Queen Amidala watched the moments of jubilation die down and return to normal as the days passed. She often wondered if the war had actually occurred, now that things had basically become what they had been. Basically. Yes, she had met some extraordinary people during that time period, and the deaths of so many, including Qui-Gonn Jinn rang deeply in her mind even now. Anakin had been quite fond of him, connecting with his as if he were the father he had never known. Anakin. What a remarkable boy; full of kindness, courage, and zest for life. Amidala wondered how he was adapting to his new life right now, with Obi-Wan Kenobi as his master. A slow smile played across her traditionally painted lips as she pictured him learnig the jedi arts in her mind's eye. He would have no problem; after all, he had proved himself capable of an incredible feat in battle! Nine years old, and he had destroyed the droid's main control center! Well, she thought, he was living out the life he had dreamed of, with the exception of one person missing: his mother. She knew to some extent how Anakin felt, having been raised in the court, away from her parents for her training.
Of course, she had never been a slave, so it was different in that sense. A slave. What a terrible thing, slavery; it had been shocking for Amidala to see it was still in existence. But when she thought about it, it made sense. No business so profitable could disappear from the galaxy completely. Although she wished it could.

A sound at her chamber's door brought her back to her senses, and with a scowl Amidala realized she had been doing it again. Thinking about Anakin while time flew by. Duty called now, and her thoughts were quickly forgotten.

"Come in," Amidala stated and stood up in her regal posture, as taught.

"Your Highness," Captain Panaka stepped in and bowed. "We have news from the outskirts."

"Good. What has General Notum decided?"

"Actually, Your Highness, he asks to see you. He is waiting on the holo-screen in the main chamber."

"Thank you Captain. You are excused."

Amidala rolled her eyes at the whole situation. Notum, a general who obsessed over the exact documentation of the war and excelled in over-dramatization, was probably causing a commotion over trivial matters again, and it looked like it was up to Amidala to sort them out. All this seemed rather uneventful after having dealt with a war. But Amidala certainly did not wish the pain back, so with a sigh and a grimace she set off to speak with him.

***

Amidala retired to her personal chambers after attending a banquet, feeling pleasantly full, but altogether exhausted. All the day's work left her drained and ready to sleep. Her handmaidens had probably felt the same way as well because they had departed from Amidala's side, with her permission, as soon as the banquet was over. Somewhat more important matters had been discussed over the nourishment than had been discussed early that day with General Notum, and Amidala was grateful for that, but eventually the serious debate began to drain her. Many representatives had been present to discuss the goals of the Republic in the light of the war and the modifications the Republic should make to prevent any other attacks. The conversation had actually been interesting, but, to Amidala's frustration, little had been accomplished. Idealistic ideas were all to common, even among diplomats more experience than herself.

Amidala's train of thought was broken when her personal console chimed, signalling that a new message awaited her. She relayed it, and a pre-recorded message, in Anakin's sing-song voice, began to play.

"Hello Padme, Your Highness, I just wanted to let you know how training is going for me, if you're interested. Well, Obi-Wan has been teaching me a lot, but I don't think very many jedi masters like me. Sometimes...I feel like I don't belong. But I have made some friends with other padawans, and I am having fun. I miss you and Naboo, but I have zero time right now to visit. How are things going over there? Say hi to everyone for me, and send me a message back if you can. I know you're busy being the queen, and all. I better get going. I'm supposed to be meditating..."

Before the message ended Amidala thought she heard Obi-Wan's voice shouting in the background and she suppressed a laugh. Amidala had a bit of free time on her hands right now, so she decided to send a message back to Anakin.

"Hi, Ani, it's great to hear from you. Everything is busy over here, with me 'being the queen and all.' Sometimes it can feel lonely here too, even with all my attendants and friends, but don't get discouraged, I think you'll fit in with other jedi just fine."

Amidala smiled, adjusted her posture, and continued, "Maybe someday we may both have time to go on a vacation...I sure could use one! Oh, and try not to send any messages during meditating time, you know Obi-Wan doesn't like that! I better get going myself, so keep in touch and keep up your work. You'll be a Knight in no time. Take care!"

Amidala ended the recording and set it down. She suddenly was reminded of how tired she was, but she still had one more thing on her agenda before she could succumb to sleep. She tried to set aside the exhaustion for now, to no avail. She realized she still had about five minutes before her handmaidens would show up, so Amidala decided to rest for just a few of those...

