A/N- I am re uploading this chapter as it had the error of Chapter 5 written. I am currently writing chapter 5 and rewriting the chapters as I go. However the content will contain a lot of the same plot. I have wanted to rewrite some of the main parts of the beginning. However after some confusing I will be deleting the chapters past 4 and re uploading them in the new order of this story, so please bear with me as I make these changes to the story.

Chapter 4

Location: Theed, Naboo

Year: 35 BBY

The somber mood echoes throughout the empty halls of the Thule estate. Today there would be a change of order, as the new family would be moving into the household. The Thule estate had only one heir, 14 year old Dorme' Thule, but as she is a minor, her wealth is put into the hands of her Uncle Ruwee's care until she becomes a young adult or marries and the property goes to her husband.

The household is large. As the estate stretches over 3 acres of land on the outskirts of the capital of Naboo. The mansion exceeds Katrina's expectations as she helps some of the servants and slaves pull in their main baggage. The move had taken place very rapidly after Ryoo's death.

Ryoo had become ill with a common virus that had plagued Naboo during the Clone Wars. The Blue Nile virus had taken his wife several years prior and now him as well. Their only child is Dorme' Thule. And yet she would never feel as alone as she felt when her father was alive.

Her father had never tried to love her as her mother had. He was a cold man, and cruel to their large household of slaves. Their slaves were lucky to have a cot and gruel or scraps to eat. He had taken enjoyment in punishing his slaves when and where he wanted.

Dorme's relief came upon hearing of his passing while she was in boarding school. She had been told of his death and she sighed with relief. Her real family had always been her three cousins and Uncle Ruwee, even Katrina wasn't as cruel as her father. She could be strict on the girls in their manners, but she was trying to raise them to become strong women and good wives to their future husbands.

Padme', Sola and Sabe' enter behind their step mother carrying in their own bags. Their eyes land on the line of staff awaiting their new masters. Ruwee eyes the group of thirty slaves that stand in attendance of their arrival. They bow upon command and he clears his throat to speak. " As of now I relieve all of you from your duties. If you choose to stay in employment please see myself or Katrina to discuss your wages. You will be compensated if you choose to leave as well. You also will be given living wages amounts to choose your own dwellings. You are free as of now. I do not believe in slavery and will not be a master to any such person's."

Many of the former slaves eye their master in shock. They mutter amongst themselves. Most of the slaves are adults who have no family. Ryoo did not like to keep families together and had sold off their children and their husbands or wives. Yet one young youth steps forward to speak to his former master. He bows politely to the family. His hair is shorter now cut, not as shaggy as it had been two years prior. Padme recognized him as the boy that had saved her life that one summer day.

Ruwee eyes the young boy of thirteen and questions, " What is your name, boy?"

Anakin eyes his former master and replies, " My name is Anakin sir, and I wish to stay within your employment sir."

Recognition enters Ruwee's gaze as he replies, " You saved my daughter from drowning a few summers ago. Of course tell me of your plight and we can sort out a deal."

Anakin does not move from his spot but continues, " I currently fix the speeders and machines on the property sir. I wish to stay on with whatever wages you choose for me."

Ruwee rubs his chin and asks, " You are a young boy, do you have any family here?"

Anakin's blond head shakes in response. " No sir, I was sold many years ago from my mother,I don't even know if she's alive."

Ruwee nods and replies, " That is fine for you to stay on, but I insist you must do your work in the afternoons. As an educated man, you should be allowed to be educated in the ways of any citizen of Naboo. Also I wish for you to choose a room for yourself in this household. You are under my guardianship until you reach adulthood if you choose to stay on. Do you understand?"

Anakin nods with a slight wide smile on his young face. He replies, " Thank you sir , you will not regret this."

He bows in acceptance as Ruwee passes by him and continues to speak to his tenants. Anakin eyes the young girl who steps in front of him. She is taller now maybe 11 or so and he guesses her age. She shows signs of features of a young girl who hasn't become a young woman yet. She is still short, maybe 4 foot 11 or so. Her outfit shows her wild ways. She wears a pair of tan slacks and a white shirt like a young boy. Her hair is pulled into a bun and curls spill out of that messy bun. She smiles and holds out her hand, " We never have formally met, I"m Padme' Naberrie."

Anakin eyes her hand and clenches it firmly into his. He jokes, " It is nice to meet an angel. I'm Anakin."

