"Everything in order?" Stefan walked up to the two jedi as they conversed in front of their ship. The engines were warming up as the last few supplies were loaded onto the ship. They both turned around to face him, smiling kindly when they saw the commander together with his husband. He bit his lip as he let his eyes roam over the gigantic metal vehicle that had landed that morning, reminding him of the first few days of the war. The republic symbol above all caught his eye, a reminder that Valeria wasn't the only planet after all.

"Yes, we've set our course for Coruscant. We'll be leaving in a few minutes." Anakin answered.

"Good." Stefan nodded, glancing down at the ground as he tried to collect his thoughts. Finn noticed his distress, placing his hand on his shoulder and squeezing it gently. It somehow seemed to wake Stefan from his trance, looking up at Obi-Wan once again. "I regret to tell you the king won't be here for your departure. He's... He's with her."

"I understand." Obi-Wan nodded as he folded his arms before his chest covered by his thick, brown cloak. He scanned Stefan's face, seeing his red, puffed eyes and the unkept beard that now covered his jaw. The commander had probably heard about Lyanna's fate that morning.

"So instead, I'll be the one to present you with this gift." Stefan sighed as he retrieved two packed items from the satchel that was hanging on his hips, handing it over to the two jedi. "A token of our gratitude." He watched as they unwrapped the packages, their brows furrowing when it revealed to be a tiny glass canister containing a small orb that shone brightly. "Normally we'd be granting you a grand feast and a medal of honour but given the circumstances I'm afraid this is all we can do for now."

"It's... an echo?" Obi-Wan mumbled as he twisted the canister around between his fingers. The echo changed colour the moment it sensed Obi-Wan's presence, soon glowing a bright cyan. He then glanced up at the commander again, utterly dumbfounded by the valuableness of the gift. Obi-Wan knew the importance of an echo, the years and years of lineage that it resembled. Above all, the echo contained power that was beyond their control. "Commander, I can't accept this."

"No, please, keep it." Stefan quickly put his hands up. "Its family is long gone. To us, it's nothing more than a reminder of our years of violence but to you I hope it's a reminder of how many of our families you saved from the same fate." He explained, his eyes softening. "And, of course, you may use it to prove to your council that they aren't the only force users in the galaxy."

Stefan remained silent for a while, his mind stuck on everything going on out there, in the galaxy, that they'd shut themselves off from a long time ago. "You'll always have a place here, in Valeria, if you ever need it. We owe you a great debt, jedi. I'm afraid we can't make up for half of it. All I can tell you is that we're eternally grateful for all you've done for us." Stefan's voice broke as he continued. "She would've been eternally grateful, had she... had she still been here."

"Thank you, commander." Anakin smiled as he stuffed the echo into his pockets, extending his arm for him to shake. Stefan took it after some time collecting his emotions, mustering up a smile as he said his goodbyes to Anakin. "It was our pleasure."

"Next time, try not to blow up half a city before realizing you're attacking the wrong people." Stefan conjured a smile successfully, patting Anakin's shoulder as he chuckled at his remark.

"I'm afraid I can't make any promises but I'll do my best." Anakin smirked before turning towards the ship and entering it, conversing with Rex who'd been waiting for them. "Goodbye, commander." He wove before disappearing into the ship together with his captain.

"Same counts for you, master Kenobi." Stefan whispered as he watched the jedi still looking at the echo in his hand. He'd woven away his husband with a small whisper and a kiss to his hand, watching as he walked away towards some of the troopers still conversing on the platform. Then he turned to look at the master, the way he suspiciously eyed the echo as if it was an evil object.

"Yes, I'm afraid so." Obi-Wan smiled coyly as he stuffed away the gift and looked up at the commander, a moment of silence passing between them filled with unspoken words.

"She loved you, you know." Stefan watched him closely. "If I recall correctly, you're the only one that managed to make her smile in her last few days." Obi-Wan shuffled on his feet awkwardly as he stroked his beard in thought. ""Just..." Stefan sighed deeply. "Remember her."

Obi-Wan let out a sad, broken chuckle as he finally dared to meet the commander's eyes. "I'll have a harder time forgetting her." He then placed a gentle hand on the commander's arm. "You are a good man, Stefan. Take care of your king."

"I will." He nodded. "And you're not so bad yourself."

