The matted Wookiee cautiously picked up Han's blaster and stuffed it in a makeshift leather belt he wore around his waist. *Put your hand down and behind your back, then turn around. I am tying you up.*
Han frowned but obeyed, hoping the Wookiee wouldn't wrench his right arm behind his back. It was a futile hope - after tying a piece of thin leather tightly around Solo's left wrist, the Wookiee reached around and grabbed the Corellian's right wrist, sending Han to his knees in agony. "Hey, pal!" Han gasped in pain. "Careful of my right arm. I told you it was broken."
*Do you think I care, human?* the Wookiee snarled as he bound Han's wrists together. *You can consider yourself lucky I did not shoot you on sight.* The Wookiee then took another long piece of rope and tied it around Han's neck, using the leash to pull Solo to his feet. By this time, Han's eyes were watering, not just from pain but from the strong odor emanating from his captor. Close up, Han could see the hair lay in thick matted layers, and actual mold covered the clumps giving the Wookiee a strange, fuzzy appearance. Insects hovered around the smell, and failing to find a decent meal through the thickened fur, decided Han's unprotected skin was a tasty alternative. Things are not looking too good, Han decided miserably.
*Now you will come with me,* the Wookiee ordered, as he began pushing his way through the thick underbrush while practically dragging Solo in his wake.
Han did his best to keep up and it wasn't easy. Every time he stumbled and fell the Wookiee used the rope around his neck to drag him back up. The rope was now so tight that Han could barely swallow, much less try to talk. If I don't choke to death before he gets where he's going, it's gonna be a miracle. Chewie... where are you?
Nearly two hours later the Wookiee stopped and bent over, pushing aside some sticks and leaves from the ground and revealed a crudely made wooden door. He gave the handle a pull and pointed down. *This is the cave where I live. It's your home now, human. Come.* He tugged Han forward and pushed him down a narrow, dark shaft that slanted sharply down. Given no choice, Han stepped into the dank, dripping darkness.
If Luke thought tearing an X-Wing down a tunnel over the surface of the Death Star was thrilling, it paled in comparison to the trip down to the floor of Kashyyyk on the back of Chewbacca. The Jedi was starting to regret keeping his head out of the knapsack. The Wookiees made jumping from branch to branch and tree to tree look effortless, but every time Luke looked down as they soared through the air, his stomach dropped to his boots. He kept quiet, not wanting to do anything that might upset Chewie's concentration. And the more he thought about Han falling off the boardwalk, the more worried he became about the Corellian. It just did not seem possible to survive such a drop, but Han's life-force was still very much alive. This whole thing is happening because of a life-day party! I guess I shouldn't be surprised. This is Han's life-day party, after all.
*Sit!* The Wookiee gave Solo a hard push toward the back of the cave. Stumbling and nearly falling, Han put his back to the dripping, coarse stone and sat down, exhausted from the long hike. Solo watched with parched lips as the Wookiee lit a glowrod and set it in a hole drilled into the floor. After the steaming heat of the jungle, the cave was cold - Solo found himself starting to shiver in his sweat-soaked clothes. He watched warily as the Wookiee scooped some water out of a bucket and into a wooden bowl. He placed the bowl near Han's feet. *Drink,* he ordered.
"How? My hands are tied behind my back," Han managed to croak out.
To his surprise, the Wookiee gave a harsh laugh. *Too bad, human! You vermin have treated us Wookiees like animals for years... now it's my turn! You will be my pet, now! If you want water, you will lap it from the bowl like a bantha! Or you will go thirsty. I do not care.*
The Corellian glared at his captor. This Wookiee was obviously not quite sane, and Han knew refusing to drink would only harm himself. "Can you at least loosen the rope around my neck just a little? I can barely breath, much less drink." Han didn't think that request would get him anywhere, but again the Wookiee surprised him and loosened the rope slightly. Shifting on his hip so he could lean on his left side, Han bent over and awkwardly drank the brown water from the bowl. It tasted like mud, but relieved the dryness in his throat. Sitting back up, he watched as the Wookiee started stripping raw skin from a small dead animal that had been hanging against the wall, and shoved it in his toothy mouth. After a moment, Han ventured to ask the Wookiee a question. "Why are you living down here?"
The Wookiee snarled at Han through bloody teeth. *I have been banished.* He started eating again and then stopped. *They thought I would die down here, but I fooled them. I have lived here for years. Alone.* He gave Han another snarl. *But now I am no longer alone. Now I have a pet human.*
"Why were you banished?" Han prodded, ignoring the comments about being called a pet. At least if the crazy Wookiee considers me a pet, he won't kill me, he hoped.
*For aiding the Emperor. I wanted my family safe, so I helped enslave other Wookiees. Everything was fine, and no one knew I was an Imperial spy until the Empire fell. Then my deceit was discovered.*
"Oh," Han answered. Probably not a good idea to tell him who you are, Solo. "What's your name?"
*It was Trylaccakk. But you will call me Master.* The Wookiee looked down at a piece of bloody, raw meat in his paw. *You will eat this, pet.* He tossed it at Han and it landed next to the bowl of mud water with a disgusting plop.
