Upcoming Projects and Stories

This is a list of stories I'm working on, hope to work on soon, and am developing ideas for. Keep in mind that this list can and will change depending on what I'm interested in at any given time and what else is going on in my life.

Currently Working On:

Star Wars Original Trilogy
Novels/Novellas

Superhero Story (Alternative Universe 1970's Superhero/Action Fantasy) - Leia Ortega is an intern in corrupt Coruscant City by day in 1977. By night, she's Force Girl, a superheroine who is a member of the Rebel League, a society of superheroes and vigilantes who fight the regime of the evil Mayor Palapatine and the devious Chief of Police/super villain Derek Veder. Lucas Weston is a geeky college kid and major comics fan who discovers that the owner of a local book store/comics shop was once The Negotiator, a great World War II/Golden Era superhero...and that Lucas is the inheritor of a superheroic dynasty. Lucas seeks help from Harris Arietta, a carpenter and handyman whose dog Chewbacca always rides with him and acts as a Team Pet.

Coming Up Next:

Star Wars Sequel Trilogy
Novels/Novellas

Resistance Kids: The Last Good Cop (Alternative Universe - 1950's) - Rey is the first student at Luke's new police school, but he's wondering if he should give up teaching after the destruction of his previous school. Meanwhile, the First Order Gang is back on the street, including Ben Solo, and they're gunning for blood. Then Poe's beloved sports car blows to bits in front of his eyes, and Hank vanishes and his business is ransacked.

Troop Beverly Hills (Alternative Universe - 1980's Comedy) - Leia Ortez-Solo is one of LA's best criminal defense attorneys, but her home life is a mess. Her husband, race-car driver and car repair shop chain owner Harry Solo, is threatening divorce. Her son Ben just got out of jail for arson and armed robbery. On a suggestion from her best friend, romance novelist and amateur astrologist Amilyn Holdo, she takes a position as the head of her niece Rey's Wilderness Girls troop. No one else has been able to figure out what to do with this motley assortment of rich girls and tough tomboys who aren't into the usual cookie-selling and craft-making. Good thing Leia isn't, either. She's determined to show everyone - including Edgar Snoke, the militant head of the First Order Troop - that it takes all kinds to make a Wilderness Girl, whether she lives in the wilds, or the wilds of Beverly Hills.

Hello Leia! (Alternative Universe - Musical-Inspired) - Leia Solo-Levi is the best-known matchmaker in New York City in 1907.  She's hired by her ex-husband Harold Solo to find a match for their son Benjamin, who can't make up his mind between the severe police chief's daughter and anarchic son of one of New York's richest men. What she wants is to re-marry her husband, but he has his eyes on a woman in town. Meanwhile, she engineers a meeting between Harold's clerks Poe and Finn and two cute girls in Manhattan, Rey and Rose. They all come together at Harmonia Gardens, the restaurant owned by Leia's brother Luke, for a most memorable evening. 

The Wizard of Oz (Alternative Universe Fantasy-Wizard of Oz-inspired) - Rachel "Rey" Gale lives with her Aunt Leah and Uncle Harry and their two farmhands on a farm outside of Jakkuson, Kansas in 1939. She feels like her life is as gray as the world around her, especially after the nasty man who runs the First Order Manor near-by threatens to take her beloved Westie Terrier BeeBee to the pound and her grouchy cousin demands his share of the farm. 

A tornado whisks Rey and BeeBee over the rainbow and into the land of Oz. Oz is under the tyrannical rule of the Warlock of the West and his apprentice. Queen Leia was imprisoned in her own magic bubble and banished to the lands of the South, where she amasses an army to stop him. She once ruled with her husband and her wizard brother, but her husband vanished after he was attacked by her son, and her brother is hiding in the Emerald City. 

Rey has to go to the Emerald City to find the Wizard Skywalker, with the help of a cowardly lion-soldier, a scarecrow who had once worked for the queen, and the Tin Smuggler, who seems to know a lot more about the queen and the Warlock of the West and his apprentice than he'll let on...

Remember WENN
Novels/Novellas

Once Upon a Time In the Land of WENN (Alternative Universe Fantasy/Fairy Tale) - Even when Elizabeth and the others leave Port Harbor, looking for the Emerald Talisman, trouble follows. Lady Gloria Redmond has no desire to even discuss the magic that caused her so much grief. There's also the evil candy witch Pavla Nemcova, who has both Jeff Singer and Sir Victor Comstock in her grasp, to contend with.

In Development: 

Star Wars Original Trilogy
Novels/Novellas

Han Solo, Private Eye (Alternative Universe 1940's Mystery/Thriller) - Han Solo is a private detective with a squalid apartment in one of the shadier parts of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1947. He's a bit surprised when rich dame Leia Ortez comes to him to find out who murdered her adopted parents Bail and Breha Ortez. Han, Leia, and Han's big partner Chuck go from the Wharf to Society Hill in order to flush out the corruption at the very top of the City of Brotherly Love...and flush out a not-so-brotherly killer.

Western (Alternative Universe Western Adventure) - It's 1867 in the untamed plains of Coruscant, Idaho. Former homesteader Luke Walters longs to be a sheriff, like his late daddy Anthony was before him. He may get his chance at an apprenticeship when the current sheriff, Ol' Ben MacKenner, deputizes him to help rescue rancher's daughter Leia Ortez from the bandits who have raided and burned her home. They also get more dubious assistance from Harry Solo, a shady gunrunner, and his partner, Native American warrior Chewbacca.

Remember WENN 
Novels/Novellas

Captain Victor, Man of Power (Alternative Universe Superhero/Action) - Set directly after the first season episode "There But Before Grace." Tired of dealing with (and being run all over by) sponsors and confused about his feelings for Betty and Grace Cavendish, Victor Comstock imagines himself as one of those new superheroes that have become popular with the kids, Jeff as his sidekick, Betty as the new girl reporter on the block, C.J as a scientist, Ceila as the daughter of a missing scientist and Victor's other sidekick, Hilary as a snooty actress-turned-society-reporter, Mackie as their boss, and Grace as a Dragon Lady-type villaness.

The Best Radio Christmas Pageant Ever - A kind of "missing scene" story set during the early first season. Victor wants to present the story of the Nativity on the airwaves, but the kids starring in the show are unruly, Hilary wants a bigger role, the sponsor is turning the show into a commercial, and Ceila will have nothing to do with it. And there's reports of a major snowstorm heading for Pittsburgh...

On the Edge of the Precipice Series

The Fox and the Falcon - Betty finds herself head over heels involved in espionage when the true leader of the spy ring becomes known...and Victor Comstock returns with startling news...

Remember WENN Fairy Tale Series

Hilary's Story: Beauty and the Beast - Wrap-around segments set day after fourth-season episode "You've Met Your Match." Story based around third and fourth season. Angry at Scott and Jeff for their behavior the night before and in the past few months in general, Betty and Hilary concoct the story of two sisters who discover that the beastly owner and manager of a dilapidated theater may not be what they appear on the outside...or even inside...

Mr. Eldridge and Gertie's Story: The Man Who Minded the House - Set after and based around the fourth season episode "Work Shift." Mr. Eldridge recalls the story of how a man and a woman (him and Gertie) learn that the grass isn't always greener in someone else's work area when he takes over her household duties and she works in the fields.

Needs Work/On Hold: 

Star Wars Prequel Trilogy
Novels/Novellas

The Road to Coruscant (Mid 20th Century Alternative Universe) - Ben Kenobi and Anakin Walker are singers taking their vaudeville act on the road. Anakin is forever coming up with moneymaking schemes that get them into a few little problems with the law, to the annoyance of Martin Windu, their long-suffering manager. They have no problems romancing the ladies, either...until they encounter beautiful, elegant dancer Patricia Amidala. Patricia, a genuine noblewoman, is in a heap of trouble with the nasty Count Dooku and Lord Palpatine. Anakin says it's up to them to get her out of it. Ben...wishes they could just go home to Los Angeles, but Anakin is his best friend, so he does it anyway.

