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Place: Jedi Temple Healing Quarters, Coruscant.
When I finally opened my eyes, my ears quickly perceived the low beeping and hum of machinary all around me. I glanced around, noticing the healing equipment, the droids all about the room. I winced, then sat up tentatively. The bacta had done its work well. There was only a slight pain in my side as I stood, then limped about the room. One of the droids beside my bed, gave a slight, metallic snort of surprise as I did so.
"Master Solo, you need rest." He insisted, twisting his metallic body to try to arrest me as I grabbed my cloak from a chair.
"I'm fine. I just want to walk around. Where is Anakin Skywalker being taken care of please?" I asked nonchalantly, ignoring the droid's protests completely.
"Master Solo, I must insist,"
"If you don't tell me where Anakin Skywalker is, I'll find him myself!" I snapped.
The droid snorted indignantly, but responded,
"In room 234, Master Solo."
Then he wheeled off, muttering to himself. I shook my head in exasperation and limped down the hall towards room 234. I opened the door to the room tentatively, and immediately, Anakin's form met my eyes. He was lying on his bed, covered with a thin sheet, machinery hooked up all about him, beeping steadily with every breath he took. His face was pale and discolored, his body limp. I walked up to him and gazed down at him.
He was so peaceful now, so quiet. I could almost see the little boy that I'd grown up with on Tatooine as he slept. I stretched out a finger and touched a lock of his shorn blonde hair. I smiled gently, then my gaze flickered to his arm. His severed arm had been replaced with a gold mechno-arm, a crude thing, but suitable to its purposes. I winced, then tentatively reached out my hand and touched it.
I wish I hadn't done that. The cool exterior triggered a vision, one that began with a slow, rhythmic throbbing pain in my head, then my eyes adjusted to the dark room in my vision. Only two people stood inside this room, a soldier, and the man from my vision, the one dressed in black. He ran his hands over his dark mask and murmured,
"I do not want the Emperor's prize damaged. We will test it, on Captain Solo." He said firmly.
A shudder ran down my spine as the scene suddenly changed, the scene merging with another in a vibrant flash of light. Another room, but this one filled with sharp, piercing light, rather than dim shadow. Once more, the Dark Lord stood in the room, only this time with several soldiers, and there was another person there. A man was secured to a pole, his face tentative and worried, but still defiant. Before him were torture devices, ready and hot. I suddenl sensed the Dark Lord's thoughts, felt them and realized what was happening. That Dark Lord was a Sith, and that boy, that man, was my son. Han.
The Sith lord raised his hand, and Han was lowered onto the torture devises. My head pounded in agony as Han began to scream, louder and louder. Dry sobs began to rack my body, but I barely noticed.
My son. My beautiful son. What are they doing to you?
I stared at the Dark Lord who stood beside Han. I could see no emotion through the imposing mask that covered his face, but I could certainly feel it. His emotions confused me, as did the thoughts that exuded from his mind. His emotions were that of regret, a regret that he despised possessing. Then the thought that came to my mind was,
He is so like Elaina. So spirited, so stubborn. It's a pity that this,
Han screamed louder and the tears slid down my cheeks faster as I stared at both men, at my son, and at the Dark Lord. To my surprise, I felt the Dark Lord's emotions come to a climax of anger at the regret that overpowered his emotions. Han screamed louder. The pain exuding from both men were about to drive me mad. My son's physical and emotional pain, and the pure hate and anger that the Sith lord directed at himself. The Sith lord could not take it any more. As he strode quickly from the room, ignoring his soldiers' looks of surprise, I realized who he was, as his thoughts became clear to me.
I will not do this! I cannot give into this, this FEELING that plagues me! Had Elaina only listened to me and had supported me, her son would not be made to suffer. But she paid for her mistakes. Elaina,
I stared at my son as Anakin's thoughts rushed through my mind. Anakin, my Anakin, was torturing, destroying my son. MY son. Han.
"Han." I whispered, hoping that by some miracle, my son would hear me and would take comfort in my presence.
But he continued to scream as the pain became intense, and the torture devices paralyzed his body with electrical shocks and numbing pain. I tried to look away, but could not. Light and darkness swirled together as the scene changed once more to the darkened room that I had first seen.
