Disclaimer: We don't own Star Wars.

Full summary: Sequel to The Heir. QuiGon Jinn and Anakin Skywalker are once more being united with ObiWan. Much has changed over the past five years. Will they be able to work together with each of them harboring dark secrets? QuiAni

Warnings: Slash, JA reference, drug use, language

Pairing(s): Qui-GonxAnakin (subdued GarenxObi)

Fic type: AU, romance

Bizarre speaks: I didn't forget...really.

Chosen
Volume Three
Reunion
Chapter III: Royals

They would be landing in a few hours and Qui-Gon still hadn't found Obi-Wan. He gave up after awhile and rejoined Anakin, waiting until they arrived planet side.

Obi-Wan joined them as they disembarked. The royal family greeted them as the Jedi came down the boarding ramp. There was King and Queen, two princesses and a little prince. All of them shared the same brown hair and silver eyes.

On their approach King Olrin reached out a hand to the Jedi in a friendly manner.

Much to the astonishment of all, Obi-Wan ignored the gesture completely and shot off through the crowd.

"Pleased to meet you, your Majesty," Qui-Gon was quick to diffuse the unpleasant situation. "I hope we can be of help."

"Yes," Olrin replied distastefully. "So do I," he smiled thinly, motioning them on.

The palace was of gleaming marble, softly glowing fires and soaring archways. The hard soles of the regal footwear clicked crisply on the hardwood floors as they entered a large sitting room.

"So, which princess are we to ward?" Anakin asked bluntly. He motioned toward the two girls, wondering which it was.

"Neither of these," the queen sniffed. "These are Aurelia's sisters. There is nothing wrong with them."

"And where is Aurelia?" Qui-Gon inquired, noting the queen's air of disdain when she spoke of this daughter.

"We neither know nor care, Sir Jedi," the queen replied stiffly.

"Aren't we here to protect her from assassination?" Anakin raised an eyebrow Knowing where she was would certainly help with that.

The regal children glanced at each other uncomfortably and the king's lips pursed into a sharp line.

"I did not summon you, Jedi," he stated sharply. "Aurelia did. Against my order," he emphasized.

Anakin opened his mouth to speak, but Qui-Gon pointedly cut him off. "It is clear we do not know everything that is happening here, my young apprentice," the Jedi Master said before Anakin could make matters worse with an inappropriate remark. He bowed to the royalty. "Perhaps your Majesty could enlighten us."

"Aurelia is to be married," her father said stiffly. "It has been arranged since she was born. The young duke of Lark is her future husband. He is the one who wants her dead," the king continued. What he said next shocked the Jedi. "And with good reason."

"What could possibly be deemed a good reason to kill your bride!" Anakin burst out before Qui-Gon could stop him. "What has she done?"

"The wretched girl is barren," the queen said irritably. "Do you realize how that reflects on us, as her parents, for her to be so defective!" she spat then struggled to compose herself.

King Olrin watched her thoughtfully before turning back to the Jedi. "Here is how you may help us, Jedi. We cannot admit to our people that we bore such a useless daughter. They must not know of her plight," he explained slowly. "That would shame our noble family beyond reason. Despite being summoned, you are not to protect her."

"Bantha fodder!" Anakin snarled

"Padawan!" Qui-Gon cut him off sharply. "We will not insult these people."

"Master, these people are monsters!" the boy gestured to the king and queen. "This is not right. You know this is not right!"

Qui-Gon sighed. What Anakin said was true, but his insolence was unhelpful. "The Jedi Council gave us orders to protect the girl," he informed the king simply. "We answer to them."

"By the Code of your Order you are to respect the laws of the worlds you serve," Olrin snapped. "I am King, this is my law. Disobey and you will be removed."

Qui-Gon frowned. That was also true.

"For now," the queen interjected. "You will act as if you are here to oversee the wedding. When she turns up dead, you will not be held responsible."

"Master," Anakin scowled. "I will not be a party to this."

"Anakin," Qui-Gon sighed again. This mission was getting very complicated.

"No."

"Anakin," Qui-Gon said unwaveringly. He was the Master and would be obeyed. "We have been ordered here by the Council. We will complete our mission." He looked at the king and queen. "As you command," he said through his teeth.

"Good," Olrin nodded. "We have arranged quarters for our honored guests." He clapped and a boy in royal livery appeared. "Please escort them."

"We were ordered to protect her!" Anakin reminded Qui-Gon in a low hiss as they were led away. "Not to watch her die."

"Enough, Anakin!" Qui-Gon snapped. "You are not helping the situation with disrespect and insolence."

"I am not being disrespectful," the apprentice protested. "This isn't right!"

"Anakin," the older man repeated tersely, "Do not argue with me," he said flatly. "We can do nothing until we contact the Council." In times past Qui-Gon would not only have agreed with Anakin he would have defied these petty royals and gone to find the princess. The years had changed him apparently.

"At least contact the Council soon, Master," Anakin pleaded. The Padawan had a clear sense of justice. Killing a girl because she couldn't reproduce wasn't it.

"Other cultures have different values, Anakin. We must respect that," Qui-Gon reminded him.

"But they are not my values," Anakin remained stubborn. "And I will not follow them. We were given orders to protect this girl, Master. I am going to live up to that commitment. Even if you do not."

"Anakin!" Qui-Gon was irate now. This stubbornness was troublesome and not at all becoming of a Jedi. Qui-Gon found himself wishing Obi-Wan had stayed so he would have someone useful to discuss this with. He still didn't even know where Obi-Wan was! After he contacted the Council he would find the wayward Knight.

"Master," Anakin scowled. "This isn't right. This isn't justice, and it's not the Jedi way!"

"I did not say it was, Padawan," Qui-Gon countered crossly. "Now stay here. I am going to try and contact the Council."

"Yes, Master," Ani flopped back onto the bed. This sucked! Hopefully the Council would side with him.

Qui-Gon found the comm-center and explained the situation to Jedi Master Adi Gallia.

"This is bothersome," Adi replied. "You are right to contact us, Master Qui-Gon," she smiled. I am impressed, you took no brash action."

"What are my orders then, Master?" Qui-Gon asked.

"Since it was this Aurelia who sent the plea for aid you must find her," the Councilor instructed. "As she is also a member of the ruling caste you will take further orders from her. Be, discreet about it, but urge her to get off world quickly."

"As you say, Master," the big fellow nodded then cut the connection.

When he returned to the luxurious apartment they'd been assigned, Anakin jumped up.

"What did the Council say, Master?"

"We are to do as the royalty commands," Qui-Gon said first off. "We have been told to oversee the wedding and we shall. Our first action will be to find the bride. We cannot oversee her if she is missing, eh?"

"We'll protect her, right?" the Padawan wanted to know.

"We shall see," the Master replied. "First we must find her. Let's start with that, Anakin. I am going to look for Obi--Knight Kenobi, to fill him in on what has transpired and get his assistance in locating the girl."

Nodding mutely Anakin followed his Master out into the cool marble halls. How hard could finding one girl be?

To Be Continued...