Part 11

Qui-Gon leaned against the wall, watching as Shmi glided about the reception hall on the arm of her escort--a member of Amidala's royal council. He was having difficulty listening to the council member beside him, as he could not keep his mind off Shmi. He had hardly seen her since they arrived on the planet the day before. As soon as they were settled in the palace, they'd been informed that Queen Amidala wished to give them a formal welcome. For the occasion of this reception, Shmi had been ushered from his side to meet with the queen's
dressmaker. The dressmaker had kept Shmi cloistered all that first day for a series of fittings and alterations. This process was repeated for the next two days.

Still... Qui-Gon mused as he eyed her, Shmi was a vision in her new gown. It was a pale blue and made of a light, airy material that flowed around her as she moved. Her long hair hung loose, except the sides, which had been pulled back and interwoven with little white flowers. An earth angel, Qui-Gon thought as he envisioned himself reclining beside her on a bed of thick grass and picking
each white bud from her hair...

His fantasy was interrupted when Shmi caught his eye from across the room. She was standing with her escort and the queen. Pushing himself away from the wall, he approached them, moving languidly among the crowd towards Shmi. He could feel her eyes on him with each step he took. As he neared them, however, Shmi's escort took her by the arm and moved her off into another direction, and Qui-Gon found himself standing before Queen Amidala.

The young queen eyed him closely, a mirthful expression on her face. "You seem... preoccupied, Qui-Gon Jinn." The tone in her voice left little doubt that the girl knew what occupied his thoughts. Qui-Gon smiled weakly at her. "Shmi is quite lovely in her new gown, is she not?" Amidala pushed further. Qui-Gon knew she waited for his reaction.

"Yes," he agreed, still watching the object of his desire. "She is breath-taking."

"Have you told her so?"

The question made Qui-Gon pause. "No," he admitted. "I have not been given the chance." Here he leveled a glaring look at the councilor who was escorting Shmi.

"The councilor does seem captivated by her beauty, my friend, but I assure you, Lady Skywalker has eyes for only one man." Shortly after their arrival, Amidala had bestowed upon the former slave woman an honorary title of "Lady." Hearing it cause Qui-Gon to smile more warmly.

"Would it trouble your Highness if I should spirit Shmi away for the purpose of telling her how lovely she looks?" Qui-Gon inquired. Amidala met his now sparkling eyes, and she smiled in turn.

"It would trouble me if you did not," she said, mostly to his robed back as he strode off after Shmi.

******

"Isn't it a beautiful night?" Shmi inquired as she stood with Qui-Gon on a parapet over looking the city of Theed. "The city is magnificent--beyond anything I could ever have imagined in all my life as a slave."

Qui-Gon chuckled. "Anakin had much the same reaction to Coruscant when he first saw it." He reached for her, placing his hands on her shoulders, running his fingers over her smooth skin. She turned to face him and was suddenly in his arms.

"You did not bring me out here to speak of Ani," she told him matter-of-factly.

"No, I did not," came Qui-Gon's reply. He drew her closer to him, tilting her face upwards to his. "I wanted to tell you... to let you know..." Shmi was staring up at him expectantly, her eyes sparkling and her face flushed with
desire. It was a mind-shattering vision.

"Yes?" she nearly purred at him, pressing her body into his.

"I love you, Shmi," Qui-Gon said just before his lips crushed against hers. This had not been what he'd intended to say, but in retrospect, Qui-Gon could not deny it. He was in love with her. By the time the kiss ended, he knew what his heart desired--for Shmi to be his for all times, their hearts and souls bonded together...

"Shmi, I..." he began. His words were cut off by the sound of a throat clearing behind them. They both turned to find the councilor who had been escorting Shmi standing in the entry way. "Your pardon, Master Jinn," he said in gracious tones. Behind the words, Qui-Gon could sense his jealousy and more... a smugness that the message he bore would allow this interlude to go no further. "But we
have received a transmission from Coruscant. It seems the Jedi Council wishes to speak to you."

"Of course," Qui-Gon replied, his arms dropping away from Shmi's body. He did not want to leave her--not now--and certainly not with this man. Instead he wanted nothing better than to spirit her away with him and announce to the world that this was the woman he loved.

******

"The boy has no idea that you have brought his mother with you," Mace Windu told Qui-Gon.

Qui-Gon watched the holographic image of his friend, listening intently. "And Obi-Wan?" he asked.

Mace nodded. "Your former apprentice was informed of your mission, but has also been sworn to secrecy."

"As it should be," replied Qui-Gon. In his mind, he could see the look of sheer joy on Anakin's face when he was once again united with his mother. Behind Mace, he could hear murmurings of approval. It seemed that the Council agreed with him.

The image before him shifted, and Qui-Gon found himself staring at Ki-Adi-Mundi. "My Master?" Qui-Gon addressed him. Well remembered was the day that Mace and Master Yoda told him that virtually no one on the Jedi Council trusted his recovery. This mistrust and hesitance on the part of the Council still hurt him, although Qui-Gon knew he had more than proven it false.

"How do you feel, Qui-Gon Jinn?" The question was a simple one, spoken gently, and yet it was also one a the greatest importance.

