A Star Wars Fairy Tale: New Hope, Part 4

At Aldran Castle, the ball had already begun. Princess Leia's father lead her downstairs at the end of the line of the Aldran Court, wearing the gown her mother's dressmakers had labored on for weeks. It was a triumph of snow-white spider silk, with hand-sewn lace and silver and pearl trim wrapped around the bodice and cascading down the waist. The flowing sleeves were snowy lace, the skirt a puff of pure white tulle. Her long velvet-brown hair, pulled into two thick buns on either side of her head, was topped with a tiara of silver and milky pearls. On her dainty feet were beautiful satin slippers.

Leia smiled and laughed as princes and nobles in colorful suits and fine robes danced with her. In truth, she felt trapped. The lace sleeves itched, the bodice was so tight, it was hard to breathe, and she could barely walk in the high-heeled shoes. Not a single one of these young men cared much about her, the growing injustice in the Kingdoms, or anything besides themselves, their hobbies, and the titles and fortune she would inherit when her uncle passed away. They were as dull as their garb was fanciful.

She said as much to her uncle when she finally had a chance to dance with her uncle. “When is Sir Benjamin Kenobi going to arrive?” She patted the skirt of her gown. “I'm ready for my mission.”

“He'll arrive soon enough.” Bail smiled gently. “For now, why don't you just try chatting with some of the young people here? Most of them seem to be having a good time.”

Leia rolled her eyes. “Oh please! They're all vacuous idiots who only care about themselves, their clothes, and their next fox hunt or shopping excursion. I want nothing to do with any of them. They have no more brains than a typical sheep.”

Bail sighed. “What am I going to do with you? This is every unmarried nobleman in the kingdom! Haven't you seen one who is even remotely of interest?”

The diminutive girl shook her head. “Uncle, I'd rather be married to a cause than a man who is looking for a doll to play dress-up with. I want someone who sees me as a worthy partner, not a princess.”

That was when the voice of Cecil, the family butler and translator, rose above the general crowd. The music stopped. “Prince Hannel of Corellia, Sir Benjamin Kenobi, and apprentice!”

Leia watched as the trio walked down the staircase. Prince Hannel was nervous, even under his uneasy smirk. The smaller knight was holding onto his arm, probably trying to keep him from running. The “prince” was the only person at the ball who seemed even more unhappy to be there than she was. In fact, Leia was pretty sure he wasn't a prince at all. He didn't carry himself like a prince. His swagger more closely resembled a pirate than any noble she'd ever seen.

The apprentice knight didn't look like a typical soldier, either. He was small and thin in his silver-white armor. She wondered if he was a new recruit. His armor seemed old, though. Even ancient. Perhaps he was a newly inducted member of an older order.

“Ben!” King Bail went right over to him. “This is my lovely niece, Princess Leia Organa.”

Leia sank into a graceful curtsy before the elderly knight. “It's so good to see you again, Sir Kenobi. I haven't met you since I was a child.”

“Yes, yes my dear. You've grown so much since I last came here.” He frowned. “Tell me, how is your father these days? I know you don't like to speak of him...”

Leia's face stiffened the moment Ben mentioned her father. “I haven't heard from him in years. Last time I saw him, he was in the midst of war with the Kingdom of Danton.” She changed the subject as quickly as she could. “Who is your friend?”

Sir Kenobi put a hand on the cinnamon-haired prince's arm. “This is Prince Hannel of Corellia.” He patted the knight. “And my new apprentice, Sir Skywalker.”

“This is unexpected,” Bail insisted. “You told me after the Force Knights were disbanded that you wanted nothing more to do with kings or fighting.” But Leia saw him wink at at the older man.

Ben simply gave Bail a small smile. “Let's just say I'm doing this for an old friend.”

Bail raised an eyebrow at Han. “I've never met the Prince of Corellia. I thought he was much older.”

Ben spoke before Han could. “Vicious court gossip, Your Majesty.” The older man took Bail's arm. “Why don't we go talk old times?” He smiled at Han. “Your Highness could attend to Princess Leia. I'm sure she'd enjoy dancing with you.”

