The Kingdom of Kashayyk was the greenest land Leia had ever seen. It was all tall trees, roaring waterfalls, and soft fields. There was a certain magic to it, Leia decided as the Falcon limped down the road. The Force was very much alive here. It embraced them, opened its arms to them. The winds whistled through the trees, their leaves swaying like gowns at a ball. Mushrooms with bright red and white polka-dots sprouted under waving ferns. It reminded her a great deal of what Aldran was like before...well, during her childhood. She hadn't felt this alive in months.
Han had been acting strangely ever since they kissed in Hoth. During the day, he was as gruff and sarcastic as ever, teasing her, mostly ignoring Cecil, and chiding Chewie to move faster. Leia could sense there was something brewing under that arrogant shell. She more than once caught him pulling his blanket or leather vest over her when she shivered on his bunk at night, even though he was sleeping next to Cecil on the floor. He would hold her when she leaned on him while he drove, stroking her thick braids.
She wondered where he was taking her. He kept insisting it was a surprise. “You'll see when you get there, Your Worship,” was all he'd tell her. “We're visiting family.”
Leia raised an eyebrow. “I thought your family was in the Kingdom of Corellia.”
Han made a face. “My father was a Corellian gypsy, or so the bandits I used to live with said. I don't remember. No idea about my mother. My only real family is here.”
It was more than a week after they'd left the snowy Kingdom of Hoth before Leia discovered what Han meant by family. He seemed to perk up as they drove through a wide lane of trees so old and tall, their thick brown limbs and brilliant green cover seemed to extend forever. The trees formed a canopy over the mossy road. Saucy yellow buttercups and slender white starflowers peeped out from around the trees, giving them a merry greeting.
Cecil just shivered. “I hope there are no servant-eating wild animals out there.”
Han snickered. “Goldenrod, you're too skinny to make much of a meal for them.”
Cecil made a face at him. “That isn't reassuring.”
Leia sighed. Han and Cecil had been annoying each other during the entire trip. “Enough, boys. Han, when are we going to get to...wherever we're going?”
Chewie looked up, even as she said this. He sniffed at the air, let out a neigh that couldn't have been anything but sheer delight, and picked up his pace. Han grinned. “I'd say right about now.”
They emerged from the forest into bright sunlight. Wild horses, most of whom were large and shaggy like Chewbacca, ran and played and leaped and nibbled and frolicked in the vast meadow before her. The meadow was bordered by a glassy pool ringed with mossy rocks, thick old trees, and bramble bushes dripping with jewel-like berries. The gray-streaked mountains of the Kingdom of Aldran reared majestically in the distance.
“What do you think, Your Worship?” Han asked her, his grin even wider than usual.
“It's amazing!” Leia said as she climbed off the driver's seat. “I've never seen anywhere like this!”
Two horses ran over to Chewie, even as Han released him from the reins. The shaggy stallion nuzzled a beautiful tan mare with a long, glossy mane and an adorable, fuzzy, plump colt. Leia laughed as the trio played and nuzzled and nibbled at each other. “Oh Han, they're wonderful. Is this Chewie's family?”
“Sure is. Might say they're mine, too.” Han patted the mare. “This is Malla. The little guy is Lumpy. We visit from time to time, usually when I need a quiet place to fix the Falcon and rest.” He grinned at her. “Hey, Your Worship, how are you with riding?”
Leia was stroking Lumpy, who whinnied happily at the attention. “I've been riding since I could sit on a horse.”
Han gave her that famous smirk. “Wanna race, sweetheart?” He pointed back into the Woods. “To the end of the road and back.” He looked over his shoulder. “How about you, Goldenrod? Up for a race?”
Cecil was petting another colt. “Oh, no thank you, Captain Solowolf. I'm no good at riding. I'd rather admire these fine animals from the ground.”
“Suit yourself.” Han climbed on Chewbacca. “You ready, Your Worship, or do you need a moment to get yourself a saddle and fancy equipment?”
Leia climbed onto Malla. “I'm ready when you are, Captain.”
Han called to Cecil. “Hey Goldenrod, you can say go and decide who wins.”
