Ten years had passed and still the scars remained. But scars never did go away, did they? They lingered on until the very flesh they had been engraved into had decayed away. They rarely faded, sometimes they ached, and often they were joined by more, successors in that bitter trail of memories that accompanied them. Yes, the scars would always be here, and would stay long after the battle was won or lost, and the war over…

The Republic Cruiser dropped out of hyperspace and a picture formed before them. A planet had materialised amidst that great black void called space, a world that was filled with deep, blue seas and covered in plains of green, green grass. It could only be Naboo.

Obi-Wan sensed Anakin tense up immediately with excitement as the young man set eyes on the planet again, for the first time in ten years. It was only to be expected. This was the world that he had saved from a dastardly invasion at the hands of the unscrupulous Trade Federation when but a mere boy. And he had also bonded quite well with the young Queen of the time, too, a young lady named Amidala.

“It’s so… beautiful,” Anakin said. His face had brightened up considerably whilst he let his eyes wonder over that lush, colourful sphere ahead. “It’s just like I remember it.”

Obi-Wan allowed himself a nostalgic smile as, suddenly, his tall teenage protégé became that nine-year-old, scruffy slave boy from yesteryear once more, a child filled with curiosity and naivety. Having grown up on the desert planet of Tatooine, Anakin had a natural appreciation of planets that were as full of life as Naboo. This love of nature was rivalled by another facet of Anakin’s soul, however; a profound interest in technology. The young man had always been extremely skilful in the areas of mechanics and invention, and it was these qualities that made him as equally in awe of the planets like Coruscant where nature no longer existed.

“We’ll have time for memories later, Anakin,” Obi-Wan soon said as he reached for a lever on the cruiser’s control panel. “Right now, we need to land. We cannot be late for a ceremony as important as this. Especially when we were specifically invited to attend.”

Anakin came back to life and immediately set himself to the task at hand. “Of course, master,” he concurred, before his innate pilot took charge and he flew them down onto the planet below.

---

They landed their cruiser not far from the palace, in the capital of Theed, and the two Jedi received an uproarious welcome from the assembled crowds as soon as they came down the ramp.

Anakin looked around himself as they walked across the sunny plaza, completely bemused by the reception. “Master, why are they cheering?” he asked as he essayed a little wave.

Obi-Wan gave the crowds a smile in turn and then just ushered his Padawan along. “Oh, Anakin, have you forgotten? You’re a hero on this world - the Wonder Boy who saved them from the wicked Trade Federation! The people could have starved to death, or have been enslaved, but no… a small nine-year-old took to the skies and saved them all!”

Anakin laughed and shook his head. “I just didn’t think it had been that big a thing. Or that they’d recognise me now, for that matter.”

“Oh, well, with one of their own now overseeing the senate and making sure you get all the publicity worthy of a Chosen One, they’re not likely to forget you soon, are they?”

Anakin conceded with a nod. “No, I guess not.”

Palpatine, the rather demure and unassuming senator of Naboo had been catapulted into the position of Supreme Chancellor of the Galactic Senate at the same time that Anakin had come to the attention of the Jedi under Qui-Gon Jinn. Palpatine had since shown great kindness and generosity to the young boy who had risen from being a slave to a talented Padawan overnight, and, over the past ten years, the Chancellor had become as much a mentor and friend to young Anakin as had any of the Jedi back in the Temple on Coruscant. Perhaps Palpatine didn’t quite rival Master Kenobi in Anakin’s heart, but he was quite close. Where, for nine years of his life, Anakin had had no father, he now had two father-figures, and he was very grateful for it.

The two Jedi continued on their way across the plaza until they met with an escort from the Royal Palace, led by none other than Captain Panaka himself.

Obi-Wan recognised the man immediately and extended his hand. “Captain,” he said, “It’s been too long.”

The captain of the palace guard returned Obi-Wan’s greeting equally warmly and shook the Jedi’s hand with much vigour. “Master Kenobi!” he said, “It’s wonderful to see you again. You’re looking quite the Jedi Master now, with the long hair and beard.”

Obi-Wan smirked and gave his recently-grown beard a slight, self-conscious stroke. “Yes, well… I thought I ought to look the part.”

Panaka nodded, then extended his hand to the lofty young man by Kenobi’s side. “And this must be Anakin Skywalker, our saviour.”

Anakin felt a little overwhelmed by the status he had been allotted by these people, but he excepted it all nevertheless. “It’s great to be back on Naboo,” he said, taking the captain’s hand in turn. “It hasn’t changed at all.”

“No,” Panaka conceded with a shake of his head, “it rarely does. But you have, young man. Look at you!”

Anakin laughed a little. “Yes, I guess I’ve grown quite a bit.”

“And into a fine young man at that.”

“Thank you.”

“You’ll be a Jedi Knight soon, I am certain.”

“I hope so,” Anakin smiled again, before he gave the captain a bow and avoided Obi-Wan’s slightly disapproving stare.

“Please, come this way,” Panaka went on, leading the Jedi toward the palace. “The queen awaits.”

Obi-Wan let his eyes wonder up the palace walls and over its domed roofs as they approached it and thought, with his characteristic cynicism, ‘At least we don’t have to steal ourselves in this time, via Otoh-Gunga or no’.

Anakin’s mind was set on other matters, however. He was already thinking about seeing the Queen of Naboo again, of that beautiful Angel who had walked into Watto’s junkshop all that time ago…

---

They were led into what could only be called a great hall in the centre of the palace, a massive room of great length and width with one of the highest ceilings one could possibly imagine, and all of it decorated with wreaths and ribbons, flags and flowers, ready to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the Battle of Naboo. Rows upon rows of chairs filled the hall from front to back where the battle’s survivors, their relatives and the multitudes of dignitaries would be sat during the forthcoming service. But the anniversary was not just a celebration of a great victory, it was a tribute to those who had lost their lives, too, the family and friends of which were also here. Obi-Wan counted himself as one of them. He was no hero in his eyes, he had not contributed to the battle’s victory, but he had lost a great mentor and friend. It was for him that Obi-Wan was here now.

Panaka led the Jedi down the centre of the hall. It was empty right now, but it would soon be filled to bursting with all manners of people, both human and Gungan alike. There were a couple of particularly grand seats at the front of the hall, one for the Queen of Naboo and the other for Boss Nass of the Gungans, showing that they were still a united people on this planet, regardless of racial and cultural differences.

They soon passed out of the great hall and through a narrow corridor that cut off from far right of the room, and soon they found themselves in the throne room.

“Your highness,” Panaka announced with a bow, “Master Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker.”

The two Jedi walked to the fore and gave the Queen their courteous bows in turn. But when they rose their line of sight, Anakin saw that they were looking into the white, painted face of a stranger. Where was Padmé?