A/N: Thank-you for the great reviews! I'm really happy, Legend has been nominated for 4 awards on Jedi net. I'm crossing my fingers... wish me good luck! (I could seriously kiss the people who nominated me!).
Legend
The Count of Hearts
Obi-Wan Kenobi tore across glen and dale, racing the northerly wind on his tireless steed. The lush green grasses of Naboo which shimmered with silver frost upon hill and dale were but a grey blur to the focused beast, its four sturdy legs pumping furiously across the land. But the Knight which the beast ferried across Naboo's wild lands was aware of everything around them, though to any onlooker his stormy eyes were fixed only on the horizon ahead.
Capital City was many days journey from the grand palace of Theed. By the second night they had escaped the tangle of Thornburry Forest where the twisted labyrinth of trees loomed overhead, their branches stalking them in the dead of night. On the third day they entered the land of a thousand waterfalls where even the icy chill of Winter could not penetrate the soil and drain the colour from the land. It was the landscape of a midsummer's dream. But Obi-Wan was vigilant as ever, only stopping once to allow Balfour to lap at the cool water and fill his own empty flask at the fishing holes.
The urgency he felt to widen the distance between them and the hungry eyes which traveled behind overcame all thoughts of hunger and desire for rest.
By the end of the fourth day Obi-Wan had ridden to the foot of the Flaming Mountains which marked the border of the 2nd Kingdom. There they lay down in the great shadow of the mountain and rested a few hours, but left long before the sun had a chance to set the heather covered hills on fire with its red glow.
They made quick progress through the range as every path and trail was well known to Obi-Wan, having wandered through these hills on numerous missions with his old mentor. As the sun set on the fifth day they were clear of the Mountains.
A brisk wind swept up Obi-Wan's cloak and pulled at the loose strands of his hair. Balfour whinnied impatiently and stamped his two toed hooves. Obi-Wan's brow furrowed in concern as his gaze swept the land before him: an endless scrub of loose rocks, boulders and knotted grass.
"Take a look at that old friend; the Backwater Plains. Slash City lies just to the North," Obi-Wan pointed, stroking Balfour's brow consolingly. "You will never find a more wretched land of scum and villainy. How ironic that it should lie on the doorstep of Naboo."
oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo
Important deliberations, arguments and concerns were all debated in the grand Reception Hall of the Imperial Palace set in the heart of Coruscant; like a gleaming black jewel set in the brow of a crown. The decor was elegant and sophisticated in its simplicity. The black marble floor reflected the light from the slender windows which stretched from the floor to where the ceiling curved upwards and disappeared into shadows. The large rectangular room could seat well over a thousand noblemen and foremost leaders of the surrounding Shires.
Yet on this day only one pair of footsteps echoed through the interior of the Reception Hall. The figure strode purposefully down the Hall, his royal cape and chiseled looks accentuating his dignified countenance. Around his neck he wore an odd string bag, the contents of which appeared to writhe and pulsate like the beating of a rabbit's heart.
Count Dooku was once renowned as a man of great virtue and integrity. His great deeds were legend far across the seas and beyond. The people of Naboo had even called for him to rule in the wake of King Amidala's death. However, behind the thin veil of noble charisma, Dooku had been seduced by the Dark Side and his greedy thirst for power held dominance over his need to do just.
In the treaty he had forged between the Kingdoms of Coruscant and Naboo, the Count had made assurances that the ruling of Naboo would fall to him in the unhappy event of the royal bloodline's severance; an event which Dooku also planned to oversee personally. He had plotted with the Palpatine from the very beginning, agreeing that once the Princess left her Kingdom, Naboo had no lawful ruler and therefore could be legally invaded. The Emperor would organize his fleet to start a sea blockade of Naboo, leaving the Kingdom incapable of sending a distress call. The plan was flawless in its simplicity.
As he approached the high throne of the Emperor the Count fell to one knee and humbly bowed his head. "I bring you good news my Master. The Maid of Naboo will arrive in five days time."
After a moment of silence, Dooku glanced up to gauge the Emperor's reaction. He could barely tell where the throne started and the Emperor began, so shrouded in shadows was his host. Palpatine was cloaked in a thick black mantle, which concealed his feeble frame but allowed a pair of sallow yellow eyes to peer out upon onlookers. Upon his head he bore an elaborate black-feathered head-dress in stark contrast to the rest of his simplistic yet efficiently menacing attire. His crooked left hand was coiled around a glossy black cane, the head of which was encrusted with a gleaming red jewel that glinted in the dim light.
Dooku peered up at the intimidating man, attempted to read the expression on his sickly pale face. He was almost relived to see the Emperor's shriveled lips pull back in what he could only assume was a smile.
"You have done well Count Dooku," the thin smile stretched across Palpatine's bony features. "Indeed you have proved yourself a most creditable benefactor. But you do not deserve the title of Sith yet. You have many tasks to complete before then," he said and his smile grew broader still. "Are you yet strong enough to handle the trials I wonder? Will your spine not break and splinter when it comes to the daughter of Naboo's final hour?"
Count Dooku hastily rose to his feet, his icy eyes blazing with determination. "I will prove myself, my lord."
Palpatine emitted a raspy chuckle. "I do hope so my old friend. I do hope so."
The Emperor slithered from his High throne to stand by a tall window overlooking the Capital of the Kingdom, Chrome city. "News has reached me that the Guardians are attempting to rally their forces once more. This cannot happen Dooku. No one can be alerted to our plans."
"They are scattered and few. The Mare-esque have been tracking them for months," Dooku stated with absolute confidence. "Only a handful move freely now, but they are shunned from towns and public houses." Dooku allowed himself a self-satisfactory grin. "Overall our propaganda campaign against the Jedi Order has been very successful. Rumours of a Jedi Temple have proven to be nothing but gossip; old wives tales to scare children and hikers away from the methane swamps which surround an old Goddess shrine in the East on the borders between the Kingdoms of Dagobah and Bespin."
The Emperor's face suddenly clouded and his tone became solemn and severe. "Very well. What about the boy?"
Dooku squared his shoulders and sniffed the air in contempt. "I believe Maul of the Mare-esque, is taking care of him."
"You do not approve?" Palpatine declared, arching an eyebrow with a smile.
Dooku turned his gaze to the floor, choosing his words carefully. "I believe, my lord, that there are alternative options to the Prophesized. The boy hails from the Backwater plains and knows nothing of his heritage, of the Force. He will be no threat to us."
Palpatine bared his sharp, yellowing teeth at the Count. "Throw a toad in boiling water, Count, and he will leap back out again. Leave him in a pan and heat the water slowly, and he will boil alive. I do not plan to wait for the boy to become a man whence he will strike me down. Find Skywalker and bring him to me."
oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo
Jelp: Thank-you very much! You'll find out who he is soon enough...
SoloKenobi: Thanks for the review! I live about an hour away from Glasgow. It's a fantastic city, I head out to the Garage & Vegas Nightsa lot.
A/N: Hope you enjoyed that. If you have any plot ideas, pairings, whatever you'd like to see I'd love to hear about them!
