~Chapter Twelve~

Oh Sun you set tonight

Along the grassy horizon.

I hear the water falling

In the distance, I am done.

Jyana sat right next to one of the many waterfalls on the edge of Theed.  She let her legs hang down the edge and she stared down at the waters below.  She had considered jumping but if she did that, she would die, which would probably kill both Obi-Wan and Keldin at the same magnitude if her calculations were correct.  Other people would probably be able to survive that fall due to their swimming abilities, but since Jyana couldn't swim, if she jumped she would meet her death along with the deaths of a few others.

Syerré Diablé appeared beside her.  "Your brother is cute," was all she could say.

"I can't recommend him to you."

"Why is that?"

"He's like his father, he's bound to hurt you."

"Like you're hurt by Obi-Wan?"

"That is self-inflicted," Jyana admitted.  She knew she could trust Syerré to know the truth because she probably already knew it already due to her telepathic skills.  Jyana also knew she could trust Syerré to tell her the truth, and that was all she really needed right now.

"A word of advice: get over that.  You two belong together."

Jyana looked up across the horizon.  When she looked behind her, Syerré was gone.

I thought I could run away

From feelings I've felt forever.

But I can't help but crumble.

If I fought more, his heart I'll sever

I give up on this pride.

I cannot fight it anymore.

So what if I've failed my vows.

Myself is who I must care for.

I shall replace those vows

With ones to last for eternity.

Promise my all to him.

I never again shall hurt Obi.

Jaden passed by and looked down at Jyana.  He asked her, "You gonna jump down for a swim?"

"What?  Are you nuts?"

"That's what people tell me."

"I believe them.  No I'm not, Jaden."

"Okay, suit yourself."  He proceeded to dive off the cliff.  He then stopped mid air and turned around to lie on his back, and then proceeded his dive backwards.  Then he stopped again and just chilled there in the air, an angelic talent, proving to Jyana how nuts he was.

Jyana then thought on her little adopted brother, Han, and what he had recently told her before she was possibly departed from him forever.

A wish my father made,

Grant it now I will

I shall give him my whole heart

And this gap I own I'll fill

"You can't marry him Jyana," Keldin said walking by.

"Okay, I'll jump then."

"NO!"

"Why not, you wouldn't care."

"You know I would."

"Keldin, I've got to make my own mind up on this issue.  This is my life you know."

"I know.  I just don't want to see you hurt."

"Obi-Wan isn't the only guy that can hurt me."

"I know, but he's the only one I can protect you from right now."

"In your mind."

"What?"

"Just leave me alone…"

"Please Jyana…"

"Go join Jaden, I need to be alone."

Keldin looked down at a floating Jaden.  Show off… just wait…  He looked back sadly at Jyana.  I don't want to give up, but do I have to?  He shook his head, making sure that he didn't cry in front of her, and dove off of the cliff to the waters below, trying to get this whole issue from his mind.

Anything Keldin had told her did not deter her from making her final decision.

He should know my thoughts.

His love I no longer fear.

I do love him, I always will.

Obi, do you hear?

I've fought his love, my own, this long.

However did I cope?

I hope Keldin won't hurt him…

Obi-Wan Kenobi, you're my only hope.

Alone.  Finally alone.  As she sat on a cliff under the beautiful waterfall that Jyana sat near, only a few meters above her, Syerré curled up into a ball, retreating to the position that she had been in for 9 months about 22 years ago, and cried.  She didn't completely understand even why she was crying, but there she was, crying for someone whom she had never thought that she would ever cry for.  Why him?  He will only hurt me… It was the job for men to hurt the women who could ever possibly love them.  All men are the same.  But is he different?  Could he be different?  Jyana said he was like his father.  His father hurt his mother.  He will only hurt me… And that was true.  It had not been long since Syerré realized this, realized that Jyana knew the truth and told it, even when she did not herself know of what she spoke.  Keldin, was he?  No.  Ever since she as born, Syerré felt a gift, a power she held within herself.  She was strong, stronger than many in her own clan, Diablé, a clan among the angels known for strength.  She was strong enough to do anything and not be overpowered by guilt thinking that what she had done was wrong, even when by most societies standards it was.  But this, what ever this was, this could break down all parts of her soul and she knew it.  Why him?  He was, is, a dork.  All of that love for Jyana and yet he still hurts her; he doesn't know her.

