The Ties That Bind
Chapter 2
A tug on her hair brought a grimace to an elegantly beautiful face, "I really hate these elaborate styles, you know. For once I'd like to leave it loose."
Her handmaidens grinned, "Relax, my lady," admonished the one braiding her hair, "You'll get your wish soon enough."
"Not soon enough for my liking, Rabé. Aren't you done yet?"
Rabé winked at the other two handmaidens in the room, grinning mischievously, "You have somewhere else to be, your majesty?"
"Actually yes. The Jedi are arriving this morning and I want to be there to greet them."
One of her other handmaidens couldn't resist a tease, "Would it have anything to do with a particular blonde Jedi Padawan with... how did you put it? Oh yes... with mesmerizing blue eyes?" the seemingly innocent question brought a glance from the Queen.
"Am I that obvious, Sabé?" she asked, grinning.
"Only to us, Padmé," Rabé told her with a gentle tug on her braid as she tied it off and pinned it in place.
"Issuing that invite was a dead giveaway," her last handmaiden, Eirtaé, told her with a smile.
Padmé turned to face them, returning the smile, "It was rather obvious, wasn't it? Can you really blame me?"
They collapsed into giggles, Sabé speaking through her laughter, "Hardly! I only hope that Master of his can be persuaded to leave him a lone from time to time."
Padmé covered her mouth quickly to stifle a very un-royal like giggle, "You and..?" she trailed off, her eyes dancing.
Sabé blushed, "Well, I like the older men. Someone has to with you robbing the cradle."
Padmé gaped at her friend, "Excuse me?!"
The handmaidens laughed at her expression, Sabé grinning from ear to ear, "I'm kidding, Padmé."
"I should hope so! Robbing the cradle, indeed!"
Rabé took a seat next to her, "Age is just a number anyway, you know? 5 years isn't that much of an age gap."
"It certainly felt like forever when I saw him 3 years ago."
Sabé took Padmé's hand and squeezed it, "15 and 20 would have been frowned upon, not to mention it probably would have felt really odd. 18 and 23 however..." the let the phrase trail off suggestively.
Padmé smiled softly, "You're right, 18 and 23 doesn't sound that bad."
Sabé winked at her, "You've been a wreck since you last saw him. And don't try to deny it, Queenie," she teased, "I know you don't get much sleep at night. I doubt you slept a wink at all last night knowing he would be here this morning."
Padmé blushed softly, "You know me too well."
Eirtaé looked up from her spot behind the Queen's desk, "Your highness, Captain Panaka just called. The Jedi's ship will be landing in the hangar bay in five minutes."
Pade shot to her feet, looking at herself in the mirror as she nervously smoothed down the front of her gown. "How do I look?"
Sabé grinned as the other two laughed softly, "It's good to see you nervous about something, your highness, but you look beautiful as always. Removing that makeup may make it impossible for me to masquerade as you, but it certainly shows your beauty well."
Sabé got to her feet and brushed off her handmaiden's gown, tugging the dark blue hood over her head as the other two did the same. Eirtaé walked to the door and quickly did a survey before opening it completely.
Padmé grasped Sabé's hand, receiving a reassuring squeeze, "Be brave your highness." she whispered softly before taking up her position behind her.
Padmé took a deep breath and let it out before stepping out of her chambers. The rolling in her stomach wouldn't stop, but she radiated such a calm nobody would guess as to her nervousness. With sure, quick steps, she made her way out of her wing towards the hangar bay.
"When do we land?"
"Patience, young Padawan, we will be there soon."
He paced back and forth in front of his master, his hands behind his back as she ship came up on final approach to the hangar bay. That much closer to his Angel. He stopped, turning on his heel and walking back the other way.
"Your thoughts betray you."
He rounded on his Master, "I'm sorry Master, I can't help it. I haven't seen her in so long, what if she doesn't recognize me?"
"You would be hard to forget, my friend. After your last encounter I am sure she will be looking forward to this meeting as much as you."
He was taken aback. He'd tried to keep that encounter shielded from his Master. He didn't need to have everyone knowing about his intentions towards the Queen, though it wasn't hard to guess. He'd been cautioned by the council many times about his deep feelings for the Queen and how those, if nothing else, could easily be manipulated to work against him. He didn't see how that would ever be possible.
"Yes, my Padawan, I know of your last encounter. I spoke with the Queen before she left and her thoughts, however well she is at hiding them, fairly jumped at me. You should be more cautious. You have pledged your life to the Jedi order, it's not something taken lightly."
