Lady Leia and the Prince, Part 5

They rolled into Scarif a little after one the next day. Leia awoke to the sight of a white muzzle nudging her arm. The sun was just coming up over the tops of the trees, making Luke's green crystal horn glow like finely cut emeralds. He took her tunic by the collar and nearly dragged her out of bed. It took the combined effort of Luke's teeth, Chewie's howls, and Leia shaking him to rouse Han. At the very least, he looked a lot better than he had after they left the fortress. With the morning sun shining down on his long auburn locks, he looked almost handsome. He'd even unbent enough to help hitch Twilight and Falcon to the cart. Leia rode Luke behind them, watching the road and keeping an eye out for royal guards or Tarkin's men.

“Uncle,” Leia asked as they joined a line of merchants and peasants entering the gate, “what are we going to do about Luke? Unicorns aren't ordinary, everyday creatures. Sooner or later, someone is going to ask questions.”

“I think Luke can deal with that.” Obi-Wan leaned over and scratched Luke's nose. “Remember the spell I worked on with you last night?”

Luke nodded and shook out his mane. A thin green light flowed around his horn. When it subsided, his horn was gone. She looked down, noticing that his hooves were now a normal white.

She frowned, rubbing the faint diamond on her brother's head where his horn had been. “What happened to it? Where did it go?”

“It's there.” Obi-Wan patted Luke's nose. “It's just invisible. We won't see it unless Luke has to perform magic in town. Hopefully, it won't come to that.”

As Leia looked up to see if the line was moving, she noticed a familiar black-winged figure in the sky. “There goes that crow again. I think it's the same one we saw last night. Wonder why he's following us?”

Han shrugged. “Maybe he likes us.”

Obi-Wan shuddered. “I feel darkness coming off that bird. I don't believe it's a bird at all. We'd best be cautious in town.”

“We're going to have to anyway.” Han pointed to a man in green and red armor, driving a wagon loaded to the teeth with barely-legal weapons. “Some of these folks don't look too friendly. They're just as likely to rob you as to say hello.”

As soon as they made it through the gate, Obi-Wan drove them to the first inn they came across. Han took the cart and horses to a stable alongside, while Obi-Wan and Leia went to arrange their rooms. It seemed clean enough, with rooms enough for all of them and a tavern on the lower level.

“Uncle,” Leia said after she settled into her small room, “I'm going to go to the marketplace to gather supplies. The horses should be fine with grass and the wolf seems to be able to feed himself, but us humans will need blankets and actual silverware and pottery and clothes for Han. His are barely rags.” She looked up from the window that overlooked the busy city. “Have you noticed how expensive Han's clothes are? They're all silk and linen and satin, too fine for a thief, or even a queen's courier.”

“I think there's a lot more to that young man than meets the eye.” Obi-Wan slung a pouch on his hip. “I need herbs and a mortal and pestle anyway. We'll take Han into town and see if anyone recognizes him and the wolf. He must have some kind of reputation, if the Sultan of Tatoonie is after him.”

Han had the same idea when he joined them on Falcon, Chewbacca the Wolf at his side. “I want to find out how I ended up owing the Sultan of Tatoonie money, and if I owe anyone else anything, before other corrupt rulers decide I'm slave material. If what Skeleton Man says is true, the last thing I want is to end up being a toy for His Royal Grossness.”

Obi-Wan waved his hand at the busy waterfront market. Fishermen sold their wares at small booths, jostling for attention with sellers of fruit, vegetables, clothing, and household goods. “I have friends of my own from the Magicians' Wars who may be willing to help. It's about time I called in a few favors.”

He noticed several women staring at Han in his tattered tunic, which showed off a great deal of skin. The former prisoner smirked back at them. Leia glared at them as Obi-Wan coughed. “But right now, I think we'd better get you a tunic and cloak, before you're arrested for indecency.”

Leia may have been annoyed, but she had to admit, Han did cut a fine figure in his new outfit. It wasn't nearly as well-made or fancy as his previous clothes, but the creamy beige tunic and black leather vest and navy cloak at least covered him. The seamstress at the shop repaired his navy hose with the red stripes so well, you'd never know they'd been torn. His own boots were in good enough shape to need little repair.

“Now you look something close to respectable.” Leia chuckled as they headed outside. “I could almost believe you're the queen's courier, or a knight who ran afoul of Tarkin. Did you make off with his wife or something?”

