Title: Sacrifice br
Author: NicolaAfyon br
Rating: Pg-13 br
Pairings: Yané /Obi-Wan, Rabé/OC Eirtaé/Valin Halcyon br
Summary: br
Four year after Anakin Skywalker turned to the Dark Side, seven young Naboo women have still managed to survive. Even their Lady, Padmé Amidala is still eluding Imperial capture, despite the various bounties placed on her by Darth Vader. Three chance meetings on Naboo, Alderann, and Corellia, will reunite them all for the first time in three and a half years.
Sabé and Rabé have been on Naboo, playing decoy once more for Amidala.
Eirtaé has been living on Corellia, a member of CorSec, working to secretly help the remaining Jedi
Dormé has stayed with her Lady, her constant bodyguard and protector.
Saché is a spy in the Imperial's mist, a seemingly mindless party girl whose concealing a lot beneath.
Yané has been keeping watch on Tantooine over Luke Skywalker, and becoming rather good friends with Obi-Wan Kenobi.
Together, these six women must outthink Vader to protect Padmé, even if it costs them their lives.
Chapter 1: Padmé
Padmé Amidala Naberrie Skywalker, former Queen and later Senator of Naboo, sighed as she watched Alderaan's sun set. It was her children's lifeday. Little Luke and Leia turned four today. Luke, she had only seen in the few holos that made their way to her every six or seven months and Leia, whom she hadn't seen in a year. She could go see Leia rather easily if she wanted, as they were both living on the same side of Alderaan. But she didn't dare put her daughter's life in danger, not with . him after her.
Him. The man who had once been Anakin Skywalker, her husband, and who was now the feared Sith Lord, Darth Vader, who was all but a stranger to her.
She wanted her Ani back again, the man she had fallen in love with, not some hunk of machinery who was the Emperor's right hand.
"Milady? Are you alright?" That was Dormé's soft melodic voice behind her, the only one of her handmaidens still with her. The last she had heard, a year ago, Sabé and Rabé had been on Naboo to try and lure the Empire away from her. Seven years ago, Eirtaé had contacted her briefly to say that she was joining the Corellian Security Forces to aid the Jedi there. When she had last heard from the woman two years ago, she was still with CorSec, except now she was helping the Jedi lie low and stay in hiding. Yané had last been heard of four years ago when she was taking little Luke to his new parents, and Saché had all but disappeared. The rest were dead in her service, Cordé, Versé, and others who remained unnamed.
A hand touched her shoulder. "Milady?"
Coming out of her reverie, Padmé turned around to face Dormé, a slight smile on her face. "I'm sorry Dormé, I was just thinking about my children."
The woman nodded. "It's is there lifeday today, yes?"
Padmé merely nodded, not truly trusting herself to speak. Dormé smiled slightly at her. "You'll see them again someday, Milady. I just know you will."
The former Senator gave her handmaiden a brief hug before giving her a mock scolding. "I thought we were supposed to drop the "Milady" business. I'm just plain Padmé now."
Dormé nodded again, saying, "Yes Milady," before ducking her head to hide the grin on her face.
Padmé laughed, the first true laugh in many a week. "I'm glad you've stayed with me, Dormé, more glad than you could ever possibly know."
The two women turned and walked inside to sit on a couch. The wind blew the door shut behind them, causing both of them to jump. Dormé unsheathed a slender Nubian blaster and shoved Padmé behind her as Padmé drew her own blaster. They breathed a sigh of relief as they saw it was merely the door slamming shut. Both of their nerves were highly strung so that even the smallest noise could put them on high alert. Much like it had been six years ago during the search for the assassin. Except now there were no Jedi. Except now there was no Captain Typho and his team. Except now there was a government and a Lord of the Sith after her.
Dormé resheathed her blaster and turned to look at her with a concerned expression on her face. "We're both so uptight, Milady. I'd feel more comfortable with more people to protect you here. If the Imperials were to attack, I would not be able to defend you on my own."
Padmé looked helplessly at Dormé. "No, I cannot ask Captain Panaka or his nephew for help. They have already given too much for me."
"I do not speak of the Captain and his men, milady."
Padmé lowered her eyelids, trying to decipher Dormé's comment. Her lids flew up as the answer came to her. "No, no! I can't Dormé, I can't. They have their own lives now. They too have given much for me."
Dormé shook her head and placed a hand on Padmé's shoulder. "No Milady, we haven't. Even though I remain with you, I still count myself among their number."
"But Sabé and Rabé, they-"
"They remain on Naboo to create a diversion. To steer the Empire away from you."
"I do not even know if Yané and Saché have survived. And Eirtaé-"
"Milady, please see reason. Eirtaé has always been willing to place her life on the line for something that she believes, in as she does now on Corellia. And knowing Saché, she's probably worked her way into the life of a courtier to help our cause, and Yané's still watching over Luke, most likely."
