A Star Wars Fairy Tale: Empire, Part 4

“I think it's charming,” said Leia with a smile. “Chicken feet and all. As long as it doesn't move while we're in it.” Han pulled up in front of the door. He helped Leia off, then directed Cecil to lead Chewbacca and the Falcon to the back of the Inn.

“Solowolf!” A tiny old woman with very wrinkled, reddish skin and the thickest spectacles Leia ever saw hurried out the door and down the path. “Where have you been? I haven't seen you in years.” She gave them a gap-toothed grin. “Where's the horse?”

Han rolled his eyes. “A friend of ours just took Chewie in the back.”

Maz took Han's arm. “I like that horse.” She looked over at Leia with a fond smile. “Hello, Your Highness.”

Leia was very confused. “How do you know who I am?”

“The Woods have spoken about you.” Maz waved a hand to indicate the trees. “I listen.” She turned to Han. “You can't stay here for long. Vader has half the Imperials in the Kingdom of the Empire after you two. What did you do this time, Solowolf?”

“Jabba's probably got his huntsmen after me 'cause I owe him money.” Han shook his head. “As for Vader, he doesn't like that we sort of borrowed a couple thousand credits' worth of tax dollars from some of his boys to feed the folks in Lothal Village.”

Maz looked over her shoulder at Leia, who followed then inside. “And sort-of borrowed His Lordship's daughter too, from the looks of things.”

“I'm not borrowed, kidnapped, abducted, or whatever you may have seen on the wanted posters.” Leia sighed. “I came with Han because there was no other option at the time.”

“Is that the only reason?” Maz peered at her, with her huge, owlish eyes.

Han turned beet red; Leia coughed. “Yes,” she said too quickly. “Yes, it is.”

Maz turned to Han. “Solowolf, go upstairs.” She went behind a scarred wooden desk in the main room and pulled out a slightly tarnished silver key. “You can stay in your usual rooms.” When Leia had turned her back to admire Maz's main lobby, with its simple but rustic furnishings, the elderly witch turned to Han. “You haven't told her yet, have you? About Jabba's hold on you.”

Han looked at the floor. “I haven't had the chance.”

She poked him in the chest. “You mean, you haven't had the nerve. She could help you, Solowolf. She has great power.” She poked harder. “And it doesn't take eyes like mine to see she's crazy about you, and you're crazy about her.”

Han took the keys. “I'd rather leave her out of it. I have my problems, and she has to get back to the Rebels.”

“Suit yourself.” She waved her hand towards the winding staircase. “Everything is ready. Towels and blankets are in their usual places. Supper is at 6 PM. You might want to warn her about the evening crowd. You know they can get a little rough.”

Leia came up to her as Han went upstairs. “You have a charming dwelling here, Madame Kantana.”

The elderly witch waved the title off. “Call me Maz. I lost interest in all those fancy titles decades ago.” She and Leia sat down at the polished bar in the next room. It seemed to be a cross between a bar and a kitchen. The tiny old witch picked up a mortar and pestle behind the bar. “When you live as long as I have, you start to see the same eyes in different people.” She adjusted her very round glasses. “You...I've seen yours before. Beautiful dark brown eyes, with hair that curled around her shoulders, and a will of iron.” She took several jars, pouring powders out of each of them. “Her lover was bound by evil magic, just as Han is. A wicked sorcerer hardened his heart, made it unable to feel love or pain, until he was no longer human.”

Leia stiffened. “Han's not my lover. I don't know what he is, but we're not in love.”

The old woman went to the fireplace, where creamy white candles dripped wax into a cauldron. She added the ground powders to the wax, mixed it with an old wooden spoon, and dipped one of the candles into the wax. “Oh, he is your lover. You can't deny your feelings. Even the Woods knows. This will reveal what he's hidden.”

Leia frowned. “If Han is bound by magic, can't you or I free him?”

“I'm afraid I can't do that, child.” Maz blinked owlishly. “My magic works differently than yours. It's in my potions, what I see and hear. I'm not Force-sensitive, but I know of the Force. I know how it binds the Kingdoms and everything around us together.” She gently placed the candle in Leia's soft palm. “There is only one thing the Force likes more than harmony, and that's love. I've been wondering why the Woods seemed so content these last few months. It's been twenty years since there's been a pair of true lovers in these parts.”

Leia looked at the candle in her hand. “I don't know his real feelings,” she finally admitted. “I know he brings me extra blankets and holds me at night. In the day, he acts as rude and annoying as he ever did.”

Maz closed her fingers around it. “That's what he wants you to believe.”

Han came downstairs at that moment. Leia quickly stuffed the candle in a pocket in her white cape. “The rooms are all ready.” He gave Leia one of his lazy grins and bowed before her. “I know the food here isn't what you're accustomed to, but Maz does make a mean rabbit stew.”

Leia sighed again. “That would be fine.”

Maz continued to watch them as they took a table by the window, her eyes still blinking behind the glasses.

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

Han was right about one thing. Maz's dinner was delicious. She'd never had such a hearty rabbit stew in her life. There were thick slabs of blackberry pound cake topped with rich cream for dessert. She was full when Cecil and Han said they were going to retire to their rooms.

“What about you, Princess?” Han asked, yawning.

Leia pulled a heavy old book off a shelf. “I'm not very tired tonight. I think I'll stay up and read for a while.”

He shrugged. “Suit yourself.”

“I for one,” Cecil complained, “am utterly exhausted. It has been a very full day.”

She followed them upstairs to the three small rooms they'd rented for the night. Her room was right next to his. She could hear his grumbling as he pulled off his clothes and climbed into bed. The moment he began to snore, she went to her cape and removed the candle from the inner pocket. She used her own magic to cover up the sound of her footsteps on the wooden floors.

The moonlight shined on the man in the bed. He was deeply asleep, a scratchy woolen blanket pulled around his broad, bare shoulders. She held the candle over his body, slowly moving the blanket...and as she did, she saw a black mark, a small looping chain, carved into his shoulder. There was a delicate brass ring around his neck, on an old leather string.

He looked so handsome, his long dark lashes fluttering over sleepy hazel eyes. The soft moonlight made his skin look far paler than it normally did. His scruffy auburn mane nearly glowed against the flickering light of her candle. The lips that curled into a sneer during the day seemed rosy and almost innocent at night.

