Cinder-Han, Part 1

Rating: PG (violence)

Pairings: Han/Leia

Disclaimer: The franchise belongs to George Lucas and the Walt Disney Company.

Once upon a time, there was a man named Harron Solo who lived in a grand estate on the edge of the the Kingdom of Corellia. Well, sort of. Actually, he only worked there. It had belonged to his family, once...until his father Lord Josiah, a wealthy nobleman, died. He barely remembered his father. He was only two when a plague swept through the Kingdom of Corellia, taking his father with it.

His mother didn't know what to do. Lady Jania Solo was lost without her husband. Lord Josiah had been in the ground for two days when the ugliest troll she'd ever seen oozed across her door. He was slimy and grotesque and covered in wrinkles, with a fat, cigar-like tail. His name was Jabba the Hutt, and he claimed everything – her home, her furniture and jewels and clothes – belonged to him.

It turned out her husband had worked for him for years, smuggling illegal drugs and contraband into Corellia and other kingdoms, then gambling away the profits. Three large shipments had been lost in a severe storm, and coupled with a bad run at the tables, His Lordship had been completely bankrupted. He'd been forced to sell the manor house and its contents, his business, and even his family's services to Jabba and his company.

“I won't let you turn me out of my home.” Lady Jania held her shoulders high and pulled her son close to her. “You can have everything else, the jewels and furniture. They mean nothing to me. Just let us stay. I need a place to raise my son. Harron is all I have left.”

“Oh, you two can stay,” the old troll laughed. “As my servants. You'll make an especially pretty maid, my dear.” Harron could vaguely recall hiding behind his horrified mother's skirts when Jabba reached out to pet his hair. “And is that your son? He's a skinny brat. Too much pampering will do that to a boy. My adopted sons will soon toughen that little runt.”

Jabba claimed he was a merchant. Actually, he was a criminal and a troll, with a fat finger in every illegal pot in the kingdom. His men, including several of his relatives, slept there, often destroying or blanketing with smoke from their cigars anything they didn't outright steal. His adopted sons were no better. Boba in particular tormented him, hating anyone who could be as strong, intelligent, or good-looking as he.

By the time Harron was in his late 20's, Solo Mansion was falling apart. He was grateful his mother hadn't lived to see it. Jania was never really well after Josiah's death and the loss of her home. One of the first things Jabba had done to pay off Lord Solo's debts was fire almost all of the servants. Jania, who had been raised a noble and had never cooked or cleaned in her life, now found herself doing most of the mending, cleaning, repairing, and cooking, as well as raising a young boy on her own. She sold everything she could to make sure her son was relatively well-fed and educated, and at least could go to the village school with the other boys.

Only Harron and old Maz in town truly mourned when she finally passed on. Shortly after, Jabba withdrew Harron from school. He now had to take over most of the chores she'd done. Jabba and his men never called him “Harron” anymore. He was called “Han,” which meant “cinders, or ashes” in Corellian, for the fireplace was where he spent a great deal of his time now. His “brothers” taunted him, calling him “Cinder Boy” and rubbing ashes from the fireplace in his face.

Han was determined that he wouldn't end up like his mother, dead from exhaustion and heartbreak. He would find a way to pay off his debt and be free of the old troll for good. As he grew older, he started to take more and more trips to other kingdoms, bringing whatever stolen goods Jabba was delivering at the moment to his equally shady buyers. His only real friends in Corellia were Chewbacca, a faithful, furry mutt, and Falcon, the oldest and most worn horse in Jabba's stable.

Jabba, for his part, resented Han. Lady Jania's spoiled brat had grown into a ruggedly handsome man, with all the charm, wit, and exceptional looks and intelligence of his parents. More of his customers had started to request the witty, attractive courier...ignoring Jabba's own adopted sons, whom he wanted to take over the “family” business. He made sure he saw as little of Solo as possible. Han slept in a tiny hay loft above the stables and ate his meals there, or in the kitchen with the few other servants.

One day, Han was delivering a load of illegal gunpowder and fireworks Jabba was selling in Coruscant, the largest city in Naboo, the next kingdom over. Chewbacca trotted by his side. He'd stopped to let Falcon drink and munch on some grass when he heard the screams and angry yelling.

