******************************************************************************************** Chrissie Bligh Normal Chrissie Bligh 1 2 2001-11-02T15:48:00Z 2001-11-02T15:52:00Z 15 5135 29270 HP 243 58 35945 9.2720 Print 75

********************************************************************************************

Five years later (Eight years after The Phantom Menace)

********************************************************************************************

The flames flickered in the cold crematorium, and Sabé shivered as she watched the flames lick at the body of her friend.  Next to her, Rabé, Yané, Eirtaé and Padmé all stood, silent, as each of them bade Saché farewell in their own way.

Callé stood behind them with Dormé, who respected the remaining five of the original six in their grief.  She had become great friends with Saché in the five years she had known the handmaiden, but she knew that Rabé, Yané, Eirtaé, Padmé and Sabé had loved Saché like a sister.

As a tear fell down Sabé's cheek, she couldn't help remembering the funeral of eight years before, when she had watched Qui-Gon Jinn burn as Saché now burned.  Then her mind was taken over with memories of Saché, and she couldn't stop a gasping sob.

Padmé's hand snaked out to clasp her own, and Sabé squeezed it, glad of the warmth and comfort that she could feel rolling off Padmé and the others.  Tears were running down all of their faces, and Sabé looked down in surprise as a pair of arms circled her waist as Callé hid her face in her mother's skirt.  She returned the hug quickly, then as the flames died down finally, she turned and led the child from the crematorium.

After a word with the others, Padmé followed her.  "Sabé, can I talk to you?" she called.  Sabé turned, nodded, and told Callé to wait for her outside.  Callé moved away, and the two stood together.

"I still don't know how it happened," Sabé said at last in a ragged whisper.  Padmé gave a small shrug.  "Blaster overload," she replied in the same tone.  "She was practising her aim, and then…"  She cut herself off, choking back a sob.  Then she pulled herself together.

"Panaka wants me to find a replacement," she told her friend.  "Preferably from the Academy.  I wanted to know if you know of anyone suitable."  Sabé forced herself to mentally look through the trainees at the Academy, searching for ones that looked enough like Padmé to be suitable.

"There are a few," she admitted slowly.  "But…"  She hesitated.  "Padmé…"  She trailed off again, not knowing how to phrase what she wanted to say.

"No, Sabé."  Padmé was firm.  "Much as I would love to have you as a handmaiden again, you are too valuable where you are."  She paused.  "Besides, there may be another job open to you soon," she admitted.  Sabé frowned slightly.  "Padmé, after what happened," she started to argue.  Padmé held up a hand.

"No arguments, Sabé," she said softly.  "Panaka insists on someone from the Academy.  Who are the possibles?"

"There's one girl, Cordé Marsé," Sabé replied after a long moment.  "She's as like you as Yané, and she's a brilliant fighter.  I'd say she's the most likely, but if she doesn't work out, there's a couple of others – Versé Singé, Lié Grea, Rosa Sirta, all good fighters and similar in appearance to you."  She paused.  "Although if both of those are the main considerations," she began, "then -,"

"No, Sabé," Padmé said sharply.  Then she softened.  "I truly am sorry, Sabé," she told the older woman.  "But you're best where you are."

Sabé stared at her for a moment, her eyes cold, then she nodded defeat.  "I'll send Cordé and the others over to the palace tomorrow," she told the queen at last.  "If you want, I'll accompany them."

"That would be good," Padmé accepted softly.  She hesitated, then continued.  "It's not just Saché we need to replace, Sabé," she observed.  Sabé winced at her words, but Padmé had to say them.  "Eirtaé is getting married, remember.  She'll be leaving within a month."

"I know," Sabé murmured.  Then Callé came running up, claiming her attention.

"Mum, it's starting to rain, let's go," the eight-year-old encouraged her mother softly.  Sabé nodded.  She looked up at Padmé again.  "Tell the others I'll see them tomorrow," she said softly.  Padmé nodded, then turned and returned to her handmaidens whilst Callé took Sabé's hand and led her out to the transport.

The two sat silently as the private transport swept through the streets of Theed that even now were soaking with rain.  Callé watched as another tear crept down Sabé's face, and she leant her head on Sabé's arm, smiling slightly as Sabé's arm moved to hold her.