Leia was so overcome by this vision, she leaned over to kiss him. As she did, two drops of tallow from the candle slid from the brass holder onto the mark on his shoulder. He let out a yelp as she pulled away. “Owww!” He held his shoulder, looking up at her. “Leia, what are you doing?”

“I...” She put the candle on the nightstand. “I...wanted to talk to you.”

He sat up, rubbing his shoulder. “Now?”

She sat next to him, running her fingers along the indentation on his shoulder. “Who did this to you?”

Han looked up at her with sad hazel eyes. “Jabba. He marks all of his servants this way. We have to keep working for him, until we bring him what he wants.” He tried to pull the blanket over the mark. “That's why I have to go back. He won't release me until I give him that money.”

Leia sat on the bed next to him. “How can he own you? No one can own another human. Slavery was outlawed in the Alliance of the Seven Kingdoms years ago.”

“Not in the outer kingdoms.”

She put her arms around him. He didn't pull away. “Is that why you've acted the way you have during the day?”

“Sweetheart, I meant what I said when I told you I can't stay. I've stayed longer than I should have.”

“I don't care.” Leia snuggled against him. “I won't let him or anyone else hurt you anymore.”

He sighed, gently putting his arms around her. “I don't know if you can do anything about this.”

“I can.” Leia's fierce brown eyes gazed into his concerned hazel ones. “We can. We'll figure this out together.” She touched the ring around his neck. “Han, what's this?”

He made a face. “No big deal. Jabba wanted me to marry one of his daughters. This is what an ogre gives their potential mate.”

Her eyes widened. “Marry them? But you're human!”

“He doesn't care.” Han stroked her braid crown. “He's been trying to marry off his daughters to anyone who walks in the door of his palace for years.” He wrinkled his nose. “He has three girls. They're all ugly as sin and just as sweet-tempered as their father, which is to say, they're disgusting. I wouldn't marry any of them if Jabba gave me more credits than there are in the entire Alliance.”

Leia smiled, undoing her braids. Han's eyes widened as she allowed her velvety tresses to cascade across her shoulders and under the sheets. “I think I could try to heal the spell, or at least soften it. Besides, I think it's time I let you see me like this. An Aldran noblewoman only lets her hair down in the presence of family or very close friends. Never in public, and very rarely for a man.”

Han ran his own fingers through her hair, playing with it. “I can't believe how long this is.”

“All Aldran noblewomen grow their hair long. It's a sign of dignity and status.” She leaned into his calloused fingers. “I wish we could stay like this forever. It feels peaceful here in the Woods. Safe.”

“We don't have forever.” Han cupped her chin in his rough palms. “But we do have tonight.”

The Woods saw them kiss. The trees whispered as they melded, running their fingers in their hair, their bodies, anywhere they could. The owls hooted, watching their passion. The wolves too felt it, felt the heat of their lovemaking, and howled with pleasure. The Woods knew love that night. It was said, in later years, that the magic in the Woods never sparkled more, the glowing fungi was never brighter, and the frogs' song never sweeter than that evening when two souls joined in pure happiness.

Maz only looked up from her spinning downstairs. She could hear the two, for Solo had never been known to make love quietly. She only gave the Woods a gap-toothed smile.

What Maz didn't notice was the figure standing silently in the shadows. The man in the green armor also watched the lovers through the window. All this romance-y stuff was making him sick. Boba Fett decided it was time to turn around and tell his boss where his daughter was spending her time lately...or more to the point, in whose arms.

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

Yoda felt the calm in the swamps as well. The love between the King and Queen of Naboo's daughter and the gypsy thief wasn't the only reason the Woods were at their peak of light Force power. Luke Skywalker was progressing more and more each day with his training. He could jump higher, run faster, and was a bit calmer and more likely think before attacking.

His master, for his part, was proud, but a bit worried. Though Yoda was pleased with the changes in his apprentice, he also knew the dark Force magic was never far. They were within leagues of the Kingdom of the Empire. He was an old creature, and he wasn't long for this world. He couldn't shield the boy for much longer. If Lord Vader found Luke and corrupted him, in the way Vader himself had been corrupted, much would be lost.

Today, though, he had put aside his concerns to help Luke with his mind powers. Luke was trying to concentrate on the Force and lift Arthur, his saddlebags, and two rocks at the same time.

“Concentrate, you must.” Yoda nodded. “When one with the Force you are, visions you will have. Through these visions, you will see the future, the past, old friends long gone.”

The visions were coming easier now. There was a blurry light...clouds...mountains...darkness...

“I see...” he began, “a city in the clouds. At the very top of the Bespin Mountains.”

Yoda nodded. “It is the future you see.”

He focused, aiming all his magic into the city. “There's something...or someone...familiar there...”

“Friends there, you have.”

And that was when he felt it. The dark magic came to him in waves. He felt their suffering, their pain. They were being separated, hurt, tortured...

“Han,” he gasped. “Leia!”

He couldn't hold on to the vision – or his balance - any longer. Yoda shook his head as Luke went tumbling to the ground. Arthur hurried over to help him to his feet. “My friends,” he gasped. “They were in pain. I could feel it. The Force felt it.”

The tiny goblin nodded again. “It is the future you see.”

Luke turned pale. “Will they die?”

Yoda did the closest thing he could to shrugging. “Know, I do not. Fluid, the future is. Always in motion.”

Luke grabbed his tunic. “I have to help them. I'm a knight, or I'm training to be one. I'm supposed to help those in need.”

Yoda frowned. “Leave, you cannot. If you leave now, help them you could, but you will destroy all for which they fought and suffered.”

Luke never felt so torn in his entire life. Arthur's fingers flew, but he ignored them.

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

“She's in the Woods?” Vader glared at Boba Fett through his dark visor. “Are you sure?”

Boba Fett nodded. “Yes, Lord Vader. She, Solowolf, and that idiot butler were staying the night at the old witch Maz's walking inn.” There was a smirk in his raspy voice. “She and Solowolf seemed to be more than a little sweet on each other, if you know what I mean. Half the Woods heard them going at it.”

