Part Two: Senator
Chapter 9 - End of an Era
The sun sets in a reddish haze over the bright green trees of the Nabooian spring. Fitting, on a day like this. It's the end. My term is up. Rather, my terms. After re-election, I was reinstated as the queen for another four years. Then the people tried to amend the constitution so that I could serve a third term. I'm sure, if they had the option, they might have re-elected me until I was a wrinkled old hag. I smile. It only reassures me that I did a good job. Especially since I was only fourteen when I was elected. Not the youngest, not by far, but still very young. I can hold my head high in pride.
Eight years have passed since that coronation day. The new queen; Jamilia takes my place today. She is very different from me. Her natural beauty, her ideals and her methods are vastly different from my own. I left her my best gift, my personal handmaidens. The new senatorial election is coming up soon though, so my life in politics is not completely over, at least, not until that conference is over. She told me she wanted me there, for my insight and opinion, and I can't let her down. I'm glad she wants me. Only good things can come from such a friendship.
I make my way down to the Royal gardens, hoping to say my last goodbye. The cool evening breeze blows through the vibrant gardens, filled with the sweet scent of fresh flowers and fruits. The garden overlooks a large, glassy lake, surrounded by tall orchards bearing all types of fruit. In the autumn the sweet scent of rotting fruit fills the air. Many people find it disgusting, but I feel that the sickly sweetness fills me with peace. In the wintertime, I would go out on the lake with my handmaidens. We would skate, and pretend that I wasn't constantly under protection because a certain member of the galactic senate wanted me dead.
"Ah, My Lady," a familiar voice calls from the other side of the garden. I turn quickly to face him, and greet him with a wide, sincere smile.
"Senator Clovis," I beam, happy to see him.
"Rush," he tells me, taking my hand in his. "Underneath all that makeup, I could never have guessed you were such a beautiful woman."
I blush. "It's really unfortunate I don't see you more often."
He laughs, his beautiful lips curling up into a dazzling crooked smile. His light blue eyes seem to light the sky. He is truly dazzling. He seems to get along well with his female co-workers. I wasn't expecting his attendance in the ceremony this afternoon, but I'm glad to see him.
"What brings you to the Naboo?"
He looks at me, appalled that I'd ask such a question.
"Don't tell me you came all the way here just for me," I ask, shocked.
"Of course, you are my close friend!" He grins at me again, and takes my hand in his. "I value your success, and I wanted to celebrate with you!"
"Ah, so you came for the liquor," I tease.
"Not just that," he says, drawing me close to him.
"Then what else did you come for," I challenge.
"I came to see the sights," he says, his lips almost brushing mine.
I look up, into his glassy eyes, if only for a moment before he presses his lips to mine. My skin seems to heat up, and I feel my heart beating in my throat as my eyes close on their own, and I feel my body pushing onto him. When he finally breaks away, I gasp for breath. He smirks, proud of his work, and tightly wraps his arm around my waist.
"It would seem that I have captured your heart, my lady."
"It would seem that way," I say, coaxing him on. My body begs for him to kiss me again, but he stops just short.
"Perhaps we should go somewhere a bit more private?"
My heart falls. "Oh. I'm sorry, but I'd rather not."
He frowns, but doesn't look completely disappointed. "Perhaps next time."
"Perhaps," I reply, and wave as he releases me. "Will I be seeing you around anytime soon?"
"I'll be here for a week," he smiles. "I'll make sure to make room for you in my schedule."
I grin. "I look forward to it!"
oOo
I arrive home late that night. I can't believe how long it's been since I've been back. Nestled only a few miles from the MAIDENS base is a small city, carved of smooth sandstone and roofed with copper. The orange-yellow walls of the city extend upward only three levels, and the roads are paved of reddish cobblestone. In the center of the city lies an almost circular lake, surrounded by lush trees and long sandy beaches. It's never cold here, not even in the winder months. The sand here is smooth, almost white.
It's dark out, and the tall black steel streetlamps glow with a warm yellow light. It's almost comforting, except for the fact that it reminds me I'm walking around outside, alone. A chill which has nothing to do with the heat runs through my spine.
