XIX
Long after the Goblin King made his hasty exit from the throne room, Padmé remained. She held a silent vigil at the large window, looking out over the sprawling expanse of the Labyrinth. From her perch she could make out the realms of Sarah's odyssey and thanks to the small crystal the King had dropped in his retreat she could watch as the Queen pushed onward. Undeterred by the harsh landscape that surrounded her. Padmé smiled to herself. Sarah was nothing, if not resourceful, already finding a companion to aid her on her quest.
"Strong with you, the Force is." The familiar croak sounded softly from behind. Padmé whirled around, nearly dropping the crystal. "Master Yoda," she replied breathlessly, trying to regain her composure. "But weakness, I feel." He continued toward her, shaking his head sadly. "You don't trust me, you never did." Padmé remained by the window, her face impassive. "Not to be trusted, a politician is. Uncertainty, I felt in you. Betrayal, still I feel." Yoda reached out a hand and laid it on her arm.
Padmé tensed under his touch, and when he looked up to meet her gaze the truth could no longer be concealed. "Ah, yes," the Master Jedi sighed heavily. "Correct, I was. Alive you are not." He removed his hand and Padmé felt the familiar heaviness descend. Her breathing instantly became labored and she collapsed against the window sill for support. "It was the only way! Please Master Yoda you must understand! The children were not safe!" She closed her eyes and laid her head against the cold pane. "Dangerous, your mission is. Trapped, the children could be," he watched as she struggled to pace her breaths. "It was the only way I could be sure. I had no idea this was where they were going to end up!" She cried out hoarsely. "Carefully, we must proceed. Send for Obi-Wan, I will." Yoda patted her hand gently. "Understand, I do. The children, we must protect."
When she opened her eyes once more, Yoda was gone. She slowly lifted her arm from her side and held up the crystal. She watched as it filled with a smoky haze before dispersing around the shimmering figure of the Goblin Queen and her new companion. "Hurry Sarah, time is short." Padmé whispered to the small orb, "Hurry," she repeated slowly before falling back against the window. The darkness overtaking her.