A Star Wars Fairy Tale: Return, Part 9

Luke could see the fight below from the dungeons where he was imprisoned. It wasn't going well for the Rebels. Carriage after carriage was either destroyed by the Imperials or burned to a cinder by the dragons. The young knight sat back against the wall, concentrating. Emperor Dragon?

He heard the soft, slithery voice in his mind. Yes, Small Magician? It is time?

It's time. The Rebels are trapped between the Black Crystal Mountain and the Imperial Army and Sith Dragons. They need your help.

My clan would do anything for you and the Rebels. You granted us the freedom to find a new home.

Then help us now. They can't take on those dragons alone.

It is done, Small Magician. We owe you a great debt. This will be our way of repaying you. I will gather the clan, and we will be on our way within minutes.

Please, hurry! I don't know how much longer they'll last.

There was concern in the Emperor Dragon's thoughts. What of you, Small Magician? You are not fighting?

No, Luke admitted. I have...other things I need to do.

The screech of the cell door opening cut off his conversation. The shiny red armor of the king's guards glinted back at him. “Lord Vader requests your presence in the throne room at this time.” He didn't resist as they yanked him onto his feet and lead him out of the dungeon.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Han wished this was a nightmare he could wake up from as he and the other Rebels were marched across the main courtyard, past the stables. The day was definitely not going the way he planned. He'd either be killed by a jealous half-demon or left to rot in a stinking dungeon. He'd never see the Falcon or Chewie again, or Lando, or Luke. The Rebels would be wiped out before they could get in the door. Worst of all, not only would he never see Leia again, but she would be forced to get hitched to an old guy who would probably try to make her just as crazy as he was.

He was so lost in his gloomy thoughts, he didn't hear the squeaking. There was...something...in the rafters, but he dismissed it as mice or squirrels or rabbits who took a wrong turn on their way to Albuquerque City or something. The last thing he expected to see was two forest-toned balls of fur fall belly-first onto the nearest soldier, knocking him to the ground.

“What the heck?” He didn't know how, and he probably didn't want to know, but it was raining furballs. They were leaping from windows, from places in the walls. They jabbed at the soldiers' feet and dented their helmets with their spears. They covered their eyes until they tripped over furniture. They pushed chairs in their way and threw fruit from the bowl on the table at them.

Han grinned as he heard familiar whinnies...and two soldiers went flying across the room. He took his ax back from one of the fallen soldiers and ran over to where Chewbacca and Malla kicked two more soldiers into their growing pile. He threw his arms around Chewie's neck. “Good work, boy! What took you so long?”

“General Solowolf!” Cecil and Arthur hurried over, going under more soldiers being kicked into a pile. “I know this is most unorthodox, but Wicket” he indicated the squeaking fluffball by his side, “told us that you were in considerable danger and required our assistance.”

Han clapped the tall butler on the shoulder. “You were just in the nick of time, Goldenrod. I've never been so happy to see you, Art, Chewie, and a bunch of squirts in my life!”

Wicket tugged on Han's trousers, squeaking excitedly. “He says he saw one of those awful guards in the crimson armor taking Princess Leia upstairs to His Majesty's private suites.”

“Damn it.” Han turned to the nearest Rebel. “Commander Williams, you take the squirt army back to the drawbridge and get that open.”

“Right, sir.” The younger man frowned. “What about you, sir?”

He made for Chewie. “I'm going after Leia.”

“But, sir...” Cecil began, but it was too late. Han climbed onto the Wookie stallion and galloped off into the castle before anyone could stop him.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Leia's eyes fluttered. Her head throbbed. She had no idea where she was. All she remembered was Boba Fett dragging her away from the drawbridge...the guards blocking Han...the angry and horrified look in his eyes...and then, an explosion of pain in the back of her head. And then, nothing.

“Leia?”

“Han?” Han leaned carelessly against a bed done in black brocade coverlets. Or at least, it looked like Han. The man before her had Han's hazel eyes and the scar on his chin, but the eyes seemed more yellowish than green, the grin feral rather than lazy. He'd replaced his usual black vest and white tunic with a black blouse opened at the chest. “Is that you?” She rubbed her head. “Fett must have hit me harder than I thought. I have the worst headache.”

“Let me help you with that.” His long fingers went to her temple, rubbing it. “You know, my darling, we could get married today. We could forget the world, shut everything and everyone out. It would just be you and me.”

Now Leia knew something was wrong. There wasn't a hint of Han's usual teasing tone, and his eyes didn't sparkle with their usual merriment. “Darling? You've never called me that before.” She tried to concentrate. “What about Luke, and Lando, and the Rebels?”

“Who cares about them?” His fingers circled round and round on her temples. “I care about you. I want you, child.”

She tried to concentrate, but it just made her head hurt. “Something is wrong here. You're not my fiancee.”

He continued to rub. “What makes you say that?”

She tried to reach out with her magic. “I can't feel you. Not the way I usually do...and what little I get is colder than the Kingdom of Hoth in the dead of winter. You're not my funny, joking Han. It's like you're not even human.” She raised an eyebrow. “Besides, not only do you not call me 'darling,' but you've never called me a child, either. Luke yes, but I've never heard you call me that. At least, not to my face.”

His voice lowered, sounded more seductive. “You don't trust me?”

“Well, yes...no...” The more she tried to use her power, the foggier her brain became. She couldn't think. “I don't know anymore.”

He wrapped his arms around her. They were so cold, like long blocks of ice. Come to think of it, was Han's face always this white? “Trust me, my beautiful child. Let me handle your power. Things will be all right when it's just us. We can be happy with no one around at all, and no one to bother us. That's what you want, isn't it? What we want?”

“No...” It was so easy to give in. So easy to just let someone else do the talking. It would just be her and Han. No one else. They could get married, live in the castle, be together. She'd never have to worry again.

No, whispered that strong voice in the back of her mind. Skeletal fingers tried to thrust it back, but it just nudged its way to the front of her temples again. This isn't Han. He wouldn't ask you to do that. He respects you, not as a magician or a princess or a politician, but as a woman. As a friend.

“We could be together...have all the power we could ever need. Just don't fight me, child. Give me control over your power.”

“Power?” Her eyes were swimming. She felt more...what did she feel? Maybe she shouldn't feel. Maybe he was right. Maybe she should stop fighting...

“Yes,” his voice purred, “power. We could use that power, get the others to do what we want. Get my inheritance back. Even defeat your father.” He bit her earlobe, almost feral. “But you must do as you are told. I am your master now.”

“Yes,” she murmured, unable to resist as he pulled her close to him. He had turned her head to kiss her when she saw the mirror out of the corner of her eye. It had been hung in the center of the chamber's back wall, standing nearly to the ceiling. It was a beautiful piece of workmanship, the frame made of gilt-covered metal fashioned in intricate ravens and thorns, the glass rippling like waves in the Cerulean Lake in the Kingdom of Aldran.

What she saw in the reflection made her pause. Her beloved rogue was replaced by a skeletal being in a black cape. His bony fingers caressed her chin. Yellow eyes bored into hers. Those eyes held no love, nor had they ever known love. They only knew one thing – power.

