TITLE: First Knight - Part Eight
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Just as Obi-Wan sensed the valkon's attack it was upon him. Onara was right. It was fast, almost preternaturally fast. It slammed into him, knocking him hard onto the ground, the breath exploding out of his lungs. His lightsaber flew from his hand, but he didn't have time to worry about his weapon. The valkon was on top of him, the stench of its rancid fur suffocating him. Its long snout was full of sharp, yellow teeth and its breath, as it slavered and slobbered above him, stank of decaying flesh. As Obi-Wan struggled to keep it from sinking its teeth into his throat, he managed enough breath to call out to Onara.
"Onara! Run!" he shouted.
He could only hope that while the valkon was busy with him, she would escape and make it back to the manor. The muscles in Obi-Wan's arms bulged as he pressed them against the valkon's throat, but it was protected by the creature's thick, dense fur. If he was having any effect on it, he couldn't see for it continued to snarl above him, its red eyes bulging, its thick saliva splattering across his face. Obi-Wan grunted as the creature, inch by inch, slowly lowered its snout toward his face. Then he heard Onara.
"Get off him!" she screamed.
Obi-Wan heard a loud thump and the valkon shrieked above him. The creature jerked and the pressure on Obi-Wan's arms eased a bit. He pushed hard against it and flung it from him. Then he rolled in the opposite direction and leapt to his feet. Onara was standing, a tree branch in her hand. She was holding it like a club. Her dark, wide eyes met his but, before he could say a word, he saw a streak of darkness racing towards her.
"Onara! Look out!"
Onara turned and, whether she was frozen from fear or displaying a foolish kind of bravery, she stood her ground, the tree branch raised before her. Obi-Wan had just enough time to raise his hands and use the Force to push at the valkon. The creature didn't smash into Onara as it intended, but it was close enough to clip her a glancing blow. Onara crumpled to the ground.
"Onara!"
Obi-Wan made to go to her, but the valkon had recovered and was veering back towards Onara's unmoving body. Obi-Wan ran and threw himself onto the valkon before it reached her, wrapping his arms tight about the creature's massive chest. They rolled on the ground until they slammed into a tree. Obi-Wan was once again pinned beneath the valkon. But this time he was ready. He flung the creature away with all his strength.
It roared and screamed as it flew through the air and slammed onto the ground. However, before Obi-Wan could draw breath, the valkon was back on its feet, charging towards him. He rolled up on one knee, reaching towards his lightsaber where it lay on the ground. It flew to his hand. He ignited it just as the valkon bunched its powerful haunches and leapt towards him. Obi-Wan flung himself to the side, twisted around and swung his blade hard.
The acrid stench of burning fur and flesh flooded his nose as his lightsaber tore through the valkon's neck. The creature's huge head soared through the air. Hot, thick blood gushed from its neck and splashed onto Obi-Wan's tunic and face. Its headless body shot past him, then crashed onto the ground where it shuddered for a moment then lay still.
Obi-Wan deactivated his lightsaber. He lowered his head as he caught his breath, wiping the blood from his face with the sleeve of his tunic. The valkon had not only been fast, it had been unbelievably strong, taxing even Obi-Wan's Force-enhanced strength. Then he noted his wrist was hurting. In order to decapitate the valkon he'd had to swing his lightsaber from an awkward angle. He examined his wrist. It wasn't broken, he'd just twisted a muscle in it.
Then he looked over and saw Onara. She lay motionless on the ground. He ran to her. She was lying face down. Moving his hand through her hair, he felt her neck. There was a pulse. He closed his eyes and thanked the Force. Opening his eyes, he gently turned her over. Her hair was strewn all over her face. Obi-Wan tenderly moved away the grass-crusted strands.
"Onara, Onara," he called to her
Her eyes remained close. There was a small bruise on her right cheek. He lightly touched it. Then he stroked her forehead, wondering if she had suffered a concussion. He shook her slightly.
"Onara, wake up."
