Title: The Knight
Author: Padme
Category: Adventure/Romance
Summary: When things go different than George plans a beautiful new tale is born. One of high adventure, narrow escapes... and the discovery of the power of true love.
Age: Obi-Wan is 20, Amidala 18
Spoilers: "The Phantom Menace"
Rating: I think PG-13 just to be really safe... because I am not exactly sure where this is going. But as Lao Tzu says, "A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent on arriving."
Feedback: Please! I want to know everything and anything that you have say!
Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters, George Lucas and all of his associated companies do. I am making absolutely no money for this, just having fun practicing writing skills. :)
Author's note: Okay, I stretched Amidala's age a little... a lot...but as for Obi-Wan... the only real indication of his age in TPM is the novelization... which we all know can't be counted on for anything. So in this story Obi is 20... and he is in my world. :)
The Knight
Part Ten:
Padme buckled the belt of her handmaiden outfit. She looked to Sabe who was dressed as a queen going into battle. The other two handmaidens wore outfits and their hair almost identical to Padme's.
She would continue her charade, but didn't know for how much longer. Now it was time to put her plan for saving her planet into action.
"Panaka," the head of security turned to face her. "Make sure that Jar Jar and the Jedi are ready.
"Apparently she believes they have a formidable army," Qui-Gon looked a bit unsure.
"Still, she can't hope to defeat the Trade Federation," the padawan pulled on his boots.
"She may be young, buy she is wise beyond her years. We will have to trust her for now. Are you sure you're up for it?"
Obi-Wan nodded. He felt rested and his healing blaster wound no longer pained him, thanks to bacta ointment and painkiller. There was a soft knock on the door. The two Jedi looked at each other questioningly.
"Come in," Qui-Gon yelled.
A small boy stood hesitantly in the doorway.
"Ah, Anakin. Please, come in."
The sandy-haired boy purposefully avoided eye-contact with Obi-Wan and went straight to Qui-Gon. The Jedi master couldn't help but chuckle at the boy's nervousness at being in a room with his apprentice. He patted the boy on the back reassuringly.
"Anakin Skywalker, meet Obi-Wan Kenobi."
Obi-Wan tried to hide his surprised expression and extended his hand. A shy grin spread across Anakin's face as he shook the young Jedi's hand.
"Anakin helped us when we really needed a friend," he chuckled as he affectionately ruffled the boy's hair. He knew he owed Obi-Wan a better explanation for the boy's presence on their mission, but that would have to come when Anakin wasn't in the room.
Panaka waltzed in, "Gentlemen," he nodded.
Anakin looked expectantly at Qui-Gon. He rose and the boy followed. Obi-Wan trailed behind his master.
The two Jedi and young boy met up with the rest of the group outside of the ship.
Padme watched as the young Jedi walked down the ramp behind his master. He appeared to have recovered well. When he stole a glance in her direction she looked down, pretending to be busy checking her gun.
As soon as the Jedi set foot on the litter-covered ground the team set off, following Jar Jar Binks. The procession walked quietly through the forest. Jar Jar appeared to be having a bit of trouble navigating seeing as Padme was sure they had passed the same spot twice, but she said nothing. Although he was clumsy, she felt that she could count on him when the situation called for it.
"Weesa here," their gungan escort announced as they arrived at the edge of a large lake. "Meesa goin' undawata' now, okiday?"
Amidala nodded her approval and Jar Jar waded into the water and disappeared. She let out a deep sigh. Everything was so uncertain. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Qui-Gon walking past, followed by his obedient padawan. She fingered her intricate sleeve, trying to pretend that she did not notice his presence. 'Why am I acting like this?'
Obi-Wan followed his master until they stopped a few meters away from the group. He waited patiently for his master to speak, gazing out at the waterline.
Qui-Gon took a deep breath. "I am proud of you, Obi-Wan." The young man shifted his gaze to his master's face. "You did well under strenuous circumstances. Your actions and your courage honor the Jedi way," he put his hand on his padawan's shoulder. Obi-Wan smiled.
"I acted as any Jedi would," his attempt to humble himself as was common made Qui-Gon laugh.
"You just can't take a compliment, can you?"
Surprised by his master's remark, Obi-Wan found himself laughing. A few moments later Qui-Gon let out a contented sigh and squeezed his padawan's shoulder affectionately. "A Jedi to the bone," he said distantly, and a bit melancholy as he shook his head slightly. Watching Qui-Gon's distant gaze Obi-Wan's smile faded as he wondered what was going on inside the Jedi's mind. He let his mind play with what Qui-Gon might be remembering, or thinking of.
