OBI-WAN

Judging by the hundreds of thousands of candles held by the people who'd crowded onto the riverbanks, along the bridge and had even taken to the water in their boats, it seemed the entire population of Naboo had come to pay their respects to Padme Amidala.

When the Cruiser had landed at the palace's private platform, the Queen and Padme's parents had been waiting to meet them. Thalia had been carefully instructed by Master Yoda on what to say to her parents. She couldn't divulge all the details because it would endanger the children by doing so. If Palpatine and Anakin knew they had survived, they would surely come after them. Like Anakin they had strong connections to the force and could become powerful warriors if the Sith got their hands on them.

She'd explained that Padme had died before the children were able to be born, and had therefore also perished. It pained her to lie to them, especially as she watched their hearts breaking all over again, now not just for their lost daughter but for their grandchild as well.

Having carried twins, Padme still showed, but only enough that people would assume there had only been a single child. Ever the capable Senator and even after her death, Padme had taken matters into her own hands and made sure her duty continued to be done.

Thalia had been invited to join the funeral procession and walked beside Queen Apailana as they followed Padme's parents and siblings. The people of Naboo watched in silence as the coffin passed them by, steadily raising their candles as they said their goodbyes, before lowering them again once Padme had passed.

She'd looked beautiful, lying in her coffin, surrounded by flowers. Her brown, curly hair was adorned with jasmine and with her fair, make-up free skin showing how young she truly was. She wore a billowing, midnight blue gown dotted with tiny crystals that reminded Thalia of dew drops. Her hands where gently folded over her stomach, and tucked between them was a hand carved, wooden token Anakin had made for her when he was only ten. Padme had never stopped believing in his goodness, and Thalia knew Obi-Wan wouldn't either.

. . .

On board Senator Organa's ship, Obi-Wan sat at a long table that was occupied only by himself, Master Yoda and Bail Organa. Padme and Thalia had departed barely an hour ago, but none of them had said a thing, afraid that speaking of anything other than her would be an insult to Padme's memory. And yet, it had to be done.

"Hidden, safe the children must be kept." Yoda said. Obi-Wan sighed, dropping the hand that had been running along his beard.

"We must take them somewhere the Sith will not sense their presence." He added, wishing it didn't have to be this way.

"Hmm. Split up, they should be." Yoda nodded.

"My wife and I will take the girl." Senator Organa said. "We've always talked of adopting a baby girl. She will be loved with us."

"And what of the boy?" Obi-Wan asked and watched as Master Yoda narrowed his eyes at the table in front of him. Something was on his mind. Then, as if deciding to voice his thought, he opened a drawer under the table and pulled out a heavy piece of paper.

"Named Thalia as legal guardian over Luke, Senator Amidala has." He said, pushing the certificate towards Obi-Wan.

"Just Luke?" Bail asked.

"Unexpected, the twins were." Yoda answered as Obi-Wan read over the document. This changed everything. Thalia would have been over the moon when she'd read this. He supposed there was no safer place to hide a force sensitive child than on the most force sensitive planet in the galaxy. He would be well hidden.

"To Troska. To his new family, send him." Yoda said and when Obi-Wan looked up he saw the old Master's eyes trained intensely on him.

"The Queen will take care of him." Obi-Wan assured him.

"Take the child, yourself. Stay on Troska." Yoda said, a knowing look twinkling in his old eyes. "Do well to protect him, you and the Queen will."

Obi-Wan wasn't sure what to stay. What could he say? He tried to keep the emotion from his face as he inclined his head towards his fellow Jedi.

"Until the time is right, disappear we will." Yoda said to his companions and Obi-Wan stood before bowing to the last remaining Jedi Knight, Master and Keeper of Peace he would know.