Chapter XIV: Rebels

Princess Leia was growing accustomed to the feeling of being persecuted.

That was unacceptable.

She was the princess of The Galactic Empire! How was it possible for Queen Amidala's daughter to have such feelings!

And as she felt her heart breath with ease again, she just couldn't avoid nor deny the quick anger that rose to her face and exploded in her heart.

The millennium Falcon had escaped the bounty hunter Boba Fett for a second time. Now, they were landing in some unknown place to the princess, and Solo. Apparently it was some moon.

"I hope you don't mind we take a break from our 'search'" Solo said with a hard grin.

"I don't care!" Leia cried, anger still controlling her.

Han looked at her and mistook her anger for fear. He felt responsible, and ignoring his jealousy, he decided to comfort her, or at least try to.

"Listen, princess, I am sorry you had to be dragged along the galaxy like this. Truth is, I know that guy isn't gonna give up soon. Actually, I know he isn't going to give up at all. I'm sorry, I really am."

She looked at him, deeply, trying to find some sarcasm or irony there. There was none. He was really in earnest. She couldn't help but to smile at him.

"Don't blame yourself, Han," she said and Han thought she had never sounded so sweet before. It was as if her voice and words finally matched her lovely face and appearance.

"But it is my fault—"

"No," she interrupted, but Han didn't mind. "He's not after you anymore. It's me."

"What?"

"He's hunting me. I felt it. And you're right, he's not going to give up."

Han Solo's face appeared more troubled than she had ever seen it. Then it cleared, showing true strength and courage.

"If that's true," Han said. "We're not gonna give up any time soon, either. Boba is gonna have to pass over my dead body before putting a finger on you…"

He stopped upon seeing Leia, whose face was absolutely immersed and fascinated.

"Why, Han? Why would you care so much about me?" she asked, her heart hanging like from a cliff. Hope and yearning plain on her sweet, young face.

The smuggler regarded her for some moments, he hesitated, and at last said, "My life depends on you, now, Leia."

Finally he called her by her actual name and not some mocking title. She waited for more words before giving him a full smile and embrace.

"Because, you see," he went on. "I'm kinda still counting on that money you owe me, princess!" the smugness returned to his dear face, the sarcasm shone in every one of his words.

Leia felt no anger at him at all, but she did experience extreme sadness and disappointment. Of course, she couldn't show it.

So to pretend indignation was her best option.

"Oh! You—you mercenary! You're so vile!"

"Calm down, Your Highness! We had made a deal. Do not forget it! Of course, you're gonna have to pay for all the damage Boba did to my ship, too. Since you've accepted it's all your fault."

She was unsure of how his smile made her feel. On the one hand, it filled her soul with joy and lifted her spirits, on the other… it put murderous thoughts in her head again. But, damn his charm that always won!

"Do you think we'll be much longer on this place, your Majesty?" C-3PO asked the princess.

"I don't know, Threepio. I doubt it. Han and Chewie said they wouldn't take too long."

"Yet they had been gone for quite some time. Almost an hour."

Leia sighed and the droid realized she wasn't on the mood to have a conversation.

Princess Leia and C-3PO had been left alone in the Millennium Falcon while the ship's captain and his co-pilot had left to explore the place they were in. They were hoping to find some people, maybe a town, and get some fuel. Leia had also asked for some food, for they were almost running out of it.

"Are you all right, princess?" 3PO asked.

She looked like she wasn't.

"Oh, no…!" she muttered.

"What is it?"

"He's in danger. He—needs help," she said, preoccupation obvious in her voice.

"He? You mean, Master Luke?"

Leia had gone out and left the droid speaking to himself.

"Oh, I am sure captain Solo and Chewbacca will come back soon, your Majesty. Do not worry, I am sure Master Luke…"

"Shut up!" she couldn't help saying. "It's not Luke."

"Well, then?"

"Han… he's in trouble and he needs me! We need to go after them!"

"Pardon me, my lady?"

"I can feel it. He is in danger and he's… he is thinking of me."

"Are you sure?"

"I am telling you! Now come—"

"What?"

"We're going after them."

"After who?" the droid asked, afraid.

"The rebels," she said with rancor.

The princess and the droid walked for some time through some dense, endless jungle. There was an eerie atmosphere covering them, and the droid was quick to point out how much of a bad idea it was for them to leave the security of the ship. Since she was too focused on finding Han and Chewie, he could speak freely without fear of the Sith within her. Leia let the Force guide her, and she knew, she would soon see Han again, and she was too certain, she would see him alive and well—maybe not perfect, though.

What they had in front of them was not the town Han had expected, it was a tall building, not very extraordinary; it was all right, Leia thought. It seemed like at some point it looked better, like once it was more than ruins, it once was a new, living and breathing place. Now, though, it was the hidden rebel base on the fourth moon of Yavin.

The droid watched the princess and Sith apprentice close her eyes, as if she were meditating, and then she opened them violently, staring at nothing, alert and awaiting. With incredible swiftness she pulled out her red lightsaber and dodged the blasters that were coming her way. She also protected C-3PO, who begin moaning and crying for help.