He was so intent on his seduction, he didn't notice her fist curling. He didn't have the chance to pull back before that little fist hit him right in the nose. She dove off the bed as he tumbled head over heels to the floor.

“You bastard!” she snarled. She could see him clearly in the mirror now. “You are not Han. I don't know what you are, but you're not my fiancee!”

That was when she heard the chuckles. “Good. Very good.” The man she'd believed to be Han got to his feet. “Your hatred has made you strong. I knew, from before you were born, you would make an excellent black sorceress. I foresaw it. Your place and your brother's is at my side.”

“Forget it.” She put up her fist again. “I'm no sorceress. I'm a politician.” She thought of her lost family, and of Han. Of his strength, his caring, his respect. His devil-may-care nature, and how he made her laugh. She thought of Luke and his kindness, and Lando, and Wedge, and the Ewoks, and the Rebels. “People like you and Jabba don't understand. All you see is the power, or the money. I want to help everyone – animal, human, Force magician – to live in harmony. The real power is in them.”

He laughed, but it didn't sound like Han's rich laughter. It was more like a cackle. “Oh, but you're quite mistaken.” He raised his big hand. “The real power is in the darkness.” A dully glowing black light emerged from his fingers. It curled tightly around Leia, dragging her to him, ignoring her angry cries. “I will be your master, my sorceress. I'll show you how powerful the blackness can be. Your father is preparing to turn your brother to my side, even as we speak. ”

Leia looked towards the mirror. She knew this wasn't Han, but those were his hazel eyes gazing at her, even if his smile seemed cruel and his fingers cold. The fogginess was setting in again. Her head throbbed. What was she doing? Was this really wrong? Her struggles were lessening. She could no longer see the reflection in the mirror.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Han had never ridden Chewie as fast as he did now. They galloped through the castle like a man and horse possessed, leaping over furniture and startled guards and ignoring orders to desist and reminders that horses belonged outside. He didn't need Force magic to know Leia was in trouble. He'd almost lost her twice, first to Vader, then to Jabba. He wasn't going to wait and see if the third time was the charm.

They barreled up the steep steps and through the door just in time. Han blinked almost comically for a few minutes. The last thing he expected was to see his exact double leaning over Leia, looking a lot more seductive than he ever managed to be.

Chewie's frantic whinny broke him out of the spell. He nodded at the mirror across the way. Leia's reflection in the mirror looked normal, other than that really crazy black get-up she was wearing, but his double...his double's reflection was nothing like him. Leia had called him scruffy-looking, but this guy was hideous. He looked like a dried prune in a cape.

Han didn't hesitate another minute. He jumped off Chewie, snatched the small Ewok-made ax from his belt, and slammed the blade into the mirror as hard as he could. The mirror shattered with a resounding crack, sending shards of glass and beams of black light everywhere.

The moment the other Han started screaming, Leia shoved him aside. Chewie grabbed him by the cape, swinging him back into the bed. He tumbled head-first with a gasp.

That was when Han saw the blue light. Leia held her knife right at the creature's chest. “Where is my brother, Palapatine? Where's my father?”

Palapatine was slowly rising to his elbows. “You'll never find him. Your father will corrupt him, and you will be dead.”

Leia pointed the weapon further at his chest. “Tell me!”

She wasn't expecting the fiery black light Palapatine shot at her shoulder. She nicked his shoulder, instead of stabbing it the way she'd wanted to. He screamed, his chest growing spikier by the moment. Han and Chewie pulled Leia aside as the ancient sorcerer vanished in a burst of black magic.

Han pulled her gently against him. Chewie nudged her burned shoulder. “It's not bad,” she insisted.

Her fiancee didn't look convinced. “I've got to get you to the nearest doctor.”

“No,” she breathed. “We have to get that drawbridge open, and we need to find Luke.”

“First thing's first, though.” He lifted her into his arms, and then on Chewie. “By the way, where did you get that outfit?”

“I'm assuming Palapatine made it appear.” She grabbed a handkerchief from the side table to wipe the black lipstick off. “His twisted idea of what a Queen of the Empire looks like.”

Han got on in back of her. “I like you better in white.” He gently put his arms around her, trying not to jolt her bad shoulder. “You ok?”

“I will be,” she said, “once we stop my father and that sick bastard from corrupting my brother.” She held up the knife in her right hand, giving him a small smile. “And I get first dibs.”

Chewie whinnied and shook his head at all this human love. He adored his humans, but he couldn't understand why it took them so long to figure it out. He could practically smell the sparks between them the first time he saw them together. He settled for a snort as he charged downstairs, making sure not to bounce too much and hurt Leia's bad shoulder.

“By the way,” Han started as they made their way down the stairs. “What's this about Luke being your brother?”

Leia sighed. “It's a long story...”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Wedge was starting to feel hopeless. He was on foot now, his own horse having been killed by one of the Empire's bowmen. He was out of arrows and just about out of time. And the drawbridge at the castle still wasn't open.

He ran into Lando when the Falcon came careening around a corner. Lando and Niem were in better shape than their vehicle. The paint was flaking worse than ever, the left wheel was dented, there were at least four arrows sticking out of the right side, and the back door had vanished all together. Admiral Ackbar wasn't doing much better. The bubble-shaped floating carriages the squid people of the Kingdom of Mon Calimari drove were either riddled with arrows or sunk beneath the Dagobah swamp waters.

He started towards Lando when he almost ran right into at least three swords thrust at him at once. “Freeze, Rebel!” the man in the heaviest and shiniest armor said. One of the other men took his bow and arrow and knife. Another grabbed his arm. “It's over now...” And that's when they heard flapping. They all looked upwards...and at the sight that seemed to have blacked out the sun. Wedge imagined if he could see through the commander's visor, the man's eyes would be as round as saucers. “What in the hell is that?”

The moment Wedge saw them, he cheered. Those weren't just any Sith Dragons soaring in numbers so great, they darkened the sky. He recognized the largest as the dragon Luke had ridden during the Battle of Yavin Woods.

Niem Numb nearly fell off the driver's seat when he saw the dragons. He let out a series of shocked “Yeah,” Lando gaped, “I think they are.” He saw two of them burn Imperial carriages. Three more scooped Imperials who were attacking Rebels on foot in their claws and threw them into the Dagobah Swamps. “Yeah, old buddy.” Lando gave his jittery friend the biggest grin he could manage. “I think these guys are on our side!”

The remaining Wookie stallions were frightened at first, many of them bolting into the stark black woods. Attich, however, sensed a fellow noble ruler, one not unlike himself. He galloped right up to the Emperor Dragon. Greetings, Great Winged One.

Greetings, Four-Legged One, the Emperor Dragon replied. You and your clan have done well.

Thank you, Great Winged One. We are here to aid our clan member the Solitary One.

We too were called to aid a human. The Small Magician with the Golden Scales once did our clan a great favor. We thought it was time we did him a favor in return.

Attich and the Emperor Dragon bowed before each other. It seems, said Attich, that perhaps not all humans are like the Dark Ones. Perhaps we can live in harmony, human and animals.

