Chapter Text
Anakin was gone. The jedi were dead. The Chancellor had become an Emperor. And she was pregnant.
Padmé sat in the cockpit of her ship. One of her hands clutched at her stomach, while the other rested on her forehead. Her choices lay before her, like a path shrouded in a heavy fog.
But what could she do? In the past, she would’ve gone to her husband, or perhaps the jedi. Now, due to her husband, neither option was available. Perhaps Obi-wan would have helped, but he was presumably out searching for Anakin.
Suddenly, it occurred to her. Her hand left her forehead, finding her ship’s navigation system. Before the jedi, before her husband, she knew exactly who to go to.
Her handmaidens. Her closest friends and advisors. When she was queen, they knew her better than anyone, even her own family. They probably still did.
Her mind made up, Padmé walked to the communication terminal. She sent her message to Sabé and smiled. Despite the circumstances, she would be happy to be in Sabé’s presence again.
She sat back in the cockpit chair, and pushed the lever forward. The ride to Naboo would be quick. In the back of her mind, she sent a quick prayer to Obi-wan. He had been a good friend.
As she sat, she thought of her many friends across the wide galaxy, wondering what might happen to them. She thought of Jar Jar, and hoped the Gungans would not blame him too harshly for his mistakes. She thought of Bail, Mon, and Riyo, and hoped they would continue to fight cautiously in her absence. Her mind suddenly struck Ahsoka and Rex.
A sudden bout of anxiety overtook Padmé at the thought. She hoped that, somehow, the captain had managed to resist his orders. But Ahsoka was tough, and she no longer had time to worry, Naboo was looming in front of her.
Padmé landed her ship in a field of wild flowers and tall grasses. She hurried down the ramp, breaking into a tearful smile. A few paces away, Sabé waited.
Sabé reached her first, her old handmaiden wrapping her into a protective hug. She was noticeably cautious of Padmé’s stomach.
“We were worried for you,” Sabé said, pulling back. “The news of the Temple burning only now just reached Naboo. Is it true what Palpatine has done? And where is Anakin, shouldn’t he be with you?”
“I’m afraid it is true, Palpatine is now the first galactic emperor,” Padmé paused, steadying herself. “And Anakin has joined him.”
Sabé gave her a sad look, drawing Padmé back into her arms.
“I’m so sorry.”
Padmé let herself linger in the hold. Just for a moment, she allowed herself to believe she was fourteen again, and simply sharing a hug with a friend. But then Sabé tensed.
Before she could ask what was wrong, Sabé had drawn Padmé behind her. Her arm remained in front of Padmé, and her other hand hovered over her blaster.
“You didn’t say anyone was with you.”
“There shouldn’t be.” Padmé said, turning around. Evidently she was wrong.
On top of the ramp, looking very confused and a little flustered, was Obi-wan Kenobi.