The Queen drew in a steady, slow breath and glanced about the small throne room. Upon the throne sat Sabe, her loyal decoy, wearing the royal face paint and demeanor of a Queen. "Sabe looks exactly like me," she thought, pleased no one had seen through the masquerade.
"My lady?" Rabe bowed before the real Queen in handmaidens clothing. "If you wish to depart with the Jedi, you must change your attire," Rabe presented the Queen with clothing suited for Tattoine. Amidala nodded and accepted the clothes. She looked towards Sabe. "I wish you speed, my lady," Sabe said, bowing her head.
Amidala nodded and smiled gently. "I thank you for everything, Sabe," And with that, the Queen left to change.
Sabe stared down at her chipped white nail color, her mind bombarded with worries and fears. What if her father had been killed by now? She had seen him being taken away; she wanted to scream, to run after those horrible droids that took him. But her only action was to stare straight ahead, and hold the tears inside. Horrible memories of her mother's death crept into her mind. She had died when Sabe was only six. Sabe steeled her resolve. "I will NOT cry," she told herself firmly.
Her thoughts where suddenly interrupted by a persistant beeping. Eirtae straigtened and drew a commlink from her robes. "Receiving a message from home," She said softly. Sabe snapped her head up. She exchanged a worried glance with Rabe. She heard Captain Panaka's voice say something, but it did not register. What news did the communication bring? She could only wait.
"The death toll is catastrophic, we MUST bow to their wishes, you MUST contact me..." The holo vid was Governor Sio Bibble. Sabe struggled to keep her face expressionless. Why? Why did this have to happen? Naboo is a peaceful planet, what did we ever do to deserve any of this? She looked at the Jedi, Obi-wan. He looked at her intently. "It's a trick. Send no reply." He said firmly. He stood and left the room, Sabe watching him. He seemed so sure of himself.
Panaka shrugged and also left. Sabe rose. "Sabe! What are you doing?" Rabe hissed in a low tone. "Leave me be," Sabe said decisively and continued to walk towards the cockpit. That Jedi Obi-wan... why was he so sure it was a trap? She softly walked towards the cockpit, not making a sound. "...But what if it is true, and the people are dying?" His voice asked. She stood in the doorway of the ships cockpit. Did he actually care? She waited expectantly for his Masters reply. "Either way, we're running out of time," The older Jedi answered.
Sabe frowned. Running out of time? What did that mean? Obi-wan turned and met her gaze. She smiled ever so slightly, turned and left.
That night, Sabe tossed and turned as she tried to fall to sleep. Memories of her mother floated before her... Her mother had taken ill with a very rare disease a long time ago, and died from it. Sabe felt a lump creep into her throat. She quickly swallowed it. She sat up. All of these worries... would her father be all right? Where people being killed on Naboo? The Jedi Qui-gonn had reported that a boy they had met on Tattoine would win some sort of gamble. But if they lost, the ship would be taken. Sabe buried her head in her hands. If the ship where taken, they would be at the mercy of the planets rulers.
How did this all happen?! She thought in frustration. She stood. A walk, yes that would calm her nerves. At home on Naboo, she would go to the gym and practice her self-defense skills. But a walk would have to do since a gym was absent. She fumbled in the dark for a few moments, slipping on her cloak and shoes. She walked out into the hallway of the ship.
Images of her father, Naboo, the Queen, and friends flashed before her eyes, which threatened to spill over with tears. Hardly able to see where she was headed because of the tears, she sank down on the floor of the ship, against a wall. Pulling herself into a ball, she buried her head in her knees and let it al out, the worries, the fears, all the things she was afraid of handling.
Suddenly, she felt a hand shaking her shoulder. She drew in a sharp breath, and looked up. Her stomach almost lurched. It was Obi-wan, crouching in front of her. "Handmaiden?" He asked gently, "Is something wrong?"
Sabe hurridly wiped her eyes. "No," Her voice trembled. He frowned. "Are you certain?" He peered into the darkness of her hood. He couldn't see if she had stopped her crying or not.
Sabe bowed her head. He hesitantly took her hand. "Everything will be fine, handmaiden. You need not worry..." Sabe peeked at him from under the hood. Why doesn't he leave? She looked at his concerned face. I should have never left the room... she thought miserably.
"You are worried and apprehensive," he said, noting her emotions. Sabe winced. Why do Jedi have to be so good at what they do? "Yes..." She started slowly, not wanting to say more than she should. "My father is on Naboo." Her voice cracked.
Obi-wan's expression softened. "I'm sorry..." He stated softly. Sabe nodded and drew a deep breath and slowly stood. "I'm sorry to have bothered you..." She said quietly, "I will go and walk about some," She finished. Obi-wan nodded, and too her surprise asked, "Do you mind if I accompany you?" Sabe inhaled a quick breath. If she said no, it might arouse suspison. "Of... course, Jedi," She faltered slightly, but began walking.
