Padmé began to fade back from the group, falling behind Rabé, who was even slower than Governor Bibble, gingerly making her way through the forage, protecting her injured arm.
They shouldn't have left him behind. Two were stronger than one, and there were five of them. Even though he was obviously a mighty warrior, she thought, surely he couldn't defeat fifteen pirates at once.
He deserved their assistance. He had saved their lives. But what help could Rabé be? She was her strongest protector aside from Panaka, and Panaka needed to get Bibble to safety. Then there was Sabé, but Sabé had already proven that her fear had overruled her courage. Sabé had always had a phobia about pirates.
Her mind made up, Padmé turned and headed back through the woods, intending on helping the brave young Knight any way that she could. However, her steps were halted by the voice of Rabé.
"Just where do you think you're off to, Mi'Lady?"
Padmé turned slowly, her eyes pleading with her friend. "I have to help him. We owehim that much."
"But…." Rabé began to argue, but Padmé shook her head defiantly, discouraging any refusal.
"Go ahead with the others." She insisted. "I'll be fine."
The young woman spun and began running back through the forest, hopping over fallen limbs and brush, stopping only once she heard the hum of the Knight's lightsaber just ahead and the curses of the Corellian crew. She hid herself behind a large tree trunk and peered around it to see how the young man was faring.
His movements were graceful and powerful, and the young woman was filled with awe as she watched him. His sword rapidly swung overhead, in cross sweeps and downward thrusts as he blocked and parried blaster bolts that seemed to be coming from every angle. The intensity on his face revealed a focused and highly controlled energy. There was no revenge or anger there.
Impressive.
Only four pirates remained fighting, but a quick study revealed that only ten lay motionless on the forest floor.
A sudden ill feeling swept through the young woman, but not in time to respond to the crack of a branch she heard just behind her. Before she could react, a strong arm had wrapped around her throat just as the last of the pirates the Jedi was fighting were disposed of.
The smell of stale musk and sweat aggravated her senses and Padmé twisted in the pirate's grip, watching in trepidation as Obi-Wan approached slowly, his blue lightsaber drawn, but there was little he could do, and she knew it. Padmé distinctly felt the blunt tip of a blaster poking into her ribs.
"Let her go." The Knight demanded forcefully.
Her only chance of survival was to save herself, she decided, and without thought, instincts kicked in and the young woman slung a forceful elbow into her attacker's ribs, twisted in his arms, and kneed the man in the groin. He fell with a grunt, kneeling down on the forest floor, doubled over in pain, but defiantly raised his blaster, aiming right at her face and fired.
Just a split second of reaction was all Padmé was allowed as the bolt escaped the barrel of the blaster. She turned her head and felt a radiating heat along her temple. Before blackness once more settled upon her, she heard the whir of the knight's laser sword as Obi-Wan defeated their final foe.
Filtered light distracted her vision as a tingling sensation once again rushed through her body, centered on the pain along her temple that was rapidly retreating. Padmé's vision finally cleared and she looked up into the blue-gray depths of the brave knight who apparently had once again saved her life.
But this time around, she did not sense peace in his countenance. He was irritated.
"Why did you come back?" He asked incredulously, the soothing caress he was placing along her head in direct contrast to the tone of his voice.
"I…" She stammered, struggling to sit up. "I thought you might need some help."
"What you did was endanger your own life. I told you to go on. You should have done as I said."
Padmé reached a sitting position and turned to his kneeled form, glaring at him in disbelief. "Do you have any idea who I am?"
"I know perfectly well who you are." The knight answered with a tilt of his head.
"I'm not used to people telling me what to do."
Padmé struggled to stand, fighting off abrupt dizziness, immediately assisted by Obi-Wan.
"Apparently not." The reply lacked humor, his aggravation still showing in his words. But he had to admit one thing. She was brave, and he admired her for that.
He also found that he admired her for something else. She was exceptionally beautiful, especially when she was angry, and that realization did bring forth a smile, one that the young woman did not reflect.
"I am the Lady of Lonessa. I was to be crowned Queen in two years." She explained, turning and stomping her way through the jungle just ahead of the young man.
"Was to be?" Obi-Wan repeated in confusion.
At his response, Padmé stopped and turned toward him. Courageous, strong, and handsome, he might be, but he obviously had no respect for royalty.
"I've come here to marry Qui-Gon Jinn, the King of Naboo."
Obi-Wan's head nodded slowly in understanding, but his smile displayed the opposite of acceptance. He knew of King Jinn's reputation. True, he was an honorable man, but he was too old for her, and too headstrong. He could see her spending her days on Naboo bickering and arguing with him; the Kings demands and over-protectiveness suffocating her chance to grow to become the true leader she was destined to be.
She deserved so much more.
"Well, you shouldn't." Obi-Wan answered confidently, stepping forward more closely.
"Oh really?" Padmé answered sarcastically. "And just why not?"
"Because you don't love him."
Who did this man think he was? He didn't know her! He didn't know her situation! What right did he have judge her?
The truth was, she did love Qui-Gon. He was her father's best friend. She had known him all her life. He was a kind and gentle man, a powerful leader, not to mention well liked and good looking. All those attributes were everything she had always wanted in a husband. Weren't they?
"You don't know what you're talking about." Her voice had changed to a shaky whisper as the nearness of her protector suddenly tightened her throat and caused her insides to quiver.
"Does he make you feel like this?"
And before Obi-Wan could talk himself out of it, he reached forward and pulled the Lady of Lonessa against him, sealing his lips on her own in a searing kiss.