Tuesday, December 27, 2016

Leia and the Old Warlock In the Woods - A Star Wars Short Story

I read about Carrie Fisher's passing shortly after posting this at Archive of Our Own. I'm not good with death. I don't know what to say...except that with a heavy heart, this is dedicated to Star Wars' lost princess, and a wonderful fellow writer. 

Leia and the Warlock In the Woods
Rating: PG (violence)
Pairings: Han/Leia
Disclaimer: The franchise belongs to George Lucas and the Walt Disney Company.

Once upon a time, there were a sister and brother, Luke and Leia. They lived in the Naboo Woods with their father, Anakin Skywalker, a woodcutter. Anakin had once been a very rich knight, but he had lost all his money to an evil warlock. He had wanted Anakin to work for him, but the knight refused. The warlock stole his treasure and left the man and his two children penniless.

Luke and Leia were nineteen when Anakin sent them away with their Aunt Breha and Uncle Bail to Coruscant, the largest city in the Kingdom of Alderaan, to be educated. The twins protested. Their father was the only parent they could remember, their mother having died when they were small. Anakin insisted. He believed Breha and Bail could give them a better life than he was able to.

It wasn't that she didn't love her aunt and uncle, Leia thought as they bounced along the road through the forest. She was especially fond of Uncle Bail, who often sent her journals for writing and Luke beautiful old fairy tale books. She thought she could be more useful at home with Father. After all, they helped him chop wood, kept house for him, and Leia kept track of what little money they made. Who would do all those things for him now?

Aunt Breha shivered at the sudden wind and the dark clouds that raced across the sky. “I knew we shouldn't have gone this way. This is the part of the woods where the warlock is said to reside.” She pulled her brocade cloak further around her shoulders. “People have disappeared out here. A wealthy merchant and his entire household, his bodyguard and servants and even his home, simply vanished without a trace. It's been over a year, and no one's seen them since.”

Do you think that'll happen to us?” Luke asked, shuddering. Though he was a bit taller than Leia, he was slender and gentle, with his golden hair and innocent blue eyes.

Leia hugged her brother. “Of course, it won't!” She was smaller than her brother, but far feistier. Her long brown hair, pulled into a braided crown on the top of her head, framed snappy dark eyes and a wide pink mouth. She had more of a temper than Luke and was even more likely to attack without thinking.

The black-haired lawyer patted his niece fondly on the shoulder. “We don't know what's out there, sweet Leia. You can never be too careful.”

It had begun to rain while they were talking. The lightning around them was rather strange, Leia thought. She'd never seen purple lightning before. Even as the rain started, it didn't seem right. Luke and Leia huddled close together. Breha leaned worriedly against her husband.

The carriage suddenly jerked to a stop. Bail poked his head out, ignoring the weather. “What's the trouble here?”

Sir, there's an old man in the path,” one of the drivers explained. “He refuses to move.”

Bail turned his attention to the shadowy figure in the dark cloak planted in front of the carriage. “Sir, may we help you? Are you all right? Do you need a ride?”

Not a ride,” purred a scratchy voice. His cackle sounded like that of a witch. “I want your money, all of your money and fine goods and clothes, or you will not be able to pass through this woods.”

That's ridiculous!” Bail glared at him. “These woods belong to the Kingdom of Alderaan. They're open to everyone.” He finally waved his hands at his men. “Drivers, go around him. If he won't move, we won't be bothered with him.”

You'll regret ignoring my warning!” A bony white hand emerged from the heavy, dark fabric. It stabbed at the air, gathering even more unusual purple lightning from the raging storm. To Leia's horror, he directed the lightning right at their carriages!

Breha screamed. Bail was thrown back into Luke and Leia. The lightning sizzled around them, throwing the carriage over into a tree. To Leia's horror, their horses had fled back to Alderaan, and their drivers and knights and servants were little more than sizzling brown shapes on the ground, growing soggy in the relentless rain.

Luke's blue eyes widened in horror. “He turned them into cookies!”

Let's not stick around for him to do the same to us!” Leia grabbed his hand. “We have to get Aunt Breha and Uncle Bail and get out of here!”

There isn't time!” They just barely dodged a bolt of purple lightning. The carriage behind them sizzled, it's occupants screaming as they shrunk into gingerbread cookies. “We can't let him see us!”

But the warlock did see them. “You! Children! Come back here!” They managed to dodge another bolt of lightning as they plunged into the dark woods.

Leia was surprised at how comforting the woods felt, despite the storm. The trees had rather eccentric shapes and strong limbs that protected them and held the warlock back. It was as if they were keeping an eye on them, making sure they were safe.

After running for what seemed like hours, Luke finally collapsed in front of a tree. “I can't go another step,” he puffed. “I don't care if the warlock gets us now. What are we going to do? We're lost! We don't know this part of the forest.” He closed his eyes, trying to push the horrible images they'd seen out of his mind. “And our aunt and uncle...”

I can't believe he did that to them. They were such good people. I'll miss them both terribly. And those men didn't deserve to die like that.” Leia pulled her new silk cloak that her aunt gave her around both of them. “It's too late for us to return to Father. Let's sleep here and figure it out in the morning.”

Luke rubbed his stomach. “I'm so hungry and tired. I wish we could find a place to stay for the night.”

His sister sighed. “Yes, but where? No one lives in this part of the forest. There's no houses for miles.” She put her slender white arm around his shoulders. “At least the rain's almost gone. Look, I can see the moon!”

As she pointed to the round, soft moon peeking through the treetops, they noticed the form of a bird coming towards them. It was a handsome falcon, with majestic reddish-brown wings, a peculiar scar under its yellow beak, and large hazel eyes. There was something about it's eyes, Leia decided, that looked almost...human. The way he looked at her was rather cheeky for a bird.

The bird landed first on Luke's shoulder, nudging his cheek, then on Leia's. Luke scratched his back. “Hello there, boy. What are you doing here? You seem very friendly, for a wild bird!”

Ow!” Leia winced as the falcon nipped her ear. “What do you want?” It screeched in her ear...but it sounded like “Come with me, come with me!” She let it sit on her arm, stroking its chin. “I wonder if you belong to someone? Father said he used falcons for hunting when he had the money to take care of them.”

He has that scar.” Luke ran his hand over his chin. “Do you think his owner abused him?”

Leia shook her head. “Probably had a fight with another bird or an accident with a tree.”

As the rain continued to lessen, the bird finally took off. He swooped through the woods, occasionally looking over his shoulder to see if they were following him. The twins couldn't help chuckling at the very human look of annoyance on his face when he noticed they were just staring at him.

I think he wants us to go with him.” Luke nodded as the bird soared again, flying into the now-quiet night.

We don't have a choice.” Leia took Luke's hand. “Maybe he knows where to find some food or an inn that will give us shelter.”

The duo once again hiked for several hours, the falcon leading them down muddy paths and through rambling bushes. Leia was worried and nearly sick with fatigue and terror. She already missed their aunt and uncle, not to mention Father. Once or twice, she spoke to the falcon, asking him where they were going and when would they get there. She swore his squawking sounded like, “Soon, kid. Soon.”

They rested by a tree with blackish bark and soft green-orange leaves that enfolded them in a gentle embrace. Luke snuggled against it, letting it envelope him and his sister. He swore it felt like the tree's branches were stroking his hair as they drifted off to sleep, the falcon snoring on a thicker branch over their heads.

When they awoke the next morning, they searched in vain for the falcon, but it had vanished into the morning light. Fortunately, the path here was less muddy and rugged. It looked as if it had been well cared-for at one time. They had no difficulty strolling along, enjoying what had become a fine, sunny spring day. The trees bowed over them, filtering out the harshest light.

The moment they reached the end of the path, Luke grabbed his sister's hand. “Leia,” he shouted with delight, “look!”

Before them was the most amazing manor house Leia had ever seen. Not only was it enormous, but every last bit of it, from the steps leading to the grand door made of almond bark to the tall roofs made of colored wafers, was crafted from candy and gingerbread and cake. The fence that surrounded it was stiff icing, the cobblestones under their feet rock candy.

Do you think we could...try a little of it?” Luke's blue eyes gazed at it hungrily. “I can't remember the last time we had anything to eat besides those strawberries we found last night.”

I don't know...but I do know this house isn't ours.” Leia looked around, trying to find the owner. “It must belong to somebody.”

But Luke had already stuck his finger into the icing under one of the windows. “Leia, you have to try this. It's delicious!” He broke off a piece of the windowpane and nibbled at it.

Well...maybe just a tiny piece.” She pulled a butter cookie off the side. “It's a huge house. I'm sure the owner won't miss one or two pieces of the wall.”

They'd been eating for a few minutes when the front door flung open, and an elderly man stepped out He wore a fine suit with a navy blue velvet cape that was too wide for his thin shoulders, flowing white silk blouse, and chocolate-brown trousers that seemed just a little too baggy and long. He had thick white hair and a tight-lipped smile in a gentle, slightly withered face.

Who's nibbling at my house?” he asked, gazing down at the duo in a squint. “What brings you two lovely children here?”

Luke swallowed the piece of gingerbread he'd pulled off the wall. “My name is Luke Skywalker, sir.”

And I'm Leia.” His sister wiped her hands off on the green and blue skirt Aunt Breha had bought her. “We're sorry, sir, that we ate your house, but we were hungry, and the falcon lead us here...”

Falcon?” The old man's thin smile grew wider. “Oh yes, him. He comes around here all the time. I only see him at night, though. He sleeps in the day.” The old man opened the door. “Why don't you children come in? You look famished. I could give you a nice, hot meal and a room for the night while we search for your family.”

Luke blinked back tears. “Our family...they're dead, sir. A terrible warlock killed them on the road and stole their money. I don't think he saw us. We were able to hide in the woods.”

The man's look of concern seemed a little too forced to Leia. “How dreadful! Why don't you come in here and tell me more about it? I may be able to send one of my men to alert the authorities about this.”

Leia nudged her brother. “Luke, I don't like this,” she whispered. “There's something about this man I don't trust.”

Luke nodded. “I don't like this, either, but we don't have a choice. We don't know anyone else here. At least this man can give us a good meal for the night. He might even be able to tell us more about the warlock and how to defeat him. He does live out here.”

