The extravagant ship piloted its way through the Elphoran atmosphere with ease. The Clydarian Prince looked upon the planet with great hope that below he would find what he was looking for. A woman to share his life. He ran a tentative hand through his russet hair.
"Yes" he said out loud. That was a search he was finding much harder than expected. Garyde knew exactly what he was looking for; he just had not got around to finding it yet. A Queen, but someone with a soul as well as stateliness. Being pleasant to look at would also be an added bonus. The Elphoran Quelena was rumoured to possess these traits but then he often found that those with the best reputations proved to be the biggest disappointments. Garyde sighed. Maybe he wasn't as hopeful as he thought.
The Quelena Kyia Levelle looked at herself in the mirror once again trying to push away feelings of guilt. She watched her expression lower as she pressed her lips together.
"It's been too long. So why can't I forget you?" She asked her reflection. She wasn't really expecting much from the latest suitor to arrive at her door but she still wondered at her attachment to a Jedi who she had not even had so much as a holo from in the past two years. Kyia sighed and used a Jedi calming technique to vent her frustration, ironic she thought considering it was a Jedi causing the frustration in the first place. But at least now she was a Jedi herself. She shook her head feeling clearer than she had for along time. No matter what she felt on the subject she had to get on with her life for Elphora, after all eventually it would need an heir. Kyia smiled at her image and started to prepare to meet the Prince from Clydarf.
Obi Wan Kenobi stood before Master Yoda, his apprentice at his side.
"Return you must" The words chilled him.
"But I thought the council were avoiding interfering." he said. "And Anakin is at a crucial stage of his training"
Yoda nodded "Changed the situation has. Shifting the Darkside is. Another attack I fear. Do you feel it not?"
Obi Wan did feel a sense of dread but he wasn't sure whether that was merely the fear of returning to Elphora to face Kyia. A raised eyebrow from Master Yoda expressed that he sensed there was more to the situation than Obi Wan had initially told him. He looked over towards Anakin. "Stay here you will, not good for you to be so close to the Sith a second time so early in your training" He returned his gaze towards the Jedi "Surprised I am, thought welcome the chance to return you would"
Obi Wan ignored his insinuation. "As you said the situation has changed"
Master Yoda dismissed them soberly at the use of his own words. "Yes, so they must"
Mace Windu appeared from behind him. "It is done then. They have dissolved the relationship as you said they would."
"Loyal they both are" Master Yoda countered. " At the time needed it they both did. Predicted by the Force it was. But no longer is it necessary and ended it has"
Master Windu nodded " It was a great risk to bring the two together after knowing the risks."
"The Force told that great strength the union would give" Yoda countered "Under estimate the Sith we could not. Saw Obi Wan you did, worked to our advantage it has"
Mace Windu nodded "Luckily"
Yoda turned to the window "Perhaps"
Kyia took up her position in the thrown room. Briefly she considered the decision she had just made. "It ends now," She muttered under her breath.
The Prince straightened his robes and tucked the long red cloak behind his arm. He took long strides to the door of the throne room. It was opened by other hands, as he was accustomed. They slide back with seeming ease as he beheld the sight before him. On a white marble throne gilded with swirls of blue and gold sat a vision dressed in yellow that highlighted the blonde of her hair. She seemed to fit the chair perfectly at ease with the strength it gave her, like a statue herself. And she was definitely pleasant to look at. In that instant Garyde realized that he had found exactly what he was looking for.
The Quelena smiled kindly at him and he bowed low at the base of the throne. "Your Royalness"
"It's just Kyia, on Elphora, we don't...well I only use the title formally."
"I understand" he nodded "Then, its just Garyde" he noted his humbleness seemed to please her.
Kyia however seemed uncertain. She looked at the tall redheaded stranger with hidden apprehension. He was good looking certainly, but... She sighed inwardly. Why did there always have to be a but. "Then we have something in common" She replied courteously, in her 'official voice'. "So tell me, what brings you to Elphora?"
She saw him smile cheekily "Why does any man come to visit a beautiful woman, to win her heart"
The Quelena felt a blush rise to her cheeks. "What makes you certain you want to win it"
He looked at her directly for a moment then turned away "Because you captivated me from the moment I entered the room"
"I've heard the same line in tapcafes on Correlia," She stated neutrally.
"Look" He spread his palms outwards in a gesture of submission. "All I ask is a few chronos. Then you can shoot me as far as Correlia if you want to. At worst you'd have to put up with my chat-up lines for a few days. That is if you can without executing me."
Kyia laughed pushing away any last remnants of guilt she felt. "Okay hotshot you've got 10 rotations."