Onara stirred, her eyelids fluttering. She slowly opened her eyes.
"Obi-Wan? You're alive," she whispered.
He smiled down at her. "So are you."
Onara tried to rise from the ground. Obi-Wan quickly took hold of her shoulders.
"Gently, now. Don't try to get up too fast."
He kept his arm about her shoulder as he helped her sit.
"The valkon...?" she asked
"Is dead."
"Dead?"
Obi-Wan nodded. Onara stared at him for a moment, then her eyes widened when she saw the blood on his tunic.
"Oh, gods! No! You're hurt!" she cried.
"I'm fine, Onara. It's not my blood."
"Are you certain?" she cried as she frantically examined him.
Obi-Wan grabbed her hands and held them. "Yes, Onara. I'm certain."
Onara looked at him for a moment, then nodded. Obi-Wan was surprised at the depth of concern he saw in her eyes. He released her hands. She reached up and touched her cheek.
"My face hurts."
"I'm afraid you have a nasty little bruise there."
"Only a bruise?" Onara shrugged. "I should be dead."
"Yes, you should be." Obi-Wan frowned. "Onara, I ordered you to run away. Why didn't you obey me?"
Onara's eyelids, which had been lowering slowly over her eyes, flung upwards.
"Obey!" she cried as she glared up at him. "Obey? You can't order me. You're not my father and I'm most certainly not your apprentice. And...and...well..."
Onara lowered her gaze as she plucked nervously at her dress.
"I couldn't just leave you," she finished softly. She looked back up at him, her dark eyes full on his.
Obi-Wan shook his head, even as his heart turned over at the look she gave him.
"It was still foolish of you to have remained. Foolish," and then he smiled at her, "but very brave."
Onara returned his smile. Obi-Wan, his arm firmly about her shoulder, helped her to stand. Once she was on her feet she looked over and saw the valkon's headless body.
"Oh, gods! You did that?"
"Well, actually my lightsaber did it."
Onara went over to the body. Obi-Wan kept his arm about her shoulder for she was still a bit wobbly. She bent down and ran her fingers through the valkon's thick black fur.
"Astonishing," she murmured.
"Onara, we should go."
She rose and looked over at him.
"May I touch it?" she asked.
"Touch what?"
Onara pointed to his lightsaber where it hung from his belt. Obi-Wan hesitated, then unclipped it and handed it to her.
"It's very heavy," she observed as she hefted it in her hand.
Obi-Wan looked at his lightsaber. He had constructed it years ago to replace the one he'd lost on Naboo during his duel with the Sith. He had changed nothing in the design. It still resembled Qui-Gon's lightsaber. However, Obi-Wan had made some modifications in its operation. He watched as Onara slowly slid her slender fingers over the power cell housing, along the ridged handgrip and up to the red activator knob. Obi-Wan reached over.
"Careful." Since she was holding it facing him he didn't want to be impaled on his own blade.
"Oh, sorry." She smiled and handed it back to him. "It's beautiful. Where did you purchase it?"
Obi-Wan clipped his lightsaber back on his belt. "Jedi don't buy their lightsabers. We make them."
"Make them? How?"
He sighed. "Onara, I would love nothing more than to stand here and chat with you about lightsaber construction, but we really should be getting back."
Then Obi-Wan felt a drop on his face. He looked up. The sky had clouded over and thunder rolled ominously. He looked back at Onara. A corner of her mouth curled up.
"Looks like we can't win, Obi-Wan. First a valkon, now rain."
"We'll make it back before it starts," he assured her as they moved off through the trees.
"Want to bet we don't?" she asked, an impish smile on her face.
"Jedi don't bet," Obi-Wan replied as he moved a low-hanging branch out of her way.
Onara rolled her eyes. "You know, you really should lighten up, Obi-Wan."
He frowned. "What do you mean?"
"Jedi don't bet," she said mockingly, mimicking his accented voice perfectly. "You would think I had asked you to do something perfectly sinful."
