Leia nodded. “Thank you, my liege.”
The secret passage was dusty, dirty, and strewn with cobwebs and the bones of mice and rats who had lived and died there. It was also narrow, barely fitting Chewbacca, the Ewoks, and the long row of humans. Lando complained loudly about his favorite blue cape getting dirty, the Ewoks squeaked and gasped, and Cyril whimpered plaintively for his mummy.
Another door in the wall opened into a vast hall. It was fairly spartan and elegant for the home of the royal family. Tasteful garlands of flowers wrapped around black crepe bordered simple tapestries and murals. The few furnishings were more ostentatious, with gold leaf on some chairs and finely carved cabinets and armor so shiny, the sun glinting off of it hurt Leia's eyes. Gold statues vied with exquisitely carved jade boxes for space on the tables.
“Welcome to Corellia Hall.” Wedge waved his hand around the long room. “Wipe your feet and paws before entering, and don't touch anything valuable. It's rumored that some of these gewgaws were stolen by King Josiah during his days as a gypsy and a thief in the Endor Woods. He has a couple of traps on a few of them.”
Cyril had just picked up a jade box to inspect it. Artello gave him a scolding flutter on his flute. His friend dropped it quickly, turning red under his mustard-yellow hair.
“The main event is in the throne room.” Wedge opened a cabinet, pulling out several cloaks. Lando pulled up the hood on his. He handed them around to Leia and the servants. “You'll pass for nobles if no one can see your outfits. Lando, you're fine.” Wicket tugged at his sleeve with a squeak. “I'll say you little guys are our bodyguards. Native warriors are very popular among many nobles for protection. Who's to say they can't have short ones?”
Lando grinned. “I think this is where I come in.” He straightened his blue cape and tugged at the yellow silk tunic. “Follow my lead, and let me do the talking.”
The throne room glittered with a huge iron chandelier strewn with flowers and the two gilded thrones, sparkling like golden suns. It didn't seem right for Palpatine, in his grays and red robes, to be sitting in the navy blue and red velvet padding. He looked younger than ever, and far happier. When he smiled, he showed even, sharp teeth that looked more like a constipated shark's.
“Ladies and gentlemen of the court,” he began, “tonight begins a new era for Naboo and for the Alliance of the Kingdoms.” He stood as the crowds applauded lightly. “Tonight, at the coming of the Great Confluence, we will witness the beginnings of my reign as Naboo's new king and protector.” He placed a hand on his heart and tried to look despondent. “We shall do it in honor of Queen Jania, may she rest in peace.”
Leia was surprised when a younger woman, younger than even herself, stepped out of the crowd. “What about her son?” She wore a lavender gown made of fine silk, awash in soft lace and ruffles. The dress was almost the same color as the curls that fell to her shoulders. “What of Prince Henry? Rumor has it that he survived.” A tiara made from amethyst and silver glowed in her hair; more sparkled on her wrist. “I've heard he's amassing an army among the peasants, even as we speak.”
Palpatine coughed as voices went up in protest around the room. “Prince Henry is dead. He was murdered by brigands on the road. I'm sorry that you lost your former fiancee so suddenly, Princess Amilyn, but you must accept that he's gone. He was never much for ruling, anyway. Too much of his wastrel gypsy father in him.”
Amilyn stood her ground. “Is it true, though? That brigand story seemed rather sketchy to me. My family's questioned it every since his death was announced.”
Palpatine's smile stiffened. “Of course it's true. He's gone, girl. Him and all his family.” Three of his men in flame-red armor advanced on the young woman. “My men will escort you downstairs. I'd like to have a...word...with you.”
A blur in a brown cloak leaped in front of the girl before Lando could stop her. Two of the guards were on the ground and the crowd was gasping in shock when Leia threw the cape off. “You'll do no such thing, Palpatine! I won't let you harm this woman for speaking her mind!”