The sound of moving water pronounced Jar Jar's return. As he trudged up the bank he shook his head, letting out a goofy sound, "Theresa nobody dere. Da Gungan City is deserted. Some kindda' fight meesa thinks."
Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon had moved back to the group. "Do you think they've been taken to the camps?" the young apprentice offered.
Padme tried to remain unmoved by the sudden recognition of the cultured voice. Why was she so afraid that someone would notice how she felt about the young Jedi? The compromising of her two separate halves, Padme and Amidala was becoming exceedingly difficult. She would have to let the secret out soon, she couldn't live with her two conflicting characters much longer.
"More likely they were wiped out," Panaka grimly stated.
Jar Jar looked incredulous. "Meesa no 'tink so."
Noticing his pride Qui-Gon steeped forward. "Do you know where they are, Jar Jar?"
Jar Jar appeared a bit more comfortable by Qui-Gon's intervention. "When in trouble, Gungans go to sacred place. Meesa show you!" The gungan became excited once more as he remembered the way. "Come on, meesa show you!"
Padme turned her back on the Jedi to follow behind Sabe.
The woods grew darker as the canopy grew. Invisible watchmen sounded guttural, primal horns to warn others of their arrival.
Obi-Wan found himself unconsciously looking in Padme's direction. He longed to speak with her, but now was not the time. Besides, her mind appeared to be focused on the matters at hand, and she had hardly spared him a glance since they found the rest of the rebels. Qui-Gon was just wrapping up the story of how they found Anakin while Obi-Wan struggled to listen and not let his mind wander.
His master silently noted his behavior. While Obi-Wan was in the infirmary, the handmaiden Padme had told of their experience. He had been proud to hear of his apprentice's mature actions, but as she had recounted the tale there was something else there, something that she was trying to conceal. Although any ordinary man may have missed it, Qui-Gon saw it as a flickering shadow trying to disappear into the light. Not wanting to ponder it further, or perhaps not wanting to consider the painful possibility, Qui- Gon focused his mind to their surroundings.
The guards drew their guns as a deep crashing sound came from the right. Master and Padawan tensed, but did not go for their lightsabers. Two kaadu with gungan riders came through the brush, electropoles at the ready.
"Stoppa' dere!" one of them yelled as he approached.
"Uh," Jar Jar looked timid and unsure. "Heydey ho."
The mounted gungan squinted at him. "Whatsa yousen doin' here?"
"Weesa comin' to see da big Boss Nass," Jar Jar's smile was nervous.
The two gungan soldiers looked at each other. The queen spoke up. "It's very important. I'm sure Boss Nass would be very upset if he never had the opportunity to hear what we have to say, " Sabe kept her eyes glued on the soldier.
After a few moments of mental debate he growled, "Alright. Yousen comin' wit me."
Padme and Sabe exchanged a quick, happy glance before they followed the lead soldier while the other herded up the back of the group.
Soon they were in a marshy clearing with ruins of ancient Nubian temples making the place all the more mystical. Mist casually snaked around the fallen stone structures. Crowds of gungan men, women and children appeared out of the shadows.
"Your honor, Queen Amidala of da Naboo," one of the mounted soldiers spoke to a large gungan perched on a partially sunken sculptured head. The large gungan seemed both surprised and angered by the unannounced arrival of his visitors.
"Uh, hello der de big Boss Nass, Your Honor," Jar Jar nervously bumbled.
"Jar Jar Binks," Boss Nass' voice was deep and foreboding. "Who's dat usen others?"
Sabe stepped forward. "I am queen Amidala of the Naboo. I come before you in peace. "
Padme could see her fighting to look composed under his close, scrutinizing gaze.
"Ah. Naboo biggun," Boss Nass looked imperious. "Yousa bringin' da mackennicks. Yousa all bombad!"
Padme could see Sabe's mind racing; she looked very unsure as to how to respond to the imposing figure above. Right then Padme knew that only she could persuade this monarch. It was time to shed her mask.
"We have searched you out because we wish to form an alliance-"
"Your Honor," Padme interrupted, her voice carrying above Sabe's.
Boss Nass made an irritated clicking sound with his teeth. "Whosa dis?" he curled his lip and glared slightly at the small handmaiden who had stepped forward.
Padme felt her body temperature rise and time seemed to speed up as she hesitated a second longer before stating what finally had to be known. She said it quickly to get it over with, to discover her fate, her future, and to set the truth finally free.
"I am Queen Amidala."
