Title: For the Sake of the children

By Jemmiah

Obi-Wan felt the ship rock gently as the freighter's landing gear made contact with the surface of Tatooine. Time at last to bid a final farewell to his confidant and pilot, and carry out the plans that he and Yoda has conceived on the Tantive. Stalling achieved nothing.

Except that now that the moment had arrived he found himself to be inexplicably reluctant to leave.

Deactivating the holo-recorder with a weighty reluctance Obi-Wan scratched thoughtfully at his beard. Yoda has been right to entrust Flint with his safe passage to the planet: the Wookiees had proven incredibly loyal to the Jedi right up to the bitter end. In doing so they had most likely incurred the wrath and enmity of the Emperor: it seemed that Palpatine had a very long and bitter memory for such things. What he could not control the Emperor would fear, and there would be no controlling the Wookiees. Obi-Wan had the terrible feeling that Kashyyyk would be reduced to little better than a 'contained' colony, a place that would be tapped for slave labour. No doubt Palpatine had his beady eye on the planet for some time.

Safer there than on Coruscant, however. Away from the protection of large family groups a lone Wookiee might be a target for the slave guilds, which Palpatine would now openly employ.

Such thoughts instantly recalled Jemmy to Obi-Wan's mind. He hoped that he had managed to say all that needed to be said in his short message. Yoda no doubt would disapprove of his actions, deeming it an unnecessary and potentially disastrous risk should the chip fall into the wrong hands, but he knew in his heart that his friend deserved some closure as regarded his fate, something she had never got when Han had disappeared. To subject her to that twice was in his own mind unforgivable. Besides, as Jemmy's honour sister Flint would never willingly betray him.

He palmed the holo chip and sat back in his seat, emptying his mind. Right at that moment he would have given just about anything to switch places with Luke, and have the chance to live his life over once again. Babies were so innocent and blessedly unaware of the harsh realities of life: even the stain of Anakin's evil could not cast a shadow over his children.

And little Nadine? What was to be her legacy from her father?

A huge, hirsute being stood in the doorway, breaking in on Obi-Wan's thoughts.

"We have landed." Flint wuffled gently, understanding her companion's reluctance to leave. "If there is anything else I can do for you please let me know and I will see it is done to the best of my ability."

Obi-Wan gradually pushed himself up from his chair, feeling suddenly very weary. In truth Flint had risked more than enough on his behalf to bring him to this, his new home.

"Luke is asleep." He sighed almost inaudibly. "And perhaps now is the right time to go."

"There are provisions for yourself and the child in this bag." Flint held out what appeared to be a large leather Wookiee satchel. "They should be sufficient for a day or so."

Obi-Wan bowed his thanks. "You have been kindness and consideration personified, nor could I have wished for a more understanding companion on this journey. I know that you are aware," he swallowed slightly, "of the serious nature of this mission. More than Luke's fate rests upon it. Please, forget anything that I may have said to you. I am not - have never been - here on this planet. Do not feel that I am questioning your loyalty, for I place it and that of the Wookiees on Kashyyyk above all others." He thought for a second he could see Flint burst with pride at the compliment. "But ask it I must."

"I understand." Flint nodded, roaring her comprehension. "I will not fail you on this matter. Besides which, I have already forgotten who you are!"

Obi-Wan allowed his face to crack into a wide grin. It felt so long since he had been given anything to smile at that it almost felt awkward and unnatural. So much was at stake here. So much had already been lost…

"And now, if you'll permit me," Obi-Wan's soft, grave tone instantly caused the towering Wookiee to bend closer to him, "a word of caution. For your own sake and that of your family, who I know you esteem greatly." He stopped to look down upon baby Luke who lay happily oblivious to the unfolding drama and political machinations that had brought him to this particular point. Padme would have cherished this boy had she been given the chance, he though sadly. Now it was down to him to watch over her son, albeit from a suitable distance. In the same way Bail Organa and his wife would watch over little Leia.

And on Corellia Jemmy would look after Nadine.

"Move them to Kashyyyk." He continued, meeting Flint's unwavering gaze. "Their safety depends upon it. I do not believe our new Emperor," Obi-Wan let his disdain bleed into the word, "will look favourably upon non-humanoid species. They should be safe on your home planet."

