Chapter 6

Aggressive negotiations. It seemed like an eternity since Anakin had that conversation with Padmé on Naboo. He could still recall every detail about her with extreme clarity. Part of Anakin wondered what his wife would think of him in this situation, tied to a pole and being carried by Ewoks to their village.

During the Clone Wars, Anakin was always quick to action with Obi-Wan restraining him when necessary. He was a warrior during a soldier's time. He once again found himself in that role, but now he was much older.

And Luke was acting too much like Obi-Wan or maybe even his mother. Anakin marveled at how much Obi-Wan and Padmé were alike, but he never imagined his son would pick up their traits, while his daughter inherited the sins of her father. Anakin was still impatient, though somewhat tempered by his experience with the dark side.

Han fidgeted occasionally, broadcasting his frustration in a very obvious manner. Chewbacca probably could have done something to escape his bonds, but the Wookiee seemed to trust Luke and waited.

Anakin exchanged looks with Winter as they were carried side by side. He rocked his head back to try to get the stray strands out of his eyes and was only mildly successful. Anakin threw her a confident smile as if to tell her he would find a way out of their predicament. He emerged from worse situations during the Clone Wars. Hanging on for dear life in an elevator shaft during the Battle of Corsucant immediately came to mind.

Winter returned his smile. Maybe she believed in him or maybe she did not. Anakin wanted to believe she did. He wanted to prove to her he could redeem Leia, but Anakin was beginning to feel the need to impress her for his own reasons.

Anakin checked himself. Am I actually trying to impress her? he thought. It was not as if he did not find Winter physically appealing. This was his daughter's best friend. He certainly would have found the idea of Obi-Wan being attracted to his mother creepy, but he had to admit he was doing the same thing with Winter.

Maybe I'll talk to her when Luke reveals his plan for springing us from this mess, Anakin decided.

Then there was R2-D2, one of the greatest unsung heroes in the galaxy. Like the others, he was tied to a pole. The astromech droid occasionally whined, but not as much as it did when the Ewoks first bound him to the pole. Anakin thought Han would have kicked the droid if the former smuggler had not already been tied to a pole.

Perhaps the most amusing sight was the Ewoks carrying C-3PO on a wooden throne. It was all Anakin could do to keep from laughing out loud when he first witnessed it, his creation being treated like royalty. Padmé would undoubtedly find humor in it too.

It was not long before the Ewoks brought the group into the village. The natives gazed at the Rebels curiously and Anakin could sense fear radiating from many Ewoks. Putting two and two together, Anakin said, "They think we're from the Empire!"

Han groaned, "Well, I guess that makes two of us guilty by association." He then added the stinging statement, "But that was a long time ago for me."

Anakin caught the hint of distrust in Han's voice, but he could tell the former smuggler was warming to him. He knew Han Solo was once an officer in the Imperial Navy, but that was thanks to information in the archives. Many Rebels were once officers of the Empire, but the Ewoks had no way of telling Rebel from Imperial.

The Ewoks carrying Threepio set his throne on an elevated platform, while Han was set on a spit. "I've got a bad feeling about this," he commented. The other Rebels were leaned against trees. Anakin searched for his lightsaber and noticed a larger gray haired Ewok inspecting his and Luke's weapons curiously. Ewoks began beating drums, which Anakin assumed were for rituals.

The Ewoks began to fill the pit under Han. Anakin was about to call his lightsaber to him with the Force when Luke intervened.

"Threepio, I think it's time you speak on our behalf," the Jedi Master said calmly.

"Just like Obi-Wan," Anakin muttered.

Threepio began exchanging words with the Ewok Anakin believed to be the chief. Anakin tried to focus on what Obi-Wan taught him about listening to other languages through the Force. What he heard made him gasp.

"What did he say?" Han asked, his annoyance obvious to all who understood Basic.

"You shouldn't have asked," Anakin told him.

"Why, I'm rather embarrassed, General Solo," Threepio said. "It appears you are to be the main course at a banquet in my honor."

Chewbacca growled. The Wookiee appeared ready to break his bonds.

"Threepio, tell them that if they do not set us free, you will become angry and use your magic," Luke said calmly.

"But Master Luke, what magic? I couldn't possibly..." Threepio stammered.

"Just tell them," Luke interrupted.

Threepio began to speak, disturbing the Ewoks into ceasing all activity to pay attention to the protocol droid. When C-3PO finished speaking, the Ewoks were obviously intimidated and ready to comply with the droid's ultimatum. But the chief intervened and told the villagers to continue.

"You see, Master Luke, they didn't believe me," Threepio said.

Anakin could feel Luke calling on the Force and he immediately moved to aid his son, realizing what he intended to do. Threepio began to say something just as his throne rose above the platform and floated towards the villagers. Ewoks were frightened by the display of a simple Force power and ran screaming. Suddenly, the throne began to spin.

"Put me down!" Threepio screamed. "Help! Master Luke! Master Anakin! Artoo!"

The Ewok chief immediately began barking orders to release the prisoners. Artoo was cut down first and crashed to the ground. When an Ewok lifted the droid, R2-D2 zapped him with a blue spark, making the native leap and run away.

Luke and Anakin set Threepio's throne back on the platform after they were released. The protocol droid sighed with relief.

"Thanks, Threepio," Luke said.

"I never knew I had it in me," the droid stated.

It seemed every Ewok in the village was trying to cluster in Chief Chirpa's home to hear C-3PO tell the story of the Rebellion against the Empire that night. Anakin smiled in spite of the sensation that unnerved him. He could sense Leia on Endor, waiting for him. There was no mistaking it. Anakin could only hope that Kyle did not run into her again.

