Dear Readers,
I'm back! This chapter is gonna be from the writer's POV, yet mostly- about Han, his "old man" cellmate, not to mention a little on Luke and Chewie. Han's cellmate is someone you all may recognize, I hope everyone understands and enjoys this little twist of fate! I also want to thank those wonderful people who reviewed:
Crazy4spike: You were the first person to ever review me! So thank you so much!
Pitdroid: We all knew that woman was hiding something!
Limelight: YAH! A fellow Han/Leia writer! Thank you so much for the kind review and mentioning my story like you did! Keep those chapters coming!!! (I hope all of you have read LL's Han/Leia story called "The Not Quite Love Letters". If you haven't check it out, it's fantastic!)
Sweetdeath04: Let the ISOLDER BASHING CONTINUE...Han's the greatest...And welcome to the club! (Of Star Wars Fans that is! ROCK ON!)
Ann: One step ahead of you, this chapter and probably the rest will be narrative! GREAT MINDS THINK ALIKE!
PrincessKinky: More's on the way!(thanks!)
Flames: Thank you so much, I like this twist on things too!
Hannah: Wow, I can't imagine who you could be! Just Kidding, thanks for checking out my work! LYLASG!
Dedicated to my two dogs Sprinkles (Dalmatian) And Mindy (short-legged Beagle) For sticking by me as I write this... even though they're kind of asleep down there!
"The Loveless Bride"
Chapter 2-An Odd Pair
Han Solo, stepped over to the barred window and looked down on the little village bellow. He called back to his cell mate, "Ya know, it's a shame we're being held here and forced to hate it so much. I might have even liked this place, if it wasn't for all this crap we've gone through."
"I can't see you settling down in a female dominate world, Solo." The old man replied, with a slight chuckle.
"I don't know about that Bail, I mean, I think I could handle it if Leia was in rule. I know she could take care of business, knowing her... she's already married to that he-man that put us down here, and is in line to rule!" Han said giving those bars in front of him a good jerk! "Boy, I'd like to get my hands on the measly, good-for nothing-"
"Now Han, calm down, have faith in your girl." Bail said soothingly.
"Have faith? Bail, they all think I'm dead, who's gonna come looking for a dead man! I'm sure by now Leia's moved on, married and settled." Han exclaimed, trying so hard not to show the hurt in his heart, and tears in his eyes.
"Not if what you told me about her is true! If she loved you half as much as you say, she won't be able to marry that prince." Bail said with ease and confidence. "I think that Princess Leia would never marry someone unless she was in love with them. I don't think she loves him."
"Can I remind you, I was this close to losing her to that guy!" Han said, showing just how close with his fingers. "If I hadn't done what I did, she would have married him months ago! In a way, all I did was slow him down a bit... At least I got to be with her for a little bit... before he stepped in... and took over."
"She may have complained, and gave you a hard time... But I believe, now, she wouldn't have it any other way." Bail said with the same grace, and confidence he had expressed earlier.
"Bail, I know I've asked you before, but I'll ask again. I know you are Alderaanian like Leia, are you sure you didn't know her?" Han asked for what must have been the hundredth time.
"And I will assure you, General, that I knew her as a girl... not as the woman she has become." Bail really wished he could tell Han the whole truth. How he was the one that raised Leia in the Royal House of Organa. He just didn't think Han would really believe him... so he just told him half of the truth. "Why, I bet if she ever saw me again; she would not recognize me." Bail said folding his arms over his chest, and reclining his head against the wall he leaned on.
"I just can't believe that, you seem to know her so well. Why, I'd always imagined her father being somewhat like you."
"You mean Skywalker?" Bail asked out of the corner of his mouth, almost snide!
"No, Organa, the Viceroy of Alderaan, the one who actually raised her! I really wish I had gotten to meet him. Leia always speaks of what a good man he was, things he used to say, and do. Then again a part of me was thankful we never met." Han explained openly.
"What's to be thankful for?" Bail asked in confusion.