Cecil walked over, the colt following him. “Would you stop?” Cecil tried to push the small horse away. “I'm not your mother!” He looked up at Han, bowing. “I would be honored, Captain.”
The moment Cecil yelled “Go!”, the two horses took off like a shot from a cannon! The mare and the stallion galloped down the road, their hooves thundering against the soft moss and shiny blades of grass. Unfortunately, Malla had neither the stamina nor the speed of her larger mate. She soon fell behind.
Leia concentrated, speaking to the horse with the Force. Come on, girl. Do you want to lose to those two braggarts?
Malla looked more surprised than determined. You know our language? I thought only the Corellian gypsies and Force magicians could speak the language of horses, and the magicians were all dead.
Not all of them. She grinned. I know where Han keeps the sugar lumps. If you get to the end first, I'll give you the biggest one he has. Chewie won't get a nibble.
She could almost see Malla grin. Chewbacca has told me of sugar. He says it is sweet and crunchy. I would like to try it.
They were literally neck and neck as they circled back. Leia was surprised at how determined Han looked. Evidently, he took this race more seriously than she did. She wondered if he had ever raced horses professionally.
Cecil was there with Lumpy and some of the other Wookie horses at the end of the road, where the meadow began. They both came flying out of the Woods at the same time, Malla nose-to-nose with her mate.
Han threw up his hand in delight when he finally pulled Chewie to a stop. “Damn, I haven't had fun like that in ages. I don't think Chewie did either, right boy?” He ran his hand over Chewie's nose as the stallion whinnied in agreement.
Malla snorted. “It's been so long since I've ridden a horse just to ride,” Leia admitted. She looked over her shoulder at Cecil. “By the way, who won?”
Cecil's faintly yellowish face turned red. “I'm afraid I couldn't tell. It looked as if you both came in first.” Lumpy nodded and went to congratulate his parents on their fine runs.
Now Leia was smirking. “Who's the better rider now, Captain Solowolf?” Malla nudged her mate with a little smirk of her own.
Han rolled his eyes. Leia swore that Chewbacca did, too. “I can tell you're never going to let me live this one down. I'm going to go look at the wheels on the Falcon. Why don't you make a basket, since you lost my last one, and pick us some berries for dinner?”
Leia made a face. “I've never made a basket in my life. I wouldn't know how.”
Han was already on his way back to the Falcon. “Then use your hands. I'll catch us some fish later.”
Leia was not about to use her hands. She found a large wooden bowl in the cupboard in the Falcon and used that. She was sometimes allowed to pick berries from the gardens at Aldran Castle as a child, but she'd never actually had to gather them for sustenance, and not from bramble bushes full of thorns. Her hands were scratched and bleeding and her thick white leggings torn in three places when she made it back to the Falcon.
Han was banging at the dents in the wheel. “If I may venture an opinion, sir?” Cecil began.
“I'm not interested in your opinion, Goldenrod,” Han said from under the carriage.
“Need some help, shepherd?” Leia asked him with a small smirk.
Han pulled out from the carriage. He frowned. “You don't look so good. Did you jump in the bushes?”
Leia dropped the bowl of berries next to him. “What did you expect me to do? Make them appear?”
Han just smirked right back at her. “You're the one with the powers, Princess.” He handed her a rag. “Why don't you go to the lake and clean those cuts out? I have a poultice I got off an old witch in the Kingdom of Dathomir.”
Leia tossed her head. “I'm fine, thank you anyway, Captain.” She stomped off to the lake. What was with him, anyway? Why did he have to be so damn annoying?
She knelt by the banks of the lake, using another bowl to scoop water and pour it over the cuts on her legs and arms. She then slowly took her hair out of the thick braids that wrapped around her head and draped her hair around her. She concentrated, letting her magic flow through her. The blood subsided; the flesh slowly reformed, scabbed, and vanished all together.
She felt him coming up behind her before she heard his big feet crunching in the grass. “Leia?”
His breath stopped. She'd never looked more beautiful, kneeling in the grass in her torn white leggings and tunic, her long brown hair flowing around her like a velvet waterfall. She looked like a white angel, a wood nymph, a dream. The water sparkled behind her in the rosy-golden light of the setting sun. Her Earth-brown hair and porcelain skin glowed with a nearly supernatural fire.