My name,” the old gentleman explained as they followed him into the house, “is Sheev Palpatine. I'm a merchant, and this is my home. I do quite well out here, actually. I sell baked goods for many of the largest bakeries in Coruscant, making sure their wares get to other kingdoms.”

Leia raised her eyebrows. “I thought the merchant who lived around here disappeared.”

Her brother nodded. “Aunt Breha said he and his entire household just suddenly...vanished.” He frowned. “And that he was much younger than you.”

Palpatine's smile became even tighter. “I took over this home from the previous owner. He was too foolish to follow my advice and join my company and lost all his money.”

The house was equally tasty on the inside. Every stick of furniture was made of candy or cake. Lines of gingerbread cookies hung on the walls instead of pictures. Every one was a different shape or size. She couldn't help noticing that two of the cookies, a boy and a girl, held hands. The boy had an icing mustache and messy black icing hair. The girl had brown icing hair and rather intense blue candy eyes for a cookie.

As they passed the kitchen, Leia thought she saw a head peek out. A pair of bright hazel eyes under scruffy brown hair gazed intensely at her. He had just stepped into the hall when he grabbed his head, wincing as if in pain. She was about to ask the poor man if he had a headache when Palpatine gently pushed her down the hall.

Who was that?” Leia asked.

Oh, just my nephew. You'll see more of him in a minute.” The older man lead them into an elegantly-appointed dining room. Dishes made of delicate porcelain, with golden goblets and silver tableware, were laid out just for them. “Sit down, little ones. Enjoy yourselves. Eat as much as you like.” Luke held out Leia's seat and helped her in, then sat himself.

The nephew Leia had seen a few minutes before brought a huge platter of with the biggest roast beef she'd ever seen in her life. He set the roast on the table, not making eye contact with or speaking to anyone. He was very handsome, despite his messy hair and dirty peasant blouse, with thick dark eyelashes, a long, proud nose, and a scar slashing his strong chin. Though the long-sleeved shirt covered most of it, there were very distinct red patches on his chest and hands that resembled nasty burns.

Their eyes briefly met for a moment...and Leia was startled to realize how empty and clouded his were, especially compared to a few moments ago. He moved stiffly, as if he were a puppet and someone else was pulling his strings. He was accompanied by the largest, shaggiest dog Leia had ever seen. It was more like a furry mountain than a dog. He sat at the nephew's feet, whimpering and gazing up at him with sad blue eyes.

Other men in red armor eventually followed with more dishes. The twins had never seen so much food in their lives! There were all kinds of vegetables, a fancy fruit salad, soft rolls, and tons more cake and cookies. “Eat, eat!” Palpatine gave the pair his thin smile. “I do so enjoy fattening up poor unfortunates like yourselves.”

Luke smiled at the nephew, who served him green beans and almonds. He didn't smile back, or even look at the boy. “Is your nephew going to eat with us, too?”

Palpatine's laugh sounded cruel to Leia. “Him? Certainly not. He's a mute simpleton I took in because he had no place else to go. He's barely useful for menial work.” She swore she saw the nephew wince at that description, his eyes briefly filling with fire before the clouds returned.

I don't think that's fair.” Leia played with her mashed potatoes, despite her hunger. “If he lives here, he should eat with us. He's your nephew.”

He's a servant.” Palpatine nodded at one of the red-armored guards, who almost literally shoved the nephew out the door. The dog followed, whimpering. The old gentleman turned back to them. “Are you enjoying your meal, children?”

Yes,” Luke insisted enthusiastically, “it's delicious!”

Leia finally decided she was too hungry to keep playing with her food. The mashed potatoes were really good, so buttery they melted in her mouth. The roast beef was perfectly seasoned, the vegetables sauteed delicately. It was all incredible. “My compliments to the chef,” she said as she finally pushed the last plate of cake aside. “That was wonderful!”

Palpatine noticed Luke yawning. “Perhaps you two would like a nap? You had such a trying day yesterday. You must be very tired.”

Leia's eyes were drooping. “I do feel a little sleepy.”

Good!” He helped Leia out of her chair. “One of my men will take you to your rooms. I need to deal with a problem in the kitchen.”

Luke stretched. “I don't know why I'm so tired. I guess it's because we were out walking all morning, and I know I didn't sleep that well last night.”

Luke, something is very wrong here.” Leia was just barely able to keep her eyes open, even as she followed him. “I've felt it ever since we arrived. The cookie people, that 'nephew' he treats like a slave, the dog.” She noticed as they went upstairs that a mirror had the monogram “HS” on a cameo near the top. So did a beautiful silver box sitting on a chocolate table. “I don't think this is his house.”

You're right.” Luke sighed. “It's too bad. This is such a nice house, and really tasty. I wonder who it actually belongs to?”

They both yawned at the same time and ended up laughing again. The guard finally took them upstairs. Leia's room was all pink cotton candy and lacy golden caramel strands. She couldn't fathom how tired she'd suddenly gotten. It must have been all that walking this morning, she decided. Sleep couldn't come now! She had to figure out who that nephew was, and why his eyes were clear one minute and confused the next. And there was Palpatine. Something about him frightened her. Maybe it was the way he smiled. She didn't think for a minute that he was a real merchant.

She tried to stay awake, but sleep finally claimed her. The girl settled down on her fluffy-sweet bed, unaware that a figure cackled by the door...one who gazed over her rosy cheeks and pretty figure and thought of what a tasty gingerbread morsel she'd make...

~*~*~*~*~*~

Wake up! Wake up, you stupid girl!”

Bony white fingers shook her shoulder. She tried to pull the blanket up to her chin, but it was yanked out of her hands. “Little lazybones! Get up and attend to your brother!”

I...my brother?” Leia's eyes finally blinked open. The first thing she gazed upon made her scream in terror. It was a hideous old hag in Palpatine's navy velvet cape and outfit. “Who are you?” The last rays of the setting sun fell on the...she couldn't call them “men” anymore. Claws and scaly tails swished under their red armor. They shoved knives and swords in her face. Two snatched her by her arms and dragged her out of the bed. “Where's Luke?” She struggled with all her might. “What have you done with him?”

Leia!” Luke was being shoved down the hall by two more guards. He started towards her, but they held him back. “Please, do what you want with me, but don't hurt my sister! She's all I have!”

Luke!” It took all of the men's strength to hold her back. She fought and kicked with all her might. “Don't you dare hurt him!” The red guards finally dragged Luke off, similarly kicking and screaming for his sister.

Oh, I won't hurt him now, little one.” Palpatine's smile was definitely cruel now. “I intend to eat him, and you. I'm a warlock, and I eat pretty youths like the two of you. You'll both make a pair of dainty morsels. But him first.” The bony fingers tugged her downstairs, finally shoving her into the kitchen. “You will work with my nephew, cooking the best food for your brother and bring it to him in the carriage house. When he's fat enough, I'll eat him...and then, I'll fatten you.”

I don't want to be fattened, and I don't want Luke to be, either!” Leia reached for a knife...but Palpatine shot a small purple light at her hand. White-hot heat flashed through her knuckles. She screamed, the knife falling to the floor.

The old man was surprisingly agile, despite his seeming fragility. He held the knife to her throat. “Don't toy with me, girl. If you try fighting, I'll kill your precious brother right now...or better yet, feed him to the imps and demons who live with me. They don't care how thin he is. They'll eat anything.”

Leia saw the clouds briefly lift again as the nephew tried to lunge for the knife as the dog nipped at Palpatine's heels. A bolt of light from Palpatine sent them both reeling into the cookie cabinet. “You will remember your place, nephew. Unless you want me to eat that overgrown hound of yours after I finish the youths, you'd best not meddle in affairs that don't concern you.” He looked out to the rapidly darkening sky, his mouth turning up in a hideous sneer. “Besides, night is falling. Once the moon rises, you'll be very busy elsewhere.”

A white finger pointed at the stove. “You, girl, will start the fire and begin cooking the chicken and dumplings. I expect them to be done when I return.”

Leia's eyes followed him as he left the room. She'd never felt so angry and so hopeless in her life. While her father had taught her and her brother the ways of knights and how to defend herself, he hadn't taught them anything about magic.

Two groans from the cabinet finally drew her away from the door. The nephew and his dog were emerging from the remains of the cabinet. “Are you all right?” she asked him as she helped him to his feet.

He nodded, wincing...and to her surprise, his eyes were clear again. “Yeah, I'm fine, sweetheart. I'm a lot tougher than that old prune thinks I am.”

She was so surprised, she almost dropped him. “You can talk! Your uncle told us you were a mute.”

Only when he's not around.” His gruff voice was so soft, she could barely hear him. “And only in a whisper. That old crone doesn't want anyone hearin' me and figurin' out the truth.”

Now Leia was the one who was confused. “The truth about what?”

The nephew ignored her question as the dog trotted over to him. “Hi there, Chewie. Are you ok, boy?” His canine companion's bark sounded like an affirmative. “Damn old warlock,” he whispered.

Leia grabbed his hand. “Who are you?”

Han.” He showed her a lazy grin. “My name is Han. And this,” he patted the dog, “is Chewbacca. I need you to keep an eye on him tonight.”

Why?” She shook her head. “What's going on?”

I can't tell you.” He squeezed her hand. “Not tonight. Just watch Chewie for me. He gets worried when I go out.”

But why?” She started down the hall after him, but didn't get far before she ran smack into Palpatine. “Where's he going?” The old man grabbed her arm before she could go after him.

I'll attend to him.” He shoved her back into the kitchen. “You start cooking. I want to fatten your brother up as quickly as possible.”

Leia cooked for hours. Chewbacca the dog sometimes joined her by her side. She'd feed him bits of beef or chicken. At least he'd get a decent meal. After he'd eat, he'd stand at the window and howl at the moon until Palpatine yelled at him to stop that racket.

As she slid the chicken into the oven, she heard flapping. “Falcon!” Their friend from the woods perched in the window. He cocked his head, gazing at her with large, intelligent hazel eyes that seemed almost uncannily human. She brought him a bit of chicken and some dried berries. He squawked happily, gobbling every piece. She laughed as he fluttered to her shoulder and nuzzled her cheek. “You silly bird. I'm glad you're here. At least I have one friend.” Chewbacca barked by her side. “Ok, boy. Two.”