Vader slowly crushed the crystal wine goblet he held in his grasp. Fett winced as the inky burgundy liquid spilled over the Black Knight's leather gauntlet. “I must have them. His Majesty is growing impatient, waiting for his bride. They're also the only link to finding where Skywalker has vanished to. Not a single man in the entire Alliance has been able to find him.”

Fett bowed before him. “Your Lordship, I know where Solowolf may be headed next.”

The enormous dark silhouette turned to him, his cape billowing around him like a heavy cloud. “Tell me, Fett.”

Fett lifted his helmet...revealing a cruel, sharp smile. “The Kingdom of the Clouds, in the Bespin Mountains. Solowolf has...friends...there. A fellow huntsman.”

“Perfect. The Bespin Mountains are outside of the Enchanted Woods. They'll lack the Woods' protection.” Vader turned to one of his officers. “Prepare the battle carriages. We must make it to the Bespin Mountins ahead of my daughter and the gypsy.” He handed Fett money. “This should make sure you stay on their trail. Report everything you see to me.”

Fett only nodded. “Very well, Your Lordship.”

Vader put out his wings as Fett left. Skywalker was close to Leia and her gypsy lover. If he could capture both and let the youth feel it in the Force magic, Vader was certain it would bring him running. It may already have.

He took off, soaring into the light of morning. He wasn't as strong in the light as he was in the darkness, but he had a long trip ahead of him.

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

Maz saw Han, Leia, and Cecil off the next morning. She cooed over Chewbacca, giving him sugar and carrots and oats, before turning to them. “I heard the two of you last night. But then, so did half the woods.” She chuckled, turning to Leia. “I suppose you saw what you needed to see.”

Han put an arm around Leia as she blushed. “You might say that.”

Maz handed them a clay crock and a basket. “Here. Just in case you get hungry on the road. There's plenty of rabbit stew, fruit, and bread for all of you.”

“Thank you, Maz.” Leia took the items. “You've done so much for us already.”

Maz shook her head. “I wish I could do more. You both face many dangers. You'll be safe as long as you're in the Woods, but once you leave, you're your own. Neither the Woods nor I will be able to defend you.”

Leia felt uneasy, but Han put his arm around her. “We'll be all right, Maz. We can handle anything the Empire throws at us.”

Maz frowned, looking around. “I think you need to get going. You're being watched.”

“How do you...” Three arrows lodged themselves into the Falcon, even as Han spoke.

“So that's what I'm feeling.” Leia almost leaped into the driver's seat. “We're being ambushed.”

Han was exchanging arrows with one man in the turban of the Kingdom of Jakku, and another who had a rather scaly cast to his skin, as if he were a walking lizard. A third was tall and slender and looked like it was made of metal. Maz just pushed him towards the cart. “You get your woman and horse out of here. I'll deal with these scum.”

Han nodded as he grabbed the reins. “Thanks again, Maz. I'll see you around someday.”

“Not again!” wailed Cecil as he just barely avoided the arrow fire. “This is becoming most tedious!” He managed to duck into the back of the cart as it took off like a shot down the path into the Woods.

Maz waved. “Good bye! Good luck! You'll need it!” She ducked two arrows flying in from the shadows. “Now, let's get rid of these intruders. I think it's time to move the Inn to a less...busy...location. Too many huntsmen here. They disrupt customers.”

The last thing the three huntsmen remembered was seeing the two largest chicken legs they ever saw coming in their direction...followed by a two-story cottage that landed right on them.

Maz leaned out the window and patted the walls. “Sorry, girl. I'll see if I can get some of the bus boys to clean the bits and pieces out from under your foundation.” She caught sight of the Falcon as it rumbled down the path. She looked into the Woods, waving to them. “I only hope you're wrong about them,” she said, seemingly to the air. “They don't need any more sorrow.”

Han looked over his shoulder, waving back at Maz. “She was always a good lady. We owe her one.”

Leia sighed. “Well, now what?”

Han had a map of the Seven Kingdoms on his lap. “We need to find somewhere we can stay while I finish work on the Falcon and we find out what happened to Luke and the other Rebels.” He sighed. “And I need to figure out how to get back to Jabba.”

Leia peered over his shoulder. “We're still in the Kingdom of Takodana. There's not much here, besides trees and huntsmen.”

“I wouldn't mind avoiding any more run-ins with huntsmen myself.” Han's eyes roved over the map...before they came to rest on one particular corner of it. “This is interesting. Lando.”

Leia raised her eyes. “Lando Village?”

Han shook his head. “No, not village. He's a man. Used to be a huntsman, but he swore he gave that up a while ago.” He grinned at her. “He's a cardplayer, a gambler, and an all-around scoundrel. You'd like him.”

Leia sighed. “I'm sure I would.” She ran her finger where Han's was...and blushed a little when his finger stroked hers. “The Kingdom of the Clouds? That's mainly a mining colony, isn't it?”

Han nodded. “Yeah. Lando conned someone out of it. Don't worry. We go way back, Lando and me.”

Leia frowned. Something didn't feel quite right here. Even the Woods didn't feel right. The trees above them rustled their concern; the squirrels and chipmunks chattered. She finally just sighed. “Who's worried?”

Cecil popped his head out as Han turned them towards the Bespin Mountains. “Sir, if you won't be needing me, I'll be working on my translations for Madame Mothma's proposal to the Kingdom of Arkansis about the importance of the Rebels' work.”

“Sure, Goldenrod.” Han flicked the reins as Chewie picked up speed a little. “We'll be on the road for at least a week or so. You've got time.”

Leia leaned on Han's shoulder. “You have your moments.” She gave him a small kiss on his cheek. “Not many of them, but you do have them.” Han's eyes were on the road...but a small, dreamy smile played on his full lips.

If either of them had looked into the morning sky or over their shoulders at that moment, this part of the story may have ended quite differently. A figure in green armor watched from the shadows, following their every move. That reward, he decided, was as good as his.

Vader tried to keep to the shadows as much as he could, but sometimes, he had to remain in the open air. He saw them leave Kantana's ridiculous chicken-footed Inn, saw the interplay between them. He saw her kiss on his cheek. He didn't like this affection between them, not one bit. Leia belonged to his master alone. He soared higher into the sky, making his way towards the Kingdom of the Clouds.