“You...” He tried to address her. “How did you...”
She looked up at him. He held a long wooden rod and another bowl. His hazel eyes were wide, and for once, he looked surprised. “I healed myself.” The young princess ran a slender finger through a lock of brown hair. “My hair has healing properties. It's part of the Force magic, I think. I'm not as strong as Luke, but I can heal small wounds.” She pulled her hair back into the braid crown. “You're lucky you got to see me like this. In Aldran, hair is revered. No man is supposed to see a royal woman with her hair unbound but her husband and the male members of her family, never mind touch it.”
“I can see why.” Han grinned. “That's a nice look for you, Your Worship. You should be getting your pin-up painted for the Royal Aldran Guards.”
Leia rolled her eyes. “I should have known you couldn't have romantic thoughts for five minutes.” She stood abruptly. “I'm going to slice those berries.”
Nightfall came, slowly but surely, and with it came the stars. Leia had seen stars in Aldran and while riding with the Rebels, but here in the Wookie Herd's Meadow, with no trees to hide them, they seemed...bigger. Closer. More immediate. Leia felt as if she could reach out and touch them.
Han's fish were delicious. Leia never tasted anything flakier or more succulent. When she asked him about how he did it, all he said was “I cooked 'em over an open fire, Your Worship.” The berries were enormously sweet and juicy. Cecil spent an hour complaining that his thin belly was about to pop before finally retiring to the Falcon to sleep.
The young princess lay down on the soft, wooly blankets she and Han spread out in the grass next to the Falcon. She hadn't felt this content in years. Chewbacca was cuddled with his mate and colt nearby, their bodies and limbs seeming to meld with one another. The stars twinkled above, giving off their warm, bright glimmers.
The Enchanted Woods were never so peaceful, so full of happiness. The moon shown down on the trees, giving the leaves a glossy, silver-green glow. Night animals prowled through the bushes, searching for their meals. Leia knew they wouldn't touch them. They could sense her – they knew these humans weren't interested in harming anything besides fish and plants.
She was just drifting off when something warm and soft was placed over her side. There was the whisper of grass and flowers sleeping for the night as Han lay on the blankets beside her. He wrapped his strong arms around her, lay his head on hers, and...it felt right. It felt good, safe. Was this love, she wondered? She would never have believed she could love such a stubborn, insensitive, ignorant peasant. But Han was so much more than that. He'd proved it a thousand times over. She didn't protest when he gently pulled her closer to him.
Han, for his part, was wondering how he'd come to have feelings for this strong-willed, bossy, royal brat. She's so brave, he thought. She lost everything, lost her home, her family, and she barely flinched. Her father is a nut-job of a demon, and she stood up to him. He thought he might love her, if he didn't have to leave. After he got her to the Rebels, he'd return to Tatoon to pay off his debt, and he'd probably never see her again. Jabba held him in an iron grip. He knew what he did to servants who didn't pay him.
For now, they snuggled together, for warmth, Han decided. Yeah, it was kind of chilly out. They fell asleep, listening to the horses' soft whinnies, the hooting of the owls in the Woods, the breeze whistling through the grass, and the sounds of their own gentle, content breathing.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
As the lovers were preparing to sleep, Vader was inspecting the motley group of huntsmen before him. Huntsmen were some of the most feared criminals in the Alliance of the Kingdoms. They worked for whomever would pay them the most. Though most were grimy humans in dirty armor, there were animals among them, demons, and even a mechanical man.
Vader walked down the line. “You're free to use any method necessary to trap the Falcon and its crew, but I want them alive. Especially Princess Organa and the horse.” He glared at one man in green and red armor. “No arrows in the back, Fett.”
“As you wish.” Boba Fett was the most feared huntsman in the Alliance. He was known for his tenacity and his ruthless nature. No quarry escaped him. No creature received his pity. He worked for crime lords and war lords alike, whomever paid him the most. He wore his green and red armor with its narrow visor, the distinct make of the Kingdom of Mandalore, at all times.
