Adrina awoke the next morning, pleasantly warm. Smiling contentedly, she tried to bury herself deeper into whatever was laying over her. The whatever-it-was had a distinct odor, too, like it had been on countless adventures. The warmth enchanted her, despite its interesting scent, dragging her deeper into sleep. Reality brought her to consciousness again.
Blinking owlishly, Adrina forced her eyes open. Anakin was nowhere in sight – likely in the cockpit. Stretching her legs out as far as they could go, she yawned, reveling in warmth. Rising stiffly, Adrina frowned. She held the source of her warmth at arms length. Dumbfounded, Adrina stared. It was a Jedi's cloak.
Adrina sighed. She knew she needed to return the garment to its rightful owner, the warmth was incredibly welcome. She winced, knowing that they had given it to her while she was sleeping. But, Adrina reminded herself, there was no reason she could not wear the cloak while she looked for the Jedi.
And perhaps she could walk very slowly.
0
A cursory walk did not reveal either Jedi, but it did confirm Anakin's presence in the cockpit with Ric Olie. Adrina lingered momentarily before drifting away. She knew Anakin treasured feeling grown-up; he did not need her hovering, no matter how tempting it was.
Smiling at memories of Anakin's childhood, she wandered through the ship. Having known Anakin since he was a toddler, it was difficult to imagine him as an adult. She still remembered tucking him into bed when Shmi worked late. He had been as stubborn then as he was now, refusing to sleep without his mother. Only after singing one of his favorite lullabies had she been able to coax him to sleep. "One sang high and the other sang low, and the Lady sang the raggle taggle gypsy-o," she sang softly before humming the rest of the melody. The words came to her as clearly as they had those years ago. It was a ridiculous ditty, but Anakin loved it.
Adrina stopped short when she noticed Obi-Wan standing in the corner by a data console. He smiled. "Good morning, Adrina."
She nodded her greeting. His attire grabbed her attention – or, rather, the attire he lacked. She clenched the cloak tightly. Her smile was tight. "Thank you, Obi-Wan." She looked down at the garment wrapped around herself. "For the use of your cloak."
"You're welcome," Obi-Wan replied simply.
Adrina nodded absently. She frowned at her hands before voicing the question that had pressed on her mind. "Why?"
Obi-Wan merely shrugged. "You had more need of it than I."
"Here," Adrina said, striding forward and shrugging off the cloak. "It belongs to you."
Obi-Wan held up his hands. "Keep it for now. Please."
Adrina frowned, squaring her shoulders. "I will not be a further inconvenience. I insist you take it back. It belongs to you."
"Wearing my cloak is hardly inconveniencing me, I can assure you. It's no trouble." Obi-Wan continued to smile pleasantly.
Adrina's scowl remained stubbornly fixed. She continued to hold out his cloak expectantly.
Obi-Wan was quiet for a moment, assessing her, before taking a step forward and plucking the cloth from her arms. The triumphant smile that began to form on her face quickly turned upside down when Obi-Wan draped the cloak once more around her. He kept his hands on her shoulders, effectively preventing her from wriggling out of it.
"It's my cloak to do with as I please and I can be just as obstinate as you," Obi-Wan informed smartly. "Enjoy the cloak. If you insist, you can return it on Naboo."
A frustrated retort leapt to her tongue but she swallowed it back. The battle would not be won there; she would need patience. Instead, she forced a winning smile and thanked him for his generosity. He would find his cloak folded neatly outside of his door later and he would just have to deal with it.
Obi-Wan paused, considering his next words carefully. Adrina cocked her head curiously, waiting for him to speak. "You asked me yesterday why I thought Anakin was dangerous."
Adrina nodded slowly. "I did." She eyed him carefully. "You said it was a feeling you had."
"That is true. I did – I do." Obi-Wan sighed and ran a hand through his hair. Adrina listened patiently, if anxiously, and in silence. "My instincts rarely lead me astray, though in this case I hope they are. As he is now, I don't think your brother is dangerous. He doesn't know the power he has or how to use it." He paused. "But if he is trained, anything can happen." Obi-Wan took a deep breath. "He has a midi-chlorian count that is off the charts, even higher than Master Yoda – the most powerful Jedi in the Order. Anakin has the potential to become the most powerful Jedi ever – past or present."
