Author Note: Hey guys, sorry I took so long to post but the dog ate my only copy of this chapter, so I had to start again from scratch and...and I don't actually own a dog! That was a huge lie! Let's start again!
Hey guys, sorry I took so long to post but the rabbit ate my only copy of...that doesn't sound right! Oh anyways, here's the story! And don't forget, read and review, as always! I love to hear from you guys!
(-o-)
Later on, back in the Jedi Council chamber, Lomas was stood before the council looking grim and ashamed. He was truly shocked at his brother's bahavior and thought that this meeting would be to tell them that they had blown their chances of receiving any help at all. He looked around and noticed that one seat was empty.
That must be Mistress Skywalker's. I hope she's ok. Ronteza looked like he was getting out of hand.
At last, Yoda cleared his throat and everyone turned to regard him. This is it. Lomas thought solemnly as he stared at the little green Jedi Master.
"Come to a decision, we have," he said at last and Lomas held his breath, waiting.
"Sending three Jedi Masters, Three Knights and a padawan learner with you, we are. Help eliminate the clones, they will, then return straight away."
"Thankyou! Thankyou so much Master Yoda!" Lomas gasped with relief. He had been so sure of a negative answer. Having to consciously remember to breath, he gathered his thoughts for a moment before speaking again. "I can assure you that you shall be most welcome on Onderon in my father's house any time. And I would just like to appologise for my brother's rash behavior now. What he did was well out of order and I am more than willing to pay for the damage."
"Payment for damage, not necessary, but thankyou for the kind offer," Yoda replied. "Meet your Jedi party on landing platform 3 in one hour, you should. Organize transport for you and your brother, I shall."
"Thankyou Master Yoda. Thankyou all," Lomas replied gratefully with a respectful bow before leaving to go and find his brother and inform him of the news. A few moment's later, Padme came in, patched up and looking thoroughly miserable. The cuts on her face looked red raw and sore, but it was not those that were causing her grief. She limped slightly, but again, it was not the scorch on her leg that was upsetting her.
She's angry about Yoda's decision. No doubt she was outside the door the whole time! Anakin thought, but didn't dare say incase it got Padme into trouble with the rest of the council. After all, it wasn't like her to miss a session on purpose.
"Forgive me Master," she said with a low bow towards Yoda who nodded and motioned for her to take her seat.
"Mistress Skywalker, understood, your absence is. Forgiven, you are. Feeling better, are you?"
"Yes Master. Thankyou," she replied, sitting down in her seat and waiting to find out what had been going on during her absence.
"Master's Skywalker and Kenobi, go to Onderon you shall. Take the young Skywalkers with you, aswell as Young Lars and Hart. Meet on the platform in an hour, you should, to join the Princes on their journey."
Obi-Wan nodded obediently, but Anakin paused, as though something in Yoda's words didn't make sense.
"Master Yoda, you said three Masters were going. Who is the third?" he asked, looking over at Lomitas and Sharivari, expecting it to be one of them. However, when Yoda didn't answer, Anakin followed his gaze towards Padme who was shaking her head in defiance.
"No way! No! I'm not going!" she protested and Anakin and Obi-Wan shared worried glances. Padme never stood up to Yoda. It was against her nature to even dream about doing such a thing. Yet here she was now, defying one of his orders.
"Disobeying a direct order, are you? Like you, this is not," Yoda spoke what was on everyone's mind.
"Yeah well perhaps I've decided to change. People can do that you know!" she snapped and Anakin was stunned. At last he found his voice.
"Padme please!"
"No! I refuse to help traitors! Why do you ask me to do something you know I cannot do!" she replied angrily and Anakin cowered away slightly. Padme was in one hell of a mood, and nothing he said would help.
If anything, I'll probably just make it worse! he thought sadly.
"They turned against my family! Don't you turn against my family too!" she cried.
"But by not helping them, you are doing the very thing you have condemned them for. You are betraying the betrayors," Obi-Wan tried to reason, but instantly regretted saying anything when Padme shot him and angry glare.
"What do you know!" she snarled.
"Mistress Skywalker, go to Onderon you will, but to help the Jedi, not the Princes. Askin you to aid the Jedi, I am," Yoda said gravely and at last, he seemed to have gained Padme's attention.
"How can I get there if I don't have a ship?" she asked and Anakin looked down at the floor, shuffling his feet innocently so as not to receive the same glare that Obi-Wan had moment's earlier. She still hadn't forgiven him yet then. He could feel her eyes boring into him, but still he resisted the temptation to look up and at last he felt her look away.
"Sort transportation I shall. Have your word, do I?" he asked softly and for a while, Padme said nothing as she thought about everything Yoda had said. The other Jedi held their breath, waiting for her answer. Then at last she nodded, and there was a collective sigh as everyone relaxed.
"I'll go, but I'm doing this for the Jedi, not for them," she sighed and Anakin shot Obi-Wan an I told you so! look which Obi-Wan returned with a smirk.
"Thankyou Mistress Skywalker. Knowing you will be there brings warm feelings to my heart. Allow nothing to happen to the Jedi, I know you will. As for your outburst, understand I do. No appology is needed," Yoda finished and Padme nodded to him gratefully. Then she smiled weakly at everyone else, trying to appologise to them aswell. As they passed her, they gave an understanding nod and she relaxed.