Vader didn't trust any of these men further than the end of his helmet, but they were his only link to Solowolf. He didn't want to think of that wily thief with the daughter he had planned to give to his King. He had promised the girl for his master in exchange for power, and he would keep that promise. Solowolf was of no consequence. He would sell the gypsy to some slaver who could use a strong back or turn him into stone.
One of his officers bowed before him as the huntsmen departed. “Sir,” he said, “we have reports that the carriage known as the Falcon was last seen going towards the Kingdom of Kashyakk. Shall we prepare your carriage for the journey?”
Vader nodded. “Prepare my carriage, but not to go to Kashyakk. The Light Magic is too strong there. The witch Maz rules in the Kashyakk Woods. She has charms in the Woods dark magicians are unable to penetrate.” He turned to the commander. “That doesn't mean, however, that my men can't get through. The wild Wookie Horse herds in Kashayakk are prized for their strength and speed. I want you and your troop to bring them to me. They would make great prizes for the Empire...and they would lure my daughter and Solowolf. Solowolf's closest companion is one of those animals.”
“Yes, Your Lordship.” The commander bowed before him before taking his leave.
Vader looked out into the suffocating blackness of night in the Empire. Night was when he was most content. It was when his powers were at their height. He dwelled in darkness. It enhanced his magic, gave him power. This was the only time he'd ever felt alive since he was trapped in this suit of armor.
He slowly peeled the top of the armor off, revealing his hideously calloused and burned back and torso. He also revealed his wings, his majestic wings that allowed him to fly. No, he couldn't go to Kashyakk to retrieve his daughter, but he could find Skywalker. The old Force masters couldn't shield him forever. Their magic wasn't as strong during the night hours. This was his time to fly.
Only the night predators saw the bat-like wings slowly appear in a black light. Only the owls noticed as the tall, broad-shouldered figure lifted into the air and soared towards the shining moon.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Luke's training was making progress. Yoda showed him how to run and jump in his father's flexible armor. He couldn't believe how amazing the little goblin was with a sword. It took weeks for Luke to even get his sword down, never mind defeat him. He was quick and light-footed. Luke tried to be quicker, surer, stronger, but he often felt like nothing he did impressed Yoda.
He spent his days running through the swamp, leaping over twisted limbs and swinging on vines, or riding on Tauntaun and leaping over fallen branches and muddy patches. He practiced his swordsmanship in the morning, and his magic in later in the day after lunch. Yoda rode on his back, commenting on and criticizing his exercises. He learned how to talk with every animal in the swamps, how to change hostile creatures into something less damaging, and how to change them back.
Luke couldn't believe the things he learned in the swamps. One day, he was doing his usual run with Yoda on his back and Arthur puffing along behind, when they stopped near a cave. “I feel cold there,” Luke shuddered. “Death.”
“Place of evil, darkness,” Yoda said softly. “Into it, you must go.” He frowned when Luke gathered his sword. “Your weapon. You will not need it.”
Luke ignored him. He felt anger in this place. Fear. Hatred. The cave was dark and clammy. He climbed around the dense vegetation, only to find what he thought was Lord Vader. He heard his breathing. To his horror, the villain turned into a demon, a huge creature with horns growing out of its head, leathery red-black skin, and wings like a bat's. They fought, but it was short...and it ended with Luke's own head appearing in place of Vader's when he cut it off. It was then that Luke realized he wasn't ready for such a confrontation.
Not all of Yoda's training was as terrifying. He truly enjoyed healing. He went out of his way to help the animals in the swamp, tending to their needs whenever he saw one hurt or sick. He healed Arthur several times, usually after he'd attempt swordplay with Luke and would cut himself or drop the hilt of the sword on his toe.
Lifting and moving things with his mind proved more difficult. Luke practiced on just about every rock, plant, and creature in the Dagobah Swamps that could be moved, including Tauntaun and Arthur, to their annoyance. He learned how to better send things from one place to another.
One day, Luke was working on lifting stones with his mind when Arthur hurried over to them, his flying fingers spelling out an urgent message. Luke and Yoda followed him to the very same pond where he, Han, and Leia had been trapped by the swamp creature several years before. Tauntaun was splashing around, trying to get away from a pair of tentacles that chased her.
