Across The Stars

Chapter 3

.::Aurora's Point Of View::.

"So how are things coming along?" I asked Anakin a few days later. We were walking around the palace, enjoying the sun.

"They're coming. We should be finished by the end of the week, like I promised you. Have you heard from Chancellor Palpatine?"

"Yes and he is eager to help. Master Yoda believes that it's the work of a sith. What do you think?"

"I think that Master Yoda is wise. If he believes that it's the work of a sith, then it's the work of a sith." I nodded my head in response.

I felt Anakin's hand brush against mine and then take my hand in his. I gave him a questioning glance. He smiled and gave my hand a squeeze of reassurance in response. I felt the heat rising in my cheeks. His presence had been very soothing and comforting over the past few days.

"It's very peaceful here. It reminds me a lot of my planet. This is the first time that I've ever been away form Asmosia."

"Corascaunt is much different from Naboo. Its one huge city, tall sky scrappers, hardly any trees at all, loud noises. It'll be quite a change of atmosphere if you've never seen anything other than something like this."

"Well, Corascaunt sounds absolutely depressing, but it'll be worth it to end all the suffering that's been happening on Asmosia. Will you be coming to Corascaunt with us?"

"Yes, actually. Master Yoda sent orders for Obi-Wan and I to report back to Corascaunt. From what Obi-wan was saying, Master Yoda wants us to determine whether or not there actually is a sith on Asmosia."

"So you'll be coming to Asmosia with us then as well?"

"Yes." I smiled and turned my gaze to my feet, which suddenly seemed like the most interesting thing in the world.

.::Max's Point Of View::.

"Max, may I ask you something?" Queen Amidala asked as I walked into the room she happened to be in.

"Anything milady."

"Is there something going on between Queen Aurora and Anakin that I should be made aware of?"

"No milady, certainly nothing that I'm aware of. As far as I'm concerned Anakin and milady are nothing more than friends. Besides your highness, Queen Aurora has already been betrothed to a King on the planet of Asmasia. If milady isn't married by her 21st birthday then she will be forced to marry King Alaber Habersum."

"Wouldn't that give her more cause to fall in love with someone else, say someone like Anakin and marry him before her 21st birthday?"

"No milady. You see, it would be in the best interest of Asmosia for milady to marry King Alaber, not to mention that she is quite fond of him."

"So there really isn't anything going on between Anakin and Queen Aurora?"

"No, not to my knowledge your highness."

"Thank you Max." I nodded and left the room.

As I walked back towards my corridors, I nearly bumped into Anakin.

"Ah, just the man I wanted to see."

"Oh, hi Max. What can I do for you?"

" I thought that you were going to talk to Aurora about your relationship with Queen Amidala?"

"Well, you see, I was, but then she, and I, and well, I mean, uhm, yeah."

"So basically what you're trying to say is that you didn't tell Queen Aurora that you were involved with Queen Amidala and now you're involved with both of them. Tell me, what exactly were you thinking when you got involved with two Queens?"

"Well now technically I'm not involved with Queen Aurora."

"No, but carry on the way you have been and you sure will be."

"Well what are you suggesting that I do? I really like Aurora."

"Then break off whatever involvement it is that you have with Amidala."

"No, I'm in love with Padmé. I'm not giving up my relationship with her."

"Then you have to tell Aurora that you're involved with Queen Amidala. It's only fair to her. I probably should have said something to you when I first noticed that you were interested in Aurora, but what's done is done. Aurora doesn't come for free."

"What are you talking about Max?"

"Aurora is betrothed to King Alaber Habersum of Asmasia. Asmasia is a larger planet that neighbors Asmosia. If Aurora has not married by her 21st birthday then she will be forced to marry King Alaber."

"So, what does that have to do with me?"

"King Alaber and Aurora had been rather fond of eachother before she came to Naboo. It would be in the interest of Asmosia for her to marry King Alaber."

"What are you saying Max?"

"I'm saying that Aurora seems to be falling for you. If she does fall in love with you then I doubt very much if she'll still willingly marry Habersum. I guess I'm trying to say don't toy with Aurora's feelings. If you don't see any future with her; if she's only a good romp to you, then leave her alone. She doesn't need that. Not to mention King Alaber's reaction to his potential fiancé being toyed with in that way. Jedi or not, I wouldn't put it past him to have you executed. You have to talk to Aurora about your relationship with Queen Amidala, Aurora must know the truth."

"I promise to talk to Aurora by the time we reach Asmosia."

"I'm holding you to that. You have to tell her Anakin. If you don't then I will."

Anakin nodded and then continued on in the direction he had been heading. I sighed and rolled my eyes. That boy was going to cause quite a bit of trouble.

I continued on towards my chambers when I came across a rather flustered Obi-Wan Kenobi.

"Ah, Max!" He said exclaimed as he spotted me.

"Yes master Kenobi?"

"Have you seen my padawan?"

"Yes actually, I just finished talking with him."

"Do you know where he is now?"

"I'm afraid that I don't. When I finished speaking with him he continued down that corridor." I said, pointing to the corridor from which I had just come.

"Thank you Max."

"Your welcome." He nodded and set off in pursuit of his padawan. I shook my head slightly and then started again in the direction of my chambers.

I would be glad when this whole ordeal was over.