Sabe stole a quick look at him. "Do Jedi ever sleep?" She asked, surprised to hear herself ask this. He smiled slightly. "Yes, handmaiden, but I have things on my mind." Sabe wondered what sort of things. "The pod-race?" She asked, knowing that she was worried about this. "I trust my Master's judgment," He began, "I am uncertain of the outcome of this gamble, but I have faith things will work themselves out."
Sabe nodded, but still felt worried. She didn't like the idea the older Jedi had thought up, and was sure the real Queen didn't like it either. She sighed. "Is something wrong?" The accented voice jolted her back to reality. "I... wish I could get to sleep, that's all," She lied, hoping he wouldn't sense her deception.
"I have a lot of things on my mind, and I just can't get to sleep," Sabe continued, adding something truthful to her sentence. Sabe peered curiously at him. "You said the pod-race wasn't what worried you... then what does?" Obi-wan frowned even more. "I sense a disturbance in The Force," He said, wondering if she had the slightest idea of what The Force was. A great many people didn't. "Yes, The Force," She murmured.
"I've never met a Jedi before this," She said, her tone suddenly brighter. "I would read stories about them when I was a little girl..." She trailed off, but continued, "I would read of the adventures, and the battles of Jedi. And of Sith." She glanced at him to see his reaction to this.
He seemed to stiffen a bit, and said, "The Sith are extinct..." He smiled a bit and relaxed, "You seem to know quite a bit about Jedi and the like." Sabe nodded slightly. "Yes, I suppose you could say so."
"What's your name?" Obi-wan asked, wanting to know the identity of this handmaiden. Sabe sucked her breath in... "My name is Sabe," She said softly, immediately regretting it. What if he recognized her when she was disguised as Queen? She fell into silence as they continued walking.
Sabe drew her cloak about her tighter. Why did she feel so cold? Thinking of her father on Naboo, Sabe bowed her head. She felt a warm arm around her shoulder. She looked up at Obi-wan. He could see her face now that she looked up. She was very beautiful; he didn't notice women much, if any at all.
Obi-wan wanted to make her feel better. In a single sweeping motion, he swept her up and carried back to her chamber door. Putting her down, he kissed her hand gently. He noticed she had white nail color on her fingernails. Didn't the Queen always wear that? He brushed the thought aside. "Sleep well... Sabe," Sabe was thankful for his kindness "Thank you. For everything," She whispered.
She silently slipped back into her bed, and smiled. The Jedi had made her feel so much better. Even though they hadn't exchanged a great deal of words, she felt like she already knew him.
In the cockpit, Obi-wan leaned back in the pilots seat. His run in with Sabe had made him feel light-spirited. He wondered when they would meet again...
Sabe woke the next morning to Rabe's voice upon her ears. "Sabe! Get up right now! What's wrong with you?" Sabe groaned. "I'm up, I'm up..." The events of last night flooded back into her mind. "You had better get dressed," Eirtae motioned towards the black feathered ensemble.
Sabe cleared her throat. "Rabe? Eirtae... I couldn't sleep well last night and went for a walk..." Eirtae's eyes widened and Rabe looked angry. "What?" Rabe asked, and Eirtae inquired, "You didn't... see anyone or anything, did you?"
Sabe sat up. "Well, um, yes." Eirtae sat down beside Sabe. "Who?!" Rabe placed her hands on her hips. "Yes, who, Sabe?" Sabe squirmed under Rabe's glare. "The Jedi, Obi-wan, and he... he knows my name." She confessed.
"Oh, Sabe!" Eirtae said sympathetically. "That was the worst possible person you could run into, Sabe!" Rabe said, exasperated. Sabe reclined her head. "I'm so sorry... but I don't think he'll ask for me, and if he does we can say Sabe is working elsewhere, or something like that..." Rabe paused. She sighed. "Sabe, you are hopeless. I suppose that's all we can say to him."
Eirtae handed Sabe the black dress she had been wearing since the escape from Naboo. "Eirtae, you'll stay here, and I will accompany Sabe." Rabe said in a commanding tone. Rabe is so bossy, Sabe thought crossly.
"All we require is the parts, Highness." He studied the handmaiden who accompanied The Queen. No, it wasn't Sabe. He felt a twinge of disappointment, and wondered if she was well. "Any word from Master Jinn?" The Queens voice cut his thought short.
"Not yet, but I am certain he will contact us as soon as possible," He answered. Sabe studied him carefully. She saw him in a different light after last night. He looked so much considerate, and kinder. She rose from her throne slowly.
"Your Highness?" She turned and looked at him. "I have noticed only one handmaiden accompanies you... where is the other one, if I may ask?" Sabe calmly replied, "Sabe? She is busy with duties elsewhere." She kept her face emotionless, although she was nervous he would read her mind.
