(spoilers will follow in this AN) Why, its been a while. Since my last
update, Ep. II has opened, and I have seen it dos times. The battle
scenes were awesome, weren't they? And I absoluetly loved Yoda
fighting. If the rest of the movie had been terrible, that clip would
have still made it all worthwhile. I thought Anakin was shaping up to
be quite the creepy, psycho, arrogant jerk. The love scenes too often
seemed like a cheesy romance novel. And of course, I loved when Obi
jumps through the window and when he is standing in the rain. Oh right,
this actually my chapter 3, so let me say this: more conversations, but
the Obi-wan/Amidala feel is definetley picking up. Anywayz, read on.
And may the Force be with you.
Chapter 3: The Departure
"So," Amidala said, falling into step beside him, while the false queen
remained a few feet ahead. " I hear your council is making changes."
"They are m'lady."
"Will you be heading back towards your temple then?"
"Not I. Anakin will be sent back but I'm to escort a Naboo diplomat to
Alderaan."
She looked up in surprise, "You're the guard that's been assigned?"
"I am."
A smile crept up onto her face. "Don't sound so enthusiastic."
They approached a door and Sabe motioned for the man standing beside it
to pull it open. He did; the scent of Tive leaves greeted their noses.
"She's arrived," Amidala whispered. They walked inside slowly.
A woman could be seen, plopped on a cushioned chair, smoking a pipe.
Her long hair, brown like topsoil, was combed around her face in an
exotic fashion. A flowing beige gown covered her from neck to ankle,
with a shiny black hat topping her head. Some wrinkles lined just below
her eyes, but all in all she seemed fairly young and attractive. Her
eyes caught sight of the psuedo-queen and she ran up to her with open
arms.
"Darling! How I've missed you." Sabe grinned and hugged the older
woman.
Amidala smiled somewhat uncomfortably at the embrace but turned to
Obi-wan. "This is Naboo diplomat you'll be escorting."
"Great," He muttered.
"Ohh, who is this handsome boy!" The woman rushed up to him and batted
her eyes flirtaciously.
"This," Sabe announced, "is Jedi Master Obi-wan Kenobi. Master Jedi,
this is Ambassidor Naberrie"
The name was so familiar. He looked at Amidala and found her mouthing
words. Though no sound confirmed the words via hearing, he knew exactly
what she was saying.
"She's my mother."
**************
They looked alike, when you really thought about it. Mother and
daughter shared that same petite frame, delicate features, and lushious
waterfall hair. And as Obi helped load baggage from one ship to
another, he wondered how he could have missed the resemblence. Perhaps
it really was best he leave Naboo and its comforts, if he was getting
that slow.
"You aren't slow." Answered an assured reply and Obi-wan frowned. Who
could have known his thoughts so well? The answer came as a head
dropped down from the hatch, a little blonde boy.
"Anakin, have you finished your goodbyes?" It was nearly morning. Soon,
the child would be wisked off to Crousant, to embark on a new chapter
in his life. Obi-wan would be leading Ambassidor Naberrie to Alderaan.
Anakin flipped down, stumbling only slightly in his landing. "There's
really no one for me to say goodbye to, except for Padme and I can't
find her."
"I'm sure she'll see you off. Where is your cloak?"
The boy's eyes found a speck on the ground very interesting. His mouth
opened, but only small sounds came out.
"What was that? I couldn't hear you."
"I said...it scratches my ears...so I stuffed it in my pack."
Obi nearly reprimanded him with some comment about the importance of
apparel but remembered the situation and thought better of it. He
ruffled the top of Ani's head instead, and grinned. "Remember, when you
get to the temple, you're going to make me proud and be the best
padawan Master Yoda's ever seen."
"Yes, sir."
"Good, now is that the queen I spy through this window?"
The child's eyes lit up and he raised himself onto his toes to peer
outside. When he realized the Obi was right, he tore from the room,
eager to speak with her.
******************
Saying farewell to Anakin was actually easy, Amidala noted as his ship
pulled away and flew into the clouds. He was a wonderful child, sweet
and eager, with just a touch less innocence than he should have had.