"I'm not hungry," Han mumbled as he looked down at the raw meat, trying not to gag at the smell. Whatever it was, it had been dead for at least a day.
The Wookiee called Trylaccakk got a pleased look on his face and went to the corner of the cave. He returned with a long, nasty looking piece of leather. *If you do not obey me, I will punish you. I will like to punish you, pet human. So please, refuse to eat.*
At long last, the two Wookiees and the Jedi reached the floor of Kashyyyk. Luke shut his eyes and concentrated. "Han was right here, not that long ago."
*I agree, Skywalker. I can still smell his scent. And someone else was here as well - a Wookiee.*
*Can you tell which direction he went?* Lowbacca indicated his question to Luke with a wave of his paw. Now that Threepio was not with them to interpret, the three would need to rely on visual signals as well as Luke's and Lowbacca's ability to simply understand each other through the Force. It helped that Luke also had spent enough time around Wookiees that most of the time he understood what was said, even before Threepio interpreted, as long as the Wookiee spoke slowly. It would not be a perfect system, but Luke was confident they could make each other understood. Luke concentrated, while the Wookiees used their fine sense of smell to discern the direction Han took. Finally they agreed to head west and started out, hacking their way through the dense forest with their lightsabers.
They had not gone far when the ground started shaking, and the roar of a huge beast filled the air.
He tried not to gag as he knelt over the raw meat and chewed off a small piece. But when Solo tried to swallow, his throat closed and he couldn't stop himself - he retched until the half-chewed bit came back up. Han shut his eyes and tensed his back, waiting for the make-shift whip to beat him. Instead, the Wookiee gave him a kick in his side, sending him rolling onto his right shoulder. The pain nearly made him pass out, and Han forced his eyes open to look up at his tormentor.
*You are an ungrateful pet, human! I will not feed you again until you are begging me for food. Then you will eat whatever I give you, and it will not be nearly as good as this food you are rejecting.* With that threat, he snatched up the uneaten piece and shoved it in his own mouth.
Uncertain whether he should be grateful that he'd no longer be forced to try and eat, or worried that the Wookiee was planning to starve him, Han watched in silence until Trylaccakk was finished eating.
*Now we will go hunting, human,* the Wookiee informed his shivering captive as he hauled Han to his feet.
"Hunting?" Han said in a whisper, wondering why he was being taken along.
*Yes,* the Wookiee nodded, pushing Solo toward the exit. *Hunting will be much easier now that I have you to tie up to a tree and use as bait.*
I shouldn't have asked, Han thought with a grimace.
"What's that?" Luke asked, alarmed at the fast approaching creature. He could hear the branches snapping and the underbrush being smashed flat.
*It sounds like a Vrayayyshu,* Chewie replied, more toward Lowbacca than Luke.
*It sounds like a lot of Vrayayyshus,* Lowie nodded, and took a defensive stance with his lightsaber held out in front of him.
*I am not sure this is the way we should deal with this,* Chewie noted as Luke also prepared for a fight.
The creatures came closer. *How would you suggest we deal with it?* Lowbacca asked.
Chewie opened his mouth to suggest that perhaps going up in the trees and out of the way would be wise, but he didn't have time to voice his opinion. The thundering herd of multi-legged Vrayayyshus with very long, sharp claws and jagged layers of teeth, was suddenly in front of the two Wookiees and one human.
Luke gave one, desperate attempt through the Force to send the huge creatures in a different direction, and wasn't too surprised when it didn't work. The Jedi also didn't wonder how they were going to defend themselves against so many, even with lightsabers. He knew it wasn't possible.
"Jump!" Luke yelled as he used the Force to vault out of the way of the dangerous creatures. Lowbacca quickly emulated his Jedi Master as he, too, leapt clear of the teeth and claws. Although Chewie did not possess the Force, his natural abilities and instincts served him well - even before Luke had yelled, Chewie was jumping for the nearest tree and pulling himself out of harm's way.
The Vrayayyshus tore past, not even noticing the two Wookiees clinging to the lower branches of several small trees. At least they were small in comparison to most of the trees on Kashyyyk, mere saplings against the backdrop of their giant parent trees. Luke had chosen a fairly deep, natural trench to hide in - unfortunately a muddy creek wound its way at the bottom. But it served the purpose for getting away from the creatures and after many long minutes the herd was finally gone, leaving a path of trampled vegetation in its wake. Climbing out of the gully, Luke tried futilely wiping at the thick mud that clung to his clothes and hair. The two Wookiees looked amused. *You wear it well, Skywalker,* Chewie woofed slowly with a toothy grin.
"I guess I should have picked a tree branch," Luke conceded. "At least no one got hurt."
The mention of the word 'hurt' turned Chewie's grin into a frown. *My cub is hurt, and we are taking too long to find him.*
*Then we should hurry,* Lowbacca agreed. *Hopefully, we will have no more delays.*
Solo's trembling legs barely carried him the entire distance to the area his "owner" decided was good hunting grounds. He was exhausted and with his hands tied behind him, walking was difficult at best. Brambles tore at his clothes, and his face was covered with deep scratches. Complaining only got him a hard cuff on his already throbbing head. Finally they arrived at a small clearing with a few small trees growing among the knee-high weeds.
