The drums start beating, and all the furry heads turn to the large hut. Leia emerges, wearing an animal-skin dress. She sees what's happening at the same moment the prisoners see her.
HAN and LUKE: Leia!
As she moves toward them, the Ewoks block her way with raised spears.
LEIA: Oh!
THREEPIO: Your Royal Highness.
Artoo and Chewie chime in with their welcome. Leia looks at the assembled Ewoks and sighs. Leia pleads for them to be set free.
LEIA: But these are my friends. Threepio, tell them they must be set free.
Threepio talks to Chirpa and Logray, who listen and shake their heads negatively. The Medicine Man gestures toward the prisoners and barks some orders. Several Ewoks jump up and pile more wood on the barbecue with vigor. Leia trades frantic looks with Luke and Han.
HAN: Somehow, I got the feeling that didn't help us very much.
LUKE: Threepio, tell them if they don't do as you wish, you'll become angry and use your magic.
THREEPIO: But Master Luke, what magic? I couldn't possibly --
LUKE: Just tell them.
THREEPIO: ... as I said they wouldn't. Wha-wha-what's happening! Oh! Oh, dear! Oh!
Threepio speaks to the Ewoks. The Ewoks are disturbed. Logray steps forward and challenges Threepio. Luke closes his eyes and begins to concentrate.
THREEPIO: You see, Master Luke; they didn't believe me. Just...
Now the throne, with Threepio sitting upon it, rises from the ground. At first Threepio doesn't notice and keeps talking. The Ewoks fall back in terror from the floating throne. Now Threepio begins to spin as though he were on a revolving stool, with Threepio calling out in total panic at his situation.
THREEPIO: Put me down! He-e-elp! Master Luke! Artoo! Somebody, somebody, help! Master Luke, Artoo! Artoo, quickly! Do something, somebody! Oh! Ohhh!
Chief Chirpa yells orders to the cowering Ewoks. They rush up and release the bound prisoners. Luke and Han enfold Leia in a group embrace. Luke notices the spinning Threepio, with Artoo beeping up at him, and slowly lowers the golden droid and the throne to the ground. Logray orders the little droid cut down. Artoo crashes to the ground.
When the Ewoks set him upright, the little droid is fighting mad. Artoo beeps a blue streak at the nearest Ewok, and begins pursuing him, finally getting close enough to zap him with an electric charge. The Ewok jumps two feet in the air and runs away, screaming. A small group of Ewoks surround the giant Wookiee, scratching their heads and marveling at his height.
THREEPIO: Oh, oh, oh, oh! Thank goodness.
LUKE: Thanks, Threepio.
THREEPIO (still shaken): I...I never knew I had it in me.
Chief's Hut, Council of Elders: A glowing fire dances in the center of the spartan, low-ceilinged room, creating a kaleidoscope of shadows on the walls. Along one side, a group of ten Ewok elders flank Chief Chirpa, who sits on his throne. The Rebels sit along the walls of the hut, with Threepio between the two groups and Wicket and Teebo off to one side. Threepio is in the midst of a long, animated speech in the Ewok's squeaky native tongue.
The Ewoks listen carefully and occasionally murmur comments to each other. Threepio points several times at the Rebel group and pantomimes a short history of the Galactic Civil War, mimicking the explosion and rocket sounds, imitating Imperial walkers. Throughout the long account, certain familiar names are distinguishable in English: Princess Leia, Artoo, Darth Vader, Death Star, Jedi, Obi-Wan Kenobi. Artoo begins beeping excitedly at Threepio.
THREEPIO: Yes, Artoo. I was just coming to that.
Threepio continues with: Millennium Falcon, Cloud City, Vader, Han Solo, carbonite, Sarlacc, bringing the history up to the present time. At the end of it, the Chief, Logray, and the elders confer, then nod in agreement. Logray makes a pronouncement. The drums begin to sound, and all the Ewoks stand with a great cheer and screeches.
HAN: What's going on?
LEIA: I don't know.
