Chapter Fifteen

A city transport carried Obi-Wan to the residential area of Theed. He had the location of the Naberrie's home memorized but took his time roaming about the pleasant surroundings. Just before he reached the housing area, there was a large courtyard with a fountain, vendors selling a variety of items, and a crowd of friendly people milling about. He asked one particularly kind older woman for directions and she pointed him toward the rear of the plaza where the street lay he was searching for.

He followed her instructions and walked down an attractive pathway lined with pots of fragrant purple flowers and lazy trees, whose branches dipped low toward the ground.

The Naberrie home was just beyond a stoned archway and he ascended a set of steps leading up to the front door. After knocking, a short, older man appeared. He was dressed like a businessman and looked at Obi-Wan rather skeptically.

"May I help you?"

Obi-Wan put on his most charming expression and introduced himself. "You're Ruwee Naberrie, are you not?"

"Yes, I am," the gentleman replied, thrusting forth his hand in a friendly gesture. "What is a Jedi Knight doing on my doorstep?"

"Actually," Obi-Wan explained, stepping inside, "I need to speak to your wife."

Mr. Naberrie looked suddenly quite concerned. "Is there trouble I should know about?"

"No, nothing like that," the Jedi replied, wanting to ease the older man's mind. "Actually.." Obi-Wan was about to explain everything to the man but only wished to say this once. "Could I see Jobal, please? I'm here as a friend and this concerns her."

"What concerns me?" a woman slightly younger than her husband, with dark hair pinned up and a slight smile appeared in the hallway, wiping her hands on a towel.

"If you don't mind, could we all have a seat? This might take a while," the Knight suggested.

Curious, though kind, the husband and wife took Obi-Wan into a common area that had a fireplace and plenty of reading material on its shelves. As they were seated, the Naberries on a short sofa while Obi-Wan in a comfortable chair across from them, he took the time to study the woman of the house. She appeared to be intelligent, comfortable with her surroundings, and happy. Why wouldn't she be? She had all the things that Obi-Wan wished for Padmé – a pleasant home and a life with someone who obviously loves her.

He expected what he was about to tell them would be shocking, but there was no better way than to come straight out with it. "I was sent here to negotiate the peace treaty between the people of Theed and the Mer of Thalladi."

The second he'd mentioned the underwater population, Jobal's brow lifted.

"My negotiations weren't all that successful, although the matter did come to a resolution. It wasn't one I had initially desired, however. I'm sorry to say that Queen Kailana, as well as her Advisor, were both killed."

"Good. The son-of-a-sith deserved it."

Mrs. Naberrie quietly scolded her husband for his bad attitude before excusing his behavior to their visitor.

"You'll have to forgive Ruwee. He still holds a grudge," she explained.

"Because of what they did to you?" Obi-Wan guessed.

The raised brow immediately lowered with concern. "How do you know about that? Speaking of the Forsaken ones is forbidden in the Kingdom of the Mer."

"Because the princess is now one of you," he announced bluntly.

"What?"

The impact of his statement resulted in the exact same expression he'd imagined. Jobal's eyes flew wide and she sat up a little taller.

"Is Padmé all right? Is she here in Theed?"

There was excitement in her tone, which increased Obi-Wan's hope that Jobal Naberrie would be helpful. However, her husband interrupted and quickly dampened her enthusiasm.

"Hold on, honey," he spoke softly to his loved one. "Are you sure you want to associate with her? It took years for you to forget about the Mer and what they put you through. Wouldn't seeing the princess only bring all that back?"

Obi-Wan had no choice but to intervene. "Padmé has lost her mother and her home. She's undergoing therapy but is beginning to lose her will to fight. She needs somebody in her life who cares about her as I do."

"As you do?" Jobal questioned, her brow now quizzical. "I didn't think Jedi were prone to become romantically involved with anyone. How would you ever find the time?"

There were many misconceptions regarding the life of a Jedi amongst the general population, and the belief that attachment was forbidden was one of them. An obsessive passion that interfered with one's duty and focus was frowned upon. A commitment to another individual with the best intentions of supporting each other and possibly raising a family of potential Force users was actually promoted. He was highly interested in pursuing that possibility, but only when the time was right.

"I've made a promise to stay and help Padmé for as long as I can, but there's going to come a day I'll be required to return to Coruscant. Before that time, I want to ensure that she has somebody to care for her. Honestly, I was hoping that someone would be you."

Ruwee looked annoyed at his suggestion, while Jobal chewed her lip, almost as if she were trying to hold back the tide. Suddenly, the dam burst and she stood up, clasped her hands in front of her mouth, and began to cry.

"Oh, my baby! Padmé! Of course, I'll help her Knight Kenobi! Where is she? When can I see her? How long do you think she has before her rehabilitation is finished? I have an extra room upstairs she's more than welcome to stay in."

"Dear…" her husband stated calmly though he was obviously irritated.

"Oh hush, Ru. You know how much she means to me! You know how upset I was to be taken from her! She's like my own daughter, so you'll just have to get used to it!"

An abrupt silence came over the room until the older gentleman nervously cleared his throat. Obi-Wan had the strong suspicion that this was possibly the first time that Jobal Naberrie had stood up to her husband, and the man wasn't exactly sure what to do about it. He simply turned to the Jedi Knight and sheepishly shrugged his shoulders. "Looks like the matter's settled."

Obi-Wan chuckled softly.

"When can I see her?"

Obi-Wan glanced at the chrono on the far wall. The rehab visiting time wasn't over for another three hours.

"I can take you to her now if you'd like," he informed the couple.

Once again, Mrs. Naberrie clasped her hands excitedly and then ran out of the room, yelling back. "I'll get my things! Ruwee, take the landspeeder out of the garage. You're driving us!"