He grimaced. His master was right of course. "And because I am a Jedi, or will be a Jedi, I am not allowed to love? Yes Master, Love. I love her, I have since I met her."
His master placed a hand on his shoulder, "Allowed yes. No one can stop what you feel except you, and this has been a constant in your life since I first met you. The council, however, frowns upon it. The only reason they permitted us to come out here was to see if there is any change. Tread carefully, my young friend, your actions while we are here may decide your future."
He shrugged his master's hand away, grasping at a seat as the ship suddenly lurched in preparation for landing, "Next time I'll fly. We'll take our own ship and forget about the Republic pilot," he told his master caustically, "As for my future..." he trailed off as the ship set down and walked out towards the ramp. *She is the reason I am here, Master.*
His Master shook his head quickly following. *Protocol, Padawan. Follow it. I am to introduce you to the Queen as before, understand?*
Oh, he understood alright. He bit back a grimace and waited for his master to join him. Pulling up the hood of his Jedi robe he stepped in front of the Padawan. Hiding a grimace the young man stared at the back of his Master's head. He was somewhat taken aback at how... short his Master seemed all of a sudden.
*You've grown a lot over the last nine years, my young friend. In body, mind and spirit. You've been taller than I for a while now, just too preoccupied with other things to notice.*
The Padawan grinned. *You seem bigger than I am Master. This is an adjustment I will have to get used to.*
*Only one surprise of many in the near future I am sure,* came the cryptic reply.
He sighed, taking a step back from his master as the craft settled to the ground of the hangar bay. There was a hiss as the ship's atmosphere bled off, adjusting the interior pressure of the ship to that of the world before the landing ramp's hydraulics kicked in and the ramp started to lower.
*You will see her soon enough.*
*Not soon enough for my liking, Master.*
*Calm yourself, my Padawan, The Queen and her entourage approaches.*
He smiled faintly *I have been following her path from her chambers, Master, that warning was unnecessary.*
They cut off the silent communication as they stepped down from the ship, knowing it was no longer necessary. The Padawan's anticipation for this meeting fairly rolled off him in waves, but a discreet glance told his master that he was outwardly composed. Stopping a few feet outside of the ship, two guards dressed in Palace colors flanked them. "If you will wait here, Master Jedi, Queen Amidala will be down shortly."
His Master inclined his head in thanks and folded his hands in his sleeves. The guards took a few steps away, back towards the ramp, to make sure no uninvited guests stepped off the ship.
He shifted from one foot to the other, barely shifting his weight but his clothes rustled fractionally. He felt his Master's amusement, *Nervous? After facing down Yoda and the Council, you're nervous about this? Relax, my young friend, all will be well.*
*Easy for you to say, Master, you're not the one she's not seen since he was 15.*
He received no reply as the Queen and her entourage stepped into the hangar bay. Three handmaidens followed closely behind her, as was their custom, two guards flanking them. Captain Panaka walked slightly to the left of the Queen, shielding her from the front. Queen Amidala of the Naboo wore no makeup, her hair pulled back in two braids that were interwoven and hung down her back, looping up beneath and pinned to the base of her skull. He saw her petite figure, marveled on some level that she looked more beautiful, more amazingly grown up than she'd ever seemed before. His eyes met hers from across the room and a smile crossed her face.
She picked up the hem of her skirt and quickened her pace, stopping in front of his Master and tore her gaze away from him to look at whom she spoke, "Jedi Kenobi," her voice was rich, full, and ever so sweet. Just as he remembered, "It has been far too long."
His master smiled, reaching up to remove his hood and then bowed to the queen, "It is good to see you again, your highness, we are honored to be here to celebrate with you." She took his hand and he squeezed it firmly, smiling back, "I have someone else whom you might remember."
Obi-Wan turned and placed a hand on his apprentice's shoulder, "You remember Anakin Skywalker of course."
Amidala smiled at him, "Ani, you've certainly grown." There was a warmth in her tone that hadn't been there when she'd spoken to Obi-Wan.
He smiled back, stepping forward and grasping her hand. His eyes held hers as he brought it to his lips, "As have you, in beauty and grace." he returned softly.
Behind her Amidala heard one of her handmaiden's giggle as she blushed softly. His eyes were just as she remembered them, she found herself thinking, a diamond, crystal blue that seemed to look into her soul. She knew he was holding her hand, she could feel the shock of his lips on her skin clear to her toes, but she couldn't look away from his gaze. A stern part of her mind silently admonished her to pull her hand away, to fold them in front of her as was proper and walk away. That sane part of her mind was very faint as she held his gaze.
