My undying thanks to everyone who is reading, reviewing and lurking. I appreciate all your wonderful comments and suggestions. My apologies for the delay of this post, but Thanksgiving seemed to dull my brain abit. So sit back and enjoy the ride!
Sweet Christabel: Thank you so very much. Happy to know you are enjoying!
Emerald Green Queen: Palpatine's role in Sabe's rise up the ranks is just the proverbial tip of the iceburg. We shall see in this chapter what else skewed her alligence in his direction. Thanks for noticing the little grammer error. Always have a couple of them ;). As far as Padme's skiff, remember how beloved she was to the Naboo, so I would imagine they would treat it like a holy relic, which would further explain why it remained relatively undisturbed for a decade. And yes, you are absolutely right about the meaning of Padme's name. I wrote that intentionally erroneous since Anakin probably wasn't much of a botanist. I'm glad though that you pointed that out. I was curious if anybody would catch that. In reference to them searching the Holonews, sometimes the most obvious answers are the last we consider ;). You brought up a very interesting point about Leia's Life Day, which I have been chewing on for abit to give you a proper answer. Remember when Sola and Sabe talked about Padme's death, they were told that she died due to complications from child birth. This brings about the assumption that she was near or at term. Since neither of them knew when her real delivery date was or in fact that she was pregnant to begin with, Sabe's observation was more of the coincidence in timing of Padme's death and Leia's Life Day as they would be very close together, if not the exact date unless Bail and Breha changed it. Hope this strengthens the observation. Thanks again for your thorough reviews and thoughts. I truly appreciate them!
Jokerisdaking: Thank you so very much for reading. Glad you are enjoying!
She smiled softly as she tousled the few long strands of hair that remained where his Padawan's braid previously resided. Despite the tragedies that surrounded her, Sabé had never felt happier in her life. Her young Jedi lover was in her arms and alive when so many had perished. Obi-Wan had collapsed when they found one another after the liberation of the Palace. He was beset with grief as she took him to one of the many guest rooms to let him rest. The only time he emerged was to attend his Master's funeral and then to consult the Jedi Council on little Anakin's situation. Thankfully, Padmé and the other handmaidens kept the boy occupied while she consoled Obi-Wan.
His eyes shot wide open as he anxiously stirred. "How long have I been asleep?"
"Almost six hours."
He rubbed his face roughly while sitting up. "I need to prepare Anakin for our return to Coruscant."
A pained expression filled Sabé's face. "I thought since you were knighted that you wouldn't have to return to the Temple immediately"
"That was before Qui-Gon was killed," Obi-Wan responded.
Sabé looked upon him sadly as she muttered, "I'm sorry."
"Quite alright," he answered coldly, reaching for his neatly hung tunics.
"Have I done something wrong?" The chief handmaiden asked worriedly.
Obi-Wan shook his head. "I can't lock myself away. I have duties to fulfill."
Sabé reached for his forearm, softly tugging him towards her. "While you are correct, no one says that you have to depart immediately. Take a leave of absence and stay on Naboo for awhile. I know Anakin adores Padmé so he will be well cared for while you recuperate."
"I cannot," Obi-Wan snapped. "Besides, it would be bad for Anakin to remain here for too much longer."
Becoming angered, she asked urgently, "How would staying be negative?"
"As you said, Anakin has a fondness for the Queen which will only compound his problems when we begin his training and assimilation into Temple life," he retorted matter of factly. "Remember, attachments are forbidden to Jedi."
"Isn't what we have an attachment?" Sabé asked, pointing towards Obi-Wan and then herself.
The young Knight sighed deeply, halting what he was doing. "Sabé, while I care for you immensely, there is no way that what we experienced could ever develop into anything more."
"Then you don't love me?" She asked, her voice quivering as her heart pounded furiously.
"Not in the way that you want or deserve," he replied, his features noticeably saddening.
Tears streamed down her cheeks as she began to sob. Obi-Wan attempted to reach for her, but Sabé brusquely shoved his hand away. "You know nothing of Naboo women. What you've done…is unforgivable."
His face contorted slightly while he wrapped his arms snugly against his chest. "I thought you understood the edicts of the Jedi Order."
"And I thought you were different," she angrily retorted, furiously wiping the tears from her face.
Obi-Wan gave her a meek smile. "Being a Jedi is all I've ever known. I cannot turn away from that life, especially now that Anakin needs me."
"And I don't need you?"
