Updated A/N (2010): A few additions to the observations at the dinner table here.
Chapter Fifteen – Aftermath.
Padmé's dinner was very informal. She attended not as a Queen, but as a girl among friends. Sola could not make it, so the table was set only for four. Obi-Wan was grateful; he still did not feel in the right frame of mind for meeting new people. The painful shock of losing Qui-Gon still weighed heavily on his heart, however well his Jedi training allowed him to cope with it.
Yané had lit candles on the table and around the dining chamber, casting a soft glow over the faces of the diners. Padmé observed her companions: Anakin's bright young face beaming at everyone, re-telling how he had flown a Nabooian fighter into the droid control ship and blown it up, thus saving the Gungan army; Obi-Wan's quiet, calm seriousness, as if his parting from Qui-Gon had left him with the weight of the galaxy on his shoulders; Sabé's expressionless face, etched with a sadness that Padmé could not decipher. She couldn't think why her friend should feel sad at such a time of victory. She had hardly known Qui-Gon and her family were all safe. Confused, Padmé continued to watch her, worried by her depressive mood.
Sabé took a sip of her Blossom Wine and looked up at Obi-Wan. The candlelight played on his face, casting interesting shadows, making him look luminous. He caught her gaze, eyes smiling fondly. Sabé, although she had of course noticed that he was a good-looking young man, had never really appreciated his handsome features. She had been struck by his dry wit, his gallantry and his kindness. Not to mention the fact that she would forever be grateful to him for helping them recapture Naboo. She suddenly understood the raised eyebrow expression that Saché had sent her when she had agreed to accompany Obi-Wan on a walk. She blushed slightly and turned her attention to her wine glass.
Obi-Wan saw her do so and took the opportunity to study her, still pondering over his feelings for her. It did not escape his notice that she looked radiant in the soft light. It had not escaped his notice that she looked radiant most of the time.
Padmé observed all of the glances and Sabé's looking away. She wrote herself a mental note to ask her friend exactly what was going on.
After dinner, when Obi-Wan and Anakin had been shown to a guest room, Padmé asked her friend a few important questions. Sabé confessed everything, cried on her shoulder and asked her advice. Padmé was shocked by her outburst. Sabé was always so cool-headed and together. The other handmaidens had teased her about Obi-Wan, calling him 'her Jedi', but Padmé had never imagined how close to the truth they were. Eventually, Padmé sent Sabé off to bed to get a good night's sleep and added her cousin's unhappiness to her list of worries.
The next morning, Sabé appeared in the throne room dressed in pale yellow handmaiden's robes. Her hood was up, but this fabric did not shroud her face as much as the flame-coloured gown and her pale complexion was visible. She had arrived at Padmé's chambers over half an hour late, but her cousin had overlooked it for once. After all, it was the first time it had happened since Sabé had been in her employ.
The Queen, dressed in black robes of office, sat on her throne conducting a meeting with Boss Nass, Obi-Wan, Panaka, Jar Jar, Sio Bibble and the Council of Governors. Her hair and face paint were immaculate due to Rabé's handiwork.
"Gentlemen," she began. "Now that we have secured our planet once more we must see about repairing it. As you know, I'm offering Theed Palace as a hostel for those who have been injured or lost their homes. The hospitals are unfortunately full already." She turned to Boss Nass. "Your Honour, are your people fairing well?"
"Da Gungans got grand supplies for ouch time," he replied proudly. "Wesa doin' okeday."
"I'm glad to hear it. If we can offer any assistance, please don't hesitate to ask. Captain, I take it the Viceroy is still secure."
Panaka nodded. "I've been in touch with Supreme Chancellor Palpatine. He's bringing some of his personal guards to take care of Gunray."
"Good," Padmé said firmly. "Jedi Kenobi, Master Yoda has informed me that the Jedi Council will be arriving here within the hour."
"Thank you, Your Highness."
Obi-Wan sat closest to the desk on the right-hand side. He was directly opposite Sabé, but distance and shadow concealed the fact from him. She, however, could observe his pleasant features without embarrassment or suspicion. Saché noticed her gaze and stuck the tiniest tip of her tongue out.
