Return of the Jedi

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.

INT. 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. The Chief stands and 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

(continuing)

And hurry up, will ya? I haven't got all day.

EXT. EWOK VILLAGE – NIGHT

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.

LUKE

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?

He looks away.

LUKE

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. 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.

EXT. FOREST – IMPERIAL LANDING PLATFORM

An Imperial shuttle floats down from the Death Star and lands gracefully on the huge platform.

Now, an Imperial walker approaches the platform from the darkness of the forest. The whole outpost – platform, walkers, military – looks particularly offensive in the midst of this verdant beauty.

EXT. IMPERIAL LANDING PLATFORM – LOWER DECK

Darth Vader walks down the ramp of the shuttle onto the platform, into an elevator, and appears on a ramp on a lower level. He walks toward another ramp exit and is met by two troopers and a commander with Luke, in binders, at their center. The young Jedi gazes at Vader with complete calm.

COMMANDER

This is a Rebel that surrendered to us. Although he denies it, I believe there may be more of them, and I equest permission to conduct a further search of the area.

The commander extends his hand, revealing Luke's lightsaber.

COMMANDER

He was armed only with this.

Vader looks at Luke, turns away and faces the commander, taking the lightsaber from the commander's hand.

VADER

Good work, Commander. Leave us. Conduct your search and bring his companions to me.

COMMANDER

Yes, my Lord.