Author Note: Here ya go guys. Enter Paris, Hector and Helen, aka Anakin, Obi-Wan and Padme! I know that Obi-Wan and Anakin aren't brothers, but they always talked of each other like they were, so, now there are! And as for Padme marrying Grievous, dunno what happened there! She must have been having a momentary lapse in concentration. But anyway, thats the way it goes. So on with the story!
On top of the highest hill, overlooking all of Endor, stood a thick-walled palace. Torch-bearing sentries, wearing royal blue, plumed helmets that almost covered their entire face, and carrying electro-spears, manned their posts.
Inside the magnificent palace, General Grievous, the ruler of Endor, was making a speech to his guests, the two princes of Naboo.
"Princes of Naboo, on our last night together, Queen Padme and I salute you."
General Grievous stood at the head of a massive table that spaned the length of a hall lit by torches. A battle-scarred warrior, now more machine than man, General Grievous was already halfway drunk.
Beside him sat his wife, Padme Amidala, wearing a white gown, head bowed, half listening to her husband. Fresh flowers were woven into her hair. Her beauty was so extreme that she seemed to exist in a separate realm. The only woman in the room and the only one wearing white, Padme shone amidst the unwashed soldiers of Endor and Naboo. All sat at a table laden with platters of roasted game birds, whole fish, shuura fruit and bowls of bread.
General Grievous held his gold wine goblet in the air, toasting his honored guests, Obi-Wan and Anakin.
Obi-Wan was not the best-looking man in the room, nor the largest, but the intensity of his expression, the regality of his bearing, confirmed that he is a born leader.
Anakin was the best-looking man in the room, by a long shot. He wasn't paying attention to General Grievous, however. He was staring at Padme.
"We've had our conflicts before, it's true. We've fought many battles, Endor and Naboo. And fought well!"
The Endorian soldiers cheered drunkenly. For a moment Padme looked up and met Anakin's gaze.
"But I've always respected your Master. Yoda is a good man, a good leader.A little short, but a good warrior. I respected him as an adversary, and I respect him now as my ally."
This time every soldier cheered.
"Obi-Wan, Anakin, young princes, come, stand, drink with me," Grievous offered. Obi-Wan stood but Anakin didn't. He was still staring at Padme. Obi-Wan nudged his brother's shoulder and at last, Anakin stood.
"Let us drink to peace," Grievous announced and Obi-Wan nodded as Grievous raised his cup.
"Peace between Naboo and Endor," Obi-Wan called out and Grievous and the two princes drank deeply then slammed their empty cups on the table.
All the men in the hall cheered and rose to their feet.
"To Endor! To Naboo!" they all cheered as one. After that, a band of musicians started up their instruments and servants roamed the hall, filling goblets with wine.
Dorme, one of Padme's handmaidens, led a dozen attractive young women into the banquet hall. The soldiers howled in drunked delight at the sight of the women. Soon each of the handmaidens was flanked by drunken soldiers.
General Grievous grabbed Obi-Wan in a bear hug. Obi-Wan gamely accepted the embrace, gritting his teeth to prevent himself from crying out in pain as he was crushed against the metal chest plate. When the general released him, both men spilled a few drops of wine from their cups onto the floor as a sign of good luck.
Then they drank the rest of their wine and General Grievous gripped Obi-Wan's upper arm as servants refilled their cups.
"A strong arm. Thank the gods we made peace -- I've seen too many of my men struck down with this arm."
"Never again, I hope," Obi-Wan replied, taking another sip from his cup.
"Only one man works a saber better than you. The Mandalorian."
"Jango Fett," Obi-Wan guessed and Grievous nodded.
"That madman would throw an electro-spear at Zeus himself if the god insulted him."
General Grievous then indicated Dorme, who stared at Obi-Wan openly.
"You see that one over there? I picked her just for you. She's a little lioness."
General Grievous grinned at the girl, who lowered her eyes and smiled. Padme noticed this silent exchange but ignored it, conversing instead with another handmaiden who sat beside her.
"Thank you, but my wife waits for me in Naboo," Obi-Wan replied politely.
"My wife waits for me right there," Grievous said, leaning forward to whisper in Obi-Wan's ear.
"She does not like the idea of me having a little fun now and again. Still, come, enjoy yourself tonight."
Padme stood and walked out of the reception hall, disgusted at her husband's behaviour. General Grievous didn't notice, but Obi-Wan did. He raised his cup to General Grievous all the same.
"You make excellent wine in Endor," he complemented and Grievous laughed and took a sip from his own cup. Obi-Wan often wondered how the cyborg drank and ate, and it seemed that even being so close to him when he did, didn't provide the answers.
Over on the other side of the room, Anakin excused himself from the Endorian generals he had been speaking with and headed outside -- in the same direction as Padme.
Obi-Wan watched secretly with mounting agitation.