He bowed low again. "I'll be on my best behaviour"
"That I very much doubt. I'll get Anice to provide you with rooms"
"He's very handsome," said Anice coming into the Quelena's room.
"Really, I had not noticed" said Kyia looking briefly up from a datacard.
The assistant noted the sarcasm "Liar"
"What is your point Anice?" She asked bluntly
"Oh we are in a good mood today" Anice took the datacard from her hand.
Kyia took it back. "For a Jedi there is only peace."
"Are you going to give this one a chance or is he going to be cast aside too?" She reprimanded
"That was different", The Quelena whispered. Anice put her hands on her hips and shook her head. "I've moved on"
The old woman eyed her sceptically "Good"
Kyia raised her voice again, her good humour returned. "Why are you complaining, you hated all the previous suitors!"
"Like who?" Anice replied stubbornly
"Krsh'v'ky for one!" Kyia countered
She pulled a face "That was different, the guy had two heads, you never knew where the other one was looking"
Kyia laughed "I worry about you sometimes!"
"I worry about you frequently" she responded. "Now get out there and show him" Anice cleared her throat "your guest exactly how much he wants you"
"That isn't the problem," said Kyia punching a few keys on her datacard. "The problem is Elphora wanting him"
The comment sobered her companion. Slowly she approached the Quelena and put a motherly hand on her shoulder. "And what about what Kyia wants?"
She smiled softly "Kyia has to take a back seat for a while, at least until all this Sith business is dealt with"
"Ah yes I forgot" Anice clasped her hands together is mock joy. "We have a war to fight"
Kyia tapped the datacard. "That's what this is for. I have to forge documents so the Hapans and the rest of galaxy don't realise how much we're stockpiling."
"How's the defence system going?" Anice enquired.
"Well, the shield generator should be ready to be upgraded in a few rotations. I don't know how Bis did it, and quite frankly I don't want to but we've acquired about two squadrons worth of A-wings. That's the good news. The problem is recruiting capable pilots and finding someone dependable to train them"
Anice raised an eyebrow "Anyone in mind" she said knowing from her slight psychic ability that the species was famed for having that she did.
"Actually yes" The Quelena replied "Do you remember the young Jedi padawaan who helped me with the Hapes Treaty? Kayless Tieta"
"The Elphoran with the Twi'lek lekku" She searched her memory and grinned. "I liked her".
"She and her Master are off-world. It's been a few years but I think she'll be up to it. Finding her is the problem" She sighed "Why does there always have to a problem".
"Because if not you'd get bored" She patronised jokingly. "You are, after all your father's child"
"Maybe, but right now I have to get back to my illegal activities" She turned back to the document in her hand.
"And Garyde?"
She shoved Anice lightly. "I'll find time to see him later, I promise"
"Good" The old woman smiled "And be nice".
Kyia held her palms upwards "When I am not nice?"
Anice started to walk towards the door, her accomplished. "Do I need to dignify that with an answer?" She said as she left, satirising Kyia's favourite phrase. Kyia rolled her eyes and went back to her datacard.
Obi Wan hastily packed a small brown holdall. "Behave while I'm gone." He warned Anakin "Master Yoda won't be as flexible as I am"
Anakin silently thought that was impossible but instead smiled. "I'm glad I'm not going" He retorted.
"And why is that?" Obi Wan stopped packing.
Anakin instantly wished he had not opened his mouth but the look on his Master's face suggested it was way too late for that. "I'd rather be out of the way when the lightsabres start up"
The Jedi sat down on his bunk. "And what do you mean by that?" He said sternly, knowing his padawan did not mean the possible Sith attack.
"You've ignored her for two years and she doesn't even know you're coming" He was really starting to wish he had not opened his mouth now. " You'll both go all weird and have a big fight"
"The Quelena is a Jedi and we are both adults" Obi Wan replied sternly. "There will be no 'big fight'"
"Yes Master" The tone in Anakin's voice showed he clearly believed otherwise.
"There will not!"
"It's just" Anakin sat up on his bed and shifted uncomfortably. "You've started to go all weird already."
"I have not gone 'all weird'"
Anakin rolled his eyes and laid on to his back "Glad I'm not an 'adult'"
"I haven't" Obi Wan kept protesting indignantly as he finished his packing.
Anakin did not answer but merely smiled.
Garyde looked out from the balcony as his aides unpacked the rest of his belongings.
"Sir?" Said one behind him discreetly.
"Tell whoever needs to be told, the woman Anice I think that I'm going down to visit the gardens"
The aide bowed lightly "Would you like to be accompanied?"