Obi-Wan unconsciously caught his breath. He felt his body freeze in shock.
Padme ignored the sounds of surprise rising from behind her and hurried to explain.
"This is my decoy, my protection, my loyal body guard," she paused to take a breath, pushing back unbidden thoughts of how Obi-Wan might be feeling at this moment. "I'm sorry for my deception, but it was necessary to defend myself."
Obi-Wan's mind was slowly pulling himself back to the present. He could hear Padme speaking, but could not focus on what she was saying. He had been thrown so completely off-guard that he was now struggling to regain his footing. He managed to put on a mask of composure, and steeled himself to listen to what Padme was saying, but it was a lost cause.
Her mind now fully focused on the present, Amidala continued. "Although we do not always agree, Your Honor, our two societies have always lived in peace."
Boss Nass slowly nodded his head and grunted thoughtfully.
Amidala's eyebrow's furrowed in concern. She tried to keep her raging emotions out of her voice, but the little that seeped through only helped to further convey the sad truth of their situation. "The Trade Federation has destroyed all that we have worked so hard to build. If we do not act quickly, all will be lost forever." Seeing the contempt he still held in his eyes, Amidala prepared to give in to humility.
"I ask you to help us-" she paused for a second as she got on her knees as she finished, "No; I beg you to help us. We are your humble servants."
How could this have happened? How could she not have told him with all that they'd been through? How could she lie to him so openly? What else had she lied about? His mind was racing with questions. His eyes slowly registered movement as Amidala went to her knees. He paid little attention until he felt Qui-Gon's hand on his arm. He quickly knelt, willingly bowing his head in humility.
"Our fate is in your hands."
"Hmmm..." Bos Nass' deep, thoughtful rumble matched his pensive expression.
Amidala watched him intently, desperately trying to gauge his reaction.
"Ha!" his face instantly morphed into an expression of complete happiness. "Ha ha!" he laughed again, clearly amused by some thought he had just created. Amidala didn't know if his sudden change of mood was good or bad.
"Yousen no tinkin', yousa greater dan da gungans?!"
She quickly shook her head.
"Meesa lika dis! Maybe weesa, bein' friends." He shook his head violently, saliva flying through the air.
Cheers of joy arose from both crowds. The two great societies of the planet had united, yet Obi-Wan hardly noticed the joy around him.
TBC
Author: Padme
Category: Adventure/Romance
Summary: When things go different than George plans a beautiful new tale is born. One of high adventure, narrow escapes... and the discovery of the power of true love.
Age: Obi-Wan is 20, Amidala 18
Spoilers: "The Phantom Menace"
Rating: I think PG-13 just to be really safe... because I am not exactly sure where this is going. But as Lao Tzu says, "A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent on arriving."
Feedback: Please! I want to know everything and anything that you have say!
Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters, George Lucas and all of his associated companies do. I am making absolutely no money for this, just having fun practicing writing skills. :)
Author's note: Okay, I stretched Amidala's age a little... a lot...but as for Obi-Wan... the only real indication of his age in TPM is the novelization... which we all know can't be counted on for anything. So in this story Obi is 20... and he is in my world. :)
The Knight
Part Ten:
Padme buckled the belt of her handmaiden outfit. She looked to Sabe who was dressed as a queen going into battle. The other two handmaidens wore outfits and their hair almost identical to Padme's.
She would continue her charade, but didn't know for how much longer. Now it was time to put her plan for saving her planet into action.
"Panaka," the head of security turned to face her. "Make sure that Jar Jar and the Jedi are ready.
"Apparently she believes they have a formidable army," Qui-Gon looked a bit unsure.
"Still, she can't hope to defeat the Trade Federation," the padawan pulled on his boots.
"She may be young, buy she is wise beyond her years. We will have to trust her for now. Are you sure you're up for it?"
Obi-Wan nodded. He felt rested and his healing blaster wound no longer pained him, thanks to bacta ointment and painkiller. There was a soft knock on the door. The two Jedi looked at each other questioningly.
"Come in," Qui-Gon yelled.
A small boy stood hesitantly in the doorway.
"Ah, Anakin. Please, come in."
The sandy-haired boy purposefully avoided eye-contact with Obi-Wan and went straight to Qui-Gon. The Jedi master couldn't help but chuckle at the boy's nervousness at being in a room with his apprentice. He patted the boy on the back reassuringly.
"Anakin Skywalker, meet Obi-Wan Kenobi."
Obi-Wan tried to hide his surprised expression and extended his hand. A shy grin spread across Anakin's face as he shook the young Jedi's hand.