Obi-Wan nodded with a genuine smile before slowly turning to his ship, walking up the ramp. Every step seemed to get heavier with the thought that he probably wouldn't ever return to the planet. He turned to look at the city over his shoulder, relishing in the soft glow that seemed to hang over the buildings and the wings he sometimes saw appear between them. The planet had taught him a lot, including the knowledge that they still hadn't even begin to understand the full capabilities of the force.

Yet with all that beauty and knowledge the planet now seemed empty to him. Without her, he wouldn't even try to see its gifts for he knew that they would not mean the same to him. They would feel soulless without her fire. Obi-Wan let out a deep sigh, looking back up at the ship's entrance as he took the last few steps, the beautiful views replaced by only metal.

Suddenly the ground shook with a considerable force, almost throwing him off balance. "Maker, what was that?" Obi-Wan mumbled as he regained his footing, walking back down the ramp and glancing outside, seeing a dark cloud of smoke suddenly hanging above the castle. He walked further down as his eyes stayed clued to it, frowning and hoping that nothing bad had happened.

"Must have been some kind of construction failure." Stefan muttered as he sensed Obi-Wan's presence next to him again. His gaze remained fixed on the smoke and the fire that burned, its flames reaching high. "The palace had the worst of it and I'm sure they have already started the repairs. Something must have gone wrong." He glanced to the side, seeing the pensive look in the Jedi's eyes. "It will be all right, master jedi, we'll take care of it. You don't need to keep your men waiting."

"Right." Obi-Wan hummed softly, breaking from his trance and reluctantly turning towards his ship again. "Take care, commander. May the force be with you." He mumbled quietly, his heart sinking to his chest when the last bit of hope evaporated.

Yet as he was halfway up a familiar presence suddenly sneaked into his consciousness. He had to steady himself by grasping one of the pipes, his eyes widening as it wove into his mind. It almost seemed to burn its way into his head, spreading a fire that elicited an aching hope in the back of his head.

"Obi-Wan." It whispered vaguely.

It can't be. He thought, remembering how he was there the moment her heart had stopped. There was no way she could be alive, not now. Yet that presence felt so real to him, that burning, passionate yet gentle presence that loomed in his head.

He turned back towards the city again, his eyes scanning the horizon for any sign of her. He didn't even know what he was looking for, maybe hoping that he would spot her signature red hair from afar. When he found none he scrunched his eyes, growing frustrated with that same hope that grew within him but seemed unconfirmed, leaving him thinking he was going mad.

"What is that?" Stefan suddenly exclaimed, making Obi-Wan turn towards him and follow the path of his fingers as he pointed in a certain direction. "Look!" Stefan jumped on the spot, laughter falling off his lips as he couldn't control himself anymore, turning towards Obi and practically shoving him by slapping him on his back and pointing at the tiny flame they could spot in the distance. "She's ALIVE!"

Confused, Obi squinted his eyes. In the distance he could see a tiny flame that seemed to grow bigger. It was only when he saw that two gigantic wings swung by its side that he recognized the figure. Obi didn't pay any further attention on Stefan as he jumped and cheered, no, his feet carried him forward over the platform as he watched her burning figure coming closer each second. She waved between the buildings, flying dangerously low and scarring some of the ruins black with the fire that burned around her. Obi-Wan's eyes widened when she came to the landing platform full speed, tumbling over her own feet during the landing and falling face-first on the concrete.

He wanted to charge towards her, pick her up from the ground and never let her go. Yet there he stood, watching in a shocked state as he saw her struggle to get back up on her feet, her legs wobbly and unsteady as if she was a kid still learning to walk. She swayed around as she stood, glancing around the crowded platform as if she was looking for someone.

Lyanna's POV

Everything was a daze from the moment I'd woken back up. I barely remember the way the room burned around me, the stone melting as the fire brought me back to life. I don't even know how I got out of the palace in the first place. All I remember is this need, this drive to find him. He was, after all, the reason I was back.

Now that I had made it to the platform my mind was reeling. Had he gone already? Had he departed, lost in the stars for me to never see again? I felt my entire body trembling, my limbs shaking with the effort to even keep myself standing. My mind, however, had never felt more alive.

"Obi?!" I yelled, glancing around at everyone that started to gather around me. The people on the platform seemed just as confused with my appearance, taking in the burned clothes that barely managed to cover my form and the night dress that I had picked up along the way.