“Not a clue, sweetheart.” Han shrugged as he lead Falcon and Chewie through the crowds. “Maybe he just can't stand how good-looking I am.”

“And conceited.” She ignored him and stomped off towards the square. “No wonder Tarkin wanted to get rid of you, if you always act like this!” As she made her way through the crowds, she swore she was being watched by a figure in green and red armor, who lingered on a gray dappled horse in an alley. When she turned to confront him, he was gone.

She was negotiating for a few cheap metal forks when Han came up behind her. The wolf followed along, sniffing wildly at every new sensation. He leaned against a stall, snitching a peach from the fruit seller next door. “Anything else we need, Princess?”

Leia bought the silverware, then paid the fruit seller for Han's peach and bought several peaches for the journey. “Dried meat, maybe some dried berries, a small sack of oats for breakfast and for the horses, a few more blankets for you and the wolf.”

“Look sweetheart, while you do the shopping, why don't Chewie and Falcon and I go into town and see if anyone knows us?” Han took one of the bags. “We'll bring these back to the tavern, then go down to the wharf. Lots of criminal-types hang out down there. If I'm one of them, something might jolt my memory.”

“I'll be around to help you later. I have to finish this.” Leia had just turned around when a tall man carrying a staff accidentally knocked into them. Leia landed in Han's arms.

“See, Princess?” His lazy smirk crept across his face. “You're falling for me.”

She pushed him away. “I'm nothing of the kind. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have work to do.” The girl flounced off before Han could try anything else.

Leia finished her shopping within an hour and returned it to the inn. No one else had returned yet, so she went downstairs to inquire after them. The girl at the desk, a small, slender lass with straight dark hair and big blue eyes, lead her to the tavern. Obi-Wan was in talks with the biggest moor Leia had ever seen. He wore the heavy armor of a warrior-knight. His dark skin showed scars from many battles, and his steel-gray curls were wild and thick.

“Leia, this is Sir Saw Gerrera, of the Kingdom of Onderon. I helped liberate his land during the Magician Wars twenty years ago.” He waved over a waitress with what turned out to be two mugs of date wine. “He's the head of the rebel underground here at Scarif.”

“You've already met my adopted daughter Jyn.” Sir Gerrera nodded at the slender lass greeting customers. “There are others on the street even as we speak, making plans to combat Palpatine's troops. No one wants to see him on the throne.” His eyes flicked up at Leia. “Master Kenobi told me what happened to your parents. Sir Skywalker was a good man. Very strong mage-knight. I've heard you're just as good of a warrior.”

Leia couldn't help turn red. “Thank you, Sir Gerrera. Father was teaching me, before he died.”

“I hate to admit this, but we need your help.” Gerrera looked around before pulling a scroll out of his armor. “My people intercepted this from one of Palpatine's courier this morning. It's orders from Palpatine to round up every creature with even a hint of magic in time for the Mid-Summer Festival at Coruscant. For what, we don't yet know.”

The damaged knight took a sip of date wine before continuing. “And that's not all.” He steepled his fingers. “It would seem Prince Henry is still alive.”

“I know.” Obi-Wan took a small sip of his wine. “I've felt it.”

“I never understood those powers of yours, old friend. I'd rather rely on my people and my skills.” Sir Gerrera pushed his wine aside. “It seems Palpatine's people were holding him prisoner in some remote dungeon. He escaped, and the Chancellor's looking for him.” He frowned. “We need to get to him first. Henry is the legal heir. It's his duty to take the throne.”

“I don't think he will.” Leia pursed her lips at the bitter liquid. “I've heard the prince was a scoundrel who gambled away every cent he had and got involved with some pretty shady people. He'd be more interested in helping himself than his country.”

“His mother is dying.” Obi-Wan finished his wine. “Surely that would mean something to him.”

“It'll have to.” Saw waved Jyn over. “He's the only member of the royal family left. It's either him, or Palpatine.”

As Saw spoke, Leia looked up...and saw three of Palpatine's soldiers in the doorway. She'd recognize them anywhere by their distinctive black and white armor. “Don't look now, but I think we've been discovered.”

Obi-Wan nodded and pulled up his hood. “I'll get the cart ready.”

Jyn went right to the trio. “May I help you?”