The other dragons and horses started to gather around them cautiously at first. Lando and Niem drove the Falcon up to the crowd. Tauntaun tried to nudge her way in, pushing her nose this way and that until she could get a good view. Wedge pushed his own way through.

The Emperor Dragon saw the young horseman with the black hair the moment he stepped into the group. He nudged him kindly, gently tugging on his sleeve. Wedge gulped, turning two shades of pale. “Uh, hello, dragon. Nice dragon. I'm glad you're our friends. I really wouldn't want you eating me.”

More of the remaining Rebels gathered around the dragons and horses. The Emperor Dragon finally got tired of tugging at Wedge. He gently took the young man in his claws and set him on his back. “You want me to ride you?” His eyes widened. “Really?”

Other Rebels started to climb onto dragons. Those who didn't got on the remaining Wookie stallions, and carriages. The Emperor Dragon nodded at the others in his clan. When everyone was seated, the dragons began flapping their wings.

Niem Numb chattered to Lando, giving him a questioning look. Lando shrugged. “I don't know what's going on here, either, but I wouldn't argue with a dragon.”

As the dragons flapped their wings, a deep blue light gathered around them. The faster and harder they flapped, the more the light gathered and spread. It spread to almost every creature in the Rebel group.

Admiral Ackbar waved to them from the enormous seahorse that pulled his carriage. “We'll stay here and hold off the remaining Imperials. You go open that vault.”

Even as more magic gathered, they heard the creak. The drawbridge was finally opening at Bast Castle. Lando swore he could just barely see two familiar very tall and very short figures in gold and blue and a hoard of tiny furry bears jumping around. He grinned at Niem. “I told you they could do it!” His curly dark head turned to Wedge and the others on the dragons. “Ok, fellas, follow me. We're going to find a way up that piece of crystal if it takes us all week!”

The Emperor Dragon gently growled at Lando. That won't be necessary, Caped Human. Slowly, almost every single thing around them – the horses, the carriages, the dragons, the Falcon – rose into the air. We know how to get in.

Tauntaun whinnied nervously. Niem Numb's chattering became even faster and more fearful. Lando's jaw nearly hit the ground. “What's going on? What...how...”

“I think it's the magic.” Wedge loved it. He loved this sensation of being in the air. “Their magic. Luke told me they had magic.” He gently grasped his scaly new friend's neck. “Come on, Your Dragon Majesty. Let's fly.”

Lando found himself agreeing with Wedge as they all soared through the air. Tauntaun rode the currents like an expert. Niem held Lando's arm hard at first, but once they'd been in the sky for a few minutes, he began to relax. He tugged on Lando's shirt and pointed to some dark clouds ahead.

“What in the...” Lando frowned. “More dragons. Vader must have sent out the reserves.” He saw Wedge charge ahead, with the other members of Rogue Squadron following behind. “Let's let the dragons deal with their own kind. We have to liberate that vault.” He looked over his shoulder. “Hera, you come along, too. We'll need Sabine's explosives.”

Sabine and Ezra were leaning out a window, grinning in dazed delight at the world far below. The girl in the colorful armor pumped her fist as Hera turned to follow the Falcon. “All right! Let's go get that vault!”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Luke never saw the dragons' arrival. He didn't even feel it. He met his father in the hallways outside the dungeons. He gave his father's mind a quick glance. Father wasn't as faithful a servant to the King as he claimed to be. He wanted to train his children himself, not let his master do it, and rule his own lands with no interference.

“Father,” he said quietly, “you know that if you let go of all that darkness, you will be able to train us. Palapatine will never let you help him.”

“He's my master.” Vader turned on his son. “He's wise in the ways of the Dark Magic. He will show you how to wield it.”

“Search your feelings,” the younger man insisted. “You still have them, no matter how much you've tried to hide them. I can feel it.”

“My only feelings now,” said Vader, “are the ones that compel me to do my duty.”

Palapatine had just appeared in a thin black light. There was a slit in the shoulder of his cape. “Good work, Vader,” he said, wincing when he moved his shoulder. “Welcome, my young apprentice.”

Vader handed the green crystal sword to his master. “His weapon.”

“Ahh.” His master turned the hilt over in his aged fingers. “Your sword. Much like your father's.” He gave Luke that chilling smile. “By now, you've probably learned that your father's magic can never be purified. Soon, you will call me master, as he does.”

“You're wrong,” Luke insisted. “Soon you'll be dead, and so will I.”

“You refer to your pitiful Rebel outlaws.” The false king's nasty smile widened. “They're walking into a trap. As are your friends in the courtyard.”

Luke was internally rolling his eyes. He could almost hear Han's voice in his head. This guy is cocky AND ugly. Nice combination. “Your overconfidence is your weakness.”

Palapatine sneered back. “Your faith in your friends is yours.”

Luke turned away. The evil king's sneer continued to widen. “My Sith Dragons will take care of your fleet. Almost every soldier at my disposal is already sending your so-called friends to the dungeons. The drawbridge will remain closed. I will wed your sister as soon as we're finished here.” The lightsaber had begun to shake a little. “Take your father's place at my side. You know that's what must be.”

The young man turned away from him again, towards the heavy, dark tapestries in the back of the room...but the green crystal sword on the arm of the throne continued to shake.

A Star Wars Fairy Tale: Return, Part 10

The remaining Imperial guards were not ready for flying carriages, never mind Rebel dragons. Most of the guards were just staring slack-jawed as they came to a stop by the entrance to the treasury building. Hera jumped off the driver's seat. “Last stop! Everyone off!” She opened the back door. “Anyone have to use the water closet?”

Sabine came out first. “Nope, I'm ok. I just want to blow up something.”

The guards finally realized what they were seeing and were reacting accordingly. Which is to say, they were shooting and missing. Zeb, the big greyish fellow, looked positively ecstatic. “You girls take Calarissian and Numb to break open the vault. Let us blokes handle the leftovers.”

“Oooh, a buckethead fight!” Ezra was nearly as happy as Zeb. “I love these.”

Kanan, to Lando's surprise, pulled out a blue crystal sword. He was even more surprised to see that Ezra's crystal knife was attached to a short bow. “How many Force knights are wandering around out there?“ he asked, raising his eyebrows.

The older knight shrugged as he sliced a soldier's bow in half. “We don't know. To our knowledge, Commander Skywalker and the two of us are the only ones left.”

“We'll discuss how they survived later.” Hera was already starting down the hall, shooting arrows at two guards. Sabine threw one of her explosives at another one, filling the area with pinkish dust. “Right now, we have to get to that vault.” Lando grabbed Niem Numb by his arm and rushed after her.

The vault was heavily guarded, not only by soldiers, but by secret arrows and axes that shot out or swung from the wall. Lando went behind the two women, watching them ducking and rolling under and around them. Lando and Niem handled the remaining guards, shooting them or knocking them into the arrows and axes.

To Lando's surprise, the vault itself wasn't all that impressive, just a very thick metal door. He'd seen bigger ones. Hera must have seen the look on his face. “Don't underestimate it. The Bothans said it's ten meters thick and guarded by black magic.”

