Star Wars:
Adventures of Aiden Sule
Young Jedi Knights
Book 2
"Past Memoirs"
By Obi's Girl
Synopsis: While on fighting a battle, the Jedi, Qui-Gon Jinn, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Aiden Sule separate to divert the enemy. Aiden Sule is blasted by the enemy and believed dead, but she is alive, with an erased memory. Qui-Gon and Kenobi search for days, looking for Aiden. She is found by a neighboring villager and healed. The man, who rescued her, over time, falls in love with the woman and begins a relationship. Around the time Jinn and Kenobi locate her, she is married to the man and has to decide if she is to leave or stay.
The young Padawan, Obi-Wan Kenobi, searched the forest terrain for a sign that maybe Apprentice Aiden Sule was alive. Obi-Wan stopped and tried to locate her through the Force. Nothing.
"Obi-Wan!" his master called.
Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn stood over a grove examining the area where he found Aiden's purple-violet light saber. Obi-Wan appeared. His face was full of hope that maybe he found something that let him know she was all right. Jinn turned to his young student and gave him Aiden's lightsaber.
"Aiden?" he cried.
"Obi-Wan, I believe it would be wise to return to Coruscant and let the Council know what happened." Qui-Gon voiced.
No, he thought. Obi-Wan remembered what happened. They separated and when Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan reunited, Aiden was nowhere to be found. "Master, we can't leave here. We have to continue looking." Obi-Wan pleaded. He loved Aiden so much and would not allow the conclusion that she was dead.
"I understand how you feel, Obi-Wan. But we need to report back to the Council."
Obi-Wan looked down and nodded okay. He wanted to continue searching for Aiden. The Padawan couldn't bare the thought of losing the woman he loved.
~~
Niko Sun wondered through the woods scouting for firewood. He was a young man of twenty-five, masculine and very handsome. Niko had a roguish smile and appearance for a farm man who lived with his in-laws. His own parents and wife were deceased and came to live with his wife's parents shortly after his she died.
He picked up another piece of wood crossing a stream. As he crossed, Niko noticed a woman's body lying in the stream. He dropped the wood and ran to the woman's side. Niko felt her pulse. It was strong but faint. He scanned the area for a craft and saw nothing. He pushed back the woman's black hair to reveal her beautiful face and found himself staring at her. Finally, he took her in his arms and carried her back to the house.
~~
Obi-Wan sat distressed as the shuttle that carried himself and Qui-Gon Jinn back to Coruscant. He gazed at his Master. Qui-Gon was talking with the pilot quietly. The master felt his apprentice's pain and went to sit with him. Obi-Wan looked like he had lost a puppy that wasn't returning home. "Obi-Wan, we will return." Qui-Gon assured him.
He didn't reply. "I know how much Aiden means to you, young Padawan. You love her. It's strange many Jedi Masters' advise their Padawan's to never give into love because of the hurt in the end and yet we advertise peace and love to others." Qui-Gon analyzed.
He stared at Qui-Gon. "Master, do you believe she is still alive?" he asked.
"I want to believe that. But I can't feel her through the Force."
"I can't either." Kenobi admitted, nodding his head.
Qui-Gon touched his shoulder. "Don't lose your faith young Padawan. We will find her." He rose and walked back to the cockpit.
**
Niko kept a close eye on the woman as his mother and father-in-law discussed how and where they'd put her. He looked back at them for a moment then stared at the woman. She was beautiful, Niko thought. The woman reminded him of his late wife, Leisa. His in-laws, Rana and Owen walked towards Niko and the woman. She began to stir. Her side was bleeding heavily and needed treatment immediately. The woman glanced at the man and the couple standing behind him. She attempted to sit up but ceased when she felt the pain in her side.
"Where am I?" she cried.
"You're in the Outer Rim Territory. I'm Niko Sun," he said, as Niko gestured towards the couple behind him, "These are my in-laws, Rana and Owen Marcus. What's your name?"
The woman inspected her clothes in hopes there would be a clue to her identity. Nothing. Who was she and where did she come from? Everything was confusing. A blank expression covered her face. Niko recognized she was frightened and nodded that they leave her alone.
Aiden smiled at the man thankfully. "You said they are your in-laws. What happened to your wife?" she asked.
He faced down. The grief of losing Leisa had never gone away. "A year and a half ago, there was a deadly virus that spread across the village. My wife often went into the village to shop for goods. She contracted the disease and within a few weeks, she died."
"I'm sorry." She replied.
Niko shook his head and gazed at the woman. "We have to give you a name. My in-laws can't keep calling you miss, unless you aren't married."
She inspected her hands and realized she wasn't wearing a ring. "Well, I'm not married."
"Then what should we call you?"
The woman thought a minute and replied, "Ceila." The name stuck out clear in her mind, as if it was a part of her.
"Why Ceila?"
"I don't know. Do you like it?" Ceila asked.
"It's perfect." Niko replied, smiling at Ceila as she returned the gesture.
**
Obi-Wan Kenobi stood impatiently as Master Qui-Gon Jinn told his report of Aiden Sule's disappearance. Master Adi Gallia was especially troubled when she heard of her goddaughter. "Master Qui-Gon, we will send authorities to the planet to search for Aiden Sule." Windu declared.
"Obi-Wan, could you step forward?" Adi asked. She sensed there was something he needed to say.
"Masters, can Qui-Gon and I be allowed to contact Kyren Tamus and Denai. They need to know what happened." Obi-Wan commented.
Tamus and Denai. They would be even more distraught. Denai admired her sister's achievements and would be crushed to know she had disappeared.
Gallia nodded yes. "And the both of you can accompany the search team." She added. Obi-Wan bowed and exited the chamber as Qui-Gon remained. "Your apprentice cares much for my god-daughter." Gallia said, referring to Aiden.
"He does." Jinn agreed.
"Master Jinn, more you have to say, have you?" Yoda added.
"Yes. Obi-Wan and I have tried to locate Aiden through the Force but her entity is too far away or too lost. It could mean two things: Either she survived the attack and is hurt or she is dead. We don't know which way to interpret it." Jinn admitted.
"She isn't dead. You will find her, but when you do, she may be a different person than she used to be." Windu said.
"Thank you." Jinn replied, departing from the chambers.
**
Days after her arrival, Ceila underwent treatment for her wound and was cautioned not to do any harsh work. Niko checked up on her time to time, as she rested during the day. Amazingly, by the following day, her wound was completely healed. The doctor that checked it out called it a miracle and that she was special. Aiden undressed her wound leaving it to be free of its bandages. Niko stared at the woman. He had never witnessed anything so miraculous before. Who was this woman with amazing healing powers?
"You shouldn't go to work for the next couple of days. We need to make sure that wound is okay." Niko suggested.
Ceila smiled at him warmly. "Yes, doctor." She joked.
"You're a mystery Ceila. A mystery I intend to unravel." Niko said, smiled at the woman and left her alone.
"A mystery?" she said, fixing the bandages.
**
Ceila recovered from her injury fast. One day, as Ceila graciously dressed out of her old clothes, she stumbled upon a picture of Niko's late wife. She was beautiful. Natural light brown hair, soft peach skin and gray eyes. She was about Ceila's height, she estimated. She didn't look a day over twenty-five, but she could have been wrong. Ceila could tell how Niko could love such a remarkable woman. Her eyes suggested that she was very kind and had a gentle heart. Suddenly, she heard someone coming and quickly put the picture away. It was Niko. He came to check up on her. She smiled at him. "How are you?" he asked.
"I'm fine, thank you. I hope you don't mind, as I was dressing, I saw a picture of your late wife. She was very beautiful." Ceila admitted.
"She was. I could always fall into a dream, when I looked into her gray eyes." Niko said and stared into Ceila's eyes. One was gray and the other was a bluish color. He found himself, leaning towards Ceila for a kiss when his mother-in-law called him. They drifted apart. Niko stared at the woman. He thought Ceila was an angel, brought to him so that he may forget about the pain of losing his wife.
