"Are you looking forward to your new home, Anakin?"
The boy smiled at Rabé's question. "Yeah, it's going to be nice to live someplace that's green. The little green spaces on Coruscant are barely large to breathe in. It looked like the Council wasn't going to approve the transfer, but it all worked out at the last minute."
Siri looked at Anakin, a gentle smile on her face. "Master Gallia was always on your side. Being Corellian herself, she considers it quite a feather in her cap to have her homeword train the Chosen One. It's going to lend a lot of credibility to their methods."
Anakin nodded. "I know. I just wonder what made some of the members change their votes at the last minute. I hear Ki-Adi-Mundi was opposed to the move, but he approved it at the final vote."
A glance passed between Siri and Bant. The Mon Calimari spoke. "It's only a rumor, but it's thought that someone very influential worked behind the scenes on your behalf. That person is taking a huge gamble on you, Anakin. It's important that you live up to expectations, even exceed them when you can."
Anakin's eyes opened wide, as the impact of Bant's statement sunk in. "oh!"
Silence took over for a few moments before Yané decided to be the one to break it. "So, Padawan, I hear you're making the journey on a very nice ship. It should be a pleasant trip."
"Oh yes, Sabé's parents decided we should go in style, so they got us passage on a luxury transport. This is a once in a lifetime treat for me! There'll be fine food, games, shows." Anakin turned to Siri and Bant. "I know it's not a Jedi's way of life, so I won't get used to it. Besides, I foresee that there will be a lot of babysitting duty for me on the trip. If the vibes I got at the ceremony are any indication, this is going to be the Love Express to Corellia." Ani grinned knowingly. "I woudn't be surprised if Meira ended up with a sibling before long."
Anakin was surprised to feel the wave of sadness as it passed among the handmaidens and Amidala. they lowered their heads.
After a moment, Amidala looked up at Anakin. "You haven't heard, then."
Swallowing hard, Ani controlled his dread. "Heard what?"
The Queen bit her lip slightly before she answered. "Because of her injuries in the speeder attack, Sabé can't have any more children. Meira will be the only one."
"What?" Anakin was shocked, and on the verge of tears. "That can't be! I held her back from death, we got her to the hospital and into bacta as soon as possible. My Master used healing techniques on her..."
"Padawan, you did all that was possible," Siri said, reaching out to touch the boy's shoulder. "If you weren't able to prevent that condition, it was the will of the Force. Make your peace with it, as I'm sure Sabé has. You are all blessed with the one remarkable child. So many don't even get as much as that."
"Yes, Knight Siri,"Anakin replied, staring into space.
The silence hung in the air again and no one wanted to break it this time. As Anakin closed his eyes, he felt something passing between two souls there. They weren't Force sensitive, so it seemed like a quiet whisper to the boy, as opposed to the joyful singing of the bond between Obi-Wan and Sabé.
Looking up and casting his gaze around the transport, he picked them out. Saché, who he was sitting next to, and Ellouis who was a bit farther down, next to his cousin. They were exchanging looks and smiles.
Not again, Anakin thought to himself. Wondering why they just couldn't be open, he cleared his throat. "Sir! Lieutenant, sir. I was hoping I could trade places with you. I'd like to..." He looked around and spotted the air vent blowing on him. "...get out from under the vent. It makes me cold."
Ellouis's eyes met Anakin's and he nodded in understanding. "Sure, my friend. Be glad to help you out."
As Saché and her sweetheart snuggled next to each other, Anakin was glad he was able to make one thing right.
The large covered transport pulled up to an elegant house at the edge of the woods. The handmaidens and the Queen were the first to jump out and rush into the off white stone structure. Anakin wasn't far behind them as they hurried to prepare for the party. The others waited outside for the couple and their daughter to arrive.
Panaka manuvered the speeder into place behind the transport. Sabé laughed as she recognized where they were.
"I knew they had something planned, but I didn't imagine this!" She turned to Obi-Wan and explained. "Normally this is a secret retreat for the royal family. I see that today it serves as our reception area for the post ceremony festivities. You'll love it here! Come on!" She as she hopped out, she was a bit bouncy with excitement.
