Several hours later it was time. He waited along with all of Alderaan to witness Queen Amira's coronation. Hundreds filled the main ballroom. Thousands more Alderaanians filled the Palace grounds and lined the city streets.
The Palace's main ballroom was lit by hundreds of candles. He stood near the front wondering how she was holding up. He wished they had been able to talk once more before now. He wanted her to know he wished her well. He could hardly believe the turn of events. When she became Queen tonight their time together was more than likely at an end.
His thoughts were interrupted as several horns sounded and a hush fell over the crowd. The royal family walked in together, The King, Lady Mara Organa, Prince (Senator) Bail, Prince Jade and Princess Amira.
He couldn't take his eyes off her. She wore a white gown that shimmered in the candlelight and trailed behind her as she walked. Her long brown hair was piled in lose curls on top of her head. She was radiant, regal. She already looked like a Queen.
The site of her made his heart ache. He did nothing to hide his feelings. It wasn't necessary here. The royal family took their places at the front of the room.
The King came forward slowly and began to speak, "Today is a great day for us all. As an old King I am ready to pass on this office to my successor. As a father I am proud to see my children take up the reigns of government. I have ruled now for over 40 years and have grown too old and sick to continue."
He paused briefly as the crowd disagreed with him then he continued, "Yes, yes it is time, besides after all these years I can devote more attention to my wife and perhaps look forward to grandchildren."
The crowd applauded enthusiastically. He smiled at his wife and his children, "Now I will step aside and let my first heir, my daughter, your future Queen, address you."
She stepped forward and kissed her father on the cheek and then looked out at the crowd as she began speaking, "At first I feared that my father's shoes would be too big to fill. He is a beloved King and has always been fair and just."
She turned to her father and smiled and then faced the crowd and continued, "As you know I have lived away from Alderaan for many years. I was given a choice to go and learn the ways of the Jedi but at the expense of leaving my home, my family and my friends. My parents supported my decision to go even though they were sending away their first heir. They knew I would face many challenges and great dangers but let me go anyway. I love them for that."
She acknowledged both her mother and father and continued, "In the ten years since I left I did become a Jedi Knight and became part of another honorable family, my Jedi family who I also love very much."
She looked directly at Obi-Wan and smiled sadly. "First and foremost I am Alderaanian and as your servant I will fulfill my duty to you all as your Queen to the best of my abilities. I will draw upon my experiences and training as a Jedi Knight to be a strong and just ruler."
The crowd was quiet for several seconds as Amira's words were digested. The King came forward and stood next to his daughter. She looked over at Obi-Wan with tears in her eyes and gave him a half smile. He smiled back at her and touched her mind, "I know this is hard, it will be ok."
She turned to face her father. He removed the crown from his head and held it out in front of him and said, "I relinquish this crown and with it all the responsibilities it represents. Once it is placed on your head you will be Queen and guardian of the prosperity, longevity and freedom of all who inhabit Alderaan for as long as you reign."
Amira bowed her head towards her father and said, "I accept this responsibility and dedicate my life to the prosperity, longevity and freedom of all who inhabit Alderaan." Amira finished her oath and the King placed the crown upon her head." It was done; simple and to the point.
She turned to face the crowd and as she did all of the men went down on one knee and the ladies curtseyed to acknowledge their new Queen. Then they broke into rousing applause. All of Alderaan would celebrate; except for one. Obi-Wan remained on one knee longer than the rest of the men and Amira caught the sadness in his eyes as he rose up. She knew he would leave Alderaan soon and be part of her life no longer.
A reception followed the coronation ceremony and Queen Amira stood with her family receiving the guests one by one as they bowed, curtseyed and gave their congratulations. She received congratulations from dignitaries, nobility and family friends.
Even though many people were old friends the smile on her face was forced. She had just been crowned Queen of Alderaan but it was the unhappiest day of her life. As she repeated the same thing to guest after guest her mind was elsewhere.
How had she come to be at this point? Why was this happening now instead of in just a few more years from now when her brother Jade could have become King? She knew it was her duty and she would do it with out question. As a Jedi she knew all about duty.
She knew about sacrifice too but this seemed too much to bear. Suddenly he was in front of her bowing deeply. He rose and said, "My congratulations your highness." His eyes met hers and she smiled as best she could. She replied, "Thank you Master Kenobi for being here to share this day with us."
It was her standard thank you, the one she had rattled off to everyone. It wasn't what she wanted to say to him, but now wasn't the time or place for anything else and he was already moving on.
The line of guests seemed to drag on forever and she was growing tired and anxious to break away. Once the last guest had made it through the receiving line she hurried off to find Obi-Wan.
