Chapter 3: Yearning
It had been six years since he had seen her last, almost seven years since their time on Draboon. "Duchess, it's been a long time," he said smoothly with a slight grin on his face to hide his anxiety.
"It has, I was shocked to hear that the Jedi Counsel thought it wise to join our trade symposium so late and with no invitation" she replied as she entered the room.
"They didn't, in fact I just found out about it when I arrived a few hours ago. I'm here on a different matter."
"Different matter?" she said, Obi-Wan knew her well enough to see that she was simmering with anger.
"Yes, my padawan needed a break from Coruscant, Master Yoda suggested I take him for a bit of a reprieveAnakin had appreciated the landscape of Naboo and I thought it might be best to bring him here at least to start."
The Duchess grew quiet, "I see," she said, "I never told you I was sorry to hear that Master Qui-Gon passed. If I had known sooner I would have attended the funeral."
"Thank you," he said. A silence filling the air between them.
"How long will you be here for?"
"I'm not sure, my padawan he's not like the others… Master Qui-Gon found him on Tatooine, a strong bright light in force. He was already 9 standard but a slave with his mother. Qui-Gon made a bet with the man who owned Anakin and won." Obi-Wan stopped for a second and finally met the Duchesses blue eyes, "Qui-Gon felt that the boy needed training, that he's the chosen one. The plan was for me to take the trials and once I was released from his care, he'd become Anakin's master. But, a sith apprentice on Naboo killed Qui-Gon and Anakin fell to my care once the Council gave me the rank of Jedi Knight."
The Duchess rose and took off her headdress, slowly letting her hair loose from its constriction. She looked back at him with a smile. "I never pictured you having a padawan," she sat next to him on the bed, "but, I see that you care for the boy. If you're not here for a mission and you're not on a meditation retreat, why are you here?"
"Anakin wants to leave the order. The Council is allowing him some time away before making the decision."
Satine was always one to pace, it was always the first step for Obi-Wan in figuring out that something was bothering her, as she paced she slowly touched her headdress placing on the bed where she once sat. "Do you want to leave?" Satine spoke softly.
"Honestly, no but I will if Anakin does. I promised Qui-Gon that I would train him. Anakin has a lot of the light within him but he's easily angry. I worry that if he's left untrained that he would easily fall to the dark side. At least with complete training he can stay on the light side of the force. Even if he doesn't become a Jedi."
Satine sat back down, he examined her. Could this work? If Anakin leaves the force could I live a life of peace outside of the order with her. He was just about to speak when Anakin rushed into the room.
"I'm sorry master I lost track of time-" Anakin stopped looking at the Mandalorian.
"Anakin, this is Duchess Satine Kryze of Mandalore, a good friend of mine."
"Hello, I mean it's nice to meet you my lady," Anakin awkwardly bowed. Formalities were still something he was learning with foreign dignitaries.
"It's quite alright," Satine laughed, god he missed her laugh. "I was just about to tell your master that if you ever needed a home Mandalore would gladly have you both."
"Thank you," Anakin said automatically. The Duchess carefully placed her headdress back on.
"I will see you both at dinner, I'm afraid I must go to change, Master Kenobi."
"Duchess," Obi-Wan said as she left.