“My poor girl! I've got to help her!” Luke started to draw his sword, but Yoda shook his head.
“Help with that, you cannot.” He tapped his head with his claw. “Help with this, you can.”
“Master,” Luke complained, “moving stones around is one thing. This is totally different!”
“No!” Yoda tapped his stick on the ground. “No different. Only in your mind.”
Luke sighed. “All right. I'll do what I can.”
He tried to concentrate, but it was hard with Tauntaun's frightened whinnies and the monster's yell and squishing tentacles going in the background. The poor animal barely lifted a few inches out of the mire before she settled back in, even more stuck than before.
“I can't do it,” Luke wheezed. “The mud is too thick. She's stuck.”
Yoda shook his head and shuffled out to the banks of the mire. He closed his green eyes and concentrated. A sparkling blue light surrounded Tauntaun and the water. The water rippled, then parted in two large waves. It easily carried the wide-eyed horse to the shore.
Luke and Arthur ran to their beloved friend. Arthur stroked her nose. Luke checked her all over. “Anything broken, girl?”
No, Master Luke, she replied in his head. I'm fine, just shaken. I was almost a meal for that slimy monster! I've never been so happy to walk on solid ground in my life! And she actually leaned over and seemed to kiss the sand beneath her hooves.
Luke looked over his shoulder at Yoda. “Thank you, Master,” he said, breathless. “I can't believe you were able to do that.”
Yoda just shook his head. “That is why you fail.”
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Han and Leia remained among the wild Wookie herd for over a month and a half. Leia was restless at first. She helped Han with the repairs to the Falcon as best she could. Not only did they fix the wheel, but he showed her how to crush berries and roots to make new paint for the Falcon's sides, how to get the door back on its hinges and hammer the floorboards that were coming loose. Cecil tried to help, but he was hopeless at anything that involved tools. His genius was in organization, not repairs.
The princess and the thief were slowly growing fonder of one another. They fought, but it wasn't as mean or petty as before. Han could still be a real bear during the day, either teasing her or arguing with her because she knew nothing about repairing a carriage. At night, though, he remained tender, offering her his blankets or leather vest to warm her, calming her disturbing dreams about the night Aldran was destroyed, laying with her on her blanket until she went to sleep.
Leia wasn't looking forward to the time when the Falcon was fully repaired and they would move on. While she did want to rejoin the Rebels and make sure Luke was all right, she didn't want Han to leave, either. Cecil, on the other hand, couldn't wait until the repairs were finished. He said so at least three times daily.
“I cannot wait until that carriage is fixed and we can be on our way,” Cecil whined one sunny afternoon. Leia was hammering shingles made from rough pine bark on the roof. Cecil was supposed to be handing her nails, but he was really fussing as much as possible.
“It won't be too much longer.” Leia hit the stubborn nail as hard as she could. “Han says we'll be on our way in anything from three days to a week.”
“We can't leave sooner?” Cecil handed her another nail. “Like today, for instance?”
“Cecil,” Leia said in annoyance, “I'm not finished the roof yet!”
“Where is Captain Solowolf, anyway?” the tall former butler asked.
“He said he's fishing.” She rolled her eyes. “It's more likely he's napping.”
“Perhaps I should find him.” Cecil rubbed his stomach. “It is almost time for the noon meal.”
Leia nodded. “I have one more row of shingles to finish, then I'll join you for lunch.”
Cecil nodded. “Very well, Your Highness.” Leia watched him stiffly amble back towards the Wookie Herd's Meadow.
Leia continued to hammer for a few minutes before she felt dizzy. There was something wrong. She could feel it vibrating in the air. She concentrated, trying to feel it. There were men on their way...men and women, too. Members of the Imperial Army. She tried to shield herself and the Falcon, deflect their minds from the carriage's presence, but she wasn't sure how well she did.
She remained where she was on the Falcon's roof, hoping not to attract attention to herself, as the group, maybe ten men and women, rode down the well-worn path. One of their horses pulled a huge wooden cart.
“I wish we didn't have to be here,” complained one man. “These Woods are full of spirits and evil things.”
A woman laughed. “You silly fool, it's no worse than the flatlands in the Kingdom of the Empire.”
