Chapter 4

Two days later, Padme was sitting on the couch, in the lounge area of her guest quarters of the palace. Yesterday afternoon, Masters Yoda and Mace Windu showed up for the funeral of Master Qui-Gon. To their surprise, they learned that it was Padme, who saved Naboo, by destroying the Trade Federation’s control ship. They told her that now after what they have learned, they will discuss with the other Council Members and rethink about her training as a Jedi. She got up from the couch and went out onto the balcony. She was looking out over the gardens and began to wonder what Anakin was doing, because she has not seen him in two days. The last time he saw her, he told her that he had to go home and see how things were there, but he did say that he would be back here for Master Qui-Gon’s funeral. As she stood there, she heard voices coming from the garden beneath the balcony.

“ Master Yoda.” Obi-Wan greeted the Grand Master.

“ Confer on you the level of Jedi Knight, the Council does. Decided about the girl, the Council is, Obi-Wan.” Yoda advised solemnly.

“ She is to be trained?” Obi-Wan asked.

“ So impatient you are. So sure of what has been decided?” Yoda said, as his ears cocked forward and his eyes widened. At this commit, Obi-Wan bit his tongue and kept his silence, and waited dutifully on Master Yoda.

“ A great warrior, was Qui-Gon Jinn, but so much more he could have been, if not so fast he had run. More slowly, you must proceed Obi-Wan.” Yoda gargled softly, his voice sounding sad, as he studied the younger Jedi standing next to him.

“ He understood what the rest of us did not about the girl.” Obi-Wan stood his ground.

“ Be not so quick to judge. Not everything is understanding. Not all at once, is it revealed. Years, it takes to become a Jedi Knight. Years, more to become one with the Force.” Yoda shook his head.

They move to a place, where the fading light shone soft and golden. Sunset approached, and it was almost the appointed time for their farewell to Qui-Gon.

“ Decided the Council is, trained the girl she be.” Yoda gazed off to the distant when he spoke.

Obi-Wan felt relief and joy flood him, and grateful smile escaped him.

“ Pleased you are? So certain this is right? Clouded, this girl’s future remains, Obi-Wan. A mistake to train her, it is?” Yoda saw the smile, but his face tightens in a frown.

“ But the Council . . .” Obi-Wan started to say.

“ Yes, decided, but disagree with that decision, I must.” Yoda lifted his eyes.

There was a long silence, as the two faced each other, listening to the sounds of the funeral preparations taking place. Clearly the Council had decided against the advice of Yoda and that in itself was unusual.

“ I will take this girl as my Padawan, Master. I will train her in the best way I can. I will bear in mind what you have told me here. I will go carefully. I will heed your warning. I will keep close watch over her progress.” Obi-Wan spoke carefully.

“ Your promise, then, remember well young Jedi. Sufficient it is, if you do.” Yoda said softly, as he studied the young man for a moment then nodded.

“ I will remember.” Obi-Wan bowed in acknowledgment.

Together, they went inside the palace and got ready for the funeral. Padme smiled to herself, because now her dream is about to become true. Turning around, she headed back inside and got ready for the funeral. There was a knock on the door, and Padme walked through the seating area and opened the door.

“ Hey Padme.” Anakin said, as he stood at the door.

“ Hey, Anakin, please come in.” Padme moved to the side and let Anakin into the room.

“ Sorry, I haven’t been around. I had to help out my parents and brother at home.” Anakin walked into the room and walked over to the couch.

“ I understand. So, did your family go to one of the camps, like the people who lived here in the city?” Padme asked, as she sat down in the chair, next to the couch.

“ Lucky enough, my family and neighbors got to stay in their homes.” Anakin said, as he saw the sun sitting over the garden wall.

“ That is great to hear. I heard that things were not as bad as what the Governor made it out to be.” Padme said, as there was another knock on the door. Padme got up and went to open the door. She opened it and saw Obi-Wan standing there.

“ Hey, Padme. I came to get you and take you to the funeral. Oh, hello, Anakin. How are you doing?” Obi-Wan looked passed Padme and saw Anakin sitting on the couch.

