First Knight - Part Twenty
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"You look very handsome in black," Onara said softly from her bed.
Obi-Wan looked down at himself. He had decided it would be best if he did not travel in his customary Jedi garb. Onara's aunts had found him some clothes to wear; ebony tunic, matching pants and coal-colored knee-high boots. The tunic was designed in such a way his lightsaber was hidden, but still easy for him to take hold of it when needed. They had also given him a thick, velvet-lined, amethyst-colored cape, in case they had clucked like mother hens, it was cold where he was going.
Obi-Wan walked over to the bed. It was the evening of the day of both the naming ceremony and Tsara's banishment. He had planned to leave Ahjane much earlier than this, but he had wanted to go over the security measures with K'lia. However, as he drew closer to the bed and saw Onara, Obi-Wan knew he had no more time to spare.
As had been happening the last couple of days, Onara's strength had once again waned. As Obi-Wan sat on the bed next to her, he saw she was pale and listless, the shadows having reappeared under her eyes. He sensed her life force ebbing and flowing like a tide. When Obi-Wan had asked Eo about this, the healer had said it was to be expected. But, he had warned Obi-Wan, the times when the tide was out, when Onara's life force was at its lowest, would become more frequent and last much longer.
Obi-Wan gently cupped her face. "And you look beautiful, love."
Onara shook her head. "No, I don't. I look like death warmed over."
She tried to smile at her little joke, but couldn't. Tears suddenly filled her eyes.
"Obi-Wan, please, don't go. Don't risk your life for me anymore."
Obi-Wan shook his head as he gently stroked the tears slipping down her face.
"Sorry, love. I must go."
Onara closed her eyes, her throat working. "This is all my fault."
"What do you mean?"
She opened her eyes and looked up at him, their beautiful darkness shimmering with her tears.
"I shouldn't have you asked you to...to be my first. I should have done as we both had vowed. Not gone through with the blessing ceremony. None of this would have happened, and you wouldn't be risking your future as a Jedi for me."
Obi-Wan smiled and, leaning down, kissed her. Then he pulled away.
"But, Onara, if we had not gone through with the ceremony, we wouldn't have Ben."
Onara's eyes widened at his words. She reached up and stroked the silver in his hair, the mark of his having called upon the dark side of the Force.
"Obi-Wan, what is happening?" she whispered. "I'm so afraid. I feel as if we're both being swept away, as if our lives were no longer in our hands."
Obi-Wan took Onara's hands and squeezed them. "I feel it, too Onara. But my master always counseled me that the Force speaks to a Jedi not through rules or tenets, but through his or her heart. I will follow what my heart tells me in this matter and trust that it is the will of the Force."
Onara looked up at him, her eyes staring deeply into his. Then she smiled and, pulling her hand from his, reached up and stroked his face.
"Then I will trust in the Force too."
Obi-Wan smiled at her words. "Now, I want you to rest, love. I'll be back soon. And don't worry about Ben. Anakin and Master Eo will watch over him."
"Master Eo?"
Obi-Wan nodded. "He's going to remain here until I return."
Onara smiled. "I like him. He tells funny stories."
"Really? Master Eo?"
"Only when it's me and him around," Onara said dimpling. "You Jedi seem to go through a lot of trouble to appear so stoic and serious, when you're really not." Then Onara's expression quickly sobered. "Oh, Obi-Wan, please, be careful. Come back to me, my love. Promise me you'll come back."
"I promise."
Obi-Wan leaned over and kissed her, but this time he let his mouth linger on hers and, although his kiss was gentle, as he pressed his lips onto hers, he poured into the kiss all his love and all his hope and all his yearning. He felt Onara's lips tremble under his, then she pressed them against his lips, and hers were warm and soft and they touched Obi-Wan's very soul and, for the longest, sweetest moment, nothing in the universe existed except the touch of her lips on his. Then, slowly, reluctantly, he pulled away. He gazed down at her. Onara's eyes were wide and dark and swam with her love and her hope and her fear for him.