It happened like that every day for the next month. Leia would spent the day and much of the night cooking and cleaning the house. She'd bring all kinds of good food to Luke, who was imprisoned in the carriage house, but she and Han only had crab shells to eat. At night, Han would leave, Chewbacca would howl, and the Falcon would fly in, often bringing berries and nuts from the forest in his beak that they would share. Sometimes, they would play, teasing and nuzzling each other. Other nights, the bird would perch on the window and just watch her work.

Leia,” Luke said, a month after their arrival, “I haven't been eating the food Palpatine's given me. Just enough to survive. I won't get fat and let him cook us for dinner!” He buried the food in the back of the hay in the stall where he was being kept. “I wish I could eat my way out, but the gingerbread making up the walls here is really stale. I tried two nights ago and almost cracked all my teeth.”

The young woman rolled her eyes. “You and those horrible demons who guard Palpatine are the only ones allowed to have decent food. Even he eats very little.”

Luke frowned. “What about Palpatine's nephew? What's the story with him? Do you think we can trust him?”

I don't know.” Leia spoke in a hushed whisper. Palpatine was just outside the kitchen, blowing on the fire in the huge clay oven. He was close enough to the carriage house to hear their every word. “During the day, I can't get a word out of him. He won't look me in the eye, and he moves in that jerky way, like he's a wind-up toy soldier. Sometimes, I'll see a gleam in his eyes, or he'll smile at me and whisper a few words. That's when he's almost decent, if a bit cocky, with that grin...but then, he gets a headache, the clouds come back into his eyes, and he's stiff and distant again.”

Do you think Palpatine has hurt him, or is controlling him in some way?” Luke waved his hand at the gingerbread and icing on either side. “He's not Palpatine's nephew. I don't think he's a simpleton, either.”

It wouldn't surprise me.” Leia got closer to her brother. “Last night, before he took off, he told me Palpatine is is terribly nearsighted. That's why he squints so much.” She grinned. “When you eat turkey or chicken, show him one of the bones when he asks for your finger. He'll think you're still thin. It'll give us a chance to figure out a plan.”

Luke nodded. “I'll do anything to keep us from being eaten!” His sweet mouth turned down. “What do you mean, 'before he took off?'”

Every night, he disappears suddenly. He's usually at his most lucid then. That's when we talk about you and how to escape.” She frowns. “I don't see him again until he turns up the next morning, moving like a puppet and avoiding my eyes and not talking.”

Luke hugged his sister. “Please be careful, Leia. Don't let that Palpatine and his magic hurt you!”

Leia bit her lip. “I almost wish the animals had devoured us in the forest. At least then we'd both still be together!”

Don't say that!” Luke gave her a fierce hug. “We'll get out of here, and we'll take Han and the dog with us. It'll be all right.”

Palpatine came back in, sniffing loudly. The bony fingers roughly dragged her out of the stall. “You've been in here long enough, girl. You were to give your brother his meal, not behave like a lazy slattern. Go out and gather firewood from that idiot nephew of mine!” He shoved her towards the door.

She couldn't help stopping to watch as he turned to Luke. “Now, my pretty boy,” he said, his cackling voice dripping with honey, “why don't you show old Palpatine your nice, juicy finger, and we'll see if you're ready yet?”

Luke grabbed a chicken bone from the pile of hay and stuck it out of the cell. Palpatine felt it, then let out a wail. “Four weeks! It's been over four weeks, and you still aren't ready! You nasty little brat!”

Give me time! I'll get fat!” Luke grinned. “Maybe in six months, or a year, you can come back and I'll be ready.”

I'm not waiting that long!” He slammed the door shut, dropping the ring of keys in his pocket. “I'll cook you today, whether you're fat or thin!”

Leia turned around and rushed out to the woodpile. Han was chopping wood, his arms moving in a rhythmic, jerking motion. His eyes were focused on the wood, his face strangely expressionless. It was like he was a wind-up doll. His shirt was open at the neck, revealing a strong, gleaming chest.

Han?” She went up to him, pulling wood into her arms. “I have to talk to you.” He continued chopping, not acknowledging her. “Han, it's Luke. Palpatine's going to eat him...and then probably eat us.” She finally reached out and took his arm. “Han, look at me! You're not a puppet! You're a man, a smart man, and you're the only one who can help us!” Chewbacca came up behind her, nudging his beloved master's leg. “You can fight whatever it is that's controlling you. I know you can.”

Han turned his back on her, putting his ax aside and reaching for more wood...but suddenly, he grabbed his head. She gasped as he let out a scream, his eyes squeezed in pain. He opened his mouth, but his voice was too soft to hear more than “let go” and “servant” and “my home.”

She could barely reach his shoulders, so she settled for putting a comforting hand on Han's back. “Hey, are you all right? Those headaches of yours have been getting worse. You seem to have at least one a day now.”

Yeah, I'm all right.” His eyes were perfectly clear when he turned back to her. “I don't know for how long.” He gazed up at the rapidly setting sun. “Let's get in the house and give Palpatine his wood, before the old fossil splits a seam.”

Han gathered a huge pyramid of wood into his arms. He tied a small cart to Chewbacca, who pulled another pile. “Leia,” Han whispered quickly, “there's a way to save all of us, including Luke, but it's very dangerous. I don't know if you're up to it. I can't do it. It'll be dark soon, and anyway, Palpatine knows me too well.”

Leia gave him a small, knowing smile. “Try me.”

Palpatine keeps a gold key on a key ring in the room upstairs that holds all of the treasures he's stolen. That key will open any lock in the house, including Luke's cell and the silver box on the table in the hall. The silver box holds many rings. You have to choose the plain one. Ignore all the fancy rings. Bring the key and the ring outside to the oven, where the falcon will meet you.”

Leia shrugged. “That doesn't sound so hard.”

They both winced as Palpatine's high, crackling voice rose above the rustling leaves. “You can't make a sound while doing this, or we'll all be lost.” Han shook his head. “Not one sound. You can't even scream, no matter what Palpatine throws at you.”

Leia nodded, her fists clenched. “I can do this, Han. For Luke. For you and Chewie. For Father. He must be worried sick about us!”

Han smiled at her. “It'll be all right, Princess.” She felt her heart grow quite soft and mushy. “I'll distract the prune. You take Chewie and find that key.”

Palpatine was waiting for them when they arrived. The sun was just starting to slowly sink into the bright, orange-red sky. “You may put the firewood in the oven, then help me check how hot it is. Nephew,” he smirked, “you will go outside. You'll be busy shortly.”

Han turned to Leia and flashed her that charming lopsided grin. He then proceeded to drop his entire stack of logs on Palpatine. “You...you clumsy oaf!” Leia detached the cart from the enormous dog while Palpatine was hopping around like a big, flapping bird on one foot. “I should turn you into a newt for this!” Leia managed to grab a sharp knife from a drawer as she and Chewbacca fled the room.

As Leia fled, she heard Palpatine cackle and the sizzle of lightning. Burnt gingerbread and cake reached her nostrils. “Foolish nephew! You shouldn't have tried to interfere.” The moon showed the silhouette of a large bird cage in the old warlock's bent fingers. “As punishment, you will not fly free tonight.” Han's angry whispers were eventually drowned out Palpatine's cackles...and the shrieks of an imprisoned falcon.

The beautiful gingerbread house now seemed distorted and ugly. Demons in red armor grabbed at her arms and blocked her way. She remembered the fighting moves her father, a former knight, had taught her and her brother. She stabbed and feinted at each demon. Chewbacca tore into them with his sharp canine teeth. Each demon they vanquished turned into a pile of dust the moment it was stabbed or left in bloody shreds by the dog's claws.

The treasure room was in the last door on the second floor. It was locked, but Leia and Chewbacca were able to cut and claw their way in. Leia had to restrain a gasp when she entered. It was filled with chests and chests piled with gold, jewels, and coins. She'd never seen so much money in her life!

She was searching through the chests of jewels when she heard Chewbacca bark across the room. He bounded over to her with the keys in his mouth, having found them hanging on the wall near a chest of pearls. The young woman gave him a scratch between the ears and a scrap of turkey left from Luke's dinner she'd kept for him, then put the key in her pocket.

There were even more demons in the hall, each one grabbing at her arms or her dress. Her knife flashed and Chewbacca's teeth bit down hard. They were strong and virile, but she was smaller than they, and far more nimble on her tiny feet. She ducked around them, stabbing the ones Chewbacca didn't tear into, until the floor was scattered with their ashes.

She hurried to the silver box and opened it, searching the contents for a plain gold ring. There were rings of every size and shape, decorated with everything from fancy jewels to elaborate scrollwork. Not a single one was plain gold.

The girl was about to give up in despair when she heard Palpatine's cackle. “Come here, child! You spoiled, lazy little thing! I need your help with the oven!”

She ducked outside the kitchen. The burning wood in the thick stone oven burned hot and bright, a beacon in the dark night. The old warlock held a bird cage in one hand. Leia could distinctly see her friend the falcon locked inside, holding a plain ring in his beak.

The moment she reached for the cage, Palpatine hung it on a tree branch. Leia thought the golden tree seemed to almost wince in pain. “Where have you been, girl? The oven must be prepared to cook my supper. I want you to climb in to test how hot it is.”

Leia shook her head, stepping back. Chewbacca growled at him. Palpatine's yellow eyes narrowed. “Are you such a fool, girl, that you don't know how to prepare an oven? You've done it before with my nephew.” Leia smiled and nodded. She wasn't about to let the old man cook her for dinner! “What's with you, girl?” He leaned over and pinched her. “Why don't you respond?” She had to swallow a yelp, her brown eyes as fiery hot as the flames in the oven. The dog leaped at him, but he kicked it aside. “Don't play games with me, cur!”

He turned his squinting yellow eyes on the very angry Leia. “You're getting as stupid as that nitwit nephew of mine!” She shrugged, waving her hands at the oven. “I suppose I'll have to show you how to do it again. My nephew is...in dispose.”