How did he feel? Qui-Gon closed his eyes, searching within himself--within the Force--for several minutes. The peace which permeated his soul had not been there in a very long time. In the silence which surrounded him, Qui-Gon reveled in this peace. At last he opened his eyes, ready to face the Council. "Whole," was his answer. "For the first time in over a year," He was careful not to
mention the events which led to his near-death. "I feel completely whole... completely myself."

With his answer, Qui-Gon found himself facing other members of the Council. More questions were fired at him. How did he overcome the nightmares? Had his ability to channel the Force been altered or weakened? How had he conquered his fears? Qui-Gon countered each question as best he could, fully knowing that the Council would test him more extensively when he returned to Coruscant. Finally, the barrage of inquiries came to an end. The Council was satisfied and Qui-Gon was being dismissed. Before he could end the transmission, however, Yoda spoke up. Again the image shifted and Yoda appeared before him.

"On your mind something is," Qui-Gon was told.

"Yes, my master," he replied.

"Something to tell us have you. Something to ask of us."

Sometimes Yoda knew too much, Qui-Gon thought ruefully. "Yes, my master," he said again.

"Going to tell us are you? Or guess we shall have to... hmmmm?" Yoda
asked, sounding slightly impatient.

Qui-Gon sighed. He'd hoped to ask Shmi first, and then go to the Council, but he knew there was no avoiding Master Yoda's question now. "I apologize, Master Yoda. The subject is... a bit delicate, and I was not sure where to begin. Shmi and I...."

"Wish to wed with her you do," Yoda supplied when Qui-Gon's voice faltered.

"Y-yes, my master," came the astounded reply.

"Ask her you should. Our permission you have."

******

Qui-Gon returned to the reception hall, but he did not seek out Shmi right away. He had a great deal on his mind. The Jedi Council had informed him that Obi-Wan and Anakin would be arriving soon. Qui-Gon was glad of that. Anakin loved his mother dearly and had been hesitant to leave her. In his mind, he could see them
standing before their lowly hovel--Anakin ready to give up his newly won freedom should his mother ask him not to go. And his mother... bravely, selflessly letting her only son leave slavery--leave her--to seek out his dreams.

Sighing, Qui-Gon cast his eyes upon Shmi. She was being led onto the dance floor by her appointed escort. She seemed uncomfortable, and Qui-Gon could only suppose that Shmi did not know the dance. How could she--she who had been a slave all her life? No amount fancy dresses or pampering would ever change that
fact. This was something Qui-Gon had been made painfully aware of not long after their arrival. He'd gone to see her, hoping she might take lunch with him, and found himself bearing witness to a private conversation between Shmi and Amidala...

***a few days earlier***

Shmi Skywalker fingered the fabric which would soon make up her new wardrobe delicately. The queen's dressmaker had brought a variety of samples, all of which seemed too rich and lavish to the former slave. She'd politely mentioned that plain cottons would more than suffice, but Queen Amidala claimed she would not hear of her most honored guest and Anakin's mother going without a few simple luxuries. To Shmi, it seemed as if the young queen was going to far too much trouble to accommodate a slave.

Fingers still gliding over the soft material, Shmi turned her eyes upwards to meet those of the young queen. "I... I was very surprised when Qui-Gon told me that the girl who had come with him to Tatooine was in reality a queen. Never in my life did I ever think to meet royalty," she said.

Amidala's smile was tentative, yet warm. "And never in my life did I expect to meet two people such as your and your son. Your kindness and generosity--even when you had little to give--was very touching."

"Still," Shmi said, gesturing to the room around them. "It's so... so much... more than I deserve... more than I am..."

"Used to?" Amidala finished for her. The young queen looked thoughtfully at the former slave before her. "I can't begin to imagine what you must be feeling, Shmi. This must all be so overwhelming for you."

"It is," Shmi admitted. "There has been so much... so many opportunities... placed before me now that I don't quite know where to begin."

"Have you given thought to where you might live?" When Shmi shook her head in the negative, the girl smiled. "You're more than welcome to stay here with us."

"I... I couldn't... impose on your generosity," Shmi began.

"Yes, you could!" Amidala replied. "There is more than enough room here in the palace and if that is not to your liking, I would commission a home be found for you."

Shmi lowered her eyes modestly. "In truth," she said, "I miss Anakin, and wish to be close to him if I can."

Amidala touched her hand kindly. "I miss him, too," she told the boy's mother. "But Coruscant... It's all city... buildings and rules. That's no place to start a new life, I would think. Not to mention that Anakin will most likely be too busy with his Jedi training to spend much time with you. Besides... if you were to stay here, it would give him more reason to visit." There was a slight blush to the queen's cheeks.

"Naturally," Shmi replied with a warm smile. Then she heaved a heavy sigh. "I will think on all you have said. I have so much to consider..."

***end the eavesdrop***

Qui-Gon sighed deeply, watching as the councilor attempted to teach Shmi the dance. It pained him to see her with anyone other than himself, but Qui-Gon did not intrude. He was trying to decide the best way to broach the subject of marriage to her. Would she want it though? She loved him, of that Qui-Gon was sure, but was she ready for the commitment? Perhaps he should wait... give Shmi time to adjust to her new life?

Deciding to meditate on it, Qui-Gon crossed the room to where Shmi was still locked in the councilor's arms. "May I cut in?" he inquired, offering his arm to the woman of his dreams. Later, he told himself, as he pulled her to him and began the dance.