"Why do people have to die, Mum?" she asked at last, so quietly that Sabé barely heard the words.  "I don't know, little one," Sabé managed.  "They just do."

The next day, Sabé called Cordé, Versé, Lié and Rosa to her office.  They arrived expectantly, and Sabé critically looked them over, noting their similarities and dissimilarities to Padmé.

Rabé would still have to play decoy, she mused.  But Cordé, if she was chosen, was like enough that she would be able to do as well if the need arose.  Then she snapped out of her own thoughts and smiled at the four girls in front of her.

"Thank you for coming here so quickly," she said quietly.  "You've all been called to the Palace by her highness; I'm to accompany you."

The girls exchanged confused glances.  Cordé spoke up.  "If I may ask, Commander," she started.  "Why?"  Sabé hid a sad smile.  "The Queen is in need of two handmaidens," she explained.  "You all have been chosen as candidates."

The reactions of the four girls were remarkably varied, Sabé observed almost clinically.  Cordé laughed a little in disbelief, Versé paled, Lié gasped and Rosa looked as though she was about to faint.

"We're expected in ten minutes," Sabé said then.  "Just enough time for a run, I think."  Cordé groaned, then guiltily bit her lip.  "Of course, Commander," she agreed.  "Let's go then."

Ten minutes later, panting slightly, the four girls drew to a halt at the bottom of the huge steps up to the palace.  Sabé, coming lightly to a rest beside them, looked up at the palace with the eyes of one who had worked there – less of awe and more of reluctance – glanced the girls over and smiled.

"Not through the front door," she told them.  "Handmaidens never go through the front door unless they are with the queen."

Versé glanced curiously at her.  It was a widespread rumour around the Academy that Sabé had been a handmaiden at some point in her past – that and the rumour that she had been a thief were the most popular about Trainer Maberrie, and neither had been confirmed or rejected by Sabé herself.

But Sabé gave no indication as to how she knew what handmaidens did, merely ushering the four past the steps, around a corner, and into the palace through a smaller serving entrance.

She caught hold of a servant before they were more than a couple of feet in, and recognition dawned on the man's face.

"Do you know where her highness is?" Sabé inquired after exchanging pleasantries.  The man shrugged.  "I think she and her handmaidens are in the gym," he replied.  "You could try there, Lady Sabé.  If she isn't there, Captain Panaka will be, and he'll know."

"Thank you," Sabé smiled, before they separated.  The four girls exchanged curious glances and followed her.

"Commander, if I may," Versé ventured.  Sabé flashed her a smile.  "Go ahead, Versé," she encouraged.  Versé nodded, then continued.  "Why did he call you Lady Sabé?  And how do you know your way around the palace?"

Sabé hid a smile as they turned a corner and climbed a flight of stairs.  "Is it so surprising that I know my way around?" she pointed out mildly.  "I am responsible for training the Royal Bodyguard, after all.  Part of that training is to know all the different routes of the palace."

"But why did he call you Lady Sabé?" Rosa pressed.  Sabé shrugged slightly.  "Although it may be difficult for you trainees to accept, Sabé is my name," she remarked.  "He was merely showing me respect."

Then they were at the gym, and Sabé pressed her palm against the panel to let them in.  Rosa, Lié, Versé and Cordé stopped short when they saw five girls; four of them were paired off, sparring, and the fifth was doing some moves with a staff in an area away from the other four.  Sabé moved towards them, then paused.

"Padmé," she called.  One of the sparring girls looked up, her hair falling around her face; the other girl had been thrusting at her, and her momentum caused her to slip.  She managed to fall gracefully, but she looked up at Padmé with chagrin.

"Sorry, Rabé," Padmé murmured automatically, holding out a hand and helping the girl up.  Then she moved over to greet Sabé, hugging her tightly.

"These are them?" she inquired, looking over the four girls.  Cordé shifted slightly, uncomfortable with the stare and not knowing who Padmé was.  Sabé nodded.  "You're still letting your guard down, Padmé," she reproved.  Padmé blushed slightly.

The other four girls moved over to stand behind Padmé.  Sabé smiled warmly at them all.  "You've all slipped," she remarked airily.  "Perhaps I ought to give you a quick lesson whilst I'm here."

