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𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟓

𝐀𝐌𝐎𝐍𝐆 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐎𝐍 𝐅𝐎𝐋𝐊

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Later that afternoon, you and Anakin returned, the sun casting a golden hue over the landscape as you soared in on your dragons. Laughter bubbled from your lips, mingling with the sounds of wind and wings. Anakin, perched precariously atop Cannibal, looked as though he was barely clinging on, his expression a mixture of exhilaration and alarm. The green-tinted dragon was definitely giving him a hard time, shifting beneath him with a playful stubbornness that seemed to delight in the Jedi's struggle.

As soon as Drogon landed with a powerful thud, the larger dragon threw his head up with a triumphant croon, and Anakin yelped, nearly sliding off toward Cannibal's sweeping tail. You burst into laughter at the sight: the once confident Jedi now made a comical attempt to regain control, his hands flailing for balance.

"Try to connect with his mind!" you yelled up to the struggling Jedi, urging him to focus on the bond he needed to forge.

Obi-Wan and Ahsoka had come out to watch, both of them standing with arms crossed, clearly concerned yet entertained by the unfolding spectacle. Ahsoka smirked, her torgutua tails twitching with amusement, while Obi-Wan stroked his beard, an amused glint in his eye.

"I didn't know you had dragons, Your Highness," he remarked, his tone both teasing and impressed.

"Just wait until you see them in action!" you replied, unable to keep the grin off your face. Anakin, finally stabilizing himself, shot a playful glare in your direction, his bravado slowly returning as he began to harness the bond with Cannibal. The scene felt alive with camaraderie and the thrill of shared adventure, a moment you all would remember long after the sun had set.

Then, Cannibal finally had enough of the wild ride and circled down gracefully, landing on a patch of soft grass. Anakin, still catching his breath, slid off the dragon's wing and landed on his feet, doubling over as he placed his hands on his knees.

"Phew! It's harder than it looks!" he laughed, punctuated by a light cough that escaped his lips. You walked over, unable to suppress the warmth filling your heart at his animated expression, and wrapped him in a tight hug. After a moment's hesitation, he returned it, albeit hesitantly, the corners of his mouth curving into a smile.

"It is, but you get used to it," you beamed at him, pulling back to meet his eyes.

Just then, Cannibal lowered his massive head, emitting a deep purr that rumbled through the air. You couldn't help but laugh at the strange yet endearing dragon. "You're a strange dragon, my dear," you said affectionately, reaching out to rub the edge of his snout.

At your touch, Cannibal closed his eyes, relishing the moment. There was an undeniable bond between the three of you, forged in the thrill of the chase and the warmth of shared laughter. It felt magical, and for an instant, the worries of the galaxy faded away, leaving only the joy of friendship and the companionship of dragons.

You stepped back, putting some distance between yourself and Cannibal, who let out a soft whine as if to protest your retreat. He looked up at you with those big, expressive eyes. "Go on," you said gently, smiling down at the green dragon. "I have other things to take care of right now, my dear." With that, Cannibal bobbed his head in understanding and emitted a series of soft rumbles that sounded almost like a farewell call to Drogon. The two male dragons took off in unison, their powerful wingbeats filling the air with a rush of wind that tousled your hair.

Turning back to Anakin, you crossed your arms and raised an eyebrow, the teasing grin returning to your lips. "Come on, you and I need a bath, Anakin," you said, laughter spilling from your voice. "We'll stink like dragons if we don't!"

Anakin chuckled, running a hand through his tousled hair. "Is that really a concern? I think I could get used to the smell of adventure," he quipped, though the sparkle in his eyes suggested he knew better.

With your hands resting on your hips, you couldn't resist the playful banter. "Adventure smells great for dragons, but for us? Not so much." You winked, turning to lead the way. "Come on, let's get cleaned up before we scare off any more visitors."

Together, you walked toward the nearby stream, the sound of rushing water a refreshing melody, as laughter echoed from the heart of your impromptu dragon sanctuary. The future might hold its challenges, but in this moment, there was only warmth, friendship, and the lingering thrill of aerial escapades.

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You sighed contentedly as you stood under the flowing water, fingers working through your hair to rinse out any lingering soap. The sensation of the cool water cascading down your back was refreshing after the excitement and exertion of the day. You took your time, enjoying the solitude of the moment while the warm evening sun began its descent, casting a golden glow over the landscape.

Given that you had some time to spare before leading the council later tonight, when the moon would be high in the sky, you allowed yourself to relax. The council meeting was important, but at this moment, it felt good to simply dwell in the peacefulness of your surroundings.

You closed your eyes, letting the sound of the water drown out any lingering worries. The air was thick with the scent of earth and foliage, punctuated by the faint, smoky hint of dragons in the distance. As you took a deep breath, you felt the tension of the day slip away, leaving you refreshed and invigorated.

