The
Girl and the Sorcerer
Rating:
PG
Pairings:
Han/Leia
Disclaimer:
The franchise belongs to George Lucas and the Walt Disney Company.
Notes:
This is a gender-reversed version of the Grimm's Fairy Tale Jorinda
and Joringel.
Once
upon a time, in the forest kingdom of Alderaan, lived a strong and
fair maiden named Leia Organa. She became engaged to a handsome,
hearty trader named Han Solo. They were seldom seen without each
other. They would go for long walks in the woods and fields, with
Han's beloved dog Chewbacca by their side. Han brought Leia the most
beautiful flowers from the lands he traveled to. Leia sold the
flowers and fruits and vegetables he brought in her shop on the edge
of Alder Town.
There
was an old castle on the edge of the Alderaan Forest. Bast Castle was
the home of the fearsome Darth Vader and his master Palpatine. Vader
was a shape-shifter. He'd once been human, happily married to a
beautiful court lady named Padme. One day, she went out walking in
the woods...and never returned. Vader searched for his beloved Padme
for years, but she had vanished into thin air. A dark sorcerer in the
woods told him that she had run away with another. He vowed that if
he could not be happy and have his bride, no man would. Any man in
love who came close to the castle was transformed into a helpless
creature, a small bird or kitten or mouse. A woman would be frozen in
place until the moon rose.
One
evening, Leia, Han, and Chewbacca wandered further from Alder Town
than usual. It was a chilly spring evening, cold and windy. Leia
shivered and pulled her wrap around her shoulders. Big, furry
Chewbacca stayed close to his master. Even Han, who was normally
laughing and joking, seemed worried.
“I
don't like this,” he said. “I think we're lost.” Chewie
whimpered by his leg. He reached down and gave him a comforting
scratch between the ears.
Leia
tried to smile, but it didn't quite reach her eyes. “We'll be all
right. I'm sure my shop is just around the next corner.”
“Maybe
it was an hour ago.” Han squeezed her hand. “Face it. We're lost.
We have no idea where we are. We could be at the sorcerer's castle,
for all we know! I heard hundreds of men have just up and disappeared
here. They say the Prince of Yavin vanished near this very spot just
a few months ago.”
Leia
shook her head. “Oh, I'm sure we're not that far...”
The
sun was just going down when it's last dying rays illuminated a
crumbling old castle. It was tall and forbidding, with ancient stone
towers and moss-covered walls. A rusted gate surrounded the entire
area.
Han
stepped back. Chewie snarled at his master's feet. Something didn't
smell right to him. “I think this is it. It sure looks like the
place everyone talks about in the stories.”
“I
don't see Vader, though.” Leia turned around, expecting the
imposing black figure of everyone's nightmares to suddenly appear
before her eyes. “Maybe he finally died.”
“No,
sweetheart. If the stories are true, he's a sorcerer. They live for
hundreds of years.” The dark-haired trader shivered. “I'm afraid
we're not gonna get out of this alive.”
“Don't
be such a spoil sport!” Leia put her arm around his back. “We'll
be fine.”
Han
winced as a cat hissed in the distance, and an owl hooted. “I hope
you're right, sweetheart.”
They'd
gone no more than a few steps when Chewie stopped, growling. A huge
black cat with yellow eyes crossed in front of them, hissing at the
trio. Chewie lunged for the cat...but the cat lifted it's claws,
knocking Chewie into a tree despite its smaller size.
Han
lunged angrily for the cat as it sprinted towards the castle gates.
“Hey, you ball of black fur, that's my dog you just attacked! He
didn't do anything to you!”
Leia
tried to follow him, but to her horror, she found she couldn't move a
muscle. Her legs were rooted to the spot. She couldn't call to Han,
or hurry to Chewie to see if he was all right.
“Leia!”
Han had started back towards her when he saw her stop. “What's
goin' on?” The cat hissed again, lunging for him. As he grabbed the
cat by the scruff of it's neck, a misty black light surrounded him.
“What are you doing?” His hazel eyes widened as he dropped the
feline onto the mossy ground. “What's happening to me?” To his
horror, his fingers were lengthening into brown wings, his mouth into
a grayish beak. Feathers grew over his navy peasant jacket and brown
trousers. “Lei...lei...lei..”
When
the black light receded, a reddish-brown sparrow was flying as fast
as it could away from the cat. The sparrow landed on Leia's shoulder
and tried to nuzzle her, then sing in her ear. Leia wanted badly to
respond to him, but the moon was not yet out, and she remained
paralyzed.
The
black mist surrounded the cat. A figure stepped from the black wind,
tall and imposing in a thick cape and glossy black armor. “I would
be honored if you would remain with us, little sparrow.”
