CHAPTER 13:

Darth Vader stalked out of the Emperor's chamber and to the elevator that was guarded by to Imperial Guards dressed in red from head to toe.

I have felt him, My Master, Vader said to the Emperor after the Sith Lord sensed his son's presence on the moon of Endor.

Strange that I have not, the Emperor replied. I wonder if your feelings are clear in this matter.

The Sith Lord's hands curled into fists. My feelings clear in this matter? How dare the Emperor imply that Vader emotions were clouding his control of the Force! He felt nothing for his son. Vader did not spare the life of Luke Skywalker on Bespin because he felt an attachment to the boy. He saw his son as a way to take out the Emperor and rule the galaxy.

He's just a boy. Vader had pointed out to his Master many months ago when the Emperor first detected Luke's presence in the Force. Was he trying to protect his son? No. Vader shoved that thought away. He watched the numbers on the display panel as the elevator descended.

The son of Skywalker must not become a Jedi. The Emperor had stated, as if there was a single Jedi left in the galaxy to train his son.

Vader contemplated the phrase his Master had used. Son of Skywalker… The Emperor no longer saw Darth Vader, his protégé, as Anakin Skywalker. The Emperor had been right; Darth Vader was no longer Anakin Skywalker. Vader's chin dropped. Did he miss his previous self?

The Dark Lord exited the elevator and took angry steps down the corridor toward his chamber as his underlings rushed to get out of his way. The Dark Lord ignored them. Had he paid attention to any one of them, he would have Force choked the life out of him.

No, Darth Vader did not miss his previous self. Attachment and love were nothing but weakness. And Anakin Skywalker fell prey to both. These qualities led to betrayal. Like how Padme betrayed him.

The Dark Lord's anger toward her had not subsided. In fact, it had grown over the years. His own wife had allowed Obi Wan turn her against him. She birthed a son in secret and let Obi Wan take Vader's own blood from him. Vader clenched his teeth together. Although he struck down his old Master, Obi Wan, it would never satiate his desire for vengence.

But it was too late for that. Obi Wan Kenobi had told Vader that if Vader struck him down, the old Jedi would become more powerful than the Dark Lord could possibly imagine. But Obi Wan's prophecy was hollow. Darth Vader concentrated on his mechanical breathing. Obi Wan may have bested him when they fought on Mustafar and had hidden his son from him, but Vader found his son anyway. His lips stretched into a sneer underneath his mask. Vader had been the victor in the end.

But the Emperor's interest in his son rattled Vader. The Emperor wanted to destroy Luke before Luke had the chance to become a Jedi. How could the boy become a Jedi without one to train him? Was it possible that Obi Wan Kenobi found a way to do so after his death?

Vader entered his chamber and shook that thought out of his head, dismissing it as impossible. Despite the fact that there were no Jedi left, the Emperor felt the need to kill Luke before he could become a Jedi. Vader laughed at the idea.

But Darth Vader had found a way to preserve his son's life. If he could be turned, he would become a powerful ally. What drove him to do that?

The Emperor liked that idea, and he let the Dark Lord search for his son over the past months.

When Vader first confronted his son on Bespin, Luke was just a boy then, idealistic with a good heart who only desired to become a Jedi so that he could end this epic battle between the Empire and the Rebellion. So he could be like his father. Luke was weak. But now…now, Vader could feel his son's presence in the Force, could feel Luke's strength and mastery of the Force. Although the Emperor could control his thoughts better than Vader, Vader could feel the faint fear underneath his Master's façade.

That was good. Darth Vader could use Luke's weaknesses, his son's desire to destroy the Emperor in his favor. And then Luke would become Vader's apprentice, and they will rule the galaxy as father and son.

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Luke Skywalker leaned against the smooth wooden rail holding a small cup in hand. The Ewoks, as Threepio called them, had treated them to a feast—one that did not require Han Solo to be the main dish—that was much more satisfying than the rations that would have been his dinner had they not been captured by the Ewoks. The Jedi wore a small smile. Bright Tree Villagewas what Threepio had called this place. Luke wondered how many other villages like this one existed high in the trees. He inhaled the pine tree smell, reveling in the little peace that this moment provided. There was not going to be many peaceful moments in his near future.

Luke's blue eyes fell upon Leia who stood across the platform talking to Chief Chirpa as Threepio translated for them. She was so beautiful with her hair falling down her back wearing a dress however rough and crude it was. When was the last time he had seen her wear a dress? He could not remember, but despite the primitive outfit, she still managed to appear regal and polished. Leia looked intense as she spoke to Chief Chirpa. She held the Ewok's brown eyes, never glancing at Threepio as he translated. Luke wondered about their conversation.

