want you to put on the armor without using your hands. Use your mind, my boy. Bring it to you.”

Luke closed his eyes, concentrating hard. The armor vibrated a little, but nothing else. Finally, after nearly five minutes of Han looking annoyed and Ben watching intently, an arm piece floated to Luke's hand. He grinned. “Ben, I did it! I got it to move!”

The old man sighed. “Yes, but we don't have all night. I'll lend you a hand, so to speak.” Ben's light now mingled with Luke's. The armor circled him, locking into place. With one final burst, Luke was now dressed fully in armor, except for his helmet, which Ben held in one hand. The armor looked freshly polished, gleaming and shining like diamonds in the gathering twilight. Luke's gold hair had been brushed, and his skin glowed pink against the soft light. His father's blue saber was securely nestled in a scabbard on his back.

Han grinned, whistling. “You look like somethin' out of the old stories of knights n' damsels.”

Ben waved his hand. The helmet was now polished as brightly as the rest of the armor. “This will hide your identity. You're better known here than Solowolf or me.”

Luke made a face as Ben lowered the helmet over his head. “With the visor down, I can hardly see! How am I supposed to fight the Imperial guards?”

“Your eyes can deceive you, my boy. Don't trust them.” Be turned to Han, circling him, as Luke lifted the visor. “Now, we'll figure out what to do about you. This will be much harder than repairing Luke's own armor. You claim you're not a prince, Solowolf,” the older knight said. “I think there's far more prince in your heart than there is thief. You're a better man than you want the world to believe.”

Han just crossed his arms. “Yeah, right.”

Ben waved his hand. Luke, Chewie, and the servants watched as the blue light swirled around the scruffy gypsy. When the light subsided, he now wore a high-necked black velvet jacket trimmed with silver braid and tiny white gemstones. His navy trousers had become the breeches favored by the royal courts. The once-cracked leather boots were tall and shiny. The flowing reddish-brown hair had been brushed back and was topped by a thin silver crown and tied into a low ponytail with a black velvet ribbon. A silver ring twinkled on his right middle finger.

Luke grinned. “Han, you look like a real prince!”

“Yeah, but I feel like a fool. This outfit is too tight, and the boots pinch.” The thief-turned-royal looked sulky. “Now I wish I'd just asked to stay with the Falcon. Old man, if you took out any of my modifications on her...”

“Don't worry, Prince Hannel. They're still there.” The older man nodded at himself. “I forgot one last detail.” He waved his hand one more time. The blue light was quick; when it disappeared, Ben now wore armor similar to Luke's, but even more intricate, in shining gold and black.

“Master, that's beautiful!” Luke gasped.

“The armor of the Force magic masters,” Ben explained. “You'll be able to make your own when you become a Master Knight.” He started towards the carriage; Arthur quickly opened the door for him. “Well, come along, gentlemen! We don't have all night. We have a princess awaiting us.”