edited (again): Typo fixed (hopefully?) Thanks again for pointing it out and if anyone notices anything else, please let me know!
A/N: Okay, just to let you know, this may be the last update for a few weeks. It may not be, but it probably will be. Just though I'd give you all the heads up. Thanks so much for the reviews and please keep them coming! Constructive criticism (especially on this and the next few chapters) is more than welcome!
To Save the Queen
Chapter 10: Jedi
I didn't know how Padmé did it. The longer I walked the awful, silent way to Camp Four, the more I admired her.
The dress was heavy. The shoes hurt. Everyone was walking really fast and, somehow, I had to keep up with them while still looking dignified. It was practically impossible. I was concentrating more on walking than I had since I first learned how.
And the part of my brain that wasn't concentrating on moving one foot in front of the other under the awful, heavy, hot dress, was trying to convince my head that no, falling backwards because of the irritatingly heavy feathers attached to the back of my head was not a good idea, thank you very much. Oh, and I was trying to act Queenly and fool the entire world, including the Governor of Theed, into thinking that I was Queen Amidala, really, and that they actually shouldn't be paying any attention to that strangely Amidala like girl who was following me around.
I thought I might have a panic attack if things got any more difficult, which really didn't bode well for my future as decoy seeing as all I was doing right then was walking. I had a bad feeling that this entire ruse was going to end in disaster.
After nearly tripping on a crack in the ground (only my thick, heavy skirts saved me from disaster, by making the trip appear like only an overly enthusiastic step), I stopped looking ahead in a dignified manner and instead focused my gaze firmly on the pavement in front of me.
Which was why, as opposed to remaining composed and calm, I stopped dead in my tracks when three things came tumbling off of a balcony right in front of us. My only comfort was that Governor Bibble froze too.
I watched in amazement as two of them quickly revealed themselves to be Jedi Knights (instead of dead bodies, which was what my first, horrified thought had been), as they ignited their lightsabers. I struggled to keep my face free of awe as I watched them attack the droids guarding us. It was almost like watching a dance, how gracefully and swiftly they destroyed all the droids. I felt a shock of envy but quickly pressed it down. The Queen would not be envious of someone's fighting ability. That was handmaiden territory.
"We should leave the streets, your highness," a tall, human Jedi with long hair announced, waving off to the side.
No kidding, I thought drily as Governor Bibble put a surprisingly comforting hand on my shoulder and ushered me away. I heard Eirtaé, Rabé, Saché, Padmé and Yané's comforting footsteps right behind me.
"Get their weapons," Panaka ordered the Queen's other protectors.
A small part of me felt smug: the handmaidens hadn't needed to reclaim any weapons because they'd never given theirs up to begin with. Hidden inside each of their dresses was a small hand blaster that had never left their sides. It was one of the clever ideas Wicaté had come up with when redoing our entire wardrobes. Not only were we now wearing the height of fashion in shapeless, hooded cloaks, all of our dresses also contained concealed pockets for our weapons.
The moment we reached a small alcove between two buildings, the long-haired Jedi began to explain himself.
"We're ambassadors for the Supreme Chancellor."
"Your negotiations seemed to have failed, Ambassador," Bibble said cuttingly, finally returning to his usual blustery self.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Panaka cut past the handmaidens to arrive at my side. I felt like laughing.
"The negotiations never took place," the Jedi retorted and my urge to laugh died immediately. "It is urgent that we contact the Republic."
Good luck with that, I thought wryly as the Governor and I exchanged glances. I'm sure Padmé would have known almost immediately what Bibble was thinking from his expression, but, as I had no clue, I settled for looking at him solemnly in a dignified manner. I really hoped that would cover all my bases.
Never one for beating around the bush, Panaka quickly replied, "They've knocked down all our communications."
"Do you have transports?" the Jedi asked, wasting no time mourning what couldn't be.
I decided then and there that I liked him, this strange, tall Jedi with the kind eyes.
"In the main hanger. This way," answered Panaka, gesturing in the hanger's direction.
I could have cried. We had to walk more.
Gathering up my energy and will power, I leaned forward and moved those heavy skirts. Governor Bibble, perhaps noticing my distress, perhaps simply being a gentleman (which was more likely, as Governor Bibble held chivalry in very high esteem while his observational skills were practically nonexistent), he wrapped his arm around my shoulder and helped pulled me forward as Panaka fell in behind me. This, of course, conveniently kept him closer to the real Queen while appearing as though he was still guarding me. I silently applauded his deviousness as we hurried toward the main hanger.
By the time we reached it, I was feeling totally pooped out. I was in really good shape: I practiced hand-to-hand combat every day, ran at least twice a day, and followed a really strict exercise regimen. But none of it had quite managed to prepare me for the reality of running around in little dainty, decorative slippers, with 12 different skirts on, while wearing a two or more pound headdress.
I hurried to stand next to the Jedi while Bibble stayed with Panaka. As I quickly crossed the open door of the hanger, I caught a glimpse inside it and what I saw terrified me.
