Obi-Wan's Shotgun Wedding

Part 4

Bump. Bump. Bump. His head bounced against something at regular intervals, and Obi-Wan opened his eyes. He was hanging upside down--no--he was hanging over someone�s shoulder, someone who was walking at an even speed, and his hands had been neatly tied behind his back. His feet had been tied together, too, and in addition to the pain in his back, he felt sick, both from the head injury and the constant bumping.

"Put me down,�he said, and to his surprise, the man stopped and set him on his feet. Glancing quickly around, Obi-Wan saw that they were outside, walking along a track, and that the man who had been carrying him was a veritable giant. A closer look showed him the blank expression and slack mouth of the simple-witted. The man wouldn�t have taken him of his own initiative, so that meant--

"What are you doing? I told you to carry him!�Zoe came back down the track towards them.

"He said put me down,�the simple man reported, labouring over every word.

"All right. Never mind. We�re far enough.�Zoe gave Obi-Wan a vicious shove that knocked him down, and he cried out at the burst of agony. She took hold of the rope around his hands and pulled him closer to a tree, then produced a length of rope from the pouch at her waist and tied him to the trunk, testing the knots with a satisfied tug.

"Go back to the city now,�she told the man.�Don�t let anybody see you.�

The simple giant lumbered off, and Zoe sat down next to Obi-Wan.

"My father�s going to kill you when he finds out you tried to run away,�she reported with no small pleasure.

"Your father will torture you to death when he finds out you kidnapped me!�Obi-Wan corrected her.

She poked her finger into his half-healed back and he gritted his teeth as she repeated,�You tried to run away!�

Then she untied the pouch from her waist, dumped it out, wadded it up, and stuffed it into his mouth, holding it in place with another length of rope around his head.

"You won�t get the chance to tell my father anything,�she gloated.�He�ll cut your head off right then and there, and I�ll be free of you forever!�

So that was why her story about the warriors being sent to occupy Getra had seemed false somehow. It had only been an excuse to lure him out of the city, and when he hadn�t fallen for it, she had taken more drastic measures. Obi-Wan reached out with the Force, and recoiled at the sense of darkness that emanated from her. How could he have missed it before? As though sensing his mind-touch, Zoe slammed her mental shields up and jabbed her finger into his back again.

And then they waited. Obi-Wan tried to rub the rope away from his mouth by scraping his head on the ground, but every time he moved, Zoe bored a finger into his injured ribs. She always seemed to find one of the holes left by the nails, and after two or three painful attempts, he gave up. It was well after dawn when the warriors came pounding down the path and as soon as she heard their footsteps, Zoe jumped to her feet and ran towards them.�He�s here, he tried to run away, but I caught him!�

One of the five warriors put a rope around Obi-Wan�s neck and tied it tightly, then cut him loose from the tree and freed his legs. Pulling him upright, he commanded,�Start walking!�

*****

In the great hall, Zoe described to the king how she had noticed Tohar-Kahan trying to heal himself enough to slip out of the bedchamber. She had followed him all the way outside of the city, noticing how he had gone by the guards at the gate without them seeing him, and then he had seemed to falter, his strength gone. She had quickly knocked him out with a rock and tied him up, and had then waited for somebody to come along and help her get him back to the city. It even sounded almost convincing.

King Imilachil looked down at Obi-Wan, who was kneeling a few paces behind Zoe, still gagged and bound, and said,�You gave me your word, Tohar-Kahan.�

Obi-Wan shook his head, glancing from Zoe to the king and back again, silently willing the king to remove the leather pouch from his mouth.

"You knew he wouldn�t keep it,�Zoe announced.�Stinking filthy Getran slave!�

"Zoe,�said the king,�I could almost believe that he was running away from you.�

Keeping eye contact with the king, Obi-Wan nodded vigourously and King Imilachil smiled.�Take that thing out of his mouth and let him speak for himself before I decide to punish him.�

"No!�Zoe shouted.�Execute him immediately!�

But the guard had already undone the rope and pulled the gag out. Licking his lips, Obi-Wan tried to speak, but his mouth was too dry to produce any sound at first. He finally managed to whisper,�Your Majesty.�

Then he coughed and tried again.�Your Majesty, Zoe kidnapped me to make it look like I was trying to run away.�

"He�ll say anything to save his skin,�Zoe said, coming over and striking him between the shoulders with the flat of her hand.