Now Han stood on a metal partition, staring at a woman, that Princess that I had seen so many times in my visions. The Princess stared at Han with what I know recognized to be love. I hadn't seen love many times before, but due to my own experience with the emotion, I recognized it easier. Her deep brown eyes seemed to pulse with pain as she stared at Han, her emotions flowing from her like a river. I stared at Han, then stared at Anakin as he stared at Han, his emotions once more displaying themselves.
This is for the best. This is for the Emperor. It is the boy's destiny. Why did it have to end this way, Elaina? Why couldn't you and Obi-Wan have simply LISTENED to me? Then this plague would not have fallen upon you.
They lowered my son into the pit below him. I felt him cry out as the metal was poured on him. I felt the Princess' inward cry of agony, heard the cry of the Wookie by her side. They took my son out, a lifeless carbonite block. I could not watch this. I refused to watch this! I would not allow my son to be destroyed like this! This would not happen!
This is the future. There is nothing you can do to stop it. My mind whispered.
But no, always emotion is the future. Master Yoda says so. My heart insisted.
This cannot be changed. The path to the Dark Side dominates the future. It is his destiny.
"Elaina, what are you doing out of bed?"
I jolted as Anakin's tired voice resounded in my ears. I stared down at Anakin, who smiled up at me gently. I stared at him, at this boy, who would grow up to become the epitome of evil, who would track down and torture my son, for what reason I would never know. What else would he do in his dark future? How many others would he torture and kill? How many lives would he destroy and for what reason? What was the reason behind this madness that I saw?
I looked down at him, wondering if I could ever think of him in the same way again. Then I realized, as I looked into his bright blue eyes, that he did not know his future, he was ignorant. I could not shun him because of what I knew. I reached down, held him gently in my arms, and whispered,
"I love you Anakin Skywalker."
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Place: Jedi Temple, Coruscant.
"Anakin, are you sure you can do this?" I asked him.
I was sitting on Anakin's bed in his living quarters in the Jedi Temple as he gathered the few things he'd need to take with him on his journey to Naboo. Anakin smiled and shook his head.
"I'll be fine, Elaina. You shouldn't worry like this. I've got an arm to help me out. I'm not helpless." He chided. I shrugged helplessly.
"I'm sorry. I just, I worry about you." I said. Anakin eyed me resolutely.
"Well, you shouldn't. I'm fine. I can take care of myself." He said firmly, picking up his cloak from the bed.
He tried to slip it over his shoulders easily, but I quickly noticed that he was not as used to the mechno-arm as he had said he was. He twisted his shoulders, trying to get the cloak on his back, a frown stretched across his lips as he worked to place the cloak over him. I stood and gently slipped it over his arms and onto his back. I turned him around to face me. His head was cast downwards, as were his eyes, and I could sense the remorse in his thoughts, the acceptance that he had been wrong.
"Thank you, Elaina. I guess I'm not as used to it as I thought."
I smiled gently and placed my hand on his arm.
"Don't ever hesitate to ask me for help, Anakin. I'll always be there for you." I said quietly.
Anakin picked up his transmitter and slipped it in his pocket, then cast a cocky smile in my direction.
"Just like you'll always be there for Obi-Wan?"
I closed my eyes and shook my head in exasperation. When I opened them, his smile had faded and he was staring unmercifully at me.
"Anakin,"
"I've sensed the change, Elaina. You've accepted what you believe is your destiny. I will follow mine."
He then picked up his bag carefully with his uninjured arm and strode towards the door.
"Anakin," I called out.
He stopped impatiently in the doorway. There was nothing I could say or do that would change his mind. I had betrayed him, now he would betray me, and his Order. My insides churned angrily as I stared at him, hating myself for doing this, for turning against him, but feeling that I had no choice.
"May the Force be with you, Anakin." I whispered.
A softness passed over Anakin's face and he nodded.
"May the Force be with you, 'Laina."
Then he strode from the room, never looking back. I followed him into the hallway, closing the door behind me, then stood in the doorway as he walked down the hall, his gold fingers glinting in the sun that softly filtered through the windows of the Jedi Temple.
