#varlo

Embarrassment filled you. You weren’t surprised about Padmé. Her and Anakin were a couple. What confused you was Varlo telling Anakin about the night at the ball. He seemed like he didn’t care, so you thought he would keep quiet.

“I-I don’t know what to say,” you stammered.

It caused Anakin to laugh. “It’s fine, sis. I’m happy for you. Prince Kenobi is a good man. Besides, mom and dad seem to even like him.”

You felt your embarrassment change to happiness. “Really?”

“Really,” he said with a soft smile. “I’ll let you get to reading. I’m due for an appointment with Sir Fisto.”

The two of you said your goodbyes before you made your way to the gardens. You once thought that your spot on the bench under your favourite tree was special before, but not like now. Now it was where you and Obi-Wan had spent most of your time together. It was where he held your hand as he comforted you.

When you sat down, you wasted no time. As you read the first words, you smiled.

-

My darling,

I hope that your world at home has felt just that little bit brighter since those days as it has for me. Commander Cody has noticed a change in me, and I am proud to say I know why.

Despite this, I miss you as every second passes. As I promised, I will find a way to visit you again. The moment I know of a day, I will write you immediately to tell you. Who knows? Maybe I’ll know when I’ll be able to see you next in the next few weeks.

Anyways, my dear, I hope you are well and I wait in anticipation to see your first letter. The thought of hearing your thoughts again excites me. Especially if you have any stories from your villages left. I would be more than delighted to hear about the little younglings that vie for your attention.

May this find you well and that you haven’t forgotten me in these days. It would be truly heartbreaking if it were so.

Yours,

Obi-Wan Kenobi

-

You couldn’t get to your room fast enough. It was the only place that you could think of that had a quill and ink and, most of all, privacy. Elation filled you with each quick step you took.

The letter may not have been long, but that didn’t matter. All that mattered was that he missed you just as you missed him. Not only that, but he wants to hear more stories. Perhaps you’ll send him a few. Or would that be too much?

In the end, it didn’t matter. If you knew him, he wouldn’t mind. He’d probably say he’d rather more than less.

So, you took your quill in hand for your reply. Starting off, after saying that you missed him as well and that you felt the same, about his remark about children being ‘younglings’. It was the most adorable thing in the world to you. You only wished that he had called them that when he was still here.

-

And that’s how it began. The two of you wrote each other every day. His letters would always arrive early in the day, and you would write a response just as quickly. This went on for five months.

Some were simply just the two of you conversing back and forth. Others… Well, others were most purely love letters. They were always mainly from Obi-Wan’s end. His way with words was a lot more elegant than yours. Yet he would always let you know that your insecurities were unfounded.

It was always sweet when he made sure that you weren’t being stupid or that you were doing something wrong. Most of all, he helped you through a new transition.

As the days went on, more and more people started paying attention to you. After all of these years, people were finally seeing the work you did for your kingdom. Hardly anyone was using you as a gateway to your brothers. They were truly coming to you!

When you had told Obi-Wan, he was so proud of you. He said how much you deserved the recognition. You had asked if it was his doing but he swore it wasn’t. He may have told a few people about you but he didn’t push them to learn more about what you do.

Padmé, other than Obi-Wan of course, was your biggest supporter. She would rave about how popular you were getting.

Yes, you may be getting popular. Some would say even more than your brothers. Though, a small part of you wished that you could go back to the way it was before. You wanted to go back to the days that only Obi-Wan noticed you.

You had confided in him one day about it. He had written in response: My darling, I understand how you feel. Unfortunately things like this will change. I do apologize if it were due to me, but just think. Maybe this will benefit you in the future. Just think, if you needed assistance in aiding a village or town, you have people who know what you do that would want to help. I hope that you realize how good this could be later on just as I do. If not, then there may be a way to get it closer to how it used to be. Either way, my dear, I hope this makes you feel better.

In truth, it had made you feel better. It made you look at the true benefits your newfound popularity had. Not only that, but it didn’t affect your life as much as you had thought at first. It was just new.

Now, one thing that happened a few times were days that you missed him. Those days it took over your thoughts to the point where you hardly left your room. It usually lasted for a few days and Obi-Wan was always there to talk you through it.

There was one string of days where both of you were in the same slump. Those were some of the deepest conversations you had ever had with each other. Whether it was saying how much the two of you cared for the other, or if you were telling each other about your darkest thoughts.

Obi-Wan had sent this one specific detail that had you simultaneously wishing you were with him and at least glad that he felt he could also confide in you. It was: Sometimes I think of my mother during days like this. I think of how I wish she were still here, to hear her say how happy she is that I found you. I do really believe that she would’ve loved you. And it’s days like this that I miss her the most. It’s days like this where I miss you. Days that I long for your gentle touch against my cheek. Wishing that I could hold you in my arms as we finally have the kiss that never happened. Honestly, darling, I exceedingly wish to be with you during these days and I wish I have found the time to come to you. But this time will still unfortunately have to wait to my dismay.

Forever yours,

Obi

Despite how strongly you agreed with Obi-Wan in that letter, you couldn’t help but feel a warm, bubbly sensation in his signature. You had started calling him Obi in your letters fairly early on. Other than that, him saying forever yours was something he had only recently started saying at the time. It made you smile each and every time.

For him to address himself by your nickname, though, made your heart flutter.

When you had written back, you consoled him when it came to his mother. From what you have told me, she sounds like an amazing woman. I would’ve loved her right back if we had the privilege to meet. As for being in your arms, I also deeply wish to be back there. Each ghosting touch and the feel of your hand in mine makes me yearn to feel it again. I yearn to fully feel the press of your lips to mine rather than a light graze or pressed against my knuckles. I will look forward to the day we meet again.

