The Jedi and clones were given the night to rest. The Fremen were equally as accomodating to the new comers as they had been to Sidra. With futon-like beds in their own quarters, Obi-wan, Anakin and the clones didn't have to be told to switch off for the night.

Ahsoka was favourited by being able to sleep in Sidra's quarters. Unlike their usual selves, the two were silent as they laid down for the night. Sidra could have filled the Togruta with all that she had experienced with the Fremen, but when she saw her drooping eyelids, Sidra spared her the details.

The next morning, when the sun was still young, Master Obi-wan asked Sidra to speak to Stilgar. After two weeks of chaos, Sidra resumed her role as his trusted academic. He knew that she would approach the sietch's Naib with respect, perhaps even with the manners of a real Fremen.

'He wants to speak to me?' Stilgar repeated to Sidra in simple terms. The Jedi bowed her head in a nod while biting the inside of her cheek.

'Okay. I will call for the Sayyadina.'

Sidra almost protested. As Stilgar headed off to alert the religious leaders, Sidra dreaded the inevitable.

Since the previous day's confrontation, Sidra hadn't seen Lady Jessica or her son that morning. She was consumed with the arrival of her Master the night before, which had spared Sidra of resuming the uncomfortable conversation with Paul

She had been hoping to avoid the Atreides family, as her experience with the Sayyadina had flared something in the Jedi's fears. But as Naib Stilgar went to find the woman, Sidra deflated at the now unlikely possibility. 

However, Sidra had to remember her duties. Even after her time with the Fremen, she was still a Jedi. She had the responsibility of following her Master's orders and respecting the Fremen's traditions. If Stilgar requested for the Sayyadina's presence, then Sidra would have to deal with it.

---

The Fremen and off-worlders gathered in a large cavern. With a rock ceiling that echoed every boot scuff and mumble, the space was used for official gatherings and prayers.

The Sayyadina was covered in an array of drapes and beads. She sat on a cushion on the floor, while her handmaidens stood behind her with their heads bowed. 

Lady Jessica sat behind Stilgar, who had taken his place on the floor with his legs underneath him. Instead of stillsuits, him and the Fremen wore Jubba cloaks over some thin robes. Stilgar was the representative of his people and he faced the Jedi who requested his official presence.

The cavern was cool, ridding the need for stillsuits. Sidra had exchanged hers for the under-robes of her Jedi attire, and was stood beside Master Obi-wan. In the same thin robes, the Kenobi addressed the first person on Arrakis who seemed to be willing to listen.

'Your hospitality has been most welcoming, Naib-'

'Please, Master Jedi, my name is Stilgar. The formalities are not necessary.'

While Obi-wan adjusted to the man's casual approach, Sidra inched her chin over her shoulder. She spotted Ahsoka and Master Anakin, who stood to the right of the cavern. The clones of the 501st stood behind their general while trying to ignore the stares they received from the left. 

The Fremen ogled the men who held the same face, but kept their whispers behind cupped hands. 

On the left, Sidra spotted Paul and Chani in front of all those who wanted to witness the exchange. Luvis was amongst the crowd, but he had blended in with his people to the point of being near unidentifiable.

In the quick glance, Sidra met eyes with the curly-haired Atreides. He had been staring holes through the back of her head from across the space, and merely blinked when her eyes rested on his.

'Well, Stilgar, I'm sure that my Padawan has informed you about our mission here on Arrakis,' Obi-wan began, his tone solid but respectfully level. 'From the orders of the Galactic Senate, we have been sent to settle a thousand-year conflict.

I have been made aware of your presence in the desert as far back as our records stretch. But you have been exiled by the Great Houses that have arrived on your planet, and plan to drain you of the Spice-'

'Master, are you sure this is the correct approach?'

Sidra couldn't stop herself from interrupting. In any other situation, Sidra would have trusted her Master's methods. But to directly mention the Great Houses and their harvesting of the Spice made Sidra think differently.

Obi-wan looked to his Padawan with surprise. He thought that by acknowledging the Fremen's struggle, he could make Stilgar feel that his people will be heard in the exchange. The last thing the Kenobi wanted to do was to make the Fremen feel forgotten about by the Galactic Republic.

The cavern was silent besides the chuckles that rang out from Stilgar. His large teeth shown through the dim light and his blue eyes were halved into crescents from his grin.

'Master Jedi, we have seen men come and go from the desert. We know what our ancestors have been through, and I know that Sidra has taught you all of this. But please, if you are to appeal to me and our people, then tell me what you want.'

Ahsoka glared at her Master who let out a snicker. It was glorious to see Obi-wan's slow approach be bluntly rejected. 

As a Padawan, Anakin never saw the effect of his Master's negotiations. He was impatient, and thought that a direct statement of what was needed was the best way to settle anything. It's what made the Jedi Council so untrusting of Anakin. But to him, the Council wasted their time by ensuring all parties were heard no matter who was right or wrong in the situation.

But with Naib Stilgar Fitrawi, Anakin believed that Obi-wan had met his first difficult opponent.

