DISCLAIMER: Katri Narabe, Derin Narabe, and their daughter Arianna belong to my friend Beth (ff.n sn: Reach4thestars19). They are not to be used without permission by her. The characters in this story belong to George Lucas except Queen Mei'inda, her handmaidens, and those which are not currently in the Star Wars storyline.
The darkness didn't come immediately . . . there were a few weeks in between my wedding and its arrival for me to enjoy life as a newlywed. As promised, Queen Jamilla retired from the throne soon after the reception and Mei'inda, a woman about 2 years younger than Padme had been when she was chosen for Senator, came into the picture. Her Majesty wanted me as a sort of . . . (what's the term?) Public Relations Director, which I agreed to begin doing. I was due to start the next week. Anyway, I was at the market the day before I was due to start when I met someone who'd become one of my best friends . . .
While picking out herbs to create the nightly meal for her and her husband, Sabe heard a voice right behind her ask if she could hand her a couple of the herbs for herself. "Here you go," she said while turning around to give it to her. The eyes of the younger woman lit up as she recognized who she was talking to. "You're . . . you're Sabe Krigare, aren't you?" "Actually," she said, "Its Sabe Kenobi now. Krigare is my maiden name." "Its an honor to meet you, Mrs. Kenobi." This confused Sabe a lot - why would anyone care *who* she was?
The unknown girl must have seen the look on her face because she began to go into the subject of the honor. "I'm one of the handmaidens of Queen Mei'inda, Katri Narabe. You are well known among us for your actions during the Invasion." Sabe gave her a smile - not many people actually *cared* what she did during her life.
Katri and I would eventually become close friends. We would go places together, have dinner at each other's houses, and just plain old hang out. However, I noticed her and Obi-Wan talking quietly a lot of times - occasionally they would look over towards me. This aroused my suspicion a lot, and I finally confronted my husband one night home at our apartment . . .
"So," Sabe began. "You seem to be spending a lot of time with Katri." "Sabe," he began, "I don't know what you're talking about. I just wanted to talk to her a few times." "Yeah. Right." Obi-Wan stood up and warned her . . . "Stop jumping to conclusions, Sabe. You don't know what you're talking about." "Oh, yeah?" He smiled and simply said, "Sabe, did you know your friend is Force-sensitive?" "What?" "Yeah. She comes from a long lineage of Nubian Jedi. I'm surprised that she wasn't discovered with her Force talents sooner and taken to the Temple." "You're kidding." "No," he said. "I'm not."
I seriously didn't know *what* to think at that time. Katri was sensitive to the Force? I was astonished to find that out - but at least I had a reason for Obi-Wan wanting to spend so much time with her. Derin, her husband, didn't seem to mind once she explained the situation. Obi-Wan continued to work with her until she had enough skill to build her own lightsaber. Building a lightsaber is only reserved for the Jedi but since he felt that she had been cheated out of the Jedi life, he took her to the planet where they get the crystals to do so. While they were gone, I got called to the castle . . .
"Sabe Krigare responding to a summons." The doors to the throne room opened to reveal Queen Mei'inda on the throne with her handmaidens standing behind her. She was a beautiful young woman - behind the make-up, she was a tall woman in her early 20s with long brown hair and blue eyes. "I have called you here this afternoon to discuss a position as a Public Relations Director for the castle staff. Because you have come so highly recommended by Sache Sol-Solo, you would get all the benefits of a government official and the salary to rival the Governor's . . ." "Say no more, Your Highness. Since my term as ambassador on Kamino has run out, I have been in need of a job. I will gladly accept it and will start as soon as possible." "Very well. On behalf of the Queen's staff, thank you. You may go." Sabe gave the Queen a little curtsy before she turned and headed out of the door with a smile on her face.
I was so happy that I had gotten a new job and I couldn't wait to tell Obi-Wan. I couldn't ask for a better life - a PR Director at the castle, married to a wonderful man, and best friends with another handmaiden at the castle . . . I also didn't know it at the time, but I was also with child. I thought this would last longer than it actually did, but the darkness swooped in too quickly . . .
Short? I know . . . the chapters'll get longer, I promise. Remember, please R & R and I'll update A.S.A.P.!!!!
