Chapter 2 - Dantooine
When the pressure of the Spider began to get to Obi-Wan, we stopped travelling and instead returned to somewhere familiar and calming; not to Beli'ay, but to Dantooine and Obi-Wan's old family estate. Happy memories of childhood echoed through its halls and when Obi-Wan wasn't in Naboo or pacing, he managed to sit still in peace at least for a while and plan and think.
I was asleep when he returned that final time. I had not expected him back for days, as his planned rescue was not until the end of the week. After he had told me all that had happened, I realised he must have ridden long, hard and without rest to reach me so quickly.
I sat up in bed still groggy from sleep, but I was sure I had heard hooves on the gravel drive. I stumbled from the bed, feeling for my robe in the near total darkness. Just as I was pulling the robe tight around me, the bedroom door opened and in staggered a figure dressed completely in black and carrying a candelabra. The light from the five candles illuminated his face, however, I almost wished they hadn't. In his eyes I could see exhaustion and defeat.
"Obi-Wan?"
He gently placed the candleholder down on a chest of drawers by the door. He turned and closed the door, however, he did not turn back around to face me.
"Obi-Wan?" I asked again, this time going to him. I was not hesitant as I pulled him into my arms and held him close.
"I have failed again, Qui-Gon."
"How? The rescue wasn't..." I trailed off as he began to sob, trying to explain to me what had happened between his tears.
"We had an opportunity; Bruck was on duty in the Bastel. We organised a raid. It was all planned in a matter of hours. No one else knew, but still, he got there first. How Qui-Gon? How?"
"Calm yourself, Obi-Wan. You must tell me what happened, but before you do you must eat and rest."
"Not now, Qui-Gon, please."
"Yes, now. Things will seem clearer in the morning," I insisted.
I led him over to the vast bed we shared when we were both at the manor. I sat him down and knelt at his feet so I could take off his boots. He did not protest or make any move to stop me, he just sat there, numb and distant. I grieved for the turmoil I could see in his eyes and was determined to take care of him until he emerged from his depression.
I went to the head of the bed and pulled the servant's bell. Almost immediately, Fisher appeared; he had been woken by his Master's arrival and had anticipated our need for him.
"Yes, My Lord?"
"Bring a tray of food please, Fisher and a hot bath."
"Immediately, my Lord."
He departed and I once again turned my attention to Obi-Wan. He had not moved. Exhaustion was claiming him. I continued to undress him as I waited for the food and the bath to arrive. When he was naked, I wrapped one of the bed blankets around him to keep the chill off him.
There was a knock at the door and Fisher entered carrying a tray.
"The water for the bath is being heated, My Lord," he told me and behind him I could see two other servants carrying in the large tin bath.
"Thank you, Fisher." I took the tray from him and waited for him and the other two to leave before I started feeding Obi-Wan. He took what I gave him, still not arguing, not even speaking between mouthfuls. He was trying to calm himself and think clearly. It was an effort for him to pull his emotions in and control them and it was especially frustrating because it had always been easy for him before.
By the time the water arrived for the bath, Obi-Wan had begun to relax and as he slipped into the hot water, the rest of the tension in his muscles fled his body.
"Thank you, Qui-Gon."
"You are welcome, My Love." I bathed him and washed his hair, enjoying the feeling of it falling through my fingers. As the water began to cool I lifted him out of the bath and carried him over to the bed where a large pile of towels waited. I wrapped the largest around him and went to retrieve another, but Obi-Wan gripped my wrist stopping me.
"I love you," he whispered as he looked long and hard into my eyes.
"And I, you."
Obi-Wan didn't let go and he seemed to be thinking something through. A devilish smile spread across his lips. It was a smile I had longed for and hoped to see.
"Don't I get a kiss?" he asked me.
I gently leaned in and kissed him. I pulled away to see a shy smile instead of the impish one. Long, graceful arms snaked their way around my neck. Obi-Wan let the towel fall as he pressed his body against mine and kissed me again.