Han crept over to a thicket of blackberries. Peering through them, he saw a group of bandits, surrounding a pretty young girl with dark hair, a handsome youth with hair of spun gold, and an old man in the heavy dark robes of a magician or wizard. They were fighting back a group of leering bandits, but the bandits outnumbered them and kept coming.

The girl shot off three arrows rapid-fire. Han had never seen a girl who could do that before. It made him feel a fire in his belly he'd never felt with other women. “You won't get our gold, you monsters!” she shouted. “You will go on your way and leave us alone!”

“Sure we will, girlie.” The largest bandit reached over, yanking off her white hood. Han's eyes widened, not only at her great beauty...but at the fire in her eyes that clearly said these men would be dead in about five minutes, if she had her way.

“Let my sister go!” The youth lashed out at them with his sword, but two men yanked his arms behind his back. “Don't you dare touch her!”

“Would you look at this one?” The bandit ran his calloused hand over the girl's soft, white cheek. “We could get a fine price for her! Let's hold them all for ransom!”

One of his men reached for her. “I get her first!”

His leader pushed him back. “She's mine. Make do with the old man and that scrawny kid.”

The boy glared at him. “Scrawny?”

The girl gave him a small smirk. “You are very thin, brother dear. I've said you need to start filling out more.”

“Wedge doesn't have any problems with my body,” her brother muttered darkly.

“Children, this is not the time, nor the place for this argument.” The old man started to raise his own sword, but one of the bandits yanked it out of his hand.

“Oooh, would you look at this? Fine Blue Khyber Diamond!” The bandit showed his prize to his master. “We could get some good money for this!”

His leader smirked, grasping the boy's weapon. “Same diamond, but look at the handle! Real sapphires, and such craftsmanship! I may keep this one for myself. It's worthy of a bandit king.”

The girl struggled and scratched and bit and kicked, screaming at the top of her lungs. “No! You put that down! It's been in my father's family for generations! You let us go, you bastard!”

Han fell in love with the girl right then and there. Not only was she beautiful, but she was brave, and quite witty, too. Even in her simple man's tunic and breeches, her hair pulled back into a messy braid, she was the most fiery and brilliant creature he'd ever met. Certainly better than the dim-witted chits Jabba's boys brought around!

The bandit held the sword in front of her brother's throat. “Keep yelling like that, girlie, and we'll take off your pretty brother's head.”

Chewbacca nudged Han. “I can't get involved, boy,” he insisted. “I have to get to Coruscant with this load, or Jabba will have my head.”

The big, shaggy dog growled and remained where he was. Falcon trotted over, nibbling lightly at his arm. He pushed at a saddle bag with his nose.

“What can I do?” Han shook his head. “Those guys are twice the size of me...” That was when he remembered his load. “You know, maybe they wouldn't notice if just a little gunpowder was missing...”

The bandit was about to force himself on the girl when something exploded right in the middle of the group, spraying colorful light in all directions. The girl took advantage of the distraction to thrust her knee into a sensitive place. The boy elbowed both of his captors, taking his sword back and his older companion's as well. Chewbacca bit another hard in the leg; Falcon kicked one right into a tree.

Han was the greatest archer in all of Corellia. He could shoot down an apple from twenty leagues away, or take out four bandits with one arrow. As it turned out, the others weren't bad with their weapons, either. The boy was awkward but quick with his sword. The girl was an equal archer, shooting down apples from the tallest treetops to hit bandits on the head and knock them out. The old man felled bandits right and left.

Han tossed more fireworks into the fray. “Let's get out of here, before the smoke clears!” They barely had enough time to rush off into the forest before the bandits realized what was happening.

They raced through the woods and down the main road to Coruscant. Han usually avoided the main roads, given that his cargo was less-than-legal, but it was the fastest way to get out of the forest. He groaned as they heard horse hooves behind them.

“Those bastards are still after us!” He grabbed another firecracker, letting it spit and crackle behind them. “Here.” He tossed ones to the boy and the girl. The boy looked a little nervous, but still threw it. The girl threw it without any hesitancy whatsoever.

