Chapter 23
The group arrived at a deserted part of the forest. Obi Wan was angry Jar Jar had lied to them he was a Gungan! He was supposed to know where his kind were when they were in trouble.
"Wow! Look at that! There's thousands of Gungans here!" Ben said loudly and sarcastically.
His dad sent him a look and then Jar Jar made a strange chattering noise. Suddenly out of nowhere Gungans appeared! Captain Tarpals and six guards surrounded they group pointing their spears at them.
"Hey watch the cloak now!" Ben told a guard.
"Ben! Be quiet!" Qui Gon muttered and Anakin tried not laugh at his friend who grinned at him.
"Heyo-dalee! Captain Tarpals." Jar Jar greeted nervously.
"Binks! Noah gain!" Tarpals boomed.
"We comen to see da boss." Jar Jar replied and Captain Tarpals rolled his eyes at him.
"Ouch time, Binks...Ouch time for all-n youse." Tarpals declared as he and the guards led them to the guards.
Boss Nass stared at the group before him and this attention focused to Jar Jar.
"Jar Jar yousa payen dis time. Who's da uss-en others?" Boss Nass asked.
"I can't understand him." Anakin whispered to Ben.
"I know you think they would learn to speak like us!" Ben replied and both boys grinned as Qui Gon shot them a look as Queen Amidala stepped forward.
"I am Queen Amidala of the Naboo…I come before you in peace." She announced.
"Naboo biggen. Yousa bringen all da Mackineeks... Dya busten uss-en omm. Yousa all bombad. Yousa all die'n, mesa tink." Boss Nass boomed smiling.
"Crap." Ben remarked after hearing he was about to die.
"We wish to form an alliance…" Amidala began but was interrupted when Padme stepped forward.
"Your honour…" Padme said politely.
"Whosa dis?" Boss Nass asked confused.
"I am Queen Amidala." Padme began then pointed to Sabe.
"This is my decoy…my protection…my loyal bodyguard." Padme explained and Boss Nass looked at her figuring out what was about to happen.
Anakin was stunned he had no idea that Padme was the Queen! Obi Wan and Qui Gon both gave each other a knowing look and Ben declared triumphantly.
"I knew that…"
"After I told you!" Obi Wan muttered and Anakin laughed.
"I'm sorry for my deception but due to current events I had to protect myself. I know we don't always agree your honour, our two great societies have always lived in peace…until now. The Trade Federation has destroyed all that we have worked so hard to build. You are all in hiding and my people are in camps, if we don't act quickly then I'm afraid all will be lost. I ask you…No! I beg you to help us." Padme told him then dropped to her knees. The others all look at each other and Captain Panaka and the handmaidens all gasped.
"We are your humble servants." Padme told him.
This remark caused the others to bow before Boss Nass and he smiled and the Gungans were puzzled, then Boss Nass began to laugh.
"Ha! Yousa no tinken yousa greater den da Gungans…Mesa liken dis. Maybe wesa bein friends." Boss Nass replied.
"Ok Nonie has been gone for ages I'm starting to think we're screwed so mum, sis, Yane it's been lovely spending time with you before I die…" Faith told them and Tahl pulled her close and gently scolded her.
"Faith! Don't you say things like have a little…faith in Nonie."
Faith grinned then the door opened quickly then it banged shut. Nonie appeared looking flustered.
"Nonie are you alrihgt?" Yane asked concerened.
"Yes…just ran all the way here, I got your things." Nonie said breathlessly as she grabbed the keys and gave them their stuff.
"Great I can finally change outta this dirty dress." Faith said happily as they changed back into the Jedi clothes. Yane changed into a blue jumpsuit that Handmaidens wore when they were fighting.
"Now we have a bit of an advantage." Nonie began.
"What is it?" Tahl asked quietly.
"The Droids have been summoned to the outskirts, apparently the Gungans are rebelling there's going to be a huge fight at dawn tomorrow!" Nonie grinned.
"Wait! Mum that's the diversion! Dad's here! We're free!" Faith exclaimed with glee and danced in a circle. Selena grinned at her sister and Yane laughed it was nice to see the young girl so happy after she had suffered so much.
"Faith don't celebrate right now we still have to get out of here." Tahl reminded her.
"I know but hey we have our lightsabers and there are 3 Jedi and a…." Faith commented and then stopped at Nonie. The Jedi knew the Tabansi family had been trained in the Sith arts.
"It's ok you can call me a…Sith but I'm not evil and now we have 4 lightsabers and a blaster." Nonie replied and tossed Yane a blaster. Selena put a hand on her shoulder and smiled.
"Nonie thank you for everything you've done." Selena replied.
Nonie grinned then she opened the door she glanced at the corridor it was empty.
"Ok we have to go now! We'll head for the outskirts there's rumours the Queen is hiding there." Nonie told them as she stepped out.
The group cautiously and quietly tiptoed down the corridor. Nonie stopped them the corner and then glanced around it was empty and she smiled as they neared the exit but before she told the others it was safe. Nardo appeared.
"Hey sis!" He greeted and Nonie turned to them.
"I'm sorry you have to witness this…"
Before the others could reply she grabbed a blaster from her belt and aimed at her brother and shot him. Nardo collapsed onto the floor and Nonie screamed.
"RUN! GO GET OUT THE DOOR AND HEAD FOR THE FOREST!"
The women ran and Faith stared back at the older women who walked slowly up to her brother. Tahl grabbed her hand.
"Faith there's no time!"
Tears rolled down Nonie's face as her brothers lifeless, bloody body stared at her. She bent down and closed his eyes and then kissed his forehead.
"Please forgive me brother that shot wasn't meant for you." (A/N- I got that from POTC :P) Nonie sobbed as she got up and ran out before anyone could do anything the prisoners and Nonie were gone.
The five women made it to the forest and thankfully they weren't followed.
"What happened? Did anyone see you?" Tahl asked as they rested against a tree.
Nonie shook her head and then she doubled over and vomited. Yane got her some water from a small stream nearby their resting place.
"Here take this." Yane replied softly giving her the water.
"Thank you, wow not only am I a thief you also get to spend time with a murderer." Nonie shivered and sipped the water.
"Nonie you risked you life for us and we are forever grateful but Nardo would understand and he wouldn't want you to live your life feeling guilty each day." Tahl told her softly.
"I guess you're right look I'm ok we better keep moving." Nonie got up and Selena stared at her mother.
"Are you sure? I mean I don't mind resting for another few minutes." Selena told her but Nonie held up her hand.
"We must keep going otherwise we will be killed." Nonie told them.
"Well I for one don't plan on dying tonight so lets keep moving, I can sense dad we have to keep going North." Faith told them as she started to follow Nonie.
Yane smiled at Tahl who stared at her younger daughter a small smile forming on her face.
"She's so mature and grown up for her age." Yane whispered admiringly to Tahl.
Selena smiled as she walked with her mum and Yane behind Nonie and Faith who were talking amicably about things.
Selena stared at her hand and her heart sank she didn't have her ring but she was going to get it back no matter what…
A/N- That's chapter 23 Please, please, please review and the next chapter will not be up for a couple of weeks as I am going on holiday.
Have a great summer!
Arwen