“We're looking for four criminals. An old man with silver hair and a brown hood and a girl in armor broke a wanted criminal and a prize horse out of the Death Star Fortress. They're wanted for accessory to crimes and destruction of property, among others.” The soldier handed Jyn a scroll. “This will tell you more.”

“Very interesting.” Jyn handed the scroll back to them. “Sorry, no one like that here.”

“What about them?” By the time the soldiers had made their way to the back of the bar, Obi-Wan was gone. There was only a puff of blue smoke to even show he'd been there.

“Us?” Leia smirked. “Just because I wear armor doesn't mean I'd break some criminal out of prison. I'm a knight for the local lord.”

“There are no knights in Scarif.” One grabbed her arm. “You'll have to come with us, miss. And tell us where your companion went.”

Saw stood to his full height and breadth. “I'd leave her alone, son.”

The soldier continued to drag her out of her chair. “We take orders from no one but Chancellor Palpatine.”

“How about your head?” Jyn shouted as she pushed a lever. The circular metal chandelier hanging in the center of the room came down over their shoulders, throwing them into several tables. “Come on!” She grabbed Leia's hand. “I have friends across town, at the wharf. They know how to avoid the troops.”

Uncle Obi-Wan met the trio at the back of the tavern with the cart. “You two go.” Saw helped them in. “I'll deal with the soldiers here.”

“We'll meet you when we get back.” Jyn patted his shoulder. “You be careful. Don't damage those men too badly.”

Saw gave her a small grin. “I might leave them a few toes, if they're lucky.”

“Thank you, old friend.” Obi-Wan tucked the scrolls under his cloak. “And may the Force be with you.”

They stopped briefly near the marketplace, by the temple. The same tall man with the staff who ran into Leia before sat cross-legged on the steps. “Chirrut!” Jyn called out to him. “Where's Baze? We have a job to do.”

“He's in the market.” The man looked up at the sound of his name...revealing eyes that were nearly all-white. “He went to negotiate for some fruit and cheese for dinner.”

“We'll eat later.” Jyn looked nervously over her shoulder. “Can you go get him? We have a job to do. We need to get Mage Obi-Wan Kenobi and Lady Leia Skywalker to the Wharf to find their friends, then get them out of town under Palpatine's nose.”

“Mage Kenobi?” The blind man bowed before him. “I am Chirrut Immwe, a monk of the Temple of the Force. Or, I was. They recently shut the temple down. My partner Baze Malbus and I are the only ones left.”

“What's going on here?” A smaller man with a mop of thick, dark hair and tanned skin stomped over with a basket of fruit in his arms. He raised an eyebrow at Jyn. “Who's your friends, little sister?”

“I'll tell you in the cart.” Obi-Wan helped the two men in after Baze returned his fruit to the temple. “Have you seen the other three?”

“Cassian and Kayton went to the wharf.” Baze made a face. “There's rumors that Palpatine himself may come here. His soldiers are already drilling by the docks. They're looking for the people who stole a horse from the Death Star Fortress and broke an important prisoner out of jail. Bodhi's talking to some old friends from the army to see if they know anything about this.”

“That would be us.” Leia pointed to herself, then Obi-Wan. “We need to find Han and your friends and get out of town, before someone else recognizes us.”

The wharf was crowded, dirty, and smelled like the salty sea air and rotting fish. The old crow who seemed to be everywhere they were jostled for position in the sky with noisy seagulls. Soldiers marched in time as sailors carried heavy loads of grain and salt to their ships. Leia stopped the cart by a small, rusty-looking tavern Jyn directed them to. “This is it.” She pulled a hood over her head. “Mage Kenobi, I think you should stay with the cart. I don't trust people in this part of town to not try to steal it.”

Obi-Wan nodded. “I quite agree. Especially with all our supplies loaded in here and two good horses.” Luke gave an annoyed snort at being referred to as a “horse.” Obi-Wan got out and stroked his muzzle, whispering words of comfort into his ear.

Baze helped Chirrut out of the cart. “We'll see if we can find the other three and help them out with the soldiers, if we can.”

The tavern wasn't nearly as well-kept as the one at the inn. It smelled like unwashed bodies and cheap beer, and the humid day only made it worse. Somehow, Leia wasn't surprised to see Han in the back, talking to some man in a baggy, soiled green tunic. His spiky hair and tiny lips gave him the look of an agitated green porcupine.

