Disclaimer: I still do not own Star Wars or Tortall, or the Whomping willow. I do, however own a few very awesome shirts... Sorry. That has nothing to do with this story. Thanks George and Tamora and Jo.

Mara and George galloped toward the tree and saw 3 figures at the base of it. Two were fairly tall and looking at something on the ground, and one was short and dancing around the others saying "Twee twee." When they were about 5 feet from the tree, George and Mara stopped their horses and dismounted. Mara walked to Ben and picked him up, then turned to Anakin and said, "So, what's going on here?"

"We were sitting under this tree when Ben said that he sensed something bad, so we looked at the base of the tree and found this tunnel" Anakin said. "Then I stretched out with the Force and sensed something too, but it didn't really seem evil to me, just lonely. Anyway, we thought you guys would want to check it out."

Alianne nodded in agreement. She then turned to her father and said, "You may want to get Mother, so she can help with her Gift."

"You're probably right; unfortunately, she's off with your brother." George turned to Anakin and said, "Do you think you sister might be able to help?"

"She needs a break. She's been working hard and hasn't had any time by herself in a while; I don't want to take that away from her."

"Okay. We'll just have to do this alone then." George shrugged. "I think we can handle it anyway."

"If all else fails, we can get Luke to help," Mara said. Ben looked up as Mara mentioned his father.

"Daddy! Mommy, wats daddy doing?" Ben asked.

"Um... nothing. He just needs a break too."

"Oh. Otay."

Alianne looked at everyone and said, "Shall we go down there and see what's going on?" Everyone nodded and they all headed down into the darkness of the tunnel. Aly found a branch on the ground and attempted to set fire to it with some rocks. Anakin said, "I have a better way." He pulled out his lightsaber and switched it on, and then he took the stick and held it by the tip of the saber. After a few seconds the stick caught on fire. George and Aly seemed amazed by his trick, and applauded. The tunnel now less dark, the group continued walking.

"I wonder where this leads to," Mara murmured.

"Don't ask me," George replied.

"Shh. I think I here something ahead," Aly said. "I don't want it finding us until we know what it is."

"That's a good idea," Mara whispered. She then turned to George and said, "You're daughter is very smart. I can tell her parents raised her well."

"Thank you," George said as he blushed. Luckily they were in the dark so no one noticed. "Your son and nephew are pretty smart too."

"Well, that would be Luke and his sister's fault, not mine." Mara joked, "Well, Leia's fault in Anakin's case."

Something crashed to the ground ahead of them, and everyone started. Aly and Anakin continued walking until they ran into an unconscious form on the floor. "I wonder who that is." Anakin said.

"And what knocked it out," Aly added.

"We'll find out soon enough."