Anakin looked back into her eyes, hearing her thoughts without consciously trying and feeling like a peeping tom. A surge of elation swept through him as she failed to pull her hand away. He slowly lowered it from his lips, "I hope to renew our acquaintance, your majesty."
She gave herself a mental shake and nodded to him, gently pulling her hand away, her fingers sliding reluctantly out of his hand. He felt the contact, the unintentional caress, slide down his back. "We will have plenty of time to talk I'm sure, Padawan Skywalker."
He stiffened at his formal title. She had never used it with him before and, though he liked the way his last name sounded, Padawan Skywalker just didn't have the same ring to it when she said it. She noted his sudden stiffness, "Come. Panaka will show you to your room, Jedi Kenobi. I have a couple of things I wish to discuss with your Padawan. At your leave of course, and if he is not too tired from the journey."
Obi-Wan struggled to hide a smile, succeeding admirably as he bowed to the Queen, "Of course, your highness. Whenever you are through with him is soon enough to start his morning training."
Anakin winced. Leave it to his master to have lessons planned on what was supposed to be something of a vacation. "Of course Master. I'm sure the Queen won't distract from my training for long."
*No more than usual, right my young friend?*
Anakin bit back a laugh, *Right.*
"Please, your highness," Obi-Wan grinned at her as she smiled, "Feel free to monopolize him. He can go for a few hours without training I think."
The Queen inclined her head to him and motioned to Panaka, "Captain, if you please?"
The Captain of her guard bowed to her and motioned for the Jedi to follow him. Amidala glanced at Sabé and gave a slight motion with her head. Sabé swallowed a smile, "If you have no further need of us your highness, we have duties to attend to concerning the upcoming celebration."
"I will be safe enough with Padawan Skywalker. You are dismissed."
Her handmaidens bowed and quickly left. Anakin offered his arm to the Queen, mindful of the guards standing at the base of the boarding ramp, "I am at your disposal, your highness."
She slid her hand into the crook of his elbow, dropping her voice, "You call me that one more time, Skywalker..." she threatened good naturedly.
He smiled down at her, "Where to, Padmé?" he asked softly back.
Chapter 2
A tug on her hair brought a grimace to an elegantly beautiful face, "I really hate these elaborate styles, you know. For once I'd like to leave it loose."
Her handmaidens grinned, "Relax, my lady," admonished the one braiding her hair, "You'll get your wish soon enough."
"Not soon enough for my liking, Rabé. Aren't you done yet?"
Rabé winked at the other two handmaidens in the room, grinning mischievously, "You have somewhere else to be, your majesty?"
"Actually yes. The Jedi are arriving this morning and I want to be there to greet them."
One of her other handmaidens couldn't resist a tease, "Would it have anything to do with a particular blonde Jedi Padawan with... how did you put it? Oh yes... with mesmerizing blue eyes?" the seemingly innocent question brought a glance from the Queen.
"Am I that obvious, Sabé?" she asked, grinning.
"Only to us, Padmé," Rabé told her with a gentle tug on her braid as she tied it off and pinned it in place.
"Issuing that invite was a dead giveaway," her last handmaiden, Eirtaé, told her with a smile.
Padmé turned to face them, returning the smile, "It was rather obvious, wasn't it? Can you really blame me?"
They collapsed into giggles, Sabé speaking through her laughter, "Hardly! I only hope that Master of his can be persuaded to leave him a lone from time to time."
Padmé covered her mouth quickly to stifle a very un-royal like giggle, "You and..?" she trailed off, her eyes dancing.
Sabé blushed, "Well, I like the older men. Someone has to with you robbing the cradle."
Padmé gaped at her friend, "Excuse me?!"
The handmaidens laughed at her expression, Sabé grinning from ear to ear, "I'm kidding, Padmé."
"I should hope so! Robbing the cradle, indeed!"
Rabé took a seat next to her, "Age is just a number anyway, you know? 5 years isn't that much of an age gap."
"It certainly felt like forever when I saw him 3 years ago."
Sabé took Padmé's hand and squeezed it, "15 and 20 would have been frowned upon, not to mention it probably would have felt really odd. 18 and 23 however..." the let the phrase trail off suggestively.
Padmé smiled softly, "You're right, 18 and 23 doesn't sound that bad."
