Chapter 14

Luna opened her eyes and stared at the dragon pearl on the ground before her. Finally, after more than a week of meditating, it was practically humming with the Force. When she held it in her hand it felt like an extension of herself. It was perfect. She was ready.

From the sound of the hammering outside, she could tell that Obi-Wan was still working on the new addition to their hut. They had decided to build on two rooms. One would be a nursery and the other would be a bedroom for themselves and include a small refresher. She couldn't wait to see the progress he had made! Glancing at the chrono she realized that it was much later than she thought. She stretched out her legs in front of her and wiggled her toes experimentally. Thankfully her legs hadn't gone to sleep.

Struggling to get up from the floor, she finally gave in and used the Force to slide a chair over to pull herself up with and went outside. It had been a little over a month since their trip to Mos Eisley and Obi-Wan had made great progress on the addition. He was currently on a ladder with a hammer in his hand and a mouthful of nails. The late afternoon suns were beating down intensely and he had discarded his tunic and was glistening with sweat. Luna shaded her eyes and rested a hand on her protruding stomach as he pounded the final nails into the roof, the muscles in his back tightening and stretching as he worked.

"There. That should hold it I believe." he said, turning to smile at her. "Well, hello there! What are you doing?"

"Admiring the view."

He looked back at the roof with a satisfied smile. "Yes, it did turn out rather well, didn't it?"

She giggled. It was adorable how oblivious he could be sometimes. He honestly had no idea how attractive he was. With a leap he jumped down the last few rungs and went over to pick up his tunic.

"How's the meditation going?" he asked as they walked back inside.

"Pretty well. I really feel like the pearl is ready. When can I start building my lightsaber?"

"If you think it's ready you may begin tomorrow."

"How long will it take, do you think?" she asked as he mopped his face with the discarded tunic.

"It varies from person to person. Usually not that long though. A few hours maybe?"

"Well, hopefully not too long. I can't wait to try it out!" Luna had learned a few of the basic stances, but the only time she had actually used a lightsaber was when she killed the krayt dragon to save Obi-Wan. She was very much looking forward to learning more.

"Try it out?"

"Yes. I'm really looking forward to sparing with you!" she said with excitement.

"Sparing?" he looked at her as if she'd just grown a third eye. He shook his head. "I'm sorry my dear, but that is absolutely out of the question."

"What? Why?" Perhaps it was the heat. Maybe it was hormones, but the immediate dismissal of her idea and his condescending tone hit her in exactly the wrong way and she began to get upset.

"I'm not beginning formal training with you let alone sparing until after the baby is born. It's far too strenuous for someone in your delicate condition."

"My delicate condition?" there was a dangerous edge to her voice. "Don't you think I should be the judge of that?"

Obi-Wan looked at her for a moment with his hands on his hips. "Sparing is dangerous, not to mention very physically taxing. I'm surprised you would even suggest such a thing."

"Oh, so now you think I'm irresponsible."

His eyebrows drew together. "I never said that. But I do think you're acting a bit childish if you're actually getting angry about this."

"And I think you're being unreasonable. The doctor said exercise was not only fine, it was encouraged." she crossed her arms mulishly and glared at him.

"The answer is still no, Luna. I'm sorry. You can make your lightsaber if you wish, but there is no way I'm beginning your training until after the baby comes. That's final." He turned around and walked towards the refresher. "Now then, do we have anything to eat? I'm starving."

"MAKE IT YOURSELF!" She shouted and stomped back outside.

…

Obi-Wan sat at the table eating a sandwich and feeling miserable. Every bite stuck in his throat, but he ate it anyway forcing himself to chew and swallow. He hated the feeling of discord between himself and Luna, but he truly believed he was right.

She had no idea what she was asking him to do. If they began training and she or the baby got hurt he'd never forgive himself. He sighed and looked out the window to where Luna sat on a large rock. Perhaps he should have been more diplomatic in his explanation. Maybe that would have prevented this.

