INT. CHIEF’S HUT – EVENING
A glowing fire dances in the centre 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: Princess Leia, Artoo, Darth Vader, Death Star, Jedi, Obi-Wan Kenobi. Artoo begins beeping excitedly at Threepio.
C-3PO: 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.
C-3PO: (disappointed) Chief Chirpa says it’s a very moving account, but it really has nothing to do with Ewoks.
A deep silence fills the chamber. The heroes look at each other with worry. Finally, Han stands up and faces the Ewoks.
HAN: Tell them this, Goldenrod …
Han continues to speak, as Threepio translates it for the tribe.
HAN: They shouldn’t help us 'cause we’re asking ‘em to. They shouldn’t even help us ‘cause it’s in their best interests to -– even though it is, you know. Just for one example, the Empire’s tappin’ a lot of energy out of this moon to generate that deflector shield, and I mean you’re gonna be hurtin’ … but never mind that. Tell 'em, Threepio. (beat) But that’s not why they should help us. That’s why I used to do stuff, because it was in my interest. But not anymore. (beat) Well, not so much, anyway. (beat) Mostly I do things for my friends now – 'cause what else is so important? Money? Power? Jabba had that, and you know what happened to him. (beat) The point is, your friends are … your friends. You know?
Leia’s eyes fill with tears at Han’s plea. The Ewoks remain silent, impassive. Han sits down, and Luke stands up.
LUKE: I realize this concept may be hard for you to understand – may be difficult to draw these connections – but it’s terribly important for the entire known Galaxy, for our Rebel force to destroy the Imperial presence here on Endor. (looks up) Look up, there, through the smoke hole in the roof. Just through that tiny hole, you can count a hundred stars. In the whole sky there are millions, and billions more you can’t even see. And they all have planets, and moons, and people just like you. And the Empire is destroying all of that. (beat) You can … you could get dizzy just lying on your back and staring up at all the starshine. You could almost explode … explode, it’s so beautiful sometimes. And you’re part of the beauty. It’s all part of the same Force. And the Empire is trying to turn out the lights.
There is extensive squawking amongst the Ewoks; however, they don’t seem quite convinced. Leia gets to her feet.
LEIA: Do it for the trees.
The Ewoks glance at each other, stunned by that simple phrase. Suddenly Wicket leaps to his feet. He turns and faces the council, giving an impassioned speech.
THREEPIO: (translating) Honorable Elders, we have this night received a perilous, wondrous gift. The gift of freedom. These Green Ones tell us they will not be our masters, tell us we are free to choose as we will – that we must choose; as all living things must choose our own destiny. They have come, Honourable Elders, and they will go. We may never be slaves to their guidance. We are free. (beat) Yet how must we comport ourselves? Is an Ewok’s love of the wood any less because he can leave it? No -– his love is more, because he can leave it, yet he stays. So it is with the voice of the Green Ones: we can close our eyes, yet we listen. (beat) His friends tell us of a Force, a great living spirit, of which we are all a part, even as the leaves are are things separate yet part of the tree. We know this spirit, Honourable Elders, though we call it not the Force. The Green Ones tell us this Force is in great jeopardy, here and everywhere. When the fire reaches the forest, who is safe? Not even the Great Tree of which all things are part; nor its leaves, nor its roots, nor its birds. All are in peril, forever and ever. (beat) It is a brave thing to confront such a fire, Honourable Elders. Many will die, so that the forest lives on. But the Ewoks are brave. (beat) Honourable Elders, we must aid this noble party not less for the trees, but more for the sake of the leaves on the trees. These Rebels are like the Ewoks, who are like the leaves. Battered by the wind, eaten without thought by the tumult of locusts that inhabit the world – yet do we throw ourselves on smouldering fires, that another may know the warmth of light; yet do we make a soft bed of ourselves, that another may know rest; yet do we swirl in the wind that assails us, to send the fear of chaos into the hearts of our enemies; yet do we change colour, even as the season calls upon us to change. So must we help our leaf-brothers, these Rebels – for so has come a season of change upon us.
The elders are visibly moved by this. They finally nod in agreement.
HAN: What’s going on?
LEIA: (shakes head) I don’t know.
Chief Chirpa stands and gives another pronouncement.
C-3PO: Wonderful! We are now a part of the tribe.
