Note 9

Padme,

Yes…..I know. Timing means everything. I'm glad that I was able to get to the area across the throne room just in time…..most of the droids left you and went after me. I hope that you were able to work things out.

I wonder how the Gungans and the pilots are doing. I fear that all of them may be dead. I overheard a conversation….supposedly the shields are so strong on the Control Ship that no weapon known can go through the shields. I wonder who helped the Trade Federation out with the design. I don't think they did it all by themselves.

I didn't have much trouble getting to you….but I only hope that I can survive after being followed by all these droids. So far, no one has been killed.

Some of the other handmaidens have mentioned a blond named Krilien Al-Raab. There was talk that you have feelings for him. Oh??????? So you do have a crush!!!!!!! I knew it!!!!! So have you talked to Krilien Al-Raab? Does he know you like him? Does he like you back? I want all the details. Why do you like him? Have you ever spent any time with him before?

You always have liked blonds haven't you?

Hey…Anakin has blond hair…could that be why talk to him so much? Just joking.

Yes….I remember Krilien Al-Raab. I could never forget someone who outwitted me in debate class. I intend to take my revenge on him….with your permission of course.

Oh….do you still have a crush on him anymore? I think they might have said you liked him a little while ago. I didn't know if you still did.

Well I better get going. I went through a secret passageway that the Trade Federation would not know of….but I must be quiet so that I don't give myself away.

Before Anakin shot the destroyer droids, I was thinking how lucky we were that we were able to free those pilots. Those droid destroyers have shields, and without Anakin's help…we would probably be dead. We can't shoot droids with shields. We would have had to wait for them to destroy us.

Hey…what happened to Anakin after we left? I don't remember seeing him around…he must have taken off!!! I hope not, but if he didn't get killed yet, he probably will.

Yes, I'm married and I have a kid. I didn't tell you because I knew it would shock you, and I didn't want you to have to worry about me. I knew that you would want to do something about my poor Han…but unfortunately we can't get him back. My husband has looked for him and has researched where he might be, and he cannot locate him. The Maurders like to kidnap children and use them as slaves and smugglers. The chances of seeing Han again are very small, and his chances of survival are small too. I knew that this would worry you, and you are queen. You cannot have extra worries. I will introduce to Caleb, if by some miracle we make it out of this alive. Thank you for your words about Han. I am afraid there is not much more we can do.

You are my best friend, but you are also queen.

It's nice to hear that you think Anakin's gotten over his crush….but has he really? I mean for a little kid it's hard to get over a crush on someone like that. I mean, I know it's a kid's crush…..but he does think of you rather highly. We should have left little Anakin somewhere safe, but I know he would have protested. He seems like the kind of person who likes to be involved in all the action. He has to remember that he is just a kid.

Now about what Anakin told you…well I would think guys would find you rather attractive. I don't judge other girls; I don't say they are good looking, but I can say they are pretty. I mean you have that long brown hair, and brown eyes. I think that you have nice facial features, so yes, you are pretty. Little kids are often very innocent and tend to reveal true facts. But what do outside appearances really matter? I hope that you are not forced into marriage the way I was. I mean, I do love my husband greatly, but I wish that my parents hadn't forced me to marry him. I feel that I was too young, and I didn't even know him before I married him. Our families arranged it without either one of our consents. I know that some day actual guy will fall for you not because you are queen, but because you are such a good person on the inside. I know you've thought some guys were cute before, but when you actually met them, they turned out to be losers….and selfish.

Someone suitable will find you attractive someday, if you are meant for marriage. You're right…five years age difference is too great. The poor kid does not understand this yet.

Anakin is all right, but I find him annoying. Perhaps he will improve with age.

Palpatine is our Senator, so we should trust him really. Senator Antilles may also be nice, but he isn't our Senator. Our loyalty must rest in our own Senator. After all, he promised to help our situation, didn't he? And if you think he's not being completely honest, what do you think he might be hiding. What else could you have done but to listen to him?

Padmé, you will not be a Queen forever. You were recently elected, and you have several years left under your term as Queen…but after that's over you'll be free to pursue marriage…unless you plan to continue with politics. Some women are married to their careers, and I think it takes a very mature person to decide that they do not have enough time for family. Please don't make the decision now. Be open to the idea of marriage, at least.

I guess we'll hear after the battle how Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan did with that Sith.

Your best friend,

Sabe