"They are ready for us," Qui-Gon Jinn said quietly. Beside him, Obi-Wan hovered by the door to the Council Chambers.
The steady rhythm of her heart sputtered when Anakin's wide eyes met hers. Adrina forced a smile and ushered him into a quick hug. "I'm so very proud of you," she whispered in his ear, ignoring the prickling behind her eyes. "I will always be proud of you, no matter what happens. And I will always love you." Adrina stood quickly and smoothed a wrinkle from Anakin's shirt. She smiled at Anakin, willing him to be confident, willing the Council to accept him.
Together, they walked into the silent chamber. Every Council member wore the same somber expression as they solemnly nodded their greetings to their visitors. Adrina stood close to her brother, Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan behind them, in the middle of the Council Chamber.
Yoda was the first to speak. "Correct, you were." Adrina's heart beat a faster tempo.
"His cells contain a high concentration of midi-chlorians," Mace Windu added.
"The Force is strong with him," Ki-Adi-Mundi finished.
"He is to be trained, then." The satisfaction in Qui-Gon's voice allowed Adrina to hope that Ani's dreams were coming true before the Council exchanged glances.
"No. He will not be trained." Windu pronounced Anakin's doom. Adrina's clutched Anakin's drooping shoulders. Joy and despair seized Adrina's heart. Her breath caught.
"No?" Qui-Gon echoed, clearly shocked. He placed his hands on his hips and clenched his jaw.
"He is too old."
"He is the Chosen One," Qui-Gon insisted. "You must see it." Adrina glanced over her shoulder, grateful that Qui-Gon was willing to fight for Anakin, even though their decision was not unexpected.
Obi-Wan sent his Master a warning look, but Qui-Gon was oblivious to it.
"Clouded, this boy's future is," Yoda replied. Qui-Gon sighed, taking a step forward around Anakin.
"I will train him, then," Qui-Gon declared. Adrina did not miss the hurt that flashed through Obi-Wan's eyes. "I will take Anakin as my Padawan Learner." Anakin stared up at Qui-Gon with hope, though Adrina studied the Council's mixed reactions of disapproval and surprise.
"An apprentice you have, Qui-Gon," Yoda reminded. "Impossible, to take on a second."
"The Code forbids it," Windu added. Doubtless the Council felt Qui-Gon Jinn needed to be reminded of the Council's authority. The tension between the Jedi discomforted the Skywalkers.
"Obi-Wan is ready," Qui-Gon said confidently.
Obi-Wan stepped forward. "I am ready to face the trials."
Yoda shook his head. "Our own council we will keep on who is ready." Yoda's tone was calm, but the admonishment rang clear.
Qui-Gon shook his head. "He is headstrong and he has much to learn of the Living Force, but he is capable. There is little more he can learn from me."
"Young Skywalkers's fate will be decided later."
Windu leaned forward. "Now is not the time for this," Windu stated. "The Senate is voting for a new Supreme Chancellor and Queen Amidala is returning home, which will put pressure on the Federation and could widen the confrontation."
"And draw out the Queen's attacker," Ki-Adi-Mundi said with a tilt of his head.
"Go with the Queen to Naboo and discover the identity of this dark warrior," Windu said. " This is the clue we need to unravel the mystery of the Sith." Qui-Gon nodded in understanding.
"May the Force be with you."
Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan and Anakin simultaneously bowed before walking out of the room. Adrina lingered, momentarily hesitating. Nothing had been said regarding her training. But if Anakin was not to be trained, then neither would she. She hurried after the others.
Anakin stopped short at the door and pulled away from Qui-Gon. He faced the Council with a frown. "What about Rina? You never said anything about her."
"Anakin!" Adrina hissed, cringing and immediately lowering her head.
"Well, they haven't!" Anakin crossed his arms across his chest and turned probing eyes to Yoda. "What about Adrina?"
Mace Windu inclined his head. "No."
When Anakin opened his mouth to protest, Adrina gripped his shoulder tightly and ushered him quickly out of the Council Chambers.
Anakin needed her.