"Run, Threepio!" she cried. "Come on, hide behind those trees! Don't be afraid, I'm not gonna let them hurt you!"

The droid listened to her very sensible suggestion and ran to hide from the rebels. She ran alongside him, her lightsaber deflecting every shot. When they couldn't be seen anymore Leia let out a deep, desperate groan.

"They have them!" she cried. "I know they do! Oh, Han!" she almost threw herself to the floor. If he dies, that'll be my fault! She thought.

"Princess, what are we going to do?" 3PO asked. "Shall we return to the ship?"

"No!" she cried, unable to even consider that. "We can't abandon them."

"But how are we to get pass them?"

"Listen," she tried to clear her mind as she spoke. "This is what we're going to do. You—you go back to the ship. I'm going back, and I will get them back. I don't know how… but I will."

"Oh, my lady!" he sighed.

"Don't worry about me, Threepio," she said.

Worry for them!

"I would worry about you," a voice said behind her.

Her mind had been so occupied, so damn clouded with thoughts of vengeance, that she didn't feel the approach of those rebel soldiers.

Against her will, she gasped.

She tried to collect her thoughts to have some focus, but the dark side was taken it stole of her.

She would've killed every single one of those rebels with ease, except for the fact that now her heart was stronger than her mind. She needed to see him…

And why hadn't they killed her already? She had never thought the rebels could have any level of decency or mercy…

"Will you come with us?" one of the rebels said.

She froze. Words couldn't come to her.

"Are you who we think you are?" another one said.

She just stared at them.

"Have you gone mute?" a rebel dared laugh at her.

"What have you done with them?" she finally found her voice. And it was still dripping with anger.

They all watched her queerly.

"I knew it," a rebel said to his partner in a whisper, though she heard it perfectly.

"Did you see how much he changed after we started shooting?"

"I bet they're together."

"The princess and that scoundrel? I doubt it. But I bet he and the Wookiee are working for her."

Leia's heart raced.

"Where are they?" she cried.

"Don't worry," a rebel said. "We'll take you with them. On one condition, of course."

"What?" there was more fear than anger in her, now.

"Your lightsaber. You have to give it to us."

He might as well had asked for her to remove all her clothes! Did she hear that right?

Could that guy be so much of a fool?

Her lightsaber is her life. Her father had said that repeatedly. She could never let go of it!

But Han…

And Chewie…

Oh, damn the rebels!

"No!" she cried.

They all looked like they were prepared to die. But she was not thinking of killing.

She thought immediately of her dear mother. So far removed from everything having to do with the Sith and the Force. Padmé would never trade a possession for a life.

Leia threw her lightsaber to the floor, less she would change her mind soon.

One of the rebels took it hastily.

Then they pointed their weapons at the princess and the droid.

As prisoners, they were taken inside the rebel base. To Han and Chewie, Leia thought/hoped.

The curse Han uttered when he saw Leia escorted by the rebels, with blasters guarding her every side, made C-3PO blush. It made Leia smile.

"Is it really her?"

"How did she end up here?"

"What are we to do now?

Voices were whispering. To Leia it felt like loud cries.

People put chains in the princess' wrists. Her droid was taken into custody; and Han and Chewie were still too far from her.

"Why hasn't she tried anything?"

"Seems like a trap to me!"

Her eyes moved in every direction, hoping to engrave the memory forever. It could later be useful…

Then, a voice she knew came closer.

A man she had welcomed in her home, in Naboo and many others.

"Sir?" pain made her voice shake. "Could it really be you?"

He was one of her mother's closest friend, or so she had believed. He and his wife were also her godfather and godmother. Their planet was one of her favorite destinations, too.

"Bail Organa…!"

He watched her sadly, though there was no guilt in him.

"Leia…" he simply said. "My dear. I'm sorry it had to come to this."

"Me too." Tears crowded in her eyes. "Traitor!" she cried.

He didn't seem to take that as an insult.

"Am I a traitor, Leia? In your eyes? Definitely. To the Empire? Like you have no idea. But, dear. I am not without principles. I've sworn loyalty once, and a million times, to the Old Republic. I will not let it down. I will never stop fighting. I knew that someday it would affect you, and your mother. And it hurts me because I—I have affection for both, and that you know—"

"Oh, stop talking!" she cried. "Would you say all this to my parents' face? No, you wouldn't have the guts!"

"To tell all this to the Emperor's face wouldn't take guts, it would take insanity, Leia. Though I have faith, that one day, Vader will be defeated…"

"Shut up!" pain corroded her soul and it shattered her.

She could almost feel Bail's heartbeat as fast as her own. It destroyed her to know, that he was speaking sincerely.

"What are you planning to do with me?" she asked, tears now dried in her face.

"We don't know," Bail said. "We won't hurt you, Leia."

Well, of course! Too bad she couldn't say the same about them…

"We will inform the Empire," a female voice said.

"Madam!" Leia couldn't believe life was a reality anymore. "Mon Mothma!"

With her characteristic elegance, clad exquisitely in a long white robe, she appeared; a pair of pale blue-green eyes stared at the princess.

