Author: Chrissykat
Ship: Dormékin
Category: Drama/Angst/Romance
Part: The Prelude
Rating: M Contains content suitable for mature teens and older or Rated R
Authors Note: The characters of Dormé Jaffa, Anakin Skywalker, Palpatine, and Padmé Amidala do not belong to me and I am using them without permission of Lucas Films ltd. The Dormékin ship belongs to lj user"cariel" I thank her for allowing me to use her concept, for inspiring me to start this fanfiction, and for making such an awesome looking story banner. I also blame her for my new obsess…new loyalty to this fandom. This chapter starts at the beginning of AOTC. The flashback scene takes place roughly in 27BBY shortly before the events in the Prologue.
Since her induction as a full-fledged handmaiden, Dormé Jaffa had sat through numerous Senate meetings at the side of her mistress, Senator Padmé Amidala. Today; however, had been her first mission as decoy. When she had first learned about the deaths of both Versé and Cordé, Dormé went through a series of different emotions. Though she had never been close to either girl, the death of any handmaiden, as with any person, was a somber affair. With duties to perform, Dormé was soon brushing aside any morose feelings, quickly delving into complete panic at the realization that she was next in line to be the Senators decoy; a dangerous but important assignment. Needless to say, Dormé was shaken and unusually reserved.
Her instructions came directly from Padmé and she studiously memorized the speeches and arguments necessary to act out the part of the senator. Padmé offered her an encouraging smile before Dormé, now in dressed as the senator, left for the senate building with Saché and Captain Typho in tow.
Leaving the senate building only a few hours later, Dormé now fully understood Padmés' frustration. As the leader of the opposition against the building of an army for the republic, Senator Amidala had made enemies. The pleas that Dormé now made in Padmés' place fell upon many sets of deaf ears. Before Dormé could continue with her prepared address, Chancellor Palpatine had saw fit to adjourn the senate. He looked upon her in such a way as he spoke that Dormé almost believed that he could tell she was not the Senator at all. She quickly dismissed this idea as nonsense.
Now, on top of all that, Dormé had to sit through yet another meeting in the chancellors' office, still dressed as the senator. The gown she was wearing weighed so much. Dormé could barely sit down much less breath due to the restraining corset she had to wear. Still, each facet from her makeup to what she wore was part of being decoy and truly, Dormé knew things could be much worse.
As she, Saché, and Typho stepped onto the turbo lift that would shuttle them up to the senators' suite, Dormé thought back to how she had come into Padmés' service.
FLASHBACK
Theed, capital city of Naboo was finally in sight. Oh thank the gods, Dormé thought. She had been walking for nearly a month from her hometown of Uriash. What little food she was able to take with her had run out days ago and her legs felt unbearably heavy. When she started this journey from Uriash to Theed, Dormé had been confident she would be able to make her case to the Queen. Now, Dormé wasn't sure if the illegal child labour problem in her hometown would ever be solved.
Brushing the sweat off her forehead with the back of her arm, Dormé pushed onward. The tan skirt she wore, trailed along the ground, ripping and becoming dirty. She tried to pull the sleeves of her shirt up but the loose fabric kept clinging to her sweat soaked skin. Uncomfortable as she felt on the outside, her grumbling stomach made it known, that her insides felt just as neglected. Dormé hoped that she could find some food and soon. br
Theed was an enormous city and people bustled past by her in a blur. There were numerous merchant stalls spread out all over. Dormé was drawn in by the delightful smell of fresh breads being prepared. She stumbled over to the stall, eyes wide, hoping that perhaps one merchant would have some sympathy.
She found that notion swiftly crushed as the merchant shooed her away saying he did not want such a filthy looking child near his merchandise. Running was not an option to her as she was already utterly exhausted, so she stumbled away nearly falling down onto the hard ground in the process.
On the verge of weary tears, Dormé collapsed against the wall of a nearby building. She closed her eyes. Why did I ever think I could do this? she thought before again wiping her face.