An angry bustle finally heard permission to enter Amidala's chamber, and the handmaidens made a crazy show of stomping into the chamber like mothers puffing their chest in preparation for scolding and lecturing their children. Sure enough...

"Your Highness," Eirtae addressed her, "We waited and waited for you to give us permission to enter your chamber, and now look! You are late for the meeting with Chancellor Palpatine!"

"Late? Oh no, I must have fallen asleep! How late am I?"

"The meeting should have started five minutes ago!"

"Ah, well, it's only Palpatine, right? No time to prepare now...I'll just have to postpone it..." Amidala grimaced at another encounter with Palpatine. Something about him kept her on her toes all the time...

"He won't be pleased this time, Your Highness," Yane added calmly.

"What do you mean this time?" Amidala questioned. Then she remembered being late the last meeting they had had as well. "Oh- right. Well, then what are you waiting for? Hurry and fix me up!"

A few of the handmaidens tried to hold back laughter.

"I saw that!" Amidala grinned.

***

Finally, Amidala stepped into her chamber, slipped into her nightclothes, and was about to sleep when she remembered the message for Anakin. Sighing she sent for Sabe, whom she gave the recording to. "Give this to Panaka in the morning and make sure he knows it is to be delivered to Coruscant."

"Oh, is this to Obi-Wan Kenobi?" She asked excitedly.

"No..." Amidala raised her right eyebrow suspiciously, "It's to Ani."

"Oh," Sabe answered. "Do you mind if I send my own recording along with it?"

"Of course not. And if any other handmaidens wish to they have my permission. We don't want anyone at the jedi temple to be lonely, do we?" Amidala smiled.

"Sure don't!" Sabe replied and sent a silent thank you to Amidala.

"Good night Sabe, I'm exhausted."

"Good night, Amidala," Sabe replied and departed. Amidala barely felt her bed beneath her before falling into a deep slumber...

Amidala was shackled against a wall that towered higher than her vision could distinguish in the dim light. Amidala tried to scream, but whoever had done this to her had gagged her as well, and it came out muffled, contorted. Her eyes scanned over the unfamiliar place searching for any tool that might help her escape. All the while, she tried to think back, wondering what or who might have brought her here.
Palpatine. The word flashed in the back of her mind, and even as she thought it, she knew it must be true. Something about him seemed like it mocked her- perhaps his position in relation to hers- and at times, she almost could see in those mocking eyes that he gloated, as the childish chant went, "I know something you don't know"...
Palpatine. There he was, a shadow in one of the dark corners, watching her futile efforts to escape. Wordlessly, he approached her, until he stood only a few feet in front of her. Amidala thrashed and tugged on the shackles, trying to get them to reach him, hit him, hurt him, anything...but his hood was pulled up, and Amidala puzzled over this. Was he under the hood? Why did he try and hide himself so? There was something dark about him, if only she could figure it out! Suddenly a triumphant sigh escaped her lips as she freed a hand and quickly, swiftly moved to pull down the hood...

Amidala woke up with a start, her breathing heavy and irregular. That dream again...it had been that dream again. Amidala had had that dream before, and it had been after her decision to bring Palpatine in as a candidate for Chancellor. Bad choice, very much so. And then he had won. After that, he had tried to prevent her from returning to Naboo. It was in Naboo she was finally able to defeat the trade federation. Coincidence? Maybe. Yes, but she had to have proof. If there was anyway to prove Palpatine's false face, she would find it. But for now, she thought, rolling her eyes in annoyance at the sound of handmaidens waiting to be let in again, that would have to wait.

***

It wasn't that Amidala was bad at politics; she just disliked the corruption that they tended to evoke. But since they politics were a daily part of being the queen, she had to learn to live with them. Politicians were once again gathered in a meeting, discussing more ways to strengthen the Republic from future attacks. Right now all the officials contemplated on whether or not there were old-fashioned systems that needed to be more closely guarded.

Chancellor Palpatine stood up and nodded at the officials. Amidala had a bad feeling about this. "If I may say something, no offense to you, Your Highness, electing a queen is a very old tradition, and perhaps one of little importance."

