Will Obi-Wan ever find a moment of happiness? How will Palpatine manipulate the situation evolving between Amidala and Anakin? What are the consequences of the emotions unleashed when romance enters their lives? This is the story which unfolds in "The Con
Rated: Fiction K+ - English - Drama - Chapters: 10 - Words: 18,739 - Reviews: 2 - Follows: 1 - Updated: Feb 21, 2001 - Published: Feb 10, 2001 - id: 206452
+-Full3/41/2ExpandTighten
The Consequence of Romance
Author: Dove
This fiction is neither affiliated with nor endorsed by Lucasfilm Ltd.
Access to this fiction and web site is free and public.
All Lucasfilm Ltd. copyright materials in this fiction are employed under Fair Usage terms of copyright law.
Therefore Lucasfilm intellectual property rights are unaffected and undiminished.
Golden morning light streamed into Dun`enn's bed chamber on his most glorious day. Already he could perceive the heady fragrance drifting in from the enormous floral arrangements being delivered to grace his lady's newly appointed personal rooms. He allowed himself the luxury of remaining in bed to ponder his good fortune, letting her features appear before him in a vision of delight.
"Good Morning, Senator."
The voice breaking into his thoughts was that of his private secretary. It was time to prepare for the nuptials!
Again, his meditations had proved virtually impossible to the Jedi that morning. The melancholy resolves of the previous night had eliminated all chance of rest - and now, even more than that, he felt a disturbance in the Force which he could not explain. He had approached Master Yoda later that morning hoping to obtain counsel and new inspiration - but was unable to enter the Master's audience. The Ancient was conducting discussions with the Supreme Chancellor.
Now it was approaching the time to collect Érmioné from her chambers. The bitter task was almost at hand as he advanced towards her corridor, only to see the Supreme Chancellor striding towards him.
"Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi! How are you today?"
The Jedi bowed, and returned the greeting.
Palpatine put his hand out to the shoulder of Obi-Wan, gripping him tightly. "I wish you happiness at today's celebrations..."
Érmioné was seated quietly, surrounded by a swirl of handmaidens assisting her.
Her makeup artist had been specifically instructed by Dun`enn not to over-paint her face. He wished that she would possess all the provincial charm he had witness on their first meeting. Therefore, her main facial ornamentation would come from the pale gold and pearl micas in small, alternating dots across the top of her eyebrows as was the height of fashion. This concession he was prepared to make. Her cheeks, however, were to be naturally rosy as were her lips, not painted out white in the overly formal style worn by some of the more opulent women of society. He had always despised this observance in his mother as it made her appear so remote from him as a child. Now he was to have a wife to love as he had always desired someone, and he would have her look human to him, and warm.
The headpiece was a very heavy and elaborate affair. It required many fixings and the handmaidens were balancing it with great difficulty over Érmioné's hair, which showed through in part at the crown and front. Attached in turn was the veil itself. It was an almost opaque covering consisting of many translucent layers of a fine but heavy cloth in the very antique style only ever used any more in the Capital itself where its supporters enjoyed its perceived romantic effect. It was too awkward for Érmioné to lift and hold back by herself when she wished to wipe something from her eye as the preparations continued, and she was required to ask for assistance in this service.
The silks had been delivered earlier in the day but were the last thing the lady would have fitted to her before the ceremony, ensuring they would not be marked in any way. The cloth was a cause of much excitement among the ladies of Coruscant society, as they had heard rumour of its exquisite quality and could not wait to verify the account. They would have their whisperings confirmed. The dress was made from different layers of tissue silk, delicate and fine, interspersed with translucent silk organza in ivory, pearl, and pale gold tonings. This covered a simple undertunic of deep imperial purple. It was the most beautiful costume any of the handmaidens had ever seen.
The conversation with the Supreme Chancellor had been cordial enough, but Obi-Wan's intuition had alerted the Jedi's sense of dread the moment he felt Palpatine's touch. He had rushed immediately to the Jedi Temple, where he was regretfully informed of his removal as Master to young Anakin upon the express advice of the Supreme Chancellor. The youth would soon be arriving at Coruscant to complete his training . His disbelief was audible to the members of the Council who were watching him gravely. Even Master Yoda had revoked his support. "Concerned we are," declared the Ancient, "that proving too much for you, the boy is." The rest of the Council murmured their agreement. All were anxious that the youth was proving too volatile with dire consequences likely if the situation was not properly monitored.
From nowhere the Jedi's life had been upturned - he had never felt so expended. The darkness he could sense reaching out to the Force was now starting to make him feel ill and he had no doubt that something was very wrong. Even after the death of his Master he had held onto the future training of Anakin. Now, however, he could not perceive any nobility in his vocation, or his efforts. All he could do was to attempt to reach his apprentice before he could make for the Capital. He must deal with this situation and demand Anakin's renewed respect and loyalty - it was the only way he would be able to convince the Council to reconsider. Obi-Wan knew that Anakin was still too impressionable to be allowed to live in Coruscant. If guiding the presumed Chosen One was difficult on Naboo, the young man would surely become corrupted with so many distractions here. He could not allow it.
The hour for the procession had arrived, and the bridal party anticipated the arrival of the lady's escort at any time. When the guard announced him through the intercom, the nearest handmaiden opened the door immediately. The Jedi who looked upon the group was ashen white in the face from the request he was about to make. He must reach Anakin immediately, and from the foreboding he perceived emanating from Palpatine, Obi-Wan would not allow Érmioné to remain here in the protection of her new husband - closely allied as he was to the Supreme Chancellor. His every instinct warned him against it. He commanded the assistants to wait in the ante-chamber - he must speak privately with his charge. The young women were not about to argue, and quickly disappeared to the next room.
Érmioné could not make out what was happening. The veil would not allow her eyes to see Obi-Wan's complexion, nor the expression he wore. In her alarm, she reverted to her old name for the Jedi.
"Ben," she called. "What is it? What's wrong?"
By now he was by her side, reaching for her hand. "Dear one, I can't bear to alarm you, but there is no time. I can only ask you to trust me. We have to go back to Naboo, now - I can't guarantee your safety if you remain here. Our situation has become unstable." He was already pulling her from the chair.
Érmioné tripped over her gown as he started to move her through the chamber. "Ben, I can't see to do this..." She was becoming distressed, and he called over a handmaiden to guide her as he urged them to move quickly. They were nearly in the corridor leading to their shuttle when the shot reflected off the wall by Obi-Wan's head. He turned without thinking, and deflected the next shot with the lightsabre which he had at the ready.
"Run ahead!" He called out to them through the noise of the onslaught of fire from the unit of droids which had been sent to investigate. The guard on the bride's door had reported something amiss when the incomplete bridal party had departed the chamber in the wrong direction. Obi-Wan was able to dispatch the droids eventually, and hurried to meet the two awaiting him at the shuttle. When they were safely inside, he commanded the pilot to make a course for Naboo. Now, he would explain to Érmioné his urgency in removing her from the danger he perceived around the Capital.
A darkly robed figure stood upon a viewing deck over the launch area as the Jedi's shuttle lifted up and sped to its destination. A sadistic grin appeared across its face as it growled its pleasure at the sight. "Yes, fly little birds...you will have your wings clipped soon enough..."
Star Wars and all publicly recognisable characters, names and references, etc are the sole property of George Lucas, Lucasfilm Ltd, Lucasarts Inc and 20th Century Fox. This fiction was created solely for entertainment and no money was made from it. Also, no copyright or trademark infringement was intended. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.
Any other characters, the storyline and the actual story are the property of the author.
The author would like to thank you for your continued support. Your review has been posted.