I kissed him back, hungry for more, but unsure if he was ready to surrender to it yet or if he needed more time to relax. He made the decision for me. He pushed off the robe I was wearing so that we stood naked together, entwined in each other's arms. He backed away, pulling me with him, until we reached the bed. He fell back onto it and beckoned me to join him. I did not hesitate any longer. I mounted the bed and straddled his waist; I leant forwards and once again tasted his mouth.
"Please, Qui-Gon, now. I can't wait."
I didn't speak as I once again pulled away from him so that I could reach the scented oil we kept by the bed. I wasted little time preparing him. I could see in his eyes his desperation and need. I entered him slowly; despite his want, I refused to hurt him. He arched up off the bed, silently moaning, his eyes glazed over as his whole being was consumed by what his body felt instead of what his mind was thinking.
"Obi-Wan," I said. "Obi-Wan, look at me."
Gradually Obi-Wan came back to himself, I looked into his slightly dazed eyes and waited. He took three shuddering deep breaths and then, ever so slightly, he nodded. I pulled out slowly and as I pushed forward again, I leaned down and took his mouth in another passionate kiss.
My slow pace did not last long as he held onto me desperately, asking, begging me silently for this night to consume him. Within minutes we were both spent. I collapsed half on top of Obi-Wan and half on the bed. He turned and pushed me onto my back. I opened one eye to see him smiling down at me.
"I love you, Qui."
"I know, My Jedi, and I, you." He curled up at my side as I reached across to pull the blankets over the both of us.
"Do you really think it will be better in the morning?" he asked tentatively.
"Yes, I do." I waited, half knowing what he'd say next.
"Good." A pause. "Can we return to Beli'ay?"
"Yes, We'll leave tomorrow." My Obi-Wan is never predictable, if he was he would have been caught long ago, but I knew him beyond anyone else and I knew the man at his heart. He'd need to fix that which had happened. He would need a plan. He'd need to be in the capital, close to his allies and as close to Naboo as he could get without leaving the country. I knew all this, which was why as soon as he mentioned the new murder I knew we would be leaving.
"In the morning," I added. I don't think he heard me, for he was already deeply asleep. He trusted me, and that filled me with such love and gratitude. He knew I would support him and do what was necessary. Yes, we were perfect for each other, we both wore masks but we were both heroes at heart.
By the time Obi-Wan woke from his slumber, I had made most of the preparations to leave. Travel clothes were laid out for him and everything else we would need had been packed. I arranged with Fisher to close up the manor and to then follow us back to the capital with the rest of the servants. Once again, the only person living in Obi-Wan's childhood home would be the housekeeper.
We left the manor house shortly after lunch. I felt no need to hurry to reach the capital, and indeed there was no reason to rush, except for Obi-Wan's peace of mind. Obi-Wan had been quiet for most of the morning, speaking only to tell me the story he would not tell me the night before. As we grew nearer to Beli'ay and the hour got late, he once again began to talk. His voice was calm and steady; the near hysteria and pain I had glimpsed last night had gone and been replaced by a bone deep weariness. Nevertheless, he was thinking clearly and was talking through the obstacle I was sure he would overcome.
"I do not know what to do, Qui-Gon. I really don't. Where do I start? And how do I finish it?" The moor land of the Dales swept past the carriage window but I do not think he saw it, even though he appeared to be looking out of the window. It seemed to me he was looking beyond those hills.
"I am afraid of what this means and what it will do for the people of Naboo. The rebellion is failing, the Fallen continue to be executed and the Jedi has done nothing."
"He has tried," I reminded him.
"There is no try, only do or do not."
"What was that?"
"It was what my mentor once said, and all my life I had abided by it." Obi-Wan rarely spoke of his childhood or his family history including the flight of his mother from Naboo and Palpatine.
"You may have heard his name. He came to this country with my mother. He had been Palpatine's teacher and adviser until he saw the evil in him. He taught me everything, but alas not even the wise can escape age."
"What was his name?"
"He was Master Yoda."
"Yoda, I thought he died in Theed," I exclaimed
"No, he escaped and came to Coruscant, where he'd be safe."
