A/N: Ok this chapter skips ahead about a week because I couldn't figure out a way to write the week without it sounding very much the same as the other chapters. So now it's just before the election. Thanks for all the reviews! They made me smile :) only one more chapter to go! Hope you are all enjoying your lives, and if you live in Australia, enjoy the long weekend!
ShalBrenfan: Thanks for your review! I'm glad you're enjoying the story so much
Leigh the Wonderlord: Hooray! Less Mary-Sueness! Thank you for your feedback!
The dancing Cavalier: Glad you like it
Ditto to blossomlite and sarah!
Keep reviewing, everyone!

Chapter Six

The week had passed by quickly, uneventful except for the last Outing. Obi-Wan and Kimmel had had to cut their short when a minor riot broke out between Kimmel's and Telisse's supporters. Elsewhere, Telisse had been mobbed by angry opposition supporters. Anakin had had to ignite his lightsaber to ward them off, and escorted her back to the palace in tears. She and her brother had been shocked by the hostility in their people – the outcome of the election could lead to a civil war. The possibility seemed more real now than ever.

Now, Anakin stood behind Telisse and beside his Master on the top balcony of the palace. Kimmel sat at the front, delivering his address to a crowd of citizens below while several holocams broadcast his speech to the rest of the planet. He was speaking about the duty the people had to their planet.

"When you vote today, do not think of how others will vote. Vote for who you believe will lead our planet the best, whether it be my sister or I. Make your decision for Teidon." Kimmel stood and inclined his head as the crowd burst into applause and cheers. He turned and walked the back of the balcony.

Telisse started forward. Her face was pale, but her eyes glinted with steady resolution. She took her seat, and the crowd hushed.

"My fellow citizens of Teidon," she began, her voice ringing out clearly. "Most of you will be well aware of the recent events that have happened across our planet. Our hearts and prayers go out to the suffering and the victims of the riots. Many of you will know, too, about the attempts on the lives of me and my brother."

A muttering swept through the crowd – where was she going with this?

"I have been greatly saddened by these outbreaks of violence," she continued. "We are a peaceful people. We are a kind and loving people. Such actions are not characteristic of our planet." She took a deep breath. "We have had to call Jedi to ensure safety and peace. This is not the way it should be. If we continue in this vein, with so much hostility, we will surely be swallowed by a civil war."

The crowd buzzed. This was not typical of their usually bouncy, light-hearted princess.

"I come before you now to apologise, for I am partly responsible for this animosity within our people. There are some among you who hate the idea of me as your Queen, and there are some who rejoice in it. This has led to violence and anger, to the point where even my dearest brother is in danger. I cannot tolerate it any longer." She bit her lip and shut her eyes briefly. "I love our people, and I love our planet. I hate standing by and watching it slowly begin to edge towards such a large conflict. And as our traditions keep me from one course of action, you are our last hope for definite peace."

Kimmel stared at his sister. He had never heard her speak like this before.

"I wish to be honest with you all: I do not believe I am ready for the responsibility of being Queen."

The crowd came to life, cheers and boos heard from all sides. Telisse waited for quiet before she continued.

"You may believe I am ready, that I am mature enough for the role. You may believe that what you see of my personality will make me a great leader. But in reality, I am just a teenage girl, confused about her place in the world and her identity, just like any other girl my age." She gave a small smile. "But Kimmel is ready and more than able to become your leader. As I cannot step down from my position, I ask you to compare us and answer honestly: which of us is the better diplomat? Which one of us has more experience in politics? Which one of us would make wiser decisions? Which one of us would truly make a better leader?"

There was total silence around the palace now – everyone was hanging on her every word.

"Kimmel already spoke of your duty to your planet. I would like to add my own comments to the sentiment. Set aside your rivalries and enmities. Do what you know is right for all our people. I plead with you to let go of your feelings of hatred towards either Kimmel or me – do not let it cloud your judgement. When you look to the future, who do you see as your monarch? This young, naïve, foolish girl? Or my brother, mature and wise and strong? Vote today, not for me or Kimmel or your own individual selves – vote for our planet. Vote for Teidon."

There was an explosion of applause and cheering. Telisse rose and acknowledged the crowd, and then walked back to her brother and the Jedi. Kimmel enfolded her in a tight hug.

"You're growing up, little sister," he said affectionately in her ear.

She smiled and hugged him back, squeezing him tightly. They walked inside the palace, Anakin and Obi-Wan following behind. The election had now formally begun – all they could do was wait.

Telisse and Kimmel had gone to speak briefly to the Advisors' Council, leaving Obi-Wan and Anakin in the room. Anakin was watching his Master meditate by the open window in the cool night air.

"Master, who do you think the people will elect?" he asked.