The girl who had been practising with a staff laughed a little scornfully.  Versé noticed that with the exception of one blonde, the four all looked similar – as did Sabé, she realised. 

"You couldn't beat us if we had one hand tied behind our backs," the girl commented.  By the twinkle in her eyes, Rabé knew that Yané was leading Sabé on.  And glancing at Sabé, Rabé realised that she had taken the bait.

"Staff please, Eirtaé," Sabé said smoothly to the blonde woman.  Eirtaé, smiling, moved to a pile of them and handed one to Sabé.  then Sabé and Yané moved to the centre of the gym and took up defensive positions.

Padmé sighed.  "Why must Yané bait her like that?" she demanded rhetorically.  Eirtaé chuckled.  "Sabé lets herself be led on," she reminded Padmé.  Then she turned to the four girls.  "Forgive us.  I'm Eirtaé Mazioné."

"Rabé Ticla," the darker woman introduced herself.  "That's Yané over there," she indicated the sparring girl.  "Dormé Yizla," the fourth girl told them with a smile.  Her hair was a shade darker than the other girls'. 

"Padmé Naberrie," Padmé introduced herself.  Rabe made a sound, and Padmé shot a warning glance at her.  "We're the Queen's handmaidens."

"I'm Cordé," Cordé smiled.  "This is Versé, Lié, and Rosa."  Lié made a sound.  "We can speak for ourselves, Cordé," she reprimanded the slightly younger girl.  Cordé shrugged, not abashed at all.

"Commander Maberrie told us that we were candidates for new handmaidens," Versé spoke up in her soft voice.  "May I ask why?"

The handmaidens exchanged sad glances.  Finally Dormé spoke up.  "Saché, the other handmaiden, was killed in an accident a few days ago," she said softly.  Padmé winced.  "One of you will…replace her.  And Eirtaé is getting married soon."

Eirtaé blushed slightly as all gazes turned to her.  Then Rosa thought of something.  "Was Commander Maberrie a handmaiden?" she demanded.  Again Padmé's eyes, warm and yet inquiring, turned on her.  "What makes you say that?" she asked lightly.  Rabé shoved her slightly.  "Alright, yes she was.  When she left, Dormé replaced her."

The four girls nodded, then they all turned to see Yané and Sabé still fighting, although Sabé obviously had the upper hand.  For a moment, all the sound in the gym was the thwack of two staffs connecting heavily.

Finally, tired of humouring Yané, Sabé attacked seriously, beating the younger girl back until she finally knocked the staff from her hands and raised her own staff to under her chin.

"Kill point," she advised.  She took her staff away, pushing one strand of hair from her forehead.  "You should know better, Yané."  Yané bent to retrieve her staff and took Sabé's, tossing them onto the pile.  "You're right, I probably should," she agreed lightly.

"If you two are finished playing?" Padmé called with amusement.  Sabé turned to her, her cheeks still flushed.  "Sorry, Padmé," she apologised.  "But you know I can't resist a challenge."

"Oh, we know," Rabé commented.  "Perhaps now we can get down to business."  Sabé nodded, and moved towards the nine that stood, quickly joined by Yané.

Sabé paused for a moment as Padmé silently communicated with her, then raised an eyebrow in query.  "Shouldn't we wait for the Queen before we start the tests?" she asked.  Eirtae coughed slightly to hide a chuckle.

"She told me to take charge," Padmé said smoothly.  "Physical first?"  Sabé nodded.  "Okay, Cordé and Lié, Versé and Rosa," she instructed.  The four paired up quickly.  "Hand to hand.  Freestyle.  Show them what you've got, girls."

Padmé grabbed a towel and dried her forehead as the two pairs started fighting.  Rabé and Eirtaé murmured comments to each other, and Dormé and Yané conferred quietly about something.  Sabé watched her four students critically, noting when each of them performed well or badly, wincing as Versé let down her guard long enough for Rosa to get a punch in, and nodding in approval when Cordé moved in a roundhouse kick to floor Lié.

Padmé put a hand on her arm to tell her to stop them, and Sabé nodded.  "Okay, that's enough, girls," she called.  The four stopped almost instantly, gasping for breath and gratefully taking the glasses of water Yané and Dormé handed to them.