Leia heard them talking as she and Jyn got closer. She frowned, yanking Jyn into an alcove near the table. “Look, buddy,” Han started. “I've had a rough couple of days. I'll pay you back when I get the money.”

“Han Solo.” Greedo glared at him. “You still owe the Sultan of Tatoonie twenty thousand ducats. That doesn't even count what you owe the Casino of the Two Suns in Mos Eisley, the race track at Mos Espa, and half the institutions at Anchorhead.” His big bug eyes moved towards Chewie, who growled at him. “The Sultan doesn't like gamblers who don't pay him. He may only take that old horse of yours and the wolf in exchange.”

Han glared at him. “Over my dead body.”

“That's the idea.” Greedo yanked a tiny mechanical bow out of his pocket. “I've been wanting to do this a long time.”

“I'll bet you have.” Leia wasn't sure what happened next. Both men jumped out of their seats, fingers on the triggers...but Han was faster. Greedo was on the floor, an arrow through his heart, before he could move.

“Sorry about the mess.” Han tossed two coins to the bartender before Leia and Jyn rushed out of their hiding spot.

Leia made a face at him. “What was that all about?”

“I'll tell you outside.” Han reached into his pocket and pulled out a heavy bag of coins. “But right now, I need to give this to your uncle to pay for my new suit.” He handed a pile of brass coins to Leia.

Leia's eyes widened. “Where did you get that?”

“I can guess.” Jyn held the door open for them. “There's many gambling dens and taverns at the Wharf. Lots of low-level professional gamblers spend time down here, practicing up for the big casinos in Tatoonie and Bespin.”

“Yeah. I guess that's one thing I haven't forgotten.” Han smirked. “I joined a few games and won more than six hundred ducats. At least I know I'm good at something besides shooting ugly bounty hunters.”

“There he is!” Two men and what looked like a walking lizard pointed straight at Han. “He's the one Jabba wants!” His tall, thin companion in rusty armor aimed his mechanical bow straight at Han.

“There's a 25,000 ducat reward out for you, Solo.” A scarred man sporting the turban and cotton wrap clothing common in Tatoonie shook his fist. “You're a very popular man nowadays.”

Lizard-man towered over Han. He wore an orange tunic over his swamp green scales. “Let's get 'im!”

Han put out his hands. “Now wait here, fellas...” He ducked under the man in the turban, letting him fly into the side of the building behind him. “Can't we talk this over like civilized people?”

Chewie growled and went after the green lizard-man, biting at his legs. Han shot the scarred desert man in the arm with perfect accuracy when he got to his feet. Jyn shoved the lizard-man into the bay after he'd kicked Chewie aside. Leia stabbed the man in the armor, then managed to knock him into a water trough.

“Damn it to hell.” Han lowered his bow as soldiers in the white and black armor of the Coruscant Army surrounded them. “Where were you guys when we needed you? We just dunked a couple of bounty hunters who thought I was someone else.”

Leia watched as the black crow she'd seen earlier landed before them. As he did, a heavy black light swirled around him, so heavy it made her feel nauseous briefly. When it subsided, it revealed what seemed to be little more than a black cloak and bony dead-white hand at first.

“Hello, my new apprentice.” He shuffled slowly over to Leia, his voice the rasp of an old crone. “I've been searching for you. You and your magic.”

Leia immediately pulled out her sword. Jyn and Han got on either side. “Who are you, and what do you want?”

Han's finger was on the trigger. “I know that face...and I wish I didn't. Something tells me he's not what you would call friendly.”

“Palpatine.” The knight narrowed her eyes. “You've been following us. I've seen you in the forest many times.”

“Yes, but your uncle was always there. I'll get to him eventually.” He turned to his solders. “Kill the lighter-haired girl, but leave the dark-haired one and the man to me.”

“No way, bone breath.” Han's growl almost matched Chewie's. “I won't let you you take her. No one deserves to be dropped in a rack until they scream, then have your icy fingers doing gods-know-what on your head.”

“What do you remember, criminal?” Palpatine's laugh made him sound like a witch from the old stories. “Or is that who you really are?” He raised his hand as Han's bow wavered. “You don't know, do you? Who you are?”

“Who is he?” Leia lunged forth, aiming the sword at the man's neck. “Tell me!”

Palpatine just kept laughing. “This is adorable.” Leia screeched as lightning poured from his fingers, shooting her clear across the square. Han shot at him, but he disappeared before the arrow could hit him. Even before Jyn went to get Leia on her feet, he'd suddenly reappeared in a puff of black light behind Han.

