It was with caution that I entered the graveyard. But no one would notice me here, a lone figure shrouded in black. Thick fog clouded my vision but I visited this place often; I went to the same grave every time. I stumbled through the rocky terrain that was the graveyard. Honestly, they should have picked another spot for the dead to rest. But, oddly enough, it was the only place I felt safe. Away from the prying eyes of the court and the others that called themselves my "friends". I saw it then, the sight of it cutting my flow of thought. It had been poorly tended to. The engraving fading away, weeds growing up around it, and the flowers which I had left last time withered and dry. Gently, I picked them up and they crumbled just like my heart. Tears pricked around the edges of my eyes. Did no one else care? She had sacrificed her life for a cause! Did she die for nothing? Did anyone even remember? Angrily, I tore out the weeds while trying not to cry. The earth was now laid bare and my dress covered with dirt. I sighed and brushed myself off. I reached out and traced the lettering upon the gravestone. Corde…I miss you so much. If only you knew how much I need you now. You were my best friend.
At first the Queen had cried but she soon forget. She replaced her a few days after, and life had resumed its natural course, the way it had always been. How could she do that? Just dismiss Corde with a wave of her hand? After she sacrificed herself for her! Yes, she permitted a small funeral but did she herself come? No. I guess I'm not being entirely fair…The queen must have had much on her mind. But I was the only one that went. Me…Yane. Shy, quiet, brainy Yane. Not even the other handmaidens that had been so friendly to her came. Now who do I have? No one. She would have told me to be strong. But she also told me that she'd always be there for me. But now who do I have? No one. I'm alone
It should have been me, not Corde. Corde had a purpose and I did not. She was useful and I was useless. I was clumsy and she…well she was perfect. But now who is left to visit her grave? All those friends that said they were true? No, now I'm the only one who cares for one persons sacrifice. She would have laughed then, if they had left her. That's one of the things I admired about her, the way she didn't care what anyone thought. She was kind to everyone…especially me. I was the clumsiest out of the handmaidens and often times the one who made the most mistakes. While the others had laughed and jeered at me, Corde would give me a smile. She would frequently help me improve my skills as a handmaiden and in time I did get better at them.
She always did say she would fight to the death for the queen. I guess I took that for granted. But I had always believed she meant what she said, even though I thought there would never come a time for it. I sat there, gazing at her gravestone, lost in memories. My tears mingling with dirt. When finally I stood up, the sky had darkened and I could see the moons of Naboo twinkling above. And it was then I knew, I had to let my memory of her go. She would not have wanted me to live in sorrow. She once told me that in silence you would find the answer. And she was right. I looked at her grave once more and uttered my final words to her. "Good-bye Corde" and then I was gone.