Already, the pair had laid the foundation of a lifelong friendship.
As the departure drew to a close, she heard a giggle to her right. She
turned and saw her mother ruffling a long Talkan feather in Obi-wan's
face. The Jedi kept retreating backwards, but the ambassidor was
relentless in her pursuit.
Jealousy hit Amidala like a boulder crushes a head. They'd be together
for days, practically alone in the small ship. She could tell that
Obi-wan was anything but receptive to her mother's attentions, but even
so...what if he warmed up to her? Ambassidor Naberrie was lovely, and
when not drunk on Tive leaves, she could be quite charming. The very
possibility that the two could find their way into a passionate embrace
filled the queen with nausea.
Obi-wan was...was...hers!
Amidala gasped and thanked the Elders that her facepaint hid the blush.
Never before had she entertained such thoughts about him. True, she was
drawn to the Jedi because of his quiet demeanor; she saw something of
herself in that. And there were layers in him that screamed to be
uncovered. But suddenly, watching her mother flirt so openly, Amidala
realized that she wanted to know another side of him -the loving one.
"You're thoughts betray you," came a gentle voice. "You're thinking
about someone special." Her eyes darted up to where the Jedi suddenly
stood, arms crossed in that common way. He smirked, and she wondered
just how much he knew about her thoughts.
"Do always consider it a betrayal to bare your feelings?"
Obi shrugged. "Not here and now, but sometimes. Take you for example.
Were you in the middle of a heated discussion of much importance,
having your wishful thoughts about a boy know would only serve to
lesson the value of your opinions. Your peers would think it a sign of
youth and naivety. But standing next to me, it proves to be pleasant
conversation fodder. Now tell me, would the boy in your head be a
certain new padawan?"
Relief filled her, but this time she was careful to check it. Amidala
mimicked his shrug and looked away. "I really don't think its an
appropriate way to speak to the Queen of Naboo."
He grinned. "Sorry, your majesty. I shall try to be more mindful of
your title and power."
"Thank you, Master Jedi. Now will you please escort me back to the
palace? I must speak with my advisors before you and Ambassidor
Naberrie leave for Alderaan." To her delight, his face fell and twisted
in disgust at the mention of his soon to be task.
"Of course, M'lady."
It was a strange feeling, to walk beside the object of your affection.
Half of her wanted to reach out and just kiss him senseless and another
part wanted to rediscover that disturbed young man on the steps of the
palace and another part wanted to shake herself into understanding that
he was a Jedi and they did not love.
But surely, when looking into those sea blue orbs, that latter part
could not be true. There was far too much compassion and gentleness
inside of him to ever let anything render him loveless.
All too soon, and long before she had any answers, they were in the
throne room. Advisor Kahtine rose to greet her and pulled her away from
the knight.
"Queen Amidala, I'm afraid I must relay bad news. Smugglers on Alderaan
have stolen the records we sent them. Without that, the deal cannot go
throught."
"Is the agreement off, then?"
"No, Majesty, but the law is clear. Unless you yourself are able to
verify the information in person, we shall have to wait. I'm sure it
will not be long."
"Wait? For money and food? The people must continue to live, sir. I
hardly think it right to deprive them of neccessities simply because of
a long journey. Sabe and I shall accompany Master Kenobi and Ambassidor
Naberrie. Have my things prepared."
Some tried to dissuade her, but most so wise as to realize that, oddly
enough, she actually wanted to go.
For her mother, they reasoned. For her mother.
************************
Because the queen herself was traveling in it, the ship of choice
changed from being a small, crammed ship to a must larger, open
vehicle. The interior was better decorated; its pearl and teal theme
seemed to echo an ocean and sandy beach. Next to each door, a narrow
vase held a lovely, long stemmed flower.
Obi-wan lifted one out of its glass home and showed it to Amidala.
"This is a fascinating flower, M'lady. Did you choose it?"
"Yes, I did. I'd grown tired of the World Flower being the only thing
that grows near me."
