Author's Note: Thanks to all for your patience! I knew it's been several weeks since I updated, and I do apologize for that. Things have been interesting in RL, as usual, but I'll not bore you with the details. Quick note, because this question keeps coming up: I do not hate Qui-Gon Jinn. Nor do I dislike him. Honestly, I'm indifferent to him. He behaves like a jackwagon, yes. . .but I don't hate him. This chapter was a bit of a pain to write, as Obi-Wan is proving to be hard to write at this point in his life. I thought briefly about including the encounter with the Gungans, but decided it would be best to have the entire 'saving Naboo and its aftermath' in the next chapter. Hope everyone enjoys this chapter. . .I'm hoping to have the next one out relatively soon!
Chapter Thirteen
The Journey to Naboo
She lost their third and final sparring session, not surprisingly, but Merit wasn't upset. In the first place, she had grown more adept at reading her opponent; in the second place, it showed her where she needed improvement; in the third place, she knew all too well that she was fortunate to be sparring with Obi-Wan Kenobi, rather than Master Windu. There was no doubt in her mind that the latter would have wiped the floor with her. And in the fourth place, she hadn't had this much fun in years. While they were serious during the sparring sessions (what was the point in sparring if you didn't take it seriously, after all?), Merit really enjoyed herself. She liked to think that Obi-Wan did as well. She hoped so.
Merit dried the sweat from her face and the back of her neck, before she could get too chilled, picked up her loose clothing, and walked barefoot alongside Obi-Wan and Bant as they left the training salles. Bant observed, "You might want to take a shower when you get back to your quarters. . .both of you." Obi-Wan nodded his agreement, not even breathing heavily, and as for Merit's part? Oh, yes. . .that would be the first thing Merit planned to do when she reached the quarters she shared with her brother and his new padawan. She hoped that Anakin was awake when she returned, not just because she didn't want to tip-toe around their quarters. . .but also because she wanted to be able to sleep in the morning. An overly excited Anakin Skywalker was not conducive to sleeping past dawn, but an overly excited Anakin Skywalker on a sucra high? Forget the Dark Side or the Sith, that was truly frightening!
"So, when do you leave for Naboo?" Bant asked softly as the trio walked through the corridors. Merit frowned thoughtfully, trying to remember if Master Windu even mentioned it. She didn't think he had, but the three sparring sessions wrong-footed her. More to the point, she was surprised by Obi-Wan's reaction when he saw the lightsaber burn scar on her midriff. . .or rather, by his lack of reaction. He had seen it, had observed it, but said nothing. However, the current question was their departure for Naboo. There was something else that they wanted to do before leaving Coruscant again. Honestly, she would have liked to stay a few weeks before going to Naboo, but the people of that planet needed help . . .the sooner the better, and she was quite sure that her great-grandmother wanted to get back to her home planet immediately.
"Either tomorrow or the day after tomorrow, especially after the mess in the Senate, most likely, Bantling. I don't think the queen. . .or the people of Naboo, for that matter. . .can afford to wait much longer," Obi-Wan replied. Merit watched in amusement as Bant glared at the young man, no doubt displeased by the use of the nickname in mixed company. She stopped walking, long enough for her female companion to shove Obi-Wan, and then quickly caught up to them both, laughing softly. It was Obi-Wan's turn to glare, promising, "You will regret that, Bant! You both will, don't think I didn't see you step back, Knight Solo!" Merit almost collapsed against Bant, laughing helplessly.
Bant steadied her, laughing, "Obi, if you're feeling comfortable enough with her to issue a mock threat, you should at least call her by her given name! I've already been given leave to call her 'Merit,' you should at least ask if you could do the same." Good point. The more time she spent with Bant, the more she liked her. And as for Obi-Wan. . . Merit tried to compose herself, but another glance at Obi-Wan's face set her to laughing again, and Bant sighed, "All right, maybe you should wait until she can stop laughing. And it's really not that funny, Merit. . .or is it?"
