Author's note: My first Star Wars fan fic! There's no pairing like this that I know of on ff.net, and I must give credit for the idea where it is due- my sister, known on this site as Tom Bombadil Groupie! She writes hilarious stories, so read them if you have a few minutes and want to laugh hysterically for the next few days every time you think about them. Anyway, please read and review; I love reviews! Thank you very much; now, on with the tale.

Oh, yes, don't be alarmed by the Jar Jar part in this chapter. There won't be much of him, I promise, he's just too goofy to write about, but this one part just seemed kind of necessary. BTW Amidala is 22 when she becomes Senator. I estimated this because the official site said she'd become Queen "by 14", it's ten years between that time and AOTC, and it said she'd been Senator for a "few years" then. So I decided each term was 4 years, she served two terms, and had been Senator for two years by AOTC. See? OK, never mind if you don't, just read! Haha.

Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters or locations; they all belong to George Lucas, etc.

Chapter One

Queen Jamillia, newly crowned ruler of Naboo, stood on a high platform before a huge crowd of the citizens of Theed. Dressed in a magnificent royal blue gown instead of her usual black, with her hair arranged in an almost impossible looking fan-shaped style on her head, she cut an imposing figure. But it wasn't just the spectacle that had drawn the masses that day; it was the announcement that would be made.

"My fellow citizens of Naboo!" Jamillia began, shouting to make her voice heard; she had small amplifying device affixed to the stage in front of her, but the crowd was so vast that she still needed to speak loudly to make her words carry. "Today I announce an important occasion for our planet's well-being. You are all familiar with my predecessor, Padmé Amidala. She has ruled Naboo well, and I am grateful to her for the good situation she has left for me as I take up her responsibilities." The crowd cheered their support for both their new queen and for Amidala, who was the best loved of any of their monarchs in recent history. "Today, I have called you here to announce that I have asked Amidala to serve as Senator of our fair planet- and she has agreed!" The shouts doubled, and the bright banners many in the crowd held waved more vigorously. The dignitaries seated on the stage applauded politely.

"If you will please step forward, Amidala," Jamillia continued when the cheers had died down a little. The former queen emerged from the group on the stage and stepped up beside Jamillia. She leaned over toward the amplifier.

"My people," Amidala began, smiling graciously in acknowledgement to the cheers. "I am greatly honored by Queen Jamillia's request, and I am happy to be of service to you again. I will do my best for our planet and our people."

A handmaiden stepped up and handed Jamillia a purple cushion with a small gold object resting on it. Jamillia turned to Amidala and gave her the cushion. "I present this medallion to you as a token of my appreciation and a formal declaration of your position. Citizens of Naboo, before you stands Senator Padme Amidala!"

As the crowd went wild again, the two women went back to their chairs, and Boss Nass stepped up to the amplifier. "Mesa like to announce the representative of Gungans in the Galactic Senate- Jar Jar Binks!"

Many humans in the crowd giggled; they were glad to be in alliance with the Gungans, but they found the bumbling Binks hard to take seriously. Nonetheless, the general reaction was good as Jar Jar stepped forward from the group of Gungans sitting on the stage and walked up to the amplifier.

"Mesa honored!" he squealed, waving his arms and beaming at the crowd. That was apparently all he had to say, for he turned around and began to walk back to his seat. However, his large foot caught on a wire, and he fell flat on his face.

Everyone roared with laughter, and Queen Jamillia, seated at the center of the stage, rolled her eyes slightly. She leaned over and whispered to Amidala. "My stars, that Gungan will be the death of us all." Padmé grinned and pressed her hand over her mouth to keep from laughing out loud. Jamillia smiled back, then quickly leaned over and added, "That was not an official royal statement." Amidala nodded and folded her hands in her lap. Good thing we're not by the amplifier, she thought.

Royal Palace Guards hovered around Queen Jamillia's throne, and Security Troopers were stationed all around the stage and at strategic spots throughout the crowd. Handmaidens were seated in smaller chairs surrounding the Queen's throne as well. Captain Panaka, who still commanded most of the Naboo forces, stood at the back of the stage, sturdy and focused as ever. He had appointed others to oversee the security of the new Senator, though they still reported to him periodically. One of the division commanders of these forces was his nephew, Typho, who stood on the right side of the stage, his shoulders squared and his stance ready. Panaka had high hopes for his young relative, and knew he would do a good job in his position, and perhaps even earn a promotion soon.