The crying burned her face.  It flowed down her cheeks in flames, hot tears, burning away flesh it seemed, making her dry and in pain.  Why is it that whenever I cry these tears hurt me more than any man could?  As she listened to the water rushing before her, a picture to her of what her eyes were really doing, she wondered about this young man Keldin.  Keldin Hiswe, for that was the name that echoed through her mind.  He didn't even know his last name yet, but she did, although she had never met him until just recently.  Why she knew these things, she didn't know.  It was another one of her gifts, knowing what things would happen before they even did, or even before the partakers of these things even knew they existed.  But there were some things that even she couldn't see, and mostly those had to do with her own future.  Could he understand?  No.  He couldn't.  No one could.  I don't even understand myself.  She was honest.  Brutally honest, even when it hurt her, but if she told him, it would kill him.

Syerré thought back to her life before this.  Before she had come to Naboo for sanctuary away from the unbearable pain.  When she visited her home on Diablé, a moon of Iego, away from the training in Coruscant for the position of Jedi Healer, he had hurt Syerré.  Not Keldin, but Adkda.  Adkda Davoe was Syerré's first love, and when she found out he didn't love her, couldn't love her, ever, it had killed her.  It had killed her in the worst way she could ever think possible.  Was she open to be hurt by yet another man?  No.  Not this time.  Her once bright green eyes and hair had both turned blue when Adkda had left, left her alone and crying, a piece of her gone that she could never get back; would never get back.  A sparkly blue that sparkled when she was happy but sparkled even more when brimmed with tears.  They shown bright as a bright sky after a thunderstorm, and could easily melt anyone's heart when given just one look, any look, under the correct circumstances.  What would happen if she lost her heart again?  Would she die?  But Keldin? Yes Keldin.  Syerré knew he loved her already, despite fears and uncertainty.  Even though he truly felt that he wanted Padmé, he really didn't.  Syerré lost her heart to those looks on his face, that smile, those eyes, that unity she felt with him though she did not know why.  Maybe it was not her business to know why.  The Force knew and she had to leave it all up to that.  She had to give up her own uncertainty.  She didn't want to, but it was too late.  Way too late.  She had already fell for this person that she didn't know too much about, this person who was too concerned about his sister and hating the man that would become his brother-in-law, too concerned in the matters of inanimate objects and too concerned with hating Anakin, the man who would always have Padmé's heart, even though the young padawan was not with his master at this time.  How would he even care about a measly little handmaiden?  He would, someday.  He already does.  As she realized that it was too late and that she would love him forever she closed her eyes and cried.

Obi-Wan Kenobi, you're my only hope.

It echoed through his mind.  Is that truly possible?  After all that pain that had been inflicted in his direction, for her to say that so soon to him.

Obi-Wan Kenobi, you're my only hope.

I only wish that were true…  That was when a tired and sad looking Jyana entered into the garden once again and sat herself far away from where he was.  She sat down on the bench again.  She looks like she's been in a battle.  Oh, right, with me… with herself… I hope that lightsaber didn't cut her again… oh wait, it was with me, still.

Obi-Wan Kenobi, you're my only hope.

Is she really saying that?

There was no answer, but Obi-Wan Kenobi had an all of a sudden burning desire to ask her again to marry him.  He was scared that she was still going to say no, but he told himself this was it.  This was the absolute last time he was going to bother to ask her to marry him.  He also told himself that if she said no, that he would leave Theed and get away from her as far as he could, or go into seclusion like he had when she had left him the first time.  It hurt every time she said no, but it couldn't hurt anymore than it already did.

He got up from his place on the ground and walked over to the seated Jyana.  She didn't look up at him, but he didn't care.  He got down on his right knee for the effect of giving up, and asked, "Jyana, will you please marry me."

"Yes."

That took him off guard.  "What?"
"I said yes you idiot," she said looking at him with a smirk on her face laughing at him.

"You said yes?"  He was still surprised.