After a few more moments, you turned off the water, step out of the shower, and grabbed a nearby towel to dry off. As you wrapped it around yourself, you couldn't help but smile at the thought of what lay ahead. A gathering with the council could be challenging, especially with the ever-shifting dynamics of politics and diplomacy, but you were determined to make it a productive meeting.

With that thought in mind, you took a moment to appreciate the peace around you before setting out to find Anakin. You knew he'd probably be lounging somewhere nearby, either enjoying the sun or contemplating his next move. Perhaps you could share a light-hearted moment together before the responsibilities of leadership beckoned you both. It was the little moments like these that kept spirits high, and you relished the chance to enjoy more of them before the evening's duties began.

You stepped out of the shower, the cool air sending a chill over your damp skin. Just as you were wrapping your towel around you, you startled at the sight of Anakin sitting in your room, a towel slung around his waist as he rummaged through a scroll you kept well-guarded.

"Oi, Anakin! What are you doing here?" you exclaimed, instinctively bringing an arm up to cover your chest, your heart racing from both surprise and a hint of embarrassment.

Anakin turned around, his cheeks flushing a deep crimson as he quickly averted his gaze. "So sorry! I just wanted to talk to you," he stammered, clearly flustered.

You could see the mix of curiosity and apology in his expression. "I'm not mad," you added, trying to ease the tension in the air. "But you really shouldn't just go through my things without permission! You know that scroll is important."

His gaze dropped to the parchment in his hand. "I didn't mean to invade your privacy," he replied, his voice more composed but still tinged with embarrassment. "I was just curious about the strategies you've been developing for the council meeting tonight."

You crossed your arms in front of you, trying to hide the fact that you were still a bit flustered from the situation. "Fair enough, but next time, maybe knock first?" you suggested with a playful smirk.

Anakin nodded, a sheepish grin breaking through his earlier embarrassment. "Yeah, I can do that. Just... can we talk? About what you've written there?"

You took a deep breath and nodded. "Sure, but let's sit outside. I need to get dressed anyway."

With that, you motioned for him to follow you as you stepped back into the room for a moment to grab some clothes. You both headed out onto the balcony, where the evening air was warm and inviting. The sun had almost set, painting the sky in vibrant hues of orange and purple.

As you settled onto the balcony, you glanced at the scroll in Anakin's hand, feeling the weight of the responsibilities ahead. But in this moment, it was nice to have him there, even if the circumstances had been a little awkward. "So, what do you think?" you prompted, ready to share your thoughts and plans for the night.

"It's nice," Anakin said with a hint of laughter in his voice, "though I barely understand half of it. I've never been much of a counselor myself. I'm more of a 'hit and ask questions later' type of guy." He chuckled, scratching his neck awkwardly.

You took the scroll from him with a smile, appreciating his honesty. "That's true; you do have a unique approach to problem-solving," you teased, your eyes scanning the elegant handwriting on the parchment. It contained the last teachings of Mother Emralda, guidance on negotiating with various factions—especially pertinent with a room full of dragonborns and their stubborn ways.

As you read over the points, you couldn't help but feel the weight of the legacy that came with this scroll. Emralda had been a wise and formidable leader, and her lessons were invaluable for navigating the intricate politics of your council. "You know," you said, glancing back at Anakin, "I think you'd be surprised at how much you already handle in your own way. Leadership comes in many forms."

Anakin raised an eyebrow, a little skeptical. "Yeah, but I usually lead with a lightsaber rather than... diplomacy," he replied, a wry smile on his face.

"True," you said playfully, "but maybe there's room for both? You're good at thinking on your feet. That's valuable in a council meeting! Sometimes you need a little bit of fire to spark change." You paused, then continued, "I want to gather everyone's insights tonight, but we also need to push for progress. Your perspective could actually be a game-changer."

He contemplated your words for a moment. "So, you think I should channel my inner diplomat?" Anakin said, grinning.

"Exactly! Just... maybe save the lightsaber for when it's really needed," you replied with a wink.

He chuckled again, visibly more relaxed now. "Alright, I'm in. But if things go south, I'm jumping in with both feet."

You laughed, appreciating his fierce loyalty. "Fair deal. Just promise me you'll let me do the talking first."

"Deal," Anakin said, and you could see the comfort of camaraderie settling between you.

You both spent the next few moments discussing the contents of the scroll, reviewing Emralda's teachings together. The worries of the approaching council meeting felt a little less daunting with Anakin's support, and together you brainstormed ideas on how to engage the others and encourage their participation.

As the last rays of sunlight disappeared, the sky turned deep purple, and you felt a renewed sense of purpose. With Anakin by your side, you felt ready to face whatever challenges awaited in the council chamber.