Part 7 - Council

"Good morning, Anakin."

The young Jedi was closing the door of the tiny guest room. At the sound of his mother's voice, he turned and smiled. "Good morning, Mom." Closing the short distance between them, he gave her a soft kiss on the cheek.

"Would you like some breakfast?"

"Yes, I'm starving."

They moved toward the kitchen together.

"And where is Obi-Wan?" Shmi asked. "He didn't strike me as the sort to sleep late."

Anakin smiled. "He's gone to the ship to see if there have been any communications."

"Ah. You are expecting something?" Though she tried to clamp down on it, sadness settled over her features like a veil.

"Yes." As they set out some dishes, Anakin explained a little of the history of Dipcun and how they had been asked to leave the planet by the latest in a series of governors, but expected that decision to be reversed soon.

Shmi was just bringing out the blue milk when Owen, Beru, and Cliegg entered the kitchen. Owen looked none the worse for his ordeal of the night before, merely pointing to a sore spot on the back of his head. While everyone was looking at it, Obi-Wan slipped in.

"Master!" Anakin exclaimed when he turned to find Obi-Wan standing against the far wall. He felt a desire to greet him more personally, but the intervening table was in the way. He settled for a warm smile.

"So, was there a message?" Shmi asked, as off-handedly as she could.

"Yes, I'm afraid so," Obi-Wan's silky response quelled all other conversation in the small dining area. "We should leave as soon as possible."

"Can you at least stay for breakfast?" Owen asked hopefully.

Obi-Wan hesitated only an instant. "Of course."

"Good," Owen replied with a shy smile. "I haven't had the chance to thank you properly for saving my life last night."

"Aw, that's our job," Anakin waved off the deep sincerity in his step-brother's voice.

"Maybe, but…I want you to know that I consider you-" he turned a pointed gaze to Obi-Wan "-both of you, my brothers."

Anakin smiled abashedly as he took Owen's offered hand, the handshake turning into a half-embrace as Shmi and Beru beamed happily. Then Owen leaned across the table to shake Obi-Wan's hand, too, and both Jedi found themselves being patted on the shoulder and generally praised and welcomed. They were relieved when the hubbub was over, unused to such a moving display.

When it was quiet again, the Jedi found themselves seated at the table, a generous meal set before them. Their eyes met over the table, and they smiled, then dug in.

The meal was more subdued than dinner had been, the only conversation about farm business between Owen and Cliegg. Despite the atmosphere, Shmi tried to stretch it out with extra servings. But eventually everyone had to admit it was time.

Obi-Wan went to retrieve their bags from their room, while Anakin and Shmi waited at the bottom of the stairs. The rest of the family muttered their goodbyes and drifted away, sensing they needed the time alone.

When Obi-Wan returned with the bags, Anakin was hugging his mother, the pair rocking gently. The Jedi Master stopped, hesitant to interrupt, but the pair had heard him and drew apart.

"I have to go now, mother."

Shmi nodded, sniffing back the threatening tears. "I'm so glad I got to see you again." She turned to Obi-Wan. "Thank you for bringing him to visit me. And thank you for raising him so well. He is lucky to have you."

"I feel like I'm the lucky one," Obi-Wan replied, smiling gently.

"Oh," was all Shmi managed before she threw her arms around the older Jedi, sobbing onto his shoulder. Obi-Wan, taken unawares and with both hands full, simply stood still and waited for her to finish.

It wasn't long before Shmi stepped back, bravely dashing the moisture from her cheeks. Obi-Wan, feeling the need to offer this woman something in return for the gifts of her hospitality, and her son, said "I hope that we may visit again soon."

That started Shmi on another round of tears. Luckily, Cliegg had been watching from a discreet distance and now stepped forward to say a final farewell. The Jedi nodded to him and left him holding his overcome wife.

"Could I really visit again?" Anakin asked eagerly when they had crossed some of the hard-packed sand towards their fighter.

"Yes, Anakin, but-" Obi-Wan tried to interrupt, but there was no stopping the enthusiastic words spilling from his Padawan.

"Maybe it won't take long on Dipcun, or they'll throw us off again, or-"

"Anakin, we-"

"Next time, we have to bring presents. We could bring back all the stuff they'll shower us with on Dipcun. I bet Mom would love-"

"Anakin!" Obi-Wan tried again, injecting a little more urgency in his voice. "We're not going to Dipcun."

The younger Jedi, already off on the next tangent, took a moment to notice what his Master had said. "Huh?"

"I said, we're not going to Dipcun," Obi-Wan repeated, his gait slowing as they neared the transport. "We've been recalled to Coruscant."