Your darling,

Y/N

Of those days, they weren’t the deepest of them all, but they were up there. After that, the dark spell of days was shared only ever briefly. Mainly switching between the both of you, each comforting the other as the longing to see the other grew with each passing day.

One day, he had written something that had you puzzled, yet feeling excited. The line was: We will see each other sooner than you know, my dear.

“Varlo, may I ask you something?”

He gave you a mischievous smirk, “I think that just was one.”

You rolled your eyes. “Do you know if anyone is scheduled to visit in the next week?”

Varlo looked off in the distance as he thought. “Other than the people that now only want to talk to you, no. Not that I know of. Why?”

“No reason,” you said, looking back down at the letter. Could he have possibly found a time where he could come back? It would make sense as he didn’t truly tell you that. He probably wanted to make sure he actually could before telling you.

Either way, you wrote your normal reply. Adding in details about how this amazing festival in Naboo was happening in a few days. It was called the Festival of Light and it was something you had always attended. Whether it was because Padmé wanted you there or if you went on your own, it didn’t matter. Other than Anakin, you were usually the only one in your family to go.

You wished that Obi-Wan could see it. It was such a beautiful festival. Your favourite part was the first night where lanterns would be released in the sky. They all floated until they looked like stars themselves, lifting everyone’s dreams in hopes that they will be met.

It was wonderful. What a sight it was to see all of those lanterns become stars. You always had thought that Padmé’s father was a genius to start this tradition. The tradition was well received the minute it was introduced. Although it started before you were born, you had known it all your life. You attended it all your life. Now you wish you could attend it with the one you wished to be with all your life.

That would just have to wait.

-

“I thought you were supposed to be meeting with General Yoda?” you asked Anakin who had his arm linked with Padmé’s. She giggled as Anakin pretended to ponder what you said.

“I was supposed to. A more important matter came up though,” he said with a playful tone. His smirk was a mischievous one as he caught a glance at your friend.

Confusion filled you. What could be more important than a meeting with the high general? With the way he looked at Padmé, though, you assumed that may be the reason. Everyone knew he would drop everything for her.

Anakin looked over at you and you must not have been hiding your confusion as well as you thought you were. To the best of his ability, he nudged his elbow into your arm.

“What? Can I not just spend time with my little sis and my beautiful wife-to-be?”

You rolled your eyes as Padmé spoke, “You mean even more time than you do already?”

You couldn’t help but laugh. It was true. He was almost always with one of you or Varlo. If you tried to separate Anakin from the ones he loved, or at least tolerated, he would have a fit. He craved attention and companionship and you didn’t blame him. It was something that you never knew you needed until you met Obi-Wan.

“Ok, one question you can’t try and dodge, where are we going?”

“Well, you see, sis, that is another question I will dodge. You know why?” You shook your head. He leaned closer whispering, “It doesn’t matter.”

You groaned, slapping your hand against your forehead causing your friend to break into a fit of laughter. All you wanted to know was what he had planned. There had to be something if he no longer was meeting with General Yoda. No one just stood up the man either. Yoda may be a wise and calm man, but he could easily take you down any day. Whether that be physically or verbally.

“Why do you so badly want to know anyways?” Anakin asked. This time sounding genuinely interested.

“No one just reschedules with General Yoda. Especially not you so I’m curious as to the change of plans that involves both Padmé and I.”

Anakin actually seemed shocked by what you said. Almost as if he actually hadn’t thought of an answer to a statement like that. So, he was silent for a few moments. That was, before he finally came up with, “You’ll see.”

Now you were more confused than ever. Was he setting up something with Varlo? Was this all going to be a trick? It wouldn’t be the first and it definitely wouldn’t be the last. Or maybe it was a new person that wanted to meet you.

Thanks to Obi-Wan’s words, you had grown used to constant meetings with people who wanted to ask you about what you do. There were some who asked what was going on between you and Obi-Wan, but those questions usually didn’t last.

You knew there were rumours that people thought the two of you were an item, which was true, but some were disconcerting. Some had thought that he was taking advantage of you for power gain. Others had painted your family in a dark light, saying that they were using you as a way to gain more allies rather than caring about you.

Thankfully, those rumours were rather rare to come across. Plus, Obi-Wan had always told you how they didn’t matter. The two of you found each other, and chose each other on your own. Not because of any outside influence or any ulterior motives.

Your thoughts were racing, unable to settle on one possible answer to what Anakin had planned. You would’ve said Padmé hadn’t known either, if it weren’t for her ultimate calmness. If she were as confused as you, she wouldn’t be as composed or… excited as she seemed to be.

Those racing thoughts were put on hold as your journey led you to the gardens. The sights never failed to put your mind at ease. Now was no exception.

Usually you would come here to read Obi-Wan’s letters. It was free of crowds, leaving you in privacy as you looked over the beautiful handwriting. For a time, you had even kept a satchel that held all of his letters in the garden. That didn’t last long as one day Varlo found them.

In his usual annoying ways, you had to fight to get them back. He teased you, positioning them out of reach until he was done with his entertainment. It was something he did often, lately. Teasing you or playing jokes that would often go too far. A small part of you wondered if it were because he was slowly taking up the role you once held. You hated to see that people no longer seemed interested in Varlo’s political accomplishments. Yet, he didn’t need to take it out on you.

So, the letters had found a different place. A place where Varlo couldn’t find them and hide them and a place that should’ve seemed like a no brainer from the start. Your bedroom.