It was completely full of droids. I subtly glanced at the two Jedi out of the corner of my eye. They were both humans wearing brown cloaks over tan tunics and leggings. The one that had been talking towered over everyone in the room and had long, greying brown hair. For some reason, he seemed to give off waves of tranquility as if he was completely in control and already knew that everything would end up fine. In contrast, the second Jedi was probably shorter than Panaka by an inch or so, had short hair that could have been blond, or brown or even red and seemed to radiate tightly controlled energy. While both of them were obviously gifted warriors, I didn't think the two of them alone would be able to take over the main hanger.
Panaka clearly agreed. "There are too many of them." He sounded frustrated.
"That won't be a problem," the tall Jedi stated, completely confident.
I wasn't, so much. There were about two hundred droids in there, all armed and ready to go. We had two Jedi, six volunteer bodyguards, four handmaidens who were under strict orders to not reveal their skills unless death was imminent, one Queen masquerading as a handmaiden, one handmaiden masquerading as a Queen, one Captain of the Guard, the well renown pacifist Governor of Theed, and one funny looking creature that might or might not have been a Gungan. I had no idea where we picked that one up from. Nonetheless, we probably couldn't have taken out twenty droids, much less two hundred, no matter what the Master Jedi thought.
"Your Highness, under the circumstances, I suggest you come to Coruscant with us," the tall Jedi said, sounding more like he was ordering me than suggesting it.
Everyone looked at me.
This meant, unfortunately, that I would be required to speak again. Luckily, my answer could be taken almost directly out of my orders, ensuring that it was up to Queen Amidala's standards.
"Thank you Ambassador, but my place is with my people," I replied, meeting his eyes levelly.
"They will kill you if you stay," the Jedi responded.
Which put me in direct conflict with my very last order: to stay alive.
"They wouldn't dare," Bibble disagreed, somehow sounding dignified, but also like he'd willingly take on the entire Trade Federation for me. I immediately took back all the insulting things I'd ever thought about him and mentally apologized for the times I had mockingly imitated him for the other handmaidens.
Ever practical, Panaka expanded, "They need her to sign a treaty to make this invasion of theirs legal. They can't afford to kill her." He sounded stressed and frustrated.
I was never so grateful for the fact that the people of Naboo tended to talk about the Queen as though she wasn't there. I didn't want to have this debate. I didn't have any clue what I was supposed to do.
"The situation here is not what it seems." The Jedi turned, speaking directly to me. This, I knew, would instantly win him Padmé's regard. As useful as I was finding everyone talking about me as though I wasn't there, she absolutely despised it, thinking (rightly so) that it was demeaning and insulting. The Jedi continued, still speaking to me and not the Governor or Captain. "There is something else behind all this, your highness. There is no logic in the Federation's move here. My feelings tell me they will destroy you," he firmly told me.
I agreed with him.
Padmé had talked just a week ago about how we had no worry of invasion because it was not something that would help the Federation, nor was it something that would follow their usual pattern. Then they invaded. They had to have ulterior motives. It was the only thing that made any sort of sense. In fact, the only part of the Jedi's speech that didn't impress me was the 'feelings' bit. As useful as intuition and instinct could be sometimes, they had no place in such important situations as ours.
"Please, your highness, reconsider. Our only hope is for the Senate to side with us. Senator Palpatine will need your help," Bibble finally spoke to me, furthering the Jedi's case.
I quite firmly believed that Bibble and the Jedi had the right of it. However, Padmé hadn't revoked her orders. I was not to leave Naboo, even though I thought staying was almost criminally stupid.
I took a deep breath to say that I would be staying here, with my people, who needed me more. Just then, I felt a small, subtle tug on the bottom of my dress as though someone had stepped on it. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Padmé subtly remove her foot from where she'd treaded on my hem.
My orders had been revoked. But I still had no new ones. I slowly breathed out, trying to make it look as though I was still considering everything.
"If you are to leave, your highness, it must be now," the Jedi gently prodded me.
Thanks for the update Captain Obvious, I thought derisively, just let me wait for my orders, will you? Just as I thought that, I silently prayed that the confusion charms Padmé, Rabé, Saché, Eirtaé, Yané and I were wearing as anklets to prevent force users from telling us apart also shaded our thoughts and feelings. I thought they might.
Padmé coughed quietly from behind my left shoulder.
"Do you want a cough drop?" Yané, who sounded as though she were to my left, asked quietly.
"No, that's okay," Padmé whispered back.
"Are you sure?" Eirtaé, who sounded as though she were to my right, asked again.
"Well, alright, I'll take one," Padmé reluctantly agreed.
Yes! I thought, feeling like pumping my fist in the air. However, I kept my face perfectly neutral.
I had my orders. I turned away from the left, where Panaka and Naboo were firmly represented by the bodyguards, to my right, where the Jedi were waiting for my answer.
"I will plead our case to the Senate," I announced, hopefully sounding appropriately grave and regal.
The tall Jedi didn't waste any time, immediately turning around and heading into the hanger, followed directly by the other Jedi.
I gave Governor Bibble one more glance and immediately felt a rush of affection for the man who had looked after me while we were captured, gave his honest advice and who would, I knew, bravely remain behind to help protect our people.
"Be careful, Governor," I told the man, wishing him all the best, as I followed the Jedi into the droid filled hanger, praying it wouldn't be the last thing I'd ever do.