All she did was nod her head.  She took a deep breath and lifted his chin to look her in her eyes and said completing a thought that she'd had for the longest time:

"It's hard for me to say this, Obi.

I do love you.

And no matter what anyone says,

 I will marry you."

"You will?"

"I love you."
"I love you, Jyana."  And with that, Obi-Wan stood up, lifted Jyana to her feet and kissed her the way he had dreamed since he realized that she was old enough to marry him.

A slightly annoyed and wet Keldin entered the garden only to find Obi-Wan and Jyana in their passionate embrace.  He stared at them for a brief moment and then angrily stalked back out.  All of a sudden, all you could hear was a loud, rage-filled scream pierce through the air.  Then there was a loud crunch like something ran into something.  But what could be heard and what actually happened are two completely different things. 

Jyana and Obi-Wan backed up a little from each other just in time to see Keldin walking back into the garden.  He still had an angry look on his face, yet it was compounded with a sense of sorrow.  I'll never except this… "Uh, could we get a couple mechanical droids over there to fix that hole in the wall?" he asked.

Obi-Wan just looked at Jyana a little scared of Keldin.  She just smiled a little and shook her head.  "You get your own droid, Keldin.  It's your own mess."

"I don't know where one is, though."

"Well then it's your problem, then, isn't it?  That should teach you not punch holes into walls."

Keldin just glared at her in response and said not a word.  She could at least help a little…

"Can't you see I'm a little bit busy right now?"

"That's what I was afraid of?"

Obi-Wan just cocked his eyebrow and removed his arms from around Jyana and she did likewise.  When they were apart, Obi-Wan just took her hand and wove his fingers through hers.  All Keldin saw was their hands.  Anger soared through him especially because he knew he couldn't do a thing to stop it and have her change her mind about marrying this man.  Keldin just looked away and said nothing.  The only good thing about this whole situation being that Obi-Wan did not rub it in his face.

Jaden walked into the garden and asked, "Did someone get a repair droid for that hole in the wall over there yet?"

"No," Keldin responded.

"Good, because I just sent for one."

"I knew there was a reason for you being around.  Not even my own sister would send for one."
"That's because I knew what caused it," she responded while rolling her eyes at her little brother.

"What's going on here?" Jaden curiously asked.

"Can't you tell?" Keldin responded angrily because he still didn't want to accept the truth of the matter.

Jaden looked from Obi-Wan to Jyana to their entwined hands and then back to Keldin.  "I have an idea, but it would be better if someone told me so I didn't have to guess all the time."

Since Keldin didn't want to say it and Obi-Wan wanted a chance to boast the matter he was the most proud of, he said, "Jyana and I are going to get married."

There was a growl that emerged through the throat of Keldin.  Jaden on the other hand looked between the engaged couple and exclaimed, "No way!"  They just nodded in unison and Keldin just growled some more.  Jaden pondered over the situation for awhile and then fell over laughing hysterically.

"Well Jaden sure says a lot, doesn't he?" Jyana said laughing herself.

Obi-Wan just smiled and kissed her on the forehead in response, thus causing Keldin's growling to both intensify and continue.  He then mentioned to Jyana, "We need to go tell someone."

"Wokki… you can't forget the ewok."

"Oh right."

"Syerré, Rabé, Sabé, and the rest of the handmaidens need to know too."

"Maybe I should leave it up to you to tell people."

She laughed.  "I won't beat you up over it, don't worry."

"That's good."

That's bad.  I'd like to see her beat up Obi-Wan for some reason, Keldin thought.

Jyana looked at the two young men and said, "See y'all later."  She and Obi-Wan left the garden to go back into the palace, hand in hand.

While Keldin snarled and glared after them, Jaden just looked up at the sky, noticing the dark, unfriendly clouds.  Hmmm, this looks inviting, he thought.

It started raining, causing Keldin to grumble and start moving for shelter.  There was then a flash of lightning striking nearby.  As thunder roared through the air, Jaden exclaimed, "All right!"  He took the silver chain from around his neck and threw it into the air.  Lightning struck the chain and arks to the silver bands around his boots.  He draws his lightsaber only for the effect of showing off to Keldin and it flashed on, shining brighter than ever.