A Star Wars Fairy Tale: Empire, Part 5

The Kingdom of the Clouds was nestled high in the Bespin Mountains. They were so close to the sky, Leia thought she might be able to reach out and touch the clouds, the way the jagged mountaintops did. The mining colony was a series of quaint chalets and charming old manor homes, built from the trees of the Enchanted Woods on the edge of the Kingdom. The most elaborate of the manor homes were gaily-painted and decorated with polished stones that shown like hard candy in the late-afternoon sun. The people they saw wore fine gowns and the latest in tailored suits and hats.

No matter how lovely it was, Leia still couldn't shake the feeling there was something wrong here. She sensed a growing darkness and discontent under the shimmering surface of those gingerbread homes. There was evil lurking somewhere in these mountains...very familiar evil. Too familiar.

“I don't like this,” she said as they rumbled through the town. They drove through a gate that glistened like a pearl before driving up a tree-lined cobblestone walkway. At the end was the largest manor house Leia had seen since Aldran was destroyed. It was a stunning Tudor-style wood-and-stone edifice, large and rambling but still airy, with gingerbread trim that made it looked nearly ready to eat and tall towers on either side.

“Everything's going to be all right,” Han assured her as four men strode out to meet him. “Trust me.”

The most elaborately dressed was a handsome, curly-haired man with skin the color of light cocoa, deep brown eyes, and a thin, elegant mustache. He wore a dapper pale blue and gold cape, suit, and hat in the latest cut and style. “You double-crossing, no good swindler,” the man growled. “I thought you ran out for good after that last time.”

Han's hazel eyes were at their widest. “Me?”

Suddenly, the man's mouth broke into a big, friendly grin. “I suppose we should let bygones be bygones, right? Maz sent someone ahead. Told me you'd probably end up here. I always did like that old lady. She still makes the best rabbit stew in the Seven Kingdoms.” He went over to Chewie, who snorted at him. “And how are you, Chewbacca? You still hangin' around with this peasant?” He stroked the big horse's mane and pulled a sugar cube out of his pocket for him, which he gobbled hungrily.

Leia chose that moment to step out of the carriage, followed by a curious Cecil. The curly-haired man made a beeline for her. “Welcome to our humble kingdom, my lady. I'm Baron Lando Calarissian, the head of the Bespin colonies. And who might you be, fair goddess?”

She thought he was laying the charm on a tad thick. “Leia.”

“Welcome, Leia.” Lando was kissing her hand when Han grabbed it from him.

“All right, enough.” He gave him a hard smirk. “Nice try. She's with me.”

Lando shook his head. “So, what brings you to the Colonies?”

Han pointed a finger at the Falcon. “Poor old girl back there needs repairs.”

The Baron made a face. “What did you do to my cart this time?”

“Your cart?” Han's snort nearly matched Chewie's. “You lost her to me in that card game fair and square.”

Cecil started to talk, but to his annoyance, they ignored him. “How rude!” he thought, wandering away from the others. He was hoping he could find the smithy, or at least a fellow butler he could talk to. He'd spent most of this journey feeling rather like a fifth wheel. He was pleased that Her Highness and Captain Solowolf seemed to be so happy with one another, even if she could have chosen a man whose station in life was a bit closer to hers.

He strolled through the manor, enjoying the lovely antiques and bright sunlight pouring through the windows. Now here was a home worthy of a butler. Perhaps he could get a job with Baron Calarissian. From the quality of the furnishings and carpets, he was obviously a man with some taste and refinement. How he was friendly with a ruffian like Captain Solowolf, he would never figure out.

He'd just turned the corner towards the gardens when he thought he saw two people conversing with their hands. “Arthur? Oh, it's been months since I spoke the Language of the Mutes! I wonder how he's coming along, anyway?” He followed the two men. The gardens looked rather pleasant, and anyway, it was such a lovely day for a walk...

Even before he saw them loitering in the shadows, he'd begun to feel uneasy. He certainly wasn't Force-sensitive, but even he could tell when something was wrong...and the trio of men in white Imperial armor certainly should not have been here. “Oh my,” he gasped. “I'm terribly sorry. Really shouldn't have intruded! I'll be leaving now. Really, I must...”

One of the soldiers finally leaned over and hit him over the head with the handle of their sword. “I think this man knows too much,” the soldier hissed as he collapsed. “Take him the dungeon.”

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

Leia and Cecil weren't the only ones who suspected all was not well in the Kingdom of the Clouds. In the Dagobah Swamps, Luke was almost finished packing Tauntaun's saddlebags. Yoda waddled around him, looking as sulky as a little green goblin could manage. “You must not go!” he fussed.

The younger almost-knight was sheathing his sword. “But Han, Leia, and Cecil will die if I don't!”

He wasn't a bit surprised when Sir Benjamin Kenobi, or at least his ghost, shimmered into view. He and Yoda had been arguing with him about his decision for days. “You don't know that. Even Yoda can't see their fate. Nor can my old master Qui-Gon.”

“I don't know why you two can't understand,” Luke insisted. “I have to do this. They're my friends. I feel the Force, more than ever now. I can help them.”

“You feel it, but you can't control it.” Ben shook his head. “This is a dangerous time for you, my boy. You could be more easily swayed by the Dark Arts.”

“To Benjamin, you must listen,” Yoda pleaded. “Remember your failure at the cave, and to lift your horse. More learning, you need.”

Luke shook his head. “I promise, I'll be back to finish my training. You have my word as an apprentice Knight of the Force Order. ”

“Luke,” Sir Kenobi countered, “I don't want to lose you to Palapatine and his wiles the way I lost Lord Vader.”

Luke looked up from buckling the last saddlebag. “You won't.”

Yoda and the glowing Sir Kenobi watched as the young man swung onto his saddle. Arthur climbed on behind him. “Safe journey, Luke,” Sir Kenobi reminded him. “And don't give in to hate. That leads to darkness.”

“I know.” The young man nodded at them with determination. “And I'll return. I promise.”

Yoda and Sir Kenobi watched him gallop off into the distance. “Told you, I did. Reckless is he. Now, things are worse.”

The duo turned their gazes upwards as another blue glow emerged from the swamps. This one was of a handsome middle-aged man, a bit younger than Sir Kenobi, but not as young as Luke. He sported keen dark eyes and a long, flowing brown-silver mane over the gold and black armor of a Force Master Knight. “You always did worry too much, Old Sage. The lad still has much to learn, but I believe he was right in his decision. He needs training in the field, so to speak.”