Loud shouting broke her out of her thoughts. Dormé lifted her gaze just as an older boy ran past her. He was carrying a large loaf of bread under his arm and a big smile on his face. The merchant who had shooed her away was in pursuit but soon gave up simply calling out curses before going back to his store.
Picking herself up off the ground, Dormé decided to follow the boy. She crept through the alley the older boy had raced down carefully. The alley was dark and Dormé felt safe only because of the small knife she had tucked away. She reached the end of the alley and saw the older boy lying on the ground, back against a wall, snacking on the bread, and sipping from a bottle. He already looked drunk so she approached him with caution.
The boy looked up at her with glazed green eyes. "What are you looking at?" he snarled.
Dormé looked at the bread in his hands than looked back at the boys face. When he saw where her attention had been he tried to stand on his feet but stumbled backwards, hitting his head on the wall. "Go and get your own you whelp". His speech was slurred and Dormé could smell the alcohol on his breath.
"Please…may I just have a small piece? I have been walking for months and…and I am so hungry. I could trade you something for it?" Dormé asked.
Looking her over, the boy took another gulp from the bottle in his hand before wiping his mouth. "Eh, really…hmm…and what do you have to offer?" He hiccupped, stood up, than tossed the empty bottle aside.
She had little of worth to offer and except for the knife; the only other object that might get her some food was the necklace she wore. As she reached for the clasp, the boy grabbed her arms pulling her close to him. He smelled horrible and Dormé had to force herself not to be sick all over him.
"Take more than some bauble to get this bread little girl." His fingers started pulling at her top.
Dormé squirmed against him trying to get away. "Let me go…your hurting me." Her cries went unheard as the boy laughed, his hands going to the ties on her top.
His smile faded when she began kicking him. "Little brat…stop squirming and this will be over quickly." Just as he was about to rip her top open he felt something sharp slide into his stomach. Looking down he saw a small blade protruding out from his now bloody shirt. He stumbled backwards in shock and fell to his knees before pulling the blade out. With one final look at Dormé, he toppled forward, face first into the ground.
Dormé backed away, falling down onto her backside as she watched him die. The blood began to pool around the body and for a moment, what she had just done shocked her. She had killed someone. All she had wanted was some bread. The bread lay where the dead boy had set it down. Hunger outweighing anything else, Dormé hurried over, grabbed what was left of the loaf, and rushed as fast as she could back out of the alley, nibbling on the bread as she went.
By the time Dormé had finished the small amount of bread, she was at the palace. Dormé was starting to feel the effects from the day's events and her vision kept blurring in and out of focus. She trudged forward tiredly and began climbing the stairs to reach the palace entryway.
Her vision blurred once again, as she got closer to the doors of the palace. A guard was coming towards her, saying something, but she could not hear what he was trying to tell her. Everything was starting to spin around her and as she took one more step, her foot slipped. The world went dark as her body crumpled down on the stairs.
END FLASHBACK
Saché tapping on her shoulder startled Dormé back to the present. The elder handmaiden looked at her with concern, "Are you alright? You looked like you were miles away?"
Dormé shook her head. "Yes…yes I'm alright. I guess…I guess I am just a bit tired. Today has been rather exciting and not in the most pleasant of ways."
Saché nodded her head. "Cordé and Verse's deaths have affected us all milady but they did their duty, a duty all of us have pledged our lives to." She glanced over at Captain Typho who remained silent at Saché's words. He to had been deeply affected at the loss of the handmaidens.
There was little that Dormé could offer in reply. She had willingly given her life over in service to Padmé Amidala years ago. Typho, the guard who had been trying to speak to her, had carried Dormé inside when she collapsed on the steps of the palace. Hours later, she came to in a warm, soft, and clean bed. The first face she had seen was that of Saché. The older handmaiden told her that she had been fading in and out of consciousness for two days.