Typho was alert to the situation as always that afternoon, but his mind was a little distracted. He'd have a lot to do; he had to file reports of his troops the next day, and the chief security officer had asked him to make sure the Senator's new handmaidens' security training was up to par, and brief them on the policies they'd need to know. Senator Amidala was still interviewing candidates to serve as her handmaidens, but she said she'd have them chosen within a few days. Typho sighed and shifted his weight a little. There would be a lot of responsibility associated with his new position, but he couldn't wait to prove himself. He was hoping to perhaps even earn a higher rank before too long.

Jar Jar finally untangled himself and settled back down in his seat. Jamillia and Boss Nass rose and walked to the front of the stage, then lifted their joined hands high overhead, a symbol of unity between the Gungans and humans on Naboo. With this, the ceremony was over, and the crowd began filing out, still waving the banners, shouting, some of them even singing the Naboo anthem. The day had been a success.

~**~**~

Typho stood at the end of one of the great hallways in the building the next day, checking the day's reports on his datapad. There were guards posted at intervals all along the corridor; the closest was Meré. He had always been in the same training courses and units with Typho, and hadn't taken it well when his contemporary had been promoted to division commander.

Typho heard soft footsteps coming down the hall, and he glanced over instinctively.

It was a girl, slender and not too tall, with dark hair flowing down her back. She was wearing a long blue dress, in the style of what most young women in Theed of low to average standing wore, and she moved tentatively, looking around as though she expected someone to reprimand her just for being there. She turned her head his way, and he caught a glimpse of her face- oval shaped, with dark eyes, a straight nose, and a faintly worried expression. She was pretty, he decided, but nothing spectacular. With her simple dress and deferent manner, she was the kind of person easy to pass buy- human furniture, so to speak. She looked a little overwhelmed by the grandeur of the Senator's building, and he considered asking her if she needed any help. But before he had time to make up his mind, Meré stepped forward, right into her path.

"Hey, beautiful, need a hand?" He smiled and raised an eyebrow suggestively, and the girl took a step back.

"Speak up, sweetheart, I don't bite," Meré said smoothly.

Typho frowned. You may not, but I just might if you don't get your act together, Meré.

"You trying to find something?" Meré continued.

"Yes, I am," the girl replied, so softly Typho almost couldn't hear her. "I've applied to be a handmaiden for Senator Amidala. I was instructed to come to this building for an interview, but they never told me which room. Do you know where I should go?"

"Why, yes I do. To the end of this hall, then through the big doorway on your left. The room is the fourth on the right, I think." Meré casually ran a hand over the short red hair he was so proud of and kicked his smile up a notch.

"Oh, thank you," the girl said, taking a step forward.

"Hey, no need to be going so fast," Meré said, quickly leaning his hand against the wall and blocking her path with his arm. "So what's your name?"
Typho glared and began striding towards them.

"I'm Dormé, but I really have to be going now because-" She caught sight of Typho coming down the hall, and her mouth fell open a little.

Meré continued talking; his back was to Typho, and he obviously was paying attention to other things. "Well, Dormé, I really think that you should just stay here with me and-"

"Meré!" Typho barked, causing both of the others to jump. The red-haired guard spun around so quickly it practically made a breeze.

"Uh, yes, sir?" he said nervously.

"You've given the lady her directions. Now let her be on her way." Typho's tone was threateningly calm.

Mere gave him a look that would have stopped an acklay in its tracks, but he stepped back. An uncertain smile blossomed on Dormé's face. She walked past Mere and stopped in front of Typho.

"Thank you, sir," she said, with a deep nod that almost seemed like a bow.

"You're welcome," he said, studying her smile with approval. He didn't blame Mere for thinking she was beautiful, at least.

"If you'll excuse me," Dormé said, motioning to the hallway Meré had instructed her to take.

"Of course." Typho stepped aside and gestured for her to walk past. She smiled again and slipped past silently. Both men stared after her for a moment, then Typho turned back to the other guard.

"What was that all about, Meré?"

"I was only helping her, sir," Meré replied, putting sarcastic emphasis on the last word.

"You were making her uncomfortable, and you were being extremely unprofessional. That is not what we're expected to do."

"I was only joking around," Meré said sulkily. "No harm was done."
"Harm is done to the image of the Naboo Security Forces every time one of our members behaves in an inappropriate way. I'll expect better from you in the future."

"Yes, sir." Meré looked like he was practically exploding with nasty comments, but he held them in for once.