“Yes, Master Qui-Gon,” Ben insisted, “but he's also vulnerable to Vader's treachery. You claimed Vader would the one to save us all. Now, it looks like that boy is our only hope.”

“That, he is not.” Yoda looked towards where Luke and Arthur had ridden off to. “There's his sister.”

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

Leia and Han slept like babies that night, and for the next three nights, entwined in each other's arms under silken sheets on a bed bigger than the entire Falcon. Lando put them up in his largest and most elegant suite of rooms. They had every luxury possible, including a sweeping view of the majestic blue-and-purple Bespin Mountains.

Those were some of the happiest nights she ever spent. She thought she could only feel passion for a cause. Han made her feel the kind of love that had she'd denied herself since her parents died. He braided her hair, kissed her tenderly, and told her stories of his many travels. She hadn't known there were so many kingdoms outside the Alliance, so many places to visit and explore. She wanted to see each and every one of them with him someday.

During the morning of their third day, Lando announced that he was going to hold a ball for his visitors. Servants took her to a huge marble and porcelain bathroom, scrubbing her until her long hair gleamed like burnished copper and her skin glowed pink. She was taken to a suite of plush, comfortable chairs and couches and dressed in the finest gown she'd worn since the night of her ill-fated coming-out ball. It had a wide skirt of deep maroon satin trimmed with a heavy cascade of white silk roses, the lace and tulle ruffled underskirt practically floating underneath. The bodice and wrap were trimmed with slender golden strands. White roses pulled back her two looping braids.

Han couldn't help admiring her as she walked into their suite. “You should wear fancy clothes more often,” he teased. “They really suit you.”

“Thank you.” She made a face. “I really don't like this. Cecil's been missing since we arrived, and the repairs on the Falcon should have gone faster than this. There's something wrong here. Baron Calarissian is very charming, but I'm sensing something dark from him.”

Han took her in his arms. “Don't worry so much, Your Worship. I don't trust Lando, either, but he is my friend. We'll be all right. At the first sign of trouble, we'll leave.”

Leia gazed into his eyes. “And as soon as we find the Rebels, you'll be leaving us.”

For once in his life, Han didn't know what to say. He opted for kissing her instead. They were still passionately kissing in each other's arms when Lando strolled into the room.

The handsome dark-skinned man looked even more attractive today, in a fine uniform of blue, gold, and gray. His gold-lined cape billowed around him. “Sorry, am I interrupting anything?” He offered Leia his arm. “You are the most beautiful jewel in this colony. It's too bad you can't remain here longer. I could show you even more of our fair city.”

“Yes,” Leia said quickly, “but we really must move on. I have important people to meet, and Captain Solowolf has his own deadlines.”

“Yeah, I know about those,” Lando said with a chuckle. “King Jabba still hounding you, Han?”

“That's Jabba for you. He doesn't give up where gold's involved.” Han quickly wedged himself between Lando and Leia. “Sorry, she already has a date.”

Lando's saucy brown eyes roved over Leia's slender pale figure and elegant red and white gown. “Too bad. You're a lucky man, Solowolf.”

“By the way, Baron,” Leia started as he lead them down the gilt-papered hallways, “have you seen our friend Cecil anywhere? Tall man with dark hair and a gold outfit. He was traveling with us, but he's been missing since we came here.”

Han nodded. “The last time either of us saw him was when we arrived.”

Lando shook his head. “No, I haven't seen him. I'll get some of my boys looking for him right away. He may have gotten himself lost. There are a lot of little back alleys and dead ends in the Old Town.”

The Baron lead them into the largest, most glittering ballroom Leia ever saw. His butler, a tall older man with a stoic face and two bulky hearing aids on each ear, announced them as Princess Leia of Aldran, Captain Han Solowolf of Corellia, and the Esteemed Baron Lando Calarissian, Administer of the Cloud Colonies.

“Esteemed, huh? Who'd believe that of a huntsman?” Han asked with a raised eyebrow as they descended the two gilt-trimmed staircases. Unlike the elaborately decorated ballroom at Aldran Castle, the room here was done all in simple white. Sparkling chandeliers looked like thousands of tiny hard candies above them. White columns guarded the windows that looked out into the gardens.

“Yeah, I'm esteemed here,” Lando admitted with his own sly grin. “Price you pay for being successful.”

The band struck up a sprightly tune. “The other guests should be arriving shortly,” Lando explained. “In the meantime, help yourself to refreshments and enjoy the music. We have some of the finest musicians in the Alliance of the Seven Kingdoms.”

“I know you're not a dancer.” Leia took his hand. “I can teach you. I'm familiar with this song. They used to play it all the time in Aldran.”

Han never believed he could have as much fun dancing as he did that night with Leia. He was awkward at first, but once the song picked up and they were going faster, he found himself enjoying the music. It reminded him of the hard, driving rhythmic songs that were popular in his native Corellia. She never looked lovelier, her face flushed red from the exertion, her wide pink mouth turned up in sheer happiness. It didn't even bother him that there were no other guests, no one in the ballroom besides them, the musicians, and a few servants. There didn't need to be. All they needed was each other.

“That...that was great!” Han was panting when they were done. “That was dancing? Why didn't we do that the first time I met you?”

Leia picked up a white and red lace fan and waved it across her pink cheeks. “You were too busy trying to be a prince. Besides, they didn't play anything as fast as that.”

“They should have. That was a lot more fun.” He wiped his brow on his white silk sleeve.

Leia rubbed her head. “Maybe we should skip the rest of the ball. We really should find Cecil anyway. I have a bad feeling something terrible has happened to him. Besides, I'm getting a headache.”

“Come on, Your Worship.” The musicians had begun again, striking up a dreamy, romantic waltz. “You haven't taught me how to do a slow number yet. Maybe when the other guests arrive, they'll see us moving and join in.”

“Well...” She took his hands. “Just one more.”

For just a moment in time, it was as if the rest of the world didn't exist. Leia nearly floated over the floor as if on a pure white cloud. Han wondered if he'd somehow stumbled into heaven. His big hands and feet were something close to obeying him for once, even letting him spin her around in his arms at one point. All he wanted was just this night. Just the two of them. No Jabba, no Vader, no Rebels.