0
Adrina was reluctant to step off the air taxi and onto the floating landing pad. Although she wanted to visit Naboo, she wanted to visit under pleasant circumstances – not while the Trade Federation threatened war and devastation. They had little choice in the matter, however, with no alternative, nowhere else for them to go. She had seen the streets of Coruscant; she would rather take Anakin to Naboo than make him sleep on Coruscant's depraved alleyways. After all, the Queen and the Jedi were returning to Naboo to negotiate a peaceful resolution to the conflict; there was a chance she and Anakin could avoid violence and if they couldn't, they would not be alone. There would be no peace on Coruscant's streets. But even though the decision was logical, dread sat heavily in Adrina's stomach. Peaceful negotiations had never truly been peaceful, in Adrina's experience. She gripped Anakin's shoulder tightly until he grumbled and tossed her hand away.
"It's not disrespect, Master, it's the truth." Obi-Wan's frustrated voice, caught by the breeze, nudged Adrina from her musings.
"From your point of view."
Adrina winced. The astro droid R2-D2 rolled up and nestled next to Anakin, who looked up at Adrina with furrowed brow.
"The boy is dangerous," Obi-Wan said. Anakin shriveled and lowered his head. Adrina narrowed her eyes, frowning. She clenched her hands. "They all sense it; why can't you?" His declaration stung and nettled Adrina, but Obi-Wan did not seem like the petty type. Curiosity edged under her irritation.
"His fate is uncertain. He's not dangerous." Anakin brightened at Qui-Gon's defense and Adrina begrudgingly admitted that Qui-Gon truly wasn't a terrible human being. "The Council will decide Anakin's future. That should be enough for you. Now get on board." Adrina frowned. Obi-Wan set his jaw, his expression tight, but he slowly turned around and marched onto the Nubian. His eyes met hers briefly as he turned, but she looked away.
Adrina touched Anakin's shoulder. "Hey now," She smiled. "Don't listen to all that nonsense. Let's get on. Maybe the pilot will let us sit in the cockpit while we take off. Wouldn't that be something?"
Still visibly hurt, Anakin shook his head.
"I need to ask him something," Anakin whispered.
Adrina smiled and nodded. "Alright, Ani. I'll wait for you." Adrina glanced over her shoulder as she walked to the ramp to see Qui-Gon kneeling in front of Anakin. She worried on the inside of her lip. Anakin was in desperate need of a strong father-figure, even if it was Qui-Gon Jinn. She understood the need – she had been without one since she was eleven, but Anakin had never known a father.
But her gut said that the scene before her would not endure.
0
Obi-Wan sat crossed-legged on the slender bed, doing his best to meditate. Serenity proved elusive, however. His mind constantly strayed back to the conflict on hand – not the Trade Federation on Naboo, as it should, but his conflict with Qui-Gon. His master's words nettled him. It hurt to hear Qui-Gon speak to him as if he was a youngling, especially after Qui-Gon had declared him ready to face the Trials before the Council. Pride was a nasty creature and Obi-Wan knew he was battling it fiercely now.
Obi-Wan looked up when the door chime sounded. He flicked his fingers and the doors opened. He tensed, but blinked when Adrina cautiously stepped through the door. He had expected Captain Panaka.
"Hello," Her greeting was as soft and guarded as her expression. Obi-Wan steeled himself. Her face on the landing pad made it clear that she had heard some, if not all, of his unpleasant exchange with Qui-Gon. Her expression had cleared almost instantly, but his words had been biting.
"Adrina..." Obi-Wan trailed off. He lacked sufficient words and the energy to search for them.
Adrina held up a hand. "I am not here to pass judgement on your estimation of my brother, although you should take care about when and where you share that judgement." Adrina's eyes narrowed. She pursed her lips and shook her head. "But I am not here about your jealousy or pride."
"I am not jealous of your brother," Obi-Wan murmured wearily.
Adrina quirked an eyebrow. "Indeed." Her mellow tone still managed to convey skepticism. "It is natural to outgrow an apprenticeship; the purpose of an apprenticeship is to outgrow it. You respect Qui-Gon Jinn a great deal and after the meeting with the Jedi Council, conflicted emotions would be natural. That is fine. Just don't take it out on my brother."
Obi-Wan frowned. He studied Adrina as he considered her words. She was astute and perhaps more correct than she realized. But his own opinion was inconsequential. Master Yoda made it perfectly clear before they left Coruscant: they did not deem him worthy of the Trials. The truth hurt, even if he had already doubted his readiness.
"But that's not what I am here about," Adrina repeated.
"Oh?"