Obi-Wan caressed her forehead. Then he gently nudged her into a Force- induced sleep for he didn't want her lying awake worrying about him. Watching as her eyes slowly closed, he waited until she was deep in a dreamless slumber. He gently kissed her forehead, rose from the bed and left her room. Onara's twin aunts were waiting out in the sitting room, along with the guards K'lia had posted.
"She's sleeping now," Obi-Wan told them.
Gendra nodded. Then she reached over and took his arm. "Good luck, Master Jedi."
"Thank you. Don't worry. I'll find Sinja-Bau."
"We know you will," Rylea said warmly as she took his other arm.
Then, surprising Obi-Wan, the two elderly women reached up and kissed him on his cheeks. As they pulled away, he noted both their wrinkled faces were bright red.
"We've been wanting to do that for so long," Rylea said smiling.
"We hope you don't mind," Gendra went on.
"You're such a handsome lad," Rylea then said.
"And if we were many, many years younger," Gendra responded.
"And you hadn't already given your heart to Onara..." they chorused together.
Then both of them winked as they moved passed him and went into Onara's bedroom to watch over her. Obi-Wan glanced over at the guards who were standing at attention, their faces staring stoically at nothing. He shook his head, a small smile on his face, and left the sitting room.
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As Obi-Wan walked into the nursery, he was pleased with the measures K'lia was taking to protect his son. He just hoped it was enough. Lady Tsara was not only malicious, she had shown herself to be a very determined and resourceful woman. Obi-Wan clenched his fist. He would find Sinja-Bau as quickly as he possible. He knew he would not feel at ease until Tsara was found or he was here himself to protect his son from her.
Then, as he forced himself to relax he struggled not to laugh. Anakin, who was standing to the side, had not even noted his master's entrance into the nursery. He was too busy watching Gretta, Ben's wet-nurse, who was in the process of feeding Ben. She had undone the front of her dress, and Ben was suckling on one of her ample breasts. Gretta looked up and gave Obi-Wan a warm smile.
"Just giving him his evening meal, Master Jedi. He is the hungry little fellow, that he is. But, as sweet and darling as can be."
Anakin jumped at Gretta's words. He looked over at Obi-Wan, a deep red flush spreading across his face.
"Master, I....I...." Anakin stopped.
He stole a glance at the two guards who were standing at opposite ends of the nursery. Like the guards in Onara's sitting room, they stood ram-rod straight, their face as still as statutes. But Obi-Wan thought he caught a glint of humor in their dark eyes.
"Hmmm, Anakin. I hope you plan on being a bit more attentive to your duties as guardian while I'm gone," Obi-Wan said, but his voice was light.
"Sorry, Master. I was.. just...just watching Ben...ummm...eat."
Then Anakin stopped, apparently aware that to say anymore would only make matters worse. Obi-Wan only shook his head. He went over to Gretta. She had finished feeding Ben and was now burping him. Once she was done, she handed him to Obi-Wan.
"There you go, Master Jedi," she said as she reclasped the front of her dress. "He's all full now. He'll be fast asleep right enough."
Gretta stood, curtsied to him, gave Anakin a sly wink and left the nursery. As Obi-Wan sat in the chair she had vacated, he found himself wondering if Anakin's face could turn an even darker shade of red. Then he looked down at Ben.
His son was staring up at him with those eyes that were so like his own. Obi-Wan, even now, was still in awe and almost found it hard to believe he was holding in his arms this tiny, warm, little being that was his own flesh and blood. His son. He sensed how brightly Ben burned with the Force and it filled Obi-Wan with pride. He knew that with the proper training, his son could become a great Jedi. But then he remembered K'lia was hoping Ben would someday rule as Dynast of his province after he was gone. Obi-Wan sighed. He would not think of such things now. Ben's fate would have to be decided later.
Obi-Wan was about to stroke the baby's soft, round cheek, then remembered what had happened before, when Ben had thought he was going to be fed. Obi- Wan smiled. Well, his stomach was full now, so it should be all right. He stroked Ben's cheek and, to his delight, Ben smiled up at him. Obi-Wan looked over at Anakin.
"Did you see that?" he cried, the wonder throbbing in his voice. "He smiled at me."