I had already said my good-byes to Padmé. She had come to see me many times since I had been placed under Med-Center supervision. I had tried to talk to her about Anakin, tried to ask her of her feelings, but whenever I brought it up, she became stony and silent.
"What Anakin and I do, that is up to us." She had said quietly, never giving me a straight answer, therefore solidifying what I already knew would happen between them.
I sighed as Anakin's tall figure left my sight. I knew what would happen next. Anakin and Padmé, the two would become one before the night was through. I don't know the last time that I've felt more terrible.
"He'll be alright. I'm sure he will." Obi-Wan's voice held a tentative air, as if he was still not sure about his convictions. I shook my head and turned to him. He stood just beside me, his hands clasped behind him as he looked down at me.
"I don't think so. He's drifting away from us." I said firmly.
Obi-Wan nodded and put an arm around my shoulders.
"Come, let's go speak with Master Yoda and Master Windu. I want to speak with them about a certain matter." He said quietly.
As we walked, I knew of what he wished to speak with them about. Partially, about Count Dooku, partially about our fate, that we had decided only a few nights ago.
Obi-Wan had come to me only a few days ago when I still rested in the Med-Center. He had smiled broadly, though I scolded him for coming and endangering his own wound to infection and stress.
"My wounds will heal soon enough. Until they are fully healed, however, they shall have to put up with me, for I cannot forget my friends." His smile settled into a thoughtful line as he sat down in a chair beside my bed. "Elaina, I wish to speak with you on a tentative subject."
I smiled broadly.
"I see. And what is this tentative subject?" I asked, teasing him over his sober looks. A hint of a smile passed over his lips, but he did not allow it to grow.
"You and I."
"Oh, I see."
"I think, I know that you feel the same as I, but we need to weigh things into account."
"And what things are those?"
"Well, we both understand how the other feels, we know that Qui-Gon wished it,"
"Yes?"
Obi-Wan slowly raised his eyes to lock with mine. There was fear resting there. That was something I rarely saw in Obi-Wan. I could depend on him to never be afraid, but now, he was frightened. But then again, now faced with this situation, so was I.
"Do we dare take the next step?"
A thrill swelled in my chest without my being able to stop it. I couldn't help it. The life I lived forbade it, but my heart knew nothing of those rules any longer. My heart had harbored these feelings since my youth when I first met Obi-Wan. Back then, I knew nothing of these rules, forbidding this elusive feeling, love. I cannot deny that I was angry that these rules were imposed upon me, but at the same time, I felt guilt for feeling so. Did we dare take the next step?
"Our life would be hard." I said quietly.
"Yes, it would. The two of us would have to work things out together, work out our missions. But perhaps the Masters would allow us to perform them together."
"That isn't the only factor. My visions. I do not want them to become taxing to you."
"They won't!"
"I know you say that now, but you will want to know what they are. You are so curious, Obi-Wan."
Obi-Wan scoffed as if the very idea was ridiculous.
"I would be able to control myself."
"Truly?"
"Truly."
"You would not press me if I did not wish to share my visions with you?"
"It would be hard, but it would not be out of curiosity, rather out of worry for your well-being. I don't wish you to suffer alone."
"But I must. It is not fair for me to impose it upon you, Obi-Wan. This and the permission of the Masters are the only things that block our way."
Obi-Wan gazed at me for a long time, his lips in a thin line, thoughtfulness in his eyes. Finally, he dropped his head with a sigh, then lifted his head again and took my hand in his.
"I am willing to allow you to do as you will regarding your visions."
"Thank you, Obi-Wan!" I threw my arms around him thankfully, relieved that he did not insist upon that matter. His arms slowly came around me and he held me close.
"Mind you, it won't be easy, but I'll live." He said resolutely. I pulled away from him, taking his face in my hands.
"We'll survive. We will make this work."
Obi-Wan smiled and shook his head at my enthusiasm, though his own smile was shining brightly in his face.
"I don't see how we couldn't."
It was done. We were formally engaged. Now the only problem stood before us. An interview with the Masters. It was daunting. It was the thing I wanted to do least of all. I dreaded standing there in that circular room before Master Yoda to tell him of our betrayal of him. But there was no turning back.
"Come in, Obi-Wan. Good to see you it is. And Elaina! Good to see you on your feet it is." Master Yoda greeted us quietly as we stepped through the door.