The Knight waved her hand as she gasped for breath, finally wheezing, "I'm sorry. I can't remember the last time I laughed that hard. And yes, please, call me 'Merit.' Every time someone calls me 'Knight Solo,' I look around for my brother, even though he's now a Master. Yes, please do call me 'Merit,' I really wish you would. We're the same age, and I have a feeling that if I had grown up in this galaxy, I'd still be a padawan." She stopped, blushing, as she realized that she was rambling. . .and even worse, repeating herself. Thane would be absolutely mortified if he could hear her now. That was not how he taught her to respond to questions! However, Obi-Wan just raised his eyebrows, a small smile playing about his lips.
"Good, that's settled, then. Now, Obi, do you mind telling me what prompted you to challenge Merit to a spar?" Bant asked, linking arms with Merit, who felt a little dizzy. Was it possible that she had found a friend. . .two, even? To her other side, Obi-Wan just smiled faintly, though there was more than a hint of mischief to that smile. Actually, Merit was wondering the same thing. Why had he challenged her to a spar after their brief conversation about which part of the Force she utilized? And while she was on the subject, why hadn't he mentioned the scar he had seen to Bant? Unless he thought she already knew about it?
"I. . .had been feeling somewhat restless, and it seemed to me that you wanted to spar against a real sentient being. It worked out for us both," he finally replied. Merit stared at him for several seconds, before smiling at him. He shrugged a little, before observing, "Since you've never been to Naboo, would you like some background information?" While Merit had received a lot of that from her brother over the years, most of that information was secondhand. . .Thane heard from Lucina what her planet used to be like. Thus, she nodded with no small amount of excitement. He smiled back at her, saying, "I think working with you will prove quite. . .interesting, Merit Solo."
"I think so, too," she responded. Bant hugged her arm, her happiness that her two friends were getting along obvious to anyone who was paying attention. Anakin's words to her before their departure once more returned to her mind. 'I think it could be good for you, I think you could be happy in that time.' While Merit was wary to admit it (no sense in tempting Fate or the Force), the young Knight was starting to think that her great-grandfather was right. She had her brother. . .she had Anakin, as he was as a child. . .she had Bant's friendship, and it looked like she and Obi-Wan would become friends. She had everything she would need to be happy. She just had to make sure that her own choices benefited the galaxy as a whole. The future depended on it.
SWSWSWSWSWSWSWSW
It ended up being not the next day, but the following day, when they boarded the ship bound for Naboo. Thane was fighting a headache. . .the previous night, someone had the bright idea of giving his padawan sucra. And now, Anakin resembled a small, blond-haired ball bouncing around the ship. He knew for a fact that it wasn't his sister, as she had spent most of the day being checked over for a pre-mission examination, followed by a few hours of sparring with Master Windu and Padawan Kenobi. He supposed it really didn't matter. . .at least, not until he found out the identity of the guilty party.
Thane finally got Anakin to settle down by promising to take him to the cockpit. The handmaidens and queen seemed distracted. Anakin was disappointed, but mentioned that Padme had told him things might change when they reached Coruscant. Even so, she cared for him, and that wouldn't change. During their conversation in Thane's own time, Anakin had told him that he was obsessed with Padme for years, that he never stopped thinking about her. Thane observed dryly that it must have driven his poor Master insane, and Anakin admitted it did. He knew that Anakin had a hard time letting anyone or anything go, whether the 'anyone' was his mother, the girl who eventually became his wife, or Obi-Wan himself.
To that, Thane had observed, "Sooner or later, you have to let go. . .bad things happen when you don't." Anakin snorted and responded in a very dry voice that he learned that particular lesson the hard way, just as his former Master had issues with taking too much responsibility. Thane made a mental note to himself to speak to his sister at some point before they landed about Obi-Wan's habit of blaming himself for everything in the galaxy. . .since Anakin had asked both he and his sister to save Obi-Wan, he would make this part of her assignment. He knew that she had planted the first seeds of a friendship with the Senior Padawan.