“I can see I'm going to have to deal with you, boy.” Black light writhed around Han like a rope, pinning his arms and legs to his side and forcing him to his knees. “You're going back to the tower until I can take you to Coruscant.” He leaned over the struggling archer, rubbing his fingers lightly against his forehead. “A few of your memories have already begun to surface. I'll have to begin the process of burying them again. You shouldn't be able to fight those demons that quickly.”

Jyn looked up as Leia stumbled over. They were already surrounded by a circle two deep of Palpatine's finest soldiers. “This don't look good,” the auburn-haired girl muttered. “Palpatine the Nasty has his hands on your friend over there. I don't know what he's doing, but I don't think it's soothing a headache.”

“Me either.” Leia put out her sword. “How many can you take at one time?”

“Ten at the most.” Jyn kicked aside one who had already lunged for her. “Maybe fifteen, if I'm in a bad mood.”

“Mind if I cut in?” Jyn grinned as a handsome, swarthy man with a long mustache and thick dark hair tapped one of the soldiers on the shoulder. “That's my betrothed you're aiming at. I'd like her to live to actually marry me.” He finally opened the man's visor and punched him in the face.

“Cassian!” Jyn grinned, kicking another into the three soldiers behind him. “What took you so long?”

“We ran into more troops down on the docks.” Cassian ducked around two more troopers, letting them run into each other. “Had to run them off the dock and into the water before we could get away.”

Leia looked up...and up...as a tall man in black with thick gold hair and the thinnest limbs Leia had ever seen held up two more soldiers, who twisted and turned in his arms. “What's the probability of these men landing in the wharf, Cassian?”

His tanned friend in the plain navy tunic snorted. “I'd say very high, Kayton.” He waved his hand. “Meet Kayton Twomby, former servant to Tarkin, now member of the rebel underground.”

“Thank you, Cass.” He dropped the squirming soldiers in water without barely breaking a sweat. “There's also a high probability of us dying before we can escape this. I suggest we take our leave, before it's taken from us.”

“You're right.” Leia tapped Jyn's shoulder. “I'm going to get Han. Can you take care of everything?”

Even as she asked the question, a whirlwind in a monk's cassock cut through the crowd. When the soldiers dropped, they revealed the blind monk Chirrut, leaping and spinning like one of the fabled samurai warriors of the Cherry Blossom kingdom. Baze cut down more with his heavy, fast-shooting mechanical bow. A smaller man the dented armor of a Naboo knight ran into three more.

Jyn smirked. “Oh, I think we'll be just fine.”

Palpatine had begun to whisper into Han's ear when the golden handle of a sword came down over his head. It distracted him enough for the magic around Han to dissipate and him to collapse to the ground, breathing heavily, his eyes clouded. “Stay the hell away from him! I won't let you do this!” Chewie rushed to his master's side, whimpering and nudging his head. Han reached over and pet him with one hand while clutching his temple with the other.

“Don't worry, Skywalker. I haven't forgotten you.” He wrapped the same light lasso around Leia's arms and torso, yanking her right to his face. “I offered your father power once, little one. He foolishly threw it away to protect his family. No wonder. You and your brother have such strong magic. You'd make a wonderful black arts apprentice.” She shuddered as his cold, clammy fingers grasped her throat. “Yes...so much power, and not sweet and light like your brother's. You've hunted, my dear. You've fought and sweated and killed. You could be useful under my tutelage.”

“No...” She struggled in his tight grip. “I'll never...join you...”

“You don't know what the black magic can do, little one. Kenobi and Skywalker kept it from you.” He raised her chin to look in his eyes. “You and your brother are now mine.”

“No!” Obi-Wan rushed from the cart, green sword drawn. “Let her go!” He slashed through the light like it was a jute rope. Leia dropped to her feet as the light vanished, clutching her throat. “I won't let you do this, Palpatine. Not to them.”

Luke came dashing through the square at the same time, galloping past agitated horses and people rushing for the safety of ships or taverns. Leia grinned as Luke leaped right over a shocked fish monger, clutching the day's catch on a small cart. She climbed on him as Twilight and Falcon followed with the cart. “Come on, twin brother. Let's go rescue Uncle Obi-Wan, before that old crow decides to turn him into a worm.”

