Chapter Text
It was quite impressive, how seven months could change a nation. In the end, the Blockade around their planet hadn't been so deadly, the deaths had been mostly in the human and Gungan military but the civilian deaths had been declared accidental by the families themselves, and Padmé had made an official statement praising their honour and courage in not going out of their way to create a bad reputation for the enemy, the invader might be demonised but they had wanted to conquer, not annihilate.
This had not stopped Padmé from bringing charges and making Nute Gunray spill blood, the Viceroy had been condemned by every court Padmé had dragged him to pay Naboo considerable sums and the young Queen was still savouring the victory.
In the end, the planet had been relatively unscathed and the material damage had already been dealt with, only the area around Theed and details in the palace had to be repaired such as impacts and holes in walls. Today, everything was as before... everything was as before, except for them.
In her idyllic palace in the heart of a capital city of arts and history, on a peaceful and gentle planet with a beautiful and unspoiled natural environment, Padmé struggled to relax and find sleep. How could she relax knowing now from experience that her planet could be invaded and that she would be powerless? She didn't regret that Chancellor Palpatine had been elected, but she did regret that it had been done by dismissing Chancellor Valorum like a piece of trash. She had learned much later that the presence of Master Jinn and Padawan Kenobi had only been achieved because the Jedi Master had been a close friend of the Chancellor who had sent the Jedi to investigate secretly for him, precisely because he was trying to do the right thing for Padmé and her people. She'd felt so bad for him that she'd invited him to Naboo for their Spring Feast, and even though there were things she couldn't express, she'd quickly realised she didn't need to speak: he knew. His sad and understanding air spoke for him, expressing regret and acceptance, and Padmé and her advisors appreciated his company and his wife for what it was: a new beginning, forgiveness and friendship. On a personal level, Padmé enjoyed making friends and mentors, and on a more cold and impersonal level, Naboo clearly needed more powerful allies, and the former Chancellor's network was impeccable, and she was not beyond taking advantage of outside pity or sympathetic looks for her youth if it was for the good of her people.
"Your Majesty, security at the west public spaceport of the city warns us of a Jedi," Rabé whispered to her.
"What is the reason for his presence?" Padmé questioned softly.
"There seems to have been a malfunction with his ship, he's made an emergency landing. No victims," she added, knowing full well where Padmé's mind was going.
"Issue him an invitation to come to the Palace for dinner and rest," she ordered with a slight nod of thanks to the young woman, who returned it with her own affectionate smile before silently walking away.
Padmé was truly glad she had agreed to revive the almost forgotten tradition of Naboo Royal Handmaidens. Although she had been dubious when Quarsh Panaka had wanted to train teenage girls to be Royal Guards of Naboo, the five girls selected had more than proven their worth and commitment, so much so that they had changed their names to honour her. That didn't even count the torture Saché had endured at the hands of the invaders for facilitating communication and especially coordination between the various groups of imprisoned Royal Naboo Security Forces.
She'd been through more at sixteen than most men twice her age, now no one questioned the commitment of the Queen's decoy and Padmé was glad of it, but she would have preferred trust and respect to come before the torture. No torture at all would have been ideal.
Yané then joined them and used their signals to let her know that the Jedi was approaching. She let her Counsellors go as soon as they had finished and waved to Yané who left the room and returned with a Jedi which she surrounded with Rabé.
He was a tall Kel Dor with orange skin and rather short, flowing clothes covered by a brown cloak. She'd hardly ever met one, the mask and glasses were still intimidating.
"Your Majesty," the Jedi greeted with a deep bow.
"Jedi Master, I have been informed of your difficulties."
"Yes, an engine failure discovered after we left Shili prompted me to land as soon as possible and the most practical place for us to leave the Expansion Zone for Naboo, I trusted we would find what we needed here."
"You will have access to everything you need..."
"Master Koon, Plo Koon."
"From the High Council," Padmé realized, finally remembering why this Jedi was familiar to her.
He had attended Master Jinn's funeral, that was where she had seen him.
"Indeed, Your Majesty."
"We have chambers that will allow you to adjust the composition of the air to your liking, Eirtaré will show you the way."
"I thank you your Majesty but I am not alone and my companion is not Kel Dor and breathes oxygen, a more common chamber will suffice."
Rabé gestured to him that the other Jedi had not been reported. Curious.
"Is your companion injured, Master Koon? We can offer you treatment if that is the case."
The Jedi chuckled softly and shook his head.
"No, not at all, she's asleep. She's a little girl who's been entrusted to the Order by her parents."
"Oh... is there anything in particular you require?"
"No, your Majesty, I thank you for your hospitality."
The young Queen watched the Jedi walk away, thoughtful, but unfortunately she had no time to ramble: she had to meet a governor in less than ten minutes.
*
Even before the middle of the evening meal, it was obvious that Master Koon was nothing like Master Jinn, but Padmé would be hard pressed to explain why. Well, apart from the obvious fact that he was a Kel Dor.
For one thing, there was his sweetness with the little Togruta. Ahsoka was adorable, and Padmé found it equally adorable that the huge, deep-voiced but soft and calm Jedi would always kneel at her level to reassure her or talk to her. He did this every time she wanted to talk, and after watching him do it for the seventh time in ten minutes without giving the slightest physical sign of annoyance, Padmé realised that he was very patient. Master Jinn had gotten mad at Jar Jar much faster. So had Knight Kenobi.
And he was so sweet, so adorable. Little Soka, wasn't that an image that could define tenderness? It was the kind of child management she remembered from her parents: firmness, respect, listening and affection. She didn't know which of the Jedi was the norm and which was the exception, but at least she had proof that there were Jedi who were tender and good with children.
As she watched them walk away together that evening, a huge Kel Dor and a tiny Togruta in her arms, sleeping with her head on his shoulder and a hand clasped around one of his bone excrescence, Padmé fully understood that there was more to the Jedi than the obvious.
She wanted to know more.