DISCLAIMER: Star Wars and all publicly recognisable characters, names and references, etc are the sole property of George Lucas, Lucasfilm Ltd, Lucasarts Inc and 20th Century Fox. This fan fiction was created solely for entertainment and no money was made from it. Also, no copyright or trademark infringement was intended. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author. Any other characters, the storyline and the actual story are the property of the author.
Nearly a week had passed before they heard from Obidan and Owen. The hol-board alerted Snowan to a message during their morning meal. She picked up Obi-Wan, went into her bedroom and quickly activated the board and received the message.
Obidan's form appeared before her. Obi-Wan squealed with delight. He did not fully understand the hologram and tried to reach out to the beam and touch his father.
"Snowan?" Obidan's words came through loud and clear.
"Yes Obidan. It is I. Here is Obi-Wan also."
Obidan looked at Obi-Wan. You could see how much him missed him.
"Hello, my little son." Obadin cooed.
"Hello, Obi-Wan."
"Hello, father." Obi-Wan called. He reached out again to the beam.
"Obidan, how is Ben?" Snowan asked.
"He is ailing Snowan. He needs us badley."
"When do you suppose he'll be well enough for you to return. We miss you."
"I really cannot say. " He turned his head for a moment. " Owen wants to say hello also. He's been homesick, though he won't admit it."
Owen appeard in the hologram beside his father.
"I have not" he insisted. He tried to look brave. Snowan smiled to herself. That's my little Owen, she thought. Strong to the end.
"Hello, my darling." Snowan said to Owen.
"Hello, mother. I miss you." He was obviously fighting back tears.
"Don't worry Owen. You'll be home with me very soon. I'll see you then."
"Yes mother."
"Why, you're having fun aren't you?"
"Oh yes!" His face suddenly brightened. "Yesterday, Uncle Jayce took me fishing down at a huge pond and I found a frog as big as my hand! Father said I could keep it."
"That's wonderful Owen! I hope you're having a wonderful time."
Owen then stepped out of view and Obidan continued.
"I love you Snowan. I'll be home with you soon. Give Obi-Wan my love."
"I love you too, Obidan." She said.
She picked up Obi-Wan and as he waved goodbye, the hologram faded away. Two short beeps sounded, signaling the end of the message and reminding Snowan to switch off the receiver.
Life went on as normal, even if there was only half the family. Snowan's life now revolved around Obi-Wan. His presence was so powerful, despite his youth. He simply enchanted her. The two of them celebrated his third birthday alone except for another hol-board transmission to his eager brother and father. She tried her best to make up for their absence with a special meal, a trip into town, and a gift: a pendant made by her grandfather, the tragic Tam. It was carved out of ivory and, to the best of her knowledge, carried no significance, other than the fact that it once belonged to Obi-Wan's great-grandfather. Obi-Wan was a little puzzled by it at first, but he wore it angelically and often toyed with the smooth diamond shaped piece. He never attempted to take it off.
Though Obi-Wan was only three, his intelligence soared. Snowan was so proud to be his mother and she lived him with a firey passion. Once a week, he accompanied her into town to the fund house where she drew the money they needed to live on while Obidan was away. It came from the large inheritance left to them by Lis. They walked down the smoothly paved sidewalk. Obi-Wan curiously observed everything. A young woman had set up a fruit stand about a block from their destiniation. Obi-Wan did not ask for any piece of it . Snowan caught the desiring look that her brown-haired love shot in that direction.
"Obi-Wan" She cooed. "Would you like some fruit?"
He smiled and nodded up at her. She she took him over and he selected a small piece from the cart. He eyed it happily as they walked on. She was happy just because he was happy. She knew his needs and wants and usually fulfilled them before he could even ask. They were relatively few and far between and he remained content and unspoiled. She would buy him the great Red Moon of Cress if she could.
They continued throught the streets and arrived at the large fund house. She released Obi-Wan's hand as she began to deal with the assistant at the window. Today she was starting a new account: A savings for Owen and Obi-Wan. She wanted everything for them. She began to feel terribly sick with longing for little Owen. She'd been without him for so long... Her thoughts were jarred away when she realized Obi-Wan was no longer by her side.
Momentarily alarmed, she spun around and caught site of him standing to the side only a few feet away. He crawled up onto a low wooden bench and continued to nibble on his fruit. She sighed, relieve, and turned back to the teller.
Only a few seconds had passed when she sensed something else. She cocked her head back towards her son. He was fine, but not entirely alone.
About six feet off to the right stood a man. He wore simple tan and brown robes, his strong, stern features partially hooded. He made no move towards Obi-Wan, but only stood there observing him. Snowan didn't know how to react. Clearly, he meant Obi-Wan no harm, but why was he staring at him? Should she say something? Or ignore his gazes at her son? A minute passed. Two. She finished her business with the teller and gathered her credits. She'd decided to confront the man. She took a step and looked bravely up. Obi-Wan was rolling several stones around on the bench, but the man was gone.