Obi-Wan brought Meira to her crib, now fresh and clean once again. They played for a while as he tried to bring her down from the chocolate.
When he thought he had worn her down enough, he placed her inside, with the Qui-Gon and Kaadu toys, hoping that she would settle to sleep.
She raised her arms to him and pouted.
"No, your mother told me this is bedtime." Obi-Wan sat on the bed and pulled out a datapad with assorted reading material already loaded. "Lie down now. I won't leave, but you must go to sleep."
"Jeddi!"
"So it's to be a battle of wills, is it?" Obi-Wan wondered if it would just be easier to let her drift off on the bed next to him and then move her, but decided against it. "Sabé makes the rules for you. I just enforce them. That's a Jedi Knight's duty. It's a Jedi baby's duty to sleep so she can grow. You won't miss anything. I'll be here in the morning. Goodnight, Meira." He lowered the lights and settled back in his bed to scan through the texts in the datapad.
The voice was more insistant. "Jeddiiiiii!"
He reminded himself to remain firm and not give in. He tried to continue reading, but couldn't concentrate.
"Jeddi....up...now!"
Obi-Wan closed his eyes and sighed . "No. Now go to sleep."
He sensed a tendril emanate from Meira and move toward him. He kept himself patient and open to the Force, as he awaited her mind's touch.
There was no fear this time when she made contact. She was demanding, yes, but still curious. And somehow, she knew that she was his. She was unable to express it in more than feelings and impulses, but she was affirming it through the bond.
Obi-Wan accepted her warmth, and returned it. //Yes, we do belong to one another. More so than ever now.//
//Jeddi...uuuup!//
"All right, then," he smiled. "You've earned it."
**********************************************************************************
Sabé softly knocked on the door to the guest room. It was cracked open, so she pushed it and peeked in.
Obi-Wan and Meira were fast asleep. One arm cradled the girl in a close embrace. She had snuggled against him and mimicked his position in the way she held the Qui-Gon and Kaadu toys.
Sabé sighed in contentment, feeling their comfort. She opened up the bonds she shared with them a bit more and was surprised to find that they had completed their own bonding process during the night. She sensed the warmth and affection they shared as they slept.
Sabé sniffed, her eyes shining with the tears she was holding back. She shielded her feelings so as not to disturb the pair. Glancing around, she caught sight of Obi-Wan's heavy belt on the dresser. The Naboo comlink was still there. Quietly, she crossed the room, got the comlink, and tuned it to a private frequency, then set it to monitor. Setting her own to the same channel, she was satisified that she would hear if Meira woke up during the night.
Noticing their bare feet, she found a blanket and tenderly covered up the father and daughter. She leaned in to place a soft kiss on their foreheads. Taking a last glance over her shoulder, she left them to slumber.
Choosing a path that would not stray far from their quarters, she started walking a circuit alone in the huge dark halls of the palace.
A familiar voice broke the silence.
"Would you like to talk about it?"
Sabé raised her head in surprise. Amidala was standing in the entranceway from a side hall. She was holding her robe closed in the front. The signs of worry were all over her face.
Quickly wiping her cheeks with the back of her hand, then rubbing the salty dampness off on her tunic, Sabé stammered. "Y-your Highness, what are you doing here?"
"That's what we all want to ask you. The Palace guards noticed your behavior and thought it unusual, but they didn't wish to disturb you. Why are you in this hall, alone and crying?"
Sabé felt some anger and frustration with the guards, but reminded herself that they were doing their job.
She considered how she could possibly explain to Amidala why she was torn, and still have it make sense.
"Your Highness, you should have seen it! I went to stay with Meira and let Obi-Wan go to his guest room, but they were already asleep. Something happened with them--they completed a bond, I can tell--and they looked so *right* together. And now, I've had a sign that will lead me to a decision that forces them to separate."
The Queen nodded patiently and waited for her to continue.
Fresh tears streamed down Sabé's face. "Obi-Wan has asked me to come to Coruscant so that we can all see each other more often. At first, I didn't know if I had the heart, or even the right, to leave home and go to that cold world. I've sworn to serve you and Naboo. Everything I know is here."