Padmé turned away from her handmaiden and went back outside to the small balcony. Tears welled up in her eyes. All of this was her fault. If she had never fallen in love with Anakin, he wouldn't have turned to the Dark Side and they'd all still be living happily on Naboo.
Reaching into the neck of her dress, she pulled out the necklace she wore. The same one she had worn since she was 14. The one Anakin had carved from a japor snippet.
Fingering it as she always did when worried, she turned to face Dormé once more, eyes glassy. The older woman nodded in understanding at the bittersweet expression on her face.
"I cannot ask more people to give their lives for me. Over half of you have fallen for me."
Clasping Padmé's shoulder once more, she said firmly, "Milady, you do not need to ask us. Once a handmaiden, always a handmaiden. Any of us would've died for you at Geonosis, or Naboo, or on Coruscant or any other battle you're gotten yourself into. Sabé especially. She was you in some respects, the one the assassins could shoot at so we could keep you safe."
"Was the fact that Sabé would take the laser fire while I hid suppose to comfort me?"
"It was suppose to prove to you that we trust and follow you, that we will live and die for you."
Padmé squeezed her eyes shut, struggling with the decision. Opening them again, she looked directly into Dormé's eyes. "Alright, fine. Bring Sabé and Yané on planet then."
To her surprise, Dormé shook her head. "No Milady, Eirtaé or Rabé. They're both better shots than Yané, or at least Eirtaé still should be after seven years in CorSec."
She nodded. "Alright, Eirtaé and Sabé then. Sabé's the best in impersonating me."
"But they need Sabé on Naboo to keep up the façade of you being there."
Padmé shot a look at Dormé. "Alright, Dormé, what are you hiding from me?"
The older woman placed a hand on her chest and pretended to look shocked. "Me? Nothing, Milady!"
But a grin had already peaked through and Padmé knew her handmaiden was lying. "You never were a good liar, Dormé. I can tell that someone's here. Just bring him or her out already!"
With a smile, the handmaiden nodded, bowed, and then disappeared out of the room. She came back moments later with a hooded and cloaked person behind her.
Padmé furrowed her brow as she tried to figure out who it could be. Not Eirtaé, the woman here was too short. Not Saché, the girl had a particular swing to her step that eliminated her. And Dormé had said that Yané was most likely still with Luke..
That left only Sabé or Rabé.
The woman reached her hands up to pull back the hood of her cloak, revealing a pair of well-tanned hands. Padmé sucked in her breath as the hood was lowered, anxious to see which of her old friends it would be.
Author: NicolaAfyon br
Rating: Pg-13 br
Pairings: Yané /Obi-Wan, Rabé/OC Eirtaé/Valin Halcyon br
Summary: br
Four year after Anakin Skywalker turned to the Dark Side, seven young Naboo women have still managed to survive. Even their Lady, Padmé Amidala is still eluding Imperial capture, despite the various bounties placed on her by Darth Vader. Three chance meetings on Naboo, Alderann, and Corellia, will reunite them all for the first time in three and a half years.
Sabé and Rabé have been on Naboo, playing decoy once more for Amidala.
Eirtaé has been living on Corellia, a member of CorSec, working to secretly help the remaining Jedi
Dormé has stayed with her Lady, her constant bodyguard and protector.
Saché is a spy in the Imperial's mist, a seemingly mindless party girl whose concealing a lot beneath.
Yané has been keeping watch on Tantooine over Luke Skywalker, and becoming rather good friends with Obi-Wan Kenobi.
Together, these six women must outthink Vader to protect Padmé, even if it costs them their lives.
Chapter 1: Padmé
Padmé Amidala Naberrie Skywalker, former Queen and later Senator of Naboo, sighed as she watched Alderaan's sun set. It was her children's lifeday. Little Luke and Leia turned four today. Luke, she had only seen in the few holos that made their way to her every six or seven months and Leia, whom she hadn't seen in a year. She could go see Leia rather easily if she wanted, as they were both living on the same side of Alderaan. But she didn't dare put her daughter's life in danger, not with . him after her.
Him. The man who had once been Anakin Skywalker, her husband, and who was now the feared Sith Lord, Darth Vader, who was all but a stranger to her.
She wanted her Ani back again, the man she had fallen in love with, not some hunk of machinery who was the Emperor's right hand.
"Milady? Are you alright?" That was Dormé's soft melodic voice behind her, the only one of her handmaidens still with her. The last she had heard, a year ago, Sabé and Rabé had been on Naboo to try and lure the Empire away from her. Seven years ago, Eirtaé had contacted her briefly to say that she was joining the Corellian Security Forces to aid the Jedi there. When she had last heard from the woman two years ago, she was still with CorSec, except now she was helping the Jedi lie low and stay in hiding. Yané had last been heard of four years ago when she was taking little Luke to his new parents, and Saché had all but disappeared. The rest were dead in her service, Cordé, Versé, and others who remained unnamed.
A hand touched her shoulder. "Milady?"