"I never met Yoda, but I have heard of him, and the King talks of him sometimes, usually with spite and hate." I could think of a number of occasions when Palpatine had spoken Yoda's name and then cursed.
"I can imagine. Palpatine, who publicly denounced him, accused Yoda of treason. He was sentenced to death. Yoda had told him that he would not be powerful forever and that his iron clad fist would crumble in the light of justice."
"That would certainly anger Palpatine."
"Yoda lived to see Palpatine crowned and it saddened him greatly. He had gotten old and I think he lost any hope when that happened and just let go. He was right though, Palpatine may be king now, but he will be stopped, one day."
"By you?" I asked.
"Oh, no. By Naboo's people, with a Queen at their head, leading them towards peace and an end to terror."
"Amidala," I said and with her name came thoughts of the young lady, Amidala Naberrie, a known living blood relative of the king and the only one who could challenge Naboo's king and compete in an election. I smiled as I thought of her. She still hated me and knew nothing of my involvement in the Jedi League but she would be Queen and both Obi-Wan and I were determined to see her on the throne.
"If there is no rescuer soon, then the Jedi will be thought dead or worse, defeated. I am only one man, Qui-Gon but it seems to me I carry the hope of a nation."
I did not argue with him. Even though his words seemed arrogant, there was an element of truth within them. Without the Jedi, where would the rebellion be? He gave hope to the people, courage to the rebels and put fear in the enemy.
The rest of the journey passed quietly, with me sometimes trying to engage Obi-Wan in small talk and he tried to respond. At dusk we changed our horses and then continued on our journey south. I slept for a while, exhausted from the journey and the previous night's talk. When I awoke, Obi-Wan was still in the same position. He sat gazing out the window, however he now clasped my hand between his own. I smiled; just to see him, filled me with joy. With my other hand I reached across and brushed a stray strand of hair out of his face. He turned to me and also smiled. He brought my hand to his lips and kissed it before releasing me.
"You should sleep," I told him.
"I can't."
"Try."
He nodded and looked at me questioningly. Once again words were unnecessary. I nodded and he lay down with his head in my lap. It wasn't the most comfortable place in the world; Obi-Wan's feet were still on the floor as there was no room to stretch out and I could only sit up straight. However we were warm and with each other and for Obi-Wan at that time it was enough.
We passed the rest of the night and next morning like that, even when Obi-Wan awoke, he did not sit up.
"Qui-Gon, you work for the NIA, do you have any idea who it could be?"
"The Spider? No, I was assigned to the Jedi and so know little of other terrorist activity. If I knew, I would tell you," I assured him. "Do you have any ideas?"
Obi-Wan paused, and at the time I thought he was thinking of possibilities, but now I know it was the pause before the lie.
"No."
We reached Beli'ay on the third day, in time for evening meal, however, dinner was not all that was waiting for us at Obi-Wan's townhouse. We had decided to stay in town rather than at Kenobi Hall, the estate Obi-Wan owned outside the city. Someone else either guessed this or knew, because when we arrived there was another carriage waiting outside the house. It was black and bore the crest of the crown prince.
Seeing the carriage of his friend, Obi-Wan leapt from our carriage and bounded up the house's steps. I laughed to see his schoolboy exuberance. By the time I caught up with him, he was embracing the heir to the throne, Prince Xanatos.
"Lord Jinn," he said to me in greeting. "It's a pleasure to see you again."
I bowed in respect.
"And you, your Highness."
"Xan, why are you here?" Xanatos and Obi-Wan had been friends their entire lives and when in private, Obi-Wan treated the prince as any other cherished friend. I think Xanatos loved him all the more for it.
"I heard you were coming home and I needed to talk to you."
"This sounds serious," Obi-Wan said. "Lets go into the study."
We all took a seat in Obi-Wan's finely decorated study and waited for the prince to speak.
"Have you heard of the stories about the Spider in Naboo?"
"Yes," Obi-Wan said, betraying nothing, his mask firmly in place.
I nodded.
"I fear whoever he is, he is now here in Coruscant, as well."
