The next day…
Mace came to the girls' room to check on Nora. As he knocked on the door he asked "Girls are you up?"
"Mace? What time is it?" Ariel rubs her eyes, answering sleepily.
"Where's Nora?" Mace raises a brow.
"She should be… She's not there." Ariel notices the bed had never been used.
At that Mace glared and said "Tell Kit I'll be late for breakfast. And tell Fives he'll be an only child soon." At that he goes on his march of doom.
'Oh no.' Ariel runs off to find Nora.
As she runs about, she finds her dad with Fives. It seemed like they were doing some morning Ti-chi. She was happy they were getting along but she'd have to thank them for getting along later, for now it was time to find Echo and Nora before Windu killed him.
Windu was on a mission, and anyone who saw him knew this. They got out of his way, fearing the aura coming off of him, and he wasn't even glowing purple. Not yet.
He was using his bond to find Nora and that's when he got to the library. He raised a brow at that but still trudged on, and when he did he looked around like a predator for his prey. 'If you've done anything…'
He then heard slight snoring and headed that way…
As this happened the others finally made it to the library as well and they saw where Mace was heading.
"We gotta run!" The couple calls worried.
"I'll stop him you two go get the others." Kit warns.
"Not that I'm not grateful… but why are you helping?" Fives looks at Kit a bit surprised.
"Cause I know they wouldn't do anything stupid. They probably fell asleep reading, it happened to me and Aqua on more than one occasion." Kit coughs before heading after Mace.
"Really?" Ariel eyes him.
"Tease later. Save Echo now." Fives pulls her arm lightly as they head off.
Meanwhile…
Echo felt something was off 'Why am I sitting up? I'm on leave, aren't I? Hmm, so warm.' He snuggles into the warmth and then he hears a bit of light breathing and a sigh. At that his eyes pop open. Echo looked down and felt himself frozen stiff 'Nora, what, why are we…' Then he saw the book in his lap, and it all came back.
Echo sigh as he smiles 'We must have fallen asleep.' Echo looks over at her as the small light in the library danced on her hair making it look somewhat golden. He flushed putting a hand through it slightly. A smile spreading on Nora's face.
'She seems so peaceful. I guess we can be like this, just for a bit…' Echo was about to fall back asleep when he heard the sound of a saber activate. At that Echo felt dread go up his back and think 'Oh no.' He turned to find Mace there glaring at him and growling "You little punk argh!"
Echo pulled up his arms for protection when he heard the sound of another saber stop the attack. Echo looked shocked as Kit called "Don't just stand there move!"
"What, what's going on!? Is it Dooku, Echo?!" Nora shakes as she holds on tight to him.
At that Ariel and Fives rush in to get them out.
"So~ what happened here?" Fives eyes Echo a bit.
"We fell asleep when I was reading okay! It's not like we planned this." Echo shouted at his brother.
"Calm down. We're not accusing you." Ariel motions for him to take a breath.
Nora was looking around in a panic "Is it Dooku, where is he? Echo?"
As they rushed out of the library Echo says "It's okay I'm right here." Nora latches on to him and shakes.
"No, no, don't die Echo don't die." Nora shakes harsh tears in her eyes.
"Is she okay?" Fives looks over at her worried.
"I think she's having a panic attack. Like she's in a waking nightmare." Echo looks down sadly at her, wishing he could help.
At that Ariel was angry and charged into the library herself where she could hear the two men arguing and still using they're sabers.
"STOP NOW!" Ariel shouts forcing their sabers out of their hands.
"Ariel?" The two turn to her shocked.
"You two are behaving like kids. Worst then that even!" Ariel shouts at them. "You scared Nora so bad she's having a panic attack! Once she's calmed down you are to apologize." She starts heading off with their sabers in hand.
"Ariel. Our sabers…" They call.
"Will be returned when you start acting like ADULTS." Ariel heads off with a wave.
"She is DEFINITELY her mother's daughter." Mace watches her go then looks at Kit.
"Yeah~" Kit rubs the back of his head with a small smile on his face.
With the others in the garden…
Echo was still calming Nora down. But she seemed to be cooling down.
"How are you doing?" Ariel bends down and gently places her hands over Nora's, massaging her hands with her thumbs lightly.
"I'm sorry I had no idea he act that way. We fell asleep but we should have headed to bed right away…." Nora looks over worried.