"They're good, no doubt about that," Padmé murmured into Sabé's ear.  "Okay, now for the real test.  Can they act like proper handmaidens?"

"Can any of us – you?" Sabé countered, correcting herself quickly.  Padmé glanced at her, a sympathetic smile on her face, then she nodded at Rabé and Dormé.  The two handmaidens quickly left the gym, and Yané and Eirtaé nodded as Padmé followed them.

"They've gone to let her highness know you're ready," Sabé told the four young girls, who watched curiously as this happened.  "You've got a couple of minutes, then we'll take you up to her chambers."

"You mean, meet the Queen herself?" Lié asked nervously.  Sabé stifled a laugh.  "Amidala isn't that bad," she consoled them.  "In fact, she's one of my best friends."

"Sabé!" Eirtaé reproved slightly.  Sabé glanced up at the blonde handmaiden, and her face curved into a sad smile.  "Saché would have said that," she murmured.  Instantly, Yané and Eirtaé's faces closed up, and Cordé was surprised to see a tear glisten at Sabé's eye. 

"I can't believe she's gone," Yané murmured.  "She was like my big sister."  She glanced up at Sabé.  "You're all like my big sisters," she told the older woman honestly.  Sabé melted, and moved over to wrap her arms around the woman who seemed so young sometimes. 

Then Dormé stood at the door, and they were ready.  Yané and Eirtaé slipped on their handmaiden gowns, which had been discarded whilst they were exercising, and escorted Sabé, Cordé, Versé, Lié and Rosa up through the palace to the queen's chambers.

Entering the familiar chambers, Sabé was surprised to see Callé sitting quietly with Rabé, going through some of her homework.  When she realised they were here, Callé looked up, startled.

"Callé, why aren't you in school?" Sabé reproved.  Her students glanced between each other, curious as to who this small girl was.  Callé gave an apologetic shrug.  "Teacher training day," she reminded her mother.  "You did say that I could come here, Mum."

"Yes, I did," Sabé agreed, lifting a hand to her forehead.  "I'm sorry, Callé, I guess I forgot."  Callé flashed her a brilliant smile, then returned to her math, which Rabé and she were struggling through.

Then Padmé – or Queen Amidala – walked through from her room.  She wore one of her simpler gowns, light blue, long and flowing, with her hair mostly loose.  Sabé's breath was taken away as she realised again how beautiful her friend was.

Then she remembered herself, and curtseyed.  Padmé hid a smile.  "Please, Sabé," she said, her voice softer than her normal regal tones, yet still retaining part of that royalty.  "We have known each other too long for such formalities."

"Thank you, your highness," Sabé murmured.  She motioned for her four students to step forward.  "May I present Cordé Marsé," Cordé curtseyed, "Versé Singé," Versé curtseyed, "Lié Grea," Lié curtseyed, "and Rosa Sirta."  Rosa curtseyed last.

Padmé smiled slightly.  "Welcome," she greeted.  "I understand you are candidates for handmaidens."  "Yes, your highness," Cordé murmured.  Sabé bit her lip to keep from smiling.  In her seat next to Rabé, Callé watched in amusement; she knew that Amidala was Padmé, and always loved it when other people didn't know and met the queen and then met, at another time, her 'handmaiden' Padmé.

Padmé glanced at the young girl, a small smile evident on her face, then she looked back at Sabé.  "How was the physical, Sabé?" she asked smoothly.  Sabé nodded mildly.  "It went well, you highness," she replied.  "Although I'm biased – perhaps Rabé is a better judge."

Both Sabé and Padmé turned to Rabé, standing near the door.  Underneath her hood, the blood rushed from Rabé's face. 

"Yes, Rabé, how did the physical go?" Padmé asked lightly, her voice betraying none of her wicked intent.  Rabé choked slightly before replying.

"They are all excellent fighters," she managed, "Although I think Cordé and Versé are slightly better than the rest."

"Sabé, do you agree with that assessment?" Padmé asked coolly.  "Yes, your highness," Sabé replied.  She hesitated, opened her mouth to say something, then closed it again. 

"In that case," Padmé said, seeing Sabé's motions but not commenting on them, "Perhaps you and Callé could return in an hour?"  Sabé nodded, turning towards Callé, who quickly packed up her books and joined her mother, biting her lip to stop from smiling at the grimace Sabé sent her way.