Leia, for her part, had reservations. She still felt something dark under the dreamy Kingdom of the Clouds. As lovely as everything was, events weren't adding up. There was Lando's behavior when they arrived, Cecil's disappearance, and this underpopulated ball.

Still, Han was here, and they were here. Why not let go and dance, just for one night? She didn't protest when Han gently swirled her into his arms, then lifted her chin for a deep kiss...

The music cut off abruptly as Leia realized too late why they were the only guests. She pulled away from Han, grabbing his hand. “I knew it. We're in danger. We have to get out of here.” The lovers hurried to the entrance, but Imperial soldiers blocked their way up the golden stairs. Guards had already positioned themselves around the windows and doors into the gardens.

Han glared at Lando as he joined Boba Fett at the head of the staircase. “I should have known. Once a huntsman, always a huntsman, huh pal?”

Lando looked genuinely hurt. “I'm sorry. They arrived right before you did. I had no choice.”

A chill descended on the room. Leia pulled back as well as she could. The formerly white room had been bathed in darkness. Black light swirled around, turning the refreshments to dust and murky water. . The musicians became snarling monsters with horns and long, bony scales. The chandelier's sparkle dimmed, then vanished all together.

Leia knew what was coming. She pulled Han as close to her as she could. “Father.”

“Daughter.” Vader strode in, his cape trailing behind him like a noxious black poison. “We would be honored if you'd join our ball.”

Leia glared at him, taking a firmer hold on Han. “I'd rather join a funeral.”

“That can be arranged.” Vader reached for her arm...but Han angrily slapped his hand away.

“I wouldn't,” he hissed, waving his finger at him. “I saw what you did to her the last time you got your hands on her, Ugly.”

“You're braver than you appear, gypsy.” Vader conceded. “I'll give you that.” He raised his right hand. A dully shimmering red light lifted Han into the air, to Leia's horror. “However, you're also stupid.” The light threw Han into the buffet tables. He landed with a crash, scattering wood, dust, and muddy water everywhere.

Vader snatched Leia into his arms before she could move. The young princess struggled as hard as she could. “Take Solowolf to the dungeons. I'll be along with my daughter shortly.” The soldiers roughly grabbed the now-unconscious gypsy thief by his long arms and legs and carried him up the stairs.

“Father, don't do this.” She looked into his eyes. “You'll let him go, and let us live in peace.”

“You still think you can use your pitiful powers on me, girl.” He concentrated, running his hand over her white cheeks. “You have much to learn.” The last thing she remembered was feeling so, so tired and so lost as the dark light overcame her. She collapsed in a dead faint at her father's feet.

A Star Wars Fairy Tale: Empire, Part 6

Han was shoved roughly into a cell in Bespin's city jail. Two Imperial guards stripped off his leather vest and chained him to the rough stone wall. His tired eyes fell on a burlap bag of dully glowing black crystals as Vader entered through the screeching bars.

“Where's Leia?” Han managed to croak in a raspy voice, despite his throat feeling like sand. “What have you done with her?”

“She is no longer your concern.” Han's eyes widened when Vader whipped off his steel glove...revealing a set of sharp claws. He ran his long fingers over Han's right shoulder, the claws tearing away the white silk to reveal the mark Jabba gave him. “You're already bound by a powerful spell.” Han gasped as red light gathered around the mark, a flash of heat injecting itself into his skin. “It's calling you to your master, even as we speak.”

“Jabba's not my master,” Han croaked. “I'm my own master.”

“The mark tells me otherwise.” Vader removed one of the crystals from the bag. His claw traveled around the mark, drawing dark light from the strokes embedded in his shoulder. “The magic is similar to mine, but not exactly alike. It will, however, be useful in other ways.” He grasped Han's throat in one clawed hand while drawing the crystal across the mark with the other. “You,” Vader hissed, his barely-visible blue eyes searing into Han's weary hazel ones, “will be too weak to come to the rescue of Skywalker and my daughter this time, or to make love with something too pure for the likes of you.”

Han barely choked out a curse before the crystal's black glow intensified, sending black sparks down his spine and across his broad shoulders. The sparks and the fires from the crystals joined with the light on the mark, burning and pummeling their way through every bone and nerve he had. He'd never felt so much pain or screamed so loudly in his life.

Leia awoke in a dark, damp room. She thought she heard screaming. She gasped when she realized the stone walls were cylindrical...like she was in a tower. Not again! Not the Death Tower! As she focused, she realized it couldn't have been the Death Tower. The ceiling was higher here, and the stone a far lighter shade of gray. In addition to a window, there was a heavy wooden door embedded in the wall. It was locked, and trying to unlock it with her mind only resulted in a headache. She tried to reach out to Han with her powers, but they only made her headache worse.

She was surprised to see someone else in the tower. “Your Highness, you're all right!” She was enfolded in a pair of skinny, gold-clad arms. “I was so worried about you and Captain Solowolf after those horrible Imperial ruffians locked me in here. Who knew what unspeakable horrors they'd commit on your persons?” Cecil squeezed her as hard as his thin frame could manage.

Leia gasped. “Cecil, I'm glad to see you too, but could you please let me go? It'll be easier to figure out a plan of escape if I can breathe.”

Cecil immediately removed his arms. “I'm terribly sorry, Your Highness. I forgot my place. It's just that I haven't seen anyone since the guards left me in this foul prison.”

“At least we have each other.” Leia went to the window, leaning out as far as she could go. “It's too high to jump.” She pulled back in, frowning. “I can't climb my own hair, but...” She turned to Cecil. “You can.”

Cecil watched, perplexed, as she began to pull out the flowers and the pins that held up her braided loops. “Your Highness, whatever do you mean?”

Leia waved Cecil over to the window. “It's not heavily guarded. You could climb down my hair, then find Chewbacca and the Falcon in the stables.”

Cecil was already shaking his head. “Oh no, Your Highness. I'm not going out there, not where there are Imperial guards and Dark Lords and heaven only knows what else. I'm a butler, not a mountain-climber.”

“You're our only hope!” She smiled at him. “The faster you get down my hair, the quicker we'll be out of here and back to the Rebels.”