Fairy and Folk Tales

Swan Lake

Star Wars Original Trilogy

The Music Han
Guys and Dolls

Star Wars Anthology Series

Heist Story (Alternative Universe - Solo: A Star Wars Story) - In 1965, Henry Solomon grows up on the mean streets of Chicago as a poor pickpocket for a local mob. He's hoping to eventually make enough money to marry his girl Clara and head out west. He manages to get out via the Navy, but Clara remains behind. Now going under the name Hank Solo, he finds himself in Vietnam without a paddle, at least until he's helped to go AWOL by a gruff old Russian named Charrel. He's recruited by a gang to take a big armored car job, but it goes wrong, landing them on the wrong side of the big Vegas mob the Crimson Dawn. They hire smooth gambler Lance Caliss and his gorgeous vintage Falcon car to take them across the Vegas desert to the Kessel Iron Works, and then make the infamous run on the Kessel Highway to take down Dryden Vos at his Twin Blades Casino and Hotel. 

Star Wars Sequel Trilogy
Novels/Novellas

1920's Melodrama (Alternative Universe - Roaring 20's Action/Adventure) - Rowena "Rey" Knight has traveled all the way from England to work with the great Luke Waterson, the most decorated and popular reporter to ever have written for the Hosnia City Daily Star. But when she arrives, Hosnia is under siege from the First Order Company, a criminal organization that uses a legitimate business as a front for everything from bootlegging to kidnapping to gambling. Luke Waterson has gone into hiding behind his desk at the Daily Star. His sister, Leia Waterson-Solomon, is the town's mayor, but she and her task force, including bush pilot Poe Damerez, can't hold out much longer against Arlington Snoke and his protege Kylo Ren. The arrival of Rey and former First Order Company worker Finn Finnegan may be what Leia needs to turn the tide. 

1980's Nightclub Story (Alternative Universe - Action/Comedy) - It's 1981. Poe Damerez, with money provided by his boss, Galactic Records owner and president Leia Wallace, has just bought the former Rebel Alliance nightclub in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, just a few minutes outside of Philadelphia. He's hoping to reopen it as a dance club and music showplace...and that his first act will be no less than Leia and the Falcons. The Falcons started as a jazz trio after World War II, before adding two more members and moving on to becoming a pioneering rock and folk group.

Poe has several headaches from the get-go. First of all, while Leia is all for playing a one-time-only gig, none of her former band mates agree. Harry "Han Solo" Shaw, the manager and saxophonist, is now a manager for several low-level groups who is known for his shady activities. Guitarist and dancer Luke "Skywalker" Wallace is living in retirement in Philadelphia and has no desire to rejoin the music business. Laurence "Lando" Craydon has vanished all together. There's also Leia's business partner Amilyn Holdo, who is wary of the entire scheme. Not to mention, the First Order Company is after the land to build a shopping center...and their vice-president Kylo Ren has his own reasons for not wanting the Rebel Alliance Club rise again.

Singin' In the Rain
Newsies
Sequel to Tales of the Gold Wookie
Police Academy

Remember WENN

Maltese Falcon Film Noir Spoof II (Alternative Universe Film Noir/Mystery) - Wrap-around set during the late third or early fourth seasons. Hilary and Scott give two different sides of the tale of a dame who may or may not have gotten a private eye involved with smuggling and murder.

Ceila Short Story - Missing scene set during the first season episode "A Capitol Idea." Ceila says good-bye to the station after she's hired by the guy who wanted her to promote Blondie cartoons.

Fairy Tale Series

Jeff's Story - Aladdin and His Magic Lamp
C.J's Story - Jack and the Beanstalk
Victor's Story - King Arthur
Ceila's Story - Goldielocks and the Three Bears
Mackie's Story
Eugenia and Mr. Foley's Story

Original Children's Short Stories

Stories based after childhood memories, including:

Painting someone else's fence.
Little kids running through other people's yards when Mom and Dad aren't looking.
Beach frolics - walking home from the beach as a child

Introduction - The Adventures of Han of the Hood: A Star Wars Original Trilogy Fairy Tale

Finally! This took way longer than I'd planned on. Financial and family problems and erratic work schedules took their toll on my writing. This was intended to be a part of my Star Wars Fairy Tales series, but I opted to retain its less-magical folklore roots instead. I think I'm getting a little burnt-out on flat-out fantasy. It was originally going to be much longer and get further into Han and Baron Du Hutt, but I just plain got tired of writing it and opted to wrap it up early.

At any rate, I hope you still enjoy the tale of a rogue who never meant to rob from the rich to give to the poor...but ultimately discovered that giving is it's own reward.

The Adventures of Han of the Hood, Part 1

Rating: PG

Parings: Han/Leia

Disclaimer: Star Wars belongs to Lucsafilm and the Walt Disney Company.

Han Solo – or Robin Hood, if you prefer – first met Luke Scarlet and Friar Kenobi when they came into the Mos Eisley Tavern, a run-down watering hold on the edge of Nottingham. A drunk man with a thick beard and a monkey's face gave the blond lad in the bright red cape a shove at the bar. Minutes later, the mercenary was missing a hand, and the old man was warding off anyone else with a wave of his sword. Han thought that the old Jedi order, the legendary Celtic warrior-monks, had all been killed off when they were accused of attacking Prince Palpatine. It would seem that the scheming ruler missed one.

The slender man in the musty brown cassock wasn't even intimidated by Chewbacca. His black-bearded Saracen friend towered over most people and spoke little English, but they chatted together like old friends. Chewie brought them over to their table, the monk with the silver hair and neatly trimmed beard, and the eager young boy with the hair of gold in the scarlet cape and tunic.

“Chewbacca here,” the old man began, “says you're the most skilled guide and archer in Sherwood Forest. We need someone who can take us to Alden Manor, Queen Breha's ancestral home on the edge of Nottingham. We have a message from King Bail that must get through to her. The only passengers are myself, the boy, a servant, and his dog.”

“You've never heard of Han Solo?” Han raised his eyebrow when they failed to show any recognition. “I'm fast with a bow and arrow, and even faster with a horse. I made the run through Kessel Pass in less than twelve seconds. Falcon won't have any trouble making it to Alden Manor.” He sipped his thick mead from the polished pewter cup. “What is it,” the outlaw asked, “some kind of trouble with the Sheriff and his men?”

The elderly monk gave him a small, rueful smile. “All we want is to avoid any encounters with the Prince's knights and Sheriff Vader.”

“That is a trick these days, isn't it?” Han chewed it over, leaning his long back clad in a tattered green tunic and black vest against the worn wooden bench. “I want twenty thousand pounds, old man. All in advance.”

“Twenty thousand!” The youth exclaimed, his deep blue eyes flashing. “We could hire an entire team of horses and archers for that!”

“But who will lead them, boy?” Han snorted. “You're little more than a child.”

“I'm just as skilled of an archer as you are!” The angry boy turned to his older companion. “We don't have to sit here and listen to this, Ben...”

Ben put up his hand, his own keen blue eyes moving back to Solo. “We can pay you fifteen now, plus two more when we reach Alden Manor.”

“Seventeen thousand?” Han thought this over. “You have yourself two guides. Meet us at the stables in town in about an hour.” Chewbacca nudged Han and nodded at three of the Prince's knights at the bar, asking the tavern keeper about a youth in red and an elderly monk with a sword. “And I'd do it quickly, before the Prince's mooks take too much of an interest in your handiwork.”

By the time the knights made it to Han and Chewbacca's table, they were alone. The knights didn't even give them a second glance.”Seventeen thousand! Those two must be desperate. This could save us, Chewie. Go back to the horses and tend to their needs. I'll pay for our drinks and get the feed for Falcon and Buraq.”

Han had no sooner gone to pay the tavern keeper than he found himself staring at the sharp end of an iron arrow. “Hello there, Green.” He put up his hands, trying to look friendly. “I'll be on my way to talk to your master as soon as I can. Tell Jasper...”