He waved his hand to dismiss him "No, I don't think so". Garyde walked passed him and the rest of his entourage busying themselves like insects, in contrast the corridors of the Elphoran palace were quiet, the people walking, not rushing and not taking a over interest in him. Garyde found it refreshing in a way he had not expected. He admired the architecture of the palace, also very different from his native Clydarf, the elegant white missing the lavishness over extravagances of his homeworld, not to mention the lack of anything green, that was why the gardens seemed to call him. Hesitantly he walked towards a tree that draped its long branches into the water. Smiling he leaned against its trunk and looked at the view.
"Hi" A shy voice startled him from behind.
He let his smile grow at the recognition of Kyia's voice. "Hi" He turned around.
Her eyes gestured outwards. "What do you think?"
Garyde nodded "It's lovely. We don't have anything like this at home. I'll have to make sure I have a small one put in when I get back."
She smiled "It isn't that easy"
He crouched and examined the grass. "How do you do it?"
"Complicated"
"Ah." The Prince said. "You're probably right. Now give me a starship, a droid or a computer terminal and I'm at home".
Kyia pulled a face. "Anything with a circuit kinda confuses me"
Suddenly he caught her eye "I find that very hard to believe".
"Why?" She bit her lip playfully.
"Because" He said flatly "You present yourself as being extremely capable and intelligent".
Her cheeks developed a blue blush. "Don't, you'll give me an ego".
"Fine" He tried to rephrase the question. "Where does your main talent lie?"
"That's better" She smiled. "In the Force"
"A Jedi, I'm impressed". He pointed to the tree. "Now this tree has twice the Force potential that I have"
"Possible, it's a smart tree."
"Very funny"
Her eyes took on a sardonic tone. "What makes you think I'm joking?"
Garyde laughed out loud. "I like your humour. Want to send me back to Corellia yet?"
"Give me time" She smiled again. Garyde wasn't as bad as she had expected, and she felt reasonably relaxed. Maybe this wasn't going to be painful after all.
"Careful" he warned, "I may start to grow on you"
"Not if your expertise can't even stretch to growing a simple planet"
He picked a sweet smelling red flower and gave it to her. "I'm a fast learner"
This time it was Kyia who laughed out loud, taking the flower. "I believe you are"
The Prince smiled honestly feeling relieved with the public pressure taken off him for a while, and a small vessel of hope grew within him. He had a chance.
Meanwhile on route from Coruscant Obi Wan was wondering the same thing.
"Yes" he said out loud. That was a search he was finding much harder than expected. Garyde knew exactly what he was looking for; he just had not got around to finding it yet. A Queen, but someone with a soul as well as stateliness. Being pleasant to look at would also be an added bonus. The Elphoran Quelena was rumoured to possess these traits but then he often found that those with the best reputations proved to be the biggest disappointments. Garyde sighed. Maybe he wasn't as hopeful as he thought.
The Quelena Kyia Levelle looked at herself in the mirror once again trying to push away feelings of guilt. She watched her expression lower as she pressed her lips together.
"It's been too long. So why can't I forget you?" She asked her reflection. She wasn't really expecting much from the latest suitor to arrive at her door but she still wondered at her attachment to a Jedi who she had not even had so much as a holo from in the past two years. Kyia sighed and used a Jedi calming technique to vent her frustration, ironic she thought considering it was a Jedi causing the frustration in the first place. But at least now she was a Jedi herself. She shook her head feeling clearer than she had for along time. No matter what she felt on the subject she had to get on with her life for Elphora, after all eventually it would need an heir. Kyia smiled at her image and started to prepare to meet the Prince from Clydarf.
Obi Wan Kenobi stood before Master Yoda, his apprentice at his side.
"Return you must" The words chilled him.
"But I thought the council were avoiding interfering." he said. "And Anakin is at a crucial stage of his training"
Yoda nodded "Changed the situation has. Shifting the Darkside is. Another attack I fear. Do you feel it not?"
Obi Wan did feel a sense of dread but he wasn't sure whether that was merely the fear of returning to Elphora to face Kyia. A raised eyebrow from Master Yoda expressed that he sensed there was more to the situation than Obi Wan had initially told him. He looked over towards Anakin. "Stay here you will, not good for you to be so close to the Sith a second time so early in your training" He returned his gaze towards the Jedi "Surprised I am, thought welcome the chance to return you would"
Obi Wan ignored his insinuation. "As you said the situation has changed"
Master Yoda dismissed them soberly at the use of his own words. "Yes, so they must"
Mace Windu appeared from behind him. "It is done then. They have dissolved the relationship as you said they would."
