Queen For Life
Summary: Despite Amidala's protests, the people of Naboo return her to power when her terms as Queen end. However, they go one step further than she had feared. How will she cope with being Queen for life?
Prologue
"How has Her Majesty responded to calls for her to continue as Queen, despite the rapidly approaching end of her term?
We're not quite sure, Mel. No public statement has been forthcoming as yet. However, Her Majesty will be speaking on this issue tomorrow, before the traditional blessing of candidates in the campaign runs…"
"My people! We stand on the brink of a new age! It is time for you to elect a new leader. He or she will guide you, guide us, as we strive for peace, justice, freedom, and democracy! The power is in your hands, my people. I know you shall choose well. The candidates who stand before you are worthy. Each brings with them bright dreams and vibrant ideas. Vote with your heads and your hearts, my people; they will not steer you wrong…"
"…stunning scenes from Theed Palace today. In an unprecedented role-reversal, all of the candidates for the 'top job' declared their unwavering support for Queen Amidala's continued reign during today's Blessing ceremony…"
"Wesa, da Gungans, endorse Queen Amidala. Wesa believe in shesa skills as Boss of da Naboo; shesa brave, and shesa wise. Shesa work for da communal harmony 'tween our two races, and wesa recognize her for dis. Wivvout her personal efforts…."
"…I thank both the Gungan leaders and the Honourable Candidates for their kind words and gestures. I thank all of you, my people, for your unwavering faith in me. Yet I am not ashamed to admit that I also fear it. People of Naboo, it was not long since we were subjected to the whims of an unchecked and unchallenged King. Would you so willing, so readily, return power to a single individual for an unknown length of time? Would you give up your freedoms? Your rights? My people, I believe in democracy. So much power, concentrated in the hands of a single individual, can only lead to harm. Surely you must see that no person can be trusted blindly; no one is incorruptible...
Believe me, I have your best interests at heart. My life is dedicated to you, my people. I strive only to serve you. And so I must urge you: chose a new leader; one who you may evaluate freely, and cast judgement on with your votes..."
"…and now we move onto news from the Outer Rim. In an astonishing bid for power, Queen Amidala of Naboo –home planet of esteemed Galactic Chancellor Palpatine – has taken up the role of 'Queen for Life', a custom which ISN's sources have determined was prevalent in that society up until her original election at the tender age of fourteen. Citing events in her supposedly 'tyrannical' predecessor's rule, Amidala pushed for an amendment of the Naboo constitution, limiting the monarch's time of power to two four-year terms. Even despite this, she has managed to attain unchallenged, life-long rule. ISN has discovered that former king Veruna perished less than one Standard year after his abdication, in mysterious circumstances...
...we can only wonder at the rapid change in perspective; the hypocritical gap between spoken philosophy and the far louder voice of Amidala's actions. Political theorists speculate that power may have corrupted the naive innocence of the child-Queen. Yet the people of Naboo, seemingly spellbound by youthful beauty and pretty rhetoric, have elected their now-22 year old sovereign to power once more. Vastly popular, the young monarch faced no opposition...
...Chancellor Palpatine declined to comment on this shocking development on his homeworld, claiming that he is willing to give Amidala the benefit of the doubt before passing judgement...
...We can only wait, and examine closely this alarming young sovereign's actions in the years to come..."