“I'd rather be working at Aldran Castle, where there's no swamp monsters or magic or ill-mannered war lords.” He sighed at Leia's huge, hopeful brown eyes. “Oh, all right, Your Highness. I suppose there's no other way.”

“Good.” Footsteps could be heard echoing on the staircase leading to the top of the tower. “Hurry!” She threw her braids over the window, then nearly threw poor Cecil down with them. She watched him as he shimmied slowly and nervously down her braid, one hand on the braid, the other on his eyes. He was still muttering about how he let princesses talk him into doing insane things when he landed on the ground. The tall butler scurried as quietly as he could across the courtyard.

She watched him head towards the main gates, then started pulling her braids back in. She was just in time. The last length of braid was swung over the windowsill when two Imperial guards marched in, dragging Han between them.

She flew to him, taking him onto her lap. “I feel terrible,” he moaned. For once, he wasn't exaggerating. The right shoulder of his snow white blouse was in rags, the skin covered in nasty burns. She could see bruises on his wrists, chest, and neck. “Vader...he took every bit of strength I had, but he never asked me any questions.”

“I wish I knew why Father's doing this. I don't think he's just after me. There's something else. I read that much in his mind before he put me to sleep.” She stroked Han's soft auburn hair as the moonlight fell on them, illuminating his hazel eyes and the lines on his handsome face. “Cecil was here. He'd been here ever since we came. They must have caught him when we arrived. I let him climb my hair and escape out the window. I'm hoping he's on his way to the stables to pick up Chewie and the Falcon now.” She kissed his forehead. “I think I can heal you, at least enough to get us out of here.”

She had just pulled one of her braids over his chest when they heard steps on the landing. Lando was the first in, followed by several guards. Leia helped Han struggle into a sitting position. “Get out of here!” The look the gypsy gave the dark-skinned nobleman would have froze metal under regular circumstances. “You've caused enough trouble for one night!”

“I told you,” Lando snarled back, “this wasn't my fault. Vader was going to burn everyone and everything here.” He turned to Leia. “Vader turned Chewie and the manservant over to me. He's taking you back to the Kingdom of the Empire. Something about giving you to his master.”

“I know my father,” Leia snapped. “He wants us all dead.”

“All he wants,” Lando shot at her, “is someone called Skywalker. That's what he told me.”

“Luke.” That was when it hit Leia. “This is a trap...and we're the bait. He knows what Luke and I can do. He knew Luke would feel it if we were in trouble.”

“Damn you, Lando!” Han's hazel-green eyes nearly sizzled with pure fury. “I trusted you, and you sold us to a demon. You're no friend!” It took every last ounce of strength he had left in his battered body to throw his fist at Lando's chin. It connected...but the moment Lando went down, the guards attacked Han with the butts of their swords and lances.

Vader came in, with Boba Fett close behind, just as Leia threw herself around Han. “What is going on here?” The expressionless black visor turned to Lando. “I thought you had everything under control, Calarissian.”

Lando shivered. Maybe it was him, but the temperature in the room must have dropped ten degrees on Vader's arrival. The moon hid behind clouds, as if even it feared the half-demon dark lord. He rubbed his sore chin. “We had a small problem with one of the prisoners.”

Leia held Han protectively. “Father, I'm not going back with you. Not now, not ever. Luke's not, either. We're not black magicians.”

“His Majesty King Palapatine will teach both of you.” Vader yanked her to her feet as if she were a rag doll. “You don't know the power of the dark side. You'll understand better when you become his wife.”

“Like hell she's marrying that dried-up old geezer,” Han snarled in Leia's arms. “She's too good for him. Matter of fact, Ugly, she's too good for you. She's got more brains and heart in her little finger than you do in that whole big body of yours.”

Vader swung his magic to Han, aiming to hurl him out the window. Leia threw herself over the gypsy, taking the brunt of the blast. The evil war lord couldn't throw his daughter away. His master would never forgive him...and neither would her mother. The force of the blow knocked most people across the room...but Han and Leia, protected in each other's arms, remained standing.

“Sweetheart...” Han reached for her head and pulled her into the most passionate kiss he could manage. Leia returned it, the heat of their exchange nearly warming the room.

“Han,” she exclaimed, not caring who else heard her, “I love you. I couldn't say it before, but it's true.”

He just barely nodded. “I know.”

Vader yanked Leia by her twin braids. Leia cried out as she stumbled over the hem of her red and white gown and fell to her knees. Han started after her, but Fett pulled out a small, sharp knife and held it to his throat. “You will not have him!” Vader hissed. “I promised you to my master!”

“I don't care what you promised.” Leia's brown eyes stared hard into his visor. “Han is the one I want. You don't even know what love is. You've never loved anyone in your life!”

Leia screamed as Vader whipped her head back, lifting the visor to reveal yellow eyes that didn't look at all human. “Never say I don't know what love is! Never! I have loved deeper and more strongly than a child like you could ever dream possible!” He glared over his shoulder at Lando as he managed to get to his feet. “Where's the servant in the gold uniform? You said you had him in the tower with the Princess.”

Lando was rubbing his sore chin. “I have no idea, Your Lordship. He was here the last time my men brought him food.”

Vader turned to Leia, looking down at her braids. “You did this. You released the servant. You will pay dearly for your defiance, child.” He ran a finger over her forehead, letting it linger there. “Ahh. You're planning on restoring your lover's energy and escaping to the Woods to find the Rebels. That's why you freed that obnoxiously talkative butler. Rest assured, my men are already out looking for them...and when they find them, they will destroy them.”

Han and Lando watched helplessly as the steel-sharp claws sheared off one braid at the base of Leia's head, then the other. The thick ropes of hair dropped limply to the floor. “How will you heal your beloved now?” the Black Knight sneered.

Leia's hand reached for where her long locks had been. “Father,” she gasped, “how could you do this?”

“It's your fault, child.” Vader nodded at Fett. The green-clad huntsman pulled the knife closer to Han's throat, drawing a thin trickle of blood. “If you had obeyed me, I would not have had to sever your healing magic, nor harm your precious criminal.”

He dropped the braids over the window. “Two of my men saw Luke Skywalker and the little blacksmith from Aldran Castle arrive here just a few minutes ago. Skywalker came in response to your singing three years ago, the last time I had you in my power.” He pushed Leia towards the window. “He will come again.”