After resting for a few more days and answering endless amounts of questions from Saché and Captain Typho, they brought Dormé before Queen Amidala. After speaking with the Queen about the terrible child labour permitted in her hometown and after receiving the Queens assurances that something would be done to end such a travesty, Dormé was prepared to leave but Amidala had other plans for thirteen year old Dormé.
The offer to become a handmaiden was unexpected. For most of her childhood, Dormé had worked in the textile factories in Uriash. The choice between returning to that hard life, or taking the opportunity to better herself, was irresistible and so Dormé Jaffa began her training as a handmaiden to Queen Amidala of Naboo.
Years later, here she was acting as decoy to the former Queen turned Senator.
The turbo lift came to a stop. When the doors opened, Typho and Saché stepped out into the Senators suite. They looked around to make sure there were no intruders. Convinced that the suite was secured, Saché motioned for Dormé to come inside.
Dormé stepped inside grateful that her duties were almost over for the day. As she was making her way into the sitting area, Padmé came out from the senators' bedroom flanked by Sabé and Rabé.
"Milady, I trust all went well with at the senate meeting and the meeting with Chancellor Palpatine?" Padmé addressed her as both she and Dormé sat down on one of the couches.
Keeping up pretenses Dormé did not hesitate to answer. "As well as any senate meeting goes. The Chancellor adjourned things before any real progress was made and for my safety he has assigned more security."
Dormé immediately witnessed frustration pass across the senator's face but Padmé tapped it down just as quickly. "Is that really necessary milady? Who is better to protect you than Captain Typho and your handmaidens?"
"Chancellor Palpatine has asked that two Jedi be assigned to protect me. I believe he was concerned that my speech to the senate today would provoke yet another attack on my life." Dormé stated. Truthfully, she had no idea why the Chancellor felt the need to bring in these Jedi. How could they protect the senator any more than the Captain or her handmaidens?
"Jedi…? Which Jedi did he suggest for this task?" Padmé questioned her expression one Dormé could not decipher.
"I believe he spoke of a Master Kenobi. There were several other Jedi present at the meeting and they assured him that this Master Kenobi would be sent here as soon as possible". Dormé answered, recalling the name Palpatine had suggested.
Once more Padmé reverted to the role of handmaiden. "The chancellor has given us little choice but to accept this. The Jedi are worthy protectors' milady. Now, perhaps you would like to freshen up before they arrive?"
Sabé flashed Dormé a pleased grin. Decoy to Padmé when she was Queen, Sabé had trained both Cordé and Dormé to take on the same role. With Cordé's death, the job passed to Dormé and Sabé was impressed by what she saw.
As Dormé and Padmé rose from the couch to proceed to the dressing room there was a chime at the door. Both women froze mid-step. Dormé looked at Padmé, her eyes asking the question of what they should do. No doubt, the Jedi had just arrived so there was no time for Dormé to switch places with Padmé.
Padmé came closer to Dormé. "It seems there is no time milady." She leaned forward to whisper in Dormé's ear. "You must play my part for a bit longer. I will retire to my bed chambers but Sabé will remain behind to keep up appearances." That said she nodded her head, motioned for Sabé to remain behind, before heading back to her bedroom with Rabé.
Dormé sighed under her breath. She had to have the worst luck. All she wanted to do was to relax, have a glass of aspinthos, and put her feet up for the night. Now, she had to meet with Master Kenobi and whoever the other Jedi was who would be accompanying him. Oh well, She thought I suppose it will have to wait. Doing a quick check to make sure she looked presentable; Dormé motioned for the captain to answer the door.
The captain greeted the two Jedi before ushering them into the sitting area. "Senator…may I present to you Master Jedi Obi-Wan Kenobi and his Padawan Anakin Skywalker."
Jedi Kenobi bowed addressing her as he did so, "It's a pleasure to see you again, Milady"
Ever able to adapt to the situation, Dormé gave the man a friendly smile before speaking. "It has been far too long Master Kenobi." She glanced over at the other Jedi standing next to Master Kenobi.