*This is a good location. Many tasty creatures live near here, and they will find you to be an irresistible treat.* Trylaccakk proceeded to cut down several lengths of small vines before dragging Han by the neck into the field. The Wookiee pushed the tired Corellian up against one of the small trees, and wrapped the vines so tightly around Solo's chest and legs that the cords constricted Han's breathing and cut off circulation. *Now we will wait for your scent to bring the predators. I will eat good tonight - too bad you will go hungry.* With that, Trylaccakk stalked off toward the deep cover of the woods.
How in all the hells of Corellia do I get myself into these messes? Han wondered wearily.
The three rescuers trudged through the thick forest, with Lowbacca in the lead and Chewie bringing up the rear. Frequently the foliage was so thick the daylight did not penetrate the canopy and Luke had to rely on the glowing lightsabers for illumination. The biting insects were brutal. Luke envied Chewie's and Lowie's thick fur - it offered a great deal of protection from the hoards of swarming bloodsuckers. Even though the dried-on mud was uncomfortable, Luke realized in a strange way it was a blessing, as it formed a barrier from at least some of the stings.
*Stop!* Lowie whispered, holding up a paw. *Something strange is ahead of us.*
Luke and Chewie pushed next to Lowbacca, who was stopped on the top edge of a sheer precipice. "It's steep," Luke noted as he looked down the side. "But I think we can make it."
*It's not that, Skywalker,* Chewie growled softly. *Look carefully at the branches and the leaves going down. They are shimmering.*
Holding his saber up, Luke stared down the deep ravine. He could see that the Wookiees were correct - everything had the appearance of being covered with a fine gauze. "What is that stuff?"
*It is a spider-web,* Chewie woofed slowly so Luke could understand his words. *A netcaster's home.*
It took a few moments for Luke to decipher the Shyriiwook. Then his eyes widened in shock. "A spider?! How big is this spider?"
*Remember how big banthas are?* Chewie asked casually.
"They're as big as banthas?"
*Actually, they are somewhat bigger,* Lowie said with a shudder.
"Then we'll have to find a way around this place," Luke remarked with a shake of his head. He was not in the least bit interested in fighting with a spider bigger than a bantha.
*We could use a vine and swing over the ravine. That way we won't be wasting more time,* Lowie suggested as he tugged on the dangling brown ropes.
This didn't seem like a good idea at all to Luke, but Chewbacca quickly agreed. *Yes, I do not wish to waste more time. Getting around this place could take hours.*
"Well," Luke said reluctantly. "I suppose."
Lowbacca grabbed the thick vine, and with natural grace swung over the wide berth, dropping with ease on the far side. *It was easy,* he yelled back, tossing the rope back over.
*You go next,* Chewie handed the rope to Luke.
I've done this kind of thing before, Luke told himself. Just not over a giant spider's home. The Jedi grabbed the vine and jumped into the air. Unfortunately, less than halfway across, the vine snapped.
The vines around Han's body did not make knots that stayed tight, and became loose as he squirmed to free himself. Solo worked frantically at the leather tying his wrists until they were raw and bleeding. If he could free his hands, then Han figured he could take a chance at escaping using his vibro-blade, which the Wookiee had not discovered hidden in his boot. The Corellian wouldn't hesitate to kill his captor if the opportunity presented itself. However, if he tried and failed, Han had no doubts his escape attempt would result in the crazy Wookiee going into a berserk rage and killing his 'pet human'. Finally, Han could feel the ropes slipping. A few more minutes and his hands would be free. As it turned out, he didn't have a few more minutes. A huge, scaled beast about 15 feet tall, with a long spiked tail came crashing out of the underbrush, its nose twitching and its long red tongue guiding the beast toward the helpless Corellian.
The webcaster's net easily held as Luke fell into the sticky threads. *Skywalker!* Chewie bellowed from the top of the ridge. *Behind you!*
The Jedi twisted his torso while trying to free his hands from the web. The more he pulled, the more fibers stuck to him - the stuff was tenacious. As he looked where Chewie was pointing, Luke decided "bigger than a bantha" was an understatement. A gray spider, the size of a small transport, crawled out from a funnel shaped hole, its iridescent black eyes reflecting the trees and rocks lining the ravine. Eight very long legs reached out, tapping the web as it moved forward. But what concerned Luke the most were the fangs. Curved and thin, they looked like giant tusks pointing down at its prey. Fighting panic, Luke tried pulling his lightsaber from his belt, but the more he moved the tighter the webbing clung.
At the top of the cliff, Chewie drew his bowcaster out, aimed and fired. The projectile hit the arachnid above the eyes - with no noticeable effect.
At the other side of the ravine, Lowbacca turned on his lightsaber. Using the Force, he flung the weapon at the spider, drawing a deep slash across its side, then called his saber back to his paw. The spider turned toward the small light, hissing and spitting a thin stream of silk in an attempt to catch what it perceived as a flying insect. Green ooze dripped from the wound left by the saber.
Taking advantage of the distracted spider, Luke managed to free his own lightsaber, and slashed at the sticky strands holding him. The webbing dissolved against the heat of the glowing green lightsaber.