“Baron Du Hutt has had enough of your excuses.” “Greedy” Green was a singularly ugly man. His pock-marked face with the rough skin ended in peculiar little lips that looked more like Cupid's bows than anything human. His black hair always bristled, like he'd touched metal on a dry, cold day. His bow and arrow were certainly real enough, though. He pushed Han back to the table and bench he'd lately left. “He has no patience for outlaws who skip out on payment for taxes or their shipments.”

Han fingered his own bow. “Greedy, I have the money this time. I'm taking two men to Alden Manor. As soon as I come back, I'll pay for Father's land, what's left of it that the sheriff didn't take.”

“Tell that to the Baron.” Greedy kept the arrows level at Han's chest. “He may only take that worthless nag you call a horse.”

“First of all,” the thief sneered, “don't insult Falcon. Second, he'll touch him over my dead body.”

“You've just named your own death sentence, Locksley.” Greedy held up the bow as Han started to stand. “I believe I'll enjoy this.”

“I'll bet you will.” Han snapped before he leaped from his seat. It was too dark for most of the tavern's customers to tell what happened after that. All anyone knew when they could be bothered to look up from their ale cups was Greedy lay in a splatter of blood on the floor, an arrow through his chest. “Sorry about the mess” Han muttered to the tavern-keeper. He tossed the man a coin for his trouble before making his way out to join his friend.

Mos Eisley Village, even before King Bail left for the Crusades, had been a wretched hive of scum and villainy. With the king captured by his enemies in Austria, his half-brother Palpatine and Palpatine's mysterious right-hand man the Sheriff Vader had taken over, raising the taxes on everything from wool to road tolls. Those who couldn't afford to pay the taxes were often sent to jail, or at best, stripped of their homes and lands and left with nothing, including their pride.

Han knew Du Hutt was at the stables, even before Chewbacca warned him. Vicious nobles like Du Hutt who profited off Palpatine's corruption never left well enough alone. What the peasants and merchants didn't lose to paying taxes, they were forced to turn over to men who regarded them as little more than animals.

“Han, my boy,” Jasper began, “you disappoint me.” Baron Jasper Du Hutt was so corpulent and greasy, his stomach protruded far past the limits of his food-stained hose. No amount of silk and fur could disguise the remnants of his last meal. His face was all shiny rolls and fat, hiding a pair of yellowish piggy eyes. “You know I have no patience for highwaymen who lack the ability to deliver.”

His Baroness was surrounded by his most loyal men. Each and every one was a trained assassin or bounty hunter. Sir Boba of Gisbourne, who was rarely seen without his distinctive green and red armor that was common among the people of his land, held his gun read. His hard dark eyes could barely be seen in the slats on his visor.

Han regarded Boba with a cool stare before strolling over to Jasper with an easy smile. “I'll pay you, Du Hutt. I have a small charter now. Crazy old monk and some lad want to give me a pile of money to take them to Alden Manor. You'll have the money for my land in a few days.”

“All right, Locksley. I'll give you the time. Your father was one of my best men, before he ran afoul of the Sheriff's boys.” A fat finger poked into Han's side. “But if you don't deliver this time, I'll send so many men after you, you'll never be able to show your face in London or any other civilized town ever again.”

The taller man only smirked as he deliberately stepped on Jasper's foot, then gave him a bow. “You are a wonderful human being, Your Baroness.”

Han lay the feed in the horses' troughs as soon as the Baron and his men took their leave. Falcon and Buraq greeted him with their usual happy whinnies. Buraq was a stout, shaggy brown steed who rather resembled a four-legged version of his master. Falcon was older, it was true, with thinning patches in his gray fur and a stringy reddish mane, but he could ride like the wind and kick like a wild creature. Han was brushing Falcon's mane when Chewbacca returned with the lad, the monk, a tall, thin man in a tattered yellow tunic with golden hair and a nervous frown, and a fat, furry white dog who sported a strange blue wool collar with a small tube tied to it.

The lad in the red cape was not impressed with his transportation. “That's what's leading us to Alden Manor?” he whined. “'Tis little more than a bag of bones and hair!”

His owner merely patted the horse on the back. “Falcon is the fastest creature alive. He can run two leagues in less time it takes to whistle.”

“Greetings, sir.” The golden man gave him a small bow. “I am Thomas Gildenrod, former head of the servants at the House of the Walkers. This is my watch dog, Artoo.” He patted the cur by his side, who growled a bit at Han. “Don't mind him,” Gildenrod added quickly. “Artoo doesn't take kindly to anyone but me or Master Luke, and he'll even give me trouble at times.”

“Fine,” Han muttered. “We're a bit in a hurry here, so if you'll just...”

That was when he saw the Sheriff's men hurry in the door. They always wore their distinctive white and black armor that made more noise than a bull rushing in a pasture. “There they are!” called one, pointing at Han. “That's Robin Hood, the rascal the tavern keeper spoke of! Stop that carriage!”

The man had an arrow in his throat before he could move. Han whipped out his bow and fired off arrows faster than Luke could blink. Every shot hit one of the knights or knocked out their own arrows. Chewbacca cracked the reins and barked a command in his own language. The two horses shot out of the stable, nearly flattening several knights in their flight.

Five of the knights followed them on horseback. Luke climbed in between Han and Chewbacca on the front seat, clutching his own, smaller bow. “Why can't you outrun them?” he complained. “I thought you said these nags were fast!”

“Watch what you say, lad,” Han scolded, “or I'll throw you off right here. We'll be safe enough once we enter Sherwood Forest. I know the land like I know the back of my hand.”

Indeed, as soon as they were under the safe coverage of the trees, Han twisted the carriage around the trunks like a snake attacking its prey. “Oh my,” Gildenrod wailed, “I've forgotten how much I hate carriage travel! I would much rather walk than deal with this!”

“You can get out too, if you wish,” Han growled at him as the carriage bumped further into the undergrowth. The Sheriff and his men were having a harder time keeping up with them. Two of them turned around and went down another path, and one was flung off his horse when he hit a branch. The remaining two kept after them.

Luke made a face as he used the heavy old broadsword on his back to deflect arrows. “We need to get out of here! At the rate we're going, we'll be at Alden Manor by next year!”

“Finding your way through these woods is hardly like sowing crops, lad.” Han tugged the horses towards a path that was little more than a leafy rut overgrown with vegetation. “I don't think you want to end up in a ditch or a pond.”

The road was barely big enough for the carriage. Thorny branches scraped at it's sides and tore at their clothes and hair. One knight ran straight into a ditch on the side of the road that had been covered with leaves. The other two were slowed by the thick brambles that kept catching at their capes.

Their carriage bumped along the path until Han turned back onto the main road. Chewbacca tugged at his arms. “I think so too, my friend,” Han laughed. “The last of the knights were detained back on the path. I told you we'd outrun them.”

There was no reply in the carriage's cab. Luke had gone back there after they'd returned to the main road. He was practicing feints on his knees while Friar Kenobi gave him advice. Gildenrod watched them and scratched Artoo between the ears as the dog slept, his head pillowed on his master's lap.

“Don't all thank me at once.” Han made a face and returned his eyes to the road. “At any rate, we'll be at Alden Manor within the hour.”

The aging friar was far more interested in his youthful charge. “Focus, Luke! Keep your eyes on the blade and your opponent. Believe in your strength, and let the element of that faith carry you through.”

“I'm trying, Ben...whoa!” A bump knocked Luke from his knees, landing him face-first into the pile of hay he'd been using to practice.

The thief's laugh was curt and short. “You should be teaching the lad how to use a bow and arrow, not play games with a sword, monk. Your silly religions and rusted blade are no match for a man who is a good shot.”

Luke spat hay as he got back to his knees. “I take it, sir, that you don't believe in religion.”

“Lad, I've been all over England, and Chewbacca and I were in the Crusades.” He gave Luke that little smirk. “I've seen many strange things you'd scarcely believe, but I've never seen anything to make me believe there's one all-powerful force controlling us all. No mystical fate rules my destiny. It's merely tricks and nonsense.”

