Finding the Mos Espa arena the next day was easy. It was by far the most expansive and busiest place in town. What Obi-Wan was finding difficult was keeping his shielding tight enough to conceal his presence there from Qui-Gon.
He wasn't sure at which point he could talk to Shmi alone, so he decided to stay hidden amongst the crowd and watch their group from afar, waiting for an opportunity to speak to her.
When the race reached its inevitable conclusion, Obi-Wan mingled with the fans gathered about the arena and staying hidden, waited while the congratulations were exchanged. He noticed then that Qui-Gon and Anakin had separated themselves from their party obviously leaving in order to obtain the boy's winnings. Padmé stood to one side of the building speaking to another young boy Obi-Wan did not recognize, and to his relief, Shmi soon left the vicinity.
Knowing that he would be expected to be back at the ship soon, he realized that he had only a few minutes and so he followed Shmi back to her dwelling. He stopped her just outside of her home.
"Shmi Skywalker?" When she turned, he did not hesitate continuing speaking after showing her his most genuine smile. "My name is Obi-Wan Kenobi. I am a Jedi Padawan to Master Qui-Gon Jinn. I need to speak with you about your son."
The woman standing before him appeared much older than she actually was. He could see it in her eyes. A life of hard labor and slavery had aged her prematurelyand the harsh environment of Tatooine had only added to it.
"Do you know Ani?" She eyed him up and down suspiciously.
"No, not yet, but I will soon." Obi-Wan stepped up closer to the woman, noting that she leaned backward slightly. She didn't trust him, that much was obvious. But he didn't have time to gain her trust. He must act quickly.
"I know that you love your son and you only want what's best for him, but if you allow Qui-Gon to take Anakin away, it will be the worse thing that you could possibly do.
Shmi narrowed her vision and backed away two steps, her facial expression changing from one to suspicion to now extreme caution.
"What are you talking about?"
Obi-Wan pursued once more, stepping forward, grasping gently onto her arm.
"I know this is difficult to hear, but I have seen the future and if Anakin becomes a Jedi, he will eventually destroy himself and the Republic by turning to the Dark Side of the Force. He will become the most evil villain in the galaxy. You are the only one who can stop it."
The woman jerked her arm away and began backing up quickly into her home. Obi-Wan followed her up into the doorway and stopped her once more.
"Get away from me!" She screamed as she reached around the corner of the door, attempting to find something to defend herself from the madman on her doorstep. "If my son has a chance to be free, then he deserves it! I will not let him to live the life of a slave."
"Then you will be condemning thousands of people to death." Obi-Wan announced bluntly, but Shmi shook her head fiercely in denial.
"I don't believe you. Ani would never hurt anyone. Please go away."
Shmi reached to shut the door, but Obi-Wan blocked it with his arm, sighed heavily and whispered "Forgive me," before passing his hand across the older woman's line of sight and muttered the words he hoped would change the future for the better.
AN: Forgive the shortness of these last few chapters. I've been really busy lately and have only had time to sit and write just a bit at a time. Thanks for being so patient. : )