“ Hey, Obi-Wan. Please, come in. Oh, ok.” Padme stepped aside again to let Obi-Wan into the room.

“ Ok, but only for a couple of minutes. We need to head off to where the funeral pyre is at.” Obi-Wan came into the room. Padme just nodded and closed the door behind her.

“ I want to congratulate you on your Knighthood.” Padme looked at Obi-Wan and saw his new Jedi garment.

“ Thank you, Padme. Anakin, the Queen told me that you had gone home to help out your family and some of the people of your village.” Obi-Wan said to the teenager.

“ Yes, sir. My parents needed help to clean up the yard some, and we also helped other families in the village.” Anakin said.

“ That is great news to hear, that they survived the battle. Well, it is time.” Obi-Wan said, when the bells began to ring off in the distance. Padme nodded her head and she followed Obi-Wan to the door.

“ Everything will be fine and just remember that Master Qui-Gon is now, one with the Force.” Anakin came over to Padme, took a hold of Padme’s hand, and looked down and gave her a smile.

“ Thanks, Anakin. You made me feel a little better. Well, it is time to say goodbye to Master Qui-Gon.” Padme smiled a little, before heading out of the room, with Obi-Wan beside her and Anakin followed behind them.

They got to the funeral pyre and Padme noticed there was a large crowd that had gathered to pay their respect to the late Jedi Master. Padme looked at the body of the fallen Jedi, that was laying on the funeral pyre. She noticed how peaceful he looked and it also looked like he was asleep. Two Holy men came up and motioned for everyone to come over to the funeral pyre. On queue, they lit the fire. Padme stood there and watched the flames slowly beginning to envelope and consume him. She took this time to see who was all here with her and Obi-Wan to honor the late Jedi Knight. Queen Amidala and her handmaidens stood next to Obi-Wan, next to the handmaidens were the newly elected Supreme Chancellor Palpatine, Governor Sio Bibble, Captain Panaka and the honor guard of one hundred Naboo soldiers. Across from them, was Boss Nass and twenty Gungan warriors. Linking them together, were the members of the Jedi Council, which included Masters Yoda and Mace Windu and there was also a small clutch of Jedi Knights, mostly made up of those who had known Qui-Gon the longest and best, as they completed the circle around the pyre.

Padme stood next to Obi-Wan, doing her best to hold back her tears. Then, she felt Anakin grab her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. She turned his way and gave him a tearful smile, before he reached out and wiped away the tear that rolled down her face. Obi-Wan looked down at Padme, the girl was staring at the ashes of the funeral bier, and was crying softly.

“ He is one with the Force, Padme. You must let him go.” Obi-Wan put a hand on the slim shoulder.

“ I miss him.” Padme shook her head. “

I miss him too, and I will remember him always, but his is gone.” Obi-Wan nodded.

“ What will happen to me now?” Padme wiped the tears from her face.

“ I will train you, just as Qui-Gon would have done. Am your new Master, Padme. You will study with me, and you will become a Jedi Knight, I promise you.” Obi-Wan said, softly as he tightened his hold on the girl’s shoulder.

The only thing Padme could do was nod at her new Master. Across the way, Mace Windu stood with Yoda, his strong dark face contemplative, as he watched Obi-Wan put his hand on Padme Naberrie’s shoulder.

“ One life ends and a new one begins, in the Jedi Order.” Windu mumble mostly to himself.

“ Not so sure of this one, as of Qui-Gon, do I feel. Trouble she is, wrapped in shadows and difficult choices.” Yoda leaned on his gnarled staff and shook his head.

“ Obi-Wan will do a good job with her. Qui-Gon was right. He is ready.” Windu said, shifting subject, because he knew Yoda’s feelings on the matter, but the Council had made its decision.

Obi-Wan had proved himself beyond everyone’s expectations that day Qui-Gon died.

“ Ready this time, he was, but ready to train the girl, he may not be.” Yoda acknowledged grudgingly.