“Maybe it isn't,” the youth countered with one last hard thrust at the hay, “but it seems to have worked for me.” He lifted the hay and nearly split the board beneath it in two. “Ben, did you see that?”

“I did, Luke.” Ben's nose was sniffing, even as he patted his shoulder. “Luke, I smell smoke.” His face paled. “And I hear screaming, like hundreds of voices cried out in terror and were silenced.”

Han and Chewbacca sniffed at the air as well. “I do as well, old man.” The smaller of the two wrinkled his nose. “It's too thick and acrid to come from a fireplace.”

“The Manor!” Flames shot up from just beyond the rapidly thinning growth. Luke's eyes widened. “Oh god, they're burning the Manor!”

“Why would they do that?” Han grumbled as he tugged at the reins, getting the horses to pull them around the smoke. “Why would they murder their own Queen?”

“They would,” Thomas wailed, “if they believed her capable of treason! My poor mistress! This is terrible!” Artoo whimpered and leaned into his master's side, letting him stroke his ears to calm himself.

Red-hot flames shot from every inch of the castle, lighting up the sky for miles. Luke's eyes widened as Han pulled into a clearing...only to find burning wood and stone and charred bodies scattered over Queen Breha's prize rose garden. There was barely anything left of what had once been one of the largest and most beautiful estates in all of England.

“Oh no,” the boy gasped, barely able to breathe, “the Sheriff did it again. Because of that message!”

Han didn't like the haunted look in the lad's eyes. It reminded himself too much of his own when he found his ancestral home laying in charred fragments on the scorched dirt of Soloshire. “Boy,” he said softly as the younger man wept into his red cloak, “what are you talking about?”

“The Sheriff killed my aunt and uncle, too.” Tears streamed down Luke's increasingly soot-stained face. “Killed them for the dog who holds the message. I was lucky Artoo ran away and I chased him. I barely missed being killed myself.” He wiped his nose on a piece of linen Thomas gave him. “Thank you. Ben told me the Sheriff murdered my father many years ago, too. Sir Anthony of the Walkers was a great warrior, the finest of the king's knights, and he died defending the throne against Vader.”

“Sorry about that, lad.” Han wasn't much good with tears. He awkwardly patted his shoulder.

Artoo barked the moment he saw the soldiers and tried to leap out of the carriage. Thomas had to hold the angry dog's collar, and even then, he barely managed to keep him from biting the nearest man in white on the leg. “Artoo, no! Bad boy! He mustn't find us here!”

“Shh!” Han pulled them into a grove of trees as a carriage built strongly of black walnut followed by a platoon of knights in white and black armor rode out. “If they hear us, it'll be our necks hanging next!”

A sleek black stallion as large as two of Falcon galloped over from the remains of the gardens. Luke gasped, Ben narrowed his eyes, and even Han had to pause. Heavy black iron armor and raspy breathing revealed this to be none other than Vader, the Sheriff of Nottingham himself. It was said he had once been one of the king's knights who had been caught in a terrible fire, and had been burned so badly in the resulting conflagration, he needed to remain in the armor merely to live. It did nothing to change his nearly supernatural strength or legendary temper. Few men who crossed him ever lived to tell the tale.

“Bring any remaining servants to Nottingham Castle,” Vader boomed. “They will be questioned there with Maid Leia. Her message to the peasant rebels of Sherwood Forest must be found, understand me? I want every part of this forest searched! Leave no village standing until you find it!”

“Maid Leia! King Bail's ward.” Luke tugged at Han's cloak. “She's the one who wrote the message. It's her signature on it. The servant and dog are hers. We must help her!”

“What we have to do is get out of here and drop you two at some nearby inn.” Han was already starting to turn the carriage back towards Mos Eisley Village. “I have no desire to be swinging on the end of a rope with the Queen, and I'd like to take customers who may actually be able to pay me.” Chewbacca growled and tried to grab the reins. “Chewie, have you gone mad? We should be stealing gold from some noble, not chasing Vader!”

It was too late. “Men!” They were surrounded by three men in white and black armor, all pointing swords at them. The tallest aimed his sword at Han's gullet. “What are all of you doing in this clearing?”

Han gave them his easy smile, even as he gazed down the sharp silver blade. “I'm nothing more than a humble forest guide, sir. My partner and I are taking these gentlemen to the good friar's abbey on the other side of Sherwood. We took a shortcut and got lost.”

One aimed his sword at Thomas' gullet. “This man looks familiar. I think he may be Maid Leia's missing servant. The Sheriff has spoken of him!”

“Chewie!” Han leaped from the cart. “Grab them! You take those two, I'll handle the other!”

No sooner had Han spoken these words than Chewbacca grabbed both men by the throat and slammed them onto the ground, knocking them out. Han flung open the visor of the third and hit him hard in the chin, sending him to the ground as well.

Han tossed the man's armor to Luke. “This is how we're going to get out of here.”

“What?” Luke's blue eyes were wide. “What are you doing?” He jumped back as a chest plate was shoved in his face.

“Lad, there's an old saying in the forests that you would be wise to remember.” He slid the second chest plate over his own tunic. “If you can't beat them,” he gave him that easy smirk, “join them.”

~*~*~*~*~*~

They were terribly lucky that no one noticed the extra cart that joined the procession. Han, Luke, and Thomas dressed in the knights' stolen armor, despite Thomas' protests that he was no warrior. Friar Ben and Chewbacca bound the three real knights to a tree and left them a bag of jerky and a skin of water for the night. Friar Ben managed to find a cloak in one of the bags to cover Chewbacca and another to hide Artoo, who slept most of the way to Nottingham Castle.

Luke gulped as the residence of the Sheriff came into view. It was a hulking stone fort, made of the fire-forged black stone of Mufasar, and said to be completely impregnable. The building took up almost the entire cliff, dominating the views for miles around.

Once over the drawbridge, Han pulled the horses into a shadowy alcove near the stables. “We've made it in,” the outlaw grumbled as he fed his beloved steed a bit of hay from a bundle by the door. “Now what?”

“Now we have to rescue Maid Leia!” Luke exclaimed as he nearly tumbled out of the carriage. “She must be somewhere in the castle! If we could just find her...”

Artoo was already sniffing at the ground. Friar Ben leaned over and stroked his back. “Do you smell her, boy?” The dog howled, letting his nose snuffle along the ground. “You know her. You're her dog, or you were. You know where they have her.”

“That's wonderful,” Han complained, “but we'll have no means of escape once we do find her. If, in fact, we can find her.”

Friar Ben had already started towards the gate, his hand on the fine silver hilt of his sword. “Leave that to me, Hood.”

“Foolish man.” Han snorted. “I suspected you'd say something like that.” He turned to Chewbacca as the boy tried to go after the religious man. “I knew we shouldn't have gone on this insane errand.” The moor shrugged and went on in his language. “You think we should help them? Not without payment, my friend. We're in this up to our necks already as it is.” Han nodded as he went on. “I think that ancient friar is daft too, but what can we do? The lad trusts him.”

Artoo tugged hard at Thomas. “I think,” the thin servant tried to explain, “that he wishes for us to follow him.”

Luke glared at Han. “Haven't you figure it out yet, Solo? There's a group of outlaws in Sherwood Forest who call themselves the Merry Rebels. 'Tis them whom the message is intended for. We have to help Leia get that message to them, before other homes burn like yours, Alden Manor, and my aunt and uncle's farm.” He leaned over Han, trying to whisper in his ear. “Besides, she's still very wealthy. As the ward of King Bail, she'll be able to pay you whatever you imagine.”

“I don't know, lad,” Han sneered. “I can imagine a great deal.”

“You'll get it,” the lad in red swore. “I'll see to it that you do.”

It took ten minutes and Chewbacca smacking the heads of three lesser nobles, but they did finally get someone to tell them where the princess was being kept. She wasn't in the dungeon, but in the Sheriff's rooms in the tower on the third floor. “A princess in the tower,” the youth breathed. “Just like in the stories.”