"In one hour then, your highness," she curtseyed.  Callé bobbed a quick curtsey, making Eirtaé grin involuntarily, then the two hurried out, leaving Padmé, Eirtaé, Rabe, Yané and Dormé to decide which of the four girls were good enough to become handmaidens.

"Where are we going, Mum?" Callé demanded after they'd only gone a few steps.  "I have homework."  Sabé nodded.  "I know, little one," she replied.  "We'll find somewhere for you to do your homework, okay?"  Callé nodded, satisfied.

As they walked through the halls and corridors, greeting the many people they knew as they went, Sabé couldn't stop the shudder of sadness that ran through her.  It had been several months since she'd last heard from Obi-Wan; in the past, letters had sometimes been few and far between, but it was six months since he had last written, and as Callé paused to peer out of a window, clambering on a window seat, the same window seat where Obi-Wan and Sabé had talked so long ago, Sabé let out a little sigh.

Callé glanced back at her mother, hearing the sigh, and bit her lip as she debated whether or not to say anything.  A moment later the decision was taken from her when a voice cut through Sabé's trance.

"Now, let me see; today's Wednesday, and you don't usually come until Saturday.  What's wrong, Sabé?"  As Sabé glanced up to see Panaka, Callé returned to stare out of the window.

"Hello, Mark," she smiled warmly.  "How are you?"  He raised an eyebrow sceptically.  She heaved a sigh, and touched his arm to move against the wall, so people could pass by easily and so Callé couldn't hear. 

"You weren't at the crematorium yesterday."  Her voice, low and slightly cool, wasn't accusing, but Panaka blinked.  "I was on duty," he told her regretfully.  "I went in the evening, to help spread her ashes."  Sabé flinched.  "I'm so sorry, Sabé."

Sabé shrugged.  "It wasn't your fault," she reminded him lightly.  "Let's not dwell on it."  Panaka gave her a long, measuring gaze before he nodded.  "So what are you doing here, Sabé?" he asked then.  "And with Callé – shouldn't she be in school?"

"She has a teacher training day, or something," Sabé explained.  "Rabé was looking after her.  I brought four girls to be tested for possible handmaidens to replace Eirtaé and…Saché."

He nodded, a slight smile on his face.  "Let me guess, you wanted one of the positions?"  Sabé shrugged.  "I hardly served her for more than a few weeks," she reminded him.  "After all she's done for me, it doesn't seem right.  Besides, I need a change.  I've been teaching at the Academy for a long time now, Mark, and you know I'm not a settler.  Not like you and Padmé."

He gave a small shrug.  "Hold on for a while more," he advised.  "There's a position coming up soon I think you should apply for."  He interest piqued, she raised an eyebrow curiously.  "Share!" she demanded.  He laughed, drawing Callé's attention.  "Defence Minister Jamé is retiring soon," he told her.  Sabé's face grew withdrawn slightly as she pondered it.  She nodded thoughtfully. 

"I could do that," she said slowly.  Then something struck her.  "Mark, there's an election coming up in a couple of months, isn't there?"  He wouldn't meet her eyes.  "Mark, tell me!"

"Her highness has told me that she doesn't intend to run," Panaka admitted finally.  "She hasn't made it public, but if I can't trust you, who can I trust?"  Something in his eyes gave Sabé pause.  Her gaze softened.  "Mark, don't get like that," she said gently.  "You know I love Obi-Wan."

He smiled sadly.  "I know, Sabé.  But I know I love you too."  She looked down, ashamed to meet his eyes.  He gently lifted her hand, the Promise Ring evident.  "You know I won't speak of it.  But it's the truth."

Then he dropped her hand.  "Has he contacted you recently?"  She couldn't meet his eyes.  "No," she murmured.  "I'm a little worried."  He nodded.  Then he changed to subject.

"You know, you should think of running for queen," he remarked lightly.  She gaped.  "Don't look so surprised, Sabé, you love Naboo almost as much as Queen Amidala does."

"But even if I wanted to run, Naboo would hardly accept a former crime leader, would they?" she reminded him, a little bitterly.  "And no, I don't want to run," she added sharply, when Panaka opened his mouth again.  He shrugged.  "Suit yourself," he commented.  His head lifted to nod at someone who passed.  "But you ought to consider it, Sabé.  You'd make a good leader – you're born to it."

