The size of my belly only grew as time passed slowly, as the war dragged on. I spent a lot of time with Padmé and the other handmaidens, but as my stomach grew bigger, Padmé allowed my company less and less as she travelled, even to the Senate Building. It was frustrating, but I underestood why.
Even when Padmé was assaulted and almost killed yet again, I couldn't help. Especially then, Padmé made me stay in the apartment with Moteé and Ellé, swapping my primary company with Teckla. I'm sure Teckla would prefer to be with her children as an attendant on Naboo instead of aiding Padmé on Coruscant, but she said she didn't mind since it meant making more money for her family.
Then Senator Organa was attacked. Teckla informed us over the holo as Padmé was changing her clothes. She told us that Padmé was going to take Bail's place in the senate and give a speech before the voting of the newest bill. Together, Moteé, Ellé, and I sat on the veranda and watched as Padmé spoke with all of her heart in order to defeat the troop increase bill.
"Teckla Minnau," Padmé begins, undoubtedly causing confusion among the senators, but I immediately know where she is going with it. Teckla talks about her family often. While she tries not to discuss their struggles, it is obvious in her voice occasionally. "Teckla is one of my aides. Like so many of the people we tell ourselves that we're here to serve, Teckla lives in a district that rairly has electricity and running water as a result of the war. Her children can now only bathe every two weeks, and they have no light in which to read or study at night. The Republic has always funded these basic services, but now there are those who would divert the money to the war with no thought for what the people need to survive. If not for people like Teckla and her children, who are we fighting for?
"My people, your people, all of our people. This war is meant to save them from suffering, not increase it. I support our brave soldiers whether they come from the clone factories or any of the thousands of systems loyal to the Republic. But if we continue to impoverish our people, it is not on the battlefield where Dooku will defeat us, but in our own homes. Therefore, it is our duty or our responsibility to preserve the lives of those around us by defeating this bill."
As the holo turns off, I hear applause erupt in the background. I'm so proud of her. I look at Moteé and Ellé who are sitting to my right. "You know, I often joke about what I'm going to do with a child, but I'm pretty sure I already know what it's like to have a daughter," I tell them.
They both giggle at my words. "It does feel like that sometimes, doesn't it?" Moteé replies.
"If I have children, I can only hope that they'll be as brave as Padmé," Ellé adds.
Padmé came home soon after the speech, Moteé and Ellé in the middle of cooking dinner: no meat. The moment we saw Padmé, we beamed. My grin stretches from ear to ear as I hurry over to her. "I'm so proud of you," I say as I embrace my favorite senator.
Padmé laughs and shakes her head a little. "Thank you, Leya," she returns as we break away from the hug. "It's been a long few days though, so I'm going to go relax on the couch." She grabs my hand and pulls me with her. "You should as well. It looks like your stomach grew a lot in the past day." I gape at her. Excuse me?
In the following days I practically begged Padmé to let me join her at the Senate Building. While I would be extremely bored, I also missed seeing Padmé in her element. For three consecutive days, she said no. But on the fourth day, she caved.
"All right," Padmé sighs. "You can join me. I swear, you are more stubborn than a nerf who found the perfect area of grass." I smile at her statement, taking pride in my stubbornness. Sometimes it's bad, but at least I usually know when I should not fight back.
When we got to her office, I spent most of my time staring out the window as Padmé met with members of the Loyalist Committee before a meeting with the Senate. Being in the Senate Building is not glamorous or typically dangerous, except for that time when we were held hostage by bounty hunters. But first, Padmé wrapped up a holocall with a senator. "Yes, of course, Senator. Thank you for telling me yourself," Padmé tells him. "I completely understand." She ends the calls and stands, placing a datapad with Threepio.
"Did we lose someone else's vote?" asks Lolo Purs, an aide to Senator Onaconda Farr, who sits on one of the couches next to Mon Mothma.
"Senator Stonk, worried about public opinion. But, he wants us to know how very sorry he is." Padmé replies, joining them.
"'Sorry' doesn't get us votes," Lolo points out, folding her arms across her chest. Well, Lolo, neither does just sitting around. At least Padmé's trying.
"We'll get votes," Senator Farr began, pouring himself a glass, "when in your speech you convince people to stand up for what they know is right."
Padmé sighs lightly. "I hope you're right, uncle. You've been doing an amazing job rallying votes to our side."
Lolo adds something in Rodian, but I don't understand it. I may speak more than Basic, but Rodian is not one of my languages. "Perhaps I am the most influential man on Rodia, Lolo," he replies to his aide. He doesn't sound particularly pleased though. "But after all the mistakes I've made, peace is what matters to me now."
The sound of footsteps drew my attention. Bail Organa had hurried to the door. "Senator Amidala, we are ready for your speech now," the Alderaanian senator pronounces. "It's time." He dawns an encouraging smile even though Padmé looks uneasy.
"We'll see you in the chamber, Senator Amidala," Mon Mothma says, departing the room with Lolo, Farr, and Organa.
"Good luck, Padmé," Lolo adds. The group leaves the room and starts to the chamber without Padmé.
Padmé pauses at the door and looks to me. I quickly join her, leaving my spot at the window. "You'll do great, Padmé," I reassure her, resting a hand on her shoulder. "You've given plenty of speeches. What's one more?"
