***
You with the sad eyes, don't be discouraged.
Though I realize it's hard to take courage.
In a world full of people, you can lose sight of it all,
And the darkness inside you can make you feel so small.
Show me a smile then. Don't be unhappy,
Can't remember when I last saw you laughing
If this world makes you crazy, and you've taken all you can bear,
You call me up, because you know I'll be there.
And I'll see your true colors shining through.
I see your true colors, and that's why I love you!
So don't be afraid to let them show -
Your true colors, true colors are beautiful, like a rainbow.
"True Colors" - Cyndi Lauper
*
Sure enough, another handmaiden was there as he landed in the hangar. He leaped to the deck and approached her. To Obi-Wan's surprise, instead of normal servile mannerisms, this girl extended her hand and met his gaze. Her face was in shadow, but her familiar smile shone through the darkness that shrouded her face. He bowed, then clasped her hand. "Your highness, you didn't have to meet me."
"And you didn't have to bow. You, Anakin, and Master Jinn are elevated to the peerage, haven't you heard?"
Grieving-grey eyes looked to the young queen for elaboration. "Peerage?"
Queen Amidala nodded as they began to walk. "An obsolete term in a democracy, but like my title, it's a throwback to the age of true monarchy. You are honored on Naboo as I am, and you do not bow to anyone."
It was more than he wanted to process right now, so he changed the subject. "I am very grateful for your hospitality, your highness."
"It is I and my people who are grateful. You are welcome here as long as you wish to stay," she said.
He only nodded, a meager smile on his face, so she led the rest of the way to the security office in silence. The officers on duty established a code clearance for the newly-knighted Jedi, giving him access to most of the Palace and its resources. On through the ring-shaped Palace Complex they walked, headed for the Ambassador's Wing.
Obi-Wan barely noticed the distance. He and Master Qui-Gon had run though halls similar to these on their way to the hangar, mere minutes before they both died. Obi-Wan was still breathing, his heart was still beating, but he didn't know why. From the age of thirteen, he had not known a day without Master Jinn. He was being forced to go on alone, yet his knight-master's presence was everywhere.
Queen Amidala led him to a suite of four rooms. He went to the window and looked into the courtyard as she told him where the amenities were. Then she joined him at the window. "The largest balcony you see there is my room," she said, pointing. "And the waterfall is out in that direction, if you feel like taking a walk. The view is spectacular from there."
He could only summon a feeble smile, so she led Obi-Wan to the sopha and pushed him onto it. Queen Amidala handed him a slip of flimsiplast with an eight-digit code on it. He glanced at it, then at her. "Questions, complaints, someone to talk to, dial this as the destination address in your message center system." She gestured to the commstation that sat on a desk. "I check these messages twice a day, and I am the only one to see them."
The queen knelt before him, her large eyes sorrowful and compassionate. She took one of his hands in both of her soft, manicured ones. Her voice softened as she said, "All that I have to give is yours for the asking, such is my gratitude for your and your master's service and protection. You may go or stay as you wish." She watched the muscles clench in his jaw, and mourned at the sight of the purple circles under his eyes.
Queen Amidala rose and took a step toward the door, then returned to stand before the young Jedi. He looked so tired as she gazed down into his miserable face. "Master Obi-Wan, I am very sorry for your loss." Obi-Wan felt an all-too familiar prickling in his eyes. The sight of tears on the young queen's face were blurred by his own as she left the young Jedi alone.
She didn't see him for two tendays.
***