[Han Solo] - 03(30)

As he sat musing in his corner, Kallabow, Chewbacca’s sister, who had been rushing back and forth with platters for the coming wedding feast, suddenly stopped, hands on hips, and glared at him. Then she beckoned to him, exclaiming indignantly. Han got to his feet. “Hey, of course I ain’t hiding,” he said, in response. “I was just tryin’ to stay outta the way.

Is everything ready?”

Kallabow agreed emphatically that everything was ready, and Han should come now.

Han followed Chewie’s sister out into the sunlight amid the rustling treetops. As he walked, Jarik fell into step with him. The kid had stayed pretty close by Han’s side, since he didn’t understand Wookiee, and, unless Han was around, could only speak to Ralrra. “So, this is it?” he asked Han.

“This is apparently it, kid,” Han said. “Chewie’s moments of freedom are numbered.”

Kallabow, catching Han’s words, gave the human males a scathing glance and an indignant, “Huuuuummmmpppppphhhhhhh!” that needed no translation. Han chuckled. “We better be careful, kid. She could break us both in two without half tryin’.”

The Wookiee female led them down one of the bough-roads that was as wide as a street on some worlds. They were headed away from the city, deeper into the treetop area where many Wookiees had built homes.

Malla’s house, Han had gathered, was one of the tree-house-type places, since she lived where she could be close to her work.

Within minutes, they branched off onto another trail, then another.

“Wonder where we’re going?” Jarik said, uneasily. “I’m lost. If she left us out here, I wouldn’t have a clue as to how to get back to Rwookrrorro.

Would you?”

Han nodded. “Remind me to brush you up on your navigation skills, kid,” he said. “But if Kallabow walks us much farther, I’m gonna be too tired to party.”

The little party turned onto yet another, smaller trail, and ahead of them, Han and Jarik could see many Wookiees gathered. They walked, then the trail came to an abrupt end.

The wroshyr branch that they were standing on had been sheared off in some manner, and plunged down to rest atop lower branches. With the massive branch weighing the nearby treetops down, the effect was like looking out across a vast green valley—breathtaking. Rounded green hills rose in soft swells to the west. The yellow sun shone down, bright as a beacon, and everywhere there were birds wheeling through the air. “Hey . .

.” Han said to Kallabow. “Nice view.”

She nodded, and explained that this was a sacred place to Wookiees.

Here, with this vista before them, they could truly appreciate the grandeur of their world.

The ceremony was ready to begin. There was no priest to officiate; Wookiee couples married themselves. Han walked up to stand beside Chewbacca, then gave his friend, who appeared more than a bit nervous, a reassuring grin, and reached up to ruffle the Wookiee’s headfur.

“C’mon, relax,” he said.

“You’re gettin’ a great girl, pal.”

Chewie replied that he knew that quite well … he just hoped he could remember his lines!

As they stood at the end of the trail, with a crowd of Wookiees between them and the pathway leading back to Rwookrrorro, the crowd suddenly parted in the middle. Mallatobuck paced down the trail toward them.

She was covered from head to foot in a sheer veil of silvery gray. The veil was so light, so translucent, it almost appeared that she was clothed in some glimmering energy field. But as she came up beside Chewie, Han could tell that the veil was actually some kind of knit or woven fabric, almost completely transparent. Han could see Malla’s blue eyes clearly through her bridal veil.

Han listened intently as Chewie and Malla exchanged vows. Yes, they loved each other beyond all other beings. Yes, each other’s honor was as dear to them as their own, Yes, they promised to be faithful to each other.

Yes, death could part them, but could not end their love.

The lifepower was with them, they said. The lifepower would make their union     strong, and they would be complete … together. The lifepower would be with them … always.

Han felt a wave of unaccustomed solemnity wash over him. For a moment, he almost envied Chewie. He could see love shining in Mallatobuck’s eyes, and felt a pang. Nobody had ever loved him that much. Except maybe Dewlanna, he thought, remembering the Wookiee widow who had raised him.

Bria … he’d used to think she loved him that much. But she sure had a funny way of showing it ….

Now Chewie was raising Malla’s veil, and clutching her to him. They rubbed their cheeks together tenderly. Then, with a huge, triumphant roar, Chewie picked her up and swung her around as though she were child-sized instead of a grown Wookiee only a little shorter than he was.