"I will see it done." Flint nodded earnestly. "Although I cannot promise for myself. I have become used to my freedom and do not wish to relinquish it so easily."

Obi-Wan issued her with a melancholy smile. "There is no freedom for anyone, now."

He picked up his brown cloak and slowly ran his fingers over the fabric. It was no longer symbolic of a Jedi, but of a hermit. It was strangely fitting in a way, he reasoned; for he would have all the time in the galaxy to reflect upon where everything had gone so hideously wrong…

Recriminations, deserved or otherwise, could wait. There were things that needed attending to that were of more immediate importance.

"I have recorded a message." Obi-Wan hesitated uncertainly at the galley door of Flint's ship, opening one palm to reveal a tiny holo chip. "And if you do not mind delivering it I should like you to pass it on to Jemmy. Tell her...tell her she must destroy it after she has seen it. Say to her that," he paused momentarily, "Obi-Wan Kenobi is dead…"

"Dead?" Flint's massive Wookiee brows contrived to fold in upon themselves.

He dropped the chip into her hand where she continued to study it cautiously for some moments. What he had told her was little more than the truth. Much of Obi-Wan Kenobi had died along with the last remnants of Anakin Skywalker that bloody day on Mustafaar.

"…But that Ben sends her his love and continued good wishes for her happiness, wherever he might be."

He straightened up, shrugging his arms into his cloak. Outside the baking heat and brilliant light of Tatooine's binary suns awaited the lowering of the ship's ramp, signalling the beginning of his and Luke's new existence. Words spoken in frustration some thirteen years before echoed mockingly within his mind.

We may be stuck here some time…

He hadn't anticipated then how prophetic they might turn out to be.

"Farewell, my friend." He reached up to clasp Flint on her arm. "You have been of great service to me these last days. You have my unending gratitude. Take care of yourself - and your family."

A hairy tide of fur engulfed his vision as Flint hugged the bemused man to her bosom and held him there for so long that he seriously began to wonder if she was ever planning to let him go before he suffocated to death. Why suddenly did an image of the cantina crawl spring to his mind? One in which Hmiol was trying to fend off the friendly attentions of this very same hairy being, back in the days when there had been no Empire, no Darth Vader…no Anakin…where everything had seemed so secure. Why now, when he should be focused on his mission to deliver Luke to the Lars family, did his heart suddenly feel as if it might break under the crippling weight of a thousand happy memories now all consigned to dust?

Finally Flint released him. "You will always have a place on Kashyyyk, if you need it." She rumbled warmly. "You and the small green one. And I will deliver your message to my honour sister. Her child continues to thrive, I am told." Flint raised a meaningful eyebrow; a difficult gesture to discern behind the long facial hair yet Obi-Wan managed to catch it all the same. "All will be well with her, I am sure."

"I do not doubt it." Kenobi agreed perhaps a touch wistfully, looking once more down at baby Luke. Everything was being done for the sake of the children. For their own good and for the sake of the galaxy in which they would grow up the twins had been separated, unaware of their lofty heritage. And for her own welfare Nadine would grow up without a father, one whose name she would never be able to lay claim to.

The ramp slowly lowered and Obi-Wan was met instantly by that wall of heat he'd long anticipated. There could be no stalling now. He'd contact the Lars family once he was safely ensconced in Mos Eisley, although that seemed like a contradiction in terms from what Flint had told him of the place. If he could hire a speeder or a swoop he should be at the Lars by nightfall. At least Luke would be able to enjoy a peaceful night: whether the same could be said for Owen and Beru was a different matter.

And what of himself?

He pulled his hood up over his head and then gathered together the handles of Luke's crib. The feeling was similar to that which he had experienced on becoming a knight: trepidation and sadness at the familiar existence he was leaving behind mixed with anticipation and determination. In his own mind he had, somehow, failed Anakin. He had failed Qui-Gon and the Jedi order. Now it was up to him not to fail Luke.

Flint's mission in bringing him to Tatooine was now complete.

His own was just about to begin.