When the pressure of the Spider began to get to Obi-Wan, we stopped travelling and instead returned to somewhere familiar and calming; not to Beli'ay, but to Dantooine and Obi-Wan's old family estate. Happy memories of childhood echoed through its halls and when Obi-Wan wasn't in Naboo or pacing, he managed to sit still in peace at least for a while and plan and think.
I was asleep when he returned that final time. I had not expected him back for days, as his planned rescue was not until the end of the week. After he had told me all that had happened, I realised he must have ridden long, hard and without rest to reach me so quickly.
I sat up in bed still groggy from sleep, but I was sure I had heard hooves on the gravel drive. I stumbled from the bed, feeling for my robe in the near total darkness. Just as I was pulling the robe tight around me, the bedroom door opened and in staggered a figure dressed completely in black and carrying a candelabra. The light from the five candles illuminated his face, however, I almost wished they hadn't. In his eyes I could see exhaustion and defeat.
"Obi-Wan?"
He gently placed the candleholder down on a chest of drawers by the door. He turned and closed the door, however, he did not turn back around to face me.
"Obi-Wan?" I asked again, this time going to him. I was not hesitant as I pulled him into my arms and held him close.
"I have failed again, Qui-Gon."
"How? The rescue wasn't..." I trailed off as he began to sob, trying to explain to me what had happened between his tears.
"We had an opportunity; Bruck was on duty in the Bastel. We organised a raid. It was all planned in a matter of hours. No one else knew, but still, he got there first. How Qui-Gon? How?"
"Calm yourself, Obi-Wan. You must tell me what happened, but before you do you must eat and rest."
"Not now, Qui-Gon, please."
"Yes, now. Things will seem clearer in the morning," I insisted.
I led him over to the vast bed we shared when we were both at the manor. I sat him down and knelt at his feet so I could take off his boots. He did not protest or make any move to stop me, he just sat there, numb and distant. I grieved for the turmoil I could see in his eyes and was determined to take care of him until he emerged from his depression.
I went to the head of the bed and pulled the servant's bell. Almost immediately, Fisher appeared; he had been woken by his Master's arrival and had anticipated our need for him.
"Yes, My Lord?"
"Bring a tray of food please, Fisher and a hot bath."
"Immediately, my Lord."
He departed and I once again turned my attention to Obi-Wan. He had not moved. Exhaustion was claiming him. I continued to undress him as I waited for the food and the bath to arrive. When he was naked, I wrapped one of the bed blankets around him to keep the chill off him.
There was a knock at the door and Fisher entered carrying a tray.
"The water for the bath is being heated, My Lord," he told me and behind him I could see two other servants carrying in the large tin bath.
"Thank you, Fisher." I took the tray from him and waited for him and the other two to leave before I started feeding Obi-Wan. He took what I gave him, still not arguing, not even speaking between mouthfuls. He was trying to calm himself and think clearly. It was an effort for him to pull his emotions in and control them and it was especially frustrating because it had always been easy for him before.
By the time the water arrived for the bath, Obi-Wan had begun to relax and as he slipped into the hot water, the rest of the tension in his muscles fled his body.
"Thank you, Qui-Gon."
"You are welcome, My Love." I bathed him and washed his hair, enjoying the feeling of it falling through my fingers. As the water began to cool I lifted him out of the bath and carried him over to the bed where a large pile of towels waited. I wrapped the largest around him and went to retrieve another, but Obi-Wan gripped my wrist stopping me.
"I love you," he whispered as he looked long and hard into my eyes.
"And I, you."
Obi-Wan didn't let go and he seemed to be thinking something through. A devilish smile spread across his lips. It was a smile I had longed for and hoped to see.
"Don't I get a kiss?" he asked me.
I gently leaned in and kissed him. I pulled away to see a shy smile instead of the impish one. Long, graceful arms snaked their way around my neck. Obi-Wan let the towel fall as he pressed his body against mine and kissed me again.
