Chapter 5

Gracelin was sitting in her 'spot.' She never could truly understand her fascination with that particular Queen. Maybe because I know one of her former maidens… Padme Amidala. Her life was interesting and so sadly cut short.

When Gracelin felt upset or just need to relax she would visit the memorial of the former Queen. She never understood it. Ever since her mother had brought her here as a small child she always wanted to know more.

Queen Amidala's story was inspirational. She became a Queen at such an early age, and then over came an invasion of her home planet. She then proceeded to become Senator and was outspoken. She even had to worry about assassination attempts. To Gracelin it reminded her that she could, some day, be someone great, even though she was from Naboo.

Gracelin sat near the big stone. She emptied her mind and began to meditate. Her mother hated it when she did it. But the night Luke had arrived her mother told her if she was going to meditate it would have to be somewhere besides their house. She hated the way her mother was acting. So, I have Force abilities and some potential. That's nothing big. And even if Luke knew I wouldn't have to go. She's just overly paranoid.

Gracelin finished meditating and decided to meet up with Jaina, Mara, and Luke. The three were working on the mission that they were sent here for. Unfortunately Jaina couldn't say anything about it because it was apparently 'classified information' Gracelin rolled her eyes at the thought.

As Gracelin stood up and dusted herself off, she felt someone coming up behind her.

"Its scary how I knew you'd be here." Kristea said.

"Well, you've been my best friend for so long I'd hope you'd know where to find me." Gracelin joked as she grabbed her bag.

"What are you doing now?"

"Fixing to go meet up with Jaina. Hopefully since Jacen slacked off this morning, they'll let Jaina leave early. I was going to show her around the city a bit."

"Well, I wanted to let you know that my Grandmother has been asking about you again. She told me to go find you and drag you to her house. Kicking and screaming, if so be it." Kristea laughed at the thought of dragging a screaming Gracelin across the lawn.

"She knows I won't kick nor scream. I can wait to go see Jaina. I'll head over there now, you want to come?"

"Nah, I have to go wait for Bow to call. I'll talk to you later, and tell me what she says."

Gracelin grimaced a bit with the mention of Bow. "I'll let you know."

Gracelin slightly knocked on the old style wooden door. "Grandma Sabè? It's Gracelin."

"I know who you are." Sabè replied as if letting her know who it was, was absurd.

Gracelin stepped through. "Kristea told me you wanted to see me."

"You use to stop by a lot, now it seems I hardly see you."

"Grandma Sabè, I just came and saw you last week! What are you talking about? Plus, we've had, um, unexpected, company come. I've been very busy. But I am sorry."

"No need to apologize, I just wanted to give you a hard time. So," she paused looking directly into Gracelin's eyes, "you went there today didn't you?"

Gracelin gave an embarrassed laugh and glanced at the floor. "Yes ma'am, I did. And I meditated. I feel better than I did last week."

"That's good. I told you that was what you needed."

"No, what I need is to get off this planet. The people who are staying with us are Jedi Knights. The girl I share a room with, Jaina, she's only 20 but has had so many adventures. None of which are remotely like my 'adventures.'"

"I thought you wanted to be Jedi someday?"

"I do, I think. I'm still not sure."

"You know Jedi don't seek adventure, and that was from the Old Code. A Jedi Master told me that once."

"But Grandma Sabè, this isn't the Old Order. This is a new one. From my research if Luke had followed the Old Order, most of the Jedi couldn't be because of the age limits."

"You have looked into this."

"Yes, ma'am I have. And with opportunity living at my door, I want to take it. I just have a feeling I won't be leaving planet anytime soon."

"Yes, but as another wise Jedi once told me, the future is always in motion."

Gracelin desperately wanted to roll her eyes. She had heard that many times from the woman. But she didn't she respected the woman. "Yes ma'am."

"I know it may not seem like it but one day you will have an adventure. One of your very own. One that you were destined for."

"Thank you Grandma Sabè." Gracelin said as she wrapped her arms around the elderly woman.

"Your welcome darling. Now, I'm sure you have things to do. So, go do them, have fun."

"Thank you again, and bye. And may the Force be with you." Gracelin said.

"And with you too, Gracelin." Sabè replied before Gracelin slipped out of the door.

"Are you almost finished?" Gracelin asked over the commlink.

"I am finished, Jacen however, is not." Jaina replied.

"I don't care what Jacen's doing. Come meet me at the house. I want to take you to some of the important spots in Theed. And then to meet some of my friends down in the Palace."

"Okay, I just need to let Uncle Luke know where I'm going."

Gracelin waited outside the house for a little while when Mara and Jaina pulled up in a speeder. "Hi, Mara."

"Hello Gracelin."

"Thanks for dropping Jaina off." Gracelin said.

"You're welcome." Mara said before she pulled out and went back in the direction in which they had come.

"Is she mad at me?"

"No, she's just tired. She and Luke have been working all day. I offered to stay and help but they told me to go."

"Well as long as we're not going to get in any trouble. Want to take my speeder? It's around in the back."

"You have your own?"

"And I had to work my butt off to get it too." Gracelin said as she climbed into the driver's seat.