CHAPTER THREE

It was morning. Padme had had a terrible night. She kept having those weird dreams with Anakin and Sabe laughing at her, a lot of mud and a frog that kept jumping up and down. There was a knock on her door and Sabe came into the room.

Sabe: Good morning your highness. And how was your night? Padme glared at her. Padme: All right.And what about yours? Sabe: Oh, it was fun. Anakin is an excellent conversationalist and he has a great sense of humor. And he has such nice manners.He even walked to my room when it was time to sleep. By the way where were you? I didn't see you at all after your little accident, which if I may say was hilarious. Padme's eyes were wide open and her heart was pounding. Padme: It wasn't funny. And, are you telling me that you and Anakin spent the rest of the evening together? Alone? Sabe: Well, yes. As I said before we had a great time. You know, I hadn't expected Anakin to be so mature.so.I don't know. He's a really interesting guy! Padme froze. Padme: What is that supposed to mean. You mean you're, like, interested in HIM????? Sabe: Well.I can't say yet. It's too soon. But I'm willing to give it a try. I've wasted my time with a lot of older men that weren't even worth it. Perhaps with someone younger it will be different. Padme was shocked. What did this mean? Her best friend was falling for THE ONLY man she could ever love? She had to do something. She couldn't just lose Anakin like that. Padme: S...Sabe, what are you talking about. You and Anakin? (laughs, not very convincingly) I mean he's younger.he's just a boy. Sabe: Age is a petty thing. I won't let it stop me, if there's a future between me and him. Padme: (now shaken) A future? You mean he has feelings for you, too? Sabe: Oh, he didn't say anything about feelings but I think that.perhaps. I mean if I decide that I really want to be with him. Padme: Then what? What? Sabe: Then I'll just have to make him fall in love with me. Padme: (raising her voice) You're crazy. Besides he used to be in love with me. You really think he could fall in love with you? Sabe: Exactly as you said it. He USED to be in love with you. Thanks to you he isn't anymore. Padme: What? He said that? Sabe: No, but it's obvious.

L A T E R A T B R E A K F A S T

Anakin and Obi-Wan came down for breakfast. They both bowed to the queen and took their sits. Anakin went to sit between Sabe and the queen. Obi-Wan sat next to Sabe. Padme took the chance, as Obi-Wan started having a conversation with Sabe, and asked Anakin whether he would like to take a walk in the gardens with her. Anakin unable to resist accepted. They walked through the palace gardens in complete silence. They, then, reached the lake. Anakin started talking.

Anakin: So, I'm sorry about last night. I shouldn't have laughed, but you looked really funny. Padme: Oh, yeah. That was.funny. Anakin: How come you didn't come back afterwards? Padme: I was tired. (In a hopeful tone) Why? Anakin: Well, I kind of wanted to talk to you about something. Something .personal. Padme: (even more hopeful) Personal? Really? What is it about? Anakin: It's.I need your, um, advice on a matter. Padme: Oh, well here I am. Ask me. Anakin: It's about.love. Padme: LOVE? Oh.Okay. Tell me. Anakin: I think I'm in love with someone. But I don't know how to tell her. Padme: (sounding excited) Anakin, you've already told me and I wanted you to know that what I told you about we could never. Anakin: WHAT? NO! That isn't about us. Don't worry. After our conversation the last time I've decided that you were right. The two of us can never be. The one I love is.well at least I think I love her.is Sabe. Padme: W.Wh.What.?