"Hello, Masters. It is good to see you again." Obi-Wan said with a smile. Master Windu nodded in my direction, a pleased smile on his face.
"It is good to see you walking about again." He said. I smiled and nodded.
"The Med-droids think that I've made a full recovery and the pain won't return unless I stress myself too soon." I said quietly. Master Windu smiled.
"That is good news."
"And now that Obi-Wan and Anakin are finally back on their feet, we're as good as new." I said with a shrug. The Masters nodded.
Obi-Wan sighed and looked out the windows of the room that looked out across Coruscant. I sensed his actions. He was waiting, perceiving how he should come about telling the Masters about us.
"Do you believe what Count Dooku said about Sidious controlling the Senate? It doesn't feel right." He said quietly, bringing up the subject that we had been summoned in order to discuss. At that, Yoda scoffed.
"Joined the Dark Side, Dooku has. Lies, deceit, creating mistrust are his ways now." He said, wagging a short, green finger in our direction.
"Nevertheless, I feel we should keep a closer eye on the Senate." Master Windu added. Yoda nodded slowly.
"I agree." He murmured.
"Dooku has proved that he knows more than we think he does. He knew many things, claiming that Qui-Gon told him of them. We should not underestimate him." I said. Yoda and Windu nodded, accepting the knowledge.
"Where is your apprentice?" Master Windu asked Obi-Wan, changing the discussion to a somewhat lighter, less serious subject. Obi-Wan breathed deeply and nodded.
"On his way to Naboo, escorting Senator Amidala home." Then he stopped and smiled slightly at Master Windu. "I have to admit that without the army, it would not have been a victory."
Master Windu and I were nodding our agreement when Yoda's grave voice filled the room.
"Victory? Victory you say? Master Obi-Wan, not victory. The shroud of the dark side has fallen. Begun the Clone Wars have."
A shudder of foreboding went down my spine as I glanced at Obi-Wan. His eyes were now filled with apprehension at the prophecy.
"Yes, Master. And many of us will die." He murmured.
"Much more than that, Obi-Wan. If help we do not receive, wiped out we will be." Yoda countered.
"I don't think it will come to that." Master Windu reasoned.
"Unless firm we stay, and motivated the Chancellor remains, destroyed we will be." Yoda said firmly.
"Surely, it will not come to that." Master Windu whispered to himself.
"Master Yoda," I looked over at Obi-Wan as he suddenly spoke out. Yoda nodded slowly, acknowledging him. "Master Yoda, with current events, I wish to speak to you of an action I wish to perform."
Obi-Wan now looked nervous, where he had looked confident before.
Master Yoda frowned. "Yes. Information you wish to pass to me?" Yoda asked.
"Yes, Master. Master, I am going to marry Elaina."
I felt his apprehension at his boldness and also at the information that he was speaking so blatantly to his Master. Master Windu looked shocked, but on Master Yoda's face, only a look of sadness rested there.
"My young Jedi, going against your vows are you?" Yoda asked quietly.
"Master Yoda, many Jedi have married each other and have survived. It is only when a Jedi marries an innocent citizen that dangers arise." Obi-Wan reasoned.
"Breaking vows both ways it is." Yoda insisted.
"But Master, there is a connection between us. Elaina could never drive me to the Dark Side! More likely, it would be her dragging me back should it ever happen." Obi-Wan insisted stubbornly. Yoda shook his head.
"Approve of this, I cannot." He said slowly. "The deepest commitment it takes for a Jedi to keep to his duties and keep the duties to the one he has married. Too hard for you it would be." He said.
"Master Yoda, I am willing to face the trials." Obi-Wan said firmly.
"As am I, Master." I said, stepping forward to stand beside Obi-Wan.
"If approve this I do, the others, think you an exception to the rules, they will." Yoda said warily.
"Master, we are willing to face the trials, no matter what they may be. We are not afraid." Obi-Wan insisted. Yoda's eyes widened slightly, then narrowed as he waved his short finger towards us.
"You will be." He murmured quietly. A shudder ran down my spine as I stared at Master Yoda, his mind fixed and firm.