The moment the old man climbed into the oven, Leia shoved him in as hard as she could. She used the knife to lock the door, ignoring his screams and shouts. The moment she stepped back, the ground under her shook. There was a great explosion, throwing back Leia and the dog into another tree. When the dust subsided, a warlock-shaped gingerbread man stood where the oven had once been!

The golden tree lowered the falcon's cage to the ground. Leia took the cage in her hand and first went to Chewbacca to make sure he was all right. He was fine, though a bit shaky on his four feet. They dashed to the carriage house, where Luke met them at the door of his cell.

Are you all right?” Luke flew into his sister's arms the moment he was released. “I heard the explosion. They probably heard the explosion all the way in Coruscant City! What happened?”

Leia hugged him as tightly as she could. “Oh Luke, we're free! I pushed Palpatine into his oven! He's a gingerbread now, just like all the people in that house of his.”

Luke leaned over the falcon in the cage. “Isn't this the fellow we met the night our aunt and uncle's carriage was attacked? The one who lead us here?”

Yes,” Leia explained. “I think he's more than that, though.” She used the golden key to unlock the cage. The falcon flew out, still holding the plain ring in his beak. He sat on Leia's shoulder and dropped it into her hand. “This is yours, isn't it?” The falcon nodded. Leia held it up to him, sliding it onto his ring.

To the twins' surprise, Leia slid the ring onto a human finger. When they looked up, their friend the falcon had been replaced by Han, the warlock's nephew. He was clad in Palpatine's navy robes, white silk shirt, and dark brown trousers from the first day they'd arrived...but the suit fit him perfectly. His brown hair was slicked back and no longer scruffy. He gently rubbed Leia's hand, that cocky, lazy grin plastered on his face.

Thanks, kids,” he said, his voice now gruff and strong. “You released me and everyone in my household from that fossil's spell.”

Leia's eyes widened. All around them, the carriage house was changing. Wood, plaster, and metal replaced gingerbread. The house behind them became a white manor with elaborate gingerbread trim that went on for miles. People streamed from the house, including, Leia noticed, a young woman with straight auburn hair and bright blue eyes and a handsome man with a dark mustache, dressed in the Captain's uniform of the Mexicalia army. The very trees around them shrunk and transformed into humans. Chewbacca stood on two paws and grew and grew until he became...well, he looked something like a human, but more like a friendly giant, with his shaggy hair and thick beard.

Master Solo!” The giant threw his hands around the man in the velvet cloak. “The spell's broken! We're human again!”

Han smirked. “Or as human as you ever were, my friend.” He patted Chewbacca. “This is Charles, my bodyguard and closest companion, from the native island of Kashyyak.”

The girl bowed. “My name is Jyana Erson, and this is Captain Cassian Andorez. We too were lured from the road by Palpatine, who claimed he could give us and our men a free meal. He turned us into gingerbread instead.”

Luke couldn't take his eyes of the small, handsome youth with black hair and blue eyes who lead a whole line of servants in orange uniforms from the woods. He too bowed before the duo...but he took Luke's hand. “I'm Commander Wedge Antilles. My garrison normally protects this part of the woods, including Master Solo's estate, but Palpatine turned us and all of Master Solo's servants into trees to keep us from stopping him.”

Han only had eyes for Leia, who returned his dreamy stare. “I'm a merchant with a profitable shipping business. My home is the only one around for miles. Palpatine showed up on my doorstep a little over a year ago, looking like the nice old man he appeared to be for you at first. He said he had a business propasition for me.” The merchant's keen hazel eyes darkened. “Yeah, profitable for him. He wanted me to help him lure rich people with innocent kids into the woods, steal their money, and roast the kids for him to eat. I said 'no way.' I wasn't going to take part in something that would kill kids.”

Charles nodded. “When Han refused his offer, the warlock showed his true colors. He turned the servants and king's guards into trees and me into a dog. Anyone who came near us, he'd lure into the house, cover in cookie batter, and roast into gingerbread.”

Han played with the ring on his finger. “As long as he had my ring in that box, I would stay under his spell. By day I was a little more than a human puppet. He had control of my mind and every move I made. He told most people I was his idiot nephew, unable to speak or look anyone in the eye. I kept trying to fight his magic, but it strong and really killed my head.”

That's where the headaches came from.” Leia frowned. “From you trying to fight the spell.”

At night,” Charles added, “Han was in his right mind again, but only while in the body of a falcon.”

Palpatine let me fly free at night.” Han shrugged. “I guess he figured, since I couldn't talk in that form, it wouldn't do any harm. I was just about at the end of my rope when I found you two in the woods. I saw him attack your people earlier. I knew you'd been able to escape...and I thought you might be smart enough to help me and my household escape the warlock's powers, too.”

Luke's eyes widened. “You're the missing merchant!”

His sister nodded. “Our aunt mentioned you right before we were attacked. She said your whole household just vanished without a trace.”

Han bowed before Leia. “I can't replace your aunt and uncle, but I can provide a home for the two of you and your father. Say you'll stay with us.” He gave Leia that grin. “I know you have a good head on your shoulders, Princess. I could use a partner like you who can handle figures as well as she does demons.”

Wedge kissed Luke's hand. The young man blushed pink. “And I'll make sure no warlock ever locks up either of us ever again.”

Leia smiled back. “We'll have to contact our father first. He's probably worried sick about us, but...yes. Yes, we'll stay with you.” She turned to her brother. “As long as Luke agrees to it as well.”

Luke squeezed Wedge's hand. “Oh, please yes! I like it here, now that the warlock's gone.”

They finally returned to their father in Naboo several days later, in Han's private carriage drawn by four white horses. Anakin Skywalker was delighted to see his children again. Not only that, but as it turned out, Han had recovered his fortune from the chests in the treasure room. He and his children were now wealthy again.

Leia and Luke both went away to university. When they returned, Leia wed Han, and became his partner in all things. Han's shipping business prospered for many years with his beloved wife at the helm. Luke joined the king's guard and married Wedge Antilles. Charles remained the devoted bodyguard to the Solos for the rest of his life. Anakin Skywalker retired from woodcutting, eventually deciding he preferred his small cottage and a quiet life in the woods to the life of a knight in town. Jyana and her captain were married in Mexicalia City a year after their rescue. Everyone attended their wedding, including Han and the twins.

As for Palpatine, the servants were instructed to take him out to the woods for the birds to eat. When they ate their fill, there wasn't a crumb left. And that was the end of the evil warlock of the Naboo Woods.


The End

Sunday, December 18, 2016

Luke and the Beanstalk - A Star Wars Short Story

This is the first in a series of three short fairy tales I have planned, one revolving around each member of the original trilogy "Golden Trio." Next up, "Hansel & Gretel" for Leia, then a gender-reversed "Cinderella" for Han.

Luke and the Beanstalk
Rating: PG (mild violence)
Pairings: Han & Leia & Luke 
Disclaimer: The franchise belongs to George Lucas and the Walt Disney Company.

Once upon a time, twin siblings named Luke and Leia Skywalker lived in a small cottage in the Kingdom of Naboo. Their parents had died when they were tiny babies. They were raised by kindly Aunt Beru and gruff but loving Uncle Owen. After they passed on, they ran their small dairy farm together.

The twins couldn't be more different. Luke was golden-haired and blue-eyed, a cheerful lad with a dreamy demeanor. He took care of the animals on the farm and tended to their small garden. Or at least, he was supposed to. His mind was usually in the clouds or imagining far-away places. His sister Leia was tiny, with long, dark hair and snappy brown eyes. She was practical and strong-willed where her brother was gentle and good-natured. It was she who ran the farm and sold their cheese and butter in the near-by town.

Now it happened that Naboo fell into a period of decline, around the same time the twins' aunt and uncle died. A terrible drought turned much of the formerly fertile kingdom into a near-desert. Luke found it harder and harder to feed their cows and water their crops. Most of their cattle and almost his entire garden withered. Leia had less and less to sell at market, until they, like most of Naboo,were starving.

I'm sorry Luke,” Leia said one day, “but I just went over our finances. You're going to have to sell Artoo, our last cow. She just stopped giving milk. I know you're attached to her, but we can't afford to keep her anymore. I know a local butcher who'll give you a good price for her.”

No!” Luke threw his arm around his favorite cow. Artoo nuzzled her human. She wasn't a big cow. In fact, she'd gotten rather scrawny in the last few years. She was a good cow, though, with slick black patches in her white fur that looked almost blue. “Leia, I couldn't let anyone kill Artoo! She's a good girl. She's given us so much milk and cheese over the years. Besides, she's my friend!”

Leia sighed. She went through this with her brother every time she wanted to sell one of the animals. He never wanted to let them go. “Luke, I understand. She was a good cow, but she's getting old, and she can't earn her keep anymore. She stopped giving milk two days ago. I was hoping she would start again, but it looks like she's dry. You're going to have to sell her.”

She put an arm around her despondent brother. “Think of it this way. If you sell her, we'll have enough money for dinner tomorrow. There may even be a little leftover to buy another cow, a younger one who'll be able to give us more milk we can sell.”

I don't want another cow,” Luke whined. “I want Artoo!” In the end, there was nothing he could do. He knew his sister was right. They desperately needed the money, and poor Artoo was getting old. There was no choice. The next morning, he tied a rope around her neck and lead her to town to the butcher.

Try to get a good price on her, brother,” Leia insisted as he left. “Don't let that old butcher bully you. And don't dawdle! Sell Artoo, buy our groceries, and come home.”

I'll be all right.” He gave his sister a kiss on the forehead and was on his way.

He hadn't gotten too far when he encountered an old peddler on the road. He was a tall, gaunt fellow, with a scraggly silver-gray beard and thin silvery hair. He wore tattered old tan robes and an old, patched tan tunic. He pushed a cart filled with plants, from beautiful flowers Luke hadn't seen since the drought began to prickly cacti from the Kingdom of Tatoonie.

Hello there, young Luke.” The old man smiled. “I was hoping I'd see you today. Rumor has it that you have a fine old cow for sale.”

Yes, I do.” Luke put his arm around Artoo. “I really wish I didn't have to sell her, but my sister insists on it. We need the money, and she doesn't give milk anymore.” He looked the old man over more closely. “Aren't you Old Ben Kenobi? I heard you used to be a knight for the king, and a great magician besides.”

