.Nine.
It was as if the entire city of Theed, particularly the palace staff, were determined to make up for the Queen's mistreatment of Obi-Wan. Throughout his convalescence, they delivered food, clothing, and medicine, provided healers and even priests. The handmaidens waited on him, wished to bathe him, rub his muscles, and sing him to sleep – all of which he graciously rejected. By the end of the second week of his recovery, he had regained all the weight he'd lost plus a little bit more, as well as recovered his strength.
Just outside of the main chamber through a pair of tall arched doors, lay the Royal Garden and it was there he would meditate and sometimes spar with his Master. Qui-Gon had stayed with him on Naboo during his rehabilitation as had Master Yoda. The rest of the Jedi had returned to the temple, and were anxiously waiting for the news of what would become of Queen Amidala. He was wondering that himself.
While Master Jinn spent most of his time helping his apprentice, making sure he was eating properly and recovering adequately, Yoda stayed with the Queen.
Her confinement had been moved from the throne room to a small suite belonging to one of the handmaidens. It was without windows and only had a single access through a tall door – one that was heavily guarded.
Obi-Wan wasn't sure what the ancient Master was doing in there all this time, although occasionally he could hear vicious screams in Ur-Kitat echoing down the palace hallways. The handmaiden's quarters weren't far away from the Queen's, so it was easy for him to make out what was being so violently shouted.
When his Master became curious enough to ask, Obi-Wan explained that most of the Queen's statements were demands to be released. The rest, he told his mentor, were things he was too ashamed to repeat.
Not once did Obi-Wan hear a rebuttal from Master Yoda. As far as he could tell, the ancient and wise Jedi was keeping a silent vigil in the room. Sometimes, though, during quiet moments such as in his meditations, Obi-Wan could detect a delicate wave of Light, similar to the ripple a pebble makes when dropped into a silent lake. It would gently roll over his senses and continue on in perpetuity. Obi-Wan then realized Master Yoda was doing everything he could to probe the possessor's occupancy, to try and gain a perspective, as well as detect any weakness he may exploit.
Apparently, all of the old Master's attempts had failed. The curses still filled the halls and the door to the handmaiden's suite remained sealed.
It wasn't until the fifteenth day of Yoda's vigil that word came to Obi-Wan along the bond he shared with his Master. The young Jedi had been bid to come. Not by words, but through a powerful pull within his mind.
"It's time," he told his Master before rising from the grass where he and Qui-Gon had been enjoying a shared meditation.
Obi-Wan didn't have to explain any further. Most likely, Qui-Gon had felt Yoda's request as well, and yet before he could get away, his Master grabbed hold of his wrist. When Obi-Wan looked down, he noticed the older man's eyes were pleading and despite an aura of peace surrounding him, he was greatly concerned.
"Obi-Wan, stand firm in your beliefs and remember your training. Don't let this imposter fool you into thinking you're something you're not. He's a liar and a thief and he cannot be bargained with."
"Yes, Master," the apprentice told him with assurance, adding a lopsided grin for both of their comforts.
The two guards posted at the entrance to the chamber gazed at the young man as if to question his very sanity for being willing to enter. The older one actually looked as if he felt sorry for Obi-Wan, while the younger one appeared downright nervous.
"Good luck," the more mature one said to him before unlocking the door.
The room itself was dark and it took some time to adjust his vision to it. On a table next to the bed, whose coverings had been thrown off and onto the floor, was a single, small lamp giving out a dim yellow glow. It offered just enough illumination to reveal Master Yoda sitting on the floor in the center of the room near the end of the bed. He was cross-legged with his cane laid across his lap. His large eyes were closed and his expression revealed an intense focus on the other individual in the room.
The ripple across his psyche led Obi-Wan to the crouched figure leaning on the opposite wall, hiding behind an overturned chair. For the moment, she was still and completely silent. That is until Obi-Wan touched the top of her head.
Following that simple gesture that he had hoped would bring her comfort, she immediately came to her feet and shrieked. Obi-Wan was forced to back up and prepare himself for an abrupt attack. Having left his weapon with his Master, he was willing to hold her with his own strength if he had to. However, suddenly her face pinched and her body began to tremble as if she were being held by a ray shield or other invisible barrier.
Master Yoda.
Only then did Obi-Wan understand what the diminutive Jedi must have been doing this entire time, and why the young woman had been unable to cause any damage to him or even herself.
The power emanating from the lifted tridactyl claw as the Queen was held in place was impressive. He understood why Master Yoda had chosen to restrain her this way, but it wasn't helping matters any.
"Stop," Obi-Wan requested quietly.
