Chronicles of a Handmaiden II—Calm Before the Storms

Chronicles of a Handmaiden II—Calm Before the Storms

~~**~~

            Sabe was quiet the rest of the day and the other Handmaidens respected her privacy and agreed amongst themselves not to pry.  Even Queen Amidala herself went along with this agreement.

            But soon it was too much for the young queen to watch her friend's tired, careworn face. Juggling in between recovery from the invasion and keeping an update on the goings-on in the Senate, Amidala debated to herself whether she should bring herself to question Sabe and her actions.

            "You let him go."

            Sabe looked up in surprise at the queen's abrupt words. Amidala had just given a speech at the city square, presided over a meeting, and was now back at Theed, preparing for her rest. Sabe was carefully removing the remaining white paint on Amidala's face. It never ceased to amaze her—they looked so alike.

            Amidala was waiting for an answer. "It was inevitable from the very beginning." Sabe said softly, moving on to the queen's hair and undoing the elaborate twists Rabe had performed on Amidala's head. "He understood that. So did I."

            "Ever the cynic." Amidala shook her head, watching the brown tresses unfurl and drape on her shoulders. Sabe was watching her carefully through the mirror. "You don't believe in it, do you?"

            "Believe in what?"

            "Love."

            "Oh Amidala!" Sabe laughed like a grownup laughing at a child's silliness. "I believe in love—only not the kind of love that you mean. Obi—The Jedi," she corrected hastily, biting her lip—for mentioning his name was still quite painful. "The Jedi, he loves something else. I do, too."

            "You do not quite believe that you care for him so much." Amidala observed, not insulted that Sabe had laughed at her. "And why is that? Because you had little time to know each other? Love is not always played out in a long-term manner. It's quite mysterious, you know."

            "Why, Amidala!" Sabe looked surprised. "You're quite an expert on these issues, are you?"

            She shrugged. "Why not? I am the queen."

            "You are an idealist. I, on the other hand, am a realist."

            Amidala shrugged again. "Suit yourself.  You'll be old before you know it."

            I can't believe this is the queen of Naboo that I'm talking to. Sabe thought to herself, running a fine comb through the brown locks. "As far as I recall, you have no romantic experience whatsoever."

            Amidala smiled a secretive smile. "I will love someone, and he will be the only one, and I won't let him go. I won't live a lie." She looked at Sabe sternly. "Just like you are now."

            Sabe met Amidala's gaze coolly. "You may be the queen, but you have no right to judge my actions." She said in quiet anger. No more words were exchanged after that.

           

            The first few weeks from his return from Naboo found a troubled Obi-wan contemplating the night-lights of Coruscant. He couldn't get the image of that girl off his head…that Sabe. His emotions were in turmoil. Her courage, her wisdom, her kindness and childlike smile…it released something from Obi-wan, who had grown up in a controlled and disciplined manner. She had something he felt he lost a long time ago.

            It's crazy but…sometimes I feel like I want to run away. Sometimes I feel like I want to get away.

            He was a person, and in the first time in his life, he realized that he was human, and that his emotions could get in the way of everything, everything he had worked for.

            Master Yoda had sensed this immediately after his return from Naboo. "Freed from fears, your mind should be." He had advised him. "Get rid of the doubts and obstacles in your mind." Master Windu added. Obi-wan had to clench his teeth and agree.

            She is NOT an obstacle! His mind screamed. Windu sensed it, and smiled.

            "It seems to me that she is being an obstacle to your peace of mind right now." He commented. Then, Obi-wan realized that Master Windu was, of course, correct. He was not going to be a good Master to his Padawan if he acted like a lovesick little fool.

            Right now, Anakin was to be staying at the Temple for some finer Jedi tests and registration. Obi-wan was glad for the delay; it gave him more time to think. But every time he closed his eyes, all he could feel was the touch of Sabe's hand on his shoulder when she was with him, weeping Qui-Gon's death. This feeling brought him a different kind of peace.

            "No, this will NOT do!" he screamed in frustration at his empty room. Yet all his years in Jedi training eluded him now, and he went on his business in dazed stupor, interested only in the brown-haired women that caught his eye. Sometimes he wondered if his Master went through all of this when he was younger. But of course, it was too late to ask that now.

