AKwxlady Obi Wans Daughter Part one Chapter seven

The morning of the Autumn Festival Kerawyn awoke as she had every morning since the pregnancy, with her back against Guys chest and his arm draped over her, his hand protectively on her stomach. She knew he was still sleeping and tried not to wake him, just nestled deeper into his arms to enjoy his warmth. “Are you cold?” he asked sleepily. “Should I go build up the fire?”

“I’m warm enough,” she replied. “I didn’t mean to wake you. You can go back to sleep.”

His hand traveled up to cup her breast. “I’d rather do something else,” he said, bending his head to kiss her neck just below her ear. Kerawyn rolled her body toward him and their lips met. Their lovemaking was slow and tender. In time their love and the A’nir brought them to a shared ecstasy. When he left her body, Guy reached down and kissed Kerawyn’s abdomen. Kerawyn smiled at him, feeling his love for them both.

“It’s a girl,” Kerawyn said. “I can tell this morning. We’re going to have a daughter.”

“A girl,” Guy said with a smile. “How wonderful! I hope she looks just like you.”

“But, with your blue eyes,” Kerawyn added. They kissed again.

“Do you know what you want to name her?” Guy asked.

“Ki’tia, after my grandmother,” Kerawyn answered. “If you don’t mind.”

“Ki’tia,” he repeated. “I think that’s beautiful.” Guy held his hand to Kerawyn’s abdomen and said softly, “Hello, Ki’tia. I’m your father and I love you very much.”

The Autumn Festival started after mid-day. Kerawyn packed the supplies she would need to treat the various bumps, cuts, and other ailments into her basket. She had woven a cape for Guy for the increasing chill in the air. He wouldn’t need it for the walk to the festival, but by nightfall the temperature would be cold enough to need more than just his tunic for warmth. When they left the house she was carrying her basket and Guy was carrying his cape and hers. He quickly tried to take the basket from her, too. “Now wait,” she said stopping him from taking the basket. “If you’re carrying everything people will suspect something is up.”

“What, you’re not going to tell them you’re pregnant?” he asked.

“Not, yet,” she answered. “They’ll all know soon enough.” She looked at him and smiled shyly. “I want this to just be our secret, for a little longer. Do you mind?”

“I don’t mind,” he smiled back. He wondered how the people of Gilfari would accept a stranger coming along and starting a family with their healer. He hoped it wouldn’t cause tension. Although Skad and Magni had certainly accepted him. He looked at Kerawyn. Was it his imagination, or was she glowing. It must be the fall sunshine. By the stars she is beautiful. He took her hand in his and they walked to the festival.

When they reached the festival set up around the main village square there were already three children with wounds that needed healing. Two were burns from being careless around the big central fire, and one small girl had fallen over another child and suffered minor concussion when her head hit a rock. “It looks like it’s going to be an eventful festival,” Kerawyn remarked after handing the little girl back to her mother.

“Well, don’t let yourself get too tired,” Guy admonished. “Let me know if you need to rest and I’ll sneak you off someplace.”

“I’ll be fine,” Kerawyn said with a smile, and reached up to give Guy a quick kiss. She stopped and looked around quickly, just in time to see Magni coming toward them.

“Oh, ho!” Magni said. “So that’s how it is! I hoped that bottle of wine we sent home with you two, when little Skadi was born, would do the trick. I see it did.”

“Actually, Magni,” replied Guy putting his arm around Kerawyn’s waist. “I think it was more the fudge, but thank you just the same. So you named him after his father?”

“I didn’t have much of a choice,” Magni answered with a shrug, hefting the baby higher on her hip. “It’s an old family name on his side and Grannie Villion can be very, well loud, if you know what I mean. I promised my mother she will get to name the next one. I may have to have a full brood just to use up all the family names! Well, you two have fun!” She left with a wink and knowing smile.

Kerawyn looked at Magni with a knowing eye and said, “She’ll probably have a baby every year for at least the next five or six years. They both come from large families. Oh well, it will keep me busy, and,” she turned and winked at Guy, “it will keep us stocked with fudge!” Guy bent down and kissed Kerawyn full on the lips. He didn’t care who saw them. She was his. He wanted these people to know.

The food at the festival was wonderful. Kerawyn and Guy were offered plates from almost every family’s table. Kerawyn was kept busy with minor healings. As night fell the singing and dancing began around the central fire. Kerawyn found a quiet place for them and spread Guys cape on the ground for them to sit on. They wrapped her cape around their shoulders and they leaned together to enjoy the entertainment. Geirrod Harbard and his wife Amma were seated nearby with their son Jarl and daughter Sami. Geirrod had been giving Guy furtive looks all day, but Kerawyn thought it was most likely that Geirrod just didn’t like strangers. Jarl was playing with several of the other village boys, running about the central fire waving something like a club in the air. “I’ve got a feeling I’m going to be treating Jarl for some kind of bad burn before the night is over,” Kerawyn said to Guy. “He just seems to be looking for trouble tonight.”

No sooner had Kerawyn said that then everyone heard a snap-hiss sound from the club Jarl was running with. A bright blue light burst from the club, only extending about a meter and impaling Jarl through his chest. Amma screamed, as did several others. Kerawyn and Guy jumped to their feet and rushed to the boy. Jarl was still standing holding the club with its light still burning the hole in his chest. Guy took the club from the boy’s hand and operated a switch. The blue light disappeared. Jarl collapsed. Kerawyn dropped to the boy’s side. His eyes were still open, but the hole in his chest was the size of a large man’s hand and where the boy’s heart should be. Kerawyn reached up and closed Jarl’s eyes. “We need a blanket to cover him,” she said, looking around.