Palpatine smirked. “Ahh, Anakin Skywalker's brat. I knew it would work. You're here just in time. The Convergence is in less than an hour.”
“Where are they?” Leia held out her flaming white-blue sword. “Where are my brother and Han?”
“What have you done with Henry?” Amilyn withdrew a silver knife from under layers of petticoat. “I knew you lied! Where is he?”
“He's in a safe place.” The king-to-be nodded at the guards in the red armor surrounding the room. “Bring both of them to me. Unharmed, preferably.”
The light was growing softer and purplish outside, signaling the coming twilight. “It's coming!” Princess Amilyn grabbed Leia's hand. “The Great Confluence will be starting as soon as the sun has set.”
“We have to get out off here.” Blue-white fire leaped from her sword. Nobles stood back in shock as white light threw three men against the wall. Every man she killed seemed to have three more replacements.
“Need some help?” Wes Janson grinned as he and the guards pushed through the crowds. “Palpatine,” he called, “you're under arrest for first-degree murder and treason against the crown.”
Palpatine's laughter echoed through the room. “You're very fun, Sir Jansen. You have no proof of treason.”
“I saw you kidnap the prince!” Leia held out her metal hand so the crowd could see it, heard their gasps of shock. “You did this to me when I tried to fight you! I have witnesses right here!”
“It's difficult to kidnap what no longer exists.” Palpatine threw out a black light. People screamed as it writhed around Leia, dragging her to him. “Yes, my dear girl. I can feel the darkness in you. You hate me for what I did to your parents, your brother.” He pulled her closer. “Why don't I take you to him? You can witness the end of your pitiful rebellion...and of all magic.”
“No...” She gasped as the light tightened around her windpipe. “Let him go. You...can't touch...my brother...magic...will go on...”
“You're far too trusting, girl...ow!” Palpatine had been so focused on Leia, he hadn't noticed the sharp little spear jabbing into his ankle. He jumped up and down as Wicket chattered beside him. Leia managed to smack him with her sword and knock him to the ground.
“Thanks, little fellow.” Wicket chattered accusingly behind her as she held the sword to Palpatine's throat. “Where are they? Talk, or this is going in your windpipe.”
“I think...” Palpatine gasped as the sword pressed further, drawing oddly blackish blood. “That this would be a good time for me to leave. I've seen what you can do with that little blade of yours, girl. I don't especially wish to be on the receiving end of it.”
There was a flash of black light around the now-middle-aged sorcerer. When it subsided, a gray and brown rat dove through the crowds. Ladies shrieked and jumped back. Men and Ewoks tried to catch it, but to no avail.
“Catch me if you can, girl!” The rat let out a high-pitched squeak.”Oh, and here's my little army. Play nice with them. They haven't had anything to eat in days.”
Most of the nobles fled as huge monsters in heavy metal armor smashed their way into the throne room. Leia just managed to dodge the nails on one creature, a towering furry thing with long nails, wild dark fur, and sharp horns.
As she held up her sword to defend herself, the light flickered. Blue-white fire leaped out, gathering in the creature's eyes. It's roar was deafening. A smaller creature with thicker black fur and smaller horns shoved Hobbie into a chair and rushed over to her companion, horror in her eyes.
When the light subsided, the creature remained...but the eyes no longer looked dead. They were soft and brown, human and very familiar. “Lelita?”
Her jaw nearly landed on the floor. “Uncle Bail? How...why...”
“That's what he's been doing to the council members who disagree with him.” Princess Amilyn held up her petticoats, briefly showing a bit of a slender leg in lavender stockings before pulling out a sharp silver knife. “He's turned them into monsters for his little 'army.'” She raised her chin. “Including several of my brothers and cousins. My country has never agreed with Palpatine's heavy taxes on trade and travel. And that story of Henry's death sounded ridiculously fake. Henry was too clever and too good of a rider to be caught by brigands. Besides,” she gave her a small grin. “it was rumored that he had comrades among many of them.”