Leia drew away. “I won't do it. I won't lure him to his death!”

“I wouldn't worry about Skywalker.” Han nearly choked as Fett pulled the knife closer to his throat, the tip coming perilously near a vein. Blood dripped down his neck in a thin red trickle. “You have more pressing concerns at the moment.”

“Leia, don't do it!” Han managed to get out. “Don't listen to him!”

Lando started to them, but was blocked by two of his own men. “I though you were taking her to your master,” he shouted. “Not abusing her!”

Vader turned his metal-clad head to Lando. “Perhaps you think you're being treated unfairly, Calarissian? You know what happened to the Kingdom of Aldran three years ago when they defied the Empire. It would mean nothing to me for a similar holocaust to occur in this fair land.”

Leia looked from the window to the two men behind her. For once in her life, she didn't know what to do. She knew Vader would hurt Han, even kill him, and he would certainly have no difficulty with destroying the Kingdom of the Clouds. He wouldn't hurt her further. Not if he wanted to please his master. She had to warn Luke somehow...and she knew how. “Father, I'll do it. I'll sing for you.”

“Good, girl.” Vader drew away from the window as she leaned towards the edge. “Don't let him see your hair, my child. Sing as loudly as you can. I want this to be heard.”

Leia did as she was told. She poured her broken heart into the sad Aldran folk tune about the girl and her jealous father she'd sung at Bast Castle when she was captured by Vader the first time...but the moment Luke's sandy head appeared in the wan light from the still-dimmed moon, she let out the loudest screech she could muster. “Luke, get out of here! Go away! It's a trap!”

Muscular, metal-clad arms wrapped around her torso and dragged her away from the window. “That's more than enough, daughter!” Leia could feel Vader's hot demon eyes burn at her, even under his helmet. “You have sealed your lover's fate. Had you obeyed me to the letter, I would have sent him to the King of Tatoon as he is. But now...”

“No! Stop! Father, please!” Leia tried to cling to his arm, but he pushed her towards two of his men.

Vader ran his claws down Han's tanned cheek. “You may free him, Fett. I have several spells that will deal with this scum.”

“What if he doesn't survive?” Fett asked in his monotone of a voice as he withdrew his knife. “He's worth a lot to me.”

“The Kingdom of the Empire will compensate you.” Vader hissed when Han turned his head to smile at Leia, trying to reassure her. “You, lawless one, are not worthy to look upon my daughter.”

Han's sneer was equally passionate. “Lookin' at a pretty girl ain't been outlawed yet, Ugly.”

“Perhaps not by law. But you, gypsy, will never be able to gaze upon such a figure of beauty again.” Vader drew his claws across Han's face. A black light swirled around Han's head, turning his gold-flecked hazel eyes cloudy and unfocused.

He blinked his eyes as the sudden darkness enveloped him, fear quickly replacing the defiance. “I can't...I can't see. Everything is a blur. Leia, I can't see!”

Leia kicked and hit at the men who held her. “Father, restore his sight this instant! Han never touched you. It's Luke and me you want!”

Vader ignored his daughter. “It was you, wasn't it, Solowolf? Three years ago, at the Battle of Yavin Woods. You shot down my men and damaged my right wing. It was you who gave Skywalker enough time to heal his dragon.”

Han tried to turn his head to glare at Vader...but ended up giving a nasty look to a couple of stones to his right. “What if I did, Ugly?”

“I will make sure you're no longer able to meddle in affairs that don't concern you!” Vader dug his claws into Han's bare shoulder. Leia's screams nearly matched her sweetheart's. “I place this curse upon you, Solowolf. You will fall in to a deep sleep for all eternity!”

No sooner were the words spoken than a violent black light flew from Vader's fingers. It wrapped itself around Han's head, pulling down his eyes, caressing his temples. Leia watched in horror as her lover collapsed, unconscious, to the stone floor.

She was surprised when an equally vehement “NO!” from the window joined her anguished one. Luke rushed towards Han the moment he fell. “I won't let that happen!”

“Luke!” Leia groaned. “What are you doing here? I told you to stay away!”

The small, golden-haired youth looked up her her, his blue eyes shining. “I had to come. I couldn't leave my friends.”

Vader had an inkling of what Skywalker was planning. “Get away from him, boy!”

Luke gently knelt beside his friend and wrapped him in his arms. “Han, I don't think I can lift this curse on my own. My powers aren't that strong.” He saw the bitter disappointment register on Leia's face out of the corner of his eye. “But I should be able to soften it a little.”

He concentrated as hard as he could. The blue light that surrounded Han's body was mild and almost soothing. “Han Solowolf, your friends won't let you sleep forever. You're too important to us. You'll awaken when you receive a kiss from your true love.” Luke knew he'd done the right thing when Leia nearly sagged with relief.

Vader waved to two of his men, who dragged Luke away. “I'll deal with you momentarily, Skywalker.” He made a black crystal appear in his hand in a dark light. “That was most foolish, boy. I'll have to make it so no one can touch him now.” The contempt dripped off his throaty voice as he drew the crystal along the length of Han's body. The harsh dark light expanded and intensified, until it engulfed the man on the floor. When it subsided, Han lay in a coffin made of transparent Khyber crystal, inlaid with rich gold and lined with velvet. “There's your prize, Fett.”

“How kind of you,” Fett said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “You gift-wrapped him for me.”

Four strong men lifted Han's coffin on their shoulders and carried it down the staircase. Vader only had eyes for Luke. “Leave us. Calarissian, take the Princess and the Wookie Stallion to my battle carriage. If you find the runaway servant, bring him as well.”

Now Lando was the one looking angry. “You swore they'd be left here!”

“I am altering the deal.” Vader shook his finger at the Baron. “Pray I don't alter it any further.”

“This deal is getting worse all the time,” Lando grumbled as he took Leia's arm. She was too busy gazing at the coffin vanishing down the staircase with sad brown eyes to fight him.

Luke faced Vader as the last soldier left, pulling out his sword. “The Force is with you, young Skywalker,” the Black Knight hissed. He slowly pulled out his own red and black crystal blade. “You are not a Force Knight yet.”