"Ow!�Obi-Wan protested.�You�ll say anything to get rid of me!�

Then he addressed the king.�Your Majesty, she brought someone to heal me, except it didn�t quite work out, and then she hit me over the head and had me carried me outside the city.�

"Prove it,�Zoe challenged him, and the king nodded.�Yes, Tohar-Kahan, can you prove this?�

"I don�t usually put my tunic on inside out and backwards, Your Majesty.�Obi-Wan had noticed it while walking back.

Zoe glanced at the tunic, saw that he was telling the truth, and smacked him across the face so hard that he fell down, but the guard grabbed her wrists and pulled her away. Holding her tightly, he affirmed,�He�s right, Your Majesty.�

King Imilachil stood up, looking very angry now.

"Take her to a cell until I decide what to do with her,�he commanded. It was necessary for two guards to carry Zoe away as she fought back, shrieking wildly. When everything was quiet once again, the king looked down at Obi-Wan, who had struggled back to his knees.�Tohar-Kahan. We were talking about Enkerra.�

"Your Majesty, I don�t know anything about Enkerra,�Obi-Wan said wearily. He began to build up Force barriers in his mind again.

"Do you know, I think I believe you,�said King Imilachil, to his great surprise. Then he motioned to one of the warriors.�Untie his hands. To-morrow is tribute day, Tohar-Kahan, and as soon it�s all here, you may go back to your father. But if it�s late, or doesn�t come at all, I�ll have you executed. Understood?�

"Yes, Your Majesty.�

*****

The next morning did not begin well. Obi-Wan had put himself into a healing trance overnight and was rudely awakened by something hot and wet being poured over his head. Coming back into consciousness with a cry of surprise, he saw Zoe standing over him with three servants behind her, each carrying a jug of steaming water. He�d been enjoying his freedom, and especially having the bed to himself, and now he wondered why her father had let her out of the cell at all.

"Out,�said Zoe.�Take your clothes and leave this room. I�m going to bathe and I want you out.�

Obi-Wan didn�t bother to argue with her, just collected his clothes and sniffed a few times as he pushed past her. She aimed a blow at his back, but he was already out of range, and she had to be content with slamming the door behind him. He dressed in the corridor, then went down to the great hall, where he was too early for breakfast. The king was not there, either, but some of the warriors were there, taking possession of the tables as soon as the servants set them up. One of the men slammed Obi-Wan into the wall, making him gasp with the pain, and spit in his face, then walked away grinning. Obi-Wan wiped his face with his sleeve and ducked away as another of the warriors reached for his Padawan braid. In the rush, he�d forgotten to tuck it into his tunic.

The warrior followed him, however, shoving him until he stumbled, then grabbed the braid and pulled Obi-Wan close to his face.�Hey, slave! Here�s your leash, slave!�

Reaching up, Obi-Wan gripped the man�s wrist between thumb and forefinger, and increased the pressure until the man let go of his hair, then pushed him roughly away. Even that motion pained his back. He wished he felt better. He wished he could fight, land a punch on the man�s nose and watch the blood pour out. No. That wasn�t right. A Jedi did not attack, especially not for revenge. He had to get out of here soon, or he�d become exactly like they were. No, there wouldn�t be time. He�d be dead before then. When was Qui-Gon going to rescue him? When would they be picked up by a passing ship?

Another warrior pushed him from behind, and he fell to his hands and knees, trying not to cry out, wondering if he heard thunder outside or just a roaring in his ears. Suddenly, the circle of men around him dispersed, and he glanced up to see that the king had entered the hall. Obi-Wan stood up, almost hoping that the king would say something, but although his eyes passed over Obi-Wan, King Imilachil pretended not to see. He sat down at the high table and began a conversation with one of his advisors. Hiding his braid in his tunic, Obi-Wan retreated to his usual place in the corner.

