A/N: As in Chapter One Italic script represents Dummé's thoughts.

Bold Italic script represents... well I don't want to spoil that. Read for yourself! :D

Chapter Two

It was a beautiful day in Theed and the sun was shining down on Queen Amidala (ie. the Handmaiden Dummé disguised as Amidala) as she and her escort as walked along Queen Nimala's Way. Our heroine was looking impossibly regal in the queen's black state gown with feathered hair piece. Three weeks ago this would have been a dream come true for Dummé. Actually she has had this exact dream, where she is queen and Padmé is her Handmaiden.

Well almost the exact dream. This time there were fewer cheering Naboo and more scary battle droids with blasters.

Okay, on the one hand she is my queen. On the other hand maybe they'd let me go if they told them the real Amidala is one of the girls in yellow and red. Oh Holy force why did I go into politics? I could have been an amazing holo actress.

Three figures leapt into the courtyard from an archway and two of them started swinging swords that looked like lasers. Seconds later the droids were in pieces and Governor Bongo and these strangers were pulling a bewildered Queen Amidala and Co. safety, which turned out to be the main hangar. 'Who are you?' Dummé managed to gasp.

They said they were ambassadors. Dummé gave them an uncertain look. Maybe all ambassadors carried laser swords. Politics was obviously dangerous: she'd been a queen for twenty minutes and had already been taken prisoner, shot at and rescued.

As our heroine was trying to catch her breath the older ambassador spoke. He was handsome in an ancient sort of way but then when she heard what he was saying Dummé's blood ran cold: 'Your Highness, under the circumstances, I suggest you come to Coruscant with us.'

He thinks I'm the real queen! They all think I'm the real queen!

'Thank you, Ambassador, but my place is here with my people.' Because if I go with you everyone will be shooting at me!

'They will kill you if you stay.'

I'm new to queening but aren't ambassador's meant to say nice things to queens? As Dummé was trying to decide between certain death and less certain death and the others started arguing she realised there was only one person who could get her out of this. One person who could reveal the truth.

'Either choice presents great danger,' she said then looked at Padmé, hoping she'd take the hint. '... to us all.'

The real queen queen looked at her decoy and said: 'We are brave, Your Highness.'

I am so not voting for you next election Padmé.

Somehow the ambassadors managed to fight their way on to Queen Amidala's starship. Dummé didn't see much of it but what she did see was the younger ambassador in action and Holy Force was he wonderful! I mean okay he is ancient, like in his twenties but he is so confident and handsome and…. Wow, am I glad you can't see someone blushing through the royal facepaint.

Not that our dazed and love struck heroine had the chance to talk to him yet. First they were nearly shot down and only saved by a droid. Guess who 'the queen' ordered to clean him up?

(Clue: her name ends with the letter é.)

I really wish Sabé was here. I was properly introduced to the queen two hours ago, I think I've said all of ten words to Eirtaé ('Hi', 'Dummé', 'I love your hair' and 'do they do vegetarian?') and the most I know about Rabé is that she is the only one of us who isn't the queen/blonde/me.

There didn't seem to be anything Dummé could do for now except pretend like mad to be the queen and keep her fingers crossed they didn't want her to decide anything.

'Your Highness, with your permission we're heading for a remote planet called Tatooine. It is a system far beyond the reach of the Trade Federation.' That was the bearded ambassador. She was starting to dislike him, but so long as no one else suggested-

'I do not agree with the Jedi on this.'

Thank you Captain Panaka. You're cleaning the next droid. Wait the ambassadors are Jedi Knights? Like in the holos? Is the Gungan one to? Okay focus Dummé… oh no, they're all looking at me, expecting me to decide.

The tall Jedi looked straight at Dummé. Everyone else was also looking at 'Queen Amidala' which was why she was the only one to notice the Jedi do this weird little wave with his hand as he spoke. It was totally distracting.

Were have I seen that before? Wait… that looks like the kind of wave Jedi use in holo stories to mind trick crooks! Hah, well that only works on the weak minded and I am not wea-

'You must trust my judgment, Your Highness.'

I must trust his judgement. 'I must trust your judgement.'

'We will take the ship to Tatooine.'

They will take the ship to Tatooine. 'You will take the ship to Tatooine.'

'Thank you your Highness.' The Jedi bowed and left for the bridge of the ship, closely followed by an unhappy looking Captain Panaka. Dummé watched them go, feeling relieved and a tiny bit puzzled.

Huh. I guess making tough decisions is easier than I thought.

Wait, why do I feel light headed? And why was I thinking about... uh... something about holo stories?

Whatever. I trust the Jedi and I want to go to Tatooine. Whereever that is. But I better let the real queen know where we are going...

'Queen Amidala' turned and looked at the other two Handmaidens. 'Uh, Eirtaé, Rabé can you go down to the cargo hold and help Padmé?'

They didn't look happy at the order, but they couldn't exactly ignore advice from their 'queen' so they trooped off. Leaving Dummé alone in about a hundred pounds of formal gown, jewels and headgear. As soon as they left she let out a sigh. Her back hurt from sitting so regally.

Our heroine thought she was being quiet but maybe not because the handsome young Jedi looked at directly at her. For the second time that day Dummé was actually glad she was wearing three inch thick make up.

'Don't be afraid your Highness.' His voice had this wonderful accent, but it wasn't half so wonderful as the smile he gave her. It was warm and sympathetic and for the first time Dummé wondered if she'd found a friend.

'Please call me-,' she almost said Dummé but she just couldn't. Even though they were the only ones here. Maybe I'm not so bad a Handmaiden after all. 'Call me Amidala. What is your name?'

'Obi-Wan.' He walked forward and she got a look at those baby blues and felt her heart skip a beat. Dummé so badly wanted to talk to him, but if she couldn't use the truth what could she talk about? Weather?

'So… Obi-Wan, do you think Tatooine will be wet? I really don't want to ruin this gown in the rain.' Padmé will kill me – if she isn't planning to already!