"So I'm supposed to expect the whole Imperial Senate to be here!" Leia cried, incensed.

"Not quite," Mon Mothma said, softly. "How'd you end up here, princess?"

Leia gave her a look of scorn.

"Bring my friends to me," Leia said. Having recovered from the shock, she could return to her haughty ways. She held her head high and expected to be obeyed. Though she wasn't feeling so weak, she knew she wouldn't be able of taking down all those rebels by herself. Her high rank was almost all she had for the moment.

Mothma seemed calm and collected. "Do as she said," she ordered.

"Han!" Leia cried as he was so close to her.

She didn't care for embarrassment, or if he didn't feel the same way, she needed to hold him and be hold by him. She was soon in his arms, then she saw the Wookiee, unable to move in those chains.

"Release him!" Leia cried, indignation barely allowing her to speak.

"We can't. Too dangerous to…"

"Cowards!" she interrupted. "Senator Organa, give me back my belongings. Your filthy 'soldiers' took from me."

Bail looked at the rebels that had brought Leia and C-3PO. They showed him the droid and a lightsaber. "Forgive me, Leia-"

"Oh, go to hell!"

"Couldn't have said it better myself," Han whispered at her ear.

Leia supposed the rebels weren't accustomed to taking prisoners; the place in which they put them was not as bad as what the Empire designed for traitors. Yet it was worse for her than even Han's ship. After all, the Millennium Falcon didn't appear as bad for her as she once thought.

There was only one resting place and it was meant for the princess, but watching the pain the Wookiee was in, she granted Chewbacca the sitting place. She sat on the floor and Han did the same, complaining even more than that girl so used to castles. Oddly though, she was thankful for his attitude, it somehow relieved the tension. The way he mocked tragedy helped her do the same; she was embarrassed for the tears she had shed earlier. He realized that and continued with his jokes and teasing, hoping to distract her from the situation they were in, and he -almost disrespectfully- brought himself close to the princess. She let him.

"How the hell did you get captured, Sith Lady?" Han was now too close from her. No one could hear but her.

"I was trying to save you," her voice was also a quiet whisper. "Shut up before you make me regret it even more."

"I suppose I should thank you now."

"Well, it's the least you can do—"

"That would be, if you had actually succeeded!"

She put her hand on his arm, and harshly pinched him. He smiled more than anything.

"Either way," he said, more softly. "Thanks for coming after me. I probably don't deserve it."

"You definitely don't!"

"Did you really miss me so much?"

"Do you want to die in my hands instead of the rebels?"

"That doesn't sound so bad."

They were on the floor.

Everyone was too busy to even look at them.

Leia's body was resting against Han's strong chest, and her head was laid on his. Had one of them moved their face slightly, their lips would've met.

"Those handcuffs really suit you, captain Solo." She said, brushing her hands with his.

"Really, I hate them, Leia."

She laughed mildly.

"What?"

"You called me Leia."

"Oh! You're right. Forgive me, Your Majesty."

"Is there any situation in which you aren't a total jerk, Han?"

"Maybe. Though I doubt we will live to see it."

"We're not gonna die."

"You seem pretty confident. Just because those people know you, doesn't mean they care about you."

"Maybe they don't. But other people do."

"Who?"

"My family."

"Oh, yeah. What do you think our emperor will do when he finds out that you've been captured?"

"I rather not think of that."

"Me too."

They rested in silence for some time.

Leia felt strangely at ease.

"Am I a comfortable pillow?" Han teased.

"Not so bad, I guess."

"In an hour we switch, okay?"

"How about now?"

He widened his eyes. Then he laughed.

"I think you're losing it, princess."

"I hope I am. Look, Chewie fell asleep."

"You should've seen him earlier. He gave the rebels a good fight."

"I'm sure he did." She laughed. "And I'm sure you did, too."

"I told you they would have to pass over my dead body before reaching you."

"That was about the bounty hunter."

"About anyone who comes between you and me."

"You know what, Han?" her smile went sly, her tone was mischievous, still low. "I am not paying ANYTHING to you."

"Really?"

"Even if we get out of this. If I am safe in my castle again. If I am under the care of the emperor. If I drown in money. You're not getting anything from me."

She felt his body grow tense and warm.

"I stand by what I said," Han smiled.

"Do you?" Leia questioned.

She was going to say something else, but Han Solo's lips were kissing her.

At first, very slowly and sweetly.

Then with intensity.

She could sense that he wanted to put his hands on her, and that he cursed the handcuffs that were preventing him.

She removed his and hers and they could truly hold each other now.

"You mean to tell me you could've done that this whole time?" he half laughed, half scowled.

"We need to keep appearances. I'm putting them back on in a second!"

"In a minute," he corrected.

His big hands traveled from her neck to face, to caress her cheeks. Then they were on her waist, then they danced on her legs.

Leia worried people could see them, or even worse, take evidence of what was happening. So, while laughing, she stopped Han, and put the handcuffs on him again.

Then she put hers on.

"Could we at least have another kiss?" Han asked, shamelessly.

"No," she couldn't stop her smile and the warm feeling inside her.

But despite her words, she leaned over, and kissed him again.