The firecrackers frightened the bandits' horses. Han looked over his shoulder just in time to see the old man wave his hand. Maybe it was his imagination, but he could have sworn a blue light writhed around the spent fireworks. When the light faded, snakes as long as his arm writhed in the middle of the road. They hissed at the horses, chasing them off the road.

Han shuddered. He knew how the horses felt. If there was one thing he hated, it was snakes. They were pretty much the only thing he was afraid of.

They finally pulled over on the side of the road, near the Alder River. “We thank you, sir,” the old man said simply. “My niece and nephew and I are on our way back to Coruscant. We're...meeting friends there.”

Han gave them his lazy grin, his eyes sliding towards the girl. “Well, I happen to be going to Coruscant myself. Maybe I could escort 'ya. Make sure no one else tries anything.”

The girl rolled her dark eyes. “Thank you very much, sir, but we can take care of ourselves.”

“Oh yeah,” Han sneered. “You took care of yourselves so well, those guys were about to jump on you and take off your brother's head.”

“Oh, come on, sis.” Her brother shrugged. “What harm could it do?”

“I agree. I believe we could use the extra protection.” The older man nodded. “My name is Ben Kenobi. I work for the King and Queen in Coruscant. This is Luke and Leia, scholars who are studying in the city. What's your name, sir?”

“Han.” He turned Falcon around. “I'm Han Solo.” He patted the pile of fur by his side. “This is Chewbacca, my right-hand dog. I don't do anything without him.” Falcon nudged him. “Oh, and Falcon. He's the fastest horse in the entire kingdom.”

“But he's so old.” Luke frowned. “Surely he can't be that fast!”

“He's the horse that made the Kessel Road Run in less than twelve minutes.” He charged past the boy. “Bet your little pony can't catch up with us!”

“Of course we can!” Luke nudged his pony. “Come on, Sun Rider! We can beat some old nag!”

Leia charged after them. “Swift Wing is faster than either of your silly horses!”

Obi-Wan shook his head as the three went charging down the road. One minute, one would be ahead, then the other, then the third. Obi-Wan finally used his magic to make Chewbacca appear in his arms. The dog was large and heavy. It wasn't the most comfortable ride, but he seemed to enjoy it.

Leia arrived at the market place just a split second ahead of Han, Luke very close behind them. She laughed when she arrived. “Ah ha! I won!”

“Just barely.” Han gave her his big grin. “You know, you're kind of cute, for a scholar. I thought scholars were dull little schoolgirls hiding behind their books.”

She smirked. “And I thought all servants were silent and obedient.”

“Nahh. I'm my own man.” He leaned against her. “You know, I'd love to go out with you sometime. If you're not too busy with your books.”

She shook her head. “I'm sorry, but I can't. I'm afraid I have too much to do.”

Han rubbed her hands. “Maybe we could just share some roasted chestnuts from the nut vendor at the market?”

Leia couldn't help herself. Her brown eyes were locked into his. They were really lovely, his eyes, all hazel and sparkling. “My hands are dirty.”

“My hands are dirty, too.” He gently stroked her knuckle with his thumb. “What are you afraid of?”

The girl made afraid. “I'm not afraid! It's just...I like nice men.”

He raised her chin. “I'm a nice man.”

“No, you're not. You...” Their lips were about to meet when they were interrupted by a very romantic sigh.

Leia and Han looked over their shoulders as one...to see Luke, his cheek on his chin. He practically had hearts in his eyes. “Don't mind me, you two.” He waved his hand. “Well, go on! This is better than Mother's favorite romance novels.”

“I think we'd best move along.” Ben set Chewbacca on the ground, then reached into his pocket. He dropped a small bag into Han's hand. “Here, my boy. We're very grateful for your help, especially me. These two and their parents are all the family I have left in the world.”

Han looked at the bag in his hand...then shook his head. “Nahh. I don't need it. Buy some new robes, old man. Yours are so worn, I can nearly see through them.”

Leia chuckled. “We have been after him about replacing them.”

“Still,” Ben began, “there has to be something I could do for you...”

“I'm fine, old man. Get these kids back to school, before they land in detention for being out after curfew.” He pushed the bag back in the older fellow's hand.

Luke shook his hand. “Thank you so much! I hope we'll get to race again sometime.”