Sabine snorted. “Magic I can get around. The thickness may take some more work.” She set up what looked to Lando like large black balls and spirals all around the door while he and Niem kept an eye on the hall.

Lando adjusted his bow as Sabine pulled back. “How's it coming, kiddo?”

“Just finished.” She ran in the opposite direction. “Everyone stand back!”

Those balls seemed awfully small to Lando. “But, how...with those little things?”

Hera just grabbed Niem and Lando's sleeves and pulled them both back towards the hall. “Trust me. Sabine knows what she's doing.”

Sabine had just made it back into the hall when a gigantic explosion rocked the entire castle, sending great clouds of red, blue, orange, green, and pink smoke everywhere. All four were knocked to their feet, ending up on top of each other.

Kanan, Ezra, Zeb, and the little man who had helped Arthur at Jabba's Palace came rushing down the hall, dodging the smoke. “Good grief, Sabine! How many did you use?”

Zeb was coughing loud enough to be heard in a neighboring kingdom. He swatted at the pink smoke. “I think you overdid it a bit, lass.” The smaller man's fingers flew in a language identical to the one Arthur used. His more stately friend rolled his eyes. “You are not dying, Chopper. The smoke just got into your eyes, that's what. It'll be gone in a minute.”

Ezra had ignored the other men. He emerged from the rapidly clearing smoke to what remained of the vault...and the entire hall around it. The boy pushed aside a few bricks, sliced a thick piece of metal with his knife, and then...saw it. Saw it glowing dully in the light of the few remaining torches. He saw the silver. “WOOHOO!” He let out the loudest, longest whoop he possibly could, then ran over to grab Kanan's hand. “You've gotta see this! The Empire's loaded!”

Kanan's jaw nearly hit the floor. What remained of the vault was larger than the entire Rebel carriage fleet and all of the Sith Dragons, good and bad, put together. It was stuffed from top to bottom with bars and coins of gold and silver, jars of precious spices, trunks overflowing with precious gemstones, gold cups and plates, and fine jewelry, armor and weapons made from pure platinum and gold, paintings by master artists that had been lost for decades, and even a whole carriage covered in gold and gems.

Ezra scrambled into the driver's seat of the carriage. “Hera, I want you to teach me how to drive this!”

Zeb's eyes were wide. “We could feed Lothal Village for centuries! We could rebuild the whole place from top to bottom!”

Hera held up a silver brick. “I could buy eight of the Ghost with one of these.”

Lando grinned. “I could repair the Falcon six times over.” Behind him, Niem was happily swimming in coins. Chopper gave a diamond the approximate size of his fist a hard appraisal.

“What?” Sabine picked up a painting to admire it. “You uncultured people aren't going to appreciate fine art? Not only are these gorgeous, but I'll bet there are museums out there that would pay a fortune for them!” She grinned. “And they're giving me great ideas for my own work.”

Hera finally put the brick aside. “We have to go get help. It'll take days to get all this out.”

Lando nodded. “Hera, you take your group and see if you can find anyone with carriages that can carry all of this. Better yet, use the gold carriage. It looks big enough for the first round.”

“All right!” Ezra's shout of delight showed he totally agreed with that sentiment.

Hera was already hauling out a smaller trunk. “What about you?”

The former baron was already pulling his long-jowled friend to his feet. “We're going to go find Han and the others. I have the feeling this isn't over yet.” He pulled out his bow and hurried back down the hall to the Falcon, followed by a very reluctant Niem.

~*~*~*~*~*~

“Your fleet is lost,” King Palapatine continued as Luke watched the dragon battle. “Your friends in the dungeon will not survive the hour. I've already given the command for Solowolf to die the moment I wed the princess. The Kingdom of Aldran and the Kingdom of the Empire will be finally united, with me ruling both, of course.”

Luke had been probing his mind for the better part of twenty minutes. He didn't like what he was finding. “You're lying. You don't know where Leia is. Or Han, for that matter.”

Vader's voice showed his annoyance plainly. “You let her go?”

“I know where she is.” Palapatine gave Luke his simpering smile again. “Our operative will retrieve her easily.”

“She's not a pet dog who'll come when you call.” Luke glared at him. “Stop treating her like she is.”

“You have other concerns at the moment.” The green light sword by Palapatine's arm shook even harder. “I know you want this. Use it. Strike me down. It's my mind that controls the Empire's Sith Dragons. They are under my command. If you kill me, they will back down.”

Luke had never struggled so much with the darkness within. If he continued to fight that darkness, the Emperor would let the dragons kill the others. He would take Leia for himself and have Han murdered. But if he destroyed him...if he destroyed that creature... His anger rose. He would not let him harm the others anymore.

The green sword flew into Luke's hand. He lunged for the King. Vader jumped in, parrying his swing with a lunge of his own. Father and son stared each other down as the false king cackled behind them.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Leia knew Luke was in trouble. She could feel him give in to his anger. “Han,” she gasped, “we have to pick up the pace! Vader...and Luke...they're fighting...”

“Hold on, Princess.” Han directed Chewbacca across the courtyard and into the main building. “We're just about there.”

They'd made their way into the antechamber before the throne room when an arrow thumped into the floor near Chewbacca's feet. The Wookie stallion whinnied and stepped back as Boba Fett stepped out from behind a column. “Going somewhere?”

“As a matter of fact, yes.” Han was already getting off his horse. “We were just about to get into the throne room to help out my future brother-in-law.”

“You're not going anywhere, Solo.” Fett held out his bow. “I don't know how you managed to get out of Jabba's alive, but your luck ends here.”

Han pulled his Endorwood longbow out of one of Chewie's saddlebags. “Didn't you know, Fett? My luck doesn't run out. It's never-ending.” He looked over his shoulder to give Leia, who remained on Chewie, a brief grin. “Especially when I have a good-luck charm with me.”

“Jabba was an idiot. He should have kept his eye on the prize, not wallowing in his own fat.” Boba pulled up his own Aldranwood bow. “I won't make the same mistake. Lord Vader wants his daughter back. I'll be sitting on the easy path for the rest of my life with what he's giving me for her.” He aimed for Han's heart. “He wants you dead, Solowolf, and I for one can't blame him.”

Han sneered at him.“Not today, Fett.” Fett did shoot first. His hands were faster than Leia could keep up with, but Han's were even more so. The first arrow went right through Fett's, splintering it into bits. His second arrow hit a rope holding a crest behind the wall. Leia lead Chewie over as the heavy metal crest hit Fett right on the head. He was distracted enough for Chewbacca to kick him out the front door...and into the arms of several Rebel troops.

Han turned to the troops. “Take that guy to the dungeon. We'll deal with him later.” The former thief stroked his horse's mane. “Good work, Chewie.” He gave Leia a kiss on her cheek. “And good work too, Your Worship. We'll let the Rebels handle Fett. Right now, we have to save your brother again.”

Leia clutched her head. “And hurry! He's...he's so dark...”

“Right.” Han climbed on Chewie, and they galloped through the open door towards the throne room.

