The refugee ship docked at one of the few seaports along the Nubian coast. As the passengers disembarked, several of them audibly gasped at the beauty of the port. It was built into a cliff face with a waterfall to one side. The buildings all had the archetypical Nubian rounded green copper roofs.

For both Anakin and Padmé, this sight wasn't anything special. They did think it was beautiful, but they had seen similar countless times before. A carriage had been sent for them by Queen Jamillia, and upon seeing Padmé and her Jedi escort, the driver flagged them down.

The ride to Theed was pleasant, Naboo prided itself on the smoothness of their roads. Once Padmé, Anakin, and Artu had reached the Palace, Anakin unloaded their luggage and carried it up the side steps.

As they ascended, Padmé continued the conversation they were having in the carriage. "I wasn't the youngest Queen ever elected, but looking back, I'm not sure I was old enough. I don't think I was ready."

Anakin furrowed his brow. "The people of Naboo thought you did a good job. Didn't they try to amend the constitution to have you stay in office?"

"They did, but I was more than happy to step down after my two terms were up. When the Queen asked me to serve as senator, though, I couldn't refuse."

"I think she made a good choice. The Republic needs you. I'm glad you chose to serve."

After they settled in to the Palace's guest rooms, Queen Jamillia summoned them to the throne room. Not much had changed in the last ten years except for a change of curtains and the addition of several new mastercrafted chairs. The Queen sat on her throne, with Naboo's senior governor seated to her right. Padmé sat opposite the Queen, with Anakin standing at her side.

"If the Senate votes to create an army," Padmé said to Queen Jamillia, "I am sure it will push the Republic into a civil war."

"It's unthinkable," said the senior governor. "The Republic hasn't had a full-scale war for over a thousand years."

Queen Jamillia frowned ever so slightly. She turned to Padmé. "Do you see any way negotiations could bring the Separatists back to the Republic?" Her tone was level, the same way Padmé's had been when she was Queen.

"Not if they feel threatened. My guess is they'll turn to the Trade Federation or the Commerce Guild for assistance."

"I still find it outrageous," the senior governor interjected, "that even after four trials in the Supreme Courts, Nute Gunray remains Viceroy of the Trade Federation. Perhaps the Senate is powerless to resolve this crisis."

Queen Jamillia sighed. "We must keep our faith in the Republic. The day we stop believing in democracy is the day we lose it."

Padmé nodded. "Let's pray that day never comes."

"In the meantime, we must consider your own safety."

The senior governor turned to Anakin. "What is your suggestion, Master Jedi?"

Padmé smiled. "Oh Anakin's not a full Jedi yet, he's still a Padawan learner. But I was thinking-"

Anakin interrupted with an offended tone. "Hold on a minute."

"Excuse me," Padmé glared at Anakin before turning back to the Queen. "I was thinking I'd stay in the lake country. There are several places out there that are quite isolated."

"Excuse me," Anakin interrupted again with an irritated tone. "I am in charge of your security, milady."

Padmé responded in a similarly irritated tone. "And this is my home. I know it very well. That's why we're here. I think it would be wise if you took advantage of my knowledge in this instance."

Anakin nodded and took a deep breath. She was right. "I'm sorry, milady."

"Perfect, it's settled then." Queen Jamillia stood, feeling that the matter had been concluded. Everyone else present followed suit and together they headed towards the door.

The sun hung low in the sky over Coruscant. In the Jedi Temple's roost, several handlers prepped a dusky red delsev wyvern for Obi-Wan's trip in search of Kamino. Delsevs were fairly large creatures, capable of carrying not just a rider, but a nautical automaton as well. They were just large enough for their saddles to be fitted with the new Hyperion Rings for flights across the world, hence the necessary inclusion of the nautical automaton. Jedi had used the delsevs for a very long time, but in recent years, their numbers had dwindled.

Obi-Wan watched as his nautomaton, Arfor-Jinine was hoisted into place atop the delsev's saddle and strapped down. Master Windu strode up to him to see him off.

"Ah, Master Windu."

"Hello. I'm glad I caught you before you left. Master Yoda told me about what you found in the Archives, or the lack thereof."

"Yes... I'm not sure what to make of it."

"It seems to me someone doesn't want us to know about Kamino, which means there's definitely something there we should know about."

Obi-Wan nodded. "Do you think another Master could have erased the evidence? I mean for the stone to be altered, that would take more talent than most anyone in the Order."

"I hope not, but I don't see any alternative. Besides, there's a... Cloud in the Force that makes it difficult to make sense of things. Frankly, it has me worried."

The oblong doors of the roost opened to the outside world and the delsev crawled onto the landing platform, led by one of the handlers. Obi-Wan and Mace Windu followed it out. The handler passed the reins to Obi-Wan and he was about to climb into the saddle when he paused. "Master, I'm concerned for my Padawan. He is not ready to be on his own."

