Coruscant and Recognition

Space was cold and dreary. Amara cursed herself for giving back the blanket she had borrowed from Shmi. She had moved from the sleeping quarters, which she thought was the coldest part of the ship, into the main room. Amara curled up on a chair to keep warm from the cold. On her left, Anakin was taking a nap. The young boy had quickly fallen asleep when Padmé informed them it would take a while to get to Coruscant. On her right, Jar Jar was spread out on one of the couches, head hanging off the couch and snoring. Amara rubbed her arms and closed her eyes. Everyone else was busy. Padmé was attending to Queen Amidala with the rest of the handmaidens, Qui-Gon was with Obi-Wan, and C-3PO was with R2 and the other droids.

Amara started to nod off when she felt a hand touch her shoulder. She jumped up frantically but soon calmed when she saw it was Qui-Gon.

"Is everything all right?" Qui-Gon was now dressed in the same attire as Obi-Wan. Brown Boots, loose-fitting pants and a brown cloak.

"No this ship is freezing," Amara rubbed her hands together to create some warmth.

He pulled out the cape he had worn earlier. "Here, use this. It may not be much but it's better than nothing."

Amara grabbed the cape from him and quickly pulled it over her body. It came down to her ankles, providing the warmness she desperately needed. Much better, she thought.

"Thank you. Not just for the cape but for everything so far," Amara said to him.

"You're welcome," Qui-Gon responded. Amara saw that he wanted to say more but instead, he gave her a smile and made his way out of the room.

Amara walked over to the door that led to the sleeping quarters when heard her name being called. She turned to see Anakin motioning for her to come over to where he was sitting. She went over and sat next to Anakin, bringing up her knees to her chest.

"What's wrong?" Amara looked at him with concern.

"It's very cold," Anakin managed to whisper.

Amara noticed he was shaking more than she was earlier. Should I? She glanced at the cape she currently wore. She thought to herself for a minute before she came up with a solution.

"Come here." Amara took off the cape and turned it into a blanket that they could both share. She pulled the cape over their bodies, now providing warmth for both of them. "We both came off from a warm planet, Ani. I guess we just need to get used to the coldness."

Anakin had stopped shivering and gave Amara a worried look. "I'm- I'm not sure what's going to happen to me. If you start to train to be a Jedi, I don't know if I'll ever see you again." He pulled out something from his pocket. "I made this for you. So you'd remember me. I carved it out of a japor snippet." Anakin held the pendant to Amara. "It will bring you good fortune."

Amara grabbed the pendant from him and studied it. "It's beautiful, thank you. But I don't need this to remember you." She looked up to Anakin, a smile forming on her face. "How could I forget my future husband?" She looked back at the pendant and sighed. "Who knows what is going to happen to us once reach Coruscant. But there is one thing for sure. I'll always care for you."

"I care for you too," Anakin began, tears forming in his eyes. "Only I...miss..."

"...You miss your mother," Amara finished quietly.

Anakin wiped his tears and nodded, unable to speak. Amara moved closer and hugged him, her chin resting on his head. Anakin started to cry into Amara's shoulder and she rubbed his back. You'll get through this, I promise.

Padmé had entered the room, not noticing Amara and Anakin. She had walked over to one of the monitors and switched on a hologram. Amara could slightly hear the person from the hologram pleading to Queen Amidala to come home and save her people from starving to death, to help them in their time of need. Padmé watched the entire message and stared at the wall, her head bent low.

Amara stood up and walked over to where she was. Padmé turned to her sadly.

"The Queen is worried, Amara. Her people are suffering, dying. She must convince the Senate to intervene, or else.." Padmé trailed off. "I'm not sure what will happen."

"Is there is anything I could do to help the Queen?" Amara asked softly. She didn't want to sit around all day and do nothing.

Padmé shook her head but thanked Amara for the gesture.

Amara stared at Coruscant in awe from the cockpit. The planet was covered in a dense urban landscape. The skyscrapers were built on the planet's surface called Galactic City, itself dense urban blocks with inner levels. There were 24 hours in a day, and 365 days in a year.

"Coruscant. The entire planet is one big city," Ric Olie, the pilot of the ship, explained to them. "There's Chancellor Valorum's shuttle. And look over there. Senator Palpatine is waiting for us."

"Wow! It's so huge!" Anakin managed to get out.

Amara looked down to see a small figure standing on one of the landing docks that floated near a cluster of buildings. The ship docked with a soft thud on the landing platform. She and Anakin walked out of the cockpit and into the main room. The Queen was waiting in the corridor with her handmaidens and the captain. She nodded at Qui-Gon, who began to lead the way out of the ship. Amara followed closely behind the Jedi as the hatch of the ship opened. The minute she had gotten off the ship; she tried to not be overwhelmed.

Two men were waiting for them, surrounded by guards. Amara knew that they were part of the Republic Senate since Padmé had told her all about the system they had on Coruscant when they were still in space. Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan approached the two and bowed. Jar Jar went next, then Anakin, and finally Amara. She bowed to them and was suddenly confused. One of the men, Senator Palpatine, widened his eyes and had look of recognition but quickly straightened. Amara raised her eyebrow and quickly went over to where Qui-Gon was. How does he know me?

Queen Amidala appeared from the ship, dressed in black and gold robes, with a feathered headpiece attached to her head. She descended the ramp with her handmaidens surrounding her and walked over to the Senator.

"It is a great gift to see you alive, Your Majesty. May I present Supreme Chancellor Valorum," Palpatine offered with a smile.

The Chancellor stepped forward. "Welcome, Your Highness," he greeted, a faint smile working its way onto his stern face. "It is an honor to finally meet you in person. 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."

The Queen held his gaze without even moving, her white-painted face as still and cool as ice. "I am grateful for your concern, Chancellor," Amidala said quietly.

Senator Palpatine started to lead Queen Amidala and her handmaidens off the platform toward a waiting shuttle.

"There is a question of procedure, but I feel confident we can overcome it..." Senator Palpatine explained to her.

Amara began to follow Jar Jar and Anakin when she noticed Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan were not with them. She looked back and saw them with the Supreme Chancellor. Anakin motioned for Amara to aboard the taxi. She looked back to Qui-Gon, who nodded for her to go. But I don't want to. Anakin grabbed Amara's hand and rushed over to the shuttle.

They settled into the back of the air shuttle quietly. Senator Palpatine glanced over at them, specifically Amara. What does he want? Amara gave a confused stare once more and he turned away.

"Me not feelen too good 'bout being here," Jar Jar whispered doubtfully to Amara and Anakin.

Amara nodded and the shuttle began to move.

A/N: Sorry about the short chapter :( Palpatine recognized Amara! But how does he know her? (Leave a comment below) Next chapter will be Amara's encounter with the Jedi Council!