Chapter Text
Prologue
Once upon a time there was a city, a vibrant, colourful, happy place, where laughter always moved through the sweet air.
The city was the capital of the ever charming country Alderaan where I and many others lived in joy and peace.
Alderaan was home to princes, princesses, nobles, fairies and regular old folk –like me.
Every day new adventures awaited around each corner.
But of all the tales that unfolded here, there is simply one story you must know.
But first, allow me to introduce myself.
I am Chewie, I was the main servant in a grand castle.
It was the castle where our beloved king and queen resided.
Oh, the tales I could share with you from my years of roaming the halls!
Stories of feasts, whispers in the garden and balls filled with gold and magic.
But today, I invite you to settle in, as I open the book of the greatest story to ever have taken place in the land of Alderaan.
The tale will take us back, a little more than 100 years ago, to a time right before magic had taken over the future of our lands, right before our fates were laid in the hand of Sleeping Beauty, the brave prince.
So settle in, dear listener, for a story of magic, courage and love.
Chapter 1 - The big news
“Have you heard the big news?”
“Do you know what he is talking about?”
“It must be something from the palace right?”
The moment I had informed the baker of spectacular news, whispers had started to spread like wildfire amongst the villagers.
You see, news out of the castle was a very rare occasion.
King Han and Queen Leia were known for keeping the affairs of their grand home a closely guarded secret, rarely sharing to those who lived outside the castle’s walls.
So when I –Chewie, the main castle footman– arrived with news the whole village gathered in the town square, where an atmosphere of excitement lingered.
And oh, how I enjoyed keeping them on their toes.
“Chewie, I have been waiting all morning!” the baker exclaimed with a deep sigh, his flour-dusted hands waving in impatience “Please just tell us!”
“Well,” I replied with a smug grin on my face, “ the news is unbelievable. A true sensation! Something grandeus has happened in the castle”
As more villagers came closer the questions grew louder and louder.
A hectic mix of voices echoing through the streets. What was the fantastic news? What could be so important that I, the castle’s most trusted footman, was brought here?
Even the introverted butcher approached, carrying fresh produce.
“Listen old man, I don’t have the time to wait all day. Can you tell us what this is about?”
Oh the young butcher, impatient as ever. “Well, it’s a miracle, extraordinary, you have all waited for this.”
A chorus of “Just tell us!” erupted. The crowd was getting slightly aggravated, but the square was full now, everybody on the tips of their toes, exactly where I needed them to be.
I took a step back, grabbed a crate and stepped on it, being in the view of all the gathered villagers.
“So,” I declared, my loud voice carrying over any sound, “here is the news that everybody is waiting for,” I paused, letting the tension linger, the anticipation was palpable, “HE IS BORN.”
For a few seconds there was absolute silence –so quiet you could hear a pin drop– until a high voice piped up.
“Who was born?” It was the daughter of the innkeeper, eyes wide with curiosity. “Was it a baby sheep or did the librarian’s wife give birth?”
I crouched down, replying in a melodic whisper. “No, this night, with great pleasure and pride, a new Prince was born.”
“A prince?!” she squealed, her voice carrying far.
And with that the entire square had heard it, the news was broken.
There was cheering on the square.
The pregnancy was kept a secret, no one suspected the queen to have been pregnant.
Well-wishes were shouted for the King, the Queen, and their newborn son.
The villagers began to dance and cheer, a spontaneous celebration blossoming in the square.
But I had another duty to attend.
A party was about to commence in the castle.
—---
“Oh Sard, you can’t be serious, another one. I can’t bel–”
Before king Han could finish his sentence the queen had strategically elbowed him in the ribs.
“Ooooowww,” he whined.
“Behave Han,” his lovely wife whispered back.
“But all these gifts are useless, what will be do with another stupid–”
“Queen Leia, king Han,” I interrupted them, “The Marquess and Marchioness of Naboo.”
The week after the news had broken, one noble man after the other had come knocking on the palace door.