Then he moved away, sending a salute Callé's way before he disappeared around a corner.  Sabé leant against the wall, trying in vain to gather her thoughts, to gain the mental equilibrium that Adi Gallia had taught her to find eight years before.

When Callé glanced up at her again, she frowned slightly, sliding off the cushioned window seat and moving across the hall to stand before Sabé.  Brown eyes met green, and Sabé smiled slightly, lifting a hand to tuck behind Callé's ear a strand of hair that had escaped the two Naboo plaits.

"Are you alright?" Called asked quietly.  Sabé marvelled at her a little; she was only eight, but growing up with Sabé, Padmé, and the handmaidens had made her very astute.  "I'm fine, little one," she replied at last, softly.  "Don't worry about me."  Her gaze fell to the schoolwork that Callé still clutched.  "Let's see about that homework, shall we?"  She guided Callé over to the window seat once more, and together they sat down and did Callé's homework.

*********************************************

*********************************************

By noon Padmé had made her decision, and Rosa and Lié were back at the Academy.  Eirtaé and Rabé were already starting to train Cordé and Versé in how to help the Queen with her robes and hairstyles.  Yané and Dormé were going through Saché's robes, seeing which could be kept and which needed to be replaced for either Cordé or Versé.

Sabé had snagged Padmé, still in her queen robes, and had drawn her over to a couch by the window.

"What is it, Sabé?" Padmé demanded, once the others had left them alone.  Sabé avoided her eyes for a moment, then hardened her heart and looked up.  "Why didn't you tell me you weren't going to run in the next election?" she asked quietly.

Padmé's gaze dropped to her hands, which were twisting together.  "Panaka told you."  Her voice was low, almost inaudible.  "I should have told you myself, I know, but I've only told him so far."

"Why?"  Padmé gave a small, humourless chuckle.  "That's a loaded question," she reminded the elder girl.  She hesitated, considered her words.  "I can't be queen anymore, Sabé," she almost whispered.  "I've been doing this for over eight years now, and I need to get out."  She met Sabé's eyes.  "I want to be the senator," she told her friend.  "I can do more good that way – for the galaxy, as well as Naboo."

Sabé nodded.  "Panaka said that I should consider running for Defence Minister," she murmured.  "What do you think?"

"I think Panaka said a lot more than that," Padmé said sharply.  "He suggested that you should run for queen yourself."  Sabé coloured.  "They'd never accept me," she muttered.  "I was a thief, Padmé.  And I know practically nothing about politics."

"Look, Sabé, it's a simple question," Padmé told her.  "Do you want to run or not?"

Their eyes connected.  Sabé squirmed slightly.  Padmé nodded in satisfaction.  "We'd better get a move on then," she told her.  Sabé frowned in confusion.  "Sabé, if you want it then you're going to get it, and I'm going to help you."

Impulsively, Sabé leant forward and put her arms around Padmé.  Padmé returned the hug, and Rabé looked up.

"What's going on?" she demanded, halting Cordé's hands as they pulled Eirtaé's hair up into one of the head-dresses.  "Sabé, what's happening?"

Sabé felt the insane urge to laugh.  "I'm running for Queen in the next election," she replied to the room at large.  Now she did giggle.              "Padmé's going to help me."  Padmé stared at her for a moment, then laughed with her.

But Yané, Eirtaé, Dormé and Rabé weren't laughing.  They were staring at the two in shock, ignoring Cordé and Versé.  Sabé and Padmé sobered up once they saw their friends' reactions, but they couldn't regret laughing.

"Padmé – you're not running?" Eirtaé demanded in a whisper.  Padmé and Sabé exchanged glances.  "No," the younger of the two said at last.  "I'm not, 'Taé."

"Why on earth?" Rabé exploded.  Padmé rose.  "Rabé!" she said sharply.  "It's my business."  The two glared at each other for a moment, then Rabé remembered who she was and turned away, bowing her head.  Padmé's gaze softened.  "Rabé, I'm sorry," she entreated.  "I'm not running for Queen, true, but I am running for senator."

"And what about us?" Yané asked in a whisper.  "We're just out of a job?  If that's the case, why have you bothered finding Cordé and Versé at all?"