It took a few seconds for the older Jedi to comply, and once he did, the crazed young woman was free to do as she wished. Without hesitation, she surged forward as if to attack him, only to stop when he uttered a single word: her given name.
"Padmé," Obi-Wan said softly.
And just like that, the manic look on the Queen's face as well as the aggressive posture she had been demonstrating fell away. For a brief second, something passed across her face and Obi-Wan detected a faint Shadow brushing up against the distant wall. It revealed a cloaked individual, bent in posture. It didn't last very long and quickly the dark haze returned to reclaim its prize.
"Master Yoda, please leave us," the apprentice requested, maintaining eye contact with the Queen.
There was a slight hesitation on Yoda's part and then Obi-Wan could hear the slow, tapping cadence of the Jedi's cane, followed by the opening and closing of the door.
Obi-Wan had come here without an actual plan. He wasn't sure what he was going to do other than read the moment and act accordingly. It was hard to tell what all had been occurring inside this chamber for the past two weeks, although now he was beginning to see - as well as smell. The Queen's clothing was tattered and dirty, her hair frayed and knotted, and excrement had been painted onto the walls and floor.
And still, he kept his focus on her face, doing his best to ignore everything else around him. His confidence was continuing to build until the moment she began laughing at him.
"Nu Jen. Nu Jenai. Nu Cherikyât. Nu ottoi jontû, ottoi qorit."
The voice was foul, deep, and invading his thoughts. It moved through Obi-Wan like an infection, trying to poison and warp his senses. Unlike before, the apprentice knew how to combat such evil and he wrapped himself in Light; a visible, outward glow within the dark confines of the small room.
From within his own wit, Obi-Wan wished to point out that the Entity seemed to have a slight issue with narcissism, but this was no time to joke. This young woman's very life was at stake. He was honestly surprised she had been mentally able to withstand such abuse for this long and was impressed by the sheer strength of her will.
"Tu con Jenai. Tu hadzuska koshûjontû. Oin Jen-Jidai, oin Jensaarai."
Again with this follower of truth business!
Obi-Wan had heard enough and he gathered all the Light he could within himself, his arms crossed and held upward over his chest, as the Queen's Possessor rumbled with a sadistic cackle.
Suddenly, his mind was filled with a vision: A horrific perspective of himself as a Sith Lord with blood-lust in his eyes and a crimson blade in his hand. He laid waste to entire systems, murdering anyone who opposed him. He was powerful and mighty, and everyone feared him.
Obi-Wan wasn't sure if the images were meant to frighten him or convince him to become something he wasn't, but they actually had the opposite effect. All they had done was reveal the path he needed to take; one which would lead him away from the Shadow.
He continued to gather power to himself and once he was convinced he could contain no more, that his spirit was indeed filled to overflowing, he released it.
A tempest of illumination stretched forth from his hands. It was surprising in magnitude and strength and caused him to have to crouch low to the floor to maintain his balance. And it kept coming, washing over the young woman who struggled to fight back, although she could barely stand.
For a while, he kept his eyes shut tight and focused on being a vehicle of the Light. When Obi-Wan finally did open his eyes, he saw the internal battle occurring before him in the way the Queen's face contorted with rage and every muscle in her body seemed to contract.
Followed by a great shout of shock and denial, he observed in amazement as a black void was cast out of her body, beyond the palace walls and out of his Sight.
And yet, the waves of light continued until all that remained was pure and no darkness could be found.
Panting as if to catch her breath, the young woman studied him and frantically held his gaze. At first, she seemed surprised and then grateful just before her eyes rolled back and she collapsed onto the floor.
With what little strength he had left, Obi-Wan used to crawl to her side. He refused to give into the temptation of the relief that unconsciousness would provide and reached for her hand, drawing it up to his chest as he gazed down into her face.
Her eyelids fluttered open to reveal orbs of deepest brown – a shade significantly lighter than before. A slight, weary smile lifted her mouth.
"Jedi Kenobi," she whispered with a raspy and exhausted voice. "Thank you."
Obi-Wan squeezed her hand and returned a generous smile. "Call me Obi-Wan."
Translations:
Nu Jen: I am the Darkness.
Nu Jenai: I am the Shadow.
Nu Cherikyât: I am He who causes all to throb and tremble in fear.
Nu ottoi jontû, ottoi qorit: I have been since the beginning and will be to the end.
Tu con Jenai: You are no Jedi.
Tu hadzuska koshûjontû: You are Shadow Born.
Oin Jen-Jidai, oin Jensaarai: A Dark Jedi, a Hidden Follower of Truth.