When Destinies Meet, part 1: In the wake of discovery

Author's Note:
SO sorry for the delay! RL came inbetween again...hopefully, the chapter is long enough for my readers!

Chapter Eleven: The Elf and the Jedi

With the actual Queen gone and Sabé deciding she could do with some rest, Arwen had retired to her own sleeping chamber as well. Due to the fact that she was not handmaiden to Amidala, she did not sleep in the same room as Eirtaé, Rabé and Padmé, but ha dan accomodation of her own. It wasn't big, consisting only of a narrow bed, a corner for her trunk with clothes (specially designed trunks which prevented the gowns from tumbling around or getting wrinkles all over, even when turned upside-down), a table and a personal refresher. Which was the first thing that the elleth used as soon as she closed the slide door behind her.

She allowed the water to run down her face as she gazed at her reflection in the mirror. To an outsider, and even to Padmé, the woman who looked back would be no different than any of her handmaidens – youthful, a slight colour to her pale cheeks, with knowledgable eyes. To an Elf, the image would be different – an Elf would see the light within the gray orbs diminished to a low sparkle, vitality gone from the skin, the shine of ebon hair lost into the dullness of the day. A tired, worn-out elleth would stand before any Elf who would care to look upon her.

And that was what Arwen knew well. On Naboo, everything had been fine. Being one of the Noldo, and yet having Maia blood within her veins as well, she needed to see greenery and plants, feel the life around her, hear the birds chip upon the branches. In this spacevehicle, and more so, upon this planet where the only thing she could see was sand as far as her gaze could reach, her lifeline was growing short, her will to live diminishing with each moment that passed away. To Arwen, it seemed as if she was standing just outside her body, seeing the spirit slowly edging away, cord by cord making its way out of the physical prison. And she could not do anything about it.

A sigh escaped her lips and she splashed some more water into her face. She had to remain strong. Fight this suffocating feeling of death all around her and stay alive long enough for the ship to reach Coruscant. Not that it would be any better there. But at least there were parks upon the planet, where trees yet lived and birds still sung. That was the place she would visit first, before attending to any duties Padmé would assign her. Otherwise, she was afraid she would fade away.

With another sigh she pulled away, drying her face and stepping back into her bedroom. Absent-mindedly one of her hands reached up to distangle the delicate hairpiece she wore, thus allowing the dark strands of her hair to tumble freely down her back once more. Placing the piece upon the table for the time being, her other hand reached out to lift a comb, and she ran it through her tresses, a contented voice escaping her, as she felt some of the tension within her loosen. Once her grooming period was over, the Elf stood once more and decided a bath would be nice. Turning her back to the door, she pushed the red and golden gown she wore from her shoulders, allowing it to slide down her body and pool at her feet. Stepping out of it, and pinning her hair up again, Arwen stepped into the refresher.

She had only been under the water for a few minutes when she heard a voice call her through her comlink, hidden in the folds of her dress on the floor.

"Minister Elana, the Queen would wish to know your whereabouts. She would like to remind you to check on the Jedi Padawan from time to time." Arwen rolled her eyes and continued enjoying the feel of getting clean, but the voice didn't stop there.

"Also, she would like to tell you to remain as close to him as possible. The Queen does not trust either of the Jedi. They should be kep tunder control. A delicate task, but you should have no problems." The elleth allowed a rather uncharacteristic noise to escape her. Sabé was right not to trust the older Jedi, Qui-Gon; but Obi-Wan would, and could not do anything without his master's consent. So she didn't know why anyone bothered. But still, an order was an order. And by the tone of Eirtaé's voice, she knew she'd best report to the Queen soon. And find Obi-Wan as well.

Drying herself off with a towel, Arwen stepped over the gown on the floor and opened her trunk. She pondered for a moment what to wear, then chose a vibrant purple-golden gown. The neckline had been cut low, dangerously so, but elegant golden pins kept it closed together, revealing no more skin than was proper. The sleeves were more relaxed and free, not constricted at the least, and the waist was pulled in slightly, while the skirt itself trailed behind. Packing the red gown away, Arwen clicked her comlink.

"Eirtaé, I'm on my way to check on the Jedi now," she spoke, "report to the Queen." Then she turned the device off and took the first two strands of hair, pulling them back and braiding them swiftly, thus keeping the hair ou of her face, but still allowing it to fall free. Then she exited her room and walked slowly down the metal corridor. Where would she find the Padawan? With Panaka, probably. So, where was Panaka?

While thinking where to find the Captain, Arwen stumbled upon something strange within the depths of her mind. If it would have been able to take physical form, it would have been a delicate cord. Tentinatevly, she explored it, and unconciously followed the thoughts that glowed from the cord itself. She walked down the corridor and turned right, then followed the rampway outside. Her shoes touched the sand and she looked up, seeing both Panaka and Obi-Wan outside. They seemed to be in conversation, but Arwen was more amazed to realize that the 'cord' began to glow and became stronger as she drew near. Suddenly, the Padawan turned around and their eyes met.