Meira had calmed down during the ride, and had all but forgotten her distress. She was now caught up in her mother's happiness, and together they joined the party.
It was a small quiet gathering, but one full of joy. When Sabé was occupied with the handmaidens, Bant and Siri exchanged knowing looks and took the opportunity to get Obi-Wan backed up into a corner. The Mon Calamari glanced around to make sure they were alone before she spoke.
"Obi-Wan, the little girl-she's yours, isn't she?"
Obi-Wan looked up in shock. His surprise was not that they had discerned that fact, but that they would make an issue of it. He considered the situation for a moment before he responded.
"I don't even want to try to lie to you. She is. Are you going to the Council with that information?"
Siri shook her head. "No, Obi-Wan. I trust you had a reason for hiding her, and I won't be the one to reveal the secret. Whether she is your daughter or not, the reasons you presented to the Council for your transfer are still valid. It just makes even more sense now. Trust us, we're your strongest supporters." She smiled, then added, "Outside of your wife, of course."
"But you must take great care if you wish it to remain a secret," Bant said. "It's simple for one of us to feel it. The Force moves around her. She even has some elementary control of it. I don't know how you were able to teach her so much. You've not spent a great deal of time with her, not enough to show her those kind of techniques."
Obi-Wan smiled sadly. "I'm not her only teacher, and certainly not her first. She was under Qui-Gon's protection at the start. I don't know how he was able to reach out to her, but she saw him. I know she did."
"I wish I could tell Master Adi," Siri said, breaking out into a wide smile. "She thought she was getting a feather in Corellia's cap in Anakin. Imagine her delight if she knew that your daughter was part of the deal as well!"
"Oh, she couldn't have petitioned for me any harder than she already did. I do think that if the information about Meira came to light, she would have been outvoted. We barely made it as it was. If a couple of the members hadn't changed their votes at the last minute, we wouldn't be here now."
Bant looked back and forth to Siri and Obi-Wan, concern in her eyes. "That's another interesting thing about this case, Obi-Wan. Ki Adi Mundi was strongly against the transfer. He felt that Anakin should remain on Coruscant where the Council could keep close watch on him. Then he changed his mind the day of the final vote. Why?"
Siri tilted her head and lowered her voice to a whisper. "Someone was working behind the scenes for you, Obi-Wan. A very mysterious and powerful Jedi who is known as The Dark Woman used her influence to sway the vote. Even Mundi listens to her, and you know how stubborn he can be."
"The Dark Woman? Not...well, not her!" Obi-Wan exclaimed, then glanced around. "You know she was close to Qui-Gon at one time."
Bant nodded. "I remember. I've heard how they almost became bondmates, but she felt her destiny was elsewhere."
Siri put her hand on her chin and thought things over. "Then she became a Master and very strong in the Force, but she too lost an apprentice. She renounced her name and went into space to meditate. She seldom returns to the Temple. When she does, it's only for an important issue. Be careful, Obi-Wan. There's more here than meets the eye, and I don't know if I like it, especially with a small child involved."
Obi-Wan recalled Qui-Gon's strong feelings for the Jedi Master who was once called Favianne. "Bant, do you remember that my master was planning to take a leave and look for her right after we finished the mission on Naboo? He'd had a vision of her, and he thought it meant he should try to bring her back to the Temple."
The Mon Calamari gasped. "Yes!" Sadness was in her silver grey eyes. "And he never got to do that. Oh, Obi-Wan, this is almost too neat. Siri's right; be mindful."
"I will."
"Hey, Master! What are you doing so far away from your bride?" Anakin called out.
"Good question, Padawan." Obi-Wan emerged from the corner and scanned the room. Sabé awaited him by the table in the far corner.
"We have to leave soon," Sabé said. "First, I'd like to toast everyone here. Thank you all for making this a special day for me and the new members of my family."
Obi-Wan crossed the room, took a glass and raised it. "I'd like to second that, and add a special thanks to my fellow Jedi for their help here."
"Here, here," everyone said, sipping the last toast of the day.
