Chapter Sixteen – Celebration.
When Sabé awoke in the morning she took several seconds to work out where she was. She felt the unfamiliar weight of Obi-Wan's cloak over her and could spot the blond head of Anakin asleep in one of the twin beds.
She lay still for a while, enjoying the warmth and tranquillity of just waking up. Then she sat up, as her blaster had left a painful dent in her thigh, and looked around, holding Obi-Wan's robe to her. She was on his bed. His tunic and belt lay on the sofa where the young Jedi had obviously spent a less than comfortable night.
Sabé slipped off the bed and rearranged her blaster underneath her handmaiden's robe to a more suitable position. Then she walked a little way into the room and noticed Obi-Wan standing on the balcony, watching the sunrise. She had never seen him look so informal. He was dressed in his usual trousers and boots, but wore a simple loose shirt rather than his tunic. Sabé cleared her throat quietly and stepped out onto the balcony.
"Good morning," she greeted him.
"Hello. Did you sleep well?"
"Yes, thank you. You?"
"Yes." His voice wasn't entirely convincing.
Sabé gazed out at the rising sun, trying to judge what time it was.
"Too early, you've got time yet," Obi-Wan told her.
"I have to attend to Padmé at seven."
"You have about half an hour."
"Thank you. May I use the refresher?"
"Of course."
Sabé disappeared to smooth her clothing and wash her face and later emerged looking much more awake. She thanked Obi-Wan for his kindness and left the room. She did not see him again in nearly a week.
Everyone had worked hard in attempting to restore Theed and the rest of Naboo to its former glory. Padmé had decided she could not put off the celebration parade for much longer and had set a date, despite the unfinished work. Chancellor Palpatine and the Jedi Council had remained on Naboo to take part and the Queen could not ask them to spend any more time there. Obi-Wan and Anakin had been given an extra week's leave before they had to return to Coruscant. The boy could not be more pleased. His Master too seemed happy with the arrangement.
Sabé had her chamber to herself again, as the family she had housed had a newly built home. She hung out her gown on the eve of the parade so that it would not be creased.
For special occasions royal handmaidens wore a dress of green with a dark green velvet hood. Sabé's childhood friend Raye had designed it, along with the other handmaidens' robes and the majority of Padmé's gowns of office. It was one of Sabé's favourite dresses, but so far she had only worn it twice and one of those occasions had been the fitting. The other had been Padmé's coronation ceremony.
In the morning she dressed quickly and walked to Padmé's chambers where Rabé and Saché were already smoothing out wrinkles in the cloak of her celebration gown. Padmé was sitting at the mirror applying her red lipstick.
Sabé was in charge of hair that morning and she began to weave a diadem into Padmé's thick brunette mane. A good few hours later Queen Padmé Amidala was finally ready for the parade. Sabé reached up and unclipped her cousin's amulet.
"Here. You said you'd wear it again when Naboo was free."
Padmé slipped it on under her dress. "Thank you," she whispered.
Sabé nodded and called for Eirtaé and Yané. The party made its way to the throne room where everyone had gathered. Sabé smiled to see Anakin in his brand new Jedi Padawan tunic. His hair had been trimmed and part of Obi-Wan's Padawan braid, which had been removed as part of his knighthood, now joined Anakin's own. Obi-Wan caught Sabé's eye and they exchanged a smile.
"Listen," Padmé said quietly.
Outside, the sound of hundreds of people cheering floated up to the throne room. She smiled at the group and crossed to the window. The streets were full of people waving flags and banners in the bright afternoon sun.
"The Naboo have faith," she muttered wistfully.
"Come, Your Majesty." Palpatine stepped forward. "Or we will be late."
The group made their way quickly to one of the back entrances where several speeders waited. Sabé spotted Yané's younger sisters in one of them. Padmé had promised they could go along.
The speeders took them through the deserted back streets to the end of the main promenade leading up to the palace. When everyone had vacated the transport they arranged themselves in the proper formation. Padmé led, of course, accompanied by Supreme Chancellor Palpatine, Obi-Wan and Anakin. The latter two were there by the Queen's request. The handmaidens came next, the elegant hooded robes hiding concealed blasters, just in case. The Council of Governors, the Jedi Council and other dignitaries came afterwards followed by R2-D2. Sabé smiled to see the little droid rolling cheerfully along.
They walked slowly back to the palace, acknowledging the gathered people with smiles and nods. Sabé did not greet anyone, as it was not her place, although she couldn't suppress a grin when she saw her mother in the crowd with Padmé's parents and Sola.