Sabé winked at her, "You've been a wreck since you last saw him. And don't try to deny it, Queenie," she teased, "I know you don't get much sleep at night. I doubt you slept a wink at all last night knowing he would be here this morning."
Padmé blushed softly, "You know me too well."
Eirtaé looked up from her spot behind the Queen's desk, "Your highness, Captain Panaka just called. The Jedi's ship will be landing in the hangar bay in five minutes."
Pade shot to her feet, looking at herself in the mirror as she nervously smoothed down the front of her gown. "How do I look?"
Sabé grinned as the other two laughed softly, "It's good to see you nervous about something, your highness, but you look beautiful as always. Removing that makeup may make it impossible for me to masquerade as you, but it certainly shows your beauty well."
Sabé got to her feet and brushed off her handmaiden's gown, tugging the dark blue hood over her head as the other two did the same. Eirtaé walked to the door and quickly did a survey before opening it completely.
Padmé grasped Sabé's hand, receiving a reassuring squeeze, "Be brave your highness." she whispered softly before taking up her position behind her.
Padmé took a deep breath and let it out before stepping out of her chambers. The rolling in her stomach wouldn't stop, but she radiated such a calm nobody would guess as to her nervousness. With sure, quick steps, she made her way out of her wing towards the hangar bay.
"When do we land?"
"Patience, young Padawan, we will be there soon."
He paced back and forth in front of his master, his hands behind his back as she ship came up on final approach to the hangar bay. That much closer to his Angel. He stopped, turning on his heel and walking back the other way.
"Your thoughts betray you."
He rounded on his Master, "I'm sorry Master, I can't help it. I haven't seen her in so long, what if she doesn't recognize me?"
"You would be hard to forget, my friend. After your last encounter I am sure she will be looking forward to this meeting as much as you."
He was taken aback. He'd tried to keep that encounter shielded from his Master. He didn't need to have everyone knowing about his intentions towards the Queen, though it wasn't hard to guess. He'd been cautioned by the council many times about his deep feelings for the Queen and how those, if nothing else, could easily be manipulated to work against him. He didn't see how that would ever be possible.
"Yes, my Padawan, I know of your last encounter. I spoke with the Queen before she left and her thoughts, however well she is at hiding them, fairly jumped at me. You should be more cautious. You have pledged your life to the Jedi order, it's not something taken lightly."
He grimaced. His master was right of course. "And because I am a Jedi, or will be a Jedi, I am not allowed to love? Yes Master, Love. I love her, I have since I met her."
His master placed a hand on his shoulder, "Allowed yes. No one can stop what you feel except you, and this has been a constant in your life since I first met you. The council, however, frowns upon it. The only reason they permitted us to come out here was to see if there is any change. Tread carefully, my young friend, your actions while we are here may decide your future."
He shrugged his master's hand away, grasping at a seat as the ship suddenly lurched in preparation for landing, "Next time I'll fly. We'll take our own ship and forget about the Republic pilot," he told his master caustically, "As for my future..." he trailed off as the ship set down and walked out towards the ramp. *She is the reason I am here, Master.*
His Master shook his head quickly following. *Protocol, Padawan. Follow it. I am to introduce you to the Queen as before, understand?*
Oh, he understood alright. He bit back a grimace and waited for his master to join him. Pulling up the hood of his Jedi robe he stepped in front of the Padawan. Hiding a grimace the young man stared at the back of his Master's head. He was somewhat taken aback at how... short his Master seemed all of a sudden.
*You've grown a lot over the last nine years, my young friend. In body, mind and spirit. You've been taller than I for a while now, just too preoccupied with other things to notice.*
The Padawan grinned. *You seem bigger than I am Master. This is an adjustment I will have to get used to.*
*Only one surprise of many in the near future I am sure,* came the cryptic reply.
He sighed, taking a step back from his master as the craft settled to the ground of the hangar bay. There was a hiss as the ship's atmosphere bled off, adjusting the interior pressure of the ship to that of the world before the landing ramp's hydraulics kicked in and the ramp started to lower.
*You will see her soon enough.*
*Not soon enough for my liking, Master.*
*Calm yourself, my Padawan, The Queen and her entourage approaches.*
He smiled faintly *I have been following her path from her chambers, Master, that warning was unnecessary.*
They cut off the silent communication as they stepped down from the ship, knowing it was no longer necessary. The Padawan's anticipation for this meeting fairly rolled off him in waves, but a discreet glance told his master that he was outwardly composed. Stopping a few feet outside of the ship, two guards dressed in Palace colors flanked them. "If you will wait here, Master Jedi, Queen Amidala will be down shortly."
