Chapter Seven

"Strange," Obi Wan whispered to Anakin. "It's as though they weren't expecting us."

Anakin shiftd his weight from one foot to the other impatiently as he and Obi Wan waited at the palace gates. He felt restless and irritated but wasn't sure why.

"I can really sense that disturbance now, Master," he relayed.

Obi Wan nodded. "Yes. Tamerlane is close. Very close." He took a deep breath and glanced around at the stately, picturesque courtyard. Everything certainly looked peaceful enough, but Obi Wan knew better than to rely on surface impressions. "There's trouble brewing as well," the jedi continued. "Try to stay as focused as possible and believe what you feel. Don't dismiss anything."

Anakin nodded. "Yes Master." He sighed and tried to clear his mind. It helped ease some of his tension.

A palace guard was approaching them. Anakin squinted his eyes against the sun and peered through the gates. The guard was followed closely by the Gungan ambassador. Anakin recognized him immediately and broke into a huge smile.

"Jar Jar!" he called out excitedly. "Jar Jar! It's me! Anakin!"

Jar Jar placed his hands on his head in surprise. "Anny!!!" he yelled. He ran over the the gate. "Whatta yousa doin here?"

The palace guard opened the gates and allowed the jedi to come through at last. Jar Jar almost knocked the guard over trying to get to Anakin. He seized the boy and swung him around in an exuberant hug.

"Anny! Whoa, looka you! Big bombad jedi!!"

Anakin squirmed. "Jar Jar, put me down," he laughed, "You're breaking my ribs."

Jar Jar set the boy down and turned to Obi Wan, who was eyeing him warily.

"Obi One!!" Jar Jar exclaimed and caught the jedi up in his clutches before he could get away. He crushed him to his chest in a suffocating hug.

"Hello Jar Jar," Obi Wan gasped. "You're looking well." The jedi smiled in spite of himself.

"Ooh! Mesa doin grand!" Jar Jar grinned. He gestured at the embroidered brocade patch on his shoulder. "Mesa da Gungan embassy-a-dor to da Naboo!"

"I see that," Obi Wan said with an impressed nod. "An ambassadorship suits you well. After all, you were the one responsible for bringing the Gungan and Naboo together as a people."

"That's right," Anakin added. "If it weren't for your diplomacy, the Gungan and the Naboo would still be regarding each other with hostility."

"Ah, go on!" Jar Jar blushed, waving off the praise. "Mesa no do nottin. Was jus out fer lunchin one morning and...say," he stopped himself and made a sweeping gesture with his long arms. "Speekin a munchin...an seen as yousa come by, how bout a bit of munchins, okeday? Mesa yet ta haff any lunch." He shook his head regrettably.

Anakin looked over at Obi Wan. "Sounds good to me. I am getting hungry."

"Mesa gettin plenny hungree," Jar Jar urged.

Obi Wan nodded. "We accept. Thank you for the invitation, Jar Jar."

Jar Jar clapped his hands together gleefully. "Lunchin atta lass!" He turned an about face and stalked back through the gates and into the courtyard. "Alls follo me!"

Obi Wan and Anakin started off after the Gungan towards the palace.

Terza knocked on the door of the guest quarters and waited. It was DiArta who answered the door.

"Do come in," she said quietly and stepped aside. "My master and I were only having a chat."

Tamerlane walked over to Terza and quickly asked, "May we see the queen now?"

Terza nodded slowly. "Of course. I'm here to take you to her. That is if you are rested and feel up to it. The ambassador was to escort you, but I can't seem to locate him."

Tamerlane offered her a reassuring smile. "We'd be pleased to have you serve as our escort. We would really just like to greet Her Majesty and be on our way. We won't be needing these rooms, but thank you for offering them to us." Tamerlane kept her eyes on Terza but could feel DiArta bristling with anger behind her.

"Naturally. You must be anxious to begin your mission," Terza smiled. She motioned to the jedi to follow her and led them quickly through the palace corridors. "I never met a jedi who wasn't entirely devoted to their missions," she went on amicably.

Tamerlane nodded. What the woman was saying confirmed her suspicions even more.

"Here we are," Terza announced and held up her hand. "If you will permit me, I will inform Her Highness that you are here to see her." With that, she knocked once and slipped inside the throne room.

Tamerlane's heart was beating faster by the minute. Every living fiber inside her was telling her something was wrong. She knew coming here was a big mistake, but it was too late now. She could feel the Force around her pulsing with distortions. There was a disturbance growing but she couldn't identify its source. She struggled to calm herself and clear her mind. Terza suddenly immerged from the throne room and waved them inside breaking any concentration Tamerlane had achieved. She sighed and reluctantly followed DiArta inside.

Jar Jar had just popped a cake into his mouth when Anakin asked him a question. He hurriedly chewed so he could answer the boy.

"Jar Jar, tell me, how's Queen Amidala been lately? Is everything all right here?"

Jar Jar nodded, chewing faster.

"Obi Wan and I have been sensing a disturbance in the force," Anakin continued. "It's been stronger since we got here. There isn't any trouble in the court that you know of, is there?"

"No. No. Troubles, pah. Tings here are grand." He gestured at Anakin. "Quinn will be plenny pleesed ta see yousa. Heppy surprise fer her." He faced Obi Wan. "You too, Obi One! Bery heppy. Bery suprised. Be live you me."

Obi Wan responded as though he'd been pulled out of a meditative state. "What? Oh yes...It will be nice to see Her Majesty again."

Anakin looked over at his master worriedly. Obi Wan glanced at him and shook his head slowly.

Jar Jar carried on unaware of the exchange. "Wate'll shes sees yousa, Anny! Yousa growin so big."

Anakin lowered his eyes with a shy smile. "I'm anxious to see her." He pushed his food around on his plate and sat back with a sigh. He didn't feel up to eatting anything despite being hungry. He noticed Obi Wan had barely eaten anything either. The disturbance they both felt was glaringly obvious now. Anakin faced Jar Jar once again.

"You're absolutely positive that nothing is out of the ordinary? Anything that might spell trouble later?"

Jar Jar could tell the boy was troubled by something. He wanted to reassure him and give the right answer. He leaned back in his chair and thought long and hard.

"Mmm. No troubles Anny. Hunist." Satisfied, he picked up a large yellow fruit from the bowl in front of him and took a long sniff before biting into it. He grinned, thinking how the palace was currently overflowing now with jedi. "Neber felled safer," he added.

Anakin seemed to relax but Obi Wan shook his head.

"All that means is the trouble has yet to manifest itself," he stated solemnly. He looked at Anakin. "Right now, it is gathering strength, nourishing itself, growing and waiting for the proper time to reveal itself." His blue eyes blazed as he spoke but his expression was one of intimidating calm. "When it does reveal itself, we shall be ready for it."

Anakin nodded. Chills ran up and down his spine. The idea of a possible danger in the palace, right where Amidala lived, made his heart constrict. He understood now that what he and Obi Wan were sensing was much more than a runaway apprentice.