He bit the inside of his cheek and his small smile faded. He would have to have a conversation with Leia, a difficult one. Leia had always been accepting of him, but Luke wondered if there was a limit to her unconditional love. And how would she feel about learning that the man who tortured her and Han was her biological father?

The Jedi sighed, remembering how hard it was for him to accept the truth. He did not think he really believed it until he spoke with the late Yoda and Ben Kenobi's ghost, and they confirmed Vader's revelation.

Han made contact with the team who by now should have been three clicks away from the Imperial bunker. He used the code to communicate with them so that the Imperials, if they detected their conversation, would not understand it. Solo's hazel eyes traveled around the platform, taking in the sight of the excited Ewoks, of Chewie conversing with the little Ewok that found Leia in the forest. Chewie had a knack for picking up languages easily, and he used his hands to sign to make himself better understood. Leia was with the chief of the village, using Threepio to translate their words, and Artoo stood next to the golden droid. Han shook his head. Who would have thought that Goldenrod would ever be the one to save their lives?

Han's eyes then fell on Luke who stood away from the group, holding a cup that he was not drinking from. Once he finished communicating with the team, Solo clipped his comlink to his belt and headed over to Luke. The Jedi, staring off into another direction, did not notice Han's approach. Han sidled up to his friend, leaned against the railing like Luke, and followed Luke's gaze.

Luke was watching Leia. Han's stomach tightened. The way Luke gazed at Leia, the look in his blue eyes, Han recognized admiration. He also recognized love, but there was something sad in Luke's eyes. Luke loved Leia. Was he sad because she had chosen Han? Did Leia truly choose Han? She acted like she did, but he knew Leia loved Luke back. But was it romantic love?

Han pushed the green-eyed monster down. "You okay?" he asked Luke.

Luke turned his large blue eyes to Han and nodded. "Yeah." Luke took a sip from his cup. "You feel ready for tomorrow's attack?"

"Yeah, why wouldn't I be?"

Luke smiled at Solo. "Of course you are. It's just a lot of pressure to be carrying."

"What pressure?" Han said but then he dropped his bravado. "It's weighin' on me." He inhaled and exhaled. "If we don't blow up that bunker, a lot of people will lose their lives."

Luke nodded and his eyes traveled back to Leia. Han's heart skipped a beat. Did Luke sense something about Leia? Was she going to die? Was that why Luke looked so sad? Han wanted to ask, but he could not bring himself to do so. He was not sure he wanted to know, and Luke cared about Leia as much as Han did. Certainly his friend would say something if she was going to be in mortal danger.

What was Han thinking? They all were going to be in mortal danger. And not just his friends either. His team and the entire fleet were in mortal danger. Their mission was not going to be an easy one, and surely it was going to cost them many lives.

Luke held out his cup to Han. "Would you like some….sweet wine?"

Han's lips spread into a closed-mouth smile and took the cup that was mostly full. "Thanks." He took a gulp and handed it back to Luke.

"Keep it," Luke put up his hand. "It's way too sweet for me."

Han took another sip as Luke opened his mouth. He wanted to tell Han that he would not be participating in the mission tomorrow. Luke had his own mission to tend to. But then the Jedi closed his mouth. What was he going to tell Han? Han definitely would be upset. The smuggler would not understand why Luke had to seek out Vader and face the Dark Lord once again.

"Come'n," Han nudged Luke. "Somethin's definitely botherin' you. You've been…I don't know…distant since you returned from Dagobath."

"Yoda died."

"Oh. I'm sorry."

Luke met Han's hazel eyes. "He was nine hundred years old. It was his time."

"Nine hundred? And I thought at two hundred Chewie was old."

"At least Yoda wasn't cut down by a Sith like Ben." Luke looked down at the ground. "Yoda's death was peaceful. He just faded away."

"Faded away?"

Luke nodded. "I guess it's a Jedi thing. Ben disappeared when he was killed by…Vader."

"I was too busy tryin' to get you to get on the Falcon to notice." Han took another gulp of the sweet wine. "So you're gonna just fade off when you die, and the rest of us mortals are going to be just dust?" He nudged Luke with his elbow.

Luke's brow furrowed and he smiled. "I don't think so. I'm not a Jedi Master." His smile turned sad, "I'll never be a Master."

"Sorry."

Luke stared into Han's eyes, all playfulness erased from his face. He put a hand on the smuggler's shoulder. "You've been a good friend, Han. I couldn't have a better one."

