The Consequence of Romance
Author: Dove
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PART 2
"By starlight and by candlelight and dreamlight"
Nothing had been left to chance by Dun`enn, who was eagerly awaiting the first meeting with his future wife. He had arranged for the finest floral arrangements to decorate his meeting rooms for the introduction, for long tables to be decked out with vibrant fruit arrangements and silk festoons. His personal guard had been delivered new tunics, and wardrobes of new clothes had been purchased to represent his new beginning and "completion" as a married man. The finest cloth and gems from the Capital had been shipped, whereby he would enjoy Érmioné's appreciation as she selected new trimmings for herself. He was puffed up to the point of bursting, his mind racing ahead to the glittering occasions into which he would stride with his wife upon his arm.
He had made triumph of her rumoured beauty by commissioning a miniature of her to a fine portrait artist - delivered to him as a "treasure for the pocket near my heart." He ebulliently darted it out for all to see. Dun`enn regularly employed quaint, highly-flowered courtly language to promote his reputation as one befitting urbane society. Most of the old families thought him astonishingly gauche, but saw no reason to isolate a man so obviously supported by the Supreme Chancellor. Thus, he was thoroughly enjoying life in the Capital, buoyed along by the momentum of his borrowed importance.
By the Force, life was treating him well!
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Relieved to be back in his own quarters, Obi-Wan slowly moved into his bed chamber. His whole being felt tired. Discussions at the Jedi Temple had been animated to say the least, but he had convinced them to extend patience yet again as he endeavoured to keep Anakin within his influence on Naboo - until he was to come to Coruscant for his testing.
Tonight his thoughts were also focused towards the care for his young charge Érmioné. He was certainly aware that she may feel some degree of stress due to the forthcoming marriage. She would only have one meeting with her future husband before the ceremony, though he was as sure as he could be that the young Senator must be one to take his responsibilities seriously, and would treather with the correct respect.
In truth, however, Obi-Wan was aware that any political marriage came with some degree of risk. He was concerned to learn that Senator Dun`enn was known to be climbing and manoeuvring the political ladder. This could bode well for Érmioné's future position in the Capital, but his integrity may be questionable. All he could do was to ensure that he always kept an attentive eye toward her progress, monitoring any disturbance to her ease or happiness. He felt convinced that it would afford her a certain degree of protection for her intended husband to know she had such strong ties to a Jedi knight, and he was determined to make a firm impression with him upon the first meeting tomorrow. Obi-Wan fell back upon his bed... he would rest his eyes for just a few moments...
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Lady Érmioné looked upon the sleeping Jedi with a tender smile not revealed to her handmaidens waiting in the ante-chamber. She settled into the chair beside his bed and contemplated him where he had fallen asleep while awaiting her return. He was illuminated by the light of square white candles which had been infused with the scent of chamomile and lavender to promote rest. They had given the bed chamber a peaceful tranquillity and perfume identical to her brother's room many years before, when he had returned to the family for a few short weeks. On that occasion he had introduced the family to his young Padawan, Obi-Wan, a striking figure even as a teenager to a playful seven year old like herself. She had been unable to pronounce his name, and so had christened him "Ben". How different he seemed now. The Padawan she had enjoyed tormenting had matured into an impressive Jedi knight. His proportions were not of the slim and elegant aristocrats she would find at Coruscant. No, he was obviously of the Jedi vocation in his features - which were lean in a more athletic and travelled way, and noble in bearing.
With only stories relayed back to her via the many travellers to her planet's capital, Da`ir, she had gradually formed a picture of her brother's legendary life - and that of the emerging apprentice. The tele-messages she had received from the Jedi themselves mentioned only family regards and best wishes. At these reflections, she paused as more sorrowful remembrances emerged. The news of her brother's death, though some year's before, was still traumatic to her memory. And here, next to her, was the last person to see Qui-Gon alive - the one who had held his head as he took his last breath and honoured his dying wish by training the young Anakin Skywalker.
