A/N: Here is the next chapter for you all! I am excited, because now with this chapter the establishment of Amidalo's story has been done, so we can start to get into some real plot. Yay :).

Hope you all enjoy this chapter about his coronation as King.

…~oOo~…

Chapter 4: Ascendancy

The first thing I noticed was the clarity of the air, and then the subtleness of the pastel colors of the city surrounding me; the buildings, statues, and streets shone in the afternoon sun like so many jewels, their hues both harsh and sweet. Softness was everywhere and nowhere in the center of Theed, even as I was both within and without. Amidalo was here, but so was I, Padmee, albeit in spirit rather than in sight.

This was the day. This was the hour.

It was the end of the week, which meant the coordination. For the first time I looked the part of King Amidalo in addition to acting it. Scarlet silk robes flowed out from me, stretching back in an elongated train. Golden embroidery trailed up along the hem, up the sides, and up my sleeves, which were turned back at the elbows so that the color shone in the sun. My face was pale and powered, the Marks of Remembrance on either of my cheeks and on my lips; Tsaben had done well with helping me this morning.

There was a distinct note of pageantry to it all that I deeply disliked. Rélàta had spent too much of her reign remembering elaborate traditions rather than actually working for the people. As always on coronation days, a planetwide invitation had been issued, all schools and academies given a vacation day. But too much sensationalism existed in it all. Yes, I was the first King in a century, but I preferred to prove my mettle and get the people talking through action—not festivities, which to me were no better than the beautiful words politicians generally specialized in.

Thankfully, Tsaben, at least, understood. His robes had been dyed the same color as my dress, and the hood covered the majority of his face, making him as unremarkable as possible; he'd insisted upon it, making both Panaka and me very happy. He trailed behind me in the procession, unnoticed by all, even as he stood next to me on the steps. Panaka, obsessive as per usual, led a contingent of guards behind. At least today they were entirely ceremonial, and so far more relaxed than they usually tended to be.

Still-Queen Rélàta took her place beside me at the top of the stairs. In either hand she held the symbols of the monarch of Naboo: the scepter and the globe. Governor Bibble stepped between us, taking the objects into his hands, and for the most fleeting of moments, Naboo had no monarch at all. Then Bibble turned to me and offered the objects. I accepted each in the proper hand: globe in the left, scepter in the right.

I thrust the scepter high up into the air for the assembled crowd to see. Cheers erupted. Flower petals were thrown. I gazed out onto the crowd of people representing the larger populous I now ruled.

…~oOo~…

After the coronation was complete, I led us through the palace doors. Former Queen Rélàta trailed slightly behind me, and then came everyone else. Of course, I had visited the palace before on a school field trip, but never had I gotten the chance to delve so deeply into its richness of art and beauty. It was hard to remember that, now the King, I was on the highest footing of all assembled here.

Rélàta explained varying pieces of art as we passed by them, dazzling work upon dazzling work, and I struggled to conceal my gawking. "You can select your own pieces, of course," she continued. "If there are other artists you're interested in."

"There may be," I replied equably. "Thank you."

The smile the former Queen gave me was crooked. "I'm glad you're considering it. You will find in this job that sometimes control of one's environment is the last form left."

Really? Or had she just allowed herself to be used and controlled? Caved under what she perceived as powers greater than her own? But I kept the words to myself, both because they were not of Amidalo and because once I was through, all of Rélàta's backroom dealing and favor granting would no longer matter.

At last, we reached the throne room. This was the room of my dreams, ever since I had set eyes on it once before: the jewel of the Theed palace. The jewel of all Naboo. Large and round, with seats for each elected advisory member arranged in a great circle under the broad dome of the roof. Arranged for conversations, certainly, instead of audiences, but that was the style of Naboo government. Certainly, no one could doubt which chair was now Amidalo's.

I took a moment to make my posture even more erect, then strode across the tiled floor to the throne. I had sat in it once before, when meeting Tsaben for the first time, but its narrowness still stuck me. Though it did pitch me forward, so that I seemed taller than I actually was, which was appreciated.

After I had taken my seat, all in the room bowed to me, Rélàta included. "Your Highness," she intoned.

My time has come. I, Amidalo, king of Naboo.

…~oOo~…

I soon realized that I didn't care for the hologram system of communication with offworld representatives.

Though it was the middle of the night on Coruscant, and she was surely exhausted, Senator Palpatine put through a call almost immediately after I had completed the Ascendancy rituals by sitting in the throne. The call was proper, but impressively prompt nonetheless. She wore voluminous robes and the kind of senatorial regalia I remembered from my time in the Junior Legislature, although the fashions seemed to have shifted somewhat. Her red-gray hair glinted in the low light, tinted blue by the holo, and it was impossible to get a read on her eyes.

That was the rub.

"King Amidalo," she said, curtsying to me. "Allow me to offer my congratulations. I won't keep you long—no doubt you have much to do." She offered a motherly smile. "But I did want to convey my greetings to you personally."

"Senator Palpatine," I replied, nodding in acknowledgement. "I look forward to working with you on behalf of Naboo and all its people."

"As do I, sir."

The call ended soon after, and I was left wondering why I hadn't liked the interaction. Senator Sheeva Palpatine had been polite, punctual, and deferent; her reputation was very good on Naboo and apparently on Coruscant itself. This was critical for the work I planned to do. But I hadn't been able to read her eyes…

And that fact gave rise to that uneasiness within me. Eyes were important. And holo communications didn't give me the chance to make those examinations.

But I banished the musings for another time, and took another moment to bask in my victory. Subtly. Always subtly. Today would be long. Moving into the recently vacated royal apartments. More meetings. Meeting the full of the advisory cabinet. I may even make decisions starting in an hour or so. These decisions would affect many beings on my world.

It thrilled me to the core. This room, with its carved wooden chairs and whitewashed marble floors. The art. The palace. My Kingship. None of these were the most important aspect of my new job, but I could see no reason not to appreciate them while I had the chance.

I was here. It was beginning. I had the strength to do what must be done, and nothing could stand in my way as I blazed a new trail for Naboo away from the decades of deception and lies.

…~oOo~…

A/N: Please review!

Challenge 1. Favorite part and/ or line? 2. What do you think the scepter and the globe represented in Amidalo's Ascendancy ceremony? 3. Do you think Amidalo will come to mistrust Sheeva Palpatine? Why or why not?

Thank you all so much for reading and reviewing. It is your feedback that keeps me writing.

Until next time,

Rivkah