I don't own Star Wars because life isn't fair.
Ruwee Naberrie sat in his office in the high levels of Tannik Spaceport, the headquarters for the Refugee Relief Movement program. He had finally become comfortable with his position as leader of the movement, finally comfortable with the jurisdiction to make things right in the Republic.
"Mr. Naberrie," Ruwee heard a familiar voice call from the doorway, "I apologize for coming without first notifying you. I do hope I am not intruding."
"Of course not, Senator Palpatine," Ruwee responded, "Have a seat."
Palpatine sat in the chair across from Ruwee and began, "Mr. Naberrie, I would not be here if the issue were any less pressing, you must believe that."
"I am listening Senator. And please, call me Ruwee."
"Yes, Ruwee... You see, as a fellow Naboo, you must understand the conflict arising with King Veruna."
Ruwee tilted his head. "Could you explain further Senator?"
A look of discomfort flashed across Palpatine's face for a moment. "Ah, well, how may I put this," Palpatine leaned in a bit and lowered his voice a tad, "King Veruna is morally unfit to run a planet."
Ruwee's eyes widened, and he pressed a button on his desk to close the doors of his office. Palpatine felt doubtful for only a moment, and then-
"Of course! Someone finally sees it! King Veruna is wrong for Naboo! He is corrupting our peaceful ways!" Ruwee exclaimed passionately.
"Exactly," said Palpatine, "I couldn't agree with you more."
"King Veruna is making too many rash decisions! He is a bolt of corruption in Naboo! His reign as king must be ceased!"
"Of course, my friend. In fact, I am a step ahead of you. Ruwee, my fellow Naboo, I have already begun searching for a new monarch to lead our homeworld out of Varuna's repugnant reign."
At this, Ruwee glanced up, calmer, but more confused. "Does the king know of this?"
"No," Palpatine replied, "I have trusted you to be the first I officialy share this information with. That is with reason, my friend. My reason being... I need your help."
"What is it that you need Senator?" Ruwee asked cautiously, but willingly, "I will aid you in whatever way you need."
Palpatine raised one thick, light grey eyebrow and spoke, "I have few candidates for monarch on my list, but perhaps the most prominent, the one I would be most confident in would be the Princess of Theed... your daughter."
Ruwee's eyebrows rose. "Padmé? You... you want Padmé to run for Queen of Naboo?"
Palpatine nodded.
"I...well..." Ruwee tried to come up with a response for the time being, "I feel I should speak with my family about this."
"Of course," said Palpatine, "You should return to Naboo to consult with your family."
Ruwee nodded, still trying to imagine his innocent young daughter, running an entire planet.
"Thank you Senator."
"No, thank you Ruwee."
A week had passed since Palpatine's and Ruwee's meeting. Ruwee was now back on Naboo, and had just settled back into the Naberrie house. He hadn't told Jobal or Padmé of Palpatine's request yet. He wanted to wait, to tell them rather formally.
Sola was off with Darred in Varykino, and it was only the three of them in their home in Theed. Perhaps that was best. This was a delicate decision, and interference would not be prudent.
The sun was just setting when Ruwee called Padmé and Jobal into the dining room to tell them of Palpatine's request. Padmé needed a few minutes. She was working on a bill regarding taxes in Theed. Ruwee sighed, though it was not uncommon for politicians in Naboo to start their work at a young age, he sometimes felt saddened that Padmé carried such burdens at the age of only thirteen.
And such burdens would only become greater if Padmé took on more power...
Nevertheless, Ruwee needed to consult with his family regarding this. Padmé sat down at the end of the table, with Jobal and Ruwee facing eachother.
"My dears," Ruwee started.
"What is it, my dear Ruwee?" Jobal asked, concerned, "You seem rather troubled."
"Well," Ruwee said to his wife and daughter, "Senator Palpatine came and visited me in my office in Coruscant last week, and, well, we talked about... things."
"Like what things Daddy?" Padmé questioned.
Ruwee straightened, bracing to tell them. "You both know how I feel about King Veruna. Well, it turns out, there are others who feel this way. Many, in fact, who would like to see the king descend from his throne. In fact, some, including the senator, are already considering who to run for the next monarch of Naboo."
"And?" Jobal pressed.
"And..." Ruwee turned to face his daughter, who was looking right back at him with concern and curiosity, "Senator Palpatine and many others believe that you, Padmé, are the most prominent and most suitable candidate for queen."
