Chapter 4

Tenel Ka stood from the bed, her eyes blank, and her face pale. Horrific images flashed throughout her mind. The child in her head taunted her. 'You can't see him.I took him away. He's mine.you'll have to fight me for him.' Tenel Ka shook her head, trying to get rid of the images, but they didn't leave. They kept flashing, and she kept talking.

Jacen was extremely worried. He sprang from the bed to catch Tenel Ka before she collapsed. He held her body close to his, whispering loudly into her ears, "What's wrong, Tenel Ka? Tell me!" Tenel Ka couldn't talk. "Please, Tenel Ka, tell me what's going on." She began shaking violently. "Tenel Ka!"

"No! Let me go! I cannot be around you, you only make it worse!" Tenel Ka screamed involuntarily. She tried to wrench herself out of his grip. Jacen only held her tighter.

"Make what worse?" He asked.

"She hates me.and she's using you for my pain!" Tenel Ka yelled. She pushed him away from her, slamming him into the wall. She ran out the door and tore down the hallway, tears streaming down her face.

Jacen's heart ripped in half. His stomach knotted and he couldn't breathe. 'What happened?' He thought, angry and confused. He didn't know, but he was going to find out.

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"Why'd you run away?" She asked.

"Because he made the feeling worse." Tenel Ka explained.

"He loves you." She said.

"Stop. You are mocking me again." Tenel Ka replied, frustrated.

"He wants you." She teased.

"I am warning you." Tenel Ka threatened.

"What can you do to me? I'm in your head." She told her. "This is a game, Tenel Ka, and I'm winning."

Tenel Ka was sitting on her bed, looking down at the floor. She could feel the anger burn in her chest. She ignored it, suppressing the feeling. Just as the child in her head began to laugh, Tenel Ka spoke up. "Maybe." She doubtingly said, with a slight smirk on her face.

Tenel Ka walked to the door, opening it slowly. She began to step out, but, having been looking at the floor, she noticed a pair of familiar feet. She looked up, sharply, and saw Jacen standing in front of her. "Will you talk to me now, my love?" Jacen asked calmly. Tenel Ka stared him hard in his eyes. They gleamed with compassion. She grabbed his hand and led him over to the bed, where she sat down. He sat beside her, and asked her again, "Tell me?"

Tenel Ka let out a loud sigh. "Jacen, this is something I have kept hidden, even from myself. I have never wanted to believe this is true, but it is, and it is a fierce reality to face. However, I knew that sooner or later I would have to. So now I do. Years ago, I was seven; I had a choice to make. I could have stayed with my family, and grow up to be queen someday. On the other hand, I had the option of leaving with a group of young friends to go to a nearby planet and get involved with trading and things like that. They both were very tempting to me at that age- to be powerful, or to be free. I wrestled with this for weeks; I stayed in my room, fighting with myself over this decision. I soon formed two different people. They fought constantly. The only way I knew to stop this madness was to make a decision and get rid of one of them. I eventually returned to the people who had given me such offers, and told them my choice. I chose to stay with my family and become queen. I went with the peaceful, promising choice, though it was not really what I wanted. I would have much rather run off with my friends, but I knew there was nothing to gain. The second self had left, and all was fine. Or so I thought. She is back, and she is jealous. I am the Queen of Hapes, but that is not what she wanted me to be. She was that half that wanted to go with my friends, to be my own person. I pushed her back in the shadows, but she has been there too long and she has fought her way out. I am doing my best to control her, but she is taunting me. She will do anything she can to destroy me. She is telling me that."

Tenel Ka paused, not really wanting to say what she needed to. Jacen pushed her on.

"She is telling me that she will take you away from me, and that she can do. She can control my mind. I am doing everything I can to fight against her, but I am afraid. I do not know what will happen, and I do not know if I want to know." Tenel Ka went on, somewhat calmly.

"You, afraid?" Jacen questioned. "Tenel Ka, you're strong. Not only strong, but brave, and you shouldn't be afraid. No matter what happens, remember that I wont let go." He lifted her chin up and smiled. "I love you more than I can tell you."

She gazed into his deep brown eyes, soaking up every word he couldn't say. Jacen scooped up her body and held her close to him. She rested her head on his shoulder, nuzzling her face into his neck. Rain began to fall steadily outside, and the slow, stable rhythm of each tiny drop relaxed Tenel Ka. Jacen could feel the tight tension in her body and mind gradually ease with every drop of rain. She had almost fallen asleep due to exhaustion from the earlier affair, and she barely heard Jacen whisper quietly, "I'll always be here.no matter what."