"Well, I don't think he would really approve of his daughter being with an old space pirate like me. I have a shady past, a bad reputation, and nothing to really offer Leia. All I really have is an old YT 1300 Corellian Freight, called the Millennium Falcon, and the clothes on my back." Han looked down, digging his bare toe in dirt. "All I could really promise was... I'd take care of her. I would do all I could to make her happy, and I would love her... with all my heart, for the rest of my life... But really, who am I kidding? She could do so much better than me!" he took a deep breath, and let it out slowly. "I just know he'd say that too. His daughter could do much better, I wouldn't stand a chance. And who could blame him... if I had someone like that as a daughter, I'd do the same thing, right?"
The entire time Han had been speaking, Bail had been listening. Listening very carefully, and that's when he saw it. This was the one his Leia had been looking for; this was why she'd loved him so much. If he had met Han Solo, earlier through Leia, he would have done exactly what Han said he would. Now that he'd gotten to know him, talked to him, and spent some quality time together down here... He knew he would have been very wrong. This man truly loved his daughter, and he knew he would do all he could for her. Leia had always been insistent on picking her own husband, and when ever he'd matched her up with anyone, she'd always comeback, claiming, "He just wasn't the one, dad!" So Bail put an arm around Han and pats him on the back.
"Let me tell you something about that Princess of yours. Her father tried to match her up, with every prince, and all of the finery our galaxy had to offer. Leia turned every one of those men down and never gave any of them a second glance. Do you know why?" Han shook his head 'no,' and Bail continued. "Because none of those men could give her what she really needed. Which is mostly the list you just gave me. It seems you, really, are in love with her, and the right man for the job. If her father had gotten to know you, as I have, I don't think he would be as hard on you, as you would think!" Bail said with a comforting smile to the younger man in front of him.
"Thanks, Bail, I wish I was as sure as you are." Han said, not really believing the old man, but appreciating his comfort and concern!
"Be sure, what I say is true, Solo, I'd swear my life on it!"
Meanwhile... not so far away...
Are you sure you know where you're going? Chewbacca growled at the jedi master in front of him. He could have sworn that they had already pasted that shack at least once before.
"Yes, Chewie, I'm sure! Would you just relax, already! We're gonna get there, don't worry!" Luke reassured his impatient friend. Then, he finally noticed a building off to the side, with an official looking sign. "Hey, I think that's it!"
Where? Chewie asked anxiously.
"Over there, see?" Luke said pointing it out to him. Chewie started to rush towards the building, dragging an un-willing Luke behind him. "WAIT CHEWIE! WE CAN'T JUST WALK IN THERE!"
You mean we have to have a plan? Chewie asked in a whiny tone.
"Yes, Isolder has probably warned those guards about me, he probably knows about you too." Luke explained in an excited whisper.
So what do you have in mind?
30 minutes later...
A medium-framed man, with fair-hair, pushes a large box to the entrance of the dungeons. The man was dressed in camouflage, not to mention a rather strange and large hat! He carried himself with a strange sort of pride - or confidence (strange for someone as short as he was). He walked up to the guard and said, "Hi there, fella, how are y'all doin' on this here glorious day?"
"Well, we can't complain, what can we do for you, sir?" The guard answered stiffly, clearly taken aback by this man's personality, and thick accent.
"Aww, just quit with all that 'sir' talk, my good man! Name's Chester, Chester Moonstocker's at your service." Luke said; removing his hat, and taking a bow, before quickly standing up straight again, and putting his hat back on. Chewie had a hard time not cracking-up laughing at the fool Luke was making of himself. Boy, would Han and Leia hear about this when they got home!
"Ah, okay, Mr. Moonstocker, what brings you to our little slice of heaven, here?" The guard asked, still blown away by this guy's weirdness!
"Well, I received this here letter from that nice fella; that rules this here place. Let me just find it, here-" Luke said with an effort as he began to dig deep into his many pockets.
"You mean, Lord-"
Luke stopped searching in his many pockets, and exclaimed, "Naw, young fella, it was that fancy-smancy Prince of y'all's." He said, not forgetting to sniff, really loudly at the end of his sentence, then continuing his search for the letter.