"Well, would you?"
"Would I what?"
"Ask me to do something perfectly sinful."
"Of course not," Onara retorted. "What do you take me for?"
She walked alongside him in silence for a moment. Then she bit her lower lip and slid a glance over at him.
"Obi-Wan?"
"Yes?"
"Umm, what would be considered perfectly sinful for a Jedi to do?"
Obi-Wan tried to keep the laughter out of his voice. "Oh, lots of things."
"Like what?"
He looked over at her and winked. "Things."
Onara's eyes narrowed. "Like. What. Things?" she said slowly and firmly as if she were speaking to someone who didn't understand the language.
"Use your imagination."
Onara stared at him for a moment, then her eyes widened and her cheeks colored. However, before either could say another word the clouds above them opened up and a torrent of rain poured down on them.
"Oh, wonderful! I hate being wet," Onara moaned as the heavy rain beat on her head, plastering her hair to her face, neck and shoulders.
Obi-Wan wasn't fond of being wet either, but he didn't mind this time. The rain was washing away not only the blood and gore from his battle with the valkon, but the stench of death he imagined still clung to him. Raising his head to the sky, he let the rain flow over his face. He blissfully closed his eyes, the drops beating against his eyelids. Opening his mouth, he let some of the cool water slip down his throat. Then he felt Onara tugging on his arm.
"Come on. We need to get out of this," she shouted over a loud growl of thunder.
Obi-Wan opened his eyes and looked down at her. He smiled widely. She looked like a bedraggled, wet little puppy. Onara frowned at him through the wet strands of hair clinging to her face, her dark eyes flashing.
"Well, just so you know, Obi-Wan, you don't look any better. Now, shall we go? We're going to drown if we stay out here."
"All right," Obi-wan said laughing as he took her arm and led her through the trees to the manor.
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The rain was falling even harder and the wind had picked up as they arrived at the manor. Thunder boomed around them and lightning crashed nearby. Obi- Wan gazed up at the window to the bridal chamber. It looked warm and inviting. He glanced over at Onara. Her dress was completely soaked and it clung, rather provocatively he thought, to her slender body. He quickly drew his gaze away from her body and up to her face. Teeth chattering and lips trembling, she stared miserably at him through the rain hissing and streaming around them.
"What's wrong?" she cried through another roar of thunder.
"My fight with the valkon. I need to rest a bit before I attempt this."
Onara nodded. She looked around, then took his hand and led him along the walls of the manor to a small alcove. There was a stone bench inside it. Obi-Wan swept away the wet leaves from off the seat and he and Onara sat. The alcove didn't offer much protection from the rain, however, but Obi-Wan didn't plan to be here long. He just needed a few minutes to collect his strength before he called upon the Force again. He felt Onara trembling next to him. He reached over and put his arm around her shoulder, drawing her close. His Jedi clothing was designed to keep him well protected from the elements no matter what climate he was in. Onara, on the other hand, was clad only in a thin dress.
"I'm sorry, Onara," he said as he rubbed her arm.
"S-s-s-sorry? About what?" she asked, teeth chattering.
"About all this." He waved at the rain falling about them. "If we had stayed in the chamber---."
"N-n-n-no, Obi-Wan. Don't be s-s-s-sorry. I had f-f-f-fun."
Obi-Wan raised an eyebrow. Being attacked by a ferocious beast and stuck outside in a downpour wasn't exactly his idea of fun.
"M-m-m-maybe that's not the right word," Onara said at his expression. "I...I..." she stopped, then continued, her voice warm and low. "I l-l-l- liked being with you, Obi-Wan. I w-w-w-wouldn't changed what happened t-t-t- tonight for anything in the world."
Obi-Wan looked down into her face. She was gazing softly up at him, her dark eyes pulling him into a place he both longed and feared to go. He reached over and stroked her cold, wet cheek.
"I liked being with you too, Onara."
