Perfect

Chapter Two

Long, shimmering strands of intricately woven silver chain hung down from an elaborate headdress like sun-kissed raindrops. Identical layers of silver dripped from my shoulders and spread low and wide across the thick carpeting of my luxurious palace suite.

Once again, it was time for the Unity Day Parade; a celebration to recall the coming together of the Naboo and the native Gungan species, who had worked hard and sacrificed so much to defeat the Trade Federation's droid armies. Two years ago today, the Neimodians responsible had been captured and taken to Coruscant to be held for trial.

It was the short length of only two full cycles on Naboo before word was sent that the High Courts had declared a mistrial and the Neimodians were now free. As Queen, I had taken that recent disturbing bit of news to mind and was doing my best not to allow it to ruin my mood or the significance of the day.

This particular celebration was special to me, not because my quick thinking had freed our people from war and oppression, but because a particular Jedi had once again accepted my invitation to witness the Naboo/Gungan peace renewal as well as the festivities following it.

He should be arriving any minute.

While my handmaiden, Sabé, worked diligently on applying the traditional face paint of Naboo hierarchy, I recalled the first time I had seen Jedi Obi-Wan Kenobi. He and his Jedi Master had arrived on Naboo secretly after a failed plot to murder them both. They entered Theed in grand fashion – leaping from an overpass to confront the battledroids escorting me and several of my staff off to the prison camps.

The Jedi Padawan was young, brave, and handsome, and I was immediately drawn to him. Our eyes had locked on one another and despite the immediate danger, he had smiled at me. The expression hadn't lasted long, but it explained everything we didn't have the time or opportunity to say. It had told me he had felt it as well – the tugging of two souls being drawn together by some inexplicable force.

So much happened during the following days, we rarely had an opportunity to speak privately. The times we did share, though, weren't awkward or uncomfortable as one would expect. We spoke as if we had known each other all our lives and were the best of friends reunited at a most inopportune moment.

When Master Jinn was killed, Obi-Wan was devastated and we wept for the loss together, holding onto one another for comfort. Following Qui-Gon's burial pyre observation, I tried to convince Obi-Wan to stay, to allow himself time to heal, but the Jedi Council wanted him to return to Coruscant to begin training the new Padawan his deceased Master had given him.

I believed it was too soon, his grief was still too fresh, and yet he obeyed and followed orders, as any good soldier would do. He was first and foremost, a Jedi, and I would do well to remember that.

None of that mattered. He was the one I had dreamed about all my life. He was the one I wanted. So I waited.

A year and a half passed, and the kingdom was anxious to declare a holiday to celebrate their good fortune of freedom and prosperity. The palace funded an elaborate party, calling it the Day of Unification or Unity Day, it came to be named later. A decorating committee was created to make the courtyard, as well as the palace, appear colorful and festive. For the original celebration, they had chosen white as their color focus. This year, it was light blue and it was demonstrated in the bodice as well as the skirt of my formal dress.

The talent of the palace seamstresses never failed to astound me, and they'd impressed me again this year. Hand-stitched within the shimmering light blue fabric were individually sewn flowers of white petals. Thousands of them. I imagined it had taken them all year to create such a fantastic garment, and I was grateful for their efforts. It was a beautiful gown and the handmaidens' were as well, although they were significantly plainer.

As ready as we could be, after one final check to make certain the silver chains weren't catching on anything, we gathered together in pyramid form to march out to the top of the palace steps. It was where I would address the gathered crowd consisting of fellow Naboo as well as Gungans and other invited guests.

The Senator from Naboo, Sheev Palpatine, as well as Obi-Wan and his Padawan, young Anakin Skywalker, would be present as special guests and would join me on the platform, as well as the Theed Council.

The sun was bright that day and momentarily blinded me. Once my eyesight had adjusted, I took in the elaborate blue and silver decorations in every direction. Banners, streamers, and confetti filled the air as the attendees filled the streets, greeting one another or gyrating to the noisy Gungan music. The sounds of loud drumming and horns being blown were near-deafening, but music was an important part of the Gungan culture and they were more than welcome to play. The cacophony only added to the joyful environment.

After I had observed everything around me and acknowledged my own family who stood at the bottom of the steps, I turned my head to smile at Obi-Wan.

I hadn't set my eyes on him in a year's time, and I was quick to note how much he had changed. There were shadows beneath his eyes and a short growth of beard had begun to show. He was also allowing his hair to grow out and it was parted and long on the top, while cut shorter underneath. Standing next to him was Anakin who appeared quite pleased to be here. The young boy was grinning from ear to ear and I winked at him in friendly response. His good mood was contagious.

My attention quickly returned to Obi-Wan though, whose eyes had softened as he continued to gaze at me. There was something on his mind and I hoped we'd have time to talk before the day had ended. Perhaps he would be willing to spend the night in the palace. I would issue the invitation, though I doubted he'd accept. I could tell by the looks of him that he had been busy and most likely not getting enough sleep.

Following my short speech expressing my gratitude and pleasure at how far we'd come, the Gungan band once more took center stage. While they performed, the palace staff readied the meal indoors. There was a grand feast offered to everyone in attendance and the kitchen had been working diligently for days to provide enough food for all. I would remain in the throne room to make myself available for anyone who wished to speak with me, although I secretly hoped Obi-Wan would be one of them. I wanted to know how he was doing and what he'd been up to.

As countless citizens enjoyed the free food and drink, I met with several Gungans and Naboo alike, who wished me well and great future success. It had been a wonderful day, but it was drawing to a close and I hadn't yet seen Obi-Wan.

That's when Sabe returned from requesting my dinner be brought to me and leaned forward to whisper in my ear. "I think there's a problem in the dining room, Mi'Lady," she told me.

We had come so close to achieving a perfect Unity Day! There hadn't been a single incident, which was common with Gungans in town. I sighed and looked up at her. "What is it?"

"You need to come and see for yourself."

Her reply wasn't at all what I'd expected. I imagined someone had tripped and spilled their plate or perhaps a Gungan was complaining about the food. No matter how hard they tried, the palace chefs couldn't prepare the Gungan recipes to their satisfaction.

I just hoped it wasn't anything to do with Obi-Wan.