A Star Wars Fairy Tale: Return, Part 11

Luke was leaping all over the throne room, dodging his father's blows. He gave him just as many. Vader was surprised at how strong his son was. The boy was no longer a fledgling. This was a fully-grown man, with his own very potent abilities.

“Good,” King Palapatine chuckled, as Luke landed an especially fierce blow on Vader that made him stumble back against the wall. “Good. Kill your father, and your journey towards the dark side of the Force magic will be complete.”

“No.” Luke stepped away, breathing hard, but more in control of himself. “I won't kill him. I can't. I'm not...” he looked up at the ugly creature before him “...not like you. Not like he is now.” He pulled away as Vader gingerly got to his feet. “There was a time he wouldn't have killed, unless he had to. Father, I feel the good in you. I know the Emperor hasn't driven it from you completely.”

“You're mistaken, son.” Vader only shook his head. “There's no good left.”

“You couldn't kill me before,” Luke insisted, “and I don't think you'll kill me now.” He backed into the shadows, concentrating. The shadows enveloped him, rendering him invisible.

“Give yourself to the dark magic.” Vader walked around the throne room, probing the shadows with his mind. “It's the only way you can save your friends. Yes, your feelings for them are strong, especially for...” He concentrated...and hit on a particularly delicate spot in Luke's tender heart. “Sister. Your twin sister. For Leia.” His mind probed further. “I made a promise to the King years ago, before either of you were born. Those hypocritical Force Knights didn't respect me. They didn't understand me. Refused me a membership on their high council. My master promised me power and respect, in exchange for my undying loyalty...and the daughter my wife was carrying. He promised to show me how to keep people from dying.”

“You...you gave Leia away?” Luke couldn't believe what he was hearing. “Practically sold her?”

“I did what I had to.” Vader probed harder. “If you will not turn to the dark magic, perhaps she will.”

Vader had probed the one place he should have left alone. He let out a loud screech and launched himself out of the shadows...and onto his father. He didn't care what he hit. He slammed and parried at the man before him, the man who threatened the only family he truly lad left. Vader, for his part, had begun to think he'd made a slight error in judgment. His son's dark powers possibly even exceeded his own.

Driven to the wall, Luke just kept slamming his sword at his father. He finally sliced through Vader's metal hand. The iron-covered appendage and the red and black crystal sword went flying against the wall.

The King watched from his throne, cackling with glee. “Wonderful!” he hissed. “You're doing well, my new apprentice. Now, finish him off, and take your father's place at my side.”

That was when Luke saw his hand. His metal hand, the one Arthur made for him. The one Vader had cut off in a rage on the roof of the prison tower in the Kingdom of the Clouds. The one that now held his sword at his father's throat. We're more alike than we believe, he thought. He closed his eyes and pulled back. Well, here's one thing we don't have in common.

Luke drew himself up to his full height before the King's throne. “Never.” He threw the green crystal sword aside. It clanged against the wall with Vader's. “I'll never take up the dark magic. You have failed, Your Majesty. I am a White Knight, like my father before me.”

Palapatine's yellow eyes stared hard at the young knight. “So be it,” he hissed. “White Knight.”

~*~*~*~*~*~

Lando saw the clouds gathering, even as the Falcon careened through the courtyard. Arthur, Cecil, and the Ewoks and remaining Rebels were rounding up the Imperial soldiers to be taken to the dungeon until further notice. Wicket jumped up and down in delight as the cart came to a quick stop before them.

Oooh, one of the horsie vehicles! Wicket gave Tauntaun's leg a hug. Can I have a ride?

Lando shrugged and lifted Wicket between him and Niem. “Come on, short stuff. All aboard the Falcon express!”

“May I ask,” Cecil insisted, “where you plan on going? Most of the Army has been arrested, and the drawbridge is open...”

The former baron pointed at the back of his vehicle. “If you want to be in on the action, get in the back. We're going after Han and Leia.”

“Captain Solowolf went to His Supreme Majesty King Palapatine's rooms to rescue her,” Threepio explained. Arthur shook his head, tugging on his friend's tattered gold jacket, his fingers flying. “They're on their way to the throne room? Where did you find that out?” Arthur made gestures like he was holding a lance. “One of the captured King's Guards told you? What have I told you about talking to strangers?”

“That's where we're going.” Lando flicked the reins as Arthur shoved a protesting Cecil into the now-doorless back of the Falcon. “All passengers, fasten your rope belts. It's going to be a bumpy ride.”

~*~*~*~*~*~ 

Han, Leia, and Chewie barreled into the throne room just in time to see Palapatine raise his scaly fingers. “If you will not give in, boy, you will die!” Leia screamed as a streak of black lightning hit her brother. Chewie let out a horrified whinny.

Leia immediately ran towards Palapatine. “I won't let you hurt him!”

Han's eyes widened. Palapatine was looking less and less human by the minute. Already, he could see long spines and a snake-like tail through his cape. “Ahh. I knew you'd come back to me, my bride.” His cruel smile wasn't even human anymore. It was broad and lipless and filled with needle-like teeth. “Your power is nearly equal to your brother's. I could mold it, shape it. I could even keep your brother from dying. What can that powerless wretch give you,” he nodded at Han “that I can't?”

She stared into his intense yellow eyes. “Love.”

“Love,” the monster hissed, “is for fools.” His lightning blasted in Leia's direction, enveloping the girl. She screamed, dropping the the floor.

Suddenly, two bodies blocked her at once. Leia looked up...and into a pair of pained hazel eyes. Han's arms were squeezed around her so hard, she could barely breathe. Chewie blocked them both, his angry whinnies echoing in the room. “Han...”

He grinned at her, despite the nasty burns on his back. “I love you.”

She smiled back. “I know.”

The demon snarled. “You...you little...” Luke had been crawling to his knees, but Palapatine turned his energy back on him. “You've paid the price for your lack of vision.” The lightning became darker and even more intense, spreading over the young knight's writhing, burned form.

“Father,” Luke wailed, “please!”

It was then that Vader realized that everything Palapatine had told him was a lie. This old, frail demon knew no more about prolonging life than he knew about real love. He'd killed his wife, given up his children and his human form, destroyed half the Seven Kingdoms, and for what? The evil dreams of a supernatural entity? He'd let his desire for power over-ride his soul, his very humanity.

The dark-clad war lord let out a ferocious growl, lunging at the frail demon. As he did, his armor split, revealing an enormous, spike-laden, horned being, all black and red scales and terrible claws. His eyes were still yellow...but there were flecks of sky-blue in them, a color not unlike Luke's own.

The group in the throne room watched in shock as Vader slashed his claws into Palapatine's back. The smaller demon hissed, turning his lightning and his razor-sharp claws on his former follower. Chewie grabbed Luke by the back of his armor and yanked him with the rest of the group as the two demons slashed, bit, and threw lightning at each other.

They leaped through a stained-glass window and up the castle walls, finally making it to the roof. The sky was thick with dark clouds and jagged, white-edged lightning as the entire heavens seemed to split open, unleashing a storm of the likes that had never been seen. Luke, Han, and Leia wobbled to the window, clutching each other for dear life. Wedge and the Emperor Dragon saw it in the sky, just over the drawbridge. Lando and the group in the Falcon watched wide-eyed from the courtyard.

