Chapter Text
The ballroom had never been so full of joy and wonder. Amidala Naberrie was only nine years old, but her wit and outspoken nature made her seem much older. She stood by the thrones, watching everyone dance. Her parents were in the middle of the crowd, still only having eyes for each other even in a crowd of thousands. Her older sister Sola was also dancing, swaying nervously with a young noble boy. Amidala giggled, unaware of the women approaching her from behind.
“It’s not nice to laugh at your sister, darling. Soon enough you’ll be out there dancing around with boys.” The princess turned her head to see her grandmother, immediately giving her a bright smile.
“Boys are gross,” she told her.
“If you say so, my dear. Come, sit down and keep this old woman company.” Her grandmother pat the chair beside her. The child happily listened, preferring her grandmother’s company over most nobles. The two watched people dance for a while before Amidala spoke up.
“Do you have to leave tomorrow?”
“I’m sorry, dear.” Her grandmother pat her head comfortingly. “But you’ll come visit me. And in the meantime, I have something to remind you that we will be together again.” She pulled two small objects out and presented them to her granddaughter.
It was a round music box, golden with intricate details across the whole surface. The second object was a golden chain with a jewelled pendant that matched the music box. The princess turned it over to see a message on the back.
“Together on Coruscant.” She read. Her grandmother showed her how to turn the music on using the necklace as a key and opened the box. A tiny dancing couple twirled around to the beautiful melody.
“It's our lullaby,” the princess gasped.
“You can play it before going to bed and pretend it’s me singing it,” her grandmother told her. She took the princess’s hand and started singing.
“On the wind, cross the sea
Hear this song and remember
Soon you’ll be, home with me
Once upon a December,” her voice faded away and Amidala smiled, leaping up to hug her.
The laughter and music came to an abrupt stop. The ballroom doors swung open, flung with so much force that they bounced off the walls with a loud crack. A lone figure appeared, his wrinkled face partially concealed by his long black robes.
Amidala held onto her grandmother in fear. She knew this man. He had worked with the royal family for years, and had only recently been exposed for trying to take control and turn their people against them for his own gain.
King Ruwee stepped in front of his family and people.
“You’re not welcome here, Palpatine.” The king said.
“But I am your closest confidant!” The old man croaked with a mocking laugh.
“You are a traitor! Guards!”
Although the guards were quick to attack, Palpatine was ready. He swung out his hand and an invisible force pushed them all away.
“You underestimate me, your majesty! Mark my words! Your family will pay for your actions! I will not rest until the Naberrie line has been destroyed!” A crash of lightning hit the palace as he disappeared from their sight.
It wasn’t long before everything in Naboo started to change. The people had grown resentful of the Naberrie family, and an uprising grew until a crowd of angry citizens burst into the palace.
The royals tried to flee, but Amidala turned back for her music box, refusing to leave it behind. Her grandmother followed her, closing the door behind them after chasing her into another room. Amidala found her music box just as people began to pound on the door. Just when they thought they had no chance, a small door opened up in the wall, and a young boy raced out.
“Hurry! Go through the servants tunnels!” He ushered the two into the small doorway. The princess dropped her prized possession and cried out.
“My music box!”
“Go!” The boy pushed her back into the tunnel and closed the door behind them, where it disappeared into the rest of the wall.
Amidala and her grandmother had made it out of the castle, disappearing into a crowd of people at the train station.
“Hold onto me dear,” her grandmother told her. She leaped onto the moving train with the help of some men who were on board, holding her hand out to help the young princess.
“Amidala!” She cried. The princess’s hand slipped from the woman’s and she fell backwards, falling unconscious upon hitting the hard ground. The train didn’t stop and Amidala was lost in the crowd.