Anakin, having now regained his composure, walked over and shook his head.
"It was probably just gas, Master." Then he saw the look on Obi-Wan's face. "Or maybe not. Newborns are pretty smart," he said quickly.
Obi-Wan looked back at Ben. His son was still smiling at him. He leaned down and kissed him on the forehead. Then it suddenly occurred to Obi-Wan that he could sit here all night, if need be, just holding his son. And it also occurred to him that this is what it must be like to be just an ordinary man; the kind of man for whom the most important thing in the universe was his son and the woman he loved. To not have any concerns or needs or desires beyond that.
But Obi-Wan did have concerns beyond that. Not only did he have to find Master Sinja-Bau in order to save the life of his son's mother, but there was still his duty and responsibility to the Jedi Order and to Anakin. For he wasn't an ordinary man. Far from it. He was a Jedi Knight.
Obi-Wan stood. He walked over to the crib and gently laid Ben in it. The baby continued to gaze quietly up at him. Actually, now that Obi-Wan thought about it, he wasn't sure if he had ever heard Ben cry. Anakin walked over and stood next to Obi-Wan. He reached down and gave his finger to Ben to hold. Ben took it and, to Obi-Wan's amazement, gave Anakin a wide, toothless grin.
"Hey, look," Anakin cried. "He's smiling at me."
"Are you sure it isn't just gas?" Obi-Wan asked teasingly.
Anakin shook his head and laughed softly. "Okay, you got me, Master."
As Ben continued to hold Anakin's finger, the young Jedi stole a glance at Obi-Wan.
"It's time, isn't it, Master?"
Obi-Wan nodded. "Onara is weakening. I mustn't delay my departure any longer." Obi-Wan then took in and released a deep breath. "You know what to do, Padawan."
"Yes, Master."
"Master Eo is going to stay on Ahjane."
Obi-Wan saw a brief expression of relief move across Anakin's face.
"I'm going to take the ship the Chancellor loaned you," Obi-Wan went on.
"I'm sure he won't mind if you do, Master."
Obi-Wan nodded. He looked down at Ben, suddenly unable to leave him. But he had to if he was going to save his mother's life. Obi-Wan turned back to Anakin.
"Watch over them, Padawan. I'll return as soon as I can."
"I will. I promise you, no harm will come to them."
Then, before Obi-Wan knew what he was doing, he reached over and put his arms around Anakin. He was just as surprised he had done so as he sensed Anakin was that he had, for he had never hugged his apprentice in all the years he had been his master. Then, tears stinging his eyes, he felt Anakin fiercely hugging him back. The two moved away from each other.
"May the Force be with you, Anakin." Obi-Wan said.
"And with you, Master," Anakin replied, his voice choked with emotion.
Obi-Wan smiled at him. He leaned down and gave Ben a quick kiss. His son gurgled at him, trying to grab at his hair. Then, turning, his heart heavy inside him, the Jedi strode quickly from the nursery.
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"Master Kenobi."
Obi-Wan stopped and turned. He was just going down the wide staircase that led to the entrance of the manor. He watched as K'lia walked quickly over to him.
"I had meant to give this to you earlier."
He handed Obi-Wan a silver chain upon which hung a oval-shaped pendant.
"What is it?"
"Open it and press the bottom of the pendant."
Obi-Wan did. He gasped as a small holographic image formed over it. It was of Onara, smiling as she held Ben in her arms. Obi-Wan's throat closed tightly.
"I thought you might like to have it with you," K'lia said softly.
"Thank you," Obi-Wan said as he drew the chain over his neck and slipped it under his tunic where the pendant could lay against his heart.
"I feel so guilty, Master Kenobi. Onara begged me to speak to you, convince you not to go, but I...." K'lia stopped, his voice breaking.
Obi-Wan reached over and took the Dynast's shoulders.
"I wouldn't have listened to you anyway," he said with a smile.
K'lia returned his smile. "That's what I thought. Good luck and may the gods watch over you."
Obi-Wan nodded. He squeezed K'lia's shoulders, then raced down the staircase and out of the manor.