“You tricked me,” Vader hissed. “You never cared about saving Padme, or making the Knight Council give me a better position. You only wanted my children's Force magic and my title as King of Naboo.”

“Yesss,” snarled the bony lizard-like creature that slithered around him. “I gave you what you wanted. I cursed you with true power. That's what power is, Skywalker. It's burning, blackness. It's taking what you want, when you want.”

“If that's magic,” Vader panted, “you can have it. I'm human. I'm not a monster!”

Luke gasped as the black and red dragon-like demon finally lifted the snake-like demon over it's shoulder, ignoring the black magic lightning spreading around him. He threw the creature over the castle walls and into the very lightning raining down from the heavens. It split the creature asunder as its remains were dashed on the jagged edges of the crystal mountain bellow.

“Whoa,” Lando exclaimed as the black and red dragon on the roof started to wobble, “that boy's comin' down! Everyone clear the area!”

Ewoks, horses, Imperials, and Rebels ran for cover as the winged demon toppled to the ground, landing with a noisy thud in the courtyard below. Luke, Leia, and Han rode out on Chewie as the dragons came in for a landing near the drawbridge.

Luke was the first to reach the dragon. To his surprise, it was looking less and less animal-like by the minute. A blue light surrounded the creature. When it subsided, it looked more like a rather tired, pale-faced, heavily scarred old man in the remains of black armor...but his eyes were a beautiful, clear shade of sky blue. “Luke...” he whispered.

“Father, I won't leave you here.” He nodded at Han and Leia, hand in hand behind him. “We won't leave you here. We have to save you.”

“You already have. Luke,” he rasped, “you were right about me. Tell Leia...you were right.”

“Father!” Luke started. “Father!” It was no use. The pale man in the armor finally sagged in his arms, gone for good. Luke wept hot tears of sorrow over his father's body as it vanished all together, leaving the scorched black armor behind. Han put an arm around Leia, who leaned into him. Wicket threw himself comfortingly around her leg. Chewie nudged her good shoulder. Wedge lead the Emperor Dragon to Luke to try to comfort him.

A Star Wars Fairy Tale: Return, Part 12

As Luke continued to weep over the armor and the rain began to slow, something very strange happened. Han saw it first, from behind Leia's back when he embraced her. Bast Castle was slowly...changing. Really changing. He finally tapped Leia's good shoulder. “Uh, Princess, wasn't this place a lot uglier a few minutes ago?”

Leia finally turned around, her brown eyes wide. Everything around them was slowly changing. Teardrop-shaped blue lights twinkled and bobbed and gushed around the castle. The walls became glowing white granite trimmed with gold. The roofs were smooth, pale gray waterstones. The Death Tower was now covered in delicate green vines. Stone pots of flowers appeared in every corner. A magnificent gold fountain came to life in the center of the courtyard, bubbling and sparkling. Velvety green grass shot up around their feet. The gargoyles and statues of evil wizards were replaced by benevolent winged angels. The black crystal mountain turned a softer white.

“Hey,” Lando grinned, “look at us!” The blue Force magic now swirled around the many creatures gathered in the courtyard. The dragons' scales were polished to a hard shine. The Ewoks and Wookie horses' fur was brushed and and neatly braided. The Falcon now had brighter paint, its scratches and splinters mostly gone. The Rebels wore green and pale tan uniforms with copper-colored trim, comparable to the finest army. Lando was back in his blue and gold baron administrator's uniform, complete with silk-lined cape. Cecil's gold butler's uniform was as stiff and crisp as ever. Arthur wore his blue and white footman's livery.

“Hey!” Han made a face at the light surrounded him and Chewie. “What are you doin'?” When it subsided, he was clad in the black velvet prince's costume he'd worn to the ball in Aldran three years before, including the silver crown. Chewie had a matching silver bridle with a tall white plume, his mane and tail braided with silver and black ribbons.

“Luke!” Leia rushed over to her brother as the light reached her. “Look!” Luke finally wiped his tears, in time to see the teardrop lights surround him and his sister. Her black gown became snow-white, trimmed with black and white flowers and tiny crystals cascading around the ruffled skirt. The feathers became a collar of white and black beads and beautiful white and black roses. White roses and a silver tiara nestled in her short dark hair.

Luke, still sniffling, his face red and blotchy, finally looked at himself. His own Master Force Knight armor was no longer dented from battle, but polished and new, his green sword by his side. “Leia,” he barely breathed, “what's happening?”

“Our tears heal, Luke.” Leia took him in her arms. “That's how I healed Han's eyes at Jabba's Palace.” She smiled. “You did it, Luke.”

There were murmurs and gasps of surprise as not one, not two, but five people surrounded by blue light suddenly appeared in the courtyard. Luke recognized the smallest as Yoda, the tallest as Qui-Gon, and the man next to him as Ben Kenobi. With them was a strapping older man in Master Force Knight armor, his kind face beaming benevolently. He held the hand of a lovely middle-aged woman in the fanciest white gown Luke had ever seen, awash with ruffles and beading and an enormous standing collar. She had big brown eyes like Leia's, a gentle smile, and long dark hair that curled gently around her shoulders.

“Mother!” Leia went to her immediately. She was shocked when she realized she could take her hand. “Mother, how...”

“We're one with the Force magic now. Luke's healing magic lifted the curse.” The older man put his hands around her. “I just had to bring her to my daughter's wedding.”

Han joined them. “If you're Skywalker senior, does that mean...”

Sir Anakin Skywalker nodded. “Yes. Marry our daughter and be happy. I saw what you did for her in the throne room. You've proven your worthiness a hundred times over.” He put up a finger. “But if you ever run off or hurt my daughter in any way, I will find a way to haunt you until the end of your days.” The lazy grin that lit up his weathered face looked strangely like his son-in-law's. “You hear me?”

Han grinned back. “Yeah, I hear you.”

Wicket couldn't stop poking at these straight blue humans. He jumped back when his paw went right through the strange little goblin! He squeaked in alarm and rushed to Leia, hiding behind her gown.

Yoda sniffed. “Serves you right, it does. As a creature of the Woods, you should know not to play with magic.”

Wedge hurried over to Luke. “So, I get to meet the family?”

Luke nodded. “These are my masters, my father...” He was already starting to cry as he turned his hand to the woman. “And my mother.”

“My poor boy.” Padme wiped his tears away. “I wish I could have kept both of you. Bail and Ben and I thought it would be safer if you were hidden in a place your father would never go.”

“Mother...” he whispered, overwhelmed by emotion.

Lando grinned at Qui-Gon. “Nice mustache. We need to exchange grooming tips sometime.”

Qui-Gon gave him one of his gentle smiles. “I'd like that, Baron.”

Han turned to Lando. “Hey, the Falcon made it through ok, right?”

His buddy lied like a trooper. “Not a scratch.”