"Loyal they both are" Master Yoda countered. " At the time needed it they both did. Predicted by the Force it was. But no longer is it necessary and ended it has"
Master Windu nodded " It was a great risk to bring the two together after knowing the risks."
"The Force told that great strength the union would give" Yoda countered "Under estimate the Sith we could not. Saw Obi Wan you did, worked to our advantage it has"
Mace Windu nodded "Luckily"
Yoda turned to the window "Perhaps"
Kyia took up her position in the thrown room. Briefly she considered the decision she had just made. "It ends now," She muttered under her breath.
The Prince straightened his robes and tucked the long red cloak behind his arm. He took long strides to the door of the throne room. It was opened by other hands, as he was accustomed. They slide back with seeming ease as he beheld the sight before him. On a white marble throne gilded with swirls of blue and gold sat a vision dressed in yellow that highlighted the blonde of her hair. She seemed to fit the chair perfectly at ease with the strength it gave her, like a statue herself. And she was definitely pleasant to look at. In that instant Garyde realized that he had found exactly what he was looking for.
The Quelena smiled kindly at him and he bowed low at the base of the throne. "Your Royalness"
"It's just Kyia, on Elphora, we don't...well I only use the title formally."
"I understand" he nodded "Then, its just Garyde" he noted his humbleness seemed to please her.
Kyia however seemed uncertain. She looked at the tall redheaded stranger with hidden apprehension. He was good looking certainly, but... She sighed inwardly. Why did there always have to be a but. "Then we have something in common" She replied courteously, in her 'official voice'. "So tell me, what brings you to Elphora?"
She saw him smile cheekily "Why does any man come to visit a beautiful woman, to win her heart"
The Quelena felt a blush rise to her cheeks. "What makes you certain you want to win it"
He looked at her directly for a moment then turned away "Because you captivated me from the moment I entered the room"
"I've heard the same line in tapcafes on Correlia," She stated neutrally.
"Look" He spread his palms outwards in a gesture of submission. "All I ask is a few chronos. Then you can shoot me as far as Correlia if you want to. At worst you'd have to put up with my chat-up lines for a few days. That is if you can without executing me."
Kyia laughed pushing away any last remnants of guilt she felt. "Okay hotshot you've got 10 rotations."
He bowed low again. "I'll be on my best behaviour"
"That I very much doubt. I'll get Anice to provide you with rooms"
"He's very handsome," said Anice coming into the Quelena's room.
"Really, I had not noticed" said Kyia looking briefly up from a datacard.
The assistant noted the sarcasm "Liar"
"What is your point Anice?" She asked bluntly
"Oh we are in a good mood today" Anice took the datacard from her hand.
Kyia took it back. "For a Jedi there is only peace."
"Are you going to give this one a chance or is he going to be cast aside too?" She reprimanded
"That was different", The Quelena whispered. Anice put her hands on her hips and shook her head. "I've moved on"
The old woman eyed her sceptically "Good"
Kyia raised her voice again, her good humour returned. "Why are you complaining, you hated all the previous suitors!"
"Like who?" Anice replied stubbornly
"Krsh'v'ky for one!" Kyia countered
She pulled a face "That was different, the guy had two heads, you never knew where the other one was looking"
Kyia laughed "I worry about you sometimes!"
"I worry about you frequently" she responded. "Now get out there and show him" Anice cleared her throat "your guest exactly how much he wants you"
"That isn't the problem," said Kyia punching a few keys on her datacard. "The problem is Elphora wanting him"
The comment sobered her companion. Slowly she approached the Quelena and put a motherly hand on her shoulder. "And what about what Kyia wants?"
She smiled softly "Kyia has to take a back seat for a while, at least until all this Sith business is dealt with"
"Ah yes I forgot" Anice clasped her hands together is mock joy. "We have a war to fight"
Kyia tapped the datacard. "That's what this is for. I have to forge documents so the Hapans and the rest of galaxy don't realise how much we're stockpiling."
"How's the defence system going?" Anice enquired.
"Well, the shield generator should be ready to be upgraded in a few rotations. I don't know how Bis did it, and quite frankly I don't want to but we've acquired about two squadrons worth of A-wings. That's the good news. The problem is recruiting capable pilots and finding someone dependable to train them"
Anice raised an eyebrow "Anyone in mind" she said knowing from her slight psychic ability that the species was famed for having that she did.
"Actually yes" The Quelena replied "Do you remember the young Jedi padawaan who helped me with the Hapes Treaty? Kayless Tieta"
"The Elphoran with the Twi'lek lekku" She searched her memory and grinned. "I liked her".