Zoe arrived in the great hall just as breakfast was starting. The king stopped eating and stood up.�Zoe, come here. Tohar-Kahan, you too.�

Obi-Wan approached the high table warily, keeping a good arm�s length between him and Zoe.

"Zoe, you are insolent, you are disobedient, and you have tried to manipulate me into executing a valuable slave.�King Imilachil came around the table and gripped her right wrist, locking the same pair of handcuffs onto it that he had used in their wedding night.�I see I have to remind you that you are now the wife of that slave. Remember that you�ll be going with him if I send him back to his father. And if I have him executed, you�ll be next.�

"No!�Zoe tried to pull away, but the king was stronger, dragging her with him as he reached out for Obi-Wan�s left arm. Click. They were handcuffed together again.

"Your Majesty--�Obi-Wan started to protest, but Zoe flew at him, screaming and hitting, and he had to block a rain of blows. He heard the laughter and cheers of the men around him as he caught her arm. So that�s how it was. Zoe wasn�t just angry at her father, she raged at him. But because she couldn�t touch him, she took it out on anything that was even looked half defenseless. He had to stop this at once and show her just how far she could go, which was not going to be far at all from now on. Not noticing how the cheers died suddenly away, he clenched his hand to a fist and swung, connecting with all his might and ignoring the agony in his back. Zoe dropped unconscious to the floor and Obi-Wan couldn�t help gloating for just a moment.

Then he glanced around at the stillness in the great hall, and saw two Jedi standing at the far end of the aisle between the tables, their lightsabers switched on and held ready. One was Qui-Gon and to judge by the very disapproving expression on his face, he had seen what Obi-Wan had just done. The other Jedi was Mace Windu, and he did not look pleased, either. Belatedly ashamed, Obi-Wan knelt down and bowed his head. He�d been hoping for rescue for so long, but he�d never imagined that it would come at the worst possible moment.

"We have come for His Royal Highness Prince Tohar-Kahan,�said Qui-Gon, using the Force to give emphasis to his voice.

Everybody stared at the two Jedi, too stunned to do anything else. Finally, Obi-Wan said,�Your Majesty, you must give me permission to go with them.�

"What?�King Imilachil tore his gaze away from the light sabers and glanced down at him.�Who are they?�

"They are--messengers, Your Majesty, from the lords of the light. Please, Your Majesty, you must let me go with them.�Obi-Wan moved his fingers discreetly in the king�s direction.

"You may go with them,�the king repeated, too dazed to resist the influence of the Force.

"I won�t have to take her with me.�Obi-Wan moved his hand again, then extended his other arm, dragging Zoe�s along with it. She stirred, and he willed the king to hurry up.

Confused, the king fumbled for the key at his belt and unlocked the handcuffs.�You won�t have to take her with you.�

Obi-Wan stood up and walked towards his master, feeling a strange mix of relief and shame. As he got closer, he saw Mace Windu staring curiously at the sides of his head and then down at his bare knees. His face began to burn with embarrassment as he remembered his earrings--and the skirt--and he looked down at his feet as he followed Master Windu and Qui-gon out of the palace and down the broad paved road to the city gate. Lining both sides of the road, crowds of Imilachil citizens stared at the strangers in awed silence. Some of them were even kneeling down.

As they walked, Qui-Gon fell back a little to Obi-Wan�s side and said sternly,�I hope you have a very good reason for hitting that girl, Padawan.�

"Yes, master, I do.�

"And?�

"It�s a long story, master.�

"Oh, yes?�

His tone of voice indicated that Obi-Wan should start with it now, but there was a sound of running footsteps behind them, and Obi-Wan turned around. The pain in his back made him slow, however, and Zoe�s dagger caught his right shoulderblade. Whirling and attacking automatically, Qui-Gon brought his light saber down, and Zoe fell to the stones. Qui-Gon scanned the area for further danger and the on-lookers dropped to their knees as his gaze passed over them, but except for King Imilachil, who had come running up behind Zoe, there was no other threat. Pointing the light saber in his direction, Qui-Gon demanded,�What was that?�

"That was my daughter,�King Imilachil said, looking down at the body.�His wife.�

"His wife?�Qui-Gon repeated incredulously, looking at Obi-Wan, who repeated,�Master, it�s a long story.�

"The lords of the light have truly punished her as she deserved,�said the king slowly.�Her loss is not great.�

"It certainly isn�t,�Obi-Wan agreed quietly.

