Disclaimer and such in Part 1
Hey Ya'll... sorry it's been like four months since I updated this fic. I'd been working all summer and just didn't have time to write, but now that I'm back in school I should be able to update a little more often.
A BIG thank you to Jedi Keladry for still wanting to beta for me after the long absence.
Now, onto the story. I hope ya'll like it!
The journey back to the treetop house took the four companions a bit longer than usual due to the fact that they had to retrace their steps back to where the fight took place and concentrate on calming Illyria's nerves every few moments. The Jedi and their charge reached their temporary home in just over an hour.
Within moments of their arrival, the spiral staircase emerged.
Illyria's brow furrowed in confusion when the staircase started to form around the large tree. Cocking her head to the side, she took a glance upwards and finally noticed the high tree house."Hmm," she murmured to herself in wonder as they made their way up the stairs, "I've never been here before."
As soon as they reached the top and entered through the main doorway, Illyria paused to take in the scenery. Qui-gon, however, had different plans. With as much force as any of the other Jedi had ever seen from him, he grabbed her by the arm and sat her roughly down on one of the couches in the sunken living room.
"You, my dear," he started with a stern voice as he stood towering above her, "are first going to explain how that hunting party knew where to find us, and then secondly explain what that creature was that we ran from."
Illyria remained silent for a few moments, obviously a bit frightened of the tall Jedi in front of her.
Padme, having remained standing in the front door by Obi-wan, tried to to ease the woman's discomfort by moving into the living room and sitting down on a couch opposite her. Obi-wan followed suit, but instead of sitting down, decided to take stance behind the couch with his arms crossed in front of his chest. He wasn't sure he was so willing to trust the creature they had brought into their home.
Qui-gon was about to start his questioning again when Master Antol and Canton emerged from the kitchen. As soon as they caught sight of the small, furred woman on their couch, both of their eyes widened.
Rohhe turned his gaze to Qui-gon in disbelief. He wanted to ask Qui-gon how he could possibly let one of the natives know the location of their hideout, but knew there would be plenty of opportunity to discuss it at a later time. Canton, on the other hand, could not help but stare at the very human looking feline. He never imagined that the inhabitants of Iagone would look quite like what was seated not three meters from him. He probably would not have even moved from the doorway of the kitchen if Rohhe had not nudged him in the back and pushed him towards the living room.
With the two latest additions to the room settled, Qui-gon turned his eyes back to Illyria.
"Look," Illyria held up a furred hand to stop him from speaking, "I know you must be thinking I had something to do with the attack on you three, but I must profess my innocence. I knew nothing of it. The hunting parties patrol those woods day and night, and have passed by my Vaerla many times. You were just lucky to not have been caught before."
She paused to gauge the reactions of the other five people in the room. When she found nothing but expectant stares, she continued.
"As for that creature you saw, it is called a Sharlahkai, which, in my race's ancient tongue, means 'of the shadows'. My people called it that because as you saw, it hides itself in shadows and only comes out of them to attack."
Qui-gon sat down on the edge of the table between the couches and waited for Illyria to continue her explanation.
"You see, the Sharlahkai are like you in a way," she gestured to the four Jedi, "they can manipulate what you call the Force."
All of the Jedi's eyebrows shot up in surprise. It had looked to Padme and Obi-wan that the creature was barely more than a mass of energy, let alone a being that could utilize something as powerful as the Force.
"Now don't fret," Illyria continued, "your skills with this Force are far more extensive than theirs. They only use it to change their shapes, nothing else."
The four Jedi were now listening intently to what the petite Iagonian was saying. They hadn't ever heard of a species that could use the Force to manipulate their physiological structure. Perhaps the Jedi would be able to study them later, or find a way to communicate with them.
"That is why my people fear them so much. When they change shape they can become anything around them, and they love the taste of our blood. I cannot even begin to tell you of the millions we have lost to that murderous race. Over the centuries, though, the deaths have become fewer and fewer as my species has learned to sense shifts in the Force around us and therefore know when the Sharlahkai are near."
"Why then, Illyria," Qui-gon questioned in a much more gentle tone, "are your people not frightened of us? Wouldn't you believe that we are some of the Sharlahkai?"
