The Consequence of Romance
Author: Dove
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PART 3
"A Palace Fit for You and Me"
Obi-Wan felt regret about the arguments with Anakin the following morning. Hopefully this short separation would allow him to plan a strategy to direct the youth properly - and allow Anakin time to reflect on the recklessness of his current attitude. The Jedi was astonished by the forthrightness of Anakin's behaviour. His communications to his apprentice had not been returned for days. Qui-Gon Jinn would never have allowed such lack of respect. "But," considered Obi-Wan, "I, in turn, would never have denigrated my Master's opinion so."
During that morning's meditation he sought inspiration to make Anakin acknowledge the importance of maintaining his focus and respect. The disagreement had been serious and pondering its repercussions had wearied him, being the reason he had so rudely fallen asleep before Érmioné's arrival last night. "Unforgivable," he remonstrated himself.
"Ben?"
The small voice from behind caused him to flinch out of his thoughts, and he turned to see Érmioné standing in the garden entrance.
"Good morning, my lady." He bowed to her in a highly formal greeting which surprised her. Unusually for him, he had not realised she was there and had instinctively reacted in the courtly manner of greeting instilled by his training.
"Good morning, Sir Jedi," she rushed to say as she hurriedly curtsied in return, fearing she had made a faux-pas by calling out to him. Érmioné reminded herself that she was not on Da`ir now.
Obi-Wan, not amused by her comical reflex but annoyed that he had reacted so impersonally, strode over to greet her holding out his hands to clasp hers in a much warmer greeting. She smiled again immediately in response, and met his hands with her own.
"My dear friend, how are you this morning?"
"I am well, thankyou, Obi-Wan." She reminded herself to foster the habit of using his correct name, so as not to embarrass him by letting her own name for him slip out in more formal gatherings. "Please tell me I've not disturbed you again."
He turned her towards the door to his apartments, gathering up his cloak in one hand from the stone bench as he moved. With his other arm around her shoulders he guided her back to the living quarters, insisting that she never could disturb him. Érmioné wondered if his eloquent, beautifully formed words ever sounded harsh. She could not imagine it to be so.
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Queen Amidala's eyes were bright with happiness. Her Anakin was in the private audience chamber, and had just offered himself to her in marriage. She could not believe the speed of events. Only two days before the Supreme Chancellor had offered his advice, and now everything was settled. Anakin had explained to the Queen the encouragement of the Supreme Chancellor, which meant that he could offer her a future where their achievements together would be great indeed.
"There is only one thing, my love."
"What is that, Anakin?"
"The Supreme Chancellor has insisted that the wedding be held immediately, while he is able to attend and offer his best wishes."
"But, Anakin... surely we must await the return of Master Obi-Wan?"
"Amidala, I'm afraid nothing will change between my Master and myself upon the matter of this relationship. The counsel of the Supreme Chancellor has confirmed my opinion that Master Obi-Wan will not approve of our marriage. He has suggested that I take instruction from a new Master, upon my marriage. It will be best for the nuptials to occur before his return - I do not wish to hurt him by arguing any more. The Supreme Chancellor will arrange the entire matter."
"Anakin! You cannot be serious. I know this is all very exciting - but how can you mean to exclude your Master in this way? After all he has done for you... it would break his heart."
"No, Amidala, that is where you are mistaken. Consider this....have you ever supposed the price to my Master of these years with me? He has never had the freedom of choice I have known - the Supreme Chancellor helped me to see this clearly. The greatest gift I can give to Master Obi-Wan is the opportunity to grasp his own happiness, while he is still young enough to enjoy it!"
"I don't think he will ever accept this opinion - his service means too much to him."
"Which is why we must proceed straight away! He won't help himself if it means leaving me. It could be years before he releases me from my apprenticeship - always he says how much I have missed, how he does not think I am mature enough. But I am, Amidala! The Supreme Chancellor can see that I am! And so, in time, will Obi-Wan."
Queen Amidala did not know what to think. Too much was happening. She had come to trust the Supreme Chancellor, though, and considered that maybe just this once Obi-Wan may be mistaken. It was understandable - he was being overly anxious to fulfil the promise made to his Master Qui-Gon, taking all the responsibility for the Padawan on his own shoulders. No, Anakin was right. If they did not give him a little push, he would never choose happiness for himself.