"Why-" But before he could finish the question, Anakin could tell by the look on his Master's face that this was bad news. His own features fell as he turned to face Obi-Wan. "They know."

"We don't know that, Anakin," Obi-Wan tried to calm his Padawan, though he shared his fears. "They said nothing to-"

"They're going to try to split us up!" As his voice grew louder, Anakin drew himself to full height, his hands gesturing forcefully.

"There's no reason to jump to-"

"If they try to take me away from you, I don't know what I'll-"

"Anakin!" To quell his Padawan's growing agitation, Obi-Wan took the handsome face in his hands, drawing the wild-eyed visage close to his own. "I will not let that happen! Do you hear me? I will not let them tear us apart."

For a long moment, Anakin just stared, nostrils flaring. Then he seemed to draw calm from his Master, relaxing into the warm palms on his cheeks.

"Promise?"

"Promise. Whatever it takes, my Padawan, I will not lose you."

The two men stared into each other's eyes then, and whether through some Force-aided sense of the future, or the bond of their love, the idea of fighting the Council, the entire Jedi Order, whatever it took to stay together, seemed entirely possible. They smiled, slowly but warmly.

"I love you," Anakin said.

"And I love you," returned his Master.

Feeling thus strengthened, they tossed their bags into storage, climbed into the small craft, and ascended into the sky.

******************

"This way, please," the small, furry Council secretary said, bowing as it took Obi-Wan and Anakin's bags at the edge of the landing pad that floated near the Jedi Temple on Coruscant. But the two Jedi did not wait to be escorted; they knew where the Council sat waiting for them, and with purposeful steps they made their way there, side by side, leaving the secretary to scurry after them.

When the Council chamber doors slid open, they did not wait to be invited, but strode together into the center of the circle, facing Masters Mace Windu and Yoda.

"Obi-Wan, Anakin," Mace acknowledged them, his face stern. The two merely bowed slightly, waiting for what was to come. They had decided on their journey how to respond if, as they feared, this interrogation was about their relationship. But they would not act until they were sure.

They had not long to wait.

"Things have changed between you, hmmm," Yoda began. "Crossed a line you have."

Obi-Wan and Anakin exchanged a quick glance, and then the elder stepped forward.

"Yes, we have, knowingly and not lightly. Do not try to separate us, for we will resist, even if it means leaving the Jedi Order."

Mace lifted one eyebrow and glanced at Yoda, whose brow was knit. "Heard this before, we have, from another."

Obi-Wan looked down for a moment, lost in memory. "This is different, for we are in agreement." He looked up, resolve once more hardening his features. "I will not repeat that mistake."

For a long moment, Yoda stared into Obi-Wan's eyes, as though seeking something. Then he nodded.

"Is this true, Anakin? In agreement, you are?"

"Yes, Master," the young Padawan replied as he stepped up next to his Master. "I will not be severed from my Master. Besides, it's too late." And taking Obi-Wan's hand he concluded, "We're already bonded."

A murmur traveled around the circle of the Council, as Anakin smiled at Obi-Wan with pride, and a touch of arrogance. His Master shot him a half-smile, then returned his gaze to Master Yoda. For from him would their fate come down.

He was surprised to find the wizened old Master chuckling.

As the sound reached the ears of the other Council members, all whispering ceased, as all eyes turned to Yoda.

"Told you, I did," he said between chuckles, glancing at Mace. "Owe me credits, you do."

Mace snorted, and then a grin slowly grew on his face and he turned a benevolent smile on the pair before him.

Anakin and Obi-Wan shared a puzzled look; this they had not expected. Yoda, mercifully, quickly answered their unasked question.

"Bonded you are, yes, we knew. Separate you, we will not. Foretold, this was. Happy we are for you."

This only served to puzzle the Jedi couple further.

"The prophecy of the Chosen One," Mace stepped in to explain, "contains more than is popularly known. Details about his life, ways to recognize him."

"Like his midichlorian count," Obi-Wan said.

"Yes, but also that he would meet his bondmate at a young age, in the same year that he became a Jedi. It is through this bond, the prophecy states, that he will bring balance to the Force. There is more, but suffice it to say, it was truly the will of the Force that has brought you together, and `what the Force has joined, let none put asunder.'"

Anakin and Obi-Wan stood letting this explanation, complete with a quote from the bonding ceremony, sink in.

"So, we're not in trouble?"

"No, Anakin." It was Mace's turn to chuckle. "However, for the sake of propriety, it would be best to be discreet until you have passed your Trials and we can make it official."