Han gave him a wary look. "You expectin' to die tomorrow?"

"No." Luke paused and then looked at Leia before returning his attention to Han. "You're good for Leia. She needs you."

Han shifted his position. He opened his mouth and then closed it. What was Luke saying? Was he giving his blessing to Han's relationship with Leia? Was he conceding defeat in the battle for Leia's heart? Was not that Leia's decision?

"You need her too."

Before Han had a chance to say anything, Luke pushed himself off of the rail and looked up. The tall canopies of the trees blocked out the last of the sunlight. "It gets dark fast up here. Come on. Leia wants us."

Han glanced in Leia's direction. She was walking towards a large hut with the chief Ewok and shaman, but she gave no sign that she was calling him and Luke over. Nevertheless, Han followed Luke to the hut.

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Several Ewoks pounded on animal-skin drums, and Threepio announced that they all were part of the tribe. Leia noticed Luke hovering near the door when Threepio retold their…adventures, for lack of a better word, to the Ewoks to try to convince them to join in the fight against their common enemy. Luke wore a soft expression, smiling as if he was enjoying the revelry inside the large hut, but there was something in those blue eyes of his, something that was pulling him far away from the present moment. Luke's head dropped and he exited the hut.

Leia rose to her feet as Han did. Han walked over to Threepio to discuss the logistics of the mission after the Ewoks agreed to take them to the Imperial bunker. As part of the command team, she should have been at Han's side, but Leia was pulled toward the direction of Luke. She made her way through the excited Ewoks, looked behind her to see if anyone noticed her (no one did), and left the hut.

The princess walked into the cold crisp air, the soft mist that hung between the tall trees where the Ewok village inhabited. She inhaled the fresh air and held it in. It had been stuffy in the hut with all those Ewok bodies and theirs, and she felt less constricted now that she was out in the open air. She walked across the catwalk to where Luke stood with his hands on the rail as he stared up at the Death Star. Leia noticed the subtle worry in his eyes. Did he foresee their failure? Or was it something else? It was something else. Leia's large brown eyes rose to the sky and fell upon the foreboding Death Star. Her heart constricted with fear, but she sensed it had little to do with the half-constructed space station.

"Luke, what's wrong?"

Skywalker turned toward her and leaned his hip against the railing, letting her words hang between them. It was a complicated question but a question that he must now answer. He smiled at her, a wistful smile tinged with a touch of sorrow.

"Leia, did your father, Bail…did he ever tell you about your mother, your real mother?"

The princess's brow furrowed. "A little. She died when I was born."

Luke sat on the railing. "Tell me about her."

She leaned against the railing as her eyes focused on the past. "He didn't tell me much. Just that she was very beautiful…" she glanced into Luke's eyes. "My father said I have her eyes." Leia smiled for a moment before falling into a more somber tone. "She was strong, but not strong enough to survive my birth, I suppose." She dropped her eyes from Luke.

"That wasn't your fault." He put a hand on her shoulder. "What else?"

Leia rolled her lips between her teeth. "She had a strong sense of justice…" she shook her head. "I can't remember much more." She paused as her face darkened. "He would never tell me her name. And he never mentioned my biological father." She shrugged. "Maybe my father…maybe Bail didn't know him."

Luke nodded as he looked at his gloved hand.

"Why are you asking this?"

"I never learned anything about my mother," Luke confessed. "My aunt and uncle always avoided my questions."

Leia frowned. "Luke, tell me. What's bothering you?"

"Vader's here….on this moon."

Her eyes widened. "How do you know?"

Luke's deep blue eyes sought out hers. "I have felt his presence." When Leia tilted her head, he continued, "Like I felt your presence on Bespin."

She nodded. "I'm sorry that you feel him, Luke."

The Jedi sighed. "He's come for me. He can feel when I'm near." He paused to let her take in his words. "That's why I have to go."

"Go?"

"As long as I stay, I'm endangering the group and our mission." Luke licked his lips. "I have to face him."

"Why?"

Luke moved closer to her, keeping his tone as calm as possible. "He's my father."

Luke caught the flash of revulsion in her eyes, the fear, but she quickly recovered. "Your father?" She looked to the ground before looking up at him. "How do you know?"

"He told me."

"Do you trust what he says?"

A deflated smile marred Luke's expression. "Yoda confirmed it." He would have mentioned his conversation with Obi Wan, but he wanted to keep things simple. "There's more, Leia. It won't be easy for you to hear it, but you must." He paused, making sure he had her full attention. "If I don't make it back…you're the only hope for the Alliance."