A sigh escaped his lips as his entire body shrugged. "One day, you will meet a good man who will love you and take care of you. I promise that he will be a far better man than I could ever hope to be."
"I think you'd better leave now," Sabé angrily urged, insulted by his empty platitudes.
Obi-Wan stood staring at her for several moments before throwing his cloak over his shoulders. With a forced smile he said, "I wish you well in all your endeavors and I hope our paths will one day cross again."
Sabé turned her head towards the window to look out into the Royal Gardens. She couldn't bear to see him leave so she stared at the flowers and plants until she heard him close the door. A deluge of tears spilled from her as her weeping filled the room. Never had she experienced hating someone so intensely that she loved so dearly. She felt a piece of her heart dying as she believed that she would never see him again…
Sabé remained silent as she continued to stare blankly. The once revered Jedi Master cautiously approached her, but halted when she retreated.
"I thought you were dead."
"In a manner of speaking, I am," he answered with a wry grin.
"I mourned you," she whispered, her features softening as her gaze focused on the ground.
"I am sorry that you were made to believe that, but it was necessary," he said regretfully. "Although, your actions on Coruscant dissuaded me from making contact."
Sabé folded her arms snugly as she paced about. "I was so angry with you."
"Why?" Obi-Wan asked confused.
She paused momentarily to shoot him an icy glare. Sabé then walked about listlessly, her eyes shifting towards the ground. "What are you doing here?"
"After I learned of Saché's death, I tried to find you but something or someone was blocking your presence within the Force," he responded, troubled that she had seemingly ignored his question. Her questioning look urged Obi-Wan to minimize the distance between them. "You are in terrible danger, Milady. I've come to beg you to stop your investigation and let the dead rest in peace."
The anger within Sabé rose since she gave no credence to his Jedi ways. Disregarding his statement in similar fashion, she snapped, "You were with Padmé on Mustafar. You must know why she was there?"
His face became ashen while he turned his back to her. "She went because she felt she had to."
"Was it because she wanted to help her husband - your student?" she baited, hoping to provoke a response.
The former Jedi Master straightened to his fullest height before turning with a pained expression on his face. "Anakin…was dead long before Mustafar."
"Then why were either of you there?"
Obi-Wan shuffled his feet as he stared up at the sky. "I was under orders to kill… a traitor."
"Traitor?" Sabé asked rhetorically. "Who?"
"He murdered Anakin," Obi-Wan muttered almost inaudibly, not hearing her last query.
Sabé stood dumbfounded as she continued to stare at the aging Jedi. "So Padmé knew of this and went after him?"
He nodded solemnly. "In a manner of speaking; that is true."
Narrowing her eyes, Sabé growled in an increasingly loud tone, "Enough of your Jedi double talk, I want the truth!"
Obi-Wan stared gravely as he shook his head. "There are greater things at stake than you gathering the truth." He paused to give her a knowing look. "As it is, you have already learned too much."
"What are you talking about?" She asked with a confused expression.
He motioned towards the Organa's residence. "I saw you when you realized Leia's parentage. A fate far worse than death awaits those involved if certain members of your Empire gained that vital knowledge."
"Then Padmé's child lived." Sabé remarked as her hand drifted down to her abdomen.
Obi-Wan nodded. "For Force's sake, Sabé, please let this inquest of yours rest. Before it really is too late."
The Grand Inquisitor drifted away, turning her attention towards the lushness of the surrounding gardens. Sabé gazed at a nearby tree that was already losing its leaves in anticipation for the impending winter months. She looked at Obi-Wan with a sideways glance before returning her focus on the garden. Her heart was aching for her to release the burden that had weighed upon it for so long. Again she looked up, this time with tears in her eyes. "Padmé tried to contact you on my behalf, but each time the Council denied her request."
"What are you talking about?"
Sabé's shoulders rose and fell quickly as her entire body suddenly stiffened. "I wanted to tell you that you were going to be a father. There was a child, Obi-Wan."
When she saw comprehension flash through his eyes, she was thankful that she did not have to elaborate. The aging Jedi looked upon her, stunned, and he leaned against the railing for support. "What do you mean... was?"
"I miscarried three months into the pregnancy," she answered, wiping away her tears. "Nobody knew about it except Padmé. Not even my family or the other handmaidens knew."
Obi-Wan clenched at his heart, murmuring, "If I had known, I would not have left you to raise our child alone."