The
magician took the bird in his gloved hands. The small bird struggled
and bit and pecked at his fingers, squirming as hard as he could.
“You're behaving more like a human than a bird. We'll have to
change that.” He gently ran his thumb over the sparrow's back and
wings, murmuring something in its ear. The sparrow finally stopped
struggling, but he continued to chirp, trying to call to his beloved
fiancee. “No, little bird. You belong to my master now. You'll
never see your mate again.”
The
moment the moon rose, Leia stumbled, now able to move again. She
stomped over to the black magician, grabbing him by the arm. “I
know who you are. You're Darth Vader, the evil sorcerer who kidnapped
all those men in the woods. I won't let you keep my Han. I love him!”
Leia swore the bird chirped something that sounded like “I know.”
Vader
continued stroking the bird with his thumb, until it's hazel eyes
became glassy and it's song vacant. The owl they saw earlier soared
by, an old white and black owl with glowing yellow eyes. Vader opened
his hands, allowing the owl to carry the sparrow off to the castle.
Leia tried to grab at the owl, but Vader took her by the arms before
she could reach it. “You're better off returning to town and
forgetting about love. It'll only hurt you in the end.”
“No!”
Leia tried hard not to cry around this monster. “I won't lose Han
the way you lost your Padme.”
“Do
not mention her name! Ever!” He finally threw the struggling girl
to the ground. “If I ever see you anywhere near this castle ever
again, I will turn you completely into stone. Go, and take that giant
mountain of fur with you!”
Leia
took Chewbacca into arms as best she could. “Han,” she sobbed
into the night, “if you can hear me, I will come for you. I swear
it. I don't know how, but I will.”
Determined
to find the way to defeat Vader, Leia closed her shop, gathered
Chewbacca and a few necessary items into Han's old carriage, and left
for the desert kingdom Tatoonie. Her twin brother Luke had moved
there years ago. He was apprenticed to a great magician, Obi-Wan
Kenobi, before the elderly man passed away. He now ran Obi-Wan's
school and garden, with the help of his servants Artur and Cecil.
“Leia!”
He went out to greet her the moment she arrived. “I'm so glad to
see you.” He wrapped his arms around her. For all his great powers,
Luke was really a gentle youth, with golden hair and blue eyes. He
knew Han Solo as well, for the trader often brought him news and
supplies when passing through Tatoonie. He gave Leia a sunny smile.
“For what do I owe this visit? Where's Han? When's the wedding?”
To
Luke's surprised, his strong-willed sister blinked back tears at the
mention of her fiancee. “That's what I'm here about. Han's gone. We
got lost in the forest and found Bast Castle. Vader has him. There
isn't going to be a wedding unless I can turn him back!”
“Bast
Castle?” Luke's sweet face darkened. “Come on. You can explain
this better inside.”
Leia
told Luke everything that had happened a few weeks before over a meal
of goat's milk, rabbit and vegetable stew, and just-baked bread. “I
miss Han so much, but I don't know how to use magic like you do.”
She finally pushed her bowl aside. “Now I wish I'd come with you
when you asked and learned, too. I spent two weeks wandering around
near the woods, hoping to even get a glimpse of him.”
“Leia,”
Luke said quietly, “there is one thing. There's a lily that grows
in the desert scrub land that is said to be so powerful, it can not
only ward off evil magic, but end it. Anything enchanted that you
touch with it will be cured. Anything evil will lose its potency.”
“Well,”
his sister insisted eagerly, “where is it? I have to find it!”
Luke
frowned. “It's in Obi-Wan's garden. He was cultivating it in the
hope that he and I would be able to restore Vader to his original
form. It only appears at night, in the light of the full moon.”
Chewbacca
whimpered under the table. Leia handed him a bit of rabbit. “Well
then,” she stood and picked up the bowl, “why don't I help you
with the dishes? As soon as the moon comes out, I'll look for it in
the garden.”
“Leia.”
Luke put his hand on his sister's shoulder. “If you're going to go
after Vader and his master, I'm coming with you. I won't let you do
this alone. You're my twin, and Han is my friend.” He gave her a
small smile. “I know a few tricks that will distract him while you
release your fiancee.”
Leia
threw her arms around him. “Thank you, Luke. You're the best twin
ever.”
“What
are twins for?” He hefted the soup pot. Chewie licked his bowl
filled with scraps clean. “Let's go out and get these washed. The
sooner we can get to the garden, the better.”
That
night, the two and the dog made their way out to the plot of land
behind Luke's cottage. Obi-Wan had originally planted the garden when
he first came to Tatoonie in the hopes of training magic-sensitive
youths. It was filled with every magical plant or flower that could
grow in a desert, from cacti blossoms whose juice could heal gaping
wounds to lupine with the ability to put anything to sleep. The flora
was planted in neat rows, bordered by sagebrush and cacti.