A sudden mental image of himself talking about her delicate condition popped into his head. He had been rather patronizing. She wouldn't even be in this delicate condition if he hadn't been after her night and day. Not that she seemed to mind, but still. He dropped the sandwich back onto the plate and pushed it away. There was no way he could make himself eat anymore.

….

Luna sat on a rock outside the hut fuming. It wasn't bad enough that he'd refused to train her, he'd had the audacity to suggest that she was irresponsible and childish. If she didn't think she were capable of training, she never would have brought it up. Besides that, she would never do anything that would intentionally put their child in danger. How dare he suggest it! She peeked over her shoulder and caught a glimpse of him at the table. He appeared to be eating a sandwich which made her angrier still. How could he possibly eat right now?

As she sat on the rock contemplating her outrage, the suns began to set. As always, it was a spectacular sight. The sky around the twin stars was a riot of crimson and gold and pink that dissolved into a purplish blue dusk as the light faded. The beauty slowly cooled her temper and soon she began to think more rationally.

Maybe he had a point. After all, she didn't really know what sparing actually involved. Perhaps there was more to it than she realized. The childish comment still irked her, but then she remembered yelling at him to get his own dinner and she cringed. The poor man had been outside in the hot suns all day working his heart out to make a nicer home for them all.

She had decided to go in and apologize when she felt something. For a few weeks now, she had been noticing small movements from the baby, fluttering and tiny pops that almost felt like bubbles bursting in soda. But tonight as she stood up, a real honest to goodness kick startled her. She gasped and put a hand on her belly, leaning against the rock to steady herself as it happened again.

"Ben! Ben, come quick!"

He was at her side in an instant, a terrified look on his face. "What is it my darling? Are you alright?"

She took his hand and placed it back on her abdomen just as two more strong kicks came from within. A look of wonder crossed his face followed swiftly by elation.

"I can feel it!" He laughed "That's our baby!" He pulled her into a tight embrace. They held each other for quite some time. Finally Luna broke the silence.

"Oh Ben, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have gotten so angry at you."

"No, I'm sorry. I can't train you right now, but the way I spoke was unkind."

They continued to talk late into the night. High above the desert, the stars glowed brightly. Peace was restored and for the time being all was right in their tiny corner of the galaxy.

…

Early the next morning, Obi-Wan laid all the lightsaber parts they had made from scratch and purchased in Mos Eisley out on the table. Some parts Luna did not recognize. She asked about them.

"I have been collecting items that could be used to construct a lightsaber ever since I came to Tatooine. I figured Luke might need them someday." he said as he stood up from the table. "Now then, all the parts you need you see before you. I will be outside."

"But how will I know if I've done it correctly?" she asked.

"Search your feelings. Think about what would make you feel the strongest as you imagine it in your hand. Picture what that looks like. You must trust the Force to guide you as you put everything together. Only you will know when it is complete." With that, he quietly stepped out of the hut into the morning sunshine leaving Luna alone to complete her task.

A few hours later, Luna emerged from the hut triumphantly.

"I did it!" she exclaimed, with a happy smile.

In her hand was a lightsaber. The hilt closely resembled Obi-Wan's but was smaller and shorter. She turned it on and it emitted the familiar snap-hiss as the blade extended. It was a very unusual shade of light green that shimmered like an opal.

"May I take a look?" Obi-Wan held out his hand. She shut it off and handed it to him and he examined it closely, turning it over to look at every part.

"Very nicely constructed Luna. Well done." He turned it on and expertly moved into the Soresu opening stance before lowering the blade and slowly turning it as the iridescent colors twinkled over the surface. "I've never seen anything like it! The color is extraordinary."

It was beautiful. "Now I just need to learn how to use it." she hinted, looking at him hopefully. "If only there were someone who could teach me." she tapped a finger on her chin as if deep in thought. "Someone who knows everything there is to know about lightsaber combat. A Jedi Master perhaps? Where could I find such a person?"

"Hmmm…where indeed?" Obi-Wan crossed his arms and cocked an eyebrow at her.

She shrugged. "Ah, well. You can't fault a girl for trying."