"I know," Sabé answered with a sigh. "At least, now I do. It took a long time for me to accept that it was your Masters who rejected me, not you."
He approached her cautiously before he reached for her hand. "Is that why you helped Palpatine during the Purges?"
Sabé shrugged and nodded sadly. "I told myself that I was doing the right thing, even though I knew, in my heart, it was because of my anger for losing the baby... for losing you."
Obi-Wan sighed as he drew her into his arms; she rested her forehead wearily against his shoulder. The two embraced for a quiet moment before he slightly withdrew. Brushing a lock of hair from her face he said, "Your daughter Sienna is a beautiful child and I'm sure that she has made you very happy."
She nodded while brushing more tears from her eyes. "She and my husband have brought such joy into my life."
"Is he a good man?" Obi-Wan asked with a slight smirk.
Sabé laughed softly. "Thomas is a very good man."
"I'm glad," he answered. Obi-Wan then pulled away from her to reach into his robe. He offered her a small comm unit. "Take this. If you should ever need me, its twin will alert me and I shall find you." She nodded, placing the device into her cloak. He then added, "Please heed my warning, Sabé. I fear something terrible is lurking on the horizon for you."
"I will and thank you."
Obi-Wan politely bowed and without another word jogged off into the twilight, leaving Sabé alone once again. She remained standing on the veranda for several minutes until he completely disappeared from sight.
The return trip to Imperial City was especially quiet as Sabé spent the journey consumed with her musings. She became even further engrossed when she received the medical examiner's report on Dormé and Moteé, who both died from cardiac arrest due to electrocution. Curiously, the engineer's report stated that no apparent mechanical failure in either the ship or the airspeeder could be found The path was becoming even more cumbersome as she considered everything that had transpired on Alderaan.
Knowing that Leia Organa was Padmé's child was shocking enough, but to learn that Obi-Wan was not only alive, but concerned for her well being was nearly overwhelming. Perhaps this journey was becoming too costly? Her own warning to Sola was growing louder in her mind; meanwhile, her fears were mounting with each passing day. Not even the surprise of finding Thomas home and his reunion with Sienna could shake her from her burden.
Becoming concerned with her sullenness, he asked, "Are you alright, my dear?"
Sabé shook her head as she focused on her husband who was sitting on the floor with their daughter resting her head on his thigh, fast asleep. "I was…lost in thought."
"So I noticed," Piett retorted with a sly smile. He then patted the floor next to him. "Come. Join me." She smiled wearily as she slipped down next to him. "Tell me, what troubles you?"
"I wish I could," Sabé answered, followed by a deep sigh.
"You do know I have top level security clearance?" he joked.
She released an unladylike snort as she shook her head in amusement. Sabé then reach over and kissed him softly on the cheek. Curious, he asked, "What was that for?"
"For always knowing how to make me feel better," Sabé answered with a smile.
Raising his eyebrows, he said, "You aren't going to get out of answering my questions that easily."
She released another sigh, leaning back to edge closer to the fireplace. "Two more of Padmé's handmaidens have mysteriously died."
"Surely not!"
"There's more," Sabé stopped him. "After we last saw each other, Sola Naberrie asked me to look into the circumstances surrounding Padmé's death and it has led me to a very bad place."
"How so?" Thomas asked, looking at her gravely.
"I fear that the two events may not be as separate as I once thought." She paused slightly to notice the perplexed look of her husband. "I have my suspicions that the Emperor himself might be involved."
Piett straightened as the realization of what his wife declared struck him. "That's treasonous, Sabé."
"Not if he's guilty," she snapped in reply. "While Palpatine is the sovereign, he is just as bound by the articles of the Imperial Constitution, subject to their laws as every other citizen.
"Still," Thomas said, standing up to pace. "What kind of evidence do you have?"
Sabé stirred listlessly. "There are too many coincidences that could not have happened by chance. Plus, my instincts tell me that he's involved."
"That's all you have…a feeling?" Thomas queried, looking incredulously at his wife.
"No, of course I have more than that…but."
His face noticeably fell as he turned away from her. "But you can't tell me."
Sabé rose to her feet and moved over to wrap her arms around him. "Trust me, the less you know, the safer you are."
"I don't like this, beloved. Remember, there are some things that are beyond even you, my love."
She sighed deeply. "I know that too well now."
Thomas turned around and wrapped his arms around her shoulders. "Still, even if you obtained the proper evidence, you won't be able to confront him alone. You would need help."
