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
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The Consequence of Romance
The Consequence of Romance
Author: Dove
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The circle of small girls was camped beneath their favourite tree in the Palace gardens. Children of the Theed Palace staff, they enjoyed their free access to the grounds and always met to gossip and play in the late morning. This day the eldest of the gathering, 12 year old Jaysla, held in her hand the recently published verse "Lament for Lady Érmioné" and was preparing to read it to her little group. Some of the children were as young as five, and looked up to her as their leader. They were all aware of the story and had felt such sadness for their friend, Jedi Obi-Wan. He had sometimes talked with them if they spotted him on his way to one of the various temples in the grounds. They would hang from his arms, bring him into their circle, ask to hear stories of adventures. It had been so long however since they had seen him, and they wished that their friend would come back to them.
Following the departure of the dark shuttle hovering outside the walls of the Palace of Theed some weeks previously, Queen Amidala's guard had sent word that the Jedi had been found close to death in the forest, not far from a dead Sith Lord. Anakin had already sent her a communication from Coruscant informing her of the events which had lead to his former Master's expulsion from the Capital, and she had been preparing to attend the burial of Lady Érmioné when Obi-Wan was carried back to the Palace. Overjoyed that her old friend was still alive she decided to stay and oversee the healers who were summoned to aid him. It had taken days before they were certain he would ever recover. His eyes and head had flinched constantly, leading them all to believe he was fighting an invisible assailant in his sub-conscious.
When he had finally awoken Amidala made sure she was called to him immediately - the longer recovery was only just beginning. She had been amazed to hear the gossip of his reckless flight with the Lady in his care - it was so out of character for the man she had known for years. Anakin had cruelly said that it was another example of his Master's hypocrisy. The gradual change in her husband had started to concern her - his demeanour was becoming increasingly austere with every new communication from the Capital.
As time passed, Amidala sat with Obi-Wan and listened as he explained the true nature of the events which had passed. Her pain at hearing of his loss was evident. She was newly wed, and still hoped to have all the pleasures of life reaching ahead, yet she knew her friend's heart may never heal. Amidala made it her mission, then, to encourage him to regain his strength and find life again. He was just strong enough to start walking through the grounds and he intended to visit the small temple in the gardens and offer his devotions to Érmioné.
Jaysla had just read the title to the lament when her hand flew to her mouth. The others swung around to follow her glance, and saw that it was Jedi Obi-Wan himself standing behind them.
"I'm so sorry, Sir Jedi... I'll put this away."
"No, Jaysla." He came around to sit on the stone seat beneath their tree. "I've not yet heard it myself. I should like it if you read it to me."
They all looked at each other with concern - their Jedi's eyes looked so empty. One of the smallest of the group, Mìstera, approached him and pulled at his sleeve. He opened his arms to her and she settled herself onto his lap. With the easy compassion of such a new soul, she pressed a tiny hand to his face. Resting his chin against the top of Mìstera's head, he looked over to Jaysla and indicated that she begin.
Dark to me is the earth. Dark to me are the heavens. Where is she that I loved, the woman with eyes like stars? Desolate are the streets. Desolate is the city. A city taken by storm, where none are left but the slain.
*
Love, thy eyes were like torches. They changed as I beheld them. Love, thy lips were like gems, the seal thou settest on my life. Love, if I loved not then, behold this hour thy vengeance; This is the fruit of thy love and thee, the unwise grown wise.
They all looked up to the Jedi, but his eyes were closed. Queen Amidala had been watching and approached, listening to Jaysla's rendition. She smiled to the girls but motioned them to move along and let the Jedi have some peace. Only the tiny Mìstera, who was asleep in his arms, remained. Amidala placed her gentle and supportive hand upon his shoulder, and came to sit beside him.
Worse to him than any other aspect of the recent events was that he was sure Érmioné's soul was not at rest. Obi-Wan knew that her spirit would be in confusion, as happens to those who are taken from this dimension before they are prepared. If only he could reach her, or her brother, somehow. His meditations used to allow vivid impressions to reach him of Master Qui-Gon, but now nothing came. His mind was clouded and he must find a way to repair himself - then he could meditate upon both his Master and Érmioné and help their spirits find ease.