The aforementioned Senior Padawan was sitting across from Merit as Thane and Anakin returned from the cockpit, reading over his datapad, and evidently making notes to himself regarding Naboo. And poor Merit. . .that odd creature named 'Jar Jar Binks' was talking her ear off. . .if you could call those blathering 'talking,' which Thane wasn't so sure of. Anakin, Force bless the child, rescued her almost immediately, saying, "Jar Jar, this is Miss Merit, she's my new Master's sister. It kinda makes her both my aunt and my sister, too, 'cause he was her Master as well. Miss Merit, this is Jar Jar Binks from Naboo, he's a Gungan." Even from his position, Thane could see his sister's plainly confused expression as she mouthed, 'Gungan.'
Not for the first time (and surely not for the last), Padawan Kenobi came to Merit's assistance, sliding over to sit with her as he said, "Jar Jar is, as Anakin said, a Gungan, the other dominant sentient on Naboo. We encountered him when we first reached the planet, Knight Solo, and he acted as our guide through the core of the planet." Thane had a feeling the young man was being far kinder than the actual story warranted, but chose not to call him on it. There was no point, and Thane was having a hard time trying to understand the excitable being. . .and he wasn't the only one, he could tell.
"I seem to have forgotten that part of the briefing, Padawan Kenobi, I do hope you can forgive me," Merit said, breaking into Jar Jar Binks' prattle. The young man just smiled at her, a rather reserved smile to be sure, but a smile nonetheless. Hmm. Maybe Thane should leave Padawan Kenobi and Merit with the queen's party. . .erm, no. For the sake of his own sanity, that wouldn't be wise. Thane's baby sister continued, inclining her head to the Gungan, "And I ask your forgiveness as well, this is the first time I've encountered. . .a Gungan, was it? Yes, this is the first time I've encountered a Gungan. If there was a being similar to. . .to a planet similar to Naboo in our galaxy, then that unfortunate died out many years ago."
Poor girl. . .this matter of hiding the full truth was wearing on her. Neither of them were practiced liars, and even 'truth from a certain point of view' was hard for all of them. And the Gungan was starting to irritate her right now. . .leading Obi-Wan Kenobi to once more rescue Merit by offering to go over the information on Naboo again, as there were things he had forgotten. He was assisted in this by Anakin, who drew Jar Jar's attention away from Merit. Thane caught the eye of his padawan and winked slowly. Anakin beamed at him. . .while he clearly considered Jar Jar a friend, it was also clear that he understood how taxing the Gungan could be to an individual's patience.
So the queen and her handmaidens were. . .doing whatever queens did with their handmaidens. Thane cringed as he could clearly hear Aidan Kenobi's theories in the back of his mind. Unfortunately, so could Merit. . .she raised her head from her conversation with their friend's grandfather and leveled a Look at him that he swore she learned from their grandmother. He raised his hands and smiled apologetically at her. She just glared at him, then returned her attention to Obi-Wan. . .even so, he did see her lips twitch, ever so slightly.
Now. Anakin was distracting Jar Jar, the handmaidens and the queen were doing whatever they were doing, Obi-Wan was going over the pertinent information about Naboo (which more or less covered the entire planet) with Merit. . .and Master Qui-Gon Jinn was staring at the aforementioned young lady quite balefully. No doubt, he was angry with her for 'stealing' his padawan's attention, the damn fool. Thane wouldn't make another attempt to smooth his ruffled feelings. The last attempt, when they first boarded the ship, failed spectacularly. Oh, Thane knew exactly why the other Master was so angry. . .he was angry with himself, and blaming Merit for it. Thane's little sister was no angel (of any kind), and knew that she was coolly polite at best toward the Master ever since he accused the siblings of being Sithspawn. But there was a difference between being coolly polite and pleasant, a significant difference at that.