"You selected well. I wonder though, how could you could have been
drawn to a plant so unlike yourself."
She frowned, prettily. "How so, Master Jedi? Should I take that as an
insult?"
"No, not at all. I mean only that this flower knows of its beauty. See
how when I set it down, it searches the floor for its own reflection?
You hide so often I wonder if your comfortable with your own presence."
Her eyes narrowed and her spun around. "I do not hide. Sabe is my
protection."
"I wasn't referring to that, Majesty. But forgive me, I was out of
line, by both your standards and mine."
"Very well. I suggest we prepare for dining. If you'll excuse me." She
practically ran off, dissapearing in a blur of loose ribbons and extra
cloth. Obi-wan sighed, falling back onto the wall.
When had he become so presumptuous? The Queen was just another
politician, an elected lady of the people. He had no right to peer into
her thoughts and he should never have wanted to.
So what if he felt the Force inside of her.
So what if he hadn't even thought of his training while speaking with
her.
So what if he couldn't explain the thoughts -not emotions, never those-
that he had while anywhere near her.
"Oh where is my handsome knight? Come out, come out." The shrill,
intoxicated noise greeted him at the edge of the hall. Obi stopped,
took a deep breath, and entered the first room he saw.
Anything to get away.
*****************
Dinner was served in private quarters, at a small table for three.
Amidala, Ambassidor Naberrie, and Obi-wan circled it with their seats,
all of them trying to find a suitable subject for conversation. Nothing
held the interests of the three, until Ambassidor Naberrie, momentarily
sober, spoke of the Galactic Trade Security proposal. Almost instantly,
the Jedi was bursting with opinions.
"If passed, we could almost insure that smugglers wouldn't touch the
goods. Think of all the money we could save," the ambassidor explained.
"I hear that the Jedi council is against it." Amidala noted.
"Yes, well they would be." Chimed in Naberrie. "They don't want anymore
work, is all."
"You want to make decisions that don't belong to you. Just because the
Council has worked hand in hand with the Republic, you assume we're
under your control. But our calling is much higher than the Senate
tower." Obi argued. "And what you don't point out is that it involves
us chasing criminals so that the aristocrats can have even more than
they already do? Our job, M'lady, is to keep the balance of the Force.
We are not police and we do not police."
"Or you're just lazy. Forgive me, Master Kenobi, but I do not think we
can trust you to keep your input unbiased."
"I think the Republic is just looking for an easy answer out of the
Trade Federarion fiasco and wants to shift the focus of attention to
something more controversial." The queen met gazes with the Jedi and he
nodded in agreement.
"You are wise, Majesty. It was Master Yoda who warned us of the very
same thing."
"Nonsense. I was speaking with Palpatine just last week and he assured
me that the Naboo situation was being investigated *very* thoroughly."
"Situation? Is that what they're calling it now? We fought a war here,
Mother. On your home soil."
"Don't exaggerate. It was a crisis, yes. I worried sick over your
safety. But just because a few people were injured-"
"People *died*, M'lady. Protecing others like you." Obi-wan knew he was
becoming too emotional, but couldn't help but feel the insult. Qui-gon
had fallen there too!
"Well, that happens sometimes. It was nothing terribly awful. Minor
casualties are perfectly acceptable in given circumstances. They don't
amount to a war."
Deciding he had to escape, the Jedi stood and bowed, once to Amidala
and again to her mother. "Good night." And then he was gone, leaving
behind a trail of awkwardness.
The queen winced at his formal tone, before turning to the ambassidor.
"Mother! Obi-wan is here to help us. Don't insult him like you just
did.!"
"Don't be silly, darling. Guards are just guards, however attractive.
They aren't here to impress their views on the political world...Oh,
where is that man with my leaves. I feel the most dreadful pain coming
up. Amidala, don't fret, I can still see the furrows of your eyes. Its
not becoming. Just forget all about that Jedi and have a drink."
But Amidala was already on her feet, headed towards the cockpit.