The smile that began to form morphed into a confused frown. "But that is a good thing, isn't it?" Adrina asked. "That means Ani would be able to do great things. Why do you sound so reluctant?"
Obi-Wan was silent as he carefully selected his next words. It was not a matter to take lightly. "What you say is true. Anakin could be a great help. The amount of good he could do is unmeasurable. However, because of his power, the pull of the dark side would be even stronger. And he is coming to the Jedi so late in life that I'm afraid the temptation would be stronger still. It is difficult enough for those raised and trained at the Temple since birth, and they have known no other life."
Adrina twisted the cloak in her hand as she contemplated Obi-Wan's words. She frowned in concentration, trying to make sense of concepts wholly unfamiliar to her. "You are afraid that Ani will misuse his power – immense power - and do evil things?" She looked at him for confirmation.
Obi-Wan nodded slowly.
"Why would Jedi be tempted by this dark side?"
"It depends on the Jedi," Obi-Wan explained with a half-shrug. "Some crave power and feel that the way of the Jedi limits them, so they turn to the dark side and its supposed freedom." He shook his head. "They do not understand the Force. Others fall when they experience great emotional turmoil or trauma and are consumed by anger or grief."
Adrina frowned slightly and tilted her head. "Like an insanity?"
Obi-Wan blinked. "Yes, I suppose so. Some return to the Light, others do not. Most Jedi are tempted at some point in their lives, often multiple times."
Adrina looked away. Obi-Wan's words made sense. She had seen what power and greed could do to a person and it was frightening. She knew, too, how destructive grief could be. In her experience, the more powerful the person, the worse they handled hardship – they were too used to control and having their own way. She knew, too, how seductive power was to some people. But when she tried to picture her innocent little brother becoming a monster like those she had encountered too often on Tatooine, she could not.
Adrina sighed. "I cannot pretend to understand the Force, not when I don't even know if I believe in it. And I can't see Ani doing anything evil." She looked back at Obi-Wan to find her gazing at her cautiously. "But what you say is logical." She hesitated for a moment. "When Jedi...fall… what do they do? What happens?"
Obi-Wan winced. "Death and destruction, usually. Chaos."
Adrina swallowed hard. She looked away, not wanting to see the regret and compassion in Obi-Wan's blue eyes. She would just have to make certain Anakin didn't do anything foolish. "Qui-Gon Jinn said something to me," she said finally. "And I was hoping you could elaborate."
"I will do what I can."
"He said..." Adrina winced, knowing she would sound utterly ridiculous. "He said that Anakin is the Chosen One. That he will bring balance to the Force and destroy all the evil in the galaxy."
Obi-Wan blinked. "He told you about the prophecy?"
"So that's real?"
"The prophecy is real, yes," Obi-Wan said slowly. "Although as all prophecies, they have their obscurities."
"I don't understand. You cannot destroy evil. Evil will always exist in the galaxy, as long as there are sentient beings. Evil does not exist solely in one type of person. Even if you could destroy evil forever, there would still be no balance or harmony. To have peace, you must also have war." Adrina shook her head.
Obi-Wan studied Adrina for a moment and she continued.
"And how can there be sides to the Force? You said that the Force is some weird energy field that surrounds everything." She continued when Obi-Wan nodded his agreement. "Well, then there can't be sides to the Force. This 'light' side and 'dark' side are just labels men have created on a whim. Magic is magic. There aren't lines to cross. Like with any weapon, it's not the Force that is just or malevolent; it's the person using it that is just or malevolent. It just doesn't make sense."
"That's..." Obi-Wan paused and frowned. Adrina waited expectantly as he scratched the back of his neck. "There is balance in the galaxy," Obi-Wan said finally. "Good and evil. Chaos and peace. But the Dark Side amplifies the chaos and evil, destroying the natural balance. Their actions are rooted in hatred, rather than love. The Jedi seek to maintain that balance."
Adrina tilted her head, contemplating Obi-Wan's words. "There is some sense in that," Adrina said slowly.
"Why not ask Master Qui-Gon?" Obi-Wan queried. "I'm always glad to help, but he is far more experienced than I."
Adrina blinked. "But to ask him would be impertinent."