Besides, even if the Great and Mighty Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn never admitted to it, Thane knew the truth. The old man was jealous of Thane's sister, and the amount of time his soon-to-be former padawan was spending with her. Oh, there wasn't even a hint of impropriety or romantic involvement. Merit was still too unsure of herself in this time and place, and young Obi-Wan was the consummate padawan. They were simply behaving like what they were. . .two young people who were coming to know each other. But that wasn't the only reason for Jinn's jealousy. There was also the matter of the trust Mace Windu and Master Yoda demonstrated to both siblings. And Thane asked, more than once before they left, if they could tell Master Jinn the complete truth.
Yoda's ears flattened against his skull and sadly he observed, "Only make matters worse, that will. Wish to distrust you, Master Jinn does. Very careful, we must be." Thane's blood ran cold with that pronouncement. Wonderful. He and his sister were supposed to be putting things to rights, not making matters worse! Evidently, his distress was clear in the Force, for Yoda added almost gently, "Not your fault, this is. A grown man and a Jedi Master, Qui-Gon Jinn should be. Blame yourself, you must not."
Mace had agreed, saying, "Qui-Gon has always said that he listens to and obeys the will of the Force. I don't think that's the case this time, unless the Force is telling him something entirely different from what it's telling us." It occurred to Thane that this was likely the case, but he kept that concept firmly locked away from the two Masters. At least, he hoped he succeeded in that particular venture. Regardless, he knew Jinn would never trust Thane or Merit. Thane really didn't care. However, if the older Master tried to make their job in this time harder, then he would take out Jinn personally. . .his promise to Master Dooku notwithstanding.
While he was deep in thought, Jar Jar got himself into trouble, and both Jinn and Obi-Wan went to extricate him. Seriously. How could any sentient being find so much trouble in a place with so few temptations? Anakin once migrated to Merit's lap, which seemed to be his favorite place to be. Obi-Wan was still wary of the boy, but not in the way you were wary of a bomb about to explode. . .more like he wasn't sure exactly how to interact with the child. Something which Merit was explaining to him now, as Anakin was somewhat hurt by Obi-Wan's distance, despite their repeated attempts to explain it to him. Thane hoped his sister came up with something new.
Evidently, she did. Thane moved a little closer, in time to hear his sister say softly, "It's like this. Imagine, Anakin: one day, without warning, your mother brings home a child who requires a great deal of care. Imagine that she all but ignores you in favor of this child. You realize that the little one might bring the wrath of your owners upon you. . . the child's presence may even get you or your mother killed. And now, imagine your mother dismissing your fears, as if you knew nothing. That, youngling, is why Obi-Wan is so distant."
"He's sad," Anakin realized, "and hurt." Excellent work, little sister, Thane thought, nodding with approval, put it into terms he'll understand. Merit nodded, looking sad herself, and Anakin asks, "Why are you sad? I know why I'm sad, and I know why Obi-Wan's sad, but why are you sad?" Oooh, loaded question! There are a hundred reasons, Thane observed silently, pick one of 'em, kiddo. However, even he was surprised by what his sister actually said.
"Because, little one, your words about your mother have reminded me of my own," Merit answered, evidently remembering their conversation with Anakin the previous night. The little boy had a lot to say about his mother, as the pint-sized Thane Solo once had a great deal to say about Lisseth Warda Solo. But Merit never really talked about their mother, for her own reasons. She smiled sadly, adding, "And it made me realize I never appreciated how truly brave she was." Thane swallowed hard, especially when he saw Anakin wrap his small arms around Merit and hug her tightly. She returned the hug with equal ferocity, pressing her cheek against his dark blond hair.
She seemed to feel his eyes on her, for she looked over at him. But her eyes strayed past him, and Thane turned to follow her line of sight. . .to see Obi-Wan Kenobi staring at her with a thoughtful expression. His face became blank when he noticed Thane watching him, but it didn't matter. Thane didn't know him well enough to understand what that thoughtful expression meant. And so, he let it pass. . .for now.