"Little importance?" Amidala stood aghast. How could he even think such a thing? "The queen is not just a figure-head, Chancellor, but one of the important leaders of Naboo, who, during times of war, helps unite and defend her people! I am not trying to speak highly of myself, but I think I did play an important role in leading a counterattack and giving my people hope!"

"I was only suggesting, Your Highness," he replied with a bow, "that the power should be shared equally between the queen and the highest officials, therefore this tradition would not be so costly if the queen turned out to be dangerous toward the Republic."

"Are you suggesting that I-"

"This is a hypothetical scenario, Your Highness. I am not implicating you in any way. Truly, you proved your valor to us in your noble deeds during the war," he said, and Amidala picked up a hint of resentment. He had thought her to be naive! The thought plopped into her head like a smelly sea creature.

Amidala had had enough of this. "We will continue this discussion tomorrow morning," she adjourned the meeting.

Palpatine... the rat was up to something again and she did not like it.

***

How had the conversation turned from her to the jedi temple? Amidala thought furiously after the first hour of the second half of the discussion. Palpatine was speaking again, and she tried to listen without frustration.

"It is clear we should carefully observe the training of jedi, for they can be powerful allies," Palpatine was saying, "Many of the new, younger jedi, have very high force capabilities, and since they are sworn to protect we must ensure their happiness. And we must also keep a close eye on them. They have maintained the peace for years, but with great power also comes the threat of corruption..."

Had he been deliberately speaking of Anakin? Amidala was taken aback. If so, how had he known that Ani had a high force capacity? It could be he was just making a broad uneducated statement, but then that was unlike him. He was holding something back. What was his secret? Amidala suddenly realized everyone was looking at her. Why? Had she spoken her thoughts out loud.

"We would like your input on this matter, Your Highness," An official prompted.

"Wha- Oh, yes. Well," Amidala kept talking, but underneath her white paint she was blushing furiously. Palpatine was forgotten- for the moment.

***

Amidala had an idea! A brilliant, marvelous, spur-of-the-moment, simple idea. Palpatine was on her thoughts again, and she had just figured out a way to search evidence, and, in title, be at the next discussion tomorrow. Amidala hunted out Sabe.

"Your Highness?" Sabe asked a bit shocked at the idea.

"You did it before, you can do it again!" Amidala pleaded.

"But that was under times of urgency, Your Highness!"

"This is urgent too!"

"How so?"

"Well, there is something very important I must do that no one at the meeting must suspect I am doing."

"That is?"

"Classified information, Sabe."

"But what if they realize I am not the queen? What if they suspect something?"

"If it comes completely to the point where there is no question you can keep up the charade, which it hopefully won't go to that point, then you admit you are filling in for me while I am sick. Tell them I did not want to be disturbed so I sent you in my place."

"I will go, Your Highness."

"Thank you, Sabe. Oh, and I forgot to ask you, how many messages did you and the handmaidens add to be sent with mine the other day?"

"Only two, Your Highness."

"Good. I was thinking we shouldn't interrupt Ani's training too much...and also, this may not happen for another month of so, it depends how long it takes everything to calm down, but how would you like a vacation?"

"Who has ever not liked one? I know we could all use one."

"True, that's why I brought it up. Maybe the jedi temple wouldn't mind if we made a little detour there, just for a few days..."

"Oh thank you Your Highness, I can't wait!"

"No problem, Sabe, it should be interesting..."

***

Amidala's ploy worked perfectly, so well she actually managed to pull off a week's worth of 'sick' days. Actually, a better part of the days were spent going log over log of Palpatine's whereabouts at all times during the war, checking droid's memories to see if her conclusions were right, going through data banks, searching for any erased files or unusual use of comm sytems, and even after all that time Amidala still had no solid proof, just a stronger hunch of him being involved in something more than he recounted. Amidala hadn't found any reason why he would want to pay close attention to Anakin, but she had found missing holes on his whereabouts on certain dates. But she could never ask him, for then he would know what Amidala had been up to the past week, besides being *sick*. So Amidala kept all her work secret, and swore her handmaidens to secrecy as well. They weren't to breathe a word.

Time passed quickly for Amidala, and when she finally returned to the discussions, well informed of what had gone on thanks to Sabe's recording chip, she already noticed some of the Republic's ambition rubbing off. A few minor changes were made, but nothing serious had been decided, and the meetings became few and farther in between. More time passed, and Amidala began looking forward to her vacation, and secretly making plans for it. She expressed this need to Captain Panaka, and he didn't put up too large of a protest. His only request was that she didn't stay away for more than seven days. Things were politically calming down, but that didn't give Amidala "resort rights" as he had put it. The handmaidens knew nothing of her plans, and Amidala particularly enjoyed her power over them one night after returning from a small baby shower for the child of a well respected representative.

