Disclaimer – Star Wars does not belong to me, I'm just a penniless writer playing around with things.
They brought her back. Young maids were fluttering about her as they had always done. Fixing her long curly hair and placing flowers around her. Despite their somber treads they still looked lovingly on this young woman. She was elegant and regal just lying on the silk sheets under her. She always radiated elegance…that was never her problem.
The sun was setting and soon twilight would be upon them. The maids were her only company in those hours. Everyone was waiting for her - those who knew her and loved her. Those who saw her bleed for her home and fight for others, never shrinking away from her enemies even as death lingered about her. Even the very few who secretly saw her cry beneath the stars waiting for a lover that would never return, desperately wishing to be in his arms once more. The few who saw her suffering and worried about her future and the future of a place she served and lived for…almost died for.
Finally it was time. With her family behind it was finally time for her last journey through her home, a japor snippet pendant wrapped in her hands for good luck. Everyone was on both sides of her. They watched as she moved passed them, watched with sadness in their hearts. The beautiful woman before them who was so full of life now would never return to them.
Candles were everywhere lighting her journey across the glittering city of Theed. A vigil in her honor, illuminating her face once more as she said goodbye. All of them were standing before her and watched her descend down the cobblestone path. The whole planet was silent. Despite how they wanted her back they all were glad she would not see this wretched world they were now forced to live with. A world of darkness and corrupt beings making life a little bit worse. All her efforts and her hopes were gone with the old world. This would have killed her. No, they were glad her eyes were closed forever from this life, from the ominous Empire. It would never be great without her for they had all turned to this woman for guidance but now as she lay to rest they were resigned to fate. It was no longer her responsibility to take care of the world. Her terms were over.
She would always be young. She would always be beautiful. She would always be an angel. She would always be a symbol of hope and wisdom and of selflessness. A symbol of love.
One day, future generations would look back at this dark place and see her. They would wonder about the woman that was Padme Amidala. They would wonder about her sacrifices, her wisdom. They would look at her example and see she was one of the very few decent souls that were left in the old world. Her body may be cold and lifeless now, the remains of what once was a great lady, but her spirit would always remain. Her name would carry on throughout time and inspire future heroes, queens, and senators. They will pay no mind that she was only human and all she did was try and make a difference in the world with courage even the bravest of creatures sometimes lack.
After a life of being tied to obligations and others, to politics and meetings, wars and negotiations, she was able to enjoy what she fought so ardently to protect.
Padme Amidala was free.