A Star Wars Fairy Tale: New Hope, Part 12

When the last soldier had been sent off on his way to Bast Castle or bound in the Rebel camp, Luke and the dragon clan landed in the largest of the clearings, followed by Han and Chewbacca. There were so many of them, the ground looked like one large black and purple and blue and red mass.

“Kid!” Han leaped off Chewbacca the moment the last Imperial was gone, his longbow and arrow still at the ready.

Luke threw his arms around his friend. “I knew you'd come back! I just knew it!”

Han ruffled his hair. “What, and let you get all the fortune and glory?”

The remaining Rebels came running out to them. Leia happily embraced Luke first, then Han. “Luke, you're all right!” She beamed at Han. “I knew there was more to you than money!” Chewbacca stepped over to his humans, nuzzling and nibbling at all of them.

“I have a surprise for you.” Leia stepped back. “Cecil! Arthur!”

Luke didn't like to see that Arthur was limping on a crutch made from a short, thick branch. Cecil followed him, his gold uniform in disrepair but otherwise unharmed. Cecil carried Luke's blue crystal-trimmed sword, the one that had once belonged to his father, on a slightly tattered satin pillow. Behind them, Wedge drove the Falcon, pulled by Rogue, one of the fastest horses from the Aldran stables.

Han grinned. “My girl!” He ran his finger along the scratches on the side, the door that no longer hung off its hinges. “You got her back!”

Cecil bowed before Luke. “We are honored to return this treasure to you, Sir Skywalker.” Arthur's fingers moved. “Yes, Arthur, you presented it, too. I know you cleaned the hilt and hammered the dents out of the Falcon's wheels for Captain Solo, before those nasty dragons tried to use you for a snack. I was just going to mention that.” Arthur rolled his eyes, his fingers moving again. “Well, I was! We're a team! Teams work together. You wouldn't want my life to get boring, would you?”

Wedge climbed off the Falcon. “It was Leia's idea. I don't know how she got these, but they were here this morning.”

Luke nudged Leia as he returned his beloved weapon to its scabbard. “Your powers?” he whispered. She just smiled and squeezed his hand.

Wedge frowned. “Luke...not everyone made it. Some of the remaining men and I went back through the forest after I left you. We found what was left of Biggs...it looks like he didn't suffer. One of the dragons made quick work. Didn't leave many bones.”

The Emperor Dragon came over to Luke as the young man's eyes filled with tears. I'm sorry, Small Magician. Some of my kind wished to remain with the Evil Ones. They fear that if they fight against them, they will lose their food supply and their homes. Not all of us are like that. I can't replace your friend, or those we've killed, or the damage we've done. I can say that my clan will work more with humans in the future. Just as we are not all horrible monsters, we now know that not all humans wish us ill.

Luke saw the shock and surprise on most of the faces of the humans around him. “Oh, everyone, this is the Emperor Dragon. His clan was enslaved by the Kingdom of the Empire. The Empire wrecked their homes and killed their food supply, so they had no choice by to work for them. We're friends now. I fixed his wing.”

Twice. The Emperor Dragon first nuzzled Han, who looked a little nervous. It was courageous of you to help your clan mate the way you did, Solo Human. I can sense the strength, the goodness buried in your heart. You think you only care for gold, but this is not your destiny.

Han just patted him. “Uh, yeah. Thanks for savin' Luke. You seem pretty decent, for a dragon.”

Leia curtsied deeply before the Emperor Dragon. Your Majesty, she said in his mind. The Rebels of the Woods are greatly in your debt. If there's anything we can do for you, name it.

Ah, yes. The Dragon almost seemed to smile sagely at her. You share the same power as the Small Magician, Little Enchantress. While your Solo friend revels in his strength and the Small Magician has the healing heart, yours is that of a true warrior. Your power is in your wisdom and strong will. He turned to Wedge, who backed away nervously. And you, Riding Human, you fear the Kingdom of the Empire for what it did to your clan, as much as we do. But your strength is in your loyalty. You will remain true, no matter what.

Wedge just nodded, gulping. “I don't know what you said, but I suppose it was nice.”

Luke turned to Leia. “You can talk to animals, too?”

She chuckled. “Of course! It comes with the Force powers.”

Han smirked as Chewbacca whinnied. “Ok, what's Chewie saying?”

Leia laughed. “More or less, 'Leave me out of this, Solowolf!'”

Even the dragons laughed at that. The Emperor Dragon finally got to his clawed feet. This has been enjoyable, but we really must be looking for a new home, where the Evil Ones will be less likely to find us.

“The Dragons need to get going,” Luke translated. He gave his scaly friend a hug. “How can we ever thank you?”

It's I who should thank you, the Emperor Dragon claimed. You healed my body and liberated my clan. He flicked him with his tongue. If there's any way we can ever help you, any at all, just call us. Use your powers. We'll sense it. He pointed a claw towards the now-blue sky. And watch out for the Demon Man. He was once human, like you, but he now has more evil in his heart than love. He will be back, now that he knows of your power. He won't forgive his loss here.

“We can handle Vader.” Leia put her hand on the dragon's shoulder. “But you really need to go home.”

Thank you again, all of you. The Dragon nodded one last time. And may the Force be with you.

Luke beamed. “May the Force be with you, too.” The humans stood back as the Dragons' wings began to beat. There was the roar of a thousand Dragon voices singing together as they rose into the sky and soared off into the waning daylight.

Leia put her arms around the gypsy and the young magician. “We have no time for ceremonies. We need to move on. The remaining Rebels have almost finished taking down the camp. We must leave here at once.”

Han winked at her. “I'll drive. Now that the Falcon's been fixed, she should ride a little more smoothly.” Leia gave him a playful smile in return.

“How about some help?” Wedge nodded. “I'll hitch up Tauntaun and Rogue with Chewbacca. We'll all go together.”

“Don't forget us!” Cecil shuddered. “I have no desire to go riding again, and Arthur's leg isn't up to any kind of strenuous activity.” Arthur's fingers flew. “No, they're not. Dr. Mitaka says your leg won't be up to snuff for weeks! You were almost eaten by a dragon!” Arthur's fingers moved faster. “I do not have a stick in my rear end! That's anatomically impossible!”

Han was already hitching up Rogue and Chewbacca. “Look, you two are a riot, but could you save it for the ride into the Woods?” He stepped aside for Leia. “After you, Princess.”

“It's about time you treated me right.” She flounced by him and into the carriage after the two still-arguing servants. “We need to stop at the Camp and make sure everyone else has left or got medical attention.”

Luke climbed on Tauntaun. “I'll check up on them. You go into the Woods. It'll be safer there.” He closed his eyes, letting the feelings of the Woods wash over him. “Besides, there's something out there. I feel...a strong presence. Not an evil one, but a strong one.”

“We'll figure it out later.” Han got into the driver's seat with Wedge. “See you in the Woods, Kid.”

Luke nodded. “I'll see you, too.” He smiled. “May the Force be with you.”

“You too, Kid.” Han gave Luke one last lazy grin before flicking the reins and turning the carriage around towards the thick groves of trees that marked the Enchanted Woods.

Luke rode off in the opposite direction, towards the remains of the camp. If he'd looked up into the trees, even for a fraction of a second, he would have seen a very strange, very green little creature. It was elfin, with long ears and a wrinkled, round face. It watched Luke intently with beady dark eyes.

“Yes, Young Skywalker,” the small creature chuckled. “Not quite ready, you are. Soon, you will be. Soon. The Woods sense it, they do. The Woods know all, they do.”

But when Luke did turn to the trees, all he saw was a bit of blue dust in the green leaves.