Even so, the garden was where you would read them. Sometimes you would even write your letters on that bench under the tree.

As the three of you walked through, you listened to the conversation your brother and friend were having. They really were a cute couple, no matter how much you teased them. Listening to them talk only proved this.

The closer you got to the tree, the more you saw excitement grow in both of them even as they seemed to be normally conversing. Now you knew something was up. What kind of plan could Anakin come up with that got them so excited, but never tell you? You thought you were used to being a third wheel before, but this was amplified.

You let it go. It’s not like this was the first time something similar has happened. With that being said, you took a slight lead ahead of the two. A small part of you was hoping that, as soon as you got to the tree bench, you could stay there. That way you could feel close to Obi-Wan although you weren’t.

Continuing on your path, you noticed that Anakin and Padmé were drawing further and further back. Were you walking that quickly, or did they slow down without you realizing. With all of that considered, you just shrugged and kept going. If they wanted to catch up they would tell you.

There was one last corner to turn before you would finally be able to seek some peace.

When you turned the corner, you froze. Were you seeing right? Was this even possible? You turned to look at the other two, but they weren’t there. Was this what they were so excited about? It had to be. Why else would they now have up and disappeared right as you arrive here.

Obi-Wan stood from the bench, facing you with a smile that you could tell he was trying to contain. He still looked just as handsome as the day he had left. The outfit he was wearing was similar to the one he wore at the ball, but much more toned down and casual. Well, casual for royalty anyways.

Tears were building as you smiled bigger than you ever thought you could.

“Obi!” you exclaimed as you could no longer hold back. You ran to him, crashing into his outstretched arms. The feeling of them coming around your back and pulling you in close was enough to make you start sobbing.

“Hello there, darling,” he whispered into your hair. Gently he rubbed your back as he slowly swayed from side to side, refusing to let you go. Even if he did, you wouldn’t.

As you buried your face into his chest you smelled the hint of cinnamon that was mixed with just him.

“I missed you,” you mutter into his chest.

“I missed you too. With all of my being,” he said, making your heart flutter. There were days you never thought you would hear his beautiful voice ever again. You no longer had to worry about that. He was here, holding you as tightly as you were him.

- - -

“I’ve heard quite a bit about you from Anakin. He seems to like you,” you said. Obi-Wan could feel his cheeks heating up as he sheepishly smiled. It was true that he had many conversations with your brother, but the fact that you were hearing these stories made him feel more nervous than he ever had in his life.

“I’m sorry to have missed you until tonight,” he managed to get out. “I heard you were helping out in the Naboo village.”

You smiled and nodded. “Yes. It started off with me helping them set up a festival until the town’s children asked me to tell them a story. It went on much longer than I intended, I’m afraid.”

Obi-Wan chuckled. “The little ones always love stories.”

The smile you gave him made him feel like his heart was going to beat out of his chest.

“Do children often stop you for stories?” you asked, motioning for him to join you by the railing.

“All the time,” he said, leaning against the railing beside you. He continued as you both looked out over the lake in the last of the sunlight, “Often they’ll ask me complicated questions that their parents don’t know how to answer. Sometimes, though, the reaction they have when you say you also don’t know is almost as rewarding as helping them understand.”

Glancing over, he saw a smile spread your lips. He loved the fact that his words were the cause of it. The giddy feeling he had felt all day came back to the surface.

For a while, the two of you stayed silent as you watched the last of the light disappear from the sky. The sound of the cheerful music playing on the level below you was calming. Standing beside you, although silent, was the most comfortable feeling Obi-Wan had ever experienced.

“So,” you said, breaking the silence, “why were you really up here?”

You turned enough so that you could look at him, and he did the same. He felt caught, but at the same time he knew you wouldn’t judge. Besides, you were also here.

“In all honesty, I needed a breather. Everyone I had talked to was only interested in talking about politics, and I just wanted to forget about it all for tonight. How about you? Why were you here and away from the party?”

Looking down with a smile, he watched as you played with the tips of your gloves. “It’s been a while since we’ve held, let alone attended, an event like this. I thought some fresh air would do me good before the night truly started.”

Obi-Wan nodded as he built up confidence. He wanted to ask you this ever since he arrived, and now he could.

“If you wouldn’t mind, would I be able to ask you to a dance? And perhaps, some more time getting to know each other?”

The smile you had as your eyes met his made his breathing stop. Well, it felt like it did.

“I would be honoured,” you replied, making Obi-Wan take a breath of relief as he returned your smile.

Standing up properly, he offered you his elbow which you easily took. The feeling of your arm through his felt like the most natural thing he had ever felt. It was almost as if this was what was missing his whole life. Never had this felt more right.

When the two of you got back inside, he paused.

“One thing I didn’t lie about, I really don’t know how to get back,” he admitted. The soft chuckle you let out warmed him.

“This way,” you say as you gently tug his arm.

-

As the two of you walked back to the main event, you thought about how you’ve never felt this way before. The place you arm rested as it was linked with his never felt as comfortable as it does now.

You were also shocked by the fact that this prince had taken an interest in what you do. Everyone else you’ve talked to never wanted to bring up the good you did. Everyone, except for this prince, had especially diverted topics when children are brought up. It was almost as if they didn’t know that the children were the future of each and every kingdom.

That’s not what made you feel drawn to him, though. You couldn’t explain what made you feel like this. The moment you saw him you just felt… captivated.

The two of you talked a little as you made your way back to the ballroom. Thankfully, no one tried to stop either of you for any conversation. People may not know of your exploits, but they always come to you when they’re too nervous to go straight to your brothers.