Amidala took a deep breath and gave Sabé a very serious look. "He proposed?"
"No, it wasn't a proposal."
"Come with me. I think we should discuss this in a more private setting." Amidala indicated the way to her chambers.
After Sabé had washed her face, had a soothing cup of herbal tea and collected herself, the Queen sat her down in a luxurious white padded loveseat. She pulled up a matching chair and positioned it facing her friend.
Amidala leaned forward, and took Sabé's hand. "You are my sister in spirit. We've always been honest with one another. Tell me now--how do you feel about him?"
Sabé bit her lip. "Do I love him?" She concentrated for a moment, sorting out her feelings. " Yes,"she said, low at first, but when she repeated the word, there was certainty in her voice. "Yes, I do! I always have, and I've never said it before." She seemed as though she might cry again, but she held herself in check.
Amidala let a moment pass before she spoke again. "Does he love you?"
Sabé closed her eyes and recalled their times together, conversations and shared feelings over the bond. After due consideration, she answered carefully.
"He has not said the words yet, but my instincts tell me he does. He is still rediscovering much about himself and sorting out his life. He doesn't wish to speak too soon."
"Are you sure? This has to be clear."
Sabé's statement was firm. "I am sure. Our child is not the product of base lust."
"Let me ask you, one friend to another--if he had proposed, would you have accepted?"
"It's that very question that troubles me, Your Highness. A part of me would want that so much. But there is something else, an uneasiness...," Sabé trailed off for a moment as she attempted put subtle whispers of intuition into speech.
"My vision at the game was most disturbing. I saw the card of the Evil One next to Demise. It was after I has been pondering the question of the move to Coruscant for most of the evening. The Evil One turned to face me, and I felt his malevolence. It was strong and sickening. I see it as a warning."
"Qui-Gon's last message was adamant about keeping certain things secret. It seems to me that Meira's paternity was meant be one of those things. Any child of Obi-Wan would be in great danger now. He is the first Jedi that has killed a Sith in a thousand years. There is a strong motive for the remaining one to seek revenge. If we were to marry, there would be a public connection to the baby that could be used against her." She shook her head. "I can't see risking it, though it would hurt me to refuse him. Even if we did convince everyone that she's a stepdaughter, she could still be a target. I suppose it's for the best that her conception happened as it did. I know some would have seen it as immoral, but..., " She hesitated again.
"None of us who know you think that, Sabé. You have been faithful to Obi-Wan, even when it was not required of you. You have put Meira's needs first. Those who would judge you as immoral can't see the whole truth. From what I've heard over the last two years, I'm willing to say it's quite possible that you *are* 'married' by the highest authority in the universe. Force bonds such as you share with Obi-Wan don't just happen by accident. Any ceremony by a civil or religious person could never be as deep or profound as what you've experienced."
Sabé sat back in the loveseat, stunned by Amidala's statement. "I've never had another experience to compare it with. But, you know, everything felt right then. There is still something between us, even this morning, it was there. For a moment, it was like the last two years never happened."
Amidala nodded. "You should keep in mind that it's likely that I will not be Queen forever. One of my primary duties is to ensure freedom and the right to happiness for all of my people. If I were to require that you stay here rather than allowing you to do what's best for yourself and your daughter, then I have failed at my job."
The Minister stared at the Monarch. "It has never occurred to me that any life away from Theed would be better for us."
"While I appreciate the loyalty, I do urge you to open your mind to other possibilities. It's a big universe. I think you may have more than two choices. Be patient and your path will become clear."
Sabé smiled. "And when did you train as a Jedi, Your Highness?"
"Let's just say that my time with Master Jinn did have an influence on me." Amidala smiled briefly, then became serious once again. "Consider this...Naboo is your turf, Coruscant is his. Even without the warning of the vision, I think one of you would feel at a disadvantage choosing between only these two worlds. Perhaps another system would be appropriate; somewhere that all of you could make a fresh start. Aren't there other systems with a Jedi population?"
Sabé brightened. "There are! There are indeed! Thank you, Your Highness. I know what I shall say now. I just hope Obi-Wan sees it the same way."
