The people of Naboo were scared, frightened. They looked up to the Queen to make the decision that would either make or break the planet. It's how we all felt. Queen Amidala didn't want to make the decision that would lead us to war, but I'm afraid that it is bound to happen.
I stood to the right of my Queen, not far behind her. I'm her immediate hand, since I'm the oldest. Sabé is to her left, the Queen's decoy if it ever came down to it. Queen Amidala contacted the Viceroy of the Trade Federation.
"At last we are getting results. Again you come before us, your highness," the Viceroy, Nute Gunray, says.
"You will not be so pleased when you hear what I have to say, Viceroy," Queen Amidala replies curtly. "Your trade boycott of our planet has ended."
"I was not aware of such failure," Gunray says snidely.
"I have word that the Chancellor's ambassadors are with you now, and that you have been commanded to reach a settlement."
"I know nothing of any ambassadors. You must be mistaken."
"Beware, Viceroy. The Federation has gone too far this time."
"We would never do anything without the approval of the Senate," Gunray lies. "You assume too much."
"We will see," Padmé tells him before ending the transmition. Sabé and I take our respective seats behind our Queen, wondering what she'll do next.
The Queen then contacted Senator Palpatine. She told him what the Viceroy had told her. "Negotiations haven't started because the ambassadors aren't there," Palpatine repeats. "How could that be true? I have assurances from the Chancellor. His ambassadors did arrive." And then the communications disruption happened. The hologram twitched and flickered as the senator's voice deepened and cut out. Sabé and I sit forward in our seats.
"Senator Palpatine," Padmé calls out as the transmition ended. She looked to Captain Panaka. "What's happened?"
"Check the transmition generator," Panaka tells one of the guards.
"A communications disruption can mean only one thing, invasion," Governor Bibble announces.
"The federation would not dare go that far," Queen Amidala replies.
"The Senate would revoke their trade franchise," Panaka tells him. "They'd be finished."
"Then we must continue to rely on negotiation," Amidala suggests.
"Negotiation? We've lost all communications!" Bibble exclaims. "And where are the chancellor's ambassadors?"
Captain Panaka steps forward, towards the Queen. "This is a dangerous situation, your highness. Our security volunteers will be no match against a battle hardened federation army," he tells her.
"I will not condone a course of action that will lead us to war," Padmé says, leaving no room for argument. The Queen's word is law.
Myself and the Queen's other handmaidens brought Padmé to the Queen's private quarters. Queen Padmé Amidala changed out of her royal attire and donned handmaiden's clothes, taking the role of Padmé Naberrie, instead of using her regal name of Amidala. Sabé was now wearing Padmé's clothes, becoming the Queen.
Rabé did Sabé's hair while I did her makeup. Eirtaé, the only blonde handmaiden, tended to Padmé, making sure the clothing was straightened out, her hair was pulled back correctly, and the makeup was all off. It was tedious work and none of us liked it. The other handmaidens cleaned up and made sure no one walked through the door. The only ones who were allowed to know about the switch are Captain Panaka and us. Not even Governor Bibble.
Padmé instructed Sabé to not sign the treaty that the Viceroy would have her sign. Despite the brave face our Queen put on, I knew she was scared. Padmé would never show it though. As Queen she needed to be fearless in times of need. She needed to protect her people, and to do that she needed to not show emotion. Sabé had learned to do just that. We all did.
As the oldest of the handmaidens at twenty, Padmé often looked to me for the occasional guidance or reassurance since she is only fourteen. No matter how mature she is, she's still a child. That's precisely what I did and what I am here for.
"Milady, we will follow you anywhere," I tell her, my eyes softened. "We are your sisters, your friends, your closest allies, and we trust your judgement."
"Thank you, Cattleya," Padmé replies and we leave the room, Sabé first, with me to her right and Padmé to her left.