I pick up my pace, my shoes scuffing over the pavement. I've been out here before, like this, but when I was young, and naïve. Back then, I was not afraid of the things which lurk in the dark. Now, I am terrified. Maybe I should have gone back with Rush.
I turn down a thin alleyway which I always used as a shortcut when I was younger. The path leads straight past the back gate of my parents house. I should have been more on the ball when I got to the last year of my term. I have more than enough money to afford a house on my own, but I never thought about buying one. I suppose I'll have to live with my parents until I find one.
I lift the latch on the wooden gate, and the hinges squeak, loudly.
"Honey," my mother yells from inside, "Padmé's home!"
She bolts through the back door, dressed in a modest purple dress. She wraps her arms around me, squeezing me close to herself. My father appears in the door behind her, a wide smile on his face. They're glad to see me.
"Mother," I protest, "I need you to get off me now."
She only squeezes harder. "I don't care that you're 22 now, you're still my little baby!"
I hug her back, wishing this moment could last forever. But every good thing must come to an end. "I need some sleep, mom," I tell her, and she lets go.
"Of course," she smiles, and kisses me on the forehead. "I've fixed up your old room for you."
"So Padmé, you must tell us of your adventures," my father says.
I laugh. "There isn't much to tell, really. Other than all the times the trade federation tried to kill me, my life as the queen was pretty boring."
"What about the invasion that happened a few months after your election?"
"That's a good story," I smile. "I met many lifelong friends then, and said goodbye to friends I only had for a few days."
"I was told there were Jedi involved," he questions.
"Oh yes. And we found another Jedi on a small desert planet. Qui-gon said that it was amazing we had found this boy. He intended to train him in the ways of the force, until he was killed in the assault on the palace. I suppose the young boy was moved to work with Qui-gon's padawan."
"What was so special about him?"
"That, I'll never know."
oOo
I sleep easy that night, relieved to finally be back with my family, in my own house, surrounded by distant but familiar memories. I pull the blanket up over my chin, and drift off after only a few minutes.
When morning breaks, the warm sunlight washes over my face, and I wake, out of habit. I look over at my clock, and realize it's just past dawn. No one else in the house will be awake. And now that I don't have to dress for the day, it's useless being awake this early. But I can't fall back asleep after I've woken up, so I decide to make the most of my morning. I grab what little toiletries my mother left for me and take a longs shower. The hot water soothes my muscles, which are unusually sore this morning. I massage the shampoo and conditioner into my hair, and breathe in the release of fresh perfume. It's the same shampoo I used back when I lived here. I smell limeweed and menthe, and relax again, just like before.
When I step out, I find a beautiful silver brush waiting for me on the counter, my old one from eight years ago. None of my old hair lingers in the bristles, but it's comforting all the same. I pull the soft bristles through my long hair, until it is completely dry and smooth. Then I fasten it up in two large buns, circled with intricate braids. Then I wrap my fluffy towel around my already dry body, and return to my room to dress.
When I finally descend the stairs that morning, my mother stands in the kitchen, fixing breakfast. She yawns into her hand, then smiles up at me.
"Morning, dear," she smiles, scooping up the hot food onto an intricately painted plate.
"Morning," I smile. "I have a meeting at the palace today, maybe you should come with me. I could show you around the capital, and then you could explore the palace."
"Although that sounds fun," she says, "I do have some work to do today."
I nod. "Well, that's fine. I can go alone."
"Sorry, dear."
"It's alright. I can handle myself."
oOo
After breakfast, I head down to the public transit station and board the speeder train, expecting a quiet ride. Two stops in, I'm surrounded by elderly women telling me how wonderful a leader I was. Although it's heartening to hear such lovely things, it's hard to focus and have a normal morning.
When I finally get off, I'm already flustered. I make my way to the palace as directly as possible, to avoid more well-wishers.
When the meeting finally starts, I'm stressed out, and most of what is said runs over my head.
"Representative Amidala," asks Queen Jamilia.
"I'm sorry?"
She smiles. "I was asking if you might take the position of senator for the Naboo. You clearly are the most qualified for the job."
I sort of want to say no, but how can I turn the queen down? She asks for my help, and I feel like I should give it.
"Of course, my lady." I reply, smiling.
"Wonderful," she smiles.
And with that one exchange, my life changes again.