“We're not in a fairy tale, boy.” Han grumbled as they rushed up the stairs. “We'll be lucky if we survive.”

There were two guards stationed by the largest door on the third floor. Chewbacca flung the first into the wall as if he were a doll, while Han knocked out the second and stole his keys. “Here.” He flung the ring of jingling metal into Luke's waiting hand. “Free that princess of yours, so we can get out of here.”

“I agree.” Thomas whimpered as Artoo growled next to him. “We've been lucky so far, but what will happen if more guards – or the Sheriff himself – comes this way?”

Chewbacca was looking out one of the narrow windows on the other side of the hall when they heard the clang of ringing steel in the courtyard. He gestured to Han, pointing out the window. Han pushed past him and peered out, frowning. “I don't think that will be a problem.” Friar Ben was one of the combatants, his blade flashing almost green against the mossy stone. “The old friar is keeping His Lawfulness busy.”

“Your Maidship!” Thomas addressed the duo who rushed out. “I'm so glad you're safe!”

Han swirled around to gaze at this so-called “maid”...and found himself staring at a tiny creature in ethereal white and silver like a fairy, her brown velvet hair wrapped in buns nearly larger than her head. “Thank you,” she called to Thomas, “but right now, we need to focus on escaping.”

No sooner had the maid spoken than six soldiers came around the bend, pointing their weapons at the six. Artoo growled and leaped at them, but Thomas grabbed at his collar. Chewbacca's growls were almost as loud as he shot at them with his massive mechanical bow.

“Well,” Han grumbled, “we can't leave that way. Now what do we do?”

“You came in here,” Leia shouted over the din. “Didn't you create a plan of escape?”

“Not my idea, Your Worship.” The thief nodded at Luke. “It was his brains and the old monk's that got us in here. It's Scarlet boy you should talk to.”

The little maid snatched Thomas' shaky bow. Quicker than one could blink, she shot off three arrows that hit their men dead on. “Let's get out of here. There's a hay cart down there. That could be our only means of escape.”

Luke frowned as he parried with another guard. “But...” She leaped out one of the narrow windows before Han could stop her. He watched her fly through the air with the grace of a swan before indeed landing in a big cart of hay. “Maybe,” he gulped, “it's not such a bad idea. Better than remaining here to be killed.” The boy leaped out after her.

“Artoo,” wailed Thomas as the dog tugged him to the window, “I do think we should find another way out. I hate heights!” He took the slender white mongrel in his arms before looking over the parapet and way far down to the hay below. “I'm going to regret this!” His shrieks of fear and Artoo's howls could be heard all the way to the ground.

“Get down there!” Han gave Chewbacca a shove as he shot off the last of his arrows. “I don't care if you don't fit through the window, or if hay makes you sneeze!” Chewie managed to shove himself through the narrow opening before Han, now with an empty quiver, leaped after him.

“Oof!” Hay nearly went in his ears and nostrils as he landed up to his torso in a bristly pile. “What a terrific idea, Your Worship! You know, it's not going to take long for them to figure out what happened to us.”

Chewbacca, after getting over a sneezing fit, had already climbed out of the cart. “Good idea, Chewie.” Han smirked as his muscular friend grabbed the cart's front. “Get us back to the stables, so we can find the old monk and flee this place.”

“Can he do it?” Maid Leia was brushing hay off her dress, looking more like she'd just jumped over a small patch of dried grass in the courtyard than out a window. “There are a lot of us...”

She closed her mouth the moment Chewbacca started sprinting across the courtyard, just barely avoiding several surprised guards, blacksmiths, and ladies of the court. “You'd be surprised, Your Worship,” Han brayed. “I call him 'Big Chewie' sometimes for a reason. His strength was legendary in Jerusalem, lass. He could probably carry all of us and this cart if we didn't have to rush this along.”

“Oh, thank goodness!” Thomas pointed to the stables. “It looks like they're not heavily guarded.”

Maid Leia frowned. “And I believe that would be why.” They were directly in line with the duel between Friar Ben and Sheriff Vader. Luke couldn't help watching in horror as the men stumbled across the courtyard. All of the guards rushed to help Vader, leaving the drawbridge unguarded. “The gates are open! Now's our chance!”

“You can't win, Vader,” Ben was saying as Luke tossed off his armor. “If you strike me down, I'll become more powerful than you can possibly imagine.”

Han wasn't sure what happened after that. He was too busy hitching up the horses and getting ready to leave. All he knew was the kid shrieked bloody murder, and he turned around to see Friar Ben drop to the ground with Vader standing over him.

“Lad,” Han yelled as Leia climbed into the cart beside him, “get in! There's nothing we can do for him now!” Chewie had to bodily lift the boy and drop him in the cart as they sped across the drawbridge. The guards were too surprised to start shooting until they were well over the drawbridge and on their way into Sherwood Forest.

The Adventures of Han of the Hood, Part 2

A few hours later, the sun was on its way down as they continued to bounce down a barely-there path choked with roots. Chewbacca growled as the carriage bounced along a barely-there path. “Yeah, I agree,” Han muttered. “We're lucky the Sheriff's lackeys don't know the woods like we do.” He leaned over his shoulder as Leia put her arm around Luke. “Your Maidship, what's all this about, anyway? What note is so important that Vader is willing to kill for it?”

“The king is alive.” Leia gently removed the tube from Artoo's collar. “Uncle Bail is in prison in Austria, but he is alive. The Austrian empire demands thousands of pounds in gold and silver for a ransom. Prince Palpatine claims he's using the increase in taxes to pay the ransom, but he's really funding his claiming the throne for himself and his followers. Not a cent of it has gone to Austria.”

Luke looked up from his tears. “Then it's up to us to see that the ransom is collected. Friar Ben would have wanted it that way. He told me how important it was for the Saxons to release themselves from Norman rule.”

“Are you two crazy?” Han glared at them over his shoulder. “You saw the Sheriff's forces back there. He killed Friar Kenobi, lad, and we're damn lucky he didn't get his hands on us.”

She tucked the tube into a pocket in her robe. “If we could just find more help...”

Han snorted. “Like help is hiding behind every tree.”

Indeed, it turned out that there was something hiding behind trees, even if Han questioned how helpful they were. As they bounced towards the narrow wooden bridge over the rushing river that ran in the center of the forest, they came upon a rough wooden bridge, made of little more than rope and logs. Han was about to cross it when his way was blocked by a group of people in the rough green tunics and hose of the foresters who patrolled Sherwood.

“Uh, excuse us,” Han called. “Look, we need to get across, so if you'll just move for a minute...”

“Nothing doing.” A massive hulk of a man, easily as big as Chewbacca both ways, blocked their path. “If you're going to pass through this woods, you have to pay the toll.” He was flanked by a boy with short blue-black hair and an orange tunic, and a girl with pale hair and armor painted a flowery purple. Behind them was a tall, slender woman with long black braids done in green ribbons and flashing green eyes. A small boy clung to her leg, watching these newcomers curiously. The girl held the collar of an old pit bull with a squashed face and mottled orange and white fur that sniffed at them and snarled.

“Toll?” Han narrowed his eyes.”I've passed through these woods many times. I've never paid a toll.” Chewbacca nodded with a curt Arabic growl.

“Tell you what.” The hulking man with the long ears and the purple tunic and heavy iron gauntlets put out a thick oak staff. “If you can defeat me, I'll let you pass. If not, you'll have to pay.”

Leia frowned and took Han's arm. “Wait...”

He gave her his famous lopsided smirk. “I'll be fine, Your Maidship. I know what I'm doing. Chewie trained me with a staff when we were in the Crusades.”

“Take this one.” The woman with the braids tossed him hers. “I'm closer to your size than big Zeb here.”

Han caught it easily. “Thank you, missus.” They all stepped back as Han and Zeb fought, the planks of the bridge creaking under their weight. Zeb was a powerful fighter, strong and surprisingly quick for his size. Even as their staffs clacked back and forth, Han had to admit he was having a hard time keeping up with him. This big fellow might be more than a match for his skill.