“What about me?” the younger knight piped up from under his helmet.

Ben opened the visor and muttered into Luke's ear, at least as much as he could, “I want you to keep a watch on the ballroom. I feel an evil presence here, one I haven't felt in twenty years. A dark, destructive presence.”

Luke gulped. “Is that what that is? I thought it was just nerves.”

“Concentrate, Luke. There's something not quite right at this party, and I don't just mean some of the more questionable fashion choices.” Ben's ice-blue eyes were deadly serious, despite the quip. “Stay here in the ballroom, in case they come here. I'll be out in the hallway with Bail and his guards.”

Han looked down at the girl in the fancy white dress as the music began. “Well, it seems my court has deserted me. I should probably arrest 'em for insubordination, but I almost kind of like the old guy, and the kid...Sir Skywalker is a friend of mine.”

Leia took his hand. “You don't sound like a prince, Your Highness.”

“I've been away for a while. I was in the army, but they didn't take too kindly to me there.” He gave her his best lazy grin. “Couldn't handle my killer skills.”

The Princess winced as his boot stepped on her dainty white slipper. “I'm sure. Tell me, is this your first time dancing?”

Han tried to lead her across the floor as best he could. He really didn't know much about waltzing. “Not much use for dancing in the Corellian court, Your Worship. We're fighters, not ballerinas.”

“So I see.” Leia looked into his twinkling hazel-green eyes as they bobbed and dipped in time to the music. “You know, there's something strange about you. You're not like any prince I've ever met.”

Han's smile now looked a little more forced. “What makes ya say that?” He twirled her around. Her snow white ball gown floated around her like a soft cloud.

“Your manners, the way you walk and talk.” She let out another wince as he stepped on her foot again. “You act more like a pirate than a prince. You haven't once mentioned fox hunting or the jackets all the fashionable nobles are wearing this season.”

“Fox hunting?” Han made a face as they swirled around the ballroom. “Why would I wanna chase a fox? What did the fox do? Besides, they don't have much meat on them. You could use the fur to keep warm in the winter or sell it to a furrier for a scarf, but the meat would barely feed a guy for two days out in the woods.”

She laughed at his expression. “It's just for sport. They let the fox go in the end.”

“Dumbest sport I ever heard of.” Han tried to keep his eyes on her shapely figure, and not on the golden ballroom whirling around him. “Now horse and cart racing, that's my kind of sport. At least you can get something out of it. Or an archery tournament. They have some great jackpots.”

“They're also sports for the common people.” Leia guided him, leading him through the paces of the court dance. “Some nobles do attend the openings of the horse and cart race season, but they're not really supposed to be for us.”

Han rolled his eyes. “Does it really matter? Nobles are just people, like everyone else.” That was when Han looked up at the door. He frowned, his hazel eyes widening. A tall figure in green and red armor had sauntered in and was gazing around, managing to look like he was giving everyone the once-over with his dark eyes barely visible. Han grabbed Leia's hand when the man started towards them. “Come on, Your Highness. We need air.”

“What?” Leia felt herself being dragged across the ballroom floor as her dancing partner pushed rudely past several people, making their way into the garden and down the winding cobblestone paths. “What are you doing?”

“Getting air.” She let out a squawk of protest when he pushed her down onto a wrought-iron bench and dropped right next to her. He looked over his shoulder. “I hope we're not being followed.”

“By whom?” She didn't know who this man was, but he was certainly no prince, and probably not any other kind of noble, either. “What's going on?”

Han just turned the lazy smile back on. “Nothing you need to worry your pretty head about, Your Worship. Let's just say there's a couple of guys out there I...Corellia owes money to who want to take it out of the treasury the hard way.”

Leia frowned. “Why don't you send your knights after him?”

“I'd rather deal with the scum myself, sweetheart,” he said with that infuriating smirk.

Leia started to stand. She was getting very tired of this so-called prince's condescending attitude. “Well, it's certainly been an interesting evening...”

