A/N: I don't own Star Wars, only OCS. This story is loosely based on Match Maker and an episode of Star Wars the Clone Wars. Enjoy.
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Love and War
Chapter 1
Obi-Wan strode into the Council Chamber and was Master Windu waiting for him. He had been summoned on his communicator to discuss a new mission. Obi-Wan was curious of what the mission was about, but he was told that it would be a solo mission and Anakin's assistance would not be required. He thought it was rather odd. Since the war with the Separatist broke out and the Jedi had been given military status, he and Anakin had been teaming up quite a lot.
"Obi-Wan," said Master Windu in greeting.
"Mace, what's the new mission?" replied Obi-Wan in all business.
"You have been given a new mission. You are assigned to be Lady Thrice's body guard while she visits Mandalore for peace talks."
Obi-Wan was surprised. He didn't think the High Council would choose to remove him from the front lines to play body guard to Lady Thrice. He had only been recently wed to the Force-sensitive she-warrior for only 3 months. It was a political marriage in order to assure good ties with the new Force-users from the Outer Core. Obi-Wan was reluctant to accept the marriage at first, but had consented for the greater good. The new Force-users called themselves the Blackswan Clan and had a feudalist society composed of female warriors. Lady Thrice was an important member of her Clan and dutifully assisted the Republic in her Lord Master's behalf.
Though, at first Obi-Wan thought she was only an innocent bystander doing her Lord's bidding, but later learned he was wrong. Instead, he was surprised to discover that she was just as competent as she was beautiful.
Obi-Wan had no intention of breaking the Jedi Code of non-attachment when he had agreed to wed, but fate was a cruel mistress. He found he was infatuated with her since the moment they first meet. He could still taste her lips. Obi-Wan knew it was foolish to harbor such feelings, but he found it difficult to release them into the Force.
"I'm surprised that the High Council choose me to guard the Lady Thrice."
Master Windu raised his brow and said, "It isn't that surprising. You had past dealing with Mandalore and since you are acquainted with Duchess Satine and married to Lady Thrice the Council thought you could put your negations skills to good use during their talks."
Obi-Wan walked towards the large window in the Council Chamber and gazed out into the city. Corescant was lit up. It was night and city glowed around the Temple like fireflies. He rubbed his beard pensively.
"I understand, but if the Council wishes for Mandalore to join the war then it won't work. The Duchess Satine is a pacifist. She won't break her stance on non-violence."
"Perhaps, but regardless the Duchess Satine wishes to speak to Lady Thrice. Do you think Blackswan will join the pacifist?"
Obi-Wan said, "To be perfectly honest, I don't know. Your guess is as good as mine."
Master Windu frowned. "Don't you talk to your wife? Do you think you can get some insight on her opinion on the matter?"
Obi-Wan smiled and turned to face him. He could tell that Mace didn't like his answer. It was true that Lady Thrice shared the same quarters as him and they were wed, but he hadn't spoken to her since he left on mission 2 months ago. In truth, he had been avoiding her. He had hoped to put her out of his thoughts but putting her out of his sights.
"I wish I could be more helpful, Mace but I don't know Lady Thrice well enough to speculate. However, the Blackswan's desire to live in peace does bode well for the pacifist. Though, Lord Blackswan strikes me as a man who keeps his word. If they turn pacifist or not, I doubt he will discontinue giving the Republic aid."
Master Windu pressed his lips and nodded his head. "I agree, Lord Blackswan appears to be a man of his word. Though, regardless of the outcome of these talks the Council would still like you to monitor the situation."
Obi-Wan bowed and said, "Of course, when does the Lady depart?"
"She leaves today. She's waiting for you at the dock."
Obi-Wan was a little surprised by the haste of the mission. He had been back barely a day. He inwardly sighed. It was the typical life of Jedi. Obi-Wan turned to go. He heard Master Windu say, "May the Force be with you, Obi-Wan" before the door closed.
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Location: loading dock
Obi-Wan adjusted his sleeve nervously as he walked towards the dock. He hadn't seen Lady Thrice in over 2 months. He had been away fighting against the Separatist. Though, some how Obi-Wan felt like a part of him was running away. He had been trying all the time to forget the kiss he had shared with his new bride.
The day of the wedding was the first time they had meet. He hadn't even seen her face until after they were wed. All he knew at the time was that she was over 600 years old and very long lived. He was afraid she was an old maid. He hadn't expected her to be a beautiful young woman. He hadn't expected the surge of possessiveness he felt when she answered him back with his own name. He hadn't expected he would kiss her the moment he brought her to his quarters, but he had and now the memory haunted his dreams.