Illyria leaned back into the couch and became very thoughtful.
"Well, it is a bit difficult to explain," she started slowly, "but the shifts you create in the Force are much less aggravated than those created by the Sharlahkai. I suppose it would be best to say that when the Sharlahkai use the Force they seem to pull it into them aggressively and use it without its permission while, on the other hand, when you use the Force you seem to become one with it and it instead uses you."
Padme's eyebrows rose at how accurate Illyria's statements were about the Jedi Order's relationship with the Force. She would have to sit down with the petite woman later and ask her for more details about how her people could sense the Force yet not be able to use it.
"Besides," she explained further," the Sharlahkai can't get into the trees like you, which is obviously the reason why my people live up here."
"All right," Qui-gon's unemotional mask went back up, "thank you, Illyria. Lieutenant Canton," he turned to the young man seated behind him," will you please take our guest into the kitchen to put away the rations she brought us?"
The lieutenant nodded to the Master Jedi and briefly fingered his pistol before rising from the couch. Gesturing to Illyria, he beckoned her to follow him through the small archway that led to the kitchen.
When he was sure Illyria was out of earshot, Qui-gon turned to face his fellow Jedi.
"Do you really think we can trust her with the coordinates of our hideout, Qui-gon?" Rohhe questioned with a serious look in his eyes.
Master Jinn sighed and ran his fingers over his short beard.
"I don't know," He met his friend's gaze and continued," she has not betrayed us thus far, and we are in desperate need of food."
"However," he continued after a short pause, "I do not believe we should allow her to leave without two or more of us in her presence, if at all."
Master Antol nodded and turned to Padme.
"Padawan Naberrie, what are your feelings on the subject?"
Padme looked at the her best friend's Master respectfully.
"Well," she started hesitantly, "I certainly understand the risks of letting her leave, but I cannot find it in myself to do anything but trust her."
Qui-gon's eyes closed in frustration for a brief moment, but did not let that feeling emanate towards his padawan. She had a right to feel whatever she wished, even if it went against all of his thoughts and feelings.
Padme looked down as Rohhe's eyes bore into her. They weren't accusing, but merely curious. Still, it was a bit unnerving. Slowly, though, his penetrating gaze moved to his own padawan.
"Padawan, what do you believe?"
Obi-wan slumped his shoulders slightly and let his eyes shift from his best friend to the Masters. He didn't want to chose a side in the debate, but he knew he had to express his feeling honestly.
After a few moments of contemplation, he answered.
"I don't believe we should jeopardize our safety by letting her go."
Padme did her best to hide her anger and frustration at the fact that no one else, not even Obi-wan, felt how she did towards Illyria, but her silence spoke volumes to her fellow Jedi.
"Then it is settled," Rohhe concluded, "we shall not allow her to leave, unless we accompany her."
The rest of the conversation was much of a blur for Padme. She sat silently until it was over, then excused herself to the kitchen to help Canton and Illyria make dinner.
Later that night, Padme laid quietly on her bed and listened to Qui-gon's soft snoring. The night was halfway over and she still wasn't able to sleep. Fingering the bandages on her biceps, she let her thoughts again wander to her reluctant house guest. The idea of keeping Illyria in the tree house against her will didn't sit well with Padme, so she had spent half the night thinking of ideas of how to convince Qui-gon and Rohhe to trust the small Iagonian. Still, she couldn't come up with a suitable argument on her behalf. Sighing, Padme closed her eyes in one last attempt to fall asleep; however, not more than five seconds after she had closed them, her eyes shot wide open upon hearing the slight creaking sound made by the opening of the front door.
Slowing getting out of bed, so as not to wake up Qui-gon, Padme slipped through the curtains to the balcony and walked around the deck to the front of the house. She rounded the last corner just in time to see Illyria opening the gate that allowed her access to the trunk of the tree. Padme's heart fell as she saw her friend's attempt to escape.
"Illyria..." She whispered in a sad voice.
The small woman's hand froze inches above the latch of the gate. Slumping her shoulders, she turned to face the Jedi padawan.
