Chapter 3

An Unwanted Follower

Obi-Wan came running into Aeriel's room.

"Who could've done this?" He asked with tears beginning to flow.

"I'm not sure Father." Said Kiti. "Although I have an idea.." She drew in a deep breath.

"I think Morwen did something to poison Aeriel, though I'm not entirely certain."

Anakin looked at Obi-Wan with uncertainty.

"If she did do something, she will pay" Anakin proclaimed. Then, raging with anger, he went to find the one who may have poisoned his love..

"If you speak of this to anyone, you will die." Morwen threatened a frightened Eleniel.

"I will not speak of this to anyone." Eleniel lied.

"Good." Morwen said firmly. "Now be on your way." And with, that she pushed Eleniel out the door.

"For being so sneaky, she certainly does not have a good eye" Eleniel thought to herself. She had carefully hidden the vile under her cloak and rushed off to find Master Obi-Wan.

Suddenly she ran into a familiar figure. "Anakin!" She exclaimed. "Am I ever glad to see you!"

"Not now Eleniel." He said breathless. "I am on my way to find a certain visitor."

"But Master Anakin!" Eleniel protested. "Aeriel was poisoned!"

"And what do you know of this matter?" He asked impatiently.

"I have the vile." She said as calmly as she could. "Will you take it to Master Kenobi?" she asked and handed it to him.

Without thinking, Anakin rushed back to his fallen wife. Eleniel however had an agenda of her own.

Obi-wan appeared as a hologram before the Jedi council.

"Master Yoda" He said softly. "This is not the best time for me to have a meeting.. I"

He was cut off by Yoda. "In much pain, you are Master Kenobi."

"Yes sir. My daughter has taken ill"

"Poisoned she was, by an unsuspected visitor."

"What do you mean master?" Obi-wan inquired.

"He mean's that Morwen poisoned her" Anakin interrupted bitterly.

"Morwen?" Obi-Wan said, very surprised. "No, it's not possible.."

"Look master" Said Anakin as he held out the vile.

"In that case, I will go after her!" Obi-Wan shouted angerely

"No father." Kiti interrupted. "Zeth and I will go. I never have liked that girl."

"Alright Kiti, I'll stay here with Aeriel. Do be careful."

And with that Zeth and Kiti ran off to find their ship.

Eleniel ran as fast as she could to the ship's dock. She knew that Morwen would try and steal one of the better ships, so she hid behind a barrel and waited for her. Suddenly, she saw her, her teeth gleaming in the darkness. She saw her pull out the most curious item. She then saw her talking to a mysterious figure, but could not make out what they were saying. Morwen selected a ship, and climbed on board.

"Oh dear, I've got to hurry" Eleniel whispered to herself and slipped into the cargo hold of the ship. "I do hope Aeriel's alright.."

They flew for several hours before the ship finally came to a halt. Morwen grabbed her things and was off rather quickly. Eleniel followed, quietly so that she would not be detected. They were on a very humid, desert like planet. Eleniel had never seen it before and the climate was quite a shock to her.

"I've got to get moving" She thought. "I cannot let Morwen escape."

Back on Naboo, Aeriel's life force was fading.

"Anakin, look after my daughter. I am going to see if there is an antidote for the poison." Obi-Wan told him.

"Of course master." Anakin motioned. "I will take good care of her."

After Obi-Wan left, Anakin took his wife's near dead body and held it for a while.

"Hold on my love. I cannot live without you." He said with tears starting to fall again.
"I am going to save you"

Eleniel had now lost sight of Morwen. She was fatigued from lack of sleep and the effect of the planet's climate on her body.

"I've got to find her" she thought. "Aeriel cannot die!"

She perched herself on a near-by boulder, hoping to catch sight of Morwen when she heard a lightsaber beside her.

"Well, Well, What have we here?" A familiar voice asked. "Looks to me like we have an intruder."

With a deep breath, Eleniel drew her own lightsaber and prepared for a fight..