Unfortunately, the same glow now refocused the arachnid's attention back on the struggling Jedi, and the spider moved forward with lightning speed.
The reptile approached Solo cautiously, drooling in anticipation of fresh meat. Giving his wrists a last hard yank, Han pulled free and tried to squirm downward to reach his boot. Where is that insane Trylaccakk? I thought he was supposed to shoot the thing before it ate me! Heart pounding in terror, the Corellian's fingers found the handle of the vibro-blade and pulled it free. The creature's tongue licked at Han, tasting the human that it was about to make its next meal.
Han flicked on the blade, cutting through the vine holding him against the tree just as the reptile moved closer. With his arm now free, he slashed at the creature with his left hand, drawing the weapon across its nose. Roaring in shock, the thing drew back and brought a clawed foot up to strike at Solo. Desperately, Han pulled free of the remaining cords and threw himself on the ground, rolling away seconds before the slashing nails gouged most of the bark from the small tree. The reptile once again moved at the Corellian, this time faster, its mouth open wide. This is it, Solo, Han decided as he looked up at the reptile. You're about to end up in the gut of a big lizard.
The projectile fired from the bowcaster hit the reptile directly in its heart, dropping it instantly. Trylaccakk walked casually from his hiding place into the small field, the bowcaster at his side. He stopped at the side of the dead lizard and looked at it in disgust. *I do not care for reptile meat, it is too stringy.*
Han struggled to his feet. "That's all you have to say? You almost let me get eaten by that... that thing! And that's all you have to say!? It's TOO STRINGY?"
The Wookiee turned to Han. *You did not give me all your weapons,* he remarked as he looked at the vibro-blade. *I will punish you when we get back to the cave. In the meantime, you will cut the meat off the reptile and place it in this net.* Trylaccakk removed some mesh netting from his small leather satchel. *Then you will carry it back to the cave.* To emphasis these instructions, the Wookiee raised his bowcaster and pointed it at Han. *Do you have objections, pet human?*
"No," Han said as he glared at the Wookiee. "I can't think of a better way I'd rather spend my afternoon."
With enough of the sticky strands cut, Luke dropped down to the rocky floor of the ravine, using the Force to control his landing. Grotesque gray sacks lined the gully floor, each containing the dried remains of the spider's previous meals. Luke could see the brown fur of some misfortunate animal sticking out from the nearest cocoon, and looking closer he saw lifeless eyes staring through the silken death shroud. The Jedi felt his stomach tighten as he looked up at the huge spider following him down the entry hole he'd cut with his saber.
The arachnid hesitated, as if it remembered the glowing stick could cause pain - meanwhile Luke held his lightsaber in front of his body in a defensive stance. The spider moved forward again and Luke swung his weapon at the part of the creature he knew was the biggest threat: the fangs. The Jedi's aim was true, and the right fang separated from the spider's body, dripping ichorous poison from the wound. Screeching, the creature pulled back, waving its front legs at its prey. Luke turned off his saber, and rolled under the belly, avoiding the dangerous flaying limbs.
Turning the lightsaber back on, Luke drew it along the underside of the spider. Thick, green mucus poured out of the creature; it swiped its remaining fang at the Jedi, who ducked and rolled behind the arachnid to get clear of the chelicerae. The spider swung around, attempting to find the small creature that was causing it so much distress. Barely avoiding the huge, hairy legs, Luke moved toward the mouth and swung the saber again, this time removing the remaining fang. The spider tucked its legs under its belly and curled into a tight ball in an attempt to protect itself. Luke knew the wounds he had inflicted were fatal, and feeling a pang of remorse, severed the huge spider's head from its body. The fight was over.
Solo dropped his disgusting burden on the floor of the cave with immense relief. The slabs of raw meat had dripped sticky blood through the mesh, soaking his shirt and attracting even more insects during the long return hike. The Wookiee ordered Han to the rear of the cave and proceeded to hang the meat on wooden posts set in the floor, while the Corellian collapsed in a corner, exhausted beyond words. Solo worried what kind of punishment the crazy Wookiee intended to inflict on him for hiding his vibro-blade.
Once the meat was hung, the matted Wookiee drank water and placed another bowl at Han's feet. *Drink.*
With his wrists no longer tied, Han started to reach for the brown water but the Wookiee sent the bowl careening across the cave with a kick. *What do you think you are doing, human?*
"Ya told me to drink," Han snapped back.
*And I told you that you are an animal!* The Wookiee roared in rage. He reached down and pulled Han off the ground by his shirt. *You will drink like the beast of burden you now are! Do you understand?* He shook Solo so hard, Han felt his teeth rattle.
"Yes," Han choked out.
*Yes? Yes what?*
Yes what? Han thought frantically. What does he mean?
*You will call me MASTER!* Trylaccakk screamed, spittle flying from his mouth. *You have not yet called me Master, pet!*
"Yes, master," Han replied through clenched teeth, trying to calm the enraged Wookiee.
Trylaccakk threw Han to the ground and refilled the bowl. *Drink!*
Han sighed and leaned over the murky water and drank. If he didn't escape from the insane Wookiee very soon, he had a feeling he never would.