Retiring to his bed chamber that night these thoughts, as always those days, were still running through his mind. When at last his consciousness lapsed, the terrors again appeared before him. There had been no peace for him in daylight, or by night, since the moment Érmioné's soul flew away. He awoke after barely an hour's rest.
The hours passed without relief and the dawn appeared through the opened window panels of the Jedi's room. He had fallen again into a restless sleep. Running water from the many rivulets surrounding the palace was making a low lyrical sound beneath the window, and exotic calls from the native birds started to break the morning silence. A voice became audible within his sub-conscious;
"...Love, if I loved not then, behold this hour thy vengeance;
This is the fruit of thy love and thee, the unwise grown wise."
His eyes were flickering. The voice was becoming louder. Obi-Wan could now hear the words "...watch Amidala."
He shot up suddenly from his sleep, and realised he had broken out into a sweat. Gathering his robes he ran into the gardens near his quarters where a small ablutions fountain was situated. He braced his hands against the edge and plunged his head down into the cool water. Apprehension was starting to creep up on him but he steadied himself, not allowing it to take hold - he would eliminate this torment! If he did not, he could not justify having survived. "There must be some purpose left. If it is not to be to guide Anakin, or to care for Érmioné, then I'll search until I find it."
He had not realised he had begun pacing. The Queen's servant, whose lookout she had commanded, had alerted her to Obi-Wan's movements. She stepped down off the viewpoint from where she had been watching over him.
"Obi-Wan, I wish I could find a way to help you..."
He bowed, and looked apologetically towards her.
"It is I who should be helping you. You shame me with your dignity - you were only just married, and your husband is gone."
"Your inner peace is in turmoil, though, and that is the difference. I know that I will be reunited with Anakin - they won't keep him at Coruscant forever." She sounded as though she tried to convince herself as well as him. "Anakin has told me he will return."
"Amidala - what a pair we are!" A familiar expression fought its way across his mouth.
"Well, there is the first smile I've seen you make since your return - a promising start!"
"I'll find my way again - the Force will always require me to serve it in some manner."
"Obi-Wan," the Queen offered as she moved back again towards her chamber, "it is sometimes required that one does not seek. Allow the Force to reveal what it must to you, in its own time." She had sounded just like Qui-Gon.
"Yes, my Master," his eyes affectionately laughed as he lifted them to farewell her. It was then that his heart jumped, and he looked twice to confirm the sight before him.
"Amidala!"
She knew, then, that he had seen what she had known for just a short while, and nodded to him. The Jedi came over and knelt before her, his eyes focused in wonder just below her waist. There, so tiny, he could plainly see twin auric lights, emanating with a purity such as to astonish him.
The marvel the Jedi had witnessed still enraptured him later that night in his chambers. He felt everything within him recognise his destiny once more. Those two embryonic lights - he would give his life to protect the growing twin lives. Anakin had gone from his regulation now, he had reconciled himself to that. The new generation had been revealed to him - and this time he would never allow the Dark side a chance to court their favour. His eyes closed, and peaceful rest came upon him. The words reverberating inside his heart were filled with meaning...
"...Love, if I loved not then, behold this hour thy vengeance;
This is the fruit of thy love and thee, the unwise grown wise."
The terrors did not return to his dreams that night. He was able to walk again among gardens, waterfalls, and fond recollections. A gentle, familiar breeze blew across his lids, but his eyes did not open. Standing before him a figure gradually appeared in focus to his subconscious. It was Érmioné. She smiled, then came close beside him and he felt the touch of her lips against his forehead. Slowly, she moved backwards and away, into the waiting arms of Qui-Gon. For a moment they paused and looked lovingly towards him - then they disappeared together from view.
With hope in his eyes, and spirit renewed, Obi-Wan awoke to the new era as sunlight flooded the room.
Part 9 "She Comes Not to the Soul 'til It Reposes"
from She Comes Not When Noon is on the Roses by Herbert Trench
"Lament for Lady Érmioné" selected verses taken from The Desolate City by Wilfrid Scawen Blunt
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