His Master inclined his head in thanks and folded his hands in his sleeves. The guards took a few steps away, back towards the ramp, to make sure no uninvited guests stepped off the ship.
He shifted from one foot to the other, barely shifting his weight but his clothes rustled fractionally. He felt his Master's amusement, *Nervous? After facing down Yoda and the Council, you're nervous about this? Relax, my young friend, all will be well.*
*Easy for you to say, Master, you're not the one she's not seen since he was 15.*
He received no reply as the Queen and her entourage stepped into the hangar bay. Three handmaidens followed closely behind her, as was their custom, two guards flanking them. Captain Panaka walked slightly to the left of the Queen, shielding her from the front. Queen Amidala of the Naboo wore no makeup, her hair pulled back in two braids that were interwoven and hung down her back, looping up beneath and pinned to the base of her skull. He saw her petite figure, marveled on some level that she looked more beautiful, more amazingly grown up than she'd ever seemed before. His eyes met hers from across the room and a smile crossed her face.
She picked up the hem of her skirt and quickened her pace, stopping in front of his Master and tore her gaze away from him to look at whom she spoke, "Jedi Kenobi," her voice was rich, full, and ever so sweet. Just as he remembered, "It has been far too long."
His master smiled, reaching up to remove his hood and then bowed to the queen, "It is good to see you again, your highness, we are honored to be here to celebrate with you." She took his hand and he squeezed it firmly, smiling back, "I have someone else whom you might remember."
Obi-Wan turned and placed a hand on his apprentice's shoulder, "You remember Anakin Skywalker of course."
Amidala smiled at him, "Ani, you've certainly grown." There was a warmth in her tone that hadn't been there when she'd spoken to Obi-Wan.
He smiled back, stepping forward and grasping her hand. His eyes held hers as he brought it to his lips, "As have you, in beauty and grace." he returned softly.
Behind her Amidala heard one of her handmaiden's giggle as she blushed softly. His eyes were just as she remembered them, she found herself thinking, a diamond, crystal blue that seemed to look into her soul. She knew he was holding her hand, she could feel the shock of his lips on her skin clear to her toes, but she couldn't look away from his gaze. A stern part of her mind silently admonished her to pull her hand away, to fold them in front of her as was proper and walk away. That sane part of her mind was very faint as she held his gaze.
Anakin looked back into her eyes, hearing her thoughts without consciously trying and feeling like a peeping tom. A surge of elation swept through him as she failed to pull her hand away. He slowly lowered it from his lips, "I hope to renew our acquaintance, your majesty."
She gave herself a mental shake and nodded to him, gently pulling her hand away, her fingers sliding reluctantly out of his hand. He felt the contact, the unintentional caress, slide down his back. "We will have plenty of time to talk I'm sure, Padawan Skywalker."
He stiffened at his formal title. She had never used it with him before and, though he liked the way his last name sounded, Padawan Skywalker just didn't have the same ring to it when she said it. She noted his sudden stiffness, "Come. Panaka will show you to your room, Jedi Kenobi. I have a couple of things I wish to discuss with your Padawan. At your leave of course, and if he is not too tired from the journey."
Obi-Wan struggled to hide a smile, succeeding admirably as he bowed to the Queen, "Of course, your highness. Whenever you are through with him is soon enough to start his morning training."
Anakin winced. Leave it to his master to have lessons planned on what was supposed to be something of a vacation. "Of course Master. I'm sure the Queen won't distract from my training for long."
*No more than usual, right my young friend?*
Anakin bit back a laugh, *Right.*
"Please, your highness," Obi-Wan grinned at her as she smiled, "Feel free to monopolize him. He can go for a few hours without training I think."
The Queen inclined her head to him and motioned to Panaka, "Captain, if you please?"
The Captain of her guard bowed to her and motioned for the Jedi to follow him. Amidala glanced at Sabé and gave a slight motion with her head. Sabé swallowed a smile, "If you have no further need of us your highness, we have duties to attend to concerning the upcoming celebration."
"I will be safe enough with Padawan Skywalker. You are dismissed."
Her handmaidens bowed and quickly left. Anakin offered his arm to the Queen, mindful of the guards standing at the base of the boarding ramp, "I am at your disposal, your highness."
She slid her hand into the crook of his elbow, dropping her voice, "You call me that one more time, Skywalker..." she threatened good naturedly.
He smiled down at her, "Where to, Padmé?" he asked softly back.