Obi-wan nodded slowly. He glanced down at her hands. White nail color. The Queen started moving out, and her handmaiden opened the door by pushing a button on the wall. No white on her nails. Obi-wan frowned. Was the handmaiden he had encountered The Queen herself?
Later that afternoon, Sabe, still masquerading as Queen, sat on the throne once more, as Obi-wan came in and smiled. "The race was won," He said, cheerfully. Sabe wanted to jump up and rush about hugging everyone, but simply nodded. "Very good," she said flatly as Obi-wan continued, "Qui-gonn will bring the parts soon, and we will be on our by late afternoon." The Queen nodded again and smiled very slightly.
After departing from Tattoine, Sabe and the Queen hugged each other tightly. A dark warrior had attacked Qui-gonn, and the Jedi suspected the warrior was after the Queen. So Amidala decided to keep Sabe as Queen until they reached Corascant.
On Corascant, The Queen had little luck convincing the Senate of her problems. Amidala called for a vote of no confidence in the current Chancellor, which Sabe found disturbing. She had observed Senator Palpatine whispering in her ear before Amidala took her action. Sabe did not like Palpatine, something about him made her wary.
The Queen decided to return to Naboo, to do what she could for her people. We did not switch places on the way home, and Sabe happily resumed her spot beside The Queen. When Amidala called the Jedi in, Obi-wan smiled discreetly smiled at her, and she returned the gesture.
Obi-wan looked carefully at the Queen. Something had changed about her. Her eyes looked different. Obi-wan laughed at himself. Sabe had been playing the Queen's part as the real Queen hovered about unnoticed.
Obi-wan was headed towards the cockpit when he noticed one of the Queen's handmaidens washing dishes in the ship kitchen, robe sleeves rolled up, hood down. He studied her hands. Chipped white nail polish. He smiled to himself, and walked in. Sabe scrubbed the dishes Rabe had ordered her too wash... she stopped, feeling a familiar presence. She turned and found Obi-wan standing in front of her.
"How are you, Sabe?" He asked. Sabe smiled slightly. "I am well, Jedi-" He held up a hand "My name is Obi-wan," He corrected her softly. "-Obi-wan." She blushed a bit. "I am glad to hear that," Obi-wan commented. "I have not seen you about as of late, you have been very busy?" Sabe nodded and turned to the sink of dishes, hating the thought of lying to him.
He put a hand on her shoulder to turn her around. He smiled knowingly. "Your highness?" He said teasingly, taking her hands and running a finger across the white that remained on her nails. Sabe looked unbelievingly at him. "How long have you known?" She asked cautiously. He just grinned. She smiled and laughed. "Did I fool you at all?" She inquired.
He nodded and let go of her hands. "Just a little bit..." He laughed again. He rarely laughed, and it felt good. "Sabe?" A female voice startled Sabe and Obi-wan from their laughter. Rabe stood at the door, looking impatient. "The Queen wants you."
Rabe glanced at Obi-wan and then Sabe. "Hurry," She said, leaving. Sabe smiled at Obi-wan. "Duty calls..."
Obi-wan grew serious and put a hand on her shoulder. "Be careful, Sabe." He strode from the room, leaving Sabe to slowly grasp the fact he was concerned for her.
Sabe once again donned The Queens robes, this time battle attire, but as always the attire was a bit exotic for it's use. She sighed as she trudged through the swamps of Naboo, for The Queen had asked the Gungan Jar Jar's help in battle. Sabe looked about at the unfriendly faces of the Gungans.
Sabe glanced at Obi-wan who gave her a reassuring smile as she stepped forward. "We wish to form an alliance..." The leader of the Gungans wouldn't have it. Sabe took a deep breath and opened her mouth to speak, when Amidala stepped forward, and revealed that she was Queen.
Sabe stood back and let the Queen talk to the leader, whom Amidala managed to convince.
Sabe reclined her head as her tears flowed. The battle had been won, miraculously, but sadness filled her heart. Her father hadn't made it, and neither had Qui-gonn Jinn. Sabe had lost her father, and Obi-wan had lost the man who was like his father. Sabe sat in the dark shadows of a small corner in the Theed palace, her thoughts whirling about like a hurricane.
A soft rustling tore her from her feelings. Obi-wan was walking slowly by. Sabe hadn't seen him since yesterday, the day when Qui-gonn was killed. That afternoon was the celebration, but Sabe didn't feel as if she could celebrate when her heart was torn in two.
Obi-wan stopped and sat down on a bench, unaware of Sabe's presence. Sabe watched him as he stared into space and frowned. Studying his fatigued face, she saw herself reflected in his eyes. They had both lost someone who was dear to them.
