For the second time in four years Obi-Wan and Amiraarrived on the planet Macaven. As they exited the ship she momentarily stiffened. He placed his hand on her shoulder, "Are you all right?" She nodded, "Yes, it was just a reflex. The smell of the sea brought back memories before I was prepared. He replied, "Ok, but try to remember we're on vacation."
She laughed and felt the tension melt away. A small Macaven delegation approached them. Amira immediately recognized Dumaas. He called to them with his arms out stretched, "My friends, we are delighted you could join us. Welcome back to Macaven."
They bowed deeply and Obi-Wan replied, "Viceroy, you honor us with your invitation." He held out his hand and Dumaas shook it eagerly. Then he turned to Amira, "My beautiful lady Jedi you look no worse for you ordeal."
She also offered her hand. Dumaas took it and kissed it gently. She smiled, "I am fully recovered thanks to your impressive medics." His gaze remained fixed on her, "Is it true you ruled the world of Alderaan." She nodded, "For a short time, yes." He asked, "But you gave it up to be a Jedi?" She glanced at Obi-Wan and replied, "My placeis with the Jedi."
Dumaas waved his hand in the direction of the hydro speeder dock, "Please, this way my friends. Your accommodations are ready." They boarded the speeder and sped off across the sea towards Maceve Island.
Obi-Wan turned to their host, "You have been busy. There is new construction everywhere. "Dumaas replied, "Yes, we have been making steady progress. Trade began in earnest about eighteen months after you left. Since then we have made vast improvements to the infrastructure. All the provinces are working together. It is a sight to behold." Obi-Wan smiled, "In these unsettling times it is good to know our efforts made a difference for your world."
They arrived on Maceve Island and were quickly settled into their accommodations. Their rooms were the same as before. The first thing Amira did was step out on to the veranda. She walked to the railing and looked down on to the sand below.
The memories of her encounter with the Sith came flooding back; powerful emotions of sadness, failure and pain swept over her. She averted her gaze from the sand and looked instead out at the blue green water. She knew he was there before his hands came around her waist from behind.
She covered his hands with her own and leaned her head back against him. He whispered next to her ear, "Tell me how to help you forget." She replied, "I don't know. I think it will always be with me. The memory that haunts me the most is knowing I was beat, knowing that I would fail you."
His arms squeezed her tighter and he replied, "You did not fail me. You are here now in my arms, in the place that I thought I had lost you. I stood in this very spot, desperately hoping you were still alive. You survived, I could ask nothing more."
She closed her eyes, "I just need new memories of Macaven." He smiled into her hair, "I think I can make that happen." She turned around in his embrace to face him, "Really?" He nodded and kissed her softly on the lips, "I'll be back in a little while."
He broke away from her and headed for his room.She laughed, "Where are you going?" He replied, "I need to call in a favor." He disappeared into his room and the door closed. She smiled to herself and turned back around to look at the water.
It was a few hours later with sunset approaching thatshe heard a knock at her door. She walked across the room and opened it. To her astonishment, Deelina, a young girl they had met during their first visit to Macaven, stood in the hallway holding several items.
Amira ushered her in, "Deelina how wonderful to see you again. You have grown into a lovely young woman" Shesmiled and came into the room, "I was so excited to hear you were coming, I could not sleep for days."
She continued towards the bed and laid her items on it. Amira asked, "What is all this?" She smiled secretively, "Your presence is requested on the beach at sunset. We have a small welcoming ceremony planned for you and Master Kenobi this night. I have brought you something suitable for the occasion and if you permit me I will help you get ready." She nodded, "Of course, but what about Obi-Wan?" Deelina replied, "He is being attended to."
It was barely another thirty minutes later andAmira was ready. She stood in front of a long dressing mirror. Deelina stood beside her and smiled, "You are beautiful my lady." She replied, "Deelina please call me Amira." Deelina smiled and said, "Ok, Amira"
She turned back to look at her reflection. Her Jedi robes and tunics were replaced by a beautiful cream-colored dress that just touched her toes. Her hair had been piled on top of her head in lose curls. Several stray strands fell out around her face and down her back.