When he thought he had worn her down enough, he placed her inside, with the Qui-Gon and Kaadu toys, hoping that she would settle to sleep.
She raised her arms to him and pouted.
"No, your mother told me this is bedtime." Obi-Wan sat on the bed and pulled out a datapad with assorted reading material already loaded. "Lie down now. I won't leave, but you must go to sleep."
"Jeddi!"
"So it's to be a battle of wills, is it?" Obi-Wan wondered if it would just be easier to let her drift off on the bed next to him and then move her, but decided against it. "Sabé makes the rules for you. I just enforce them. That's a Jedi Knight's duty. It's a Jedi baby's duty to sleep so she can grow. You won't miss anything. I'll be here in the morning. Goodnight, Meira." He lowered the lights and settled back in his bed to scan through the texts in the datapad.
The voice was more insistant. "Jeddiiiiii!"
He reminded himself to remain firm and not give in. He tried to continue reading, but couldn't concentrate.
"Jeddi....up...now!"
Obi-Wan closed his eyes and sighed . "No. Now go to sleep."
He sensed a tendril emanate from Meira and move toward him. He kept himself patient and open to the Force, as he awaited her mind's touch.
There was no fear this time when she made contact. She was demanding, yes, but still curious. And somehow, she knew that she was his. She was unable to express it in more than feelings and impulses, but she was affirming it through the bond.
Obi-Wan accepted her warmth, and returned it. //Yes, we do belong to one another. More so than ever now.//
//Jeddi...uuuup!//
"All right, then," he smiled. "You've earned it."
**********************************************************************************
Sabé softly knocked on the door to the guest room. It was cracked open, so she pushed it and peeked in.
Obi-Wan and Meira were fast asleep. One arm cradled the girl in a close embrace. She had snuggled against him and mimicked his position in the way she held the Qui-Gon and Kaadu toys.
Sabé sighed in contentment, feeling their comfort. She opened up the bonds she shared with them a bit more and was surprised to find that they had completed their own bonding process during the night. She sensed the warmth and affection they shared as they slept.
Sabé sniffed, her eyes shining with the tears she was holding back. She shielded her feelings so as not to disturb the pair. Glancing around, she caught sight of Obi-Wan's heavy belt on the dresser. The Naboo comlink was still there. Quietly, she crossed the room, got the comlink, and tuned it to a private frequency, then set it to monitor. Setting her own to the same channel, she was satisified that she would hear if Meira woke up during the night.
Noticing their bare feet, she found a blanket and tenderly covered up the father and daughter. She leaned in to place a soft kiss on their foreheads. Taking a last glance over her shoulder, she left them to slumber.
Choosing a path that would not stray far from their quarters, she started walking a circuit alone in the huge dark halls of the palace.
A familiar voice broke the silence.
"Would you like to talk about it?"
Sabé raised her head in surprise. Amidala was standing in the entranceway from a side hall. She was holding her robe closed in the front. The signs of worry were all over her face.
Quickly wiping her cheeks with the back of her hand, then rubbing the salty dampness off on her tunic, Sabé stammered. "Y-your Highness, what are you doing here?"
"That's what we all want to ask you. The Palace guards noticed your behavior and thought it unusual, but they didn't wish to disturb you. Why are you in this hall, alone and crying?"
Sabé felt some anger and frustration with the guards, but reminded herself that they were doing their job.
She considered how she could possibly explain to Amidala why she was torn, and still have it make sense.
"Your Highness, you should have seen it! I went to stay with Meira and let Obi-Wan go to his guest room, but they were already asleep. Something happened with them--they completed a bond, I can tell--and they looked so *right* together. And now, I've had a sign that will lead me to a decision that forces them to separate."
The Queen nodded patiently and waited for her to continue.
Fresh tears streamed down Sabé's face. "Obi-Wan has asked me to come to Coruscant so that we can all see each other more often. At first, I didn't know if I had the heart, or even the right, to leave home and go to that cold world. I've sworn to serve you and Naboo. Everything I know is here."
