The Winding Path

Rating: T+
Summary: Healing from any condition never takes a straight path.
Disclaimer: All cannon characters are owned by the Great Flanneled One, and now Disney. All others are mine. I make no money off this.
Note: This is a sequel to Consequences

Timeline: 39BBY

Speech: " "
Training Bond communications: /
Internal thoughts: italics

Chapter Two

It had been about three weeks since the Jedi left Vasda on a relatively stable note, that is except Berland. The realm to the south was still in the middle of their civil war and it looked like it wasn't going to end any time soon. Tomas went along with his daily schedule of making sure that his realm knew and understood that things would not change. There were still Quite a few that lived near the border with Berland who had begun protesting what they saw was bad leadership. They wanted what their loved ones to the south had once enjoyed, or at least that's what Tomas assumed. How could they want it so that no one had any freedom of thought? Maybe, he finally assumed, it was that they were afraid of making their own decisions.

Shrugging, he left his office and moved into the residential wing of the house. Dinner would be served in the small informal dining area soon enough. In the last days before both Jedi had left, they had also joined them, especially since Padawan Kenobi was now healthy enough to move around without that much discomfort. It was nice seeing someone as young as him act more like an adult than most adults he knew personally. Maybe it was because of their lifestyle and how they had to grow up quickly. Although Master Jinn had mentioned that when they were very young they were allowed to be children, and not have any cares except for what to play with next.

When it was time, he entered the small dining room and sat down at the table. He expected Eira to come, which she had on a regular basis, but this time she didn't. Thinking nothing of it, he ate his meal in silence and then went into his common room where he could watch one of his favorite holovids before heading off to bed. It was these nights when he found he missed his companionship with Leesa the most. He could have remarried, but he chose not to, focusing his energy on making sure that Marlote was not only stable, but that Eira had the attention she craved at such a young age. Although maybe another mother figure could have gone a long way with her. With her reaching adulthood he realized that he would never know.

It was in the next few days when he realized that Eira had not appeared for any of their meals. He went to the kitchen staff and asked if she had anything brought to her rooms. Most shook their heads, but Rian had mentioned that he made sure that something was sent to her chambers at least twice a day. Even though she was almost an adult, he still gave her the privacy she deserved, but being her father, was something entirely different.

On the third day when she had not appeared, he went to her rooms and entered them. They were clean, as usual, but it looked like she had not been in them in the past few days. Going over to her bedroom, he knocked on the door. "Eira? Child?" When there was no answer, he opened it and stepped inside. Near the window was a figure sitting in a chair and huddled in a blanket.

"Are you feeling well?" Tomas moved across the room to where she was.

"I…," she mumbled as she looked down, "I have a very bad headache. It's been growing for some time."

He knelt down beside her, his hand on her arm. "Have you taken anything for it?"

"Yes, but nothing works." She looked off to the side, her face drawn from the obvious pain she was dealing with.

"Let me call Davido."

"Papa," she turned back to him, her eyes dull. "It won't work."

"Then humor me?" he reached up and cupped her face with his hand. Even though she winced at the touch she eventually nodded. Looking over her shoulder, Tomas nodded to Rian who stood just inside the room. The servant left with a quick stride.

Now that Rian was gone, Tomas turned back to his daughter, "Let me get you back on the bed."

Instead of fighting him, she easily acquiesced to his suggestions, something he found very surreal. Normally she would question his motives, but not this time.

Not that much later their doctor appeared in the door a concerned look on his face. When he reached the side of the bed Tomas pulled him away, keeping his voice low, "Something's not right."

"I'll do what I can, Your Highness," Davido bowed then turned his full attention back to the girl he thought of as a surrogate daughter.

With nothing else he could do Tomas stepped out of the room and into the larger one to wait, this way it would give the doctor more privacy when examining Eira. When Davido eventually emerged he shook his head.

"What is it?"

"Physically, my Lord, there is nothing wrong with her."