She offers me a small smile. "I guess I'll never quite get used to it." Padmé nods her head towards the door. "Come on."
We catch up with the group. Mon Mothma was noticeably absent. Farr is the first one to notice her. "There you are. I was worried you would stay in your office," Farr joked with a light chuckle. I resist my own laugh as Padmé walks in step with him. "It is quite exciting."
"Exciting isn't exactly the word I would use," Padmé replies. Her stomach must be bouncing around. "I think terrifying is more appropriate."
Farr raises his hand to Organa. "Pay her no mind, Senator Organa. Even as a girl, Padmé downplayed her strengths. It helps her maintain the element of surprise." She does it all the time, Farr, more than you're aware of.
Padmé shakes her head lightly as she turns around and looks at her "uncle". "And I learned it from you. See you inside, Senators." Padmé, C-3PO, and I walk onto the platform together.
Her speech started out strong, as always. Her words were a perfect mixture of heaviness, despair, and hope. She truly is an artist with words. "The creation of more warriors will not end this war. The financial costs alone will bankrupt and cripple the Republic. By adding more clones to the conflict we are only escalating destruction, not winning the war. Which is why we must vote for this resolution, to promote more diplomacy and to bring an end to this killing and hatred." Applause erupts at her words. Anyone with a brain knows she's right.
The hover platform glides back into place. I notice Padmé's smile on her face. She is pleased. That's a hard thing to do sometimes. However, her grin disappears the moment we turn around to leave the chamber. Senator Mee Deechi, from Umbara, stands outside the chamber.
"That was quite a moment, my dear," he compliments. His phrasing and tone of voice makes him sound extremely creepy, but Padmé ignores it and thanks him. Threepio and I follow Padmé passed Deechi. "Oh, it wasn't a compliment." Deechi, being even stranger, follows us down the hall. "You shouldn't make speeches like that. It's unpatriotic."
The only thing unpatriotic within the Senate right now is trying to bankrupt the Republic. Whether you want to continue the war or not, causing harm to the Republic is what is unpatriotic, sleemo.
Senator Amidala doesn't take his words well either. "The only thing I find unpatriotic is your warmongering," she says matter-of-factly without halting or faltering, leaving Deechi in the dust. She was taught well. Onaconda Farr joins us as we return to Padmé's office. It's time to celebrate.
C-3PO walks around with drinks, skipping over me. Any other time, I'd be mildly offended. Bail and I make pleasant conversation regarding the next Alderaanian holiday, but we're interrupted by the Senator of Kamino, Halle Burtoni. "What a novel idea," Burtoni says. I'm not sure what Padmé had said to elicit that statement, but if Burtoni agrees with it, I'm against it. "Imagine that, Amidala's actually making sense for once in her life." My jaw clenches in response to her insufferable words. She picks up the bottle of wine from the platter Threepio is holding.
"Senator Burtoni," Padmé greets, the dislike in her voice obvious. "This is a private conversation."
"Private conversation or Separatist conspiracy?" Burtoni asks. Excuse me? If anything is a Separatist conspiracy, it's the fact that Kamino had an army primed and ready for the Republic before the war even started.
"How dare you?" Lolo exclaims, rather more pointedly and more aggressive than anyone else would be. "We are not pro-Separatist. We want to end the war." Mon Mothma gestures for the aide to calm down.
"Committing more troops to the frontlines will not allow diplomacy resume," Padmé cuts in. Thankfully, since Lolo isn't exactly the best person to stand toe-to-toe with a creepy senator.
"Diplomacy failed the Republic long ago," Burtoni tells her.
Mothma, to her diplomatic nature, interrupts, "Senators, please."
"Senator Burtoni," Farr says, drawing everyones attention, "the Kaminoans may have bartered their creation of the clones into a seat in the Galactic Senate, but this does not give you free reign." Burtoni backs away as Farr advances towards her. The coward is no match for someone who is willing to stand against her intimidation. "Thank you for visiting, Senator. We'd like to continue our meeting now, if you don't mind."
Trying to keep what little dignity she has, she stops in front of the door. "Enjoy your moment in the spotlight, senators. This war will not end soon." Her threat is unsettling, but if anyone is going to shake it off, it's the Loyalist Committee.
"Well, we must be doing something right if we rattled Senator Burtoni," Padmé says lightly.
"What matters if that we've made great strides in our fight against this bill," Mothma agrees. "Ono, you've done a wonderful job leading the effort."
"I'm only trying to do what's right," Farr replies. His expression went downcast. "I only wish I'd tried doing that a long time ago." I keep forgetting he wasn't always the best uncle Padmé could ask for.
Mothma rests her hand on his shoulder. "You're doing it now."
Bail raises his glass. "To victory and an end to this war!" he cheers.
"To victories," Padmé says. The senators and Lolo clink their glasses as I smile at them at Padmé's side. I kind of miss wine.
Then Farr begins to sway. "Oh, my heart," he groans. We all look to him as he starts to gasp. "I can't breathe."
"Uncle, what is it?" Padmé asks. Her question is too late as Farr's glass slips through his fingers and he collapses. "Ono!" Padmé and Bail kneel beside him. "It's his heart! Please, someone get help." Mothma hurries from the room. I kneel on the opposite side of Farr as Padmé pulls him into her lap. It's a sad day for the galaxy when one of its best senators dies.