Cordé and Versé exchanged glances.  Sabé sighed.  "Yané," she started.  "Please don't be upset."  Yané shook her head.  "I have every right," she said angrily. 

Padmé nodded.  "You have every right," she agreed, her voice cool.  "But, Yané, remember that even if you aren't my handmaiden anymore, you'll always be my friend."  With that she turned and walked into her room.  Everyone stared after her, then Sabé rounded on Yané.

"Yané, how could you?" she hissed.  "Padmé has thought about this, and it's her decision.  And anyway, she'll need handmaidens as a Senator."

"What about you?" Dormé asked quietly.  "If you're voted in, will you need handmaidens?"  Sabé's shoulders slumped.  "I don't know," she whispered.  "I may not even be voted in – I was a thief, remember?  Naboo won't really like that."

"But if you're voted in," Yané insisted.  "You'll need handmaidens."

"But it won't be any of you!" Sabé returned fiercely.  "We were all Padmé's handmaidens before we were her friends, but you are my friends – I couldn't ask you to be my handmaidens now."

Her gaze settled on her two former students, and she smiled suddenly.  "You two had better get used to calling me Sabé from now on," she told them.  "You'll be leaving the Academy."

"Sure…Sabé," Cordé agreed uneasily.  "Uh…what just happened?"  Rabé made a sound, and returned to help Cordé and Versé learn on Eirtaé's hair.  Yané and Dormé exchanged glances and stormed out of the Queen's rooms, and Sabé sat limply down on the couch.  She closed her eyes, reaching for the tranquillity of mind that so often escaped her.

Then she stretched her senses out, feeling the people of Theed as they moved about the city, the palace, and the air traffic.  She lightly touched the subconscious of each person, not enough to know what they were feeling, just enough to reassure herself that there were people there.

Then her eyes snapped open.  "That low-down, Bantha-spitting, Force-cursed – shazit!" she cursed.  All eyes turned on her.  "I can't believe he - " she cut herself off, and almost ran out of the room, passing Yané and Dormé in the corridor, moving through the palace and out into the streets of Theed.  She forced herself to walk to the main hangar, but once she was there she ran in to see the large public transport that had just landed.

She waited, impatiently, as a dozen people disembarked, waited for the swish of familiar brown cloaks.  When a tired Obi-Wan and Anakin finally stepped off, she stepped up to them.

A smile brightened Obi-Wan's face slightly until she raised her hand and slapped him.  His cheek stung with the impact, then he bowed his head slightly.  Next to him, Anakin raised a wry eyebrow.

"Six months, Obi-Wan!" she snapped.  "Six months!"  Obi-Wan wouldn't meet her eyes; Sabé noticed belatedly that a large bruise covered his face, and Anakin was covered with cuts and scrapes.  "Oh, gods, Obi-Wan, what happened?"

"Nothing," he told her gently.  She raised an eyebrow sceptically, then shook her head.  "Palace med. centre, now," she ordered the two Jedi.  Anakin looked as though he was about to object, then he caught her eye and bowed his head obediently. 

She marched them through Theed, ignoring the stares they were eliciting, and into the palace, through the corridors to the med. centre.  The doctor there actually groaned when he saw her.

"What is it now, Sabé?" he asked tiredly.  Then he realised that her two companions were injured.  His face brightened instantly.  Sabé handed Obi-Wan and Anakin over to him, tight-faced, and waited.

Obi-Wan attempted to talk to her whilst the doctor was seeing to his injuries, but Sabé wouldn't meet his eyes or listen to anything he said.  Eventually the Jedi subsided, and Anakin attempted to ignore the chilly silence that pervaded the med. centre.  When at last the doctor proclaimed them alright, Sabé marched them up to Padmé's rooms.

Padmé, Yané, Rabé, Dormé, Eirtaé, Cordé and Versé were all still there, talking and wondering what had made Sabé run off so quickly.  Callé was there too, animatedly chatting with Dormé about something.  When Sabé entered, almost dragging the two with her, they all looked up, astonished.

"Look who decided to pay us a visit," Sabé announced, grimly.  "Cordé, Versé, these are Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi.  Ani, Obi-Wan, Cordé and Versé, the new handmaidens.  Padmé, can we talk?"  With that she walked out again, leaving Obi-Wan and Anakin to be stared at by the seven women.