"You better go and see what she needs." Ceila said gently.
He turned and walked out the room silently. Niko felt something for the woman, a feeling he hadn't felt in ages since his wife died. It felt good to care about someone again, he thought. After Niko left, Ceila continued looking at the picture she found. She couldn't deny that she wanted Niko to kiss her and was sad, that they were interrupted, but had to get over it. Once she regained her memory, Niko's feelings would be hurt and she'd have to return to her normal life, or would she...
**
The trail, Qui-Gon and Kenobi were tracking was a dead end. A false trail. The lightsaber they found was a fake left behind to deceive them and it worked. Kenobi was more than disappointed. He sat alone examining the decoy. It had many features of a regular lightsaber, except that the usual crystals that were the primary source, was empty and some of the technical components of the sabre were completely off. Obi-Wan placed the saber on the table next to him. He was certain they had found a clue that would lead the search to where Aiden was. There was no luck. The planet they found the saber on, didn't even pick up Aiden's DNA.
Qui-Gon came from the cockpit. He had very stern, but relaxed expression on his face. Kenobi knew that meant something was wrong.
"We're going to try searching two more planets in the sector. After that, we are to go to Ceruse Seven and talk to Tamus and Denai." He said.
Kenobi nodded. They couldn't abandon the search so quickly. "We're going there to tell them Aiden's dead, aren't we?" Kenobi asked.
Qui-Gon gasped and knelt down beside his Padawan. "I'm afraid we have no other choice. Tamus and Denai must know what happened."
"It will be especially hard on Denai. She's looked up to Aiden for so long." Kenobi said.
"If it is the will of the Force, than so shall it be."
"The Force. It's betrayed us. It should have led us to her. Instead, it hasn't. We're blocked from even sensing if she's alive or not." Obi-Wan cried.
An officer entered the room to talk with the Jedi. "We've arrived." He said.
**
As Niko came outside to talk with his mother-in-law, he couldn't stop thinking about the possible kiss he and Ceila almost shared. She reminded him so much of the wife he lost. Rana was fixing some plants in the orchard, when Niko approached her. "What is it, that you need, Rana?" he asked.
She continued working on the plants as she began to speak with him. "Niko, I love you like a son, I do, but Ceila can't stay here."
"Can't stay here? Why?" he cried.
Rana stopped and faced her son-in-law. "Niko, the harvest is coming up soon and we can't afford for there to be any distractions." She was referring to Ceila. The woman was familiar with the way he looked at her. He used to have the same look for her daughter, before she died.
"I assure you, Ceila won't be a distraction. I'll continue my duties around here, like I always do and maybe, after she gets better, Ceila can help with the harvest. I know you need help tending the plants and making sure they grow properly. I can't always be here to lend you a hand. Owen needs me working as well with him." Niko said.
"Niko, you don't understand. Harvest is always the most important time of year for us and every other farmer because it not only supplies food, but it supplies us with enough money for the materials we need around the house. I understand, you want Ceila to recover and help her adjust, but this isn't the time."
"Then what is? Rana, she's lost her memory. We can't shun her away. If we did, we wouldn't seem like loving people." Niko added. "What does Owen think about her?"
She nodded no. "He thinks she can help out around here, like you do."
"That's what Ceila will do. She'll help out. End of discussion." Niko replied, walking off.
As Niko walked off, Owen confronted his wife. "Rana, he's young. Let him be happy." Owen said.
"I miss her. God, help me, I do. I miss our daughter. How can I stand to have another woman around here that reminds me of her?" she cried.
Owen placed a hand on her shoulder. "I miss her too. Life must go on. We must go on. Leisa is gone and we must go on." He left her alone to continue her work.
**
Niko sat silently upon the shores of a small river, which lead to the forest, when Ceila found him. His father-in-law told her she would find him near the river. He liked to go there and sit when he became frustrated. Ceila smiled, once she saw him.
"Hello." She whispered.
He turned to her and smiled. She was wearing a work dress. Ceila sat down beside him and stared at the river's view. "It's heavenly. I see why it brings you such comfort." She replied.
"I often came here with Leisa for picnics. She loved how the water flowed." He paused, stood up and looked closer at the water. "The fish here is great. They often weigh from two and half pounds to five or six."
Ceila gazed at the water. It was still, as if frozen by the wind. Indeed, it was magnificent. She looked back at Niko. "Niko, what happened before..." she began.
He turned. "I know. It should've happened. I was wrong to try and kiss you."
She turned him around. "No. You weren't. Niko, maybe what I feeling, was because how close we've become, but it's real."
"Ceila." He said, barely a whisper as she suddenly kissed him.
Niko took her in his arms and returned the kiss. It was a gentle embrace. "This shouldn't happen. What if you had a husband in your former life?" he said.
"We'll let him be jealous." She replied and kissed him again.
**
Denai was nursing a man's illness. Many of the villagers were suffering a great illness and no matter, how many antibiotics she administered, the illness never went away. It simply retreated only to come back, in a deadlier form. The virus didn't affect Tamus. Only those with weak immune systems were affected. Denai gasped, as she stared down at the old man. He was almost of age.
Tamus entered the hut to see how she was doing. He could tell from Denai's solemn expression that she was doing horribly. Denai worked miracles. The girl studied how the Jedi cured illnesses and fixed their wounded. On her own, she set up a medical hut and was dubbed the village healer. She turned to him once she was done helping the man.
"What is it grandfather?" she said, wiping her hands.
He led the girl outside. In almost a couple on months, she had grown from a short girl to a beautiful woman like her sister and mother. The two Jedi, Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi were waiting by the village well. "Master Jinn, Kenobi, what are doing here?" she asked, finishing wiping her hands.
Qui-Gon looked to his apprentice, then the young woman. Tamus knew what they came to say wasn't good news. He was an old Jedi, but still knew when there was bad news. "Denai. I'm afraid we have bad news. Your sister is missing." Qui-Gon said.
"Missing?" she questioned.
Tamus stepped forward. "Denai, it seems Aiden was on a mission, when she disappeared." he said.
Denai nodded her head no. It was enough that some virus infected Kalika. Now she had to deal with a missing sister. Denai put the napkin down and soaked it with water in the well. She stopped, staring at the water. "Our village is infected with a virus. I thought it was only a sickness, but it's become worse." She said.
Obi-Wan stood up. He glanced to his Master. "What kind of virus?" Jinn asked.
She stared at them. "I don't know. I've been doing everything I can. Using antibiotics even Jedi medicine, but it's not working."
The Padawan smiled to his Master. Denai was practicing Jedi medical techniques. He frowned again once he saw the seriousness in his Master's face. "Denai, we wish we could help, but we have continue looking for Aiden." Jinn replied.
She gazed back at the hut. "Can you at least take a look at what I've been doing?" she asked.
**
Ceila watched as Niko and Owen worked the fields. They were strong. It had been hours since Niko last held her in his arms and was beginning to feel withdrawal. She smiled at him. He stopped working a moment and stared at Ceila. Somehow, they managed to develop eye contact telepathy and were able to feel what the other was feeling. Owen nudged the boy and went back to work, but not before winking at Ceila. She smiled. She was content living in this mysterious place and knew; felt in her heart, she could never leave Niko.
**
Qui-Gon and Kenobi stared at the dying man. Denai gestured that they follow her to the back. There was a small infirmary, housing many other sick men and women. Tamus stood beside them. "It's serious. Really serious. Everyday, the virus spreads and grows more dangerous each time it strikes." Denai said.
He turned to the girl. "How come you and Tamus haven't been infected?"
"I made a solution that protects us from the air born germs. Tamus and myself are supposed to inject it into our system every five to ten hours." Denai looked into the Master's eyes. "Look for Aiden. She needs to be found. You can send more doctors from the Republic down here, but I don't think that will do any good. They'll only be infected by the virus."
