The Heart of Destiny
Author: Laura Kenobi
Disclaimer: Unfortunately for me, I don't own Star Wars. I do, however, own any original characters, planets, etcetera that I created for this story.
Archive: Please contact me first!
Comments/Reviews: You can email me through my profile, and you can always leave a review!
Author's Notes: ((italics)) represents thoughts and / italics / represents communication through the Force.
This story was first published in its original version beginning on June 21, 2001. In July 2005, I decided that since four years had passed and my skills as a writer had undoubtedly improved since this story was first written and posted, it might be refreshing to return to this story and give it a fresh look and an update. For the most part the overall story remains the same - my goal has been to improve on and expand on the original, so I hope the result will prove enjoyable to all of you who are wonderful enough to read and review. The version of this story below is the updated version. Call it the "Special Edition" version of this story.
Summary: Obi-Wan Kenobi and Qui-Gon Jinn start out on a mission, and a lifetime of memories follow.
Chapter Five
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"Obi-Wan? Obi-Wan, wake up. Obi-Wan?"
((Who in the name of the Force is waking me up? I'm going to strangle them.))
He pulled his eyes open to find Gwen stood over him, smiling brightly.
((So much for strangling,)) He decided.
"Hello, sleepyhead. Sleep well?"
"Mmm... I don't think I've ever slept so well. It's great to see you." He smiled and pulled her into a quick kiss.
"I've missed you."
Obi-Wan laughed. "Three days of torment," he teased, "But I missed you too. Did they get Alena back?" He got slowly out of bed.
"Yes, they found her early this morning in Senator Hagi's quarters."
He snorted. "Right under my nose the entire time, and it took me three days to figure it out."
Gwen laughed. "Aren't you cheery this morning? I made you breakfast. Hurry up or it will get cold."
"Yes ma'am."
"Don't get sassy with me, Obi-Wan Kenobi."
"Never."
She swatted playfully at him as she walked into the other room.
Rubbing his face, he sighed. He hoped the Council wouldn't send him on another mission immediately; he wanted to spend time with Gwen. Grabbing some clothes, he made his way to the shower.
Clean, dressed, and fully awake, he headed for the kitchen. As he entered, Gwen looked up from where she sat reading the morning news-holo.
"Hey."
"Hey, yourself. What's for breakfast?"
"There's some toast on the counter. I hope you like it. I'm not exactly the galaxy's best cook. And toast is terribly hard to make..." She grinned and rolled her eyes.
Smiling, Obi-Wan took some toast, and sat down beside her. She read as he ate, and he watched her. It made him feel calm.
He finished quickly, and then settled down beside her. They spent the entire morning there, talking and laughing. Around lunchtime, Qui-Gon and Master L'arel entered, carrying lunch.
"Hello! We brought some lunch, and no, I didn't make it." Qui-Gon's eyes danced. Obi-Wan rolled his eyes and looked at Gwen.
"If he ever offers you food that he made, run for your life."
Qui-Gon took a deep breath, and Obi-Wan noticed that he seemed happier than he had been for a while. "It's not that bad!"
"Yes it is! You never eat it!"
"Come now, boys. Let's not argue; it's time to eat!" Master L'arel's lips twisted in a slight smile. Gwen was not as successful in hiding her mirth.
((This is how life should always be.)) Obi-Wan thought.
He smiled at Gwen. She looked as happy as he felt.
He closed his eyes for a moment, and to his surprise he saw a vision. He and Gwen were laughing and talking, but instead of the two Jedi Masters with them at the table there was a young man and a young woman. Obi-Wan did not recognize them, and then as quickly as it had appeared, the vision was gone.
---------- One Year Later ----------
Gwen A'mour sighed with content. It was amazing, she thought, the way her life was going. She was a Jedi apprentice to a Master she cared for and trusted with her very soul, and she had Obi-Wan, who she loved with all her heart.
Obi-Wan nudged her softly in the side. "You okay?"
"Yes, I was just thinking."
"About me?" Innocence shone in his eyes, but the corners of his mouth twitched slightly.
"Among other things."
He laughed.
They were in the Temple gardens. They often spent time in the gardens; it was their favorite spot. They had carried on their first conversation there, and they had shared their first kiss there.
Obi-Wan took her hand, and led her down a long path to their favorite spot in the entire garden. It was a small open area with a fountain shaped like an angel from the moons of Iego. Obi-Wan had thrown her into that fountain once...
He led her over to near the fountain, and then he stopped. Gwen smiled and leaned over, looking into the water.
"Gwen... I want to ask you a question."
"You don't need to ask permission." She glanced at him.
He smiled sheepishly, and knelt down onto one knee. Gwen suddenly felt slightly lightheaded.
"Gwen," he pulled something out of his tunic, and she could feel nervousness radiating from him, "will you marry me?" Something cool slipped onto her finger.
((A ring. An engagement ring.))
"I... yes! Oh, Obi-Wan! Yes!" She pulled him to his feet, and threw herself into his arms. As she pulled him into an exceptionally passionate kiss, she couldn't have been happier. Excitement sent chills up and down her spine as she kissed him.
/ Air, Love. Please///
She pulled herself out of the kiss and looked into Obi-Wan's dancing eyes. He looked as happy as she felt. She giggled with a girlish grin on her face, and then kissed him again.
