Note:

I do not own StarWars, all belongs to George Lucas!

I am just using his brilliance to further my own imagination.

I am writing for my own enjoyment, but I hope you might find some as well.


Eirtaé and Rabé managed small smiles to Sabé as she entered their room. She was incredibly grateful to have them both here with her.

"I am worried over Saché and Yané." It was Rabé who spoke. " I know they will not be silent captors. I am afraid for them."

"They are brave." Eirtaé reminded her.

"That is what worries me." Sabé chimed in. They all knew they would do anything for the Queen and the Naboo. They could only hope their friends were safe.

Having been the first handmaiden assigned to Queen Amidala, the others often looked to Sabé for guidance. Sabé quickly learned they all had their own skills and she learned as much from them, as perhaps they did from her.

"I am afraid from what the Jedi have said, Eirtaé, that not even your expertise could fix this hyperdrive. It also seems our republican credits are useless. The Master Jedi is hopeful for another solution." She repeated her findings to them.

A knock on the door sounded and Captain Panaka peeked his head through.

"There is a sand storm coming. It may slow them down."

"Thank you, Captain." He nodded at them grimly. He paused.

"There is also a message from home." His eyes met Sabé's.

"We will take it in the throne room." They gathered themselves and she tried to not rush into the room. It took every ounce of her to remain impassive. It worked every fiber in her being to keep her nerves at bay as she watched the holovid of Governor Bibble.

"The death toll is catastrophic. We must bow to their wishes. You must contact me."

Before she could even begin to form a response the young Jedi abruptly stood.

"It's a trick. Send no reply. Send no transmission of any kind." Then, just as quickly, he walked out of the room.

For a moment she was certain her mask had fallen. Fear and despair evident in her face. Her heart was crushed. What if it was true? It only took her a moment of logic to come to the same conclusion he had. Transmissions could be traced. They all fell into silence, all plagued with the same fears. If the sandstorms were anything like she had read about, Sabé worried how long it would last. It may delay them a few hours or several days.

It was Rabé that suggested sleep. It had been several hours now and several times that Sabé had replayed the message from the governor in her head. Any attempt to sleep dashed as his words rand in her ears. She imagined if she could see through the sand storm, it must be dark by now. She was all out of sorts. Sleep usually eluded her, but she had hoped by pure exhaustion she might find it now. It continued it's elusive dance and with a groan she quietly slipped from her sleeping arrangements and out of the room. She remembered counting several different types of tea in her investigation earlier and hoped one or two of them might rest her weary eyes. As she passed by the cockpit, she could hear the Jedi talking together again.

"It sounds like bait to establish a connection trace." Confirming her previous conclusion.

"What if it is true, and the people are dying?" She could here the sincerity in his voice. It lifted her spirits a little to hear his concern after such an abrupt exit earlier. She had begun to think he not only masked his emotions very well, but perhaps he had none to being with. She was glad to realize she may be wrong.

"Either way, we're running out of time." With these last words echoing in her mind, she continued on her path to tea and hopefully sleep.

In the main hull, she was surprised she was able to see out the small window. The sand storm must have passed by quickly. This gave her another small hope. She tried not to dwell on it too long, in case it would later be dashed away again. She had sat in the hull for so long, chin resting in her hand, daydreaming into space. She thought of Naboo and their people. She had loved their peaceful planet. She could hear the sounds of the hallikset in her mind, daring it to calm her and let her sleep. Every time she thought she might drift away, the sound of battle droids, Nute Gunray or the governor's words invaded her mind, playing their own torturous concert. She had been so absorbed in her thoughts; she had not noticed her tea had long ago gone cold.

"Would you prefer a fresh cup?" The voice pulled her from her musings abruptly and she looked up startled. Eyes meeting those of the young Jedi, she did her best to scramble her confused features into those of a reserved queen.

"I just finished my own and there is extra. Enough to send anyone to much needed sleep."

