furlings are cats- Well I like to think of it more as a prelude (the Obi-Sabé scene), but thank you. :-)
Emma Laraliean- Thanks! Hope you enjoy the epilogue.
Lindele- Thanks, the epilogue is one of my favorite parts!
RivendellWriter- Well, thank you. Sabé was actually a personal challenge I gave myself. Prior to her, my heroines tended to be pretty compliant and sweet, which is great for them, but too easy to write sometimes.
Dragon Girl Revlis- The problems are mostly a lack of inspiration. I'm much more "into" other fandoms right now over Star Wars, particularly Stargate, so sometimes it's a matter of discipline to devote myself to this story arc, especially since I've been working on it for so long. It's lost some of its novelty. I don't think I'll probably take you up on your offer, but thanks all the same!
Epilogue
Dear Ben,
Surprisingly, I am going to have to take you up on your offer of advice much sooner than expected. I have been relieved of my duties as a handmaiden. The reason for my dismissal, on paper, at least, is punishment for my act of insubordination in Theed during our reconnaissance mission. If this punishment seems a little extreme to you, it's mostly because it takes out two réka with one stone, and this is how:
Padmé has asked me to be the chief Naboo ambassador to Otoh Gunga. It is a high honor and a huge responsibility. I find it most interesting that my first appointment should be on Naboo itself. Has it not been said, however, that diplomacy begins at home? Rabé is to accompany me, still serving as a handmaiden and advisor, since she knows a little more about Gungans than most other people in Theed (which, I'm sad to say, is still not much), and because Otoh Gunga is so close to her home in the moor districts. She will be able to see her family more often while still serving the queen.
In any case, this is more or less the reason for my writing, and my first question is this: do you have any personal experience (or have you heard of any situation) on other planets similar to what we're dealing with on Naboo? That is, where two native species have been too long sadly ignorant of one another and are trying to peaceably come to a better understanding?
There are several unique problems posed by our new situation. For example, long-respected (but unofficial and unspoken) trading agreements between our two races must now be legitimized, which causes sore reactions on many fronts, since it requires introducing a modicum of bureaucracy. Needless to say, most people aren't very keen on this, and honestly, who can blame them? Ah, the intrinsic evils of a democratic system.
I have been conducting research of my own on this topic in both the palace library and the libraries of Theed University, but my time for preparation is running short. Rabé and I depart next week, so I thought I might as well ask you.
On an unrelated note, I wonder if you might be able to do me a small favor. While I was on Coruscant, I met an individual named Dex. He runs a diner somewhere near the Senatorial Sector of the city, and he helped me out of a potentially huge problem while we were there (okay, if you must know, I got lost, but please don't ever tell anyone). Enclosed in this letter is a karatine stone, freshly farmed from my father's home country. I should like to give it to Dex as a formal token of my gratitude, but unfortunately I have no idea how to find him, especially since I'm back on Naboo again. I thought as a Jedi it might be easier for you to do so.
Forgive me if this request seems terribly presumptuous– I certainly don't expect you to undertake it if it's too much trouble. Should you do so, however, I recommend trying a bowl of Dex's sunburst pitte while you're at the diner. It's very good. You needn't worry about returning the karatine if you can't find him. It's quite a commonplace stone on Naboo– its value purely symbolic.
Thanks for letting me write to you. I'm surprised how much promise of Jedi advice has meant to me. Most people would tell you I don't handle any kind of advice very well. If you get a chance to reply, please direct it to the palace. Padmé will make sure it is forwarded to me.
All my best wishes,
Princess Sabé Naberrie
Theed Palace
Naboo
END
A/N: Well, folks, that's it! Since I won't be able to do replies in a new chapter, thank you all in advance for any feedback. It's what keeps a fanfic writer going, really. Reviewers are the best, thank you!
For those of you interested in the sequel, I have decided to go ahead and start posting it. There's a lot of material that's ready, so hopefully by the time I get to the end of what I have now I'll have worked past the writer's block that is currently plaguing me. So as soon as you're finished with this epilogue (and review—hint, hint LOL), feel free to check out chapter one of Forget Me Not!
Cheers!
Saché