Chapter XXIII: Everything Comes Back
All eyes, even those who struggled and suffered to be opened were immediately set on the princess.
Every rebel, every refugee; those who laid motionless with no strength, those who walked with much to do, every single one, stopped and stared…
Leia gulped and held her breath; realized she had done something, something important—yet she didn't fully understand what the big deal was.
She had used the Force.
Something that came naturally and she did almost every day, something she had been taught was her right and obligation to learn and master. Something no one was supposed to do anymore.
"Poor girl!" the mother whispered as she finally could get a hold of her small blond boy.
"Force user!" some voices cried from afar.
Han swallowed. Then cursed.
Leia freed herself from the embrace she'd much rather retain, yet she felt it was necessary. She rose from the ground, and she expected to be tumbled down with blaster fire. For several minutes, nothing apart from gasps and murmurs occurred.
"Come with me," the male rebel said to Leia, his voice barely audible yet she heard him. Han tried to go after them, but the rebel refused, and oddly, Leia agreed with him.
"I'll be back soon," Leia said and kissed Han.
They entered a supposedly private room, narrow and warm. The rebel sat in front of a desk and motioned the princess to sit down. "Please Jule," he said and Leia blinked, surprised. "That's not your name, is it?"
She shook her head.
The rebel sighed. "All right. We can skip that for now. My name is Harxsh Marr. I do not wish to hurt you."
He spoke like one speaks to a child. Using a tone low and sweet, one that tried to put her at ease, which was impossible at the moment. Though Leia didn't realize, she was shaking.
"Don't be afraid," Harxsh said, smiling encouragingly.
His kindness offended her more than anything.
"I—I am not afraid," she muttered, hating the shakiness that completely denied and canceled her words. "What do you want?"
"Pardon me?"
"You want to talk to me about something… What is it? Please be quick."
"Right…" the rebel coughed, awkwardly. "I'm guessing life has not been very easy for you. People like you live in constant fear—but I know someone that can help you."
Leia's brain was twisting inside her head. She could not make any sense of his words, and truthfully, she didn't want to.
"I'm not going to pretend I understand the Force," the rebel went on and Leia's heart was now beating so strongly she could hear a ringing in her ears. "For most of my lifetime they've all been in hiding—"
"Please stop talking," Leia said, in a tone the rebel didn't realize was warning him and for his own good.
"You look very young. You must be at the very least seventeen or eighteen—"
"I'm nineteen," she interrupted again. "Almost twenty."
"Right. So you are as old as the Skywalker Empire. Then I was right, you don't know anything about the Force and you feel endangered—"
"You don't know what you're talking about!"
"You don't have to hide your power from us. I can't promise you I'll get him very soon. I don't even know if he's still alive but I know a Jedi—"
"Stop!" Leia screamed, turning to find the door.
"Miss, I'm sorry. I don't mean to upset you but… We need all the help we can get. And he is searching for people to train with him to defeat the Empire…" he stopped talking, weirdly feeling that to do otherwise would be cruel and merciless.
"You're mistaken…" Leia whispered, finding she could not face the rebel nor the hatred and anger she usually used to shelter herself from their kind. "I am leaving soon. I'm going home—and nothing is going to change that."
"Miss," the rebel stared at her with pity. "You cannot leave Corellia. Surely you must know that."
"I'm going home," Leia said, a deep sadness attacking her as she opened the door and a face welcomed her from outside.
She startled back as if she had seen a ghost.
"I was not spying," Jule said. "I was just making sure you didn't kill him."
Leia's face had no color under the dust and dirt.
"Your brother is as mad as you are," she said, trying to exit but Jule blocked her way.
"Jule?" came the voice of the young male rebel.
"Harxsh!" Jule cried, running to her brother's side.
Leia felt a strange twirl of emotions as she watched them embrace each other, bathing in tears and never ending smiles.
When they realized they were being watched, they stared back at the princess.
"I'm proud of you, Harxsh," Jule said. "You've survived a Skywalker two times now."
"What?" he questioned, confused.
"What's happening?" Han asked, walking to them.