Obi-Wan frowned. "But he is a Jedi Master."
Adrina looked away uncomfortably. "Thank you for your time," she mumbled and quickly walked away.
0
The Nubian shuddered slightly as it landed. Finally, they had reached Naboo's surface.
"Stay close to me," Adrina said. She was still kicking herself for her delusion that the negotiations had minimal risk. It was clear now that there was grave danger and they were right in the middle of it all. Worse yet, they and Jar-Jar Binks were liabilities that could not be left on the ship. The Trade Federation would locate the Nubian shortly after landing and anyone found would be shot on sight.
Adrina gripped Anakin's hand tightly as the ramp lowered. They stood agape at the top of the ramp, staring open-mouthed at the lush forest that surrounded them. The air was warm and moist and smelled of things they couldn't identify. It was all so very different from Tatooine.
"Come along," Qui-Gon instructed, looking over his shoulder. The siblings broke from their astonished stupor and hurried to the Jedi's side.
The party had not walked long before they reached the swamp lake Jar Jar said was the pathway to the Gungan city. Captain Panaka and the Jedi stood close to the water's edge while Jar Jar jumped high and dove deep down into the water. Tentatively, Adrina stepped closer to the water and crouched down, Anakin close behind her. They dipped their hands in the water. Adrina pulled her hand out and stared at the water dripping from her skin. Distant memories whispered at her in the recesses of her mind – memories of happiness and a lake, memories of better times when she had her father.
"There's so much water," Anakin whispered, awe-struck.
Memories long repressed choked Adrina. She couldn't speak, surrounded by ghosts.
"Be careful, Anakin," Qui-Gon cautioned when the younger boy grew bolder with his curiosity. "You don't want to fall in."
Jar Jar resurfaced quickly and his worried expression promised bad news. "Dare-sa nobody dare! Da Gungan city is deserted!" Jar Jar said. "Some kinda fight, mesa tinks."
Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon exchanged looks. "Do you think they were taken to the camps?" Obi-Wan asked hesitantly.
"More likely they were wiped out."
Adrina shivered at Captain Panaka's blunt appraisal. She wrapped her arm around Anakin's shoulders and pressed him closer.
Jar Jar shook his head. "Mesa no tink so."
"Do you know where they are?" Qui-Gon asked.
Jar Jar seemed to smile. "When in trouble, Gungans go to sacred place." Jar Jar straightened. "Mesa show you! Come on, mesa show you!" Jar Jar began walking at a fast pace away from the ship, gesturing for everyone to follow him.
Anakin tried to wriggle free from Adrina's hand. "Rina, that hurts!" Anakin hissed.
"Sorry," Adrina murmured, loosening her grip. "I don't want to lose you in this jungle, especially with this fog." Anakin merely rolled his eyes.
Jar Jar led the group for what Adrina estimated was a mile and a half before he stopped abruptly. Her eyes searched the trees nervously for droids, but found none. "Dissen it!" Jar Jar announced before making a strange chattering sound.
Adrina jumped with a gasp when seven armed Gungans riding strange animals erupted out of the fog. Her heart pounded and Anakin inched closer. These Gungans did not appear to be as light-hearted as Jar Jar Binks.
"Heyo-dalee, Captain Tarpals!" Jar Jar said cheerfully. Captain Tarpals, however, was visibly unhappy to see Jar Jar.
"No-ah gain!" Tarpals muttered.
Undeterred, Jar Jar announced that they had come to see the Boss. Tarpals rolled his eyes.
"Ouch time, Binks. Ouch time for all-n yousa."
Adrina and Anakin glanced anxiously at each other at Tarpals' dark warning. Nevertheless, the party followed the Gungans further into the fog. It was not long before they reached massive toppled stone heads with Gungans surrounding and perched on top. Several yards ahead of them was a stone mass reminiscent of a structure. A Gungan with considerable more girth stood on its roof.
"Your honor!" Captain Tarpals barked. "Queen Amidala of da Naboo."
Jar Jar lost some of his confidence when he addressed the larger Gungan. "Eh...hello dere, Big Boss Nass, Your Honor." He wrung his hands.
"Jar Jar Binks." Boss Nass began slowly and solemnly. Displeasure dripped from his words. "Whosa usen ooders." Jar Jar glanced nervously at Queen Amidala.