Arthur hurried over to Anakin, his fingers flying. Anakin's fingers flew back...and so did Padme's. They both embraced him. Cecil's owlish brown-gold eyes were even wider than usual. “Your Majesties?” he gasped. “How...how did I ever forget you? I worked in your service for years! Anakin's mother gave me my first job in Tatoonie, helping her at home.”

Yoda sighed. “Put a memory spell on you, we did. Talk too much, you do. Spell was strong enough to outlast the one who cast it. Healing here broke it.”

Cecil glared at Arthur. “You knew all along?” His fingers flew. “You've known it for years, and you never told me?” Arthur made a face, his fingers jabbing at Cecil's throat. “I do NOT talk too much, you ridiculous little tin-maker!”

Hera's group had come out with their first trunks just as the magic started. They all now wore Rebel uniforms, except for Sabine, whose pink armor now shimmered like hard candy. “You...” Kanan went to Ben. “You're Sir Benjamin Kenobi!” He turned to Anakin. “And Sir Anakin Skywalker, the greatest Force Knight team that ever lived!”

Ezra hurried over with him. “Wow, really? Kanan told me about you guys! You're legendary!”

“I'd sign autographs,” Anakin said with a wink, “but I can't grasp things too well right now.”

Ben just sighed. “Anakin, we really have to get going.”

“Wait!” Han turned to Leia. “Aren't Force Knights also priests? Can you, you know, marry people?”

“Priests, we were.” Yoda nodded. “Not often a part of our duties, it was, but yes, couples we can wed.”

Leia took Han's hand. “We have at least a thousand witnesses, plus my brother and parents. Let's do this now.” She turned to Luke. “Would you marry us, brother? I wouldn't ask anyone else.”

Luke took both their hands, his sunny smile nearly matching the golden sunlight that now lit up the sky. “I'd be happy to, sister.”

The marriage ceremony was beautiful. Luke performed it on the balcony overlooking the drawbridge and the river, the one leading to the Dagobah Swamps. The Enchanted Woods had never looked brighter, greener, or happier. Admiral Ackbar and his squid-men saluted them on their seahorses. She swore she saw Maz Kantana's chicken-footed inn nestled in the back, where she and her patrons could get a perfect view of the ceremony. Mon Mothma waved from on top of Attich, her short red locks and white robes standing out in the crowd.

The bride was glowing. The groom was nervous – his horse had to nudge him out to the balcony. His best man in the gold cape chuckled. The maid of honor with the brown-green braids and flower girl in pink armor tossed petals from the flower urns around the happy couple. A tiny bear in brown leather proudly held the bride's train all by himself. The blue Force ghosts all looked on proudly.

The moment the ceremony ended, the crowd in the valley cheered. The four standing on the balcony took each other's hands, lifting them in triumph. Wedge came over to Luke on the end and took his hand. Wicket pushed around Leia's dress. She picked him up and settled him on the balcony, so he could see the crowd. The two servants waved and grinned.

When they came out to the courtyard, the dragons, horses, Ewoks, Rebels, and Force ghosts all bowed before them. Han put his arm around his new wife. She winced when he touched her shoulder. He let out a hiss when she rubbed his burned back. “As soon as everyone clears out, we're going to the nearest doctor to get looked at.” He kissed her. “I don't want to miss out on our honeymoon.”

She sighed. “I don't know if we'll be able to have one. There's so much to do...”

“Oh no.” Lando put his arms around them. “You crazy kids go and have fun. We can take care of things until you get back.”

Luke still held Wedge's hand. “We'll be all right, sister.”

Leia frowned. “Well...

Han shook his head and lifted her into his arms. “Your carriage awaits.”

“We have to go, too.” Anakin took his wife's hand. “May the Force be with all of you.”

Luke hugged both of them. “Thank you, Father. Mother.”

“You're welcome.” They hugged Han and Leia before stepping away. Luke, Han, Leia, and everyone in the courtyard watched as the blue lights faded into the horizon.

Luke went to the Emperor Dragon. Thank you, my friend.

No, thank the Riding Human. The Emperor Dragon nudged Wedge. He lead the charge against the remaining Imperial dragons. Without him, we wouldn't have made it.

“He did, did he?” His grin now looked rather like his father's. “Hey Wedge, want to go flying?”

Wedge smiled back. “I'd love to!”

“You boys go flying. I'm going to take my bride on our honeymoon.” He swept Leia over to the Falcon as Lando hitched up Chewie and Malla. “If anyone needs us, we'll be at Maz's Inn in the Kingdom of Takodana.” He looked over at Lando, making a face. “Hey, is it me, or is the back door missing?”

“It's you.” Lando climbed on Tauntaun. “I have things to take care of over in the Kingdom of the Clouds. Who knows? If I talk really nice, they might even give me my job back.”

Arthur scurried into the driver's seat of the Falcon, followed by Wicket. Cecil glared at them. “What makes you think you can drive a vehicle?” Arthur's fingers flew. “You've repaired them all your life? That means nothing!” He managed to fall in next to Arthur. “Would you move? I know how to drive! I drove us that one time in the Kingdom of the Clouds, remember?” Wicket squeaked. Arthur's fingers went even faster. “I couldn't stop the carriage then? I'll show you stop, you overweight coal scuttle!”

Luke and Wedge laughed and waved from their dragons as the Falcon took off like a shot over the drawbridge, despite Cecil's wails. There was now a stone path that lead down the mountain. It would never be guarded by evil magic again. Han and Leia were too busy kissing in the carriage to wave back. Lando and Mon Mothma did wave from their mounts as they galloped towards the main roads. The Ewoks and Rebels and Wookie stallions all waved good-bye as they streamed over the drawbridge towards home. Maz turned her chicken-footed inn back towards Takodana. She was going to have her third and fourth royal customers in a week's time. She had to be ready for them. The crew of the Ghost bounced down the hill, waving out the windows and on the driver's seat, the back cargo area stuffed to the gills with trunks and coins and and paintings.

Above them all, blue lights watched, glowing softly in the morning sunlight, until they finally bobbed off towards the Enchanted Woods.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Upon Leia's return from her honeymoon, she discovered that she and Luke were, indeed, the hereditary Prince and Princess of the Empire. Han and Leia became King and Queen of a restored Naboo, once and for all uniting it with their neighbor Aldran. The Enchanted Woods were declared sacred during their reign, its animals and flora never to be disturbed or damaged. Cecil and Arthur remained their devoted butler and blacksmith.

Luke stepped down as Prince of Naboo, taking over as the King of Tatoon. The small desert country flourished under his gentle rule, distributing much land and finances to the poor grain farmers and passing several successful laws limiting both organized crime and the king's power. Wedge Antilles was his regent and his closest adviser.

Research and letters exchanged to the Kingdom of Corellia revealed that Han was, indeed, the son of a noblewoman who had been disowned by her family for marrying a gypsy. She and her husband were killed during the Empire's invasion. Though there was much bickering and arguing on his mother's family's side, Han was able to retrieve his title and most of his inheritance. He used this to aid the struggling Corellian gypsies and past stricter laws against poaching, especially for Wookie horse herds.

