Of Love and War Book 1: Dawn of a New Life

Chapter 11: Arriving On Naboo

"Zelina, Obi-Wan, we'll be arriving soon. You both need to wake up."

Zelina groggily opened her eyes at the sound of Qui-Gon's voice, grumbling the entire time. It took her a few moments to realize that she was curled up on Obi-Wan. She pushed herself up, leaning against the chair as she rubbed her eyes.

"Wer 'most 'ere?" she mumbled.

Somehow Qui-Gon understood her sleepy-talk. "Yes Zelina, we're almost there."

She nodded to show she understood, glancing around for a moment as she realized someone was missing. "Where's Ani?"

"He woke up a while ago. He's in the cockpit right now I believe."

"Oh..."

Zelina glanced at Obi-Wan, who still seemed half asleep himself. He stretched, hiding a yawn, before he addressed Qui-Gon. "Do you need me for anything Master?" he asked wearily.

"Yes, actually, the Queen is expecting me; could you go tell her that I will be a moment?" Qui-Gon asked him. Obi-Wan nodded.

"Of course Master."

Zelina did her best not to pout as Obi-Wan left the central chamber, even though he did give her a parting smile before exiting the room. She started to scoot out of the seat, but stopped when Qui-Gon slid in to sit next to her.

"How are you feeling?" he asked her gently.

She shrugged. "Fine, I guess."

"How are you really feeling?" he rephrased after a moment of silence.

She sighed, picking at her fingernails. "I guess I'm a little scared..."

"About?"

"About Ani...whether or not he's going to be a Jedi...I was serious Qui-Gon sir, I don't want to be a Jedi if Ani won't be a Jedi. It doesn't feel right if he's not one too."

Qui-Gon smiled a little. "He will be a Jedi Zelina, I promise. Whether the Council agree to his training or not. I was serious as well: I will take him as my own Padawan learning if I have to. You both will become Jedi, I know that you will. It is the will of the Force. Somehow, it will happen, the Council cannot stop that. All you have to do Zelina is trust in the Force, and you will see many things through."

She nodded slowly. "Alright...thank you Qui-Gon."

He smiled down at her, leaning forwards ad he clasped his hands in front of him on the table. "Now...from what I hear you had a bad dream last night."

Zelina shrunk a little, not wanting to remember the details of her dream. "Yes sir, I did..." She was curious to know how he knew she'd had a nightmare.

"I came in earlier and spoke briefly with Obi-Wan before he fell asleep again. He told me it was about your mother?"

This time Zelina only nodded.

"He also said that you blame yourself for her death...do you mind telling me what happened?"

Zelina hesitated. For a brief moment she thought of not telling him anything because of how painful the memory was. But this was Qui-Gon; she was sure his only intentions were to help. She didn't know what he could do about what happened to her mother, but she was sure that he could do something for her.

So, having decided, she started to speak very quietly about the day she tried not to remember. "I...remember Mother and I were on the edge of town...it was really windy that day...and I had my only toy, it was a stuffed Bantha I called Zarth. He was really old and not so fluffy anymore, but I used him for everything. He helped me fall asleep, he helped me feel better, and he was my best friend...but I wasn't holding him tightly enough, and the wind blew him out of my hand and carried him off. She knew how important he was to me, so she went after him to get him back for me...but he was too far...Shal'ma saw her and thought that she was trying to run and she...she..."