"You mean to tell me, that you received a letter, from Prince Isolder, himself?" The man asked, in disbelief.
"Yep," Luke said, finally pulling a folded piece of paper triumphantly from his trousers and presenting it to the man. With a big, goofy grin plastered to his face. "Say's here, that he wanted me to help him. He wanted to use some of my best creatures for torturein' purposes. He says, he has two new prisoners, that need some discipline-ing and I've got just the thing, right-cheer, in this here box." Luke said kicking the box, which was Chewie's cue. Luke had given him a data-pad, with all kinds of various animal, reptilian, and other such creature noises on it. So, when he heard the signal, Chewie cracked the sound up full blast! Filling the air with all sorts of strange, and rather hair-raising sounds. The guard stared at the box and gulped rather loudly. "I hope you believe me young fella, I would hate to make this trip for nuttin'. These here animals aren't all that easy to tote, all this way. I reckon, they'll be awful honoree, when they get outta there."
Taking a deep breath, the guard gulped again, and handed Luke his paper back. "Well, I believe I've seen... and heard all I need to!" He turned towards the other two guards that controlled the opening and closing of the gates and said some kind of code before turning back to Luke and announcing, "You may carry-on, and good luck, Mr. Moonstocker."
Luke smiled brightly and tipped his hat, "Why, thank you kindly, mister." Then he went back behind his large crate, and pushed it through the doorway. As Luke had guessed, almost all of the security was at the gate; inside it wasn't quite as bad. Luke continued to play off his charade, even when he was on the outside of the cell that he knew contained Han. A guard walked with him and went inside the cell ahead of our heroes. Winking at Luke as he went inside and saying, "I'll just prepare them real fast, and then I'll let you take over."
"Well, alright, whatever's best." Luke said with another bright, believable smile.
Officer Tagger came into Han and Bail's cell, smiling at both of them, evilly. "Well, don't you two look... rather down in the dumps today?"
"You know, you're right, we were actually having a good day... till you graced us with your presents." Han grumbled darkly, Tagger was his least favorite of all of the guards. Bail put a restraining hand on Han's shoulder, knowing if Han didn't keep control, he would get whipped again... and he just could bare to see Han relive that again!
"Oh, do try to lighten up, Solo. The prince has arranged some fun for the both of you." Tagger said with a scary glitter in his left eye.
"You know, he really doesn't have to do that. I think Han and I are doing just fine on our own." Bail said calmly, but that didn't stop him from throwing Han against a wall and chaining his hands and feet. Then he did the very same to Bail, and gestured to a medium-build-man, to come inside of the cell, with a really loud box of pets that sounded far from friendly. "Oh, and before I let Mr. Moonstocker, here, takeover; I thought that the two of you would like to know that Prince Isolder and your precious princess, Leia... are now officially married. Just thought you'd enjoy that. Enjoy yourselves boys... nice knowing you!" Tagger said laughing loud and evilly as he slammed the door. Han choked on a dry sob before saying, "Well, I guess this is it Bail! I honestly think there's no way out of this; and to be honest... I don't know if I want a way out!"
"Pull yourself together man; it's not over till it's over! We've got to keep faith!" Bail yelled as if not only trying to convince Han, but himself too.
"Bail, this guy isn't here to help us, he's here to torture us to death! And I' don't know about you, but there's not much I can do, chained to this wall like this! Where is the hope in that!?!?" Han asked seeming to be totally at the end of his rope.
Then suddenly the little torture dude stood up, took off his hat and smiled at Han, "You want hope, Han? You're looking at it!"
Han blinked a few time, not believing his eyes, then a slow smile spread over his face, and Han asked in a choked voice, with tears in his eyes. "Luke... Luke, is that really you?"
Luke had tears in his eyes too, seeing his friend alive and well. "Yeah, Han, it's really me. I came to get you outta here!"
"Junior, are you ever a sight for sore eyes!" Han exclaimed with a laugh, which faded quickly as it had came. "Hey, you don't really have all those creatures in there do you?"
