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While the marriage was more just a contract than any sort of personal declaration for either of them, Obi-Wan finds himself and Padmé alone in the house on the lake that her family owned. Since it's a professional contract, the week-long sabbatical is never called a 'honeymoon', but to Obi-Wan, that's certainly what it feels like.

Alone and isolated with his new 'wife'.

It was always a possibility that he would end up in one of these arranged marriages, sub-contracted from the Jedi Order into personal protection. Life-long commitments aren't new to him. What he hadn't expected was to know, to be at least casual friends with, the person he ended up protecting. Married to.

Despite being raised in this environment and culture where 'marriage' often meant 'contractually obligated protection', it still feels far too intimate for him to reconcile with his Jedi training of having no attachments. Marriage is the ultimate attachment.

And Padmé... Padmé was no longer the fourteen-year-old Queen or handmaiden that he'd known. Surprisingly, they had kept in touch, though it had been more casual than actually being friends; but whenever they were both on Coruscant, or duty took him to Naboo - it happened more frequently now that Palpatine was Chancellor - they usually found time to meet up and chat for a while, perhaps grab a bite to eat together.

Now here they are. Together for life. No more need for catching up, as they are essentially obligated to live in each other's pocket, from now on. It's going to take some getting used to.

Tucking his hands into the sleeves of his robe, Obi-Wan begins wandering the space. He'd already (casually) checked all the rooms to make sure they were secure; now he allows himself to really see the details of the space, to register the decorations and furniture, in a way other than just 'that looks heavy enough to be used as a weapon or blockade'. There is a small itching at the base of his neck suggesting that he should say something, but he's long learned to ignore it.

If he's no longer supposed to ignore it where Padmé is concerened, it's going to take a while to re-learn. He's never been anything other than a Jedi.

It took six legitimate threats on her life before Padmé admitted to needing more protection than her usual guards could offer. There were places where they couldn't go, decorum to be upheld at state functions, and there was no way she could ever be relaxed with any of them in her bedroom... It was the last that had been the final straw, an actual attempt on her life that few knew about, and it was because of that event that she had insisted that Obi-Wan be the protector selected for this monumental task. Of everyone on the very short list agreed upon by the Queen's Advisory Council and the Jedi elders, his was the name that hadn't given her any hesitation. A friend to call companion while they both worked to make the galaxy a better place.

The large estate is quieter than she remembers, their footsteps echoing as they walked through the foyer and into the living spaces. She'd taken stock of the kitchen while he explored, making sure everything was as she'd requested, and then she'd poured the both of them a glass of wine. Holding one out for him to take, she lets out a deep sigh and finally begins to feel the slightest bit relaxed.

"Thank you." Two words that can do no justice to the gratitude in her heart for this man she'd called friend for so many years - not in the same way she'd been friends with her handmaidens or some of the others at the Senate, but still she counted him among that number.

"I don't think I've said that yet, have I? Thank you for agreeing to this arrangement, to pledging your life to protecting me when I know it's nothing like the life you'd thought to lead. I can never begin to repay you for this sacrifice."

One thing he'd forgotten in this strange whirlwind of negotiations and preparations, is that this is still Padmé. As Obi-Wan accepts the wine, he tips his head slightly at her words, his countenance relaxing and softening slightly. There's no one around except them, and Padmé's presence is familiar to him, blending in well with the background rhythms of the animals and other living creatures through the Force.

"It's no sacrifice." His voice is slow and measured. "I've learned - and it has taken me quite a while - to not try to anticipate where life will lead you. Because you will often be wrong, and quite frequently disappointed, even if in the end you do more good, and are much more satisfied than if you'd gone the route you expected. This situation was always a possibility, for me, and I knew that." He pauses, before smiling at her gently. "I'm glad it's you. I know you." His smile curls a bit more mischievously, and he holds the wineglass closer to his lips before commenting, "I know the sort of trouble you get into."

He takes a sip to keep himself from laughing.

Ah, yes, there he is. Underneath that beard that hadn't been even a glimmer of existence when they'd first met, there's that smile she'd treasured seeing over the years. Their meetings may have been few and far between, but each visit had been comfortable and reminded her of what life beyond her work could be. It had been refreshing to be herself with someone outside her small circle.

His teasing now reminds her of those days, leaving her laughing and rolling her eyes at the man she could now call husband. Husband, Protector, Friend... and occasional Pain in Her Rear End.

"You, my dear Jedi friend, would grow bored if you didn't have someone in your life getting into some sort of trouble," she points out while wearing a smile. "I'm just making sure you aren't condemned to that fate."

Opening his mouth to refute - while still not quite able to subdue his teasing grin - he pauses before making a slight sweeping gesture with the hand holding his glass in acknowledgement. "I'll concede the point, milady. Though I fear between you and Anakin, even the greatest of Jedi Master's patience and stamina would be sorely tested."

