Gandalf began: "We are on a quest of ultimate importance. Rings of power were made in the days of old, but in secret, and single ruling Ring was made. This ring, if it again lies in the hards of Sauron, would be used to control the world. Darkness would cover all, in short... Not a good time to buy real estate. Frodo here bears the ring towards Mordor, the domain of Sauron. Only there can it be destroyed, and the hope of the free peoples again can be restored."
The rest of the Fellowship were almost nodding to sleep- this sounded too much like another council of Elrond. Gandalf droned on.
"With the arrival of your ship and it's occupants, our destiny has changed.We must now make a decision. You may accompany us on the quest, or stay with your ship. I can repair your craft with magics, but not until the ring is destroyed. So, will you join our Fellowship, or stay behind?"
The offworlders took this all in. Luke stood up. "May we converse alone, and return with a decision?" Gandalf nodded. Everyone but the fellowship and the droids got up and walked to the perimeter of the campsite.
"So. He can fix the Falcon, but only after that bit of jewelery is destroyed. I say we go with them, as I don't think we can fix the ship without help." Han looked sadly at his burnt-looking ship. Leia nodded.
"I agree. This quest sounds almost a vacation compared to some of the things we've done, and aren't we supposed to be on vacation?" Everyone nodded.
"This is a fact. This journey will be a test of our Jedi skills, and I belive we can assist the Fellowship in resolving their problems." Tenel Ka spoke, and the rest mumbled in agreement.
As a group they walked back to the firelight. Han clapped Gandalf on the back,almost toppling the unsteady wizard."Ok, Gandy, We'll go. When do we leave?"
CHAPTER 7: Semi-romantic interlude
Having come to the agreement that the company would leave in the morning, twenty-two strong, everyone prepared for sleep. The original fellowship group separated out into their tents, while Aragorn sat by the fire. It had been quietly ordained that the new group would sleep soundly tonight, and join the watch cycle later on.
This left everyone else with the task of finding a place to sleep. The Wookiees had crashed off into the bush, explaining that they had found trees tall enough to sleep soundly in. Ground sleeping was not to their taste. The droids had shut down near the fire after Gandalf left. Luke had also left, saying he would feel better about this new world if he could spend the night meditating and communicating with his surroundings. He had stopped by the fire, though, and talked with Aragorn for a few minutes.
The rest discussed tent arrangements. With only three tents and six sleeping rolls, two would have to sleep in the ship, and the remainder two to a tent. While the children (Han still thought of them as children, even if they were all 19 or 20) divided the bedding, Han leaned over and whispered into Leia's ear.
"With all of them sleeping outside, I'm sure we'll have peace and quiet in the Falcon tonight.. And with them out of hearing range..." Leia's face lit up, and she started edging towards the shadow of the Falcon.
"Um, ok.. You seem to be under control.. No will mind if I just go sleep in the ship tonight..." Leia trailed off, jogging towards the ship's ramp. Han grinned, and with a wave to the Jedi, ran up the ramp after his wife. Jaina and Jacen shared a look and a slight twitch. Sometimes their parents' obviousness was too much.
"So, that just leaves the six of us," Tahiri said, unfazed. She grabbed her bedding and walked to the first tent. "Since we're leaving in the morning, we had better get to sleep soon. I don't really care who shares with me." She crammed her stuff in, and disappeared into the canvas. Anakin, mumbling something about her taking his pillow with her, crawled into the tent after Tahiri. As her brother disappeared, Jaina snorted.
"Men. Never know an obvious invitation. You always have to spell it out." She gathered her things and shoved them into the second tent.
"Zekk?" came a muffled yell from Jaina's tent. "Aren't you coming?"
Zekk, who had been staring off into space, jumped. He sauntered over to the tent and stuck his head in. "Yeah? Wha--" The rest of his body was forcibly pulled into the shelter.
Jacen winced, then turned to the only remaining person. "You don't mind sharing with me, Tenel Ka? Cause we seem to be all that's left." He looked nervously at the warrior woman.
"This is a fact. However, even if we were not the only ones left without a shelter, I would still have chosen you." Jacen grinned, but Tenel Ka continued. "Jaina snores in her sleep, and I would have had to deflect her malicious intents if I had chosen to share a tent with Zekk." She finished, and almost raised her eyebrows at the muffled "DAMN STRAIGHT!" that came from Jaina's tent. Jacen's grin faded somewhat at this explanation. "Also…" Tenel Ka lowered her voice, "How else would I get my goodnight kiss, Jacen Solo?" The Hapan princess gathered her things and crawled regally into the remaining tent. Now grinning ear to ear, Jacen followed.
Midnight. The fire had burned low, and Gimli now snored through his 'watch'. Lowie lay curled in oak leaves on an oversized tree branch high in the air, dreaming of Raaba, and for some reason, of meatloaf. Aboard the Falcon, Leia snuggled deeper into her husband's encircling arms, while Han snored loud enough to wake the dead.
Tahiri slept peacefully, entwined with Anakin. Shoes were an evil, but in not wearing them, one often got cold feet. Thank the gods for someone else to warm feet at night. Especially if they belonged to Anakin Solo.
Zekk watched Jaina sleeping, her soft brown hair fanned on her pillow. He loved this. To be so close to her, even through all the things he had done... He loved this girl. She loved him back. All was well. Zekk kissed her softly on the forehead, and wrapped his arms around his love.
Jacen and Tenel Ka were both trying to feign sleep, but neither could get comfortable. They were both very aware of the other's movements. Unable to take an more tossing and turning, Tenel Ka sat up with an exasperated sigh. She glared over at Jacen's half-closed eyes, and with cat-like grace, she pinned him to the ground. Tenel Ka kissed him thoroughly, then rolled off and to the side. Jacen, wide awake now, leaned over and slid his arms tentatively around Tenel Ka's form. She paused, then shifted back into his embrace. They both relaxed, finding finally a comfortable way to sleep. Tenel Ka fell asleep with a whisper: "Goodnight, my love..."