"T-t-t-truly?"
"Yes, truly."
He leaned over and kissed her forehead. She sighed and nestled her face deep against his shoulder. She was trembling harder now. Obi-Wan held her tighter as he moved his lips along her face and over to her ear.
"I need to get inside you," he whispered.
Then he stopped, his heart pounding as he realized what he'd just said. He quickly pulled away from her.
"No, that's not what I meant to say," he said hurriedly. "I need to get you inside. That's what I meant to say. Forgive me, I didn't mean to sound as if I---"
Onara reached up and, placing her fingers on his lips, stopped his mouth. She laughed softly.
"D-d-d-don't worry, Obi-Wan," she said, her dark eyes flashing with humor. "I know what you m-m-m-meant. P-p-p-perhaps we could sneak in?"
Obi-Wan shook his head. "And face your grandmother's fury? I think I'd rather tangle with that valkon again."
Onara laughed and snuggled closer to him. He put both arms around her, but he could feel she was trying hard not to shake against him. Obi-Wan took a deep breath. He felt pretty much recovered, though he would have preferred resting a bit longer. However, he didn't want to risk Onara coming down with something either. He eased off the bench, pulling her up with him.
"You're r-r-r-rested?" she asked.
He nodded and took her hand, leading her to just under the bridal chamber window. The rain was pouring down in sheets now and, as Obi-Wan looked up to gauge the distance to the window, it flooded his eyes and seeped down his nose. He blinked away the water, then looked over at Onara.
"Are you ready?" he shouted as a roll of thunder bellowed over them.
Onara nodded. Obi-Wan swept her up in his arms. Her whole body was shaking violently now. He held her tight. She slipped her arms about his neck, her wet face nestling deep in his shoulder. Obi-Wan closed his eyes as he concentrated on the Force.
He slowly drew it into his body and it filled him, flowing through his blood, his muscles and seeping into the very marrow of his bones. Once he felt completely in control of it, he opened his eyes, looked up at the window and leapt upwards.
To be continued....
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Just as Obi-Wan sensed the valkon's attack it was upon him. Onara was right. It was fast, almost preternaturally fast. It slammed into him, knocking him hard onto the ground, the breath exploding out of his lungs. His lightsaber flew from his hand, but he didn't have time to worry about his weapon. The valkon was on top of him, the stench of its rancid fur suffocating him. Its long snout was full of sharp, yellow teeth and its breath, as it slavered and slobbered above him, stank of decaying flesh. As Obi-Wan struggled to keep it from sinking its teeth into his throat, he managed enough breath to call out to Onara.
"Onara! Run!" he shouted.
He could only hope that while the valkon was busy with him, she would escape and make it back to the manor. The muscles in Obi-Wan's arms bulged as he pressed them against the valkon's throat, but it was protected by the creature's thick, dense fur. If he was having any effect on it, he couldn't see for it continued to snarl above him, its red eyes bulging, its thick saliva splattering across his face. Obi-Wan grunted as the creature, inch by inch, slowly lowered its snout toward his face. Then he heard Onara.
"Get off him!" she screamed.
Obi-Wan heard a loud thump and the valkon shrieked above him. The creature jerked and the pressure on Obi-Wan's arms eased a bit. He pushed hard against it and flung it from him. Then he rolled in the opposite direction and leapt to his feet. Onara was standing, a tree branch in her hand. She was holding it like a club. Her dark, wide eyes met his but, before he could say a word, he saw a streak of darkness racing towards her.
"Onara! Look out!"
Onara turned and, whether she was frozen from fear or displaying a foolish kind of bravery, she stood her ground, the tree branch raised before her. Obi-Wan had just enough time to raise his hands and use the Force to push at the valkon. The creature didn't smash into Onara as it intended, but it was close enough to clip her a glancing blow. Onara crumpled to the ground.
"Onara!"