Leia
was about to despair of every finding the flower when she saw
something sparkle in a dark corner. An enormous white star-shaped
bloom stood all alone, surrounded by a strange silvery mist. The
moonlight fell on a single pearl in its center. The mists danced
around the pearl, giving it a strange, lustrous sheen.
“You
found it!” Luke hurried over to her, with Chewbacca at her heels.
“The Luminous Pearl Star is one of a kind. It only grows in
Tatoonie, and even here, it's rare. It's made of pure white magic.
Dark magic can't touch it. When you go to Bast Castle, you'll be able
to walk in without being paralyzed.”
His
sister frowned. “But what about you? Vader will turn you into a
bird, or a kitten! I couldn't bear to lose two men I love.”
“You
won't.” Luke pulled out a small bag. “Obi-Wan taught me a few
tricks and potions before he died. I can handle Vader. You
concentrate on finding Han.” Chewie barked, nudging Luke's leg.
“You too, boy. I know you miss him.”
They
returned to Alderaan the very next morning in the carriage. Leia kept
the flower close to her in a small pouch. She was amazed by its
ability to retain its shape and color, even after being confined for
several days. Its glow seemed more intense than ever.
This
time, they were able to ride right up to the castle gate. Vader once
again met them there. “So, you defied my orders and came back.”
“I
want my fiancee.” Leia held out the flower. Vader pulled back,
hissing angrily.
“Where
did you get that?” Vader's voice sounded strained.
“I
gave it to her.” Luke pulled out his bag. “My master Obi-Wan
wanted you to return to us, Anakin Skywalker. Your love Padme was
murdered by your master. Palpatine wants your magic. He's using you.”
“No!”
Vader shot black light out at the young man. “He's easing my pain!
He wasn't the sorcerer who took Padme from me!”
“He's
using your power!” Luke easily leaped away from the light. “When
he's gotten what he wants, he'll get rid of you!”
Leia
wanted to help her brother, but she knew there was very little she
could do. The flower could protect, but she doubted it could shoot
magic. She and Chewbacca hurried past the combatants and into the
castle.
She
and Chewbacca listened for the sound of animals calling out.
Chewbacca was a dog, and his hearing was far more sensitive than any
human's. The moment he heard his master's warble, he let out a happy
bark and loped over to a long, winding staircase.
“You
hear something, Chewie?” The big, furry brown dog nodded, tugging
his mistress up the stairs. There was a heavy door at the top. Leia
touched the flower to the lock, opening it easily.
The
tower room was far larger on the inside than it was on the outside!
Cages lined the circular walls. Each one contained a poor small
animal that had once been a man, a mouse or a kitten or a puppy or a
bird. They were far less noisy than Leia expected. The dogs
whimpered. The kittens purred sadly. The mice barely squeaked. The
birds' chirping was subdued. Some were little more than skin, bones,
and wrinkles, too old-looking for young animals.
At
the far end of the room was what appeared to be a black cloak. A
withered, dead-white finger stuck out of the fabric. A small
reddish-brown sparrow perched on the tip. Another finger stroked the
scar under his beak. “Yes, my handsome pet. You will sing for me,
on my bidding.” The bird sang, but its warble was heartrendingly
sad and full of longing. “Yes, sing for me, pretty bird. Sing, and
then I will take enough energy to keep me young for a long time.”
“That's
what you think!” Leia waved the flower at him. “Release my
fiancee at once!” Chewbacca bared his teeth at the elderly
sorcerer.
Palpatine
was truly an awful sight. He was all skin and bones and wrinkles. His
eyes glowed a hideous shade of yellow. “How did you get in here,
girl? Didn't my apprentice turn you into stone at the doorway? He
must be getting lazy.”
“My
brother's keeping him occupied.” She held out the flower. “I
won't let you take Han's life. I'll bet that's what you did to
Vader's Padme, didn't you? Drained her of her energy, then killed
her.”
“Ahh,
my first pet.” Palpatine's thin-lipped smile chilled the young
woman to her bones. “She made such a graceful little swan. I did so
enjoy watching her swim on the pond in the courtyard before I drained
her. I never tasted such delicate, sweet energy.” He lifted his
hands. “If you will not leave, little one...you will be destroyed.”
Leia
braced herself as he shot purple lightning from his fingertips.
Chewbacca leaned against her leg, whimpering. To her surprise, a
white mist from the flower surrounded her and Chewie, protecting
them. The lightning only went around it.
Palpatine
hissed. “That flower...it has white magic. I can feel it. Where did
you get it?”
“Wouldn't
you like to know?” Leia reached over him. “You can't hurt me
while I have this. Now, I'm just going to free my fiancee...”