Obi-Wan opened his eyes. "I don't know, Anakin. Telisse's speech may have swayed voters in her favour, or in her brother's – and then again, it could have deepened the divide. At this point it could go either way."

Anakin nodded, seemingly satisfied with this answer. Obi-Wan gave him a sidelong look. It felt as if he had not talked or bonded with his Padawan in weeks. Anakin seemed a little different somehow – a little more mature. He seemed genuinely interested in the outcome of the election now, whereas a little over a week ago he had barely been able to keep his eyes open when discussing it.

How could a week have changed him so subtly? Obi-Wan wondered.

The door slid open, and the prince and princess entered. Obi-Wan saw Telisse's eyes flick immediately to Anakin, and a tiny smile appeared on her face. Her brother began speaking to her, and she turned to face him slowly.

Obi-Wan frowned slightly. "What's going on between you and Telisse?" he asked Anakin abruptly.

Anakin's forehead creased in confusion. "Nothing, as far as I know, Master. Why?"

Obi-Wan gave his apprentice a scrutinising look. "Surely you have noticed her behaviour towards you, Anakin. It clearly shows her feelings for you."

"I assure you, master, that any feelings are on her part only. My relationship with Telisse is purely based on friendship," Anakin answered, sounding almost amused by his Master's assumption.

Obi-Wan raised an eyebrow. "Friends? I was under the impression that you found her quite…irritating."

Anakin nodded. "That's true, Master – I found her irritating. But now I find her much deeper than I originally thought."

"So you have learned not to judge people based on first impressions," Obi-Wan observed. "A very important lesson we all should learn."

"Have you experienced the same problem, Master?" Anakin asked him, surprised.

Obi-Wan gave a wry smile. "I'm a human as well as a Jedi, young Padawan."

"Of course," Anakin grinned. "Sometimes I forget."

Obi-Wan smirked and began to say something, when the Advisors entered the room. The Jedi turned away from the window and Kimmel and Telisse stopped talking.

"The votes have been counted," a tall blond lady announced. She stepped forward and held out a small blue envelope.

Telisse took it and gazed at it for a second. The name in that envelope would decide her future. The name in that envelope would decide her brother's future. She could feel the eyes of everyone in the room on her, and her hands began to shake. She walked forward and passed the envelope to Obi-Wan.

"Will you open it, please?" she asked. "I can't seem to bring myself to do it."

"Very well, milady," Obi-Wan nodded. He slowly began to tear the seal.

The room was completely still – it was as if the whole planet was standing still.

He withdrew the paper inside and unfolded it. He read the name silently and looked up, his expression unreadable.

"Your new monarch is…"

The room inhaled sharply.

"Kimmel Sava-Justi."

Telisse screamed and threw her arms around her brother, squeezing him tightly. Kimmel was standing stock-still, an expression of pure shock on his face. She laughed at the look on his face and released him, wiping tears of delight from her eyes.

She swept into a deep curtsey. "Congratulations, Your Majesty," she laughed. "I do believe you can order me about all you like now!"

Kimmel's face broke into a gin, and he pulled her up and hugged her again, laughing her. Then the Advisors surrounded the siblings, heartily congratulating and exclaiming over the new King. Obi-Wan and Anakin stood aside, watching the spectacle with a smile and a grin.

"Well, Telisse," Kimmel said with a laugh, ruffling his sister's hair. "I guess you didn't have to grow up quite so fast."

She poked her tongue out at him, drawing another laugh. "Why would I need to? You've done enough for both of us!"

She turned her head and grinned at the Jedi. She ducked through the Advisors and bounded over to Obi-Wan and Anakin, dragging her brother along behind.

"Isn't it wonderful?" she exclaimed.

Obi-Wan smiled and gave a short bow. "Our deepest and most sincere congratulations to you, Your Majesty."

Anakin followed. "And to you, too, Telisse," he added. "I'm sure you're just as thrilled at the result!"

She feigned shock and playfully hit his shoulder. "Well, yes, you're right," she admitted. Suddenly, she sobered. "But what about the possibility of war? Has it really gone?"

Kimmel turned to the Advisors. "Kerrun," he addressed the tall blond. "What were the percentages?" He glanced at his sister. "You don't mind, do you?" he asked. She shook her head.

Kerrun took out a datapad. "Seventeen percent for Telisse, and eighty-three percent for you, Your Majesty. It appears that the Teidonese responded incredibly to Telisse's address."

"Well, it was very moving," Anakin said. Telisse smiled and glanced away to hide the colour staining her cheeks.

Everything was right – her brother was King as he should be, and she no longer felt invisible. She finally felt comfortable being herself – and it was all thanks to the coming of a certain handsome Jedi.