She nodded numbly, words still not coming to her. He left for a moment or two before setting down a steaming mug before her and taking the seat across from her.

"I am afraid I am not the best tea maker, but I hope it is enough."

She nodded her thanks and took her first tentative sip. He was looking out the window as she looked back up at him. He was right. The tea was not dreadful, but it could be better.

"Don't quit your day job." She said quietly, trying her best to remain impassive as she realized the comment was not very regal of her. However, to her delight, a smirk had begun at the corner of his lips.

"I assure you, your highness, I will do a much better job of providing my protective services."

"I do hope so, Master Jedi." She returned, a small smile on her face.

"Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan Kenobi. I am not yet a master Jedi. It has been improper for me to allow you to call me as such."

Sabé just gazed at him in silence. He seemed a very humble person, not one to draw too much attention, or to glory in compliments.

"I condone you for your words, Jedi Kenobi. It is refreshing to hear such humility in such treacherous times." She said this with a somewhat playful expression, hopeful he knew she was not at all worried about is propriety.

"I am surprised you are not resting, your highness. It is well into the middle of the night." Concern strongly evident in his voice.

"I fear it eludes me. There is much on my mind. While I know that a rested mind holds more understanding, I fear it simply will not shut off. I have walked this ship several times, I have counted backwards more than I have ever dared to count and this will be my third glass of calming tea. It seems it is not meant to be." She could feel the heaviness in her eyes as she spoke, but they would not shut, no matter how hard she willed them too. "And of you, Jedi Kenobi? Is your mind immune to the need for rest?"

"Jedi can go several days with out sleep, your highness. While it is favorable, there are some missions we must suspend sleep for the greater good."

She nodded her head in understanding and a comfortable silence fell between the two. Just as she was deciding it might not be a very queen thing to do by staying in his company, he placed a deck of Sabacc cards on the table between them.

"If you are unable to sleep and wish to indulge me, I could teach you to play." His smirk again playing at the corner of his lips.

"Are you assuming that royals do not play Sabacc?" Her face revealed nothing, but her eyes glimmered with mirth.

"I had only thought it more of a high stakes gambling game, and Naboo does not seem a planet for such dealings."

"You are quite right, but we might surprise you." With that final statement, several rounds were played between the two. Obi-Wan learned that this young queen had quite the competitive streak in her, continuing to play well into the rising sun at any chance to beat him. As the second sun had just started rising they had been evenly matched, the Queen winning the last round. It was the chirping of Jedi Kenobi's comm that gave them pause before starting another round. He politely excused himself and she took that moment as well to head back to her quarters and refresh herself for the day.

After washing her face for the morning, Rabé came to help her reapply her make-up, the white of it covering up her already pale skin. She took an extra moment to look at her red lips, the scar of remembrance a true reality of what might be coming their way. Her fellow handmaidens had not asked about her lack of presence this morning. They already knew of her issues with sleep and had long ago relented to her need of distraction in the night. Shortly after, they were called upon by Jedi Kenobi and Captain Panaka.

"Your highness, I wished to update you on our current situation." She nodded her consent and he continued. "It seems my master has been found another solution." She could tell by Captain Panaka's face he was not pleased. She steeled herself to remain impassive, knowing the news he brought was most likely not a traditional solution.

"There is a pod race event that may enable us to secure the parts that we need." Sabé took pause at his words, waiting for a continued explanation. He seemed quite hesitant to continue. As the silence waned onward, she tried to make her own sense of it, but came to no conclusion.

"How is this possible Jedi Kenobi?" She ventured.

"My Master has placed his bets with a boy. We are likely to win what we need. It is a non traditional solution, your highness, but I have faith in my Master and the force." He finished this explanation with a slight bow, avoiding her gaze for sure.

She sighed heavily through her nose. While her face remained a blank canvas, her mind reeled. Surely this was not the solution. What were these Jedi thinking? She felt so helpless here. Her only choice was to rely on them, no matter how desperately she did not want to. No doubt Padmé was furious at this decision. However, if the message had made it this far, she must have acquiesced. She would have to accept this as well.