Obi-Wan had already sheaved his sword when Leia rode in. “Now Kenobi,” Palpatine smirked, “you're an honorable man. I'm unarmed. Why don't we find a more civilized way to kill each other?”

“You're right about that. There's been enough blood shed already today.” Obi-Wan put out his hand. “This will be a duel of magic.” His green light shot out, lifting Palpatine in the air and throwing him into the wharf.

A bony black fish jumped out of the water, then landed in a poof of dark smoke, now human again. “You'll have to do better than that, Kenobi.” He threw out his purple lightning, lifting Obi-Wan. “I toyed with your good friend Anakin like this before I killed him. I toyed with him, threw him around, then drained him until he was dry. If you're lucky, I might do the same to you.” The lightning left Uncle Obi-Wan writhing on the ground, screaming at the top of his lungs.

At the reference to Anakin, he managed to throw out his hand. Green light blasted into Palpatine, knocking him and half the people watching off their feet and into crates waiting to be delivered on the docks.

Palpatine cackled like a witch from the old fairy tales. “Do you think that'll stop me so easily, Kenobi? I'm not a fool, like Count Dooku and General Grievous were during the Magicians' War. I am the strongest magic-user in all of the Alliance Kingdoms! All will bow before me!”

Han smirked as Cassian and K-2 helped him to his shaky feet. “What a vivid imagination.”

“I have to agree.” He waved Jyn and Leia off. “Get out of here. Leia and Han will tell you where. Hurry! I'll hold them off.”

Jyn sighed. “All right, Mage Kenobi.”

Palpatine was going to shoot them again, but this time, the green light came from behind him. He skidded into a dock, leaving a hole deep enough to bury a man in the square and the dock in splinters.

“You will NOT harm him!” Palpatine couldn't help thinking how much Leia resembled her mother in armor...but the stubborn set of her chin and the blazing inferno in her dark eyes were definitely traits of her father's. “Him or Han, or my brother either.” Luke lowered his head, making his green horn shimmer into view as his sister held up her sword and people gasped around them. “We will never let you take over Naboo! This kingdom belongs to the people and to the royal family. Prince Henry's not perfect, but it's more his than yours!”

Palpatine was dusting himself off. “The prince? The prince is dead. Everyone knows that.”

“You claim that.” Obi-Wan got shakily to his feet. “Jania's son is alive, Palpatine. He's very close. I can feel him. We'll find him, and we'll set him in his rightful place on the throne. You can't stop us. If you strike me down, I'll become more powerful than you can possibly imagine.”

“The queen's son is dead, old man.” Palpatine raised his hand. “And so are you.”

Obi-Wan quickly looked over his shoulder. “Leia, take Luke and get out of here.” She was already brushing away children who wanted to stroke Luke's silky mane and touch his horn. “Get to Alderaan with the others. Quickly!”

Leia shook her head. “I won't leave you!” Luke nodded with an agreeing snort.

Obi-Wan shoved at Luke's flank. “Go! The kingdom needs you. You must save our prince and our magic.” He gave her one last gentle smile. “And may the Force magic be with you.”

“You too, uncle.” Leia finally took off after the cart as they made their way out of the Wharf.

The sound of screaming made her look over her shoulder one last time. She pulled Luke back towards the docks just in time to see Palpatine send one last bolt of lightning over her uncle. Instead of reducing him to dust or throwing him, he simply vanished before the lightning could hit, his clothes and sword falling to the ground. It brought several soldiers behind him to their knees instead.

Leia's “NO!” was joined by a horrified whinny. She started towards the square, but there were too many people around them. Luke kicked and tried to push them out of the way, but it was no use. She finally decided she could do nothing but turn back and help the others.

They caught up with the carts about a mile out of town, on the dusty road alongside the beachfront. It was really beautiful, all the sand and surf and the manors of the well-to-do enjoying the magnificent view. Too bad she didn't have the chance to enjoy it. Even as the cart came into view, two Naboo-issue arrows flew over her head.

“Han!” He was already loading arrows into his beloved mechanical bow. “See if you and Jyn can handle them from here. I'm going to head them off.” Han raised his eyebrows, but nothing came out of his mouth when she turned Luke around and headed back towards the army.

