Halith was a beautiful planet, at least to Anakin's eyes. Lush, green trees dotted the boulevards of the street, creating a pleasant image to one's eyes. Elegant buildings added to the scene, with colourful flowers planted into the ground.

Anakin's master saw none of this.

He was to busy walking as quickly as he could to King Renon's palace, not even taking in for a moment the beauty of this planet. Although, Anakin conceded, he had already this planet before.

In no time at all they had reached the palace, even more breath-taking then the sights already seen. Tall towers stood proudly at the four corners of the huge home, looking like a castle stolen from a children's story.

Laughter sounded from nearby, and Anakin could see three young children playing under the shade of one of the trees. They were not much younger than him, maybe three of four years. Unlike Anakin though, they had the luxury of their play time, something Anakin had not had all to often at the Temple.

Qui-Gon kept walking on, and Anakin was forced to follow. He would have liked to watch the children play, a care-free reminder of a normal childhood.

Two men stood guard at the entrance to the palace. Qui-Gon spoke quickly to them, and Anakin sensed his eagerness to finish this mission as swiftly as possible. One of the guards checked a data pad, then proceeded to wave them through.

Master Qui-Gon seemed to know where he was going, so Anakin just trailed behind, gazing at the treasures inside the main hall. Soon they had reached the throne and waited to be let in.

The tall wooden doors opened without a sound, allowing the two Jedi inside. A simple, but elegant throne stood in the middle of the room, where he could see a tall, older man sitting upon it.

"Greetings, Master Jedi." said the man Anakin presumed to be King Renon.

"Greetings, King Renon." Qui-Gon replied.

"I have informed the palace workers to your arrival. My daughter has also agreed to talk to you, but, as already stated, she does not want you to be in contact with her son. Is that understood?" King Renon said, in his commanding voice made to instil obedience into people.

Qui-Gon nodded and turned to leave. Anakin stole one last look at the throne room, and then followed Qui-Gon out.

*_______________________*

As soon as he first saw her, Anakin was astounded at the beauty of Princess Meldara. She had long, pale blue hair that reached down to her thighs and a striking face. She looked very innocent, but Anakin could sense that Meldara had much inner strength.

"Master Jinn!" she exclaimed, her face curling into a smile. "It has been too long."

"Yes it has." Qui-Gon said, without emotion. Anakin could tell that he was very uncomfortable here.

Meldara seemed to sense it as well, and she stopped smiling. "My father has informed me that the Jedi have reopened the investigation." she stated quietly.

"Yes, we have. We wish to know if there is anything else that you would like to add to what you have previously told us."

She shook her head, but Anakin thought that he could sense some sort of...deception about her now. "No, I have told you all I know." she replied, oblivious to Anakin's suspicions.

"But you could check with my personal guard again, if you like." she added.

Qui-Gon nodded. "I will do that. Anakin, you stay here with Princess Meldara. I will return shortly." With that, Qui-Gon pivoted on one foot and left the room.

Now alone with Meldara, Anakin used this opportunity to study her more closely. He could sense that she was nervous although she hid it well.

"So there's nothing else you can tell us?" Anakin said after a long silence.

She shook her head.

"Are you sure?" he asked again.

This time, he saw a flicker in her eyes, and he knew that she was very nervous. She turned to the window, and Anakin was surprised to see tears sliding down her cheeks.

"Look at him out there, Anakin. My son, playing with his friends. He deserves to know."

Now Anakin was intrigued. "Know what?" he asked, trying to keep his curiosity in check.

Meldara turned to him, and her bright blue eyes met his. "Who his true father is."

Anakin said nothing. He had learned that, with time and patience, most people will reveal everything.

"Nine years ago, your master and his apprentice, Obi-Wan Kenobi, came to my planet to help establish a stronger government. They were here several months, and I developed a friendship with Obi-Wan. He was eighteen, and I was nineteen. He was also the only one who knew about my boyfriend Tig."

"Tig?" Anakin asked, sensing that Tig had a large part to play in this tale.

"Yes, Tig. He was a servant in our palace, and we were in love. Unfortunately, Tig was of a 'lower' class, and I couldn't be with him in public. But fate, it seemed, has a sense of irony. I soon found out that I was pregnant, and I told my father as soon as I found the courage."

Meldara turned to the window again, and stared out to where her son was playing. A sad smile crawled onto her lips, and Anakin struggled to keep patient as she thought to her herself.

She continued her story, but kept gazing outside. "At first he seemed genuinely happy for me, and I spoke with him for a while. We were interrupted by a communiqué for him, and I returned to my room for the night, happy that things had gone so well. But the next day, something had changed. My father began to shout at me, telling him that I had brought shame to the family. He told him that I was to say that I had been assaulted by Obi-Wan, and we would be able to cover up my shame by blaming it on him.

"At first, I told him that I would never do such a thing; that I would never betray Obi-Wan. My father then threatened me, telling me that he would have Tig killed, and banish my child and I off of the planet."

Meldara was crying now, and her voice became quiet. "I never meant to hurt Obi-Wan. I'm sorry... I'm so sorry..." She began to shake with silent sobs, and Anakin put a comforting arm around her shoulders, finally understanding what this poor girl had gone through.

*_________________________*

Having not discovered any more new information, Qui-Gon headed back to where he had left Meldara and Anakin.

This mission was especially hard for Qui-Gon. The emotional effect that this planet and its people had on him was overwhelming. This was where he had lost his Padawan, a young man he had become to regard as his son. Now he was eager to finish this mission and leave behind the painful memories of the past.

He could hear Meldara's voice as he approached, and the emotional turmoil in her voice. He decided to pause outside the door, and allow Meldara to finish her story.

What he heard was something he could have never expected. That Obi-Wan, his beloved Padawan was not guilty of the crime of which he had been accused. That Obi-Wan had been a scape-goat for a royal family's 'shame'.

He could hear Meldara begin to cry, and Qui-Gon felt heavy of heart. What had he done to his Padawan? What horrors had Obi-Wan gone through all because of a mistake?

The emotional burden was to heavy for him to bear, and he sunk down to the floor. And, to his own surprise, he began to cry for his lost Padawan.

*Next chapter: Qui-Gon questions the king, and he and Anakin head off to Dagobah.*