Coming out of her reverie, Padmé turned around to face Dormé, a slight smile on her face. "I'm sorry Dormé, I was just thinking about my children."
The woman nodded. "It's is there lifeday today, yes?"
Padmé merely nodded, not truly trusting herself to speak. Dormé smiled slightly at her. "You'll see them again someday, Milady. I just know you will."
The former Senator gave her handmaiden a brief hug before giving her a mock scolding. "I thought we were supposed to drop the "Milady" business. I'm just plain Padmé now."
Dormé nodded again, saying, "Yes Milady," before ducking her head to hide the grin on her face.
Padmé laughed, the first true laugh in many a week. "I'm glad you've stayed with me, Dormé, more glad than you could ever possibly know."
The two women turned and walked inside to sit on a couch. The wind blew the door shut behind them, causing both of them to jump. Dormé unsheathed a slender Nubian blaster and shoved Padmé behind her as Padmé drew her own blaster. They breathed a sigh of relief as they saw it was merely the door slamming shut. Both of their nerves were highly strung so that even the smallest noise could put them on high alert. Much like it had been six years ago during the search for the assassin. Except now there were no Jedi. Except now there was no Captain Typho and his team. Except now there was a government and a Lord of the Sith after her.
Dormé resheathed her blaster and turned to look at her with a concerned expression on her face. "We're both so uptight, Milady. I'd feel more comfortable with more people to protect you here. If the Imperials were to attack, I would not be able to defend you on my own."
Padmé looked helplessly at Dormé. "No, I cannot ask Captain Panaka or his nephew for help. They have already given too much for me."
"I do not speak of the Captain and his men, milady."
Padmé lowered her eyelids, trying to decipher Dormé's comment. Her lids flew up as the answer came to her. "No, no! I can't Dormé, I can't. They have their own lives now. They too have given much for me."
Dormé shook her head and placed a hand on Padmé's shoulder. "No Milady, we haven't. Even though I remain with you, I still count myself among their number."
"But Sabé and Rabé, they-"
"They remain on Naboo to create a diversion. To steer the Empire away from you."
"I do not even know if Yané and Saché have survived. And Eirtaé-"
"Milady, please see reason. Eirtaé has always been willing to place her life on the line for something that she believes, in as she does now on Corellia. And knowing Saché, she's probably worked her way into the life of a courtier to help our cause, and Yané's still watching over Luke, most likely."
Padmé turned away from her handmaiden and went back outside to the small balcony. Tears welled up in her eyes. All of this was her fault. If she had never fallen in love with Anakin, he wouldn't have turned to the Dark Side and they'd all still be living happily on Naboo.
Reaching into the neck of her dress, she pulled out the necklace she wore. The same one she had worn since she was 14. The one Anakin had carved from a japor snippet.
Fingering it as she always did when worried, she turned to face Dormé once more, eyes glassy. The older woman nodded in understanding at the bittersweet expression on her face.
"I cannot ask more people to give their lives for me. Over half of you have fallen for me."
Clasping Padmé's shoulder once more, she said firmly, "Milady, you do not need to ask us. Once a handmaiden, always a handmaiden. Any of us would've died for you at Geonosis, or Naboo, or on Coruscant or any other battle you're gotten yourself into. Sabé especially. She was you in some respects, the one the assassins could shoot at so we could keep you safe."
"Was the fact that Sabé would take the laser fire while I hid suppose to comfort me?"
"It was suppose to prove to you that we trust and follow you, that we will live and die for you."
Padmé squeezed her eyes shut, struggling with the decision. Opening them again, she looked directly into Dormé's eyes. "Alright, fine. Bring Sabé and Yané on planet then."
To her surprise, Dormé shook her head. "No Milady, Eirtaé or Rabé. They're both better shots than Yané, or at least Eirtaé still should be after seven years in CorSec."
She nodded. "Alright, Eirtaé and Sabé then. Sabé's the best in impersonating me."
"But they need Sabé on Naboo to keep up the façade of you being there."
Padmé shot a look at Dormé. "Alright, Dormé, what are you hiding from me?"
The older woman placed a hand on her chest and pretended to look shocked. "Me? Nothing, Milady!"
But a grin had already peaked through and Padmé knew her handmaiden was lying. "You never were a good liar, Dormé. I can tell that someone's here. Just bring him or her out already!"
With a smile, the handmaiden nodded, bowed, and then disappeared out of the room. She came back moments later with a hooded and cloaked person behind her.
Padmé furrowed her brow as she tried to figure out who it could be. Not Eirtaé, the woman here was too short. Not Saché, the girl had a particular swing to her step that eliminated her. And Dormé had said that Yané was most likely still with Luke..
That left only Sabé or Rabé.
The woman reached her hands up to pull back the hood of her cloak, revealing a pair of well-tanned hands. Padmé sucked in her breath as the hood was lowered, anxious to see which of her old friends it would be.