Amidala took a deep breath and gave Sabé a very serious look. "He proposed?"
"No, it wasn't a proposal."
"Come with me. I think we should discuss this in a more private setting." Amidala indicated the way to her chambers.
After Sabé had washed her face, had a soothing cup of herbal tea and collected herself, the Queen sat her down in a luxurious white padded loveseat. She pulled up a matching chair and positioned it facing her friend.
Amidala leaned forward, and took Sabé's hand. "You are my sister in spirit. We've always been honest with one another. Tell me now--how do you feel about him?"
Sabé bit her lip. "Do I love him?" She concentrated for a moment, sorting out her feelings. " Yes,"she said, low at first, but when she repeated the word, there was certainty in her voice. "Yes, I do! I always have, and I've never said it before." She seemed as though she might cry again, but she held herself in check.
Amidala let a moment pass before she spoke again. "Does he love you?"
Sabé closed her eyes and recalled their times together, conversations and shared feelings over the bond. After due consideration, she answered carefully.
"He has not said the words yet, but my instincts tell me he does. He is still rediscovering much about himself and sorting out his life. He doesn't wish to speak too soon."
"Are you sure? This has to be clear."
Sabé's statement was firm. "I am sure. Our child is not the product of base lust."
"Let me ask you, one friend to another--if he had proposed, would you have accepted?"
"It's that very question that troubles me, Your Highness. A part of me would want that so much. But there is something else, an uneasiness...," Sabé trailed off for a moment as she attempted put subtle whispers of intuition into speech.
"My vision at the game was most disturbing. I saw the card of the Evil One next to Demise. It was after I has been pondering the question of the move to Coruscant for most of the evening. The Evil One turned to face me, and I felt his malevolence. It was strong and sickening. I see it as a warning."
"Qui-Gon's last message was adamant about keeping certain things secret. It seems to me that Meira's paternity was meant be one of those things. Any child of Obi-Wan would be in great danger now. He is the first Jedi that has killed a Sith in a thousand years. There is a strong motive for the remaining one to seek revenge. If we were to marry, there would be a public connection to the baby that could be used against her." She shook her head. "I can't see risking it, though it would hurt me to refuse him. Even if we did convince everyone that she's a stepdaughter, she could still be a target. I suppose it's for the best that her conception happened as it did. I know some would have seen it as immoral, but..., " She hesitated again.
"None of us who know you think that, Sabé. You have been faithful to Obi-Wan, even when it was not required of you. You have put Meira's needs first. Those who would judge you as immoral can't see the whole truth. From what I've heard over the last two years, I'm willing to say it's quite possible that you *are* 'married' by the highest authority in the universe. Force bonds such as you share with Obi-Wan don't just happen by accident. Any ceremony by a civil or religious person could never be as deep or profound as what you've experienced."
Sabé sat back in the loveseat, stunned by Amidala's statement. "I've never had another experience to compare it with. But, you know, everything felt right then. There is still something between us, even this morning, it was there. For a moment, it was like the last two years never happened."
Amidala nodded. "You should keep in mind that it's likely that I will not be Queen forever. One of my primary duties is to ensure freedom and the right to happiness for all of my people. If I were to require that you stay here rather than allowing you to do what's best for yourself and your daughter, then I have failed at my job."
The Minister stared at the Monarch. "It has never occurred to me that any life away from Theed would be better for us."
"While I appreciate the loyalty, I do urge you to open your mind to other possibilities. It's a big universe. I think you may have more than two choices. Be patient and your path will become clear."
Sabé smiled. "And when did you train as a Jedi, Your Highness?"
"Let's just say that my time with Master Jinn did have an influence on me." Amidala smiled briefly, then became serious once again. "Consider this...Naboo is your turf, Coruscant is his. Even without the warning of the vision, I think one of you would feel at a disadvantage choosing between only these two worlds. Perhaps another system would be appropriate; somewhere that all of you could make a fresh start. Aren't there other systems with a Jedi population?"
Sabé brightened. "There are! There are indeed! Thank you, Your Highness. I know what I shall say now. I just hope Obi-Wan sees it the same way."