"Have you seen the jedi? Have you seen master Kenobi? Have they left already?! Please, I'm looking for, -" I walked towards the closest person I could find, bombarding him with questions. "Where is Obi-Wan?!" His mouth hang agape at the sight of his queen, yet he somehow managed to point me in the right direction with no words being able to escape from his mouth. My eyes followed his movements until I was looking right at him. I felt the adrenaline coursing through my veins as my eyes connected with his, finally, and I could breathe normally again.

"Obi." I breathed out deeply, relief washing over me as I saw his figure, huddled in his dark brown cloak. Not wasting another second, I dashed towards him, my bare feet placing small, burned patterns onto the concrete as I ran. Just before I'd reached him I saw his mouth falling open, his eyes widening and his limbs freezing at his side. He didn't even have the time to fully register what happened before I'd jumped on him, wrapping my arms and legs around his torso and burying my face in the crook of his neck, mumbling, crying and laughing all together.

"Prin.. Princess?" Obi-Wan stuttered, his limbs still hanging loosely at his side. He blinked several times and pinched his own thigh, trying to wake him up from whatever torturous dream he was having.

"I was afraid you'd gone already!" I exclaimed as I hugged him tighter, ignoring the state of shock he was in as my hand wound its way through his hair and I inhaled his scent deeply. My feet connected with the ground with the lack of support from his hands but I remained against him, giving him time to process everything whilst enjoying the comfort of his warm body.

Slowly but surely he lifted his arm, placing his hand on the side of my head and softly drawing my face back so he could look at me. His eyebrows furrowed, his eyes darting between mine as he stuttered and tumbled over his own words. The only sound that seemed to escape him were hoarse noises.

"Hey." I whispered softly as tears slid down my face, smiling broader than ever before as I wiped away his tears with my thumb. He flinched slightly at the contact and more tears started to stream down. "I'm back." Laughing softly and looking at him I waited for him to say something.

All he did do was draw his brows even further together, clenching his jaw as he fought against all the emotions whirling within him. "It's not possible." He mumbled after a few seconds.

"You wanted another miracle, right?" I spoke, placing my hand on top of his. Finally, a broken sob tore through him, scoffing softly as realization started to dawn on him. He quickly placed his other hand on me too, cupping my face in his hands as relief appeared on his own. "One more miracle, you said." My voice shook as tears continued to flow down my face and as soft laughs fell from my lips, leaning into his warm touch. "I came back, for you."

"You're here." Obi-Wan finally spoke as a huge grin started to play around his lips. "Stars, you're really here." He bit on his lips but then immediately pulled me back into him, burying his face in my hair and inhaling deeply as he embraced me tightly. His hand wove its way through my hair while the other wrapped around my waist, lifting me from the ground again. Laughing, I wrapped my arms around him, laying my head on his shoulders. He pressed a soft kiss against my temple and put me down carefully.

"Yeah, I am." I whispered, my voice muffled by his warm tunic as my hands made their way underneath it, relishing in the warmth of his chest and feeling his heartbeat hammering against the skin.

"Ho-How, what, -" Obi placed his hands on the side of my face again, his thumb placed on my jaw and pulling me back slightly. I could see the emotions whirling within his blue eyes as he searched his mind for the correct words. As he did so, all I could do was close my eyes, enjoying his gentle touch and savouring each moment. Even though it was a risk, me coming back, I now regretted ever having doubted it. "How are you feeling?" He finally spoke, breathing the words out.

"Cold, actually." I giggled, watching him widen his eyes when he saw the remainder of my burnt garments hanging loosely and the nightdress I'd hastily put on.

"Stars, Princess, please forgive me, I, -" He mumbled and quickly took off his thick brown cloak, wrapping it around my shoulders. When he'd tied it tightly around me his hands went back to my face, blinking another few times. "I was... I still can't believe..." He continued.

"I'm here, Obi." I watched as that conjured another smile that warmed my heart. "I'm here." I felt him tuck on the collar of his own cloak, bringing me up to him as he lowered himself to me, closing his eyes and almost touching my lips with his own. Time seemed to slow as I waited in anticipation for the moment I had been looking forward to ever since I woke back up, only for it to be interrupted at the last possible second.

"Feathers!" Obi and I both groaned rather loudly as we reluctantly pulled away, glancing up the ramp of the gigantic ship and seeing his dark brown boots descent slowly. Anakin's signature smirk was plastered on his face as he took in my appearance when he could see us, crossing his arms before his chest and leaning against one of the metal pipes. "I thought you were dead."

"And I thought you were on a ship, far away across the galaxy." When Obi-Wan tried to pull back his arm I quickly grasped it, holding his hand tightly in my own. Anakin slightly quirked his eyebrow but didn't comment on it any further. "Seems we both can't get what we want."