            He asked himself how it could have all happened, so quickly, in such a short time. How did he learn to love her so well in that confusing situation?

            But then again, how could it not have happened?

            "Master Obi-wan?" a small voice called behind him. It was Anakin Skywalker. For a moment, Obi-wan didn't recognize him.

            Promise me you will train him, Obi-wan…

            People like us…maybe we were meant to be alone…Sabe's voice.

            He straightened, and nodded at Anakin. He knew what had to be done, and there was no turning back.

~~*~~

            He is a Jedi, and he is married to his Order. These thoughts rang in Sabe's thoughts as the days passed, as she threw herself upon her duties. This was all she had—her duties as Handmaiden. Before she knew it, several years had passed and, suddenly—Padme Amidala was no longer the queen of Naboo. Another had succeeded her, the new Queen Jamilia. It was not long before she received a letter relieving her of her duties as Handmaiden. There would be new ones. Sabe was one of the judges in picking the new batch. In the elections that shortly followed the election of the new queen, Padme Amidala won a seat to the Galactic Senate, therefore representing Naboo to the Galactic Republic.

            More pleasant surprises followed afterward. The new queen appointed Sabe as Naboo's new Minister of Defense. Rabe became Minister of Education and Arts, and the other Handmaidens gained positions of lesser power. Padme was quick to congratulate all of them, especially Sabe. After their inauguration, Padme approached Sabe to discuss some things with her. In true Naboo tradition, there was much celebration and festivity, so Padme had to pull Sabe away from the noise and glitter to have some privacy from the others.

            "Congratulations on your victory, Senator." Sabe told her, smiling as the two strolled down the gardens of Theed palace. It still took some time for her to get used to the fact that Padme was not the queen anymore. Padme looked casual and relaxed, but still regal and lovely, Sabe was quick to note.

            "Thank you, Minister." Padme said in return, reminding her that Sabe had a personal victory as well. "The queen has made a wise choice in your appointment."

            "Ah, but I have you and General Panaka to thank for that." General Panaka WAS very helpful in

campaigning for her for that position. "I look forward with working with you once again, Senator."

            "And I!" Padme agreed, nodding enthusiastically. "By the way, Minister, the queen has informed me that I am to take two ministers for my inauguration at the Galactic Senate in Coruscant. I would like you to be one of those ministers."

            "I, Senator?" Sabe had to laugh at that. "It will be just like old times then!"

            "Yes, just like old times." Padme agreed, smiling.   "Besides, I feel much safer when you are around. Don't worry, you wouldn't have to impersonate me again." Sabe laughed again. "So what do you say?"

            "I would very much like to. And perhaps we could take a tour around charming Coruscant before settling in our work? Last time was too hectic." Sabe suggested, picking up a blossom whose name she could not recall. The flower glowed softly in the dark.

            "I had the same thought in my mind." Padme said, taking the blossom from Sabe and twirling it in her hand. "Sometimes I think I was too hard on my Handmaidens, never giving them a chance to take a breather from their duties."

            "Oh, that's not true." Said loyal Sabe, shaking her head. "We only work as hard as you do."

            "Do you?" Amidala raised an eyebrow and shook her head. "I was just kidding. Of course you are all fine people."  She took Sabe's hand and squeezed it gently. How good it felt to be talking to her as a friend again, not as Queen to Handmaiden! "I am sorry if I had ever been cruel or unkind to you, Sabe." She whispered.

            Sabe's eyebrows flew upward, surprised at this abrupt change of subject. But she knew Amidala well. She squeezed back. "You were never cruel, Amidala. Never." She whispered back. The two friends laughed, all sins forgiven. They had a glorious future to look forward to, both wondering what they would see.

~~**~~

Author's notes: Ok…this one's kind of short…a sort of explanation on what Sabe and Obi-wan decided to do. Next stop: Coruscant! Amidala's inauguration! Sabe meets Obi-wan again (this is inevitable, ya know) and finds out that time doesn't heal all wounds as well as she wished…