Last time: Sasha saved a kid while swimming in the lake country. Cien tried to enjoy a peaceful bath.

Now: Someone wants to talk to Sasha.

Chapter 11- The Queen

"And on our left is the courtyard where the Queen Amidala with the aid of her royal guard and the Jedi was able to fend off the tyranny of the Trade Federation," The tour guide said as he led the tour through the palace grounds.

A couple days after the adventure out at the lake, Sasha and Viran had decided to book a tour of the royal palace of Theed. They have been walking around for an hour now outside the palace walls as their very enthusiastic tour guide led them, Lana, and a few others around the palace grounds. He told them all about the rich history of the palace from when it was constructed thousands of years ago to the crisis on Naboo with the Trade Federation to any major events of the Clone Wars that just so happened to occur on the grounds to other random facts, tidbits, and historical items. Sasha and Viran found the whole tour fascinating so far and they hadn't even gotten to go into the palace itself yet. And Lana was a little angel the whole time as she didn't put up much of a fuss. It also helped that the tour guide was putting her to sleep with all of his non-stop chatter about the palace.

As they rounded the corner into the courtyard, a palace guard approached the tour group. Up to this point, the guards remained stationed in various areas to keep a watchful eye on all that occurred on the grounds. But none of them had bothered to interact with the group. Well, except for the one Lana waved to on the way in. He was very kind as he had waved back at her, but the others were stoic statues practically. So seeing one approach now was a bit concerning, especially because the tour guided tensed up when the guard approached.

"Can we help you, sir?" The tour guide asked.

"Yes," he said before turning to address the group. His eyes met Sasha's and she felt herself tense. "You, Ms. I need you to come with me." He said to Sasha.

"What? Why?" Viran asked, getting defensive as to why his wife was being summoned by this random guard.

"I was ordered by my superior to bring her to the throne room," the guard said simply before turning back to Sasha. "Will you please come with me, Ms?"

Sasha swallowed as she wasn't sure what to do. The group was all staring at her as if she just got busted by the Queen. "Am I in trouble?" She asked him.

"No," was all he said.

"Sash…" Viran started to say before Sasha raised her hand to stop him.

"I'll go with you, but what about my family?" She asked the guard, gesturing to Viran and Lana.

"They may come too," the guard said.

"Alright, then let's go," Sasha said with a nod.

The guard nodded and led Sasha, Viran, and Lana away from the tour group that was left standing there dumbfounded at what just happened. The guard led them through the palace without much of a word after that. As they passed through the grand corridors, Sasha and Viran looked around with a sense of awe at all of the tapestries and statues of Naboo's royal past. Soon they reached a large set of doors at the end of a long hall. There were two guards posted outside of it when they approached.

Without a word, those guards stepped aside and the doors slid open. Inside, there was a large chamber that had several seats that sat on either side of a large round shaped throne. And sitting on the throne was the Queen. On either side of the throne were a few handmaidens and the leader of the royal guard. And sitting in one of the chairs was an advisor, most likely on the Queen's council. The guard led them into the room before bowing to the Queen.

"Your majesty, I have brought the Jedi as requested," the guard said.

Sasha and Viran had to do a double take on that. How did the Queen know they were Jedi? They both bowed a little awkwardly as they weren't sure what to do or why they were there.

"Thank you," the Queen said, her voice laced with elegance and grace. "You may go."

The guard bowed again and left the way they came in.

"Come forward," the Queen demanded gently.

Sasha and Viran hesitated for a moment before coming forward. They stopped at the edge of the line of chairs. The advisor raised an interested brow at them as she smiled.

"So you are the Jedi my son won't stop going on about," the advisor spoke simply.

"I'm sorry?" Sasha said, confused. "I don't understand."

"At the lake the other day, you were the Jedi that saved my son are you not?" The advisor asked.

Suddenly realization hit her as to who this person was and most likely why they were there.

"Yes, that was me," Sasha said.

"I wanted to thank you for saving him," the advisor said with a gentle smile. "He was quite impressed with you."

"Thank you, but may I ask how you knew I was here?" Sasha asked, still a bit confused.

"My son is in my office right now finishing his homework. He saw you from my office window touring the grounds with your… family?" She asked, gesturing to Viran and Lana. Sasha nodded. "He had told me what you had done the other day and when he saw you, he immediately pointed you out to me. So I knew I just had to meet you and thank you myself."

"Well, you are welcome," Sasha said with a slight bow. "But it was no trouble at all."

"Well it's a big deal to me, so thank you," she said.

"And when she informed me that a Jedi had saved her son and just so happened to be touring my palace, I just had to meet you too," the Queen said with a gentle smile. "May I know your names and what brings you to Naboo?"

"My name is Sasha Monroe-Zeb, your majesty," Sasha introduced. "And this is my husband and fellow Jedi Knight Viran Zeb. And our daughter Lana Zeb."

"It is a pleasure to meet you all. I am Queen Verena. Now what brings you to Naboo?" Queen Verena asked again.

"We came here for a vacation, your highness," Viran spoked up. "And to potentially learn more about my wife's family line. If they are still around or not."

"Your family line?" Queen Verena asked curiously. "Are you from Naboo, Knight Monroe?"

"Yes, I was born here many years ago, but after my parents tragically passed when I was very young, I joined the Jedi Order," Sasha explained. "After surviving the end of the Clone Wars and the reign of the Empire, I thought I should take the opportunity to learn more about where I come from."

