I

Her voice and narrow chin,
Her grave small lovely head,
Seemed half the meaning
Of the words she said.
- Walter de la Mare

She called upon me, and I could not refuse...

They stood before each other; similar in stature, figure, and appearance - one might mistake them for twin sisters - yet their expressions were as different as the two individual beings that they were.

Padme's dark eyes searched Sabe's own dark eyes, " I do not have the political savvy that would be needed in the position. You need more than appearance, why do you ask me?" Sabe gave her reply, after much silence that was spent in contemplative thought.

" Because there is no one I trust more than you Sabe," Padme replied with a simple, straightforward truth that was habitual to her.

Sabe's incredulous face flickered into a soft expression, she lowered her head and bowed, " I am at your service my lady."

They were girls upon the verge of womanhood. But they did not wait for time, some had grown up, and others forced themselves to now do so; the fourteen-year-old queen and her handmaidens of similar ages. It was a curious nomination and election in any galaxy; and the planet of Naboo was either extremely progressive or had a disturbed view of childhood labor. Although the galaxy was unsure of which it was, it was all united in the feeling of curiosity. All would observe how this term would be handled.

So thus the pressure upon these young women was heavy, yet they do say that diamonds are made under pressure.

On the day of Padme's inauguration, the people of the lush planet of Naboo found their newly elected Queen's speech to be more than satisfactory. Behind the Queen graced her handmaidens, five in total, their faces shadowed and their identities elusive as they were always to be throughout this term. Always hidden, yet always there. Queen Amidala was to be the nation's strength and support; but the handmaidens were to be the Queen's stability.

Naboo is a planet that is deceiving. In appearance it looks as a paradise, the land is lush and exotic. The city of Theed's architectural elements boast of the renaissance of man's creativity. The land holds with democracy, and its politics aim for a Utopia - even if it is ever elusive. Yet this land held a darker side. Its people were intelligent and gracious in their thinking, but yet ever secretive. It was a planet of pride, of a certain aloof nature, and even of deceit. All of which probably stemmed from the need for armour. The planet was small, and it used secrets to protect itself. If the galaxy was unaware of this young queen's true identity, the handmaidens were yet more elusive. These young women had to be hidden and had to put away all individuality as long as the term lasted. It was vital. It was why Padme had taken such an excessive amount of time, or so the court thought, of choosing those who were to be her handmaidens. It was why Sabe was chosen last - her position begged for something even more demanding.

To those of the court she was an odd choice. She looked strikingly similar to the Queen, but to anyone's knowledge she had never even stepped into a political forum before. But that, Padme insisted, was the reason she was perfect for the job. She was thoroughly uncorrupted.

The greater reason, of which Padme did not speak, was of friendship. The two girls had known each other since infancy, and despite their differences they had bonded. They understood each other. When working together, they were united with a subtle, but forcible, strength.

In the throne room, in a chair closest to the queen, her eyes could not be seen. Yet she could see everything that made up that area of the palace. Everyday her eyes closely observed the details that threaded this political life. She absorbed it, trying to learn without action or practice.

She did not find her position unpleasant, from her chair there was no pressure or burden. She was invisible, a masked creature. It was much easier to observe than to be the one being observed. She was certain she could come to understand things better this way. Her mind, if it wanted to, could race with accuracy upon thoughts and grasp them easily. It wanted to now.

Her story was like many stories. She had a little brother, and he died when she was seven. Her mother turned to drink. In the midst of a turbulent homestead her father tried to care for her, but he was a busy man.

No one would think, even those who lived in Theed, that such realism existed in their fairy-tale setting of a home. But that was Naboo; it was hidden behind a mask. In her mind it played off that word, irony.

She was born headstrong, mischievous, and full of creativity. But all of that was hidden under a cloak of premature age. She had always been the one forced to grow up quickly. The fact that she often retreated to Padme's home made sense. It was there she was allowed to release these feelings she was born with. While Sabe's home was the illusion, Padme's home was the portrait. It was a place on Naboo that actually represented the landscape, it was ideal. Padme prospered under such a roof, it was in part what made her so proficient in politics, and Sabe had watched all of that with great interest - she was always the one watching.

As she watched now, taking in Padme's actions, sayings, and reactions to the court and political world. She felt like an actress preparing for a role.

" Did they present reasons for the blockade?" Queen Amidala was questioning.

Hidden in the shadows she pondered this meeting...Her naivety with regards to politics was already starting to fade away...

This was the friend. This was the handmaiden. This was the decoy. This was Sabe.