Keldin was impressed for once.  "Wow!  Can you teach me that?"

Jaden grinned.  "First things first, you've got to learn to respect rain, at least in times of thunderstorms."

"It's not that I don't respect rain, it's just that I hate it."

"Well I do too so don't worry."  Jaden then handed Keldin the silver chain and said, "Now it's not difficult but you my find it quite shocking."

"Why else would you conceive I would want to learn it then?"

Jaden shrugged and just began his instruction.

A couple weeks later, Jyana found herself anticipating the very minutes that the Jedi Council was supposed to show up.  They were coming to give their congratulations and blessings to the couple and Master Mace Windu was going to go with them to the Sanctuary Moon of Endor to perform their modest ceremony.  Jyana had to go to Endor to get married because she had promised the ewoks that she would.  She also promised that she would have her first child there as well.  She wished that Keldin would go with them but he was being rude about the whole issue.  He was the only family she had left and the least he could do would be to support them.  It hurt that he couldn't.  All Keldin could think of was how much he didn't want her to marry.  What is he scared of?  She wanted him to give her away because her father was dead and couldn't, but that probably wouldn't happen.

Somehow Anakin had returned… and that did not please Keldin at all.

She had put her princess dress on again, mainly because she knew Obi-Wan liked it.  Keldin walked by her and saw his sister in that dress again.  Damn it, he thought again.  He then saw Anakin and Wokki, working on Obi-Wan's ship in the hangar.  Good, they're not touching my ship.  They'd better stay away from it or else.

Jyana looked at her seething brother.  "Keldin, will you please come to Endor with us?"
"I'll think about it."

"But Keldin…"

"Look Jyana, I don't want to see you marrying him."
"But why?"
"I don't like him."
"What are you afraid of?"
Keldin remained silent and stared at his ship.  Finally he said quietly, "I don't want to lose you."
"Why do you think I want you there?"
"I can't give you away willingly."

"It would mean a lot to me."
"It would signify me losing you."

"You will never lose me, Keldin.  I don't want to lose you either, and I believe I would lose you before you would lose me."
Don't cry.  Don't cry, Keldin told himself.  "I just want to keep you safe, you're my sister, and I swore to myself long ago to protect you."
Jyana just looked up at her little brother seeing for once the look in his eyes.  He does care for me.  So I've got two men looking after me?  Wow.  I never knew the depths of Keldin's heart.  I still don't completely but I now at least get a glimpse.  She touched him on his shoulder.  "I'll be all right, Keldin.  I'll be all right."
His eyes flickered with something unintelligible as he stared off towards his ship. Anakin and Wokki had completed what they had been doing on Obi-Wan's ship and were walking out of the hangar towards the brother and sister.  Wokki looked squared at Jyana, "I don't think Obi-Wan's ship could handle going to Endor.  Keldin's ship is better apt."
"What did you do to my ship?" Keldin asked angrily addressed to Wokki while staring intently at Anakin.

"Sheesh Keldin, calm down," Jyana said with her hand up on his shoulder, "They didn't do a thing to your ship."
"All I am saying was that your ship looks more capable of handling Endor's terrain," Anakin stated. 

"My ship is not going to Endor," Keldin stated not changing the tone of his voice.

Jyana sadly looked down at the floor, hurt by the certainty in Keldin's voice.

"Obi-Wan's ship couldn't touch down close enough to the village because of it's size and shape.  Your ship would be able to do that," Wokki replied calmly.

"When did you take Obi-Wan's ship to Endor?" Jyana asked with amazement.

"When you and Obi-Wan had that mission."
"I told y'all not to do anything major while I was gone."
"We didn't!"
"Mmm, hmm, another kid I presume young ewok?  Nothing different," Jyana stated.

"Maybe you'll come back pregnant this time," Wokki stated with glee.

Jyana only blushed while Keldin growled beside her.  "You're pushing it Wokki.  I seriously doubt it.  Mother didn't get pregnant easily until after Jamyn and I were conceived so I may take a while."

"Whatever."
"I wonder if Padmé is like that," Anakin pondered aloud.

"What?" Keldin exclaimed.