I kissed him back, hungry for more, but unsure if he was ready to surrender to it yet or if he needed more time to relax. He made the decision for me. He pushed off the robe I was wearing so that we stood naked together, entwined in each other's arms. He backed away, pulling me with him, until we reached the bed. He fell back onto it and beckoned me to join him. I did not hesitate any longer. I mounted the bed and straddled his waist; I leant forwards and once again tasted his mouth.
"Please, Qui-Gon, now. I can't wait."
I didn't speak as I once again pulled away from him so that I could reach the scented oil we kept by the bed. I wasted little time preparing him. I could see in his eyes his desperation and need. I entered him slowly; despite his want, I refused to hurt him. He arched up off the bed, silently moaning, his eyes glazed over as his whole being was consumed by what his body felt instead of what his mind was thinking.
"Obi-Wan," I said. "Obi-Wan, look at me."
Gradually Obi-Wan came back to himself, I looked into his slightly dazed eyes and waited. He took three shuddering deep breaths and then, ever so slightly, he nodded. I pulled out slowly and as I pushed forward again, I leaned down and took his mouth in another passionate kiss.
My slow pace did not last long as he held onto me desperately, asking, begging me silently for this night to consume him. Within minutes we were both spent. I collapsed half on top of Obi-Wan and half on the bed. He turned and pushed me onto my back. I opened one eye to see him smiling down at me.
"I love you, Qui."
"I know, My Jedi, and I, you." He curled up at my side as I reached across to pull the blankets over the both of us.
"Do you really think it will be better in the morning?" he asked tentatively.
"Yes, I do." I waited, half knowing what he'd say next.
"Good." A pause. "Can we return to Beli'ay?"
"Yes, We'll leave tomorrow." My Obi-Wan is never predictable, if he was he would have been caught long ago, but I knew him beyond anyone else and I knew the man at his heart. He'd need to fix that which had happened. He would need a plan. He'd need to be in the capital, close to his allies and as close to Naboo as he could get without leaving the country. I knew all this, which was why as soon as he mentioned the new murder I knew we would be leaving.
"In the morning," I added. I don't think he heard me, for he was already deeply asleep. He trusted me, and that filled me with such love and gratitude. He knew I would support him and do what was necessary. Yes, we were perfect for each other, we both wore masks but we were both heroes at heart.
By the time Obi-Wan woke from his slumber, I had made most of the preparations to leave. Travel clothes were laid out for him and everything else we would need had been packed. I arranged with Fisher to close up the manor and to then follow us back to the capital with the rest of the servants. Once again, the only person living in Obi-Wan's childhood home would be the housekeeper.
We left the manor house shortly after lunch. I felt no need to hurry to reach the capital, and indeed there was no reason to rush, except for Obi-Wan's peace of mind. Obi-Wan had been quiet for most of the morning, speaking only to tell me the story he would not tell me the night before. As we grew nearer to Beli'ay and the hour got late, he once again began to talk. His voice was calm and steady; the near hysteria and pain I had glimpsed last night had gone and been replaced by a bone deep weariness. Nevertheless, he was thinking clearly and was talking through the obstacle I was sure he would overcome.
"I do not know what to do, Qui-Gon. I really don't. Where do I start? And how do I finish it?" The moor land of the Dales swept past the carriage window but I do not think he saw it, even though he appeared to be looking out of the window. It seemed to me he was looking beyond those hills.
"I am afraid of what this means and what it will do for the people of Naboo. The rebellion is failing, the Fallen continue to be executed and the Jedi has done nothing."
"He has tried," I reminded him.
"There is no try, only do or do not."
"What was that?"
"It was what my mentor once said, and all my life I had abided by it." Obi-Wan rarely spoke of his childhood or his family history including the flight of his mother from Naboo and Palpatine.
"You may have heard his name. He came to this country with my mother. He had been Palpatine's teacher and adviser until he saw the evil in him. He taught me everything, but alas not even the wise can escape age."
"What was his name?"
"He was Master Yoda."
"Yoda, I thought he died in Theed," I exclaimed
"No, he escaped and came to Coruscant, where he'd be safe."
