As Luke continued to weep over the armor and the rain began to slow, something very strange happened. Han saw it first, from behind Leia's back when he embraced her. Bast Castle was slowly...changing. Really changing. He finally tapped Leia's good shoulder. “Uh, Princess, wasn't this place a lot uglier a few minutes ago?”
Leia finally turned around, her brown eyes wide. Everything around them was slowly changing. Teardrop-shaped blue lights twinkled and bobbed and gushed around the castle. The walls became glowing white granite trimmed with gold. The roofs were smooth, pale gray waterstones. The Death Tower was now covered in delicate green vines. Stone pots of flowers appeared in every corner. A magnificent gold fountain came to life in the center of the courtyard, bubbling and sparkling. Velvety green grass shot up around their feet. The gargoyles and statues of evil wizards were replaced by benevolent winged angels. The black crystal mountain turned a softer white.
“Hey,” Lando grinned, “look at us!” The blue Force magic now swirled around the many creatures gathered in the courtyard. The dragons' scales were polished to a hard shine. The Ewoks and Wookie horses' fur was brushed and and neatly braided. The Falcon now had brighter paint, its scratches and splinters mostly gone. The Rebels wore green and pale tan uniforms with copper-colored trim, comparable to the finest army. Lando was back in his blue and gold baron administrator's uniform, complete with silk-lined cape. Cecil's gold butler's uniform was as stiff and crisp as ever. Arthur wore his blue and white footman's livery.
“Hey!” Han made a face at the light surrounded him and Chewie. “What are you doin'?” When it subsided, he was clad in the black velvet prince's costume he'd worn to the ball in Aldran three years before, including the silver crown. Chewie had a matching silver bridle with a tall white plume, his mane and tail braided with silver and black ribbons.
“Luke!” Leia rushed over to her brother as the light reached her. “Look!” Luke finally wiped his tears, in time to see the teardrop lights surround him and his sister. Her black gown became snow-white, trimmed with black and white flowers and tiny crystals cascading around the ruffled skirt. The feathers became a collar of white and black beads and beautiful white and black roses. White roses and a silver tiara nestled in her short dark hair.
Luke, still sniffling, his face red and blotchy, finally looked at himself. His own Master Force Knight armor was no longer dented from battle, but polished and new, his green sword by his side. “Leia,” he barely breathed, “what's happening?”
“Our tears heal, Luke.” Leia took him in her arms. “That's how I healed Han's eyes at Jabba's Palace.” She smiled. “You did it, Luke.”
There were murmurs and gasps of surprise as not one, not two, but five people surrounded by blue light suddenly appeared in the courtyard. Luke recognized the smallest as Yoda, the tallest as Qui-Gon, and the man next to him as Ben Kenobi. With them was a strapping older man in Master Force Knight armor, his kind face beaming benevolently. He held the hand of a lovely middle-aged woman in the fanciest white gown Luke had ever seen, awash with ruffles and beading and an enormous standing collar. She had big brown eyes like Leia's, a gentle smile, and long dark hair that curled gently around her shoulders.
“Mother!” Leia went to her immediately. She was shocked when she realized she could take her hand. “Mother, how...”
“We're one with the Force magic now. Luke's healing magic lifted the curse.” The older man put his hands around her. “I just had to bring her to my daughter's wedding.”
Han joined them. “If you're Skywalker senior, does that mean...”
Sir Anakin Skywalker nodded. “Yes. Marry our daughter and be happy. I saw what you did for her in the throne room. You've proven your worthiness a hundred times over.” He put up a finger. “But if you ever run off or hurt my daughter in any way, I will find a way to haunt you until the end of your days.” The lazy grin that lit up his weathered face looked strangely like his son-in-law's. “You hear me?”
Han grinned back. “Yeah, I hear you.”
Wicket couldn't stop poking at these straight blue humans. He jumped back when his paw went right through the strange little goblin! He squeaked in alarm and rushed to Leia, hiding behind her gown.
Yoda sniffed. “Serves you right, it does. As a creature of the Woods, you should know not to play with magic.”
Wedge hurried over to Luke. “So, I get to meet the family?”
Luke nodded. “These are my masters, my father...” He was already starting to cry as he turned his hand to the woman. “And my mother.”
“My poor boy.” Padme wiped his tears away. “I wish I could have kept both of you. Bail and Ben and I thought it would be safer if you were hidden in a place your father would never go.”
“Mother...” he whispered, overwhelmed by emotion.