Another woman shivered. “No, I feel it, too. Someone is out there, watching us.”
A second man sounded annoyed. “Don't be a goose. Those are just stories. All we need to do is round up the horses Lord Vader wants, load them into the cart, and be on our way. Vader will give a big reward to the group that brings him the Wookie herds.”
Poachers! Leia thought in horror. From the Kingdom of the Empire! I have to get to Han! She concentrated, disappearing in a blue light without thinking.
One of the men saw the blue light. “What was that?” He shivered. “I knew it. There are ghosts in these woods. I heard Force Knights were murdered in these Woods. The Woods were sacred to them.”
“Would you stop that?” His friend said, exasperated. “That's just stories. There's no such thing as ghosts.” They rode on, but the man still felt uneasy, even though he wasn't sure why...
Han was still laying back on his blanket on the banks of the lake when Leia appeared behind him. His eyes were closed, and he didn't appear to be listening to Cecil droning on about lunch and balanced diets. Poor Cecil nearly jumped a mile when she appeared out of nowhere. “Goodness gracious me!” he gasped. “Your Highness, I really wish you wouldn't appear so suddenly like that. It does frightful things to my nerves.”
“I'm sorry Cecil, but I had to get here as quickly as possible.” She shook Han's shoulder. “Han, we're in danger. The horses are in danger. Poachers from the Kingdom of the Empire are on their way here.”
“Huh?” Han looked over his shoulder. “Poachers? What do you mean, poachers?”
“She means people who trap defenseless animals and sell them illegally,” Cecil explained. “There's a thriving black-market trade in illegal pets in at least five kingdoms...”
“I know what it means, Goldenrod,” Han snarled. “What I don't get is what they're doing here?”
“Han, Vader wants the Wookie herds.” Leia frowned. “I wouldn't be surprised if this is a ploy to lure us out of the Woods.”
“Sneaky bastard.” Han smirked. “But we'll just have to be sneakier. There has to be some way to get rid of them without bein' seen.”
“They feel the spirits in the Woods,” Leia added. “They were really nervous about them. Two claimed they weren't, but they were. I could sense it.”
“Spirits in the Woods, huh?” Han's smirk grew wider. “Sweetheart, I just got a brilliant idea.”
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Capturing the Wookie herds was easier to do than she thought at first, Captain Elena Zahna considered. The animals fought and bit, but they had ropes and nets and poultices that would calm the creatures and keep them from running. They looped chains and harnesses around their noses and mouths to keep them from biting.
“That's all of them.” She looped a rope around one mare's neck.
“Not all of 'em!” Han smirked, riding right through the group on Chewbacca. “You'll never get this one!”
Captain Elena pointed at Han as he rode towards the water. “Office Dennar, Officer Stokes, go after that man. I recognize his face from the wanted posters. That's the thief Lord Vader is after. There's a huge reward for him!”
The men followed the on their own horses, but Chewie easily outstripped them. He lead them into a clearing, darting behind a small grove of rusty pine trees.
“Let's get him!” Dennar started towards the trees on his black Imperial stallion, but Stokes stopped him. He looked pale and spooked.
“I don't like this, Tren,” Stokes whispered. “I still think there's spirits in these woods. They say that the blood of every Force Knight slain in the Woods flows under the surface. The Knights want revenge for how they were tricked and killed.”
Dennar rolled his eyes. “Didn't you learn anything in school? That's not how the Force Knights worked! They didn't believe in revenge.” Stokes backed further into the clearing. “If you're going to be a coward, I'll just have to get the reward myself.”
The older officer rode into the clump of trees, his bow and arrow raised. Stokes heard him calling and his horse's hooves for a minute...but suddenly, there was the sound of rustling, and then a strange, low wailing noise, like the wind through hollow reeds, and then, nothing. Not even the sounds of the Woods. Everything was oddly quiet.
“Dennar?” Stokes finally followed him. “Dennar? Are you there?”
