Chapter Seventeen
Qui-Gon Jinn sat still and pensive after Obi-Wan had finished telling his long tale of the Mer and everything that had happened to Padmé, including the heartache he had suffered when it came time for him to leave Naboo.
"Ah, Padawan," the older man rumbled sympathetically as he sipped his steaming tea. "You're still young. You have plenty of time for love."
Words like that were exactly what he hadn't wished to hear and Obi-Wan rocked back in his seat with his hands behind his head out of frustration. He had done his best to forget her face, forget about the way he'd felt whenever he touched her, but he was finding it rather impossible. Even during missions! He worried his constant thoughts were becoming an obsession and he felt the need to discuss the problem with his old Master.
Qui-Gon had been in love once. Although the relationship had come to a rather abrupt and tragic end, his Master should still understand how Obi-Wan was suffering. At least he'd hoped he would.
"I appreciate your sentiment, but that doesn't help much," Obi-Wan admitted, placing the legs of the chair back on the floor and looking his Master in the eye. "No matter where I go, or how distracting a mission may be, as soon as I settle down and quiet my mind, there she is. I can't seem to get rid of her."
"Have you spoken with her since you left?" Qui-Gon asked. "Your mission to Naboo was what – two years ago?"
"One year, seven months, and thirteen days actually," Obi-Wan informed him specifically. "And no, we haven't spoken. I listen for news and rumors about her when I'm out in the galaxy, but I haven't heard anything about the Naboo or the Mer."
"I'm sure she's fine. You told me yourself that she's a brave and determined young woman."
Obi-Wan had always believed she would be okay, but it still didn't change the fact that he couldn't get her out of his head. "She's that and more, though apparently, she doesn't think the same about me."
"I see," Qui-Gon murmured into his teacup before finishing the drink and setting the empty vessel onto the table. "I'm afraid relationships take two. Unrequited love is difficult to bear. I suggest you send your frustrations into the Force and be patient. If the Force means for it to be, then it will be. You can't will these types of matters into reality. They must occur naturally or else they won't last."
Again, Qui-Gon's advice was sound and Obi-Wan knew that. And yet his heart continued to be troubled. He thanked his Master and headed toward the entrance to the Temple where the activity roster was updated. There he found his name listed as being needed to negotiate a mining dispute on Onoam, a moon that orbited Naboo.
Naboo. Immediately, the Knight's throat went dry. He would be so close to her. What would it hurt if he took the time to visit? To say, 'I just happen to be in the neighborhood and thought I'd drop by.' Even thinking about using such an old pickup line made him nauseated.
Unrequited, Master Jinn had said. What a frightening word. Apparently, Padmé hadn't thought much about him, or else she would've at least tried to contact him, wouldn't she have? It would probably be best if he stuck to his work and avoided Theed altogether. Out of sight, out of mind. Wasn't that another old saying? Maybe in a couple of more years, he might be successful at it. For now, he'd have to do his best to get by.
Obi-Wan was scheduled to leave the next day and met with the Council that afternoon. They informed him of the miner's complaints that they were being robbed of their share of profits. It was Obi-Wan's job to identify the problem and come up with a viable solution.
That evening, he packed his duffel and the following morning followed a familiar space route. Naboo was a lovely blue and green orb out the starboard portal, but Obi-Wan avoided looking at it and kept his vision forward to focus upon the approaching green and gray moon of Onoam.
After he'd exited his Starfighter and took a look around, Obi-Wan was surprised at what he saw. He had never been to this particular moon, and although the specs revealed it was grassy and offered residences for the particularly wealthy of Naboo, they had never mentioned such similarities between it and Theed. It made perfect sense there would be since it was considered a colony of Naboo. Why there was even a miniature version of the palace here!
What he needed to do was to get out of town as quickly as he could. Seeing such familiar architecture only brought back painful memories. Obi-Wan caught a luxury transport that would take him to the mining district and met with the supervisors there. Within hours, a compromise had been met and before he knew it, the representatives on both sides were joking around and laughing. He had never participated in such a speedy and successful mission before.
Just as the sun dipped beneath the atmosphere, he was back on board the shuttle and returning to Onoam City. The next stopping point was fairly close to the spaceport and he decided to walk the rest of the way as if he were somehow going to say goodbye to Theed once and for all.
The gesture would save himself from future problems and was a good idea, if only it hadn't been for the royal ground procession that was blocking all traffic to and from the port.
Apparently, the reigning Queen of Naboo would often come to Onoam and stay in the palace during times of difficulty. She would probably be pleased to discover he'd already solved the mining issue. With his spirits somewhat lifted by that thought, he started on his way toward his ship again, only to come to a halt when a familiar voice called out his name.
Obi-Wan turned around to see that the entire line of royal vehicles had come to an abrupt halt and that the Queen herself was running toward him. Actually running.
Confused, he stood there frozen to the ground. What could Jamilla possibly have to say to him?
However, the closer the young woman came, the more he began to realize that it wasn't Jamilla at all.
He was too stunned to speak. How had this happened? How had he not been made aware that Padmé had been nominated Queen of Naboo?
"Obi-Wan!" she announced happily, the red dots on her cheeks inching upward in response to her bright, engaging smile. "I had no idea you were the Jedi they had sent!"
"Yeah," he said rather stupidly before receiving a kiss on his bearded cheek. Having embraced his imminent bachelorhood, he had lost all care for self-presentation over the past few months and had allowed his hair and facial hair to grow.
"Oo!," she complained in response. "That tickles, but you look handsome in it."
He looked handsome? What kind of new torture was this?
Obi-Wan dug deep to find his serenity and represent the Jedi in a responsible fashion as he knew he should, although his heart was beating too fast and his respirations had increased as a result.
"Are you leaving so soon? Didn't you just arrive? I hurried over when I heard a Jedi had begun negotiations. I got here as quickly as I could."
This moment was especially surreal and it occurred to Obi-Wan that he could possibly be dreaming. He'd had his share of them about her over the past year or so.
"I suppose I can stay for a little while," he stammered, although his mind was telling him to flee for the sake of his own self-preservation.
"Good," she smiled proudly. "Sabé, take Obi-Wan's bag and place it in my transport."
He walked numbly, vaguely aware that she had taken hold of his arm. Somewhere in the Force, there was someone laughing at him. He was certain of it.
