Thanks for reading and reviewing, guys! hugs Replies:

Destynii Skywalker: Thanks! I do try hard to keep Obi-Wan's personality "in character" throughout my stories. :)

emerald wolf: I'm glad you don't find Tylen annoying! I don't particularly like OC's, but sometimes they are necessary plot devices.

Ice Dragon3: you call that a cliff hanger? Just wait and you'll see a real one soon, lol. ;) As you can see I've been updating pretty often, too.

Seylin: just wait til chapters 7 and 8, I think you'll like those. ;)

BlackIce Dragon Warrior: Anakin will be in the story more starting with chapter 7.

Onto the next part!

Chapter 6

Even from above, Obi-Wan could tell that Tylen's home planet was not the small backwater place that he had been expecting. As Tylen expertly maneuvered their small ship into the smoothly flowing traffic, the tall crystalline spires and bright lights of the city became visible.

"Tylen, what did you say your planet is called?" he asked, an uneasy feeling welling up in his chest.

"Oh, I didn't," he said cheekily. "But since you're here, it's called Aurën."

"Ah." Obi-Wan had never heard of any planet by that name, which was surprising given how advanced this planet seemed. Though the name did sound vaguely familiar somehow . . .

"I'm sure my parents will be happy to meet you." Tylen chattered on, oblivious to Obi-Wan's internal ponderings. "They don't mind outsiders that much, really, and I'm sure they'll be very grateful that you rescued me."

"I'd be pleased to meet them," Obi-Wan replied smoothly, though his internal alarms went off at the mention of 'outsiders'. He could only hope that he hadn't been brought to a xenophobic planet by a naïve child.

Tylen directed the ship to the tallest of the spires that graced the skyline, and brought them down on the landing pad which then withdrew into the structure. They came to a stop, and Tylen powered down the ship.

"Finally!" he said enthusiastically, bounding out of the ship."Come on, Obi-Wan!" he called.

Obi-Wan followed, mildly amused by the boy's excitement. Any sense of levity vanished, though, at the sight that greeted him as he ducked out of the ship. The light, cavernous hanger was filled with all manner of ships that were so alien in design that Obi-Wan was sure that even Anakin wouldn't have recognized the technology. More worrying, though, was the eerily calm, ethereal looking group of men that met them. Obi-Wan guessed that they were security or military personnel of some type, judging by their uniforms and the staff weapons that they carried. Tylen, though, didn't seem the least bit bothered by their presence.

"Marcall!" he said gleefully, running over to greet the tall, dark haired man in the center of the group.

"Welcome home, my Prince." Marcall replied, a smile ghosting across his fair features.

Prince. Well, that certainly explained the reception, Obi-Wan thought wryly. What had he gotten himself into?

Marcall's gaze darkened slightly as it came to rest on Obi-Wan. "And who might this be?" he asked Tylen warily.

"This is Obi-Wan Kenobi. He's a Jedi Master." Tylen said proudly. "He helped save me from the slavers," he explained.

"Slavers?" Marcall asked, sounding astonished. He shook his head and continued, "It would seem you've been into all kinds of trouble. Slavers, and an outsider as well?" he said as he gestured towards Obi-Wan. "Come. I'm sure His Highness and your Lady Mother will want to see you and hear all about it," he said. He gazed at Obi-Wan coolly. "You as well, Sir Jedi."

Tylen shot Obi-Wan a grin, and then followed after Marcall.

Without a word, a pair of guards flanked Obi-Wan, not touching him yet somehow making it clear that he should remain between them. Taking in their stone-like demeanors, he simply followed after Marcall to meet the local rulers.

Exiting the hanger, he followed his hosts --- captors? -- down a narrow, white-lit corridor with an impossibly high ceiling. They came to a stop in front of an equally high set of double doors, discretely embellished with silver lattice work.

"Wait here while I announce you." Marcall said calmly, disappearing through the doors. Tylen, Obi-Wan noticed, looked slightly nervous now, as a child who was expecting a scolding would. They shared a brief sideways glance, and Tylen gave Obi-Wan a shy smile.

"I just know my parents will love you," he said hopefully.

"I do hope we get along," Obi-Wan said serenely. "Especially considering that they seem to be the rulers of this planet." he said pointedly.

"I was going to tell you, honest, I just forgot--" Tylen began sheepishly, only to be cut off by Marcall's emergence.

"His Highness and his Lady Consort will see you now," he told Obi-Wan formally, and gave Tylen a wink.

Obi-Wan followed Tylen and Marcall through the double doors and into an expansive chamber done silver and cream hues. Atop a small set of stairs at the far end were two elegant thrones, upon which sat an equally elegant man and woman, both clothed in flowing pale robes and adorned with jeweled head pieces..

Obi-Wan halted behind Marcall, with Tylen struggling to stay still at his side.

"Your Highness, my Lady Consort, I bring before you Jedi Obi-Wan Kenobi, and the Crown Prince your son." Marcall bowed briefly, and then disappeared behind a curtain off to the side.

Silence reigned the chamber.

"I am glad that you have returned, my son," came the silken voice of the man on the throne. Turning his piercing blue eyes towards Obi-Wan, he said, "And welcome to our fair planet, Sir Jedi. I am King Elhosan of Aurën, and this is my Consort, Lady Daprima," he said coolly. The woman said nothing, only tilting her head slightly in recognition. "Now tell me, Tylen, everything."

"Yes, father." Tylen then launched into the tale of his capture, his meeting with Obi-Wan, and their eventual escape. Tylen, it seemed, had run away to see the galaxy, but had been captured by the slavers before he had gotten too far.

"And . . . that is all." Tylen finished, sounding a bit nervous.

"That will be all for now, Tylen. You may return to your chambers." The monarch graced his offspring with a benevolent smile.

Tylen started to leave, but hesitated. "What about Obi-Wan?" he asked.

"It appears we owe this Jedi a debt of gratitude." King Elhosan said with a tight smile. "Go on, my son, I will see that he is properly rewarded."

Tylen nodded, and spared a glance at Obi-Wan as he slipped out the door. It closed behind him with a dull thud, and Obi-Wan found himself alone with the King and his Consort.