Chapter Five: An Unexpected Visitor
Following his padawan's afternoon classes, Obi-Wan meets the boy in the hallway to take him to third meal. Anakin has only been in the Temple a few weeks and hasn't yet made any friends, so to speak. Plus, the building must seem huge to a nine-year-old, and he can't have his padawan getting lost.
However, it is Obi-Wan that seems to have trouble keeping Anakin in tow. The boy is consistently walking so fast he nearly passes him, almost as if he knows exactly where he is going and is actually eager to get to the commissary for evening meal.
At least until the appearance of a particular Master stops them both in their tracks.
"News I have received." Yoda says as Anakin dutifully takes his position behind his own Master. "News that affects you both, it does."
A crinkled grin meets with a slightly confused nod from Obi-Wan. Patience is always best when dealing with Yoda, he reminds himself.
"A visitor, you have." The small green Jedi explains slowly, turning to an adjoining hall that leads to the entrance of the Temple, and pointing his walking cane in the direction of two weary travelers from Naboo.
Obi-Wan's heart leaps from his chest as their eyes lock across the distance, but it is Anakin that leaps into action.
"Padmé!" The young boy blurts out. "You see Master? I knew she'd come to see me!"
Before Obi-Wan can stop him, his apprentice bolts past the two Jedi, down the hall and into Padmé's waiting arms. The queen kneels to accept the somewhat exuberant hug.
"It's good to see you Ani." She declares, ruffling the spikey blond hair with her hand.
"I told Master Obi-Wan you'd come, but he didn't think you would! How long are you gonna stay?"
"Just a few days." Padmé answers the youth before rising to greet the approaching Jedi.
"Knight Kenobi, it is good to see you as well." She speaks formally, proud that the quiver she feels in her limbs has not yet reached her throat.
"You look well, Pad...er, your highness." Obi-Wan responds with a quick glance toward the senior council member beside him. "What brings you to Coruscant?"
Smoldering brown eyes reach across the space to beseech the blue-green gaze before her, expressing in words unspoken: 'You are the reason I'm here and you know it. Don't play games.'
"Business of a personal nature." She answers softly.
Anakin impatiently interrupts the silent byplay. "Padmé came to see me! Isn't that right?"
"Uh.." The young woman stammers, not wanting to dampen the boy's enthusiasm.
"You're staying at the Temple aren't you?" Anakin continues excitedly. "There's lots of things I wanna show ya."
"I'm not sure." She responds, glancing down to Master Yoda who happens to be wearing a most peculiar expression on his face, almost as if he finds the conversation amusing.
"Guest quarters in the Temple, we have." The council member croaks. "More than welcome to stay in them, you are."
"Thank you." Padmé acknowledges as Captain Panaka grabs ahold of their luggage.
Master Yoda then motions for the security official to follow him. "Take the Captain to your quarters, I will. Knight Kenobi, take your padawan to dine you should. Famished, he is."
"Yes, Master Yoda." Obi-Wan remarks with a confused smirk. Did he just hear Yoda chuckle? The rarity of the occasion brings a smile to his own face, but it is quickly erased by the scowl that is plastered on Panaka, who aggressively brushes by Obi-Wan to follow the hobbling Jedi Master.
Once more confused at Panaka's reaction, Obi-Wan turns to regard Padmé and his apprentice. The boy is practically glowing and seems ready to jump out of his skin at any moment.
He offers a small explanatory smile to Padmé's worried frown that says: 'We'll talk later' and is met with a smile that reminds him of why he wrote those letters in the first place.