It was customary that the first week gifts were brought. Much to the chagrin of King Han those gifts had been rather uninspiring.
Wooden blocks, a few gems, a baby sized crown.
The last one his majesty had found fun initially, but when at least 20 of their visitors had come with the same gift he had quickly learned to loathe the crowns that wouldn’t fit his kid’s head anymore in a few weeks.
Han had hoped for more fun gifts, he and Leia always brought clothes or original toys – not those basic stupid wooden blocks– and they always brought food or liquor for their guests.
And with the Marquess and Marchioness Netal now present Han and Leia could probably use some.
The Marchioness was very pregnant and constantly making jokes about a perfect match that could be made if their kid turned out to be a daughter.
A grave tragedy would have to happen before Han would ever consider that.
With no alcohol in his blood Han just had to breathe deeply in and out to pass his time with his unsettling company.
And it wasn’t that hard to do, he just had to look at his angel son and a calmness washed over his body.
His wife said a thank you and a goodbye to the guests, when they were out of earshot she turned to her husband.
“You could at least look like you are enjoying yourself,” Leia whispered.
“I am sorry my dear,” Han took her hand and placed a soft kiss on it, “you know what I think of those two. I shall do my best for the rest of the day. We are only expecting very special company, our three most esteemed guests and then we are done with all of this and we can just spend time with our son.”
Leia smiled warmly, “I can’t wait to have some time for us, and something tells me that our guests will bring a better gift.”
And that hope wasn’t unfounded.
Let me tell you a bit about those three esteemed guests.
Because these guests were not noble, they were extraordinary.
These three guests were three mages, more commonly known under the name fairies.
They weren't born with wings and couldn’t immediately fly like some stories would make you believe.
They were born with an ability to become more than regular people, through study they could learn magic and get new skills.
And these three they were the only mages the kingdom had, they were the only ‘good’ ones.
And they would arrive shortly to bestow a gift upon the queen.
“Your majesty the King and Queen,” it was my honour to introduce them once they arrived, “the three mages Poe, Finn and Rose.”
“It is a pleasure to finally meet you,” Han smiled while giving each mage a handshake.
“The honour is all ours,” Poe smiled back.
“Q-q-q-ueen Leia,” Rose stuttered, “con-congratulations on the birth of your son. What is his name?”
Leia moved over to the crib to hold her sleeping son, Han joined her, placing his hand on her back, moving it in slow circles while he smiled at her.
“This,” Leia whispered softly, “is our sweet son Ben Solo.”
Finn was the first mage to step forward.
“Today each of us is going to gif you a magic gift to ensure the happiness of your son Ben. A mage can only cast one spell per person, but we shall make it count”
Finn took his wand out.
“I, Finn, wish that your son Ben will meet the one his heart belongs to on his 12th birthday.”
With an elegant swoop he finished his spell, as tiny lights filled the room, showing the spell was cast.
Leia smiled at her husband, and he gave her a knowing look.
It was a similar spell that had been bestowed on Princess Leia before meeting a young rascal Han.
As Finn moved back, Poe stepped forward.
“I, Poe, wish that your son Ben will marry the one his heart belongs to on his 18th birthday.”
He also finished his spell with a flick of his wand as 100ths of tiny sparkles lighted up the room.
Poe stepped back and Rose, she stayed in place.
Poe gave her a little shove as Finn whispered “Rose it’s your turn.”
“I-I-I can’t.”
She was looking down at her shoes, fidgeting with her hands whispering softly, “You Finn are the smartest mage I know, and Poe just has that effortless charm and I– I– I’m new and not sure and what if I–”
Finn would’ve probably handled her with a little more care, this was her first big wish.
Poe, however, did not have those very refined skills, he just shoved Rose forward.
“Your majesties I–I,” she grabbed her wand, her muscles tense as she tried to make herself as small as possible.
“I, Rose, I– I– I wish that– that–,” she turned around again to the other mages, “There is something wrong!”
“Come on Rose you can do it, don’t be shy,” Finn motioned her to continue, “you can do this.”