As always, any feedback will be much appreciated. I can be found at
Eileenblzr@yahoo.com or if at fanfiction.net, just review. Puleeeaaze?
update, Ep. II has opened, and I have seen it dos times. The battle
scenes were awesome, weren't they? And I absoluetly loved Yoda
fighting. If the rest of the movie had been terrible, that clip would
have still made it all worthwhile. I thought Anakin was shaping up to
be quite the creepy, psycho, arrogant jerk. The love scenes too often
seemed like a cheesy romance novel. And of course, I loved when Obi
jumps through the window and when he is standing in the rain. Oh right,
this actually my chapter 3, so let me say this: more conversations, but
the Obi-wan/Amidala feel is definetley picking up. Anywayz, read on.
And may the Force be with you.
Chapter 3: The Departure
"So," Amidala said, falling into step beside him, while the false queen
remained a few feet ahead. " I hear your council is making changes."
"They are m'lady."
"Will you be heading back towards your temple then?"
"Not I. Anakin will be sent back but I'm to escort a Naboo diplomat to
Alderaan."
She looked up in surprise, "You're the guard that's been assigned?"
"I am."
A smile crept up onto her face. "Don't sound so enthusiastic."
They approached a door and Sabe motioned for the man standing beside it
to pull it open. He did; the scent of Tive leaves greeted their noses.
"She's arrived," Amidala whispered. They walked inside slowly.
A woman could be seen, plopped on a cushioned chair, smoking a pipe.
Her long hair, brown like topsoil, was combed around her face in an
exotic fashion. A flowing beige gown covered her from neck to ankle,
with a shiny black hat topping her head. Some wrinkles lined just below
her eyes, but all in all she seemed fairly young and attractive. Her
eyes caught sight of the psuedo-queen and she ran up to her with open
arms.
"Darling! How I've missed you." Sabe grinned and hugged the older
woman.
Amidala smiled somewhat uncomfortably at the embrace but turned to
Obi-wan. "This is Naboo diplomat you'll be escorting."
"Great," He muttered.
"Ohh, who is this handsome boy!" The woman rushed up to him and batted
her eyes flirtaciously.
"This," Sabe announced, "is Jedi Master Obi-wan Kenobi. Master Jedi,
this is Ambassidor Naberrie"
The name was so familiar. He looked at Amidala and found her mouthing
words. Though no sound confirmed the words via hearing, he knew exactly
what she was saying.
"She's my mother."
**************
They looked alike, when you really thought about it. Mother and
daughter shared that same petite frame, delicate features, and lushious
waterfall hair. And as Obi helped load baggage from one ship to
another, he wondered how he could have missed the resemblence. Perhaps
it really was best he leave Naboo and its comforts, if he was getting
that slow.
"You aren't slow." Answered an assured reply and Obi-wan frowned. Who
could have known his thoughts so well? The answer came as a head
dropped down from the hatch, a little blonde boy.
"Anakin, have you finished your goodbyes?" It was nearly morning. Soon,
the child would be wisked off to Crousant, to embark on a new chapter
in his life. Obi-wan would be leading Ambassidor Naberrie to Alderaan.
Anakin flipped down, stumbling only slightly in his landing. "There's
really no one for me to say goodbye to, except for Padme and I can't
find her."
"I'm sure she'll see you off. Where is your cloak?"
The boy's eyes found a speck on the ground very interesting. His mouth
opened, but only small sounds came out.
"What was that? I couldn't hear you."
"I said...it scratches my ears...so I stuffed it in my pack."
Obi nearly reprimanded him with some comment about the importance of
apparel but remembered the situation and thought better of it. He
ruffled the top of Ani's head instead, and grinned. "Remember, when you
get to the temple, you're going to make me proud and be the best
padawan Master Yoda's ever seen."
"Yes, sir."
"Good, now is that the queen I spy through this window?"
The child's eyes lit up and he raised himself onto his toes to peer
outside. When he realized the Obi was right, he tore from the room,
eager to speak with her.
******************
Saying farewell to Anakin was actually easy, Amidala noted as his ship
pulled away and flew into the clouds. He was a wonderful child, sweet
and eager, with just a touch less innocence than he should have had.