“Aunt Breha?” The smaller monster nodded. Leia frowned. “How can we lift this spell?”
“Get rid of Palpatine.” Amilyn looked over her shoulder as the sun began to set. “I think I can guess where he is. We have to get there, before the sun sets and the moon rises.”
“That's the Great Confluence.” Wedge held off two more monsters, these more like smaller versions of Palpatine's dragon. “When the sun and the moon meet in the sky as one sets and the other rises. It only happens once a year...and they say it's at that time when magic is at it's peak.”
Leia put her arm around Bail. “Uncle, do you think you could help these gentlemen get the monsters down?” She nodded at Lando. “Try not to kill or maim them too badly. I think a lot of them are former council members.”
He gave her a bow with a flourish. “Yes, your ladyship.” Amilyn eyed him with some interest, especially after he gave her hand a gentle kiss. “And you, fair maiden, I only ask that you return safely. I've never seen a woman with a fashion sense nearly as breathtaking as yours.”
Amilyn gave him a flirtatious little smile. “Thank you, Sir...”
“Baron Lando Calarissian please, Your Highness.” He kissed her hand again and probably would have gotten further if Leia hadn't pulled Amilyn away.
Palpatine smirked. “Ahh, Anakin Skywalker's brat. I knew it would work. You're here just in time. The Convergence is in less than an hour.”
“Where are they?” Leia held out her flaming white-blue sword. “Where are my brother and Han?”
“What have you done with Henry?” Amilyn withdrew a silver knife from under layers of petticoat. “I knew you lied! Where is he?”
“He's in a safe place.” The king-to-be nodded at the guards in the red armor surrounding the room. “Bring both of them to me. Unharmed, preferably.”
The light was growing softer and purplish outside, signaling the coming twilight. “It's coming!” Princess Amilyn grabbed Leia's hand. “The Great Confluence will be starting as soon as the sun has set.”
“We have to get out off here.” Blue-white fire leaped from her sword. Nobles stood back in shock as white light threw three men against the wall. Every man she killed seemed to have three more replacements.
“Need some help?” Wes Janson grinned as he and the guards pushed through the crowds. “Palpatine,” he called, “you're under arrest for first-degree murder and treason against the crown.”
Palpatine's laughter echoed through the room. “You're very fun, Sir Jansen. You have no proof of treason.”
“I saw you kidnap the prince!” Leia held out her metal hand so the crowd could see it, heard their gasps of shock. “You did this to me when I tried to fight you! I have witnesses right here!”
“It's difficult to kidnap what no longer exists.” Palpatine threw out a black light. People screamed as it writhed around Leia, dragging her to him. “Yes, my dear girl. I can feel the darkness in you. You hate me for what I did to your parents, your brother.” He pulled her closer. “Why don't I take you to him? You can witness the end of your pitiful rebellion...and of all magic.”
“No...” She gasped as the light tightened around her windpipe. “Let him go. You...can't touch...my brother...magic...will go on...”
“You're far too trusting, girl...ow!” Palpatine had been so focused on Leia, he hadn't noticed the sharp little spear jabbing into his ankle. He jumped up and down as Wicket chattered beside him. Leia managed to smack him with her sword and knock him to the ground.
“Thanks, little fellow.” Wicket chattered accusingly behind her as she held the sword to Palpatine's throat. “Where are they? Talk, or this is going in your windpipe.”
“I think...” Palpatine gasped as the sword pressed further, drawing oddly blackish blood. “That this would be a good time for me to leave. I've seen what you can do with that little blade of yours, girl. I don't especially wish to be on the receiving end of it.”
There was a flash of black light around the now-middle-aged sorcerer. When it subsided, a gray and brown rat dove through the crowds. Ladies shrieked and jumped back. Men and Ewoks tried to catch it, but to no avail.