After Niko finished in the fields, he joined Ceila. He couldn't wait to hold her again and feel her gingerly kisses. In all truth, it was the first time he felt alive since his wife died and it felt good. Niko loved her. He never told her, but sensed she knew every time he was with her. The man snuck up behind Ceila, when she was making lemonade to reward the men. "Hello, my love." He whispered. Ceila smiled and turned around to greet the man.
Tamus walked out with the two Jedi. The both of them were surprised how mature Denai had become in the last year. She was practicing Jedi medicine, using what she learned to help people in need. Helping people was the main goal of a Jedi. Qui-Gon turned to Tamus. The man was about Qui-Gon's age. "Denai has certainly matured." He commented.
Tamus nodded in agreement. "Master Qui-Gon, if you do locate Aiden, she must return to Ceruse. She is greatly needed here more than ever."
Qui-Gon nodded yes. "I see what you mean old man. The sickness here is growing and needs the heart of a Jedi to protect Kalika's people from danger. May the Force be with you."
"And may it also be with you." He said, as they left.
**
Rana was greatly disturbed when Niko and Ceila were late to dinner. She knew they were together. The woman knew how much he cared for her. She put away Niko's bowl, as Owen continued his dinner. He looked at his wife. She was gazing out the window to the fields and garden. Finally, she spotted two people coming from the direction of the river, heading towards the house. It was Niko and Ceila. They were walking hand in hand. She nodded her head. Owen stopped eating and went to comfort his wife.
She was sitting in the bedroom, staring down at the picture of Leisa. Owen walked in behind her. "You can't keep blaming him for her death. It wasn't his fault." He said, referring to Niko.
Rana turned to him. "I've always loved Niko like a son, but now I think it's time to let him go. The house is getting small." She grasped his hand tightly. "Ceila can stay here, but when she regains her memory and she still wishes to stay with Niko, they must leave." There was a hint of anger in her voice.
Owen didn't say anything, except go back and finish his dinner.
Niko held Ceila tight as he kissed her. He cared about her very much. The man decided that he didn't love the woman, because she reminded him of Leisa, but because she was a different person. A mysterious person. He had known his wife for years before they were married. Niko basically grew up with her, but Ceila was different. That's why he loved her. He kissed her again and whispered in her ear, "I love you."
Ceila smiled and replied, "I love you." Niko thought it was the brightest smile he had ever seen.
They walked back to the house. Once they entered, they noticed two plates were already set for their dinner. Owen had put back the plates his wife took away. He seated Ceila and sat down across from her as they ate.
"Owen was wondering since your healed, if you could work the garden? We need an extra pair of hands for the harvest." He said.
"I'd love to." She paused. "Niko, I love it here. It's so peaceful and exquisite."
He simply smiled at her and returned the gesture. After dinner, Ceila took the dishes and began the wash. In the morning, she was to join Rana in the fields and help with the garden. She knew the woman didn't like her a lot and thought it be nice if she did the dishes, as sign of gratitude. Niko came up behind and kissed her neck.
"Can I steal you away for a moment?" he asked.
She laughed. "I'm doing the dishes. I don't think it would be polite to suddenly run off and not finish the wash." Ceila was such a gratuitous person. She never missed a moment to help when it arose to the occasion.
"I won't take you anywhere. I just want to show you something." He replied softly.
Ceila finally looked back at him and nodded okay. He led her too a small dig site in the back. It was large ditch with some construction work on it. "This was to be mine and my wife's home. But it was never finished. I could finish it, if I married again."
She gazed at him. He was asking her to marry him. Her eyes swelled up with tears and smiled at him. "It's beautiful." Ceila kissed him.
He got down on one knee and held her hand. Niko stroked it gently and looked up into her eyes. "Ceila, will you marry me? I could finish the construction on our new home and it would completed within a few days."
She knelt down and kissed him passionately. "Yes. I would like that."
**
Obi-Wan Kenobi and Qui-Gon Jinn continued their search with no luck. They were no closer to actually locating Aiden. Her essence was drifting away each day that pasted. Kenobi felt it and knew for sure, they weren't going to find her. She was lost. He was sitting in the cockpit of the ship, taking the pilot's place. The regular pilot was sleeping. Qui-Gon, his Master, sat beside him. They searched the last two planets in the system and still there was nothing. Qui-Gon could feel his apprentice's depression of failure. "Obi-Wan, I've talked to the co-pilot and he suggested that we search the next system. Maybe we'll have more luck there." He said.
Kenobi didn't say anything. Jinn leaned back in the chair. "Remember when I was lost, you searched everywhere for me, without a break. You knew I was not dead and refused to give up. I'd think maybe you'd have the same attitude towards Aiden."
He suddenly perked up and checked the flight pattern. "What's the next system?"
"Helska." Jinn replied, as Kenobi laid in a course towards the next system.
~~
The following week, Ceila did nothing but plan for the wedding. Owen hired some workers from the city-village to work the gardens and field. Rana volunteered to assist Ceila with the preparations. As the weeks rolled by, Niko and some other workers, began construction on the house. He installed a small garden in the back for her to tend to, because she enjoyed working the big garden. By the third week, close to the wedding, the house was finished.
Days after the house was finished, the wedding took place. It was set on the fields facing the east. People from the village were invited to attend and Owen served as the man to give Ceila away. The officiator, an old retired Priest was hired to lead the ceremony. He gave a long speech about marriage and the union of two loved people and finally, he came to the vows.
Niko took Ceila's hands in his as the officiator directed the vows. Niko had written different vows for the ceremony and Ceila had prepared her own. When both were finished, he named them man and wife.
**
About two months had passed, when Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan arrived on the last planet in the Helska system to continue their search. After their investigation, they would have to leave. Go back to Ceruse pronounce Aiden dead and return to Coruscant. It wasn't an easy decision but the Council had another mission prepared for them. The two walked down the streets of the city-village, asking around at the many vendors for their friend. Many of them didn't know who Aiden was and snubbed the Jedi.
Finally, they took a break in a small restaurant to eat, when they had their first breakthrough. The owner went over to pick up the tab, when he saw the picture of Ceila. He was shocked and picked up the picture. Qui-Gon and Kenobi stopped eating once they saw he knew her.
"My friend, we're looking for this woman. Do you know where we can find her?" Obi-Wan asked excitedly. The feeling of actually seeing Aiden again was a thrill.
He examined the picture some more and nodded yes. "Yes. I've seen her before. In fact, she got married a couple months ago and lives on a farm outside of town."
Kenobi frowned. Aiden was married. He had never thought that she would be married or had found someone else. Qui-Gon looked at the old man. "You said it was outside of town?" he asked.
"Yes. They hired me as the caterer. Follow the road out of town. It's next to a bigger house, adjacent to the road. You can't miss it."
Qui-Gon paid the man and they immediately left.
Ceila Sun attended the garden, working with her mother-in-law. Rana had accepted that she was her daughter-in-law and had grown to love her, as she had grown to love her own husband. Niko was out fishing, catching dinner at the lake with Owen. Rana stopped working once she saw two men coming over the hill. She knew who they were. They were looking for Ceila. She stood up to greet them as they came near. Ceila picked up the basket of herbs and went inside to clean them. The woman sensed something was going to happen and knew she didn't want to be around when it did.
As Rana faced them, she realized they were Jedi knights. "We're looking for a woman. We were told she lives here." Qui-Gon said.
"She does. She's married now. She has a life here and I don't think, she'd want to leave it." Rana defended Ceila.
Qui-Gon gazed at his apprentice. They needed to use the Force. He waved his hand and repeated what he said. "We need to see her. You will take us to her." It worked. Rana turned and led them into the house.
Ceila was in the kitchen, cleaning and cutting vegetables. Surprisingly, she was totally a different person than they knew her to be, like Master Windu said. She wore a regular work dress and apron. She turned to set the table when she faced the Jedi. Rana stepped forward.