"No, they were the ones that should be acting like adults." Ariel shakes her head a bit.
"Thank you for stopping them." Nora sighs glad that things where clam again.
"Yeah thanks Ariel. You really saved our skins back there." Echo rubs the back of his head.
"Wait are those…?" Fives points at the sabers sitting on the grass.
"Wanna help me hide them from them?" Ariel smirks.
"No thank you." Fives shakes his head as he backs up from them. "I JUST got your dad to not want to chase me off on sight."
"Fair enough." Ariel picks them up and pecks his cheek. "I'm going to hide these then… picnic on the beach?" she smiles at him softly.
"I'd like that." Fives pecks her lips.
"Wanna help me hide these? Might help you feel better." Ariel looks at Nora.
"Okay?" Nora smirks a little.
With that they headed off to take care of their little bit of revenge.
"Is it wrong I find that hot?" Fives glances at his brother.
"Nope, cause I feel the same way." Echo can't help but stare on as they leave.
With the girls…
The girls looked around Ariel's large room a bit. Trying to figure out the best place to hide the sabers. While looking around…
"What's this?" Ariel finds the floor of her closet has loose panels.
"Maybe it's a secret compartment." Nora gets excited always liking a mystery.
They move it to find some sort of holopad in the shape of a shell. Pressing a small button, different shell shapes with dates under them appear.
'What in the world?' Ariel looks at them then presses one at the top shaped like a spiral.
"Spiral year new moon, Master Jinn suggested I start keeping a journal to… keep my head." A young Aqua chuckles a bit as she impersonates his voice. "It's funny, I'm used to being part of two worlds but being split two ways is hard. Master Jinn is the first to see that. Well… second-" She flushes a bit then Ariel pauses it.
"Gasp, did we just find your mom's dairy." Nora looked on shocked.
"Mom." Ariel hugs the odd shaped tablet a few tears calling.
"Oh Ariel. I know this is hard but, maybe this way you can get to know more about here." Nora pats her shoulder.
"Should I really watch though? I… I mean these are her personal thoughts." Ariel looks at it with shaking eyes.
"It's really up to you but, I think your mother would have wanted you to know her." Nora smiles at her friend.
"Will you watch a few of them with me tonight? I don't think I could do it alone and dad…" Ariel looks at it with her eyes shaking a bit. "I don't want to hurt him with this."
"I understand and sure. You know how I get when I'm curious." Nora hugs her friend hoping to make her feel better.
At the beach…
The girls tell the guys what they found. Ariel looking into her soda with a mix of emotions. She wanted to know her mom, but she was also scared of what she might learn.
"Hey, just take it slow and I'm here to talk if you need." Fives holds her close pecking the side of her head.
"Thanks." Ariel snuggles into his chest needing the comfort.
Echo and Nora where building a sandcastle, Echo smiles at seeing her calm again.
"I'm glad to see you doing better." Echo holds her face gently.
Nora smiles at him. Echo had gotten a bit braver with her and she appreciated it. She leaned into his hand and held it as well saying "I do feel better, but I'm still mad at Mace really. Kit was just protecting us but Mace…..I can't believe him." Nora had to take a breath to calm.
"He just worries about you." Echo frowns sadly.
"He still shouldn't of done that. Especially for something so stupid." Nora fumes.
"I agree." Ariel nods. "But should we talk to them?" she ponders.
"I'd rather not have them around us for a while. Hey Echo, let's go swimming." Nora smiles at him then drags him off to the water.
"Of course amour." Echo chuckles as they head off.
"Come on, let's swim too." Ariel pulls Fives to the water.
"I'm with you." Fives smiles going with her.
The two splashing one another. Having a water war and just enjoying their time with one another.
Inside the palace….
Kit and Mace were in their room trying to calm down.
"This is your fault." Kit glares.
"My fault?" Mace glared.
"You tried to kill him!" Kit throws his arms up exasperated.
"They were asleep in the same couch." Mace growls.
"Oh come on. That happened with me and Ariel plenty of times, don't tell me you and Zyanya didn't have moments like that?" Kit glared.
Mace looked away "We didn't, the only time she slept in my arms was the night I left." You could hear the sorrow clear in his voice.
"Mace I…" Kit wasn't' sure what to say to this.
