Chapter Fifteen : Face to Face
Theed, Naboo
"…So I suggest that the settlement of Otoh D'an begin as soon as possible, to demonstrate to the entire Republic the new cooperation between the Naboo and the Gungan nations," Finished Councilwoman Renair Paolo.
It was the fifth day following the defeat of the Federation, and Queen Amidala had called together her council to meet with Boss Nass and his advisors. The Throne room was twice as crowded as usual, the council members and the Gungan advisors eyeing one another curiously. But the mood was friendly and the meeting had been very productive so far, with Paolo's suggestion of a joint exploration of Naboo's moon, Otoh D'an, being a key issue.
Sabe tried not to fidget, and failed. It was a hot, humid day, and her cloak was miserably heavy and itchy even in the climate-controlled palace. Also, she could not help glancing nervously toward the windows every few minutes. She was glad the folds of her hood hid her roving eyes from the council at least.
"Dis is agreeable to mesa peoples," Boss Nass replied. "Wesa ready wid a team for da moon journey."
"Very good, Boss Nass," said Queen Amidala. "To move to another issue, have you made any progress in your negotiations with the Ankura Gungans of the Southern Wastelands?"
"Mesa sent messengers to da boss of de Ankura. But dey don' want any part of de Naboo," Boss Nass said, a bit apologetically.
"Perhaps it would be beneficial to send representatives of Naboo to prove our good will," The Queen said.
"Mebbe…." Boss Nass said doubtfully.
Sabe clasped her nervous hands together and glanced toward the windows again.
Queen Amidala spared her a look and then turned toward the Council members. "Very well. Let us adjourn. We can meet back here in one hour."
Naboovian and Gungan alike rose from their seats and bowed.
"Boss Nass, we would be honored if you would join us for the midday meal. Governor Bibble will escort you to our dining hall. I will join you there momentarily," Queen Amidala said.
Boss Nass inclined his head in a regal fashion and he and Governor Bibble made their way into the hall, followed by the council and the Gungan advisors.
As soon as the throne room was clear of everyone but the Queen, Eirtae, Rabe, and Sabe, Padme turned to Sabe. "Are you okay?"
Sabe looked at her in confusion. "Yes, of course. Why do you ask?"
"You are twitching like a epileptic kaadu. It's driving me batty," Padme said.
Sabe ducked her head, coloring. "Forgive me. I just—"
"I know," Padme looked toward the windows a bit longingly. "I want to go to them, too. But it looks as if this meeting will take up most of the day."
Sabe tried not to let her impatience show, staring at her hands in her lap.
"I suppose I better send you to relate my good will. If I keep you here, you may end up causing a diplomatic incident," Padme said with a grin.
"But who will stand in for me? Sache still isn't quite well," Sabe said, still ashamed that Padme had noticed her distraction.
"She is well enough to sit in a chair, I imagine," Padme said. "Go and send her back to take your place."
Sabe was already standing and starting toward the door eagerly.
"Sabe."
She turned back to Padme.
"Tell Anakin my heart goes with him," Padme said with a smile.
Sabe managed to keep her walk slow and dignified across the Palace Square. But as soon as she was out of sight of the main street and the palace windows, she gave into her eagerness and began running toward the landing dock.
She almost tripped over the boy who was hidden among the equipment on the near side of the bridge, wailing inconsolably.
"Ani?" She said in concern.
He immediately quieted and looked up, scrubbing the tears furiously from his face with the sleeve of his tunic. Giving her a pathetically wobbly smile, he said, "Oh, hi Sabe."
Sabe crouched beside him and put a gentle hand to his cheek, brushing the remainder of his tears away with her fingertips. His lower lip began to tremble but he pressed his lips together tightly, determined to look tough
"Padme sends her love. She couldn't get away to see you off. She and the Gungans are deep in negotiation," Sabe explained.
It was a triumph, of course. No similar negotiations had taken place for centuries. But seeing him so forlorn, Sabe couldn't suppress a little flash of irritation at Padme for not sparing a few moments for her young friend.
Anakin waved off her concern, his voice thick with false bravado. "It's okay. Anyway, I'll see her again soon. I'm going to marry her one day."
Sabe's eyebrows flew up. She did not envy Obi-Wan the eventual conversation about the finer points of the Jedi Code. "You're so certain?"
"Of course," the boy said matter-of-factly.
"What if you change your mind?" Sabe asked in amusement. "As a Jedi, I imagine you'll be much too busy for silly things like girls and weddings."
"I'll never be too busy for Padme," Anakin intoned solemnly, and his eyes began to fill again. But before she could remark on them, he pulled away and ran toward the ship, probably to where he could cry without anyone seeing. "Bye!" He yelled casually over his shoulder, as if they would see one another every day.
"Bye," Sabe murmured, and then stood chuckling.
She felt his presence behind her as a sudden stillness deep within. She smiled sadly. "You will be missed, Obi-Wan."
