.Eight.

The only light Obi-Wan was able to access at night came to him during his sleep. It comforted him and made promises of better days. Little by little the shadows were creeping in. At first, he hadn't noticed them, but the more his strength left him, the more ground they consumed.

It was during a particularly despondent evening that Obi-Wan had chosen to lie shivering on the cold floor of his prison cell, apparently determined to add as much misery to himself as possible. There were others here who were as bad off as he was. He could hear their groans of discomfort sometimes wafting through the stillness of the dungeon. He had yet to weep for his own suffering and wasn't even certain his neglected body would produce the tears to do so.

All this time, his mind had never wandered. It had stayed on the Queen and tried to come up with ideas on how to help her. Although, by the looks of things, he may die before he'd achieved that particular goal.

This was his darkest hour. Obi-Wan knew that beyond the heavy veil of despair lay the Light and its comforting embrace. He was beginning to yearn for it if only to end the pain and discomfort of his current existence.

As he lay there trembling, he wasn't asleep, so it came as a surprise to see a white glow split the plasma gate. It was haloed around an image he thought he recognized at first; though, on closer proximity, Obi-Wan realized it wasn't who he thought it was. In his confusion, he'd believed the Queen had finally come to visit him, to pay her last respects and possibly gloat over her oncoming victory.

The face was the same, and even the voice even had similar qualities, but this young woman's aura was different.

Between his parched lips, Obi-Wan tried to mumble a question, to ask if she'd been sent by the Queen to put him out of his misery, but he'd been unable to form words intelligible enough. He tried again, but before he could manage it, a vessel was placed to his lips.

"Drink this," the voice softly commanded.

Whatever was being offered to him smelled horrid. If it was indeed poison, Obi-Wan would accept it readily. At least it would end his suffering.

"It will give you some strength. Please, drink it."

Her dark eyes were reminiscent of another pair he'd seen before, although these weren't quite as imposing. They were kind though, and it had been a long time since he'd experienced kind.

The liquid tasted acidic and bitter and was difficult to swallow. Not as refreshing as one dying of thirst and hunger would hope for.

"More," the young woman demanded, tilting the container again.

Obi-Wan complied as best he could although his stomach contracted painfully. He couldn't take any more of the foul liquid in and allowed his head to fall back onto the tile floor. The young woman hovered and began applying her fingers to his neck and wrists.

"Your pulse is quite weak," she told him in a whisper. " I'm going to leave this with you. I've brought more and will store it underneath your cot. Drink as much as you can. It has essential nutrients you'll need if you're going to be able to join the fight."

Fight? What fight?

The young woman smiled down at him. "I don't think the Queen knows this, but the Jedi are coming. The Galactic Senate sent an envoy a few weeks ago to plead with her to release you and several other members of the palace staff, but she refused. I do believe they are planning an invasion, but you didn't hear that from me," she winked. "My name is Sabé and I'm the Queen's First Handmaiden. I need you to get better because she needs you."

He could hear the words, but he hadn't heard so many in such a long time that they kept getting jumbled together. "She needs me?" he heard himself ask.

"Yes," Sabé confirmed. "During a rare moment of clarity the other day, she made me promise to bring you out of this alive. Later, she denied ever saying anything like that, of course. But during those few seconds, it was almost as if she was back to her old self. The Queen needs your help, Jedi Kenobi. More than you can know."

"Give me back that flask," Obi-Wan requested. If the Jedi were finally coming, he had to be prepared.

With a newfound sense of hope, Obi-Wan found a way to mark the time that elapsed. The protein mixture the handmaiden had brought him contained a bit of fruit juice in it, and he used some of it to dye some marks on the wall.

On the third day following Sabé's surprising announcement, he heard an explosion in the distance. The result of it rumbled the ground beneath his feet and caused dust to be spilled into the air. Following that was a shout of chaos and suddenly, the guards abandoned their posts.

Obi-Wan could hear scattered blaster fire, shouts of anger and dismay, as well as the highly distinguishable hum of a lightsaber. And not just one, but many.

The handmaiden had told him the truth. Although Obi-Wan had believed her, there lingered a sliver of doubt in the back of his mind. It was difficult to believe the Council would truly support an invasion of a Republic System. And yet, here they were.

When the prison gates went down, all hell broke loose. Unarmed, Obi-Wan withdrew to the back of the cell to stay out of harm's way. Blaster bolts were ricocheted past the doorway and down the hall, just before a stun grenade was activated; its bright light blinding those who stood against the Jedi. It was a weapon used to disarm a small army without causing undue injuries. Obi-Wan was pleased they had chosen to use it in this case, as these people had no idea who exactly they were being loyal to. He didn't blame them for being misguided since he had spoken with the Entity himself. Whoever it was that controlled the Queen was powerful and quite persuasive.

The rate of gunfire had decreased and the grenade's efficiency was wearing off as well. It was at that moment that a tall figure appeared in the doorway. Obi-Wan released a grateful sigh and stood to greet his Master.

"Obi-Wan? Are you well?"

A smile spread widely across the younger Jedi's face as the large man met him following two long strides. First, Qui-Gon studied his features.

"You've lost some weight," he commented dryly.

"That's an understatement, Master," Obi-Wan replied.