He was still smirking. “What's your rush?”

Leia was trying hard to remind herself that nice princesses did not slap princes. Even if they weren't real ones. “I need to get back to the ball.” She glared at him as he pulled her back onto the bench. “What are you doing?”

Footsteps echoed on the cobblestone path through the moonlit garden. “Work with me here, sweetheart.” He turned around and kissed her hard, just as the man in the green armor strolled by. He passed them with barely a look.

Han probably held the kiss at least a moment longer than he should have, but damn, this girl was good. Better than he thought a princess would be, actually. She tasted sweet, like spun mint candy. Too bad she was a princess, and he wasn't a prince. He could take her on a ride in the Falcon, maybe show her a real horse and cart race, then maybe drive down to Lover's Lane...

A small but sturdy fist in his face interrupted Han's idea of romantic daydreams, knocking him flat on his back on the cobblestones. “I was right,” Leia snapped. “You are not a prince. I don't know who you are, but you will never, ever touch me that way again. Ever. Do you hear me?”

Han rubbed his nose where she hit him. “Sorry, Your Worship, but I kind of got into it.” He started to get to his feet. “Look, these boots are killing me. Why don't we...”

That was when Leia swore she saw an ogre. An ugly ogre. A very large, yellowish, wrinkly ogre, with bulging saffron eyes and a corpulent, slug-like tail. He was slowly slinking along behind the man in the green armor. Han turned his smirk back on, but it was a little forced. “On second thought, Your Worship, let's hold off on that. I have to go make a peace treaty with the King of Tatoon.”

Leia narrowed her eyes. “The King of Tatoon is an ogre named Jabba the Hutt. My father's been trying to make a peace treaty with him for years. He only cares about one thing, and it's gold. You're more likely to make a peace treaty with a dragon.”

“You'd be surprised how well a Corellian prince can negotiate.” He turned that cheeky grin to her. “Keep the dance floor warm for me, sweetheart.”

He took off for the Falcon before she could get ideas...or see where he was going. He could hear her sputtering all the way back at the stables. Jabba probably assumed he'd be there. It's too bad he couldn't stick around and have some fun with that Princess, but not only did he need to catch Jabba, but he was pretty sure he'd blown his cover with her.

Jabba and his hunters were already at the stables when he arrived. He decided it would be better to just make it look good. He pulled off the crown and tossed it in on the back seat of the Falcon and removed the stifling black velvet jacket. Now he felt a little more like his regular self, more able to tackle one of the most corrupt rulers in the Seven Kingdoms.

Chewie joined him. “I don't like the looks of this, mate,” he murmured.

“It'll be fine, big guy,” Han reassured him. “Trust me.” He walked behind Jabba and his men. “Lookin' for me?”

Watching the lumpy ogre king jump and waddle around, tail and all, was a sight to behold. “Han, my boy,” he purred in the language of the ogres, “you disappoint me. I expected the gold for that shipment of spices weeks ago. And why did you have to send an arrow in the back of Green the Lizard? Good hunters like him are hard to find.”

“Jabba, even I get caught by the border patrols at times,” Han grumbled. “Do you think I had a choice about dumping that spice?” He wiggled a finger in the ogre's thick face. “And you sent Green to kill me.”

“Han, Han,” Jabba waddled over to him. “What do you think would happen if I let every servant get away with not doing his duty? That's no way to run a kingdom. I sent Green to make sure you paid for that spice in full.”

Han sauntered around the ugly slug, stepping on his tail as he did. It was worth it to see the ogre's eyes bulge comically. “Look Jabba, I have a nice, easy charter now. Took a friend of mine and an old man to the big party they're holding here tonight. I'll be able to pay you off as soon as it's over.”

“I hope so, my boy.” Jabba somehow managed to twist his rubbery lips into a smirk. “You're one of my best servants. You're too valuable to end up with an untimely demise...such as an arrow in your back or being hounded by my hunters.” He waved his claws at the armed men behind him, including the one in green armor. “So help me, boy, if you cross me again, I'll put a price on your head so large, you'll never be able to walk into a civilized kingdom for fear of what one of these men will do to you. You continually forget your place. You're a servant, bound to me and my kingdom.”