That was when he saw what happened...and he gasped. A small woman, dressed all in white, came towards him. Her gown looked like the ceremonial robes once worn by the Force Knights for special occasions, but it was tattered and covered in crusty, dark-red blotches. A hood hid all but red lips and a porcelain chin. Long, slender fingers with creamy white nails reached for him. She was enveloped by a strange blue glow...one that only surrounded the ghosts of Force Knights, or so the legend said.
“You killed us,” the spirit whispered. “The Emperor killed us. We died in these Woods, and now...you will die, too.”
“No!” Stokes' eyes nearly popped out of his skull. “No, this had nothing to do with me! I'm new to this! They only recruited me last year!” He backed further away as the female Knight came closer to him. “I thought the Force Knights were only legends! I never hurt one in my life!”
“You're an Imperial,” she whispered as she backed him against a tree. “They were murdered by the Kingdom of the Empire. You're no different than them.”
“No! Honest! I never hurt anyone!” She backed him against one of the pine trees. “Not even those horses! We're just taking them to Lord Vader! He won't hurt them!”
“That's what the King told the For..my people.” Stokes' eyes widened as another ghost, this one taller and wearing an ill-fitting robe, joined her, moaning for all he was worth. “You will pay for your crimes.”
“But...but...I didn't do it!” The moment Stokes backed into the tree, a rock fell on his head. Two hands grabbed him as he fell to the ground, unconscious.
“Nice work, Your Worship,” Han said as he tied rope around the two prostrate men on the ground. “I didn't know you were such a good actress.”
Leia pulled the hood down as the blue glow faded away. “I'm a politician. I have to act every time I walk into a throne room.”
Cecil pulled off his hood. “Pardon me, Captain Solo, but what are we going to do about the rest of them?”
Han was tugging off the men's armor. He tossed one to Cecil. “We're going to do some acting of our own.”
Captain Zahna thought there was something wrong the moment Dennar and Stokes rode back with two Wookie horses. Dennar seemed a bit...broader around the shoulders, and Stokes had gained at least a centimeter or two in height.
“What took you two so long?” She glared at them. “And why does your armor look like you put it on in a hurry and backwards?”
“Because we did put it on rather quickly,” Cecil began.
Han grabbed his shoulder. “We've only been here for a year. We're new at this.”
“You're not that new.” Captain Zahna growled under her armor. “Something doesn't sound right here. What happened to the man you were pursuing?”
“We lost him, Captain,” Han said quickly. “He was too fast for us. You know those gypsies.”
“Too fast for you?” The Captain's growl was quickly rising to a scream. “You idiots! You incompetent fools! He's just a stupid thief! How could you lose him?”
“Well,” Han began, “we sort of ran into Force magic ghosts.”
“Yes!” Cecil added, making his voice more and more fearful. “Horrible Force ghosts! They were terrifying! Worse than any campfire story!”
Zahna grabbed Han's arm. “I told you, Stokes, there is no such thing as ghosts!”
Han smirked as sparkling blue lights flitted around the harness and chains of the Wookie horses she lead. “Oh yeah? Then what's that?”
The moment Zahna was distracted, Han pulled out the sword he'd filched from Stokes and held it to her chin. “It's just what I said it was, Captain,” he grinned. “Force magic.”
Leia held her bow and arrow on another officer. The Wookie herd now galloped all over the meadow, chasing Imperial horses and nipping at their owners. “I released the other herds, Han.” She nodded at the horses running helter-skelter behind them. “They're taking care of things.”
“Good work.” Han looked over his shoulder at Cecil. “You see if you can round up the rest of the officers and get them into that cart. The Wookies will help.”
Leia gasped as Zahna pulled out her own sword. “Han, watch out!”
She was nearly too late. Han managed to pull away...but not before Zahna slashed his bare hand. Han dropped the sword, letting out a yell. “You won't take me so easily, gypsy bastard,” the woman snarled. She aimed for his neck this time. Leia started towards him...
But suddenly, Zahna went flying....right into the cart! Leia laughed as Zahna groaned, rubbing her sore rear. Chewie was just coming off his hind legs. Han cheered. “Nice kickin' there, Chewie. If you hadn't sent that lady knight for a ride, I'd be mutton hash right now!”
