Chapter 5 - Captured
Tiny little sparks fly around above me, glittering like diamonds in the darkness. They dance in circles, their bright light making me want to look away, but I can't. Somehow, my head is stuck to the thing it leans against.
I struggle, pulling back, trying to move my hands, to move at all. But I can't.
Finally, my eyes flick open, and I take in the surroundings I find myself in, now.
Where the glittering golden sparks were is a flat concrete ceiling, large grooves in the man made rock which tell me I'm still in the bunker. But all I can see is the ceiling. Presumably, I'm tied to a chair, based on my body position, with my head pulled back to face the ceiling.
"She finally wakes," the changeling smiles, standing above my eyes. His face is twisted into a sour grin, his cruel eyes smiling just like his mouth.
I try to speak, but with my head at this angle, I can't.
"The voice of democracy, finally silent," the changeling says, with a blood-curdling laugh. "You know, when I first got this job, I didn't think I could handle it! I said, 'there's no way I can get past all that security!' Boy was I wrong! Look at you, caged up like a bird. An exquisite, pale-faced bird, whose song has been stopped. I am so looking forward to watching my employer kill you."
I struggle, trying to speak, to do anything to stop this monster, but I can't.
"I wouldn't advise that," he smirks. "Those bonds I used are made of Klianum, the strongest and tightest-tying rope in the galaxy. If you try to struggle, you'll just rip your hands off your arms." He leans down, so his head is just above my face. "Really, it is such a shame that you were the target. You're so beautiful."
I muster up the courage to spit at him.
"Feisty one, aren't you," he asks, wiping his face where I hit him. "You won't be so reckless in a moment." He lifts his hand, and bears down to strike me.
Pain surges through my cheek, and I suppress a scream of pain.
He lets out a long laugh. "I did what others could not! I struck the most important woman on the Naboo!" He clasps his hands together in triumph. "And now, to business."
Suddenly, I feel my head being released from its spot on the chair, and pain surges through my neck like fire. I have suppress a moan of agony as I pull my head back up to where it's supposed to be. Then I feel my hands loosen from their bonds, but they are quickly tied to each other. Finally, he releases my feet and pulls me up to standing position. He grunts as he pulls me forward, but I dig my heels into the ground and don't budge.
"Cheeky woman," he says, gritting his teeth as he slaps me again. I take it, making no noise and staying as unresponsive as I can. "You will do what I tell you."
I yank my hand back, pulling him towards me. He yelps as he knocks me over, and lands on top of me, pinning me to the floor.
"Oh, yeah," he spits. "I'll make you regret that." He pulls on my wrists, hard, and then lets me fly across the room, so that I hit the wall, hard. He laughs, as I lay there, in agony, barely containing myself.
"Who's in there," someone suddenly yells from outside.
"The queen's guards," the changeling replies, his head transforming into one of the guard's faces.
"Where is the queen?"
"Not with us, she disappeared," the changeling smirks, looking down at me.
"Let us in," they yell, banging their fists on the Durasteel door.
"Against protocol, sir," the changeling replies.
I muster up as much courage as I can, and open my mouth.
"Help," I yell, my voice as monotone as I can make it.
"My Lady?!" The person outside yelps, and I hear them pull out a blaster.
Or ten.
The changeling looks at me with a disgusted frown, and quickly morphs into a guard.
The door bursts open, and behind it are the seven handmaidens, followed by a very distressed Typho.
"My lady," two of the girls say, rushing over to help me up. The other five eye the changeling scrutinizingly.
"Girls, girls," the changeling says, gesturing for them to calm down, "one of us turned traitor and tried to kill the queen. Luckily, I fought them off."
"Then why is she all tied up," Typho asks.
Stunned, the changeling stops.
"That's what I thought." Typho lifts his blaster to execute the changeling. "Who are you?"
In a blur of motion, the changeling reaches for his blaster, and moves to shoot Typho. Before he can pull the trigger, Rabé blocks his hand with her ankle, and kicks the blaster across the room, leaving it skittering across the floor. Motée quickly joins her, sweeping the changeling's legs out from under him, and he falls hard on his knees, which makes him yelp loudly. Then Yané quickly steps forward and brandishes a thin silver dagger against his neck, pushing it against his fake skin.
The changeling lifts his hands in surrender, and morphs back to his original form. "I am an assassin hired to bring the queen to my employer for execution. I see now that resistance is futile. I will stand trial."
"Not likely," Typho scowls, moving to squeeze his trigger.
"No!"
Everyone in the room turns to look at me.
"The assassin will stand trial for his crimes."
Typho looks at me, stunned, but he complies. The girls tie the changeling's hands behind his back, and push him up against the wall.
"M'Lady," Typho says, "This man is dangerous. He should be executed."
"He may be. But he will stand a fair and equal trial first."
Sabé and Ellé pull me to my feet, and then support me by my elbows.
"M'Lady, we should get you cleaned up," Ellé says, looking down at the dusty and destroyed gown.
"That sounds lovely," I say, and I let them lead me out of the bunker. "However, before that, I'd like for all of you to come with me to my room."
"My Lady, I'd like to suggest that this is the wrong time," Typho protests.
"Captain, this is my decision."
"Yes, your majesty," he grunts, looking away.
I feel a swell of pride as I follow my handmaidens, the girls who saved me, and protected me better than any of my guards could.
"My lady, are you sure you're alright," asks Eirtaé, who eyes me with concern.
"I will be fine, thanks to you girls."
oOo
The seven girls surround me in the Royal bedroom, looking only at me. Typho stands behind them against the door, his arms folded across his chest.
"What I am about to show you is a very well-kept secret. You must never tell anyone of what you saw here today, and revealing this information will result in your arrest and possible execution for treason."
The girls look at me and nod, grave looks on their faces.
"Maid, please assist me to remove my headdress."
The maid respectfully moves through the circle of handmaidens, and carefully pulls the black fabric away from my face. The black feathers lose all grip on what they had been holding onto before, and drop to the the floor in a fluttering mess. The tight cap slips off of my head to reveal my long brown hair, curled up in rolls, which the maid then removes carefully, letting my hair fall in long ringlets down my shoulders.
Then the maid moves to my gown. The black fabric smoothly glides off my shoulders to reveal the simple dressing gown beneath. Again, the feathers lose all grip on the fabric and float to the floor, surrounding me in a small pile of black down feathers. Then the maid steps back, letting the maidens look upon me now.
Sabé looks at me with an amazed expression, but the others are still confused, so I gesture for the maid to bring forth the washing water. She carries a soft white towel floating in warm, clean, water. I take the cloth in my hands and wring it out ceremoniously before bringing it to my face.
The makeup slides off my face easily, but I do not allow them to see my clean face yet, waiting first for my maid to take the towel from me.
She takes the cloth gingerly, and dunks it back in the water, which taints the clear water with red paint.
I look up, and reveal my clean face to the girls.
Sabé looks at me with a giant grin on her face, almost laughing. The other girls, however, look at me with a confused and amazed expression, their jaws hanging slightly open in shock.
Typho glances from girl to girl, taking in their shocked expressions and eyeing me with uncertainty.
"But," starts Saché.
"But you were sick," Rabé protests.
"How has this..." Motée trails off, her voice disappearing as she realizes the truth.
"Who are you, really," asks Ellé, her eyes burning with anger.
"Why didn't you tell us," asks Eirtaé.
I raise my hand to quiet them, but I let myself smile for the first time today. They take a moment to quiet down completely, all their questions bursting forth in a storm. Then, I change my posture to suit myself. I slouch, and let go of my regality. Finally, I answer them.
"My name is Padmé Naberrie, and I am your queen."