A Study on the Relationship Between Sabé and Her 'Queen'
By Jody
There are also references mentioned here that come from other author’s writings as I have used their tales with permission as inspiration for my portrayal of Sabé. {Maren Jensen’s tale Amidala's Last Line of Defense, Cariel ’s tale Second Chances, as well as
Huge thanks goes to Cariel for beta reading this for me!! It is all spiffy looking now thanks to you! =D
The basis of Padmé and Sabé’s friendship originally stemmed from their constant interactions in the Naboo political scene. Their relationship began as a business arrangement with Sabé acting as Padmé’s second-in-command. Despite the friendship that grew between the other girls, there would always be the unspoken division of title between Sabé and them and well as between the handmaidens and Padmé. For Sabé duty always comes first. While Padmé is her best friend—and perhaps in many ways a sister—ultimately she is her ‘queen’ and her mistress. Even during informal times when they acted as friends, Sabé was always subconsciously prepared to immediately slip into the role and position of a handmaiden. In her mind, loyalty and dedication to Padmé does not work on a time clock; there is no moment of rest or absence from it. Such dedication and devotion is required of one from the moment they enter such a career. At any given time, her life may be sacrificed in order to save their mistress as in the case of Cordé. This is one of the many risks Sabé proudly accepts in serving as part of Padmé’s security.
As far as Padmé and Sabé’s decisions pertaining to relationships and their own friendship, Sabé would have been torn by Padmé’s decision to marry Anakin. Being a loyal handmaiden, Sabé took her vows and oaths very seriously. She was willing to walk the front line and place herself in the crosshairs of possible sniper fire during The Phantom Menace to ensure her Queen’s safety.
She would have definitely frowned upon the union of Anakin and Padmé. Given her fierce loyalties, she would regard Anakin’s decisions as not only behaving in a very dishonorable fashion, but also extremely disrespectful of the Order he was supposed to serve. There is also the fact that Padmé placed her entire career and future on the line to marry a man who is forbidden to her. It would have been a struggle for Sabé not to feel disappointment or disdain at their seeming lack of allegiance and responsibility. However, she would not have wavered in her loyalties to Padmé because of it. Although it is possible that this difference of opinion would, over time, take its toll and cause a rift to form between them as a result.
In my portrayal of Sabé as she begins to make excuses for her mistress's questionable behaviour, she begins to openly dislike Anakin as a result. While there is no evidence to prove that she wouldn’t have gotten along with Anakin, if one is to judge her personality by what little we’ve seen in The Phantom Menace, the possibility is not farfetched. Both Anakin and Sabé appear to bear enough similarities and sharp contrasts to make them too volatile to be able to tolerate each other. Both are brave, skilled, and are not afraid to be on the frontlines. However while Anakin is cocky, possessive, and feels the need to be constantly in the limelight, Sabé is quite the opposite. Attention is not something Sabé requires or craves. As shown in The Phantom Menace, she is quite comfortable going from wearing the garbs of a queen, to the robes of a handmaiden. This alone illustrates one of the main reasons why she is so well-suited for Obi-Wan. Both are fiercely loyal to their duties and are comfortable with remaining outside of the spotlight. They both do incredible, perilous tasks and complete extremely dangerous missions yet neither receive nor expect credit for it. Instead of being rewarded for their time on the frontlines and heroic deeds, they return home to stand in the shadows of another without complaint. Padmé, as we have seen throughout the prequels, is less than eager to embrace humility and is renowned for being headstrong. She is used to giving orders rather than following them. While this is considered to be sign of leadership is it also a sign that marks a lack of humility and ability to learn from those with more experience and knowledge.
Sabé’s humble nature is suggested in the scene where Padmé steps in to relinquish control of the meeting with Boss Nass. Sabé neither argues nor questions her Queen’s actions or decision; instead, she quietly steps back and proceeds to slip into the silent role of handmaiden. Although it is suggested the reason behind Padmé’s intervention during the meeting with the Gungan leader was because Sabé lacked political finesse, there is no evidence that she acted outside of the orders given to her. If this were indeed the case, perhaps it was this very characteristic that ensured Sabé would become Padmé’s confident and best friend. For in the world of politics where manipulation and verbal games are an every day affair honest becomes a rare trait that is cherished by those who understand its importance. This humble trait is as sharp as a double edged sword.
Given Padmé’s increasingly erratic behavior in AOTC and ROTS, it is certain this particular strength would not have made things easy between the two young women’s relationship, especially if there is an age difference between them. I portray Sabé as three years older than Padmé. However, duty in such situations would always gain the upper hand for Sabé and it is mostly likely that she would be the one who would placate her mistress not out of agreement necessarily, but out of her loyalty to Padmé as her handmaiden. Her position as part of the senator’s security is, after all, to offer advice and give wisdom, not to enforce it.
In our role-played fiction, the greatest of these disagreements always pertains to Anakin in one form or another. Sabé saw a side of Anakin that neither Padmé nor Obi-Wan had ever witnessed. Given her honest nature, Sabé spoke on occasion of her concerns to her both her mistress and her friend not only out of duty, but also out of fear for her safety as well. Because Padmé had experienced the darker aspects of Anakin’s personality—as shown in AOTC after he slaughters the Sandpeople—Sabé’s honesty only increased tensions between the two girls. While Sabé continued to remain loyal to the senator, the fact Padmé ignored her concerns forced Sabé to compromise her codes of honour to ensure Padmé’s safety.
If placed in such a position, Padmé would choose Anakin over Sabé without question. Perhaps that is what realistically happened and why we no longer see any handmaidens in ROTS.
Despite their very different personalities and positions in society, both Sabé and Padmé learnt to bridge the gaps between them in order to form a strong friendship that was birthed in the name of duty. While this duty would ensure their friendship would always bear limits, Sabé’s loyalty would never waver. Even in the face of an impending darkness posing as light, Sabé did not falter or hesitate to stand her ground and protect her friends. Sabé’s honour and loyalty was bound to the oaths she swore to follow upon her entry in Queen Amidala’s services. There is no greater honour than to serve in the name of humanity and true power does not enslave, but serves and protects, qualities which Sabé typifies.