Speaking of your brothers, you weren’t surprised to find Anakin leading Padmé to the dance floor as a new song started. Varlo was off to the side chatting with your father. You wouldn’t be surprised if it was about either leaving early or at the very least changing from his formal wear. These were both conversations he would be leaving with an answer he would say was unfavourable.

As you reached the bottom of the stairs, you stopped as you heard the next song start. It was one that was very dear to you. Your mother would sing it to you while she taught you how to dance. She sometimes still does when you’re goofing around together. It made you wonder where she was as you saw she wasn’t by your father’s side.

When you thought about it, she was most likely chatting with some of the castle’s staff. It was something you got from your mother. The wanting to aid and interact with the common folk. Both you and your mother always did it without being asked for any recognition. The only thing that was different was that you wished some people, at the very least, would care.

“Are you alright?” Prince Kenobi asked, a genuine look of concern on his face. It caused a small, yet adorable, crease between his eyebrows.

A fond smile spread your lips, “Yes. Now, I seem to remember something about you asking me for a dance, Prince Kenobi.”

You watched as his cheeks turned a shade of red as he shyly smiled.

“Please, call me Obi-Wan. But, yes, if you would still do me the honour,” he said, unlinking your arms and offering his hand.

“The honour would be mine… Obi-Wan.”

As you slid your hand in his gloved one, a strange feeling passed through you saying his name. You wanted to repeat it again and again, enjoying each time you went over the syllables.

He smiled before leading you to the dance floor.

-

When you said his name, it filled him with an unnamable warmth. One that changed the reason why his cheeks were burning. A burning that only intensified once your own gloved hand took his. All of this combined was making him feel happier than he had in a long time, causing him to smile as he led you the few steps to the dance floor.

With the hand that he held, he shifted the grip as he stepped in front of you. As you placed your other hand on his shoulder, it felt as if this was the first and millionth time you’ve done this together. With every step he took, you took it like you knew exactly every move he would make.

Looking into your eyes, he felt his breath hitch. Now, he could fully see your eyes in the light. They were breathtaking in the light of the sunset but, now that he saw them in their entirety, well, he couldn’t explain how beautiful they looked. He couldn’t describe how beautiful you were.

“You know,” you start, breaking the silence the two of you had as well as bringing him out of his thoughts, “this is the song my mother used to teach me to dance.”

The fond smile that you had earlier came back as you stared downwards for a moment. Obi-Wan loved it.

“She taught you well, princess,” he said.

“Please, it’s Y/N. I don’t think titles matter at this point.”

Your words made him smile. Not only was it true and that this is what he’s wanted for nearly his whole life, but it finally gave him an answer he was searching for. That you were as taken with him as he was with you.

“Y/N. I meant to say it earlier, but that’s a wonderful name.”

Letting his hand leave your waist, he spun you and brought you back with ease. The two of you continued.

“Well, thank you. Obi-Wan isn’t too bad of a name either,” you said teasingly.

He chuckled. “Why thank you.”

Once again, the two of you fell into a comfortable silence. Just like before, Obi-Wan couldn’t help but lose himself in your eyes. There was a kindness and a welcoming warmth in them that comforted him.

By the looks of it, you were doing the same. He watched as your eyes switched between his, sometimes wandering off to, what he assumed, look at other parts of his face. He’d be lying if he said he wasn’t doing the same with you.

After he spun you again, he felt a piece of his own hair fall out of place. A twinge of annoyance rose because of it. Of all nights that this could happen, which was often, tonight was not one he wished it to happen.

That feeling quickly shifted as you asked, “May I?” as you lifted your hand from his shoulder.

With a small nod of approval, you moved your hand to carefully tuck his loose strand back in place. The concentrated expression you wore was adorable to him.

Yet again, you broke him from his thoughts as your fingers gently grazed his cheek as you brought your hand back to his shoulder.

“I apologize,” you started when you realized what you did. “I didn’t mean-”

“It’s alright,” Obi-Wan cut you off with a smile. He wanted to tell you he could still feel the gentle trail, that he liked it, that he wanted you to do it again, but that would be highly inappropriate. Especially in the scene the two of you were in.

All of that considered, he must have given you a look that spoke all of those thoughts as your cheeks turned red as you smiled.

For the rest of the song you both just looked at each other, trusting that the other would take each step without fail.

As the song died down, you went to say something until someone cut you off.

“Y/N,” your brother, Varlo, said.

Obi-Wan let your hand go and took a respectful step back as your brother walked up. He didn’t know if it was just him, but he didn’t look as if he were too happy. Some could say he looked sour.

“Mother said she would like to see you.”

“Alright. Tell her I’ll be over in a moment.”

All your brother did was nod before quickly walking away. With that, the two of you were alone again. Well, as alone as you can be in the middle of a ballroom full of people. You turned back to him with an apologetic expression.

“I’m sorry. Shall I find you afterwards?” you asked, looking as hopeful as Obi-Wan felt.

“Of course,” he said, bowing, “I look forward to it.”

- - -

When they had come into this village, it was nothing like how you had first described it to him five months ago. What you had described was a barely managing village. It was an image that filled Varlo with disgust and not one that could be seen as improving. Well, to his standards, there was no way that a place like that could come back to being prosperous. As he rode into the village with Maul and his men, the village was bright. Lively, even. It almost reminded him of Naboo back in his kingdom.

Now the streets were stained with blood. Different screams rang out through the village. Whether it was a mens, children or women, it didn’t matter. There was so much death and destruction that he wasn’t paying attention. He knew there were other… activities going on but he didn’t want to think about it.

