Closing her eyes she tilted head upwards, the cold air brushing a strand of hair into her face. Up there somewhere, was what remained of the second death star. With the emperor dead and his remaining forces scattered, the alliance could finally celebrate their hard won victory. Though she knew this was just the beginning, she could not help but be drawn into the feeling of triumph that seemed to permeate the air in the small village. Opening her eyes she could see bonfires and tourches being lit everywhere, casting the tall trees in flickering shadows. Ewoks where chatting happily amongst themself, some had started to dance. She noticed even a few of the alliance pilots had joined in.
On the other side of the small village square she could see Han and Lando talking animatedly. As if sensing her Han glanced up giving her a small smile, she smiled back before looking back up against the sky. Not bothering to close her eyes this time, she felt for Luke's presence. He was alive she knew that, so why was he not back yet? Relief flooded her as she felt his familiar presence in the back of her mind, like he had always been there. And in a way she thought he always had, even before she knew he existed. He was close by now, much closer than before. Concentrating harder, hoping she would be able to sense clues to his location, she suddenly felt another mind brush against hers. Frowning she quickly pulled away from the unfamiliar presence, hoping it had not noticed her.
Carefully avoiding stepping on dancing ewoks, she made her way towards the walkway that would lead down to the surface of the moon. Torches lit up a small forest clearing at the base of the walkway, the large trees towering over made it appear much darker than the village above. The flickering torches casting large shadows in all directions. A few alliance member greeted her as she stepped past them, and further towards the depth of the forest. There was something out there in the dark, she just knew it. But what?
The buzzing sound of animated chattered stopped abruptly, leaving behind only the sounds of the forest and it's creatures. That's when she heard it, a strange wheezing sound. Right in front of her a large bulky shadow stepped out from between the dark trees, entering the circle of torches. She felt her heart constrict in her chest as light reflected of it's mask, and somewhere behind her she heard someone gasp. Vader it was Vader, frantically she grabbed at her belt for her blaster, belatedly remembering she had left it in the village with rest of her things. Stupid, how could she have been so stupid, letting her guard down even for a brief moment.
Suddenly Han was beside her, his own blaster in hand. She had been so focused, she had not realised he had followed.
Vader seemed unfazed by this and made his way towards her slowly. As he walked past the light of one of the torches, she could see he had something hoisted over his right shoulder. No, not something, someone. Luke.
"No Han, dont shoot, he has Luke!"
"What?" Han lowered his blaster slightly, giving her a confused look.
Before she had time to react, Vader was only a meter away. The strange wheezing, sounded even stronger now . She realised it was comming from him. Moving slowly and with some effort he lowered himself to his knees, laying Luke gently down on the ground at her feet. Then he collapsed in a large black heap.
Rushing forward to she leaned down and felt for Luke's pulse. His heart beat was slow and steady, unconscious but still alive. She looked up and gave Han a brief nod.
"What is this? Why would he bring Luke here?" Han walked over to Vader, carefully prodding him with the tip of his boot, holding his blaster ready. There was no movement from Vader, just an irregular wheezing.
More people had gathered around them now, murmuring quietly. In the distance she heard someone call out for medical assistance.
Keeping her hand protectively on Luke's shoulder, she glanced quickly over at the black shadow at Han's feet and then up to Han's face. He looked puzzled. There had been no time to tell him, in truth she had not wanted to, not yet. Only after Luke had left to face Vader had the significance of her parentage truly hit her, but there had been no time to dwell on it. And tonight she had only wanted to celebrate.
"It's complicated" was all she could think of to say, avoiding looking over at Vader's crumpled form.
Before Han had a chance to reply, Lando appeared at her side with a stretcher for Luke. Letting go of his shoulder, she moved out of the way to stand next to Han. She forced herself to look down at the still form at their feet. A sight she had never wanted to see again, even more so now. Just looking at him made her feel ill, like he could contaminate her with his mere presence.
"What are we going to do with him? Leave him here?" Han was hesitant for once, so unlike his normal cocky self. He was not the only one that felt confused.
The rasping sound continued, but was more labored now. Like every breath he took was a struggle. Still alive then, a shame. It would be so easy to just leave him there, to let him die, so she could forget he ever existed. Instead she shook her head.
"Someone get another stretcher" she heard her self call out, before she turned away from the shadow to follow Luke.