Jansdin 12th, Tuesday, Journal of Obi-Wan Kenobi, King's Justice

by Susan Anthony

Title: Jansdin 12th, Tuesday, Journal of Obi-Wan Kenobi, King's Justice
Author: Susan Anthony (LdyGossamer@aol.com)
Pairing: QG/OW
Category: AR, romance
Rating: R
Spoilers: None
Summary: In a Medieval world, the King's Justice waits for his lover's return home.
Warnings: M/M relationship, don't know medieval attitudes on M/M relationships but in this world it's accepted.
Notes: Thank you Maig, for your patient beta.
More Notes: This story takes place five years after 'The King's Justice'.
Disclaimer: The Boyz aren't mine. More's the pity. This story is for the pleasure of the readers only. I don't make a thing.

The Journal of Obi-Wan Kenobi, King's Justice

Jansdin 12th, Tuesday In this, the seven hundredth forty-first year after the Coming of the Light

The day began fair indeed as it heralded the long-awaited return of Kinnion's Lord, Qui-Gon Jinn, and his heir, Anakin, finally returned from Court and my father's tender mercies.

Why His Majesty insisted upon my shieldmate's presence for the entire turn of the seasons, I cannot imagine, except that his intent was to bedevil me with my lover's absence. And he did this *knowing* that I could not accompany him as I have my duty to the office of King's Justice which requires consistent trips throughout the nation, the old ::blot:: ::blot:: ::smear::

This journal has seen in previous pages my opinion of my royal father's presumption in demanding my shieldmate's presence so I shall not tarry over this further.

But that he insisted on Lord Anakin's presence as well makes me consider that he had nothing but mischief on his feeble mind. He only wished to bedevil my self *and* my padawan and through my padawan, the entire castle. I can clearly see his hoary hand in this. Why knock down one ninepin when you can knock down three?

Ani's absence has been a sore trial to my loyal Desrin and those times we've stopped to rest between our judicial journeys at Kinnion have not been much of a rest, I must admit. Anakin's influence over Desrin has always been one of balance. His even attitude offsets the worst of my ragamuffin apprentice's pranks. During the past year, however, our arrival at Kinnion with no Anakin about to steady Desrin has not been as welcoming as in the past. Mace, in particular, seems to become a walking scowl while we reside there and our downtime at Kinnion has become shorter and shorter.

Even sending Desrin to his father for the duration of our stay has no effect other than Xanatos appearing within a matter of days with his son, bound and gagged, demanding I take the lad off his hands immediately if not sooner.

I have no doubt my father's informant has sent him a missive every time we've been rousted from Kinnion by my padawan's mischief. I suspect this because every time it has happened during the past year, a royal courier has caught up with my entourage shortly thereafter with some outrageous gift from my father to my padawan. How can I discipline my padawan when my father - His Interfering Majesty the King - is congratulating him on some mischief well done?

It did not take me long to realize the introduction of my mischievous new padawan to my admittedly roguish royal father had been a grave error and one that I have been at pains to correct ever since. I suspect that is at the heart of my father's scheme to kidnap my shieldmate and his heir. He wishes to force my - and thus Desrin's - appearance at court more often.

I must admit, over the past year, I have capitulated to this silent demand twice...perhaps thrice...possibly five or six times. After all, the King's Justice is needed most of all in the King's Court, is he not?

Despite those short visits with Qui-Gon at the capitol, however, this past year has been quite lonely. I miss the presence of my shieldmate and his absence is felt most strongly when I am at his keep. I can only thank the Light that they are coming home today. We've only been here a sennight and Mace is scowling worse that usual. Desrin has been perched on the front gates driving the guardsmen to drink since early this morning hoping to catch the first glimpse of the approaching entourage.

On other matters, I received a missive just yesterday that Nutarin finally made a mistake that he wasn't able to cover up. Actually, it was a mistake that he made fifteen years ago that has finally come to light.

When my brother, Rei-Nen had tried to oust our father from the throne, it had been speculated that someone must have goaded him on as he had never evidenced such a desire before. Now, evidence has come to light that not only did Nutarin push my brother towards that goal but used foul and illegal substances to accomplish his aim. Now, the dishonorable cur will be tried for high treason.

Would that I would be the one to try him, the vile bastard. I doubt I could maintain my unbiased opinion. Rei-Nen had always been dear to me. It was a strike to the very heart of my family when he attempted to kill our father. And now to find that it was not his own design but that of Nutarin is intolerable! And Rei cannot even appreciate that his name would soon be cleansed, at least partially, of his crime as he died on the continent not three years into his exile.

I can only comfort myself in knowing that while I will not be presiding over the blackguard's trial, my father will no doubt make sure he pays well for his treason. The only bright spot in any of this is that his duchy, Surance, has been turned over to the Crown. I suspect, from hints in Qui-Gon's letter, the duchy will soon be going to my cousin, Ken-Dar, who more than deserves the honor of that ancient title. I've said nothing so far to my cousin of the possibility. With his shieldmate's blessing, he has recently taken a wife, a sweet and clever young lady we cleared of murder during one of my tours through the highlands. I've no doubt that she will keep Ken-Dar and Tar-Ren on their toes.

Lady Shmi has organized a welcome home feast for Qui-Gon and Anakin with many of the surrounding District Lords and their family in attendance. Many of the attendees have already arrived and as I walked from noon luncheon to the gardens, I encountered at least three groups of scheming, giggling ladies. Poor Anakin will have his hands full this evening avoiding the clutches of some very determined girls.

I've no doubt, however, that he and Desrin will disappear as soon as Shmi allows it. And if one of the ladies actually does corner the Heir of Kinnion, I also have no doubt that Desrin will take steps.

I should probably talk to him about that. I've no wish to spend the evening listening to an irate District Lord bleating about finding his daughter in the middle of Qui-Gon's garden pond.

I hope Shmi doesn't expect Qui-Gon and me to stay around for the entire feast. I haven't had the pleasure of my lover's touch in almost six weeks. Perhaps he'll arrive soon and we'll have the afternoon to....

Mace just slammed open the door with a very relieved expression on his face to let me know Qui-Gon's entourage has been sighted. Thank the Light! I don't expect to make many entries over the next week. Hopefully, all news will be good news. Can it help but be so? My shieldmate, my lover, my Qui-Gon is home.