Chapter One


Sitting in the throne room, Everett folded her hands primly on her lap. She tried to ignore the tightness around her waist from the dress she had been forced to put on. Normally, the young senator wore lose flowing dresses, not the tight official garment she currently wore. But today with the rushed formal council meeting, Everett found herself in entirely new circumstances. War was looming overhead, and she was supposed to help stop it.

On the throne, Queen Amidala ordered for a transmission to be sent to the Viceroy of the trade federation that had closed off space above them. She gestured to Everett, who stood gracefully and strolled to the Queen's side.
"I need your opinion," the queen murmured. "One that is not biased unlike the rest of my council."
"Of course, my Queen," Everett murmured back.

As the transmission went through, Everett straightened, keeping her face out of the recording.
"Again, you come before me, your highness," Viceroy Nute said smoothly.
"You will not be pleased when you hear what I have to say, Viceroy," Queen Amidala said coldly. "Your trade boycott of our planet has ended." The viceroy tilted his head slightly.
"I was not aware of such a failure."
"I'm aware of the Chancellor's Ambassadors are with you now, and that you have been commanded to reach a settlement."
"I know nothing of any Ambassadors… you must be mistaken."

Lies! That word screamed through Everett's head. She noticed the Queen's quickly masked surprise.
"Beware, Viceroy," Queen Amidala cautioned. "The Federation has gone too far this time."
"We would never do anything without the approval of the Senate. You assume too much."
"We will see."

With a wave of her hand, the transmission was ended. The Queen immediately looked to Everett.
"He lies," Everett warned. "If the ambassadors are not already dead, they either escaped or will be dead soon, your majesty."
"I doubt that my queen," Governor Bibble disagreed. "I say we contact Senator Palpatine." Everett took a deep breath but lowered her head to keep from arguing.

Another transmission was sent, this time to Coruscant where Everett's fellow Senator currently resided. She stepped away from the Queen and Bibble, listening, but not in Palpatine's eyesight. The elder man didn't support Everett's political campaign and would not listen even if she spoke now.

The Queen and Bibble filled him in, and he was surprised.
"… the negotiations haven't started because the Ambassadors aren't there? How could that be true? I have assurances from the Chancellor… his Ambassadors did arrive. It must be the… get… negotiate…"

Everett held her head high as the transmission fizzled out.
"What's happening?" Queen Amidala asked Captain Panaka. Panaka sent one of his sergeants to check the generators.
"A communications disruption can only mean one thing," Everett said.
"Invasion."
"The federation would not dare go that far," the Queen chided.
"The Senate would revoke their trade franchise, and they'd be finished," Captain Panaka said.
We must continue to rely on negotiation," Queen Amidala sighed.
"Negotiation?" Bibble sputtered out. "We've lost all communications! And where are the Chancellors Ambassadors?"
"This is a dangerous situation, Your Highness," Captain Panaka warned. "Our security volunteers will be no match against the battle-hardened Federation army."
"I will not condone a course of action that will lead us to war," the Queen swore.

As the council trickled out of the throne room, Everett turned to the Queen. The woman immediately collapsed onto her throne; all evidence of the strong Queen gone.

This was exhausting. Waiting and hoping for news. Hoping for help. Instead, Queen Amidala worried nightly when she was forced to rest about what would happen when she closed her eyes. Even an invasion would not be a surprise at this point.
"Your Majesty?" Everett asked quietly.

Forcing herself to sit up straighter, the Queen smiled wearily at Everett.
"You think I'm wrong."
"Not at all. It's not my place to argue with you."
"But you would condone a course of action that would lead to war, Senator Alvera?" Everett shook her head.
"War must be belayed at all costs, Your Highness, but to be brash and refuse war all together?"
"I'm not refusing war; I'm merely saying I won't be the one to start it."
"And no one expects you too, Your Majesty."

With a swooping bow, Everett strolled out of the throne room. As she did, she caught one of the Queen's handmaidens staring at her.
"Can I help you?" Everett asked.
"If it does lead to war," the woman said quietly. "I suggest we dress you as one of the Queen's handmaidens. That way you and the Queen will be together."
"And why would the Queen and I need to be together?"
"You're the only one she trusts," the handmaiden murmured.
"If the Queen wishes it," Everett replied smoothly.

The moment she was able, Everett picked up her skirts and ran. She raced to the royal gardens, deserted at this time of day. She came to a stop near a large elm tree. She stared up at the large branches. If only it was still proper to climb up its tall trunk, hide in the lush leaves.

Before she had become a Senator, she wouldn't have hesitated. She would have scaled the tree and hidden from the peering eyes, from the jeers and taunts of those who didn't think she would succeed. She had proved them wrong, but those like Bibble and Palpatine still saw her as her age. They didn't see her strengths, but her weaknesses. An invasion was coming, whether they believed her or not.

Her musing was brought to a stop when a pair of strong arms wrapped around her waist. She twisted slightly, smiling lightly up at her captor.
"My beautiful Senator," cooed the smooth voice of Gregar Typho.
"My handsome protector," she teased, reaching up to rest her hand against his check. He kissed her palm gently.
"You should be inside," he chided, looking around for danger. "It could be dangerous out here."
"Do you also believe an invasion could be prevalent?"
"Who is asking? My lover or my senator?"
"Your lover," she murmured, twisting in his arms to loop her arms around his neck.

She rose onto her tiptoes as his head tilted down to bring their lips together. It was gentle, almost like he was reassuring himself that she was still there.
"I don't know what could happen, Ette, but with the blockade and the unrest, I don't doubt a fight is coming."
"The Queen will not condone an action that will lead to war, Gregar."
"This I know," Gregar said swiftly. "And I agree, we are not a people meant to fight. But it might come to that, Ette, and I wish you were somewhere else."
"Gregar…"
"Everett, allow me to worry about you, I'm begging."
"Beg harder," she murmured, eyes darting down to his lips then back up to his eyes. A boyish smirk appeared on his face.
"Of course, Senator." Their lips connected once more and Everett prayed that they would have this moment to return too when all was resolved, no matter how long it took.


I know I have a ton of other stories going, including my stranger things story, but I got really inspired to write this story after watching Obi-Wan Kenobi. I hope you all enjoy! This will be Part 1 of my new series "A Time to Be" which will go through the prequels and maybe further but I haven't thought that far ahead yet! This story is finished and I will try to post twice a week until it is finished!
-Amy Thorton
All Rights belong to Disney and Lucas Films