The evening's rest had done him wonders, the queen noted upon the knight's arrival to the platform. He was radiating tranquility and peace like a beacon to her soul and she found that she was unable to stop herself from approaching him.
A bright, attractive smile on his face and a graceful bow before her only added to the young man's charm, and to Padmé's surprise, she discovered that his eyes were the most wonderful shades of gray and blue. She took a deep breath to calm her rising pulse rate and greeted him warmly.
"I trust you slept well, Knight Kenobi."
"I did. I thank you for asking. And I assume you did as well, your highness. You look beautiful."
Padmé attempted to will away the blush that threatened to stain her cheeks. She was not unaccustomed to compliments from the opposite sex, especially in her line of work, but for some reason, this knight's comment seemed so genuine that it stole away her thoughts and she found herself at a loss for words. So she simply smiled at him and watched him as he glanced away to view the parade crowd and greet the approaching Gungan leader.
Another graceful bow was accompanied by a traditional Gungan greeting of a pat to his and the other's shoulder and Boss Nass rumbled with laughter. She had been unable to hear what the knight had said, but it pleased her to see that their visiting Jedi was so comfortable and confident with his surroundings, and so at ease with the residents of Naboo.
After the Gungan band had performed and the parade had ended, she prompted the young man to step up to the podium in order to address the waiting crowd, and found herself anxiously waiting to hear his voice again; the lilting, masculine voice that was so pleasant to her ears.
"I arose this morning to a bright new day on your beautiful planet," he began, his eyes sweeping across the crowd. "And in honoring Jedi tradition, I dedicated my first waking hour to meditation.
"Meditation can lead to an overpowering awareness that everything is part of the one entity the Jedi call the Force. However, just as precious is the awareness that all parts of the Force are necessary to it, so all our individual differences – differences of species, gender, race, temperament, language, age, likes and dislikes, strengths and weaknesses – everything that makes us the individuals we are, are absolutely necessary for the full expression of our impact on the universe. Our differences are meant to be savored and honored just as fully as our similarities. We are many, and we are one. United."
The crowd paused in silence as the completion of the young man's oration, until finally a trickle of applause began moving through the audience, gaining momentum until the Theed street thundered with appreciation, Gungan and Naboo clasping and shaking hands in friendship all across Theed.
Governor Bibble was the first to approach the young knight as he stepped away from the podium.
"I see you are a student of philosophy." He said to Obi-Wan with a twinkle in his eye. "The unity philosophy is what you speak of. I would be interested in discussing this thought with you further if you are so inclined."
"It would be my pleasure, Governor." The young man responded with a slight bow of his head and a placement of an arm casually about the older man's shoulders. "Perhaps after midday meal, we can discuss your thoughts on the subject."
A warm feeling had risen through the young queen's body and settled over her heart as she moved to the podium to address the crowd and sign the Unity Treaty. Boss Nass' signature followed, and then once more the knight stepped forward to add his supervising signature as well.
Before rolling up the parchment, Padmé glanced down to the lowest signature. "Obi-Wan." She whispered with a smile. She had never heard a name like that before and was pleasantly surprised to discover that it rolled so easily and naturally from her tongue.