The last thing the drivers of the battle carts were expecting was this small girl in her big silver and black armor and atop her white unicorn to come charging right in their midst. Survivors would later compare her to an avenging angel...or a shining beacon of death. Light from the unicorn's horn lifted men out of their carts and threw them to the ground, letting their horses run back to Scarif. His rider wasn't as benevolent. Blue light sizzled as the girl cut through chain mail and armor as if it were paper, taking down several carts and easily deflecting others.

Leia took Luke into the forest, letting the last of the carts careen into trees or fall into ditches. Green light from Luke's horn transformed leaves over the ditches and holes into solid ground, allowing them to escape without incident. She easily deflected the captain's arrows, finally getting her sword into his gut long enough for Luke to knock him to the ground with his horn and let him stumble off after his men.

“That's the last of them.” Leia reigned Luke in, tugging at his gold mane. “It's ok, brother. Now we just have to find the others.”

Luke snorted. It hadn't occurred to Leia until that point that they were in the largest forest in all of Naboo, and she had no idea how to get back to the road. They could wander around lost for days, if not weeks. Luke nodded upwards. The sun was starting to set. Shafts of light fluttered downwards, becoming fainter as the sun sank behind the trees.

“Lost are you, dear girl?” Leia nearly jumped off Luke when she heard the little sing-song voice. “Need my help, you do.”

“Who are you?” Her eyes roamed around the treetops. “Show yourself!”

Watery green light surrounded the branch of a towering maple over her head. “Hello there, Lady Skywalker, of her father's clan.” The creature that appeared was short, no taller than her waist (and she was small for a human) and elf-like, with his withered green skin and long pointed ears. Unlike Palpatine, there was something almost...whimsical...about him. He snickered as she stared. “Lost, you are. Lost in many ways.”

“Could you speak plainly?” Leia nodded into the woods. “I need to find my way to the road.”

“Is it your way that you seek,” the old elf asked, “or the way of the Force?”

Leia frowned. “Look, I have to find my friends. We're trying to get to Alderaan Manor to see my aunt and uncle. We have important news for them.”

The creature immediately looked troubled. “To Alderaan Manor, you must not go! Not safe there. Dark forces surround that place.”

“I have to!” The girl glared at him. “I don't have a choice. I have to bring these messages to my aunt and uncle, especially with...” Her voice faltered. “With Uncle gone.”

“Demise of your uncle, hurt you, it does. More than you will admit.” The little elf gave her a toothless grin. “No worry, you should. With the force, he is. Protect him, it will.”

“Well, that's good to know.” She glared at him. “I can't sit here all day and play games with you! Just tell me where the road is.” Luke snorted, jabbing at his rear with his horn.

The elf sent a small green light down Luke's horn. He jumped away, momentarily stung. “You do not have that to poke with, young Luke. Private, some places are. Horn is for healing, not for poking.”

Leia frowned. “You know who he is?”

“Of course. Been watching you for many years, I have.” He shook his head. “But now, you must go. Just follow me. Take you to the road, I will. If go to Alderaan Manor, you must, avoid the darkness, you should. Let appearances fool you, you should not. You never know who a prince is, and who a dragon is.”

“But...” Even as she tried to ask another question, the little elf had dissolved into what appeared to be a tiny green light, no bigger than a firefly. It darted into the woods; Leia followed, with Luke galloping quickly to keep up with it.

It was nearly dark when they came out of the woods and back on the roads. The cart rode right past them. Leia caught up with Baze in the driver's seat and Chirrut beside him. She galloped up to Baze, waving to get his attention.

“Are you all right?” Baze slowed Falcon and Twilight a bit. “We saw what happened to you your uncle as we were leaving. We're very sorry.”

Leia nodded. “We're fine.” Luke whinnied nervously. The light in the woods were growing fainter and fainter. “I think we'd better stop for the night. We'll start out to Alderaan Manor in the morning.”

“We're going to have to stop.” Bodhi had Han on his lap. He was clutching his head, his tanned face screwed in pain, his eyes shut tightly. “Something's wrong with your friend. He was shooting soldiers when he clutched his head and said they were attacking him, then collapsed. No one's been able to get him to talk or even acknowledge us since.”

Kayton nodded. “All he's done is groan and occasionally scream in my ear for the last hour.”

“Han!” Leia leaped off Luke. “Help me get him onto blankets. Something soft. Cassian, I'll need your coat for his head.”

Chewie licked Han's face, but his owner didn't even notice. He tossed and turned, making not a sound. The furry wolf nuzzled him, whimpering.