"She and her Master are off-world. It's been a few years but I think she'll be up to it. Finding her is the problem" She sighed "Why does there always have to a problem".
"Because if not you'd get bored" She patronised jokingly. "You are, after all your father's child"
"Maybe, but right now I have to get back to my illegal activities" She turned back to the document in her hand.
"And Garyde?"
She shoved Anice lightly. "I'll find time to see him later, I promise"
"Good" The old woman smiled "And be nice".
Kyia held her palms upwards "When I am not nice?"
Anice started to walk towards the door, her accomplished. "Do I need to dignify that with an answer?" She said as she left, satirising Kyia's favourite phrase. Kyia rolled her eyes and went back to her datacard.
Obi Wan hastily packed a small brown holdall. "Behave while I'm gone." He warned Anakin "Master Yoda won't be as flexible as I am"
Anakin silently thought that was impossible but instead smiled. "I'm glad I'm not going" He retorted.
"And why is that?" Obi Wan stopped packing.
Anakin instantly wished he had not opened his mouth but the look on his Master's face suggested it was way too late for that. "I'd rather be out of the way when the lightsabres start up"
The Jedi sat down on his bunk. "And what do you mean by that?" He said sternly, knowing his padawan did not mean the possible Sith attack.
"You've ignored her for two years and she doesn't even know you're coming" He was really starting to wish he had not opened his mouth now. " You'll both go all weird and have a big fight"
"The Quelena is a Jedi and we are both adults" Obi Wan replied sternly. "There will be no 'big fight'"
"Yes Master" The tone in Anakin's voice showed he clearly believed otherwise.
"There will not!"
"It's just" Anakin sat up on his bed and shifted uncomfortably. "You've started to go all weird already."
"I have not gone 'all weird'"
Anakin rolled his eyes and laid on to his back "Glad I'm not an 'adult'"
"I haven't" Obi Wan kept protesting indignantly as he finished his packing.
Anakin did not answer but merely smiled.
Garyde looked out from the balcony as his aides unpacked the rest of his belongings.
"Sir?" Said one behind him discreetly.
"Tell whoever needs to be told, the woman Anice I think that I'm going down to visit the gardens"
The aide bowed lightly "Would you like to be accompanied?"
He waved his hand to dismiss him "No, I don't think so". Garyde walked passed him and the rest of his entourage busying themselves like insects, in contrast the corridors of the Elphoran palace were quiet, the people walking, not rushing and not taking a over interest in him. Garyde found it refreshing in a way he had not expected. He admired the architecture of the palace, also very different from his native Clydarf, the elegant white missing the lavishness over extravagances of his homeworld, not to mention the lack of anything green, that was why the gardens seemed to call him. Hesitantly he walked towards a tree that draped its long branches into the water. Smiling he leaned against its trunk and looked at the view.
"Hi" A shy voice startled him from behind.
He let his smile grow at the recognition of Kyia's voice. "Hi" He turned around.
Her eyes gestured outwards. "What do you think?"
Garyde nodded "It's lovely. We don't have anything like this at home. I'll have to make sure I have a small one put in when I get back."
She smiled "It isn't that easy"
He crouched and examined the grass. "How do you do it?"
"Complicated"
"Ah." The Prince said. "You're probably right. Now give me a starship, a droid or a computer terminal and I'm at home".
Kyia pulled a face. "Anything with a circuit kinda confuses me"
Suddenly he caught her eye "I find that very hard to believe".
"Why?" She bit her lip playfully.
"Because" He said flatly "You present yourself as being extremely capable and intelligent".
Her cheeks developed a blue blush. "Don't, you'll give me an ego".
"Fine" He tried to rephrase the question. "Where does your main talent lie?"
"That's better" She smiled. "In the Force"
"A Jedi, I'm impressed". He pointed to the tree. "Now this tree has twice the Force potential that I have"
"Possible, it's a smart tree."
"Very funny"
Her eyes took on a sardonic tone. "What makes you think I'm joking?"
Garyde laughed out loud. "I like your humour. Want to send me back to Corellia yet?"
"Give me time" She smiled again. Garyde wasn't as bad as she had expected, and she felt reasonably relaxed. Maybe this wasn't going to be painful after all.
"Careful" he warned, "I may start to grow on you"
"Not if your expertise can't even stretch to growing a simple planet"
He picked a sweet smelling red flower and gave it to her. "I'm a fast learner"
This time it was Kyia who laughed out loud, taking the flower. "I believe you are"
The Prince smiled honestly feeling relieved with the public pressure taken off him for a while, and a small vessel of hope grew within him. He had a chance.
Meanwhile on route from Coruscant Obi Wan was wondering the same thing.