Chapter 1
A Secret Meeting and an Old Friend
Aeriel stood on the balcony of the lake house of Naboo. It was beautiful this time of year, the trees blooming in a magnificent green. She and Anakin were celebrating their 3rd year of marriage during this time. She sighed softly as the wind blew her hair, waiting for him to arrive.
As she leaned against the railing, a familiar voice came from behind her. Turning to see who it was, she could no longer contain her excitement. "Anakin!" She exclaimed as he took her in his arms.
"It's been too long." For some time now, Anakin and her father, Obi-Wan, had been away on Jedi business.
"It has, And I've missed you terribly" He whispered as he pulled her closer.
"How was the trip?" She asked curiously.
"It went.. Well." He said hesitantly. "Your father still doesn't trust me completely." he said with a sigh.
"He will eventually.." she said as she stroked the side of his face. "You'll see"
"I do hope you're right, Aeriel" he said as he kissed her on the cheek. "Now enough about Jedi's, lets go for a walk. We've got a lot of catching up to do" He said as he smiled and held out his hand.
Obi-Wan grabbed his bags from R2 and headed towards his room. He was greeted by Kiti-Ara, who about knocked him down in her excitement.
"Father, it's so good to see you!" she said, giving him a big hug.
"Hullo Kiti" He said rather calmly. "I've missed you as well."
"I've brought a surprise for your sister. Might I inquire as to where she is?"
"She is in her chambers father." Kiti said quietly. For she knew what Aeriel was really up to. She was one of the two who knew of her secret marriage to Anakin. Eleniel, Aeriel's apprentice, was the only other.
"At this time of day? That's rather curious." He said with a slightly surprised look on his face.
"She has been up late for the past couple of nights. She and Eleniel have gone through much training." She said smiling.
"Oh, that's, good." He said.
"What is her surprise father?" Kiti asked curiously.
"Someone who she has not seen for a long time" He said with a mischievous look on his face and pointed to the girl now standing in the door of the ship.
"Hello Kiti" the strange girl said. "Remember me?"
"Why, how could I forget you… Morwen?" Kiti said as politely as she possibly could. She and Morwen had never particularly liked each other. They had always fought over Aeriel as kids.
"How've you been?" She forced herself to say through her clinched teeth.
"Fine thank you." Morwen said with a fake smile. "If you don't mind, I would like to retire. Long flights will make you very sleepy you know." She said.
"Very well Morwen" Obi-Wan said. "R2, take the lady's bags to her room." And with that Morwen was gone, and Kiti breathed a sigh of relief.
Anakin and Aeriel sat on a grassy hill top looking over the most beautiful lake of Naboo. They were so happy to see each other that they forgot about the catching up part. Anakin finally remembered that he had not seen his wife in months, and decided to ask her about everything..
"How has your training been going Aeriel?" Anakin asked.
"Oh, very well." She said with a sigh. "Eleniel can be a bit stubborn. And if I didn't know better, I would say she's related to you."
"And why might that be?" He asked with a curious look.
"Because she's stubborn." She said with a laugh and playfully hit him on the shoulder. Anakin could only laugh, for he knew it was true.
Aeriel then sighed and lay down in the grass.
"Are you okay Darling?" He asked full of concern.
"Yes I'm fine.. Just a bit tired" She whispered.
"You don't look well." He said, now getting a bit worried.
"I'm fine.. It's just.."
"What?" He asked.
"I have to tell you something important, but I'm not sure how to say it." She said with a look of anxiety on her face..