Obi-Wan made to go to her, but the valkon had recovered and was veering back towards Onara's unmoving body. Obi-Wan ran and threw himself onto the valkon before it reached her, wrapping his arms tight about the creature's massive chest. They rolled on the ground until they slammed into a tree. Obi-Wan was once again pinned beneath the valkon. But this time he was ready. He flung the creature away with all his strength.
It roared and screamed as it flew through the air and slammed onto the ground. However, before Obi-Wan could draw breath, the valkon was back on its feet, charging towards him. He rolled up on one knee, reaching towards his lightsaber where it lay on the ground. It flew to his hand. He ignited it just as the valkon bunched its powerful haunches and leapt towards him. Obi-Wan flung himself to the side, twisted around and swung his blade hard.
The acrid stench of burning fur and flesh flooded his nose as his lightsaber tore through the valkon's neck. The creature's huge head soared through the air. Hot, thick blood gushed from its neck and splashed onto Obi-Wan's tunic and face. Its headless body shot past him, then crashed onto the ground where it shuddered for a moment then lay still.
Obi-Wan deactivated his lightsaber. He lowered his head as he caught his breath, wiping the blood from his face with the sleeve of his tunic. The valkon had not only been fast, it had been unbelievably strong, taxing even Obi-Wan's Force-enhanced strength. Then he noted his wrist was hurting. In order to decapitate the valkon he'd had to swing his lightsaber from an awkward angle. He examined his wrist. It wasn't broken, he'd just twisted a muscle in it.
Then he looked over and saw Onara. She lay motionless on the ground. He ran to her. She was lying face down. Moving his hand through her hair, he felt her neck. There was a pulse. He closed his eyes and thanked the Force. Opening his eyes, he gently turned her over. Her hair was strewn all over her face. Obi-Wan tenderly moved away the grass-crusted strands.
"Onara, Onara," he called to her
Her eyes remained close. There was a small bruise on her right cheek. He lightly touched it. Then he stroked her forehead, wondering if she had suffered a concussion. He shook her slightly.
"Onara, wake up."
Onara stirred, her eyelids fluttering. She slowly opened her eyes.
"Obi-Wan? You're alive," she whispered.
He smiled down at her. "So are you."
Onara tried to rise from the ground. Obi-Wan quickly took hold of her shoulders.
"Gently, now. Don't try to get up too fast."
He kept his arm about her shoulder as he helped her sit.
"The valkon...?" she asked
"Is dead."
"Dead?"
Obi-Wan nodded. Onara stared at him for a moment, then her eyes widened when she saw the blood on his tunic.
"Oh, gods! No! You're hurt!" she cried.
"I'm fine, Onara. It's not my blood."
"Are you certain?" she cried as she frantically examined him.
Obi-Wan grabbed her hands and held them. "Yes, Onara. I'm certain."
Onara looked at him for a moment, then nodded. Obi-Wan was surprised at the depth of concern he saw in her eyes. He released her hands. She reached up and touched her cheek.
"My face hurts."
"I'm afraid you have a nasty little bruise there."
"Only a bruise?" Onara shrugged. "I should be dead."
"Yes, you should be." Obi-Wan frowned. "Onara, I ordered you to run away. Why didn't you obey me?"
Onara's eyelids, which had been lowering slowly over her eyes, flung upwards.
"Obey!" she cried as she glared up at him. "Obey? You can't order me. You're not my father and I'm most certainly not your apprentice. And...and...well..."
Onara lowered her gaze as she plucked nervously at her dress.
"I couldn't just leave you," she finished softly. She looked back up at him, her dark eyes full on his.
Obi-Wan shook his head, even as his heart turned over at the look she gave him.
"It was still foolish of you to have remained. Foolish," and then he smiled at her, "but very brave."
Onara returned his smile. Obi-Wan, his arm firmly about her shoulder, helped her to stand. Once she was on her feet she looked over and saw the valkon's headless body.
"Oh, gods! You did that?"
"Well, actually my lightsaber did it."