The drums begin to sound, and all the Ewoks stand with a great cheer and screeches. Several of the short primates run up and hug the Rebels.
HAN: Just what I always wanted.
Luke has been sharing the joy with smiling visage, but now something passes like a dark cloud through his consciousness. Drifting to the back of the hut, he wanders outside into the moonlight. Leia notices and follows.
HAN: Well, short help is better than no help at all, Chewie.
C-3PO: He says the scouts are going to show us the quickest way to the shield generator.
HAN: Good. How far is it?
Threepio stands there silently.
HAN: Ask him.
Threepio begins to ask the chief.
HAN: (interrupts) We need some fresh supplies, too.
Threepio turns back to the chief.
HAN: (interrupts) And try and get our weapons back.
Threepio turns back to the chief.
HAN: (interrupts) Hurry up, will ya? I haven’t got all day.
EXT. EWOK VILLAGE – EVENING
The walkways are 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 II. 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 this?
He looks away.
LUKE: (sad) I have no memory of my mother. I never knew her.
LEIA: (concerned) Luke, tell me. What’s troubling you?
LUKE: (faces her) 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. 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: (cringes) 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. (beat) 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: 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: Maybe I can save him. Maybe I can turn him back to the light side. (beat) I have to try.
They hold each other close and look at each other. Leia holds back her tears as Luke then 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-I just want to be alone for a little while.
HAN: Nothing? C’mon, tell me. What’s goin’ on?
She looks up at him, struggling to control herself.
LEIA: I-I can’t tell you.
HAN: (exasperated) Ahhh….
He starts to walk away, 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 – EVENING
The ST 321 floats down from space and lands gracefully on the huge platform. Concurrently, an AT-AT 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.
CUT TO
Darth Vader as he walks down the ramp of the shuttle onto the platform.
INT. IMPERIAL LANDING PLATFORM/LOWER DECK – EVENING
Vader takes a turbolift down to a lower level. Walking to the opposite end of the deck, he is met by an Imperial commander and three stormtroopers with Luke, in binders, at their centre. The young Jedi gazes at Vader with complete calm.
COMMANDER: This is the Rebel who surrendered to us. Although he denies it, I believe there may be more of them, and I request permission to conduct a further search of the area. He was armed only with this.
The commander extends his hand, revealing Luke’s lightsaber. Vader takes the weapon from the commander’s hand.
DARTH VADER: Good work, Commander. Leave us. Conduct your search and bring his companions to me.
COMMANDER: Yes, milord.
The officer and troops withdraw. Vader and Luke are left alone, the oddly tranquil beauty of the place surrounding them, the sounds of the forest filtering in upon them.
Together, father and son cross the deck.
DARTH VADER: The emperor has been expecting you.
LUKE: I know, Father.
DARTH VADER: So, you have accepted the truth.
LUKE: I’ve accepted the truth that you were once Anakin Skywalker, my father.
DARTH VADER: (turns to Luke) That name no longer has any meaning for me.
LUKE: It is the name of your true self. You’ve only forgotten.
Vader looks down from Luke to the lightsaber in his own black-gloved hand. Vader ignites the lightsaber and holds it to examine its humming, brilliant verdant blade.
DARTH VADER: I see you have constructed a new lightsaber. (beat) Your skills are complete.
Vader extinguishes the lightsaber, then turns away from Luke.
DARTH VADER: Indeed, you are powerful as the emperor has foreseen.
LUKE: Is there any good in you, or has the emperor driven it from you fully?
DARTH VADER: Palpatine had promised an order for the Galaxy, a vision for the future I had believed in and fought for. That promised future is now, and the promise has been broken. (turns to Luke) The Empire has brought more chaos than it has order. Together, we will correct its course.
LUKE: I will not turn, and you’ll be forced to kill me.
DARTH VADER: That is not your destiny.
LUKE: (approaches Vader) Search your feelings, Father. You can’t do this. I feel the conflict within you! Let go of your lust!
Vader signals to a pair of hidden stormtroopers, who emerge from the turbolift.
DARTH VADER: The emperor will show you the true nature of the Force. He is your master now.
He and Luke stand staring at one another for a long moment.
LUKE: Then my father is truly dead.
The stormtroopers escort Luke into the turbolift. They are gone, leaving the Dark Lord of the Sith alone with his thoughts.