The Consequence of Romance
Author: Dove
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PART 4
"I Love the Ground Whereon She Stands"
Beneath the cold night sky the covered fire on the balcony of Obi-Wan's quarters was casting red and yellow light across the two companions seated on large cushions, each privately contemplating the events of the week. He was watching the reflections cast from the large diamond on Érmioné's finger as the fire illuminated the colour within it. Coruscant's sky, eternally filled with the Capital's air traffic, allowed no quiet consideration of the stars he knew were above them. The realisation that this was the last such evening they would spend together was causing him discontent.
Their former happy intimacy had been so easily resumed, yet now the phantom of his chaste life stood beside him to bring affliction. To surrender his own needs was by now custom to this Jedi, who had mastered willpower and devotion to duty so long ago.
"Érmioné?"
She looked over to the man seated to her side. The flames were causing sparking reflections in the eyes which settled their gaze on him. "Yes, Obi-Wan?"
It would have been so easy then to forget honour, abandon his vocation...abandon Anakin. He had to oppose the desire simply to reach over to her - so close and so beautiful. In a manner expertly disguising his feelings, he took her hand and spoke. "As your friend I wish you blessings upon your union tomorrow, and I hope you will find happiness with the Senator - but as your protector...I hope you know that if you're not content, I will arrange for the ceremony to be cancelled."
"She must know," he thought, "that I cannot say what I feel."
Her face immediately looked strained. She had taken his enquiry as a confirmation of his disinterest. Érmioné arose and walked across the space, turning as she leaned upon the balustrade to face him.
"I've waited many years to arrive here, Obi-Wan..." Her thoughts were forming slowly as she carefully sought the right words. "It's a matter sacred for me... to ensure my brother's reputation and values will live on. I know you have dedicated yourself to the young apprentice he so favoured because it was his dying wish, and I know that his training absorbs you - more than any Jedi I have ever heard of...". She turned away at these words and, looking out to the vast view before her, gathered her strength before once again turning to face him. "You will realise then, as one who has given his life to an understood duty, that I must honour my family by complying with the Supreme Chancellor's choice for me."
"What's wrong with her?" he thought. He had never known her to
speak this formally -it was as though every word was rehearsed.
"My happiness will come from the knowledge that my children will be born into a high position, able, under my influence, to bring integrity to the Senate in the next generation." Her voice was starting to falter. "We, both, are vassals of duty." Just able to finish these words she quickly walked back across the space and through the open door into the living chambers, waving her hand to stop Obi-Wan when she saw that he was gathering himself up to follow her.
He was left behind in a state of bewilderment, never before realising the extent of her resignation and resolve. Obi-Wan wished he could confide the reasons for his attitude to her completely - but he could not release to anyone but the Council all that Qui-Gon had revealed to him of Anakin's unexplained conception, and the opinion - which he was still not certain that he shared - that the young Padawan was the Chosen One to bring balance to the Force. On this night before Érmioné would be out of his reach forever he was able to see that devoting himself only to Anakin's upbringing had taken from her what should not have been taken - the right to be loved by one who would love her completely.
"Yes, Anakin. Though you were born of such promise you were left for too long without instruction. Had you the willingness and endurance to forget yourself as I have seen tonight in Érmioné, I could more believe you were the Chosen One."
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She arrived to her bed chamber just in time, before her handmaidens had any chance to discern discomfort in their mistress. Once inside however her long governing discipline broke down. In private Lady Érmioné could only grip her hands to her face as she felt all happiness dissolve around her. So many years she had waited, anticipating Obi-Wan to approach the Supreme Chancellor for her. It had seemed such a natural thing to assume considering the family connection. Even as a child she had adored him - did he not know that? After Qui-Gon's death, she had thought that he would seek her comfort, as she had yearned for his. And yet, nothing.
From the pre-occupation she had seen him display throughout their recent journey, concerning the argument with Anakin, she could confirm her long held belief that he had given himself entirely to the upbringing of the apprentice. She did not understand why this should be so, other than that it was out of a sense of obligation to her brother, whom she knew he would never dishonour. If the one she loved and waited for had opted to remain alone to carry out his vocation, it left her with no option than to gracefully accept the partner chosen for her - she had left it too late to make any suggestion of her own. Érmioné could not achieve anything with her life if she rejected the benevolent match offered to her at this close date. All society would isolate her, not daring to offend the Supreme Chancellor.
Tears would not be possible tomorrow night, when her new husband would expect some confirmation of her regard for him. Tonight, then, they would have their domain over her until eventual exhaustion would take her to sleep.
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Part 4 "I Love the Ground Whereon She Stands"
from Black is the Colour of My True Love's Hair Traditional Ballad (Scotland)
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