To be continued.....
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"You look very handsome in black," Onara said softly from her bed.
Obi-Wan looked down at himself. He had decided it would be best if he did not travel in his customary Jedi garb. Onara's aunts had found him some clothes to wear; ebony tunic, matching pants and coal-colored knee-high boots. The tunic was designed in such a way his lightsaber was hidden, but still easy for him to take hold of it when needed. They had also given him a thick, velvet-lined, amethyst-colored cape, in case they had clucked like mother hens, it was cold where he was going.
Obi-Wan walked over to the bed. It was the evening of the day of both the naming ceremony and Tsara's banishment. He had planned to leave Ahjane much earlier than this, but he had wanted to go over the security measures with K'lia. However, as he drew closer to the bed and saw Onara, Obi-Wan knew he had no more time to spare.
As had been happening the last couple of days, Onara's strength had once again waned. As Obi-Wan sat on the bed next to her, he saw she was pale and listless, the shadows having reappeared under her eyes. He sensed her life force ebbing and flowing like a tide. When Obi-Wan had asked Eo about this, the healer had said it was to be expected. But, he had warned Obi-Wan, the times when the tide was out, when Onara's life force was at its lowest, would become more frequent and last much longer.
Obi-Wan gently cupped her face. "And you look beautiful, love."
Onara shook her head. "No, I don't. I look like death warmed over."
She tried to smile at her little joke, but couldn't. Tears suddenly filled her eyes.
"Obi-Wan, please, don't go. Don't risk your life for me anymore."
Obi-Wan shook his head as he gently stroked the tears slipping down her face.
"Sorry, love. I must go."
Onara closed her eyes, her throat working. "This is all my fault."
"What do you mean?"
She opened her eyes and looked up at him, their beautiful darkness shimmering with her tears.
"I shouldn't have you asked you to...to be my first. I should have done as we both had vowed. Not gone through with the blessing ceremony. None of this would have happened, and you wouldn't be risking your future as a Jedi for me."
Obi-Wan smiled and, leaning down, kissed her. Then he pulled away.
"But, Onara, if we had not gone through with the ceremony, we wouldn't have Ben."
Onara's eyes widened at his words. She reached up and stroked the silver in his hair, the mark of his having called upon the dark side of the Force.
"Obi-Wan, what is happening?" she whispered. "I'm so afraid. I feel as if we're both being swept away, as if our lives were no longer in our hands."
Obi-Wan took Onara's hands and squeezed them. "I feel it, too Onara. But my master always counseled me that the Force speaks to a Jedi not through rules or tenets, but through his or her heart. I will follow what my heart tells me in this matter and trust that it is the will of the Force."
Onara looked up at him, her eyes staring deeply into his. Then she smiled and, pulling her hand from his, reached up and stroked his face.
"Then I will trust in the Force too."
Obi-Wan smiled at her words. "Now, I want you to rest, love. I'll be back soon. And don't worry about Ben. Anakin and Master Eo will watch over him."
"Master Eo?"
Obi-Wan nodded. "He's going to remain here until I return."
Onara smiled. "I like him. He tells funny stories."
"Really? Master Eo?"
"Only when it's me and him around," Onara said dimpling. "You Jedi seem to go through a lot of trouble to appear so stoic and serious, when you're really not." Then Onara's expression quickly sobered. "Oh, Obi-Wan, please, be careful. Come back to me, my love. Promise me you'll come back."
"I promise."
Obi-Wan leaned over and kissed her, but this time he let his mouth linger on hers and, although his kiss was gentle, as he pressed his lips onto hers, he poured into the kiss all his love and all his hope and all his yearning. He felt Onara's lips tremble under his, then she pressed them against his lips, and hers were warm and soft and they touched Obi-Wan's very soul and, for the longest, sweetest moment, nothing in the universe existed except the touch of her lips on his. Then, slowly, reluctantly, he pulled away. He gazed down at her. Onara's eyes were wide and dark and swam with her love and her hope and her fear for him.
