A/N: Hooray they've finally reached Coruscant! Anyone else feel like they've been on that ship forever? That's how I feel when I watch the movie. The Tatooine section goes on far longer than it should. Anyway, onwards and upwards : )
Chapter Seven – The Capital.
The next morning passed with the same dragging of time as the last. It was not until well after midday that Captain Panaka informed everyone that they had finally reached Coruscant. Sabé felt relief seep through her veins. When Padmé was settled in her quarters they could switch back. She had been happy to help her friend by posing as Queen, but now she longed to be a handmaiden again. Her grip on politics wasn't as firm as Padmé's and she would be glad to hand over the decision-making, not to mention the headdress and face paint.
Her cousin too was restless. She felt restricted as Padmé Naberrie, simple handmaiden, and much preferred to do some good as Queen Amidala.
"Padmé Naberrie Amidala, Queen or not Queen I will stun you if you don't stop pacing!" Sabé growled, tapping the arm of the throne gently with her white-painted fingernails.
Padmé smiled. There were hidden blasters inside the throne that were generally set for stun, although some could be adjusted for kill. She stood by the door and tried to relax. She was itching to get things moving. Naboo's people were suffering every minute she was away.
When they felt the familiar jolt of the ship landing, Sabé leapt up and nearly ran to the door.
"I can't wait to get off this ship," she commented to Padmé.
"Me neither and I haven't been on it that long."
The small group of women and Captain Panaka stepped outside the chamber and headed for the exit. Coruscant was bright, grey and noisy, distinctly different from the soft, natural beauty of Naboo. Sabé led the party, which had increased by several guards, towards a section of the landing platform. The Jedi, the Gungan and a boy, whom Sabé assumed was Anakin Skywalker, stood with Senator Palpatine and the Supreme Chancellor. Sabé exchanged a glance with Obi-Wan as she approached, but quickly looked away, embarrassed under his intense scrutiny.
Palpatine was an elderly man with piercing eyes and a sharp nose. Sabé had never really liked him, but respected the work he did for Naboo. He bowed to her as she approached.
"It is a great gift to see you alive, Your Majesty. With the communications breakdown we've been very concerned. I'm anxious to hear your report on the situation." He gestured to his companion, the stern-looking white haired man in a long robe. "May I present Supreme Chancellor Valorum."
Sabé was sorely tempted to say, "No you may not," just to see what he would do, but it was not the time, nor the place.
"Welcome, Your Highness, it is an honour to finally meet you in person," Valorum said pleasantly.
"Thank you, Supreme Chancellor."
"I must relay to you how distressed everyone is over the current situation. I've called for a special session of the Senate to hear your position."
"I am grateful for your concern, Chancellor."
Leaving Valorum to the Jedi, they began to walk towards an air taxi that was waiting patiently beside the landing platform.
"There is a question of procedure," Palpatine said, "but I feel certain we can overcome it."
Sabé was distracted by Padmé subtly drawing her attention to Anakin and the Gungan, Jar Jar. She made a point of nodding to the awkward-looking duo and Padmé called them to follow. Obviously the Jedi, who were urgently speaking to Chancellor Valorum, had more important things to do than watch a nine-year-old boy and a clumsy Gungan. She couldn't blame them for that.
She did not look back at Obi-Wan as they left the platform, although she would have liked to. She didn't know if she was going to see him again and for some reason that she couldn't quite identify, the fact that she hadn't said goodbye bothered her. Her instinct told her their paths would cross again, but her instinct was also telling her a lot more that she wasn't so keen to acknowledge. She did not realise that he was struggling with the very same dilemma as he watched her departing back.
They were taken to Palpatine's vast apartment, where he had rooms set aside for the Queen's use. They all gathered there for a short respite before Padmé discussed the situation with the Senator. Sabé slipped out of the black gown and feathered headdress and into a black jumpsuit and boots. She was officially off-duty until they left and was free to wear what she wished.
As she wiped the make-up off her face, Padmé was busily applying it to hers. Then Rabé and Eirtaé helped the Queen into an ornate grey dress and fan-shaped hairpiece.