The boy smiled at Rabé's question. "Yeah, it's going to be nice to live someplace that's green. The little green spaces on Coruscant are barely large to breathe in. It looked like the Council wasn't going to approve the transfer, but it all worked out at the last minute."
Siri looked at Anakin, a gentle smile on her face. "Master Gallia was always on your side. Being Corellian herself, she considers it quite a feather in her cap to have her homeword train the Chosen One. It's going to lend a lot of credibility to their methods."
Anakin nodded. "I know. I just wonder what made some of the members change their votes at the last minute. I hear Ki-Adi-Mundi was opposed to the move, but he approved it at the final vote."
A glance passed between Siri and Bant. The Mon Calimari spoke. "It's only a rumor, but it's thought that someone very influential worked behind the scenes on your behalf. That person is taking a huge gamble on you, Anakin. It's important that you live up to expectations, even exceed them when you can."
Anakin's eyes opened wide, as the impact of Bant's statement sunk in. "oh!"
Silence took over for a few moments before Yané decided to be the one to break it. "So, Padawan, I hear you're making the journey on a very nice ship. It should be a pleasant trip."
"Oh yes, Sabé's parents decided we should go in style, so they got us passage on a luxury transport. This is a once in a lifetime treat for me! There'll be fine food, games, shows." Anakin turned to Siri and Bant. "I know it's not a Jedi's way of life, so I won't get used to it. Besides, I foresee that there will be a lot of babysitting duty for me on the trip. If the vibes I got at the ceremony are any indication, this is going to be the Love Express to Corellia." Ani grinned knowingly. "I woudn't be surprised if Meira ended up with a sibling before long."
Anakin was surprised to feel the wave of sadness as it passed among the handmaidens and Amidala. they lowered their heads.
After a moment, Amidala looked up at Anakin. "You haven't heard, then."
Swallowing hard, Ani controlled his dread. "Heard what?"
The Queen bit her lip slightly before she answered. "Because of her injuries in the speeder attack, Sabé can't have any more children. Meira will be the only one."
"What?" Anakin was shocked, and on the verge of tears. "That can't be! I held her back from death, we got her to the hospital and into bacta as soon as possible. My Master used healing techniques on her..."
"Padawan, you did all that was possible," Siri said, reaching out to touch the boy's shoulder. "If you weren't able to prevent that condition, it was the will of the Force. Make your peace with it, as I'm sure Sabé has. You are all blessed with the one remarkable child. So many don't even get as much as that."
"Yes, Knight Siri,"Anakin replied, staring into space.
The silence hung in the air again and no one wanted to break it this time. As Anakin closed his eyes, he felt something passing between two souls there. They weren't Force sensitive, so it seemed like a quiet whisper to the boy, as opposed to the joyful singing of the bond between Obi-Wan and Sabé.
Looking up and casting his gaze around the transport, he picked them out. Saché, who he was sitting next to, and Ellouis who was a bit farther down, next to his cousin. They were exchanging looks and smiles.
Not again, Anakin thought to himself. Wondering why they just couldn't be open, he cleared his throat. "Sir! Lieutenant, sir. I was hoping I could trade places with you. I'd like to..." He looked around and spotted the air vent blowing on him. "...get out from under the vent. It makes me cold."
Ellouis's eyes met Anakin's and he nodded in understanding. "Sure, my friend. Be glad to help you out."
As Saché and her sweetheart snuggled next to each other, Anakin was glad he was able to make one thing right.
The large covered transport pulled up to an elegant house at the edge of the woods. The handmaidens and the Queen were the first to jump out and rush into the off white stone structure. Anakin wasn't far behind them as they hurried to prepare for the party. The others waited outside for the couple and their daughter to arrive.
Panaka manuvered the speeder into place behind the transport. Sabé laughed as she recognized where they were.
"I knew they had something planned, but I didn't imagine this!" She turned to Obi-Wan and explained. "Normally this is a secret retreat for the royal family. I see that today it serves as our reception area for the post ceremony festivities. You'll love it here! Come on!" She as she hopped out, she was a bit bouncy with excitement.