All of this happened so quickly. Or, it at least felt that way. It felt like it was only five minutes ago that he was on his horse outside of the village watching how it thrived. He couldn’t help but think about the fact that he knew you were part of the reason. He was always proud of seeing the good you did for villages like this. What made him feel prouder was the fact that you had been able to help progress it so quickly. If only Anakin could see this, he would be just as happy as Varlo was. That’s not even mentioning how Padmé or mother and father would feel about it.

The feeling was quickly pushed aside and replaced with panic as he watched Maul nod and soon started the attack. Despite his feelings, he went along with them. Guilt filled him as he watched the unsuspecting villagers realize what was happening. That cheer was quickly wiped away as the laughter turned into screams.

Now, Varlo was on his horse watching the scene around him. His lungs burned from the smoke. His stomach churned from the smell of burning flesh. He knew that they needed to get Prince Kenobi’s attention yet he didn’t think it would be like this. What Varlo thought was that they would take control of the village, not destroy it.

He hated to admit it but he was starting to regret this. This wasn’t what he had in mind at first. He wanted one man gone. That was it. Never did he think about the lives of innocent people being in danger because of it.

As Varlo dismounted his horse, a door being thrown open caught his attention, breaking him from his thoughts. A young man came falling through. One of his eyes was black, a cheek swollen with a cut. Blood seemed to be pouring from a scrape on his hairline. Watching as he picked himself up, Varlo saw the young man limp a few steps, his left leg injured, before stopping as their gazes met.

The young man’s eyes were filled with fear as his chest rose and fell quickly. His breathing could clearly be heard even over the sound of screaming and galloping horses.

The two just looked at each other and it filled Varlo with confusion. Wasn’t this young man running from something? Well, more like someone. Why else would he seem so out of breath? Confusion filled him even more as it seemed like the slightest sense of relief came over the young man’s face. Why?

In this moment, Varlo’s clothing and borrowed chestplate was completely mark free. Not a single speck of dirt graced his person. Yet, somehow, this young man looked as if he were there to help him through whatever was happening in this now burning village. It was a nightmare surrounding the two, and all he could see in the young man’s swollen and blood covered eyes was hope.

“Please,” the young man whimpered out while taking a few steps closer, “please help me. My name is Adam and I need to get to Prince Kenobi. He needs to know what’s happening here,” he pleaded.

That name sounded familiar to Varlo. For a second, he thought about it, wracking his brain to think of all of the stories you had told him. Then, it clicked. This was the young man that both you and Obi-Wan were close to. There were lots of stories you had told him about this young man.

When Varlo thought about it, he could tell that you cared about this boy. Dread filled him with thinking of taking away another you cared so much about. Maybe he could try and help make sure you get to keep at least one person you cared about in this kingdom.

“What makes you think that I’ll help you?” Varlo tried. He did his best to sound like he wasn’t just doubting everything that was happening.

A small grin came over Adam’s lips. “Because you look like you could.”

If Varlo thought he was confused before, he definitely wasn’t. What about his appearance looked as if he would help? With the fact that he was just standing there and watching, he thought that he would’ve seemed unapproachable.

Before Varlo could say anything more, the young man screamed in agony, slightly jerking forward, before falling to his knees. Varlo watched as the young man, Adam, curled forward and revealed a spear sunken into his shoulder. There was blood already staining Adam’s once white shirt.

Looking up, the prince was met by the menacing stare of Maul. He seemed as if he were unimpressed. Did he hear any of the small exchanges?

Now Varlo knew why he was so intimidating in battle. The way the man looked as flames backed him would put fear into almost anyone witnessing this scene.

“Well?” Maul said as he looked at Varlo expectantly. “Are you going to join in? Or have you changed your mind?”

Panic rose in Varlo as he looked from Maul to Adam. The young man was panting, grunting in pain each time he made the slightest movement. Varlo wanted to take pity on the young man, maybe actually help him get to Obi-Wan. An idea came to mind.

“Why don’t we let him be the messenger? Get him to be the one that gets Prince Kenobi to notice this,” Varlo said, trying his best to not sound like he was truly terrified.

Maul laughed. “Are you trying to take pity on this boy? You know your plan won’t work.”

“What do you mean?” Confusion truly filled him. What issue could letting the man go and get the message to Prince Kenobi would this present?

“He’s seen you. You wanted it to seem like you weren’t the one behind killing Kenobi, didn’t you?” Maul replied.

Maul was right. If he let Adam go, he would know it was Varlo that was behind this. Well, he’d at least know that he was a part of it. Yet, when he looked at Adam, he was giving him a sort of hopeful glance.

Varlo’s mind began to race now. This young man, one that you cared deeply about, was kneeling at his feet with pleading eyes. All the while Maul is watching him, waiting to see his decision. If Varlo were to change his mind, would Maul kill him? Or would it not matter? If he could get away from this, even if he still had to give him everything he promised, he wouldn’t care.

Yet, as he looked at Maul, all he could see was anger. He looked like a man with a lust for blood. As he looked down, he saw that his chest plate was covered in blood. In fact, Varlo didn’t think there was a single blood free item on Maul. If he was so willing to kill Prince Kenobi, Maul would have no problem killing another prince.

Looking down at Adam, Varlo made his decision. He grasped the spear and tore it from Adam’s shoulder. The agonized wail from the young man sent a strangely satisfying chill down his spine as Adam dropped his forehead to the ground.

Varlo watched as blood dripped from the tip of the steel point. He caught a quick glimpse of Maul, a smile now on his face as he watched Varlo regrip the spear more comfortably with a small toss.

