Part Nine: Go In Peace
By nightfall, we reached the palace. Everyone waited for our arrival. I passed the silent faces and headed up the stairs to the Queen's throne. Her face dropped as I laid the cloak down before her. She dropped to her knees and touched it gently.
"Oh, Sabé. Sabé, I'm so sorry. You were such a good friend. I'll miss you dearly," she said quietly.
I met her eyes and showed my compassion and understanding for the loss. But then tears began to fall. They were uncontrollable.
Hours passed.
That night, guards, soldiers, handmaidens, and Gungans met the Queen and me in the shrine. A funeral pyre was set for Sabé, Risha, and Joline. One by one they were lit. Rabé lit Risha's and Joline's. Queen Amidala and I lit up Sab's bier together. We all watched as the flames engulfed the bodies, turning them into ashes. We watched as the wind took their ashes away and three white, snowy doves were released into the night sky of Naboo.
I fought through the pain and anger I felt. The fear and anger of watching my Master fall to that Sith. The anger and fear of losing my true love. The hate for the damn creature who did this to her. The hate for the Sith that killed my Master. I wanted to find that creature, find him, and destroy him like that Sith. But the Force was holding me back. Holding me back more than ever. Holding me from going down the Dark Path. The light shined in a new way in my eyes.
The last of the ashes blew away and everyone began to file out slowly. The Queen and I were the only ones left. Again, our eyes met, but pulled away as we looked into the night sky. It was a calm, peaceful night. Much like the last night I spent with Sabé in my arms, before I and Anakin were to leave for Coruscant.
"Go in peace, Sabé. Risha, Joline. I will always remember you. You guys were my best friends and the best handmaidens a Queen could ever ask for. Be well and safe. You will never be forgotten," the Queen spoke into the wind. She touched my shoulder and left, quietly.
I walked forward and watched the stars in the distance. The wind blew freely around my cloak.
"Go in peace, Sabé. Go in peace, Master Qui-Gon. May the Force Be With You."
The wind danced about me and whispered, "May the Force Be With You, Obi- Wan. Always and forever." The voice of my mentor, my Master and my friend, Qui-Gon Jinn and voice of my true love, Sabé, spoke sincerely.
I smiled ruefully and descended the stairs.
A lone Jedi starfighter circled the planet of Naboo several times and disappeared into hyperspace.
THE END
{[[==][===][==][[]]
A FLYPSYDE PRYDE PRODUCTIONS