Leia stepped away from him. "Luke, don't talk that way. You have a power that I-I don't understand. You're the last—"

Luke allowed her to retreat from him. "You're wrong, Leia. You have that power, too. In time you will learn to use it as I have."

The princess inhaled and exhaled as her large brown eyes fell to the ground. "I can't—"

"Yes, you can." Luke's eyes also fell to the spot where Leia stared. "The Force is strong in my family. My father has it….I have it….and…" he raised his eyes, catching hers in the process. "My sister has it."

There was a dark cloud swirling in Luke's eyes that frightened Leia, but she did not draw away from him. Her brow furrowed as she replayed their conversation in her head. Luke believing she was the last hope for the Alliance if he did not make it back…she having the powers Luke possessed….Vader his father….his sister…

"Yes. It's you, Leia."

She bit the inside of her cheek. How is that possible? Leia's head began to swim. However possible, she knew Luke was telling the truth. "You're my brother," she whispered. "Vader's my father…"

"I'm sorry." Luke grasped her arms. "I didn't want to burden you, but you have to know if I don't come back…."

Her mouth opened and she shook her head.

He let her go. "You know why I have to face him."

"No. I don't!" Leia snapped. "If he can feel your presence, you need to run away, leave this place. You'll be safe and won't endanger the mission."

Luke placed a kiss on her forehead. "I can't. This is something I need to do."

"Why?"

He dropped his chin as he prepared to explain himself. Would she understand? "Because…there's good in him. I've felt it. He won't turn me over to the Emperor. I can save him, turn him back to the good side."

"Darth Vader?"

"I have to try." When Leia's large brown eyes turned dark, Luke went on to explain, "He could've killed me on Bespin, but he didn't."

"I find it hard to believe there's any good in that…that…" she whispered the last word of her sentence, "monster." That monster, who tortured her, tortured Han, froze Han in carbonite. The monster who was her father. Leia grabbed onto the railing as a sudden bout of vertigo spun her world.

"I know. But I have felt it. There is some good left in him." Luke touched her elbow. "You have to trust me."

Leia stared into Luke's eyes for what seemed like an eternity, all anger in her heart seeping away. "I trust you," she whispered.

Luke enveloped his sister in his arms, and she responded by wrapping her arms around him, holding him tight against her as if she would never let go. He did not want to let her go, but Luke knew he must. He pulled away from her, his hand running down her arm until he caught her hand. With two hands, Leia grasped his until his fingers slipped through hers.

Han stepped out of the hut to find Luke embracing Leia before he let her go and walked away from her. With her back to Han, Leia continued to watch Luke as he disappeared into the night. Han frowned as he walked over to her. It was then he noticed her trembling.

"Hey, what's goin' on?"

Leia started at his voice, and she turned around. It was then Han noticed that she was crying. She sniffed and wiped at her eyes.

"Nothing. I—just wanted to be alone for a little while."

"Nothing?" his tone was harsh and then it softened. "Come on. Tell me. What's goin' on?"

The princess's large brown eyes looked up at him. She inhaled in an attempt to control her emotions. How could she tell him? What was she to tell him? It was just a jumble in her head, and she still needed to sort it all out.

"I…I can't tell you."

Han glanced in the direction where Luke disappeared. He held out his hand in that direction. His temper got the best of him. "Did you tell Luke? Is that who you could tell Luke?"

"I..."

"Ah!" Han waved a hand at her and turned away. Exasperation and jealousy clenched his heart and, he started to walk away, set on returning to the hut.

Leia's heart stopped as she watched him storm away. Unable to control her tears any longer, she turned away from him and held onto the rail with both hands as she tried to keep her knees from buckling. She had never felt so alone in her life.

Then Han stopped, turned around, took a few steps towards her, and planted his hands on his hips. "I'm sorry," he said, all exasperation and jealousy and anger devoid from his tone.

Leia turned to him, studied his contrite expression, and approached him. "Hold me," she whispered.

Solo held open his arms, and she flew into his embrace, wrapping her arms around him. He stroked her hair and rested his cheek upon her head. His uneasy feeling did not dissipate, but he loved her, and at that moment she needed him. He was determined to be there for her.

HAN

I'm sorry.

LEIA

Hold me.

Han gathers her tightly in his protective embrace.

77 EXT FOREST - IMPERIAL LANDING PLATFORM

An Imperial shuttle floats down from the Death Star and lands

gracefully on the huge platform.

Now, an Imperial walker approaches the platform from the darkness of

the forest. The whole outpost - platform, walkers, military - looks

particularly offensive in the midst of this verdant beauty.