He joined her, and together they began walking toward the bridge to the landing platform. "I find that hard to believe," he said. "Our departure signals the return of peace to Naboo."
"There is a lot to be done before we return to anything like normal." Sabe sighed. Then she grinned. "But if you are talking about the havoc Anakin has wreaked with his pranks, I would have to agree."
Obi-Wan harrumphed a little. "As if you have never provided him with an escape route."
"Never," Sabe agreed.
"And I still have not decided which of you vandalized my laundry," Obi-Wan continued.
Sabe stumbled. "Obi-Wan?"
"Yes?"
"I haven't the slightest idea what you are talking about."
Obi-Wan folded his hands within his robe sleeves, his face decidedly smug.
Their steps slowed a little as they neared the bridge, and Sabe's stopped altogether when they reached it. Obi-Wan looked at her questioningly. "When you cross that bridge your life will change," Sabe explained. "I think perhaps I ought to say goodbye on this side."
"As you wish," Obi-Wan said softly.
Sabe's face lit up. "Oh how terrible. I nearly forgot."
She reached within her cloak and withdrew an oblong object wrapped in cloth and handed it to Obi-Wan. As he took the object from her he looked uncomfortable, and Sabe remembered that the Jedi were not supposed to accept gifts. But his face slackened to abject shock when the cloth fell away to reveal his lightsaber.
"I didn't steal it this time," Sabe said with a shy smile.
"It fell so far…" Obi-Wan breathed.
"Yes. And it was in a sorry state when I found it. It would have been irreparable without your mechanical wizard of a padawan," Sabe said.
He stared down at it, turning it over and over. His fingertips quickly found the seams where Anakin had carefully soldered the metal back together. He shook his head wonderingly. "I labored for three months to design this weapon. You are telling me he repaired it in five days?"
Sabe shrugged. "He is very special. More special than any of us realized, perhaps."
Obi-Wan's hands continued to run lovingly over the sleek metal of the elegant weapon, a slight frown on his face. "Qui-Gon saw it. As always."
Sabe mistook his expression for displeasure. "I…I realize how personal an object it is. Perhaps I was presumptuous—"
Her words died in her throat as Obi-Wan's hand came to rest on her shoulder. As she stood stiffly, he bent and pressed his lips to her brow. Her heart pounded in her chest as he spoke softly into her hair. "This means…a great deal. I am overcome."
"It's so small a thing," she murmured. "Nothing to what you have done for Naboo."
They both lapsed into an uncomfortable silence. There was no use pretending that this was a temporary goodbye. Sabe knew enough of the Jedi to realize that when he crossed the bridge before them, he would be a different person entirely; A knight, a mentor, a parent, really, At last Obi-Wan spoke hesitantly.
"I am glad we met again."
"I hope it will not be the last time," Sabe replied, drawing a shaky breath. She was pathetically close to tears, but she did not want him to notice. Raising her head, she forced a smile. "Goodbye, Obi-Wan."
"Goodbye." His voice seemed a little hoarse as he replied, but she might have imagined it. He squeezed her hand between his larger ones. And then, with a swish of his fawn colored robe, he was walking over the bridge.
Anakin had already selected his seat, by the window. It was just as well, Obi-Wan reflected. The less he saw of the scenery, the less he would remember the unpleasant fact that he was flying. He settled himself in the seat next to the boy.
Suddenly his new padawan gave a gasp and pressed his face to the transparisteel. Obi-Wan leaned forward, peering over his shoulder.
The Queen and her entourage had arrived. She had not been expected at the landing pad at all, and Anakin had been quite forlorn at not getting to say goodbye. But there she was in all her ceremonial splendor; the girl queen, waving her handkerchief frantically as the engine activated and its roar filled the air. The ship slowly rose from the ground, and Obi-Wan saw her press the handkerchief to her eyes. A glance at Anakin revealed that he too had tears hanging from his lashes.
He might have been concerned and annoyed that his padawan was starting his training with so firm an attachment already in place. A few days ago he would have been irritated that he had to babysit an emotional nine-year-old. But as he looked at the boy, it seemed that another child sat in his place, a tawny-haired girl with huge, defensive eyes. He sighed, hooking his hand over the boy's slim shoulder and squeezing reassuringly. Anakin looked at him with surprise.
"Let's go home, padawan," Obi-Wan said gently.
Anakin nodded, wiping the last of his tears away.
The ship's engines fired with a blue-white glow, the roar painfully loud as it slowly rose from the platform, turning in a slow circle in midair. Then its turbines roared to life, propelling it away and sending a strong wind that whipped through the folds of Sabe's cloak and tumbled the hood from her head.
She made no effort to pull it back into place. It felt good to feel the sunshine in her hair, to feel the eyes those around her on her face. She felt light, bouyant, and solace stole into her heart. Her cheeks were wet, but she could do nothing but smile giddily, raising one hand in farewell.
The blue flare as the ship disappeared was like a benediction.