Exchanging glances that meant they would discuss it later, Mace Windu and Qui-Gon decided to walk on, and Obi-Wan scrambled to follow them. The shuttle had landed right outside the city gates, and they boarded it in silence.

As they sat down and prepared for take-off, Qui-Gon reached over and pulled Obi-Wan�s braid out of his tunic, then said,�I know. It�s a long story.�

"Yes, master.�

"It must be,�Qui-Gon replied.�I know you�ve been tortured, I could feel that through the bond. But I had no idea you�d been married.�

"That was another kind of torture, master.�Obi-Wan grimaced at the pain in his back as the shuttle took off and he was pressed back into his seat.

"Let me see,�Qui-Gon commanded .

Obi-Wan shifted around to face away from him, and Qui-Gon flipped the back of his tunic up, then froze. After a long moment, he called out quietly,�Mace? I hope there�s a bacta tank on this cruiser you�re taking us to.�

"Not just a tank, a whole infirmary--�Mace Windu looked over the back of his seat.�Are those burns or whiplashes?�

"Both, I think.�Then Qui-Gon asked simply,�Why, Obi-Wan?�

"The king wanted to know what Enkerra was, master. He�d heard the word, but he had no idea what it meant.�Obi-Wan pulled his tunic back down and turned around, glancing over the seat to the viewscreen. They were leaving the planet now, and he asked,�Master, aren�t we going to say good-bye to King Tul-Kahan and--the rest of his family?�

"I�ve already said our good-byes, Obi-Wan. They�re up in the mountains by now, anyway. We�d risk revealing their location, even by flying over, and there�d be no place to land the shuttle.�

"Oh.�That was it? Everything was over? Just like that? Obi-Wan was disappointed. He�d been looking forward to at least seeing Jenan-Kahan again, if not telling her how much he�d thought of her.�What about--what about the real Tohar-Kahan?�

"He died three days ago.�

"And the Getrans got away safely? With the entire harvest?�

"Yes, they did. We used the shuttle to whip up a little wind to destroy their tracks, too, just in case the Imilachil come looking for them later, but I don�t think they will. Everything went as planned. In fact, the garrison is still asleep, and nobody has suspected a thing yet. You did well, Obi-Wan. You didn�t suffer in vain, if that�s what you�re asking.�

He thought of the torture, and of Jenan-Kahan�s laughing face, and replied,�I�m glad, master.�

*****

Obi-Wan thought of Jenan-Kahan for the rest of the way to the cruiser, glad that she was free now and that King Imilachil could no longer consider her a slave, or, for that matter, any other Getran citizen. After they boarded, Qui-Gon took him directly to the infirmary and he began to undress for the bacta tank. As he eased the tunic off, he glanced down at the seams. It was funny how a tunic could have saved his life. Inside out and backwards. He almost smiled, thinking about it. Removing the earrings from his ears at long last, he held them in his hand and looked at them. They�d saved his dignity, at the very least. Little things. The landing place of their ship. Tripping over his own feet and breaking something. The fact that he looked like Tohar-Kahan. The giggle of a curious girl. He was alive, and Jenan-Kahan and three thousand other people had been freed from slavery, because of little things like these. It really was like Qui-Gon had said. Everything depended on the little things.

"When you come out, I�ll be looking forward to hearing that very long story,�Qui-Gon remarked with a little smile. Then he glanced down at the earrings in Obi-Wan�s hand.�I suppose you�ll be jettisoning those as soon as possible.�

"Actually, I was thinking of saving them, master,�he said.�To remind me of the little things.�

The End

written January-February 2000

Title Page
More Star Wars Stories

Liked it? Hated it? Tell me!