SWSWSWSWSWSWSWSW
"Do you think this will work?"
Yoda, Grandmaster of the Jedi Order and teacher of thousands of younglings over the course of his very long life, said nothing at first as he and Mace Windu watched the transport carrying four Jedi and one Jedi-to-be away from Coruscant and toward Naboo, toward whatever might be their destiny. Not for the first time, the ancient little Jedi thought about what he had seen in the mind of the young Knight, Merit Solo. It was a terrible thing to realize that your own blindness and foolishness led to the destruction of all you knew and loved.
It was even more terrible to realize that for now, they could do nothing overt to change things. The two Jedi from the future couldn't tell them about the identity of the Sith Lord pulling the strings. . .not would not, but could not. The Force would not permit them to provide that information. It would provide some assistance, but the Jedi had to take a role in saving themselves. . .they could not rely solely on the youngsters from the future. It wasn't fair or right or just to put even more responsibility on their shoulders.
"Clouded, the future is. . .but streaks of light, I can see," Yoda answered at last. He heard a snort of laughter from Mace, barely disguised. He had noticed a change in his young second-in-command over the last few days. . .or rather, a return to himself. Ever since his appointment to the Council at the age of twenty-four, Mace had been growing more and more dour, all of the laughter gone from his soul. However, his growing friendship with Thane Solo returned to the forefront some of that mischievous youngster whom Yoda remembered with such fondness.
"We still have much work to do," a third voice intoned. Yoda turned in his hoverchair to look at the Jedi Master whose training he finished. Yan Dooku was watching the transport, as they all were, but rather than the curiosity and hope which marked Mace Windu's presence in the Force, Yan was frightened. He was frightened for his former padawan, for his grandpadawan, and for the two children on whom Yoda's thoughts lingered. And yet, there was hope as well. . .for he was no longer alone. They talked long into the night, he and Yan, after Yan finished his conversation with Thane.
"Your part in this can wait until after we hear from Naboo," Mace observed gently. Like Yoda, Yan had been an instrumental teacher for the younger Councilor. When Yan only smiled at him, Mace continued, "You need all the time you can spare, old friend. What has been proposed. . .it's never been completed without a heavy price." Yoda nodded soberly, but Yan just smiled a bit sourly. He wasn't angry with Mace, of course. . .he wasn't even really angry.
"I can stay until we know if young Master Solo was successful in preventing Qui-Gon's death. It will not change my commitment to this course of action, but it is something I must know," Yan replied. Yoda bowed his head. He could respect that. What went unspoken was the truth that if for some reason Thane Solo could not save Yan's first padawan, Yan's acting skills would not be tested as greatly. The tall Human was silent for several minutes before asking quietly, "Why did we allow it to come to this?"
"We didn't want to see," Mace said, surprising both of the older Jedi, "or didn't know how to see. I suppose it isn't that important, the why and the how. . . the important thing is that we have the opportunity now to change things, to make things right. To ensure that the future shown to us by the Solo Knights never comes to be. The Jedi Order does not have to fall. . .nor does the Republic. We have the opportunity now to get everything right. . .or, if not everything, then most things right. The Force has given us this opportunity, and I, for one, don't intend to fail It, especially not by trying to undo a thousand years of losing our way. We can't change the past. But the future? We still have a chance at that."
"Odd. I don't remember him being this wise when I was trying to guide him, years ago when he was a boy," Yan observed, his lips twitching with amusement. Yoda nearly laughed, not just at Yan's sally, but also at the clear exasperation in Mace's expression. The younger Councilor was muttering something to the effect that he should have gone with the others to Naboo. It was something they discussed, but Thane believed this was something that he and his sister should do themselves. No doubt it had to do with their main mission in the past, rather than to prevent the complete annihilation of the Jedi Order. The youngling Merit Solo said something about saving a particular Jedi.