Obi-Wan caressed her forehead. Then he gently nudged her into a Force- induced sleep for he didn't want her lying awake worrying about him. Watching as her eyes slowly closed, he waited until she was deep in a dreamless slumber. He gently kissed her forehead, rose from the bed and left her room. Onara's twin aunts were waiting out in the sitting room, along with the guards K'lia had posted.
"She's sleeping now," Obi-Wan told them.
Gendra nodded. Then she reached over and took his arm. "Good luck, Master Jedi."
"Thank you. Don't worry. I'll find Sinja-Bau."
"We know you will," Rylea said warmly as she took his other arm.
Then, surprising Obi-Wan, the two elderly women reached up and kissed him on his cheeks. As they pulled away, he noted both their wrinkled faces were bright red.
"We've been wanting to do that for so long," Rylea said smiling.
"We hope you don't mind," Gendra went on.
"You're such a handsome lad," Rylea then said.
"And if we were many, many years younger," Gendra responded.
"And you hadn't already given your heart to Onara..." they chorused together.
Then both of them winked as they moved passed him and went into Onara's bedroom to watch over her. Obi-Wan glanced over at the guards who were standing at attention, their faces staring stoically at nothing. He shook his head, a small smile on his face, and left the sitting room.
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As Obi-Wan walked into the nursery, he was pleased with the measures K'lia was taking to protect his son. He just hoped it was enough. Lady Tsara was not only malicious, she had shown herself to be a very determined and resourceful woman. Obi-Wan clenched his fist. He would find Sinja-Bau as quickly as he possible. He knew he would not feel at ease until Tsara was found or he was here himself to protect his son from her.
Then, as he forced himself to relax he struggled not to laugh. Anakin, who was standing to the side, had not even noted his master's entrance into the nursery. He was too busy watching Gretta, Ben's wet-nurse, who was in the process of feeding Ben. She had undone the front of her dress, and Ben was suckling on one of her ample breasts. Gretta looked up and gave Obi-Wan a warm smile.
"Just giving him his evening meal, Master Jedi. He is the hungry little fellow, that he is. But, as sweet and darling as can be."
Anakin jumped at Gretta's words. He looked over at Obi-Wan, a deep red flush spreading across his face.
"Master, I....I...." Anakin stopped.
He stole a glance at the two guards who were standing at opposite ends of the nursery. Like the guards in Onara's sitting room, they stood ram-rod straight, their face as still as statutes. But Obi-Wan thought he caught a glint of humor in their dark eyes.
"Hmmm, Anakin. I hope you plan on being a bit more attentive to your duties as guardian while I'm gone," Obi-Wan said, but his voice was light.
"Sorry, Master. I was.. just...just watching Ben...ummm...eat."
Then Anakin stopped, apparently aware that to say anymore would only make matters worse. Obi-Wan only shook his head. He went over to Gretta. She had finished feeding Ben and was now burping him. Once she was done, she handed him to Obi-Wan.
"There you go, Master Jedi," she said as she reclasped the front of her dress. "He's all full now. He'll be fast asleep right enough."
Gretta stood, curtsied to him, gave Anakin a sly wink and left the nursery. As Obi-Wan sat in the chair she had vacated, he found himself wondering if Anakin's face could turn an even darker shade of red. Then he looked down at Ben.
His son was staring up at him with those eyes that were so like his own. Obi-Wan, even now, was still in awe and almost found it hard to believe he was holding in his arms this tiny, warm, little being that was his own flesh and blood. His son. He sensed how brightly Ben burned with the Force and it filled Obi-Wan with pride. He knew that with the proper training, his son could become a great Jedi. But then he remembered K'lia was hoping Ben would someday rule as Dynast of his province after he was gone. Obi-Wan sighed. He would not think of such things now. Ben's fate would have to be decided later.
Obi-Wan was about to stroke the baby's soft, round cheek, then remembered what had happened before, when Ben had thought he was going to be fed. Obi- Wan smiled. Well, his stomach was full now, so it should be all right. He stroked Ben's cheek and, to his delight, Ben smiled up at him. Obi-Wan looked over at Anakin.
"Did you see that?" he cried, the wonder throbbing in his voice. "He smiled at me."