When he looked back down, he took a moment to take in the scene in front of him. The young man was at his mercy at his feet. Adam’s life was in Varlo’s hands and something about it satisfied him. The amount of power he held was intoxicating.

Still, there was still some guilt.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered before driving the spear through Adam’s back. The sound of metal hitting stone was all he could hear before the surrounding screams once again made themselves known.

“You’ve decided, then,” Maul said with a smile and short nod before turning away.

Varlo had a sudden rush of adrenaline surge through him. Never would he have thought that killing someone like that would feel so… gratifying. That guilt that he had no longer existed in his mind.

Looking down, he looked at how the body was being held up by the spear. He could see as blood dripped from the young man’s mouth as blood was also trickling down the spear to the ground.

Varlo turned his attention to his surroundings with a new found joy. He never knew this kind of power was so fulfilling until Maul showed him. It filled him with a strange sort of happiness as he heard every scream and cry. There was no longer any regret for this collateral damage for his goal.

How did he think that this could go without any collateral damage in the first place? He knew that there would have to be some, but it wasn’t to this extent. Before he thought it would just be some of Kenobi’s men. What made him think that would be all?

He mounted his horse and began going through each street. Sure, he hated how he destroyed all of the work you had done but this was not your decision. This wasn’t you seeing a village and deciding to help. How was he to know whether Prince Kenobi forced you into this or not.

As he went through the village, he convinced himself that you were forced to help. It made the last of his guilt entirely disappear. Although he hardly did anything to help, he reveled in the work that had been done. It was all done so efficiently. He didn’t think that there was a single person that caused an issue.

He started thinking of ways that would devastate Prince Kenobi even more. Then, he had the best idea.

Catching the attention of one of Maul’s men, he called the man over.

“Yes, sir?”

“I need you to find Maul and tell him something.”

The man nodded. “What would you like me to relay?”

“Tell him that the young man is what will drive Kenobi mad. He’ll know who I’m talking about. Tell him that he should make an example of him. That’s how the message of what we have done will be conveyed.”

Maul’s man nodded. “I’ll tell him.”

WIth that, he went off in search of Maul.

Varlo smiled to himself. This would throw off Kenobi’s rationality. He seemed like a man that wouldn’t let emotions drive too many of his decisions but how could this not? He knew how much Kenobi cared about that weakling of a man.

Now all he had to do was sit back and watch.

- - -

Once you had gotten there, he made sure you were comfortable in your bed.

“Goodnight, my love,” he whispered, placing a kiss on your forehead before turning towards the door.

“Obi, wait!” you quietly exclaimed, a slight sense of panic rising in you. You didn’t want to be alone, not after all that had happened. No, you wanted your future husband to stay with you. You wanted the man you loved to stay.

The call made him pause in front of your door, turning to face you. “Yes, darling?”

“Will you… stay? Please?”

You watched as his expression softened in the light of his lamp. Then, you watched as he looked conflicted. Like he was thinking that it may be something that he shouldn’t do, but that’s not what won over.

Obi-Wan walked back over to the other side of your bed. “Alright,” he whispered, leaning across the mattress to cup your cheek as he leaned over you. “I’ll stay.”

That’s how you got to this moment as you watched Obi-Wan sleep as the sun slowly rose, welcoming the morning.

When you had first awakened, his back was facing you. You had to keep yourself from tracing all of the freckles that were sprinkled over his shoulders. It was like his back was its own night sky full of constellations.

Your admiration was cut short when he had turned in his sleep to face you. So, you studied his facial expression like you had the morning before. Slowly, your eyes drew down to look at a specific scar that lined his collar bone, cutting across his sternum. A part of you wondered how he got it, if it was painful.

It had taken a great deal of self control to not kiss it the night you first saw it. Hell, it had taken you immense self control to not kiss every inch of his skin that had been exposed. That wasn’t the time, though.

Unlike the other morning, you did nothing to wake him. You had no desire to. Not with the way his hair seemed like it burned like fire as the sunlight touched the amazingly soft strands. It was too perfect to ruin the moment just for his attention.

As you watched the slow rise and fall of his chest, excitement grew at the thought of spending so many mornings with him just like this. Only, when that happens, you’ll be his, and he’ll be yours. Eventually, the two of you would have a family.

The thought made you smile, having kids with him. It just seemed so natural with Daisy and Christian. Obi-Wan had even almost slipped and said that you were their mother. You thought it was sweet. Not only that, but it told you that he was thinking the same things you were that day.

Your thoughts were broken as Obi-Wan slowly opened his eyes, smiling when he saw you were already awake.

“Good morning,” you said quietly, feeling your lips curl into a smile as well.

He mumbled the words back as he raised a hand to cup your cheek. His blue eyes gazed into yours, switching between the two for a couple seconds before settling on one. Then, slowly, he leaned in, pressing his lips to yours.

Both of you seemed to sigh in relief at the contact. The longer you moved your lips against his, the more Obi-Wan seemed to lean over top of you. You didn’t mind, though. The feeling of his weight gently pressing into you was amazing. It made you feel something that you don’t think you’ve ever felt before.

What you did know was that your arms were wrapping around his neck, your hands finding their place in his hair at the back of his head. It wasn’t long after that, that you felt his tongue press against your lower lip.

Without a single thought, you opened for him, feeling his tongue glide over yours. The hand he had on your cheek slowly guided its way into your hair. It was a feeling that sent chills down your spine as you gently tugged at Obi-Wan’s hair. The light scratching of his beard didn’t help quell that feeling.

He groaned at the sensation, the vibration from his chest transferring to yours.