"Ceila, these people were looking for you." She said.
Obi-Wan glanced at his Master. She used her mother's name.
"I'm sorry. I'm rather busy. I'm preparing dinner." Ceila replied, snubbing them. She knew who they were though didn't want to admit it to herself. Over the last couple of months, she had remembered her life, but didn't bother to tell her husband or in-laws.
Niko walked in, carrying a large trout from the lake, followed by Owen. They saw the Jedi and knew why they were there. Ceila was a Jedi. Niko dropped the trout on the table and faced his wife. Obi-Wan glanced to the man. Finally, Aiden forced herself to look at the Jedi Knights and Niko.
"Hello Master Qui-Gon and Apprentice Kenobi." She said. Niko's mouth dropped. Her past came back to claim her and he could lose, yet, another wife. Ceila turned to Niko and saw the pain in his eyes. "Niko, I'm sorry." Aiden cried.
He ran off. Owen and Rana followed him. Aiden stared at the two. She picked up the trout and began to rinse it. "Aiden, we were searching for you." Qui-Gon said. She directed Kenobi to continue cutting the vegetables, as he talked. "How long have been married?"
"Four and a half months. I began to remember my life, after I was married. I didn't tell anyone, because of the feelings I would hurt and I like it here. It's so much like life was like, growing up on Ceruse."
Ceruse. The Virus. Aiden needed to know about the virus that attacking her people. Obi-Wan stopped what he was doing and stood on Aiden's other side. "Aiden, Kalika's been infected by a virus. Denai's doing everything she can, but what's she's doing isn't enough." Obi-Wan said. "You'd be proud of her. She's been studying Jedi medicine and treatments. She's using that knowledge to cure the people."
"It isn't enough." Aiden said.
"I know. That's why you have to leave." Kenobi replied.
She glanced at him and clarified, "The herbs. They aren't enough." Aiden went outside to pick some more herbs.
On her way out, Niko appeared again. "She doesn't want to leave here." He said. "I'm Niko, Ceila's husband."
"Her name is Aiden Sule. Ceila was her mother's name." Qui-Gon corrected.
Niko nodded in agreement. He always knew one day, that people would come, searching and take her away. The man never thought it would be so soon. "Aiden, she's a Jedi?"
He nodded yes. "I'm Master Qui-Gon Jinn, and this is my first apprentice, Obi-Wan Kenobi. I took Aiden as my second, because her grandfather felt she could be better trained." He paused. "Does she truly love it here?"
Niko smiled. "She does. It's peaceful. I've basically lived here my entire life. Rana and Owen are my in-laws from my first marriage. They allow me to stay here and help out during the harvest. To answer your question, she does love it here. C..." he began, then remembered to call her by her real name. "Aiden, she works hard and earns her keep."
"This place reminds Aiden of her old home planet. It was peaceful and quiet. It seems like Aiden, always enjoyed the quiet.' Obi-Wan said. "Niko, she can't stay here. She has to come back with us."
**
Aiden Sule sat quietly in the fields by herself. She needed to be alone. Her memory had returned, along with her past. The Jedi, Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi were her friends. They came to take her back to Coruscant. Aiden had to make a choice. Ceruse was in desperate need of help and if she left, Niko would be depressed. She had only been married to him for four and a half months. Then again, they weren't really married because she didn't use her real name. It wasn't a legal marriage.
Would she return with Jinn and Kenobi to Coruscant or head towards Ceruse? The Jedi woman was being pulled into two directions and didn't know where to go. In her heart, it said to go to Coruscant, but her instincts told her Ceruse. Her instincts were always right on how she should act and knew what her decision was. Ceruse.
**
Master Jinn and Kenobi waited outside for Aiden to return, while Niko was inside preparing her things. He knew she'd vote to leave. The man kept her old clothes in hand, in case one day she'd need them again and long ago, when he returned to the spot where he found her, he picked up a cylinder shaped weapon with a purple-violet light blade. He kept it for her.
Aiden returned with a basket full of herbs and flowers. Jinn and Kenobi stood up to greet her. She put the basket down and stared the two in the eye. "A woman could make a life here and then decide if she can leave it for another life once forgotten." She began.
"You're not coming back with us, are you?" Jinn asked.
"I can't. But I can't stay here either, because it's not where I was born and raised. My parents and grandfather raised me on Ceruse, in Kalika. I belong there. Being here reminded me, how much I missed it. I missed Denai and Tamus. I miss being close to my parents." Aiden said. "I'm sorry, I can't return with you to Coruscant. Besides, Denai and my people need my help to defeat this plague."
Niko gave Kenobi Aiden's lightsaber. He pulled it from his waist belt and handed it to her. "I believe this belongs to you." He said.
Aiden took the lightsaber and ignited its serene purple-violet lighted blade. She stared at it, then disengaged the sabre and held it. "Thank you for understanding what I need to do."
Kenobi frowned. He admired the woman so much and now he was going to lose her. Aiden felt he was troubled by the news.
"Obi-Wan." She began. It was the first time Aiden called him by his first name and felt strange rolling off his lips. "It has been honor to serve beside you for the last couple of months. You two have been become an extended family for me. I shall never be without you." She grabbed the Jedi in a great hug and cried, "I love you both."
Niko Sun stood beside Rana and Owen, as Aiden grabbed the last of her belongings. She only had her regular black jump suit and her lightsaber, but she did receive extra clothes, courtesy of Rana. Aiden faced the woman. She had grown to love Aiden like a daughter. She hugged her and cried, "You brought sunlight back into our lives and in my son-in-law. Thank you."
Aiden backed away, nodded at Owen and faced Niko. He had been crying. The thought of losing the woman he loved was unbearable. She took his hands in hers.
"I have to do this." Aiden began. She hugged him quick and whispered, "I'll never forget you." and added,
"You were my first husband."
He laughed and let her go. She turned to face Qui-Gon and Kenobi. They were going to give her a ride back to Ceruse and then, they would return to Coruscant alone. For Aiden, it would be an even harder good bye to say.
Epilogue:
Aiden stepped into the old familiar village of her birth with Qui-Gon and Kenobi at her back. On the way over, Qui-Gon had filled her in on how dangerous and life threatening the disease had become. There was a small pouch latched on her belt that she knew her sister needed. As they came near, Denai exited the hut, wiping her hands. She gazed up and cried once she saw her sister. Denai threw away the towel and ran to Aiden.
Tamus came to see what was happening when he heard cries coming from outside. He smiled once he saw Aiden and ran to throw his arms around her. She stared lovingly at the two and gazed back at the Jedi. Obi-Wan's face was solemn, but Jinn maintained to show off a smile, though he was hurting inside as well. Aiden looked back at Denai and unlatched a small pouch from her belt and gave it to the young doctor. She held in her hand, not knowing what it contained.
"It's a small antibiotic. It seems the planet I was on, suffered the same disease that's now threatening our people. The village healer gave it to me before I left." Aiden explained.
Denai cried and once again hugged her sister, thanking her. After Denai had received the pouch, she immediately went back to work, giving her patients a fair amount of dosage to everyone that was sick. Tamus went to thank the Jedi for bringing her home.
"Master Qui-Gon, thank you. I know it must be hard to let go of a second apprentice that you both loved." He said.
Qui-Gon stared at his own apprentice and frowned. "No. It wasn't easy. It's never easy to let go of an Apprentice."
Tamus smiled. "Perhaps, one day you two will come here and visit Aiden. See how she's doing." He paused. "May the Force be with you both on your journey back to Coruscant."
Qui-Gon turned to his Padawan. As they both began to leave, Aiden came out one more time to say good-bye and thanks. She hugged them both. Obi-Wan almost shuddered into tears as he embraced Aiden. The woman let them go and looked only at Obi-Wan. "Thank you." She said.
They both turned and left Kalika for what was the last time they'd ever see Aiden Sule again.
