Dear Qui-Gon,

So to Tatooine I have returned, and yet this time the sight of the desert did not fill me with dread and sorrow. The hot, arid air was almost welcome on my face, the sight of the vast sand plains and red rock a strange sort of comfort. You must be laughing, my friend, to see me – ever the fastidious, civilised student, who would not brook even a loose hair on my robe, become a desert child. For all its faults, the planet has grown on me; it has a kind of wildness which makes me believe anything to be possible. The dry wind blows over the sand every day, slowly tearing down the old dunes and making new ones in their place. There is a kind of futility in that, and yet hope as well, because nothing is fixed, and life moves ever on.

Except, it seems, at Jabba's Palace. His spies must be effective, for I had not been home an hour before a had a visitor. It was a Zelton female, her pink skin almost red from the trek across the desert. The chain around her neck told me she was Jabba's slave, and even without it I would have known from the fearful look in her eyes. She was skittish, her gaze always darting around as if expecting her doom at any moment.

"You must be exhausted, my dear," I said, drawing her into the kitchen and to my table, careful not to touch her sensitive skin.

"I mustn't stay too long," she said, her bird-like voice barely a whisper as I placed a cup of tea in front of her.

"Time enough to drink that," I urged her, taking a seat across the table. "It is a special blend – it will revitalise you."

A gift from Sabé – as much tea as I could fit in my travelling case, and a wide variety far beyond what even the importers and marketeers in Mos Eisley could offer. In particular, a blend of Alderaanian swellblossoms and flikus roots known to have healing properties. I had left a small box on Beru's windowsill when I had gone to check on Luke, allowing myself a peak through into the home where I noted how much he'd grown in the short time he'd been away. Tomorrow, I will make a longer inspection, but for now I hope Beru will accept the gift even though she would have no doubt as to the source.

The girl sipped the tea with both hands on the cup and her head bowed, as if she'd been given a great honour.

"What's your name?" I asked.

"Marei," she answered without looking up.

"Marei," I repeated, the name pleasant to hear. "So why did Jabba choose to send you?"

She put down the cup and when she lifted her gaze she looked wounded. "Don't you remember me?"

I was confused for only a moment, and then recalled that awful day standing before Jabba's throne to save Luke's future. I had disposed of Jabba's minions and taken the memory from his majordomo, but couldn't bring myself to wipe the mind of the innocent slave girl who had witnessed everything.

"Yes," I said, suitably chastised. "I remember you."

"Most people don't," Marei said with a shrug of her shoulders. "And sometimes to ones who do are worse."

I dared not let my thoughts dwell in that direction – I felt bad enough for the girl without having to think of the full horrors she faced in her life. "You are safe here, child."

"I'm not safe anywhere," Marei said softly, taking another sip of her tea, her hands gripping the cup tightly. "Jabba gave no message – he only wanted to make sure you were here. I don't know why he sent me."

She was Jabba's message, I realised. A reminder of his power lest my trip away had given me ideas of rebellion against him.

"You must wonder why I don't run." Marei looked up again, her eyes so dark they were almost black. "But my chain isn't here," she put down her cup and touched the terrible device around her neck. "It's here." She indicated a spot behind her right ear.

"You have an implant?" It was hardly surprising – Anakin had told me enough about how Tatooine slave masters kept control over their property.

Marei nodded, her eyes pleading with me. "I have heard of the Jedi. The legends say you helped those who needed it."

"Yes," I said cautiously, worried at where the conversation was heading. "But I regret that I am not able to help all that I should."

Marei took a few deep breaths, as if working up the courage. "I wondered if you could…destroy the implant with your powers."

I hesitated but then rose, crossing around to Maraei's side and waving my hand over the skin behind her ear. I could sense the device, evil thing that it was, but it was intricate and I had never had an affinity for such things. If Anakin were here…

"I'm sorry," I told her, and meant it. "I cannot be sure not to trigger the deadman switch."

"I've thought about it a lot," she said, turning her dark eyes up to me. "Tried to convince myself to walk out into the desert and end my suffering, but I was too scared. But I would have courage if there's a chance, and either way I would be free."

"I'm sorry," I said again, knowing that my words were painfully inadequate. "I could not take the risk."

Marei nodded and looked back down, clearly she had been expecting such an answer. "I understand – Jabba would know you did it, and punish that orphan boy."

"That's not why," I tried to explain, unsure if she would believe me. I knelt down at her side and gently lay my hand over hers. She looked at me again, this time her black eyes leaking tears.

"I swear on the Force and my eternal soul," I told her, "if I can find a way to help you I will."

"I would not want the boy to be hurt," Marei almost whispered. "He seemed so sweet – I asked around about him. They didn't know the farm couple, but some recognised the name Skywalker. Said it as a slave name."

"His father was a slave, many years ago," I told her, my heart fit to break and never repair. "But he was freed, so you see there is always hope."

I heard a small whinny behind me, and turned to see my eopie Rooh had found her way inside again. I had housed her at Anchorhead while I was gone, and she had barely left my side since. But I was no longer her focus, as she nudged me aside with her snout and lay her head in Marei's lap. The girl began to cry in earnest and pressed her face into Rooh's hide, and I took the opportunity to steal away for a few minutes. I knew how wonderful Rooh's comfort could be, and hoped that it had given the girl some relief from the pain of her life.

When I returned Marei was almost smiling, chatting softly to Rooh and patting her lightly on the head. Eventually though, Marei rose, glancing outside at the suns which had started their afternoon descent.

"Here," I gave her a pouch filled with glittergems – a gift from Breha for just this purpose. "This is enough to pay the tithe on the Lars farm for the next two decades at least. Tell Jabba that I work only for his silence now."

Marei nodded her head, although I doubt she understood. "And don't forget my promise," I told her as she left. "I will find a way."

"Thank you," she said softly, although I could tell she didn't believe me. I can only repeat my promise to you, Qui-Gon, and pledge myself to proving my words.

Obi-Wan Kenobi