"Then what is it?" it was obvious, at least to him that Eira was suffering from something.

Davido looked back at the door he came out of. "I really don't know." He turned his attention back to Tomas. "The only thing I can think of is maybe having Jedi Healers take a look at her. They might be able to find something that I haven't been able to catch."

"You mean she needs to go all the way to Coruscant for this?"

"Yes. And you need to decide sooner rather than later."

Closing his eyes, Tomas let out a sigh. "All right."

Davido nodded then turned to go back to Eira as Tomas left her rooms and headed back to his office. "Danal," he called as he entered the rooms.

"Yes, sir?"

Tomas went over and sat on the edge of his desk. "I need you to get Hathus here."

"The Prime Minister?" Danal's eyes widened.

"Yes, and I would like it to be as soon as possible, this cannot wait." He stood up and went into his office where he could have at least some measure of privacy. Sitting down, he put his face in his hands. "First Leesa, and now Eira. I can't do this anymore." He still missed Leesa after all years that had passed since her death.

"Sir?"

Tomas looked up, then over to the chrono. Had it been that long? He sat back in his chair. "Thank you for coming so quickly Hathus."

"Of course, my Lord." He sat down in one of the available chairs.

"Eira, she's very sick, and Dr. Perkon doesn't know what it is. He recommends that I take her to the Healer's Ward at the Jedi Temple on Coruscant." Tomas looked down while his fingers picked at the edge of one of the flimsi on the flat surface. "While I'm gone, I need you to take over—,"

Hathus shook his head while raising his hand. "Sir, don't worry about it. Her health is the most important thing for you right now. Marlote will be in good hands."

As soon as he realized that he wouldn't have to worry about the realm, he felt his shoulders slump in relief. "You have no idea how much this will help. Thank you for your service."

"It's all right, sir. Now go and take care of your daughter."

The two rose from their seats and exited the office only to go in two different directions. Now that Tomas didn't need to worry about his normal duties, he could focus on Eira, and his need to get her to Coruscant. Stopping, he turned and went back to his office. "Danal," he began as he stepped into the reception area.

"Yes, sir?"

"I need you to contact the Healer's Ward at the Jedi Temple on Coruscant. Eira is ill and will have need of their services."

Danal's eyes went wide. "How is she?"

"I'm not really sure. Something's wrong, but Davido has no idea what it is." He turned to leave, then stopped again, "And have our things packed for a possible extended stay."

"Of course, my Lord."

The next day found a small contingency including Tomas, Eira, and Davido and any needed security, flying through hyperspace, towards Coruscant. By the time they had left Vasda earlier in the day a message came from the Temple stating that they were expected and when they arrived in orbit they would be able to land immediately. Eira was in her rooms and sedated. Her headache was growing worse by the minute.

Several hours later they had laded on a landing platform connected with the Temple and were ushered in. This was the first, and hopefully only time he would ever be in the famed Healer's Ward. It was just as busy as any other hospital he had been in, but at the same time there was a feeling of calmness that permeated everything.

With her still being sedated and resting in her room, Tomas went to speak with the Jedi Healer assigned to her. He ended up speaking with a blue Twi'lek healer by the name of Vokara Che. She gave him a kind smile. "You are concerned for your youngling."

"Yes, Healer."

She placed a blue hand on his shoulder. "Have no fear, we will find out what is happening to her."

At that moment he couldn't help but feel a calming sensation and his anxious thoughts drained away. "How long will that be?" he asked as he turned back in the direction of Eira's room.

"It shant be as long as you expect." Pushing the door open, they found it empty.

Eyes now wide and his heart racing once again, Tomas cast his gaze around the room. "Where is she?" he muttered as he looked up and down the hall.

Healer Vokara closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Opening her eyes, she indicated with her hand, "This way."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. Sometimes our patients wander around while they are sedated, your daughter is probably one of those."