“Sure, kid.” Han turned to Leia. “Well, I guess this is it, Sweetheart.”

Leia tried not to show how fast her heart was beating. “I guess it is.”

Han finally decided to take a leaf from her and try to play it as cool as she was. “Well, don't get all mushy on me. So long, princess.”

“Sis,” Luke complained as Han rode across the square, Chewbacca following, “why do you have to drive every man who likes you away? I think Han was crazy about you. Did you see his eyes?”

“He's a cocky idiot.” Leia made a face. “Not to mention a bold idiot. He's lucky there's no guards around. If they saw him trying to kiss the Princess of Naboo...”

“I think we'll discuss this further at Theed Palace.” Ben nodded at the enormous, sprawling building in the distance. “You two go on ahead. I want to talk to an old friend.”

~*~*~*~*~*~

Maz Kantana was one of Han's favorite people in Naboo, and one of his only real friends. She ran the local watering hole, the Takodana Pub. He was hoping she'd know what to do now. He strolled in, making his way past all the usual barflies and strange creatures who frequented her place.

“Han!” Maz was a tiny old woman, puckered and reddish, with eyes that blinked under thick glasses. Most people wouldn't give her a second glance. “And Chewie.” The dog barked and ran to her, nearly knocking her down in his enthusiasm. “Ok, ok. I'll give you a treat.”

“Hey, Han.” Lando Calarissian, one of Han's other few friends, sat behind the bar. “You still running errands for Jabba? Thought you finally paid him off.” Unlike Han, Lando was a free man. He didn't hold truck with Jabba or his companies, preferring to remain independent. It looked like he'd had some good luck at the tables lately. His blue suit and cape were the latest fashion, his coffee-colored skin was soft and clean, and his glossy black curls nearly glowed.

“I should have just about enough with this shipment...” Han reached into the saddlebags...and realized they were empty. He tried to give Maz one of his grins, but it looked stiff. “Or, I had enough.”

Maz looked up from rubbing Chewie's stomach. “How did you lose that shipment? You know Jabba isn't going to forgive you for that. He'll take that money out of your hide.”

“Yeah, I know.” He shrugged. “Helped some family on the road. Thought they had money. They...didn't. They were just some poor old guy and his kids.”

Lando raised an eyebrow. “Since when did you start rescuing poor people on the road?”

Han shrugged, trying to look nonchalant. “What could I do? They were being attacked by bandits. I didn't want the bandits trying anything on Chewie or Falcon or me, either. The bandits probably stole the explosives when I wasn't lookin'.”

“Sure.” Maz waggled her finger in his face. “One of these days, Harron Solo, you're going to admit you inherited your mother's heart along with her beauty and brains.”

“Don't call me that. That's not who I am anymore.” Han settled at his usual table. Chewbacca jumped up on the bench next to him. “I'll have Corellian ale, Maz.”

“I'll give it to you when you pay me.” Chewbacca barked, giving her his largest puppy-dog eyes. The old woman finally sighed, shaking her head. “Oh, fine. Ale for you, water for Chewie. But just this once. I'm not running a charity ward here.”

Lando chuckled. “Good boy, Chewie. Those big eyes could melt Alderannian mountain stone.” He stood, straightening his cuffs. “Too bad your owner isn't that handsome.”

“Who says?” Han smirked. “I almost kissed a scholar on the way here. She was so beautiful. Like something from one of those paintings of naked Greek goddesses Jabba keeps around the house. Tough, too. She almost took down all the bandits herself. Eyes of a doe and the balls of a knight in shining armor.”

Maz chuckled as she brought Chewie and Han their drinks. Chewie slurped his under the table, while Han sipped his. “It sounds like you're in love with her.”

“Me?” Han chuckled. “Well...maybe. But she looks like a classy girl. That man's tunic of hers weren't cheap. I've sold that kind of brocade before on the black market. It costs at least 200 credits.” He shook his head. “What would a classy rich kid be doing with someone like me?”

Lando chuckled. “Who would have thought you falling for the classy type?”

“It's not like I'll ever see her again.” Han swished his ale around with a wooden stick “I didn't get her address or anything. Too bad. She was really something else.”