He's been avoiding bringing up his Padawan, knowing how Anakin feels about Padmé. His fascination with her has only grown over the years, leading to Obi-Wan trying to limit their meetings and interactions. Unfortunately, that grew increasingly difficult with the decision for them to wed, and Anakin's upset moodiness over the past couple weeks has put a strain on Obi-Wan's emotional state. Meditation has become a lengthy daily occurrence.

If their days ahead could be full of these moments, she would be forever grateful. With each word shared between them, it feels as if a weight is lifting from her shoulders, a pressure on her chest slowly evaporating so that she might breathe easily again. It has been a very long time since she felt quite so at ease, and she knows she'll cherish the memories of their time together here once they return to their lives.

"I'm certain you'll rise to the challenge," she returns with confidence before her expression turns a bit more serious. "Things have been strained between the two of you lately, haven't they? Because of me. Because of this." She's looking for confirmation of something she already knows to be true.

Counter to how Padmé is feeling, Obi-Wan would much rather be back to their normal routines. He will appreciate this time with her later, but at the moment, he feels restless and uneasy, even while teasing and joking with her is comfortable and helps him relax. He is patient and cautious when needed, but he still isn't the best at being calm when there is no objective for him to achieve.

He has no doubt they will continue their easy companionship after this, so he doesn't see much point in a transition for them. Although the fact that he's still having to quell doubts - small and nebulous though they are - tells him this is indeed needed time. He will just view it as training, for this next stage of his life.

Obi-Wan is quick to refute her. "No," he says definitively, firmly. "No," he repeats a little more calmly. "Things have been... tense, it's true," he concedes. "But Anakin needs to let go of these feelings he has, if he's to succeed in his training. With no offense meant - you're merely the object, not the reason."

His insistence to the contrary does little to allay her worries at first, but his point does begin to settle after a few moments. She has done nothing to encourage Anakin's affections, their interactions are friendly and nothing more, but she's known how he's felt for her for years. By now, it should have faded, but apparently childhood adoration has begun morphing into something else.

"If there's anything I can do, or not do as the case may be, please tell me," she requests, lifting her skirt to resettle it as she takes a seat on a nearby sofa. She's in dark blue that day, a simpler dress for traveling, but still elaborately embroidered on the hem and long sleeves, golden thread standing out against the fine fabric.

She's struck for possibly the hundredth time by how different their lives have been - just look at the difference in their clothing. His simple Jedi robes and her... Well, she knows exactly how much this dress cost to make, she'd signed the payment slips herself, ensuring that the seamstresses were paid a fair wage for their fine work.

With a sigh, Obi-Wan follows her example and takes a seat in an adjacent chair, leaning forward and resting his elbows on his knees. "Usually, it's not an issue with him. Or at least... I didn't think it was." Obi-Wan doesn't like speaking about others behind their back, and feels like it's some sort of breach of trust to be telling Padmé about his pupil's behavior. But as it directly involves her, there doesn't seem to be much other choice.

"I honestly don't know if there is anything you could do, or stop doing, that would make it better," he admits quietly, glancing down into his wineglass. "I have tried to limit his interactions with you, and supervise when it's unavoidable, as you may have noticed. You're not overly friendly with him, but I fear if you try to distance yourself, it would make things worse. The boy's only 13, and prone to emotional outbursts anyway, but... Frankly, he's jealous of me. Explaining to him that this is just another form of body-guarding does little to sway him."

Leaning back, Obi-Wan stared out the window. The surrounding countryside was beautiful, but his thoughts were too tumultuous to appreciate it. "We will wait and see what happens, for the time being. He may require a different teacher, but at his age, no other Jedi is likely to train him. I refuse to give up on him, though."

Padmé would much rather not be having this conversation, she too has reservations about speaking of people when they aren't present, but she doesn't want this to come between them. Not her and Obi-Wan, but him and his student. She might not know much about the Jedi and their way of life, but she does know that the bond between Master and Padawan is intense and long-lasting. Losing Qui-Gon hurt Obi-Wan deeply, she'd seen it each time he visited the palace over the years since the man's death, and she doesn't doubt that he'll form a similar bond with his own Padawan. Doing anything to damage that bond, intentionally or not, is the very last thing she wants.

"As do I," she promises, turning slightly to more directly face him. "I don't want this arrangement to strain your relationship with him, I know how important it is to the both of you. When we return to Coruscant, I'll defer to your judgment on this matter, and I'll do whatever I can to not negatively affect things."

No matter what reservations he has about this arrangement in the long-term, Obi-Wan is exceedingly grateful at the moment that it is Padmé with him; someone who understands, if not the full scope of the situation, at least she is understanding and mindful of his judgment. She may prove to be a handful to protect, but it could have been so much worse if he'd been selected to marry someone he wasn't familiar and friendly with already.

