***Chapter 22***
The morning sunlight streams in through the large bay windows. Obi-Wan stares out toward the funeral temple and sighs. In the calm peacefulness of the morning, it is almost impossible to believe the events of the prior day actually happened.
He turns and watches Lexi, who is still sleeping soundly. He is reluctant to wake her, but they have so much to do. The Gungans will be honoring their fallen heroes today. They will attend, and of course Master Qui-Gon will insist on going as well. Tomorrow the Naboo will follow suit, honoring the ones who gave their lives fighting for Naboo's freedom. Master 'Oru will lie in state until the Council arrives.
Obi-Wan walks over and sits on the edge of the bed. He begins to softly stroke Lexi's hair.
"Please don't make me wake up," Lexi groans.
"You can't sleep forever, Love."
"Sure I can, because once I get up, I have to admit that Master 'Oru is really gone. If I stay in bed I can tell myself it is just another horrible nightmare."
"Lex…"
Lexi lets out a heavy sigh, "Fine." She sits up, pulling her knees to her chest and wrapping her arms around them. "I just don't understand why he didn't tell me he was sick."
They sit in silence for a bit and then Obi-Wan looks at her with a grin. "I can think of two very good reasons."
"Really? What are they?"
"Well, my first thought is that you would find out when the illness really took hold anyway. He probably wanted to spend what healthy days he had left really enjoying life and those he loved. If he told people they would treat him differently and be sad all the time around him instead of just enjoying his company."
"Ok, I can see your point there. So, what's the other reason?"
Obi-Wan smiles widely, "Because he knew if he told you that you would go all crazy redhead on the healers."
Lexi's eyes widen and her jaw drops, "And just what do you mean by that, Kenobi?"
"Oh, come on. You know you would. You would rush right into the healing rooms, demanding they find some cure immediately. And you wouldn't take no for an answer, even though there was nothing they could have done. You are very stubborn when you want to be."
She points her finger at him about to protest, but then slowly retracts it with a sigh. "Ok, you're right…I guess."
"You know I'm right," he laughs. "The way you fight for what you believe in is part of what makes you so adorable."
Lexi rolls her eyes and gives him a playful shove. "Whatever."
"What a way to treat the man you love," he teases. "Now hurry and get dressed. We've got to warn the medics…they will probably try and put Qui-Gon in a hover chair."
"That would not end well for the medics," Lexi smiles.
The ride to Lake Paonga is somber as the Jedi, Naboo, and Gungans come together to celebrate the Gungans who gave their lives for Naboo's freedom.
Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan, Lexi, Anakin, the Queen, and Captain Panaka stand at the forefront of the group with the Gungan officials. All stand and watch in silent reverence as the bodies of the fallen Gungan are placed on rafts made from the leaves and branches of the cambylictus and perlote trees.
Candles are lit and placed in the folded hands of the deceased. The rafts are then placed on the water and pushed out into the mist. Curved horns are blown and make a wailing, mournful sound.
Because of the large number of Gungans who lost their lives, the ceremony takes several hours. It is difficult for Qui-Gon to stand, but he insists on it. Obi-Wan and Lexi stand to either side of him…just in case.
When the ceremony ends they walk with Qui-Gon to the nearest speeder. They can feel his relief as he takes a seat inside. The Jedi Master closes his eyes and gently leans back in the seat.
Obi-Wan and Lexi climb into the speeder on either side of Qui-Gon. Both very concerned for his health, they silently vow to make sure the Jedi Master is taken straight to bed as soon as they arrive back at the palace.
"Are you sure Master Qui-Gon will be alright?" Anakin asks for the fifth time in as many minutes.
"Yes," Obi-Wan sighs, "he has been through worse than this and come out fine. And he has you to keep an eye on him."
Anakin looks between Qui-Gon's room and Padmé, who he sees standing at the end of the long hallway.
"You've done a wonderful job of taking care of Qui-Gon," Lexi says with a smile. "And he should sleep for the rest of the evening. Why don't you go have dinner with the Queen? She seems to love your company."
"You think so?" Anakin beams.
"Definitely," Obi-Wan agrees. "And you need to eat…if your stomach grumbles any louder, you might actually wake him up."
He looks back into Qui-Gon's room one more time and then takes off for Padmé.
"Smooth," Obi-Wan chuckles.
"I could say the same about you. Are you complaining?"
"Not at all." He takes her hand and kisses it gently. "I will never complain about having time alone with you. Would you care to take a walk through the palace courtyard?"
"I would love to." They walk slowly, hand-in-hand, down the hall and out into the courtyard. Lexi rests her head on his shoulder as they walk. They make it halfway around the perimeter when the handmaiden Sabé, coming from the opposite direction, stops in front of them. Sabé gives Lexi a quick glare and then turns her attention to Obi-Wan. Lexi gives Obi-Wan a puzzled look. He blushes and nervously clears his throat.
Missed you at breakfast this morning, Obi-Wan," Sabé says with a sweet smile.
"Oh, uh, I didn't realize I was expected." He replies uncomfortably. His grip on Lexi's hand tightens ever so slightly. "We…slept in this morning."
"We?" the handmaiden asks.
"Lexi and I," he says, blushing more and wanting the conversation to end.
"I don't believe we've been introduced," Lexi smiles as she holds out her hand.
The handmaiden sighs and gives her hand a quick shake. "I'm Sabé," she replies with another glare.
"Nice to meet you…" Lexi says slowly. "Would you like to talk to Obi-Wan alone?"
"No!" Obi-Wan replies quickly before Sabé can say anything. "I mean, we can talk together, right?" His face turns as red as Lexi's hair.
"I need to be on my way anyway," Sabé grumps and walks away.
Lexi waits until the handmaiden is out of earshot and then turns to Obi-Wan. "Seems you have an admirer," she grins.
"It's not funny, Lexi," Obi-Wan frowns.
"Sure it is," she laughs. "You should have seen yourself squirm! You are just so adorable when you are nervous."
"Lexi, she is nearly half my age! It's…creepy!"
"Well, I guess you are just too sexy for your own good."
"You're not going to let this go, are you?"
"Nope," she smiles. She gently tugs on his braid, pulling his face to hers for a quick kiss. She releases his braid and looks at him with a mischievous smile on her face.
"Do I even want to know?" he asks hesitantly.
She shrugs, "I just thought of the perfect nickname for you."
"Oh, no…I'm afraid to ask…"
She backs up a few steps. "Sexy beast," she laughs.
Obi-Wan's face turns redder than Lexi thought possible. "You had better not repeat that to anyone!"
"No? I thought I'd go tell Master Qui-Gon. I'm sure he'd get a big kick out of it…you know, laughter is the best medicine." She teases.
"Lexi!"
"You don't want me to share your cool nickname with your own Master?"
"Uh, NO!"
"Then I guess you are just going to have to catch me, Kenobi…you sexy beast," she laughs and takes off running.
"You wouldn't dare," he hollers. Oh, yes she would! He quickly takes off after her.
The following morning the funeral ceremonies for the fallen Naboo soldiers and pilots are held. Typically Naboo funerals are held in the Theed funeral temple, but because so many lost their lives in the fight against the Trade Federation, the ceremony is held in the central plaza.
The Naboo believe that a body must be cremated within two days of death in order for the departed's life force to return to the planet. Funeral pyres burn throughout the plaza and as they burn out the ashes are taken and thrown from the bridge between the temple and the Livet Tower into the Solleu River.
When the ceremony is complete, all the officials return to the palace to prepare for the arrival of the new Supreme Chancellor and the Jedi Council. They will arrive the following day, and then final funeral ceremony will be held that evening.