"No." Adrina paused. She pressed her lips together. Formerly confident, she was suddenly tentative. "On the landing pad, you told Qui-Gon that my brother is dangerous. Why?"
Obi-Wan winced internally. This was not a conversation he wanted to have, again, and certainly not with Adrina. He glanced away. "Just a feeling."
Adrina's eyes bored into him. "What do you think will happen?" Vulnerability shone brightly in the dark recesses of her eyes. "If the Council ultimately decides to train him? Would he still be dangerous, in your opinion? Aren't all Jedi dangerous? Isn't everyone, in their own way?"
"I don't know," Obi-Wan repeated, barely restraining his impatience. "It's just a feeling – that he'll be dangerous. A danger of a different sort."
Adrina was silent for a moment, digesting the information. "Do you think the Force is giving you these….feelings?" Adrina asked softly. "I don't know that I believe in the Force, but you do."
"Possibly," Obi-Wan sighed.
She hesitated. "Ani doesn't mean the Jedi harm." Her eyes willed him to understand. She hesitated. "I just want to protect him. And this world..." She shook her head and trailed off, holding her middle tightly. Her eyes dropped.
"I'm sure he doesn't."
Adrina frowned. "But you don't believe me."
Obi-Wan hesitated, not wanting to enter into that discussion. He remained silent. Adrina ran a hand over her hair, her shoulder's drooping. Adrina turned around, her hand hovering over the key pad by the door. She sighed and keyed the door open. Adrina walked away, shoulders squared, and did not look back.
0
The door to Obi-Wan's room hissed when it shut behind her. Frowning at nothing in particular, she mulled over Obi-Wan's words. Questions swirled through her head with no promise of answer. Obi-Wan hadn't been willing or able to speak of his feelings and until he was willing and able, her questions would remain unanswered.
"Hello, Adrina," Padmé's soft voice grabbed Adrina's attention.
Adrina tilted her head. "I would have thought you would be attending to the queen."
Padmé stepped closer. "The queen has no need of me at present. I wanted to speak to you."
Frowning slightly, Adrina waited.
"I heard about the Jedi Council's decision," Padmé said gently. Adrina stiffened. "I am truly sorry. I know Anakin had his heart set on the Jedi. What will you do?"
Adrina's chin lifted and she smiled in a display of confidence. "I'll find work. Ani deserves a proper home." And if she was working, perhaps one day they could save enough to free their mother.
"Where will you go?"
"Somewhere calm." Adrina smiled wistfully. Yes, peace would be a balm.
"Naboo is known for its tranquility," Padmé commented. She smiled. "And I know a family who has a few spare rooms going to waste. I'm sure they would be more than happy to let you have use of them."
"I can pay them," Adrina was quick to comment. "We don't need charity. I'm a hard worker."
Padmé nodded. "The Queen knows many people. Finding work on Naboo – good, honest work – would be a simple thing," her smile faltered, "Once the Trade Federation is dealt with. And Naboo has excellent schools." Padmé studied Adrina's blank expression. "Only if that is amenable."
In truth, emotion clogged Adrina's throat, even as she searched for any ulterior motive Padmé could have for such a generous offer, only to think of none. "Thank you," Adrina said finally. She pretended to not hear the thickness of her voice. "That is very kind of you. Help finding a job… would not be unwelcome. And education would be good for Anakin." Knowing that when everything was over, she and Anakin wouldn't be without a roof or food took a large weight off Adrina's shoulders.
She was responsible for Anakin now and she refused to let him or her mother down.
"I admire you, Adrina. You deserve more than a little happiness in life."
Adrina blinked at Padmé's heartfelt expression and smile. "I'm nobody special," Adrina murmured uncomfortably, dropping her gaze to the floor.
Padmé's hand ghosted over Adrina's upper arm. "I admire anyone who displays as much love as you have for Ani. What you're doing is remarkable."
"He's my brother," Adrina replied automatically.
Padmé turned around, following Adrina's eyes, to see a fellow handmaiden gesture subtly. "The Queen requires me."
Adrina watched Padmé walk quickly away. Padmé's offer echoed in her head. A home and a job on a planet that seemed much more appealing than Coruscant. Adrina welcomed the opportunity to make her own money and pay their own way. But first the Trade Federation needed to be dealt with.
Grim reality settled over Adrina once more. Their future was no more secure than it was ten minutes prior. Adrina took a shuddering breath. One way or the other, no matter what she had to do, she would see Anakin taken care of.