Old Ben nodded. “I was, at one time. Before...well, before the drought came. Before the dark times. Before the sorcerer.” His face darkened. “The sorcerer was the adviser for a great king and his wife. He enchanted the king, killed his beautiful queen, and stole their treasures.”

Sorcerer?” Luke frowned. “I heard that rumor, too. People are saying that an evil sorcerer from the clouds is responsible for the drought. Some kind of curse on the land and the royal family. Leia says it's nonsense. We just haven't had rain in a long time.”

The old man continued to inspect the cow, walking around her to check her haunches. “What do you think, young man?”

Luke shrugged. “I don't know what to think. All I know is, I wish there was a way we could make more money, or that I at least could get some water for my garden. We haven't eaten anything besides old, hard bread in days.”

I think I have the answer to your problems.” Ben reached into the his cart. He pushed several pots and pans aside before emerging with a small burlap bag. “These are very special beans, lad. If you plant them in your garden, something magical will happen.”

Magic beans?” Luke peered at the bag in Ben's palm. “They don't look so special to me.”

They will once you plant them.” Ben held the bag out to Luke. “Tell you what. I'll trade you Artoo for these beans. Put them in the ground as soon as you get home. They can grow in any soil, including very dry soil, and they'll grow overnight. After they come up,” he gave Luke a small smile, “you'll know what to do with them.”

Luke shrugged. “What do I have to lose?” He gave Ben Artoo's lead. “You'll take good care of her, right? You won't kill her, or harm her in any way?”

Not at all. My knight order didn't believe in the slaughtering of animals. I need her to carry some of my extra wares. She has a stronger back than you might think and may make a good pack animal.” Ben handed him the beans. “Don't forget, plant them as soon as you return.”

I will!” Luke waved him off. “Thank you!”

You're welcome, young Skywalker.” Ben waved as the boy headed down the road. He sighed and turned to the cow. “I know he'll understand about the beans. I'm not so sure about his sister.” Artoo mooed her agreement.

Luke nearly skipped all the way home. He danced right into their front door. “Leia!” He swung his surprised sister around as she was setting the table for dinner. “You'll never guess what I got at the market!”

Dinner, I hope.” Leia looked around him. “Luke, where are the groceries? Didn't you bring any food home?”
No, but I got something even better.” He pulled the beans out of his pocket. “Ben Kenobi, the old peddler in Theed Town, traded these to me for Artoo. He says if I plant them, something magical will happen!”

Luke, are you crazy?” Leia's pretty face turned beet red. “How could you? I told you to sell Artoo and get the money! We can't live off magic beans!”

Luke shook his head. “Leia, listen. Ben says they'll grow overnight. Think of all the beans we could have tomorrow!”

If they were real, which they probably aren't. That old man tricked you to get our cow. Oh Luke, when will you ever learn not to trust every person you see?” She grabbed the bag out of her brother's hand. “Here's what I think of your silly beans!” The angry girl flung the bag out the window before her brother could stop her.

Luke and Leia both went to bed hungry and out of sorts with one another. Leia was still upset with Luke. She'd trusted him to go to town and get food, and now they had no cow, no money, no nothing. How would they live? Luke, for his part, was more disappointed that he'd lost his best friend besides Leia. He'd probably never see Artoo again.

Luke had a hard time sleeping that night. He swore he heard voices, two male ones, a deep, deep bass and the slightly nasal tones of the mid-western plains of the Kingdom of Corellia. Something about going to the top and seeing what they could take. Thieves, Luke thought. When he stuck his head out, though, all he could see was a long dark shadow. He did wonder about the shadow, but he was tired. He went back to sleep before he could think much about it.

What neither of the twins knew was that the bag broke after Leia threw it. The beans spilled onto the brittle soil in Luke's garden. They quickly took root there. In the light of the moon, a stalk grew..and grew...and kept growing. Two figures traveling by night were so amazed, they took hold of the growing plant and climbed it to the top.

Luke knew none of this the next morning. All he knew was he was hungry, lonely, and still a little annoyed with his sister. He was still sleeping on his pallet of straw when a frantic voice and familiar pair of tiny fingers shook his shoulders.

Luke!” Leia sounded genuinely shocked. “Luke, wake up! You've got to see this! You're not going to believe it!”

Leia and Luke quickly got dressed and hurried downstairs. The side of their house with the window where Leia had tossed the beans was now completely dominated by the tallest, widest, greenest beanstalk either of them had ever seen. It was so tall, it's top pierced the very clouds in the sky.

Luke's sunny grin nearly split his face. “I told you Old Ben wasn't lying! They are magical!” He raced to the bottom of the thick trunk and took hold of a vine. “Come on! Let's go see what's at the top of this thing.”

Leia rushed after him. “Luke, be careful!”

He shrugged. “What do we have to lose? Maybe there's gold or treasure at the top.”

Or just clouds.” Leia finally started after him. “If you're going, then I'm going, too. Someone has to keep an eye on you!”

They climbed and climbed for what felt like hours. They stopped at least twice to snack on beans the size of their fists and admire the view. Enormous leaves and curling vines as long as rivers made quite comfortable couches.

You know,” Luke mentioned as they started climbing again, “I swear I heard voices outside last night. One was really deep. I didn't understand it that well. The other kind of sounded Corellian.”

Leia shook her head. “It was probably the wind. Nobody comes out to these parts except for traders and wanderers passing through.”

Luke got to the top first. He couldn't believe the sight his eyes met when he arrived. “Leia,” he exclaimed, “oh Leia, you have to see this!”

I'm coming!” Luke took his sister's hand and helped her onto the clouds. To her surprise, she was able to stand easily on the clouds. “How are we doing this?”

Forget the how.” Luke waved his hands at the beautiful world around them. “Look at this! Everything is so green...and huge!”

Indeed, it was as if all the water drained from Naboo had been pent up here. The twins were surrounded by the most beautiful greenery they'd had ever seen. Wildflowers like a rainbow carpet grew in abundance around their feet. Trees with heavy, fat leaves rustled in the breeze. The stalks of grass were as soft as moss.

I had no idea all this was up here!” Leia picked a wildflower. It smelled as sweet as honey.

Luke grinned. “I did.” He gently placed the flower in his sister's ear. “I've dreamed about it for years.”

There's a reason for that, young Lord Luke.” The duo looked up as Old Ben Kenobi shuffled between the trees. He held a long, straight staff. “This was originally your home.”

Leia pushed protectively in front of Luke. “Who are you? How do you know who we are?”

That's Old Ben, the man I sold Artoo to.” Luke hurried over to the gentleman. “Where's Artoo? Is she all right?”

Artoo is fine. She's grazing outside my cottage.” He bowed before the duo. “Permit me to explain myself.” Their eyes widened as the old man pulled a long sword out of the wooden staff case. “My real name is Sir Obi-Wan Kenobi, of the Kingdom of the Sun Clouds. I was once the knight and adviser for the head of the kingdom, Lady Padme and Lord Anakin. They were good and kind rulers, who used their vast wealth to aid their people.”

Luke gulped. “What happened to them?”

Obi-Wan's blue eyes became haunted. “Anakin fell under the influence of the King of the Storm Clouds, an evil sorcerer named Palpatine. He murdered the beautiful Lady Padme and put a powerful curse on Anakin and their people. Anakin became the wicked giant Darth Vader, a great hulking brute with a heart made of stone that can feel no love. Their people were killed along with the lady, or trapped in the trunks of trees.”

He settled down on a large, flat rock by a glistening stream. “I was the only one to escape the siege of the castle. Padme had just bore twin children, a boy and a girl. Before she died, she entrusted them to me for safekeeping. I took them to Anakin's half-brother and his wife, simple farmers in the Land Below. I knew they would raise them as their own.”

Luke's blue eyes were wide. “Why didn't you tell us this before?”

Owen wanted me to have no contact with you. He blamed me for not protecting his brother better and letting him fall so easily to Palpatine's wiles.” Ben frowned. “Then, Palpatine attacked the Land Below. It's he who ordered that drought. He's keeping all the water in the cloud for himself and his followers.”

Leia looked skeptical. “How could this be true? There's no such thing as magic.”

Her brother rolled his eyes. “Leia, we just climbed a beanstalk that's taller than a mountain!” He turned to the older knight. “How can we save our father and restore his treasures and his people?”

Ben Kenobi sheaved his sword. “I'll take you to Twilight Castle, Vader's home. His housekeeper, Ashoka, will be willing to help. She was once the king's ward, but he forced her to become a servant when Palpatine took over. She wants nothing more than for her guardian to be himself again.”

The castle was even taller than the beanstalk. It was the biggest building any of them had ever seen. It was also the ugliest. Crumbling gray stone walls were surrounded by a deep, murky moat. Sharp towers stabbed black needles into the soft blue sky.

The trio floated over to the castle on a boat made of a green leaf. They used poles made of twigs to paddle their way across. When they arrived, Ben lead them right to a heaven oaken door. He knocked hard on it with his wooden scabbard.

Luke gulped. “What if the giant answers it?”

I don't think he will. He's usually out at this time of the day.” Ben gently pushed them away from the door as footsteps were heard. “This should be her.”

The person who opened the door was huge. She was the tallest person Luke had ever seen. She was also not too old, and really quite pretty, in her blue and white headscarf and brown caftan. The young woman held a dusty rag in one hand that could have dusted the entire contents of sixteen palaces down below. Her big blue eyes gazed down at them in shock.

Obi-Wan?” Her red lips pursed with worry. “What are you doing here? I thought you fled years ago! Palpatine's still trying to eliminate all of the Knights of the Sun Clouds.”

Hello, Ashoka.” She scooped him in her palm and let him give her cheek a kiss. “I told you I'd find help.” He put his arms around the twins as soon as she put him back on the ground. “This is Luke and Leia Skywalker. They're going to join us in restoring Anakin to his former self and expelling Palpatine from the castle.”

The woman shook her head. “Ben, I can't have them here. Skyg...Vader eats youths for breakfast now. Those two would barely make an appetizer. He already has one human in a bird cage in the dining hall that he's planning to roast for supper, and there's another one who's still at large.”

Please, madam,” Luke insisted. “We're terribly hungry. We haven't eaten in days.”

