ℝ𝔸𝕋𝕀𝕆ℕ𝔸𝕃 ➵ o. kenobi {my only hope; book 1}

【 TWENTY-SIX 】

ᴏʙɪ-ᴡᴀɴ ᴀɴᴅ ɪ ᴅɪᴅɴ'ᴛ ꜰɪɴᴅ ᴛʜᴇ ᴏᴛʜᴇʀꜱ ᴜɴᴛɪʟ ʜᴏᴜʀꜱ ʟᴀᴛᴇʀ. I knew it was probably very irresponsible on our part to leave the groups hanging without knowing what had happened with Naboo and the treaty, but for several hours, it had been too hard to leave Qui-Gon behind.

     On top of that, it had taken the two of us a lot of time to think about and decide what to do with Qui-Gon. As per tradition, we'd burn his body in a cremation ceremony. Usually, the ceremonies were held in private, and limited only to Jedi, but Obi-Wan and I both knew that wasn't what Qui-Gon would have wanted. We'd invite everyone who fought alongside him on this trip... Anakin, Padmé, Sabé, the captains, the pilots, the handmaidens... everyone. Everyone who Qui-Gon had grown close to, and gotten ripped from too early.

     When we rejoined the rest of the groups, it was an immense relief to hear that we'd won. The fight between the Gungans and the droids had been a victory, except for all of the Gungans who had been lost in the process. Padmé and her team had captured the viceroy and negotiated a new treaty. The pilots, with Anakin the star of the show, had blown up the droid control ship out by the blockade, bringing an end to this awful war. I felt happy, of course, but I couldn't help but still feel a little down. The whole situation with Qui-Gon had shaken me more than I'd like to admit.

     I did my best to hide it. Especially now that the newly elected Chancellor Palpatine was arriving with several of the Jedi Council members from Coruscant, now was not time to dwell on my feelings, or to dwell on the past. I stood proudly with Padmé, Obi-Wan and Kera as we watched the Coruscant ship land, waiting for its members to exit.

     I hadn't gotten the chance to talk to Kera yet, since we'd parted last. She'd been completely silent since Obi-Wan and I had arrived back to the group. We hadn't told anyone about Qui-Gon, but I was sure Kera had sensed it. It wasn't like her to be this quiet, and I could help but wonder if it had something to do with Qui-Gon's death.

     But if it was, I asked myself, why wouldn't she ask me about it?

     I shook my head, clearing my thoughts. I could just imagine what Qui-Gon would say if he were here. 'Keep your mind focused on the present, Emeré,' He would say. 'Don't let your thoughts linger on others.'

     The ramp to the ship hissed open, and I instantly straightened, letting my mind go blank. The last thing I wanted were for the Council members to think I was anything but focused on completing my mission here.

     Palpatine was the first one out, looking smugly triumphant. Obi-Wan caught my eye and nodded forward. I nodded back, agreeing, and together, the two of us walked forward to greet him. I sensed Anakin follow just behind us, and even further behind him, a still silent Kera. Each of us bowed as we approached. The newly elected chancellor bowed back, beaming at us.

     "We are indebted to you for your bravery, Obi-Wan Kenobi. And you, young Emeré Naberrie," the chancellor greeted. "I'm quite delighted to see the two of you still intact. I have been assured your injuries aren't critical?" He glanced at me as he said that--he couldn't help but let his eyes flicker between my wrapped up shoulder and slung wrist.

     I nodded once, curtly. "They'll heal," I said indifferently. In truth, my wounds didn't hurt so much anymore. They felt like only a small pang compared to the ache in my heart.

     "Wonderful." Palpatine smiled at me, then let his eyes trail down to the young boy standing bravely besides me. "And you, young Skywalker. We will watch your career with great interest."

     Anakin moved the tiniest bit, puffing his chest out in pride. I could tell he was proud about what he'd done up at the droid control ship... as he should be. I only hoped it wouldn't go to his head too much.