*It is getting dark. We have had too many delays,* Chewie commented as he looked up at the towering trees. *If we do not find Han quickly, things will become dangerous.*
"Become dangerous?"
Lowbacca chuckled at Luke's comment. *It's not funny, young one,* Chewie admonished. *Every second my cub spends down here is a second too much. We must find him before nightfall.*
"We'll find him, Chewie," Luke answered the tone of the worried Wookiee. "His sense is getting closer, but wherever he is, he's frightened."
Trylaccakk lifted his head and listened. *The creatures in the forest are sounding flustered. Something is coming.* He turned his attention to Han, who sat huddled in the corner of the cave. After Solo had called him "master" and lapped up the foul-tasting water, the crazed Wookiee had calmed down, and not punished the Corellian further. *Do not move a muscle, pet,* Trylaccakk warned. *I will be right back.* Han knew that escaping during the night would be foolish and probably fatal. He didn't intend to enrage his captor further, for the time being anyway.
The Wookiee went to the cave's mouth and pushed at the covering. Sniffing the air, he knew instantly - there were other Wookiees approaching, as well as a human. This was not good. If they were here, it was a good bet it was a search party looking for his human. Trylaccakk had no intention of giving up his captive companion, and if he had to, he would kill his new pet before allowing him to leave.
*I can smell Han's scent. He is close,* Chewie woofed as his sensitive nose twitched. *I smell many other things as well. The other Wookiee's odor is powerful, and I smell fresh blood.*
Luke frowned as he struggled to understand Chewbacca. The Jedi found it much easier to communicate with Lowie, simply because of the link they shared through the Force. But he still understood enough to worry him. "Blood?"
*It is not Han's blood, thank the Force,* Chewie said slowly and carefully, not wanting to be misunderstood.
*This Wookiee we smell is...* Lowbacca hesitated, searching for the proper word. *Abnormal. Unkempt.*
"Do you think Han is with this Wookiee?" Luke questioned. He had reached out with the Force to sense this Wookiee, and what he felt truly concerned him. Abnormal would not be the description Luke would use. More like demented, he thought with a frown. It would explain Han's focused fear, which seemed directed at a single object, not a general fearfulness of being alone in a deadly environment.
*I believe it is a good possibility, Skywalker.*
"Do you know of any Wookiees that live down here?" The question seemed ridiculous, for no Wookiee would ever willingly stay down on the surface for any longer than necessary. Luke knew that only males would venture down, and usually only once in their lives. In a tradition as old as time, young males would have a coming-of-age initiation by hunting on the surface of Kashyyyk. Fortunately, most young Wookiees survived this rite.
*I know of no Wookiee that lives down here,* Chewie said, frowning. *I do remember once, after the fall of the Empire, a Wookiee was sentenced to die by being sent to the surface. He could not have survived this many years.*
"Why was he sentenced to die?"
*He betrayed the Wookiees of Kashyyyk by working with the Imperials, and selling our kind as slaves.*
Despite the warm air, a chill swept over Luke.
*We have to leave. Now!* Trylaccakk order his human. The Wookiee stuffed a few pieces of meat in his bag, and made sure his bowcaster was full of ammunition.
Han knew darkness was falling, and he was completely drained from the day's events. Without getting up, Han snapped out, "Why? It's getting dark outside and we've walked miles today!" That was a mistake.
The Wookiee gave an angry roar and pulled Han to his feet by his hair. *Do not question me!* With a huge paw, he backhanded Solo across the face, slamming Han against the wall of the cave. Guess I shouldn't have argued... was his last thought before he lost consciousness. Trylaccakk gave a second roar and hoisted the limp human across his shoulder. He could make better time this way, anyway.
*Did you hear that?* Lowie asked excitedly. *That was a Wookiee!*
*And he is very near,* Chewbacca agreed.
"Chewie, we need to hurry," Luke nodded. "I'm sensing Han's been hurt again."
Throwing caution aside the three took off at a run, slashing their way through the brush.
Trylaccakk exited the mouth of the cave and headed to a well-worn trail he had used for years. A strange humming noise made him turn his head just in time to see two Wookiees and a human appear from the undergrowth. It took him a second to register that one Wookiee and the human held lightsabers. It had been decades since Trylaccakk last saw lightsabers. Dumping the unconscious man on the ground, the matted Wookiee raised his bowcaster and fired at the human. Luke easily blocked the shot with his lightsaber.
"Put down your weapon," the human shouted. "We don't want to hurt you. We only want our friend."
*Come closer, and I will kill him,* Trylaccakk snarled, aiming the bowcaster at Han. Were these Jedi? He had believed that Jedi no longer existed, but how else could his shot have been stopped?
The three rescuers stopped in their tracks. Cautiously, Chewie spoke. *Why? What has Han done to you?*
*Is that his name? Han?* Trylaccakk laughed. *He has agreed to stay with me. He would tell you this himself, but he is taking a nap.*
"What do you want?" Luke asked softly. "Credits?"
The crazed Wookiee laughed harder. *Credits? Can I eat credits down here? Can credits give me companionship? Keep your credits, human! Your friend is now my pet, and I do not intend to let you take him.*
Luke could feel the rage rising in Chewbacca, and saw his claws start to unsheathe. "Chewie, don't let your anger rule. We can still negotiate for Han." By this point, the Jedi knew they were not dealing with a sane being, and his concern for Han was becoming intense.
