Chapter Fifty-Three

The reuniting of Prince Ishan with his parents was a joyous occasion. King Lucan had not realized how much his youngest son meant to him until the boy had gone missing. Upon his return, he had taken Ishan into his arms and held him quietly for a long moment. Then Queen Cassia had kissed Ishan's face so many times Aalea had been afraid the prince was going to die from embarrassment.

Prince Markus, who was still wearing a bacta bandage from the knife wound to his side, had embraced his little brother and then, ruffling his hair, immediately began teasing him about his upcoming wedding night. Ishan's father apologized to Obi-Wan and Aalea for having gotten them into trouble and sent a message to Yoda informing the Jedi Master of Obi-Wan and Aalea's involvement in the finding of his son.

King Tahal had, at first, refused to go through with the wedding. But after Nadira rushed into his arms, tears streaming from her eyes, begging him to let her marry Ishan, his heart softened and he agreed.

The palace then went into hyperdrive in preparation for the wedding. Aalea and Obi-Wan tried their best to stay out of the way, but Nadira insisted Aalea remain by her side and Ishan did the same with Obi-Wan.

Finally, the morning of the wedding dawned. Bells rang continuously throughout the capital and the streets were filled with the celebrating populace for Tahal and Samar had proclaimed the wedding day a planet-wide holiday.

Aalea was in Nadira's bower watching, with a bemused expression, as chaos raged about her. Badalah was in an uproar as she shouted at the servants and handmaidens who ran frantically to and fro. The royal hairdresser was all in a nervious titter and kept dropping her comb as she tried to arrange the curls in Nadira's hair.

Aalea shook her head. She doubted she would ever marry but, if she did, she hoped it wouldn't be a circus like this. But then she wasn't a royal princess.

"Jedi Aalea," Nadira called out as the hairdresser begged her to be still. "Come here."

Aalea walked over to Nadira. The princess was dressed in her wedding gown which, Aalea had to admit, was the most beautiful dress she had ever seen. It was a creamy white silk inlaid with diamonds and sapphires.

Nadira waved to one of the handmaidens who immediately rushed over, her arms full of a silken dress which shimmered with a rainbow of colors.

"This is for you, Jedi Aalea. I would like for you to wear it to my wedding."

The handmaiden held up the gown and Aalea's breath caught in her throat.

"Oh, your highness, thank you, thank you very much, but I'm afraid I can't."

Nadira frowned. "Why not? Does it not please you?"

"Oh, yes, it pleases me very much, but Obi-Wan would never allow it."

Nadira clapped her hands. One of the handmaidens ran over.

"Summon Jedi Obi-Wan," Nadira ordered.

The handmaiden scampered away.

"Forgive me, your highness," Aalea said, "but I fear you're wasting your time."

"We shall see," Nadira said, bobbing her head forcefully and causing one of her carefully coiffed curls to unravel. The hairdresser screamed.

But Aalea was right. When Obi-Wan came to the chamber and Nadira informed him she wanted Aalea to wear the dress he respectfully, but firmly told her Aalea could not. Aalea was on Sylvonna as Nadira's Honorary Bodyguard, not as a guest.

The princess frowned and Aalea saw she was gearing up for one of her tantrums but then, surprisingly, it was Badalah who backed Obi-Wan.

"He's right, poppet," she said. "You must respect his wishes in this. He knows what is best."

Nadira sighed heavily.

"All right, Badalah. I am supposing you are right. But, it is a shame. Jedi Aalea would look so lovely in the dress."

Obi-Wan looked over at Badalah and inclined his head. She smiled at him, then went back to screaming and shouting at the handmaidens and servants.

Obi-Wan turned to Aalea.

"I'm sorry, Aalea. I hope you're not disappointed."

"No, of course not. I really didn't want to wear it anyway," she said softly as she watched the handmaiden take the dress away.

He looked closely at her. "Yes, I can see that."

"Is Prince Ishan ready?" Aalea asked quickly to change the subject.

"Almost, though things are not as hectic over there as they are here."

Obi-Wan then looked over at Nadira as the hairdresser fussed with the princesss' curls. A slight frown creased his forehead. He turned to Aalea.

"I have something I must do." He touched her arm. "I'll see you shortly."

"All right, Master."

He turned quickly and left the chamber. Aalea then searched until she found herself a nice, quiet corner where she could wait until Nadira was ready.

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Marni, King Tahal's Chief Eunuch, his perfumed robes flapping about his plumps legs, rushed up to Aalea as she waited in the corridor outside the Reception Hall. The guests had all been seated inside. Nadira was expected at any moment and Aalea was to escort her and her wedding party into the Hall.

"Where is he?" Marni asked angrily, his fat face flushed and sweating.

"Where is who?"

"The other Jedi. Obi-Wan."

"I don't know, Marni. Isn't he with Prince Ishan and his family?"

"No, he is not," Marni answered irritably. "No one has seen him."

"I'm sorry. I don't know where he is."

"Well, I suggest you find him. And quickly. It's bad enough you Jedi were late for the Royal Audience. But the Royal Wedding?" Marni shook his head in horror and dashed away.

Aalea watched as the Chief Eunuch ran off. She looked down the hall. She saw no sign of Nadira's wedding party. She had a few moments. She reached for the comlink on her belt then decided, again for a reason she didn't want to think about too much, to try to reach Obi-Wan through their bond.

She closed her eyes and lowered the shields in her mind. This time she found him right away. He was nearby and his shields were up, but she sensed him. She concentrated to see if she could locate him. He was down a level, but making his way towards the Reception Hall. Aalea turned and ran to the main staircase.

Obi-Wan was running up the stairs, his robe flying out behind him.

"Master," she called out.

Obi-Wan stopped and looked up at her. Then he ran up the rest of the stairs, took Aalea by the hand and led her into an empty room off the corridor.

"Here," he said quickly.

He handed her a small package.

"What's this?" Aalea asked.

"I thought that, well, since you couldn't wear that dress you could..." Obi-Wan shrugged and gestured at the package.

Aalea looked at him curiously for a moment, then quickly tore open the tissue paper. Inside was a violet silk ribbon. She ran it slowly through her fingers.

Obi-Wan cleared his throat.

"I thought, maybe, you could wear it...." He pointed to her padawan braid.

Aalea gazed at him for a moment. Obi-Wan's face reddened as she continued to stare at him.

He made as if to take the ribbon from her.

"I'm sorry, it was a silly..."

Aalea pulled the ribbon away from his reach.

"Thank you," she said softly. "It's beautiful."

"It is?"

Aalea smiled and nodded. "But, I'm going to need help."

"Help?"

"Yes. We don't have much time. Would you mind braiding it into my hair?"

"Oh, yes, of course."

Aalea quickly unbraided her padawan braid, then Obi-Wan took the ribbon and wove it quickly through her hair. When he was done, he held her braid and gently stroked it.

Aalea smiled at him. Then, reaching up she touched his hand as it continued to stroke her braid and ran her fingers over his.

Obi-Wan's eyes widened as he looked down at her. They gazed at each other for a long, silent breathless moment. Then, slowly, Obi-Wan lowered his mouth to hers. Aalea's heart thudded but, just as she was about to close her eyes in anticipation of his kiss, she remembered the eunuch.

"We'd better hurry, Master," she whispered just before Obi-Wan's lips touched hers. "Marni is already in a lather regarding your absence."

"What?" Obi-Wan started. Then he quickly stepped away from Aalea.

"Yes, you're right," he said, clearing his throat. "We don't want to be late. Again."

Aalea laughed. They ran out of the room.

To be continued....