Already, the pair had laid the foundation of a lifelong friendship.
As the departure drew to a close, she heard a giggle to her right. She
turned and saw her mother ruffling a long Talkan feather in Obi-wan's
face. The Jedi kept retreating backwards, but the ambassidor was
relentless in her pursuit.
Jealousy hit Amidala like a boulder crushes a head. They'd be together
for days, practically alone in the small ship. She could tell that
Obi-wan was anything but receptive to her mother's attentions, but even
so...what if he warmed up to her? Ambassidor Naberrie was lovely, and
when not drunk on Tive leaves, she could be quite charming. The very
possibility that the two could find their way into a passionate embrace
filled the queen with nausea.
Obi-wan was...was...hers!
Amidala gasped and thanked the Elders that her facepaint hid the blush.
Never before had she entertained such thoughts about him. True, she was
drawn to the Jedi because of his quiet demeanor; she saw something of
herself in that. And there were layers in him that screamed to be
uncovered. But suddenly, watching her mother flirt so openly, Amidala
realized that she wanted to know another side of him -the loving one.
"You're thoughts betray you," came a gentle voice. "You're thinking
about someone special." Her eyes darted up to where the Jedi suddenly
stood, arms crossed in that common way. He smirked, and she wondered
just how much he knew about her thoughts.
"Do always consider it a betrayal to bare your feelings?"
Obi shrugged. "Not here and now, but sometimes. Take you for example.
Were you in the middle of a heated discussion of much importance,
having your wishful thoughts about a boy know would only serve to
lesson the value of your opinions. Your peers would think it a sign of
youth and naivety. But standing next to me, it proves to be pleasant
conversation fodder. Now tell me, would the boy in your head be a
certain new padawan?"
Relief filled her, but this time she was careful to check it. Amidala
mimicked his shrug and looked away. "I really don't think its an
appropriate way to speak to the Queen of Naboo."
He grinned. "Sorry, your majesty. I shall try to be more mindful of
your title and power."
"Thank you, Master Jedi. Now will you please escort me back to the
palace? I must speak with my advisors before you and Ambassidor
Naberrie leave for Alderaan." To her delight, his face fell and twisted
in disgust at the mention of his soon to be task.
"Of course, M'lady."
It was a strange feeling, to walk beside the object of your affection.
Half of her wanted to reach out and just kiss him senseless and another
part wanted to rediscover that disturbed young man on the steps of the
palace and another part wanted to shake herself into understanding that
he was a Jedi and they did not love.
But surely, when looking into those sea blue orbs, that latter part
could not be true. There was far too much compassion and gentleness
inside of him to ever let anything render him loveless.
All too soon, and long before she had any answers, they were in the
throne room. Advisor Kahtine rose to greet her and pulled her away from
the knight.
"Queen Amidala, I'm afraid I must relay bad news. Smugglers on Alderaan
have stolen the records we sent them. Without that, the deal cannot go
throught."
"Is the agreement off, then?"
"No, Majesty, but the law is clear. Unless you yourself are able to
verify the information in person, we shall have to wait. I'm sure it
will not be long."
"Wait? For money and food? The people must continue to live, sir. I
hardly think it right to deprive them of neccessities simply because of
a long journey. Sabe and I shall accompany Master Kenobi and Ambassidor
Naberrie. Have my things prepared."
Some tried to dissuade her, but most so wise as to realize that, oddly
enough, she actually wanted to go.
For her mother, they reasoned. For her mother.
************************
Because the queen herself was traveling in it, the ship of choice
changed from being a small, crammed ship to a must larger, open
vehicle. The interior was better decorated; its pearl and teal theme
seemed to echo an ocean and sandy beach. Next to each door, a narrow
vase held a lovely, long stemmed flower.
Obi-wan lifted one out of its glass home and showed it to Amidala.
"This is a fascinating flower, M'lady. Did you choose it?"
"Yes, I did. I'd grown tired of the World Flower being the only thing
that grows near me."
"You selected well. I wonder though, how could you could have been
drawn to a plant so unlike yourself."