She who only really knew her beloved brother by reputation had suffered deeply knowing that he had died in such a way. The moment of Qui-Gon's death had been felt striking inside her chest. She wondered at the devastation this violent moment had caused the young Jedi, how his memory had been haunted by witnessing the final moments of his trusted teacher - the man who had brought him up. How much more magnified it must have been than that of her own grief, she pondered. Érmioné did not know that the lightsabre Obi-Wan now kept by his side was the one once carried by Qui-Gon. He had retained it after losing his own in the fight with the Sith, and had chosen not to make another. Somehow, his Master's spirit could be felt helping him through the device.
Obi-Wan shifted in his sleep. "Have I disturbed his thoughts by my own painful recollections?" she thought to herself. His spiritual quality was evident, even more so when he was at rest. By the candlelight, Érmioné could plainly see the pure golden/white aura emanating from him. She had always possessed this ability, usually found only among the Jedi themselves. The sight reminded her again of her own brother whose aura she had witnessed in the dark as he walked through her childhood home at night. It had unsettled her, but she knew it was sacred that he dwelled in such harmony with the Force - even though this was the reason he had been taken from the family for his life of service.
Lady Érmioné decided to settle her thoughts and not cause any further distress to Obi-Wan's sub-conscious. "No," she thought, "I will entertain happy memories instead." And with those memories came the still vivid pictures she held close to her heart of a much younger Master Jedi lifting her in the air and swinging her about so that she felt she was flying, while the youthful Padawan Kenobi looked on enjoying the fun. She reached out to that treasured time and could still see the long walks taken through the hills near her home, where the three would settle to take their lunch in a place commanding a pleasant view across the valley and nearby waterfall. This area had become her haven in the intervening years - where she would watch the running water in the tranquil countryside, meditating on her brother, trying to reach his mind - wherever he was. It was her only way of continuing her relationship with him.
Érmioné allowed herself a small break of laughter, remembering events from those excursions some fifteen before. She had delighted in creeping up on the young apprentice while he was sleeping on the grass, breathing softly (as children can) upon his closed eyelids - to test just how active his intuition was. She and Qui-Gon had laughed gently together as the young man's eyes fluttered, yet did not open. "Caught you, caught you!!" she would chant later as she danced a victorious circle around him, before being pulled up onto Qui-Gon's broad shoulders for a ride back home - never suspecting that Obi-Wan had generously allowed her to think that she had defeated him. In reality, even in his sleep his intuition was so keen that he was aware, sometimes before Érmioné, of her planned ambushes.
Seeing him again had reawakened the sense of fun she had put to rest ten years before with her brother's demise. Some mischief inside her wanted to know if she could still outsmart him. Lowering herself above his eyes, she softly blew the faintest breeze onto his lids. When nothing happened, she moved just a little closer, and tried again. This time, a sharp breeze struck the back of her own neck. Spinning around to catch whoever had intruded upon her, she was alarmed to find no-one there. Turning back just as quickly, her heart jumped to see the Jedi sitting up with his legs hanging over the side of his bed trying not to laugh at her.
"Do you think you can play such tricks on a Jedi and not be caught, little-one....?" He was using Qui-Gon's way of referring to her, more from the habit of hearing it used so often in his youth.
"Little?! Indeed!"
"I'm sorry Érmioné, that name was how we referred to you long ago. I would not offend you. " He tilted her chin up with a gently placed finger. "Am I forgiven for startling you?" He extended his hand out to hers, which she readily placed within his. It was always warm as was the case with all Jedi, and she enjoyed the peace which emanated from him to her. Érmioné now felt guilty that she had been responsible, after all, for disturbing the Jedi's sleep. It was more important for him than for most that he allow his body the correct amount of rest. She gently released his hand and walked toward the ante-chamber, to join her retinue and prepare for her own rest.