The End
Adventures of Aiden Sule
Young Jedi Knights
Book 2
"Past Memoirs"
By Obi's Girl
Synopsis: While on fighting a battle, the Jedi, Qui-Gon Jinn, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Aiden Sule separate to divert the enemy. Aiden Sule is blasted by the enemy and believed dead, but she is alive, with an erased memory. Qui-Gon and Kenobi search for days, looking for Aiden. She is found by a neighboring villager and healed. The man, who rescued her, over time, falls in love with the woman and begins a relationship. Around the time Jinn and Kenobi locate her, she is married to the man and has to decide if she is to leave or stay.
The young Padawan, Obi-Wan Kenobi, searched the forest terrain for a sign that maybe Apprentice Aiden Sule was alive. Obi-Wan stopped and tried to locate her through the Force. Nothing.
"Obi-Wan!" his master called.
Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn stood over a grove examining the area where he found Aiden's purple-violet light saber. Obi-Wan appeared. His face was full of hope that maybe he found something that let him know she was all right. Jinn turned to his young student and gave him Aiden's lightsaber.
"Aiden?" he cried.
"Obi-Wan, I believe it would be wise to return to Coruscant and let the Council know what happened." Qui-Gon voiced.
No, he thought. Obi-Wan remembered what happened. They separated and when Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan reunited, Aiden was nowhere to be found. "Master, we can't leave here. We have to continue looking." Obi-Wan pleaded. He loved Aiden so much and would not allow the conclusion that she was dead.
"I understand how you feel, Obi-Wan. But we need to report back to the Council."
Obi-Wan looked down and nodded okay. He wanted to continue searching for Aiden. The Padawan couldn't bare the thought of losing the woman he loved.
~~
Niko Sun wondered through the woods scouting for firewood. He was a young man of twenty-five, masculine and very handsome. Niko had a roguish smile and appearance for a farm man who lived with his in-laws. His own parents and wife were deceased and came to live with his wife's parents shortly after his she died.
He picked up another piece of wood crossing a stream. As he crossed, Niko noticed a woman's body lying in the stream. He dropped the wood and ran to the woman's side. Niko felt her pulse. It was strong but faint. He scanned the area for a craft and saw nothing. He pushed back the woman's black hair to reveal her beautiful face and found himself staring at her. Finally, he took her in his arms and carried her back to the house.
~~
Obi-Wan sat distressed as the shuttle that carried himself and Qui-Gon Jinn back to Coruscant. He gazed at his Master. Qui-Gon was talking with the pilot quietly. The master felt his apprentice's pain and went to sit with him. Obi-Wan looked like he had lost a puppy that wasn't returning home. "Obi-Wan, we will return." Qui-Gon assured him.
He didn't reply. "I know how much Aiden means to you, young Padawan. You love her. It's strange many Jedi Masters' advise their Padawan's to never give into love because of the hurt in the end and yet we advertise peace and love to others." Qui-Gon analyzed.
He stared at Qui-Gon. "Master, do you believe she is still alive?" he asked.
"I want to believe that. But I can't feel her through the Force."
"I can't either." Kenobi admitted, nodding his head.
Qui-Gon touched his shoulder. "Don't lose your faith young Padawan. We will find her." He rose and walked back to the cockpit.
**
Niko kept a close eye on the woman as his mother and father-in-law discussed how and where they'd put her. He looked back at them for a moment then stared at the woman. She was beautiful, Niko thought. The woman reminded him of his late wife, Leisa. His in-laws, Rana and Owen walked towards Niko and the woman. She began to stir. Her side was bleeding heavily and needed treatment immediately. The woman glanced at the man and the couple standing behind him. She attempted to sit up but ceased when she felt the pain in her side.
"Where am I?" she cried.
"You're in the Outer Rim Territory. I'm Niko Sun," he said, as Niko gestured towards the couple behind him, "These are my in-laws, Rana and Owen Marcus. What's your name?"
The woman inspected her clothes in hopes there would be a clue to her identity. Nothing. Who was she and where did she come from? Everything was confusing. A blank expression covered her face. Niko recognized she was frightened and nodded that they leave her alone.
Aiden smiled at the man thankfully. "You said they are your in-laws. What happened to your wife?" she asked.
He faced down. The grief of losing Leisa had never gone away. "A year and a half ago, there was a deadly virus that spread across the village. My wife often went into the village to shop for goods. She contracted the disease and within a few weeks, she died."
"I'm sorry." She replied.
Niko shook his head and gazed at the woman. "We have to give you a name. My in-laws can't keep calling you miss, unless you aren't married."
She inspected her hands and realized she wasn't wearing a ring. "Well, I'm not married."
"Then what should we call you?"
The woman thought a minute and replied, "Ceila." The name stuck out clear in her mind, as if it was a part of her.
"Why Ceila?"
"I don't know. Do you like it?" Ceila asked.
"It's perfect." Niko replied, smiling at Ceila as she returned the gesture.
**
Obi-Wan Kenobi stood impatiently as Master Qui-Gon Jinn told his report of Aiden Sule's disappearance. Master Adi Gallia was especially troubled when she heard of her goddaughter. "Master Qui-Gon, we will send authorities to the planet to search for Aiden Sule." Windu declared.
"Obi-Wan, could you step forward?" Adi asked. She sensed there was something he needed to say.
"Masters, can Qui-Gon and I be allowed to contact Kyren Tamus and Denai. They need to know what happened." Obi-Wan commented.
Tamus and Denai. They would be even more distraught. Denai admired her sister's achievements and would be crushed to know she had disappeared.
Gallia nodded yes. "And the both of you can accompany the search team." She added. Obi-Wan bowed and exited the chamber as Qui-Gon remained. "Your apprentice cares much for my god-daughter." Gallia said, referring to Aiden.
"He does." Jinn agreed.
"Master Jinn, more you have to say, have you?" Yoda added.
"Yes. Obi-Wan and I have tried to locate Aiden through the Force but her entity is too far away or too lost. It could mean two things: Either she survived the attack and is hurt or she is dead. We don't know which way to interpret it." Jinn admitted.
"She isn't dead. You will find her, but when you do, she may be a different person than she used to be." Windu said.
"Thank you." Jinn replied, departing from the chambers.
**
Days after her arrival, Ceila underwent treatment for her wound and was cautioned not to do any harsh work. Niko checked up on her time to time, as she rested during the day. Amazingly, by the following day, her wound was completely healed. The doctor that checked it out called it a miracle and that she was special. Aiden undressed her wound leaving it to be free of its bandages. Niko stared at the woman. He had never witnessed anything so miraculous before. Who was this woman with amazing healing powers?
"You shouldn't go to work for the next couple of days. We need to make sure that wound is okay." Niko suggested.
Ceila smiled at him warmly. "Yes, doctor." She joked.
"You're a mystery Ceila. A mystery I intend to unravel." Niko said, smiled at the woman and left her alone.
"A mystery?" she said, fixing the bandages.
**
Ceila recovered from her injury fast. One day, as Ceila graciously dressed out of her old clothes, she stumbled upon a picture of Niko's late wife. She was beautiful. Natural light brown hair, soft peach skin and gray eyes. She was about Ceila's height, she estimated. She didn't look a day over twenty-five, but she could have been wrong. Ceila could tell how Niko could love such a remarkable woman. Her eyes suggested that she was very kind and had a gentle heart. Suddenly, she heard someone coming and quickly put the picture away. It was Niko. He came to check up on her. She smiled at him. "How are you?" he asked.
"I'm fine, thank you. I hope you don't mind, as I was dressing, I saw a picture of your late wife. She was very beautiful." Ceila admitted.
"She was. I could always fall into a dream, when I looked into her gray eyes." Niko said and stared into Ceila's eyes. One was gray and the other was a bluish color. He found himself, leaning towards Ceila for a kiss when his mother-in-law called him. They drifted apart. Niko stared at the woman. He thought Ceila was an angel, brought to him so that he may forget about the pain of losing his wife.