Han chuckled. “Jabba, you're a wonderful human being.”

Jabba glared at him. “I think it's time I left this party. Ogres are never popular at human social gatherings. I have no idea why.”

“Could be 'cause you smell bad, look like a walking pile of garbage, and have table manners that make me look like real royalty?” Han muttered under his breath as Jabba waddled off towards a large, heavy carriage painted bright red and gold with the twin sun emblem of Tatoon on the doors.

Chewie came back over to him. “You're lucky he didn't hear that, mate,” he whinnied, “or that he didn't question me. Probably thought I was a hunter, like the others.”

Han patted Chewie's wide shoulder. “Thanks, pal, but I know how to take care of myself.”

The enormous man rolled his eyes. “That's not what I've seen over the years. I've gotten you out of more situations just by having longer legs than you humans than I could ever begin to count, if a horse could, in fact, count.”

Han leaned into the Falcon to retrieve his crown and jacket. “I wish I didn't have to wear this stupid crown,” he complained. “It hurts my head.”

“Why don't you compromise?” Chewbacca did settle the crown over the younger man's brown hair, but he left the velvet jacket open and unbuttoned the white blouse. “There. You look dashing and still royal enough to pass for this crowd.”

“Thanks, pal.” Han gave him that cocky grin again. “Why don't we go find the kid and warn him about Jabba? He said he left, but some of his boys may still be wandering around.” He found his longbow and quiver of arrows stashed under the carriage seat, glad the old man left the compartments he used for smuggling alone.

Chewie nodded, letting out a snort of worry. “Call it my animal instinct, but I think you're right, mate. Jabba's not the only nasty thing in that party. I saw Imperial troops arrive in the back stables just a few minutes before Jabba arrived.”

“Imperials?” Han frowned. “They're here already? Come on, pal. Let's go find the others.”

Even as the two men made their way back to the ballroom, Luke was coming to the same conclusion. He shivered, despite the fact that he was sweating in the crystal armor. He could see nothing amiss, and yet something didn't feel quite right. He hadn't seen Ben in nearly an hour. Han had vanished, too, along with the Princess.

He looked up as a ball of fire nearly blazed right into him. Princess Leia looked like she was ready to destroy anything that got in her path. He saw her straighten her two hair buns and tug at her dress, but that only made her appear slightly less disheveled. Han was nowhere to be seen.

The young man gulped and moved down to her side. He was a knight, after all. Rescuing fair maidens was supposed to be his job. “Your Highness,” he said quickly, bowing before her. “Any trouble? Where's Prince Han...Hannel?”

“I don't know,” she growled. “That...that arrogant idiot just pulled me down on a bench and kissed me! We just barely met. I wonder if he really cares about anybody, or anyone.”

“I care,” Luke said. “He's not so bad, really, once you get to know him.”

“I'm not so sure I want to know him now.” She sighed as the music started. “Would you like to dance?”

“Me?” Luke said in surprise, unable to keep the squeak out of his voice.

“Yes.” She curtsied before him. “Worthy knight, would you do me the honor of being my partner for this waltz?”

“I...” He bowed stiffly before her. “Yes, Your Highness. I would love to dance with you.”

He never, in all his wildest dreams, thought the Princess Leia would dance with him. He'd only seen her a few times in the stables. Dodonna always saddled the royal family himself. She looked different here than she did when she was riding, softer, somehow. Maybe it was the dress. Her riding habits were always severely tailored and masculine. Here, with her hair in the side buns and the silver tiara reflecting the candles from the glistening chandelier, she looked ever inch the Princess of Aldran. He could almost believe he was a noble knight, bound to defend her and her family.

The musicians struck up another waltz. This one was slower, more romantic, more sensual. He did the best he could in the armor, but he wasn't really a dancer. Farmers didn't exactly have the time to learn the latest steps, and it wasn't a part of his duties in the stables. He finally decided to pay attention to those beautiful, deep brown eyes of hers. You could get lost in those eyes, he thought.