She turned back to Deelina, "Are you certain I need to be dressed like this for this welcoming ceremony?" Deelina nodded, "Yes all the ladies will be." She felt a little hint of deception form the girl but knew it was harmless. Deelina reached for her hand, "Its time to go, everyone is waiting."She replied, "I have no shoes on." Deelina laughed, "You will not need them."
Amira and Deelina walked down the beach towards a large gathering of Macavens. The sun was setting over the water and several lighted torches were positioned in the sand in a large circle. As Amira approached the circle the Macavens parted and she saw Obi-Wan.
Dressed in a simple cream-colored tunic and pants and also bare foot he stood looking at her and smiling. The clothing was simple, but the sight of him almost made her forget to breathe. As she walked up to him, it felt as if all of Macaven was watching her.
She whispered, "What is going on?" He stepped forward and took her hands in his. As they faced each other he said, "I have never seen anything more beautiful than you are right now."
Her face lit up with a smile, "What are you up to?" He grinned and his eyes sparkled, "This is your new memory." She looked around at all the smiling Macavens gathered around them. Dumaas stepped forward and looked from Obi-Wan to Amira, "Are you ready to begin."He replied, "Just one more thing."
He squeezed her hands as he turned to look into her eyes. She thought he actually looked nervous. He asked, "Do you love me?" Her eyes remained fixed on his and she said, "Yes, with all my heart."
He took a deep breath and let it out, "Would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?" She opened her mouth to speak but nothing came out. She wanted to ask how it would be possible, the Jedi Council, the Code, but something in his eyes reassured her and she dismissed her concerns, "Yes." A loud cheer went up from the crowd. Obi-Wan turned to Dumaas and said, "We can begin."
With the sun setting on the sea Obi-Wan and Amira stood in the sand facing Dumaas, the Viceroy of Macaven, as he performed the wedding ceremony. The guests formed a circle around the couple as they took their vows.
Dumaas spoke, "It is clear that this is only a formality. You have a bond that has existed between you for many years, it is plainly visible to all who know you, and it is stronger than any marriage bond I could perform here tonight."
He smiled at the couple and at all the guests, "That being said, it is my honor to conduct a wedding ceremony in the tradition of our culture. The guests are here to surround you with good wishes and love. It will facilitate the sealing of your marriage bond. Normally proof of your eligibility to wed is required. Your good deeds towards each other and others are recorded before marriage is permitted."
He looked around at the crowd surrounding the couple and continued, "However, no one on our world can doubt that you are both genuinely good people. You risk your own lives to help others. Macaven history will forever remember you as saviors of our people. You showed us the error of our ways and set us back on the road to peace. Therefore, your marriage is unanimously approved by government of Macaven. All that remains now is your oath to each other."
Obi-Wan turned to face Amira "You are in my very soul. For so long I have only dreamed of being able to call you my wife. Today I join my life to yours before this company and make my dream a reality. Distance may part us, trials may test us; no matter what we may encounter together, I vow here that this love will be my only love."
Amira's heart was pounding as he finished. His eyesheld nothing back ashe looked lovingly at her. She didn't have anything prepared but spoke from the heart, "I have loved you nearly half my life. We have faced so much, so many trials already and I know there is no other that I trust with my life or with my heart as I trust you. I will honor you and cherish you all the days of my life."
The Macavens were absolutely silent when Obi-Wan and Amira finished. Dumaas looked at them both and smiled and then spoke to everyone, "It is my greatest pleasure to announce that Obi-Wan Kenobi and Amira Organa are joined by marriage and from this day forward are husband and wife.
The celebration lasted long into the night. The Macavens and the Jedi rejoiced in the anniversary of the reunification of Macaven and the joyous occasion of their marriage. Once most of the guests had departed Obi-Wan approached Dumaas.