*Chewie? The mighty Chewbacca?* Trylaccakk asked in shock. *You are the cause of my banishment! If the Empire stilled ruled, I would have everything. But instead I am down here, and the Great Chewbacca is the Hero of Kashyyyk!*
*I did not cause you to betray our people to the Imperials,* Chewie roared back. *You have no one to blame but yourself. Do not try shifting the blame on me!*
Trylaccakk looked down as Han groaned and stirred. *This is Han Solo,* he whispered in awe. *My new pet is the famous Han Solo!* He grinned at Chewie. *This pleases me even more! I have stolen the Great Chewbacca's pet human from him!*
*Han is my honor-brother, he is not my pet.*
"Chewie?" Han whispered as he tried to sit up. Trylaccakk's bowcaster poked him in the chest.
"Han!" Luke yelled at his groggy brother-in-law. "Don't do anything... rash. Okay?"
Solo gave Luke a lop-sided grin. "You were gonna say stupid, weren't you?"
"Well, when you consider that you thought everyone was plotting to kill you, I guess stupid kind of fits."
*QUIET!* Trylaccakk roared in fury. Then he addressed Chewie. *If you want Solo back, you must fight me for him. To the death, with no weapons, just our strength. If I win, the Jedi must leave and I keep Solo.*
*I agree to your terms,* Chewie barked back. *No weapons. To the death.*
"No!" Han yelled and struggled to stand. The insane Wookiee easily pushed him back to the ground.
*We start now!* Trylaccakk screamed and stalked toward Chewbacca.
Luke watched as the mighty Wookiees circled each other, each waiting and watching for their advantage. Despite Chewie's agreement, Luke knew he would never allow Trylaccakk to "keep" Han should Chewie lose the fight, and he suspected Chewie knew that as well. Should the fight not go Chewie's way, the Jedi would also step in and assist. Luke guessed this was probably against some rules of Honor in the Wookiee culture, but he didn't care - he would not let Chewie die if he could prevent it.
Trylaccakk attacked first. Lunging toward Chewie, he grabbed him around the waist and the two crashed to the ground. Twisting his wiry body, the crazed Wookiee grabbed Chewie around the neck and tried to put his forearm around the throat of his opponent. Chewie was too well conditioned, and flipped the taller but lighter Wookiee over his head. Trylaccakk rolled to prevent Chewbacca from getting his hands around his own neck.
While the fight went on, Lowie and Luke sidestepped the fight and moved next to Han. Luke knelt down next to the Corellian, who was sitting transfixed at the sight of the battle. "Han? Are you alright?"
Solo tore his eyes away from Chewie for a second. "Yeah," he said, smirking. "Just a broken bone or two. And lots of cuts and bruises. I'll heal."
Now that he was closer, Luke assessed Han's appearance. Sure, he'd heal, but not in time for the life-day party. Leia's going to kill me, Luke thought with a sigh. "How did you survive the fall?" Luke whispered, as he returned his focus to the brawl.
"Vines. I fell into vines when I was almost at the bottom and they stopped my fall. Who hit me and knocked me off the walkway?" Han asked casually, trying not to sound suspicious. It couldn't have been Luke or Chewie. Surely they wouldn't have risked their lives to come down here and save him if they were responsible.
"No one hit you, Han," Luke said tiredly. "Lowie found a branch lodged in the walkway outside Chewie's home. When he looked directly up, there was a fresh break on a limb right above it. So you can rest easy - no one is trying to kill you."
The men stopped talking as the fight grew more intense. By this time, Chewie was bleeding from the slashing claws of Trylaccakk. Trylaccakk was faring better, since his matted fur was keeping Chewie's claws from reaching the skin. They were circling each other again, and this time Chewie struck first. With speed that surprised even Han, Chewie went low and grabbed the legs of Trylaccakk and sent him sprawling on his back. Then he flipped the matted Wookiee on his stomach and forcefully jumped on his back, using his weight and strength to his advantage. The neck of Trylaccakk was now in Chewie's elbow, and Chewbacca tightened his arm, vise-like, until the other Wookiee was gasping for air. Chewie didn't see his opponent reach in his belt and pull out Solo's vibro-blade, but Han saw the weapon in Trylaccakk's hand.
"Chewie! Watch out!" Han screamed.
Trylaccakk positioned his arm and turned on the blade, but before he could stab at Chewie, Lowbacca stepped forward. With a blur, the lightsaber went down and Trylaccakk's hand was severed. The paw lay on the ground with the vibro-blade still humming in its grasp. The Wookiee let out a strangled roar of agony, but the roar was cut short as Chewie snapped his neck. Trylaccakk's body went limp in death.
Chewie stood up, and stared down at the dead Wookiee. *Even in a fight to the death, he was not honorable,* he said with a shake of his head.