"It was a strange relationship. Zyanya was so full of life. You know the first time I met her I was saving her from a jaguar, the reason she was out there alone was to collect herbs. Chuckle. I ended up using my powers to make the creature go away. She and her village looked at me like I was some sort of wizard or something, or a supernatural warrior of some kind. Zyanya was made my guide because she had found me, but that was all I saw her as for a long time. But her, no she treated me like any other person." Mace had to chuckle at certain memories.
Then he frowned once more "I think it was because of that that made me fall for her but also made me uneasy to be with her. I had never met someone who treated me as just a person as she did. Sigh, so I guess I'm not the best at knowing what's normal in relationships. And with Nora being all I have of what is a family, I guess any sense of threat towards her is too much for me to bare." Mace sighs.
Kit decides to sit next to him and says "I suppose that's understandable. We both lost our families and then got them back in a way. It's still hard to see her with Fives but I have to trust they'll be okay. Just like you have to trust Nora and Echo. Look I can explain to you how these relationships usually work, most work differently for everyone but I can see that those girls have good heads on they're shoulders. And those boys fear us too much to do anything stupid." Kit raises a brow.
Mace sighs and nods, that was true he should have thought of that in the first place.
"Now we have to make an apology soon before Ariel decides she'll make us hunt for our sabers on our own." Kit chuckles.
"Now that would be a scary thought." Mace chuckles as they head off.
Back on the beach…
Nora was sunning a little as Echo held her close, she still didn't want to be far from him after that morning's fiasco.
"She looks so tired." Fives looks at Nora softly.
Echo whispered back "We did stay up pretty late reading. We both just get so into the story we forget everything." Echo chuckles.
"Let's let her dream." Ariel snuggles into Fives warm bare chest.
Nora whimpers a little "Echo…"
"Hey I'm here." He rubs her arm.
"Dooku, go away, go away." Nora twitches slightly in her sleep.
"Oh Nora." Echo looks down saddened.
"That really got to her." Fives sighs heavily.
"Nothing we can do for her right now." Ariel looks at her friend sadly snuggling into Fives as close as she can.
"Isn't there anything we can do?" Echo looks worried.
Nora woke up startled then she hugged Echo closer with tears and shaking "Echo, he, he killed you. He…"
"Nora… Shhh… It's okay I'm here. I'm here." Echo rocks her.
"Don't ever scare me like that again. Don't leave me." Nora holds him tight.
"I'm sorry, so sorry." Echo holds her close.
'Oh Nora…' Ariel looks at her sadly.
"I got you." Fives whispers holding her close and kisses the side of her head.
At that Mace and Kit come out.
Mace was shocked to see this then he felt it 'Fear, fear of lost, fear of losing… Echo.' Mace felt his heart break at that 'You really did it this time.' He sighs.
Kit looked at his friend sadly as he felt what he felt. 'If only we could help them.'
The two came up at that point and Nora looked over glaring "What do you two want?"
The two flinch at that, the bite in her words clear.
Kit saw Mace unable to move and so he talked "Nora we wanted to apologize for scaring you. We never wanted to cause you any harm or fear." Kit nods.
"You were protecting Echo. I can understand that. But you don't have an excuse!" Nora yells at Mace who flinches.
'She has a point.' The other couple ponders at the same time.
'Good luck my friend.' Kit frowns.
Mace takes a breath and walks up and then leans down in front of her "Nora, I truly am sorry. To you as well Echo. I overreacted." He sighs.
"Sir you attacked my brother." Fives looks at him a bit worried.
"You didn't even let him explain before drawing your saber." Ariel huffs.
"And that wasn't right of me. You two are adults and I have to trust your judgments. And I do. You two haven't given me a reason to not trust you. Nora, I have never had a real relationship before. Zyanya and I, it took us half a year before anything happened and I don't know how a relationship truly works. So when I heard you never returned to your room I feared the worse and acted irrationally. I want to apologize for that." Mace looks down sadly.
"You tried to kill him!" Nora glares.
"She's got a point." Ariel and Fives say at the same time.
"Just let him speak." Kit whispered to them.
Mace then looks up and says "And I was wrong for doing that. I let my feelings cloud my judgment. Which isn't the Jedi way. Sigh. But I, I have never had family Nora. I have never, ever had to be afraid of something, something bad happening to them. What Dooku did put me so on edge and the thought that perhaps you and Echo making a mistake, like I did…That it would cost you both. Now I don't regret being with your great grandmother I regret the circumstances of how it happened. I should have been responsible. Sigh. I was afraid history would repeat itself."