He was standing out on a balcony that extended off of the ballroom. Amira walked up to stand beside him. She spoke first, "You are thinking about leaving." He spoke without looking at her, "Yes, I should go back to Coruscant. I have neglected Anakin too long."
Her heart sank as she realized he was already closing himself off. She turned to look at him but he continued to stare out into the Alderaan night. She spoke softly, "Please don't do this; don't shut me out. I never intended for this to happen, please forgive me."
He looked at her then and saw the sadness in her eyes. He had not been thinking about how she felt and immediately regretted the additional pain he had caused her. It was her life that was changing drastically. He would go on being a Jedi, without her, but still a Jedi. She was giving everything up that she knew and loved.
He spoke softly, "No Amira there is nothing to forgive. You have a duty to Alderaan a duty that has existed from your birth long before you became a Jedi. You have honored that tonight. It is the right thing."
She fought the tears that threatened to fall, "I don't know how I will endure this. I cannot say goodbye to my life, the Jedi, you…most of all you." He took her hands in his and said, "I have known for years that someday, something would take you away from me. You have a very important obligation as Alderaan's ruler and although I know that this is how things must be. My life will not be the same without you."
She was about to say something else when her mother appeared, "Please excuse us Master Kenobi, The Queen is expected at a toast, I am sorry." He inclined his head politely and said, "Of course Lady Organa." She followed her mother back into the ballroom touching his mind as she walked away, "Please wait for me; I will find you later."
It was almost dawn. Obi-Wan sat in his quarters waiting for Amira. Saying goodbye to her would be one of the hardest things he would ever do. The more he thought about it the more he knew they would rarely see each other.
Alderaan was not a place where he was likely to be sent on a mission. It was a peaceful planet of modest resources with strong leadership and not likely to succumb to a trade blockade or some other disaster requiring the intervention of the Republic or the Jedi.
She would remain here as Queen. In a vain attempt to rationalize circumstances he told himself that things would ultimately be better this way. She had an entire planet that expected its heir to rule and he had a fifteen year old Padawan who required his undivided attention.
His thoughts turned to Anakin who had not been an easy student thus far and it was only getting harder. He loved the boy like a son, but often found himself frustrated with Anakin's lack of self discipline. Anakin was far too powerful to remain reckless.
Amira knocked and opened the door, "May I come in." He did his best to smile and crack a joke, "It's your Kingdom." She didn't laugh as she entered the room closing the door behind her.
When she came closer he saw how very tired she looked, "It's been a long day for you." She nodded and went to sit on the edge of the bed. He walked over to the window and looked out. She asked, "When do you leave?"
He continued looking out the window, "Soon." She sighed and sought to control her sadness, "It will be a long time before we see each other again." He replied, "Yes, it will."
She shook her head, "I'd give anything to have things the way they were." He turned to look at her and he saw the sadness, "This is a solution; from a certain point of view." She laughed at his comment, "A certain point of view?"
He walked over to her and sat down next to her, "It's not the solution I wanted, but it will have to suffice." She reached up and removed the crown from her head and tossed it across the room into a chair.
She sighed heavily, "That thing is too heavy." He watched a single tear slide down her face. She closed her eyes and cried, "I didn't want this." He reached up and placed his hand on the side of her face gently turning her to look at him.
He caressed her face and she closed her eyes and leaned into his hand. He ran his thumb softly across her lips. She sighed softly. He leaned in and took her lips in his and kissed her gently. He whispered against her lips, "I will always be with you." Her lips parted allowing him to kiss her deeply.
He pulled away from her and reached up to pull the pins that held up her hair, "I've longed to see you with your hair down since that night on Macaven when I saw you meditating." As he pulled the last one out, her hair cascaded in silky brown curls around her face and shoulders.
He ran his hand into it and clasped the back of her head pulling her back to him and into a deep sensual kiss. He leaned her back onto the bed holding her in his arms as he kissed her. She responded kissing him back winding her arms around his shoulders.
His upper body covered hers pressing her gently into the soft mattress. He withdrew after a moment and said breathlessly, "I wish we had more time…" She replied, "There is never enough time for us." He hovered over her staring into her eyes then bent forward to kiss her again, "They held each other without saying a word and waited for the sunrise.
The palace guards opened the large doors and Obi-Wan stepped out into the Alderaan dawn. Amira stood in the entrance and said, "May the Force be with you Obi-Wan Kenobi."
He bowed slightly to her and replied, "And with you your highness." He turned and walked away but his mind touched hers, "Do not forget you are a Jedi, maybe not in the order at present but a Jedi none the less, be vigilant and keep your abilities sharp. You may need them again one day. Above all do not forget that I am yours Amira, I carry you with me always.
She answered him, "I will not forget. You are my very soul Ben Kenobi." She watched him walk across the grounds to the gate where he climbed into a waiting speeder taxi and was gone.