Chapter Seventeen – The Gardens.

All too soon the day came for Obi-Wan and Anakin's departure. Padmé and Anakin had shared a private goodbye and the new Padawan had entered the ship looking very forlorn. Obi-Wan bowed before Padmé having said his formal farewell, but could not resist asking a final question, a matter of a personal nature.

"Your Highness. May I enquire as to where Sabé is? She has been a loyal friend and I would hate to miss saying goodbye."

"I believe she's in the gardens, Master Kenobi. Shall I send someone to fetch her?"

"No, I'll go. I won't be long, I promise."

Padmé nodded understandingly. "Very well."

Obi-Wan made his way quickly to the gardens, wondering why Sabé had not turned up to see them off. He spotted her at once, leaning against a wall, gazing out over the forest. He approached, his footsteps quietened by the early morning dew that sparkled the ground.

"Sabé."

She turned. "Hello, Obi-Wan. I thought you would have left by now."

He shook his head. "I would not leave without saying goodbye."

She sighed and huddled into her handmaiden's cloak. She wasn't on duty, but the air was chilly and the cloak kept her warm.

"I thought it would be easier."

"When you do things the easy way sometimes you miss out."

Sabé met his gaze. "I'm going to miss you, my friend," she said softly.

"And I you."

She held out her hand. "Goodbye."

He clasped it. "Until we meet again, Sabé. I have no doubt that we will."

He slowly drew nearer and gently brushed his lips across her cheek. Then he turned and walked towards the exit.

Sabé stood watching the man she loved walk away. Her cheek still tingled from his kiss.

"Obi-Wan. Wait. I'll come to the hangar and see you off."

He nodded and the two hurried back. After another round of goodbyes Obi-Wan boarded the ship and turned in the hatchway. There was only one face he looked at as he closed the hatch. He made his way to the cockpit, which, he was thankful to note, was empty apart from the pilot.

"Ready, sir?" he asked.

"Yes," he said softly, looking out of the window, conflicting emotions tugging at his chest.

The ship shuddered to life and began to move and in that instant he knew.

"Sabé," he whispered, as her figure grew steadily smaller. "I realised too late," he murmured, "I do love her."

Sabé watched the ship rocket away and felt a tear slip down her pale cheek.

"He looked back at you," Padmé whispered.

"Yes."

"He must love you."

"No. If he does it's not enough…not enough. I could never ask him to choose between me and the Jedi Order. It's for the best that he didn't…" She trailed off. "He never said as much. I will move on."

Padmé nodded, knowing her friend well enough to recognise that she was convincing herself.

"My fate is bound with Anakin's," she said, "through the Force. That means you will see him again, just as I will see that dear little boy."

"But when, Padmé? Anakin won't stay a dear little boy and Obi-Wan has no reason to wait for me. Not only is it forbidden by the Jedi Council, but I would not expect him to."

"I don't believe you will have to, Sabé."

A/N: And that concludes TPM in a short but sweet manner : )