"You better go and see what she needs." Ceila said gently.
He turned and walked out the room silently. Niko felt something for the woman, a feeling he hadn't felt in ages since his wife died. It felt good to care about someone again, he thought. After Niko left, Ceila continued looking at the picture she found. She couldn't deny that she wanted Niko to kiss her and was sad, that they were interrupted, but had to get over it. Once she regained her memory, Niko's feelings would be hurt and she'd have to return to her normal life, or would she...
**
The trail, Qui-Gon and Kenobi were tracking was a dead end. A false trail. The lightsaber they found was a fake left behind to deceive them and it worked. Kenobi was more than disappointed. He sat alone examining the decoy. It had many features of a regular lightsaber, except that the usual crystals that were the primary source, was empty and some of the technical components of the sabre were completely off. Obi-Wan placed the saber on the table next to him. He was certain they had found a clue that would lead the search to where Aiden was. There was no luck. The planet they found the saber on, didn't even pick up Aiden's DNA.
Qui-Gon came from the cockpit. He had very stern, but relaxed expression on his face. Kenobi knew that meant something was wrong.
"We're going to try searching two more planets in the sector. After that, we are to go to Ceruse Seven and talk to Tamus and Denai." He said.
Kenobi nodded. They couldn't abandon the search so quickly. "We're going there to tell them Aiden's dead, aren't we?" Kenobi asked.
Qui-Gon gasped and knelt down beside his Padawan. "I'm afraid we have no other choice. Tamus and Denai must know what happened."
"It will be especially hard on Denai. She's looked up to Aiden for so long." Kenobi said.
"If it is the will of the Force, than so shall it be."
"The Force. It's betrayed us. It should have led us to her. Instead, it hasn't. We're blocked from even sensing if she's alive or not." Obi-Wan cried.
An officer entered the room to talk with the Jedi. "We've arrived." He said.
**
As Niko came outside to talk with his mother-in-law, he couldn't stop thinking about the possible kiss he and Ceila almost shared. She reminded him so much of the wife he lost. Rana was fixing some plants in the orchard, when Niko approached her. "What is it, that you need, Rana?" he asked.
She continued working on the plants as she began to speak with him. "Niko, I love you like a son, I do, but Ceila can't stay here."
"Can't stay here? Why?" he cried.
Rana stopped and faced her son-in-law. "Niko, the harvest is coming up soon and we can't afford for there to be any distractions." She was referring to Ceila. The woman was familiar with the way he looked at her. He used to have the same look for her daughter, before she died.
"I assure you, Ceila won't be a distraction. I'll continue my duties around here, like I always do and maybe, after she gets better, Ceila can help with the harvest. I know you need help tending the plants and making sure they grow properly. I can't always be here to lend you a hand. Owen needs me working as well with him." Niko said.
"Niko, you don't understand. Harvest is always the most important time of year for us and every other farmer because it not only supplies food, but it supplies us with enough money for the materials we need around the house. I understand, you want Ceila to recover and help her adjust, but this isn't the time."
"Then what is? Rana, she's lost her memory. We can't shun her away. If we did, we wouldn't seem like loving people." Niko added. "What does Owen think about her?"
She nodded no. "He thinks she can help out around here, like you do."
"That's what Ceila will do. She'll help out. End of discussion." Niko replied, walking off.
As Niko walked off, Owen confronted his wife. "Rana, he's young. Let him be happy." Owen said.
"I miss her. God, help me, I do. I miss our daughter. How can I stand to have another woman around here that reminds me of her?" she cried.
Owen placed a hand on her shoulder. "I miss her too. Life must go on. We must go on. Leisa is gone and we must go on." He left her alone to continue her work.
**
Niko sat silently upon the shores of a small river, which lead to the forest, when Ceila found him. His father-in-law told her she would find him near the river. He liked to go there and sit when he became frustrated. Ceila smiled, once she saw him.
"Hello." She whispered.
He turned to her and smiled. She was wearing a work dress. Ceila sat down beside him and stared at the river's view. "It's heavenly. I see why it brings you such comfort." She replied.
"I often came here with Leisa for picnics. She loved how the water flowed." He paused, stood up and looked closer at the water. "The fish here is great. They often weigh from two and half pounds to five or six."
Ceila gazed at the water. It was still, as if frozen by the wind. Indeed, it was magnificent. She looked back at Niko. "Niko, what happened before..." she began.
He turned. "I know. It should've happened. I was wrong to try and kiss you."
She turned him around. "No. You weren't. Niko, maybe what I feeling, was because how close we've become, but it's real."
"Ceila." He said, barely a whisper as she suddenly kissed him.
Niko took her in his arms and returned the kiss. It was a gentle embrace. "This shouldn't happen. What if you had a husband in your former life?" he said.
"We'll let him be jealous." She replied and kissed him again.
**
Denai was nursing a man's illness. Many of the villagers were suffering a great illness and no matter, how many antibiotics she administered, the illness never went away. It simply retreated only to come back, in a deadlier form. The virus didn't affect Tamus. Only those with weak immune systems were affected. Denai gasped, as she stared down at the old man. He was almost of age.
Tamus entered the hut to see how she was doing. He could tell from Denai's solemn expression that she was doing horribly. Denai worked miracles. The girl studied how the Jedi cured illnesses and fixed their wounded. On her own, she set up a medical hut and was dubbed the village healer. She turned to him once she was done helping the man.
"What is it grandfather?" she said, wiping her hands.
He led the girl outside. In almost a couple on months, she had grown from a short girl to a beautiful woman like her sister and mother. The two Jedi, Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi were waiting by the village well. "Master Jinn, Kenobi, what are doing here?" she asked, finishing wiping her hands.
Qui-Gon looked to his apprentice, then the young woman. Tamus knew what they came to say wasn't good news. He was an old Jedi, but still knew when there was bad news. "Denai. I'm afraid we have bad news. Your sister is missing." Qui-Gon said.
"Missing?" she questioned.
Tamus stepped forward. "Denai, it seems Aiden was on a mission, when she disappeared." he said.
Denai nodded her head no. It was enough that some virus infected Kalika. Now she had to deal with a missing sister. Denai put the napkin down and soaked it with water in the well. She stopped, staring at the water. "Our village is infected with a virus. I thought it was only a sickness, but it's become worse." She said.
Obi-Wan stood up. He glanced to his Master. "What kind of virus?" Jinn asked.
She stared at them. "I don't know. I've been doing everything I can. Using antibiotics even Jedi medicine, but it's not working."
The Padawan smiled to his Master. Denai was practicing Jedi medical techniques. He frowned again once he saw the seriousness in his Master's face. "Denai, we wish we could help, but we have continue looking for Aiden." Jinn replied.
She gazed back at the hut. "Can you at least take a look at what I've been doing?" she asked.
**
Ceila watched as Niko and Owen worked the fields. They were strong. It had been hours since Niko last held her in his arms and was beginning to feel withdrawal. She smiled at him. He stopped working a moment and stared at Ceila. Somehow, they managed to develop eye contact telepathy and were able to feel what the other was feeling. Owen nudged the boy and went back to work, but not before winking at Ceila. She smiled. She was content living in this mysterious place and knew; felt in her heart, she could never leave Niko.
**
Qui-Gon and Kenobi stared at the dying man. Denai gestured that they follow her to the back. There was a small infirmary, housing many other sick men and women. Tamus stood beside them. "It's serious. Really serious. Everyday, the virus spreads and grows more dangerous each time it strikes." Denai said.
He turned to the girl. "How come you and Tamus haven't been infected?"
"I made a solution that protects us from the air born germs. Tamus and myself are supposed to inject it into our system every five to ten hours." Denai looked into the Master's eyes. "Look for Aiden. She needs to be found. You can send more doctors from the Republic down here, but I don't think that will do any good. They'll only be infected by the virus."