“Catch me if you can, girl!” The rat let out a high-pitched squeak.”Oh, and here's my little army. Play nice with them. They haven't had anything to eat in days.”
Most of the nobles fled as huge monsters in heavy metal armor smashed their way into the throne room. Leia just managed to dodge the nails on one creature, a towering furry thing with long nails, wild dark fur, and sharp horns.
As she held up her sword to defend herself, the light flickered. Blue-white fire leaped out, gathering in the creature's eyes. It's roar was deafening. A smaller creature with thicker black fur and smaller horns shoved Hobbie into a chair and rushed over to her companion, horror in her eyes.
When the light subsided, the creature remained...but the eyes no longer looked dead. They were soft and brown, human and very familiar. “Lelita?”
Her jaw nearly landed on the floor. “Uncle Bail? How...why...”
“That's what he's been doing to the council members who disagree with him.” Princess Amilyn held up her petticoats, briefly showing a bit of a slender leg in lavender stockings before pulling out a sharp silver knife. “He's turned them into monsters for his little 'army.'” She raised her chin. “Including several of my brothers and cousins. My country has never agreed with Palpatine's heavy taxes on trade and travel. And that story of Henry's death sounded ridiculously fake. Henry was too clever and too good of a rider to be caught by brigands. Besides,” she gave her a small grin. “it was rumored that he had comrades among many of them.”
“Aunt Breha?” The smaller monster nodded. Leia frowned. “How can we lift this spell?”
“Get rid of Palpatine.” Amilyn looked over her shoulder as the sun began to set. “I think I can guess where he is. We have to get there, before the sun sets and the moon rises.”
“That's the Great Confluence.” Wedge held off two more monsters, these more like smaller versions of Palpatine's dragon. “When the sun and the moon meet in the sky as one sets and the other rises. It only happens once a year...and they say it's at that time when magic is at it's peak.”
Leia put her arm around Bail. “Uncle, do you think you could help these gentlemen get the monsters down?” She nodded at Lando. “Try not to kill or maim them too badly. I think a lot of them are former council members.”
He gave her a bow with a flourish. “Yes, your ladyship.” Amilyn eyed him with some interest, especially after he gave her hand a gentle kiss. “And you, fair maiden, I only ask that you return safely. I've never seen a woman with a fashion sense nearly as breathtaking as yours.”
Amilyn gave him a flirtatious little smile. “Thank you, Sir...”
“Baron Lando Calarissian please, Your Highness.” He kissed her hand again and probably would have gotten further if Leia hadn't pulled Amilyn away.
“You can flirt later.” Leia rolled her eyes, then sheathed her sword. “Take Wedge's men and the servants and find the remaining council members. Amilyn, you and Wedge will take me, Chewie, and the Ewoks up to Palpatine's lair.”
Amilyn nodded, but she was eyeing Lando. “Certainly, Lady Skywalker.”
Amilyn nodded, but she was eyeing Lando. “Certainly, Lady Skywalker.”
“Leia.” She smiled at the young woman in the fanciful purple gown. “You can just call me Leia, Your Highness.”
“Oh, Amilyn is fine.” She stuck the knife in her belt. “Let's get moving. The Confluence will likely happen within twenty minutes.”
“Oh, Amilyn is fine.” She stuck the knife in her belt. “Let's get moving. The Confluence will likely happen within twenty minutes.”
Leia took her arm as they made for the steps. Chewie stuck his nose to the ground, sniffing along the wood floors. “I want you to tell me about your engagement to Henry.”
“There isn't much to tell.” Amilyn shook her head as she lead them out of the throne room, pushing past more monsters, and into a hallway. “Our parents thought it would be good for both our countries if we were married. Henry was a nice enough man, but he didn't talk much, and I could tell he was nervous as a loth-cat.”
“So, you were never interested in him?” Leia shoved two red-clad monsters who tried to attack them into a closet, shoving a chair up against it. “We'll let you out later!”