"I hope both you and Anakin will accompany me when we go to meet them," Padmé continued.
"We would be honoured, Your Highness."
As it was, the majority of the group assembled outside the palace to watch the Republic cruiser make its way towards them. Padmé, with the handmaidens lined up neatly at her side, watched with satisfaction as Nute Gunray and Rune Haako were handed over to the newly elected Supreme Chancellor's guards.
"Now, Viceroy," Padmé said coolly. "You're going to have to go back to the Senate and explain all this."
"I think you can kiss your trade franchise goodbye," Panaka said in a sharp tone.
As the Neimoidians were taken away, Obi-Wan and Anakin moved over to speak to the Jedi Council. They were accosted by Chancellor Palpatine, who patted Anakin on the shoulder before approaching the Queen's party.
"Congratulations on your election, Chancellor," Padmé offered.
Palpatine smiled. It was an expression Sabé did not like the look of.
"Your boldness has saved our people, Your Majesty, it is you who should be congratulated," he said. "Together we shall bring peace and prosperity to the Republic."
It was a promising statement, but Sabé did not think for a minute that it would be as easy as that. She did not like the way Palpatine addressed Padmé as 'Your Majesty' when everyone else called her 'Your Highness'. It seemed too much like he was trying to creep round her. Sabé didn't trust it.
The large group retreated inside the palace to hold discussions. Sabé barely had time to think all day. She was constantly running around completing tasks. The other handmaidens were also rushed off their feet, with the exception of Eirtaé and Yané who stayed to flank Padmé during the meetings. Every now and then Sabé would pass one of the others and they would just have time to nod at each other before carrying on with what they were doing. Around midday Saché, who was organising lunch, passed a heavily weighed down Sabé and shoved a bread roll in her mouth. Other than that, the handmaiden had little time to eat all day. She finally stopped rushing around when it was time for Qui-Gon's cremation service.
She hurried to her room to change into her royal blue velvet robes and ran to join the other handmaidens in the throne room. Padmé led the way to a small temple on the outskirts of Theed. Sabé and the others stood in the shadows at the back, swathed in their cloaks. Anakin stood just in front of her and she gave him an encouraging squeeze on the hand.
He turned his fair head to Obi-Wan, who had shrouded himself in his robe, and asked, "What will happen to me now?"
Obi-Wan looked at the boy and Sabé studied his profile against the fire.
"The Council had granted me permission to train you. You will become a Jedi, I promise you."
Sabé felt a jolt of surprise. Last she'd heard Anakin wasn't going to be trained at all. She wondered when and why such a change had come about.
The Queen and her handmaidens were the first to leave the temple and Obi-Wan did not see Sabé again until he literally stumbled over her in a corridor. She was leaning against a pillar, legs tucked under her, lost in an exhausted slumber. He knelt down and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Sabé? Wake up, my friend. You can't stay there, you'll freeze."
She wearily opened her eyes. "Mm?"
"Why are you asleep out here?"
"Oh. I gave my room over to a family whose home was destroyed." She shivered and yawned.
"Come on," Obi-Wan said, pulling her to her feet. "There's a spare sofa in our room."
He met little resistance from her, she was completely shattered. Eventually he just scooped her up and carried her. Her head lolled onto his shoulder. She felt warm and light and he had to stop himself from feeling slightly embarrassed at her closeness. It was the first time he'd been close to woman since Siri.
"What happened to her?" Anakin asked as he entered the room.
"Nothing, she's just over-tired." Obi-Wan put her down gently and spread his robe over her. He traced a finger across her cheek and sighed.
Anakin, watching in interest, would remember that for many years afterward and would only then come to realise just what the gesture meant.
"When did Padmé say the celebration was?" the boy asked quietly.
Obi-Wan turned. "In several days. It will take a while to get Theed cleaned up."
"Oh yeah." Anakin stifled a yawn.
"Get some sleep, Padawan," Obi-Wan said gently, the words feeling strange in his mouth. "Or you won't want to get up in the morning."
"Okay. Good night, Master Obi-Wan."
Those words rang strangely in his ears too.
"Good night, Anakin."