p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;"Chapter 4: Overwhelming/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;"Dinner started off well enough. The Queen, dressed in her traditional Nabooian garbs, thanked the attendees and started the traditional fest. Gregar was wrong, not only did the final day of the symposium go longer than expected, it caused dinner to be delayed so that the guests could change into formal wear and meant that the two soon to be ex-Jedi had not yet seen their host. He could tell that this was bothering Anakin. It was no secret that the boy had a crush on her. Obi-Wan had hoped that time and distance would have helped lessen it, but atlas this wasn't so./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;"They had been placed in the back of the room, probably due to their last minute appearance. "Anakin, you haven't eaten all day are you okay?" Obi-Wan asked./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;""spanspanYes," Anakin stated quickly, his eyes following the Queen as she made small talk a few tables over./span/span/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;""spanspanMaster Kenobi, Padawan Skywalker," the Chancellor said brightly./span/span/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;"Obi-Wan internally groned he should have known that Chancellor Palpatine would be present. While politics were never his strong suit there was always something about the Chancellor that bothered. He had once tried to raise the subject with Master Windu who promptly cut him off. Obi-Wan didn't like how accessible the Jedi Council made Anakin available to every whim that the Chancellor had, but the order had viewed it as a way to bring a better relationship to an office that they had previously struggled to gardner./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;""spanspanChancellor Palpatine," Obi-Wan slightly bowed./span/span/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;""spanspanHello sir," Anakin said. Maybe it was their force connection or just the teen's saddened face. But Obi-Wan could tell something was off./span/span/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 138%;"span style="font-variant: normal;""/spanspan style="font-variant: normal;"I was excited to hear that you both were in Naboo. Will you both be staying long?" the Chancellor said, looking at Anakin. It was at that moment that Obi-Wan remembered what Anakin had said in the garden /spanspan style="font-variant: normal;""/spanspan style="font-variant: normal;"he said I had a higher purpose."/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;""spanspanNo, unfortunately just passing through to say hello before our next destination, Tatooine." Obi-Wan wasn't sure why he lied but there was something in the force that urged him to keep his shield up./span/span/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;""spanspanWell, how sad, I do hope you'll stop in my office here Anakin before you depart." The Chancellor said before leaving to speak with the Gungans at the next table./span/span/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;"Obi-Wan wasn't sure what to make of it but realized Anakin could not stay on this planet much longer and they surely weren't going to Tatooine next./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;"Anakin quickly got up from the table and bowed, it was then that Obi-Wan noticed the Queen approaching./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;""spanspanYour highness, it's great to see you again," Anakin spoke quickly./span/span/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;""spanspanPadawan Skywalker, Master Kenobi," the Queen said in her deep regency voice, "I'm glad that you both could come, I'm sorry that I could not be there to welcome you. I hope that you both will join me in the morning for refreshments at my personal apartment."/span/span/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;""spanspanOf course," Anakin said, a dopey smile on his face./span/span/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;""spanspanYes your majesty. Thank you for this great honor and for allowing us to stay on Naboo." Obi-Wan said looking at his padawan with a grin. He didn't have the heart to tell the 13 year old that the 17 year old Queen was far too old to be looking at him in the same way. Still who was he to break his padawan's heart./span/span/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;"Anakin was bouncing off the walls the next morning like a loth cat chasing its prey./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;""spanspanAnakin, release your anxiousness into the force." Obi-Wan commanded, "Today will go fine."/span/span/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;"Anakin took a deep breath. "Yes master…" he paused, "Will we be leaving for Tatooine soon?"/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;"Obi-Wan hated to lie to him, but knew that if Anakin knew why he had lied to the Chancellor that he would lose him. "Soon, most likely next rotation, but it depends on if you have come to your final decision."/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;"Anakin gave a sharp nod as they headed to the Queen's private quarters with Gregor. It was unusual for anyone besides family to be at the Queen's quarters. Even more so for two young jedi, but Padme had made her intentions towards the Jedi known for a while. She had a high regard and respect for them and those who protected her and her people from the Trade Federation. After Qui-Gon passed it was the Queen who made sure that a proper Jedi burial would be in place and that the members of the order had everything they needed to mediate while on Naboo./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;""spanspanWelcome," Padme said with a smile, she was dressed down in a simple dress, her Queen personality no longer needing to be on display. "Please sit, the droids are just finishing breakfast. I hope you don't mind Master Kenobi but I invited one more guest, the Duchess of Mandalore had mentioned that you both go way back."/span/span/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;"Obi-Wan smiled, "Of course, your majesty, thank you for having us."/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;""spanspanOh you can just call me Padme here. And, Anakin, you must have grown almost two feet since I saw you last."