His gaze shifts back to her, and Obi-Wan gives her a grateful smile. "There is nothing to be done for it at the moment, so I suggest we let it rest in our minds. A solution may resolve itself there in the meantime."

With that being the end of the discussion as he sees it, Obi-Wan finishes his wine, and changes the subject. "It is early yet. What would you like to do?"

What a very Jedi thing to say. They really are all about patience, aren't they? Far from a foreign concept, she's spent most of her political career extolling the virtues of being properly patient, personal matters tend to be where she is certainly not patient. But he's right, as there isn't anything they can do now, and his change of subject is a welcome one; she does not enjoy being idle.

"Well, the purpose of this retreat is to get to know each other," she reminds him, though she doubts that it has been far from his thoughts. "Having an understanding of each other's routines and habits will, at least hopefully, keep us from getting too much on each other's nerves." There's a smile at that, and part of her would very much like to see this stoic Jedi get annoyed and loosen up a little from time to time. She hasn't gotten to see much of that side of him.

"What would you normally do on a day like this?"

Echoing her thoughts from earlier, Obi-Wan thinks that the two of them come from very different backgrounds, though he thinks there is some overlap; but as far as routines and habits, probably not much at all.

"Well. If there are no pressing concerns to be dealt with, no training left to do, I would probably study, or meditate." He laughs a little self-consciously, glancing down and away from her for a second. "I've been meditating quite a lot recently. But it helps calm my emotions and center my mind." He leaves unsaid just what he has needed to calm himself about lately.

"And what about you? On a day with no meetings or functions to attend. When your time is truly your own." An occurrence he thinks neither of them encounters very often.

She imagines there are a great many things of concern to him lately, not least of all matters to do with Anakin. The Jedi Council regularly sends him on missions that require all sorts of knowledge and skill, and probably pose no small amount of danger to him, so she doesn't question that he would need a little calm to deal with all of that.

Her own self-conscious laugh follows his question, because really she should have expected it. "There haven't been many of those days lately. Preparing for my term to end, getting the new queen settled, assuming my post in the Senate -- some days, it feels like I hardly have the time to breathe." She shakes her head slightly and lifts a hand up to ensure her hair is still as she'd arranged it that morning: an assortment of loose braids carefully twisted into a smooth bun held in place with a golden lace covering. Elaborate, but not so much so that she couldn't take it down herself.

"But I do enjoy reading, especially now when it helps to know about the history and cultures of my fellow representatives," she acknowledges, setting aside her own now-empty wine glass. "And I love being outside, whether walking around and exploring or just sitting in the fresh air. I miss that most when I'm away from home."

Obi-Wan finds himself tracking the motion of Padmé's hand as she touches her hair. He takes a slow, steady breath in, centering himself and focusing on the conversation at hand, pushing away the thoughts lingering just on the edge of his mind. He cannot examine them now, but he will have to deal with whatever is troubling him, and soon. Perhaps he will meditate before retiring to bed. He's not sure Padmé has ever learned meditation - if she has, he will ask if she'll join him, and if not, he will offer to teach her. With her stressful schedule, it will probably do her well.

Ah, there is something they have in common, as well. "So what you're saying is," he begins with a small, teasing smile, "that the library will be the most used, most well-stocked room in the entire house? With the most comfortable furniture I imagine as well; one doesn't want to sit for hours on end on a hard surface."

There's no stopping the laugh that bubbles out of her, or the huge grin that spreads across her lips. Of all the things they could have had in common, she's glad this one aspect of their lives makes the list. It will be something they can enjoy together wherever they are, be it Naboo or Coruscant or... who knows where life will take them, really.

"My dear Jedi, I am pleased to inform you that your deduction is correct," she says with that smile still beaming. "If you'll follow me..."

Rising from her seat, she turns and heads toward one of the studies, glancing back only once to be sure he was indeed following. The study itself is nothing special, full of the same expansive windows as the rest of the house, the furniture all in rich but elegant colors, all of it well-maintained over the years. One of the interior walls is lined with shelves sporting a few books, a handful of small art pieces, nothing particularly striking, until she walks to the farthest left shelf and pulls it forward, the fixture swinging out as easily as if she were using the Force to move it.

"After you," she says with a mischievous smile as she steps back to let him pass through the 'hidden' door and into the library -- it's only hidden from this entrance, a large set of glass doors leading out onto a balcony offering another way inside.

The playfulness of their exchange infuses Obi-Wan, and he easily stands to follow the senator. He glances around at the ornate decorations, remembering them from his earlier sweep of the manor. His eyes widen as she swings open the doorway he'd missed on the previous inspection. "Are there any other secrets to this place I should be made aware of?" he asks, making sure that while he sounds serious in the request, he also says it lightly enough she can tell he's not upset at being taken by surprise.