Anakin, having now regained his composure, walked over and shook his head.
"It was probably just gas, Master." Then he saw the look on Obi-Wan's face. "Or maybe not. Newborns are pretty smart," he said quickly.
Obi-Wan looked back at Ben. His son was still smiling at him. He leaned down and kissed him on the forehead. Then it suddenly occurred to Obi-Wan that he could sit here all night, if need be, just holding his son. And it also occurred to him that this is what it must be like to be just an ordinary man; the kind of man for whom the most important thing in the universe was his son and the woman he loved. To not have any concerns or needs or desires beyond that.
But Obi-Wan did have concerns beyond that. Not only did he have to find Master Sinja-Bau in order to save the life of his son's mother, but there was still his duty and responsibility to the Jedi Order and to Anakin. For he wasn't an ordinary man. Far from it. He was a Jedi Knight.
Obi-Wan stood. He walked over to the crib and gently laid Ben in it. The baby continued to gaze quietly up at him. Actually, now that Obi-Wan thought about it, he wasn't sure if he had ever heard Ben cry. Anakin walked over and stood next to Obi-Wan. He reached down and gave his finger to Ben to hold. Ben took it and, to Obi-Wan's amazement, gave Anakin a wide, toothless grin.
"Hey, look," Anakin cried. "He's smiling at me."
"Are you sure it isn't just gas?" Obi-Wan asked teasingly.
Anakin shook his head and laughed softly. "Okay, you got me, Master."
As Ben continued to hold Anakin's finger, the young Jedi stole a glance at Obi-Wan.
"It's time, isn't it, Master?"
Obi-Wan nodded. "Onara is weakening. I mustn't delay my departure any longer." Obi-Wan then took in and released a deep breath. "You know what to do, Padawan."
"Yes, Master."
"Master Eo is going to stay on Ahjane."
Obi-Wan saw a brief expression of relief move across Anakin's face.
"I'm going to take the ship the Chancellor loaned you," Obi-Wan went on.
"I'm sure he won't mind if you do, Master."
Obi-Wan nodded. He looked down at Ben, suddenly unable to leave him. But he had to if he was going to save his mother's life. Obi-Wan turned back to Anakin.
"Watch over them, Padawan. I'll return as soon as I can."
"I will. I promise you, no harm will come to them."
Then, before Obi-Wan knew what he was doing, he reached over and put his arms around Anakin. He was just as surprised he had done so as he sensed Anakin was that he had, for he had never hugged his apprentice in all the years he had been his master. Then, tears stinging his eyes, he felt Anakin fiercely hugging him back. The two moved away from each other.
"May the Force be with you, Anakin." Obi-Wan said.
"And with you, Master," Anakin replied, his voice choked with emotion.
Obi-Wan smiled at him. He leaned down and gave Ben a quick kiss. His son gurgled at him, trying to grab at his hair. Then, turning, his heart heavy inside him, the Jedi strode quickly from the nursery.
----------------
"Master Kenobi."
Obi-Wan stopped and turned. He was just going down the wide staircase that led to the entrance of the manor. He watched as K'lia walked quickly over to him.
"I had meant to give this to you earlier."
He handed Obi-Wan a silver chain upon which hung a oval-shaped pendant.
"What is it?"
"Open it and press the bottom of the pendant."
Obi-Wan did. He gasped as a small holographic image formed over it. It was of Onara, smiling as she held Ben in her arms. Obi-Wan's throat closed tightly.
"I thought you might like to have it with you," K'lia said softly.
"Thank you," Obi-Wan said as he drew the chain over his neck and slipped it under his tunic where the pendant could lay against his heart.
"I feel so guilty, Master Kenobi. Onara begged me to speak to you, convince you not to go, but I...." K'lia stopped, his voice breaking.
Obi-Wan reached over and took the Dynast's shoulders.
"I wouldn't have listened to you anyway," he said with a smile.
K'lia returned his smile. "That's what I thought. Good luck and may the gods watch over you."
Obi-Wan nodded. He squeezed K'lia's shoulders, then raced down the staircase and out of the manor.
To be continued.....