Chapter Five
The sun went down on Naboo and the city of Theed lit up in a spectacular way. Despite their troubles, there was a harvest festival going on downtown. Obi-Wan was anxious for the following day and his muscles ached from his extended bout of swimming earlier, but he didn't want to miss the event.
He strolled alone amongst the Naboo, sampling a variety of products grown and created in the surrounding farms and bakeries. Once he'd had his fill, he stood in the plaza listening to an upbeat performance of a local band. The music wasn't exactly his preference seeing there weren't enough stringed instruments, but he enjoyed it nonetheless.
A fruity drink in his hand, he strolled to the bridge overlooking the river which fed the Verdugo Falls and stared over it into the dark waters. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed something bobbing up out of the water. He glanced that way, wondering if perhaps a fish had been feeding on the surface, only this didn't look fish-like. It looked human. Upon further inspection, he spied a purplish fin breaking the tension of the water before disappearing once again. At least he thought he had or else this drink wasn't as innocent as it had claimed to be.
Before long, a voice was carried along with the cool night breeze. Somebody whose tone he did not recognize was calling his name.
"Jedi Kenobi," it whispered.
Spirits belonged to the Force and he did not believe they were free to inhabit this realm. However, his head was clear and decided it was worth looking into. He abandoned the bridge to climb down the rocky path next to it that led to the river's edge. There, within the shadows beneath the bridge, her head and shoulders above the water, was the Mer maiden he had seen in Thaladi; the one on the far end of the line who kept gazing at him.
And yet another theory of the Mer was disproved. They could breathe out of the water after all, which made him wonder why they had deceived the Naboo into believing otherwise.
He carefully stepped toward her as far as he could without getting wet and crouched low to bring himself down to her level, quite literally.
"My name is Padmé," she explained. Her voice sounded like a chiming bell, both melodic and calming. "I'm the daughter of Queen Kailana."
That was surprising! "You're the Princess of Thaladi? What are doing so far from home?" She couldn't be much older than eighteen standard years, although he wasn't sure if the Mer held to the Galactic Standards of Measurement.
The beautiful young Mer swam a little closer while staying within the shadows. "I needed to speak with you before tomorrow's treaty meeting," she explained.
His interest now piqued, Obi-Wan waited for the information, although Padmé seemed hesitant to share it. She was probably risking more than he realized.
"Listen," he told her. "If this is going to put you in harm's way, then forget about it. I'll be able to figure everything out. It just may take me some time."
His confidence did nothing to ease her worried expression and she glanced below as well as above before speaking. "You don't understand. Your life is in danger! There is more going on in Thaladi than you know."
"Then tell me," the Jedi urged quietly. "What's going on that has you so scared?"
"If my mother knew I was here, there's no telling what she would do!" After biting her lip during a pause, Padmé finally blurted out the information. "There's a traitor among us who wishes nothing but evil to come upon the Naboo. He is in cahoots with the Queen and will make certain the renewal of the treaty never takes place!"
He didn't know his name, but Obi-Wan knew exactly who she was talking about. "You mean her advisor, that skinny, old Mer fellow."
She chuckled at his description. "His name is Sheev and he's been the Royal Advisor for the past sixty years. He knows everything and everybody. He probably even knows I'm here. I should go."
"Wait!" Obi-Wan called out, unsure exactly why. "Will I see you again tomorrow?"
Padmé displayed a grin that brightened her eyes while the moonlit sparkled against the golden chains twisted throughout her long, dark hair. "Yes, I'll be at the meeting."
He wanted to say he was glad, but why would he say anything like that to her? Since when did he react in such a way to anyone during a mission? He had a job to do. The last time he had made friends with those he was trying to help, it hadn't worked out in his favor. Changing his mind, Obi-Wan was going to wish her well, but the sound of someone stepping down the stones toward him chased her away.
He turned to find Queen Jamilla's handmaiden, Sabé approaching carefully.
"What are you doing down here, Knight Kenobi?"
Obi-Wan glanced back at the water. There was no trace of the Queen's daughter. "Just talking with the creatures of the deep," he told her.
"Interesting," the young lady replied while looking at him strangely. "Was it an enjoyable conversation?"
"It was." She thought he was joking when actually, he was being quite serious. "Although the topic did seem a bit fishy to me."
The handmaiden's face curled in disgust before she laughed. "What a terrible pun!"
"That's why it was so funny." Obi-Wan helped the young woman ascend the stony trail that led back up to the bridge. The festival was still going on with plenty of conversation, music, and dancing. "Why were you looking for me?" he asked her once they'd reached the street.
"Queen Jamilla requests your presence."
Obi-Wan had already reported to her earlier in the evening in regards to his meeting with Queen Kailana. Perhaps she was nervous about tomorrow's gathering.
"Allow me to escort you back to the palace," Sabé suggested with a smile that reddened her face.
Obi-Wan Kenobi had traveled the galaxy and wasn't naïve. He could tell by the tone of her voice and her body language that the handmaiden was interested in him sexually, which never ceased to be surprising. The Jedi was handsome enough to draw attention from the opposite sex, but they never seemed to understand that he couldn't stay, and she would not be allowed to accompany him back. Anything else such as a one-night stand was out of the question. Obi-Wan wasn't about to give up his sense of moral decency for something like that. When the time did come for him to settle down, it would be with someone who was mature enough to understand what she was getting herself into. Someone who would realize the many nights she would spend alone. As an active Jedi, he would always be venturing to some planet or another to fix someone else's problem.
"That's okay. You stay and enjoy the festivities. I know my way back," Obi-Wan told her without waiting for her rebuttal. He hurried through the crowd and took the palace steps two at a time. The Queen was in her study, he was told and he bowed upon entrance.
"Your handmaiden said you sent for me," he announced.
The Naboo leader brushed her hand in the air, dismissing everyone else in the room. Finally, they were alone and Obi-Wan was hoping she would be truthful with him.
"I'm concerned about tomorrow's meeting," she began, placing a large datapad onto her lap. "You told me that Kailana has no interest in extending the treaty. What makes you so certain your negotiations will be successful?"
The young Knight thought for a moment on the best way to answer such a question. A Jedi was to be humble, so his answer was going to be a result of his training, not necessarily any credit to himself. But not in the way one would think. Under his Master's tutelage, Obi-Wan had learned so many times what not to do, instead of the other way around. Too many times, Qui-Gon Jinn had taken risks and they had both paid dearly for his decisions. As his apprentice, Obi-Wan was prone to bend to the older Jedi's will, although there had been many instances when they disagreed.
This was his mission and he would do things his way this time.
"Honestly? I think she's hiding something, and if I play my cards just right, I'll get her to admit it. Then, hopefully, she will see the guilt she's been trying so hard to hide and will start to be a bit more reasonable. The Force willing, that is."
"I hope you're right," Knight Kenobi," the Queen told him nervously. "Or else the people of Naboo alone will suffer the consequences of your actions.