He was so lost in thought, he barely heard her laughter. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

A hundred million responses went through his head. The one he finally blurted out was “You're beautiful.”

She smiled. “Thank you. You're very sweet to say so.” She sighed. “I need to find your master. I have something...something I need to give him.”

This ball was just one surprise after another. Luke looked down at the girl in his arms. “You do?”

“Yes. Something very private and important.”

He stumbled and tried to stay upright as they dipped and swayed in time to the music. “I could, uh, take it to him for you. He's my teacher. We're very close.”

She shook her head. “I'm sorry, but this is something I have to do myself. It's of the utmost importance that I get it to Sir Kenobi as soon as possible.”

Luke took her hand. “I think he's still with the king. We could go look for them right now.”

Leia nodded. “Yes, that would be best.”

Suddenly, Luke felt a wave of pain flashing in his mind. It was intense, nearly sending him to his knees. Leia rubbed her head, her face more worried than pained.

Luke winced, his voice higher than it should have been. “I...I have a headache. Maybe we'd better go find Be...Sir Kenobi.”

Leia nodded. “I agree. My head's not feeling its best, either.”

As Luke looked around, he realized they weren't the only ones who felt the change in the ballroom. The music became discordant, then stopped all together. The dancers broke apart, muttering about places they had to be or the people they'd rather be talking to. A wave of frightened murmurs swept around the dance floor. Nobles screamed, or cried, or tried to run. A strong wind blew through the room, taking out the lights on the chandelier. As the room plunged into darkness, men in gleaming white armor swarmed around the assembled guests.

The entire room held its collective breath as Lord Vader walked into the room. The very armor he wore, heavy and black and scaly and decorated with the skulls of men he had killed in battle, inspired fear and horror. There seemed to be nothing human about him. Not even eyes could be seen behind the dark visor. Though he walked like a man, he had the bearing of a monster. The visor roamed around, taking in the entire ballroom, seemingly dismissing all of them with a glance.

Leia only glared at him. “Lord Vader,” she hissed. “The Black Knight. My uncle told me he might come. I was hoping he wouldn't bother. He's not wanted here.”

Luke held onto the girl, his eyes transfixed by this new, terrifying arrival. He swore, at that moment, Vader actually turned his visor to gaze at him. He gazed back, hoping he didn't show the fear that was welling up in his stomach. “Maybe...” he squeaked again. Vader turned away from him, making his way down to the main dance floor. Luke finally got control over his voice. “Maybe we should go find Ben...Sir Kenobi and Prince Hannel.”

They started ducking around people, making their way to the ballroom door, only to be met with three of Vader's white-armored stormtroopers at the main entrance. “Everyone is to remain in the ballroom until further notice,” one stated.

Leia gave them her most angry and incensed glare. “I am Princess Leia Organa, niece and heiress to King Bail Organa, the ruler of this kingdom. I demand that you allow me and this apprentice knight to pass through.”

“Not anymore. This is now the property of the Kingdom of the Empire. Lord Vader is taking over.” He reached for her arm. “Lord Vader wants all members of the royal family be brought to him.”

“No!” Luke jumped in without thinking. “Let her go!”

The soldier gave him a once-over. “You're a strange one, in that ancient armor. What kind of a knight are you?”

Luke raised his head. “I'm the White Knight. It's my job to protect the princess. I won't let any harm come to her.”

“If you won't move, I'm going to have to take you both in.” The trooper raised his sword to disarm Luke. Remembering what Ben demonstrated, Luke met him head-on, his stance defensive. Leia ducked away as the two fought. “Leia,” he called, “run for it! Get out of here! I'll hold them off.”

Leia wasn't going to argue. The ballroom was descending into chaos. Stormtroopers lead partygoers out to their carriages or to the dungeons. She hurried out the nearest doorway as Luke pushed one of the remaining tables in the stormtrooper's way. The moment the trooper was on the floor, Luke hurried away.