"Oh nothing.  I was just wondering aloud to myself again."
"You were wondering the wrong thing."

Oh no, he's in one of those moods again, Wokki thought.  He looked at Jyana, noticed her worry and fear for her little brother in her eyes, and realized she shared the same thought.

"Well, I'm going to marry Amidala," Anakin stated cockily.

"Like Hell you are!" Keldin yelled while reaching in the front of his jacket and placing his hand on one of his two disconnected lightsabers.

"And you can't stop me either."

Keldin grabbed the lightsaber and then his other one as well and put them together.  "I may have to!"

"Keldin stop!" Jyana screamed trying to pull her brother away from a cocky Anakin.  "This is not how you deal with it."
"I just lost you.  Do you think I want to lose her?"
"You never had her!"

Keldin seethed.  "This isn't your fight, J.  Back up before you get hurt."

"Keldin, please."
"I have to fight him!"
"Please!"
Anakin sensed Keldin's anger and withdrew his own lightsaber wanting to be ready in case Keldin attacked him.

"Please Keldin!"
Keldin gently pushed his sister aside.  "You stopped me from fighting the Master, but you can't stop me from fighting the Padawan."

Keldin approached Anakin and said something rather vulgar to him.  Anakin said something back that was similar in magnitude and Keldin cut at him with his double-bladed lightsaber.  Jyana just stood there watching, tears welling up in her eyes.  And I can't do anything.  Wokki walked up beside her.  "There was nothing you could do."
"I know that… and I hate it."
"But you can't change fate."

"I don't like seeing my little brother make wrong decisions.  It kills me every time."
Someone grabbed her arm.  "Anakin!" he screamed.  Anakin looked at him but had to maintain fighting for he didn't want to be killed in a not so pleasant manner.

Jyana muttered to her fiancé, "It's not completely Anakin's fault."

"I see."  Obi-Wan pulled her to him.

"I couldn't do anything to stop it."
"Don't worry sweetie, it'll be all right."

"I don't want Keldin to suffer."
"You have to let him go, Jyana, just like he has to let you go."
"You don't understand, Obi-Wan."
"You're right.  I don't, but that doesn't mean what I said isn't relevant."  He kissed her on her head.

She didn't reply.  She didn't know what to say, so she didn't.  Jyana just relied on Obi-Wan to give her comfort.  It didn't help much when it was her brother she was worried about.  She loved her brother, and worried about his safety, just like he did hers, but unlike Keldin was with her, she was powerless to stop it.  Why must my brother always make bad decisions and I always have to bail him out?  I can't take it anymore.  I do love him, but I can't change him.  That's probably not my job.  Death sounds so sweet but I guess I don't want to kill Obi-Wan or Keldin in that process.  I give up.  She didn't watch the fight.  She couldn't.  She was afraid to.

Keldin glared over at Obi-Wan holding Jyana for a brief moment, and then resumed fighting Anakin with the same ferocity, and intensified the fighting with every blow.

Padmé entered the room with her flock of handmaidens.  She was wearing the same style of dress that Jyana was except hers was a magenta color while Jyana's was purple.  The handmaidens matched her only they wore white jumpsuits under blue instead of a dress.  The handmaidens wore nothing to conceal their identity.  Syerré stood out with her blue hair strands but she was wearing brown eye contacts.

Padmé stared at the two fighting Jedi.  I am disappointed.  What does this portray?  The idea of two fighting Jedi is appalling, even if the issue is trivial.  It has to be about me… Anakin's going to get it.  Anakin paused due to the evil eye from the Queen.  It ain't my fault, he mouthed to her.  Keldin, sensing this was his chance, made a quick cut at Anakin at which the latter demonstrated his speed by blocking.  Okay, so it's all Keldin's fault.  Typical.

Jaden had been sitting there in a corner the whole time watching the fight with a contemplative look.  He tapped his fingers impatiently and looked at his silver wristwatch.  He then got up from his spot and walked up the wall and stood still on the ceiling.  He chilled there for a while.  While the fighting didn't stop, he walked back down and retook his chair and resumed his impatience.

