The small party made its way through the swamps, avoiding the Federation droids along the roadway. They had two missions, to make successful contact with the republic and to secure the queen. Qui-gon was unsure of the intentions of the Federation but felt that the queen was in grave danger. Obi-wan thought it best to leave the young maiden behind with the rest of Captain Panaka's crew but Padmé insisted that she accompany them, and Panaka said it was his personal duty to keep her safe. They had decided once the Gungans left Bantanal, to only take a small party to the Capital, concluding that subtlety was their alley. So far, the girl had not slowed them down and she said that her knowledge of the city would be invaluable once they arrived on the palace grounds, but getting to the palace was what concerned Obi-wan. In order to get to Theed safely the small party was relying on the gungan Jar Jar, who obviously was not the brightest mind from Captain Tarpals squadron, but seemed to not mind being in the company of the Naboo, as long as Panaka limited his advice on how they should trek the swamp.
It had been sometime since Obi-wan had seen action on this scale. infact this planetary assault would be the largest confrontation he has faced with the potential to take his life, and he loved it. Obi-wan could hear Master Windu's disapproving words on the young Jedi's thirst for adventure and action.
There is no emotion, there is peace. The first lines of the Jedi code rang in Obi-wan's ear, but Obi-wan felt that he was fueled by his emotions, not through fear or rage, emotions destructive to a Jedi, but righteous indignation and love.
There is no passion, there is serenity. He had no problem with peace or serenity, believing they were to key to a great Jedi lifestyle but why not have emotions or passions? Qui-gon had told Obi-wan the Force moves in mysterious ways and uses one's emotions, but they are guided and directed by the force. His master always told Obi-wan that he often got to tangled up in rules and laws but needed to let the force be his master and teacher. Obi-wan's desire was to be a great Jedi, one of the best of his era, to bring peace and prosperity to all the galaxy in which there was no fear and no pain. Maybe those wishes were self righteous, but following the Jedi code to his best abilities always brought more peace to the places he and Qui-gon faced and when his emotions got the best of him most always brought him close to death.
There is no death, there is the Force.
He sighed, shoulders relaxed. No matter the situation that Obi-wan found himself in, this last line of the Jedi code always brought him peace. Though this mission may be the most dangerous yet, the Force will be his guide and Obi-wan will follow it to whatever end.
"Wesa here!" Jar Jar had lead them to what he referred to as the Whippa dell Shrine, ruins of a temple that stood long ago not far from the back of the palace. They had been traveling for about three hours and Qui-gon felt it best if they rest and further develop their strategy for entering the palace.
They set up camp and began to discuss their options for infiltrating the palace but overwhelming curiosity took Obi-wan and he wondered off, exploring the ruins. The stone walls clothed in green and brown moss seemed to whisper ancient secrets of times long past. The sun was preparing to rest, casting long shadows in the remains of the courtyard. Obi-wan walked to the back of the east wing looking over a deep valley of Naboo forest and swamp. There the palace of Theed could be seen in all of its glory, sitting on the opposite side of the valley as it looked over the city further east.
Smoke filled the air above the city but the aftermath of war could not cover the beauty of the palace. Obi-wan gazed out into this emotional scene when a young voice broke his trance.
"La'thmuel sy aundoon, The Birth of Royalty. The song of the beginning of Theed and Theed Palace. Tython the wise, gathered the people of Naboo and united them as one nation. He leads the construction of this palace and Tython was named the sole monarch. During his rule, Tython fathered four sons, Amadala, Pheonous, Merconda and Jako'n. After Tython's death, the right to rule was questioned and tension rapidly grew. Jako'n had a strong tongue and he gathered followers to march against the other three brothers. The battle lasted through the night and Jako'n confronted his brothers in the throne room. But it was here where Jako'n was slain by the hand of Amadala, the eldest of Tython's sons. The battle was then ended and the confrontation no more. The people were lost, the palace in ruins and the brothers broken hearted. Amadala wept for his youngest brother and cursed their quarrel that turned kin into enemies. Amadala gathered his surviving brothers and persuaded them to end this destructive conflict and toss the monarchy aside. It is then that the bureaucracy of Tython's tree developed. With this new government the brothers moved across the valley and built the palace of Theed. In this palace the three brothers lived united."
"So we stand on the battleground of Naboo's civil war?" Obi-wan asked with appreciation. He turned his gaze to the ruined structure and said. "There was very little detail on the history of Naboo in the Jedi Archives and the civil war was just briefly mentioned." Obi-wan whipped his head around back to Padme, questions loaded in his mind. But his words left him when he saw the young girl's misty eyes looking up into his and her hands hesitantly reaching out to him as if making contact would make Obi-wan vanish. The shock of the moment made Obi-wan take a step back but Padme mirrored his movement. Padme spoke in a quiet yet desperate plea.
"Master Jedi, is there any hope to stop the war that marches on the footsteps of Theed Palace?"
"Uhh…" Obi-wan felt a little uncomfortable with the unanticipated turn this encounter took and looked down at his feet to search for an answer. He thought her question strange not just in its unexpected delivery but also in its content. Obviously, he thought, the planet was already at war and the only way to prevent a devastating confrontation would be for a complete surrender, an answer Obi-wan was sure the handmaiden was not looking for. He lifted his head prepared to mention the importance of calling for help when his eyes locked with hers. Time seemed to stop as Obi-wan now could see into Padme's soul. He wasn't exactly sure what she wanted but Obi-wan could see that she was not looking for a solution to this great problem nor some false sense of hope. She was looking for strength. The Force flowing through Obi-wan opened his eyes to Padme for the first time. He knew that she could sense his strength in the Force and was asking if he'd fight for Naboo, if he would fight for her.
Obi-wan took a deep breath, and placed his hand on her shoulder.
"I do not know what outcome will fall upon this planet. But the Force is a powerful ally and I shall not leave your side till I know you are safe." Padme wiped her face on her sleeve and looked up to Obi-wan with one final confirmation then embraced him. Even less prepared for this reaction Obi-wan tensed up, arms frozen wide. But a deep compassion arose in him, melting away his mental boundary and he returned her embrace, confirming his promise. "You have my word."