"Padme," she began, all the fight clearly gone from her body, "I thought if anyone would trust me it would be you."
The young Jedi didn't say anything in reply. It deeply saddened her to have to break Illyria's trust. With a sigh she took a step forward and tried to formulate words to comfort her friend, but none came.
After a moment of silence, Illyria couldn't take it anymore. With a swift, desperate movement, she reached out and took Padme's hands in her own.
"Please, Padme," she pleaded, almost on the verge of tears, "there are others out there, who think the same as I do. Please, let me go...I can help you." Her eyes were as large as Padme had ever seen them, and held nothing but sincerity.
Padme looked to the sky for help and prayed to the Force to guide her. When she looked back to Illyria's face, she saw nothing that she could decipher as bad intentions.
Sighing, she squeezed the small woman's hands and nodded.
Illyria face lit up.
"Oh, thank you, Padme, thank you!" She brought the padawan into a tight embrace. When they pulled apart, Illyria reached into her backpack and pulled out a rolled up piece of parchment.
"Here," She placed the brown, leather-bound object in Padme's hand, "this is a map to a hidden grove that holds many wild animals and as much fruit as anyone could ever eat. My species can't enter, because it is littered with Sharlahkai, but I have a feeling they regard you as one of their own. So, you should be safe." With a sad look she then gave Padme one last hug and jumped to the trunk of the tree and climbed down. Within minutes she was gone.
With Illyria out of sight, the reality of what she had just done hit Padme full force. Leaning against the railing and closing her eyes tightly shut, she felt the tears start the fall down her cheeks. She believed with all her heart that she had done the right thing, but betraying her Master and fellow Jedi put her mind in agony.
"Qui-gon and Rohhe will be furious." Obi-wan's voice cut through the darkness.
Padme was startled out of her thoughts by the interruption, but she continued to lean against the railing with her back to him, not wanting him to see her tear-stained face.
Obi-wan stepped out of the shadows and started towards her, "Padme...," he began in a serious tone, intending to reprimand her for letting Illyria leave, but she turned around and cut him off.
"Obi-wan, don't..."
He stopped dead in his tracks, a pain wrenching his heart at the sight of her turmoil. He had never before seen her cry except for when she was extremely injured. It was not something he liked.
"I betrayed my Order all for a gut feeling." She whispered, the torment evident in her voice. Placing her hands on her forehead and closing her eyes, more tears rolled down her face.
Obi-wan didn't know what to do or say. He didn't approve of her actions by any means, but he couldn't condemn them either. He knew she was gifted with intuition and perhaps the Force was speaking through her.
Walking forward to stand in front of his distressed friend, he quietly pulled her into his arms and placed his stubbly chin against her forehead. Padme remained stiff in his embrace at first, not wanting comfort, but soon wrapped her arms around him in return and pressed her wet face into the side of his neck. They stood silent for a few moments, not needing to say anything, and slowly rocked back and forth. It was hard adapting to a Forceless lifestyle and neither knew exactly what to do with the strong emotions that would come and go, but they did the best they could to comfort each other in those times. After Padme seemed to calm down a little bit, Obi-wan maneuvered them to one of the large chairs situated against the house. Sitting down he gently pulled her into his lap and draped her legs across his. Letting him wrap both arms around her body again, Padme nestled into the crook of his right arm and rested her head against his chest. Finally a calm came over her and it wasn't long after that they both fell into a peaceful sleep.
In the morning, Padme woke in a state of confusion. Sure, she didn't usually feel normal when she woke up on the small jungle planet, but this morning she knew things weren't quite right. She wasn't in her bed and she certainly wasn't lying next to Qui-gon. Fluttering her eyes open slowly, she found herself snuggled quite cozily against Obi-wan's bare chest. A smile immediately came to her as she realized her situation.
'Well, this certainly is better than waking up next to Qui-gon.'
With a content sigh she snuggled closer to her friend's warm body and lifted her eyes to watch him sleep. He truly was a sight to behold. She still didn't know what she felt for him or him for her, but she was perfectly happy at the moment to let the Force have its way and bring about between them what it wished.
"It's not polite to stare, you know." Obi-wan said, a slow grin creeping onto his handsome face.