Of course,” Leia added quickly, “we don't want to impose...”

The woman looked thoughtful. “Skywalker...” She swept the trio into her arms, her deep blue eyes staring intensely at the twins. “Any relation to Lord Anakin Skywalker?”

Leia nodded. “We're his children, or so Sir Kenobi told us. We only just found out ourselves.”

The blue eyes grew wider, like two great, stormy lakes. “The twins! Our twins! We were told that you were killed with Lady Padme!” She held the two to her breast and very gently hugged them. “I'm so glad you're safe.”

But we won't be if we don't do something about Father.” Leia pulled away from her caftan. “Where is he? And Palpatine? Isn't there anything we can do to break the spell?”

What if we discussed that over lunch?” Ashoka set them down on the longest, widest dining table Luke had ever seen. It was so long, they couldn't see the end of it. It seemed to go on forever. The end of the table was covered in all kinds of good food – fine cheese, bread, sausages, hams, bacon, cups of wine and juice, fruits and vegetables, desserts of every kind. “Eat hearty, kids. I'll just tell Skyg...Vader that the mice got into it.”

Luke gave her his sunniest grin. “Thank you!” He ran right for a bowl of fruit salad and started stuffing one of the grapes in his mouth.

This is very kind of you, Miss Ashoka. Thank you!” Leia gave her finger a hug, then went to eat a hunk of cheese.

Sir Ben sat down on a spoon, cutting off a slice of bread for himself. “Ashoka, there has to be a way we can all put our powers together to defeat Palpatine.”

Ashoka spread a thick slice of bread with a pat of butter as big as a hill. “I don't know, Obi-Wan. I've tried everything I can think of, including fighting him. That curse just won't come off.”

Have you tried talking to him?” Luke swallowed his mouthful of grape. “Maybe he just needs to be reminded that he still has you and Ben, and that Palpatine isn't his friend.”

I've tried dozens of times.” Ashoka shook her head. “He gets angry and turns something into a tree or a footstool instead of listening.”

Obi-Wan sighed. “That's Anakin. He never did have the best temper.” The older knight cut a piece off a near-by sausage. “When's he coming back, anyway? I want to get the children at least out of his sight before he arrives.”

That was when they heard the door open and the booming voice that shook the castle. “Ashoka, where's my dinner? Did you finish roasting those six oxen?”

The woman in the scarf quickly finished her bread and butter. “Yes, Master Vader. They're ready in the kitchen for you.” She pushed the trio along, dragging Luke from his grapes. “I'll hide you in the stove. I did the oxen in the fireplace in the kitchen. I haven't used the stove since yesterday.”

Ashoka took them off the table and tossed Luke and Ben in the iron stove. She didn't see Leia tumble out of her hand and onto the floor. The girl didn't have the time to duck away before a pair of long, black legs strode into the dining hall.

Ashoka, why do I smell human?” He was the ugliest, most fearsome creature Leia had ever seen. He wore heavy black robes and leather gloves, with a mask covering his face. His breathing was labored and raspy, and his voice shook the room. “I smell the blood of a child of Land of the Clouds!”

N...no, Lord Vader.” Ashoka shook her head. “There's no children here. Your children died when your wife did. You're probably just smelling the oxen.”

You're lying, girl.” Vader reached out and slapped the young woman hard on the cheek. “I don't like it when servants lie to me!” Ashoka glared at him, but said nothing.

Leia couldn't stand seeing anyone treated so badly. She went right over and kicked Vader in the foot! “Leave her alone, you big bully!”

Vader picked her up by the collar of her white peasant blouse. “What is this?” He sniffed. “A human girl. I haven't had a human girl for dinner in a long time.”

Let me go!” Leia struggled, swinging this way and that, her little fists raised. “From what I've heard, you're just some lap dog to Palpatine anyway. You have no right to abuse a servant!”

He slammed his fist over the girl, leaving her breathless. Luke and Ben watched in horror as he took a bird cage down from the high hook he'd had it hanging on. He pulled out a big brass key, opened the door, shoved Leia in, and locked the door again. They could vaguely see the form of another human in the cage, a tall man in a dark vest.

I'll deal with these intruders myself.” He handed the cage to Ashoka. “Take this to the kitchen. I'll eat them both as an appetizer with supper.”

Ashoka glared at him, but all she said was “Yes, Master Vader.” Leia looked helplessly at the stove as the towering housekeeper took her away from her beloved brother.

Luke looked out in horror. “Ben, we have to rescue her! I'm not leaving here without my father or my sister. I think I saw someone else in the cage, too.”

We'll have to wait until Vader's occupied.” The older knight jumped as more booming steps were heard in the hall. “There's also Palpatine to consider. He's the most powerful sorcerer in the entire land. He can take down whole armies with his dark magic lightning.”

Vader!” called a cackling voice that echoed off the stone walls. “Vader, bring me my gold. I wish to count our wealth.”

He was little more than a skeleton in a stiffing black cloak. Long, bony white fingers and a stark white face were all that could be seen of him. He sat at the long, polished table as Vader returned with a high pile of small, lumpy sacks.

Yes,” the aged voice chuckled. “Yes.” The bony hands dumped out bag after bag of gold coins that glittered wanly in the soft light. “Between this and your hen, this is all the money we need to amass an army and invade the Kingdom of Naboo in the World Below. Vader, bring me the hen. I want to see her lay.”

Vader did as he was told. He came in, carrying a tiny white bird on his palm. She looked like any ordinary chicken to Luke. She had feathers, and a yellow beak, and a red crest on top of her head. To be honest, she did look rather frightened when Vader put her down in front of Palpatine.

Lay, bird,” the old sorcerer demanded. “Lay, or we'll be having chicken fricassee for dinner!”

To Luke's shock, just moments after the poor, nervous fowl sat down, something golden appeared under her. When she stood, a shiny gold egg lay where she'd been. He'd never seen anything like it. His few remaining hens lay ordinary white or brown eggs.

Those were your father's treasures,” Ben explained. “The gold and the hen belonged to him and your mother. They kept the Kingdom of the Sun Clouds prosperous and happy for many years. They're rightfully yours and Leia's now.”

Luke's eyes were fixed on the duo at the table. “How are we going to get on the table?”

Lady Tano,” demanded Palpatine, “I wish for some refreshment while I count. Bring my apprentice and me two glasses of our favorite wine.”

Ashoka entered a few minutes later with two glasses of rich burgundy wine and a blue bottle on a blue enamel tray. “Here you go, masters.” She set the tray on the table between them, right next to the hen. “I made it with mulled spices, just the way you like it.”

Thank you, girl.” Palpatine took the cup first. Vader sniffed his suspiciously.

Oh, go ahead, Sky...Master Vader.” Ashoka gave him a rather sly smile. “It won't kill you.”

It had better not.” Vader managed to lift his visor long enough to down the entire contents. “If I die from this, every demon and dark fairy in this land will be after your hide, girl.” Palpatine continued sipping his.

After only a few minutes, both men yawned. “I didn't know how sleepy I was for this time of day.” Palpatine tried to stretch his bony arms. “I suppose...a short nap...wouldn't hurt...”

Vader started to stand, but his head was already nodding. “Master, something was wrong...the wine...” His head dropped to the table before he could finish that statement. Palpatine lay his head on his thin hands, his cloak spreading over them. Snores that shook the entire room emerged a minute or two later.

Ashoka opened the oven door. “Hurry! Get the gold and the hen. I'll keep an eye on them. The kitchen is in the next room. Leia and the thief Vader caught earlier is in a bird cage hung on a hook from the ceiling.” She rushed them along. “Go! The sleeping potion won't last for very long.”

They ran up the swirling carvings in the table legs, getting onto the top of the table with a little help from Ashoka. The hen let out a loud squawk at first. Luke had to calm her. “Easy, girl. We're going to help rescue you and your people.” He turned to Ben, who had a bag of gold under his arms. “Ben, what are we going to do about those poor people in the trees? Not to mention, stop Vader and Palpatine from invading the World Below.”

Let's get your sister and get the gold out of here first.” Ben's eyes widened as the hen let out another squawk. “Then we'll figure out what to do about Ana...Vader.”

The rest of the gold and the Golden Harp are in the Treasure Room.” Ashoka gave them a small grin. “If you run, you'll never make it.” She took a small wooden cart down from a shelf and tied a mouse to the harness. “Here. This will get you where you need to go. The kitchen is the next room over. The treasure room is at the very end of the hall.” The hen chose to let out a very noisy cackle at that moment. Vader's head jolted awake with a start. “Hurry little mouse!” She handed Luke some cheese to dangle in front of it, encouraging it to rush off just as Vader lifted his head from the table.

Luke looked over his shoulder as they dashed down the hall. He could hear angry shorts and yelling from behind them. The cart was nearly knocked off its wheels by two heavy booted feet raced after it. “Come back here! I know that's you, Obi-Wan! You'll return my gold and my hen, before I eat you and those thieves you brought for supper!”

The poor mouse was so frightened, it darted into the nearest mouse hole rather than for the kitchen. “No, mouse, don't!” Luke tried to pull it to the other side, but the poor creature wouldn't listen. It got into the hole just in time. They barely avoided Vader's leather-gloved fingers reaching out to smash them.

The boy was sure that no road in Naboo had as many twists and turns as that mouse hole! The mouse kept racing down, down, down. It was pitch-black. A lot of the time, he couldn't see where they were going. “Whoa, mouse, whoa!” Luke tugged on the reins. “Isn't there any way to get her to calm down?”

Obi-Wan leaned over, listening to the mouse chatter. “She's quite afraid of Vader. He's ordered Ashoka to put out huge traps for her and her family. She lost her mate and six of her thirteen children. She says she knows a place where we'll be safe.”

Luke's mouth dropped open. “You can talk to animals?”

It's part of the powers of a Sun Knight.” The older man chuckled. “I suspect you might be able to as well, if you work on it. I know you were able to communicate with Artoo.”
Me?” Luke shook his head. “I'm not a Sun Knight! I'm just a farmer.”

That's what your uncle told you.” Ben sighed. “He'd always said Anakin should have stayed down below and not gotten involved with the knights' quests here.”