"Hasn't it been a month?" Rabe asked curiously, trying to hide some of her excitement.

Amidala watched her take her headpiece off, and then start removing pins. "Since when?" Amidala replied nonchalantly.

"Was I mistaken hearing about a vacation?"

"You must have been."

"ARE YOU SERIOUS?"

Amidala scowled at her.

"...Your Highness," Rabe recovered.

"There is no vacation planned; I don't remember ever mentioning one!" Amidala scoffed. "Come in," she added to the buzz at the door. The other handmaidens entered, smiles on their faces.

"What is it?" Amidala asked irritably.

"The vacation...Your Highness," Yane answered shyly.

"What vacation?" Amidala groaned.

"The one you hinted at last month, Queen Amidala, don't you remember?" Sabe asked feeling disappointed.

"I have no memory of that whatsoever," Amidala replied, her face passive.

"You must!" Sache pleaded, "Please try to remember, Amidala."

"Hmmm..." Amidala searched her mind, inwardly laughing at all of them.

"The one Sabe never ceased to speak of..." Eirtae prompted.

"Yes! That one!" Yane nodded.

"The one to the jedi temple..." Sache added.

"OH! That one! OF COURSE!" Amidala exclaimed.

"WE'RE GOING ON A VACATION!" The handmaidens shouted in unison.

"No you aren't," Amidala dismissed.

"WHAT?!" Their cry echoed around the room.

"I told you, I forgot about it," Amidala said.

Rabe dropped all the pins she was holding and they scattered thoroughly on the floor.

Amidala burst out laughing and slowly slipped down the side of her bed in a complete fit of laughter. It took five minutes of snorting up a storm before she could be calmed down. Between gasps for breath she managed, "You- should- have- seen- the looks- on your faces! Of course- we're going!" The handmaidens cheered and ran off to pack their belongings.

"Hmmm..." Amidala mused while grinning stupidly on the floor, "I don't recall dismissing them or hearing them make proper use of my formal title..."

***

The next morning they departed, Amidala, Sabe, Sache, Rabe, Yane, and Eirtae on route to the jedi temple in Coruscant. The jedi council had agreed upon a week's stay, but no longer, and there would be no interfering with the jedi's concentration. Obi-Wan and Anakin would only be allowed three full days of vacation. Other than that Amidala and the handmaidens would have to tend to themselves. Amidala laughed; it sounded like a traveling band, "Queen Amidala and the Handmaidens." Sache agreed when she heard this. Traveling there only a few hours, during which the queen and the others giggled and chatted playfully, letting formalities go to the wayside and acting every bit their age.

"We're approaching Coruscant," Amidala informed them after checking their progress.

Rabe smiled. Eirtae nodded, and laughed. Yane grinned. Sabe cheered. Sache banged Sabe over the head with a big stuffed animal she had brought along to antagonize them.

"You're just excited to see...ahem...SOMEone..."

"I'd like to know who!" Amidala grinned while Sabe blushed.

"Well," Sache dragged out, "Okay, I'll tell you; it's-"

Sabe muffled Sache's answer with the stuffed animal and Amidala laughed. How had she ended up with these clowns?

"OBI-WAN!" Sache cried and cheered before Sabe could stop her, so Sabe showed her gratitude by diving at her with a fierce look in her eye. Sache screamed and ran from Sabe.

"Hmmm..." Amidala pondered, "I figured as much." Sabe looked back shocked at Amidala and then burst out laughing. "Now the whole world knows! Thanks a lot Sach-aaaah!"

Sache had taken that moment to regain the stuffed animal and, WHOMPH!, it came swinging across Sabe's left side. Amidala shook her head dejectedly and left the handmaidens to figure this one out themselves.

Once more she found herself exhausted, and fell back into the bed, reaching sleep the moment she got there.

