The Temple was indeed a sight to behold
Vast gleaming white towers that nearly stretched into the heavens and stood tall amidst the hustle and bustle of over-crowded Coruscant.
The Chancellor's personal shuttle docked nearly on the top of one of the towers, and everyone on board were immediately greeted by members of the High Council. Unfortunately, to Qui-Gon's dismay, Master Yoda was not present.
Master Windu bowed as the Queen approached; flanked by her handmaidens and royal security. "Queen Amidala," his deep voice rang clear. "I am Jedi Master Mace Windu. Welcome to the Jedi Temple."
"Thank you, Master Jedi." She replied in the same deep tone. "Our visit here will not interfere with anything I fear we may be interrupting."
He nodded in compliance. "As is not the case, Your Highness. I understand your wanting to see Padawan Kenobi is one of great importance—so we won't delay."
Qui-Gon felt rather than saw the hidden excitement the Handmaidens radiated through the Force. No doubt Master Windu and the rest of the Council sensed it as well; the darker Jedi did he gave no hint. Qui-Gon's perception was mainly focused on Padmé, who did her best to keep her eyes from wandering. He saw one of the other girls take her hand in comfort and that was enough it seemed to calm her down.
They began to walk the considerable distance to the medical wing.
"The Temple is more impressive in reality than words," Queen Amidala spoke to Mace. "The Chancellor speaks of this place with the up most esteem."
"For generations Jedi of many species are trained inside this very place. And we will continue to do so for generations more."
"I wonder how many from Naboo are being trained here," she mused.
"Fifteen to be exact," Master Mundi spoke. "Two are Jedi Masters, five are Padawans about to be Knighted, and the rest are Younglings of all ages."
No sooner had he spoken, a small handful of energy-filled younglings approached the group, possibly for a better look. Perhaps in awe, Qui-Gon wondered, for so many members of the Council surrounded the Temple's visitors. But as soon as the smallest tried to hide behind—or rather underneath—the Queen's large black gown, he thought otherwise.
Apparently the Queen adored children for she allowed the little one behind her when the rest stopped short upon seeing the Jedi Masters'.
Mace was the first to respond when he reached behind her to grab the little one. "I apologize Your Highness—"
"No need, Master Windu." Gently she grasped the youngling by the shoulders to keep him from moving. Then with a hint of a smile to the children, "Hello young ones."
"Hello!" They replied in unison.
"Children, where is your caretaker?"
Two more younglings joined the group, followed closely behind by a female Padawan. She stopped when she saw the High Council and quickly bowed. "Masters! I very sincerely apologize—I was looking for Youngling Dev."
This made the children giggle.
Mace indicated with his eyes where he was and as if on cue, Youngling Dev peeked around Queen Amidala's black dress, grinning with pleasure.
The brunette Padawan placed her hands on her hips in frustration. "Devlin Coda! You gave me quite a scare young man."
Queen Amidala gently motioned the little boy forward and soon he was within the eager Padawan's arms. She bowed again and so did the children. "I apologize for young Dev's actions and my lack of manners. I am Padawan Caretaker Shan."
"Queen Amidala."
Padawan Shan bowed again. "Your Grace."
Queen Amidala turned to Mace. "Master Windu, if I may be so bold…"
He nodded. "Anything."
"I would like to offer Padawan Shan the assistance of two of my handmaidens to help with the children."
The double-braided Padawan smiled. Her relief echoed through the Force as one of Mace's brow arched in speculation. He then turned to Shan. "Where is your guardian?"
Then the relief drifted as did her smile. "She is looking after Padawan Kenobi. I offered to take over with the children while she tended to his care."
He seemed unsatisfied. "Queen Amidala—"
"I insist," she gently persisted. "She is just as distraught as we are concerning Padawan Kenobi's well-being. A little more help is all I offer to lighten her situation."
Qui-Gon looked directly as Shan and for a moment a silent "conversation" passed between them. Though her tone suggested that Obi-Wan had gotten worse, it was quite the opposite. She was merely afraid a reprimand was to occur since she took charge of the children instead of her guardian. He assured her through the Force that that was not the case since she didn't do anything wrong.
Only that she kept a better eye on the children.
From the Archived Journal of Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn
I am still skeptical about this whole affair. Although I am standing just outside Obi-Wan's room, I still cannot sense him through our bond.
(Slight pause)
I am deeply troubled by the way he appears. Already I am having second thoughts about allowing him to continue this mission with me.
Qui-Gon stared at Obi-Wan through the doorway, feeling somewhat helpless and a bit confused. His earlier moment of being slightly ill had passed, which finally allowed the elder man to think.
Something was happening and he was having difficulty understanding it. But deep down, just from looking at his resting Padawan, he didn't want to accept it. He knew it couldn't be true. Even if it was, why was Obi-Wan lying there in a near-comatose state of mind instead of standing next to his master?
The Force worked in mysterious ways. This Qui-Gon knew.
"How is he?" Queen Amidala asked as she approached to stand next to him.
"Fairing."
They shared a moment of silence as they watched a peaceful Obi-Wan sleep, his chest rising and falling.
"I cannot even begin to explain what happened back in the ship," she told him. "Everything electrical started to malfunction, and Eirtaé claims she heard a terrified scream. I never could have imagined it came from your Padawan."
He turned to find her looking at him.
"Captain Panaka searched the whole ship and couldn't find him. Your Padawan finally emerged when you fell under attack and Padmé's life was threatened," she allowed her words to linger before proceeding. "In the end, she saved our lives and rescued one of our own."
She looked back at Obi-Wan. "The least we could do was come to see him."
For the first time in his life, Qui-Gon had nothing to say. Her words were genuine and sincere, which touched him in a way he could not begin to fathom. Obi-Wan did indeed save their lives and by allowing the Queen to come and check on her rescuer…
He needed more time to think everything over.
"Is anyone allowed to see him?" A soft voice asked.
Padmé soon joined them in the tiny hallway. Her eyes glistened against the deep violet handmaiden ensemble she wore. She was addressing Qui-Gon, not the Queen.
He stirred slightly before answering. "Maiden Padmé—"
"Yes, he is." Jedi Maiden Ivory interrupted. She smiled sweetly at both Padmé and the Queen. Not yet granted the title of Healer, Jedi Maiden Ivory was assigned the duty of looking after Padawan Kenobi, as was Maiden Lyn who wasn't present. "Allowed to accept visitors, I mean."
The young 'maidens eyes grew hopeful and she once again looked at Qui-Gon for permission.
Then his comlink beeped.
He quietly excused himself, as did Maiden Ivory, and he headed off to the Council Room. He had to tell them why he managed to free young Anakin Skywalker from slavery on Tatooine. Maiden Ivory had to check on Maiden Lyn; Lyn always got lost in the medical storage room and Ivory had to make sure her friend and apprentice was all right.
When the two were finally alone, the Queen let out a more dramatic sigh then intended. "I'm so glad that's over with!" The two shared a moment of smiles and series of giggles. "Any more charade of acting serious just to gain sympathy, and I'm sure I would've bored myself to tears!"
Padmé couldn't have agreed more. "You're doing a wonderful job, Sabé. I couldn't ask for more."
Sabé—under the guise as the Queen—indicated her chin at Obi-Wan. "You think he can hear us?"
It was Padmé's turn to sigh. "I don't know. Did Master Jinn say anything?"
Sabé shook her head. "From the look of thinks, probably not. You better make use of your time before we leave."
"Where are you going?"
"I promised Padawan Shan that after I saw Obi-Wan I would locate Padawan Crys for her."