Chapter 73

AN: I apologize for the long wait. So without further ado...

Kenobi. The name brought so many questions to mind that at first Ari was speechless. Married name. That meant that this woman must have been married to Ben. Unless Ben had a brother, which Ari doubted. Especially since Siri and Ben both were Jedi.

"Kenobi?" Ari asked, which both women nodded to in response.

"Were you related to Ben Kenobi? Or, they used to call him Obi-Wan I think."

The looks on the faces of both the women was enough of an answer for her. Siri and Taylor were both shocked and Siri mouthed 'Obi-Wan'.

"You were married to him," Ari stated, then paused. "I remember Ben living alone though. We did not see him often, but every now and then I saw him. And Luke saw him a few times. He even saved Luke and a friend of ours back home. He never mentioned being married."

"We felt it was safer that way. We barely were able to even have a marriage. The Jedi Order did not allow attachment, which included marriage. We had to do that in secret. We didn't get much time together, but it was worth it to us. He was a General and I helped medics during the war for a few years."

"When did you get married?"

"It was a few months after the Clone Wars started."

"We were there when it all started on Geonosis," Taylor informed her

"Geonosis?" Ari asked. It sounded familiar, but she did not remember much about it. She now wished she had paid more attention to the classes she took via the holonet. "I would like to hear about all your experiences," Ari told them.

"I think that can be arranged, if you have some time," Siri gave a small smile. "And maybe we can help you learn a few moves with that lightsaber of yours. I sense that you have potential." Her smile faded. "The Jedi legacy is dying."

"No, it can't be. I mean, Luke and I are just two humans, but there have to be others," she realized they were going off topic, but that didn't bother her that much. She wanted as much information as she could.

"Who is Luke?" Taylor asked.

"My best friend from back home. You might have heard of him, Luke Skywalker."

Once again, the women looked surprised. "We have heard of him."

"Well, as Ben's wife, you must have known his father, right? Ben seemed to know him very well."

Siri looked a bit uncomfortable, and then sighed. "Let's find a better place for this discussion. Our quarters aren't far." As Ari followed, she found herself wondering what she had gotten herself into.

"Obi-Wan, who you knew as Ben, was a friend of mine when we were both Padawans.

"A Padawan is the title used for Jedi who are training with a Master," Taylor offered when she saw Ari's questioning look.

"And we had some problems as children, but after I came back from an undercover mission, the two of us became close friends again. It grew until we both were unable to deny our feelings anymore. We were sent on a mission, and made a quick stop on Alderaan to get married and have some time alone. That was the only time we really got to act like a couple."

"That must have been hard," Ari murmured. She couldn't imagine what it would be like, to love someone, to be in love and married and be unable to share that experience with a person.

"Aside from random communication, we did not hear from him since...well, since about the time you were born. It has been so long since I have seen him, but I remember him from the last time I saw him. It is still perfect in my mind. He probably looks very different though."

"Looked," Taylor corrected her quietly and Siri sighed.

"Looked," she agreed.

"How did you find out about his death?" Ari asked a bit hesitantly.

"He and I had a strong bond. When he died, I could feel it. Just like how we could sense the destruction of Alderaan. Some felt stronger than others, since we knew people there," Siri explained.

"We lived there after the Purge. King Organa helped us get forged documents so we could have a relatively normal life there," Taylor explained. "I joined the Rebellion when I was twenty standard years old, and Siri kept working. I visited a lot, but when I got sick, she came here."

"What is why I am still alive," Siri added.

An uncomfortable silence fell over the group until Ari cleared her throat, nervously. "Well, what about Luke's father? Anakin, if I remember correctly. I am sure Luke would love to know about his father."

"Well, is there anything that you do know?" Siri asked.

"That he was killed by Darth Vader. The same monster that killed our families," Ari answered bitterly. After everything that had happened, she was noticing that the pain was lessening. It would never go away, but she was able to hold back tears. The tears did not come often. All the pain had become determination and strength. To fight, to continue, to not give up or relent until the Empire was destroyed.

"Do not let your anger control you," Siri warned. "Anger, fear and aggression lead to the Dark Side." She paused then sighed. "Anakin was very strong in the Force. He had a midichlorian count than any other being. Midichlorians determine how Force sensitive a person is. The higher the count, the more Force sensitive they are. That is why only beings with a certain level could be considered for training. When Obi-Wan's Master was killed, Anakin, who was nine at the time, became Obi-Wan's apprentice. It was rare because he was taken to the Temple at nine, and he was the only one allowed, because children can already be affected by outside influences, having attachments and some resentment and anger that they would not have if they were raised in the Temple."

"Wizard..." Ari murmured. This was amazing. She was learning so much about the Jedi. She was trying to remember everything so she could write it down later. She would not let these stories disappear and be forgotten. They were stories of beings like her, as well as the how the Jedi Order worked for thousands of years before the Empire came to power.

"So wait, if attachment was forbidden, I am guessing marriage was too. What about Luke's mother?"

"Anakin was married in secret as well. To Padme," Taylor offered and glanced over at Siri, as if to ask how much information they could give. It struck Ari as odd. Why wouldn't they want to tell her everything they could? Luke would want to know all this.

"What was her last name?"

"Naberrie. Padme Naberrie," Taylor supplied and Ari felt her mouth drop open. Hadn't that been the real name of Queen Amidala? She was certain it had been.

"A Queen and Senator?" Ari asked surprised. "How?"

"He was protecting her, and they fell in love," Siri answered simply. "How do you know of her?"

"My mother was a handmaiden in the Palace to the Queen who followed Queen Jamillia."

Siri nodded at this, not at all surprised. "And that is hers." She motioned to the lightsaber on Ari's waist.

"Yes, though I am practicing with it."

"Does it feel alright?" Siri asked. Ari took it off her belt, holding it for a few moments.

"I guess. It fits pretty well."

"Well, I would like to see you with it. A Jedi has to be in tune to his or her weapon. Since it was your mother's, it will fit well with you. However, you could be more connected if it suits you. If not, we can work on adjusting it for you."

"Really?" Ari questioned, surprised and excited. "When?"

"We can start now. I have a few minutes before my next meeting," Taylor offered. "Then maybe Siri can take over training," she added, glancing over at the older woman, giving her a smile. Ari could tell they loved each other, and it was a welcome sight after all the death and destruction that had occurred.

Taylor grabbed Ari's forearm and pulled her up from where she was sitting on the floor. "Let's get started."

AN: Please continue to read and review!