"Well, I wouldn't say that, now." Luke threw the box open and the next thing Han knew he was having the life squeezed out of him. By none other than, a very familiar and hairy being. Han laughed and managed to squeak, "Chewie! Whoa, I love you too pal... but... ah, you're kinda killing me here!" But the Wookiee didn't step away until he had ripped his friend off the wall and free of his restraints. Han brushed himself off and hugged Chewie then Luke saying, "Good to see ya, Kid!"
"I knew it, I just knew what that guy was saying didn't make since!" Then they were interrupted by the sound of poor Bail being ripped from the wall. Han draped an arm around his friend and said, "Bail, meet two of my best friends, Chewie, and Luke Skywalker."
"Well, I must say after all I've heard, it's a pleasure to finally meet you both." Bail said shaking hands with both of them.
"Me and Bail, had just about given up on ever being found." Han told them still not able to believe this was really happening. Then suddenly Chewie grunted a dissect warning to Luke. Who said, "Right, um, you two climb in the box with Chewie for a bit, we'll catch up on the way to Coruscant! Right now, I have to set the scene right!"
"How do you mean, Skywalker?" Bail asked curiously.
"Yeah, kid, just what have you got planned?" Han asked, curious himself.
Luke pulled out a large, jar-like container labeled "Bantha Blood," and a sack full of heavy-duty plastic human skeleton parts and wiggled his eyebrows suggestively, saying, "Boys, watch and learn!"
15 minutes later...
Officer Tagger strolled down hallway, with a delightful smile on his face. All of the gory, creepy, down-right gross sounds and screams had stopped a good 5 minutes ago. Tagger was sure; he'd heard the end of the annoying old man and Han Solo... and he couldn't be happier. He knocked on the door, and that expected thick accent answered, "Yeah?"
Tagger, unlocked the door and the rather small man came rushing out. "I wouldn't go in there, partner. Not many men can stand such a sight as that. What with some poor dudes guts all over the place. I hope you can send one of your boys' up-cheer to clean this here mess up."
But Tagger didn't listen to Luke's warnings and walked into the most disgusting display of murder the officer had ever seen! Tagger got another sick and evil looking smile and said, "Not too bad for a nerf-hearder like you, boy!" Luke was actually sickened by the man's reaction. Luckily Tagger didn't seem to notice and carried on.
"Sorry 'bout the mess 'n all, but my creatures really tore 'em to pieces. I can control them to a fault, but there's just some things I can't help!" Luke laughed along, seriously fighting the urge to turn green!
"That's all right, my good man, his majesty will be most pleased at the job you've done! This shall be a day long remembered, finally seeing the end to Han Solo, and that old man!" Tagger continued to yammer on, in victory... not knowing that Han was really inside the box with Bail and Chewie! Chewie just knew Luke wasn't gonna last much longer. The Jedi started getting ill, and turning color when setting everything up. They had to get out of here before Luke blew his own cover. So, in an attempt to help, praying he'd take the hint, Chewie cranked up the sound on the data-pad while he and both men began to pound on the walls. Luke looked nervously at the box and asked Tagger, "Hey, so I did my job, would it be okay if I left now? I mean, I don't want to make my pets mad."
"Oh certainly, I think we can handle the rest. Thank you, for all of your cooperation, we shall not forget this!" Tagger said slapping him on the back and smiling that eerie smile again. Luke made himself laugh out, "Oh, no problem there, sir! All in a day's work, well, I best get goin'!"
Luke thankfully pulled the box out of the room and began to drag it behind him again. As he was walking along, all of the officers around him began to cheer and pat him for his deed. Inside the box, Han muttered to himself, "Nice!"
"How disrespectful!" Bail exclaimed, obviously outraged by their behavior. Luckily between the loud, creature sounds and cheering both men weren't heard.
An Hour Later... Safely in Hyperspace...
"The old girl never looked so good!" Han exclaimed, giving his armrest and affectionate rub.