Amma fell to the ground next to Jarl. “Heal him, Kerawyn,” she pleaded, “Heal him!”

“Amma, his heart is gone,” Kerawyn said. “Do you understand? It’s gone. I can’t heal him.” Kerawyn looked around. “Where did he get that thing? What is it?” She asked.

“It’s mine,” Guy said, looking at Kerawyn. “It’s my lightsaber.”

“But it can’t be yours,” Kerawyn cried. “You didn’t have anything like that when you crashed. Did he? Skad, Geirrod, Buri, did he? You said you didn’t find anything at the crash site!” Kerawyn was crying. Guy helped her up and put his arms around her. “Where did Jarl get Guy’s lightsaber,” she yelled at the men.

Geirrod looked down at the blanket covering his son and his wife sobbing at his side. “I found it,” he said. “It was lying next to Guy where he was injured at the crash. I thought I could sell it or something. I brought it to the festival to see if anyone would be interested in it. The boys must have found it in the wagon. Oh, Amma, I’m so sorry, I’m so sorry.” Geirrod fell to his knees next to his wife and the still body of his son.

Guy took Kerawyn’s arm and walked back to their capes. He put Kerawyn’s cape around her shoulders and collected his cape and the basket. He put his arm around her shoulders and started walking toward home. When they were away from the festival grounds, he said, “My name is Obi-Wan Kenobi. I’m a Jedi Master,” he paused, “and I have a duty I must return to.” He heard Kerawyn cry softly into the darkness.

They walked on in silence. As they neared Kerawyn’s home they saw a starship in a clearing nearby. The ramp opened as they approached. Obi-Way nodded to the being exiting the ship, “Welcome, Yoda. This is Kerawyn. She healed me after my ship crashed.” He indicated Yoda to Kerawyn, “Kerawyn, this is Yoda. The Jedi Grand Master.”

“Unfortunate, it is,” Yoda said, “sooner could not I have found you, Obi-Wan. Sadness your being here has brought to these people.” He looked at Kerawyn and flicked his ears. “And, new life, sense I. Talk we should, before we leave. Come inside let’s go.” Yoda started walking toward the house. Obi-Wan followed with his arm still around Kerawyn.

Kerawyn looked back at the ship. There was another being standing at the ramp. It was very large and covered with fur. Yoda turned to the being and said, “Cherral my Wookiee friend and pilot is he. Stay with the ship Cherral not long will we be.” The Wookiee nodded and returned inside the craft.

Upon entering the house Yoda crossed to the fireplace and made himself comfortable. Obi-Wan built up the fire then sat on the couch with Kerawyn. “I was badly injured in the crash, Yoda,” Obi-Wan started to explain. “I had no memory of who I was or my life until the accident with my lightsaber this evening. I will return to Tatooine. Kerawyn made me promise on my honor I would return to fulfill my duties once my memory returned.”

“Not here to judge you am I Obi-Wan,” Yoda replied. “How to keep Kerawyn and your child safe from the Emperor and Darth Vader we must a way find.” Yoda looked at Kerawyn. “Hum, not a typical Force user you are, Kerawyn?”

“I am A’nir, and our child will be, also,” Kerawyn answered. “We are Force users who do not have access to the Dark side. I am a healer.”

“I can explain more to you about the A’nir later,” Obi-Wan cut in. “We must keep the Sith from learning of their existence. We must protect them. I owe Kerawyn this much, at least, Yoda.”

“Bury your feelings for Kerawyn deep you must Obi-Wan,” Yoda began. “No contact through the Force must there ever be. Vader’s hatred strong enough to take vengeance just for the aid to Obi-Wan. What he would do to the child, I dread even to consider.” Kerawyn shuddered at Yoda’s warning. Yoda pulled an object from his robes and handed it to Kerawyn. “Here,” he said, “emergency call beacon is this. If threatened by Vader or the Empire use it you must. Come to take you to safety, someone will.” Yoda arose. “Come Obi-Wan.” Time to go, it is.”

Obi-Wan and Kerawyn rose off the couch. Kerawyn walked to the area by her looms. She picked up a rolled tapestry and walked back to where Obi-Wan was standing with Yoda by the door. “Please take this,” she said, handing him the tapestry. “Something to remind you of our time together.” Obi-Wan took the tapestry. He reached out and brushed his fingers along her cheek. Yoda was holding the door open. There were so many things he wanted to say. He wanted to hold her one more time, but he knew how hard it would be to let her go.

“The Force will be with you both, always,” Obi-Wan said, then he turned and walked out the door.

Kerawyn closed the door. Not sure what else to do, she looked at the emergency call beacon Yoda had given her. It was a silver disk about the size of the bottom of one of her tea cups, raised in the middle with center section that could be pressed. There was a loop along the edge where a rope or chain could be attached. She had a chain she could use to wear it as a necklace. She would keep Ki’tia and herself safe.

The starship could be heard lifting off. Kerawyn placed her hands over her womb and a single tear fell across her cheek, where a few moments ago Obi-Wan’s fingers had traced the same path.

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