A/N: A lot of reviewers commented on Qui-Gon's mistake in the previous chapter. I figured that if he's supposed to be such a great Jedi then how come he got beaten by Darth Maul? (Apart from the fact that Maul is a very cool Sith) So it made sense (to me anyway!) that he would be slipping on other things too. After all, he's only human, Jedi or not.
Chapter Eleven – Alliance.
Once back in the throne room with the others, Sabé found that Padmé, Rabé and Eirtaé had changed into identical maroon battle outfits. They had no hoods, merely velvet overcoats over a matching jumpsuit and boots. Much more practical than the flame-coloured robes. They also wore blasters at their sides, a look that the people of Naboo didn't usually opt for.
Sabé tugged the battle dress over the black jumpsuit that she had worn on Coruscant. The hairstyle of the handmaidens was very severe, a simple bun pulled tightly back. Sabé wanted something similar, but Rabé, the hairstyle extraordinaire, insisted that the Queen should have something more complicated.
"But Rabé, I need to be able to move without being afraid of losing half the accessories. If Padmé does so much as walk quickly in some of those…things you put on her head she'd probably end up with a broken neck." She looked over at her cousin for support.
Padmé shrugged. "I've given up trying to argue with her."
"Okay," Sabé sighed. "Just as long as it's out of my face and I can move without taking someone's eye out."
Later, when she was fully disguised as Queen Amidala, Padmé gave her a final briefing on what to say to the Gungan leader. She felt horribly nervous and a knot of fear twisted outlandishly inside her stomach. She didn't want to go into battle. The Naboo were peaceful. Leading an army of troops into Theed went against everything she'd ever believed in. She was afraid and she knew it. She and the other handmaidens had been well trained in all forms of combat and military procedure, but that only offered a little reassurance.
At length, Obi-Wan was sent to inform them that they had landed.
"Thank you, Jedi Kenobi," Sabé said in a regal tone.
Obi-Wan sensed her frayed nerves and sent her a supportive sensation of calm through the Force that she greatly welcomed. She led the handmaidens from the ship, the young Jedi at her side. Once outside in the humid Nabooian air she felt more composed and sought out the Gungan.
"Jar Jar Binks, are you ready?"
He nodded. "Mesa ready, Your Highness."
"Go to then." She offered a small smile.
Padmé slipped off to talk to Anakin and Sabé quietly conversed with Eirtaé and Rabé. The guards and the pilots stood around saying very little. Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan were deeply involved in what appeared to be a serious discussion. Everyone waited. They could do nothing else. Presently, Padmé returned to Sabé with a tiny smile on her face.
"What could possibly be amusing at this time?"
"It's Anakin," she answered fondly. "Asked where you were. I said that the Queen had to leave some guards aboard the ship and you were one of them. I hope he's okay during this battle. I'm going to try and look out for him, but I doubt I'll get much chance. I don't know why he's become so important to me, but he really has."
"It's funny how things work out isn't it?"
Padmé's expression became sympathetic. "Are you thinking of your Jedi?"
"He's not my Jedi," Sabé hissed exasperatedly, "and he never will be, it's forbidden."
"Well he should be," Padmé countered. "He could do much worse."
"Thanks. I think."
A splashing sound drew their attention towards Jar Jar emerging from the lake. Sabé and Padmé looked up in hope.
"Dare-sa nobody dare," he said, dashing it, "the Gungan city is deserted. Some kinda fighting mesa tinks."
"Do you think they've been taken to the camps?" Obi-Wan asked, approaching with Qui-Gon.
"More likely they were wiped out," Panaka offered, cheerful as ever.
"Mesa no tink so," Jar Jar said with confidence.
"Do you know where they are, Jar Jar?" Qui-Gon asked firmly.
"When in trouble, Gungans go to sacred place. Mesa show you, come on, mesa show you."
He led the group deep into the swamp to a small, well-concealed clearing that Sabé would never have found on her own. A giant vine-covered statue's head served as a podium for a large, heavy Gungan, obviously the leader. Sabé looked over at Obi-Wan who confirmed this assumption with a slight nod.
After some banter between the Gungans and Jar Jar it was her turn to speak. With her friends and companions behind her she stepped forward.
"I am Queen Amidala of the Naboo," she began. "I come before you in peace." Sabé watched Boss Nass with interest.
"Naboo biggen. Yousa bringing da Mackineeks. Yousa all bombad."
His tone would suggest that the status of Queen made no difference to Sabé's authority, (or lack thereof). 'Mackineeks,' she assumed, was Gungan-speak for battle droids. It took her a minute to pluck up courage to continue, but when she did, she spoke again, this time getting straight to the point.
"We have searched you out because we wish to form an alliance–"
"Your Honour!" Padmé's voice rang out. Padmé Naberrie's, not Queen Padmé Amidala's.
"Whosa dis?" Boss Nass demanded, watching the headstrong young Queen push her way forward.
"I am Queen Amidala. Sabé is my decoy, my protection, my loyal bodyguard." She turned and Sabé read 'no alternative' in her eyes. The decoy Queen stepped backwards, feeling disappointed. She had failed.
Qui-Gon wore a smile on his lined face, but his eyes betrayed his surprise. Anakin's expression was a picture of complete stupefaction. Obi-Wan, however, smiled knowingly.
"I'm sorry for my deception," Padmé said to all, "but it was necessary to protect myself." She directed her speech to Boss Nass. "Although we do not always agree, Your Honour, our two great societies have always lived in peace. The Trade Federation has destroyed all that we have worked so hard to build. If we do not act quickly all will be lost forever. I ask you to help us. No, I beg you to help us." She dropped lightly to her knees.
There was an audible gasp from those gathered behind. The Queen of Naboo on her knees in the swamp bowing before a Gungan? Sabé was not surprised. Padmé would do anything to help her people. The decoy Queen knelt down. The others, including Jar Jar, followed the example. Last to kneel were the Jedi, but kneel they did and Padmé said, "We are your humble servants. Our fate is in your hands."
They all remained on their knees for what seemed like an eternity. Then there was a loud "Ha!" from Boss Nass. Sabé couldn't work out if this was a good sign or not. Then he began to laugh. "Yousa no tinken yousa greater den da Gungans?"
Padmé shook her head.
"Mesa like dis. Maybe wesa bein friends."
The Naboo party grinned and rose. Sabé felt hope fill her heart. Padmé had done it with another stroke of political genius. She was always amazed by her ability to know exactly what to do in each situation.
"Padmé, I'm so sorry, I failed you," she said quietly, catching her friend's arm.
"Sabé, you didn't fail me. You did wonderfully. I just realised that no matter how grandly the Queen was dressed up or how cordially she spoke they weren't going to listen. I would have realised the same thing if it had been me in that dress, only I might not have been able to rectify the situation as effectively. I had to win their trust by revealing my secret. I want you to stay in that costume though," she smiled thoughtfully. "I have an idea."