The mouse finally pulled into an enormous room. Chests overflowing with gold and precious jewels covered the floor. The shelves groaned with trunks of silver coins and ancient armor. A golden harp with what appeared to be a rather crude, angular figure of a man carved into the front sat on one shelf.

Master Kenobi!” the harp called from the shelf. “I'm so glad to see you, and all of you! You've all come to rescue me!”

Hello, Threepio.” Ben chuckled as they climbed out of the cart. “It's good to see you again, too. Are Vader and Palpatine taking good care of you?”

They don't take care of me at all, sir.” Threepio sniffed. “Lady Tano is the one who tunes my strings and polishes my body. They only demand that I sing for them or have conversations with them. Though I can't imagine why. Every time I say something they even remotely disagree with, they threaten to pull out my strings! Can you imagine the nerve? And Master Vader used to be such a good, appreciative man. He was the one who made me. He thought his dear old mother Lady Shmi might want some music to ease her sorrow after his father died.”

He...it...” Luke's jaw dropped open. “The harp talks!”

The golden man sounded quite annoyed. “Of course I talk, sir! What else would a harp do?”

Shut up occasionally, mate.” A tall, muscular man in a heavy tunic, a bandoleer and crossbow slung over his shoulder, stepped out from behind a chest of pearls. “All you've done since I've bloody gotten 'ere is talk me ear off! I just wanted directions to the kitchen.” His beard was so thick, it was hard to tell it apart from the shoulder-length chestnut mane.

Who are you?” Luke reached for a knife with a sapphire-encrusted handle in one of the chests. “What are you doing here?”

Name's Chewbacca, mate.” The big man easily swung down from a tapestry, carrying Threepio on his back. “Me and me partner Han Solo are thieves. We saw this crazy beanstalk growin' in the middle of the night an' thought we'd investigate. Snuck in the castle through a mouse 'ole. Some over-sized piece of walkin' metal 'ad a hen that laid golden eggs sittin' on his table. Do you know how much a solid gold egg would bring in the markets in Naboo?”

I can imagine,” Ben said dryly. “What happened to your friend?”

The blue eyes under all Chewbacca's hair darkened. “The walkin' tin can caught Han when we were tryin' to escape. I shot at the giant, but it didn't do no good. The armor's too thick. I ran in a mouse hole instead an' got lost. Ended up down 'ere. Ain't no one 'ere to give me directions but this bloke.” He poked at the harp. “An' all 'e does is go on an' on about what a splendid chap 'e is.”

Luke frowned. “I know how you feel. Vader and Palpatine have my sister, too. I think we saw your friend when Vader locked her in the bird cage.” That was when he remembered something. “That was you! I heard someone climbing the beanstalk last night. I thought I was hearing things.”

“Right you are, li'l mate.” Chewbacca set Threepio and several bags of jewels in the cart. “That beanstalk of yours was bloody 'ard to resist. I knew we should have continued to town, but Han said 'you ain't gonna see that again' and insisted we go.”

Luke took the reins. “Ben, ask Miss Mouse if she knows the way back up to the main floor. We'll need to find our way out of here.”

Ben and Miss Mouse exchanged several squeaks for a moment, before the older man turned to them. “She says there's a shortcut around the dungeon areas and through the parlor rooms. It shouldn't take long.”

It actually took a little bit longer to get back up than it did to get down. They had someone else riding with them, not to mention more weight in the back. Luke was very worried about his sister. What if Vader had already eaten her? Not to mention, Ben had said Vader was his father...but he was more like a monster now than a parent. How could he restore him? He wasn't a knight, like Ben.

They came into the kitchen through a hole next to the fireplace. Luke had never seen such a big kitchen! The shelves groaned with dishes the size of fields. Long bunches of herbs and garlic hung on the walls. As in the dining hall, the table seemed to go on for miles, covered with every food Luke had ever seen.

The bird cage sat on the table, next to the flour and a giant carving knife. Leia was trying to open the cage with an arrow the other human in the cage handed her. He was tall and handsome, with messy reddish-brown hair and a rather lopsided smirk.

Luke got out of the cart first. “I have to get to my sister! Leia!” He was so excited, he started towards the cage without thinking. Ben and Chewbacca hurried after him, Chewie carrying the harp on his back.

Luke!” Leia looked up as her brother managed to get to the top of the table. “You're all right!” She'd just managed to pry the lock open when he arrived.

Chewie?” The man's grin got wider as the remaining duo came after them. “What's with the giant music box?”

Nice to see you too, Han.” Chewbacca dropped Threepio on the table. “He could tell us how to get out of here.”

Ouch!” The harp's strings waved, letting out several discordant notes. “You could treat me a little better, you mop-headed ape!”

Chewbacca growled. “You'll be lucky if I don't pluck out all your strings for that remark, mate.”

Look folks, this is a bad time to argue,” Ben began.

I agree.” Leia started towards the table. “We have to get out of here, before Father returns.”

Father?” Han's hazel eyes widened. “Those giants are related to you?”

Luke nodded. “Only one of them, but yes.” He turned to his sister. “Leia, we can't leave him like this, or all these poor people. And what about Ben, and Ashoka?”

Han waved his hands, frowning. “Oh no. I'm not gettin' involved in any of this. Chewie n' me just came up here to check things out, not to fight giants.”

Mate, they need our help.” Chewbacca pulled out his mechanical crossbow. “That giant probably weren't always like that, if 'e's their dad.”

Right you are, Chewbacca.” He turned to Luke and Leia. “You two are the only ones who can truly save him. The spell can only be broke by an act of love that will break the stone around his heart.”

How can we do that?” Leia shook her head. “We can't even reach him!”

They all wobbled on the table as the pounding of giant feet were heard outside the kitchen door. Han couldn't help his small grin when Leia was tossed into his arms. “Well, you better figure it out quick, Princess, 'cause here comes Ugly.”

Leia glared at him. “I am NOT a princess!” She didn't have the chance to try to hurt him. They all made for hiding places behind various cans and bowls of food. Han and Chewie tried to take the harp with them, but it was too awkward to carry. They didn't make it before Vader stormed into the kitchen.

I smell the blood of World Below humans!” the giant bellowed. “When I find them...” He turned his visor on Han and Chewbacca. “You thieves!” Luke and Leia watched in horror from a bowl of apples as Vader scooped the duo into his hands. “You're the ones who tried to take my hen!”

Hey, hey, pal, we're not even stealing it this time!” Han complained.

Yeah,” Chewie added. “We're just movin' it. No 'arm done.”

This is true, Master Vader.” Threepio's strings rippled. “They're not trying to steal me. Actually, they just wanted directions out of the castle. I would have been more than happy to give it to them. They weren't really bad about it at all. Well, perhaps that hairy ape could have carried me a little better, but...”

Silence!” Vader took the harp's strings between his fingers. “I want you to play beautiful music for me. I enjoy a good song while I eat.” He turned towards the fireplace. “I'm going to roast these two slowly over an open fire. They might make a rather enjoyable appetizer.”

Aw, come on, Ugly.” Han tried to give him one of his lazy smiles. “You don't want to eat us. I'm too skinny. No dark meat. And Chewie has too much hair. You'd probably hack up a fuzz ball.”

Luke's eyes widened. “How are we going to get them down from there?”

Leia sighed. “He may have flirted outrageously when we were in the cage, but even he doesn't deserve to be roasted.” She waved her hand at Threepio. “Psst! Hey!”

The golden harp looked over his shoulder, surprised. “Young lady, I think you're in the wrong place. You don't at all resemble an apple!”

We need you to distract Vader while we get Han and Chewie.” She nodded at Vader, who had thrown a heavy clay bowl over Han and Chewie while preparing herbs to toss in his stew pot.

That's right,” Luke added. “Play a lullaby or a really boring song. Put him to sleep.”

Ben popped his head out from behind the bowl. “Not only is that a good idea, but I'll help it along.”

Very well.” Threepio made his strings ripple into a beautiful, calming melody. “As long as he doesn't really decide to pull out all my strings!”

Vader's head began to nod. Within a few minutes, his head lulled to one side, and his breathing became slightly raspy snores. Luke had to admit, he was feeling a little drowsy himself...until Leia smacked his arm. “Come on!” She pointed to Vader as his head lulled.

Wow.” Luke's mouth dropped open as Leia helped him out. “I'm impressed. He can sleep standing up!”

Shh!” Leia nudged her brother. “Vader might hear us.”

The pounding of small fists could be vaguely heard through the thick bowl. “Get us out of here!” The bowl moved slightly, as if something had run into it. “Chewie,” Han said in exasperation, “this clay must be at as thick as you are. I don't think we're gonna get out that way.”

Luke looked around, finally grabbing a table knife. “Leia, Ben, help me get this under here.” It took all three of them and Chewie and Han lifting the bowl as best they could to finally get it up. Even then, they were only able to move it just long enough for Han and Chewie to duck out.

Ok, great. Thanks.” Han reached for one of the bags of gold. “Let's get this stuff out of here, before Ugly realizes he's passed out.”

Chewbacca and Ben raised the harp. “Oh, do be careful,” Threepio fretted. “I don't want to crack anything!”

Ben patted him. “You'll be fine, old friend.”

They'd barely made it across the table and down to the floor when blinding purple lightning lit up the entire kitchen. Ashoka went flying through the door, hitting the back of the wall. She crashed through a shelf of pots and pans, falling unconscious to the floor.

Vader,” the ancient sorcerer hissed, “your...ward...drugged both of us. I want her eliminated at once!”

Anakin, no...” Ashoka tried to pull out of the pile of pots. “You're not...like that...”

Palpatine saw movement out of the corner of his eye. “Vader!” He shot the ground under his apprentice's feet, making him jump. “Those thieves! And...” he squinted “...Sir Obi-Wan Kenobi. I thought I felt him. We were told you were dead.”

Vader blocked their way. “The circle is now complete, Obi-Wan. When we last encountered each other, I was a mere human noble, and you were a great knight. Now I'm the true master.”

Only a master of evil.” Luke watched in horror, ignoring Leia tugging on his shoulder. Obi-Wan pulled a blue-steel sword from under his cape. “If you destroy me here, I'll become more powerful than you could possibly imagine.”

