Title: Strength
Author: Nissa
Warnings: PG for some angst
Summary: A very short story on Queen Amidala's viewing of Qui-Gon's funeral.
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Disclaimer: This story is based on situations and characters created and owned by George Lucas and Lucasfilm Ltd. No money is being made and no copyright infringement is intended. I just do this for fun! Oh yes, please do not repost this anywhere without my permission. Thanks.
Category: During Phantom Menace
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Strength

Sparks from the fire flew into the night. The light from the flame bounced off of their solemn faces and cast flickering shadows on the wall. People from every walk of life were gathered around the funeral pyre. Each had memories that they wanted to share, but instead kept to themselves. They honored the deceased with silence, their memories and praises remaining in their heads, sung to the spirit of a great man that had been taken from them all.

None, however, were more affected then the bowed and hooded head of the young Jedi in mourning.

Amidala looked over at the sad face. His struggle to keep his tears from falling was barely visible, yet she could still see the ache in his heart.

He needs a friend, she thought. He needs someone to tell him that everything will be all right.

She hated to see people suffering. Amidala lifted her head to stare over at the empty blue eyes of the Jedi. Hang in there, Obi-Wan. Your Master would have wanted you to be strong.

Obi-Wan blinked his eyes and looked away from the pyre.

Did he hear me? she thought.

But if he had, he didn't let on.

"What is going to happen to me now?" Amidala heard the young boy ask.

She watched as Obi-Wan tucked away his sorrow to reassure the boy. How easily he puts others ahead of himself, she mused.

Obi-Wan put a strong hand on Anakin's shoulder.

Whatever happens next, she thought, Obi-Wan will be there to help us.

He is strong.

Amidala could not have seen that Obi-Wan's hand was trembling when he reached out to reassure Anakin. She could not have known that the hand the Jedi put on Anakin's shoulder was not to comfort the boy, but to support himself.

Fin.