Though, Obi-Wan felt confident that he had gotten over his little infatuation. He knew he could remain un-attached.
He passed through the dock doors and towards the landing pad. He saw Lady Thrice's ship and nearly tripped over his own feet when he saw her. Thrice was dressed beautifully in white robes. Her long black hair was down and loose. It flowed over her shoulders and on her head was a silver crown. She looked like a queen.
She spotted Obi-Wan and grinned. "Sir Knight, I was beginning to think you would never arrive."
"And miss seeing you again, Milady?"
Lady Thrice offered Obi-Wan her hand. Obi-Wan was surprised. They hadn't touch since the wedding. He knew that being Force-sensitive made touch no small thing to the Clan. He reached out and took it and planted a kiss. Obi-Wan was stumped. He thought for sure he would get some sort of reading on her feelings through the Force. However, he discovered that she was blocking him. He sensed nothing from her-not even her Force-presence. It was like she wasn't even there. He felt left out in the cold.
"You're blocking me."
"My lady, we are ready to depart," said a woman at the ramp.
Obi-Wan looked and saw a woman with short black hair like a man and strange red eyes like Thrice. She was dressed in a plain grey dress that covered her from neck to toe.
Thrice turned to her and said, "Yes, of course" before looking back to Obi-Wan. "This is Shema. She will be accompanying us to Mandalore as my handmaiden."
Obi-Wan was intrigued. He hadn't met another member of the Clan since the wedding. He noticed that they shared similar features, but he also saw that she was glaring at him. If looks could kill he'd be dead.
Obi-Wan politely bowed to Shema and said, "It's a pleasure, Miss Shema. I am Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi."
Shema replied, "Yes, I know who you are" and proceeded to march up the ramp.
Obi-Wan concluded that if Thrice was being cold than Shema was frigid. He turned to Thrice and said, "Well, that was a warm introduction. Do all members of the Clan act so welcoming?"
"No, Shema is letting her emotions cloud her judgment. Don't mind her, Sir Knight. She is highly dependable."
"If you say so, Milady. Though, I don't remember you ever needing a handmaiden before."
XXX
The journey to Mandalore was uneventful. Obi-Wan, Lady Thrice and Shema arrived on time at the dock near the government building where they were greeted by the Duchess Satine. Satine was dressed in a beautiful purple and blue gown. Her light blonde hair was pinned back and her high blue collar circled her head. She told with her guards and watched as the ship slowly made it's decent. The ship landed and the ramp lowered.
Satine was glad that Lady Thrice, the Blackswan Ambassador agreed to meet with her and have peace talks. She was hoping that the new Force-beings would be willing to join the Council of Neutral Systems. She wanted them to join and help her convince the Jedi to withdraw from their involvement in the war with the Separatists and focus more on promoting peace.
Though, Satine did not know much about Lady Thrice other than she was bond to the Jedi and had dedicated several months to medical aid to the Outer Rim. She knew that her master, Lord Blackswan had expressed interesting in forming a peaceful settlement on Yavin 4.
However, Satine was surprised to see that the first person to exit the ship was Obi-Wan. She had no idea he would be on Lady Thrice's ship. And a second later Lady Thrice appeared and was led down the ramp by Obi-Wan's hand. Trailing behind them was a handmaiden dressed in grey.
Satine noticed how young the Ambassador looked. She had seen holo-vids of her, but in person she was even younger than she thought.
Obi-Wan spoke first, "May I present the Lady Thrice, Ambassador to Blackswan Society. Milady, may I present the Duchess Satine of Mandalore."
Each lady bowed in greeting. Satine said, "I am grateful that you have excepted my invitation, Lady Thrice. You're people have been nothing but peace since arriving at the Core. I was hoping you could set an example to the Jedi and the Senate in joining the Council of Neutral Systems."
Thrice said, "It is no doubt that peace is better than war, Duchess but if you're people want to be free than they will have to fight for it."
Satine was surprised. She had hoped that Lady Thrice shared in her passion for peace. Though, she wondered if she was wise enough to realize that fighting never solved anything. She wondered if all Force-sensitive being spoke of peace but really practiced war. Yet, she knew that the landing pad was no place for such talks.
She bowed again and said, "I'm sure you and Obi-Wan have had a long journey and would probably like some time to rest. Come, I'll show you to your rooms."
Lady Thrice, Obi-Wan and Shema followed Satine into the large government building. She realized that their talks might be longer than she thought.
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TBC
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