Zeb finally smacked his opponent's hand, forcing Han to drop his staff. A mighty shove from the end of his opponent's staff sent him tumbling head-first into the bracing water. He came up shivering and spitting up mud. The group above him laughed, none more heartily than big Zeb himself. “That's what you get for not payin' the tolls, mate,” he snorted. He finally put out a gloved hand as Han managed to get onto his feet. “Had enough?”

Han gave him the famous little smile. “That I have.” He took hold of Zeb's sausage fingers...only to yank him into the water! Now it was his turn to laugh as Zeb gasped and floundered like a fish caught on a line. “How does it feel to be the one who's all wet?”

“Damn it, mate!” Zeb wailed. “I can't swim!”

“Here.” Han helped him to his feet. “It's not so bad.” As it turned out, the water barely came to their torsos. As chilly as it was, it wasn't moving fast enough to even make Zeb waver a little.

“Well, I'll be a bloomin' fool.” Now Zeb was chuckling. “I guess you got the best o' me there, mate. What's yer name?”

“Han Solo, mate.” He grinned again. “It's good to meet you, now that we're not fighting each other.”

Leia dashed out. “If you boys are quite finished, I need to talk to Hera and Ahsoka.”

“Leia!” The tall woman with the braids pushed past Zeb, pulling her son into her arms. “What are you doing here? We thought you were burned to death with Queen Breha.”

“I was captured on my way to Sherwood with my servants.” Leia rushed into her arms. “Thomas and Artoo escaped with the message, but I was taken to Nottingham Castle.” She nodded at Han shaking the water out of his hair and Chewbacca and Luke climbing out of the carriage. “These gentlemen helped me.”

Zeb chuckled. “Sorry about the dunking there, mate. We thought you were with the Sheriff.”

“It's water under the bridge.” Han gave him a smirk. “So to speak.” More people in green and forest brown tunics emerged from the treetops, curious about the conversation with this stranger. Han tugged his own cape away from one little boy who wanted to feel it. “What's going on here? Who are all of you?”

“We're the Rebels of Sherwood.” Another woman, this one dark-skinned and dressed in white and orange robes that covered her thick black hair wound with blue ribbons, emerged from the trees. “We were forced off our lands by the Sheriff and that usurper of a prince. We need those tolls for our family's survival.”

“We need them for more than that, Ahsoka.” Leia handed the woman in the robe the paper from the tube. “My uncle is being held captive in Austria. There's a ransom, but the money Prince Palpatine has collected is going into his pockets and Sheriff Vader's, not to the king or the people.”

Luke frowned. “There has to be some way we can fund that ransom.”

Ahsoka's grin lit up her dark face. “There is. We're already doing it.” She bowed before Leia. “Your Maidship, would you and your couriers be willing to join our own band of outlaws? We already rob the wealthy travelers who come through Sherwood and sell their valuables to buy food for poor families.”

“It's a good idea.” Leia turned to Han. “What about you, Solo? You're a good shot with that bow and arrow, and you know these woods better than anyone.”

“Now, wait a minute.” Han started to back away. “I have my own problems, Your Maidship. I can't get involved...” He backed right into Chewbacca, who took him by the arm with a curt grumble. “Chewie, we can't! We still need to get that money to Baron Du Hutt.”

“Fine, then.” Leia handed him a small cloth bag. “I think this more than cover your expenses. If money is all that you love, then that's what you'll receive.”

Luke only nodded. “Take care of yourself, Han. But that's what you're best at, isn't it?”

“Lad.” Han stopped him. “May the faith smile on you.”

The boy only nodded. “Aye.”

Han watched him before climbing into his cart. Chewbacca shook his head and growled in his language. “That's not true, Chewie. I know what I'm doing.” Despite Chewbacca's continued protests, he turned the cart around and trotted off into the woods.

They'd barely gone twenty minutes before passing men in royal armor on horseback. Han drove the cart into a thick grove of birches to avoid them...but he couldn't avoid hearing several of the soldiers brag about how they would destroy the Rebels and flush them out of their hiding spots. He and Chewbacca pulled up their hoods as Sheriff Vader and his second-in-command Lord Tarkin rode past him.

Tarkin's pale skeletal face was as sour as if he'd drank pure vinegar. “I'm taking an awful risk following you here, Vader. This had better work.”

“I assure you, the plan is foolproof,” Vader hissed under his heavy black iron armor. “Two of my men reported seeing Her Maidship and the runaway boy among the Rebels who are hiding in Sherwood Forest. We'll set the forest ablaze, at least enough to smoke them out.” He sounded entirely too satisfied. “This will be a day long remembered. It has seen the end of Kenobi and the Jedi monks, and will soon see the end of the Rebels of Sherwood and their pitiful Saxon forces.”

As soon as the men clip-clopped around the corner, Chewbacca turned to Han with a dark look in his blue eyes. “All right, all right, good friend!” Han sighed. “We'll go back and help them. Lad needs someone to look after him, and Her Maidship...” His lopsided smirk emerged as Chewbacca nudged him playfully. “I think I was almost beginning to like her.”

Han slapped the reins, pushing Falcon and Buraq as hard as he possibly could. They flew through the woods, just barely missing overhanging branches and thorny bushes that caught in the horses' tails. The carriage shook so badly as it flew over rocks and roots, it nearly shook to pieces. “Come on lass,” Han muttered, “hold together!” Chewbacca murmured a prayer softly in his native Arabic.

They arrived at the bridge just in time. The Rebels were fiercely fighting Vader's men, pushing them back towards the water with their staffs and shooting from the tops of trees. Several of the Rebels and Vader's men lay on the ground in their own blood, while others were barely hanging on.

Vader's own fighting skills were surprisingly impressive, given his size and the heavy armor he wore. Four men lay dead at his coal-black stallion's feet, including two he'd seen with the group earlier. He almost had his sword over Luke's head and was very close to swinging it at the boy and taking off his head.

Han whipped out his bow and an arrow from the quiver on his back and immediately set it at Vader. It went into his hand and bounced off, to the surprise of Han and Luke. The distraction was still enough for Luke to shove him away. Han's next arrow went through Vader's other hand. This time, he shrieked and rushed to one of his men to pull it out.

“Lad!” Han grabbed a sword and tossed it to the boy in the scarlet cloak. “Use this on Vader and his boys! I'll put out the fire!”

The boy in the scorched scarlet cloak nodded quickly and dashed over to the carnage. Leia, to Han's surprise, was putting in an even better show. Her arrows fired so quickly, they were nearly a blur, and he never saw her miss her target. Big Zeb threw men into the river with his staff, while Hera and Sabine shot at the girl from the safety of the tree branches. Ezra held his own with a smaller sword. Artoo the dog tried to tug Thomas out from behind the safety of a thick oak tree.

Han and Leia had just begun to smother the flames on the grass when they heard a screech. Luke, brandishing the torch like a club, had managed to set Vader's cape on fire. Tarkin let out his own screech and grabbed the torch, intending to use it on Luke. Instead, he accidentally let the flame catch on his arm. He leaped into the river to save himself.

“Young Saxon,” Vader's voice now sounded more surprised than angry as he made his way to Luke, his hand now wrapped with bandages. “You...I know you from somewhere..you're familiar to me...”

He'd just gotten back on his horse when Han grabbed a sword that had been dropped by one of the dead soldiers. “Here's a parting gift for you, Vader,” he grinned at the inspiration, “from Robin Hood, the legend of the woods!” He slapped Vader's horse on its flank with the side of the sword, sending the angry lawman bouncing off into the woods.

“Han!” Luke flung himself into his friend's arms. “I'm so glad you came back.”

Han couldn't help ruffling the boy's hair fondly. “I was hardly going to let you take the credit, boy.”

Leia and Chewbacca ran up between them, hugging them both. “I knew there was more to you than money, Robin Hood!” she said, her smile brighter than the fire that was now burning itself out.

