Chapter four - of meetings and madness

After stepping out of the turbo lift, I moved quickly to my chambers, but not quickly enough that I would draw attention to my newfound anxiety. Anakin was there, sitting on the couch as I passed him, I nodded my greeting, and goodbye in one gesture, but he didn’t seem to notice. At that moment though I didn’t really care, I had more important things on my mind. I needed to once again retrieve my journal from its hiding place.

I locked my door, and rushed now unhindered to my bureau, lifting the latch, I removed both the book and my hair ties in the same motion. Now that I had my comfort in my hands I calmed down enough to take charge of myself once more. I tossed the book on the bed, put on my nightclothes, and robe. I then finally, after what seemed like an eternity, but was only mere minutes, allowed my own words of long ago to be reread.

I know that I said yesterday that I had the most extraordinary night but, as I look back on my sparring session with Obi-wan, it was nothing compared to today’s discussion in Padmé’s throne room. Once again I will record every word within the pages of this journal.

“Your Majesty, I have received word from my master.” Obi-wan said while sinking into a deep bow. “ Word that must be shared with your ears only, if that expectable.”

On one hand I didn’t want to be left alone with him, but I realized that, that was only because I didn’t want Rabé and Eriaté to become suspicious. On the other hand I knew that in private he would say my name again, something that I selfishly wanted desperately.

With a look at my fellow handmaidens that I hoped portrayed me wanting anything but to be in this position. I replied solemnly and very Queen like. “If there is no other way Master Jedi.”

“There is none, your Majesty.” He said bowing once more.

I signaled to Rabé and Eriaté that they must leave no matter how much it angered them. It was after all a legitimate request. There was nothing wrong in me speaking privately, with my Jedi protector and advisor. I waited until I knew that they were safely out of earshot before rising to my feet. I had after all been sitting in this uncomfortable thing that some people called a dress for four hours.

“Obi-wan, what does your master have to say that is so important, that the others can’t hear? Is Padmé in danger? Is it the pod race, or the boy?”

“It’s nothing like that, everything is fine, as far as I know, I haven’t heard from him yet today.” So much for the legitimate request, what was I going to tell everyone now? Private conversation or not they would want to know what went on, especially Capitan Panaka.
Obi-wan took a deep breath before continuing. “This has nothing to do with my master at all. It has to do with you Sabé.”

“Me? What more do you need to know? I thought that we had cleared all this up the other night? I am hiding nothing more.” I was getting more than a little mad, and was not afraid to show my anger. I knew that my tone had turned menacing. I began advancing closer to him, as if, just being in close proximity would force the answer out of him.

“Yes, you.” Obi-wan said in a tone, like he was trying to pacify a small child. He then startled me by reaching out to touch the sides of my head, just beside my headdress. My first reaction was to bring my hands up to defend myself but the blasted dress had other ideas.

Then I felt something flow through me, like I was seeing the picture of a lake, as still as glass in my mind, and absorbing the feelings of the scene. Then pain that I didn’t realize I had been feeling eased away from my head.

“Sabé, calm down. I will tell you everything if you just let me. That headdress makes your head hurts doesn’t it.”

“Yes.” I whispered, my anger completely gone, to be replaced with a sense of wonder. “How? How did you make me calm down? And make my head feel all wonderful?”

“The force is a powerful ally, Sabé. Let me take this thing off, so that you can think.” He moved so that he was standing behind me.

“No!” I said forcibly, snapping out of my daze. I tried to turn around, but his hands on my shoulders, kept me steady. “Obi-wan, Rabé and Eriaté will know that something is going on if you do. I can’t put it back on without help.” I was going to be in trouble, I knew that for sure.

“What am I, useless? I can help you.” He said undoing the clips that held the headdress in place before I had another chance to protest. The feather concoction was sitting on the floor and my hair ties were being removed, in a matter of seconds. He continued his ministrations, by finger combing my hair, till it fell down my back, then gently massaging my scalp.

I couldn’t stop the sigh that escaped my royally painted lips. I tilted my head back, wondering if I was dreaming. The man I who I was in love with was running his fingers through my hair. I forgot, once again that I was supposed to be a Queen. Then he was speaking again.

“I had a vision, Sabé. I think that it was a vision of the future, I don’t know, but it was about you.”
“Mumm humm, a vision about me.” I said distractedly. Then he stopped what he was doing.

“Sabé, are you paying attention, to me? This is important you know.” I smiled; here he was thinking that I wasn’t, paying attention to him. I was paying attention all right, how could I not. Maybe not to what he was saying, but I could hardly be expected to, not during the present situation, right?

“To what I was saying, Sabé?” He said sounding a little exasperated. So maybe I should reassure him a bit.

“Yes, Obi-wan.” I said with as much conviction as I could muster.

“Good.” Seeming satisfied he returned to his previous actions. “You were wearing Jedi, robes fighting with a lightsaber. I couldn’t tell where you were, or anything else, but you looked older.” What in the galaxy was he saying? I couldn’t be a Jedi. Now he really did have my full attention. “ Sabé, were you ever tested to become a Jedi?”

“Yes, all children on Naboo are. I was negative. I am not a Jedi.” I said all this slowly and with great determination.

“I know, but it is the only answer that I can think of, to explain what I saw.”

My anger was coming back a little bit. “What do you mean, ‘you know’? If you knew then why did you ask the question?”

“To be sure, you have a very strong force presence, Sabé. Like that of your Queen Padmé, or a military general. You are destined for great things I’m sure of it.”

Whatever pleasure I may have felt, before was gone. Glancing at the chrono I saw that over half an hour had passed. I sighed, I didn’t want him to leave, but I had to get my thoughts in order. “The only thing I know about destiny is, that my hair is destined to be put back to rights.” I tried to hide my growing anxiety, by smirking up at him. “I do believe that a certain Jedi, said that he could help.”

“Of course, your Majesty.” My hair and hair ties flew magically back into place, in seconds. Gentle hands, without any instruction necessary from me, replaced the headdress.

Obi-wan walked towards the door, and I to the throne that was mine for the time being. After I had set down I called out to him once more. “Thank you, Obi-wan. Hopefully you won’t have anymore disturbing messages from you master.”

“I can only hope so, Sabé, for your sake, and mine.” He said with a slight smile. I couldn’t let him leave, without seeing a full smile, one last time. It would make me feel so much better.

“Please, send my handmaidens’ back in. Oh, and Obi-wan, just for further reference, don’t try to tell a girl anything while you are running your fingers through their hair. It is a weakness for the majority of women.”

“I will keep that in mind.” He said as I was rewarded with my full smile.

I shut, the book, when I heard a gasp from Padmé’s room. I opened the connecting door to our chambers, with a start. I was shocked by what I saw. Anakin was kneeling on her bed with his lightsaber ignited. The strange buzzing sound, filling her room. I turned my gaze away from Anakin, when I heard the crash of a breaking window. Obi-wan, had just jumped out the window and I could see him cling to a flying droid, high above the city. What madness was this?

“Are, you alright, my lady?” I said while rushing to Padmé, doing my duty to protect her, as Anakin ran out of the room. Hopefully to go after Obi-wan.

“Yes, Sabé, I’m fine. Just a little shocked, is all.” She said smiling weakly. I had to get her to safety. I pulled a blaster out of her nightstand drawer, and checked the power pack.

“Come on, whatever that was might be back. Let’s get you someplace more secure.” Helping her to her feet, not that she really needed it. Thinking back to my journal entry, I hoped that if I was destined for great things, than I was destined to have the man I loved return safely. That would be a great enough thing for me.