He clasped his hand and grasped his shoulder, "Thank you my friend for this beautiful day. Our lives are now always intertwined with Macaven." Dumaas smiled and returned the handshake; "We are honored to have you here for our celebration and humbled that you would choose to be married here."
Dumaas turned and walked away. His bride was walking towards him. His heart seemed to fill his entire chest. Against everything he'd ever been taught about possession and attachment, she was his and it felt right. He held out his arms and she glided into them. Alone on the empty beach they stood silently in each other's arms.
She spoke first, "I didn't think it was possible to overwrite the bad memories, but you have. Thank you; today was a beautiful gift." He looked lovingly into her eyes, "I have more I wish to give you."
She asked, "More?" He nodded, "For too long I have had to keep my feelings for you…my passions in check. Too long I have denied myself the pleasure of loving you, touching you. Showing you how much I want you."
Her heart thudded loudly, his words igniting flames of passion within her. He leaned forward and closed his lips over hers. His arms pulled her closer; her body molded into his. She opened her mouth to him.
They kissed for several moments on the beach before he drew away to speak, "We should go back to our quarters. As enticing as making love to you on this beach sounds I have something a bit more private in mind."
She smiled seductively and slid her hands up his chest, "Ok, but promise me someday we might." He breathed in deeply and let it out slowly, "I promise." He clasped her hand and they walked slowly down the beach.
Moonlight streamed through the doors. A warm breeze gently ruffled the sheer curtains. Amira stood before Obi-Wan and slowly removed the pins from her hair. It cascaded down around her shoulders and face in silky brown waves.
When she finished he closed the distance between them and plunged both of his hands into her hair feeling its softness. He drew her to him and covered her lips with his in a sensual kiss. She ran her hands up his back returning his kiss.
Their tongues met, intertwined, caressed, and danced together. She moved her hands around to his chest and untied the laces on the front of his shirt. He ended the kiss and continued to look at her as she grabbed the hem of his shirt and pulled it up over his head. She let it fall to the floor and leaned in to kiss him gently at the base of his neck while her hands caressed his chest.
He inhaled deeply and closed his eyes. As she kissed him, his hands moved up her sides and around her back where he unfastened her dress. She stopped kissing him when his hands came up around her shoulders and slid her dress down her arms and off her body. It pooled around her feet and she stepped out of it.
His eyes drank in the sight of her. She stood naked before him. Her eyes met his and she whispered, "Touch me." He reached up to her face with one hand and ran it gently down her cheek, her neck and down across her body. His other hand went to her back and pulled her once again against him.
She brushed her lips against his and whispered, "I want you so much." He took her ear lobe into his mouth and suckled it. She moaned. Her hands went to his waist and freed his pants. She slid them off of his body leaving them both naked. He pulled away from her and took her by the hand leading her over to the bed.
She lay down and he lay down on his side half covering her body with his. He ran his hand through her hair across her cheek and down her body. He smiled down at her, "I have wanted to touch you like this so many times, but could not even let myself dream of it. You are so beautiful."
She placed her hand on the side of his face and then ran it down his chest, across his abdomen. He tilted his head back and inhaled sharply. She delighted in his pleasure. She caressed and touched him in ways she had only imagined, imaginings that had been carefully locked away.
He pulled her to his lips where he kissed her thoroughly and rolled her underneath him. He stopped to look in her eyes. She smiled up at him and asked, "What are you thinking?"
He answered, "In a few days we will return to Coruscant and deploy with the fleet. We may not be able to be together like this after that. We may not see each other for months, even years."
She reached up and touched his face, "We will have this memory of each other. It will last forever as long as we remember it." He leaned down and kissed her softly, "Then we must make it last."
Knowing that this might be one of the few times they could be together made it all the more desperate and passionate. Many hours later they lay tangled in the sheets sleeping peacefully as dawn broke over Maceve Island.