A few more moments went by before Obi-Wan pulled his lips away, resting his forehead against yours. Both of you were breathing heavily, your breathing fanning over the other’s face as you looked into each other’s eyes.

“Was that better than the poems?” Obi-Wan suddenly said cheekily.

You chuckled as your hands slid to hold both sides of his face. “Better than any literature I can think of.”

“Are you sure?” He kissed you. “Not even,” he kissed you again, “Shakespeare?”

Laughter erupted from you as he dipped down and rubbed his bearded cheek against your neck. It tickled you so much that you even had your legs nearly kicking underneath the blankets.

Obi-Wan’s own laughter filled your room before he kissed you again.

“Now, what were you thinking of doing today?” he asked, resting his forehead against yours.

“How are you with horses?”

-

“This is Graham,” you said as the horse greeted you.

Graham was a beautiful light brown. His flowing mane was a beige, as was his tail. The long, slender legs faded into the same colour around the hooves. He looked like a powerful horse, one that you would most likely see in a race.

Despite his appearance of what could seem like an intimidating figure, he was nuzzling into your face, causing you to giggle at the playfulness.

“Oh, Graham, I know. I know,” you said in laughter. “It’s been too long.”

Watching as your horse continued to shower you in attention, Obi-Wan could feel his smile never left his lips. It was plastered on as he saw the clear connection between you and Graham. All of it made him think about his similar connection with his own horse, Boga.

“I’ve had him for years,” you started, now turning your gaze to Obi-Wan’s as you pet the side of the horse’s neck. “He’s a huge cuddlebug. That doesn’t mean he can’t get in a good run, though. Right Graham?”

Graham gave a small whinny in response, solidifying his response with a stomp of his hoof.

Obi-Wan admired the moment. Nothing could make him move from this spot as he wished to only look at you like this. That was short lived as you came over to him and pulled him over to Graham.

“Graham, meet Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan, meet Graham.”

-

You watched as Obi-Wan put his hand into a loose fist, bringing it up to Graham’s nose. “Hello there, Graham,” he said softly.

If you were being honest, you were nervous for this interaction. Although the only negative interaction between your horse and another was Varlo, Graham had a habit of not acting… fairly.

With you, you never had a problem. But you had heard that there were odd times where Anakin would take him out and your trusty steed would be either stubborn or mischievous.

For a while, you never believed it until one day you witnessed it. At the time, it was kind of comical. Anakin had been riding Graham and you had been watching to see if your brother was telling the truth. He was. As soon as Graham had seen you, he almost seemed to snap back into the horse that you knew. You remember laughing for what felt like hours at Anakin’s defeated look.

Now, you were just hoping that reputation wouldn’t be passed on. A part of you was worried that Graham would possibly nip at Obi-Wan, like he had with Varlo.

That’s not what happened. Instead, you watched as Graham instead nuzzled his nose against Obi-Wan’s fist. With almost no hesitation, Obi-Wan switched laying his palm flat, running his hand up, across the white strip on Graham’s forehead, all the way to his ears. There, he ran his hand to the side of the horse’s neck.

You were amazed. Not once did you see Graham open up so quickly to anyone other than you.

“Do you have an apple?” Obi-Wan asked, breaking you from your stunned silence. You were glad that his attention was still on the horse in front of him. That meant he wouldn’t have seen how you almost panicked as you tried to register what he was asking.

“Um, yes, right here.”

From the bag that you had brought with you, you pulled one out and handed it to him.

“You’re a good boy, aren’t you?” Obi-Wan muttered as he let Graham eat the apple from his palm.

You smiled at the sight before joining the two. “Shall we go for a ride? Maybe find a place out by the lake once the sun goes down?”

Obi-Wan glanced at you with a smirk, nodding.

-

You could’ve sworn that the afternoon never even happened. All you knew that it was a time spent in laughter. Your cheeks hurt from smiling so much.

As you rode Graham through the countryside, Obi-Wan sat behind you. His arms were wrapped around your middle, holding himself close to you as the wind flew by.

At one point, your concentration on the sensation of riding a horse again was broken due to the man behind you. He had leaned down, letting his beard lightly scratch at the exposed area of skin on your shoulder. After what felt like an eternity, his lips caressed the skin there. A shiver ran down your spine as he pressed one more to your skin before moving up, kissing the delicate skin of your neck.

You had been so distracted by the feeling that you hadn’t noticed Obi-Wan taking the reins.

“One should not get distracted when controlling a horse, my dear,” he whispered into your ear, pulling back with a cheeky grin.

You rolled your eyes with a chuckle. “You are impossible, Prince Kenobi.”

Obi-Wan gave you a crooked smirk. “I apologize, Princess,” he said, bringing Graham to a stop as he continued to lean closer. “Is there something I can do to make it up to you?”

“Perhaps,” you whispered back, turning your head so you were facing him. Your lips were so close to his and soon it was gone. The feeling of his lips on yours was like a breath of fresh air. Sure, it hadn’t been that long since the two of you had kissed. It didn’t stop you from enjoying the feeling as if it were.

This moment felt like it could last forever before Graham whined, shifting and stomping a hoof. He wanted to get moving, and you could tell.

The two of you laughed at the impatience.

“Alright, alright,” you said to Graham with a chuckle, rubbing the side of his neck. “Just a couple more minutes.”

Graham responded with a small snort before turning his attention to a patch of grass.

You turned back to Obi-Wan who had an amused look on his face.

“Did that work?” Obi-Wan asked quietly, leaning closer to you once again.

“Maybe,” you replied teasingly.