Lando grinned at Qui-Gon. “Nice mustache. We need to exchange grooming tips sometime.”
Qui-Gon gave him one of his gentle smiles. “I'd like that, Baron.”
Han turned to Lando. “Hey, the Falcon made it through ok, right?”
His buddy lied like a trooper. “Not a scratch.”
Arthur hurried over to Anakin, his fingers flying. Anakin's fingers flew back...and so did Padme's. They both embraced him. Cecil's owlish brown-gold eyes were even wider than usual. “Your Majesties?” he gasped. “How...how did I ever forget you? I worked in your service for years! Anakin's mother gave me my first job in Tatoonie, helping her at home.”
Yoda sighed. “Put a memory spell on you, we did. Talk too much, you do. Spell was strong enough to outlast the one who cast it. Healing here broke it.”
Cecil glared at Arthur. “You knew all along?” His fingers flew. “You've known it for years, and you never told me?” Arthur made a face, his fingers jabbing at Cecil's throat. “I do NOT talk too much, you ridiculous little tin-maker!”
Hera's group had come out with their first trunks just as the magic started. They all now wore Rebel uniforms, except for Sabine, whose pink armor now shimmered like hard candy. “You...” Kanan went to Ben. “You're Sir Benjamin Kenobi!” He turned to Anakin. “And Sir Anakin Skywalker, the greatest Force Knight team that ever lived!”
Ezra hurried over with him. “Wow, really? Kanan told me about you guys! You're legendary!”
“I'd sign autographs,” Anakin said with a wink, “but I can't grasp things too well right now.”
Ben just sighed. “Anakin, we really have to get going.”
“Wait!” Han turned to Leia. “Aren't Force Knights also priests? Can you, you know, marry people?”
“Priests, we were.” Yoda nodded. “Not often a part of our duties, it was, but yes, couples we can wed.”
Leia took Han's hand. “We have at least a thousand witnesses, plus my brother and parents. Let's do this now.” She turned to Luke. “Would you marry us, brother? I wouldn't ask anyone else.”
Luke took both their hands, his sunny smile nearly matching the golden sunlight that now lit up the sky. “I'd be happy to, sister.”
The marriage ceremony was beautiful. Luke performed it on the balcony overlooking the drawbridge and the river, the one leading to the Dagobah Swamps. The Enchanted Woods had never looked brighter, greener, or happier. Admiral Ackbar and his squid-men saluted them on their seahorses. She swore she saw Maz Kantana's chicken-footed inn nestled in the back, where she and her patrons could get a perfect view of the ceremony. Mon Mothma waved from on top of Attich, her short red locks and white robes standing out in the crowd.
The bride was glowing. The groom was nervous – his horse had to nudge him out to the balcony. His best man in the gold cape chuckled. The maid of honor with the brown-green braids and flower girl in pink armor tossed petals from the flower urns around the happy couple. A tiny bear in brown leather proudly held the bride's train all by himself. The blue Force ghosts all looked on proudly.
The moment the ceremony ended, the crowd in the valley cheered. The four standing on the balcony took each other's hands, lifting them in triumph. Wedge came over to Luke on the end and took his hand. Wicket pushed around Leia's dress. She picked him up and settled him on the balcony, so he could see the crowd. The two servants waved and grinned.
When they came out to the courtyard, the dragons, horses, Ewoks, Rebels, and Force ghosts all bowed before them. Han put his arm around his new wife. She winced when he touched her shoulder. He let out a hiss when she rubbed his burned back. “As soon as everyone clears out, we're going to the nearest doctor to get looked at.” He kissed her. “I don't want to miss out on our honeymoon.”
She sighed. “I don't know if we'll be able to have one. There's so much to do...”
“Oh no.” Lando put his arms around them. “You crazy kids go and have fun. We can take care of things until you get back.”
Luke still held Wedge's hand. “We'll be all right, sister.”
Leia frowned. “Well...
Han shook his head and lifted her into his arms. “Your carriage awaits.”
“We have to go, too.” Anakin took his wife's hand. “May the Force be with all of you.”
Luke hugged both of them. “Thank you, Father. Mother.”
“You're welcome.” They hugged Han and Leia before stepping away. Luke, Han, Leia, and everyone in the courtyard watched as the blue lights faded into the horizon.
Luke went to the Emperor Dragon. Thank you, my friend.
No, thank the Riding Human. The Emperor Dragon nudged Wedge. He lead the charge against the remaining Imperial dragons. Without him, we wouldn't have made it.