"I never met Yoda, but I have heard of him, and the King talks of him sometimes, usually with spite and hate." I could think of a number of occasions when Palpatine had spoken Yoda's name and then cursed.
"I can imagine. Palpatine, who publicly denounced him, accused Yoda of treason. He was sentenced to death. Yoda had told him that he would not be powerful forever and that his iron clad fist would crumble in the light of justice."
"That would certainly anger Palpatine."
"Yoda lived to see Palpatine crowned and it saddened him greatly. He had gotten old and I think he lost any hope when that happened and just let go. He was right though, Palpatine may be king now, but he will be stopped, one day."
"By you?" I asked.
"Oh, no. By Naboo's people, with a Queen at their head, leading them towards peace and an end to terror."
"Amidala," I said and with her name came thoughts of the young lady, Amidala Naberrie, a known living blood relative of the king and the only one who could challenge Naboo's king and compete in an election. I smiled as I thought of her. She still hated me and knew nothing of my involvement in the Jedi League but she would be Queen and both Obi-Wan and I were determined to see her on the throne.
"If there is no rescuer soon, then the Jedi will be thought dead or worse, defeated. I am only one man, Qui-Gon but it seems to me I carry the hope of a nation."
I did not argue with him. Even though his words seemed arrogant, there was an element of truth within them. Without the Jedi, where would the rebellion be? He gave hope to the people, courage to the rebels and put fear in the enemy.
The rest of the journey passed quietly, with me sometimes trying to engage Obi-Wan in small talk and he tried to respond. At dusk we changed our horses and then continued on our journey south. I slept for a while, exhausted from the journey and the previous night's talk. When I awoke, Obi-Wan was still in the same position. He sat gazing out the window, however he now clasped my hand between his own. I smiled; just to see him, filled me with joy. With my other hand I reached across and brushed a stray strand of hair out of his face. He turned to me and also smiled. He brought my hand to his lips and kissed it before releasing me.
"You should sleep," I told him.
"I can't."
"Try."
He nodded and looked at me questioningly. Once again words were unnecessary. I nodded and he lay down with his head in my lap. It wasn't the most comfortable place in the world; Obi-Wan's feet were still on the floor as there was no room to stretch out and I could only sit up straight. However we were warm and with each other and for Obi-Wan at that time it was enough.
We passed the rest of the night and next morning like that, even when Obi-Wan awoke, he did not sit up.
"Qui-Gon, you work for the NIA, do you have any idea who it could be?"
"The Spider? No, I was assigned to the Jedi and so know little of other terrorist activity. If I knew, I would tell you," I assured him. "Do you have any ideas?"
Obi-Wan paused, and at the time I thought he was thinking of possibilities, but now I know it was the pause before the lie.
"No."
We reached Beli'ay on the third day, in time for evening meal, however, dinner was not all that was waiting for us at Obi-Wan's townhouse. We had decided to stay in town rather than at Kenobi Hall, the estate Obi-Wan owned outside the city. Someone else either guessed this or knew, because when we arrived there was another carriage waiting outside the house. It was black and bore the crest of the crown prince.
Seeing the carriage of his friend, Obi-Wan leapt from our carriage and bounded up the house's steps. I laughed to see his schoolboy exuberance. By the time I caught up with him, he was embracing the heir to the throne, Prince Xanatos.
"Lord Jinn," he said to me in greeting. "It's a pleasure to see you again."
I bowed in respect.
"And you, your Highness."
"Xan, why are you here?" Xanatos and Obi-Wan had been friends their entire lives and when in private, Obi-Wan treated the prince as any other cherished friend. I think Xanatos loved him all the more for it.
"I heard you were coming home and I needed to talk to you."
"This sounds serious," Obi-Wan said. "Lets go into the study."
We all took a seat in Obi-Wan's finely decorated study and waited for the prince to speak.
"Have you heard of the stories about the Spider in Naboo?"
"Yes," Obi-Wan said, betraying nothing, his mask firmly in place.
I nodded.
"I fear whoever he is, he is now here in Coruscant, as well."