They found Eira up against one of the walls, her hands on the flat surface. When Tomas tried moving her away, she struggled against him. It was obvious she wanted to remain there.

Tomas looked back to the Twi'lek now kneeling beside him. "Healer, what is on the other side of this wall?"

She looked around as if to get her bearings, then brought her attention back to him. "As you have probably realized, the ward is separated into the sections for non Jedi, and for the Jedi who have been injured during the course of being out in the field as we call it. On the other side of this wall is where the Jedi are treated, specifically those dealing with injuries to the mind."

Tomas placed a hand on Eira's shoulder. "Is there anyone in there at the moment?"

"There are several at the moment." Placing a hand on Eira's forehead, she pushed her gently into sleep. "As soon as she's settled once again I will see who is being treated."

Once Eira was fully asleep, Vokara picked her up and carried her back to the room she was granted. "I dislike doing this, but to keep her, or other patients from moving, we normally have to strap them down." Even though the binders were strong, they also gave at the same time. "I shall be back shortly."

"Thank you Healer."

As expected she eventually reappeared outside the room. Tomas got up and followed her out, knowing that Eira would be all right for now. "What is it?"

Vokara gave him a bemused look. "Let me examine your youngling first. Before I do that I want to know what her symptoms are."

"Um…," Tomas looked back into the room. "Intense headaches, but our doctor, Davido Perkon couldn't find anything wrong with her."

Vokara cocked her head to the side before smiling. "I remember when he was here. How is he?"

Tomas answered her smile with one of his own. "He's doing fine. His training here has served him well. In fact several months prior he helped take care of one of your own, Padawan Kenobi."

Her smile froze and her eyes narrowed. "Interesting."

"What is it?" Tomas asked as she brushed past him and back into Eira's room. She placed her hands on either side of Eira's face and closed her eyes.

After a moment she stepped back. "I think I know what is wrong with your youngling."

If there was a cure Tomas was all for it. "What is it? Will there be any medication to alleviate her symptoms?"

"Not at all. I will keep close watch on her for," she looked at the chrono on the wall, "for at least the rest of the day. I'm not sure how long he will remain within the Mind Healer's Ward at this point in time."

"Who are you talking about?"

"Viceroy, two Jedi that were not expected to come back alive arrived late last night."

"And?"

She placed her hand back on Eira's forehead. "The Mind Healer's Ward is Force shielded so no Force sensitive individual will be affected. The patients in there have the propensity of broadcasting far and wide their mental state and confusion. Because of that, the ones that the injured Jedi is bonded with are also present." Removing her hand she turned back to Tomas, "Do you remember anything unusual that happened while Master Jinn and Padawan Kenobi were present on your world?"

"No. Only that Padawan Kenobi and my daughter were kidnapped. They apparently escaped and we went in search for them." Tomas shrugged.

She gave him a thoughtful look. "It must have happened at that point."

"What happened?"

"There appears to be a Force bond between Padawan Kenobi and your youngling. She is suffering from what happens when a bond is not formally unraveled, but pulled out unexpectedly."

Tomas sat down in an available chair, "Force bond? How is that possible?"

"It can happen when there is great need." Vokara gave him a compassionate smile. "I will keep close watch over here while she is here."

"Do you know what happened to Padawan Kenobi?"

"There is not much I can say. Healer Nela knows more. She was sent to bring both of them in. What I do know is that he was electrocuted. Our Senior Mind Healer, Nyj Donata is working on him right now."

"How long will it take for Healer Nyj to finish?"

"I know you are concerned for your youngling." She smiled again. "I believe he will be finished soon enough. With these types of healings, once started, do not pause until it's completed. She should be recovered by that time."

"Thank you, you have no idea how much this has helped me."

"I do understand." Vokara gave him a critical look. "We have meditation rooms for non Force sensitive family members. I will show you where it is so you can get some rest."

With a nod Tomas nodded then followed the Twi'lek out of Eira's room for now and deeper into the ward.

TBC...