Rescue for a Sith Princess

Chapter 6

Leia stood before Vader completely petrified for her training, her hands shaking by her sides. However, she was determined not to show her fear to either of her masters. Leia put on a brave, hard face and stared at Vader with unwavering eyes.

"We will begin where we left off yesterday, my apprentice. Just counter my attacks for now, and I want to feel the waves of anger coming off of you," Vader demanded.

His apprentice nodded, summoning up as much anger as she could muster. Think about what the Emperor did to you, you hate him, Leia. No...Tochter, Leia coached herself. She could feel a bubbling rage begin to frenzy through her veins, and she knew she was ready.

Vader ignited his lightsaber, and Leia followed. In the blink of an eye, the Sith Lord was already dueling his apprentice. Leia violently countered his attacks, letting her hatred flow from her hands to the tip of her lightsaber.

Leia was extremely proud of herself; she was keeping up with her master, she was focused, and her rage gave her exactly the fire she needed. The Emperor would be very impressed.

As she and Vader battled around the room, Leia's mind wandered to the events of the previous evening. She considered how kind the stormtrooper was, how he made her laugh, and Leia's heart softened for a second. In that brief moment, Vader caught her off guard and slashed her leg.

Leia cried out in pain and stumbled backwards, holding onto her injured limb. The pain in her calf burned as if each one of her nerves was on fire.

"Do not lose focus! ALWAYS channel your anger, never let it waver!" Vader barked at her.

Leia bit down on her lip, trying to combat the pain and will away the tears pooling in her eyes. "I'm sorry, my master. I promise I will do better."

"Let's continue," Vader said.

Leia's face flew up to meet her master's. She had to keep fighting? She brought up her weapon, trembling from the shooting pain traveling up her leg. But Vader showed no mercy, and attacked his apprentice with the same force as before. Leia was able to keep up for a while, but soon her leg gave out from under her. Vader's lightsaber traveled across her lower abdomen, causing Leia to double over in agony.

"Get up!" Darth Vader shouted.

Heaving with short breaths, Leia looked up at him incredulously. "Am I supposed to continue fighting? I can barely move!"

"In a real battle, you fight until you're dead! Don't think I will train you any differently."

Leia gave a sardonic laugh. "Well you can't kill me."

"Then until you're unconscious. That's what the Emperor did with me."

Leia felt a twinge of pity for her master, trying not to imagine the horrors the Emperor subjected him through.

"DON'T feel sorry for me! Those feelings are compassionate, traces of the Light Side. We will have none of that here."

"Of course, my master," Leia mumbled, straightening up slowly. The pair continued to fight, but not for long. Once again, Leia was struck down with an injury on her arm. The pain overwhelmed her and she collapsed.

Vader hovered over her body and said, "I will have to report the outcomes of this session to the Emperor. He will not be pleased."

Leia's eyes widened with fear. She was done hiding her true emotions from Vader. "No, please, please," she begged weakly. "Don't tell him, I can't go through his torture again. Isn't this torture enough?"

"You know there is no room for compassion here," Vader droned.

"Please, please..." Leia mumbled before passing out. Vader waited until she was unconscious, then let feelings of compassion wash over him. Seeing Leia lie limp on the floor reminded him of the pain he had suffered too often, the pain he didn't want her to experience. He scooped Leia up into his arms, and a small glimmer of warmth settled in his heart as Leia's head rested on his shoulder.

Vader carried her back to her quarters, checking around every corner along the way. No one could catch him in this moment of sympathy. Weakness, he reminded himself.

Once he reached Leia's quarters, he gently laid her upon the sheets of her bed. She appeared so peaceful and pure. Vader then decided he would not report his daughter's session to the Emperor.

~~~

Leia jolted awake to a knock on her door. Disoriented, she tried to remember where she was and what happened to her. She rolled over and wincing at the pain across her body, she recalled her terrible training with Vader. But how did I get back to my room?

The knocking repeated and Leia realized it must be Number One. She limped slowly towards the door, holding onto her hurting stomach.

Han waited nervously on the other side, hoping for another successful meeting with the princess.

"Hello, Number One," she greeted him as she swung the door open.

Han was shocked by her disheveled appearance. "What happened to you?" He asked, looking her up and down.

Leia grumbled. "Just a bad training session. Unfortunate part is that I'll still have to pay for it. As if all of this isn't enough," she said, motioning to her injuries.

"Here, let me help you sit down." Han walked her over to the bed. "These are all lightsaber wounds?"

Leia nodded. "I still need to work on my concentration," she stated grimly.

"Let me check in the bathroom, maybe there's some first aid stuff in there," Han said, disappearing into the bathroom.

"You don't have to help me, it's not part of your duties," she called to him.

Han emerged with some supplies to clean and wrap her wounds. "I know. It's just the right thing to do."

Leia laughed, and once again Han was drove crazy by the sound. "Since when are Imperials concerned about doing the right thing?" She said.

Han gasped, realizing that was the first thing she said that truly made her sound like a Rebel again. Leia heard the gasp and immediately apologized.

"I'm sorry, that was very rude. I'm on your side now anyways."

"It's all right," Han replied. He rolled up her sleeve and began to work on the cut. Han wished desperately he could remove his armor so he could touch her incredibly soft skin. He moved as tenderly as possible with the uniform, hearing Leia wince a couple of times.

Once Han finished with her arm and leg, Leia pulled up her shirt shyly so that he could tend to her stomach. Han could tell she was blushing, and he turned red under his helmet too.

Leia marveled at the care and gentleness of the stormtrooper, and her heart swelled at the kindness. Stop it, Leia. Anger, not affection.

She abruptly pulled down her shirt as Han was finishing and said tersely, "I think that's enough. What do you want to ask me?"

Confused and slightly angered by Leia's reaction, Han replied, "Vader just wanted to make sure your wounds weren't too serious. And obviously, you can handle them on your own!" With that, Han left the room and slammed the door, leaving behind a very irritated Leia.