At that they all took that in, Nora was still miffed but said "I'm not like you Mace."
'Sigh good she's still calling me that.' Mace feels relieved.
"I don't believe in being with someone till after marriage. And Echo, he loves me, and I know that. He'd never abandon me." Nora looked away still upset.
"It's true sir. I never abandon her, not ever. If anything did happen, which it won't, I promise I will not shirk off my responsibilities. I'd take them. I could never leave her." Echo smiles down at her hoping she understood his meaning.
Nora did as she snuggled up, glad he was trying to comfort her.
Mace sighed and said "I'm glad to hear that. I apologize for my actions. So, if there is any way for me to make it up to you. I'm willing to do it."
"Actually there is one thing you both could do for us. And it would probably make me feel better, maybe help get rid of these nightmares." Nora got an idea.
"What would that be Nora?" Kit looks at her.
"We'll do anything to help." Mace frowns sadly.
"Teach the guys how to defend themselves and survive a Sith attack." Nora looks serious.
"What?!" all the guys said.
"Hear us out about this please." Ariel looks at them with big eyes.
"Please guys. It will make us feel better. And it will be safer for all of us as well. Ariel and I are Jedi we'll be facing Sith won't we? Which means you guys will be in the crossfire as well and with Dooku out there… Having you guys know how to take them on and protect yourselves would make all the difference." Nora looks pleadingly into Echo's eye.
"It would help us feel at ease and would really help to chase away our nightmares." Ariel looks at Fives with big eyes.
'Ariel…' Fives looks into her eyes to see her worry and love.
The guys couldn't take it, they were right. This was something they had to do, for all of them. With that they nodded.
"We'll make sure they'll be ready for anything." Kit nods smiling.
"And we'll promise they'll be safe." Mace nods.
"Good." Ariel nods.
"Just don't overdue it." Nora turns away. She just couldn't look at him, not after what he tried to do.
Mace looked down but Kit patted his shoulder. 'I'm sorry my friend but you did almost do something that would have made you lose her for good. Be glad it's just the cold shoulder.'
With that they walk to another part of the beach.
One night….
"Wave shell half-moon, okay so~ I got my crystal and saber!" A twelve year old Aqua is showing off her saber to her camera sitting on her bed. "It's amazing right? Master Yoda says that yellow sabers are rare. But I wonder… can a princess be a Jedi? And… which do I want? Or…" she looks at her saber in deep thought. "Never mind. Oh shoot! I have to get ready for the party!" she looks at the time then rushes to get ready, turning off the pad in a panic.
"Conk shell full moon; I… I kissed Kit." A teen Aqua whispers with an endless smile on her face. "Okay I know. I know. We're friends and both Jedi but… But I can't help it. He's just so charming and funny and…" she names all of them off hugging a pillow.
"Conk shell blue moon; The dreaded talk has happened. Master Jinn and my parents set me down and said I'll have to pick before coming of age; Jedi or princess." Aqua looks at the camera sadly. "HOW can they ask that of me!? This is like asking me to choose between fins or legs!" she groans burying her head into a shell pillow.
"Sand dollar waxing moon; I have to make the choice soon. But I still have NO idea what to do. Master Jinn suggested I go somewhere to meditate and really think about this. So I came home to go THERE. It's been in my dreams so~ much. I have to. I have to know what to do." A young adult Aqua sighs signing off.
"There? Where did she go?" Ariel looks surprised and confused.
"I don't know. Check the next one." Nora looks on curios.
"But that's the last entry. Where did she go? What happened?" Ariel looks at the tablet annoyed.
For a week they've been going through these and THAT'S how it ends?! How did she choose? What was her reaction to having a padawan? What trails did her and Kit have after this? How did she feel about… about finding out she was pregnant? She felt a bit cheated not seeing the rest.
"This is unfair! She's always cheating me out of knowing her!" Ariel throws the tablet to the other end of the bed, burying her head into a pillow.
"Oh Ariel, maybe the entries where only for before she left for the temple. Like a teenage diary. Or something happened." Nora tries to comfort her.
"It's just so unfair. I really started to feel close to her and now… now I'm back to guessing again." Ariel mutters with her face buried into the pillow.
