THALIA

It was late morning when Thalia finally stirred from her peaceful sleep. She'd continued to go over the Festival plans even after Obi-Wan had fallen asleep on the sofa beside her.

As she drifted closer to consciousness, she realised that she hadn't made it to her room either before falling asleep. She was tucked between the back of the sofa and…Obi-Wan. Suddenly, she was very aware of her surroundings and the gentle arousal from sleep was gone. Obi-Wan lay slightly on an angle, so he was only just facing her. She was pressed up against his side and her left palm rested against his chest while the other was grasped tightly in his hand. Their legs were tangled together in a mess at the opposite end of the sofa.

Thalia removed her hand from his chest and tried to maneuver one of her legs free, but it was impossible to do without waking Obi-Wan, and that was the last thing she wanted to do. The only way she could get up was if Obi-Wan did so first. She decided that the best course of action would be to pretend she was still asleep so that Obi-Wan could get up first and they could both avoid the awkward moment that would surely follow.

Thankfully, it wasn't long before Obi-Wan stirred and Thalia shut her eyes. He shifted slightly against her and sighed before he went completely stiff. There was a pause as if he were trying to work out what to do. Slowly he lifted one of his legs and shifted away from her until she felt the cushions subside as he stood and left the room.

Thalia immediately missed his presence as he'd untangled himself from her. She turned onto her stomach, trying to regain some of the heat she'd lost from his absence. She tucked her arms under her head and rested her cheek on her forearms.

Reaching over to the table, she fumbled about for the last page of notes she'd looked at and placed it on the ground beside the sofa so she could look down on it.

Everything was ready. Padme would also be coming over early for the talks to experience the Crystal Festival for herself. It was going to be great, she could feel it.

That evening, Thalia waited on the palace's landing bay, flanked by her royal guards and with Obi-Wan beside her. She watched as Padme's Naboo Cruiser carefully maneuvered itself onto the landing chocks.

The festival was due to begin soon and Thalia was wearing a navy gown, which glittered with the subtlest of movements. Her pale pink hair was wrapped around her head in an elaborate crown and silver jewelry hung from her ears and around her neck.

Neither she, nor Obi-Wan had brought up the position in which they'd found themselves in that morning, which both were glad about as it assured them that it had gone unnoticed by the other.

"Your highness." Thalia curtseyed to Padme as she walked down the ramp towards her.

"Princess, it's so good to see you again." The Queen of Naboo replied before embracing her friend. "How are you?" She added, restraining herself from glancing at the Jedi beside her.

"I am well." Thalia assured her before they turned and walked towards the waiting speeder. "Thank you for coming."

"Of course. I wasn't going to miss the celebration I've heard so much about." Padme smiled as a guard helped her into the speeder. "However, I have to admit, this is not the typical Troskan welcome I've heard so much about."

"I just wanted to greet you myself before the rest of the city." Thalia smiled as the speeder flew through a small tunnel. The second they reached the tunnel's mouth a roar erupted as the people who had filled the streets caught sight of the two royals. Silver confetti flew through the air and pipe music swirled around them.

"Now this is a Troskan welcome." Padme grinned as the speeder flew low over the houses, making a beeline for the main square were the festivities were to be held.

"We tend not to do things by halves." Thalia laughed as she waved to the crowds below them as the speeder descended carefully onto the sandstone square.

Obi-Wan climbed out of the speeder before offering Thalia his hand. She took it gratefully and as stepped down, he placed a guiding hand at the small of her back.

Taking her place on the low stage, the crowd's attention was trained on her.

"My dear friends. Welcome to the Crystal Festival." Thalia began and the crowd cheered. "Troska is a place of peace, and we, like so many other systems, have worked hard for that peace and we have been rewarded with opportunities many go without. Our children go to school, we work without fear of war or oppression, families grow and we are able to do the things we love because we have worked so hard to make it so. However, let us not forget our past. From the depths of the Kyber Mines we have worked for what we have. So, let's celebrate each other and the beautiful world our ancestors have worked so hard to build."

As Thalia left the stage, she was replaced with the children from her school who acted out Troska's history. The crowd laughed and applauded their attempts to work through the story without any hitches and by the end they gained a louder applause than she, herself had received.

Thalia and Padme moved around the festival, admiring the handmaid jewelry and other goods the people of Troska had prepared for their stalls. Padme's eye was caught by a stall holding a fabulous array of scarves and materials. She assured Thalia that she would be occupied for a while, so Obi-Wan – who had been trailing at a safe distance behind them – stepped forward and continued on the circuit with the Princess.

"You've done a wonderful job." He said and was pleased to see the smile on her face.

"Well, I couldn't have done it without the help of a very persistent Jedi. And one I will always be grateful for." Thalia replied, linking her arm through his.

Suddenly, a whistling noise met her ears and Thalia's head whipped upwards to see a silver firework explode above them. It was followed by a second and soon the whole night sky was filled with glittering explosions.

"Oh my goodness." Thalia laughed in amazement. "I didn't plan this."

She grinned down at Obi-Wan and seeing his pleased expression, turned fully to face him.

"You did this?" She asked quietly, barely audible over the fireworks.

"I knew you'd wanted them, so I thought I'd surprise you." He said modestly.

Thalia opened her mouth to reply, but then shut it again at a loss of what to say.

"You continue to surprise me, Obi. Every time I think I have you worked out, you amaze me." Thalia said sincerely.

"Well I'd hate to be becoming predictable." He laughed, partially at what she'd called him.

"Thank you." She said earnestly before leaning forward and pressing a kiss to his cheek. She relished in the feeling of his smooth skin against her lips and she lingered close to him longer than the simple gesture required.

One of Obi-Wan's hands came to rest at her back, prompting her to stay close and he pulled her into him so they met in a warm embrace.

"Thank you." She whispered again and his hold on her tightened slightly.