II

A star looks down at me,
And says: "Here I and you
Stand, each in our degree:
What do you mean to do-
Mean to do?"

I say: " For all I know
Wait, and let Time go by,
Till my change come." - "Just so,"
The star says; " So mean I -
So mean I."
- Thomas Hardy

Change is inevitable: All I can do is ask myself, am I ready?

It is easy to think time comes quickly. For we often wish things not come in life more than we wish for things to come. It is always the former that rushes.

Sabe lost control of her plate carrying official documents and they scattered to the floor. Sio Bibble looked disapprovingly and the Queen laughed. It is unfortunate to be at that age were the body is growing so quickly that coordination is pressed to keep up. It is unfortunate that the only ones who remember this are those of the same age. Under her cloak, the trace of an amused smile could be seen, and it was given to the Queen; there was a shared amusement between the two despite there being a reason for embarrassment.

" Not bad," Captain Panaka's voice echoed across the room to her. The muscular man stood up and walked over to her target. He adjusted it so that it was smaller. As Captain of the Guard and the Queen's Chief Protector, he was concerned with overseeing the training of the handmaidens himself. He spent many long hours with them all. He was a relentless and strict drill sergeant when he had to be. It was why he was perfect for the job. " Let us see if you can hit that, " He nodded towards the now adjusted target.

Sabe lifted her weapon. Her eyes were narrowed and she knew where to aim. She felt the gun and controlled it. With a shot she hit her target. She could hear Captain Panaka's approval. She was getting better. With tedious hours of practice had come an understanding of the weapon. " Now run twenty laps, " He ordered. That was her reward. She forced her legs to go, and could feel perspiration already seeping onto her skin.

Time flashed forward; training disappeared and action took over. There she was being fitted for her appearance as queen. Time had only given her a mere glance.

Sabe made sure that her makeup was liberally applied. Rabe helped her. Padme watched as her decoy prepared in their, the handmaiden and queens', quarters. It was the one area that the invaders had not yet reached. " This seems such like such a petty reason for war," Padme spoke quietly to no one in particular.

Sabe sensed the sad lilt to her voice, and she looked at her friend. She had barely stepped into the shoes of a Queen and already Sabe noticed there were traces of circles under the eyes, " That would be because it is a petty reason for war," Sabe agreed, " Why would they care to protest using this planet? It does not make sense." She felt like there was some sort of underhanded conspiracy, and conundrum amongst these desperate actions; as if the claims were as shrouded as she herself always was. It was hidden, it seemed everything always reverted back to the hidden. But if anyone else, even Padme, felt the same way, they never spoke of it.

Padme shook her head, and pulled her mind back into focus, away from her clouded thoughts, " Whatever they want we must not give in," She replied with determination.

All of her handmaidens looked at her, they agreed. Despite the situation, as Padme surveyed them all, she felt a smile come to her face. Captain Panaka abruptly entered, he was panting a bit and that was rare for him, " They are coming."

The handmaidens stood together. Finding strength by uniting together. Sabe shot Padme a look of assurance, and Padme absorbed it as one long thirsty. The sound of an approaching footsteps grew louder, as they all stood together silently.

It was an exhibition she prayed she executed to perfection, for only perfection was going to survive in this case. Sabe's self confidence was equal to most girls her age, and that was not particularly large. But she could act, and she knew it. It was easy to pretend to be something she was not. For playacting was little more than hiding.

She was never Sabe, and she never had a private moment alone.

They were on Tatooine, and as she was the Queen no one ever left her even for a mere moment. She did not do much she felt as the feigned Queen. But what could she do? The most she had done was interpret Padme's wishes to explore the planet and act upon them. The younger jedi, an Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Captain Panaka were the active ones in a rather inactive position. Padme took command, of which Sabe should do if she was to be Padme. But then the position of Queen Amidala was clear, and it was to stay under the watchful eye of the guards and handmaidens. It was odd. There was conflict in the situation, and an understanding the part - who she was supposed to be - was slightly confused.

When Padme left, Sabe could not decide if it would be beneficial or particularly tedious without her. For without Padme she could force herself into thinking she was Queen Amidala with greater ease, as there was no distraction. One the other hand she could easily take a political misstep. Her decisions were going to have to depend upon instinct.

One thing was for certain, the life of the Queen was a lonely one despite having constant companions. As Queen everyone regarded you as something aloof. It was rather uncomfortable and she made a mental note to make sure Padme would not feel as uncomfortable in this position.

" Have we heard nothing from Naboo?" She asked a bit impatiently of the younger Jedi who had just walked into the ship's 'throne room'.

" Nothing," He replied. " But as soon as anything is picked up, you shall know. As it is, we have to be wary of anything that comes from that planet."

" Agreed." The jedi came across as a bit arrogant. But he seemed controlled and fully together in this situation, and that she respected. " Have we heard anything from Master Qui-Gon Jinn?"

The Jedi nodded, " He has found an hyperdrive, but is now searching for the funds to secure it."

"The planet does not then accept Republic Ditaries I assume?"

He nodded, " Unfortunately so."

It was a difficult situation, she could see that. There was nothing they could give, and furthermore if they did anything drastic they would draw attention to themselves; that was the last thing they needed. She waited for the Jedi to divulge Master Qui-Gon's plan, but he did not do so. He remained silent as he sat down with his eyebrows knitted together in thought. Either he did not know, or he did not wish her to know the plan. If the latter was the case she would not question him. It did not matter, the Queen would know the plan as the Queen was somewhere else. He was defied either way.

Still..." It is a good thing I have such faith in the Jedi and their Order," She spoke with a small smile.

He looked up from her reverie and stared at her with interest, a bit taken aback, " We are honored to have your trust."

Her smile grew wider, in a way it was a bit mocking. " It is said that they are also gentlemen, I am glad to see reports are true." She was good at subtle implications, and the fact that he was hiding something from her she wanted him to know.

It seemed that he did get the picture, and he observed her closely now. The more he did so, the more her confidence faded. She began to feel as if he could see right through her disguise, she felt like he knew her and that nothing could be hidden from him just as he could not hide anything from her. She began to doubt herself. It was too forward of her. Padme would have been more diplomatic. She could sense Captain Panaka watching her every move tensely now. He was worried. She forced her gaze forward and held it high, focusing again upon all of Padme's manners.

Obi-Wan Kenobi was slightly suspicious, but what exactly he was suspicious of he could not have articulated at that time. He just sensed...something. When he had first laid eyes upon the Queen and her wardrobe, in particular the black, feathered dress she currently graced, he thought it the most ridiculous thing he had ever come across. But upon closer observation, he came to understand that the wardrobe was in fact clever. It was heavy and shrouded, it almost acted the part of a mask to keep something hidden. Although what was hidden remained a so. But it was the least of his worries. All he needed to know in the meantime was that the Queen demanded information and a quick-tongue. He would have to keep up the task of providing her with both. She had a maturity well beyond her fourteen years, little stature and frame. But then she would not have been elected queen if she had not.