Chapter Thirteen
The next day, Padme made Sarali wear a dress to the celebration. She was very nearly mortified by it, but, of course, the Queen had insisted. That got the partial human to her current situation of standing beside Obi-Wan and Anakin as one of the heroes of the hour. Apparently, Obi-Wan had told people of how Sarali had helped to kill the Sith.
Quickly, she shook off her thoughts of the past and focused on the parade moving toward them. It was made up of Gungan soldiers marching along with Boss Nass and Jar Jar riding on very large creatures native to the swamps. Once they reached the steps, the parade stopped and the two Gungans dismounted. They walked up the steps so that Boss Nass stood beside Padme with Jar Jar on his other side.
The governor of the city handed Padme a large energy orb. She in turn handed it to Boss Nass, symbolizing their peace. That made Sarali smile. She was very glad that such a beautiful planet like Naboo was liberated from the Trade Federation. If they hadn't been, the planet would've been destroyed to a desolate wasteland.
Of course, she regretted that Qui-Gon was not there to see this, for he had helped to create this. However, she knew her pain and grief was nowhere near as severe as Obi-Wan's. They had been almost as father and son for years, and then he was suddenly ripped from the apprentice. He could recover, but he would never be quite the same person.
There was more to think of than the past, though. Sarali had to look ahead to the life that awaited her as Padme's bodyguard. Thus far, that meant that she should always be by Padme. Of course, that made perfect sense as they had just overthrown an oppressive force. There would likely still be danger, but it was manageable in comparison.
Despite all this, she wondered if she'd ever see Anakin or Obi-Wan again. She'd heard that Anakin was now Jedi Obi-Wan's apprentice, and she was glad for him. This was what he had always wanted. Now, he merely had to apply himself.
Chancellor Palpatine's mind was running on quite a different path. He knew very well that his plans had failed. At the same time, he was now Supreme Chancellor. With his new power, he could change the Senate until he had more and more power until this very same power was absolute and total control. Then, he could rule the galaxy.
First, he needed to convert the Chosen One and her. Without them, his plans would fail. He needed both of them to trust him, but that would be especially hard with her as she would be on Naboo. Then again, if Amidala became a senator after her term as Queen, then he could talk with her more and gain her trust.
A once more different thought process was whirling through the mind of a one Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi. He was, of course, still quite sad about Qui-Gon, but he had accepted that his master was with the Force. Now, he looked forward to training Anakin. From what he could tell of the boy, it would be quite interesting.
For a second, he glanced over at Sarali. She had been there for him when Qui-Gon had died. He had to repay her for that, even if it took the rest of her life.
Later that day, Obi-Wan and his new apprentice left for the Jedi Temple. Neither of their lives would be the same after the events here, but they didn't expect them to be. Things would change. They would meet new people, do all sorts of new things, struggle, succeed, survive, and live. That was the way of the galaxy, of the universe.