That evening, after showing Obi around the city, I return to my quarters. I sit down on my bed, and look at my reflection in the mirror across the room. Me. Zanni. Zandra. Jedi. It all seems so... And now seeing Obi. He's changed, but not in any way at all surprising. He's become and good, obedient little padewan. I reach back and take out the cloth holding my hair up, letting it fall around my shoulders. I pull out my Padawan braid and examine it absent-mindedly. I sigh andmy hair back up in a ponytail,carefully putting my braid in the ponytail, covering it with other hair so as to hide it from view. I don't know why I don't want to tell him, but I just don't.

I'm startled by a knock on the door, and quickly stand. "Enter."

E'Riq pops his head in and smiles. "Time to go." He opens the door to let me pass, and we walk down the halls to a special conference room. The queen and the two Jedi are already there seated at the table, along with some of the queen's other advisors. As we enter, all except the queen stand, and I beckon them to sit, taking my place beside the queen.

"Is everyone here?" The Queen Amidala speaks. After a moment of silence, she nods approvingly.

"Okay, Master Jinn, you asked to speak with me. So speak."

"Thank you m'lady." The Jedi master bows his head with respect. "As we have told you repeatedly before, you are under great danger here. There is a droid army heading here to your peaceful planet of Naboo as we speak. It is obviously their intention to-."

"You are asking me to leave my people, correct Qui-Gon?" the queen interrupts.

"It is vital for your safety that we get you as far-."

"A yes or no, please. Are you asking me to leave my people?" Queen Amidala looks at him steadily.

Qui-Gon gives a sigh. "Yes, m'lady."

The queen responds very clearly, "I will not leave my people to die."

"But m'lady-," Obi starts.

I quickly interrupt him, "Trust me,Master Jinn, Obi-Wan, that we have very well alerted Queen Amidala of the dangers of staying here. She is a good queen, true to her people, and she refuses to leave."

"Thank you, but you must be aware, m'lady, that the danger is ever increasing with every moment spent here. This is an urgent matter."

The queen's chief advisor turns to her. "My lady, I understand your love for our people. But perhaps what the Jedi are saying is right. The danger, it seems, is becoming too great for you to remain here."

Queen Amidala turns her head to him, a steady look on her face. "You ask me to just leave my people here to die?"

"But how well would you serve your people if you too, were to be dead?" Jase adds.

Heads turn in his direction, and he is met with many a silencing glare. I can't help but smile to myself. Politicans always get uneasy when someone plainly states a point that they had been dancing around for a while.

Qui-Gon turns once more to the queen. "He has a point, m'lady. You really would be far more help to your people from a safer position."

"I will not leave and I wish not to discuss it any further tonight. You all may leave now." Queen Amidala stands and leaves the table, walking out of the room. I stay right by her side, and her advisors follow.

Her chief advisor starts speaking to her a ways down the hall. "My lady, you really must consider leaving."

The queen never breaks stride. "Please, everyone leave me."

"I will not leave you my lady," I reply, keeping in stride with her.

"Very well. Zandra may stay. The rest of you, please leave me."

The advisors seem to disintegrate away, and I accompany her back to her quarters.

At the door, she turns to me. "I bid you good night, Zandra."

"My lady, please hear me out."

She looks at me. "Listen, you know how much I value your opinion. And truthfully, I wish to hear it. But this day has exhausted me, and I want not to think anymore about this for the night. Please, let us talk about it tomorrow."

"Very well, my lady." I bow my head.

She smiles. "Good night."

"Good night. Padmé," I say as she enters her quarters. I whisper the last word, but she turns.

"Sleep well, Zanni."