“Sounds like it, from the way you're fawning over her.” Lando tugged at his cuffs. “Sorry I can't hang around here, but I have an appointment with my tailor. I simply must dash. I need to do the last fitting for my new suit and cape for the ball.”

Han raised an eyebrow as he gulped his drink. “The ball?”

His friend raised a well-shaped eyebrow. “You didn't know? I thought everyone knew about the ball.”

“I've been out of the country, doing deliveries.” Han looked up from his drink as Maz came over with a poster. “What's this about a ball?”

“Prince Luke and Princess Leia's birthday ball.” Maz spread the poster out on Han's table. “King Anakin and Queen Padme are celebrating the twins' twentieth birthdays with the largest ball in the history of Naboo.” A crooked, scarlet finger smoothed the wrinkles under the words. “The royal parents are hoping to find their daughter a husband. Prince Luke is already engaged to Duke Wedge Antilles of Corellia, but Princess Leia has turned down every suitor for miles. The king and queen have invited every available man in the kingdom in the hope that she'll find one who will win her heart.”

Han was only half-paying attention to the poster...until he came to the artwork on the bottom, depicting the royal family. “That...that's her.” He nearly choked on his ale. “Those are the kids I met on the road!” It was a perfect likeness...only here, the boy wore a fine golden suit and a crown, and the girl was resplendent in delicate peach-colored silks and satin. It brought out the creamy smoothness of her cheeks, he decided.

Lando burst into laughter. “You rescued royalty? You?”

“I didn't know! They didn't tell me! They said the kids were scholars and the old man was their chaperon!” Han shook his head. “I knew I should have taken the money.”

Maz's eyes sparkled. “Maybe you could ask her for it at the ball.”

“Me?” He leaned back against the bench. “Me, at a ball?” He shrugged. “Well...maybe. I'm not really much for parties. Jabba's usually involve a lot of grabbing female rears and dirty deals in his back room. But a ball...”

Maz put a hand on his. “Why don't you go, Han? You want to go. I can see it in your eyes. It might be good for you.” She nodded at the poster. “And perhaps, good for her. I suspect what Princess Leia is looking for is a man who can challenge her. She's not the dainty, frilly type of royalty. She needs a lover who is as strong as she is.”

“What she needs is a good kick in the pants.” Even as Han said it, his eyes never left the poster. “She'd probably throw me out.” He shrugged. “I might be able to sneak past Jabba, but I still don't have anything to wear.” He tugged at his tattered off-white peasant shirt and black vest. “These are the only clothes I have. Jabba took the rest for his boys when Ma died.”

“I can help there.” Maz went in the back room. “When your father first went into debt, he sold almost his entire wardrobe to me. I told him not to, but he insisted. Said he had to pay off his debt somehow.” She brought a long form covered in a cloth bag. “I still have most of his clothes. This is a bit out of fashion, but it may work for you.”

The old woman pulled off the bag and let Han look it over. It had been a fine suit, once upon a time. The navy jacket and soft white silk shirt gleamed in the low light. He recognized the tight-fitting, yellow-striped trousers of the Corellian Army. “Did you know your father was in the Corellian Army, before he met your mother?” Maz ran her finger down the leg of the trousers. “He was wounded in the leg on one mission. Wasn't enough to keep him from walking, but it was enough to discharge him.”

“Yeah.” Han looked over the suit. It had quite a few worn patches. “I ain't a shabby seamstress. Ma taught me how to fix a few things. I could probably patch this up a little. Might work.”

Lando looked over it. “You'll need to fix the elbows on the jacket, and it looks like mice may have chewed a hole in the back of the trousers. The collar's too high. The style's a lot lower nowadays. You might be able to replace it.”

“You don't have much time.” Maz shoved the suit in his arms. “The ball is in three days.”

Lando grinned. “Maybe if you can get away from Jabba and those jerks he calls sons, we could go in together.” He straightened his own collar. “That princess won't know what hit her. We'll be the two best-looking men there.”

Han raised his chin. “Let Jabba try to stop me from going.”

“Good.” Lando tipped his dark blue hat over his perfectly arranged curls. “I'll see you there, buddy.” Han watched him leave, taking another gulp from his ale as he did.

