Padme on Coruscent

Padme Amidala, Queen of Naboo, put on her face paint for the last time of her first term as Queen of Naboo. She was now fifteen, and not much had happened in the year since the Jedi had saved Naboo from the Trade Federation. She was to return to Coruscent for them to vote on her second term, and she honestly couldn't say whether she wished to continue or not. She always sought to do the right thing by the people, for the people. She would even lay down her life for democracy if it came to that. She didn't fear death, it was a natural part of life. Without death, there could be no life, without one the other would cease. Or at least that's what her grandfather told her. On the other hand, it would be nice to live out her life as an ordinary citizen on Naboo, even if there was very little about her that could be considered ordinary. She smiled at Captain Typho and accepted his hand as he hooked his arm through hers and led her to the Senate building where she would take her place with Senator Vancil , who was a man, much older than herself, but he was very bright as well. He was very knowledgeable about the economics of Naboo, which was why she had chosen him. She smiled when she entered the Senate building her eyes seeking out her friend and Senator but instead clashing with eyes that belonged to a man much older than her. He looked to be in his mid- to late twenties and he had the saddest blue eyes she had ever seen, without thinking she approached him. "Hello, I am Queen..."

"Padme," the man breathed.

"Yes, my name is Padme, but I go by Queen Amidala, of the Naboo, how do you know me?"

"I know everything about you."

"Who are you?" she asked, tactlessly.

"I was a Jedi. I left the Order for personal reasons."

"I see. Have you joined the Senate?"

"No, I never cared much for politics. Unfortunately, the Jedi demand my presence here. Allow me to escort you to your seat."

"Alright," she said, and Captain Typho let go of her as she naturally fell in step beside him. He led her to her seat in the Senate box. She felt herself blush under his steady gaze as he sat beside her never once releasing her hand. "I have told you who I am."

"There was no need, I know you, milady." She frowned as she checked her makeup to make sure it was still in place. "You are beautiful, Padme," he said huskily. "You always were. You always will be."

"I am sorry, Master Jedi but I don't know you," she stated, taking her hand away carefully. He sighed but he didn't object.

"You will."

"Are you teasing me, Master Jedi?"

"Oh no, Padme, I'd be much too frightened to tease a Queen," he stated, a small smile playing on his beautifully shaped lips. She was full of questions about him, questions that really were none of her business. Although she called him Master Jedi, because he hadn't given her his name, he made no qualms about telling her he was no longer a Jedi, that he had left for person reasons, she couldn't help but wonder what those reasons were and why he was here? What did he have to say to the Senate or was he only here for her, was he protecting her? For some reason she had that feeling he was? He didn't leave her side but his eyes darting around as if searching the thoughts and feelings of those around him. He instantly stiffened with her one-time Senator Palpatine entered flanked by his red guards. She found herself grabbing his hand and squeezing it as the five of them waiting for him to make his speech.

"It is decided then. Queen Amidala will serve a second term. She has done a wonderful job as Queen of Naboo. I am confident that she will protect the people for another four years as well as she did in the last four. Without her, and the aid of the deceased Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn, Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi, and young Anakin Skywalker Naboo would have truly been lost. We must never forget the sacrifice that the Jedi have made to keep Naboo safe. We will always remember that even the deepest sacrifice is worth the safety of our people..."

Beside her the Master Jedi mumbled, "Hypocrite. Oh, he's good. Better than I've even noticed. He orchestrated the entire war, with speeches like that."

"What war?" she asked, turning her eyes to him.

"Nothing, Padme."

"You were a Jedi?"

"Yes."

"How long ago?"

"Is there something you wish to ask me, A—ah milady?" he corrected, almost calling her angel.

"Yes, I ...listened to the Chancellor, I was just wondering about Ani."

"Ani...ah, yes, Anakin Skywalker," he stated as if he didn't know who he was. "He is the apprentice to Obi-Wan Kenobi. You will see him, in time, Padme. And when you see him...he will no longer be a boy."

"How do you know all this?" she asked softly, touching the top of his hand and looking up at him carefully. There was so much sadness in him, was that what it meant to be a Jedi? She always thought that the Jedi had a firm grasp on peace being peacekeepers of the galaxy, but all she saw in this man's eyes was sadness.

"A Jedi has many powers, Se-Queen Amidala, one of them is premonitions, the ability to see the future."

"And you've seen my future?" she asked, breathlessly. She had never spoken so to a Jedi, even when she was traveling as Padme, a handmaiden to the Queen, she had not heard so much about the Jedi from them. She wondered why this man, this Master Jedi, was sharing so much with her.

"I have seen one possible future."

"And?"

"You marry a Jedi," he answered, looking into her eyes. She wondered if he was teasing her again.

"But Jedi are not allowed to marry. We would be living a lie, one we couldn't keep even if we wanted too. Besides, I have a duty to my people, to the galaxy, I really can't see myself just throwing it all away...even for a Jedi."

"This Jedi will love you like no other. This Jedi would give up anything for you. Whenever he asks you to go away with him, let him leave the Order, go along with it."

"But that would mean asking him to give up the Order, his family. I couldn't be that selfish."

"I know," he said kissing her hand and disappearing. He never spoke during the session, but he had given her much to think about. Her? Sensible, Queen Amidala, married to a Jedi? It made no sense at all, did it?