"Soon that will be, I think," Yoda put in. This, more than anything else, seemed to break through Anakin's confusion at the day's turn of events. He smiled a smile of pure happiness. It was echoed on his bondmate's face.


Epilogue

"It's a great pleasure to see you again, milady," Obi-Wan greeted the Senator from Naboo, with a deep bow followed by an outstretched hand.

"It has been far too long, Master Kenobi," she replied, taking his hand warmly. Then she spotted the handsome young man behind his Master. Her eyes grew wide. "Ani? My goodness, you've grown." Her gaze swept him with open admiration.

Anakin stepped forward, slightly embarrassed. "Yes, thank you, milady."

Amidala smiled coquettishly. "You used to call me `Padmé.'"

Anakin bowed, his smile not quite as broad as hers. "It's nice to see you again, Padmé."

Smiling, Padmé turned and the group made their way to the couches.

"Our presence here will be invisible, milady, I can assure you," Obi- Wan explained as they sat. Padmé watched Anakin as he moved to sit across from her, and Captain Typho introduced himself.

"I am grateful you are here, Master Kenobi," the Captain finished. "The situation is more dangerous than the Senator will admit."

"I don't need more security," Amidala responded, still looking at Anakin. "I need answers. I want to know who's trying to kill me."

"We're here to protect you, Senator, not to start an investigation," Obi-Wan gently reminded her.

"She does deserve to know who is after her, Master," Anakin put in, turning from Padmé's continued stare with relief. "It would seem to me that investigation is implied in our mandate."

Obi-Wan looked thoughtful for a moment before he replied. "We can discuss it with the Council at our next briefing. For now, I need to review the security with Captain Typho."

Anakin nodded at this compromise and stood with his Master.

"You will stay here, with me, won't you?" Padmé asked, also standing, and looking expectantly up at Anakin. "To see to my personal security, I mean."

"Of course," Anakin replied with a polite smile. He stood back to allow Obi-Wan to get past him.

When Obi-Wan, Typho, and Jar-Jar were gone, Amidala moved to stand beside Anakin. As Dormé made to follow her, she stopped the handmaiden.

"Would you prepare my room, please? I will be ready to retire soon."

"Of course, milady," Dormé responded dutifully, heading off toward the bedroom with only one backward glance.

Padmé patted the couch beside her as she sat, and Anakin, feeling he had little choice, sank back down onto the cushion. Amidala leaned close.

"It has been so long, Ani," she said quietly, her eyes drinking him in hungrily. "I have thought of you often, you know." And reaching into a tiny hidden pocket of her gown, she pulled out something and held it before his face.

Anakin blinked in recognition: it was the bone necklace he had carved for her as a boy.

"It worked, then," Anakin said, with a shallow laugh, leaning back as much as he dared without offending her.

"Yes. I carry it with me always. It helps me to remember the boy who was such a good friend." Once more, she leaned close. "But now you're more than a boy, aren't you."

"Padmé," Anakin said, stopping her forward motion with a hand on her arm. "I'm flattered. Really, very flattered, but…I'm bonded."

To the disappointed look on Amidala's face was added confusion.

"To Obi-Wan. We're lifemates."

Padmé's face didn't clear. "But I thought you had to be Knighted before you could be bonded."

"I am. I was. About two years ago."

"So young?" Amidala looked surprised and impressed.

Anakin shrugged, pride and embarrassment combining to keep him speechless. Amidala, mercifully, sat back to ponder this new information.

"Wait a minute, wasn't that around the same time that Chancellor Palpatine was exposed?"

Anakin nodded.

"Did you have something to do with that?" She narrowed her eyes at him.

"A little," he answered modestly.

As Padmé let this sink in, Obi-Wan returned.

"All is in order downstairs," the Master said, approaching slowly, aware that he was interrupting.

"Thank you, Master Kenobi," Amidala replied, rising to face the Jedi Master after one last look at Anakin. "You are a very lucky man, you know."

"I know," Obi-Wan answered quietly.

"Well, goodnight." And Padmé retreated to her bedroom.

"You told her?" There was amusement in Obi-Wan's voice.

"It seemed like the only way to get her off me."

Obi-Wan's smile widened, and he stepped closer. "You weren't tempted? She is very beautiful."

"I happen to be completely satisfied with my bondmate, thank you very much," Anakin replied, also stepping closer, so that they looked into each other's eyes with scant inches between them.

"No, thank you." And smiling at this old game, they came together naturally, their lips touching in a soft kiss that promised more. But not right now. "Shall we check the cameras?"

Anakin nodded, and the pair went, side by side, to their work.


The End


Back to Adult Fiction Archive