She frowned, prettily. "How so, Master Jedi? Should I take that as an
insult?"
"No, not at all. I mean only that this flower knows of its beauty. See
how when I set it down, it searches the floor for its own reflection?
You hide so often I wonder if your comfortable with your own presence."
Her eyes narrowed and her spun around. "I do not hide. Sabe is my
protection."
"I wasn't referring to that, Majesty. But forgive me, I was out of
line, by both your standards and mine."
"Very well. I suggest we prepare for dining. If you'll excuse me." She
practically ran off, dissapearing in a blur of loose ribbons and extra
cloth. Obi-wan sighed, falling back onto the wall.
When had he become so presumptuous? The Queen was just another
politician, an elected lady of the people. He had no right to peer into
her thoughts and he should never have wanted to.
So what if he felt the Force inside of her.
So what if he hadn't even thought of his training while speaking with
her.
So what if he couldn't explain the thoughts -not emotions, never those-
that he had while anywhere near her.
"Oh where is my handsome knight? Come out, come out." The shrill,
intoxicated noise greeted him at the edge of the hall. Obi stopped,
took a deep breath, and entered the first room he saw.
Anything to get away.
*****************
Dinner was served in private quarters, at a small table for three.
Amidala, Ambassidor Naberrie, and Obi-wan circled it with their seats,
all of them trying to find a suitable subject for conversation. Nothing
held the interests of the three, until Ambassidor Naberrie, momentarily
sober, spoke of the Galactic Trade Security proposal. Almost instantly,
the Jedi was bursting with opinions.
"If passed, we could almost insure that smugglers wouldn't touch the
goods. Think of all the money we could save," the ambassidor explained.
"I hear that the Jedi council is against it." Amidala noted.
"Yes, well they would be." Chimed in Naberrie. "They don't want anymore
work, is all."
"You want to make decisions that don't belong to you. Just because the
Council has worked hand in hand with the Republic, you assume we're
under your control. But our calling is much higher than the Senate
tower." Obi argued. "And what you don't point out is that it involves
us chasing criminals so that the aristocrats can have even more than
they already do? Our job, M'lady, is to keep the balance of the Force.
We are not police and we do not police."
"Or you're just lazy. Forgive me, Master Kenobi, but I do not think we
can trust you to keep your input unbiased."
"I think the Republic is just looking for an easy answer out of the
Trade Federarion fiasco and wants to shift the focus of attention to
something more controversial." The queen met gazes with the Jedi and he
nodded in agreement.
"You are wise, Majesty. It was Master Yoda who warned us of the very
same thing."
"Nonsense. I was speaking with Palpatine just last week and he assured
me that the Naboo situation was being investigated *very* thoroughly."
"Situation? Is that what they're calling it now? We fought a war here,
Mother. On your home soil."
"Don't exaggerate. It was a crisis, yes. I worried sick over your
safety. But just because a few people were injured-"
"People *died*, M'lady. Protecing others like you." Obi-wan knew he was
becoming too emotional, but couldn't help but feel the insult. Qui-gon
had fallen there too!
"Well, that happens sometimes. It was nothing terribly awful. Minor
casualties are perfectly acceptable in given circumstances. They don't
amount to a war."
Deciding he had to escape, the Jedi stood and bowed, once to Amidala
and again to her mother. "Good night." And then he was gone, leaving
behind a trail of awkwardness.
The queen winced at his formal tone, before turning to the ambassidor.
"Mother! Obi-wan is here to help us. Don't insult him like you just
did.!"
"Don't be silly, darling. Guards are just guards, however attractive.
They aren't here to impress their views on the political world...Oh,
where is that man with my leaves. I feel the most dreadful pain coming
up. Amidala, don't fret, I can still see the furrows of your eyes. Its
not becoming. Just forget all about that Jedi and have a drink."
But Amidala was already on her feet, headed towards the cockpit.
As always, any feedback will be much appreciated. I can be found at
Eileenblzr@yahoo.com or if at fanfiction.net, just review. Puleeeaaze?