'Alright...' Obi-wan blew air out of his nose with a tight frown. 'The Galactic Senate are requesting a ceasefire between you and the Harkonnen. Their occupation of this planet is not favourable, but in order for the continuation of the universe, the Spice harvest must continue. I am willing to state your terms to the Harkonnen in exchange for the abandonment of these hostilities.'

Sidra never expected for the negotiations to be smooth, but the tense air in the Force worried her. As Stilgar adjusted his slouched position to lean one elbow on his knee, Sidra knew that the cavern was about to become even more uncomfortable.

With no sign of his previous laughter, Naib Stilgar narrowed his blue eyes at the Jedi Master across the cavern.

'Let me ask you this, Master Jedi, who is the Galactic Senate to me?'

Obi-wan barely knew what to say.

'They ensure the continuation of the universe-'

'By space travel, yes? By the use of the Spice in your starships.'

'And by a structure of order and government-'

'I have not met a member of this Galactic Senate. I have seen no order, or heard any governing of our people.'

Sidra swallowed.

'You come here, to our home, our Dune, and expect me to yield to people I do not see, hear or have ever presented this order. We have been exiled by our oppressors from the orders of this Senate. The Fremen have been forgotten and our time for paradise is waiting for our arrival.

Here are my terms, Obi-wan; the oppressors should leave this planet, and the attacks will then cease.'

The Force was filled with anger. Both Sidra and Obi-wan were alerted to the fast-approaching steps behind them. But Anakin was quick, and was a step ahead of them before they could react.

The Fremen jumped to action. They didn't need to be Force-sensitive to know that Anakin was the more uncooperative Jedi of the group. With the way that he approached Stilgar, the Fremen pulled their Crysknives from their robes and surrounded the four Jedi.

The once spacious cavern became cramped and Sidra wanted to believe that the Fremen wouldn't hurt her. But a tight feeling spread across her chest and the closeness of Shai-Hulud teeth made Sidra uncomfortable.

'Master, wait-'

Ahsoka rushed to grab Master Anakin's arm, but it was a palm that stopped the man from advancing further. 

Paul Atreides had been the first to reach the Jedi Knight by taking long, purposeful strides. Before Anakin could go any further, Paul stepped around Sidra and pushed Anakin back.

'You will go no further,' Paul stated in a low, threatening tone. While the Fremen surrounded them, Anakin looked to the boy who dared to put his hands on him.

'And who are you to judge that?' Anakin dared. The hazel eyes were an indication of an outsider, giving Anakin the confidence to sneer at the boy who stood in front of Sidra and her Master.

'I am the son of Leto Atreides, and I will see to it that the Harkonnen will never have control of this planet when I free these people of their oppression.'

Sidra thought that Paul had used the Voice with the way Anakin froze. While looking between the two, the Chihari realised how close she was to the commotion. If they were to enter into a brawl, she would have to step away to avoid being involved. But as she heard Paul's deep, almost mumbled promise, she had the urge stay close for what she told herself was for both of their safety.

Paul was falling more and more into the Fremen's prophecy. He said that he intended to release the Fremen and return the planet to the oppressed Indigenous. It sounded like a legend, a story meant to empower younglings to make a difference in the universe. 

And as the boy didn't shy away from the famous Skywalker glare, Sidra was enthralled, almost enchanted by the confidence and power Paul admitted.

'Atreides?' Obi-wan repeated in confusion. He stepped forward while wary of the sharp knives that lingered nearby.

'Master, this is Paul Atreides,' Sidra took the chance to deescalate the situation. 'Him and his mother survived the night of the Harkonnen's invasion and found their way here,'

With his anger diminishing, Anakin accompanied Obi-wan in his shock. They hadn't even spared a thought to the boy who was no Fremen. 

Obi-wan had only briefly acknowledged the Sayyadina behind Stilgar, but now noticed her off-world skin. He now understood the varying heritages in the cavern, and realised how complicated the situation now was.

'Now you see, Master Jedi, that there is no room for negotiations,' Stilgar brought the attention back to him. 'You can wave your peace treaty around as you wish, but the oppressors have made their last mistake. Paul Atreides will be our saviour. Our Mahdi.'

Paul's discomfort didn't go by unnoticed. Sidra sensed the shift in his stare from Anakin and its movement to his mother. Lady Jessica stared at him over Stilgar's shoulder as if to talk to him in silence.

Much to Sidra's relief, the Sayyadina had been quiet throughout the exchange. But it didn't come without an air of discomfort that was hidden behind the tense negotiations.

The woman spent the time analysing the new comers. She listened to the whispers that no one else could hear. She saw their influence, their pasts and their hinderance to the prophecy. While things appeared to play-out without her interference, Lady Jessica saw how the Jedi had twisted the mind of the Eaql al-Gaib.

Unaware of the woman's silent plans, Sidra was relieved when the Fremen's Crysknives lowered. But it was obvious that Stilgar was done with the discussion, so she turned to Obi-wan and said,

'Master, I'm afraid that our negotiations have been cut short.'

'It does seem that way.'