“He did, did he?” His grin now looked rather like his father's. “Hey Wedge, want to go flying?”
Wedge smiled back. “I'd love to!”
“You boys go flying. I'm going to take my bride on our honeymoon.” He swept Leia over to the Falcon as Lando hitched up Chewie and Malla. “If anyone needs us, we'll be at Maz's Inn in the Kingdom of Takodana.” He looked over at Lando, making a face. “Hey, is it me, or is the back door missing?”
“It's you.” Lando climbed on Tauntaun. “I have things to take care of over in the Kingdom of the Clouds. Who knows? If I talk really nice, they might even give me my job back.”
Arthur scurried into the driver's seat of the Falcon, followed by Wicket. Cecil glared at them. “What makes you think you can drive a vehicle?” Arthur's fingers flew. “You've repaired them all your life? That means nothing!” He managed to fall in next to Arthur. “Would you move? I know how to drive! I drove us that one time in the Kingdom of the Clouds, remember?” Wicket squeaked. Arthur's fingers went even faster. “I couldn't stop the carriage then? I'll show you stop, you overweight coal scuttle!”
Luke and Wedge laughed and waved from their dragons as the Falcon took off like a shot over the drawbridge, despite Cecil's wails. There was now a stone path that lead down the mountain. It would never be guarded by evil magic again. Han and Leia were too busy kissing in the carriage to wave back. Lando and Mon Mothma did wave from their mounts as they galloped towards the main roads. The Ewoks and Rebels and Wookie stallions all waved good-bye as they streamed over the drawbridge towards home. Maz turned her chicken-footed inn back towards Takodana. She was going to have her third and fourth royal customers in a week's time. She had to be ready for them. The crew of the Ghost bounced down the hill, waving out the windows and on the driver's seat, the back cargo area stuffed to the gills with trunks and coins and and paintings.
Above them all, blue lights watched, glowing softly in the morning sunlight, until they finally bobbed off towards the Enchanted Woods.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Upon Leia's return from her honeymoon, she discovered that she and Luke were, indeed, the hereditary Prince and Princess of the Empire. Han and Leia became King and Queen of a restored Naboo, once and for all uniting it with their neighbor Aldran. The Enchanted Woods were declared sacred during their reign, its animals and flora never to be disturbed or damaged. Cecil and Arthur remained their devoted butler and blacksmith.
Luke stepped down as Prince of Naboo, taking over as the King of Tatoon. The small desert country flourished under his gentle rule, distributing much land and finances to the poor grain farmers and passing several successful laws limiting both organized crime and the king's power. Wedge Antilles was his regent and his closest adviser.
Research and letters exchanged to the Kingdom of Corellia revealed that Han was, indeed, the son of a noblewoman who had been disowned by her family for marrying a gypsy. She and her husband were killed during the Empire's invasion. Though there was much bickering and arguing on his mother's family's side, Han was able to retrieve his title and most of his inheritance. He used this to aid the struggling Corellian gypsies and past stricter laws against poaching, especially for Wookie horse herds.
Most of the gold and luxury items confiscated during the siege of Bast Castle were eventually sold for the money to help the poor and repair the towns, villages, and cities destroyed by the Empire during its brutal reign. Among the first restored were Aldran Town and Lothal Village. They became two of the most prosperous and beautiful metropolises in the entire Alliance.
The Dragons, Ewoks, and Wookie horses all returned to their respective homes. They sent representatives to Naboo's council and stayed in touch with their new friends. Wicket was the first Ewok to sit on the Naboo council.
Though Lando wasn't able to get his job back at the Kingdom of the Clouds – general or not, they still didn't appreciate the mess he left – he figured he was happier that way. He preferred the open road and the lure of his favorite casinos to sitting behind a desk. He frequently stopped and visited the King and Queen of Naboo and the King of Tatoon when he was in their vicinity, amusing them with tales of his travels.
Every year, on the day of their anniversary, Han and Leia somehow managed to disappear for a few days. Only a select few, including Luke, knew they spent those days at Maz's Inn, enjoying her rabbit stew and her company and remembering how they'd first fallen in love.
Luke knew he wasn't alone now. He had friends, family. He had his parents, even if he couldn't always see them. But most of all, he had the knowledge that he'd freed the kingdoms and discovered what neither Palapatine nor the Force Knights had ever understood. The true magic of the Force came not from without, but within. It came from their relationships.
The real magic came from love. And that made all the difference.
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