They had both been raised to serve a certain purpose, all of they're life. Sabe slowly rose and stepped from the shadows. Obi-wan was too deeply absorbed in his thought to notice her. Sabe settled beside him and put a hand on his shoulder.
He turned and just gazed at her. "I understand your sorrow, Obi-wan," Sabe whispered. He nodded and faintly said, "I'm sorry to hear of your father..." Sabe swallowed the lump in her throat. "Thank you," Obi-wan admired her courage, and placed his hand on hers.
Sabe drew back her hood and said, "Great tragedy has befallen both of us. I believe if we withdraw from the world, we will cause even more sorrow, for others." She paused, wondering where those words had come from. "I do not feel as if we should be celebrating..." She looked into his eyes, and he nodded understanding what she meant.
"But, I think my father and Qui-gonn would both want us to celebrate, for much has been accomplished. There was a time for mourning," Sabe continued, referring to that very morning, "And now there is a time for celebrating." Obi-wan managed a weak smile.
"You are very right, handmaiden Sabe. I'm just not sure if I can handle it..." Obi-wan trailed off as he thought of his Master. "I feel the same, Obi-wan." Sabe reassured.
"I will attend the ceremonies... if you would be so kind as to accompany me, Jedi," Sabe held her breath, hoping he would accept.
Obi-wan felt suddenly relieved. Sabe had made everything seem brighter. Here was someone he could talk to, lean on, trust. "Yes, of course, Sabe, I would be honored to accompany you."
The celebration parade was a huge event, and Obi-wan and Sabe felt genuinely happy, sorrows temporarily forgotten. After the parade, The Queen held a dance at the palace, which Obi-wan attended with his new Padawan, Anakin Skywalker, who scurried off to find Amidala, leaving Obi-wan to scan the crowd for Sabe.
There she was... with the rest of the handmaidens, who dressed in hoodless white dresses, made of a material that reflected light as they walked. They drew a crowd of young men almost immediately. Obi-wan watched as all the handmaidens went off to dance with a young man. To his surprise, Sabe seemed to turn them all down, and began walking towards him.
"Jedi Kenobi," She smiled at him. He frowned slightly and asked, "Why did you not dance with one of those young men?" Obi-wan asked, to which Sabe laughed gently. "Because I wanted to dance with you..." She suddenly felt shy and looked down at her hands. Obi-wan bowed and asked, "Handmaiden, may I have this dance?"
Sabe nodded gracefully and he took her hands, and led her onto the dance floor. As they whirled past Amidala, she winked teasingly at Sabe, who flushed pink. Obi-wan and Sabe spent the entire evening dancing and talking about anything, and everything.
As the hours grew late, Sabe and Obi-wan went onto the balcony that overlooked the Theed gardens. Sabe smiled faintly. "I wish you didn't have to leave tomorrow..." Obi-wan took her hand and stood beside her as she looked at the gardens below. He didn't really know what to say. He had forgotten he was to depart the next day. "Obi-wan, I want you to have this," Sabe drew a silver chain with a dark black stone hanging upon it from her neck. "It was my mothers."
She placed it in his hand and looked into his eyes. "Sabe, I can't take this-" She cut him off saying, "I want you to bring it back to me... take it, Obi-wan." He considered for a moment, and then accepted it. "I will return it, Sabe." He bent and kissed her cheek softer than a whisper. "And I promise you we will see each other again."
"Master?" A small voiced interrupted then scene. It was Anakin, the small boy from Tattoine. "Master, I sure am tired, can I go to bed now?" He rubbed his eyes for effect. Obi-wan nodded and looked at Sabe. "Goodnight, Sabe," With that, he left with Anakin, leaving Sabe to watch the moon.
The next morning, Sabe stood by The Queen as obi-wan and Anakin said they're goodbyes. Obi-wan looked at Sabe, who was staring at the ground. He felt the cool metal from Sabe's chain against his collarbone, and wondered how on earth he had managed to fall in... he stopped himself. Love? No, no, that was not the case. He and Sabe where only friends, he desperately tried to convince himself. Weren't they?
Sabe stared at the nothing in particular, wondering why this had to happen. Obi-wan was leaving, and she had allowed herself to become attached to him. She mentally kicked herself. Nobody told me I was going to fall in... love? Sabe wondered how one could fall in love in a matter of days.
She lifted her head, and saw Obi-wan walking towards the transport that would take him away. Suddenly, she heard his voice.
Sabe, I will see you again.
His mouth hadn't moved, and Sabe realized he had spoken to her mind using the force.
He turned and looked at her, taking a long last look at her. Sabe felt reassured and watched as he strode towards the transport. She closed her eyes, and his words echoed through her mind. I will see you again... She smiled, and knew that they would see each other one day.
DISCLAIMER: I did not make any money of this fic, and do not claim originality to any characters that are Copyrighted to George Lucas.