Padme's face burns red at his nickname and she responds, " I'm no angel-"

Sabe' passes by hearing their conversation mumbling, " More like a little devil. Watch out, this one is trouble."

Padme' pounces on her sister in an instant. Her shoulder is bruised by her sister's punch to the shoulder. " I'm not the little devil who likes to steal sweets from the kitchen after bedtime!" Padme' states irately.

Sabe' narrows her eyes at her sister, ready to brawl if necessary. But she stands her ground and snaps, " You're the little devil who steals holo discs to watch those awful podracers from Darren!"

Anakin smirks upon watching the two sisters fighting. It showed how much of a bond they have. And the younger girl likes podracing? Perhaps they will get along.

Sola strolls up to her two younger sisters and chides, " Seriously? Can the two of you not fight for once? We should be caring for our grieving cousin as we are the only family she has left. Sabe' come with me to unpack. Padme' perhaps you can help our new companion find his room?"

Padme' eyes the young boy who had saved her and gestures to the upstairs. " C'mon, you know this place better than I. What rooms have the best view of the gardens?"

Anakin shrugs but plays along. This girl made him curious about her. She isn't like most girls he has met. She acts more like a playful boy than a young girl. They make their way up the steps and Anakin grabs her second suitcase as she struggles up the steps. She eyes him oddly and mumbles, " I can carry my bags by myself."

He nods, but continues to carry her second bag up the steps without another word of argument. She sighs and they make their way up in silence until Anakin asks, " So you like to watch podracing?"

Padme's grin returns and she shyly states, " Yeah, kind of… My father loves to watch it. It's so exciting! I watched last summer's race live- I couldn't get enough of it!"

Anakin smiles back at her excitement. " Yes, but no humans have been able to win a pod race ever. I want to be the first."

Padme's eyes widen, " You race? How would you be able to race? Naboo restricts these kinds of races to the Holo."

Anakin smirks and suggests, " There's a local racing group that gets together on the weekends on the outskirts of Theed. I've raced there a few times. Though I don't think our mini racers can be considered actual podracers, but it's thrilling!"

Padme' eyes him as they reach the top of the stairs and eyes the corridor on her left. She gestures to Anakin to lead the way as she replies, " I would love to see a live race, but my step-mother would have a heart attack if that happend."

Anakin's laughter fills the hallway as he responds, " She doesn't seem like the type of woman to want girls to witness such destruction and excitement."

Padme' joins in on his chuckling and mentions, " No, Katrina loves the idea of elegance and formality. Her enjoyment consists of parties and balls, which I'm sure she is already bursting with ideas of our first party here on the grounds."

Anakin chuckles again and adds, " You don't seem to like parties do you?"

Padme' s nose scrunches up in disgust. She adds, " I could care less about entertaining people and guests or the fancy dresses that my sisters and cousin enjoy shopping for. I'm too young to go to the parties anyway, so I can do what I want."

Anakin smiles and invites, " Well you are welcome to accompany me to a local race if you wish."

Padme's grin broadens and she ducks her head to the side. This boy she hardly knows welcomes her with open arms as if they have known each other for years. It feels like that though. Padme' couldn't comprehend how she could feel such a strong connection to a boy who saved her life almost 2 years prior and had just reentered her life.

Anakin halts at the fourth door on the left side of the hall. He presses the entrance button and gestures for her to follow him inside. The room is of good size to Padme'. The walls are of an oceanic blue with patterns of different wild flowers that grow on Naboo. The full size bed on the right is larger than her smaller bed at her former home. Padme grins devilishly and drops her bags onto the ground. She had always wanted a feather down bed and enjoyed sleeping in one when she visited here. In one large leap she is onto the bed and jumping like a young child. She giggles and continues to bounce on the bed and gestures for her new friend to join her.

His eyes are wide. He's too old for such playfulness. " Um I think I'll let you enjoy jumping. I'd rather not break the bed."

Padme' giggles at his hesitations and bounces off the bed and gestures for him to sit with her. Anakin does as he is told and she eyes the slaver's collar on his neck. She questions, "May I?"

Anakin nods in acceptance. He has worn this collar since he was old enough to work. It was taken off only on weekly bathing routines and that was all. It is just a sign most slaves wore in the Empire. The chip in the slave's brain kept them from leaving their master's property. The chip would have to be deactivated if he were to attend school and become an actual citizen of Naboo.

Padme's warm hands unclip the collar and it feels heavy in her hands. She rubs her hands across the leather and mumbles, " Now you are free."

To be Continued.