"Thank you, Jedi Kenobi. Our faith is in your Master." With this he dismissed himself and Sabé wondered if faith was enough.


Sabé wondered if she would ever sleep, as she made another round about the ships cabin. Being awake two days straight would count as a challenge to keep up her duties as decoy. It would be harder to control her expressions and emotions if she was not careful.

Hearing Jedi Kenobi's voice from the cockpit, she felt she should quicken her pace. She had already overheard two conversations and would hate for there to be a third time.

She was grateful the door was closed, the only words she could make out being 'off the charts' and 'midi-chlorian count'. None of which made sense regarding their current situation.

After several more rounds about the ship, she settled for the hull again. Intent on having better tea, she made her own and extra in case she would need more or if he were to join her again. She secretly hoped he would. He had at least distracted her from her mind, which seemed to be running rampant even more since his announcement this morning. From what she could learn about pod races, they were highly dangerous and anything and everything could go wrong. She mentally tried to recite her favorite poem in her mind, but it did little to abate her racing fears.


Obi-wan had felt her worry slowly reach out to him. It was just as slight as before, so carefully hidden behind walls, just slipping between cracks to escape. She must be struggling to sleep again. This would be worrisome indeed if he had to carry a delirious queen to safety. He rationalized in his mind, it would be best to see her before hand and see if something could be done, rather than waiting for her to fall apart. He was unsurprised to find her in the same position she had been the night before. Chin propped in her hand, staring out the window. Her eyes were glazed over, and he could see some of the purple under her eyes beginning to form beneath the white make up. Her hair had begun to loosen from her tight braids, and strands of hair fell around her face. He debated whether to ask or just find a way. Would she resist if he asked? Would she be horrified if he did not and she discovered it?

"What is a midi-chlorian?" Her eyes had not left the window; she must have seen his reflection.

He walked over and reached for the chair across from her. Saying as he sat down, "They're microscopic intelligent life forms that reside within us, as a symbiotic relationship of sorts. Depending on the concentration, it allows some to sense and use the force."

She did not respond. Just continued to stare out the window, lost in her own thoughts.

"Your highness, I hate to be presumptuous, but I must insist that you rest this evening." His tone was again concerned, but more firm than the night before.

She ignored his statement, getting up and returning, offering him a mug of tea. Her gaze slowly met his.

"Tell me Jedi Kenobi, do you think the senate will listen to our cause?"

Her question startled him. Then again, of course she was thinking on this. They were stuck here on their way to plea to the senate and hopefully rescue her people.

"The more I think on it, the more concerned we are wasting time and efforts. The blockade has already existed. Our people are already starving and the senate has done nothing. Am I a hopeless fool to hope they might do something for an invasion?"

He looked at her thoughtfully. Here she was again, pondering things well beyond her years. She slowly shook her head.

"I apologize. It was improper of me to ask you such things. I know the Jedi are keepers of the peace, not politicians." A small sad smile graced her young face.

"If you find sleep eludes you, your highness, please allow me to assist you tonight. With guidance from the force, we will be leaving for Coruscant tomorrow and sleep will do you well." Her eyes sent her unspoken question to him. "It is simply a suggestion from the force." She nodded slowly. He stood up next to her, offering out an arm.

"We should begin the walk to your quarters, lest the handmaiden's think I have done you harm carrying you in asleep." This earned a small chuckle of amusement from her, and she reached to loop her arm through his. They walked in silence, as his other hand came to rest upon hers.

She felt a calming presence take over her, slowly creeping into her thoughts. Obi-Wan's lulling voice telling her to sleep, that there would be peace for her tonight. They had just made it to her door when Jedi Kenobi bid her farewell, warning her to head straight to her bed. She was glad she heeded his advice, as she nearly collapsed into it. Her eyes finally closed, mind quiet and Sabé slept the most peaceful she had in years.