/span/span/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;""spanspanWell, Padme, it was bound to happen sooner or later. I am no longer a boy." Anakin said with a lopped sided grin./span/span/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;""spanspanOh Ani, to me you'll always be the boy from Tatooine who made sure I was okay." she patted his head./span/span/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;"It took everything Obi-Wan had to not laugh at the teenager's misfortune. That had to be a blow for Anakin's self esteem. Still the kid with all of his cockiness continued to smile and sit right next to the Queen. At that point the Duchess arrived, also dressed casually in a light blue dress that brought out her eyes./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;""spanspanSorry I'm late," The Duchess walked in and took an empty seat next to him. Casual conversation flowed as the four ate their breakfast. Obi-Wan could feel Anakin's mood finally turn light after the weeks of turmoil./span/span/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;""spanspanSo," Padme said lightly , "I never asked what brought the two of you to Naboo."/span/span/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;""spanspanI'm leaving the Jedi Order," Anakin said matter of factly./span/span/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;""spanspanWhat?" Padme dropped her knife staring at the boy as he continued to eat. "But you want to be a jedi, you talked about…"/span/span/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;""spanspanWell that was then and this is now," Anakin cut her off sharply. "I didn't know what the Jedi were then but I know now and I know that they will never accept me. So I left. It's fine Obi-Wan is still going to train me."/span/span/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;""spanspanYou're allowing this?" Padme looked at him anger in her voice./span/span/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;""spanspanIt's not my choice but his," Obi-Wan stated./span/span/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;""spanspanBut you could stop him, you could not train him!" all terms of casual conversation were out the window. Padme was on her feet at the head of the table peering at the auburn Jedi./span/span/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 138%;"span style="font-variant: normal;""/spanspan style="font-variant: normal;"And what do I not get to make that choice?" Anakin's anger was palpable. /spanspan style="font-variant: normal;"There was no way this wouldn't end with someone in tears, /spanspan style="font-variant: normal;"Obi-Wan thought./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;""spanspanYou're a child, you're too young to know the consequences of your actions!"/span/span/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;""spanspanA child?! I'm 13 standard, almost 14, I get to make decisions for my life!"/span/span/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;""spanspanNot like this."/span/span/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;""spanspanYou were a Queen by my age!"/span/span/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;""spanspanYes, one of the youngest and it wasn't until I almost lost my life by the Trade Federation did I realize how unprepared I was."/span/span/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;""spanspanShould we stop them?" he could feel the Duchess's breathe on him as she whispered./span/span/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;""spanspanIt's no use." He responded plainly. This fight was bound to happen from the moment Anakin said that he was leaving the order./span/span/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;""spanspanYou know what I'm done here!" Anakin slammed his cup back on the table. "If you need me I'll be in my quarters." He stormed off./span/span/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;"Obi-Wan looked at him then looked at the Duchess and the Queen. As always he had to choose Anakin. "I'm sorry, your highness, Duchess I must check on him before he does something rash."/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;"Padme gave a slight nod and then sat down hands in her hair./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;""spanspanObi, let me know how it goes, I'm leaving for Mandalore in the morning." the Duchess spoke./span/span/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;""spanspanI will, I was hoping to ask you this in private but I have a feeling my hands will be tied most of the day but may we join you on your ship."/span/span/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;"By the time Obi-Wan got back to the room Anakin had his bag packed./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;""spanspanWhere are you going?" Obi-Wan looked at him./span/span/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;""spanspanTo the Chancellor, I am leaving the order." Anakin slung his bag./span/span/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;""spanspanI know so am I"/span/span/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;""spanspanYou don't have to leave and ruin your life just for me."/span/span/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;""spanspanI am not ruining my life, you are strong in the force. To train you is a privilege whether we are in the Jedi ranks or not."/span/span/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;""spanspanWell, I can't stay here."/span/span/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 138%;"span style="font-variant: normal;""/spanspan style="font-variant: normal;"I know I made plans for us the join the Duchess on her ship the /spanspan style="font-variant: normal;"Coronet. /spanspan style="font-variant: normal;"She leaves tomorrow."/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;""spanspanThat's not soon enough" Anakin sharply grabbed the door./span/span/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;""spanspanAnakin, I know that Padme means a lot to you. I get it, I do. Go to her, talk through this before you both become resentful of each other."/span/span/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;"Anakin dropped his bag and looked at him. Obi-Wan noticed that in his time gone Anakin had chopped haphazardly the padawan braid. Without it he looked older. Anakin gave a nod and walked out the door./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;"He didn't return for almost 4 hours. Obi-Wan had grown nervous that Anakin had decided to say screw it and go to Palpatine but when he returned the teen looked exhausted./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;""spanspanLet's go to Mandalore," he said softly./span/span/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;""spanspanI'll make the call to the order and inform them."