This is that dream again, Amidala noted as she once again found herself shackled to the wall. But the shadow was not there this time, and the hand she had pulled free the last time was still free. Amidala used it to reach over the pull the keys off their place further left on the wall, and she unlocked her other hand so that only her feet were left bound. It didn't take long for her to free her feet, and once she realized she was completely free, once the thought really registered, she pulled the gag out and started to run. She had barely taken three steps when suddenly Amidala found herself face-first on the floor. She had tripped over something. After pulling herself up, Amidala turned around to find what had caused her fall, and a high-pitched scream escaped her lips. His face was dull and eyes unblinking, his body cold and halfway rotten from death; Amidala stared upon the decomposing face of Darth Maul. Amidala emitted some sort of disgusted squeak and turned her face away. She heard laughter- Palpatine's laughter- and saw his shape again, in the corner. Suddenly he raised a lightsaber above her head and with a cry of triumph brought it down... Amidala woke up with a jerk. She was surrounded by her handmaidens, eying her anxiously.

"Some nightmare you had there, Your Highness." Eirtae commented.

"Yes, you cried out in your sleep," Yane added.

"WHAT exactly are all of you doing here?" Amidala stormed, "I did not give you permission, and further more you caught me at a bad time."

"Sorry," the handmaidens murmured under their breath.

Sabe sobered, "We just came here to tell you we've arrived in Coruscant!"

"Oh!" Amidala cried, "Then in that case, you're all forgiven! Let's go unpack our things and get settled down."

And with that, the nightmare was forgotten...for the time being.

***

The visitors had agreed not to disturb the jedi until their training was over; they were brought to their chambers and waited there to surprise the two unexpecting jedi.

Amidala sat back in a comfortable chair, suddenly remembering her nightmare. Surely it meant something. Then she had a thought. These dreams always happened after suddenly feeling very exhausted. Sure, she was busy and could get tired easily, but it seemed to much to be a coincidence. Maybe someone was SENDING her the dreams. But who? And why? Amidala had no idea, but she vowed to pay close attention to things the next time she felt a wave of exhaustion. Palpatine with a lightsaber? Amidala shook her head. It was too strange to think about. With a start, Amidala realized there was someone at her door. She opened it, and found Sabe grinning before her.

"Yes, Sabe?"

"They've finished their training!" She whispered, and with a whoop the two went jedi-hunting.

***

Amidala and Sabe peeked around a corner like excited school girls and located them. Anakin walked with a bounce, even after the hard days work and was busy chattering about something with Obi-Wan. Suddenly Sabe and Amidala both got an idea, and looked at each other excitedly at the same time. Amidala nodded, and they headed towards the kitchen. Once there they pulled out some trays and food for dinner and nodded decisively. Time to deliver some dinner.

Obi-Wan stepped into the doorframe and Amidala watched his face light up with excitement.

"Sabe, Your Highness, you two are here awfully early!"

There was a thud in the back of the room as Anakin heard the phrase "Your Highness" being mentioned.

"Room service!" The two smiled, and held out the trays of food.

***

"PADME!" Anakin cried when they entered the room, and then he quieted up for a second, and recomposed himself. "I mean, hello Your Highness and Sabe!" They laughed and Amidala tossed the boy's padawan braid up.

"So," she declared, "I want to hear all about you adventures at the jedi temple!"

"Well," Anakin began and was off.

***

The other handmaidens joined them later in the evening and it was a loud, crowded mass in the jedi's chamber. Laughter and banter ran back and forth between everyone, and soon Amidala realized that the trip had tired her out more than she thought. Anakin was busy explaining about how cool it had been handling a lightsaber, and Amidala tried to stiffle back a yawn. She failed and Anakin blinked a few times.

"Are you tired?" he asked her.

"Just a little," Amidala admitted.

"C'mon, I'll walk you to your chambers, Padme," Anakin offered, and he took Amidala's hand.

Amidala thanked him and followed him as he excitedly pulled her out of the room. All the way to the guest chambers Anakin made sure he finished talking about lightsabers. Finally, they reached Amidala's chambers and Anakin shyly gave her a hug while blushing to the tips of his ears.

"Good night," Amidala told Anakin.

"Night," he answered and bounded off. Amidala sighed and shook her head laughingly. He still had that little crush on her.

***

If I had known then what I know now I would have been weary of that "little" crush, which actually was wasn't little at all. But, ha, what did I know then? Very little actually; I learned what was most important by making mistakes first, as we all do. But little did I know that my mistakes would turn out to be very costly...

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