"Anakin helped us when we really needed a friend," he chuckled as he affectionately ruffled the boy's hair. He knew he owed Obi-Wan a better explanation for the boy's presence on their mission, but that would have to come when Anakin wasn't in the room.
Panaka waltzed in, "Gentlemen," he nodded.
Anakin looked expectantly at Qui-Gon. He rose and the boy followed. Obi-Wan trailed behind his master.
The two Jedi and young boy met up with the rest of the group outside of the ship.
Padme watched as the young Jedi walked down the ramp behind his master. He appeared to have recovered well. When he stole a glance in her direction she looked down, pretending to be busy checking her gun.
As soon as the Jedi set foot on the litter-covered ground the team set off, following Jar Jar Binks. The procession walked quietly through the forest. Jar Jar appeared to be having a bit of trouble navigating seeing as Padme was sure they had passed the same spot twice, but she said nothing. Although he was clumsy, she felt that she could count on him when the situation called for it.
"Weesa here," their gungan escort announced as they arrived at the edge of a large lake. "Meesa goin' undawata' now, okiday?"
Amidala nodded her approval and Jar Jar waded into the water and disappeared. She let out a deep sigh. Everything was so uncertain. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Qui-Gon walking past, followed by his obedient padawan. She fingered her intricate sleeve, trying to pretend that she did not notice his presence. 'Why am I acting like this?'
Obi-Wan followed his master until they stopped a few meters away from the group. He waited patiently for his master to speak, gazing out at the waterline.
Qui-Gon took a deep breath. "I am proud of you, Obi-Wan." The young man shifted his gaze to his master's face. "You did well under strenuous circumstances. Your actions and your courage honor the Jedi way," he put his hand on his padawan's shoulder. Obi-Wan smiled.
"I acted as any Jedi would," his attempt to humble himself as was common made Qui-Gon laugh.
"You just can't take a compliment, can you?"
Surprised by his master's remark, Obi-Wan found himself laughing. A few moments later Qui-Gon let out a contented sigh and squeezed his padawan's shoulder affectionately. "A Jedi to the bone," he said distantly, and a bit melancholy as he shook his head slightly. Watching Qui-Gon's distant gaze Obi-Wan's smile faded as he wondered what was going on inside the Jedi's mind. He let his mind play with what Qui-Gon might be remembering, or thinking of.
The sound of moving water pronounced Jar Jar's return. As he trudged up the bank he shook his head, letting out a goofy sound, "Theresa nobody dere. Da Gungan City is deserted. Some kindda' fight meesa thinks."
Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon had moved back to the group. "Do you think they've been taken to the camps?" the young apprentice offered.
Padme tried to remain unmoved by the sudden recognition of the cultured voice. Why was she so afraid that someone would notice how she felt about the young Jedi? The compromising of her two separate halves, Padme and Amidala was becoming exceedingly difficult. She would have to let the secret out soon, she couldn't live with her two conflicting characters much longer.
"More likely they were wiped out," Panaka grimly stated.
Jar Jar looked incredulous. "Meesa no 'tink so."
Noticing his pride Qui-Gon steeped forward. "Do you know where they are, Jar Jar?"
Jar Jar appeared a bit more comfortable by Qui-Gon's intervention. "When in trouble, Gungans go to sacred place. Meesa show you!" The gungan became excited once more as he remembered the way. "Come on, meesa show you!"
Padme turned her back on the Jedi to follow behind Sabe.
The woods grew darker as the canopy grew. Invisible watchmen sounded guttural, primal horns to warn others of their arrival.
Obi-Wan found himself unconsciously looking in Padme's direction. He longed to speak with her, but now was not the time. Besides, her mind appeared to be focused on the matters at hand, and she had hardly spared him a glance since they found the rest of the rebels. Qui-Gon was just wrapping up the story of how they found Anakin while Obi-Wan struggled to listen and not let his mind wander.
His master silently noted his behavior. While Obi-Wan was in the infirmary, the handmaiden Padme had told of their experience. He had been proud to hear of his apprentice's mature actions, but as she had recounted the tale there was something else there, something that she was trying to conceal. Although any ordinary man may have missed it, Qui-Gon saw it as a flickering shadow trying to disappear into the light. Not wanting to ponder it further, or perhaps not wanting to consider the painful possibility, Qui- Gon focused his mind to their surroundings.
The guards drew their guns as a deep crashing sound came from the right. Master and Padawan tensed, but did not go for their lightsabers. Two kaadu with gungan riders came through the brush, electropoles at the ready.
"Stoppa' dere!" one of them yelled as he approached.