After Niko finished in the fields, he joined Ceila. He couldn't wait to hold her again and feel her gingerly kisses. In all truth, it was the first time he felt alive since his wife died and it felt good. Niko loved her. He never told her, but sensed she knew every time he was with her. The man snuck up behind Ceila, when she was making lemonade to reward the men. "Hello, my love." He whispered. Ceila smiled and turned around to greet the man.
Tamus walked out with the two Jedi. The both of them were surprised how mature Denai had become in the last year. She was practicing Jedi medicine, using what she learned to help people in need. Helping people was the main goal of a Jedi. Qui-Gon turned to Tamus. The man was about Qui-Gon's age. "Denai has certainly matured." He commented.
Tamus nodded in agreement. "Master Qui-Gon, if you do locate Aiden, she must return to Ceruse. She is greatly needed here more than ever."
Qui-Gon nodded yes. "I see what you mean old man. The sickness here is growing and needs the heart of a Jedi to protect Kalika's people from danger. May the Force be with you."
"And may it also be with you." He said, as they left.
**
Rana was greatly disturbed when Niko and Ceila were late to dinner. She knew they were together. The woman knew how much he cared for her. She put away Niko's bowl, as Owen continued his dinner. He looked at his wife. She was gazing out the window to the fields and garden. Finally, she spotted two people coming from the direction of the river, heading towards the house. It was Niko and Ceila. They were walking hand in hand. She nodded her head. Owen stopped eating and went to comfort his wife.
She was sitting in the bedroom, staring down at the picture of Leisa. Owen walked in behind her. "You can't keep blaming him for her death. It wasn't his fault." He said, referring to Niko.
Rana turned to him. "I've always loved Niko like a son, but now I think it's time to let him go. The house is getting small." She grasped his hand tightly. "Ceila can stay here, but when she regains her memory and she still wishes to stay with Niko, they must leave." There was a hint of anger in her voice.
Owen didn't say anything, except go back and finish his dinner.
Niko held Ceila tight as he kissed her. He cared about her very much. The man decided that he didn't love the woman, because she reminded him of Leisa, but because she was a different person. A mysterious person. He had known his wife for years before they were married. Niko basically grew up with her, but Ceila was different. That's why he loved her. He kissed her again and whispered in her ear, "I love you."
Ceila smiled and replied, "I love you." Niko thought it was the brightest smile he had ever seen.
They walked back to the house. Once they entered, they noticed two plates were already set for their dinner. Owen had put back the plates his wife took away. He seated Ceila and sat down across from her as they ate.
"Owen was wondering since your healed, if you could work the garden? We need an extra pair of hands for the harvest." He said.
"I'd love to." She paused. "Niko, I love it here. It's so peaceful and exquisite."
He simply smiled at her and returned the gesture. After dinner, Ceila took the dishes and began the wash. In the morning, she was to join Rana in the fields and help with the garden. She knew the woman didn't like her a lot and thought it be nice if she did the dishes, as sign of gratitude. Niko came up behind and kissed her neck.
"Can I steal you away for a moment?" he asked.
She laughed. "I'm doing the dishes. I don't think it would be polite to suddenly run off and not finish the wash." Ceila was such a gratuitous person. She never missed a moment to help when it arose to the occasion.
"I won't take you anywhere. I just want to show you something." He replied softly.
Ceila finally looked back at him and nodded okay. He led her too a small dig site in the back. It was large ditch with some construction work on it. "This was to be mine and my wife's home. But it was never finished. I could finish it, if I married again."
She gazed at him. He was asking her to marry him. Her eyes swelled up with tears and smiled at him. "It's beautiful." Ceila kissed him.
He got down on one knee and held her hand. Niko stroked it gently and looked up into her eyes. "Ceila, will you marry me? I could finish the construction on our new home and it would completed within a few days."
She knelt down and kissed him passionately. "Yes. I would like that."
**
Obi-Wan Kenobi and Qui-Gon Jinn continued their search with no luck. They were no closer to actually locating Aiden. Her essence was drifting away each day that pasted. Kenobi felt it and knew for sure, they weren't going to find her. She was lost. He was sitting in the cockpit of the ship, taking the pilot's place. The regular pilot was sleeping. Qui-Gon, his Master, sat beside him. They searched the last two planets in the system and still there was nothing. Qui-Gon could feel his apprentice's depression of failure. "Obi-Wan, I've talked to the co-pilot and he suggested that we search the next system. Maybe we'll have more luck there." He said.
Kenobi didn't say anything. Jinn leaned back in the chair. "Remember when I was lost, you searched everywhere for me, without a break. You knew I was not dead and refused to give up. I'd think maybe you'd have the same attitude towards Aiden."
He suddenly perked up and checked the flight pattern. "What's the next system?"
"Helska." Jinn replied, as Kenobi laid in a course towards the next system.
~~
The following week, Ceila did nothing but plan for the wedding. Owen hired some workers from the city-village to work the gardens and field. Rana volunteered to assist Ceila with the preparations. As the weeks rolled by, Niko and some other workers, began construction on the house. He installed a small garden in the back for her to tend to, because she enjoyed working the big garden. By the third week, close to the wedding, the house was finished.
Days after the house was finished, the wedding took place. It was set on the fields facing the east. People from the village were invited to attend and Owen served as the man to give Ceila away. The officiator, an old retired Priest was hired to lead the ceremony. He gave a long speech about marriage and the union of two loved people and finally, he came to the vows.
Niko took Ceila's hands in his as the officiator directed the vows. Niko had written different vows for the ceremony and Ceila had prepared her own. When both were finished, he named them man and wife.
**
About two months had passed, when Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan arrived on the last planet in the Helska system to continue their search. After their investigation, they would have to leave. Go back to Ceruse pronounce Aiden dead and return to Coruscant. It wasn't an easy decision but the Council had another mission prepared for them. The two walked down the streets of the city-village, asking around at the many vendors for their friend. Many of them didn't know who Aiden was and snubbed the Jedi.
Finally, they took a break in a small restaurant to eat, when they had their first breakthrough. The owner went over to pick up the tab, when he saw the picture of Ceila. He was shocked and picked up the picture. Qui-Gon and Kenobi stopped eating once they saw he knew her.
"My friend, we're looking for this woman. Do you know where we can find her?" Obi-Wan asked excitedly. The feeling of actually seeing Aiden again was a thrill.
He examined the picture some more and nodded yes. "Yes. I've seen her before. In fact, she got married a couple months ago and lives on a farm outside of town."
Kenobi frowned. Aiden was married. He had never thought that she would be married or had found someone else. Qui-Gon looked at the old man. "You said it was outside of town?" he asked.
"Yes. They hired me as the caterer. Follow the road out of town. It's next to a bigger house, adjacent to the road. You can't miss it."
Qui-Gon paid the man and they immediately left.
Ceila Sun attended the garden, working with her mother-in-law. Rana had accepted that she was her daughter-in-law and had grown to love her, as she had grown to love her own husband. Niko was out fishing, catching dinner at the lake with Owen. Rana stopped working once she saw two men coming over the hill. She knew who they were. They were looking for Ceila. She stood up to greet them as they came near. Ceila picked up the basket of herbs and went inside to clean them. The woman sensed something was going to happen and knew she didn't want to be around when it did.
As Rana faced them, she realized they were Jedi knights. "We're looking for a woman. We were told she lives here." Qui-Gon said.
"She does. She's married now. She has a life here and I don't think, she'd want to leave it." Rana defended Ceila.
Qui-Gon gazed at his apprentice. They needed to use the Force. He waved his hand and repeated what he said. "We need to see her. You will take us to her." It worked. Rana turned and led them into the house.
Ceila was in the kitchen, cleaning and cutting vegetables. Surprisingly, she was totally a different person than they knew her to be, like Master Windu said. She wore a regular work dress and apron. She turned to set the table when she faced the Jedi. Rana stepped forward.