Then Padmé rose and hurried past them to her friend, shooting an angry glare at Obi-Wan as she went.  Yané stifled a laugh as Obi-Wan cringed, and Anakin gave a laugh.

"Hi, Uncle Obi-Wan, hi, Ani!" Callé piped up, and Obi-Wan, a small smile of relief on his face, moved to hug his 'niece'.

Outside, Padmé was hugging Sabé.  The older girl was torn between crying and yelling, and right at the moment she was closer to crying.

"Six months, Padmé," she cried.  "Six months, and then he just turns up, and…"  She cut herself off, turning sharply away from her friend.  Then she turned back.  "He's such a man," she complained.  Padmé's sympathetic look was replaced by an amused one.  "You wouldn't have him any other way, and you know it," she reminded her friend smilingly.  Sabé gave her friend a glare, which softened.  "You're right," she conceded.  "But, Padmé, I don't know if I…"

She trailed off again, not knowing what to say.  Padmé nodded.  "I know," she whispered.  "You're not the only one in love."  Sabé gave her friend a sharp glance, realisation hitting her.  "Padmé, he's, like, seventeen," she cried, not outraged but pretending to be.  As usual, Padmé saw right through her.  "And I'm only twenty-two," she reminded the older girl.  "It's not so big an age difference."

Sabé had to nod agreement, and then Anakin stuck his head out of the door.

"Obi-Wan wants to know if it's safe to come out," he announced.  Something must have hit him then, that something being Obi-Wan.  "Ow!  Oh, right.  Are you two finished?" he inquired, his face such a comical picture that Sabé had to bite her lip to keep from laughing. 

"Tell him to meet me in the gardens," she told him.  "I'll be there in a few minutes."  She turned back to Padmé as Anakin disappeared.  "Padmé, about what you said earlier – helping me with the political stuff – can we start tomorrow?"

Padmé nodded reassuringly.  "You know more than you think, it shouldn't be too hard," she observed.  Sabé gave her a humourless smile then moved down the corridor.  Padmé stared at her retreating back for a moment, then turned and walked back into her rooms.  She nodded at Obi-Wan, who practically ran out of the door, then turned to Anakin, hugging him tightly.  Rabé and Eirtaé took the hint and ushered everyone out.

Sabé moved through the palace quietly, ending up in the gardens only a moment before Obi-Wan burst out of the doors.  She turned back towards him, wrapping her arms around herself.  Her eyes met his, and softened.

"Six months," she reminded him, a little bitterly.  "Why, Obi-Wan?"  He glanced down, too ashamed to meet her eyes.  "You know what?  Save it," she told him sharply.  "I've got a lot of work to do."

She moved past him and he reached out an arm to stop her, sending shivers through her body.  "Please," he said desperately.  "I'm sorry, Sabé…we were on missions, and when we got a moment to breathe I was so exhausted that I…"

"You couldn't be bothered," Sabé completed softly.  "Well, you know what, Obi-Wan?  I'm not sure I can be bothered anymore either.  I've got a lot going on.  I'm running for queen in the next election, you know, and Padmé has to help me out, plus I have to look after Callé and train the two new handmaidens."

"I heard about Saché," he nodded quietly.  "I'm sorry."  Sabé wrenched herself from his grasp.  "You're sorry?" she echoed incredulously.  She shook her head.  "You have no comprehension of how I feel, Obi-Wan."

"Is this sudden?" he asked hesitantly.  Sabé paused, considered.  Then gave her answer.  "No."  He nodded, knowing she was telling the truth and accepting it.  After a moment she moved past him, stopping when he called out to her.

"Anakin and I will stay overnight," he told her.  "We'll be gone in the morning."

She didn't turn back to face him, not trusting her resolve to hold.  "That would be best," she replied softly.  Then she did turn, still not meeting his eyes.  "I'm sorry, Obi-Wan."  She looked down at her hand, and gently tugged the Promise Ring from her finger.  She let it hang in the air for a moment, using her Jedi mental powers which were by now almost second nature to her.  Then she turned, keeping her mental grip on it until she felt Obi-Wan's hand clench around it.

********************************************************************************************