Obi-Wan had felt a strange thing for a few moments, as if someone was caling him, searching for him. Strangely enough, he had been interested enough to reply, answering the calls and waiting to see what would happen. With the Force, nothing was impossible. Perhaps someone was trying to communicate with him through a mind connection. He even toyed with the thought that Master Yoda had stumbled down a strange mind path while trying to contact him, and was now seeking his way out. Unthinkable, but not impossible.

But when the all grew stronger, he realised it was not Yoda, but a fairer voice, one that brought him much comfort and peace. And when it suddenly became so strong, he felt the presence of someone and turned around. Only to meet the gaze of Minister Elana, who stood inbetween the rampway and himself. She seemed confused about something as well, but the look was replaced by one of serenity, as he knew her to be.

The elleth came to them both, and Panaka smiled upon seeing her.
"Hello my lady, what can we do for you?" he spoke cheerfully, thus trying to hide the fact that his Queen was alone in Mos Espa, with a Jedi, a droid, and a Gungan. Not a pleasant thought.

Arwen smiled. "I've come to see if either one of you requires anything, and to make sure Padawan Kenobi was properly accomodated upon the ship." At these words her gray eyes sought his blue-green ones again. Obi-Wan inclined his head.

"At the moment I am satisfied with what I have; I shall probably sleep very little anyway," he replied smoothly, not wishing to cause the woman more trouble than was necessary. Although he noticed the pointed ears within the depths of ebon hair, and figured out that she wasn't a native Nabooan. Come to think of it, he couldn't think of a race who would be alike to her. He'd have to ask her about it.

Arwen smiled some more. "Well, I have to make sure you have a bed. So, if you would follow me…" she trailed off and turned around, walking slowly back to the rampway. Obi-Wan arched an eyebrow and glanced at Panaka. The dark-skinned guard bit back a chuckle.

"Best follow her without questioning," he replied in an amused voice, "the Minister is rumoured to be rather nasty if someone decides not to follow her words." The Jedi decided to politely ignore the remark and rather jog after the woman. Best to keep on her safe side.

He caught up to her just before the rampway and there he slowed down, matching her speed of walk. Arwen smiled and glanced his way. Only now did he figure out that she stood almost at his height, being lower only about half an inch…and only because he wore boots.

"I was wondering when you would join me," she commented in an amused tone, entering the ship once more. Obi-Wan shrugged.

"Last minute instructions from the Captain." They looked at each other and a grin broke through Obi-Wan's stern demenour. Arwen laughed softly and lead the way through what seemed like a maze of corridors, but the Jedi realised it only seemed so with some useful tricks. Placing her hand on something, a door slid back, revealing a simple bedroom. She stopped and motioned inside.

"This room is without an owner," she commented, "you are free to use it if you so choose. You'll need some rest while we're here. We could stay on this planet for a long time." Obi-Wan allowed a sigh to escape his lips.

"Thank you, and as much as I want to disagree with you…I cannot. I have a feeling we'll be here for a while." The words meant more to Arwen that reached the eye, her facial expression had not changed a bit, though the Padawan felt a sudden wave of despair come from her, cut short suddenly and deftly. Confusing situation. He would have to converse with his master on this.

The woman before him smiled gently. "Let us hope then that your master finds a way off Tatooine soon…" he nodded in response, entering the room and tossing off his cloak. The brown material landed in a heap upon the bed. As he sat down he had this feeling that someone wasn't too pleased with him. Looking up, he saw Elana, her arms crossed, standing in the doorway, a rather amused expression on her face. For the second time in their aquaintance, he raised his voice in question.

"Now what?" And for the second time she chuckled, shaking her head.

"You. Did you ever think that perhaps folding your cloak would help to keep it in better shape?" A slender eyebrow arched in silent challenge. Which Obi-Wan felt he had to answer.

"I did, actually. Numerous times. Circumstances, however, proove that I simply don't care." At his words she laughed, a musical sound. The image that Obi-Wan got was that of tumbling gold, falling down a gentle slope into a velly of lush greenery. The woman then crossed the distance to the bed, took up his cloak and began folding it. He rolled his eyes and continued taking off his boots.

"You're starting to act like a mother," he retorted, which sent her into a laugh once more.

"Perhaps – seems you need someone to watch over you all the time! Without your master you seem rather disoriented." The Jedi snorted.

"I beg your pardon, but I am completely capable of taking care of myself, thank you. The fact that master Qui-Gon has left me here alone to tend to the ship while he's gone prooves that much." Arwen gave hi man amused grin and tucked the neatly-folded cloak safely away.

"I have to say I can scarcely believe you. To me it seems like you need a hand over your neck." Obi-Wan was about to protest, when the flare of anger died within him, as he met her gray orbs. They were sparkling with mirth, and the corners of her lips twicthed, betraying the fact that she was about to laugh out loud.

She was teasing him!

He threw his head back and laughed, and was accompanied by Elana's laughter as well. She wiped some tears away from her eyes.

"I would have thought you'd see through my cover!" she exclaimed. Obi-Wan grinned impishly.

"I may be a Jedi, but I'm not all-seeing! Yoda is. I'm on my way to that."

"No doubt," she retorted and laughed again, before turning to exit the room. Obi-Wan followed her form and smiled in a friendly manner as she turned back to him. She gave him a smile then disappeared, her steps echoing down the hallway.

TBC

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