Padmé's chocolate brown eyes widened. "Me? Queen?" she gasped, trying to wrap her head around the idea.
As he waited for his daughter to process what she had heard, Ruwee turned to his wife. Jobal seemed... quite calm, and not surprised at all.
"Jobal?" Ruwee asked, curious about her reaction, "What do you make of all this?"
Jobal folded her hands in front of her as she spoke. "Well, I must say, I am not surprised. Padmé is already such an important figure in Naboo, and she is still so young. She is probably expected to go on to do more before her political career is over."
She does have a point,
Ruwee thought.
"However, just because I understand it does not necessarily mean I approve of it," said Jobal, "We are uncertain of how this may effect Padmé in the long term."
Jobal and Ruwee both turned to their daughter, who was still rather struck by the news.
"Padmé, dear," Jobal spoke gently, "I wish to speak to your father outside, alright?"
Padmé nodded, speechless.
The two stepped outside, into the sunset that had nearly morhped into night. The sky was growing darker. Jobal looked out upon the sky.
"I don't want her to do it," said Jobal.
Ruwee spoke gently and patiently, "But King Varuna-"
"King Veruna may be taken on by another politician. But Padmé is already having sleepless nights filled with work, and days where she has such exhaustion that work is the only thing she can manage. And she's only thirteen! If anything, this issue will expand if Padmé takes on the role of queen. Is that what you want for our daughter?"
Ruwee sighed. Of course he didn't want this for his daughter. Of course he didn't want to deprive her of an adolescence. Of course he didn't want her to be burdened.
Jobal sighed, "I just don't want her to go through the entire election just to be set up for disappointment."
Ruwee nodded. "You're right dear. Perhaps Padmé should not do this. Perhaps she should dismiss monarchy... I think she should dismiss monarchy."
"Well with respect Father, I believe that is my decision to make," Padmé's voice chimed from the doorway.
"Yes Padmé. It is your decision," said Jobal.
"Well then I would like to meet with Senator Palpatine soon. I want to discuss this with him," Padmé declared.
Padmé entered Senator Palpatine's office alone, only a few days after the talk with Ruwee. She had sent the senator a holocron telling him she was on her way to disscuss the details of her possible campaign.
"Princess Amidala, such a pleasure to see you. I has been too long," Senator Palpatine said when she entered.
"Far too long, Senator Palpatine," she replied.
"Please, have a seat, my dear," Palpatine told her. She sat across from the senator at his desk.
"My father told me what you two talked about. He told me that I am believed to be a prominent candidate as Naboo's new monarch. I trust my father's information was accurate?" Padmé spoke in a strong, but gracious voice.
"Yes, my dear. You see, King Veruna has become, well, quite unpopular. Though I'm sure you've noticed this."
"I have noticed. And if I may, Senator, I cannot help but agree that the king has been disrupting quite a few of Naboo's values but-"
"But no one will do anything about it! Well, my dear, we are finally taking a stand! You and I are both smart politicians who are loyal to Naboo. Together, we can wipe Naboo clean of Veruna's corruption... I know that you will not refuse Princess."
"Refuse?"
"Yes. Trust me my dear, given your past work with both testing and activism, you have the potential to become one of the most influential political figures in the Republic. You could be very useful in leading Naboo," Palpatine said to her with a sly grin.
"Senator-"
"Of course, if you were to refuse to campaign, it would be almost as if you were supporting Varuna and his corruptions himself."
"I don't see-"
"How you could refuse my offer? You would be wise to join me. It would be such a loss if you did not help us. Please consider Princess Amidala."
Padmé was rather speechless at Palpatine's speech. The entire situation seemed so complicated now...
"I will give you two days to consider. I wish I could give you more, but time is of the essence."
Finally, Padmé found her voice again. "Thank you Senator," she said as she rose from her chair.
"Thank you my dear. Please consider my offer."
As Padmé slowly exited the room, the words echoed in her head: Of course, if you were to refuse to campaign, it would be almost as if you were supporting Varuna and his corruptions himself.
Don't be a pawn of corruption,
she heard a voice ring in her head.
Quickly, she whirled around to face Palpatine.
"Actually Senator, I don't think I need two days," she told him.
"What are you saying Princess?"
"I'm saying... I will run for Queen of Naboo. You have my word."
Palpatine smiled. "Thank you my dear."