/span/span/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;"Dinner started off well enough. The Queen, dressed in her traditional Nabooian garbs, thanked the attendees and started the traditional fest. Gregar was wrong, not only did the final day of the symposium go longer than expected, it caused dinner to be delayed so that the guests could change into formal wear and meant that the two soon to be ex-Jedi had not yet seen their host. He could tell that this was bothering Anakin. It was no secret that the boy had a crush on her. Obi-Wan had hoped that time and distance would have helped lessen it, but atlas this wasn't so./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;"They had been placed in the back of the room, probably due to their last minute appearance. "Anakin, you haven't eaten all day are you okay?" Obi-Wan asked./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;""spanspanYes," Anakin stated quickly, his eyes following the Queen as she made small talk a few tables over./span/span/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;""spanspanMaster Kenobi, Padawan Skywalker," the Chancellor said brightly./span/span/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;"Obi-Wan internally groned he should have known that Chancellor Palpatine would be present. While politics were never his strong suit there was always something about the Chancellor that bothered. He had once tried to raise the subject with Master Windu who promptly cut him off. Obi-Wan didn't like how accessible the Jedi Council made Anakin available to every whim that the Chancellor had, but the order had viewed it as a way to bring a better relationship to an office that they had previously struggled to gardner./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;""spanspanChancellor Palpatine," Obi-Wan slightly bowed./span/span/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;""spanspanHello sir," Anakin said. Maybe it was their force connection or just the teen's saddened face. But Obi-Wan could tell something was off./span/span/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 138%;"span style="font-variant: normal;""/spanspan style="font-variant: normal;"I was excited to hear that you both were in Naboo. Will you both be staying long?" the Chancellor said, looking at Anakin. It was at that moment that Obi-Wan remembered what Anakin had said in the garden /spanspan style="font-variant: normal;""/spanspan style="font-variant: normal;"he said I had a higher purpose."/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;""spanspanNo, unfortunately just passing through to say hello before our next destination, Tatooine." Obi-Wan wasn't sure why he lied but there was something in the force that urged him to keep his shield up./span/span/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;""spanspanWell, how sad, I do hope you'll stop in my office here Anakin before you depart." The Chancellor said before leaving to speak with the Gungans at the next table./span/span/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;"Obi-Wan wasn't sure what to make of it but realized Anakin could not stay on this planet much longer and they surely weren't going to Tatooine next./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;"Anakin quickly got up from the table and bowed, it was then that Obi-Wan noticed the Queen approaching./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;""spanspanYour highness, it's great to see you again," Anakin spoke quickly./span/span/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;""spanspanPadawan Skywalker, Master Kenobi," the Queen said in her deep regency voice, "I'm glad that you both could come, I'm sorry that I could not be there to welcome you. I hope that you both will join me in the morning for refreshments at my personal apartment."/span/span/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;""spanspanOf course," Anakin said, a dopey smile on his face./span/span/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;""spanspanYes your majesty. Thank you for this great honor and for allowing us to stay on Naboo." Obi-Wan said looking at his padawan with a grin. He didn't have the heart to tell the 13 year old that the 17 year old Queen was far too old to be looking at him in the same way. Still who was he to break his padawan's heart./span/span/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;"Anakin was bouncing off the walls the next morning like a loth cat chasing its prey./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;""spanspanAnakin, release your anxiousness into the force." Obi-Wan commanded, "Today will go fine."/span/span/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;"Anakin took a deep breath. "Yes master…" he paused, "Will we be leaving for Tatooine soon?"/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;"Obi-Wan hated to lie to him, but knew that if Anakin knew why he had lied to the Chancellor that he would lose him. "Soon, most likely next rotation, but it depends on if you have come to your final decision."/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;"Anakin gave a sharp nod as they headed to the Queen's private quarters with Gregor. It was unusual for anyone besides family to be at the Queen's quarters. Even more so for two young jedi, but Padme had made her intentions towards the Jedi known for a while. She had a high regard and respect for them and those who protected her and her people from the Trade Federation. After Qui-Gon passed it was the Queen who made sure that a proper Jedi burial would be in place and that the members of the order had everything they needed to mediate while on Naboo./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;""spanspanWelcome," Padme said with a smile, she was dressed down in a simple dress, her Queen personality no longer needing to be on display. "Please sit, the droids are just finishing breakfast. I hope you don't mind Master Kenobi but I invited one more guest, the Duchess of Mandalore had mentioned that you both go way back."/span/span/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;"Obi-Wan smiled, "Of course, your majesty, thank you for having us."/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;""spanspanOh you can just call me Padme here. And, Anakin, you must have grown almost two feet since I saw you last."