Chapter Twenty-Six

What little sleep Obi-Wan managed to get was plagued with thoughts over what happened to Padmé . He hadn't had time t o think about it that much yet, having been too distracted by her dark eyes and lithe body, but lying alone in his own bed, it became all too clear that something evil had taken over her mind. He had felt its presence during his own meditations, but who could it have been?

Only someone sensitive to the Force possessed the power and ability to do such a thing, but it made no sense. Who would want to frighten her and why?

One thing he was certain, whoever it was, was not of the Light.

Padmé had mentioned the 'dark ones' before. Could there be one of those among them now? Someone from her past who would threaten her life? The young man couldn't figure it out, but he had felt its malevolent subsistence. Obviously, Padmé wasn't going to help him, but perhaps there was someone who could. Surely, Master Yoda had sensed the invasion earlier that evening and he could tell Obi-Wan more about it.

Glancing at the chrono next to his bed, the young man noted the early hour, but decided not to wait. Padmé was in danger and he had to do something to help her.

Quickly dressing, Obi-Wan left his quarters to go and see the wisest and oldest Jedi of the Order.

The chime was immediately answered, and Master Yoda ushered him in, almost as if he were expected.

"Tea, you need." The elder Jedi stated.

Obi-Wan's first response was to disagree. He usually wasn't even awake at this hour, but he did wish to offend his mentor.

"That would be fine, thank you." He said instead.

This wasn't the first time that Obi-Wan had been in Yoda's private quarters, but he was always amazed at the gathering of artifacts about the small space, many appearing to be hundreds of years old, and probably gifted to the Jedi personally.

"Here. Plain you should drink it. Better for you."

Obi-Wan sipped at the bitter liquid and then gathered his thoughts, knowing that Yoda was waiting for him to speak first.

"During my meditations last night," He began, "I encountered a presence in the Force. It had invaded the Temple and attacked the Queen of Ruwee. "

"Attacked, you say?" Yoda repeated, his large eyes narrowing in concentration.

"I was wondering if perhaps you felt it as well."

"What mean you by attacked?" A single, sharp claw pointed in the younger Jedi's direction to where he sat on the low cushioned stool across from the great Master.

"I believe it physically attacked her. When I found Padmé in her bedroom, she was suffocating, as if someone or something was choking her."

"No disturbance have I felt. Perhaps mistaken you are. Much stress the Queen is under."

No! It wasn't stress or nightmares or anything like that!

"Master Yoda, there was an evil spirit present within the Force. I felt it while I was on Mobus as well, and now I feel it here.

The elder Jedi's eyes narrowed once more in focused thought. "Hmm. Perhaps tell us more, the Queen should."

Obi-Wan had to agree with that.

"Meditate on this, I will. Speak to the Queen you should, Obi-Wan. See what parts of her past, not told us, she has. Though, guard your feelings you must. Allow them to cloud your judgment, you should not."

The Knight rushed through his first meal, nervous about the fact that he, along with the forty other Knights and Masters were scheduled to make their donations that morning. However, they all were surprised to find that Dr. Rataan had taken an unexpected trip off-planet and would not be returning until the next day. All procedures would be postponed until that time, and the donations would be as well.

It freed the Knight for the rest of the day, and when he would have enjoyed spending it with Padmé , Master Yoda's admonishment came to his mind. However, Yoda's initial message was clear. He needed to speak with her more and try to get her to open up to him about who these "dark ones" she spoke of were and if they had anything to do with what occurred in her bedroom the night before.

She seemed surprised to see him, as she should have been in regards to their parting and what he had said, but Padmé was not the only one with a duty to perform, and so Obi-Wan was simply going to have to put any of his personal feelings aside, as Master Yoda said, and focus upon gathering some information.

Although, it wasn't going to be easy. Apparently, some time that morning, the women had gone into the Upper Levels and had purchased new clothing.

Padmé met him at the door in a lilac synthsilk dress, with her hair hanging loose curls about her shoulders, and her face no longer revealed the customary royal make-up she had worn since the day they had met.

If she was beautiful to him before, she was ravishing now, and the young man found himself at a momentary loss for words.

"Can I help you, Knight Kenobi?"

They were right back to formalities, Obi-Wan thought disappointedly. But perhaps that was best, and perhaps he could convince her that even though an intimate relationship with her was not possible, a friendship was.

"I was wondering if you would like to go on a tour of the Temple. I'm afraid you haven't seen much of it except the commissary, the Council Tower and the Healer's wing. There are some beautiful places I'd like to show you."

Standing behind Padmé , Obi-Wan could see the scowling faces of her sister and her friend, Dormé , both having donned new clothing as well, although not nearly as lovely as Padmé 's.

"You are all welcome to join us if you'd like." He offered generously, although hoping that they would decline, and was not disappointed with Sabé 's haughty response.

"No thank you, Knight Kenobi. There are other, more important things that we need to tend to."

Temporarily relieved, Obi-Wan focused his attention on Padmé , hoping that her answer would not be the same. He gazed into her dark eyes, knowing that his own were pleading with her to say yes, although he was not about to voice his desire, neither outwardly nor inwardly.

"I shall join you, Obi-Wan." She answered finally, which resulted in a broad grin blossoming on the young Knight's face.