"A reason for making him Councilor at twenty-four, there was. Forgotten it, you must have," Yoda informed his former protégé with no small amount of amusement. The Grandmaster didn't miss the sudden gleam of mischief in Mace's dark eyes. . .and knowing how these two could get when they were in a mood to verbally spar, decided to put an end to that match before it began, saying, "Children, you are not! Behave like Jedi Masters, you will!" And waved his cane at them warningly just for good measure. He had the distinct pleasure of seeing both former protégés gulp just a little. They had felt the sting of that cane more than once while growing up. . .and still regarded it more than a little warily. Humph. So much the better.
"Tell me, old friend, have you ever received the impression that so far as Yoda is concerned, we're children who have never really grown up?" Mace asked Yan almost conversationally. Yan's expression said oh so clearly, 'when don't I?' Yoda tittered quietly to himself, too quietly for his two companions to hear him. With greater access to the Force, it seemed that even Councilors had a greater sense of humor to match. . . including Yoda. He was approaching nine hundred standard years old, nearly ten times the age of the elder of his two companions. To him, nearly everyone was a child, whether they had grown up or not. And in some cases, the emphasis was on 'not.'
"There's one other matter which requires our attention, while we're discussing our guests from the future. . .namely, Knight Ky Narec. He has been missing for some time. Yet, both of the Solo Knights knew of him. That indicates he will be far more important than any of us can guess," Yan observed. Yoda inclined his head. Yes, he thought so as well. However, Yan wasn't finished. He continued, "During my initial conversation with Thane Solo, he didn't mention our missing Knight. On the contrary, the only things we discussed were my former padawan and my current grandpadawan. However, during our conversation last night, Knight Narec's name was mentioned."
"Both Thane and Merit Solo were granted access to our archives after the testing of Anakin Skywalker. I'm surprised Master Nu didn't mention it to you," Mace observed. Yan permitted himself an eye roll, and Yoda tittered softly once more. It really was most entertaining, watching these two. Mace, however, was being quite serious, as he added, "During my later conversations with Merit, she explained that a Dark Jedi adept, who was trained by a lost Jedi, spoke with the youngest member of their unit. . .Padawan Amidala Kenobi. It seems likely to me that the siblings are trying to find Narec, and by extension, his young, unofficial padawan." Yoda nodded slowly.
"However, we have no idea where to look for Ky or this young person. According to our communications specialists, his last known radio transmission came from a planet called 'Rattarak.' It's not a part of the Republic. . .in fact, I would say it's one of the most dangerous places in the galaxy," Yan observed. Even so, that sounded like an excellent place to start, and they would begin their search once the Naboo mission was completed.
In the meantime, they had other work to do. Before she left, Knight Merit Solo stated that she was deeply concerned about Chancellor Valorum. There had been a vote of no-confidence, and it was unlikely he would remain chancellor for much longer. However, like the young Knight, Yoda recognized the man was still in danger. At the very least, Yoda would assign a Jedi to watch over the man. . .even if he didn't want the protection.
After all. . .that was the least they could do.
SWSWSWSWSWSWSWSW
He had heard the conversation between Merit and Anakin, even as he and Master discussed what came next. It was the queen's plan to ask the Gungans for helping in taking back their planet, which was a relief to Master Qui-Gon. As he had told the queen, their mission was to protect her. . .not to fight a war on behalf of Naboo. As ever since the rather disastrous meeting in Council Chambers, Obi-Wan kept his feelings and thoughts to himself.
Instead, once he returned to his seat and engaged Knight Solo. . .Merit. . .in conversation once more, he thought about what she had told the little boy from Tatooine. It wasn't his intention to be distant toward the child. . .the way events had played out over the last few days certainly wasn't his fault. The truth was, Knight Solo. . .Merit, must remember to call her by her given name. . .had given him a great deal to think about, between their conversations over the last few days and their sparring sessions. He had meditated upon those conversations and just what they meant.