"Let's get out of here," Leia said desperately, holding on to the smuggler.
"She's in such shock," Harxsh said. "Captain Solo, I really think she should rest."
Jule snorted mockingly; Han and Leia said nothing, they just looked at each other and silently agreed on escaping the rebel's forte immediately. They might've succeeded, but Leia stopped dead when she saw the rebel's little astromech droid.
"I have other things to show you," she heard the rebel's words in her aching head.
Never mind that, Leia thought. Get out of here!
Holding Han's hand tightly, they turned their backs on the two rebels.
"I'll walk you out," Jule said, calling them back.
"Guys you're safe here," Harxsh said stubbornly.
"She's safe anywhere," Jule growled bitterly. "The Force really is with your damn lineage, Leia. You survived, once again unscathed and this time from the Empire's bombs!"
"Jule?" her brother was astonished. "What did you just call her?"
Han's eyes pleaded Jule to be quiet, Leia looked like she was about to pass out.
"This is Darth Vader and Queen Amidala's daughter," Jule said loudly, making sure everyone around her listened. "The Empire's little Princess. The Sith's Apprentice. Leia of Naboo!" She screamed.
The previous shock that happened when Leia used the Force in front of everyone was nothing compared to the new roar that exploded in the small underground forte.
People screamed. Pleads. Insults. Fear and terror reigned but not as much as… Leia immediately felt it. The prime feeling around her was—a thirst for revenge.
These people were forced to hide; they had stopped their lives and they lived in fear of the next attack. This was not a war zone. Corellia was not fighting anymore. There had not been fighting since the siege. They could not strike back because it would absolutely backfire. The Empire would respond a million times stronger and harder.
Just a few hours ago they experienced the third bombing.
The impotence at knowing there was nothing they could do caused the strongest of hatreds to develop even in the youngest and most innocent of minds. They could not touch Vader, they'd never reach Amidala. They were at the mercy of the Empire. And yet—here they had the Princess:
Unarmed. Injured. Unprotected.
It is no surprise every other rebel raised and pointed their weapons at Leia. Han was taken from her side, adding to her vulnerability, abandonment and solitude.
The shouting was so loud Leia could only read what people mouthed. She managed to see the small child she had met before, he said something to his mother along the lines, "What're they doing to the princess?" She hushed her baby and stared at Leia with hate and disgust.
She saw Han as he fought to be released and run to her.
She saw the rebel siblings, arguing like savages when before they had been so happy at finding each other still alive.
And what could she do? Kill everyone? Was that possible?
She got the feeling—it was. Yet she'd never try. Not again.
So let them kill her?
The rebels had now circled around her, keeping her from any way out. The refugees continued screaming their hatred for Leia and her merciless family.
What could she do?
The hatred and hope for her blood to spill made her think—made her realize, there are worse things than death. And if she were to died, she was okay with it, maybe even ready… but she had to say something first.
She raised her right hand and the screams intensified.
"Careful!" a woman shouted. "She's going to do a Sith trick!"
"Kill her now!" a male teenager shrieked.
"What are you all waiting for? Someone hand me a blaster I'll do it!"
"No, no, no!"
A new scream overpowered the rest. It was very akin to what you'd hear during a bombing or during a battle from a civilian. Someone who felt life was being ripped from their grip.
It was the child's mother—she screamed as her baby floated from her arms and up across the faint air.
The child laughed innocently as he soared above every arm that tried to reach him, till he softly landed on Leia's arms.
"Oh using a child as shield!" someone yelled. "Low even for an imperial!"
Leia rocked the little boy. "I just wanted to say goodbye," she calmly said.
She did so, she kissed the boy's blond head and put him back on the floor. He stayed by her side, ignoring the screams that ordered him to move.
"Everybody quiet," Leia said in a stern voice.
It took a few minutes but at last, you could hear a pin drop on that previously loud place.
"I am Princess Leia. Daughter of Queen Amidala and Darth Vader. I am an Apprentice of a Sith Lord. But you should not fear me. You should not fear my family."
People murmured, ever so quietly.
