Solo jerked into wakefulness with a feeling of urgency and alarm. A swift check of his surroundings told him everything was as it should be, but he was still left with a strong sense of unease.
He rolled onto his side and sat up carefully, groaning a little as the wound of the night before made its presence felt. The nintwine had worn off, for which he felt surprisingly grateful and in no hurry to top up. At least he didn't seem to have a hangover. His bloodstained shirt was on the floor nearby and his father had left him a clean one on the bench. He didn't feel lightheaded or uncomfortable and took it as a good sign. The strip of synth-skin on his abdomen looked pink and healthy and was already starting to itch.
Chewie and Luke were not in the hut, but he could hear people moving about outside and decided they were probably up. Solo could hear his father muttering about something, and got to his feet, donning the shirt.
A glance told him that the princess was still sound asleep and he walked towards the door, but stopped before he got there, frowning. Something... Solo looked back at her. Something to do with his feeling of unease. He moved closer to her, hoping it would help him sort out... random images; none of which made any sense. Probably just some weird dream...
Looking at her asleep, unselfconsciously relaxed with her hair loose, Solo was struck by how young she looked. The hard, self-controlled edge was gone and she looked rather beautiful. So much strength and determination in someone so... little. He frowned again. Something had happened to her... in the dream...
Unable to fathom it, he shook it off and walked out. Probably a side effect of the nintwine.
He stepped through the doorway and stared at the surrounding jungle in wonder. Morning had unveiled a mist-shrouded, green jewel. Insect and birdsong hung as heavily as the heat, punctuated by animal calls and a homey sort of singsong from the natives below. No, not just below... Solo turned a full 360 degrees. There were platforms all around them! In neighbouring trees for as far as the mist would let him see.
He noticed his father watching him.
"Impressive, isn't it?" Perron said, matter of factly.
"I had no idea the tribe was so big."
"It wasn't. Not until recently. There are five tribes here."
"I'm surprised they get on so well."
"It takes some doing. A major threat to their existence and a very shrewd Shaman."
Solo gave his father a sour look. "I've got a score to settle with him."
Perron held up a warning finger. "Don't you dare. It was your own stupid fault; I told you not to leave the hut." Solo scowled and Perron moved away, "I'll be back in a minute; I'm just going to get something for your friend."
Solo turned and looked at Chewie and Luke. Chewie was eating and greeted him companionably through a mouthful of food. Luke, on the other hand, was sitting morosely on one of their packs, looking like he had the mother of all hangovers.
He looked up seedily at Solo and growled, "I'm gonna kill your father."
Solo chuckled, positively heartened, and patted Luke on the back. "First step on the road to manhood, kid."
Luke was in no mood for any of Solo's wit or wisdom and snapped succinctly, "Shut up, Han."
Solo and Chewie shared amused looks. Nothing like being the one who doesn't suffer the hangover, Solo mused happily. Or the memory loss.
The half remembered feeling of unease whispered at the back of his brain and he considered it briefly, then dismissed it. He picked up his bag and started checking the contents.
Leia woke to the sound of someone stomping past.
"Rise and shine, Your Highness," Solo said, picking up the coat he'd come in for. "Or we'll leave without you."
He walked straight out again and Leia stirred and winced. Her right side ached abominably. She sat up carefully, absently scratching at a small red welt on her breastbone, and tried to kick her brain into gear.
They all looked up when she emerged from the hut and, from the expressions on their faces, Leia guessed her appearance was pretty frightful. She had done what she could one handed, and now had to ask for help. Her boots were a complete impossibility, and even her hair... She couldn't imagine what she'd been thinking when she'd let it loose!
Perron returned with a flask and instructions for Luke, and Solo picked up her boots and waved at her to sit down. Leia felt very awkward and started to apologise.
Solo grinned lopsidedly. "Oh, go on; you've always wanted to have me waiting on you hand and foot."
Leia smiled as he pulled her sock on. "How are you feeling this morning?" she asked.
"Glad to be rid of the nintwine and feeling again," he said, finishing one boot.
"Hmm," she agreed and pushed her hair behind one ear.
Solo picked up her other sock. "How're the ribs?"
"I'm making sure I breathe shallow."
Solo smiled and picked up her other foot to put the sock on, but his thumb slipped and ran across the bottom of her foot. Leia jerked reflexively and she started to apologise at the same time as he did. Then a devious gleam flickered across his face.
"Ticklish?"
"Not usually, no-" Her foot twitched again as he delightedly ran a finger along the bottom of it. "Han!" she protested.
Solo grinned at her and did it again. "No?"
"Han, stop it!" She was starting to get angry.
He made a placating gesture and was pushing the sock over her foot when he noticed something on the side of her face and frowned. Leia froze, thinking he'd spotted some sort of insect crawling on her.
"What?" she asked fearfully.
Solo reached up and gingerly touched her temple and Leia eyed him warily. What was he looking at?
"Son-of-a-sith…" Solo murmured.
"What?" Leia demanded.
Perron approached with the flask. "And how are my patients this morning?" he asked. He poured a cup and held it out to Leia, observing with some humour, "With your hair like that, you look remarkably like Chewbacca."
Solo turned a baleful gaze on his father without removing his hand from the side of her face, and Perron suddenly looked evasive.
"It isn't permanent," he told them.
Leia's good hand flew to her temple. "What isn't permanent?" she demanded, seriously alarmed.
"It's harmless and it kept the Shaman happy," Perron said.
"Why?" Solo asked darkly.
"The Shaman?" Leia ran her fingertips over both temples. "What has he done?"
"He's put blue marks on your face," Solo told her.
"While they're there, no Kivvidan will harm you," Perron said. "In fact, they will do everything in their power to protect you. Even die for you."
Leia frowned, disturbed. "Why?"
"He thinks you're a goddess," Perron admitted.
Solo snorted. "Because she survived that vine?" he asked, busying himself with her other boot.
"That was part of it."
"What's wrong, Han?" Luke jibed happily. "Jealous?"
Solo looked at Luke and then at his father, astonished at the younger man's recovery. "What'd you give Luke?"
Perron smiled and offered the cup he was holding to the princess who received it guardedly. While she was relieved to be rid of the pain/pleasure stupor she'd spent last night in, Leia was also well aware that, in her present condition and without pain relief, she would slow them down considerably.
Perron read the indecision on her face and said, "I would, if I were you. The 'hopper's not far away, but nor is it an easy hike."
Leia drank it down, consoling herself that it was only one cup. She stood up and filled her lungs with the sweetly pungent, moist Galadan air, and a familiar warmth spread through her body. She ignored it and reached for her pack.
"Not a chance." Luke intercepted with a smile, hefting her pack onto his shoulder.
Leia smiled, "Thanks." A flicker of annoyance crossed her face as she tried to keep her hair out of her eyes. "Shall we go?"
Perron smiled and produced a strip of native cloth, "Turn around."
Leia guessed his intent, sighed and turned around. Perron swiftly bound her hair into a thick, colourful sausage, matter of factly donned his son's pack then lead them to the ropes and they fell into step behind him.
Miffed, Solo followed last. Perron had left the flask of nintwine at the edge of the platform and Solo picked it up, slipping it into his pouch. In all his travels he had never seen anyone come out of a hangover as quickly as Luke had. And it had only taken a sip. Used prudently the entire flask could well last him a couple of years. Hell, he could probably have it analysed, copied and market the stuff! It could make him rich.