Chapter 2
Padmé took a deep breath and followed her queen out into the parlor of Theed Palace where the Jedi were waiting for her.
"Master Jedi," Governor Sio Bibble said. "Our sovereign Queen Sabé Valaria and her royal handmaiden Padmé Naberrie Amidala. Your Highness, Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn and newly conferred Jedi Knight, Obi-Wan Kenobi."
Obi-Wan found himself staring at his young bride-to-be and his breath caught in his throat. She was beautiful with her long, brown hair pulled back and styled, her cheeks and lips rouged. He stepped forward.
Padmé found that she was rendered speechless when she saw the Jedi Knight she was to marry. He was handsome with his reddish brown hair, deep grey-blue eyes. She found herself stepping toward him and they met each other halfway.
"Padmé," he whispered, reaching a hand out to take hers. "Is this what you want, truly?"
"Yes," she whispered and they turned to face the queen, Governor Bibble, and the Jedi Master.
"So, you will be comfortable wedding Obi-Wan in three years' time?" Qui-Gon pressed. When she nodded, he went on, "I'm sure Your Highness will want to have a betrothal ceremony."
"Yes," Sabé replied. "As part of our customs, they'll be joined together in our betrothal celebration, and will be as husband and wife, except in the one aspect of marriage. In that, they must wait until the marriage ceremony." She smiled tensely and turned to the couple in question. "The betrothal ceremony will be three days hence. Padmé, would you like to take Obi-Wan for a walk in the gardens, give you some time to get to know each other?"
"Thank you, Your Highness," she said. "I think I would." Obi-Wan offered her his arm and she led him out to the warm garden. Once they were alone, he turned to her.
"Padmé, I can't even understand what you're feeling right now," he began. "To be ordered to marry a man you don't know to prove Naboo's loyalty to the Republic; I just want to make sure this is what you want, truly."
"It is what I want," she told him as they walked in the gardens. "I would do anything to protect the interests of Naboo and my queen. I am glad we're going to wait until I'm older to actually celebrate the marriage though."
Obi-Wan smiled. "I am too, but for other reasons. I would like to take time to visit you in between missions; court you, if you will. Would you be amenable to that?"
Padmé found herself smiling. Just when she thought she liked him well enough, he still managed to surprise her. "I would like that, Master Kenobi. I would like that very much." Even if she didn't grow to love him as a wife should love a husband, he would be a friend to her. She couldn't ask for better than that.
The three days before the betrothal ceremony passed quickly for Obi-Wan and Padmé, yet they used them wisely. Obi-Wan took time to visit with his betrothed bride, taking her on walks through the gardens and even on a picnic. They found they had many things in common; while she was involved in politics, she didn't care for many of the politicians in power in the Republic, and Obi-Wan felt the same way, especially when it came to newly elected Chancellor Palpatine. The two of them talked about it at length. While Padme did nothing to betray her queen confidence, she did share that the court was concerned about Palpatine's political ambitions.
"I almost wish I was on the Senate," she admitted softly. "I don't know how much of a difference I could make, but I would love to try."
"Master Yoda is always saying, 'Do or do not. There is no try'," he retorted with a soft chuckle. "But I understand where you're coming from. I wish there were more like you on the Senate."
As he slid an arm around her, she found herself leaning against him. She'd become more comfortable around him. This can work, she thought to herself. Everything will be all right.
The betrothal ceremony took place during the evening on the third day. Padme was dressed once again in her best handmaiden's gown and her hair was swept up in an elegant twist with ringlets framing her young face. Obi-Wan was also dressed in his best Jedi tunic, leggings and robe and the two of them were facing the Naboo holy man who was performing the betrothal ceremony. As he recited the holy texts of betrothal, Padme found herself gazing at Obi-Wan out of the corner of her eye. He also caught her looking at him and winked back at her.
"The time has come for the couple to make their betrothal pledges to one another," the holy man intoned. The couple nodded and turned to face each other.
Obi-Wan gently took her hands in his. "I, Obi-Wan Kenobi, take you, Padmé Naberrie Amidala to be my betrothed wife until such time that we are joined in marriage. I will remain loyal only to you." He took the ring handed to him by Qui-Gon and slid it onto the finger of her right hand. "Please accept this ring as a sign of my love, fidelity, and friendship."
Padmé nodded and when the holy man signaled her, she spoke her own vows, "I, Padmé Naberrie Amidala, take you, Obi-Wan Kenobi to be my betrothed husband until such time that we are joined in marriage. I will remain loyal only to you." She turned and took the ring handed to her by Rabé and slid it onto the finger of Obi-Wan's right hand. "Please accept this ring as a sign of my love, fidelity, and friendship."
"The rings that you have given one another will be your wedding bands and will be switched over to your left hands during the celebration of your marriage. May they be a reminder of the vows you've made to each other." The holy man smiled. "You are now betrothed to one another according to the laws of the Naboo. You may now share a kiss of peace."
Obi-Wan gently cupped Padmé's face in his hands and lowered his lips to hers. Once their lips met, he felt her mouth gently blossom open beneath his and the kiss they shared was lengthy.
Qui-Gon gazed at the couple. It had been as he'd seen in his meditations. Theirs would not only be an arranged alliance; it would also be a love alliance. It will be interesting to see what continues to develop between them, he thought with a smile.