"All right, Anakin. The wedding will take place immediately."
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"Has he returned?!!"
The aquiline features of Senator Dun`enn were animated and frantic as he bothered his staff once again. He could not believe that Supreme Chancellor Palpatine had found any other matter more important than the introduction of his betrothed to Society.
"Senator, we are assured by the Supreme Chancellor's staff that he will return in time for the nuptials."
On hearing this, the Senator nearly reeled backwards. The thought that there was any chance the Supreme Chancellor might actually miss_his_wedding spiralled his thoughts into horror. He was at the point of shrieking to his already distraught private secretary when the protocol droid entered his official chambers, grandly announcing the imminent visit by his intended bride, and her escort.
"The time - why did no-one warn me?!!" He charged out, rushing to his private bed chamber while nearly dislodging the protocol droid from its balance as it called after him, "Oh, do excuse me Senator..."
Desperately he tore through his new wardrobe, hurling precious silks into the air until his chambers resembled an ancient caliph's. "Sir," his private secretary called from behind, "I have your garments laid out here in the vestibule, already prepared..."
Dun`enn shot the harried attendant a poisonous glance, and threw his morning costume off his upper body as he stalked into the vestibule to change into his new aquamarine robe with gilded detail handsewn throughout. "I will dazzle her", he thought to himself, as he admired his reflection. He certainly was statuesque, in a patrician, slightly reptilian fashion. Dun`enn's features had been chiselled by the Capital's best reconstructive surgeons to emulate the elegant facial characteristics of the old families of the Republic. He was particularly proud of his new nose. His hair, recently trimmed and coloured in a shade referred to by his stylist as "Golden Sunburst", caught the sunlight so beautifully...
"Sir...," the panic was contagious. The attendant raced in, announcing just five minutes until the honoured guests' arrival.
"I am ready."
Senator Dun`enn went into 'occasion mode'. He swept regally along his corridors, graciously nodding to the gathered mandatory circle of society guests in the main meeting chamber. It was splendidly appointed, with the most beautiful of polished floors made from a rare and endangered timber from Jad-Alpha called Restria, cut from an exclusive lease he held within the Galaxy Natural Heritage Region. How he would enjoy delighting his bride with his incredible knowledge and taste!
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The people of Naboo were also in a state of fevered excitement. A royal wedding that very day! It was not believed when the news was first circulated. But then reports of express deliveries of large amounts of food and native flowers to the Palace were confirmed, and the people started to gather along the square before the Queen's residence. Word had even reached the Gunguns, who had busily made their way to their section of the public space. Even after these years of peaceful co-habitation the two races were not entirely reconciled in some quarters, and the Queen had long ago initiated the precaution of keeping the two races separate at public events - averting the potential for disaster should a verbal exchange of superiority by either race promote a riot.
There had been no time for the Queen to commission new gowns. It was fortunate, though, that her wardrobe was so extensive that a magnificent costume was easily compiled from the new apparel which had been delivered to her residence earlier that season - most of which had not yet been worn. Her groom, as an apprentice Jedi, was required to maintain his normal costume, but he was allowed the concession of a new robe. It had been brought to the occasion for him by the Supreme Chancellor, who had declared that he was so certain of the emerging feeling between the two young nobles that he had ordered it weeks before.
Following the ceremony within the Queen's personal temple, she joined hands with her new husband and strode out upon the great podium overlooking the square, where all great occasions were celebrated. Musicians trumpeted joyous music along the grand processionary way, and the crowds gave delighted cheers to their beloved Queen and her new consort as they shared their first public kiss. The fatherly figure of the Supreme Chancellor stood beaming alongside the happy couple. "Only one is missing", thought Amidala, as she saw the space empty beside her where Obi-Wan would usually stand.
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Lady Érmioné, with her escort close by her side, walked the last steps towards the doors to the Senator's meeting rooms in quiet thought. She was wearing the welcoming gift which had awaited her in her quarters upon arrival. The beautiful new robes selected for her by her betrothed (in intimate consultation with the preeminent stylist he had engaged on his lady's behalf) were in raw silk, coloured in creams and earth tones to complement the standard attire he knew her Jedi escort would be wearing. It would affirm the family connection, enhance her appearance of unpolished country nobility, and make an elegant impression on all the gathering.