Onara went over to the body. Obi-Wan kept his arm about her shoulder for she was still a bit wobbly. She bent down and ran her fingers through the valkon's thick black fur.
"Astonishing," she murmured.
"Onara, we should go."
She rose and looked over at him.
"May I touch it?" she asked.
"Touch what?"
Onara pointed to his lightsaber where it hung from his belt. Obi-Wan hesitated, then unclipped it and handed it to her.
"It's very heavy," she observed as she hefted it in her hand.
Obi-Wan looked at his lightsaber. He had constructed it years ago to replace the one he'd lost on Naboo during his duel with the Sith. He had changed nothing in the design. It still resembled Qui-Gon's lightsaber. However, Obi-Wan had made some modifications in its operation. He watched as Onara slowly slid her slender fingers over the power cell housing, along the ridged handgrip and up to the red activator knob. Obi-Wan reached over.
"Careful." Since she was holding it facing him he didn't want to be impaled on his own blade.
"Oh, sorry." She smiled and handed it back to him. "It's beautiful. Where did you purchase it?"
Obi-Wan clipped his lightsaber back on his belt. "Jedi don't buy their lightsabers. We make them."
"Make them? How?"
He sighed. "Onara, I would love nothing more than to stand here and chat with you about lightsaber construction, but we really should be getting back."
Then Obi-Wan felt a drop on his face. He looked up. The sky had clouded over and thunder rolled ominously. He looked back at Onara. A corner of her mouth curled up.
"Looks like we can't win, Obi-Wan. First a valkon, now rain."
"We'll make it back before it starts," he assured her as they moved off through the trees.
"Want to bet we don't?" she asked, an impish smile on her face.
"Jedi don't bet," Obi-Wan replied as he moved a low-hanging branch out of her way.
Onara rolled her eyes. "You know, you really should lighten up, Obi-Wan."
He frowned. "What do you mean?"
"Jedi don't bet," she said mockingly, mimicking his accented voice perfectly. "You would think I had asked you to do something perfectly sinful."
"Well, would you?"
"Would I what?"
"Ask me to do something perfectly sinful."
"Of course not," Onara retorted. "What do you take me for?"
She walked alongside him in silence for a moment. Then she bit her lower lip and slid a glance over at him.
"Obi-Wan?"
"Yes?"
"Umm, what would be considered perfectly sinful for a Jedi to do?"
Obi-Wan tried to keep the laughter out of his voice. "Oh, lots of things."
"Like what?"
He looked over at her and winked. "Things."
Onara's eyes narrowed. "Like. What. Things?" she said slowly and firmly as if she were speaking to someone who didn't understand the language.
"Use your imagination."
Onara stared at him for a moment, then her eyes widened and her cheeks colored. However, before either could say another word the clouds above them opened up and a torrent of rain poured down on them.
"Oh, wonderful! I hate being wet," Onara moaned as the heavy rain beat on her head, plastering her hair to her face, neck and shoulders.
Obi-Wan wasn't fond of being wet either, but he didn't mind this time. The rain was washing away not only the blood and gore from his battle with the valkon, but the stench of death he imagined still clung to him. Raising his head to the sky, he let the rain flow over his face. He blissfully closed his eyes, the drops beating against his eyelids. Opening his mouth, he let some of the cool water slip down his throat. Then he felt Onara tugging on his arm.
"Come on. We need to get out of this," she shouted over a loud growl of thunder.
Obi-Wan opened his eyes and looked down at her. He smiled widely. She looked like a bedraggled, wet little puppy. Onara frowned at him through the wet strands of hair clinging to her face, her dark eyes flashing.
"Well, just so you know, Obi-Wan, you don't look any better. Now, shall we go? We're going to drown if we stay out here."
"All right," Obi-wan said laughing as he took her arm and led her through the trees to the manor.
