Padme

Padmé Amidala, recently elected ruler of the Naboo, exited the throne room of her Theed royal palace and walked slowly into her private chambers. She was afraid, truly afraid, for the first time in her life. The Jedi ambassadors had recounted the treachery of the Neimoidians for her governing counsel over the holo-com channel only moments ago. It had been suggested by the older Jedi that they continue negotiations on board the Neimoidian flagship itself. Padmé had agreed and even now her royal transport was preparing to take her delegation into the gundark's den—Nute Gunray's command ship.

Padmé shivered as she entered her spacious room and gazed out at the picturesque Theed cityscape. All this was at stake...and more. It was all in her hands, the fate of an entire world. And from what she could tell, the only thing keeping the Neimoidians from invading was the fact that the Jedi were holding lightsabers to their necks.

What if I say the wrong thing? She considered with an ever growing feeling of nausea in the pit of her stomach. What if I'm responsible for a course of action that leads to war?

The older Jedi Knight had said...or was he a Jedi Master instead of a Knight? And what was his name again? Oh no, she had forgotten...something with a "Q" wasn't it? The fate of her world was at stake and the meeting only hours away and she WASN'T READY!

Padmé began to tremble ever so slightly. She was going to blow it. Lose everything.

"What kind of a sane planet could ever entrust its fate to a person as young and naïve as I am?" she asked the empty room.

A soft voice from behind startled the young queen.

"You may be young, your highness," Rabé said gently. "But you are hardly naïve."

Padmé turned to face the beautiful handmaiden as she approached. It was Rabé who had prepared her intricate makeup this morning, as she always did. It was Rabé who was always there when Padmé needed reassurance. Indeed, Padmé felt herself soothed already just from the sound of her handmaiden's voice. Rabé was probably the one person in the galaxy who could calm Padmé when she was truly upset.

As she came up behind Padmé, Rabé placed a delicate hand on the small of the queen's back and Padmé felt herself already beginning to relax at her handmaiden's touch.

"I'm not ready for this, Rabé..."

A voice from the other side of the room came suddenly.

"We will get you ready, your highness..." Eirtaé spoke with authority as she entered the room, tall and confident as always. In many ways, she had a more regal countenance than Padmé could ever hope to imitate.

Padmé sighed as the blonde handmaiden approached her. Defeating Eirtaé in the election had given Padmé the position of queen. But at this moment, Padmé wished more than anything in the galaxy Eirtaé had been the one to win.

With a nod from Eirtaé, Rabé began lifting the ornate headpiece from Padmé.

"A change of wardrobe for this meeting?" Padmé asked in confusion.

Eirtaé shook her head with just the right amount of disdain and arrogance that had made Padmé's other handmaidens initially dislike the girl so much. But no one knew Nabooian etiquette better than Eirtaé, and Padmé almost felt foolish for questioning the girl's judgment.

"You must wear black to show the pain of separation from your world." Eirtaé explained with patiently.

"Just leave it all to us." Rabé continued as she placed the headpiece aside and began to unclasp Padmé's dress from behind.

"When have we ever let you down?" Sabé's voice floated into the room as the attractive young girl entered, tossing her hair back in a care-free way.

"Never." Padmé whispered as Rabé removed her gown and Eirtaé took her hands and helped her step out of the awkward, ornate attire. Now completely naked, the young queen shivered slightly as Eirtaé guided her.

"Come." Eirtaé said coolly as she gently pulled Padmé forward by the hands, guiding her towards the middle of the room. The cool tile of the floor sent another chill through Padmé's lithe, young body. "We've drawn you a bath."

"And while we wash you, we'll prepare you." Sabé said simply, smiling at Padmé as she began to disrobe.

Padmé watched silently as Sabé undressed. The girl looked so much like herself, it was like looking into a mirror. Aside from the ornate white makeup on Padmé's face at that moment, the two were almost identical. Indeed she and Sabé had developed a covert form of communication that only the other handmaidens could interpret. Raising a single eyebrow ever so slightly, Padmé asked Sabé silently: is this what I think it is?

Sabé answered her with a simple shrug of one bare shoulder as she finished removing her clothes. Her sign-language answer was clear: only if it pleases you.

Eirtaé glided around behind the young queen and slid her hands up Padmé's hips sensuously.

"Look at Sabé." Eirtaé commanded, taking charge of the situation as she always did. "So perfect...so beautiful..."

Sabé smiled at the compliment and slid her hands up to her perfect young breasts, pressing them together with a playful smile.

"So flawless..." Eirtaé continued. "Just like you are, Padmé."