Thoughts and worries swirled through Adrina's head the remainder of the day.
0
Anakin didn't mind the cold darkness of space. After Tatooine, he welcomed it with open arms. He didn't understand Adrina's aversion to it. Space was wonderful. Being away from Tatooine was wonderful. Anakin frowned. He just wished his mom was there. And he wished he could be a Jedi. Master Qui-Gon still seemed confident the Council would change their minds, and Anakin wanted so badly to believe him, but he remembered their stern faces and the finality in Master Windu's voice; Anakin wasn't so certain they would change their mind.
"Rina?" He nudged his sister.
Her eyelids fluttered open, struggling to shed their drowsiness. "Hmm?" The bulk of the Nubian's passengers were in the Throne Room with the Queen for a war council. The ship would soon reach Naboo, so the siblings sat alone in the main area of the ship. It hadn't taken Adrina long to fall asleep. Anakin wondered if she was sleeping at night.
Anakin fingered his sleeves. "What's going to happen to me?" Something in his voice immediately snapped Adrina to full attention.
Adrina smiled tenderly, smoothing a strand of hair away from his face. "I'm going to take care of you, of course." She pulled him close. "We will make our home on Naboo, once the Trade Federation is gone. It'll be everything we ever dreamed of."
"No, it won't," Anakin said morosely. "Mom isn't here. She should be here."
Adrina kissed the top of his head. "No, she isn't. But we will do everything we can to free her, won't we? Then we'll all be together again."
Anakin nodded. He leaned his head against Adrina's shoulder.
"We'll be alright, Ani, don't you worry," she murmured. "I am so very proud of you."
Tears formed in Anakin's eyes. "But they won't train me," Anakin whispered. She shouldn't be proud of him. He failed. He'd let Mom down. He didn't deserve love or pride.
Adrina smiled softly. "Ani, did you do your best?"
"Well, yeah, but..."
"Then that's all you can do." Adrina squeezed his shoulders. "Do you remember the very first podrace you were in?"
Anakin scowled. "Yes." He would never forget it.
"You came in dead last."
"Yeah," he grumbled. "But only because Sebulba cheated!"
Adrina smiled gently. "Exactly. You can do your very best, you can do everything right, and still lose. It's frustrating and we don't like it, but it's okay. Remember, life isn't just us. We live in a galaxy with billions of other people who are each trying to reach their own goals. No one can get their way all of the time, can they?"
"You sound just like Mom." Anakin pressed his lips together petulantly.
"I'll take that as a great compliment," Adrina said with a soft smile. Anakin yawned. "It's been a long day, hasn't it?"
Anakin nodded.
She pressed a kiss to Anakin's forehead. "I'll tell you what. If it's not warmer on Naboo, I'll fly us all the way up to the sun and make everyone roast while we sip juice in comfort. How does that sound?"
Anakin's laugh turned into a yawn. "That sounds awesome, Rina."
0
Obi-Wan sighed. The Queen was optimistic and resourceful, he had to give her that. The Trade Federation would not expect what she had planned. He never expected the Gungans to have a 'grand army'. It certainly came as a shock to Captain Panaka. He hoped not all Gungans were as bumbling as Jar Jar. An army of oafs would do more damage than the droid army ever could.
Entering the main room, he collapsed into the nearest chair. An odd light snoring sound made Obi-Wan straighten and look around. Although he couldn't see them, he could feel the boy – Anakin, he reminded himself – and Adrina.
Obi-Wan stood and walked around the table. Sure enough, there, huddled in the corner, were the sleeping Skywalker siblings. Anakin was wrapped in a handmaiden's outer robes and Adrina's body curled protectively around him. Obi-Wan frowned when a slight tremor ran through Adrina and she pulled Anakin closer. Perhaps the position was for mutual warmth as much as it was protective.
Obi-Wan winced. They came from Tatooine, a perpetual desert. To Tatooine natives, the space ship would be unbearably cold. Had he not often seen Adrina rub her arms? Perhaps it was not the nervous habit he had originally thought, but an attempt to warm herself. He had heard Adrina and Anakin tease each other about being ice cubes, but he had never thought about how true their jest might actually be.
Not giving it a second thought, Obi-Wan slipped off his dark brown cloak and tucked it over Adrina.