/span/span/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;""spanspanWell, Padme, it was bound to happen sooner or later. I am no longer a boy." Anakin said with a lopped sided grin./span/span/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;""spanspanOh Ani, to me you'll always be the boy from Tatooine who made sure I was okay." she patted his head./span/span/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;"It took everything Obi-Wan had to not laugh at the teenager's misfortune. That had to be a blow for Anakin's self esteem. Still the kid with all of his cockiness continued to smile and sit right next to the Queen. At that point the Duchess arrived, also dressed casually in a light blue dress that brought out her eyes./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;""spanspanSorry I'm late," The Duchess walked in and took an empty seat next to him. Casual conversation flowed as the four ate their breakfast. Obi-Wan could feel Anakin's mood finally turn light after the weeks of turmoil./span/span/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;""spanspanSo," Padme said lightly , "I never asked what brought the two of you to Naboo."/span/span/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;""spanspanI'm leaving the Jedi Order," Anakin said matter of factly./span/span/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;""spanspanWhat?" Padme dropped her knife staring at the boy as he continued to eat. "But you want to be a jedi, you talked about…"/span/span/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;""spanspanWell that was then and this is now," Anakin cut her off sharply. "I didn't know what the Jedi were then but I know now and I know that they will never accept me. So I left. It's fine Obi-Wan is still going to train me."/span/span/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;""spanspanYou're allowing this?" Padme looked at him anger in her voice./span/span/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;""spanspanIt's not my choice but his," Obi-Wan stated./span/span/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;""spanspanBut you could stop him, you could not train him!" all terms of casual conversation were out the window. Padme was on her feet at the head of the table peering at the auburn Jedi./span/span/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 138%;"span style="font-variant: normal;""/spanspan style="font-variant: normal;"And what do I not get to make that choice?" Anakin's anger was palpable. /spanspan style="font-variant: normal;"There was no way this wouldn't end with someone in tears, /spanspan style="font-variant: normal;"Obi-Wan thought./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;""spanspanYou're a child, you're too young to know the consequences of your actions!"/span/span/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;""spanspanA child?! I'm 13 standard, almost 14, I get to make decisions for my life!"/span/span/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;""spanspanNot like this."/span/span/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;""spanspanYou were a Queen by my age!"/span/span/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;""spanspanYes, one of the youngest and it wasn't until I almost lost my life by the Trade Federation did I realize how unprepared I was."/span/span/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;""spanspanShould we stop them?" he could feel the Duchess's breathe on him as she whispered./span/span/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;""spanspanIt's no use." He responded plainly. This fight was bound to happen from the moment Anakin said that he was leaving the order./span/span/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;""spanspanYou know what I'm done here!" Anakin slammed his cup back on the table. "If you need me I'll be in my quarters." He stormed off./span/span/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;"Obi-Wan looked at him then looked at the Duchess and the Queen. As always he had to choose Anakin. "I'm sorry, your highness, Duchess I must check on him before he does something rash."/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;"Padme gave a slight nod and then sat down hands in her hair./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;""spanspanObi, let me know how it goes, I'm leaving for Mandalore in the morning." the Duchess spoke./span/span/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;""spanspanI will, I was hoping to ask you this in private but I have a feeling my hands will be tied most of the day but may we join you on your ship."/span/span/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;"By the time Obi-Wan got back to the room Anakin had his bag packed./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;""spanspanWhere are you going?" Obi-Wan looked at him./span/span/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;""spanspanTo the Chancellor, I am leaving the order." Anakin slung his bag./span/span/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;""spanspanI know so am I"/span/span/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;""spanspanYou don't have to leave and ruin your life just for me."/span/span/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;""spanspanI am not ruining my life, you are strong in the force. To train you is a privilege whether we are in the Jedi ranks or not."/span/span/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;""spanspanWell, I can't stay here."/span/span/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 138%;"span style="font-variant: normal;""/spanspan style="font-variant: normal;"I know I made plans for us the join the Duchess on her ship the /spanspan style="font-variant: normal;"Coronet. /spanspan style="font-variant: normal;"She leaves tomorrow."/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;""spanspanThat's not soon enough" Anakin sharply grabbed the door./span/span/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;""spanspanAnakin, I know that Padme means a lot to you. I get it, I do. Go to her, talk through this before you both become resentful of each other."/span/span/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;"Anakin dropped his bag and looked at him. Obi-Wan noticed that in his time gone Anakin had chopped haphazardly the padawan braid. Without it he looked older. Anakin gave a nod and walked out the door./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;"He didn't return for almost 4 hours. Obi-Wan had grown nervous that Anakin had decided to say screw it and go to Palpatine but when he returned the teen looked exhausted./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;""spanspanLet's go to Mandalore," he said softly./span/span/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-variant: normal; line-height: 138%; text-decoration: none;"span style="background: transparent;""spanspanI'll make the call to the order and inform them."/span/span/span/p