“I know, boy.” Leia helped Cassian and Jyn get him onto several blankets. “Something's very wrong.” She gently stroked his forehead, before pulling her hand back. “It's black magic. Very heavy black magic. I feel nauseous just touching it.”

Chirrut kneeled next to her. “His mind is in terrible pain. If we don't do something to heal him, he may never awaken.”

Luke managed to nudge his way through them, just as the moon began to rise. He gently touched Han's head with his horn and shut his eyes, letting out a soft snort of concentration. Soft green light flowed from his horn to Han's temples, soothing his restless movements. Leia held his hand tightly. Chewie leaned into Han's side, howling hopefully.

Even as Luke's light glimmered against Han's sickly face, the moon rose. The moment a moon beam reached the unicorn's horn, the sparkling white light surrounded him, transforming him back into her dear, silly brother. Pale fingers replaced the horn on Han's head. The others pulled back in shock, their eyes wide.

“That,” Kayton stated, “is not probable.”

“I'd say that,” Jyn gasped, “but I saw it too. That unicorn's a man!”

“Were you a unicorn who became a man,” Chirrut began calmly, “or a man who was changed into a unicorn?”

“The second.” Luke was sweating hard when he stroked Han's chin. “Han,” he whispered. “awaken. I've done what I can to expel the black magic from your mind for now, but there's too much to get rid of all together. We'll have to find someone along the road who can.” Chewie licked his cheek, while Falcon nibbled on his hair.

“S...sweeheart?” Han's hazel eyes blinked dazedly. “Kid?” He looked around, more than a little confused. “Where are we? What the hell happened?”

Leia put her arm under Han's as she and Luke helped him to his feet. Chewie helped too, letting his master hold his fur. “Palpatine attacked you. Cast some kind of spell that knocked you out for a while.” She turned to the others, who stared with gaping mouths. “We'll explain this over dinner. Right now, we need to get tents set up and a fire started.”

They held a small ceremony for Uncle Obi-Wan in the woods just off the road. Leia wished she had something to bury, but they hadn't even been able to go back for his cloak. She and Luke quickly whittled him a marker in a small clearing in the woods, near a patch of sweet-smelling wild herbs. Chirrut chanted a hymn while the others all stood around the marker with their heads bowed, even Chewie.

“He would have liked it here,” Luke whispered. His blue eyes overflowed with tears. “He loved his garden. I learned so much about healing herbs and plants from him.”

“He was the best uncle we could have had.” Leia grasped her sword. “I'll avenge him. Him and my parents. I won't let Palpatine get away with this!”

Luke took his sister's hand. “I'm with you.”

They all talked into the night over bowls of hot soup. It was agreed that it would be best if they split up when they got back on the Imperial Road. Leia, Luke, Han, and Chewie would continue on to Alderaan Manor to deliver the messages to Counselor Bail Organa. The others would take Twilight and the cart on the narrower road through the Endor Woods to Coruscant to meet with other Rebels at the Mid-Summer Festival.

The next morning, Leia and Han loaded Luke and Falcon with all the supplies they could carry. “We'll see you at Coruscant in time for the Mid-Summer Festival,” the young female knight insisted. She gave Jyn a small hug. “Thank you for everything.”

“You're welcome. Thank you for helping to get those troops out of Scarif.” Jyn nodded. “We'll see you in Coruscant.”

“Yeah.” Han patted Cassian's shoulder. “Hey, you keep an eye on yours, and I'll keep an eye on mine.”

“If I can.” Cassian chuckled. “My Jyn, she's not so easy to keep out of trouble.”

Han watched the two women laugh over some joke or the other. “I've been noticing that about Leia, too.”

“You be a good boy now.” Bodhi fed Luke a carrot as Chirrut and Baze stroked his mane. “Watch that horn of yours. Being poked isn't nice. Save it for healing, like you did for Han.”

Kayton looked over his shoulder. “I think we'd better get moving, folks. I hear hoofbeats. Sounds like someone's coming this way.”

“He's right.” Jyn let Cassian help her into the cart as the other three climbed in. “Good luck, all of you.” She waved...and was nearly thrown back into the side of the cart as it jolted to life. Han and Leia climbed onto the horse, with Chewie trotting along beside them. The cart roared down one path going further into the Endor Woods, while the riders continued along the Imperial Road to Aldra City.