Author Note: Well, Padme has arrived in Naboo and her reaction is met with different attitudes. Hope you enjoy this chapter and sorry I took longer than normal to update. I've been busy falling in love, trying to find out everything I can about my crush, blah blah blah... :)
Obi-Wan, Anakin, Padme, and an entourage of soldiers walked through the gates of Theed, Naboo's capital city a few days later.
The city was magnificent, a wonder of white-washed walls and lush gardens. The princes' return was a holiday for the Nubians and thousands of onlookers lined the road, cheering. Other well-wishers, standing on the roofs of houses, threw flower petals.
Anakin held Padme's hand and occasionally whispered in her ear, pointing out various sights, but Padme looked nervous. People in the crowd, mystified by her appearance, pointed at her and whispered amongst themselves. Padme held her head high and pretended to ignore the murmurs and stares. Obi-Wan looked at her and couldn't help but marvel at how she carried herself like a queen -- but was gripping Anakin's hand with white knuckles.
At the bottom of a long staircase leading into the palace, four Nubian guards, wearing plumed helmets, were mounted on beautiful horse like creatures.
Obi-Wan reunited with his wife, Sabe who was pale skinned and dark eyed. He held her to his chest and she closed her eyes as they stood like that for a long time.
A nurse standing nearby held Obi-Wan's ten-month-old son, Ben. Sabe took the baby from the nurse and Obi-Wan stared into the boy's wondering eyes. He put his finger in the boy's hand.
"He has a good grip," he smiled at the little boy who was now clutching his finger.
"He's just like his father. He even hates peas," Sabe smiled and Obi-Wan let out a little laugh.
While this reunion was going on, Anakin embraced his father, Yoda, King of Naboo. Yoda was a short, green skinned but regal-looking man with a shock of white hair and sharp blue eyes.
"Father, this -- is Padme," he introduced and Padme bowed her head, paying respect.
"Padme? Padme of Endor?"
Both Padme and Yoda looked at Anakin.
"Padme of Naboo," he corrected.
If Yoda was disturbed by this revelation, his face didn't betray it because he leant forward from his floating hover chair and kissed the former queen on both cheeks. Padme didn't know what to expect, she was flustered and gratified at the same time.
"I've heard rumours of you beauty. For once, the gossips were right. Welcome."
"Thankyou, Good King," Padme replied.
"Come, you must be tired," he said, turning and leading them up the stairs into the palace.
A young girl with an aristocratic demeanour and wearing white robes approached the royal family. Anakin smiled when he saw her.
"Beru! Beloved cousin, your beauty grows with each new moon."
Beru, cheeks flushing, dipped her knees in a respectful bow as Obi-Wan also approached her, his arms open. Beru's eyes lit up and she hugged the eldest prince as Obi-Wan kissed the top of her head.
"Did you miss me, little swan?"
Beru nodded and Obi-Wan pinched the sleeve of her robe gently.
"A servant of the gods now?"
"The young men of Naboo were devastated when she chose that over them," Yoda laughed and Beru's cheeks turned bright red.
"Uncle!" she exclaimed in embarasment and Yoda laughed again, kissing the girl's forehead. He took three goblets of wine from a servant holding a silver platter and handed them to Obi-Wan and Anakin, keeping one for himself.
"I thank the gods for your safe return."
The three of them spilt a little of their wine on the floor in agreement.
"For the Gods!" they announced together before draining their goblets.
oOo
Later that evening, at the far end of a large hall, Yoda stood by an open archway, looking over the city. Obi-Wan sat at a table that could seat fifty men.
"It's the will of the gods. Everything is in their hands. But I'm surprised you let him bring her," Yoda said to Obi-Wan.
"If I'd let him fight Grievous for her, you'd be burning a son's body instead of welcoming a daughter," Obi-Wan justified his actions and Yoda closed his eyes, thinking about how it could have been.
"We could send peace envoys to Grievous," he suggested but Obi-Wan shook his head.
"You know Grievous. He'd spear your envoys' heads to his gate."
"What would you have me do?" Yoda asked, turning to Obi-Wan.
"Put her on a ship and send her home."
Yoda thought for a moment, staring back out at his city again.
"Women have always loved Anakin and he's loved them back. But this is different. Something has changed in him. If we send her back to Grievous, he'll follow."
Obi-Wan stood up and joined his father in the archway. He gestured outside. The city of Theed teemed with life, the citizens going about their business.
"This is my country. These are my countrymen. I don't want to see them suffer so my brother can have his prize. It's not just the Endorians coming after her. By now Grievous has gone to Sidious, and Sidious has wanted to destroy us for years. Once we're out of the way he controls this entire sector of galaxy."
"Enemies have been attacking us for centuries. Our walls still stand," Yoda replied defiantly.
"Father. We can't win this war," Obi-Wan spoke.
"Even Sidious is no match for the gods."
"How many battalions do the Gods command?" Obi-Wan said, raising his voice slightly at Yoda's stubbornness.
"Don't mock the gods."
Obi-Wan opened his mouth to argue but held his tongue.
"When you were very young you came down with scarlet fever."
Obi-Wan nodded impatiently. He'd heard this story before.
"Your little hands were so hot. The healer said you wouldn't last the night. I went down to the temple and I prayed until the sun came up. That walk back to the palace was the longest of my life. But I went into your mother's room and you were sleeping in her arms. The fever had broken. I promised that day to dedicate my life to the gods. I will not break my promise."
Obi-Wan took a deep breath. He knew Yoda had decided.
For thirty years I've worked for peace. Thirty years. Anakin's a fool sometimes. I know that. But I'll fight a thousand wars before letting him die."
Obi-Wan looked past the city to the sea. The waters were empty now, but he knew what was coming.
"Forgive me, father. But you won't be the one fighting."
And with that he bowed and left the old king alone in the great hall.