She climbed onto a stump before the remaining group. “Good women and men of Sherwood Forest, this is our chance to right these wrongs and show these Normans that Saxon forces are as good as any who ever lived in the good country of England!”

Luke got up up next to her. “We'll become outlaws...but we break the law only to save the helpless and the friendless. We'll take gold and silver from Norman nobles coming through the woods and distribute part of it among the poor and among our families.”

“The rest,” Han added, “will go into a collection to pay off the ransom of King Bail.” Chewbacca gave him a nudge, and he nodded. “And a portion will also be kept to pay off those corrupt Norman lords and warmongers who now hold the rights on many former Saxon nobility's lands.”

“We'll show the Sheriff and his prince that we won't be intimidated by Normans, or anyone else who gets it in their heads to conquer the green, fertile fields of England!” Leia grabbed Han and Luke's hands and raised them in the air. “Rebels of Sherwood Forest, I give you Robin Hood....” She waved her hand at herself, Han, and Luke. “All of them.”

Luke frowned. “Wait a minute, Your Maidship, I don't think...”

“Luke, think about it.” She grinned. “Sheriff Vader will never know who's doing the stealing. We'll all wear green and a hood, and you and Han and I will all go under the name of Robin Hood. It'll deflect attention from one person and keep the Sheriff on his metal toes.”

“If,” Han smirked, “he could actually walk on those big heavy metal toes!”

“But Leia,” Luke took her hand. “I don't want you getting hurt.”

“That's all right, Luke.” Leia took out her bow and aimed it perfectly, sending an arrow directly through a leaf on the highest branch of a nearby tree. “I know how to take care of myself.”

Han wasn't entirely sure about this, but he and Chewie had to earn money to pay Du Hutt off somehow. At the very least, they'd have more help now. Besides, while he didn't really care much about King Bail, he had no fondness for Sheriff Vader, and even less for Palpatine. It was Palpatine who confiscated his family's land and homestead and gave it to Du Hutt.

What did he have to lose?

The Adventures of Han of the Hood, Part 3

They set to it the very next morning. Shortly after breakfast, Ezra spied a great, gilded carriage passing through the woods. Leia and Hera dressed as dancers, with Kanan as a palm reader and Thomas trying to get a very stubborn Artoo to jump through a wooden hoop. While the fat ginger-haired man and his pretty, pale wife with the long flaxen hair watched the performers, Chewbacca knocked out the soldiers who guarded them and helped Zeb take the gold off the top of their coach.

Han bowed before the duo, dressed in a fine scarlet cloak he'd borrowed from Luke. “Your Graces,” he said as smoothly as he could, “you honor our humble show with your presence.” He kissed the lady's hand so elegantly, she turned a delicate pink...and was too busy swooning to notice he'd taken her diamond and emerald rings. He saw Ezra pressed against the sides of the carriage out of the corner of his eye, tugging at the wheels.

“Why thank you, kind sir,” the lady simpered. “I'm disappointed that you're not performing. You'd make a handsome actor. I'd see any show that starred someone as fine as you.”

“I'm afraid my talents are limited to merely directing the real actors.” His fingers went across hers, filching a gold filigree bracelet. Leia glared at him on his other side as she let the man kiss her fingers. Her palm held three rings with rubies the size of fists behind her back. “But I think one of my dancers is starting to get impatient. We have many other nobles to play for today.”

“Must we leave so soon?” The fleshy noble tried kissing down Leia's arm before she pulled away. “The delights are so...pretty...here...”

“Brendol, my dear,” the woman said breathily, “as much as I hate to leave, we really must be moving on. Prince Palpatine is waiting for the money we collected from our serfs.”

Her husband finally withdrew into his carriage. “Very well, dear.” He tossed a coin to Han. “Let it not be said that the noble house of Hux doesn't pay well for such services.”

Han bowed low, trying not to let the mockery in his hazel eyes show. “You're too kind to us poor peasants, Your Lordship.”

As soon as the carriage moved on, Ezra rushed over to Han. “Han...Robin! Look what I got!” He held out four large golden carriage wheel caps. “They're made of solid gold!”

“Aye lad, that's the spirit.” Han helped him with two of them, as the boy nearly buckled under their weight. He himself almost tumbled after lifting them into his arms.

Leia handed off to Hera. “Here. Take these to Lothalshire. Ezra, Zeb, go with her. Give the first bag to the church and distribute the second among the villagers. Discreetly, of course. I'll take those hub caps to the local goldsmith to have them appraised.” She turned to Han, who was making for his horse. “Han, I want you to wait here. Luke said he'd found a friend in the clergy whom Friar Kenobi mentioned before his untimely death. He might be able to help us.”

“Another clergyman?” Han made a face as he went to feed the horses, who rested under a spreading sycamore tree. “Wasn't the old man enough?”

“I think our people could use some spiritual guidance.” Leia hefted a small chest of gold. “Not to mention, we could use more help. Luke said this man was a great warrior. He could probably train some of our new recruits to use the sword and bow and arrow.”

Han saw her struggling and took the other side. “Yeah, some of the serfs who are wandering out here from the outlying villages wouldn't know the sharp end of a sword from a hole in the ground.” They managed to heft onto a plank connected to two ropes in the trees. Han tugged on the rope, and it was hauled into the branches. “Thanks, Wedge.” He grinned at her. “Just a few more hauls like this, and we'll have enough to pay off my debts and get the king out of prison.”

“And what then?” Leia's glare could have frozen the Thames in July. “Will you be returning to Baron Du Hutt?”

“That I will, lass. I owe him money. But,” he added quickly, “not forever.”

“I wish you'd stay, Han.” Leia sighed. “You're a great help for us. You're a natural leader.”

“'Tis all I am?” His smirk came out in its full glory. “Or am I more to you?”

The young noblewoman gave him a glare that would have frozen the Thames in June. “You're imagining things, Han of the Hood.”

“Am I?” Han snapped. “Then why are you following me? Afraid I was going to leave without a good-bye kiss?”

“I'd rather kiss that hairy moor friend of yours!” Leia snarled as she pushed past him. “At least he's a gentleman!”

“I'll tell him that! You could use a good kiss!”

Han had already started for the bridge when a very strange duo came leaping out of the bushes. The taller of the two was Luke Scarlet, but he carried the most peculiar little man on his back. He was a wizened old creature in a much-mended cassock and long brown cape. Bits of flimsy white hair framed delicate wrinkles and slightly greenish skin, with ears that more closely resembled the pointed ones of a fairy.

“Enough, that is, young Walker.” A sing-song voice and mischievous toothless grin gave him the look of an ancient child. “Rest here, we will.”

“Han!” Luke rushed over the bridge and right to his friend. “I found him, Han! I found the great warrior.” He waved at the elderly monk. “Han, this is Friar Yoda. He used to be the head of the Jedi order, before Palpatine destroyed them all.”

Han crossed his arms. “Another old man with a vivid imagination. Considering that the last friar's so-called warrior abilities got him killed, I don't know what skills you can bring to us, oh extremely advanced one.”

“Rude, you are. Should treat your elders better, you should.” Before either of them could stop him, Yoda leaped onto Han's back, far quicker and more nimbly than Han expected. “Take me for ride across the bridge, you will.” He tapped the surprised outlaw on his leg. “Now, now! Or I will help you not!”

Han made it three-fourths of the way across the river before he dumped the little clergyman into the green waters. “Hope you enjoy your swim, old codger!” He doubled over laughing as Luke waded in to fish his friend out.

“Han!” He winced as Leia came over, full of fire in her eyes. “That is Abbot Yoda, of the Jedi order from Northern England. He's one of the last ones left, and you just dropped him in the water like a spoiled fish!”

Han crossed his arms sulkily. “He shouldn't have hit me with his stick.”

“Insult me, you should not, Robin Hood.” Yoda let Luke rub him with a soft cloth to dry him. “Have half a mind not to tell you what I heard about big shipment.”

That got Han's attention. “What big shipment, Oh Great and Mighty One?”