"Good," Typho said, his tone implying "the case is closed". He walked off down the hall without another word.

Meré's always been trouble, Typho thought. Maybe he should speak to his uncle about his behavior today. But he hated to do that; it was justified, but he always felt like he was pulling rank or something when he went to Panaka. He knew that was what the rumor mills said about him, too. He sighed and clicked off his datapad. Sometimes he thought if he'd taken his father's advice and become a farmer, everyone would be better off.

~**~**~

True to her word, Amidala had chosen her handmaidens by the fourth day after the ceremony. She chose just four, instead of the five close attendants she'd had as Queen. They arrived in midmorning, all brown-eyed, and all but one dark-haired, each carrying a small suitcase. They walked into the front lobby in a little cluster, talking among themselves quietly.

Typho and two of the soldiers in his division were waiting to meet them. "Hello, ladies," Typho said, walking up to the group with his datapad tucked under his arm and the two guards trailing after him. "I'm Captain Typho. I've been instructed to tell you what you need to know about security here, show you where you'll be staying, then take you to the Senator's quarters." The women nodded, and one cheerfully said hello.

"I have a list of your names. Identify yourself when I read your name, please." Nods again, and he clicked the datapad on. "Versé Lovsol."

"Here." The girl that spoke was a little taller than the others, with a low, smooth voice and her hair pulled back tightly.

"Cordé Belsor."

"I'm Cordé!" It was the one who had said hello before. She had a round, friendly face and long, flirtatious eyelashes, and her dark hair fell in thick curls. Her gown was more elaborate than what the others wore; she had the look of someone not accustomed to taking anything seriously.

"Zaré Kinseé."

"Yes, here I am." Zaré had dark red hair and fair skin; she must have been chosen for her skills rather than her resemblance to the Senator.

"Dormé Salvo- oh, hello!" He gave her a small smile over the top of his datapad.

"Hello," she replied; she was wearing a light green dress that day, and her hair was pulled back in a long braid trailing down her back.

"Ooh, you know this guy? Have you been holding out on us, Dormé?" Cordé's constant smile widened, and she elbowed the other woman in the ribs.

"I met him when I came for my interview," Dormé explained, looking a little embarrassed by the teasing.

"The only guard I met was this red-haired guy who kept trying to act impressive!" Cordé said, wrinkling her nose.

"Meré," Typho sighed.

"What?" Cordé and Zaré chorused. Versé just looked confused, and Dormé grimaced.

"Never mind. If you'll all come with me, I'll show you your quarters. I'll explain things along the way." Another round of nods from the handmaidens, and Typho began to walk, feeling like a tour guide as the others followed.

He explained that each of them would carry two concealed blasters at all times, and that any one of them might be called upon to act as Senator Amidala's decoy. The rest of their duties would consist of helping the Senator dress and style her hair, doing any tasks she requested of them, and being alert and watchful in all situations. "In this job, you are required to put your interests second to the safety and interests of the Senator. Do you understand?"

"Yes, sir," all four replied. They seemed to have sobered considerably; even Cordé appeared focused. By that time they were outside the rooms they would occupy, on either side of the Senator's bedchamber.

"You can rest in your rooms for a little while. There are two beds in each room; you can decide who stays where yourselves. In two hours, you all need to go to the Senator's office. Address her as Senator Amidala or M'Lady, until she tells you otherwise. I'll need to meet with you all tomorrow to see how your combat skills are."

"What time tomorrow?" Versé asked (the longest sentence she'd spoken so far).

"About fourteen-hundred hours, I think. There's a holoplayer with a speaker in both rooms, so I'll send you a message to confirm it." Typho stopped, having run out of things to say, and resisted the urge to end his speech with "The tour is complete; you may proceed to the gift shop if you wish."

"Well, I think that's all for now. I'll see you tomorrow," he said instead; there were some comments you just had to keep to yourself if you wanted maintain an aura of dignity.

The handmaidens all said goodbye, but stayed outside in the hall as Typho and the guards walked away. The sound of whispers carried down the hall, then a burst of laughter. Typho looked at the other guards and raised his eyebrows, and they both shrugged. Typho sighed as they turned the corner at the end of the hallway. It was so much easier to deal with armed attackers than confusing women.

A/N: The next chapter will be told from Dormé's point of view (not in first person, just following what happens to her, just like this one focused mostly on Typho). Things get more exciting after this, I promise. Please review! Thank you!