It was amazing at how Anakin handled the fight.  Keldin was better trained and older and seemed to have more power, but Anakin's speed was his ally.  Obi-Wan saw his Padawan block moves that he would've never anticipated.  Jyana had been right, Keldin would've killed Obi-Wan if they had fought, but Keldin was surely no match for the "Chosen One."   There was no way Keldin would ever win this fight.

All of a sudden, a group of cloaked people came from the Theed hangar.  "Keldin!" came a gravely, familiar, yet angry voice.  Jaden fell back in his chair from shock.

Oh no, he's gonna get it.

He's gonna get it good.

The two young men stopped fighting and turned to face the entire Jedi Council.  Anakin stated aloud, "It ain't my fault."

"Well you started it," Keldin muttered.

"Need speak you two do not," Master Yoda addressed both of them, "Appreciate your fighting the girl does not.  Does not the Council either.  Of who's fault it is, I do know."  Yoda nodded at Syerré.  All she did was smirk.  She didn't need to make a gesture with her hand like Jyana had, but her power was noticed immediately.  Keldin collapsed to the floor, writhing in pain.

"I didn't do it that time," Jyana claimed.
"I wondered if you were the only one that did that," Wokki stated.

"That girl likes him.  They only do that if they like him," Obi-Wan muttered to himself.

"Oh really?"
"You liked me didn't you?"
"You want me to do that again?"

He shook his head, winced, and mentally blocked himself.  "I think I'll pass."
"You sure?"

"Pretty sure."

"Okay, suit yourself."

Once Keldin started trying to get up, Yoda hobbled over to him and grabbed him by his ear.  "Talk to you I must.  Anger, you must learn to control."

"Ow, ow, ow," was all Keldin said as he was dragged out into a different room.  It was a hilarious sight, for everyone but Keldin, a little guy dragging a rather large guy out of the room by his ear.

Padmé looked at Anakin.  "What did you do to provoke Keldin's anger?"

"I said I was going to marry you."
"You are?"
"If you want me to."
"Okay."

Anakin grew very excited and exclaimed, "YES!"

NO!  Keldin moaned in a different room.

"Don't worry, Anakin," Syerré stated to him, "I'll handle Keldin.  Soon he'll be completely out of your way."  I hope…

Anakin shrugged.  "I think the Council was going to do that."

"You're right.  Then I'll get my chance."

"Don't hurt him too bad, Syerré, he's only a little boy," Jyana stated with a smirk.

"Whatever.  J, he may be your little brother, but he sure ain't no little boy."

"I still view him as one because our mother would."

"Whatever.  You're the big sister.  I do hope you and Obi-Wan have a great time."

"So do I," Obi-Wan said with a smile.

Master Mace Windu walked up to them and asked, "Have we found your escort to Endor yet?"

"No, I don't think so," Obi-Wan responded.

"Obi-Wan's ship isn't good for Endor," Wokki stated joining the conversation.

"Hmmm.  Yoda told me that it was up to him," Mace pondered aloud.

Jyana looked at him.  Yoda's going to make Keldin go.  Darn, I wanted Keldin to willingly escort me down the aisle.  Oh well, I guess this will have to do.  "I'm guessing Yoda is making sure that I'm going to have someone to escort me down the aisle and give me away, but unwillingly."

"Looks that way.  I'm glad you finally stopped fighting."
"I couldn't take it anymore."

"You've made a wise decision."
"I hope so."
"Now what's that supposed to mean?" Obi-Wan asked trying to act offended.

"You take it however you want."  He just smiled and pulled her to kiss her.  She tried to push away shyly.  "Not in front of everyone Obi."

"Oh, why not?"

Keldin reentered.  "I can give you many reasons."

"Of which you cannot act on, Keldin," Mace warned him raising an eyebrow.

Damn it!

"Agree on this the Council does.  Your punishment you must face young Keldin," Yoda stated walking in behind his previous student.

He just hung his head angrily but said nothing.  Damn it!!!  Damn it!!!

"Keldin," Mace said, "Your punishment is…"

Jaden was chilling in the hangar just looking over the ships when a loud, "NO!" came piercing through the palace.  Jaden just contemplated the situation for a moment then said happily, "We're going to Endor!"