"You of course remember my padawan Anakin Skywalker, senator." He motioned to Anakin who stepped forward bowing his head. The young Jedi's eyes had locked onto her as soon as he had entered and even when he bowed, they did not waver.
Dormé had to admit he was rather handsome more so than Master Kenobi was, but now was not the time to let her mind wander to such things. "Yes, of course." She addressed Anakin now, "I…I did not recognize you. You've…grown."
Unfazed by her momentary inability to recognize him right away, Anakin smiled as he replied. "So have you…grown more beautiful…for a senator…I mean." He stumbled over his wording.
Dormé smiled at this fumble while Obi-wan looked disapprovingly at his padawan. She motioned for them all to sit before taking a seat on one of the couches. "Please."
Sabé sat down next to her while Typho remained standing, taking his place to the right of Dormé. Obi-wan and Anakin sat down on the other couch opposite of the Dormé. "Our presence here will be invisible milady, I assure you." Obi-wan said as he made himself comfortable.
Dormé nodded her eyes flickering from the master Jedi over to his Padawan who at that very moment was staring intently at her.
"I'm very grateful for your presence here Master Kenobi. Queen Jamilla has informed me of your assignment. The situation is more dangerous than the senator will admit." Typho glanced first at the Jedi than down at Dormé.
It was difficult to keep her mind focused but Dormé knew she must play the part of Padmé without a single flaw. "I don't need more security, I need answers. I want to know whose trying to kill me." Dormé, like any of the Padmés handmaidens cared about the senators' safety.
Obi-wan frowned and leaned forward slightly. "We're here to protect you Senator, not to start an investigation."
However, his padawan seemed to have other ideas. Anakin kept his gaze locked with Dormés as he spoke. "We will find out whose trying to kill you Padmé, I promise you."
Though Dormé was thrown by his informal use of the senators' first name, she was more interested in what occurred next.
"We will not exceed our mandate, my young padawan learner." Obi-wan scolded Anakin.
"I meant in the interest of protecting her, Master, of course." Anakin tried to explain but Obi-wan once more began to scold him as if he were a small child. Dormé could not help but recall how many times Saché, her mentor, had done the same to her early in her training. It was always in front of the other handmaidens and always embarrassing.
"We will not go through this exercise again Anakin, and you will pay attention to my lead." That said Master Kenobi turned his away from his padawan."
Dormé, Sabé, and Typho remained silent as they watched the interplay between the two men. Anakin disagreed and began to argue his point of view gaining more and more confidence as he went. Master Kenobi rebuked him once more and Anakin finally acquiesced, looking rather downtrodden.
Feeling sympathetic to how Anakin was probably feeling at being publicly humiliated, Dormé tried to soften the mood. "Perhaps with merely your presence, the mysteries surrounding this threat will be revealed. Now, if you will excuse me, I will retire." She gave Anakin a comforting smile before rising from the couch. Sabé quickly followed.
Both Obi-wan and Anakin stood up and bowed to the senator. Typho gave a nod of his head to both Jedi, saying that he felt much better knowing there were Jedi here to protect the senator before departing for the control center downstairs.
Anakin kept looking back to the doorway in which Dormé and Sabé passed through, his expression sullen. As Obi-wan approached him, he shifted his gaze to the Jedi Master. "She didn't even recognize me."
"You're focusing on negative thoughts again Anakin. She was pleased to see us. Now, come, let's check the security." With that said, Obi-wan walked away from him.
With one final glance to the doorway, Anakin went to help Obi-wan with the security check. Master Kenobi was right; though Padmé had not instantly recognized him, it had been several years since they had seen each other. The smile she gave him before leaving gave him even more assurance that she was pleased that he was here.
Tbc
This ones a little bit canon, a little bit AU so I do hope you enjoyed it. I know it's a bit slow so far but things will get rolling soon. Please leave a little review; they help me keep the inspiration going.