Luke helped Han to his feet, and in a split second Chewie went from being a killing machine to a gentle giant as he carefully hugged his partner. *I'll make you a deal, cub. You stop doing things like falling off walkways to scare me, and Luke and I will stop teasing you to make you paranoid. Well, more paranoid than you usually are, anyway. Deal?*
"Pal, that sounds like the best deal I've heard all day….and I am NOT paranoid!"
Coruscant
"We made it back to Coruscant by the twenty-fifth!" Luke said gleefully as he pulled the handle back on the Falcon's controls and watched the planet come into focus.
Han Solo sat in the navigator's chair, frowning. With his right arm still in a bone-knitter cast, he was unable to pilot his ship on the way home, and he'd complained about Chewie's constant fussing over him the entire trip. He wasn't in a good mood, but until this point, no one had whispered behind his back or mentioned the twenty-fifth. Earlier, when Han had questioned Luke, the Jedi had laughed and said it was all just an elaborate practical joke. Since when did Jedi pull practical jokes? Han had wondered, annoyed and not quite believing his brother-in-law.
"The twenty-fifth?" Han snapped. "I thought this joke was over."
"It was important we get back by that date, Han," Luke said with a smile. "We have an appointment."
"We?"
*And we have less than two hours to get to it!* Chewie added.
"You? You have this appointment, too?" Han asked his partner, his eyes narrowing. "What's going on? I want answers."
*Soon, cub, soon.*
Han sighed. "What did I ever do to deserve this?"
"You were born, Han." Luke answered, shaking his head.
No sooner had the Falcon set down, than Threepio, Lumpy and Malla left the ship, not even pausing to say goodbye. "Where did they go?" Han asked, puzzled as he watched them leave the ship, with the droid in the lead. "Are you sure you want Goldenrod guiding your family around Coruscant?"
*Lumpy asked Threepio to show them something. I'm sure they will be perfectly safe,* Chewie replied. *Your clothes are wrinkled.* The Wookiee pushed Han toward his cabin. *Dress in something better.*
"What?" Han asked, flummoxed at the sudden change of subject. "My clothes are wrinkled? Who cares? I'm just going home."
"No, we have an appointment," Luke insisted from inside Han's cabin. "You need to look nice."
"What are you doing?" Han said, astounded at the fact Luke was now in his cabin, laying out clean, pressed clothes. "I'm not going anywhere until you tell me what this is all about! Who is this appointment with that I have to look nice?"
"A very important person," Luke answered as looked at Chewie. "Do you want to hold him down, while I dress him?"
Solo's eyes widened and he backed up - right into Chewie. *Get changed, Han. Now!* the Wookiee roared in a tone that brooked no argument.
"Fine!" Han snapped. "Get out of my cabin and I'll change clothes." I suppose it can't hurt to humor them, Han thought irritably. But I sure as hells can't wait until the twenty-sixth gets here.
Luke would rather have had Han wear something more formal, but he decided that just clean and pressed would have to do. Forcing Han put on clean clothes at all had been a worry for him, but now that they were headed toward the banquet hall, Luke decided his brother-in-law would at least look presentable, even if his arm was in a cast. Bacta had healed the cuts and bruises enough that they were barely noticeable. Barely noticeable, but still noticeable. Leia was not going to be happy, but it wasn't Luke's fault Han fell off the boardwalk. Keep telling yourself that, Skywalker, Luke told himself. Maybe Leia will even believe you. Or not. Looking over at the Corellian, Luke could see Han was not happy, either. "I guess you look okay," Luke said as he appraised Han's appearance.
"For who?" Han no longer believed his family was trying to kill him, anyway. "Why won't you just tell me who this appointment is with? Are you trying to drive me nuts?"
"Do or do not," Luke intoned solemnly. "There is no try."
"What the hells does that mean?"
Chewie woofed in laughter. *Perhaps it is a plot to drive you crazy, cub.*
Grabbing Solo by the left arm, Luke pulled him down a long, elegant corridor of a very expensive hotel. "We have to hurry or we'll be late."
"Late for WHAT?" Han yelled as he was hustled along. The only response to his question was more laughter.
As they neared a large, double doorway, Luke reached out with his Force-sense to his sister. We're right outside, he informed her as he reached for the "open" switch. The doors slid quietly apart. The interior was completely dark, and the Jedi could sense Han's growing trepidation. It's probably a good thing Han's right arm is in a cast, Luke decided. A guest getting shot by Han's blaster would be a good way to put a damper on the party.
Chewie and Luke both pushed Solo forward into the quiet room. "Chewie," Han said in a low voice. "What's going - " He got no further.
The lights came on and hundreds of people, Wookiees, and at least half a dozen different species of beings jumped out from behind chairs and tables. "SURPRISE!"
Han Solo staggered backwards in shock at the same time Chewie stepped to one side. With his arm in a cast, Solo's balance was thrown off and the Corellian went down with a thud on his backside, his eyes wide and his heart racing. "Wha...wha..."
"Han?" Leia stepped forward, since she was closest to the door. She peered down at her speechless husband. "What happened to your arm? How did you get all bruised? Why are you sitting on the floor? Get up and get in here!"
Chewie reached down and pulled Han to his feet, woofing in laughter. *Your wife said "get up".*
"What happened to him?" Leia questioned Luke softly.