"Maybe we'll find another. Like at the temple." Nora tries to figure out how to help.
"I just want to be alone." Ariel mutters sadly.
Nora sighed at this and said "Okay, call me if you need to talk." She heads out to let her friend take this in for the night.
'Why did it cut off? Why is there no more?' Ariel looks out at the full moon from her bed wanting to understand all this.
Sleeping that night she dreamt of the deep again. The endless ocean that made her feel at peace.
'Ariel.' Calls a distantly familiar voice.
'What? Who?' Ariel looks around confused.
'Ariel. This way.' Calls the voice that seems to be all around.
'Where? Where do I go?' Ariel looks around at the empty water.
As she does, she feels a shake and then stone pillars surround her. She braces for impact, but nothing hits her. Opening her eyes, she sees a temple in front of her with an odd symbol above it.
'Ariel.' The voice calls from behind.
Turning sadly she wakes up falling out of bed. Looking up at the large ceiling she wonders how she could fall out of a large bed.
"Ariel? Selke, you awake?" Kit knocks on the door.
"Dad?" Ariel rubs her sleepy eyes. "What are you doing up this early?" she opens the door to the still dim halls.
"Ariel… there's news from Moncala." Kit looks at her sadly.
"What?" Ariel looks at him waking up at that.
"The king has been killed." Kit looks at her sadly.
"Is Lee okay? Was he hurt? Was it the Separatists?" Ariel panics.
"Prince Lee-Char is safe. As for who did it… we still don't know. But since we are closest, we were asked to go along with Anakin and Representative Amidala." Kit explains patting her head.
Meanwhile…
The others had been woken up and taken to a room to be told the same news by Mace.
Nora gasp at this "His father, no I….Poor Lee." Nora looks on saddened.
"I…I can't believe this. How could this have happened." Echo looks on shocked.
"The poor guy." Fives sighs heavily feeling for him.
"No one is sure how it happened or who did it. But there's a state of chaos going on and we need to head there soon." Mace tries to stay neutral.
They all nod and went to get packed.
Once done and waiting for the royal family, they wanted to give they're support to they're allies, the group began to talk.
"I can't imagine what Lee is going through. I hope he has someone helping him through this." Nora worries.
"I'm sure someone is there helping him. And if not we'll all help where we can." Echo holds her.
"Yeah." Fives nods.
'Why do I have this odd feeling?' Fives felt like something was wrong but couldn't tell what.
Soon Ariel joined them.
"Hey." Ariel pecks Fives lips lightly.
"I'm sorry about Lee. We'll help where we can." Fives hugs her.
"Thanks." Ariel snuggles him.
"The Tonns have a few things to take care of before they can leave. We should go on ahead." Kit tells them.
They all nodded and headed off.
The ride was quiet, no one sure what to say. The news was a shock, then Mace came up and said "We have news. It seems that the Quarren, a native people to Mon Calamari, are unhappy with the idea of Lee being made king. They are going to have a meeting to help them figure out how to settle this. Skywalker and Senator Amidala will be representing the Mon Calamari while the Quarren well… Sadly they will be asking the Separatist for support in they're cause. They've asked a Karkardon to speak for them."
"A what?!" They all shout shocked.
Echo felt his blood boil at this as he held Nora close. 'Not again, not ever again.'
'Those beasts are NOT touching her!' Fives holds Ariel close with a fire in his eyes.
"They can't be serious! With what they do! And what they tried to do on Atlantia, how can they allow this?" Nora fumes.
"They can't do this! Those things aren't human!" Ariel fumes.
"Because the Quarren have their own basic government, even if they are under the Mon Calamari, they have the right to choose whoever they want as a representative. Don't worry I'll be keeping a close eye on this Riff Tamson. So, you two won't have to worry." Mace tries to calm them.
"They tried to eat me. Of course I'm going to worry!" Nora shouts still fuming.
"And they tried to… to…" Ariel couldn't finish as she shivers.
"They're not coming near you, not ever again." Echo says heated.
"He so much as looks at you funny and I'm shooting then asking." Fives rubs her shoulder.
Kit then came in and said "I'm worried as well. This Riff has a sketchy background. I don't want the girls near him, or alone with him. Boys you make sure to stick close to the girls got it."
"Sir yes sir!" They salute.
