Across the Stars: A Cinderella Story

A/N: Many thanks to all of my wonderful reviewers! Your reviewers are very encouraging. Glad you all like Padme's character, and hate Sabe and Sola. I do too!

Disc: See previous chapter.

Chapter Four

A few days after the banquet… which Padmé wasn't invited to, the young handmaiden found herself helping the droids and servants wash the hall floors. Padmé, daydreaming as usual, stared out through the large window into the clear blue sky, and blinked when she saw a sleek speeder zooming past. She stood up and saw it heading for the palace gates. Padmé rushed to the front doors, opening one of them, revealing a blue-skinned Twi'lek lady. She was wearing dark robes and had flashing eyes. But what gave her occupation away was the familiar metal lightsaber hanging from her belt.

"You – you're a Jedi!" Padmé gasped, looking up at the Twi'lek. She then blushed, knowing she was being rude. "I, uh, I mean.." she stammered, ashamed of her horrible behavior.

To her surprise, the Jed laughed. "It's all right, I don't mind," she said. "I'm Jedi Knight Aayla Secura, at your service, young handmaiden." She stuck out a hand, which Padmé shook eagerly.

"Can I help you, Knight Secura?" she asked, thrilled to be talking to a real Jedi.

Aayla nodded. "Yes, I'm here to deliver an invitation to a ball on Coruscant, to celebrate Knight Skywalker's victory over Darth Sidious. It will also be a chance for him to meet single young ladies in need of a partner."

Padmé eyed her quizzically. "But I understood that Jedi weren't allowed to have relationships," she said, confused.

"Oh, well, that rule apparently doesn't apply to Skywalker," Aayla shrugged. "Since he's the Chosen One, the Jedi who is supposed to bring balance to the Force, the Council feels that it's best if he has a companion to look after him. I'm not really sure about all the details, that's for the Council to decide."

Padmé realized that she was being rude by not inviting her guest inside. "I'm so sorry, where are my manners?" she apologized, stepping aside; "Please do come in."

"Thank you," the Jedi answered courteously, "And may I ask your name?"

"It doesn't matter," the handmaiden shook her head humbly.

Aayla frowned. "Of course it matters," she argued, "Come, come, one person is not higher than the other. We're both on the same level, here."

"But you're a Jedi Knight, and I'm just a lowly handmaiden."

"So what?"

Padmé sighed. "Very well. My name's Padmé Naberrie." She curtseyed once again.

Aayla stared at her for a second, trying to remember something. "You're not just a handmaiden, are you?" she said, studying her closely.

"It's a long story, milady," Padmé began hesitantly, not wanting to offend the Jedi.

"Aayla, please, Padmé," Aayla interrupted, "I hate for us to have all these blasted formalities."

Padmé smirked, growing more comfortable around the friendly Twi'lek. "Very well, Aayla. Would you like to speak to the Queen?"

"If you wouldn't mind taking me to her," the other answered. "I'm not going to be here for that long."

As the two walked towards the throne room, Padmé asked, "What day is the ball, anyways?"

"Ten days from now," Aayla responded, "I'm just here to deliver the invitation to the Queen of Naboo."

"I understand," Padmé said. "Come, the throne room's this way." She led Aayla to the grand throne room, where the stepfamily was gathered, talking about Anakin Skywalker. They became silent when Padmé entered with Aayla. The Jedi Knight bowed before the Queen and said, "Your Highness, I am Jedi Knight Aayla Secura with an invitation for you and your daughters."

"Do be seated, Jedi Secura," Jobal said, motioning to an empty seat. "Padmé will get you something to drink."

Padmé walked towards the nearby drinks cart and took out some Jawa juice, pouring it into a cup. She then handed it to Aayla, who smiled at her.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome, Knight Secura."

Jobal watched the scene sharply. "Padmé, back to your spot," she barked, glaring daggers at her stepdaughter, who turned and strode behind the cart, standing meekly. Aayla eyed her for a moment before turning back to the Queen.

"You were saying, Knight Secura?" The Queen demurely sniffed, folding her hands in her lap.

"Yes," the Jedi continued, "I've come to invited you and your daughters to a ball on Coruscant, ten days from now. We'll be celebrating Knight Skywalker's success. The Jedi Council would also like him to find a partner, most likely for marriage."

Jobal's eyes lit up, and she glanced at Sola and Sabé, who could barely contain their utter delight. "We would be most honored to attend," the Queen said, trying to keep the huge grin off her face.

"Oh, yes, most honored, Miss," Sola purred, desperately holding in her squeals.