"I'll tell you later," Luke whispered. Maybe the fact he got Han to the party on time and alive would count for something, anyway.
Solo stared past Leia at all the people in the room, laughing and singing a traditional life-day song - directed at him. His favorite oldies band, The Solar Flares, were on a stage playing instruments along with the loud singing. He could see Wedge, Malla, Mon Mothma, almost everyone he knew. Han tried to focus on the Princess. "Li.. life-day? Whose life-day?"
"Yours, dear!" Leia laughed. "Happy Life-day, Han!"
"Mine?"
"You never had a life-day party, so your family decided to throw you one. A big one, to make up for all the ones you've never had," Luke explained, watching Han's expression go from befuddlement to understanding to sheepish embarrassment. All his friends and associates, with their families, were gathered in this one room... from former smugglers like Lando and Talon Karrde, to politicians and pilots of the New Republic, and most of the Jedi. Luke didn't miss seeing a certain red-head among the guests.
"Were you surprised?" Leia asked happily as she pulled him further into the room. Any explanation for his injuries would have to wait for later.
"Uh... shocked," Han replied sincerely, still trying to recover.
"See? No one was trying to kill you, Han," Luke laughed. "All the whispering was about this party."
"Kill you?" Leia asked, her eyes growing round. "You thought we were trying to kill you?"
"Thanks a lot, kid," Solo groused at Luke, feeling his face flush with embarrassment. "You didn't have to tell her that!"
"Sure I did! She's my sister... we don't keep secrets!"
Before Han could argue this obvious fallacy, people gathered around him, slapping him on the back and shaking his left hand. The Corellian was drawn into the crowd.
"Kill him?" Leia repeated in disbelief.
"Your husband has a paranoid streak," Luke said to Leia, but his eyes were focused on Mara Jade, who was making her way through the crowd over to Luke. "I guess there was a former assassin in the crowd, after all. Excuse me, Leia. I have to mingle with the guests." The Jedi left his sister standing with Chewie to go meet Mara.
"Chewie, how could Han even consider that a possibility?" Leia questioned the Wookiee. Chewie shifted on his feet and stared at the ceiling for a moment, feeling a bit of guilt and remorse.
*Well,* he started out slowly, so she could understand. *Luke and I did encourage that notion...*
"What? Luke did that? Why?" I send Han away with Luke and then my own brother torments my husband? I swear if this wasn't such a public place, I'd... I'd...
*It was funny. Until he fell off the boardwalk on Kashyyyk and almost got killed.*
"Fell?" Leia spluttered. "He fell off a boardwalk?" Luke, you are in such deep...
*But vines stopped his fall... so he would have been alright, except for the insane, banished Wookiee that found him and tried to make him a pet.*
Leia held up her hand, feeling a little dizzy. "Chewie. Stop. I'm sure I'll hear all about it from Han. But will you do me a favor?"
*What, Princess?*
"Next time I decide to throw Han a party, lock me up and throw away the code-key."
Late that night.
Han lay in bed next to his wife, still smiling as he thought back on the wonderful evening. "That was a great life-day party, sweetheart. It's amazing you managed to hire The Solar Flares to play!"
"It wasn't too hard," Leia commented dryly. "They haven't had a hit in twenty years. Their manager practically cried when I told him I wanted to hire them."
Ignoring her jab at his taste in music, Solo continued. "And I can't believe all the presents I got! 'Course, most of 'em are pretty useless, but it was the thought that counts, right?"
Leia propped herself up on an elbow and looked at her slightly beaten-up husband. "I didn't mean to get you almost killed, Han, really. Even if you thought I was plotting your demise."
"Uh, about that, Leia." Han stopped smiling and bit his lip. Putting his uninjured arm around his wife, he said contritely, "I don't know what I was thinking. Can you forgive me?"
"Well, I suppose I can forgive you," she said coolly. "But you need to earn my forgiveness."
"Me? What about your brother? He hasn't been a shining angel of innocence in all this, ya know."
"Oh, Luke isn't getting off free and easy, believe me." Leia gave the type of humorless smile that always made Han worry. "I plan on having a long talk with Mara tomorrow. She'll have better ideas for getting even than I'll ever be able to come up with on my own."
Mara? Uh oh... poor Luke! Han thought, suddenly feeling sorry for his brother-in-law. At least I never have to contend with Jade.
"All right," Han agreed somewhat reluctantly. "What kind of punishment for me do you have in mind?"
"The bedroom closet needs a good cleaning, and so do the kitchen cupboards," she smiled down at him sweetly.
Han rolled his eyes. Leia had been trying to get him to clean out those cupboards for weeks already. "Oh, fine. I guess I can handle that." Especially since I was planning on doing it anyway. Eventually.
"Absolutely!" Leia agreed. "And speaking of presents, I haven't given you mine, yet."
"What do you mean? That party was a great present," Han said. "You don't have to give me anything -" His protest was cut short as his wife pressed her lips against his in a slow, lingering kiss.
After a long moment, she drew back and whispered in his ear. "Are you sure you don't want my present? I promise to be real careful with your shoulder."
"To hells with the shoulder, Princess," Han murmured softly. "You're the best life-day gift I could ask for."
"You got that right, flyboy."
THE END