Obi-Wan didn't like all the fuss, but his heart lightened to see the happy faces of the Naboo people. He sensed a surge of joy from Sabé and turned towards the point of it. An older woman, apparently her mother, was waving a brightly coloured banner. He smiled.
When they reached the steps of the palace they stopped halfway up and turned to face the crowd. Padmé held up her white arms for silence. The babble died down.
"Citizens of Naboo," she cried, her voice enhanced by hidden microphones. "I am truly heartened by your support. As you know, our world has once more been scarred by the misery of war and we will work harder than ever for continuing peace." This drew a cheer from the gathered people. "The battle to reclaim our planet shone light on brave heroes, many of which are standing here with me now. And although the fighting caused terrible things, it has also been the cause of something good. All the people of Naboo have finally come together in alliance. I give you the heroes of the Battle of the Plains, the Gungans." Padmé raised an arm to gesture the end of the street where the Gungans had begun their part of the parade.
Sabé watched with a smile, scanning the crowd for potential troublemakers, but there were none. This was truly an occasion for joy. Obi-Wan and Anakin stood in front of her, (whether it was by accident or design, Sabé didn't know), and she stealthily squeezed the ex-Padawan's fingertips.
Obi-Wan smiled at that and squeezed back. He glanced down at Anakin. The boy could not stop staring at Padmé. Her white gown and petal cloak made her look luminous and the large collar gave her the appearance of the angel he had first mistaken her for. Obi-Wan dismissed it, believing Anakin's interest to be down to the fact that he had probably never seen anyone like her on Tatooine. Little did he know that the boy's attachment to Padmé would be far more dangerous than Obi-Wan's growing attachment to her handmaiden.
When the Gungans reached the steps Boss Nass and Jar Jar jumped down from their kaadu mounts and approached the Queen's party. Padmé handed the iridescent Globe of Peace to Boss Nass, who held it up high and cried, "Peace!" for all to hear. Sabé grinned at the whoops of the crowd. Padmé turned to give Anakin a smile and then sent one her cousin's way. Obi-Wan too smiled at her over his shoulder.
After the parade there were speeches, followed by a celebration in the streets. Padmé dismissed her handmaidens and stood watching the seething crowd of Naboo and Gungans with Sabé, Obi-Wan and Palpatine. Anakin was visible dancing a jig with one of Yané's sisters.
"Well," Sabé said, "I think you've truly won the popularity vote now."
Padmé smiled, switching to her normal accent. "I hope so."
Behind them Eirtaé, Rabé, Saché and Yané emerged from the palace dressed in their own clothes and headed down the steps to join the party.
"Chancellor, will you be joining us for the celebration?" Padmé asked.
"No," Palpatine said gruffly. "I leave for Coruscant soon. The Jedi Council wish to return as well. I believe they have already returned to the ship."
"Of course."
"I once again offer my congratulations to you for freeing our world," he smiled briefly and walked up the steps.
"Did anyone notice that he didn't address you by title then?" Sabé voiced when the Chancellor was out of earshot.
"Yes," Obi-Wan put in.
"I did," Padmé nodded. "I think it was because I dropped my court accent. It must have lowered my status or something." She shrugged. "Anyway, Sabé, Master Kenobi, are you joining in?"
Both nodded an affirmative and Sabé excused herself, saying that she was going to change.
"If you come out in a jumpsuit, Sab, I'll feed you to the Colo-Claw fish!"
"Being Queen doesn't give you the right to do that!" Sabé laughed.
"Oh yes it does, so you'd better be thankful that I'm coming to supervise you," Padmé said with a grin. "Please excuse us, Master Kenobi."
Obi-Wan smiled. "Of course."
"I wonder if he really will join in the party," Sabé mused as they walked up the steps.
Padmé let out a little laugh. "Oh I would pay a lot to see a Jedi dance."
"Do you want to make that a bet?"
"No, you'd win!"
Sabé smirked at that. "Surely that's the idea, Cous!"
Half an hour later the two emerged once more from the palace. Padmé had removed the ceremonial garb of Queen Amidala and was dressed in a simple but elegant purple gown. She had kept the face-paint and hairstyle as a point of recognition. She had also managed to get her own way over Sabé's clothing. The handmaiden wore a dress of flowing blue-grey fabric and her hair was fastened in an elegant upsweep. As they passed their gaze over the crowd several faces turned to look. There was only one, however, that had been watching the whole time.
"People of Naboo!" Padmé called, adopting her court accent once more. "I come before you not just as Queen, but as a resident of the fair city of Theed to celebrate our hard-won peace! May it last for many years!"
The crowd cheered and a group of men began playing instruments. A young woman sang along in a clear, pleasant voice. The Queen and her decoy stood watching the dancing with contented expressions.
