Chapter Sixteen

A conference with Master Yoda resulted in his desire to meditate on the matter, which did very little to calm my anxieties. Perhaps I was over-reacting, and I would've believed that was the case had it not been for a slight glimpse I'd had into Obi-Wan's own thoughts. Although he had tried to hide his concern from me, he was worried about these people as well.

We had no other choice but to speak with other Jedi regarding the possible danger, although they too didn't wish to jump to any conclusions. It would be best to wait and see what happened, they said.

/To wait for what? Count Dooku and his army to show up and knock on our door?/

/You can't be certain that's going to happen,/ Obi-Wan consoled me later that night as we lay in each other's arms, watching the moonlight sift through broken wooden slat in the roof over our head.

/I guess time will tell. You know how I feel about surprises. If Josai and his wife return to the Core and report their findings, how long do you think it will take for Dooku to get here?/

/A matter of days, most likely. If they aren't occupied hunting Jedi elsewhere, of course./

Days, Obi-Wan had said. Whether anyone believed it or not, I had a feeling all that Josai and his wife cared about was their bank account. They wouldn't think twice about turning us all over to receive the bounty. There were thirty-two Jedi here and including me, the reward for our capture would be a king's ransom. I didn't consider myself a pessimist but had already decided that while everyone went about their daily routines, I would get prepared. I would make sure all our necessities were packed and ready to go at any second. It was the responsible thing to do.

Obi-Wan's kiss placed to my head lulled me to sleep and I dreamed of quieter and more peaceful times, awakening the next day to discover that Josai and his wife had already left. Tovan had informed us that they no longer wished to lounge around in the dirt and be consumed by bugs.

We all doubted they'd return, which was bittersweet news. I was glad because I didn't like them, but my heart ached for Tovan. He obviously adored his son and made excuses for his early departure.

"He's an important man," Tovan informed us later. "He has important matters to attend to. I was pleased to see him and it was kind for him to come. Let us all return to work."

Now, it was only a matter of days.

Time passed slowly. However, the days turned into months, and before I knew it, it was time to celebrate Leia's second naming day.

A party that remarkably outshined the first was thrown in her honor and the villagers once again presented her with gifts of sweets, toys, and clothing. Obi-Wan had been working on constructing her own lightsaber, although it wouldn't be functional until she had been led by the Force to pick out the kyber crystal that would power it. And that wouldn't happen for at least another ten years. I wasn't sure what she would do with the thing after he'd presented it to her.

Strangely enough, she stared at the shiny curved handle and poked on its red button. Once discovering it didn't work, I figured she'd toss it aside like she did most things that didn't interest her, but instead, she carefully laid it on the table and kept glancing at it throughout the rest of the party to make sure it was still there. She even took it to bed with her, along with her other favorite fluffy playthings.

"See?" she pointed out as I put her to bed. "Just like Daddy's."

"Yes, honey," I agreed while arranging the numerous dolls and toy animals taking up most of the space.

As had become a tradition, Obi-Wan told her a short version of one of his adventures as a Jedi Padawan to try and put her to sleep. I stood nearby and listened, finding his stories interesting as well, although I worried they may frighten Leia. They never seemed to, however. In fact, she would often ask questions about them the following day. She never seemed to forget anything.

She was a remarkable little girl, but I hadn't yet seen this power Master Yoda had spoken of. So far, the only things she had done were deliver a wanted toy to her little hand, or push her crib closer to us. Sometimes, she would do things in her sleep and I would wake up to a re-arranged room or a pile of toys in the middle of the floor. These episodes never did last long, and quickly she would seem as normal as any other two-year-old.

Master Yoda had been working with her about her temper and had even taught her how to meditate on the Force for short durations. As a result, her tantrums were less frequent.

After we were sure she was asleep, Obi-Wan and I crept outside to view the stars.

"I guess I was wrong," I admitted quietly.

"What about?"

"Josai and his wife. Perhaps they're trustworthy after all. I was convinced Dooku was going to show up any day and we were going to have to flee to another system."

"You weren't the only one who was worried about that," Obi-Wan confessed, wrapping an arm about my shoulders.

I loved walking through Dantoo Town at night. Everything was quiet and glowlights shown through the windows, casting golden shadows upon the street. In the distance, the kath hounds were howling and a few insects were still buzzing, though most of them had already gone into hibernation. The nights were getting cold and soon the sap harvest would begin again. After that, there would hardly be time to ruminate over any possibility of trouble. Both Obi-Wan and I would come home too exhausted to do much of anything but take care of Leia.

It was a good kind of tired, however. Such as I had never known before coming here. There was something wholesome about working with one's hands and actually seeing the proof of your labor. Unlike arguing in the Senate, being a farmer often showed immediate or promising results. It was a fulfilling type of lifestyle.

We stared at the stars for a few more minutes before heading to bed ourselves. I snuggled up to him with contentment covering me like a warm blanket and dreamed of running through grassy fields with my family by my side.

Obi-Wan shaking me awake stole away that pleasant vision, and I opened my eyes to immediately experience a feeling of panic radiating off him.

"Grab your weapon. We were right. There's a droid army positioned in the outskirts of the village. Dooku is leading them toward town."

"What about Leia?" I asked frantically, jumping up to grab my pistol and then my daughter, who refused to wake up despite all the commotion.

"Dela is hiding the children in the basement of the production barn," Obi-Wan explained as he wrapped his utility belt around his middle and grabbed his lightsaber. "Take Leia there and stay with her."

He knew what I was about to say. I was a good shot and I didn't want him battling this army alone.

"I won't be alone. I'll have all the Jedi with me," he reminded me. "Stay with her! I mean it! Please, Padmé! For once, please do as I ask!"

"All right," I grumbled in agreement despite my better judgment. Unless the battle wasn't going our way of course, and then I didn't have a choice but to help, did I?

"Hurry, Dela's waiting for you."