I thought, I'd never get to fly with you again, cub! Chewie began to cry.
"Aww, come on Chewie! I'm all right; you haven't gotten rid of me yet!" Han said rumpling the fur on top of Chewie's head!
"It just wasn't the same without you, hot-shot!" Luke said smiling broadly as he came into the room. "But, boy, do you have some catching up to do!"
"Well, I think I can handle that, just let me ask you something... Is Leia... married to Isolder yet? She is, isn't she?" Han asked, with dread and anticipation.
"No," Luke said with a reassuring smile, Han let out a breath of relief. "But, her wedding is tomorrow at noon."
"We don't have much time; do think we can make it?" Han asked worriedly.
"Yes, we should get there in plenty of time. That is if the Falcon doesn't have any complications." Luke said, rolling his eye up toward the control panels over head.
"She won't," Han said with some of his old confidence back. "This old girl may break on us at times. But when it's something this important... I know we can count on her to get us there, just fine." Then Han's face darkened a bit and he said, "She really misses me, huh? Waiting so long, like that, mourning, how long did she really wait? A day, maybe two... or was it a whole hour before she continued the wedding plans?"
Luke shook his head, and explained everything to the best of his ability. "I know, it seems like she really deserves those kinds of comments! I can only say, that she's not herself at all right now. It's like she's in this... parallel universe, she distant and cold... and that's not my sister! I believe she's in shock, and she really believes that crap Isolder's telling her!"
"You mean to tell me, she really believes, that on my dieing breath, I said that I wanted them to be together!?!?" Luke was obviously shocked he knew. "Isolder told me that was what he was going to tell her." Han explained, leaving out the part where he replied "Leia was much smarter than that."
"Yes, and Leia really believes him... she's not herself Han! Between Isolder, his mother, Mon Mothma and those other politician types... Leia's been kind of brainwashed into this idea. The idea that it's her duty to the New Republic to marry this man; and you knew it was the right thing to do."
"That doesn't sound like the Princess Leia I used to know at all." Bail said stepping to the room, having heard the whole thing. Han gestured for him to join in, as he explained to both Luke and Chewie, "If you haven't already noticed... Bail here is Alderaanian. He used to know Leia, very well growing up."
"How come you were locked up?" Luke asked, going a little off topic. The only Alderaanians he knew were Leia and General Rieekan... and honestly, he was fascinated by the people and their culture. "I left Alderaan in search of my daughter, who was reported captured. She had been on a mission for the Rebel Alliance, on a ship called Tantive IV-"
"That was the same ship Leia was on." Luke interrupted.
"Yes, they were able to capture a transmission of the plans to the first Death Star. Not long after we left planet, as a search and rescue team, Alderaan was destroyed. I never saw my daughter again, and I don't know whether she's still out there or not. I was a member of the Alliance and reported the destruction of Alderaan to them. I'll never forget what your president did to me... as soon as the Princess entered our scopes, on this ship; with the three of you...Mon Mothma threw me in to all of the worse dungeons she could find. Just because I was Alderaanian, I was punished. Mon Mothma wanted Leia to mourn the loss of all her people... instead of some. She also knew the rest of us Alderaanians would have a strong influence on Leia. She wanted her to listen to her... not us."
"Were all Alderaanians' locked up like you?" Han asked.
"Most of us, that old girl's been at this for years." Bail said, a grim look on his tired face. The poor man had been through hell and back.
"Well, we're going to stop her, right now." Luke said confidently, "We'll put an end to her trickery and free all of your people... and if the force wills it... we'll be able to save my sister too, all at the same time."
"Yeah, Kid, we might be able to pull this off. All we need is a good plan..." Han's eyes wandered around the cockpit a few times before his eyes lite up and he snapped his fingers exclaiming, "I've got an idea!"
Luke looked up toward the swirling star lines over head and exclaimed, "May the force be with us!"
I like ending each chapter like that... but don't worry; I won't make a habit out of it! Thank you all, again, for you friendly reviews, keep em' coming! Till next time!
SailorLeia