Aayla weakly smiled back at her. "Well then, I must be going now," she stood up. "Thank you for your hospitality. Good day." She bowed to the Queen; then, surprisingly, she shot Padmé a look. "Good day, Padmé," she grinned, a mischievous sparkle in her dark eyes.

Padmé wasn't sure what to make of that, but returned the smile. "And to you as well, Knight Secura."

The family watched the Jedi Knight leave the room… and then everything went crazy.

"Why did act so familiar towards you?" Jobal cut in.

"We're going to meet Anakin!" the girls shrieked wildly, jumping up and down in excitement.

"Does she know you, girl?"

"We're going to meet Anakin!"

"Why would she even pay any attention to you?"

"WE'RE GOING TO MEET ANAKIN!" the sisters screeched, twirling around the room in frenzy. Jobal shushed them and focused back on Padmé, who had been quite content to stay in the background.

"I asked you a question, Padmé," the queen said in a low voice.

Padmé shrugged innocently. "Oh, I just made some small talk with her, that's all," she explained. "It's nothing to speak about. Now if you'll excuse me," she curtseyed, "I have some chores that need to be finished." She left the room, rolling her eyes from all the yelling of the girls.

Padmé didn't see what the big deal was with Skywalker. She had to admit, she had never met the man, or even seen a holo of him, but was he really all that great? I mean, yeah, so he killed a Sith lord, she thought to herself. But so have other Jedi. They're probably overreacting. I bet he's not even that cute.

That evening, as she helping to serve dinner, the sisters were talking nonstop about what to wear for the ball.

"Can I have a new dress made, mother dear?" Sola winded, pouting.

"I saw the most beautiful gown in the shop the other day," Sabé sighed, swishing her drink around in the glass.

Jobal put her hand up to silence them. "My darlings, I will ensure you that only the best, finest gowns on the planet will go to you," she crooned. "After all, one of you will be marrying Anakin Skywalker."

Padmé coughed discreetly. "Um, don't you think I should go, too?" she asked. "I'm still a part of this family, whether you like it or not."

The sisters glanced at each other before bursting into hysterical laughter. "Can you imagine her in a dress?" Sola laughed.

"It would be hilariously funny," the other giggled.

Padmé just stared at them, irritated. "Please, Your Highness," she pleaded.

Jobal thought about it for a minute. "Very well, Padmé, you may go," she nodded. "But you must finish all your chores, plus do some extra errands. Understood?"

Padmé nodded, now in high spirits. "Yes, thank you!"

"And another thing," the Queen continued, "You must supply your own dress. I'm not going to pay for it. We leave at 0800 the morning of the ball."

"Okay," Padmé mumbled, not really paying attention as she rushed out of the room, not even hearing the sister's whines of annoyance. She hurried up to her room, where Artoo was waiting for her. "I've got some plans to make," she told him after informing him of the ball. "I have to make my dress. Since I don't have many credits, I'll have to use some scrap material. Can you help me?"

Definitely, Artoo beeped, rolling towards her.

Padmé smiled at him. "Thanks, I appreciate it. Now come one, let's find some material." She pulled out a datapad and began to draw different dress designs on it as she and Artoo rolled out to search for material. She came up with a few different designs, but chose the third one. That'll do nicely, she mused.

Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker was annoyed. To get away from all the people and bustle of Coruscant, he had escaped, if only for a week, to the hopefully peaceful planet of Naboo. He really didn't like to be the 'poster boy' as Obi-Wan described him. After killing the Sith lord, the female attentions increased around 120, and all the special treatment was wearing him down.

So, here he was, just trying to find some peace. His hood was covering nearly his entire face, she he wouldn't be recognized. HE knew that Aayla Secura was on the planet, giving the invitation for the ball to the royal family, but he didn't really want her to know he was there. He settled for renting a speeder and zooming across the beautiful country, past the towns, and finally into Theed plaza, becoming hungry.

Padmé, wearing her handmaiden's cloak, strolled through Theed plaza, picking up some different supplies for her and the family. She picked up an apple, smelled it, and was about to turn around to pay for it when –

"Ooomph!" She knocked into something, or someone very hard, sending her stumbling backwards. A strong arm shot out and stopped her from falling, and deep chuckle was heard. She looked to see two turbulent blue eyes gazing merrily down at her from under a dark hood.

"You should watch where you're going, milady," a smooth baritone voice spoke.

Mwa ha ha ha!! I'll give you a Christmas cookie if you can guess in ONE guess who the mysterious person is! I bet you know already...

Christmas is the season to be giving! Reviews are very nice presents! So feel free to give me a lot of them! Lol!