AN: Well, I decided to make this a trilogy. For those craving action, the third section will have that. Thanks for reading!
"Oh, Force, I can't breathe," Katri managed, waving her hands in circles to calm herself down.
"Shh…just take a deep breathe in…and out slowly," Sabe told her, catching her hands to stop their motion.
Katri looked over at her best friend, Sabe. The two had met in a Naboo plaza one day. They had both reached for the same item at the same time. When their eyes met, both gave a small laugh. That was when Katri realized who the other woman was. Sabe was known by many in the Palace. In fact, all the handmaidens had learned of what she and Queen Amidala had accomplished in taking back Naboo.
Katri was surprised to come face to face with her role model. That had been at the start of her time as a handmaiden at the age of 18. Sabe had taken Katri under her wing to help her learn all that she needed. After her training was done, Katri and Sabe continued to visit with each other, and soon became friends, instead of having just a student/mentor relationship.
Sabe had gotten married a year ago, right after the Nubian Independence Ball. Both Katri and Derin had gone to the wedding; Katri had even been a part of the wedding party. And now, at the age of 21, it was Katri's turn.
"But what if this is a mistake?" Katri's thoughts went back to the future. "What if-"
"Katri, do you love him?" Sabe caught her off, playing with the veil Katri wore, matching the simple, yet elegant wedding dress.
"Well, yes," Katri nodded. "I do."
"Then you will go out there, and say those exacts words to him," Sabe smiled at her.
The women shared a look, with a small smile. Just a year ago, Katri had been calming Sabe's nerves, and now Sabe was helping Katri. That was why Sabe was Katri's matron of honor.
Aside from Sabe, there were two other handmaidens in the wedding party as bridesmaids. Derin's brother, Jarick, was the best man. The other two were Sabe's husband Tyrele and Derin's medical partner.
The list of invited people included, family, friends from the Palace, and those Derin knew from the medical center.
"Sabe, I couldn't have done this without you….thank you," Katri whispered and gave her friend a big hug, which she received in return.
They were like that for a moment, until there was a knock on the door.
"Katri, Sabe, we are about to start," Zare, one of the bridesmaids called.
"Alright," Katri called back, then looked into the mirror, smoothing out her dress while Sabe fixed her veil.
"Are you ready?" Sabe asked and Katri gave a small nod, features still able to be seen from beneath the thin veil
The two women looked in the mirror together for a moment then both came out. There were hugs among the girls before everyone lined up. Sabe led with Jarick, followed by Zare and Tyrele. After them came Sarle, the final bridesmaid with Derin's partner, Telo.
Katri took a deep breath, letting it out slowly before stepping into view, also able to see how beautiful the area had been decorated.
The outdoor pavilion was decorated with many of Naboo's beautiful native flowers, a carpet of flower petals led up to the where the holy man and Derin were waiting.
Derin felt his heart jump into his throat for a moment as he looked at Katri. She was so beautiful. She always looked that way, but even more so now. In fact, she looked like an angel. He had heard stories of them. They were supposed to be the most beautiful beings in the universe. Derin was certain that at that moment, she was even more beautiful than any angel.
Katri held her bouquet of flowers, a bit tightly, feeling how shaky she felt. However, just seeing Derin standing there with a pleasantly surprised look on his face caused Katri to smile, and she knew that they were making the right decision.
The walk seemed too long, and yet was over before Katri even noticed. She handed her flowers to Sabe who took them, giving Katri another reassuring smile.
Then, Katri turned, facing Derin. He let out a small sigh. "You look…beautiful," he finally whispered to her, taking her hands in his.
"You look handsome as well," she answered. It was the truth. He was dressed in a formal, Nubian suit. She had never seen Derin in one, but it looked good on him.
"Are you ready?" he asked her, and Katri nodded. With that, the two turned slightly to the Holy Man, allowing him to start the ceremony.
It was a beautiful ceremony, the sun perfectly, the music continuing, yet softer as the Holy Man recited the words of matrimony. The prayers were older than any could remember, in a language that had been spoken long ago, before Basic became the accepted language of the universe.
Then Derin began to speak, adding his own vows to those that the Holy Man had already spoken. "I have always loved you, Katri. And I always will. From the moment I first saw you, I knew we were meant to be together. No matter what happens, we will survive because we have each other."
"Derin, I love you so much. I never knew I could feel so happy as when I knew I loved you. I never want that feeling to end. I want it to last forever, for the rest of our lives and after," Katri spoke, eyes shining with unshed tears of happiness.
"The rings," the holy man looked over at Jarick who handed one ring to Derin. "With this ring, I thee wed," the holy man spoke, and Derin repeated it, eyes not leaving Katri's, until he lifted her hand, and slid the wedding ring onto her finger, with seemed to almost meld with her engagement ring she still wore.
Katri took the other ring that Jarick had been carrying. "With this ring, I thee wed," she also repeated the Holy Man's words as she slid Derin's ring onto his finger.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride," he gave a small smile to Derin at that and stepped back.
Carefully, Derin raised the veil, and he saw a tear escape from one of Katri's bright blue eyes. "What's…" he trailed off perplexed.
"I'm just so happy," she whispered back to him.
Smiling at this, Derin leaned over and kissed her. Both were oblivious as the guests in attendance clapped, the sounds almost unheard by the two of them.
Finally, the two parted, and their eyes linked with each other.
"I love you," Katri whispered to him, voice chocked with emotion. For a moment, it looked as if Derin was also getting emotional, but he quickly caught himself.
"I love you too."
Katri's smile faded slightly for a moment. She had thought about the reception that would be held, and then the honeymoon. However, after that, Derin was going to be sent to help with the wounded in battle. The Clone Wars had begun and spread like a wildfire.
Derin knew what she was thinking of and met her gaze again. "No matter what, we will get through whatever might happen."
"Come what may?" Katri asked
"Come what may," Derin promised, taking her hand again.
The darkness seemed to lift and both looked at all the guests before starting down the aisle. Who knew what might happen next? It didn't matter now. They would stand tall against it. Come what may.
AN: Please leave reviews!