"Good. The Tonns are on their way and we'll be landing soon." Kit looks over more sadly at them before heading to the front.
Once there they landed on one of the large metal platforms on the planet, the 501st gave them the tails that the Mon Calamari had been given from the Tonn family so they could swim underwater. Mace decided to stick with a regular swim suite and air tank. With that they dived.
They found a transport ready for them and soon they were taken to the palace. The girls looked on wide eyed at the complex and beautiful structures.
"Whoa, they have high ways down here as well. I've never seen anything like this." Nora looks on wide eyed.
"This place is amazing." Ariel looks around in awe.
The guys looked on interested as well but were more focused on the mission ahead. Especially with the danger that could come.
Once at the palace the girls asked to be taken directly to see Lee. The female advisor tried to stop them, but they just swam past her.
Meanwhile…
Lee was inconsolable. His father had been murdered in cold blood, a civil war might break out, and he was expected to become king and fix everything.
"It's times like this I wish I wasn't a prince." Lee whines.
"LEE!" Ariel calls swimming in.
"Ariel, I'm so happy you're here." Lee swims up to hug her. Noticing his blunder, he flushed and coughs saying "You as well Nora. I meant it was nice to see you both."
Nora just smiled and shook her head 'Poor boys has it bad.'
"How are you doing? Do you need to sit down?" Ariel looks at him worried.
"We really are so sorry Lee." Nora hugs him as well.
"Thank you. I appreciate your support. I think you're the first ones to truly console me on this. Everyone so far has been running around telling me what to do and what to expect. They give they're condolences but…" Lee looks down sadly.
"But none of it seems real?" Ariel looks at him sadly.
Lee nods sadly.
"Well we're here now and we're not going to let them boss you around. You need to mourn this. We'll ask the guys to keep guard if you like." Nora looks on determined.
"Thank you but, I can't just sit here and wallow. I… I have responsibilities and…"
"Excuse us Prince Lee, but even we agree you need to mourn." They looked back to find the guys swimming in. Echo had been the one to speak.
"You should take it easy. We'll keep watch." Fives adds with a nod.
"Thank you." Lee nods at them.
"Let's sit down." Ariel sits him on a shell chair.
"I just… I want to know who did it. Why would they kill him? He was a good man, he never hurt anyone and he… he loved his people. Who would do this?" Lee began to break down the others trying to comfort him during all this.
Meanwhile…
"This is unethical, the prince has to prepare for tomorrow and…" The female advisor complains but.
"He needs to mourn. His father just died and before he can be of any use to anyone, he needs to take care of himself." Kit responds.
"I have to agree. He needs to be well before anything happens. Now I'd like to have all the information you have on this Riff and where I can find him." Mace demands.
The advisor sighs and nods as she leads Mace off. Kit then goes off to check on the others. The Tonns would be here soon and it was best no one disturbed them till then.
Back with the others…
"My head won't stop spinning. I… keep waiting for him to walk through the door or wake up and this was all a bad dream." Lee has his head resting in his hands.
"I'm sorry Lee. There are days I still wait for Uncle Tanner to walk through the door." Ariel rubs his back lightly.
"Does it get easier?" Lee looks over at her sadly.
"No." Ariel shakes her head. "You just learn how to carry it better and it helps to shape you for the better." She keeps patting his back to calm him down.
"I don't know if I can do this." Lee sighs heavily.
"We'll be here to help where we can Lee. Just let yourself ride it out." Nora pats his back.
"Lee!" The Tonns call.
"Oh Lee, you poor baby." Kida hugs him close.
"I can assure you my sons are looking into this. The one that did this will pay." Ceil hugs him, but a bit of a bite in his tone.
"Thank you aunty and uncle." Lee hugs them each.
"Are you hungry? I brought a bunch of different things." Kida motions to a basket with her.
"Thank you aunty, but I'm just not hungry at the moment." Lee sighs a bit heavily.
"Prince, the meeting will take place in the morning." A male servant bows to him.
"Thank you. I think… I'm just going to go lay down." Lee swims off to his room.
"Poor guy. I hope he gets some actual rest." Nora looks on worried.
"Hey which way is Lee's room?" Ariel looks over at a servant.
"Why would you like to know that?" The servant looks surprised.
"I plan to repay a debt." Ariel says cryptically.
