The Archer

Chapter Seventeen: An apprentice's burden

Everything that happened afterwards was a blur to me, as if I was witnessing it through a thick veil, constantly lingering on the edge of unconciousness.

Though there were a few things I did recognize.

A row of familiar bleeps and whistles.

"We're setting course back on the Temple." Anakin's voice.

The engine roaring up beneath us. Low vibrations.

Artoo buzzing again, as if answering Anakin.

"No, don't announce our arrival... yet." Anakin speaking through clenched teeth.

The ship lifting up the ground and darting forwards with high acceleration.

A voice, one that I knew, echoing through the radio system.

"Anakin. Where are you?"

"I'm on my way back now. I've got her."

A moment of silence.

"If you're planning to lecture me now..."

"I haven't even said anything yet." The voice of Obi-Wan Kenobi sighed. "Anakin, I understand you care for her, but it was still wrong to jump into blind actions. You risked putting both of you - escecially her - in even more danger. If you cannot see that..."

"Well, I didn't. She's safe now. I don't see anything wrong with that."

"It will not be me alone to whom you must give account, and I cannot protect you from the consequences of your actions."

"I appreciate your concern, Master."

"We will talk about this once you're back."

There was another pause before Anakin spoke again, a change in his tone of voice. "I couldn't possibly just wait - wait and let her die, Master..." His voice broke.

"I know, Anakin. I know."

The call must have ended shortly after, because the next thing I remembered was Anakin talking to Artoo again.

"Now you can announce our arrival."

***

I woke up in a hospital bed in the medical bay, connected to an IV-tube inserted into my right arm and a monitor positioned to my left that was likely observing my vital signs.

The second time here in only a few weeks. Not a good statistic.

My gaze fell on Anakin who was sitting in a chair next to my bed, his eyes already resting on me.

"(Y/n)?"

It took me a second to gather my senses before I could answer.

"Hi." I gave him what must have been a rather crooked smile. "How long was I gone for?"

"Almost two days." He leaned forward in his chair, his hands tightly folded in his lap. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm fine, I guess." I did feel significantly better than when I'd last been awake - locked up in a cell on that awful ship. The excruiating headache was almost completely gone with only a dull throbbing in the back of my head still remaining. And I wasn't feeling nearly as weak.

"Still a little tired, but overall, I'm feeling better."

While I was talking a medical droid rolled into the room and stopped next to the monitor. "You are awake, miss (y/l/n). A pleasant surprise. I will check your vitals now."