Author Note: Alright, no more Wallace and Gromit. This is a serious chapter, because Anakin finally decides to be a man...now I'm off to find some cheeeeeeese!

Yoda was standing by an open archway, watching as beyond the city his beach was continually filling with the tremendous Imperial force.

Obi-Wan, Anakin, and several of Naboo's leading generals, aristocrats and priests sat around a long table. One of the generals, Jadi Master Mace Windu ,pounded the table with his fist.

"If they want a war, we'll give them a war. I'd match the best of Naboo against the best of the Empire any day."

Captain Panaka shook his head.

"The best of the Empire outnumber the best of Naboo, two to one."

"So what do you suggest, we surrender the city, let the Imperials slaughter our men and rape our wives?"

Captain Panaka glared at Anakin until the Prince returned his gaze.

"I suggest diplomacy. The Imperials came here for one thing. Let's be honest, my friends. Nubians are burning on the pyre right now because of one youthful fool who started this war, but didn't even offer to fight when things got tough."

Anakin looked away from Captain Panaka, ashamed.

"Mace Windu, you've fought with me for forty years. Can we win this war?"

"Our walls have never been breached. Our archers are the best in the world. And we have Obi-Wan. His men would fight the Emperor themselves if he commanded. We can win."

Captain Typho raised his voice.

"I spoke with two farmers today. They saw an eagle flying with a serpent clutched in its talons. This is a sign from Apollo. We will win a great victory tomorrow. Naboo is the eagle. The Imperials --"

"Bird signs! You want to plan our strategy based on bird signs?" Obi-Wan interupted angrily.

"Obi-Wan. Show respect. When Captain Typho prophesied four years of drought, we dug deeper wells. The drought came and we had water to drink. He knows what he's talking about."

"And I'm a servant of Naboo. I've always honored the gods, father. You know that. But today I fought with an Imperial who desecrated the statue of the Sun God. He wasn't struck down. The gods won't fight this war for us."

"There won't be a war," Anakin said at last, standing up. "This is not a conflict of nations. It's a dispute between two men. And I don't want to see another Nubian die because of me."

"Anakin --" Yoda exclaimed.

"Tomorrow morning I will challenge Grievous for the right to Padme. The winner will take her home. The loser will burn before nightfall. I am doing this because I know how you feel about me being absent from the fight today. I am a Prince, but it is a title I have neither proved nor earned. Tomorrow morning, I shall show you all why I am a Prince. I will make you all proud of me if it's the last thing I do."

And with that he left, leaving the others sitting in stunned silence.

"Does he have a chance?" Mace asked at last, and everyone looked at Obi-Wan, who thought about the answer for a long time.

"I want our army outside the gate in the morning. Sidious won't let this war end with a duel."

oOo

That night, Yoda and Anakin were sitting on a bench in Yoda's garden, facing a statue of Yoda when he was younger. Yoda held a cloth-wrapped bundle in his lap.

"Father, I... I'm sorry for the pain I've caused you. I --"

"Do you love her?"

Anakin looked up at the statue and paused before answering.

"You're a great king because you love your country so much. Every blade of grass, every grain of sand, every rock in the river -- you love all of Naboo. That's the way I love Padme."

Yoda nodded and contemplated Anakin's answer.

"I've fought many wars in my time. Some were fought for land, some for power, some for glory. I suppose fighting for love makes more sense than all the rest."

Anakin sid nothing, but his father's words seemed to relieve a great burden from his shoulders.

"But I won't be the one fighting," Yoda carried on, handing Anakin the bundle.

Anakin, curiously began unwrapping the cloth. Finally the object was uncovered: a shining saber, expertly created, inscribed with the seal of Naboo.

"The Saber of Naboo."

"My father carried this sword, and his father before him, all the way back to the founding of Naboo. The history of our people was written with this blade. Carry it with you tomorrow."

Anakin ignited the saber and the green blade shone in the moonlight.

"The spirit of Naboo is in that blade. As long as a Nubian carries it, our people have a future."