"Uh," Jar Jar looked timid and unsure. "Heydey ho."
The mounted gungan squinted at him. "Whatsa yousen doin' here?"
"Weesa comin' to see da big Boss Nass," Jar Jar's smile was nervous.
The two gungan soldiers looked at each other. The queen spoke up. "It's very important. I'm sure Boss Nass would be very upset if he never had the opportunity to hear what we have to say, " Sabe kept her eyes glued on the soldier.
After a few moments of mental debate he growled, "Alright. Yousen comin' wit me."
Padme and Sabe exchanged a quick, happy glance before they followed the lead soldier while the other herded up the back of the group.
Soon they were in a marshy clearing with ruins of ancient Nubian temples making the place all the more mystical. Mist casually snaked around the fallen stone structures. Crowds of gungan men, women and children appeared out of the shadows.
"Your honor, Queen Amidala of da Naboo," one of the mounted soldiers spoke to a large gungan perched on a partially sunken sculptured head. The large gungan seemed both surprised and angered by the unannounced arrival of his visitors.
"Uh, hello der de big Boss Nass, Your Honor," Jar Jar nervously bumbled.
"Jar Jar Binks," Boss Nass' voice was deep and foreboding. "Who's dat usen others?"
Sabe stepped forward. "I am queen Amidala of the Naboo. I come before you in peace. "
Padme could see her fighting to look composed under his close, scrutinizing gaze.
"Ah. Naboo biggun," Boss Nass looked imperious. "Yousa bringin' da mackennicks. Yousa all bombad!"
Padme could see Sabe's mind racing; she looked very unsure as to how to respond to the imposing figure above. Right then Padme knew that only she could persuade this monarch. It was time to shed her mask.
"We have searched you out because we wish to form an alliance-"
"Your Honor," Padme interrupted, her voice carrying above Sabe's.
Boss Nass made an irritated clicking sound with his teeth. "Whosa dis?" he curled his lip and glared slightly at the small handmaiden who had stepped forward.
Padme felt her body temperature rise and time seemed to speed up as she hesitated a second longer before stating what finally had to be known. She said it quickly to get it over with, to discover her fate, her future, and to set the truth finally free.
"I am Queen Amidala."
Obi-Wan unconsciously caught his breath. He felt his body freeze in shock.
Padme ignored the sounds of surprise rising from behind her and hurried to explain.
"This is my decoy, my protection, my loyal body guard," she paused to take a breath, pushing back unbidden thoughts of how Obi-Wan might be feeling at this moment. "I'm sorry for my deception, but it was necessary to defend myself."
Obi-Wan's mind was slowly pulling himself back to the present. He could hear Padme speaking, but could not focus on what she was saying. He had been thrown so completely off-guard that he was now struggling to regain his footing. He managed to put on a mask of composure, and steeled himself to listen to what Padme was saying, but it was a lost cause.
Her mind now fully focused on the present, Amidala continued. "Although we do not always agree, Your Honor, our two societies have always lived in peace."
Boss Nass slowly nodded his head and grunted thoughtfully.
Amidala's eyebrow's furrowed in concern. She tried to keep her raging emotions out of her voice, but the little that seeped through only helped to further convey the sad truth of their situation. "The Trade Federation has destroyed all that we have worked so hard to build. If we do not act quickly, all will be lost forever." Seeing the contempt he still held in his eyes, Amidala prepared to give in to humility.
"I ask you to help us-" she paused for a second as she got on her knees as she finished, "No; I beg you to help us. We are your humble servants."
How could this have happened? How could she not have told him with all that they'd been through? How could she lie to him so openly? What else had she lied about? His mind was racing with questions. His eyes slowly registered movement as Amidala went to her knees. He paid little attention until he felt Qui-Gon's hand on his arm. He quickly knelt, willingly bowing his head in humility.
"Our fate is in your hands."
"Hmmm..." Bos Nass' deep, thoughtful rumble matched his pensive expression.
Amidala watched him intently, desperately trying to gauge his reaction.
"Ha!" his face instantly morphed into an expression of complete happiness. "Ha ha!" he laughed again, clearly amused by some thought he had just created. Amidala didn't know if his sudden change of mood was good or bad.
"Yousen no tinkin', yousa greater dan da gungans?!"
She quickly shook her head.
"Meesa lika dis! Maybe weesa, bein' friends." He shook his head violently, saliva flying through the air.
Cheers of joy arose from both crowds. The two great societies of the planet had united, yet Obi-Wan hardly noticed the joy around him.
TBC