Most of the gold and luxury items confiscated during the siege of Bast Castle were eventually sold for the money to help the poor and repair the towns, villages, and cities destroyed by the Empire during its brutal reign. Among the first restored were Aldran Town and Lothal Village. They became two of the most prosperous and beautiful metropolises in the entire Alliance.

The Dragons, Ewoks, and Wookie horses all returned to their respective homes. They sent representatives to Naboo's council and stayed in touch with their new friends. Wicket was the first Ewok to sit on the Naboo council.

Though Lando wasn't able to get his job back at the Kingdom of the Clouds – general or not, they still didn't appreciate the mess he left – he figured he was happier that way. He preferred the open road and the lure of his favorite casinos to sitting behind a desk. He frequently stopped and visited the King and Queen of Naboo and the King of Tatoon when he was in their vicinity, amusing them with tales of his travels.

Every year, on the day of their anniversary, Han and Leia somehow managed to disappear for a few days. Only a select few, including Luke, knew they spent those days at Maz's Inn, enjoying her rabbit stew and her company and remembering how they'd first fallen in love.

Luke knew he wasn't alone now. He had friends, family. He had his parents, even if he couldn't always see them. But most of all, he had the knowledge that he'd freed the kingdoms and discovered what neither Palapatine nor the Force Knights had ever understood. The true magic of the Force came not from without, but within. It came from their relationships.

The real magic came from love. And that made all the difference.

Princess Elena and the Trolls

This is my second original fairy tale. I came up with the idea just this evening and wrote it down quickly before I forgot it. It's shorter than my previous original story, but I'm hoping it came out just as well. 

Princess Elena and the Trolls

By Emma Redmer

Princess Elena was the bravest warrior in all the kingdom. She was fierce in battle, with a keen intellect and a courageous heart. She was also cunning, with an animal instinct and something many princesses, or people, did not possess – common sense. She could outfox many an evil nobleman or king. Though many men courted her, Elina suspected they only saw her titles, or her curvaceous figure, long velvet-brown curls and flashing eyes that changed from blue to gray at a moment's notice, depending on her mood. She wanted to be loved for herself, not for a title or her looks.

She was out hunting one day, riding through the kingdom neighboring hers. The young princess was dressed simply, in a hunter's green and brown outfit. Her horse, her favorite dappled gray Esmerelda, trotted through the dark, dense Enchanted Forest. She shivered. The forest held many secrets. She'd heard the prince of this kingdom had disappeared on a routine hunting expedition a few days before. His horse had returned without him. The entire kingdom was in an uproar, searching day and night for the missing man.

The further she went, the more she became determined to continue. “I'm not afraid,” she told herself. “I won't allow whatever magic these woods possess to intimidate me.”

Even as she said these words, she heard voices. Elena winced at the shrill noises, loud enough to crack the strongest glass. It sounded as if they were fighting. She turned her horse for a look.

Three of the ugliest trolls she'd ever seen were gathered around what, at first, appeared to be simply a tree. They were mixing some kind of black goop in a cauldron over a fire. A handsome man, tall and slender, with a fiery mane of red-brown hair that flowed past his shoulders and a smooth, strong-jawed chin, was bound hand and foot to a thick tree. One of the trolls stroked him, caressing his neck, shoulders, and chest. He'd once been dressed in the rich clothing of royalty, but they had been torn to rags by the trolls' claws. A second troll forced a goblet of purple liquid into his full, pink lips.

The third troll tauntingly waved a golden crown in front of his nose. “No more a prince are thee. When you wed one of us, we will turn the king and queen into frogs and take over the kingdom. You will become our slave.” The man opened his mouth, but no voice emerged. The troll cackled, a sound that sent a shiver up Elena's spine. “You can scream, shout, yell. It will do you no good. The potion we just gave you made your throat too stiff to speak. You will not be able to cry out for help.”

The second troll shuffled over to the cauldron. She leaned over it and took a deep sniff. “It's almost ready! This will turn you into a pretty puppy. We'll be able to control your mind, your very shape. You will be human when we want you to pleasure us.” The prince struggled harder, but the other two trolls tightened the ropes, until he could no longer move a muscle. The first troll yanked his mouth open. “Open wide, fair prince...”

Elena put her hand over her mouth to stifle the gasp. So this was the missing prince! She had to do something to help him. He certainly didn't deserve brides like these. The brave princess rode boldly out of the protection of the trees and into the clearing.

The three trolls were, at first, surprised to see a young woman in green and brown holding an arrow right at them. “Unhand that poor man! He's much too good for the likes of you!” The prince looked up, his green eyes now filled with hope.

The trolls only laughed, their deep guffaws echoing amid the trees. “You could never defeat us, silly human! You're just a little thing. What could you do?”

“I can do plenty. I'm stronger than you think.” She lowered her bow and arrow. “Would you like to see how strong I am?”

The largest troll, the one holding the prince's mouth open, snorted. “Why not? We could use a good laugh.”

“And after that,” the second troll added, “we'll turn you into a puppy, too! Or maybe a birdie!”

She pulled a stone from under the tree. “Do you see this rock? Why, I could crush this rock with my bare hands!” The prince raised his eyebrows, but the trolls continued to laugh. They laughed until she actually took the stone between her palms and broke it apart, as if it were sand. In truth, the stone was already weak and crumbling, but the trolls didn't need to know that.

“Look at what she did!” gasped one of the trolls. “She crushed that rock like it was glass!”

She leaned over the cauldron. “I could break this cauldron and tear it to shreds!”

The largest troll laughed again. “That's no rock. It's made of iron. You could never break it.”

“Perhaps I can't,” she admitted. “I'll just have to do this...” she pulled off her cape and wrapped it around the hot cauldron, lifting it into her hands, “instead!” She threw the black goop at the three trolls.

They screamed, writhing in the foul-smelling potion. Black smoke gathered around the trio. When it subsided, three rather ugly little puppies squirmed among the thick liquid.

Elena set about freeing the prince, cutting his ropes with her hunting knife. He nearly fell into her arms when she released him. “Thank you,” he gasped. “When you turned the trolls into puppies, you broke their spells, including the one on my voice.” He dropped shakily to one knee before her. “My name is Prince Herrold, the heir to this kingdom. You have saved me and my family from those evil trolls who ruled these woods. We are in your debt, huntress. If there's anything you need, anything at all, just ask.”

She dropped into a deep curtsey. “I am no huntress, but Princess Elena, of the neighboring kingdom. All I ask of you is your respect, and your friendship.” She gently took his hand and helped him to his feet. “I could take you to your home on my horse. Perhaps we could get to know one another better?”

Elena very much liked Herrold's kind smile. “Yes, Princess Elena. I think I'd like that a lot.” He took her hand. She gathered the puppies in her other hand, and the two walked off to her horse together.

Elena and Herrold did become great friends. It turned out Herrold was as fond of riding and as cunning and intelligent as she. The trolls had lured him into a trap, taking him off his horse and tying him fast to the tree before he could stop him. The three nasty little puppies were given to Elena's six cousins, who were not known for playing gently. The kings and queens of both lands were happy to see their son and daughter getting along so well. They hoped someday the two would even wed, but for now, Elena and Herrold were content to just be who they were together.