She sorted Padmé's wardrobe, which had been transported from the ship. It was always stored on board the royal ships in case of emergency and featured a wide range of gowns, as well as spare clothes for the handmaidens.
"You'll want the grandest one for the Senate," she mused, searching through the dresses.
Padmé nodded her elegant head. "Can you sort it? I need to go and speak to Palpatine."
"Of course."
They left in a hurry and Sabé set to work pulling everything out of the wardrobe. She selected a gown of gold and red. Naboo's majesty and beauty would be well demonstrated through it. She found a black fur cloak that would also go well and laid it to one side.
When Padmé, Rabé and Eirtaé returned, the Queen was not in the best of moods.
"Honestly, that man," she growled, storming in.
Sabé exchanged a glance with Eirtaé. "Which one?"
"Palpatine. Says Valorum will not stand up to the Senate," she said, pulling the fan headdress from her hair. Rabé caught it skilfully as it was tossed aside.
"So what are you going to do?" Sabé asked.
"Palpatine suggests a vote of no confidence."
Padmé tugged off some accessories and dropped them into a drawer in the wardrobe. Sabé helped her out of the grey dress and handed it to Eirtaé to hang up. Then she showed Padmé her choice of dress for the Senate. She nodded her approval and slipped into it, sitting down at the dresser where Rabé began to arrange her hair.
"Are you going to do it?" Sabé said, smoothing the cloak.
"I don't see that I have much of a choice, but I'll see how the talks go. I'll do it as a last resort."
Sabé nodded. She took over from Rabé to add finishing touches to Padmé's hairstyle, then stood back to admire it.
"There, that should impress them."
"I'm not looking to impress them, Sab," Padmé said, but she seemed pleased.
"Come on," Sabé pulled her to her feet. "Full-length mirror. Now." They headed into the next room so Padmé could scrutinise herself.
Then they heard the door open and Rabé's voice said, "I'm sorry, Ani, but Padmé's not here right now."
Padmé looked stunned and mouthed, "Oh no." Out loud she said, "Who is it?"
"Anakin Skywalker to see Padmé, Your Highness."
Padmé drew herself up and walked slowly out. Sabé wrapped the blue cloak that the others were wearing around her shoulders and followed, pretending to be busy with clothes.
"I've sent Padmé on an errand," Padmé lied.
'An errand?' she thought to herself, 'I'm making myself sound like a school girl.'
Anakin looked distraught. "I'm going to the Jedi Temple to start my training, I hope. I may never see her again and I came to say goodbye."
Padmé's heart nearly cracked at the mournful tone of his voice and the downward stoop of his bottom lip. Yet she was restricted by the masque of Queen. All she could offer was, "We will tell her for you. We are sure her heart goes with you."
"Thank you, Your Highness," Anakin said quickly, turning to leave.
Padmé walked back into the other room, followed by her cousin. "Oh, Sabé, I feel so horrible."
"Horrible?"
"Poor Ani just came to say goodbye and I couldn't even do that properly. If I manage to hurt the feelings of a nine-year-old boy what damage could I do to Naboo at the Senate session?"
Sabé placed a firm hand on her shoulder. "Stop that. You're just nervous and who wouldn't be in your situation? But listen, Padmé, you can do this. I know you can. Think about it, would you have been elected Queen if you couldn't?"
"I suppose not."
"As for the boy, if it's bothering you that much leave him a message. I'll take it to the Jedi Temple. I'm not supposed to be seen by the Senate anyway in case someone recognises me."
Padmé's eyes lit up and she wondered just when the little boy had dug his way so far into her affections.
"Sabé, would you? It would lift a load from my mind. Then I could fully concentrate on this."
"Of course. We all want that. Do you have a data pad?"
Padmé nodded and typed furiously for a few minutes before handing it over. The group left the apartment together, but while Padmé led everyone else to the Senate building, Sabé borrowed a speeder and set off for the unique shape of the Jedi Temple.