Master Windu shrugged. "I still have my doubts about him myself. But if the prophecy is true, he is the One who will bring balance to the Force."

"But... There's still so much for him to learn. Like I said before, his skills have made him arrogant." Obi-Wan heaved a sigh. "I realize now what you and Master Yoda knew from the beginning. He was too old to begin training."

Mace Windu looked at Obi-Wan. He could sense the conflict inside his friend.

Obi-Wan shook his head. "Anakin should not have been given this assignment. I fear he will not be able to protect the senator."

This alarmed Master Windu. "Why?"

"He has an emotional connection with her. It's been there since he was a boy. Now he's confused... Distracted."

Master Windu placed a hand on Obi-Wan's shoulder. "You must have faith that he will choose the right path."

Obi-Wan looked up and smiled, somewhat reassured. "Yes, Master." With this, he climbed into the delsev's saddle. It turned its arrow shaped head to watch as he settled himself in.

"May the Force be with you, Obi-Wan."

"And you, as well." Obi-Wan popped the reins and the delsev took flight.

Anakin and Padmé walked through the streets of the upscale residential district with Artu following behind. Decorative ivy grew along many of the walls in the district, with beautiful purple flowers blooming on the vines. Passing by one of the houses, they could hear the chirping of hungry baby birds in a nest in one of the window boxes above.

Padmé slowed as they came to the door of one of the houses. "Here we are," she said. "This is my home."

Two young girls who had been playing on the landing outside the front door came rushing down the front steps at the sound of Padmé's voice.

Padmé knelt down and held out her arms as they ran towards her. "Ryoo! Pooja! It's good to see you!"

Anakin smiled at this little reunion. Once the girls had finished greeting Padmé, they went over to marvel at Artu. He chirped and whistled happily as they began to play and run around him. Padmé and Anakin ascended the front steps as the girls giggled with joy at their new playmate.

The house was beautifully decorated, with many pieces of dark wood furniture and vibrantly colored cloths. The two of them entered the dining room which held a long table and comfortable looking chairs. The table itself had many dishes of food on them, as though a meal was about to begin. A woman walked through the far doorway carrying a bowl of fruit and upon seeing Padmé gasped excitedly. "Padmé," she said, setting the bowl down and rushing in for a hug. "I was so worried about you!"

After they broke off the hug, Padmé turned to Anakin. "Anakin, this is my sister, Sola."

Sola bowed. "Hello, Anakin."

Another woman entered the room, holding a basket of bread. She startled slightly at seeing Padmé, then smiled broadly. "Oh! And this is my mother, Jobal," explained Padmé.

Anakin smiled and greeted her as well.

Padmé's mother set her bowl on the table. "You two made it just in time for dinner. I hope you are hungry."

"A little," admitted Anakin.

"Oh, he's being polite, Mom. We're famished."

"Well you've come to the right place at the right time," said a man as he entered the room. "I'm Padmé's father, Ruwee. It's good to meet you."

"You as well, sir," said Anakin politely.

"Please, sit," instructed Ruwee. One by one, all present took a seat at the table, with Ruwee and Jobal at either end. Plates were passed around and food was placed atop them. Once they had started eating, conversation resumed.

Jobal smiled at Padmé. "It's so good to see you safe. We were sick with worry."

Ruwee looked to his wife. "Dear..."

"I know, I know," she replied. "I just had to get it out, and now I have."

Sola looked to Anakin. "By the way, did you know you're the first boyfriend my sister has ever brought home?"

Anakin's heart jumped in his chest.

"Oh," said Padmé with a faintly nervous chuckle. "He's not my boyfriend. Anakin is my friend, we've known each other for years. He's actually the Jedi assigned by the Senate to protect me."

Jobal started. "A bodyguard? Oh, Padmé they didn't tell us it was that serious!"

"It's not, Mom, I promise. I'm not in any danger."

Ruwee looked at Anakin seriously. "Is she in danger?"

"...Yes, I'm afraid she is," he replied honestly."

Padmé turned to Anakin, disappointed by his honestly, but she understood.

The rest of the meal proceeded uneventfully, although there was a mild tension towards Padmé's situation. After dinner, Padmé and Sola carried the dishes into the kitchen.

Sola turned to her sister as she began scrubbing a plate. "So why haven't you told us about him?"

Padmé cocked her head. "What's there to tell? He's just a boy."

"Just a boy? Have you seen the way he looks at you? "

"Sola, stop it."

"It's obvious he has feelings for you. And if I didn't know any better I'd say you have a few for him."

Padmé blushed. "Anakin and I are friends. Our relationship is strictly professional." She looked out the kitchen window at Anakin and her father chatting in the back yard.

Padmé turned around and from the other side of the room, her mother gave her a knowing smile.

Anakin and Padmé stayed the night , planning to make for the lake country in the morning. Padmé slept peacefully in her childhood room, while Anakin stayed in one of the guest rooms. His sleep was troubled as usual by nightmares about his mother.