Anakin skillfully blocked another parry with his lightsaber and came face to face with his master. The hiss of their swords continued to sound as they stared each other down. Obi-wan pushed Anakin away and began a new series of jabs and swings, his partner blocking each one.
Amidala was on the way to her chambers when she noticed a handful of servant girls gathered by a nearby balcony. Curious, she walked over to see what was holding their close attention. She reached the group of girls, but couldn't see over them to find out what they were watching so intently.
"What is it?" she asked. None of the girls turned to look at her, but one did throw back an answer.
"The two Jedi knights are practicing with their laser swords." Amidala smiled to herself. "Come see," added the girl. She turned to bring the newcomer into the little group of spectators when she realized the newcomer was her queen. Her eyes widened in surprise as she yanked on the dress of one of the other girls.
"What?! Can't you see I'm trying to---" But the second girl's sentence was cut short as she too turned and saw the queen. "Your highness," she said casting her eyes to the floor and curtsying. Upon hearing that, the rest of the group turned also and followed suit in obeisance.
"Don't you girls have other duties you should be tending to?" Amidala queried jokingly.
"Yes, your majesty," came the response, and the band of girls quickly scurried off in shame.
As soon as they were gone, Amidala peered over the edge of the balcony. She could see why the girls had been so transfixed. Obi-wan and Anakin were locked in a practice duel with their lightsabers. Something about the fluidness of their graceful movements and the look of intensity in their eyes seemed to mesmerize her. She couldn't pull herself away. Obi-wan looked so much the same as years before, only wiser and more mature. But Anakin... He was fighting without a shirt, and Amidala could see the movements of the finely toned muscles in his arms and back. A sheen of perspiration covered him, and she could see the concentration etched on both men's faces.
Anakin felt like he was being watched again. Earlier he had sensed it and found a group of palace maids gawking at him and his master. He had to admit that he liked the attention. However, this time was different Taking a quick glance back up at the balcony, he saw her watching. His heart nearly stopped along with his concentration as Obi-wan took the opportunity to knock Anakin's saber out of his hand. A stunned Anakin spun around only too late, realizing he had lost.
"You lost your focus, Anakin," Obi-wan stated. "You allowed your mind to wander--- along with your eyes." Obi-wan smiled and glanced up at Amidala on the balcony. Anakin's face began to blush at his master's remarks.
Amidala had cringed as Anakin's lightsaber was knocked away. Thankfully, Obi-wan was skilled enough not to hurt his student, but she could tell Anakin was embarrassed by his defeat. The two men shook hands and bowed to one another. Obi-wan clipped his weapon onto his belt and left the hall. Anakin shyly looked up at Amidala until her gaze met his, and then he quickly looked away. She could sense his embarrassment and for a brief moment, she saw traces of the young boy from Tatooine. Her protectiveness entered in and so she descended the stairs to meet him in the great hall. Watching him busy himself by putting his tunic back on, Amidala had to admit that he had grown into quite an attractive young man. Yet she still remembered the child who had left his mother and lost a newly made friend all within only days of one another.
"That was quite a display you put on," she ventured as she walked down the staircase.
"Yeah, right," he grunted. However, she remained determined to brighten his attitude.
" You had quite an adoring fan club up there watching They didn't even notice when I walked up."
Anakin turned to face her and smiled gently. 'If only she knew that she's the only woman I'm watching' he thought to himself. Sensing her efforts to put him at ease, his confidence returned.
"Well, I would have won--IF I hadn't been distracted by such a beautiful spectator." Grinning, he boldly gazed into her eyes and this time didn't look away. To say the young queen was caught off guard was an understatement. The look in his eyes caused Amidala's heart to speed up and her mouth to go dry. Anakin's smile broadened as he realized her surprise, and so, taking advantage of the moment, he shot her a sly wink..
"I'm afraid I must now take leave of your charming company, your highness," he mockingly said as he gave a large bow. Then taking her dainty hand in his, he applied a soft kiss as he continued to stare deep into her eyes. After a few seconds, Anakin offered another sly wink, then abruptly turned and left Amidala standing alone in her silent astonishment. Glancing down at her hand, a question formed in hr mind.
'Did he just flirt with me?'
At that instant, a distant memory flooded her mind of a young boy matter-of-factly informing her that he would marry her someday. After stating that she could not marry him because he was just a boy, she remembered his quick response.
'I won't always be.'
That reality was slowly dawning on Amidala, Queen of the Naboo. Anakin Skywalker was definitely no longer a little boy.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- After dinner that evening, Queen Amidala asked to speak to the two Jedi privately. She informed them of the possible Sith involvement on the opposite side of the planet and asked for their opinions on what steps to take next.
Obi-wan's mind swirled with memories of Qui-gon's death at the hands of the evil Sith, Darth Maul. The Jedi recalled the tauntingly wicked look on Maul's face when he thought Obi-wan was a goner, and how that look changed to painful shock as his body was sliced in two by a Jedi lightsaber. Finally, he spoke.
"We must alert the Jedi Council, but I am sure they will want us to investigate further."
Anakin knew how deeply Qui-gon's death had cut into his master's heart. Even Anakin himself had to fight against the anger and pain of the loss. The possibility of another Sith encounter was not to be taken lightly. The trio continued to discuss the next move.
"The governor of Rabeed had invited me for a visit to more clearly see firsthand his city's point of view on the matter. They wish to have more direct involvement by the Republic in their trade. I, however, am leery of too much government involvement. The more control we give up, the less power we have as an individual people. I must go."
Anakin marveled at her intelligence and concern for her people. To him it only made her even more attractive. Just like when he was a boy, he could not keep himself from staring at her. Amidala happened to notice the attention, and Anakin thought he could almost see her blush even through all of that white make-up.
'I'm not a boy anymore, Padme,' he silently sent her way.
"Well," Anakin spoke suddenly," you can not go without protection." Standing straight as a board and lifting his chin proudly, he continued. "I volunteer my services to you, Pad--- I mean, your highness."
"Thank you, Anakin," she replied with a sweet smile, "but I cannot allow you to give up your time of rest."
"No," Obi-wan interjected. "He's right. You cannot go without Jedi protection. They tried to kill you before, and if another Sith is behind this disturbance, you will need our help." The older Jedi paced in thought. "I have a plan," he began, and with that he shared his idea with the other two.