"I understand the wanting to learn more," Queen Verena said simply. "Since my advisor owes you her son's life, how can I be of assistance in your search?"

Sasha and Viran were both taken aback by that.

"Your highness, that's very kind of you, but…" Sasha started.

"Please, it's the least I can do," Queen Verena interrupted. "What is your family's name?"

"Monroe," Sasha said after a momentary pause.

The Queen nodded and leaned over to one of her handmaidens. She whispered something to them before dismissing them from the room.

"I will see what I can figure out," Queen Verena said as she stood. She stood so tall despite her shorter stature. "In the meantime, I have other duties to attend to. Once my handmaiden returns with the information, you are free to go. But should you ever find yourselves on Naboo again, just know you are always welcome here."

"Thank you, your Majesty," Sasha and Viran said at the same time as they bowed to her.

Queen Verena walked out with such elegance followed by the remainder of her handmaidens and the head of the guard. The advisor stood and walked over to Sasha and Viran. She was a much older woman than the Queen, but maybe only ten years older than them.

"My name is Ayame Tyrrell," she introduced herself. "How about you all join me for some tea while we wait?"

"That sounds lovely, thanks," Sasha said with a kind smile.

Cien was quietly reading in a quiet corner she had found in the house. She had been for some time. There had been no explosions for the last two days, which was a nice change. Either Kyr had run out of breaching charges, or the entertainment value had run out. Either way she was glad that the firewood was restocked, and that she wouldn't have to listen to the explosions reverberate through the house.

She got up, stretching a little. The datapad displayed the text from an ancient Sith document that she had noted several laughable transcription errors in, so she was correcting it. It was a minor text, just some administrivia, but the archeologists seemed interested in it, and she was able to anonymously correct several errors.

The house was relatively quiet. And she found herself missing Sasha's company in the afternoon. It was an interesting turnabout, to have spent so much of her lifetime in solitude and enjoying it, and now to be missing a friend because they were gone for only a few days.

She walked into the kitchen and found a bottle of juice in the refrigerator. She looked out the window for a few moments. Curious what Op and Kyr might be up to, wondering if there was something fun she might join. She went into the living room and saw no sign of them. Looking around, she decided to head to the training room. They weren't there. She pursed her lips and shrugged.

Cien heard footsteps coming in from the hangar and she turned to see Kyr walking in.

"Hey cyar'ika." He said with a smile. "What are you up to?" He asked.

"Looking for you, actually." She said with a smile. "I got bored translating texts and thought I would see what you guys were doing."

"Oh, I was actually just looking for Op." Kyr said, "he was going to show me some Jedi tricks but he's missing."

"Tricks?" She asked quizzically. "Like what?"

"Lightsaber stuff." Kyr shrugged.

She just continued to look at him quizzically.

"He was going to let me play with his lightsaber." Kyr finally admitted.

"Oh." She said, "they are dangerous, you know."

"I know that." He replied. "I am a Mando, we know weapons and dangerous stuff." He huffed.

"I didn't say you didn't." She said placating.

"Don't suppose you'd let me see your saber?" He asked hopefully.

"I… uh…" She started, not sure how to answer. "Maybe umm…"

"It's fine, I understand." He said, looking away.

"It's just they are very… uh… " She said, trying to figure out what to say.

"You just think I'd cut my hand off or something." He said in a hurt tone of voice.

"No." She said. "Well you did cut that bowl of pinecones in half." She finally admitted.

"Oh. I see." Kyr said. "So I accidentally slice through a bowl of pinecones and I'm a danger to myself and others?"

"No, just pinecones." She said soothingly. "Why are you so curious about lightsabers all of the sudden? You've lived with Force users through the last decade?"

"Well." He said sheepishly as he scratched the back of his neck. "I didn't really see what the draw was, I never really got to see them in action before. But being able to play with Op's the other day, and when he let me use it to cut a few trees down when I let him use the breaching charges, I see how useful they are."

She narrowed her eyes. "They're more than axes."

"I know that." He said placatingly. "They're just a lot of fun. And Op said that when I found him I could play with his saber for a while."

"Oh." Cien replied.

"Want to help me find him?" He asked hopefully.

"No, this sounds like a good use of your time." Cien said.

"Okay, fine." Kyr grumbled. He stepped forward and kissed her on the forehead, which she smiled at but looked at him strangely, and then he went off to look for his brother. She shook her head and went back upstairs. Kyr was stepping out onto the balcony, and she went into the kitchen to get a small snack between now and dinner time. Opening the pantry door she jumped back in surprise.

"Don't tell him I'm here." Op said quietly.

She just looked at him for a moment, then reached around his arm to grab a bag of chips, all the while keeping eye contact with him, and then she closed the door softly in his face.

Cienestra Swanseae-Xiv stood there. Former acolyte to one of the most feared and powerful Sith Lords to ever live. Former Empress, and currently the only known Sith Lord alive, and every bit capable of living up to her title as the Lord of the Sith. She pulled open the bag of chips and wandered away, once again questioning her life choices. And she dearly missed Sasha. Or even Lana. Anyone she could have an actual, intelligent conversation with.

She pursed her lips. She went back to the refrigerator to grab a little piece of leftover chicken and decided to go see if she could find Reggie. She wasn't above bribing the cat to see if she could finally pet her.

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