Into the Gloaming

Rating: T+
Summary: In the growing darkness Obi-Wan Kenobi and Qui-Gon Jinn have to deal with a political assassination.
Disclaimer: All cannon characters are owned by the Great Flanneled One, and now Disney. All others are mine. I make no money off this.
Note: This is a sequel to The Winding Path
Timeline: 38 BBY

Speech: " "
Training Bond communications: /
Internal thoughts: italics

Chapter Four

"Papa wants me to come back to Vasda," Eira sighed as she closed her eyes. It felt as if the entire galaxy was conspiring against her being able to see Obi-Wan on a regular basis.

Even the bluish tint of the holo couldn't hide Obi-Wan's answering sigh. "Did he say why?"

"Yes. He wants me to become the official heir. That means I won't be able to spend that much time here…and with you."

Obi-Wan reached out a blue hand that disappeared as soon as it went past the camera range. "If you're offworld, it'll be much more difficult to both see and speak with you."

"I know." Eira leaned forward and rubbed her temples with her fingers.

"Are you all right?"

She looked up and couldn't help but see concern flash across his face. "Fatigued, and my stomach is still unsettled."

"My dear, if this keeps up, I want to you see a doctor."

Eira shook her head. "I'm fine, Obi-Wan. Don't worry about it." Sitting up she waved her hand as if dismissing that part of the conversation.

"If you say so."

"You don't believe me?" it came out louder than she expected.

Instead of answering, Obi-Wan only frowned. "Of course I believe you. But can't I worry about you?"

Eira couldn't help but smile. His concern was touching and made her feel wanted…no…loved. Does he love me? Her heart pounded for a moment, then settled down. "I'm sorry that I snapped at you. It's just that it feels like everything is conspiring against me…us." Shaking her head, she leaned over and put her forehead into the palm of her hand.

"Then you should trust in the Force."

About a week later Eira looked at the ship that would take her back to Vasda. Rian descended by the ramp and came to a stop before her. "It's time, my lady."

She turned to look at Obi-Wan, who stood beside her, head bowed, and cowled in his cloak, acting as if he was her escort. Which he was in a way.

"I would give you a hug, but we're out in the open." Obi-Wan turned to look at her, a wry smile on his face.

"I just may do that." Instead of smiling, though she frowned, then turned to look back at the transport.

"You will call me as soon as you land?"

Eira rolled her eyes. "Really? Of course I will." She looked over his shoulder for a moment then back to him. He opened his mouth, then closed it while shaking his head. "What is it?"

For a moment he looked uncertain while looking around again. When he spoke it was a whisper. "I don't want you to leave."

"I don't either, but I have to." She reached out a hand and touched his arm.

His gaze fell to her hand and then back to her face. The look he gave her was different from anything she had seen before, and it confused her. "Are you okay?"

"I love you. If you want me to come with you, I will."

It took Eira a moment before she realized not only what he said, but what he was offering once again.

"And leave all this behind?" Eira waved in the direction of the Temple.

"Yes." This time he reached for her hand.

It didn't take her long to answer. "No." Eira shook her head, but let his fingers curl around hers. "This is who you are. I don't want you to leave this behind because it'll be as if a part of you is missing." She looked down to their hands, dark skin against fair, soft against calloused, "And I don't want that to happen." As he closed his eyes, she pushed on, "I want you to finish your training and pass your trials. Only then can we sit down and really talk about the future." Taking a deep breath, she continued, "And I love you, too."

When he opened his eyes, he gave her a wan smile.

As she leaned forward, he caressed her cheek with the back of his fingers. "Call me when you reach Artwe." Leaning in close, he brushed his lips against hers, then backed away.

Giving his hand one last squeeze, Eira let go and walked up the ramp into the transport. It was the hardest thing she had done in a long time. When she thought back about when Obi-Wan had first left Vasda she wasn't there. Deep inside, though she wanted him to come back with her, but also knew at the same time it wasn't the best for him. Just the knowledge that he loved her was the only thing that made it bearable.

The journey back to Vasda was quiet. The only thing that was a relief for Eira was that her stomach had settled down. It has to be because of the assassination, she thought to herself. When the transport landed she was greeted by some of the top officials of Marlote, which wasn't all that surprising.

"Welcome back, your Highness," Prime Minister Hathus Layon bowed when she stopped in front of him.

"Thank you," Eira gave him a tight smile. Her stomach was bothering her once again, and this time it felt like it was threating to revolt.

"Are you okay, my lady?" Hathus furrowed his brow as he indicated the way they were to go.

"Yes," Eira brushed past him, hoping that the movement would calm her stomach down. It had never been this bad. A couple of moments later it did, and she let out a sigh while closing her eyes.

"If you are, as you claim to be, the vehicles are waiting for us to take us back to the house." Hathus had lengthened his stride and soon passed her before they reached the exits. True enough, there were a line of vehicles waiting patiently, while off to the side were several reporters and photographers taking holostills while others were speaking into recording devices.