Meira had calmed down during the ride, and had all but forgotten her distress. She was now caught up in her mother's happiness, and together they joined the party.
It was a small quiet gathering, but one full of joy. When Sabé was occupied with the handmaidens, Bant and Siri exchanged knowing looks and took the opportunity to get Obi-Wan backed up into a corner. The Mon Calamari glanced around to make sure they were alone before she spoke.
"Obi-Wan, the little girl-she's yours, isn't she?"
Obi-Wan looked up in shock. His surprise was not that they had discerned that fact, but that they would make an issue of it. He considered the situation for a moment before he responded.
"I don't even want to try to lie to you. She is. Are you going to the Council with that information?"
Siri shook her head. "No, Obi-Wan. I trust you had a reason for hiding her, and I won't be the one to reveal the secret. Whether she is your daughter or not, the reasons you presented to the Council for your transfer are still valid. It just makes even more sense now. Trust us, we're your strongest supporters." She smiled, then added, "Outside of your wife, of course."
"But you must take great care if you wish it to remain a secret," Bant said. "It's simple for one of us to feel it. The Force moves around her. She even has some elementary control of it. I don't know how you were able to teach her so much. You've not spent a great deal of time with her, not enough to show her those kind of techniques."
Obi-Wan smiled sadly. "I'm not her only teacher, and certainly not her first. She was under Qui-Gon's protection at the start. I don't know how he was able to reach out to her, but she saw him. I know she did."
"I wish I could tell Master Adi," Siri said, breaking out into a wide smile. "She thought she was getting a feather in Corellia's cap in Anakin. Imagine her delight if she knew that your daughter was part of the deal as well!"
"Oh, she couldn't have petitioned for me any harder than she already did. I do think that if the information about Meira came to light, she would have been outvoted. We barely made it as it was. If a couple of the members hadn't changed their votes at the last minute, we wouldn't be here now."
Bant looked back and forth to Siri and Obi-Wan, concern in her eyes. "That's another interesting thing about this case, Obi-Wan. Ki Adi Mundi was strongly against the transfer. He felt that Anakin should remain on Coruscant where the Council could keep close watch on him. Then he changed his mind the day of the final vote. Why?"
Siri tilted her head and lowered her voice to a whisper. "Someone was working behind the scenes for you, Obi-Wan. A very mysterious and powerful Jedi who is known as The Dark Woman used her influence to sway the vote. Even Mundi listens to her, and you know how stubborn he can be."
"The Dark Woman? Not...well, not her!" Obi-Wan exclaimed, then glanced around. "You know she was close to Qui-Gon at one time."
Bant nodded. "I remember. I've heard how they almost became bondmates, but she felt her destiny was elsewhere."
Siri put her hand on her chin and thought things over. "Then she became a Master and very strong in the Force, but she too lost an apprentice. She renounced her name and went into space to meditate. She seldom returns to the Temple. When she does, it's only for an important issue. Be careful, Obi-Wan. There's more here than meets the eye, and I don't know if I like it, especially with a small child involved."
Obi-Wan recalled Qui-Gon's strong feelings for the Jedi Master who was once called Favianne. "Bant, do you remember that my master was planning to take a leave and look for her right after we finished the mission on Naboo? He'd had a vision of her, and he thought it meant he should try to bring her back to the Temple."
The Mon Calamari gasped. "Yes!" Sadness was in her silver grey eyes. "And he never got to do that. Oh, Obi-Wan, this is almost too neat. Siri's right; be mindful."
"I will."
"Hey, Master! What are you doing so far away from your bride?" Anakin called out.
"Good question, Padawan." Obi-Wan emerged from the corner and scanned the room. Sabé awaited him by the table in the far corner.
"We have to leave soon," Sabé said. "First, I'd like to toast everyone here. Thank you all for making this a special day for me and the new members of my family."
Obi-Wan crossed the room, took a glass and raised it. "I'd like to second that, and add a special thanks to my fellow Jedi for their help here."
"Here, here," everyone said, sipping the last toast of the day.