Luke has been sharing the joy with smiling visage, but now something passes like a dark cloud through his consciousness. The others do not notice.
THREEPIO: Wonderful! We are now a part of the tribe.
Several of the little teddy bears run up and hug the Rebels.
HAN: Just what I always wanted.
Chewbacca is being enthusiastically embraced by an Ewok, while Wicket clings to Han's leg.
HAN (chuckles): Well, short help is better than no help at all, Chewie. (to Wicket) Thank you. Okay.
THREEPIO: He says the scouts are going to show us the quickest way to the shield.
generator.
Chewie barks. Luke has drifted to the back of the hut. Now he wanders outside into the moonlight. Leia notices and follows.
HAN: Good. How far is it? Ask him. We need some fresh supplies, too. And try and get our weapons back.
Han pulls Threepio back as he keeps trying to translate.
HAN (cont): And hurry up, will ya? I haven't got all day.
The walkway is deserted now. The windows of the little huts glow and flicker from the fires inside. The sounds of the forest fill the soft night air. Luke has wandered away from the Chief's hut and stands staring up at the Death Star. Leia finds him like that.
LEIA: Luke, what's wrong?
Luke turns and looks at her a long moment.
LUKE: Leia... do you remember your mother? Your real mother?
LEIA: Just a little bit. She died when I was very young.
LUKE: What do you remember?
LEIA: Just...images, really. Feelings.
LUKE: Tell me.
LEIA (a little surprised at his insistence): She was very beautiful. Kind, but...sad. (looks up) Why are you asking me all this?
LUKE (looks away): I have no memory of my mother. I never knew her.
LEIA: Luke, tell me. What's troubling you?
LUKE: Vader is here...now, on this moon.
LEIA (alarmed): How do you know?
LUKE: I felt his presence. He's come for me. He can feel when I'm near. That's why I have to go. (facing her) As long as I stay, I'm endangering the group and our mission here. (beat) I have to face him.
Leia is distraught, confused.
LEIA: Why?
Luke moves close and his manner is gentle. And very calm.
LUKE: He's my father.
LEIA: Your father?
LUKE: There's more. It won't be easy for you to hear it, but you must. If I don't make it back, you're the only hope for the Alliance.
Leia is very disturbed by this. She moves away, as if to deny it.
LEIA: Luke, don't talk that way. You have a power I--I don't understand and could never have.
LUKE: You're wrong, Leia. You have that power too. In time you'll learn to use it as I have. The Force is strong in my family. My father has it...I have it...and...my sister has it.
Leia stares into his eyes. What she sees there frightens her. But she doesn't draw away. She begins to understand.
LUKE: Yes. It's you Leia.
LEIA: I know. Somehow...I've always known.
LUKE: Then you know why I have to face him.
LEIA: No! Luke, run away, far away. If he can feel your presence, then leave this place. I wish I could go with you.
LUKE: No, you don't. You've always been strong.
LEIA: But, why must you confront him?
LUKE: Because...there is good in him. I've felt it. He won't turn me over to the Emperor. I can save him. I can turn him back to the good side. I have to try.
They hold each other close and look at each other, brother and sister. Leia holds back her tears as Luke slowly lets her go and moves away. He disappears onto the walkway that leads out of the village.
Leia, bathed in moonlight, watches him go as Han comes out of the Chief's hut and comes over to her. Leia is crying, her body trembling. Leia attempts to stifle her sobs and wipes her eyes. He realizes only now that she is crying.
HAN: Hey, what's goin' on?
Leia attempts to stifle her sobs and wipes her eyes.
LEIA: Nothing. I - just want to be alone for a little while.
HAN (angry): Nothing? Come on, tell me. What's goin' on?
She looks up at him, struggling to control herself.
LEIA: I...I can't tell you.
HAN (loses his temper): Did you tell Luke? Is that who you could tell?
LEIA: I...
HAN: Ahhh...
He starts to walk away, exasperated, then stops and walks back to her.
HAN: I'm sorry.
LEIA: Hold me.
Han gathers her tightly in his protective embrace.
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