Padme's cheeks flushed at being caught. Embarrassed she lowered her gaze and tried to come up with a witty retort, but much to her frustration none came.
After a moment of silence, Obi-wan cracked an eye open and winked at her, the grin still firmly planted on his face. He loved it when he got in the last word. Padme let out a snort of air at her friend's success, but couldn't help but crack a smile at the way he was grinning.
"Well," he said while turning his head to face the beautiful forest scenery and take in the morning, "since we're both awake now, we should probably get up."
He made a move to stand, but Padme tightened her arms around his waist, "No, I'm enjoying this," she said, playfulness rich in her voice. She couldn't explain why, but all she wanted to do at the moment was remain snuggled against him.
Obi-wan's smile disappeared at the implication of her words. He couldn't believe his ears. Last time they were as close as they were now, she ran from him, seeming a bit frightened. His eyes snapped seriously to hers, remaining locked there for several moments, searching for the emotions she was feeling.
"So am I." He said barely above a whisper, as his gaze flicked back and forth between her eyes and her full lips.
All of his senses seemed to come alive when he was so close to her. He heard every breath she took and felt with agonizing intensity the wonderful sensation of her fingertips unconsciously playing their way across the center of his chest. Force, it was torture wanting to be closer to her, yet by the laws of the Order not being allowed to.
With a mental groan Obi-wan squeezed his eyes shut, and after a few moments forced the smile back onto his face.
"However," he said with as much mirth as he could muster, "I don't think it would do to have Rohhe or Master Jinn find us out here like this."
Padme seemed stunned for a moment to have been brought out of their intimate moment so abruptly, but quickly let out a rich laugh.
"You're probably right." She shakily unwrapped her arms from around him and climbed out of his lap.
Obi-wan stood up as well and raised his arms over his head to stretch.
"Come on," Obi-wan nodded his head towards the nearest entrance into the house, "let's get breakfast. I'm starving."
Still in their sleepwear they walked into the dining area. Seated at the table in the center of the room was Qui-gon, Rohhe, Canton, and, to Obi-wan's and Padme's shock, Zared. Padme's face lit up as she saw the wounded lieutenant finally out of bed, but her delight soon faded as she sensed the foul mood in the room.
Both padawans sat down, Padme opposite Canton and Obi-wan opposite Qui-gon, and grabbed pieces of fruit from the bowl in the middle of the table.
Qui-gon continued to sit quietly and spoon a mashed substance into his mouth, without looking up at either Jedi when they entered. After a few moments of tense silence, he finally spoke.
"Where is Illyria, padawan?" he questioned while still looking down at his food.
Padme stopped eating and swallowed the bite of fruit she had in her mouth. She knew this was going to come sooner or later.
"She's gone." she answered timidly.
Qui-gon stopped eating and turned to look at her.
"How?" he questioned dangerously calm.
Padme could feel all eyes on her now.
"I...I let her go." she said in a small voice.
Turning his eyes from her and slowly put down his spoon, Qui-gon stood up from the table.
"Padawan," he said while moving towards the hallway, "come with me."
Padme nervously set her fruit down and cast her eyes downward. Slowly, she stood up and followed Qui-gon back to the bedroom they shared.
'This is a lecture I'm not soon to forget,' she thought and quietly closed the door behind her.
TBC...
Jedi Keladry- Thank you so much for beta-ing for me. I really appreciate all the work you do. Oh, and I'm glad you liked all the action in this chapter, I think it needed some to change the pace a little.
Smenzer- Thank you so much for the review! You know, I always thought I was bad at writing action, but if you say I'm awesome at it then I'll believe you and say thank you...and then point to my wonderful beta. :) I hope this chapter gave you a little more insight into the "veloceraptors", and don't worry you will be seeing more of them.
Aiska Kenobi- Thanks for the review!! It seems so many people liked that Canton wasn't in the last chapter, lol. He is very clean-cut, but I think that's why I like to write him.
Sassy-Satine- Thank you for you wonderful comments
through your e-mails! I'm glad you thought the chapter was exciting, because
I've been trying to add some action to it (it is a action/adventure/romance
story so it should have some, lol).