"I must inform you, Master Kenobi, that I'm vexed you knew of this. Terribly, terribly vexed." Wil Roden, Noble and Honoured Ambassador to Coruscant from the Brentaliaan system, sat down heavily on the small bed in the tiny, hotel dirty room, then realising its state, and, its intended purpose, stood up abruptly to wring his hands and pace the room again. "And I don't think this point de réunion - " he waved a hand to indicate the room - "is very funny, if it is your idea of some kind of joke."
His cloaked companion leant casually with his back against the wall, motionless save for steel-blue eyes, which followed the nervous movements of the Brentaliaan with mild amusement.
"Ambassador, please, calm down, you know this was as much of a surprise to me as is was to you."
The intonation was unenthusiastic, but Roden was too agitated to notice.
"You told me he was a danger to the Republic!" He ran one hand through his short, dark hair, and rubbed his forehead. He had a migraine coming on. Being around Obi-Wan was always so… confusing.
"In confidence, I fear that to be true." Obi-Wan sighed. "Ambassador, I know Anakin better than anyone. As a Jedi, he is unstable, yet he wields considerable power. If distracted by this marriage… " he paused, and sighed before continuing, "you must appreciate there are implications for the very state of democracy itself."
Roden stilled his movements and stared out of the grimy window. This was even worse than he had thought. First Padmé, the object of his undying affection, and many, many hours of determined courtship, marrying ridiculously below her station, but the idea that her husband could then threaten his chances of political success… It was almost too much to bear.
"What you are saying Master Kenobi, is everything I've worked for, everything I, rightfully deserve, will be ruined by this marriage?" He felt his lower lip begin to tremble.
"Not necessarily."
Roden jumped, suddenly feeling a firm hand grasp his shoulder. He hated it when Obi-Wan did that. It was bad enough that his nerves were shot to pieces from the perilous journey to this wretched place, without being further distressed by Obi-Wan creeping up on him. He turned slowly to face the Jedi.
Obi-Wan's gaze was piercing. His hand squeezed Roden's shoulder lightly.
"Sincerely, for Anakin and the Republic's sake, I hope and pray it will not. That is why I am relying on your help. It is a time of war, of political corruption. The Force is clouded, the Jedi's powers weakened." Obi-Wan paused, eyes locking on his before continuing quietly. "Wil, you are one of only a few whom I can trust."
The Jedi's words brought a sudden rush of pride and optimism. Perhaps this could all be resolved in his favour. Obi-Wan would be able to work out how.
"What do you want me to do?" He asked simply.
"Go to her uncle's house. Raise him from his bed."
"The Supreme Chancellor? But it is the middle of the night!"
"And you would have her married for a single hour longer so you could sleep?" The Jedi's voice had grown harsher, but Roden was still struggling to follow the logic.
He blinked, trying to get rid of the fuzzy dots floating in his vision. The stale human smell in the room was starting to make him feel sick. What he needed right now, was a long, hot bath…
"Ambassador!" Obi-Wan's face swam back into view.
"Sorry," Roden said wearily, "go on. I will go to the Chancellor's house, and then?"
"Never mind, I shall go myself." Obi-Wan turned abruptly and started walking towards the door. "Palpatine is bound to be grateful to learn of this whilst there is something that could be done to stop it."
"No, wait!" Roden trotted after him. "What do you mean, something that could be done to stop it?"
Obi-Wan paused. The smile that flickered across his face was unseen by his companion, who waited anxiously behind. The Jedi turned around slowly.
"According to Coruscant law, a marriage may be annulled if it is not secure."
Roden looked at him blankly. "Secure?"
"Secure. Consummated." Obi-Wan's irritation was becoming apparent."Excuse my directness, Ambassador, but is it necessary to spell it out?"
"Well, I, err…"
"Right now," Obi-Wan interrupted, with a sweep of his hand, "your precious Padmé may be enjoying the lusty attentions of her slave-boy from Tatooine."
The Jedi spoke softly as he drew closer to Roden. "The Hutts are known for instructing all their slaves in the vilest, most animalistic acts. In fact, even once freed, most former slaves are incapable of normal sexual relationships."
Obi-Wan's face was only inches away. The two men were nearly the same height, and the Jedi's breath was warm on his lips. Roden shuddered and closed his eyes, trying to rid his mind of horrible images.
"However," continued Obi-Wan with a small smile, placing a hand on each of Roden's shoulders, "Anakin could not ignore a summons by the Council, especially at the request of the Supreme Chancellor."
Roden's eyes snapped open. Finally, he understood. "Then I must go immediately." He shrugged away Obi-Wan's hands, frantically pulling on his cloak with trembling fingers. "We may already be too late!"
The Jedi stood aside as Roden rushed towards the door.
"Travel with great caution, Ambassador, the city is not safe. Trust no-one!" Obi-Wan called after him.
Roden merely raised his hand in acknowledgement as he hurried down the corridor.
The sound of expensive boots falling on cheap durasteel faded steadily to silence.
Obi-Wan pulled up the hood of his own robe and strolled to the window, one hand absent-mindedly stroking his beard as he spoke only to the empty darkness beyond.
"For villains and murderers abound… "