Suddenly, Anakin felt a hand on his. He looked down and saw Winter's hand touching his. Almost by instinct, he took his hand in hers and looked into her eyes. At that moment, Anakin knew Winter could sense his conflict. She did not need the Force to know something was wrong.

Then Anakin noticed Luke stepping out of the hut. His son sensed Leia too. It was unavoidable. Luke and Leia were twins. Twins were rare in the Jedi Order, but Jedi who were siblings always shared some sort of bond. It was only after Anakin came into the Order that Yoda began to allow siblings to be admitted. The Council feared that any sort of attachment could lead to the dark side, but the threat of the Sith forced a change in practice. There were not many Jedi who wanted a repeat of Ulic and Cay Qel-Droma.

Anakin released his hold on Winter's hand and followed his son outside. Luke had his hands placed on the wooden railing of the walkway and he stared out into space. The elder Jedi said, "I sense her too."

"Then you know why we have to go," Luke said before turning to face his father. "There is still good in her. I felt it."

"Luke, this test is beyond you," Anakin told his son. "Even Master Yoda could not defeat her. Kyle did, but I believe it was only by a fluke."

"We have to try to get her back," Luke said. "We have to try."

Anakin cast his gaze downward. He knew what had to be done if they could not turn Leia. He managed to see the error of his ways at the last minute, but when Kyle held Leia at his mercy, his daughter was unrepentant. Was Luke capable of killing his own sister? Was he ready to kill his own daughter. It was at that moment he understood what Obi-Wan faced on Mustafar.

Anakin Skywalker had come full circle.

"And if we fail?" Anakin asked his son, finally making eye contact with Luke.

"We won't fail," Luke replied confidently.

"What's going on out here?" Winter asked as she stepped onto the walkway. She looked to Anakin for answers.

"Leia's here," Anakin replied. "On this moon."

Winter's eyes widened. "How do you know?" she asked.

"We have felt her presence," Anakin told her. "I'm sure Kyle has too."

"We are going to face her," Luke said to Winter.

"You can't kill her!" Winter exclaimed. She rushed over to Anakin and surprised him with an embrace. "You just can't do it!" Tears streamed down the normally composed woman's face. Anakin returned Winter's embrace.

"We will try to get her to turn away from the dark side," Anakin said. "We'll bring her back."

"Promise me," Winter said.

"I promise," Anakin said, though he was not sure of what the outcome would be. Without thinking, he placed a kiss on the woman's forehead before pulling away from her.

Father and son nodded to each other before walking away, leaving Winter alone on the walkway.

Han Solo tried not to show his unpleasantness at being included in an Ewok tribe. He spoke to Threepio.

Threepio told Han, "Chief Chirpa has vowed to help us get rid of the evil ones. He says his scouts are going to show us the quickest way to the shield generator."

"Well, how far is it?" Han asked. When Threepio said nothing, he commanded, "Ask him."

Threepio turned to Chief Chirpa and began translating. Han remembered something and tapped the protocol droid on the shoulder, interrupting him.

"We need some fresh supplies too. And try to get our weapons back," Han said.

Threepio began translating again before Han pulled Threepio back.

"Hurry up, will ya?" Han said. "We haven't got all day."

Han smirked. At last, things were starting to look up on their trip to Endor.

Darth Apostas stalked out of the exit to the Imperial landing platform, sensing the approach of two Jedi. She retrieved her lightsaber from her belt just as Anakin and Luke emerged from the forest into the clearing.

"Predictable," Apostas remarked. "The Emperor has been expecting you."

"Leia, we don't need to fight," Luke said.

"That name no longer has any meaning to me!" Apostas yelled.

"It is the name of your true self," Luke pleaded. "You've only forgotten."

"I once thought as you do," Apostas told her brother. "You don't know the power of the dark side."

"But I do," Anakin told her. "There's still a chance. Come with us."

"The Emperor wants you alive, Luke. But you, Lord Vader, have outlived your usefulness," Apostas said. "Just leave, father. You introduced me to the dark side and I would not have this power if you did not. I will grant you one last chance."

"I returned from the dark side," Anakin said. "I'm sorry I lead you down that path, Leia. You need not continue down it. But if you do, don't expect me to leave my son's side."

"Don't make me kill you," Apostas warned.

Anakin and Luke drew their lightsabers. "We will do what we must," Luke told her.

Leia activated a blade of synthetic bloodshine. "You will try," she said.

Anakin and Luke ignited their lightsabers and charged at Leia. Father and son fell into Djem So with the intent to overwhelm the Sith Lord. With a swift movement of her wrist, Apostas countered their actions with Makashi. Luke's green blade fell forward first, one that she parried more easily than the orange plasma from her father. The impact of blades nearly broke her lightsaber from her wrist, leading to Apostas to draw more heavily on the dark side.

Apostas gave ground as father and son launched their coordinated assault. Anakin struck as he moved and she guarded her torso from her father's underhanded cut. She knew that Anakin was the finest Djem So stylist in the galaxy, but she was also very familiar with the ins and outs of the form. Luke came in next with a swift strike at her right side.

Apostas retracted quickly to parry Luke's blow and was forced to leap above Anakin's blade as it flew towards her knees. She never expected the Jedi to attack as furiously as they were and now she was at a disadvantage. Apostas landed in time to intercept both attacks from the Jedi at once. She stared at her kin across their locked blades.