The Force had whispered to him that it was perfectly acceptable for him to like the mysterious Knight and Master from another galaxy. He knew Master Qui-Gon believed that they were Sith, just like their father. . .an observation which caused the Force to swirl in agitation. It was truly strange. . .he had never known the Force to react in such a way, except to warn him about a coming danger. He had never known it to be so agitated when trying to reassure or calm him. When he went to Master Yoda, the Grandmaster said only, 'trust yourself, you must.' And what did his own instincts say? He closed his eyes and focused on that. . .and then whispered, "I can trust them."
After that, there was no more conversation about the newcomers or Master Qui-Gon's distrust of them. Obi-Wan felt enormously relieved. It was a terrible thing, going into a potentially explosive situation and not knowing whom to trust (and perhaps saying 'potentially explosive' in this situation was something of an understatement). However, things had changed so much over the last few days. . .not just his relationship with Master Qui-Gon, but that was a lot of it. No, it seemed as if the Temple itself had changed, as if a fog he hadn't realized existed was lifting. How could that not be a good thing?
There was something else that seemed clearer in recent days. His connection with the Force had grown stronger in recent days, Obi-Wan had noticed, since their return from Tatooine. And Master Windu's mood had seemed lighter than it had in years, seeming almost cheerful at times. He admitted the previous night as the sucra-high Anakin Skywalker bounced around the training salles that, "if Knight Solo has told you that there's more to their story than has been mentioned, she's quite correct. But the time has not yet come, Padawan, for you to know that truth. Just understand. . .she has kept silent not out of a desire to deceive you, but because we asked it of her."
It was such a strange conversation. . .not the least of which because he was having it with Master Windu, for Force's sake! Master Windu, one of the most respected (and most intimidating) Masters in the Order, was telling him that a young Knight-who might become Obi-Wan's friend over the coming weeks and months-wasn't telling him everything, but not out of a desire to deceive him, but because she was obeying the wishes of the Council. And while Obi-Wan was flattered by Master Windu's regard for him, trusting him enough to tell him that. . .he was also concerned by what it all meant. Why him? What made him so special that Master Windu would tell him this, but wouldn't explain this to Master Qui-Gon? None of this made sense, and quite frankly, it was more than a little worrying to him.
"Tell me something, Padawan Kenobi. Do you feel as if your entire world has flown apart, and you're just now putting the pieces back together?" Knight Solo asked dryly, her voice very quiet. He looked back at her with a faint smile. By now, he was becoming used to her saying what he was thinking, even with his shields fiercely reinforced. Knight Solo smiled back and added a bit sheepishly, "I'm not reading your mind. . .truly I'm not. . .and you're not broadcasting. That's just how I feel right now, have been feeling for the last week or so. Your world has been upended, even if you're still where you grew up, so I don't imagine you're feeling much different."
She spoke in low tones, obviously to keep from waking the little boy sleeping in her arms. Anakin had curled up on her lap, his head resting trustingly against her shoulder, and in an equally low voice, Obi-Wan replied, "Forgive me. This must be very difficult for you." A strange expression crossed her face, as her arms tightened around Anakin almost protectively. He wasn't quite certain what caused her to react so, and he thought about what he had just said, but before he could apologize for whatever he had said, Knight Solo relaxed and smiled.
"Nothing to forgive. It is only. . .I see so many parallels between this galaxy and my own. The Sith have destroyed everything that is good and beautiful in my own galaxy. More than once, I've wondered if we were right to come here, leaving my galaxy utterly defenseless. There was nothing else to do, though. There were four of us, and so very many worlds. We worked better as a team, than as separate, and just one Jedi per planet wasn't nearly enough. Even if people were willing to defend themselves. . . " Knight Solo answered quietly. Her voice trailed off, and she shook her head, looking down at the floor. Obi-Wan refrained from speaking, understanding that she was working her way through whatever troubled her.
