The Penpal Paradox/Chapter Thirteen

"How many times are you going to read that?" Dormé asked after catching her red-handed. Padmé folded the paper back up without any embarrassment and put it away.

"Until I convince myself to do what I need to," she replied, resuming the task of packing. They would need to leave tomorrow to return to Coruscant in order to attend the scheduled Loyalist Committee meeting with Chancellor Palpatine. She could scarcely believe ten days had already passed. It seemed the time had certainly gone by quickly; even more so for Obi-Wan. He was twenty-four now and soon would be assigned the mission that would take him and his Master to Naboo.

After much contemplation, she and Dormé had decided the best thing to do was to let him know they were about to meet but to keep the details to a minimum. She dreaded writing this letter, unsure of what his reaction would be. Would he believe her or think she was insane? How could she explain what was happening when she didn't really understand it herself?

"If you want, I'll finish packing and you can start composing that letter. You can't wait any longer."

Padmé agreed and sat down with her DataReader.

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ChommellSector/Naboo/Amidala-Naberrie,Padmé

220430/10:27/034

Dear Obi-Wan,

I have struggled for a while now with how to tell you what I'm about to say. After days of arguing with myself over what would be the best way, I've decided to just come out with it. Here it goes.

In two days' time, you and your Master will arrive in Theed. You've been assigned to negotiate with the Federation, who've set up a trade blockade within Naboo's orbit. You are about to meet Queen Amidala of Naboo, although she won't be who you expect. I was Queen then, although, for security reasons, I'll be disguised as a handmaiden. You actually won't know who I am until I kneel to beg the Gungan leader for his assistance. At that point, if you speak with me about our ongoing correspondence, I'm not going to understand or know what you're talking about.

You see, the Padmé you've been talking to is the one from the future. I am now twenty-four, serve as Senator in the Galactic Senate on Coruscant, and have done so for the past two years. I only started receiving your letters ten days ago.

Please note the date above. That is the actual time for me. Apparently, one day for me is the equivalent of a year for you.

I'm sorry if you feel I've misled you. In the beginning, I wanted to be a friend and thought it best if I withheld certain information. I honestly had no idea I would fall in love with you. Even then, the things I spoke about were restricted.

Master Yoda has tried to explain to me what's been happening. He believes our letters are being transported through a wormhole in time which has created a paradox. He's also explained the dangers of exposing too much information, so I'm afraid that's all I can say.

I hope you trust me enough by now to know I'm telling you the truth. I regret waiting until now to do so, but I thought it was best.

Take care Obi-Wan and please be careful.

Love, Padmé

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Padmé looked over her letter and had Dormé read it as well. Deciding it made as much sense as possible, she was about to send it when her mother cracked open her bedroom door.

"Pardon me, but Padmé? There are a few representatives from the palace waiting in the living room. They wish to speak with you."

After quickly improving her appearance and straightening her gown, the two women went downstairs. Indeed, standing in the center of her parents' home were four young women, dressed in royal attire. Padmé kept her posture straight and stepped up to the First Handmaiden. This was apparently an official visit and there were certain protocols that needed to be followed.

"Greetings Senator Amidala. I am Sabé, protector of the Crown and servant to Queen Réillata. The Queen has requested your presence in the palace conference room this afternoon at 1400 hours. There is a matter of great importance she wishes to discuss with you."

"I accept the Queen's invitation," Padmé responded, "and will be pleased to meet with her."

"Thank you, Senator Amidala," Sabé stated formally before her lips curved upward into a bright smile and she stepped forward into a welcome embrace.

"Padmé! It's great to see you again!"

The handmaidens all exchanged warm greetings with her as well as Dormé. During the time she had served as Queen of Naboo, they had grown as close as sisters.

"Réillata's worried about the separatists," Sabé informed her. "She has a plan, and I think it's a good one. She'll talk to you about it this afternoon.

Padmé gazed at the others; Eirtaé, Cordé, and Rabé. "I've missed you all so much. I hope you're behaving yourselves. I recall some pretty wild palace parties a few of you probably don't."

Rabé chuckled and lifted her hand. "That would be me. Your first year as Queen is actually kind of a blur," she joked.

Cordé spoke up next. "Not this Queen," she pointed out. "All Réillata wants to do is attend the opera."

"If I have to listen to one more diva's exaggerated aria, I'm going to lose my mind," Eirtaé groaned.

"So, she's exposing you all to culture. Good for her!" Padmé teased. "She used to be an opera singer herself, you know."

"Believe us, we know. She never lets us forget it!" Cordé informed her with a smile.

Padmé missed the camaraderie of the handmaidens. True, she still had Dormé with her, but it wasn't the same.

"We'll return at 1345 to escort you to the palace," Sabé informed her.

"And we might have to dig up another bottle of Corellian brandy," Rabé added. "If I can remember where I hid it."