Note 55
Nine years after the Trade Federation Invasion invasion
One year later
Dear Cliegg,
It is true that Anakin did not pay Watto when he freed me. He must not have been thinking at the time. I think the only reason Ani was able to free me at all was because he is now a Jedi, and Watto is afraid of Jedi. You said that you would try to put down some money for my absence. Have you done that? It would relieve for me to know that our family is safe. I would not want Watto sending something out after us.
I agree that it would be good to keep our family together as much as possible. I was pleased when Rhun began his schooling in cartography. I think you're right that Rhun and Owen are somewhat jealous of Anakin's travels across the galaxy. For the most part, the boys have lived their entire lives on Tatooine. You did do some traveling with them before Anakin came back to free me, right? If Rhun wishes to travel, then he should do it. I know that he will not be around here as much, but maybe it is time for him to get out on his own. He says that he wants to live on another planet while he continues the schooling. I think that he should.
Rhun has already decided that he does not want the family farm. Have you talked to Owen about it, though? I hope that he wants to take it on. Owen's apprenticeship program seems to be working well for him.
I don't know whether or not Count Dooku was trained by Master Yoda. These would be questions that I would ask Anakin if I could talk to him. If you heard that about Count Dooku, then maybe what you heard about him is true. I do not know why he would break away from the Republic and join the Trade Federation either. From what Anakin told me before, they are not a nice bunch. Since Tatooine is not in the Republic, I'm not sure what is going on. I haven't heard that their movements have not been peaceful. Anakin is probably in the thick of action, yes. It is too bad that we cannot contact him. If things get serious, though, Ani will contact us regardless of Jedi rule. I know him well enough to say this. He will not leave us in the dark. He knows that I will worry about him.
I think we would have heard something by now if things were getting bad. Let me know if you have heard news that I haven't.
Owen told me that he is dating someone right now. Has he told you? I think he said her name is Beru. I haven't met her yet. I hope she's a nice girl. He deserves nothing less. It's hard for me to admit, but our boys are growing up. I suppose that they are the right age to find women and maybe get married, even Anakin. Do you think that he's found someone? And what about Rhun? Has he mentioned a girl to you?
Your wife,
Shmi
