“ Rise and shine, Your Highness. We have a very busy morning before the parade.” Sabe came into the bedroom and began opening all the curtains and windows, so that the fresh sea air could come into the room.
“ Oh, Sabe. I was having such a wonderful dream and you come in here and wake me up. Although, let me say, it was getting hot too.” Padme rolled over to look at her head handmaiden.
“ Sorry, but we do have to get you ready for the parade.” Sabe walked over to the dresser and poured a cup of Caf for Padme.
“ That is right, we do have the parade. Afterwards, most of the visitors will be leaving today and also for the next day. Thank you, Sabe.” Padme sat up and took the cup from Sabe, giving a funny look, when she realized it was Caf and not tea.
“ I know, but you need the Caf to get you awake and to get you going this morning. So, stop making that face and drink your Caf.” Sabe just laughed, as she watched Padme make faces at her cup.
“ Excuse me, Sabe, but I came to see if Her Highness is ready for the parade. It will start in about forty-five minutes and we do need to get into place.” Rabe walked into the room.
Both Padme and Sabe nodded to each other and then, Padme got up and began to get ready for the parade.
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It was mid-morning and Padme and her handmaidens led the way out of the palace, down to where the parade was going to end at.
“ We are all set and ready. Let the parade began.” Captain Panaka radioed one of the officers, at the beginning of the parade route.
“ Roger that, Captain.” the Lieutenant answered, as he motioned for the musicians to start playing and headed down the street.
The crowd of people lined both sides of the streets of Theed, as the columns of Gungan Warriors astride Kaadu and Naboo Soldiers aboard speeders, rode through the city to the sounds of cheering and singing. Fambaa lumbered down the avenues, draped in rich silks and embroidered harnesses, heads weaving from side to side on long necks. Jar Jar Binks and General Cell led the Gungans. Captain Panaka and the Queen’s own guards stood at the top of the stone steps, in the Central Plaza, watching the parade approach. Panaka’s uniform was creased, metal insignia on his epaulets, gleaming proud and strong.
Anakin stood with Obi-Wan near the Queen. He was feeling out of place and embarrassed. He had thought the parade was wonderful, and he did appreciate being honored with the others, but his mind was elsewhere. It was with Qui-Gon, gone back into the Force. It was with Padme, who had barely spoken to him, since he had been accepted for training, by the Jedi Council. It was with his home, to which he might never return too. It was with his mother, whom he wished could see him now. He wore the clothing of a Jedi Padawan. His hair was cut short, in the Padawan style and he dressed as a student in training, to become a Knight of the Order. He should have been happy. Don’t get him wrong, he really was, but that happiness was clouded by the sadness, he could not banish, at losing Qui-Gon and his mother. Qui-Gon had provided the stability he required to leave his mother behind, and with his death, Anakin felt like he was left adrift. There was no one, who could give him the grounding that Qui-Gon had provided; not Obi-Wan and not even Padme. One day, perhaps, she could give him what he needed.
Little did he know, that one day, each of them would play a part in his life and will change him forever. He also could sense that, but for now, when it mattered the most, he felt all alone. So, he just smiled, even though, he was sick in spirit and lost in his heart.
“ It is the beginning of a new life for you, Anakin.” Obi-Wan reaching over to put a reassuring hand on his shoulder, as he could sense Anakin’s discomfort. Anakin only smiled dutifully, but did not say anything to his new Master.
“ Qui-Gon always disdained celebrations, but he understood the need for them, as well. I wonder what he would have made of this one.” Obi-Wan looked off at the crowds that were in front of them.
The only thing Anakin did, was shrugged, because he too felt the same thing.
“ He would have been proud to see you a part of it, Anakin.” Obi-Wan looked down at the young boy and smiled.
“ Do you think so?” Anakin looked up to Obi-Wan.
“ I do, and your mother would be proud of you, as well.” Obi-Wan smiled again at the boy.
“ I wish she was here. I do miss her.” Anakin’s mouth tightened, before he looked away.
“ One day, you will see her again. When you do, you will be a Jedi Knight.” Obi-Wan’s hand tightened on his shoulder.
The parade wound through the Central Plaza, to where the Queen and her guests were viewing the procession. Padme stood with her handmaidens, Governor Sio Bibble, the new Supreme Chancellor Palpatine, Boss Nass of the Gungans and the twelve members of the Jedi Council. R2-D2 occupied a space, just below the handmaidens and next to Anakin and Obi-Wan. R2-D2 beeped at that the boy, and Anakin touched the little droid’s shell gently.
“ To Peace!” Boss Nass stepped forward and held the Globe of Peace high over his head.
“ Dis grand party! Gungan’s and Naboo. Dey befriends forever, hey?” Jar Jar shouted above the noise of cheering and clapping.
Jar Jar’s enthusiasm made Anakin smile in spite of himself. The Gungan was dancing up and down and his long ears were flopping, gangly limbs twisting, this way and that, as he mounted the steps. Jar Jar would never let the bad things in life get him down, the boy thought. Anakin thought that maybe there was a lesson to be learned from that.
“ We bombad heroes, Annie!” Jar Jar laughed, lifting his arms over his head and showing all his teeth.
Anakin just laughed, and he thought, maybe they were. On the broad Avenue below, in a long colorful ribbon of life, the parade that had carried them to this place and time continued on. Later that evening, Padme invited Obi-Wan and Anakin to have dinner with her. She wanted to spend one last night with them, for in the morning, they will be leaving for Coruscant.
After dinner, Obi-Wan and Anakin headed back to their rooms and got ready for bed. Four hours later, Padme climbed into her bed and this time had peaceful dreams and no visions.
*(pages 321-324 of the novel Star Wars: Episode I: The Phantom Menace by Terry Brooks.)