The remaining Wookie horses were carrying or kicking or nudging Imperials into the cart. Han hitched one of the Imperials' stallions up to the bars. She slapped its flank. “You take these folks back to the Kingdom of the Empire. Tell Lord Vader he failed...but don't tell him who did this. He'll probably figure it out anyway. And don't forget to pick up their two friends who are under the grove of pine trees. They're going to need clothes, too.” The horse nodded before taking off into the Woods.
Horses of every shape and size were gathering around Han and Cecil. The very largest, a shaggy old stallion, trotted up to the trio. The horses parted for him, lowering their heads reverently. My name is Attich, he spoke in the whinnying language of the Wookies. I am the Chief of the clan. We're already in the Solitary One's debt for rescuing my colt Chewbacca from the Dark Ones many years ago. We are now in your debt as well, Small One and Gold One. If there's anything we can do for you, name it.
Leia curtsied low before him. You are very kind, but we cannot remain here. We only ask for safe passage and directions to a place we can remain for the night and purchase supplies. We're already late as it is returning to our friends.
You are a magical human, Attich said. I thought I recognized the blue light. I have not seen such magic since the Wookie herds aided the great Force magicians in their battle against the Dark Ones. Maz Kantana, the Witch of the Woods, runs an Inn on the edge of the Kingdom of Kashyakk and the Kingdom of Takodana. She knows all, aids all. She will help you. The Solitary One and Chewbacca know her well.
Han grinned, patting Attich on the back. “Thanks, old boy. I can take it from here. I think I remember where Maz' place usually is. We'll at least be able to figure out what to do next.”
Chewbacca nuzzled his mate and his colt. Leia and Cecil found themselves giving out many pats on the back and scratches between the ears. If you ever need us, said Attich, Chewbacca will know how to call us.
“That's right.” Han started to hitch Chewie to the Falcon, but Leia shook her head. “You go wash out that cut. I'll take care of this.” She smiled as Malla nudged him in a motherly way down to the lake to attend to his wound. Cecil went with a barrel to gather fresh water for the journey.
The tall former butler groaned as he loaded the heavy barrel into the cart. “I hope this trip is much less bouncy than the one here. I think my rear appendage is still sore from that ride.”
“You should be fine, Goldenrod.” Han strolled back, a strip of cloth around his wound. “We're not far from Maz's, and the ground isn't as rocky in her part of the Woods.”
Leia got into the driver's seat next to Han. “Let me look at that hand.”
Han made a face. “It's fine, Your Worship.”
Leia ignored him as she removed the bloodied cloth. She pulled her braids out of the crown she was wearing them in that day and wrapped one braid around his hand. Han watched with wide eyes as the shining blue light flowed around his hand, his fingers. They felt warm, solid. The skin came together, solidified. The remaining blood dried, then vanished all together. When Leia removed her hair, the skin was no longer broken.
“How...” He shook his head. “I still don't understand that magic of yours, Your Worship.”
Leia shrugged as she pulled her hair back into its original style. “I've always been able to do that. Mother always said my magic somehow ended up in my hair. That's why Father was able to climb it, too. It's very strong, stronger than the thickest rope.”
Han gave her a wan grin. “Wish mine could do that. It just gets long.”
Cecil popped his head out of the window to the driver's seat. “Are we going to arrive at this Maz's Inn anytime soon?”
“I don't know.” Han looked around. “Her place should be around here somewhere. She can usually be found on the main path, but her Inn tends to run off.”
“How can an Inn run off?” Cecil frowned. “Buildings don't move.”
Han flicked the reigns. “Maz's does. She calls it her mobile home. Part of her magic, I think.”
Leia once again felt it before anyone saw it...but she couldn't believe what she felt. The leaves shook; the animals chattered. “Is that it?”
What appeared to be a two-story thatched cottage on chicken feet suddenly settled down on top of a series of rocks in a flower-strewn clearing over a charming old cobblestone bridge. Leia swore she heard a chirp from it and saw it bend over to gather sticks and grass, like it was creating a nest.
Cecil's jaw had nearly dropped to the floor. “Surely we aren't staying in that place?”
Han laughed. “Yes, we are.” Chewie was already trotting over the bridge, his hooves making smart clip-clops as he headed for the very odd cottage.
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