The Queen took a small step forward. "I am Queen Amidala of the Naboo," she announced proudly. "I come before you in peace." Adrina studied Boss Nass as she spoke, but his face was impassive.
"Naboo biggen," Boss Nass replied. "Yousa bringen da Mackineeks. Yousa all bombad." The Gungan dialect was odd, but Adrina understood that Boss Nass blamed Queen Amidala's people for the Trade Federation occupation. She winced; the negotiation for a Naboo and Gungan alliance was not going well.
Queen Amidala was not swayed by Boss Nass' surliness. "We have searched you out because we wish to form an alliance."
Suddenly, Padmé stepped forward. "Your honor," Padmé interrupted. Amidala's eyes flickered with alarm. Boss Nass made a few clicking noises, gesturing at the handmaiden.
"Whosa dis?" Boss Nass demanded.
"I am Queen Amidala." Stunned silence followed Padmé's declaration. Amidala – or whoever was pretending to be the Queen – closed her eyes. Jar Jar gasped. Anakin looked up Adrina, but she could only shrug. "This is my decoy, my protection – my bodyguard. I'm sorry for my deception, but it was necessary to protect myself." Adrina nodded her approval of Padmé's brilliant plan.
Sincerity and helplessness saturated every word Padmé uttered. "Although we do not always agree, Your Honor," Padmé continued. "Our two great societies have always lived in peace." Boss Nass crossed his arms over his chest, listening intently. "The Trade Federation has destroyed all that we have worked so hard to build. If we do not act quickly, all will be lost forever." Padmé swallowed hard. "I ask you to help us." She dropped to her knees. "No, I beg you to help us. We are you humble servants."
Adrina watched as the rest of the group, even the Jedi, followed the Queen's example and knelt. Reluctantly, Adrina knelt, pushing her own feelings aside.
"Our fate is in your hands."
Boss Nass appeared pleased at the turn of events. "Hmmm..." There was a pregnant pause. Finally, he erupted in laughter. Adrina regarded him carefully. She didn't trust mercurial people. Even Padmé looked slightly alarmed at the unexpected response.
"Yousa no tinken yousa greater dan da Gungans?" Boss Nass laughed some more. "Messa liken dis." Padmé tensed, waiting for him to continue. "Maybe wesa...bein' friends." Padmé's shoulders relaxed, bursting out into a smile.
There was hope after all.
0
The waiting was the difficult part. Standing idle was not in her nature. Always keeping Anakin, who was helping a Gungan lookout, within eyesight, Adrina paced the perimeter of the camp. She had offered her help to every human and Gungan, but had been infuriatingly diplomatically told that she was of more use out of the way.
And so Adrina walked the perimeter, alone, studying the small camp and its inhabitants in turn, watching for danger. They were a pitiful ragtag group, though she hoped they would not be so pitiful when amassed in full strength. Her eyes drifted to Padmé, who was conferring in hushed tones with the Jedi. Her behavior on Tatooine was more explicable. Adrina's respect for Padmé grew.
Anakin rushed over to Padmé. "They're here!" he exclaimed.
Padmé smiled with obvious relief. "Oh, good, they made it!"
Adrina craned to see who was arriving. Three speeders came to a halt near Padmé. She had sent Panaka and two other security guards into Theed, the nearby capital city, to see if they could find any police and guards that had managed to escape capture. Men filed out of the speeders. Adrina smiled at the success.
Panaka strode over to Padmé and the Jedi. Adrina ached to hear what they were discussing, but knew her presence was unwanted. She smirked when she noticed Anakin lingering. He would be her ears. After a few minutes, Captain Panaka gave the Queen a short nod before walking confidently away. Qui-Gon motioned for Adrina to come over. Curious and wary, Adrina obeyed.
Qui-Gon placed a hand on her shoulder and made unnerving eye contact. "We will be leaving for Theed in just a few minutes, Adrina," Qui-Gon said. "You and Anakin will come with us."
Adrina frowned.
"You will be safer with us. The Gungans will draw out the Trade Federation's army. It will be a large battle. Theed will be all but deserted."
Adrina exhaled and nodded.
Qui-Gon was confident, but somehow Adrina knew that the danger was far more great than he knew.