"I know nothing I say can change your hearts. I know you will kill me." Leia raised her head high. "But I want you all to know: As I go, as I die—I die loving my family!"
"I die loving my family," Jule mimicked in a hurtful tone. "Those would be fantastic last words." She smiled next to her brother. He stared at her and shook his head.
"Right," Jule sighed. "Enough of this. I was never a fan of melodrama—everyone, put your blasters down!" she commanded harshly.
The room again exploded with voices. "Quiet!" Jule shouted. "We're not gonna kill her!"
"I will not be made a prisoner," Leia said bravely.
"Release Han Solo," was Jule's next unexpected order.
"And who made you the boss?" a rebel questioned boldly.
"Well, we have no commanders or generals alive," Jule said simply. "I guess the higher positions are up for grabbers."
"And you arrived like five minutes ago!" another rebel fought.
"What's your point?" she snarled, then humbled her voice as she saw the look on the rebels. "All right, don't get mad… Harxsh here was on his way to become a commander. He's great friends with… the Jedi and has been on a mission with him and Rogue Squadron. He's even gotten the attention and approval of General Rieekan and Mon Mothma. I say we let him make the decision," she shrewdly said.
There were a series of words and then people nodded.
"Well then," Harxsh said, humbly. "I say we let her go."
Again noise.
"You people are animals," Jule complained. "Didn't we just agree…?"
"We can let her go!" most people said.
Leia wished they had killed her already, this mess of opinions and fight for power sickened her.
"All right," Jule again ventured. "I'll try another argument. When Vader learns the princess died here, he's gonna annihilate Corellia! What'd you all say to that?"
Silence.
"That settles it," Harxsh smiled. Freeing Han, the two siblings motioned and led Han and Leia out of the forte. As they walked, people stepped aside, opening a path as if Leia were made of fire and she could burn them.
Too confused to even be relieved for having escaped death again, Leia walked unsure of what had just happened, feeling like she was dreaming a very strange dream. How was this her life?
But confusion faded when again she saw the streets of Coronet City.
How lucky she had been to be in shock when the bombing happened, right now she was too conscious and aware of her surroundings.
The smell of blood and dead, blown up bodies covered the breeze. Trees and buildings were some still caught on fire.
Stormtroopers marched around every street… not even the feeling of Han's hand around her own could make Leia feel better.
They walked in silence to the far off mountains.
When they entered the Millennium Falcon, Han breathed out in relief and before the Wookiee could wrap his big hairy arms around him, Han grabbed him, giving him a large hug. "Miss you, buddy," he said, recovering his usual voice. "This has been a weird and really long day."
"Yeah," Leia sighed, falling on a seat next to C-3PO.
"Everything all right, Your Majesty?" the droid inquired.
She opened her eyes wide. "I feel it was a lifetime since anyone called me that."
"How rude and improper from us," Jule said in a mocking voice of fake reverence. Her brother shot her a look of anger.
"Well," Han said, awkwardly. "Thanks for… all, you guys. I am glad you found each other again and that me and Leia are… still alive and all. That's two we owe you, Jule."
"No it's not," Jule snarled.
"We're gonna take off… bye," Han stared at the rebels, wondering how long he'd have to wait before they left his ship.
"Just one thing," Harxsh breathed nervously. "I have something for you, Leia."
Prin—cess! Princess! How hard could it be to… oh she didn't even care anymore.
He pulled something from a bag he carried, he walked and put it into Leia's hands. She hadn't even the ability of being startled anymore. It was a lightsaber.
"Let's go," Jule said sternly.
"No," Leia said, strangely.
Han passed his hands across his face. This long day was just getting started!
"Sweetheart—"
"I just have one question."
"I'll try my best," Jule said. "To not be too honest. I think you've proven you don't react very well to the truth."
Maybe that answer was meant to enrage the princess, and any other time, it would've. But she was too tired for anger. She was sick of being angry. Sick of being hated and of hating. At that moment, Leia only wished to be home.
The princess could never understand so much animosity towards her; she had never purposely hurt anyone in her life, not anyone who didn't threaten her first, and ever since she left home, she had received nothing but bad and mean treatments.