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The rain was falling even harder and the wind had picked up as they arrived at the manor. Thunder boomed around them and lightning crashed nearby. Obi- Wan gazed up at the window to the bridal chamber. It looked warm and inviting. He glanced over at Onara. Her dress was completely soaked and it clung, rather provocatively he thought, to her slender body. He quickly drew his gaze away from her body and up to her face. Teeth chattering and lips trembling, she stared miserably at him through the rain hissing and streaming around them.
"What's wrong?" she cried through another roar of thunder.
"My fight with the valkon. I need to rest a bit before I attempt this."
Onara nodded. She looked around, then took his hand and led him along the walls of the manor to a small alcove. There was a stone bench inside it. Obi-Wan swept away the wet leaves from off the seat and he and Onara sat. The alcove didn't offer much protection from the rain, however, but Obi-Wan didn't plan to be here long. He just needed a few minutes to collect his strength before he called upon the Force again. He felt Onara trembling next to him. He reached over and put his arm around her shoulder, drawing her close. His Jedi clothing was designed to keep him well protected from the elements no matter what climate he was in. Onara, on the other hand, was clad only in a thin dress.
"I'm sorry, Onara," he said as he rubbed her arm.
"S-s-s-sorry? About what?" she asked, teeth chattering.
"About all this." He waved at the rain falling about them. "If we had stayed in the chamber---."
"N-n-n-no, Obi-Wan. Don't be s-s-s-sorry. I had f-f-f-fun."
Obi-Wan raised an eyebrow. Being attacked by a ferocious beast and stuck outside in a downpour wasn't exactly his idea of fun.
"M-m-m-maybe that's not the right word," Onara said at his expression. "I...I..." she stopped, then continued, her voice warm and low. "I l-l-l- liked being with you, Obi-Wan. I w-w-w-wouldn't changed what happened t-t-t- tonight for anything in the world."
Obi-Wan looked down into her face. She was gazing softly up at him, her dark eyes pulling him into a place he both longed and feared to go. He reached over and stroked her cold, wet cheek.
"I liked being with you too, Onara."
"T-t-t-truly?"
"Yes, truly."
He leaned over and kissed her forehead. She sighed and nestled her face deep against his shoulder. She was trembling harder now. Obi-Wan held her tighter as he moved his lips along her face and over to her ear.
"I need to get inside you," he whispered.
Then he stopped, his heart pounding as he realized what he'd just said. He quickly pulled away from her.
"No, that's not what I meant to say," he said hurriedly. "I need to get you inside. That's what I meant to say. Forgive me, I didn't mean to sound as if I---"
Onara reached up and, placing her fingers on his lips, stopped his mouth. She laughed softly.
"D-d-d-don't worry, Obi-Wan," she said, her dark eyes flashing with humor. "I know what you m-m-m-meant. P-p-p-perhaps we could sneak in?"
Obi-Wan shook his head. "And face your grandmother's fury? I think I'd rather tangle with that valkon again."
Onara laughed and snuggled closer to him. He put both arms around her, but he could feel she was trying hard not to shake against him. Obi-Wan took a deep breath. He felt pretty much recovered, though he would have preferred resting a bit longer. However, he didn't want to risk Onara coming down with something either. He eased off the bench, pulling her up with him.
"You're r-r-r-rested?" she asked.
He nodded and took her hand, leading her to just under the bridal chamber window. The rain was pouring down in sheets now and, as Obi-Wan looked up to gauge the distance to the window, it flooded his eyes and seeped down his nose. He blinked away the water, then looked over at Onara.
"Are you ready?" he shouted as a roll of thunder bellowed over them.
Onara nodded. Obi-Wan swept her up in his arms. Her whole body was shaking violently now. He held her tight. She slipped her arms about his neck, her wet face nestling deep in his shoulder. Obi-Wan closed his eyes as he concentrated on the Force.
He slowly drew it into his body and it filled him, flowing through his blood, his muscles and seeping into the very marrow of his bones. Once he felt completely in control of it, he opened his eyes, looked up at the window and leapt upwards.
To be continued....