“Two knights, riding on good horses,” the little man snickered. “Very good. One is Sir Ozzel, one of the Sheriff's men. The other is Saxon knight, Sir Carlist Rieekian. Wealthy, he once was. Wealthy, he is no more. Sheriff sold his lands to Baron Thrawn, a Norman noble in Lancastershire.”

“Carlist?” Leia frowned, her brown eyes clearly worried. “He was a good friend of my uncle's, and very popular at court. I played with his son when we were children.”

“I don't like this.” Han started backing away. “It's one thing to steal people's money when we're in the woods. How are we going to do it at a man's home without being captured?”

Now Luke was grinning. “Same as we always do it. With disguises.”

“There's nothing to discuss.” Leia returned his glare. “I'll round up the others, get Thomas and Chewbacca to clean up the horses, and see if Hera can mend one of the dance dresses. I need to look at least somewhat presentable if I'm going to give this money to Sir Rieekian.”

“The money we got today?” Han's fingers curled hard around the top of the chest of gold. “We need this money. The king needs this money!”

Leia was already making her way towards their camp. “We'll earn more money for the king, and for your Baron, too. Don't worry, you'll be paid.”

“Han,” Luke began, “isn't this what we're supposed to be doing? What we're here for? We started this to help the helpless, feed the homeless, and make sure that no one ends up losing everything they have, like we did.”

He finally threw up a hand in Luke's face. “Ok, ok, kid. I'll do it. It's just a matter of getting in there. I don't know how eager this Rieekian will be to let a pack of outlaws in his home, even if he is desperate.”

“Leave that to me.” Her Maidship was already plaiting her hair into a tighter braid. She walked around Han and Luke, looking them over like cattle.

Han gave her a slight leer. “See anything you like, Your Maidship?”

“Enough talk out of you.” She smirked. “You and Luke are going to be my servants. The good Friar is coming to comfort Rieekian in his hour of need. I'll borrow Sabine as my lady-in-waiting. The others can hide in the house.”

“Are you crazy?” He was already stepping back before Luke grabbed his arm. “I'm nobody's servant!”

She leaned on him, giving him a rather wicked grin. “You just have to stand there and look pretty before I give you the signal.”

He finally threw up his hands in frustration. “All right! But after this, we stick to robbing nobles in the woods, all right?”

Her Maidship only continued to grin. “Whatever you say.”

~*~*~*~*~*~

Han, Luke, Leia, and Thomas went on ahead to Ord Mantell Manor. Rieekian, a strapping man in a slightly faded suit that had once been fine silk, welcomed Leia with open arms. “I'm so glad you're all right, Your Maidship.” He lead her to a cozy parlor room furnished sparsely with a few cheaper antiques. “I'm sorry about the state of my home. We had to sell off most of the furniture to pay Thrawn and Sheriff Vader.”

Sitting to his right on a heavy chair with faded gild trim and upholstery was a handsome man attired in a fine suit of white and gray silks and brocades, the styles popular among the members of Prince Palpatine's court. His pale skin and shiny black hair had almost a bluish cast to them, and his brown eyes seemed more like an eerie red. “Yes,” he insinuated in his level, bored tones. “I haven't seen you in some time, Your Maidship. I'm sorry about your uncle, but he really shouldn't have gone gallivanting around in Jerusalem. He would have been better employed settling matters at home.”

A growl rose up in Leia's throat before she managed to turn it into a cough. “He did what he felt needed to be done. Which is also,” she added quickly, “what we're here about.” Leia nodded behind her. “Gentlemen, show him our payment.”

Han and Luke, both wearing simple cloaks and tunics stolen from a nobleman's retinue the week before, opened one of the three chests. Gold flashed in the afternoon sun for a few minutes before Han flung the contents closed. “That's enough,” he said gruffly.

“So,” Leia grinned, “is it all there, Thrawn?”

“How could this be real?” Thrawn steepled his fingers calmly. “No one can get that amount of money without resorting to theft. I did hear,” his thin lips widened into a small smirk, “that you'd fallen in with a rather bad crowd recently. What a shame that such an unusually intelligent and beautiful woman is now a mere outlaw.”

Leia took Han by the shoulders before he could jump at the sneering Norman. “I do what I have to, Your Lordship,” she responded testily. “Do we have a deal?”

“Only,” Thrawn's smile widened as six men in chain mail walked into the room, all with bows and arrows or swords trained at them, “if you give yourselves up to the law. I had a suspicion you would do something like this. Ozzel,” he added to the man with the gold mustache and darker gray tunic, “take the menfolk to the dungeons. I'd like to have a chat with Her Maidship myself.”

“Oh no, you don't.” Thrawn found himself staring down the steel blade of a thin sword...one that had been produced by none other than Rieekian himself. “I'd suspected you'd try something like this. You release these good people, or I've just found myself a wonderful new pincushion.”

“I'd suggest you let him go.” Han sucked in a breath as Sir Boba of Gisbourne emerged from the hallway. The unusual slanted armor of Mandalore was painted a fresh green and red, and his steel crossbow was held directly at Han's chest. “Han of the Hood. His lordship the Baron has been after you for months. He has a bounty on his head the size of this entire estate.”

Han put up his hands. Leia was inching closer to one of the men. “All right, Sir Boba, you've caught me. I'll go with you. I just want you to have a parting gift from me.”

His hands were on his bow and arrow before anyone could move. Sir Ozzel gasped and dropped his sword as an arrow went into his hand. Yoda leaped onto one of the men, hitting him hard on his side with his stick. Luke's blue sword flashed as he fought with two more. Leia and Han dashed behind the desk and shoved it onto two more.

Leia frowned as three more men entered, followed by familiar raspy breathing. “I think it's getting too crowded here for us, Han. Perhaps we should call for a bit of help and flee this place.”

“Right.” Han stuck his fingers between his teeth and let out a long, shrill whistle. “Here comes our fighting force!” He ducked over to Sir Rieekian with Leia and Thomas as Ezra and Hera leaped in through a window, Zeb threw men around in the doorway, and Artoo and Chopper bit at rears and ran under legs.

“Thank you so much, friends!” Sir Rieekian shook their hands behind the desk. “You don't know how much this means to me.”

Han's grin was, for once, genuine. “Ehh, it's nothing, Your Grace. Call it a day's work for Robin Hood and His Merry Rebels.”

“We only ask you one thing, Sir Rieekian.” Leia ducked as an arrow whizzed over her head and a body was thrown into the desk. “We'll need you to pay at least some of it back. Part of the money we're saving is going to the ransom for my uncle. When we have enough saved, we intend to send it to Austria to secure his release.”

“Bail was my friend.” The good knight nodded. “I'd do anything to help bring him back on the throne. I'll save every penny I can, Your Maidship.”

“Thank you.” She peered over the desk, then nodded at the other two. “I think it's time for us to go.”

Zeb was slamming two men's heads together when they pulled out. “This is the most fun I've had since we stole the drawers off that snooty Norman noble from Lancastershire!” he declared as he hit one last man in the nose, throwing him back into the wall and giving him a very bloody appendage.

Han was already half-way out the window. “Sorry to disappoint you, Zeb, but I think the party's over. We have to get out of here, before the Sheriff decides to join in.”

“I just want to go!” Poor Thomas was shaking right down to thin leather boots. “I'm not suited for fights! I have a very delicate constitution.” Artoo barked and rolled his dark eyes. “That one time during the Crusades doesn't count! Someone shoved a bow into my hand and told me to use it. I think I shot three birds and a tent.”

Yoda shoved them both out the window. “Complain later, you will. Leave now, we must.” He bowed quickly before Rieekian. “Forgive our hasty exit, Your Lordship, but stay, we cannot. Lord moves in mysterious ways, he does.”

Rieekian chuckled. “Yes, old friend, it does.”

Sir Boba looked up from where Zeb had thrown him on the floor. “Don't think you've seen the last of me, Hood. I'll follow you wherever you go.”

Han only gave him a parting sneer. “You have to catch me first, Gisbourne!” He leaped from the sill before the angry bounty hunter could take one last shot at him.