((What a wonderful day...))
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The date for the wedding was set for three months from the day of their engagement. Obi-Wan was already nervous.
((Shouldn't Gwen be the one who is nervous?)) He questioned himself, ((I've got three months!))
He sighed softly in frustration. Qui-Gon, who was sitting across the room, looked up.
"Something troubling you, Padawan?"
"No."
"Right. I get it…"
"Master! I'm getting married in three months, and I'm not the one who is supposed to be nervous!"
Qui-Gon smiled, slightly entertained but also understanding. "Obi-Wan, although I've never been married, I'm sure what you're feeling is normal. It's a big event. Don't dwell on your anxiety. I'm sure Gwen nervous."
"She doesn't act like it!" He whined, feeling younger than his 25 years.
"Well, maybe she doesn't want to seem nervous. You seem to be having the same problem."
"Perhaps..."
"Obi-Wan?"
He spun around. Gwen smiled sheepishly at him, and for a moment, his nervousness was forgotten.
"I... we – we need... I want..." she shook her head, "Can we talk?"
Qui-Gon stood and exited the room, leaving the two of them alone.
"What's wrong?" Obi-Wan began the conversation, slightly worried.
"Well, nothing is really wrong. I just have a confession to make. It's been bugging me."
"Okay." He brushed her hair back from her face with his hand.
"I know his is going to sound... I'm sort of... no, actually I'm really... really nervous about the wedding." There! She had told him!
"You are?" Obi-Wan was shocked. "I am too. I never thought you were..."
She blushed, and smiled. "I'm glad we feel the same way."
"I suppose there really isn't anything to worry about, but I can't help it!" He admitted.
They both laughed softly with relief. Now they just had to get ready... three months would pass quickly.
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"Gwen A'mour, get a grip! Nothing is going to happen." Master Ginger L'arel sighed. Her Padawan was pacing the room with apprehension, and in her wedding dress! ((I hope I never have to get married!))
"Master! You don't know that! What if... what if I trip and fall!"
"Life in the galaxy will end as we know it."
Gwen glared at her, and she smiled. "Will Obi-Wan love you any less?"
"No."
"Well then?"
Gwen sat down on a small chair in the corner of the room.
Master L'arel laughed. "Don't worry, Gwen. This is a wonderful day."
"I know... I'm just nervous."
Music floated in from the room beyond. Master L'arel stood. "That's my cue! You'll be fine! Be confident in yourself!" She turned to leave.
"Master, wait!" Gwen walked over and threw her arms around her Master. "Thank you."
"You're welcome, Padawan. I'm so very proud of you. I'll see you in a moment."
"Okay..."
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Standing at the end of a long walkway, Obi-Wan Kenobi could barely keep himself from trembling, both from nervousness and excitement. He had never pictured himself getting married, but here he was! As the music began, his heart fluttered in his chest.
He wondered momentarily if Gwen was as nervous as he was. ((Probably.)) He smiled momentarily as the thought came to him that they could handle interplanetary crisis, but not their own wedding.
Finally, the music stopped, and a new tune began. Obi-Wan wondered if he was even breathing.
Gwen A'mour stepped onto the red carpet they had rolled out, and Obi-Wan was mesmerized. She was exquisite. More so than he had ever seen her. He couldn't help the giant smile that lit up his face, but he didn't want to. She looked up at him and smiled back. It was at that precise moment that Obi-Wan had a vision.
He blinked, and when his eyes opened Gwen was gone. In her place was a small young woman with dark brown hair, and a face he only slightly recognized. She wore an elaborate wedding gown, and she smiled at him. He looked down at his hands.
((These aren't my hands!)) He turned slightly and caught sight of himself in a mirror on the wall. He was a very tall young man, with blonde hair and crystal blue eyes. A Padawan braid hung over his shoulder.
((Who... this is not me! Who is that man?)) He didn't understand.
As he turned and looked back at the bride, he suddenly remembered where he had seen the young woman. He had seen both the bride and her groom, laughing and talking over lunch... His mind whirled.
((Who are you? Why am I seeing visions of you? I've never even met you! Leave me alone!)) He wanted to be at his wedding. He wanted to see his bride. More confused than ever, he frowned.
As he blinked again, suddenly the vision ended and Gwen was again walking toward him. She hadn't moved far from where she had been when the vision began.
Questions filled his mind. Who were they? Why were they important? How?
He focused on Gwen, and she gave him an inquisitive look. He mentally shook his head, realizing he was no longer smiling. It was his wedding day. Two people he had never met would not bother him today!
Gwen had reached him then, and the two preformed the marriage ritual. When they were finished, Obi-Wan scooped her into his arms, and kissed her passionately. He pushed the two young people to the back of his mind. He would deal with them later.
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Back in their quarters - they had their own quarters now - Gwen was thrilled.
"We're married!" She flashed Obi-Wan a brilliant smile.
The words sounded magical to his ears. "I can't imagine anything better. I love you so much."
Gwen grinned playfully. "What should we do now? It is our wedding night, after all."
Obi-Wan walked over to her and picked her up. "I think I may have an idea..."
Gwen laughed with delight as he carried her to the bedroom, and she began to kiss him eagerly as he closed the door behind them...
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End Chapter 5.
Reviews are greatly appreciated! Thanks for reading! - Laura