Padme could not sleep, so she got up and was careful not to wake up anyone else. She got dressed, in a very plain dress and grabbed the brown hooded cloak. She put the cloak on and pulled the hood over her head. Looking around the room, she realized that everybody was still asleep. Leaving the room, she went through the secret tunnels, until she was outside the palace.
Walking the pre-dawn streets, Padme finally came to the temple, where the slain Jedi Knight Master laid. Going into the room, where the body laid, Padme looked around and noticed that she was the only person there. Padme went into the main chapel, where Qui-Gons body was laying in state. Later today, the Jedi Council and a couple of Jedi Knights will be here to attend Qui-Gons funeral.
Going over to the body, she knelt down beside it and began saying a prayer to the gods to let Qui-Gons soul have a safe trip into the Force. She also hoped that would it become one with the Force. She was so deep in prayer that she did not hear the two people come into the room.
Your Majesty! Anakin called out in surprise, when he saw the lone figure kneeling next to Qui-Gons body.
Anakin, Obi-Wan. Please, call me Padme. At the moment, I am just my plain self and not the Queen. Padme stood up and lowered her hood from her head, as she looked at the new Jedi Master Obi-Wan and the new Padawan.
Does anyone know you are here, Padme? Obi-Wan looked around, before looking back at the young girl, when he realized that she was alone.
No, I snuck out of the palace, without anybody knowing. Before you tell me that I did a bad thing, I just came down here to pay my respect and to offer prayers, so his spirit can find peace with the Force and they can become one. Padme looked at both people that she came to care about.
Thank you, Padme, for what you have done for him. I believe he will join the Force. I am going to miss him very much; he was everything to me. Obi-Wan looked at his fallen Master and the tears began to well up in his eyes again.
I understand Obi-Wan. In the short time that I have known him, he had touched me,. He gave me the knowledge to never to be afraid to do things that you have to do, not only for myself, but for my people. Padme looked over to the body and tears began to come to her eyes also.
He has shown me never to give up on my dreams. Anakin whispered, as he just looked straight ahead and wasnt really looking at anything.
Padme reached out and took both Obi-Wan and Anakins hand in hers, held them and giving them a light squeeze, to let them know that she was there for them.
I hate to say this, but we really need to get you back to the palace, before someone realizes that you are gone. It still really is not safe for you to be out, without your bodyguards and security. Obi-Wan gave Padme a small smile, before taking his hand out of hers.
You are right. I better get back to the palace and try to get some sleep. Padme began to yawn some.
Are you having problems sleeping, because of the dreams that you are having? Anakin looked straight at Padme, as he knew about them.
Padme looked at him and realized that he could look into her mind and read her thoughts. The weird thing was that she could read his too. They left the temple and headed back to the palace. Padme showed Obi-Wan and Anakin the hidden passage ways and even the one that was on the floor of their rooms.
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Later that night, after everyone showed up for Qui-Gons funeral, they all went out to where the funeral pyre was. Shortly after the sun went down, the pyre was lit. The fire built steadily around the body of Qui-Gon Jinn, the flames slowly began to envelope and consume him. Those who had been chosen to honor him, encircled the pyre. Queen Amidala stood with her handmaidens, Supreme Chancellor Palpatine, Governor Sio Bibble, Captain Panaka, and the honor guard of one hundred Naboo soldiers, Boss Nass, Jar Jar Binks, and twenty Gungan Warriors stood across from them. Linking them together, were the members of the Jedi Council, which included Yoda and Mace Windu, another clutch of Jedi Knights, those who had known Qui-Gon the longest and best, completed the circle.
Anakin stood with Obi-Wan, and he fought to hold back his tears. A long, sustained drum rolled, as the flames reduced Qui-Gon to spirit and ash. When the fire had taken him away, a flight of snowy doves was released into a crimson sunset. The birds rose in a flutter of wings and splash of pale brilliance, winging swiftly away. Padme, who stood on the other side of Anakin, watched Obi-Wan, as he looked down at Anakin. She could tell that the only thing Anakin was doing, was staring at the ashes of the funeral bier, and he was crying softly. Now with Qui-Gon gone, Obi-Wans had passed out of an old life and into a new. For now, he is a Jedi Knight, and not a Padawan. Everything that had gone before, was behind a door that had closed on him forever. It was hard to accept, and at the same time, it gave him an odd sense of release. Padmen watched Obi-Wan looked down at Anakin again, before he put his hand on Anakins slim shoulder.
He is one with the Force, Anakin. You must let him go. Obi-Wan gently gave Anakins shoulder a squeeze.
I miss him. the boy shook his head.
I miss him too. I will remember him always, but he is gone. Obi-Wan nodded his head.
What will happen to me now? Anakin wiped the tears from his face.
I will train you, just as Qui-Gon would have done. I am your new Master, Anakin. You will study with me, and you will become a Jedi Knight. I promise you. Obi-Wan said softly.
Anakin straighten up, and Obi-Wan nodded to himself, because somewhere Qui-Gon was smiling, Obi-Wan thought to himself. Padme was not the only one watching Obi-Wan and Anakin. From across the way, Mace Windu and Yoda was standing together.
One life ends and a new one begins in the Jedi Order. Windu murmured, almost to himself.
Not so sure of this one, as of Qui-Gon, do I feel. Trouble his is. Wrapped in shadows and difficult choices. Yoda hunched forward, leaning on his gnarled staff, and shook his head.
Mace Windu nodded, and he knew Yodas feeling on the matter, but the Council had made its decision.
Obi-Wan will do a good job with him. Qui-Gon was right. He is ready. Windu shifting the subject.
They knew of what the young Padawan had done, to save himself from the Sith Lord in the melting pit, after Qui-Gon had been struck down. Only a Jedi Knight, fully in tune with the Force, could have saved himself against such an adversary. Obi-Wan had proved himself beyond everyones expectations that day.
Ready this time, he was. Ready to train the boy, he may not be. Yoda acknowledged grudgingly.
Defeating 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. the Council leader pressed and his eyes staying with Obi-Wan and Anakin. Always two there are. No more, no less. A Master and an Apprentice? Windu just nodded his head.
They looked at each other now, but neither could provide an answer to the question.
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Two hours later, Padme had just finished with the plans for the parade that will be taking place in a couple of days.
Padme, you need to get to bed. You have been up since dawn, this morning. Sabe smiled at her best friend, as she set out Padmes clothes for the next day.
How did you know? . . . Never mind . . . Let us just say, that I have not been sleeping well for the past couple of days. Padme looked up at her handmaiden and best friend.
Let me guess, you had another vision. From the look on your face, I can tell that had happened. Sabe put the hair brush down on the vanity table.
I am afraid that vision has already happened and part of it was the death of Master Qui-Gon. At the time, did I not know who was going to die, but I knew it was a Jedi. Padme stood up, went to open the French door, that lead out onto her balcony.
Oh dear, what is wrong? You have that look on your face. Sabe looked at her friend and she noticed that look, when she sensed something.
I feel it. Something evil is here on Naboo. The strange thing is, I felt it before, while we were on Coruscant. It is the same evil thing I feel now. Padme stepped out on her balcony.
I see. Well, I believe the best thing is, to go back inside and straight to bed. Sabe beckoned her friend to get back inside and to bed.
Ok, you are right. Good night and see you in the morning. Padme went inside and straight to bed, while Sabe shut the doors and made sure everything was locked.
Sabe looked around the room one more time, before turning off the lights and going to her bedroom.
*(pages 314-320 the novel Star Wars: Episode I: The Phantom Menace by Terry Brooks)