DISCLAIMER: Lets keep it simple, k? All the Star Wars characters mentioned here on out belong to George Lucas. There are a few people, rather minor characters, who come in later who belong to me but I don't care if you use them - just let me know. Thanks!

Imagine my surprise when I woke up the next morning and saw that Padme was getting ready to go out with the Jedi . . .

"Your majesty, you can't!" "Why can't I go, Eirtae?" "You don't know what's out there! What if something happens to you?" "I'm sure that Sabe can take the role of the Queen nicely." As Padme finished braiding the last part of her hair, Eirtae set Sabe's headdress on her head. "You didn't just say that, Your Majesty . . ." "I know I don't need to be saying that. Sabe, tell me to go." "What? I . . . I can't . . ." "Sabe, your Queen has issued you a direct order." "That is one which I cannot do." "Eirtae, go get Panaka. Tell him Sabe wants to see him." "Yes, milady."

Padme turned to her friend and smirked. "You have to let me go now . . ." "Your Majesty, please be reasonable!" The conversation continued until Panaka knocked a few minutes later. "Your highness, you requested to see me?" Padme looked back towards the girl. Sighing in defeat, she nodded. "Tell the Jedi I wish this handmaiden to go with him into town. I'm . . . curious about this planet." "Yes, milady," he said as Padme went with him. She turned back once more and smiled a gracious smile, as if to say 'Thanks.'

I was angry - at myself, at Padme, at everyone. I took up my normal position as Queen Amidala and went to go sit at the throne . . . again. About four hours before the first sun was due to set - yes, this planet has two suns! - I wanted to watch a holomovie. I couldn't stand the boredom any longer. About 10 minutes or so into it, it flipped off, symbolizing that we were receiving a message from Naboo. One of the doormen called in Captain Panaka and Jedi Kenobi, who were both outside.

After they came back in, we listened to the message which was from Governor Bibble. He was trying to get us to contact him, although Kenobi didn't want us to. 'Send no reply,' he told me. There was something in his eyes which stopped me because the Queen hadn't told me anything on the issue. I nodded and everyone adjourned, the sun starting to set . . .

Sabe was getting ready to retire but stopped as she heard the padawan's voice and another voice from the cockpit. She peeked in the partial-opened door and saw that he was talking to someone on a comlink. "Either way, we're running out of time . . ." Obi-Wan flipped off his comlink and turned back, catching Sabe's eye. The girl bolted before he could come up and talk to her.

Yes, I will be the first one to say I was scared - scared to talk to that Padawan who, the whole time I was posing as Queen Amidala, kept looking at me as if he knew who I really was. I tried to stay away from him for the rest of the night, but needless to say that almost-encounter wouldn't be my last then - no, it was only just beginning . . .

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