“No something is wrong I can feel something, there is a darkne—”
Before she could finish her sentence a loud bang filled the room as all the candles blew out, immediately to be replaced with a harsh red light.
The entire ballroom was illuminated in a dark glow as a weird pressure started to fill the room, the air thick and heavy with an uneasy atmosphere.
The doors flew open and an old enemy entered.
His hollow laugh rang in all the attendants' ears as he headed straight for the king and queen. Han moved instinctively in front of his wife.
“Who are you?”
“Ah king Han, your wife hasn’t told you about me, I am Sheev Palpetine.” His voice was like ice was doused over the room
“Okay Sheev, can you please leave. I don’t think you were invited and I–”
Before Han could finish his sentence a pressure was put on his throat, effectively silencing him before being thrown on the ground.
“Mister Palpatine I–” Leia started.
“Child, it is in your best interest to listen and don’t pull any moves.”
Sheev moved throughout the room, so everybody there, servants, barons, visitors could see his dark ‘glory’.
“I am Sheev Palpatine. I used to be the most powerful mage in this country. But you see I was expelled, I was too powerful for the kingdom, too dark. My powers were suppressed and I was forced to flee. But I’ve been rebuilding and I've been growing my powers. And now I will do what I waited for so many years, revenge. And what better moment than now? When you just had your son.”
Sheev went to walk towards Leia, who tried to move Ben away, but Sheev’s powers blocked her movements.
“Please mister Palpatine, my father made mistakes, he shouldn't have banned you.”
“And yet, you never invited me back. Despite the lovely spell of knowledge I gifted you when you were born”
Leia looked down, she never did, why would she, he could destroy everything with one spell.
“Please, please, don’t hurt my son. You can’t take him away from me now.”
“Oh I won’t take that ugly thing away now. Why would I? If I wait a few years it would hurt you so much more. Especially when you’ll have to worry that entire time about your little prick of a son. I, Sheev Palpatine,--”
“NO, please no,” Leia screamed while crying.
“I, Sheev Palpatine, wish that Ben Solo will prick a spinning wheel on his 18th birthday and die a very painful death, the pain lasting his soul for 100 years.”
The moment he moved his wand the room filled with black smoke. When the room cleared and normal light was shining again, Palpatine was long gone.
The queen was crying, eyes bright red “There must be something we can do.”
“If I ever find him I–”
“What Han?" she sniffled looking down at her son -who was somehow still asleep despite the commotion around him-, "You’ll fight him? We won’t find him and he is too strong. We have no hope we…,” Leia turned to the three good mages. “Please help us, please, I can’t lose my son.”
Poe stepped forward.
“I don’t know how Palpetine somehow returned, but I have already given Ben my wish, but maybe–” He turned to look back at Rose.
Her eyes shot wide in panic. “I–”
A dark voice filled the room again. “That little joke of a mage, she won’t be able to do anything. You are doomed, goodbye.”
“I can’t do it Poe, you heard him. I am–”
“Their only hope.” Finn filled in. “I believe in you. Close your eyes, don’t think about Sheev, don’t think about anyone in the room. Just try.”
Rose stepped forward and closed her eyes.
“I, Rose, wish that… that Ben won’t die but he and the rest of the kingdom will fall into a deep, deep slumber for 100 years and a kiss from the one his heart belongs to will wake him up.”
The king and queen cheered with the new wish.
The kingdom was saved, for now, the couldn't even see the panic in Rose's eyes as the three mages made their way out of the castle.
Everybody quickly forgot about the curse and life regained normalcy.
The king and queen could just be rulers and parents.
Although for there was always a bit of unease, a big caution. Always a voice in the back of their minds murmuring about the ‘what ifs’.
But the more time passed, the more was forgotten.
Everything was back to normal. And to be honest nothing out of the ordinary happened to the king, the queen or Ben.
That until it was time for the moment the first spell would go into effect, so let me take you to about 12 years further into our story.