It took Eira a moment to realize that they weren't going to be rushed and have those same datarecorders shoved into her face for any bit of information that she said. At least they're much more respectful here, she mused as she climbed into the vehicle. After that it didn't take all that long to get back to the house she grew up in.

It was nice to actually have her father standing in the courtyard waiting for her arrival. It reminded her of when she first arrived on Coruscant with Obi-Wan standing there on the platform.

The door to the vehicle opened and she climbed out and into Tomas's waiting arms. "It's good to have you back home."

"I wasn't on Coruscant all that long." Pulling away she turned to look at the green space in the middle of the compound. "I missed this though."

"The green space?" Tomas gave her a knowing look.

"Yes."

"I won't say I warned you." He put his arm around her shoulder and they walked inside the building.

"But you did. That first time, when I was at the Temple, I never realized jut how densely populated the planet was. Now I know better." She turned to look at the way the room was decorated. "When we landed I thought that there must have been a lull in the traffic, for the spaceport felt almost empty. In a way I actually like it."

"Well, if you plan on heading back, the apartment will still be there."

"Somehow I don't think I'll be back any time soon," she gave him a tight smile.

"True." Tomas glanced over to a chrono that was on one of the tables. "Dinner will be in about an hour. That will give you time to prepare. Don't worry, it won't be one of those formal ones since I know you're tired from the trip."

"Thank you, Papa." They hugged again, and she went in the direction of her rooms. It would be good to at least rest, and to call Obi-Wan. Plus, the meal will be low-key, even though Marlote most likely already knew that she had arrived back home.

The ceremony was scheduled for the next day. That morning she was in the bathroom and sitting on the floor near the commode and with her head in her hands. The thought that her stomach was unsettled by what she saw didn't really work well now. Because of how many sentient beings lived on Coruscant, she figured she had managed to get infected with one of the many diseases that roamed not only the planet, but the galaxy. Please see a doctor, Obi-Wan's voice echoed in her head. At this point and distance, she didn't know if it was him actually speaking to her once again, or a memory.

As she got to her feet exhaustion washed over her. All she wanted to do was go back to bed. Instead of doing that, she took a deep breath and went back into her bedroom and dressed for the morning meal. Only at noon would she change into elaborate clothing and make the vow before her father in the rarely used throne room. The ceremony, from what she read, dated back to before the war. Most of the historians believed that they were the ones that inherited what had been. Then again, Berland also believed the same thing.

"Maybe both," Eira muttered to herself as she sat on the bed with a sigh. Without thinking, she closed her eyes and laid back down.

"I thought you were already up," Megin's voice came from somewhere off to the side.

"I am." Eira pushed herself back up. "I'm just really tired."

Megin came over and placed her hand on Eira's forehead. "Well, you are a bit warm. How have you been feeling?"

Eira pushed the hand away. "Don't worry, I'm fine."

"Child, I practically raised you. I know you too well." Megin took a step back and put her hands on her hips. "Either you're sick or something else is wrong with you."

"I told you, I'm fine." Eira stood up. The world spun and she had to sit back down again.

"Of course you are." Megin shook her head. "I will take to Davido about this sooner rather than later."

"Fine." When Eira stood up again she took her time. At least the world remained stable. "I suspect it's one of the many diseases that is on Coruscant." As she reached for her clothing her stomach truly began to revolt. Dropping what she now held she bolted for the refresher.

"How long has this been going on?" Megin's voice came from the door when she was finished retching.

Eira sat on the floor, head in hands once again now completely miserable. "The past week. It comes and goes. I thought it was because of what I saw, but now I think it could be different."

Hands pressed down on her shoulders and squeezed. "I'll be back shortly, child." Footsteps disappeared then a door opened and closed. By the time Megin returned Eira was resting her head against the wall.

"Did you bring something to settle my stomach?"

"No, I didn't." A small package appeared in front of her.

"This?" Eira took it and dropped it as if it were alive. Megin didn't answer her though, for she had already left the refresher.

After breakfast, Eira sat on the floor in the refresher once again, looking at the test as if it were poison. It's impossible. I can't be pregnant. The problem was, that the test normally didn't lie, especially with Vasda women having such a high miscarriage rate, along with low live birth numbers. No matter how the child was conceived, there wouldn't be an abortion because nine times out of ten the pregnancy wouldn't last.

The door opened. Even though Eira was looking down, she knew it was Megin. "It's positive." Looking up, she felt her bottom lip quiver. "I don't know what to do."

Megin looked at her a moment before sitting down beside her. "It's the Jedi?"

"Yes," it came out as a whisper.

Putting an arm around Eira, Megin pulled her into a warm embrace, "If there is no miscarriage, I would hope you would tell him."

"I don't know."

TBC….

my goal is to keep updating until the story is finished, but I've started having to work overtime every week. Do or do not do, there is no try is the mantra that I'm going by.

I promise that you will get a chapter next week.