"Jule," Leia said slowly, taking a number of deep breaths, her words coming reluctantly from her pale lips. "Have we met before?"
She could almost smile at the fact that she at last had caught the rebel off-guard. Almost.
"Leia, maybe smoke went to your head. We saw each other every day for a week on Yavin…"
"No," Leia interrupted. "You know what I mean."
The rebel lost every sign of sarcasm and mockery. "Yes."
"You—you remember us?" Harxsh dared speak.
Leia took some time. "I thought I seen your face before, Jule."
Jule stared at the princess for a moment, her face softened for a short second as she said, "Leia, mine was the first face your eyes ever saw."
Not one of them could think of anything to say that could follow that sentence—and they didn't have to, because just a few seconds later, the floor began to quiver.
Imperial ships were arriving in Corellia.
"Straight to the Castle," the Emperor commanded inside The Executer. "Accommodate the fleet first, send a squadron to begin the search immediately!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
"We have to return to the forte!" Jule said to her brother.
"Leia, take care, please. Good luck. It—it was good to see you again." Harxsh took Leia's hand and planted a soft kiss there before exiting the Falcon and disappearing from Leia's wide eyes.
"What do we do, Princess?" Han asked her as he took her in his arms. "Leia?"
Time was moving so fast, her strange dream was turning into an absolute nightmare. "I want to go home," was all Leia could say.
That's all he needed. "Chewie, get the ship ready!"
Escaping Corellia was not any easier than getting in, but with so many ships entering, Han managed to fool the Empire, gaining enough time to make the jump into hyperspace.
"I think we should wait," Jule said as she and Harxsh entered Coronet City. "We might lead the imperials into the forte and I got a feeling—we're going to be heavily blamed for this as it is..."
"At least Leia is all right. Do you know anything about Luke?"
"Not really. Leia said nothing but I think he's still alive. I wonder where he is…"
Next to Han Solo, Chewbacca growled loudly, as they flew the Millennium Falcon across space, blissfully apart, at last, from the Civil War.
"You said it, Chewie," Han said, finally somewhat comfortable. "We really should've asked for more money."
The Wookiee growled again.
"Shut up. Of course I'm doing this for the reward… Do you think she's okay now?"
Chewbacca laughed mockingly.
"Just for that I'll leave you alone to fly this thing! I'm going to rest."
But resting was the last thing on the smuggler's mind, and the Wookiee realized that, which is why he didn't argue with him and let him go—he also worried about the princess.
Leia slept seemingly soundly inside the captain's private quarters. Wrapped around Han's white sheets, she almost seemed peaceful.
"Good night, Sweetheart," Han murmured softly, kneeling by her side and laying a small kiss on her forehead.
Leia moved around, as if in pain, she groaned and screamed and at last jumped into a sitting position. "Oh," she slowly muttered something under her breath. She raised one hand to lay it on her thumping breast, then lifted the other, revealing the lightsaber that she held.
"Han," she said, before even knowing he was there, infiltrated next to her.
"I'm here," he said, sitting next to her.
"Oh Han!" she cried and he was relieved to see she was smiling.
"So… bad dream?" he grinned and asked.
"Strange dream," she said. "Oh Han," she wrapped her arms around his waist. "I can hardly believe it! We finally have a destination!"
"We've had that for a while," he said. "Remember? You're dying to show me Naboo."
"Oh that's forgotten," she said. "I know where he is!"
His body jerked, almost getting away from her. "What?"
"I know where Luke is! Oh I am so happy I think I am going to cry!"
Indeed, there was so much emotion on the princess's eyes she looked on the brink of tears.
"I—I thought you'd forgotten about that prince," Han said, now being the one entering a nightmare.
"Never! How could I? Oh, Han, you will take me to him, won't you?"
He let go of her, letting her fragile body fall into the mattress. "Where is it this time?"
She clung to a pillow. "Set course to the Dagobah system." She closed her tired, unrested eyes. "I have a feeling things will finally change for the best. I won't be alone anymore! Oh he will come back and help me clear the mess that is my head…"
And she fell asleep again, unaware of how wrong her words were.