"Look at the children," Sabé pointed out. "Just seeing them so happy makes it seem worthwhile. You're their hero now, you realise."
"Oh please."
"No, I'm serious. Look at how they look up to you."
"Padmé!"
The Queen turned to see Sola running up the steps, her parents and new fiancé, Darred, in tow. She leapt at Padmé and enveloped her in a hug.
"I'm so proud of you, little sis!"
Sabé smiled and slipped away to allow her cousin some privacy.
"Hello, Sabé dear," Jobal said as she passed.
"Hello, Aunt Jobal."
She noticed her mother standing at the sidelines, close to where Obi-Wan was watching the dancing, and headed over. "Mother!"
"Sabé! I'm so glad to see you safe!"
"The feeling's mutual. Are you all right?"
"Yes. They didn't put me in any of those terrible camps."
Sabé raised an eyebrow. "No? How did you manage that?"
"Oh." Her mother's face took on an amused expression. "I hit the battle droid over the head with a saucepan and fled to the lake country."
"You did what?" Sabé was incredulous.
"I hit–"
"No, I heard you. It's just…surprising."
She noticed Obi-Wan watching the dancers with fixation, a smile twitching about his face.
"Excuse me, Master Kenobi, but I don't think it's very funny!"
He turned to face them and Sabé's mother gave him a questioning glance.
"It's not what your mother said, Sabé, it was your reaction."
Her mother laughed. "She forgets that I used to be head of palace security."
Obi-Wan walked the short distance towards them. "Obi-Wan Kenobi." He offered a hand. "I was protecting your daughter while she was decoy."
"Maré Naberrie."
"Mother likes to believe she set the trend for accented names," Sabé smiled. "There are only a few her age whose names end in é."
"A pleasure to meet you," Obi-Wan said, full of charm. "Sabé, could I have a word with you after you've spent some time with your mother?"
She nodded. "Of course."
"I'll come and find you, I've got to go and check on Anakin." He strode off.
"He seems like a nice young man."
Sabé sighed. "Yes, he is a great friend." Then she caught the expression on her mother's face. "Mother, don't start that again. Jedi aren't allowed to marry anyway."
Maré frowned. "That's a shame."
"Isn't it," Sabé said sarcastically, knowing full well the irony of her tone.
Shortly, Obi-Wan arrived back and the two escaped while Maré went to gossip with her sister-in-law.
"I'm sorry about that," Sabé said, "she can be a bit of a case sometimes."
Obi-Wan laughed. "I found her to be very nice."
"What did you want to talk to me about?"
"Oh nothing. I just thought you would probably want rescuing at some point."
"Well if that was it, all I've heard about Jedi rescues has definitely been overrated!"
"Why thank you."
He looked down at her with a beaming smile. She found it captivating.
"May I say what a truly lovely dress Her Highness has made you wear?"
Sabé smirked. "You may. Thank you."
There was a pause, then Obi-Wan chuckled softly.
"What?"
"Anakin. Dancing with all the girls."
Sabé looked over at the blue-eyed boy. "He'll be a heartbreaker, that one."
Obi-Wan nodded. "I believe you could be right."
Suddenly Saché appeared in front of them with two young men that Sabé recognised from times she had been to her friend's gatherings.
"Sabé! Come and dance!"
She allowed them to take her hands and pull her away. She looked back at Obi-Wan. "Are you coming?"
He had never been much of a dancer. "I'll watch."
She smiled and he watched her friends drag her into position for the next. He'd seen dances like this presented as part of summer parties on other worlds. They were mostly folk dances, performed in groups and worked to the best effect if all in the group danced in time. He let his gaze rise up to the sky where early evening dusk had begun to show up the stars. Qui-Gon was there somewhere, he thought, observing it all. He had always enjoyed celebrations.
Obi-Wan turned his attention back to Sabé. She danced with her partner with the weightlessness of an angel. Every step was perfect; a side effect of court etiquette. He found himself quite entranced. Yoda's words came back to him; 'Qui-Gon's defiance I sense in you.' Those words had been spoken at his knighthood. There they had applied to Anakin's training. Now, they seemed to apply to another person altogether. But was he defiant enough to fall in love? He wasn't sure. He knew he certainly felt an attraction to Sabé, physically and mentally. But did that mean he loved her? He stood brooding over it for the duration of the celebration, joining in the handmaidens' chatter with a preoccupied mind. A good deal of the week of leave was spent the same way, meditating on his losses and gains, and by the end of it he wasn't sure he was any clearer.
A/N: One more chapter of TPM, then we miraculously skip forward eight years. Ah the beauty of science! : )