The Consequence of Romance
The Consequence of Romance
Author: Dove
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PART 6
"Love, Honour and Duty"

Senator Dun`enn was howling for the Jedi's blood. Even from the private quarters beside the temple where the ceremony had been due to take place, his voice had carried through to the waiting gathering. The place was now in uproar. From his own mouth they had discovered the news that would scandalise (and entertain them, no doubt) for months ahead. The good Lady Érmioné Jinn had a lover! And he was no less than her Jedi Knight escort who had abducted her before the wedding - "no doubt to elope with her himself" - "I knew he was not so pure" - "why couldn't it have been me?" - "where have they gone" - "have they really escaped?" - "what will happen if the Senator catches them?..."
The Supreme Chancellor had appeared to regretfully inform the young Senator of the disappearance of his bride with Kenobi. "Apparently, they were seen leaving by their shuttle, to a destination unknown."
Dun`enn stalked up and down the chamber. "I knew it! I knew it! They didn't think I caught that look between them, but I saw it! How long has he been plotting this? By the gods, I'll bring him to his knees!"
Palpatine placed a supportive arm around his minion. He had never heard him react so vengefully. Perhaps he had real potential, after all...
"Do not be concerned, my dear fellow. As we speak, the pursuit fleet is preparing for launch. You will not have to wait long for your opportunity!"

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From the bridge, Obi-Wan stood behind the pilot to check the shuttle's status. "It is imperative that we make contact with the Naboo. We must reach the Palace, where we will be able to transmit our case to the Senate and Council in safety."
"Sir, the transmissions are being blocked. I can't break through."
"Blocked?" It was Érmioné. "Didn't it work before, on our voyage to Coruscant?"
A dark expression stole across Obi-Wan's face. He knew this was a formidable sign. Turning to the lady beside him, he asked,"Érmioné, where is your handmaiden?"
"I asked Katmà to rest and try to recover in the private quarters. She's so young, and this situation has overcome her." Unlike Queen Amidala's handmaidens, who doubled as Royal personal guards, no such training had been thought necessary for the assistants to this young noble who played no role in State affairs.
"Then it's probably for the best that she remains there."
Érmioné moved over to the adjoining chamber from where she could monitor the situation without crowding the bridge. To her aggravation, she was still wearing the ornate wedding costume and visibility and movement were extremely difficult for her. She would ask Katmà to assist her with it's removal when she had recovered. There would probably be some spare clothes for the crew's disposal that she could wear.
Obi-Wan had turned back to ask for one more attempt at communications when the expected transmission came through. He folded his arms before him and into his cloak before gravely issuing the instruction,"Let us view it, then."
The tele-image appeared of the Captain of the Senate Guard. "Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi. By authority of the Senate you are required to return immediately to Coruscant, whereby you will face trial for the abduction of Lady Érmioné Jinn."
He turned to the Captain. "We're going to have to get out of here. Ensure you achieve hyperspeed as soon as possible. "
"Sir, it isn't responding."
"Then get the droids up there!" The little R2 units charged up to the roof of the shuttle to commence repairs. Messages coming back to the bridge, however, gave reason for severe trepidation to the Captain.
"Sir...I am afraid I must inform you... the hyperdrive is not malfunctioning - it's missing altogether." The Captain's eyes were cast low, devastated at what the news would mean for his passengers. Obi-Wan realised, too. He could see the approaching interception convoy on the radar already. It would only be a matter of time before they were at the mercy of the pursuit fleet. The Jedi's forehead fell to his hand, and he closed his eyes, resigned to his fate. He been played to perfection, and he knew it. Now, he could only protect Érmioné.
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Sensing movement from where Érmioné had been sitting in cold silence, Obi-Wan looked over and saw that she had obviously heard the report. She was struggling with her headpiece, trying to remove the heavy garment still held in position before her face.
"Please, Érmioné, allow me to help you."
He moved to sit beside her, whereby his hands reached up to begin unfastening the elaborate device.
"I see now why I needed so many handmaidens," she offered, trying to sound optimistic for him. "They took an hour to put this on me. I hope it doesn't take so long in the other direction."
"No," he quietly answered, nearer to her than she had known him to speak before.
As his hands contrived to find a way to remove the veil without tearing it, Érmioné lifted her head up to where she could just make out his face behind the almost opaque covering. "Obi-Wan," she spoke, her voice suddenly small and formal beneath the thick garment, "would you support the veil so I may see your face?"
He stopped still and, after a moment, placed his hands on the lower edge of the covering which almost reached her waist. Gathering up the heavy materials into his hands as she leaned forward he gently lifted them up and back, securing them along the top of the headdress - whereby she was at last revealed. It was as she raised her face again that his breath caught within. He beheld her at last, so beautiful, as only a bride can appear. The thought passed between them at exactly the same moment and they read it in each other's eyes...if only this day had been ours. The emotion forming in Érmioné was blinked away, she not wishing to surrender her contemplation from the man who sat before her. For the first time in both their lives, they looked into the eyes of someone they knew they loved, and who loved them in return. The sorrow of this realisation also rushed in, as any future between them was unlikely to be sanctioned now. Thus, so they remained, suspended. The crew left them undisturbed in the intimate space of the passenger area.
His hand moved to the side of her face and drew her to him as his mouth softly came apart, but Érmioné was unsettled. She was not certain whether she could accept these moments of life and pleasure - realising the probable tribulations ahead. Closing her eyes to him she reached for the back of his hand and brought her forehead to rest upon his.
In the private stillness, only the breath from one falling to the other's face was perceptible. The quiet motion of each body as they took the air from one another was the only sound. It was a new intoxication. His other hand extended to her, touching her face and her neck with fingers so tender as to make her feel sacred. They felt their faces merging yet closer - until Érmioné's cheek flinched where his lips first met her skin, waking them both from the dreamlike ritual. His eyes settled once more upon hers and this time she did not avert her gaze. They came together with a desire startling to both, savouring their exchange of devotion and tenderness...
... until, with a sickening jolt, they heard the sound from the air lock as their pursuer's craft joined theirs.
Time had betrayed them, and each saw it in the other - they were about to lose what had been so newly acknowledged. The Jedi's forbearance disappeared as he felt her robe so fragile beneath his hands, and he placed her head onto his chest before she could see the despair of losing her in his eyes. As he cradled her into him the only sound between them was the soft warm voice repeating again and again into her hair, "...my love... my love...".
He endeavoured to make his hands work without trembling as he resumed the removal of her headdress - he would make certain that Érmioné would be separated from its discomfort before they were returned to Coruscant. The arresting officers looked upon the two and smirked triumphantly before approaching.
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