“Oh
no. I'm not losing my pet that easily!” He dodged her lunge,
surprisingly nimble for such an ancient crone. Before Leia or
Chewbacca could stop him, his purple lightning gathered around him.
When it burst away, he was now a ragged, yellow-eyed owl. The larger
bird wrapped his talon around the sparrow as it tried to fly to Leia
and flapped speedily out the window.
“No!”
Leia watched the owl...but then, her gaze fell on the other cages.
She needed help to rescue Han. She touched each cage with the pearl.
It and its occupant glowed white, and was replaced by a handsome man.
She ran around the room with the pearl, opening every cage, until the
entire room was filled with men of various ages and sizes.
One
tall man with curly dark hair and a gentle smile bowed before her. “I
thank you, Senorita. I am Principe Kes, of the Kingdom of Yavin. I
became lost in the forest two months ago and was captured by that
terrible enchanter and turned into a kitten. I wanted nothing more
than to return to my wife, the Principa Shara.”
Leia
curtsied as best she could. “Thank you, Your Highness. I'm glad I
could help.” She stood, turning to the doorway. “Now, I must ask
a favor of all of you. Palpatine has my fiancee, Han Solo. Will you
all help me get him back?”
The
men bowed as one for her, including the Prince. “Anything for the
woman who saved our lives and our energy,” Kes insisted.
They
all followed her downstairs, just in time to see Luke knock Vader to
the ground, white magic surrounding him. “You're not really evil,
Vader,” Luke said gently. “You're hurt and angry and heartbroken,
but not evil. I can feel it.”
Leia
took advantage of the distraction to touch Vader with the flower. To
her surprise, instead of killing him, the white mist seemed to
penetrate him, change him. When the mist dissolved, it revealed a
good-looking older man in his 40's, with curly gray-yellow hair and a
scraggly grayish beard. His eyes, once the same muddy yellow as his
master, were now a clear sapphire blue.
“You're
Sir Anakin!” yelled one tall man with brown hair pulled back into a
bun. “You were one of the greatest knights ever in the Kingdom of
Naboo. Everyone thought you were dead!” The other men glared at
him, angry for his part their abductions and abuse.
“Look
out!” Another man, a tall fellow with straight black hair, pointed
upwards at the sky. The round, gold moon gave enough light to reveal
the owl diving straight for them, the sparrow still in its talon.
It's hooting seemed more like evil cackles to Leia.
“No!”
Anakin reached out and grabbed the owl before it could fly away. “I
won't let this young woman lose her lover like I lost Padme!” It
took Kes, Anakin, and Luke to subdue the owl and pry the sparrow out
of its talon.
Luke
handed the little brown bird to Leia. The brown bird chirped happily,
nudging Luke's finger. “Here, sis. I believe turning him back
should be your job.”
He
set the bird on the ground. Leia smiled and touched him with the
flower. The white mist enveloped the sparrow. His chirping became a
very human groan. When the mist subsided, Han Solo was rubbing his
fluffy red-brown head. “What took you so long, sweetheart?” he
asked with a teasing grin.
“Han!”
she threw herself into his arms. “God, I missed you so much!” The
men around them cheered.
Han
just hugged as hard as he could. “I love you, Leia.”
She
gave him a grin in return. “I know.”
Kes
and Luke still held Palpatine the owl, who struggled in their arms.
“What are we going to do with him?”
Anakin's
blue eyes had a nasty gleam in them. He took the owl by the scruff of
its neck and deposited it in front of Chewbacca. “Here, dog. How'd
you like a nice, plump, juicy bird for dinner?” The enormous brown
mastiff barked and leaped onto the owl, tearing it and biting it
until there was nothing left but a few feathers.
Han
and Leia returned to the Kingdom of Alderaan, where they were wed.
They became the most prosperous traders and store owners in the land.
They also remained good friends with the Prince and Princess, later
King and Queen, of Yavin. The royal couple even made them the
godparents of their son Poe after his birth, and they in turn became
the godparents of Leia and Han's son Benjamin. Chewbacca stayed their
beloved and faithful companion.
Anakin
did not get as warm a reception in the Kingdom of Naboo. He was put
on trial for kidnapping and accessory to murder. The tribunal
acquitted him, but others continued to accuse him. He fled to the
hills, where it's assumed he lives out the rest of his days quietly,
for he has never been seen again.
Luke
went back to Tatoonie with the flower...but not alone. He was quite
taken with the handsome fellow with the dark hair and blue eyes, a
young horseman from the Kingdom of Corellia named Wedge. The two
lived together in Obi-Wan's cottage for years, tending to the magical
flowers and raising a little orphan girl named Rey. The pearl star
flower was replanted in the garden, where it remains to this day.