The others understanding it. She then swims off with the servant and the basket.
'Lee will need someone beside him during all of this.' Ceil looks at where Ariel swam off to.
"You two with me, we're making sure this place is secure." Kit motions for the two tailed troopers to come with him.
"Sir." The two nod, following him.
At Lee's room…
Lee looks at a shell shaped frame with him and his father in it. He rubs his fingers over the image sad and missing him. Then he hears a knock at the door.
"Please go away." Lee calls with a small sniffle.
"I won't do that." Ariel enters with the basket in hand.
"Ariel I appreciate this but…" Lee starts sadly.
"I can't sneak you out with a killer possibly out there. But I can feed you." Ariel swims over to the big bed with the basket in hand.
"Thanks." Lee has a small smile as she takes the food out.
"I owed you one." Ariel smiles placing her hand on his.
Lee didn't eat much but he ate. It was a start at least. Ariel hummed the song as Lee laid his head on her tail. It didn't take long for him to fall asleep.
"Hey how are you two?" Nora calls as she comes in to check on them.
"Shh, he finally fell asleep." Ariel motions to keep quiet.
"Dad. Dad don't go. Dad…" Lee twitches a bit in his sleep.
"I'm here Lee. I'm here." Ariel places a hand on top of his head lightly and hums again.
Lee twitches a bit but seems to calm down. Sleeping peacefully.
"Angel. My angel." Lee smiles softly in his sleep.
Nora frowned sadly at this and said "The poor boy has it bad." She sighs.
"Yeah." Ariel nods a bit sadly.
"Maybe you should tell him." Nora looks over at her friend.
"But…" Ariel looks worried.
"Most of everyone practically knows and we're grays. We can have attachments and with your dad and Mace on our side, even Anakin, I don't think there will be many people that can go against our relationships." Nora explains.
"I guess you're right. But I'm not ready." Ariel pats Lee's head as he sleeps soundly.
"We don't have to say now, but it's best he knows sooner than later. For his sake." Nora pats her shoulder frowning.
"Kay." Ariel nods slowly getting free.
"Ariel…" Lee turns in his sleep a bit.
"Sleep well Lee." Ariel whispers patting his head.
The girls soon left to get ready for some sleep of their own, it would be a long day tomorrow.
As they did Mace was swimming over to them and said "Nora may we speak?"
Nora frowned, she and Mace hadn't talked unless it was business as she was still mad at him.
"Want me to stay?" Ariel looks a bit worried.
"No go on ahead I'll be there soon." Nora nods.
"Kay, I'm a call away if you need me." Ariel hugs her friend then swims off.
Once she was gone Nora looked at Mace, waiting for his response.
"I know things didn't go well the other day, but I meant what I said about wanting to get to know more about each other. I'll be telling the council about everything when we return." Mace looks hopeful at her.
"You should, and I suggest telling them about what you almost did. You need some serious anger management." Nora crosses her arms.
Mace sighed "That I do. But please Nora. I really do wish for us to get to know each other. And I don't wish to lose what little I have left of the only family I have."
Nora looks at Mace and sighs "It's going to take a while for me to be comfortable around you again. But I guess we can start talking again if you like. I'm still curious about great grandma." Nora smiles.
Mace smiled at that "Anytime you want to hear about her let me know."
Nora nodded at that and then headed off calling they're goodnights.
The next day…
It was time for the meeting. As they sat the girls were nervous, wishing Fives and Echo could sit with them but the two were posted as guards instead. So, they're teachers sat next to them along with the Tonns.
They were glad for this, especially when Riff came in. Both girls felt stiff at the awful memories but remained calm as the others massaged they're hands for comfort.
'I was hoping to never see another shark man again.' Nora glared at the predator.
'He can't get me. He can't get me.' Ariel leans into her father a bit.
Soon the talks started and it wasn't going well…
The Quarren did not want to be ruled by Lee, feeling he was much too young and little experienced. But the Mon Calamari wanted to stick to their traditions so badly they didn't want to make any type of improvise.
"The world prospered under our rule. It's time for change. The prince's rule has been preordained. Down with this monarchy. We'll defend our rights for a Mon Cala king. We want a Quarren king. Down with the Mon Cala. Power to the Quarren."
It was so annoying to Nora "Why can't they come to a compromise? If the world is made up of both these people can't they both rule side by side? It would help put political pressures down. And give each of them political rights."