"What do you mean?" Sabé asked, cocking her eyebrow curiously as she looked up at her husband.
"After being in power for decades, I don't think Palpatine would surrender control over the entire galaxy because of criminal charges. You would need the backing of the Inner Circle." Piett pointed out.
Sabé untangled herself from his arms so she could resume her pacing. "They are his cronies from the Old Republic and would have as much to lose if he was removed. The only potential ally would be Vader."
"Who just happens to command the entire Imperial military," Piett interjected.
The Grand Inquisitor scowled as realization dawned upon her face. "We are getting way ahead of ourselves."
"Perhaps you should speak with Lord Vader about your concerns then?"
Sabé's eyes bulged, turning around quickly to face him. "You can't be serious."
Piett nodded. "It would be better if he heard these suspicions from you before you issued charges against Palpatine."
"Enough of politics," she demanded with an impish grin. "Let's pretend for tonight that there are no problems and there is just the three of us."
Thomas grinned as he leaned closer to give her a soft kiss. "I definitely like that idea."
Returning to her normal routine after several days away was always a tedious task. The following day was filled with endless meetings, consultations and mounds of datapads that awaited her approval. Sabé and her staff worked late into the twilight hours in order to catch up. Looking over at the chrono tiredly, she stretched her muscles which had cramped from sitting at her desk too long. As Sabé closed her eyes, in effort to clear her mind of her interminable day; they shot open quickly when the aroma of freshly heated tea seized her senses.
"Thought you could use some, Milady," Elermaé said while placing the porcelain cup on her desk.
"You are a lifesaver, my friend," Sabé declared as she took a sip.
Elermaé grinned as she placed a large datapad down. Sabé looked at her quizzically as she asked, "What's this?"
"Everything there is to know about Mustafar and some things that nobody would ever care to learn."
She smiled happily as she lifted it to read. "You are the greatest."
The handmaiden beamed happily as she walked behind Sabé's chair. "I think you should skip all the geological surveys and go to the Holonet article."
She skimmed ahead and froze when she read the headline: Newly appointed General of the Army Vader seizes remaining Separatist leaders on Mustafar, ending Clone Wars. Sabé instantly remembered why the remote planet sounded so familiar. It was the place where Lord Vader became infamous. The remainder of the article was the standard Imperial rhetoric — another move to bring peace and order to the galaxy. However, almost added as a side note, the story reported that he had to vanquish a renegade Jedi before completing his mission.
Sabé leaned back in her chair, placing the datapad down as she thought. Elermaé sighed deeply as she admitted, "I thought you would find that interesting."
"Quite."
"And I do have to apologize, Milady. I tried my best, but I could find nothing substantial pertaining to Anakin Skywalker," she admitted.
"So everything was erased?"
Elermaé shook her head. "The stories were still there, but they were blatantly truncated, plus all the holopics were removed." She paused momentarily before adding, "You know, of all the other stories about Jedi that I came across, only those about this Skywalker person were altered."
"That's strange," Sabé remarked, uncertain what that meant. "What did you learn about him?'
"Apparently, he was quite the hero," Elermaé answered, slightly starry-eyed. "I didn't know that he and another Jedi named Obi-Wan Kenobi defeated Count Dooku and rescued Emperor Palpatine near the end of the war."
Sabé slightly smiled. "Yes, they were supposedly a formidable pair." She then looked up to her handmaiden. "Are the shocktroopers still guarding the Temple?"
Elermaé noticeably stirred. "I believe so. Why?"
"I may have to go there soon."
"You would be executed on sight if they caught you," the handmaiden anxiously reminded her.
"Impossible," Sabé said with a knowing grin. "I am in charge of the Emperor's security when he's on planet. And I believe he might need added protection."
Elermaé chuckled and was about to say more when the Inquisitor's desk comm unit began to chime. Quickly, she activated it. A blue image flickered momentarily before a miniaturized version of Mas Amedda,the Emperor's chief of staff appeared.
"Greetings, Milady!"
"Good evening, Minister Amedda. How can I be of service?" Sabé asked politely.
The blue skinned alien smirked as he answered, "His Highness, Emperor Palpatine requests your presence at the Imperial Palace in the morning."
"I will be there promptly," she answered.
Amedda simply nodded as he disappeared from view. Sabé remained silent at her desk, anxiously curious about what the man who was once a mentor wanted with her.
TBC-Thoughts, comments and reviews are always appreciated!