Just as Obi-Wan’s lips were about to reconnect to yours, you prodded Graham back into motion. This caused Obi-Wan to scramble to get his grip back so that he wouldn’t fall due to the sudden start.

You laughed when you caught a glimpse of him. His hair was a mess while his eyes had widened. The shocked expression changed to one with mock disapproval before letting out a small chuckle.

This all went on for hours until the two of you decided to stop at the lake. It was the lake that was visible from the balcony the two of you met on. Each and every sight was just as fantastic as seeing it from that vantage point.

You had tied Graham up to one of the trees before grabbing a few things you had packed. One of which was a blanket. As you had set it up, you caught glances of Obi-Wan sneaking apples to Graham as he petted the horse. He tried to hide the fact that he was doing it, but failed. You knew exactly what he was up to.

Silently, you came up next to him as he pet Graham lovingly while sneaking another apple. Placing a gentle hand on his arm, he jumped, pretending like he wasn’t feeding your horse the fifth apple of the past few minutes.

“At least we know he’s not being starved,” Obi-Wan had said in protest when you told him that he was feeding Graham too many apples.

All you did was chuckle, shaking your head as you turned away.

“Are you going to join me? Or is Graham now the one you love?” you said over your shoulder playfully.

And that’s how the majority of the evening went. The two of you ate some food that you had packed before reading. Obi-Wan insisted on bringing a book that he thought you would like.

This all went on as the sun went down. At one point, the two of you stopped to watch the sunset. Together, you talked as you watched the sun dip below the horizon. You both watched as the light of the moon and the stars replaced their burning counterpart.

During this, the two of you laid back on the blanket. Your head rested in an area between his shoulder and chest, his one arm around you as his other propped up his head. With his arm wrapped around you, he gently rubbed his thumb in circles.

For a while, the two of you were silent as you listened to the night waking up. The sounds of frogs by the lake, the crickets chirped their lullabies, owls made themselves heard, a warning of a hunt about to begin. Everything combined was hauntingly beautiful as the two of you could only spectate.

Quietly, Obi-Wan began to hum. It was a song that you had heard before, but you couldn’t quite place a finger on it. Not until the song reached a specific part did you realize it was the first song the two of you ever danced to. It was your favourite song throughout your whole life. Now, the meaning has changed. Before, it was the song you learned to dance to with your mother. Oftentimes your father would join in, goofing around with you.

Now, as you listened to him hum the tune, you could only think of him. Everytime you heard it after the ball, you only ever could see him in your mind. The way he smiled when he looked at you, his amazingly blue eyes, the golden auburn hair that glowed in the sunlight. You wondered if he thought something similar whenever he heard it.

“Obi,” you called out quietly, tilting your head so you could look at him. He raised his eyebrows, interested in what you wanted to say as he continued humming. “Would you like to dance?”

Obi-Wan smiled in the moonlight, pausing his humming. “Of course.”

He let you sit up before following you, then helping you to stand. Easily, he pulled you against his body. His hands were immediately placed at your waist before he brought one to hold your hand.

For a moment, he only stared into your eyes as you placed your one hand on his shoulder.

It wasn’t until he once again began to softly hum that he started to sway. Yet, it wasn’t a proper dance just yet. You were admiring the small sparkle in his eyes from the moon. Even though the darkness kept you from seeing the proper blue, you didn’t mind.

After a few more minutes, Obi-Wan began to lead you as he never took his eyes from yours. His humming never wavered. It only seemed to grow in steadiness.

As the song went on, you dreaded its end. This was a moment you wished you could stay in forever. The feeling of his chest pressed to yours, his eyes staring into yours, the feeling of his hand drifting to your back to hold you ever closer, it all added to the experience.

When the song did end, Obi-Wan didn’t stop your dance. Instead, he rested his head against yours.

“I love you,” he muttered, almost in a way where if he didn’t say it that he would cease to exist.

With your hand that was on his shoulder, you brought it up to cradle the back of his head. You splayed your fingers through the soft strands of his hair as you tilted your head just so, slotting your lips with his.

A sigh of relief left your lips as he audibly announced his own. The small, happy groan sent a shiver down your spine.

“Is it… too cold… darling?” Obi-Wan asked between kisses, still slightly swaying with you.

You pulled away, resting your head on his once again.

You shook your head, looking into his eyes in the moonlight. “It’s just right.”

-

The news had spread like wildfire through the castle. To Varlo’s knowledge, this was something that only happened the night before. Why had no one told him that this was going to happen? Did his parents know? Did Anakin or even you know?

All Varlo knew was that he was pacing his room in anger. It was bad enough that the world was made aware of the relationship you and Prince Kenobi had. It would only get even worse as everyone would learn of the engagement.

All of it put a sour taste in his mouth. Before this, everyone was happy. Varlo had the popularity he needed to get around when it came to inter-kingdom relations all while Anakin and his father only helped it along. Although he loved you, Varlo was happy that you had no sort of popularity. Well, none other than being a way for people to get to him and Anakin.

Now, you were the one with the popularity. Ever since the ball, things had never been the same. No longer could the two of you joke around about how ridiculously in love Anakin was with Padmé. There were no more jokes because now you knew the feeling.

Varlo desperately wanted this to end. He wanted to be back on top. Nothing has been going well. He’s now turned into what you were. How you dealt with it nearly your whole life, he didn’t know.

The longer he paced, the more his thoughts rolled through his mind. It wasn’t until he thought of a way to change it back around that he stopped pacing.

“Brilliant,” he muttered to himself. Now all he needed to do was find a way to make his plan work.

- - -