"It's all right, Érmioné, please don't feel embarrassed. I had no idea how late it was. I'll call the attendants to bring your meal." He had sensed her need to stay near his familiar presence - being newly arrived by his escort to the huge city which covered an entire planet. Érmioné thought that she might have known he would be gracious, that he would not allow her to feel that she had bothered him.
"You are very kind Sir Jedi but I, also, must gather rest for the days ahead." She passed along the corridor to her newly appointed handmaidens who had been assigned to assist the provincial young noble's transition to the etiquette and lifestyle of the very cosmopolitan Capital. Her intended husband had chosen the best for her - eager that she would never be exposed to the snobbery from the judgmental social cliques at work in Coruscant's Government Circle. She turned back to Obi-Wan as she reached the outer door, and raised her hand out to him in a gesture of farewell. "I'll meet you here again after your dawn meditation."
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Four days earlier, Supreme Chancellor Palpatine's well appointed shuttle had brought him in great comfort to visit his dear ally Queen Amidala, to counsel her as he had always endeavoured to do. He had most certainly not forgotten his favourite minion Dun`enn's big moment later that week. However, he was making excellent use of the opportunity to speak unobstructed with young Anakin Skywalker on this unannounced, private visit to Naboo. He had reacted in a most sympathetic manner when the Queen had previously informed him of her attachment to Anakin and affectionately listened to her as she elaborated on her feelings in the matter. She did not want to disturb the Padawan's path in life... but, was it possible that she might marry him and give him the peace which he so craved. Surely this would enable him to focus his energies so much more the better on the path destiny had given him as a Jedi?
Her opinion was supported wholeheartedly by the fatherly Chancellor. Yes, he had lived up to his promise to watch the young man's career "with interest." He was presently in the quarters of Anakin Skywalker, encouraging the young man to consider his suggested solution.
"Young Anakin, I understand the distress your Master's opposition has caused you. But matters of State ... he slowly enunciated his words for effect...are of more concern to me. In this situation, I must implore you to accept my counsel. I'm afraid that your Master, as highly regarded as we all consider him to be, has not realised that you are now a man Anakin. He does not accept that you, with your specific gifts, are capable of being an equally great statesman - his only vision for you is as a Jedi. His Master, may the Force rest him, never had time to elaborate on his plans for you, and Obi-Wan has done a magnificent job guiding you so far... yet I can see the fulfilment of your talents and destiny only occurring if you take your rightful place among the Senate as a future leader and as a Jedi Master. Think of the peace you can bring to the galaxy, with your natural-born talent and training, your sense of justice. How much more you could achieve as a leading statesman and Jedi in one man!"
Such ideas had never before been entertained by Anakin. "I'm not quite sure I follow, Supreme Chancellor."
"My dear young man - I am saying that I can offer you a career beyond the limitations your Master is giving you. It can be organised, quite easily, for you to complete your training with a new Master - one who will not object to your...marriage."
He only heard the word "marriage". "Sir... my friendship with the Queen is not even condoned by my Master. I doubt my marriage ever would be."
"Anakin...Anakin," the Chancellor stretched out his arm to the youth's shoulder. "All that matters is my approval. Everything else is so easily arranged. Think of the life you can give her, the joy this union will bring to the people of Naboo. It will bring that culture to the forefront of society in the Senate, where I will promote your future on a steady path. Your Master Kenobi will see the wisdom of your decision, once he sees the happiness you will bring to so many people."
Palpatine could sense the thoughts darkening Anakin's expression. "Do not be concerned with your Master. You must see that I am offering you a way to help him, too. He has been chained to a life of service since he was a child, Anakin. He was never able to pursue his feelings for a woman as you have at your age. The greatest gift you can give to your honoured Master is to release him from this apprenticeship, before he is too old to find the happiness that you have been able to find."
The astonished young Padawan was left in the peace of his garden to contemplate the amazing possibilities offered him by the all-powerful Chancellor.
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Part 2 "By starlight and by candlelight and dreamlight"
from She Comes Not When Noon is on the Roses by Herbert Trench
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