“ Defending a Sith Lord in combat is a strong test of his readiness for anything. There is no doubt, the one who tested him was a Sith.” Windu pressed, his eyes stayed on Obi-Wan and Padme.

“ Always two there are. No more, no less, a master and an apprentice.” Yoda blinked his eyes.

“ Then, which one was destroyed, do you think – the master or the apprentice?” Windu nodded.

They both looked at each other, but neither could provide an answer to the question. Then, everyone went their separate ways. Obi-Wan walked both Anakin and Padme back to the girl’s guest room.

“ Goodnight, young Padawan and I will come and get you for breakfast, in the morning.” Obi-Wan said, as they stopped in front of Padme’s rooms.

“ Yes, Master. See you in the morning.” Padme bowed her head to her Master, before he walked off down the hall, to where his rooms were located.

“ Well, I too better get to my rooms and to bed. I will see you tomorrow, before you have to leave for the Jedi Temple.” Anakin said, as he stood there in the hallway.

“ Ok and thank you for you being there. I really needed your support today.” Padme said, looking at the teenager, who was standing there in front of her.

“ It was no problem. Master Qui-Gon was a good person and I know he would be very proud of you. Well, I better get going. See you tomorrow for the parade.” Anakin said and with a quick motion. He surprised the young girl, as he leaned forward and giving her a quick kiss.

He pulled away from the girl and headed quickly down the hallway, to where his rooms were located. Padme stood there in shock and then a huge smile came to her face. Then, she opened the door, headed into her room and straight to her bedroom. She got undressed and put on her night clothes, before climbing into bed and falling sound asleep.

Next morning, Padme got up and was about to get into the refresher, when the door buzzed. Walking through the living area, Padme went to the door, opened it and found Obi-Wan standing in the hallway.

“ Good morning, Padawan Padme. I have something for you.” Obi-Wan looked at his Padawan learner, before holding out a box to her.

“ Good morning, Master Obi-Wan. Please come in and thank you.” Padme took the box and stepped aside, to let her Master into the room.

“ I am here to take you down to breakfast and then to the celebration.” Obi-Wan said.

“ Ok .Let me jump into the shower and get dressed.” Padme said and knowing what was in the box, she looked towards her bedroom.

Obi-Wan nodded and went over to the couch and sat down, so he could wait for Padme to get ready for breakfast. Ten minutes later, Padme came out of the bedroom and she was ready for breakfast. Her and Obi-Wan made their way down to the dining room to find Queen Amidala and her brother, Anakin, along with Jedi Master Yoda and Mace Windu at the dining room table.

“ Good morning, Master Obi-Wan and Padawan Padme. Please join us.” Amidala motioned to the two empty spots at the table. Anakin smiled at Padme and motioned for her to sit down next to him.

“ Good morning, Padme.” Anakin gave her a smile.

“ Good morning, Anakin.” She returned his smile, with one of her own.

The Queen nodded to the butler and he went to the kitchen area, to let the staff know that it was time to bring out the breakfast. There was small talk coming from everybody, while they ate their food. Thirty minutes later, everybody went outside and joined the Queen, as they waited for the grand parade to start. Standing with Queen, on the steps of the plaza, with the handmaidens were: Captain Panaka, her guards, Governor Bibble, Supreme Chancellor Palpatine, the twelve members of the Jedi Council, Anakin, Padme and Obi-Wan.

“ It’s the beginning of a new life for you, Padme.” Obi-Wan reached over, to put a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

The paraded wound through the central plaza, to where Amidala stood, along with her guests. The Gungan’s leader dismounted his ride and walked up the stairs to where Amidala stood, with a huge smile on her face. He came forward and held the Globe of Peace high over his head and yelled out “PEACE”. An hour later, Padme followed Obi-Wan to the ship that was going to take her back to the Temple. She turned around and saw Anakin standing next to his sister and waved goodbye to Padme. Padme waved goodbye, then she boarded the ship and headed off to her new life.

*(pages 316-323 – Star Wars: Episode I: The Phantom Menace by Terry Brooks)