Noooo!” Luke screamed. The moment Vader put his foot down over Obi-Wan, he just...vanished. The younger man snatched the sword into his hands. “What have you done? Where is he?”

The important question is,” Vader scooped the boy into his hand, “who are you?”

He looked up at the visor with his big eyes. “I'm Luke Skywalker.”

Palpatine reached for him. “Skywalker? That name's quite familiar, isn't it?”

That name,” Vader hissed, “no longer has any meaning.”

The boy in his hand shook his head. “It's your true self, Father.”

Palpatine was blocking the door. Han pulled the reins on the mouse, trying to veer towards the right, but the cart was laden with gold and a harp and wasn't moving as well as it did before. He just barely skirted the lightning that shot from the sorcerer's fingertips.

What are you doing?” Han protested as Leia grabbed a gold-handled knife out of one of the bags. “We need that! We could get at least a hundred credits for it!”

We need our lives more!” She hurled it at Palpatine with as much force as she could muster. “Someone has to save our skins!” The knife entered his leg right at his ankle, piercing the skin.

Palpatine screamed, clutching his ankle. Vader went to him, holding onto Luke. The boy pulled the knife he'd filched from the treasure room and jabbed it into Vader's palm. The giant dropped him...but a hand reached out and just got him before he hit the ground.

You're going to be all right, little one.” She put Luke in her pocket. “I'm going to help you get out of here.”

No, you're not.” Vader stood back as Palpatine got to his feet. “I want that boy. He'd be a great asset.”

I'm not going with you!” Luke leaned out of the pocket. “I want you to restore Father. He's not a real giant!”

I...” Vader seemed confused. “Ward...Ashoka...what happened to my children? After Padme...”

We didn't die, Father.” Leia called from the cart. “Ben took us to the World Below.”

Ashoka nodded. “We thought it was for the best.”

No, Vader!” Palpatine reached for Ashoka's pocket. “I want him! If he's anything like you, he'll be another perfect giant! I'll have my army yet!”

Vader finally grabbed Palpatine's hand. “Don't do that. You won't be getting anywhere.” He took Luke out of Ashoka's pocket and very gently rubbed his back. “It's too late for me, son. Take your sister and your friends and go. I'll deal with Master.”

Leia looked up, worried. She and Han were both reaching for their bows and arrows. “Luke, come on!”

Yeah kid,” Han added, “let's get out of here while Palpatine's down!”

Luke gave his father's huge thumb a hug before he set him right next to Leia on the cart. He rubbed her back as well. “Leia...my daughter...”

Will we see you again, Father?” the young woman asked.

More than likely not.” Palpatine was nearly on his bleeding foot. “I have to go. Be careful, children.”

Vader and Ashoka turned to Palpatine just as Han flicked the reins again. The mouse darted for another mouse hole in the hall, this one leading straight to the drawbridge. Luke could hear crashing and the sound of sizzling lightning, even as they made their way out and onto the clouds.

They took the drawbridge over the moat this time, racing as fast as they could towards the beanstalk. “Oh my,” moaned Threepio. “I've forgotten how much I simply hate traveling by cart! It makes my strings wavery.”

Well, try to hold on, mate.” Chewbacca gave him a big grin full of large teeth. “We're almost at the beanstalk. I hope you don't mind heights. It's a long way down.”

The top of the beanstalk continued to spire majestically into the clouds. Luke sighed as Han pulled the cart up to the topmost leaf. “I wish Ben could have come with us. I wish...I wish I could have saved him.”

Leia put a hand on her brother's shoulder. “I wish it, too, but there wasn't anything we could have done.”

Yeah, kid.” Han got off the cart with two bags of gold under his arm. “Old man did what he did so we could have a future.”

Luke sighed and gently put the hen under his arm. “You ok, girl?” The hen gave him a nod and a slight cackle. “I hope you aren't afraid of heights! We have a while until we get down there.”

Chewbacca looked up as he slung the harp on his back. “I don't think we have that much time, mate!” Purple lighting lit up the sky, cracking open clouds and causing the white fluff under them to shake badly. “We have to get down there as soon as possible!”

Leia took the last bag of gold. “That's right, boys. We're going to have to do this double-time.” She nearly fell onto Han as the ground shook again. Loud, angry voices boomed behind them.

Han grinned at her. “Well, hello down there, princess.”

She pushed him away. “Flirt later, when we're on the ground.”

It took a lot less time to get down the beanstalk than it did to climb up it. Luke couldn't help noticing as they decended that, for the first time in months, the clouds looked dark and threatning...enough for rain. “Leia,” he yelled down to his sister, “we have to move. I don't think we want to get caught in a storm on this thing!”

Master Luke is correct.” Threepio's strings glided up and down in a shudder. “This beanstalk would likely be a huge lightning rod. I alone could be a magnet for electrical discharges.”

Chewbacca groaned. “Good to know, mate. Next time, Han carries you.”

Suddenly, the beanstalk began to shake violently. More lightning sizzled above them. “I'm coming for you, children!” Palpatine hissed. “I'll have you as giants yet!”

Luke grinned up at him. “You have to catch us, first!”

Han's eyes widened. He was just barely able to hang on to a leaf. “Vader's coming, too!” He pointed to the black armor that gleamed in the light of the storm.

Leia was almost at the bottom. “Hurry! The storm's getting closer!” Indeed, thunder rattled the earth under the beanstalk, shaking every leaf on the plant and under them.

It had just started to shower when Luke made it to the ground. Leia was already there, having rushed inside their cottage to stash the gold. Han and Chewbacca quickly followed after. She ran back out with an ax and a large cutting knife. “Luke, go get the saw,” she ordered. “We have to get that thing down!”

Are you crazy?” Han heard her as he jumped off the last leaf. “That's our ticket to unlimited riches up there!”

Luke frowned. “And what about Father and Ashoka?”

What about our lives?” Leia grabbed Luke's hand. “I wish we could have gotten to know Father and Ashoka, Luke, but they made their choice. They belong in the Kingdom of the Sun Clouds. We belong here, together.”

I agree.” Chewbacca slid of the last leaf, which was by now soaking wet. “If we don't do something soon, those giants may come down here and decide to tear apart the bloody countryside. This land has seen enough trouble.”

Han grabbed both twins by their collars, yanking them all back as Chewbacca darted for the house with Threepio. “Uh, you guys might want to give Palpatine some room. He's coming down.”

Indeed, even as they looked up, the sky continued to darken. Purple lightning swirled around the ancient sorcerer. Vader picked him up as if he were a child's toy and hurled him into the Dark Star Mountains between Naboo and Alderaan. He landed there with a great crash that almost drowned out the storm and shook them off their feet. He landed so hard, ground piled up around him, imprisoning his body in a new stone cliff, the Sith Ridges.

Chewbacca came back with the ax, saw, and a heavy, sharp knife. “Don't forget, mate, there's still a giant up there. You saw what he did to his master.”

Luke and Han took either side of the saw, pushing back and forth with all their might. Chewbacca handled the ax. Leia sliced at tendrils of vines with the knife. The storm soaked them all through and made the stalk slippery, but little by little, their blades sliced through the green fibers.

It wasn't until he and Han had almost finished cutting that Luke's eyes moved up to the storm. He expected to see a giant clutching the leaf...but to his surprise, he saw an ordinary man in a slightly tattered cloak. “Leia...” he started, “there's someone up there!”

Too late!” Leia took her brother's arm as Chewbacca and Han gathered their tools. “The beanstalk is falling!”

Han couldn't resist adding a mischievous “Timberrr!” as they dashed for the safety of the twins' farmhouse. When the stalk landed, it made a noisy thud that matched the last of the thunder. To everyone's surprise but Luke's...the body that crashed to the ground after it was that of a normal man, not a giant.

Father!” Luke rushed out. “Father, I'm so sorry. We didn't know...”

Luke.” The older man reached up and held his son's hand. “I realized...that you were right. I couldn't let...Palpatine have you...or Leia.”

Leia emerged on his other side. He reached for her hand. “Daughter,” he wheezed. “You're like your mother...just as beautiful...as strong...” The older Skywalker gazed into his son's blue eyes. “ Ashoka...she's fine...she'll be a good ruler.” He smiled at his children. “You were right about me. If you see Ashoka...tell her...you were right.” He died in their arms, the last things he felt being his son's tears.

The twins hugged and hugged one another, sobbing. Han frowned and finally put his arms around both of them. “I'm sorry, kids,” he murmured. “At least the old guy did the right thing in the end.”

That's right, mates.” Chewbacca emerged from the farmhouse. “You saved him, and rescued his treasures. I think that's all he really wanted.” He laughed, throwing his arms around the trio. “You cubs, you! It'll be all right.”

Luke sniffled. “Do you think so?”

Leia managed to smile at her brother. “I know so.”

Indeed, it was. The bags of gold were more than enough to pay for repairs to the farm and Luke's garden and buy a whole new herd of cows. Luke was even able to get Artoo back. Between the prosperous farm and their gold-laying hen, the twins never wanted for money ever again.

They buried Anakin Skywalker in the green fields behind their house. Luke brought flowers to the headstone, which simply read, “With Padme and Obi-Wan again.”

On dark, stormy nights, the people of Naboo still say that strange purple lightning can be seen in the Dark Star Mountains, lightning created by the Wicked Sorcerer of the Sith Cliffs. He became a legendary figure, often used to frighten children into behaving.

Han Solo and Chewbacca had originally planned to go on their way...but something always kept them around. There were repairs to make to the farm, and golden eggs, not to mention butter, milk, and cheese, to sell. Han helped Leia with all business matters. Chewbacca tended to the buildings and kept Threepio oiled and in good condition. Threepio, for his part, was just happy to be back in the hands of people who cared about him and enjoyed his chatter and occasional concerts.

That huge storm lead to a series of storms, the first in Naboo in nearly two years. It refilled the lakes and rivers and helped the country become green and beautiful again. The people flourished, happily buying Han and Leia's dairy products and Luke's vegetables.

Ashoka Tano became the new ruler of the Kingdom of the Sun Clouds. Palpatine's death released the people from their tree prisons. The female giant never saw the twins again, and she often thought of them, but she was happy to be able to aid her people.

As for Luke and Leia, they lived happily ever after, with their beloved farm and their new, dear friends.


The End