Anakin scoffed at that and laughed shortly, a genuine smile then following. "It's good to see you, your majesty."

"It's good to see you too, Anakin." I smiled back and then turned around, sensing another presence near us. When I spotted my dearest friend standing there, having remained silent the entire time, my heart broke a bit only to be pieced together again instantly.

"My queen." Stefan bowed his head and shuffled on his feet when I looked at him, obviously trying to contain himself. Yet when I opened my arms to him he quickly ran towards me, wrapping me in his strong arms and placing a gentle kiss on the side of my forehead.

"Stefan." I sighed deeply, enjoying his embrace. Laying my head on his shoulder, I glanced over the platform and saw another figure quickly nearing us. "Commander, you might want to step back." I patted his shoulder and watched as a daze of grey feathers came near. Stefan quickly did as he was told, knowing all too well what was about to happen.

"Lyanna!" Aidan bellowed, landing rather clumsily but then quickly pulling me towards him when he had arrived, throwing me off my feet and basically throwing me into the air only to fall back into his arms, cuddled against his warm chest.

"Aidan!" I shrieked, laughing as I struggled in his tight hold.

"Oh, you're alive, you're alive, -" He repeated over and over as he tightened his embrace, gasping for air between his words.

"She won't be for much longer if you keep suffocating her, your majesty." Obi-Wan commented dryly as he folded his arms before him, watching in amusement at the reunion.

"Hey, Aidan." I smiled up at him the moment he loosened his grip. His blue, grey eyes were filled with tears of joy as he took in my appearance, his eyes scanning my body for any remaining wounds or damage.

"Hey." He simply greeted after his assessment, smiling again as tears covered his vision. He placed a long, gentle kiss on my forehead and then leaned placed his own against it, taking in a deep breath to calm his heartbeat as he chuckled.

The king's eyes then darted towards the two jedi that were watching us with fondness in their eyes, realizing that we weren't alone. "Master Kenobi, Skywalker, I..." He wrapped his arm around my shoulder as he took a moment to collect himself, clearing his throat. "My deepest apologies, I should've been here for your departure, I, -"

"Departure?" I scoffed and crossed my arms before my chest. "Without a feast? Our ancestors would turn in their graves, Aidan. How can we let them leave without a proper thank you?" Aidan shrugged but then turned towards the jedi, seemingly asking them the same question.

"Your majesty, seeing you alive is a big enough reward." Obi-Wan bowed, smiling sadly when he rose back up. "The Republic is waiting for us, I'm afraid. While I'm glad we ended the war on this planet I'm afraid there are countless others that still need saving."

"Oh please, I insist." I straightened up, trying to seem like I had any authority left. "If it weren't for you Arthas Blackwing would be roaming this planet right now. Let us at least throw you a feast, which is an unbroken tradition on our planet, and express our gratitude for all you've done for us. One more night is all we ask of you."

Obi-Wan tried to speak up again, probably to reject the request but I simply put one finger in the air, silencing him before he could. He narrowed his eyes in fained frustration, a spark of playfulness already appearing in his eyes as he then waited for me to continue. "It would be an insult if you refuse." I stated matter of factly and saw Aidan nodding in agreement in the corner of my vision as I walked towards Obi-Wan, standing still right before him

"Well, I wouldn't dare to insult your majesty." Obi-Wan inclined his head, taking my hand in his and raising it till he could press a soft kiss on my knuckles, watching me intently all the while. My heart fluttered, my lips trembling with the effort it took for me not to kiss him right there and then after feeling the softness of them again. "One night." His velvet voice continued.

I smiled again, looking deep into his ocean eyes. Even if it was just one night, I knew it would be worth an eternity. Looking at him lovingly, I spoke softly for just him to hear. "One more night."

"Hey, do I get a say in this too?" Anakin interjected quickly, his eyes darting between us two as we continued to stare at each other.

We both rolled our eyes immediately and spoke up at the same time with the same irritated tone in our voice. "Shut up, Anakin."

See? ~Starts imitating Obi-Wan's voice~

Patience, my darlings. Patience. 

About two chapters left and an epilogue! Can't wait for you guys to read it. I honestly loved every single comment last chapter and all of the support and kind compliments you guys gave me. I almost feel undeserving of all of your love. So, thank you. With all my heart.

Stay safe, my darlings, and look out for yourself!