"Ceila, these people were looking for you." She said.
Obi-Wan glanced at his Master. She used her mother's name.
"I'm sorry. I'm rather busy. I'm preparing dinner." Ceila replied, snubbing them. She knew who they were though didn't want to admit it to herself. Over the last couple of months, she had remembered her life, but didn't bother to tell her husband or in-laws.
Niko walked in, carrying a large trout from the lake, followed by Owen. They saw the Jedi and knew why they were there. Ceila was a Jedi. Niko dropped the trout on the table and faced his wife. Obi-Wan glanced to the man. Finally, Aiden forced herself to look at the Jedi Knights and Niko.
"Hello Master Qui-Gon and Apprentice Kenobi." She said. Niko's mouth dropped. Her past came back to claim her and he could lose, yet, another wife. Ceila turned to Niko and saw the pain in his eyes. "Niko, I'm sorry." Aiden cried.
He ran off. Owen and Rana followed him. Aiden stared at the two. She picked up the trout and began to rinse it. "Aiden, we were searching for you." Qui-Gon said. She directed Kenobi to continue cutting the vegetables, as he talked. "How long have been married?"
"Four and a half months. I began to remember my life, after I was married. I didn't tell anyone, because of the feelings I would hurt and I like it here. It's so much like life was like, growing up on Ceruse."
Ceruse. The Virus. Aiden needed to know about the virus that attacking her people. Obi-Wan stopped what he was doing and stood on Aiden's other side. "Aiden, Kalika's been infected by a virus. Denai's doing everything she can, but what's she's doing isn't enough." Obi-Wan said. "You'd be proud of her. She's been studying Jedi medicine and treatments. She's using that knowledge to cure the people."
"It isn't enough." Aiden said.
"I know. That's why you have to leave." Kenobi replied.
She glanced at him and clarified, "The herbs. They aren't enough." Aiden went outside to pick some more herbs.
On her way out, Niko appeared again. "She doesn't want to leave here." He said. "I'm Niko, Ceila's husband."
"Her name is Aiden Sule. Ceila was her mother's name." Qui-Gon corrected.
Niko nodded in agreement. He always knew one day, that people would come, searching and take her away. The man never thought it would be so soon. "Aiden, she's a Jedi?"
He nodded yes. "I'm Master Qui-Gon Jinn, and this is my first apprentice, Obi-Wan Kenobi. I took Aiden as my second, because her grandfather felt she could be better trained." He paused. "Does she truly love it here?"
Niko smiled. "She does. It's peaceful. I've basically lived here my entire life. Rana and Owen are my in-laws from my first marriage. They allow me to stay here and help out during the harvest. To answer your question, she does love it here. C..." he began, then remembered to call her by her real name. "Aiden, she works hard and earns her keep."
"This place reminds Aiden of her old home planet. It was peaceful and quiet. It seems like Aiden, always enjoyed the quiet.' Obi-Wan said. "Niko, she can't stay here. She has to come back with us."
**
Aiden Sule sat quietly in the fields by herself. She needed to be alone. Her memory had returned, along with her past. The Jedi, Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi were her friends. They came to take her back to Coruscant. Aiden had to make a choice. Ceruse was in desperate need of help and if she left, Niko would be depressed. She had only been married to him for four and a half months. Then again, they weren't really married because she didn't use her real name. It wasn't a legal marriage.
Would she return with Jinn and Kenobi to Coruscant or head towards Ceruse? The Jedi woman was being pulled into two directions and didn't know where to go. In her heart, it said to go to Coruscant, but her instincts told her Ceruse. Her instincts were always right on how she should act and knew what her decision was. Ceruse.
**
Master Jinn and Kenobi waited outside for Aiden to return, while Niko was inside preparing her things. He knew she'd vote to leave. The man kept her old clothes in hand, in case one day she'd need them again and long ago, when he returned to the spot where he found her, he picked up a cylinder shaped weapon with a purple-violet light blade. He kept it for her.
Aiden returned with a basket full of herbs and flowers. Jinn and Kenobi stood up to greet her. She put the basket down and stared the two in the eye. "A woman could make a life here and then decide if she can leave it for another life once forgotten." She began.
"You're not coming back with us, are you?" Jinn asked.
"I can't. But I can't stay here either, because it's not where I was born and raised. My parents and grandfather raised me on Ceruse, in Kalika. I belong there. Being here reminded me, how much I missed it. I missed Denai and Tamus. I miss being close to my parents." Aiden said. "I'm sorry, I can't return with you to Coruscant. Besides, Denai and my people need my help to defeat this plague."
Niko gave Kenobi Aiden's lightsaber. He pulled it from his waist belt and handed it to her. "I believe this belongs to you." He said.
Aiden took the lightsaber and ignited its serene purple-violet lighted blade. She stared at it, then disengaged the sabre and held it. "Thank you for understanding what I need to do."
Kenobi frowned. He admired the woman so much and now he was going to lose her. Aiden felt he was troubled by the news.
"Obi-Wan." She began. It was the first time Aiden called him by his first name and felt strange rolling off his lips. "It has been honor to serve beside you for the last couple of months. You two have been become an extended family for me. I shall never be without you." She grabbed the Jedi in a great hug and cried, "I love you both."
Niko Sun stood beside Rana and Owen, as Aiden grabbed the last of her belongings. She only had her regular black jump suit and her lightsaber, but she did receive extra clothes, courtesy of Rana. Aiden faced the woman. She had grown to love Aiden like a daughter. She hugged her and cried, "You brought sunlight back into our lives and in my son-in-law. Thank you."
Aiden backed away, nodded at Owen and faced Niko. He had been crying. The thought of losing the woman he loved was unbearable. She took his hands in hers.
"I have to do this." Aiden began. She hugged him quick and whispered, "I'll never forget you." and added,
"You were my first husband."
He laughed and let her go. She turned to face Qui-Gon and Kenobi. They were going to give her a ride back to Ceruse and then, they would return to Coruscant alone. For Aiden, it would be an even harder good bye to say.
Epilogue:
Aiden stepped into the old familiar village of her birth with Qui-Gon and Kenobi at her back. On the way over, Qui-Gon had filled her in on how dangerous and life threatening the disease had become. There was a small pouch latched on her belt that she knew her sister needed. As they came near, Denai exited the hut, wiping her hands. She gazed up and cried once she saw her sister. Denai threw away the towel and ran to Aiden.
Tamus came to see what was happening when he heard cries coming from outside. He smiled once he saw Aiden and ran to throw his arms around her. She stared lovingly at the two and gazed back at the Jedi. Obi-Wan's face was solemn, but Jinn maintained to show off a smile, though he was hurting inside as well. Aiden looked back at Denai and unlatched a small pouch from her belt and gave it to the young doctor. She held in her hand, not knowing what it contained.
"It's a small antibiotic. It seems the planet I was on, suffered the same disease that's now threatening our people. The village healer gave it to me before I left." Aiden explained.
Denai cried and once again hugged her sister, thanking her. After Denai had received the pouch, she immediately went back to work, giving her patients a fair amount of dosage to everyone that was sick. Tamus went to thank the Jedi for bringing her home.
"Master Qui-Gon, thank you. I know it must be hard to let go of a second apprentice that you both loved." He said.
Qui-Gon stared at his own apprentice and frowned. "No. It wasn't easy. It's never easy to let go of an Apprentice."
Tamus smiled. "Perhaps, one day you two will come here and visit Aiden. See how she's doing." He paused. "May the Force be with you both on your journey back to Coruscant."
Qui-Gon turned to his Padawan. As they both began to leave, Aiden came out one more time to say good-bye and thanks. She hugged them both. Obi-Wan almost shuddered into tears as he embraced Aiden. The woman let them go and looked only at Obi-Wan. "Thank you." She said.
They both turned and left Kalika for what was the last time they'd ever see Aiden Sule again.
The End