After a moment, she looked up from her study of her boots and back at him. Though her presence within the Force was troubled and sad, her eyes were bright and clear when she said softly, "Thane and I have been through this. He was just telling me that we did everything within our power. That doesn't stop. . .I wish there was more we could have done, but we assisted the Resistance cells when and where we could. In the end, the Force told us that there was nothing more we could do, that our galaxy was lost, but we still had a chance to save this galaxy. I just. . ."
"Wish you could have done more. I understand. I do. Better than you know," Obi-Wan answered quietly. And he did. But where Obi-Wan had the Temple, the Code, and Master Qui-Gon for those days when those feelings overwhelmed him, his dark-haired companion had only her brother and their two companions. Not for the first time, he thought about her assertion that she would likely still be a padawan, had she been raised in this galaxy. And she was right. . .assuming she had even been chosen as a padawan. Obi-Wan pushed that thought away. He smiled faintly as Anakin squirmed in her arms, his young face reflecting disquiet even in his sleep. The child pushed closer to Knight Solo, whose arms once more tightened around him. He was already growing fond of her, Obi-Wan noticed. . .just as he noticed that a bond was already forming between the little boy and his unofficial Master. He was a very affectionate child.
Knight Solo said after a moment, "My uncle's name was Anakin. He was. . .oh, I think he was nineteen when he died, maybe twenty. Dark-haired. But he was Anakin, and it broke my grandmother's heart when she lost him in that battle. We're in another galaxy, but my brother and I want to make sure that this Anakin doesn't share the first Anakin's fate." Strangely, Obi-Wan had the feeling that though her uncle's first name was Anakin, she didn't mean him when she referred to 'the first Anakin.' Knight Solo pressed a gentle kiss to the top of Anakin's head.
Obi-Wan looked away, not entirely how to respond to her statement or her actions. What could he say? That he would do his best to help her? Too presumptuous. That he hoped she succeeded? Too patronizing. And so, he maintained his silence. . .choosing instead to simply watch. He was fascinated by the way Anakin curled into Knight Solo's embrace, by the way he soaked up the affection she so effortlessly gave. . .without any thought or concern. She was the same way with the younglings and initiates in the Temple. The Crèche Masters would ask her to help them settle a new youngling, and she eagerly accepted.
"You know what's really funny?" Knight Solo asked softly and Obi-Wan returned his attention to her. Knight Solo was staring down at the boy in her lap, but raised her eyes to his as she said softly, "Until I arrived here, I really didn't have much to do with children. I. . .in my galaxy, of course, there was the one padawan, and the children of those whom were protecting were generally kept in massive bunkers, far away from us. But. . .since we came here, I've spent a lot of time with children. In my galaxy, when the Jedi were wiped out, the children were among the first to die. I want to make sure that doesn't happen again. I want to make sure that even if the Sith take over, even if we fail to stop them, the children will have a way to evacuate. . .can be safe."
"In order to do that, the children must know. . .and trust. . .you," Obi-Wan observed. Knight Solo nodded and Obi-Wan continued, "I think you've made a good start." That statement made her smile. . .a wide, brilliant, happy smile. Obi-Wan could only smile back. He had never seen anyone smile like that before, and it took him a moment before he could say, "I don't know if there's anything I can do. But for what it's worth, I'll help you in any way I can."
"Thank you," she said simply, her eyes still smiling at him. Nothing more was said, both settled back against the cushions of the seats, and Anakin relaxed against Knight Solo. He thought about what Bant had said days earlier, just after his sparring session with the strange new Knight. If you're comfortable enough to mock-threaten her, you should call her by her given name. Obi-Wan wasn't to that point. . .but he was seeing that such a point was possible. He was growing to like Knight Solo, and given a little more time, he believed they could become good friends.
In the meantime, there was the matter of Naboo. Everything else could wait.