“Goodness no!” Amilyn laughed. “Of course not. I liked him a great deal, but he's not my type. He's a bit too awkward for me. I like real gentlemen who know how to dress and what to say to a girl. The marriage was strictly for our countries. I was almost glad when he vanished and they called it off. Although,” she added, “I did feel sorry for his mother. She had her heart set on the wedding. Very delicate woman, but she had a will of iron.”
Leia nodded. “Han...Henry...is a lot like her in that way.” Chewie pushed past her, his nose still on the floor. “What do you smell, boy? Did you find him?”
Chewie howled and bolted for steep stairway near the end of the hall. “That leads to Palpatine's private rooms in the tower. We call it the Dragon's Lair.” Wedge smirked. “He hides there most of the time, skulking around like a dragon protecting his treasure.”
“That's because he is one. Or can become one. It's a long story.” Leia rushed after Chewie. All the Ewoks hurried after her, hard-pressed to keep up on their little legs.
Leia thought the steep stone stairs would never end. Amilyn was puffing, even as one of the Ewoks pulled her along. “I never thought a group of oversized stuffed bears would be in better shape than me. Mother is right that I need to lay off the cream puffs for a while.” Wicket dragged Leia along, squeaking and waving a spear in his other hand.
The group barely got half-way up the stairs before being met by more monsters, these more fish-like with gills and spiny fins on their backs. “Local fishermen.” Wedge frowned. “There was a fisherman's guild that disagreed with Palpatine over fishing regulations. Their leaders all disappeared mysteriously while at sea.”
“Which means we can't hurt them.” Leia put up her sword just in time to meet the claws of one. “We can only disarm them or get them down.” She ducked away, letting the fish-thing tumble down the stairs. “That'll leave a nasty bump on his noggin,” she admitted as she peered around Wedge, “but he seems all right.”
Chewie bit into a fish man, who joined two more of his fellow monsters tumbling head-over-fins, then scratched at the door at the top of the stairs. “Is that where Han is?”
Leia looked over her shoulder as three Ewoks knocked one of the fish men out a window. “We don't have much time! Chewie, stand back!” The wookie wolf ducked to the step just beyond her as she used her sword to cut through Palpatine's heavy oak door, then kicked the rest in.
“The rest of us will handle these fellows.” Wedge grinned as several Ewoks chased them downstairs. “You go rescue Prince Henry.” Leia nodded and ducked into the remains of the door, with Chewie on her heels.
Leia thought the steep stone stairs would never end. Amilyn was puffing, even as one of the Ewoks pulled her along. “I never thought a group of oversized stuffed bears would be in better shape than me. Mother is right that I need to lay off the cream puffs for a while.” Wicket dragged Leia along, squeaking and waving a spear in his other hand.
The group barely got half-way up the stairs before being met by more monsters, these more fish-like with gills and spiny fins on their backs. “Local fishermen.” Wedge frowned. “There was a fisherman's guild that disagreed with Palpatine over fishing regulations. Their leaders all disappeared mysteriously while at sea.”
“Which means we can't hurt them.” Leia put up her sword just in time to meet the claws of one. “We can only disarm them or get them down.” She ducked away, letting the fish-thing tumble down the stairs. “That'll leave a nasty bump on his noggin,” she admitted as she peered around Wedge, “but he seems all right.”
Chewie bit into a fish man, who joined two more of his fellow monsters tumbling head-over-fins, then scratched at the door at the top of the stairs. “Is that where Han is?”
Leia looked over her shoulder as three Ewoks knocked one of the fish men out a window. “We don't have much time! Chewie, stand back!” The wookie wolf ducked to the step just beyond her as she used her sword to cut through Palpatine's heavy oak door, then kicked the rest in.
“The rest of us will handle these fellows.” Wedge grinned as several Ewoks chased them downstairs. “You go rescue Prince Henry.” Leia nodded and ducked into the remains of the door, with Chewie on her heels.
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