His steps slow to a gradual halt as he surveys the library proper, with its wide windows letting in the early evening light, the comfortable chairs he predicted, to the grand chandeliers and fireplace some of the chairs were situated in front of.

And of course, the books. Obi-Wan wandered over to the shelf nearest him, not surprised to see economics and political history represented, but also several sciences, native cultural histories not just for Naboo but several other planets he knew were nearby, and probably had ties with the Naberrie family...

"All that's missing are the tales of daring and oft-times bawdy adventures of rogue pilots, retired Jedi and the like."

She follows him to the shelf, reaching up to run her fingers over a few familiar spines, the titles of those books like old friends from the many holidays spent here as a child. "Those are housed at our house in the mountains," she informs him with a playful smile, leaving it to him to judge whether she's telling the truth.

Turning to point to a corner of the room with a digital setup on a desk, she explains, "We have datapads with access to the national library as well, but I've always preferred the feel of paper books in my hands. It's more relaxing, I think, because it doesn't remind me of work." All those hours spent poring over official reports and requisition orders, mountains of files needing review and approval - it was much easier to 'escape' for a while without the emotional weight of a datapad.

"As for your question, this is the only secret to the house, everything else is much more straightforward, I promise."

Obi-Wan almost hopes there are some of those ridiculous books at the other house; he enjoys reading them, though not for the same reason as so many other people. The absolute absurdity of some of the elements and situations in the stories, the characterizations - it gives him quite a good laugh and helps him relax when he's tired of meditating.

Nodding at her explanation of the library set-up, he smiles as she explains her enjoyment of physical books.

"I will take your word for it, milady," he responds with a friendly wink to her promise that there are no other architectural surprises. "Unfortunately, if I want access to Jedi study materials, I have to access the national library. The Jedi information is guarded rather strictly. I've always been more comfortable with a screen than paper, but the charm of a book holds great appeal to me."

She's only read perhaps a handful of the stories he's described, and all of them when she was younger and hadn't yet met actual Jedi. Perhaps she would find them more amusing now that she's well acquainted with a few of them and knows they aren't all dashing romantic heroes sweeping ladies off their feet.

"We all have our own ways, one isn't necessarily better than the other," she comments with the same diplomacy she'd always used as queen. "You should be able to access all your materials while here, but if there's a problem with the connection, it's easy enough to have someone service it."

"Of course not, milady, that wasn't what I was implying," he states serenely. "And while I do believe one never finishes learning - the nice thing about no longer being an apprentice, is that I know longer have to study so arduously." Obi-Wan gives her an innocent, and yet conspiratorial smile.

"Is this what you would do when your family would stay here, then? Read and study? You mentioned enjoying the outdoors, as well," he recalled, glancing out the large French doors.

She doesn't believe that innocence for a moment - she's met you before, Master Jedi. He might appear the wise, sage Jedi, but she recalls his sassy ways and playful nature that had to have gotten him into trouble when he was younger. One doesn't just shed their nature like changing clothing for the day, however hard they might try.

"What a good memory you have," she teases him before moving to those doors, flipping the lock and pushing on the glass to let them slowly swing wide. The stone balcony is one of many throughout the house, overlooking the expanse of water the estate was perched upon, nestled at the base of the forest-covered mountain. Stepping outside, it was almost possible to see the boat they'd come in on, secured to the dock far below.

"There are a number of hiking trails leading up over the mountain, and it's only a short boat-ride to get to the meadows. I used to swim out to that island as a child," she tells him with a nod to the patch of land, "and I'd climb any tree I could get into."

Obi-Wan is watching Padmé as much as he is taking in the scenery, enjoying this glimpse at a rarely-seen side of her.

"Ah, yes," he intones. "I do recall you being rather brash and daring, so that makes absolute sense." He gives his head a little shake even as he smiles. "I've been made to climb far too many trees in my life to find any real enjoyment in it."

"Well, that is unfortunate," she muses, not minding the attention one bit. She's used to being the focus in a room, and while it's never enjoyable for her, it's long ceased to bother her in any way.

"I suppose that means I won't be able to challenge you to a race then. I wager it's for the best, though - you'd probably cheat." Her tone is quite serious and woeful, but there's a smile in her eyes that will give her away.

Amusement crosses his face; he's quite familiar with someone goading him, trying to maneuver him to do what they want. And between his Force-sense and recognizing the look in her eyes, he knows she's not seriously accusing him of cheating. It doesn't upset him, but he allows himself to be pulled along in her banter.

"A Jedi never cheats," he tells her gravely, his beard twitching slightly. "We are, however, taught to use any and all advantages that we can find."

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Arranged Marriage - Can Never Be - Into More

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