"You could work together. You could make this place amazing together." Ariel suggests.
"Unfortunately the Quarren lost that right after a war that happened several generations ago. They had become aggressive and started attack so the Mon Cala protected themselves and the Quarren who were not willing to fight. This in turn led to the monarchy they have." Kit explains the history.
Lee was doing his best to calm everyone down "I am dedicated to serving the Quarren as well as my own people, the Mon Calamari."
Suddenly Riff swam up in his face "Silence! You haven't earned the right to speak at this gathering."
"You have no say in the matter ambassador. You are only here as an observer for the Separatist." A Mon Cala man said.
"Do not forget I am her at the request of the Quarren. Because you captain, demanded the presence of the Republic." Riff calls back.
After Anakin holds back the older Mon Cala the Quarren leader speaks. "Prince Lee-Char will bring the planet to ruin. The boy has neither the experience nor the knowledge to lead."
Padme then swims up "Please. You're here to find a compromise. What can the Republic do to keep the peace?"
"This is a matter between the Quarren and the Mon Cala." The leader said.
"Yeah who asked you?!" More shouts came at this.
The girls were ready to swim out but were held back and then Ceil stood up and swam up to them.
"My friends. It is true that this is a matter of the Quarren and the Mon Cala and true the prince is young. But I have a proposal on how to help, it was a plan I and my old friend had come up with hoping it would unite our planets and help all our people be in peace and to better bring prosperity to the planets. And if you all agree to this plan then both the Mon Calamari and the Quarren will prosper with trade, food, and protection from my very planet and people." Ceil calls to them.
Everyone began to whisper in shock, wondering what this could be.
"You have no right to speak here old fool!" Riff snarls.
"Show some respect to the elder Atlantean king!" The Quarren leader barks.
Riff is shocked, but the leader then said "He may not be of this planet but the Atlanteans have always been equal to both of us and have never raised their power against us. My apologies former king Ceil." The Quarren leader bows.
"None are necessary old friend. You were not the one to offend me." Ceil glares at the shark who glares back.
Lee then says "Tell us sir, what is your plan then? What was my father's wish to help us?"
Ceil looked at everyone now and then said "That there would be a union between Mon Calamari and Atlantia. A union so strong it cannot be broken by anything. A unity of marriage between the young prince Lee-Char and my newly found granddaughter Princess Ariel Tonn."
"What!?" Those around them call.
'H-he plans to…' Ariel stares amazed.
"Wait a minute." Lee stands. "Ariel and I had no idea about this. How can you be sure she doesn't have someone she cares for?" he calls looking at the stunned girl.
'Though I wouldn't mind.' Lee thinks with a small flush.
"Are you saying you won't go through with it? That you won't take this step that would put everyone at ease?" Riff swims around the prince with a smirk.
"No I… that is to say…" Lee tries to think of what to say.
"He's going back on his father's word. No, he's thinking of the girl! Let her decide! And if it's no? You have no right!" they all shout.
"I accepted!" Ariel shouts standing up.
At that the whole place falls silent as she swims over to Lee. She takes his hand.
"I accepted Lee's proposal last night." Ariel stands next to him.
'Ariel…' Lee looks at her lovingly.
Lee's smile fades a bit seeing not only resolve in her eyes but pain. She DID have someone she loved. Looking over to where her eyes fell, he got the answer as to who.
In a corner stands a sad looking Fives with Echo placing his hand on his brother's shoulder. Ariel trying hard not to look over at him yet glances at him from time to time with longing eyes.
As the meeting ended Ariel felt someone pull her into a corner. Looking she saw the hurt expression of Fives.
"Did he really propose last night?" Fives looks at her in pain.
"I couldn't leave him to that shark." Ariel looks down sadly.
"And how are they going to react when there is no wedding?" Fives whispers with a crack in his voice. "Or will there be?" he feels his heart drop as Ariel looks at him with pain in her own eyes.
"I'm sorry." Ariel places something in his hands then swims off.
Looking in his hand he sees the ring. Wasn't it just yesterday they were holding each other close? And now… Now…
Ariel swam to her room crying. She wanted to be with Fives. She did. But she couldn't without putting Lee or her family in danger.
'How'd you choose mom? How'd you do it?' Ariel weeps hugging a pillow close.