Snowhere to Go: Chapter Fourteen

This was so unlike my Master; to disappear like that and not update me on his location and situation. I didn't want to frighten Dormé any more than she already was, so I kept my thoughts to myself. The truth was, I realized what this mountain represented. I'd learned about it at the Jedi Academy. This was Appenza Peak and it had the reputation for fluctuations within the Force. In other words, it made readings of the Force unreliable. If Master Obi-Wan and Padmé had been anywhere near this mountain during that avalanche, there was a good chance my Master hadn't sensed it coming and might not have had time to make it to safety.

For Dormé's sake, I was only going to say positive things to try and keep her hopes up.

We had returned to the palace and borrowed a few clothing items from the staff that would keep us warm. I also borrowed a camp shovel and some rope just in case. Before we left, I alerted Head of Security, although I didn't actually speak with Senator Organa himself. In most cases, fresh snowslides are unstable and I didn't want an entourage of people and machinery combing that mountain. They'd only make things worse. I was counting on the Force to lead me to my Master, even though the closer we got to Appenza, the more elusive it became.

"Do you think they made it out before the snow reached them?"

I glanced back at Dormé who was having no problem keeping up with me. She had told me about her rigorous training schedule and was barely out of breath. We had started an ascent onto the freshly piled snow and was steadily climbing it.

"If they did, we would've heard from them by now. My guess is they ran toward the mountain."

"What?"

Uh oh. I could feel an argument coming on. We didn't have time for that, even though I enjoyed sparring with her.

"That doesn't make any sense! Why would you run toward the danger!"

I had grabbed a stick while in the valley and was using it to poke into the snow in front of us. If there was a pocket, I didn't want us falling into it.

"Because Master Obi-Wan would've created a vacuum using the Force that would keep them safe."

It had gone quiet behind me. For about three seconds.

"Oh. Okay. That makes more sense. If he did manage to do that, how long will one of those last?"

About that time, Dormé let out a huff of frustration and I turned to find that one of her legs had sunk to mid-thigh. I turned back to assist her, easily lifting her up and out. She held on afterward and gazed up into my face, her eyes a tender mixture of concern and worry. I'd heard some crazy stories about Senator Amidala's handmaiden, but she wasn't anything like I'd expected. She was beautiful, yes, but she was also intelligent, brave, and loved a good argument. I did as well. I was falling for her, but the timing was terrible. We had to find Master Obi-Wan.

"Thanks."

"You're welcome. And it depends on the dimensions of the vacuum."

She continued to stare at me while silence passed between us. "What?"

I continued walking with Dormé now beside me. "The vacuum Master Kenobi might've created. The rate of oxygen depletion depends upon how big a space he was able to form."

"Hopefully he would've made a big enough one to last them a while. His lightsaber would've helped, right? I mean, he could've used it to melt more snow or even dig their way out."

Yes, I figured that's what was happening and at any moment, we'd see them walking toward us. However, an object sticking out of the white surface straight ahead dashed my hopes.

"What's that?" Dormé asked as I dug a familiar metallic object out of the frozen ground. "Oh no. That's Obi-Wan's lightsaber, isn't it? How can he save the Senator if he doesn't have that with him?"

I gripped the weapon in my hand and scanned the horizon. There were items every Jedi carried with them in their utility belt such as cable, a small vibroblade, nutrition bars, and glowsticks, but none of these items would help dig them out of a frozen landslide.

Perhaps it was time for honesty.

"With the items Master Kenobi has with him, I would estimate they have a survival rate of about 80%. Unless they're buried. Then it drops to 50%. Time is of the essence."

"Then let's stop wasting it!"

I would've wished for a better place and situation, but I felt comfortable with my confession. I only wished Padmé would say something. Anything! Ever since I'd share my feelings, she'd become still. Suddenly, I felt a slight tremor. Almost as if she were shaking with repressed laughter. Surely not!

When I lifted my head and beheld her face, I was pleasantly surprised as well as relieved. She was smiling, but in her eyes were tears, glimmering in the limited light. I was hoping they were happy tears, although our circumstances were rather dire. I carefully wiped away a single drop rolling down her cheek and she grasped my hand to hold it against her face.

"You have no idea how long I've waited to hear you say that. I've loved you since we met on Naboo; but like you, I was too much of a coward to say anything. If you had said you didn't love me in return, I would've been crushed."

I couldn't help but smile. In fact, there was a good possibility I'd never frown again! "Thank the Force for avalanches then," I told her in a whisper before claiming another kiss. I took my time with this one and explored her mouth while holding her close and allowing my hands to do some exploring of their own.

"Obi-Wan," she murmured after several minutes. "I'm enjoying this immensely, but I'm getting cold. Perhaps we should try to figure out a way out of here. Or maybe build a fire?"

I was reluctant to release her and realized our clothing was most likely still soaked. But she was right. Even with my tunics covering us, we were both starting to shake from more than just arousal.

"If we can find anything to build a fire with."

A glowstick from my utility bet set the cave aglow in pale green light. Toward the back of the cave appeared to be some type of campground mostly likely equipped for hikers or climbers. I pulled Padmé to her feet, grabbed our things and headed that way.

Once she'd seen what I had, she was ecstatic.

"Bless whoever left all these things!" she said excitedly, rushing forward to a pile of furs. I was more interested in the small pile of wood against the wall and retrieved several pieces. Now, if I could gather enough Force to ignite it.

After several attempts, an ember began glowing and between the two of us, we soon had created a humble blaze. There wasn't much ventilation except further back into the cave and a few hairline cracks along the walls, so we kept the fire small. Regardless, I was appreciative of it and laid our wet clothing flat on the nearby stone while Padmé created a comfortable place to rest.

It was an unspoken agreement that we would lay together and I wouldn't have had it any other way. By the time we'd arranged ourselves beneath the skins, we were both trembling and chilled. I spooned myself behind her and wrapped an arm about her as she lay her head on the other one. I'd never been on a more comfortable makeshift pallet even though the base of it was stone. Slowly, our bodies recovered their natural heat, the tremors ceased and I lifted her long curls away from her neck to suckle there.

"Do you think Anakin will find us soon?"

If I were being selfish, I hoped he wouldn't. But for her safety and comfort, I planned on it. The boy had been trained in rescue and recovery. He should know what to do. That is unless Dormé was more influential on him than I'd expected. In that case, there was no telling when we'd be discovered.

In either case, we'd have to wait. It was near dusk when the avalanche occurred and we'd need to stay put until morning.

"Once he realizes where we've gone, then yes. He should be able to locate us."

"Too bad," she chuckled.

I smiled and rolled her to kiss her once more. I could easily get used to this.

"A woman after my own heart. Once Bail misses you at the meeting, I'm certain he'll have his entire staff out searching. It's only a matter of time."

"Hm," she said as her fingers raked through my beard. "Then I suggest we make the most of what we have."

In the glow of the firelight, her eyes were embers themselves, and although her desire shown in them, I was unsure how to proceed.

"Are you sure? I wouldn't wish to…"

I didn't manage to get my concern out before her fingers pressed against my mouth to quiet me.

"You've made me wait long enough. But before we start, I have one question."

"Anything," I whispered, my voice rough with desire.

"Why didn't you use your lightsaber to light the fire?"

"My…" I searched my mind for its location and was unable to call for it. Stupid mountain. "I think it's out there somewhere," I reluctantly admitted.

Padmé snickered at me. "You'd better hope Anakin doesn't find it first. You'll never live it down."

She was right. Dammit!