Maz waved her hand, her eyes suddenly worried. Han's eyes snapped up at the entrance as one of Jabba's boys, Greedo, strolled in. He was an ugly sucker, with a long nose, scaly skin, and spiky green hair that made him look more like a lizard than a human. He held a mechanical crossbow right at Han's chest.

“Where have you been, Solo?” Greedo's thin lips twisted into a sneer. “You should have delivered that shipment and been home hours ago.”

Han immediately stuffed the suit behind him. “Yeah, well, there were a few problems on the road. I had to, er, dump the shipment.” He started to stroke his dog's fur. “I'll get him that money. I have to talk to a few people. Tell Jabba...”

“Jabba's tired of your excuses.” Greedo trained his mechanical crossbow on his chest. “If he's feeling in an especially good mood, he may just sell that lame horse and mutt of yours to the glue factory.”

Chewbacca growled. Han's fingers tensed in his beloved dog's fur. “Over my dead body.”

Greedo might have smirked. It was hard to tell, with his thin lips. “That's the idea. I always thought you were a liability. Jabba can get other servants. I've been waiting for this for a long time.”

“Yeah, I'll bet you have.” No one quite knew what happened after that. It was too dark in the back to see who shot whom under the table. While most patrons swore Han did it first, there were a few who said Greedo shot Han first and missed.

Regardless, Han Solo emerged from behind the table as Greedo's head fell forward, an arrow lodged in his chest. Chewbacca followed, growling at anyone who so much as looked the wrong way at his master. Han swept the suit into the crook of his arm. “Sorry about the mess, Maz.” He tossed a coin into the old woman's hand before sauntering out.

Minutes after Han and Chewbacca took off on Falcon, another, smaller figure, this one clad in a heavy brown cloak, ducked into the bar. He sat at the counter, putting out a coin to the bartender. “I need to talk to Maz Kantana. It's a matter of some urgency.”

“Old Obi-Wan.” Maz quickly replaced the bartender. “What'll it be? Stewjohn Mulled Wine?”

“Just like we used to have at home.” Obi-Wan gave her a wink. “No one makes it quite like you, Maz.”

“Spare me the flattery.” She pushed the drink at him. “I heard what happened on the road. Solo is perfect for Leia. They have the same mind, the same spirit.” The old woman grinned, showing her near lack of teeth. “The same sarcastic mouths. They're perfect.”

Obi-Wan nodded, sipping his drink. “I did notice that on the young man who rescued us. He reminds me of Lord Josiah Solo, one of the most dashing noblemen ever in the court.” The old man puckered his lips at the bittersweet drink. “Until he fell out of favor with the king after gambling away a lot of Naboo's treasury.”

“That's Josiah's boy, Harron.” Maz took the money he handed her. “He's got his father's charm and quick wit, but thank heavens, he also got his mother's kind heart and good head.”

Obi-Wan quirked a silver eyebrow. “He said his name was Han.”

“Jabba's boys call him that. Meant to be an insult, but I think he wears it as a badge of pride.” She frowned. “Jabba will never let him get out of that contract. Han's too good at his job. This may be his best chance.”

“Leia's, too.” Obi-Wan pushed the drink aside. “I'm worried Anakin may try to force some prince or nobleman's son she doesn't want on her, just to make a political alliance. He got lucky with Luke and the Duke of Corellia. Leia will resist any attempt to treat her like a prize.”

Maz nodded. “You might want to go to Jabba's tomorrow night and check on Han. I don't think that old troll going to let him go that easily, whether he has his father's suit or not.”

“I think I'll do that.” He handed her a coin. “For the drink.”

Maz handed it back. “Keep it. You bring Han...Harron...to your Leia and make them both happy. Jania Solo was my friend. It killed me to see her slaving away for that slug of a troll. I don't want her son to share the same fate.”

“He won't.” Obi-Wan raised his hood. “I need to get going. I have to get ready for the ball myself.”

“Have a good time.” Maz waved at him. “Give my love to the King and Queen and Lady Tano.”

“I will.” The moment the old man stepped outside and into the alley, he vanished in a small burst of blue light. Maz just smiled and returned to wiping down the counter.