Chapter Fourteen
Mira

I am seated on the grand throne, a symbol of power and responsibility, listening intently to the plight of a local citizen who is desperately recounting the severe water shortage they are facing, especially amidst the sweltering heat of the peak summer months. His voice echoes through the cavernous chamber, filled with an urgency that reflects the desperation of his people. Sweat glistens on his furrowed brow as he speaks, each word painting a vivid picture of their dire circumstances. The sun's relentless rays seem to have followed him into this once cool and regal space, highlighting the stark contrast between the opulence of the room and the stark reality outside its walls.

As he concludes his plea, I lean forward slightly, my eyes filled with empathy and concern. "I will do my utmost to address this issue," I assure him, my voice a blend of reassurance and firmness. "Please, take solace in the knowledge that you have been heard. In the interim, be safe and conserve what little water you have." His eyes, initially downcast, meet mine with a glimmer of hope. He bows his head in gratitude before exiting the chamber, his footsteps echoing down the grand corridor.

Padmé Amidala, my steadfast and cherished friend, casts me a warm and knowing smile from her nearby position. Her presence, like a gentle summer breeze, brings a moment of solace amidst the storm of governance. She notices the furrow in my brow and the weight of the man's words on my shoulders. "Would you like a brief reprieve, Your Highness?" she inquires softly, her melodic voice a soothing balm.

Before I can respond, the grand doors to the throne room swing open with a majestic creak, revealing the unmistakable figures of Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi, both clad in their Jedi robes, the fabric fluttering slightly from their swift entrance. The room seems to brighten with their arrival, the shadows retreating to the corners. However, my gaze lingers for a brief moment on the absence of Qui-Gon Jinn, the wise and enigmatic Jedi Master whose guidance I have come to rely upon.

"Welcome, esteemed Jedi," I greet them, rising from the throne with a grace that belies the turmoil within me. I smooth down the intricate folds of my royal garment, ensuring every detail is in place as I prepare to greet them. My eyes scan the two men, searching for any sign of the third member of our trio, but he remains elusive.

"Greetings, Your Highness," Obi-Wan responds, his smile a reassuring beacon amidst the tension. "Master Jinn is currently attending to matters with Master Yoda."

I nod in understanding, though the question of his whereabouts lingers. I step down from the dais, the regal platform that separates me from those I serve, and approach the two Jedi Knights. As I embrace them, one by one, Anakin's touch lingers just a fraction longer than the others, his gaze meeting mine as he pulls away. The warmth of his touch brings a blush to my cheeks, and I am reminded of the innocent child he once was, now grown into a man whose destiny is entwined with the fate of the galaxy.

"You've changed so much, Anakin," I murmur, my hand lingering on his cheek. "Your journey has been remarkable."

The room seems to hold its breath for a moment, the gravity of his transformation hanging in the air. His eyes, once filled with youthful excitement, now mirror the depths of the stars he protects, a blend of hope and the shadow of the challenges that lie ahead.

"Thank you, Queen Mira," he stammers, his cheeks flushing.

The three of us stand together, united by friendship and destiny, ready to face whatever the universe may throw our way.

As I pivoted to face Obi-Wan, a gentle smile curving my lips, I couldn't help but be struck by the unexpected delight of his presence. "Though I'm thrilled to find you here," I began, allowing the curiosity to resonate in the very fabric of my voice, "why, exactly, are you here?"

Obi-Wan's gaze grew softer, and he reached for the comlink that was affixed to his utility belt. With a meticulously quiet click, the device sprang to life, casting a luminescent halo around him. The air before us began to shimmer, coalescing into a three-dimensional projection of Grandmaster Yoda. The legendary Jedi Master's emerald hue washed over the space, and his eyes, brimming with the depth of his years and understanding, rose to meet my own.

My heart warmed, and a smile of genuine affection bloomed across my face as I greeted him. "Greetings, Master Yoda," I said, my voice suffused with reverence.

Yoda, in his customary fashion, offered a slight nod of his head in acknowledgment. "Good it is to see you once more, your highness," he responded, his speech imbued with the same solemn tranquility that was his hallmark.

I mirrored his gesture of respect, lowering my own head slightly. "The pleasure is indeed mutual, Master," I said warmly, my eyes reflecting the warmth of our bond. "But what could have possibly compelled you to visit us here?"

The Grandmaster's gaze grew gentle, and his lips curved into a knowing smile. "To see you both, the two Jedi wished," he revealed, the gravity in his voice hinting at the significance behind their decision. "By the council, permitted they were."

At the mention of the Jedi Council, my mood shifted like the sands of a desert planet under the influence of an approaching storm. The mere thought of the creature that had taken my father from me—his sneering visage, those piercing yellow eyes, and the crimson skin adorned with sinister tattoos—was a torment I bore each day. The memory of that Dathomirian's aura in the Force was like a scar, a dark, frigid void that sent shivers through the very fabric of the cosmos. His malevolence had been palpable, a malignant force that consumed everything in its vicinity, leaving only desolation in its wake.

I swallowed hard, striving to keep the tumult of emotions at bay. "I'm aware," I replied, my voice a testament to the iron control that kept my fear and anger in check. "But he's made no move against us here."

Yoda's gaze grew somber, and he spoke with a quiet certainty that sent a shiver down my spine. "Patience, he has," the ancient Jedi warned, his voice carrying the weight of foreboding. "Attack, he will."

The silence that followed was a stark reminder of the precarious balance in which we found ourselves. The very air seemed to thicken with the gravity of his words, and I knew that the tranquility we enjoyed was but a temporary reprieve.

Finally, Yoda spoke once more, his tone now firm yet reassuring. "Guarding you, Jedi Knights Kenobi and Skywalker shall be," he said, his eyes a bastion of calm in the tempest of my thoughts. "Until your father's killer is brought to justice or meets his end, by your side they will stay."

With that, the hologram dissipated, leaving only the lingering echo of his final words. "May the Force be with you, Your Highness."

For a moment, I remained still, allowing the profoundness of the situation to fully envelop me. Then, with a deep breath, I decided to push aside the shadows that had momentarily overtaken the room. "Well, since you're here," I said, my voice lighter, a smile tugging at my lips, "you might as well join Padmé and me for dinner."

The transformation in the expressions of Obi-Wan and Anakin was immediate. Their faces lit up with joy, and they nodded in unison, eager to share a meal and perhaps some much-needed camaraderie amidst the gathering clouds of destiny.