"You both say that you are willing to face the trials. Are you really?" Obi-Wan and I both looked to Master Windu as he spoke angrily. "Tell me Obi-Wan, do you know of the Jedi Masters Ratsa Que and Gria Louns?" He asked. Obi-Wan nodded, surprised by Windu's outburst.
"Yes, they were both great leaders in the Republic." He said slowly. Master Windu's eyes flashed angrily.
"Yes. They ignored their vows to the Jedi Order and married in a time of war before the creation of the Republic. After the Republic was established, they were hated for bringing order to the galaxy by drifters and those opposed to the Republic.Gria Louns went on a mission alone, her husband having another duty to fulfill. She never returned. Ratsa Que went after her, then found her on the planet of Bicdin. They tortured her in front of him. He watched her die. He escaped and returned to us, but he was never the same." Master Windu said slowly and deliberately.
"Heartbroken he was. Live alone he could not. The connection between them, broken it was. A great loss it was, for lose we did, not only Gria, but Ratsa as well." Yoda said quietly. "Lose you I do not wish to. In pain, I do not wish to see you. Clouded your futures are. Think if die, one of you should, would the one remaining be able to live alone?" Yoda asked, anxiety in his gaze.
I immediately thought of my vision, the one of my death. How can I tell Obi-Wan that I shall die a young woman? I shall leave him alone. Would he go mad? Perhaps we should not do this. But Obi-Wan's comforting touch as he pressed his hand in mine, steadied me and my resolve. Obi-Wan would survive. He was strong.
"Master, I did not come to ask your permission, but to tell you of our decision." Obi-Wan said patiently. Master Windu mouth dropped slightly, then he hung his head and stared out the window. Yoda's eyebrows raised sadly and he dropped his head.
"Behaving like Qui-Gon you are. Satisfied he should be." Yoda said gravely.
"Qui-Gon approved of this. He foresaw something in the future that Elaina and I would have to face together. This was his doing." Obi-Wan said firmly.
"If his doing this is, touched by his presence it is. Feel him, I do, his arrogance, his stubbornness. All come through you they do." Yoda murmured.
Obi-Wan straightened suddenly, but he said nothing. He merely squeezed my hand tighter. Finally, he and I bowed to the Masters, and said no more as we left.
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"Do you, Obi-Wan Kenobi, take this woman, Elaina Solo, to be your lawfully wedded wife, to love her and keep her, in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, till death do you part, for as long as you both shall live?"
Obi-Wan smiled gently, his hands fixed firmly in mine.
"I do." He winked as he breathed a sigh of relief. I returned it and looked to the proctor as he looked down upon me.
"Do you, Elaina Solo, take this man, Obi-Wan Kenobi, to be your lawfully wedded husband, to love him and keep him, in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, till death do you part for as long as you both shall live?"
This was it. A moment of truth. The vision of my death passed before my eyes, the vision of my tortured son as well. Was I willing to face the trials? To leave my husband in death? To leave my son to be tortured and tracked down by my childhood friend?
Till death do you part.
I would.
"I do." I whispered. Obi-Wan smiled and pressed his forehead against my own.
"I almost thought you weren't going to go through with it." He whispered. I grinned.
"It would be ironic if I said no after you pledged your life to me wouldn't it?" I asked. Obi-Wan chuckled and shook his head.
"Don't even think it." He whispered.
"I now pronounce you, husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."
I glanced at Obi-Wan with a small smile. We had not dressed up for the occasion. We were dressed in simple Jedi robes. We were Jedi. Jedi we would remain throughout our lives, even if we were married. This was a sign of our insistance to continue to follow the way of the Jedi, though now, together as one. Obi-Wan smiled, leaned down and we kissed each other gently. The proctor smiled and departed as we did so.
Slowly did we draw apart, both smiling as we did so. We both walked over to the balcony that overlooked the rest of the Jedi Temple and stood there, Obi-Wan holding my hand gently. He would be there for me always, until my time would come, and I would do the same for him. He was my husband. I would not leave him completely alone. I would always be there beside him, even after my death, for I don't think I could leave him even then. We did not care about wars or destruction. We had each other, and our love was a symbol that life would go on, no matter how hard, for our love had bloomed in adversity, and it would continue to do so for all time.
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