Dun`enn was quite expert at such details and anticipated the theatrical effect of seeing the two arrive together, as they were due to, momentarily.
Just outside the large entrance doors as they prepared to enter, Érmioné instinctively shot out her hand from beneath her robe to Obi-Wan's, which was relaxed by his side. He instantly diverted his gaze to her, searching her bearing to ensure her nerves had not conquered her previous confidence about the occasion. She revealed no discontent, however, and looking over to him she squeezed his hand before releasing it, then indicated to the Senator's household guard that it was time to announce their arrival.
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The well-rehearsed herald moved forward into the room, announcing the honoured guests - the Lady Érmioné Jinn, and her family representative, the Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi. Formal bows were exchanged between the guests and their enraptured host, after which he walked over to greet them and bring them into the gathering. Etiquette required that he first address the bride's escort. The Jedi, as he had hoped, was attired in full dress -the hood of his robe extended up to rest upon his head. Dun`enn made great show of declaring that no such formalities were needed here, among family, and cheerfully insisted that the Jedi relax his dress by lowering his hood.
Then, at last, it was time to gaze upon his betrothed as her escort presented her to the gathering, offering his best wishes and blessings upon the union as was custom.
"My dearest lady," Dun`enn began with a clear and affable voice as he stepped forward to take Érmioné's hand. His next words were of ritual origin, and had been used for many generations on Coruscant in this situation. Turning, and holding her hand at shoulder height beside him he proclaimed, "it is with great humility that I welcome you to my side, as my intended wife."
It was the pivotal moment that the gathering always awaited in these ceremonies, and a rustle of murmured whispers and salutations ran around the chambers.
The Jedi's concerns for Érmioné immediately relaxed when he witnessed a graceful tide wash over her. She moved assuredly through the crowding guests, eager to see this lady who had been specifically chosen by the Supreme Chancellor. Indeed, she had been well prepared for this moment all her life and seemed so at ease with her situation. Érmioné had studied all the circulars of recent times so that she would be aware of who was who, and was already able to address the newly formed acquaintances as familiars. He was stunned by her poise, acknowledging that he would have been far more uncomfortable in this society had he been in her position.
Érmioné had been glad of the diversion of meeting so many new people at once. The activity made her too busy to carefully contemplate her future husband and she was able to carry out her social duty undistracted. Dun`enn had manoeuvred her over to the platform leading to his highly padded chairs used when holding audience. "My dear friends," he called out above the buzzing group, "it is time for that happy moment when I shall present my bride with her engagement gift."
The anticipation was audible among the guests as they attempted to determine just what Dun`enn had selected. They knew it would be impressive. The page slowly came forward carrying a package upon an onyx and silver tray to Érmioné who was by now seated upon a chair on the platform. The Senator accepted the tray and, turning slowly for effect, he knelt down on one knee to the lady - much to the delight of the audience below. She accepted the proffered gift and as Dun`enn came over to sit beside her she uncovered the object from its wrappings. Her face reflected her astonishment and caused great excitement below. Dun`enn then lifted the rare and precious ring from its container and placed it on Érmioné's finger, whereby the captivated crowd echoed her amazement. The Senator had indeed outdone himself. The large expertly cut white diamond rested high in its setting, revealing a perfectly formed raw canary yellow diamond in its heart. "A miracle of nature," Dun`enn was heard to say to Érmioné, "and perfect as a gift for you."
Obi-Wan looked up to Érmioné's face, instantly catching her glance intended for him. He discreetly smiled to himself as she raised her eyebrow. "The Senator may be an ornately plumed and foolish bird," he thought, "but I doubt whether he will ever bore Érmioné."
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Later that evening, Supreme Chancellor Palpatine's shuttle docked at Coruscant in good time for the other nuptials that week. His schedule had been maintained immaculately, and he returned to his bed chamber very pleased with his progress. Young Anakin had his bride, and was firmly in his obligation. It was time to ensure Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi no longer impeded his agenda.
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Part 3 "A Palace Fit for You and Me"
from Romance by Robert Louis Stevenson
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