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<b>On Obi-Wan and Sabé</b> - by <a href="http://this-quiet.livejournal.com" target=_new>This Quiet</a><br><br>

Obi-wan and Sabé. A rather interesting, albeit obscure shipping in the Star Wars fandom. One catchphrase goes, "A love affair so secret, not even George Lucas knew about it." I have been a Sabé/Obi-wan (sometimes known as Sabewan or Sobiwan) fan ever since The Phantom Menace came out, and now, after nearly five years of being a shipper, it still proves to be a strangely attractive potential storyline. Before I go on any further, let me inform you that I am not a very "involved" Star Wars fan and my knowledge of the universe is just one step ahead from the basic, and so I hope that you forgive me if I display any form of ignorance of the universe during the discussion of this ship. 
<p>Of course, the start of this relationship would obviously start in TPM, where Qui-Gon and Obi-wan are sent as ambassadors by the Jedi Council to help solve the problems between the Federation and Naboo. We are presented with their personalities: Qui-Gon has more of the daring streak, while Obi-wan is more pensive, more mindful of the rules than his master. He is also mindful of his master's teachings, but somehow we get the feeling that Obi-wan sometimes cannot help but go, "tut, tut" at some of Qui-Gon's decisions, especially if they have a turn for the unorthodox. 
<p>What about Sabé? We don't know much about her, but according to The Queen's Amulet, she is Padmé's best friend. It is possible that her upbringing and her lifestyle is very similar to Padmé's. Sabé is undoubtedly loyal to her, and would readily die for her. She has had training in shooting and warfare, as well as the finer aspects of royalty and public relations, as she could easily pass off as the Queen herself. These things would require a great deal of discipline as well as skill. We do not know if it is a prerequisite for the rulers of Naboo to have a decoy, but to do what Sabé has done would require a great discipline and devotion to her duty, and not easily imitated. Though young, it is not difficult to say that Sabé would have displayed characteristics that Padmé had shown herself: steely strength, intelligence and nerve, yet with an unmistakable kindness and even naivete. 
<p>Duty and responsibility. These two words, which can be the greatest hindrance to a realistic relationship of Obi-wan and Sabé. They are dedicated to causes they believe are greater than themselves, and they are greatly similar in that aspect. However, perhaps the things that make Sabé/Obi-wan unlikely are also the things that make the idea of the relationship attractive, and even plausible. 
How? Well, there are a great many things that fanfiction writers can cook up, I'm sure. Speaking for myself, while there may be difficulty in establishing a friendship between these two, it would be easier for them to find a kindred spirit in one another, if not love, in time. It's easier for me to see Sabé as more serious-minded rather than a giggly teenager as she is portrayed in some fanfics. Indeed, how else would you act, knowing that your people are suffering and that your main duty was to pretend to be the Queen of Naboo? 
<p>Another troublesome aspect of the ship is Obi-Wan's "stickler for the rules" personality. We can see clearly that he is very much devoted to the tenets of the Jedi Code, and seems to be less prone to being emotional. It's not easy to write Obi-wan as someone falling in love at first sight and make it believable. It's not really in his character to just take one look at Sabé and then BAM! It's love. He's old-fashioned that way, Obi-wan.

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It is also difficult to imagine that there was no interaction that happened between the two of them during the three days that they were stranded on Tatooine. When they finally landed in Coruscant, Obi-wan gives Sabé (masquearading as the Queen) a long look even after she passes by. Also, when it is revealed that Sabé is a decoy, Obi-wan doesn't look all that surprised. Very, very, small hints, true, but enough for any stalwart shipper to build upon. Of course, what happens after then, after the battle at Naboo, between Sabé and Obi-wan is anyone's guess.
<p>So, now what? It's a ship that canon-wise, would put it dead in the water. However, it still has a huge potential because a relationship between Sabé and Obi-wan would prove to be a poignant parallel with Anakin and Padmé. Sabé and Obi-wan, by the very nature of their characters, would take the opposite direction in which Anakin and Padmé took-they would deny their feelings for each other, opting to sacrificing it for their goals and ideals. Storywise, it would be very tragic, but it adds a whole new depth in the character of Obi-wan. For Sabé, she has such potential, and her character would be a joy to mine and find what she is like.  


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