The man's blue eyes were filled with joy and then something happened that had never occurred during the entire past five years they had spent together as student and teacher. Qui-Gon pulled him to his chest. Not too forcefully, but powerful enough to exhibit his relief.

"I'm pleased you are alive, my apprentice," the large man rumbled. Obi-Wan could feel the vibrations in Qui-Gon's chest and smiled.

With the help of the nutrition the handmaiden provided him, the young man had indeed regained some of his strength and he squeezed his mentor's waist before separating from him.

"Not as happy as I am to see you. What about the Queen?"

The majority of the mirth was erased from Qui-Gon's expression. "She's being detained in the throne room."

At least she wasn't dead. Obi-Wan was grateful for that. It didn't change the fact, though, that his mission was incomplete. He still had a job to do here.

"I'd like to see her," he suggested. He was still too weak to insist but was hoping for the best.

A variety of emotions passed over his Master's face – ranging from denial to disbelief, followed by bewilderment and finally acceptance.

"I understand your devotion, Obi-Wan, and I'm pleased to see that even in your condition, you have chosen to follow through. However, I would highly advise against confronting the Queen at the present time. Give yourself a chance to recover. Once you're back on your feet and healthy again, you'll have the strength to withstand such an encounter."

Their talk was going on longer than Obi-Wan had expected, forcing him to sit back down. The strength in his legs was about to give out.

His Master was considerate enough to crouch so as not to break Obi-Wan' neck while having to look up at him. He smiled at the young man proudly and spoke with admiration for his student, not just for surviving what he had been put through, but for coming out on the other end of it with the same patient understanding and sympathy as he'd always had.

"You were right, Obi-Wan," the older Jedi explained as a few random explosions occurred in the distance, followed once again by silence. "The Queen has been overcome with some sort of evil spirit. Master Yoda is dealing with her now. She'll be taken into custody but I'm not sure what can be done to help her. We know very little about the Sith and their workings. Master Yoda does believe she is under the influence of the Dark Side."

"I know she is," Obi-Wan persisted. "It's why I'm the only one who can help her Master! Don't you understand?"

Qui-Gon continued to gaze at his student, not even trying to conceal his prideful smile. "I do now," he confessed. "This gift the Light has bestowed upon you is something the Jedi cannot understand. I can't either, but I will continue to support you and try to help you all I can, Obi-Wan. All I ask is that you wait. Wait until you are stronger both in mind and spirit before you try and deal with such an evil force. Please."

Obi-Wan considered the things his mentor had told him. Waiting made perfect sense, but as far as he was concerned, too much time had passed already. For far too long, the young woman had been left alone in the Dark.

There was something in his Master's expression, however, that was compelling and hopeful. Obi-Wan decided he couldn't cause the man more worry and he didn't wish to disappoint him. He'd done that enough in the past. He would wait. Probably not as long as Qui-Gon wished him to, but he would wait. Queen Amidala deserved his best and that's what he was going to give her.

"All right, Master," Obi-Wan agreed.

The relief appearing on the older man's face was evident. "Come. Let me help you up. The first thing we'll do is find you a bath."

While Obi-Wan allowed his Master to wrap a supportive arm around his shoulders, he acted affronted by the comment.

"Are you insinuating that I smell?"

"Like a bantha's backside," Qui-Gon replied as they walked slowly out of the cell.

There were only two bodies lying in the hallway, much less than Obi-Wan imagined there'd be, though two more than he'd hoped for. On their way out, he glanced to the place he'd seen Governor Bibble being held and was disappointed to discover the room was empty.

Qui-Gon apparently noticed his worried glance. "I'm afraid the governor couldn't survive the mistreatment. Not many could."

Obi-Wan's heart grew heavy as they left the prison area. He'd seen a few who looked as bad as he did, though some were worse. They were being tended to by palace physicians as well as a couple of Jedi healers Obi-Wan recognized. They were receiving the best possible treatment and he was glad.

Only after they had made it to the main level of the palace, did Obi-Wan realize it was mid day. He hadn't seen the sun in a long while and it poured in between the columns of the open entrance at the top of the palace's grand steps and momentarily blinded him.

Qui-Gon left him for a moment to speak to someone about where he could take his student to clean up and rest. During that time, Obi-Wan felt himself being drawn to the warmth and light of the sun. He happily stood in the light with his eyes closed, soaking up all that he could like a tusk-cat, only to be interrupted by a soft-spoken voice.

"You made it," it told him.

Obi-Wan opened his eyes to see the same young woman who had helped him before. Sabé was her name and he humbly realized he owed her his life.

"Thank you," he said gratefully. "You took a great risk in helping me. I would repay you if I could."

The handmaiden stood taller and gazed at him with determination. "The best way to repay me is to help the Queen. I did what I had to do for her. She is my priority and she needs your help."

"She'll get it," Obi-Wan immediately confirmed with as strong a voice as he could muster.

"May I have your word on that, Jedi Kenobi?"

Did she not believe him? Why should she? So far, he had done very little to help the Queen, although he actually hadn't been given the opportunity yet.

"You have my word," he told her sincerely.

The tension between them was interrupted by the return of his Master who excused himself and took the young man by the arm.

"Come Obi-Wan," his Master said. "You've been given the Queen's private chambers to use during your recuperation."

His brows rose to that bit of news, although it seemed fitting, he supposed. For months, Queen Amidala had done nothing but take from him. Perhaps now, he could return the favor.