*~Episode 1 Journal: Yané~* By Handmaiden_Yane email: evilsitheowyn@yahoo.com Entry I Theed City, on the way to Theed Palace My hands are trembling as I write this. I still cannot believe it. I, Yané, have been chosen to be one of the new Queen's handmaidens! My mother gave me this datapad to keep as a journal, to chronicle my "adventures" as a handmaiden. On the day of the election, my whole family made a day-long event at Theed. Of all the candidates, I believed that young Princess Amidala was the ruler we had been waiting for. King Veruna had grown corrupt, spending too much time on other planets, rather than on Naboo, where his loyalties should have been as monarch and citizen of Theed. I voted for Princess Amidala, never believing that I would serve her not only as a Nubian citizen, but as a handmaiden as well. My friend, Rabé Napola, is also a handmaiden. I will see her when I reach the palace. I am very nervous to meet new people, and, of course to actually meet Queen Amidala herself! Theed will be so different now that I will actually be living there. And in the palace itself! I don't really know why I'm nervous. I'm sure the Queen is a very nice person. Also, I got a new dress for being chosen handmaiden. It is a flowing, light green silk dress with white flowers embroidered around the edges. It's a V-neck cut, so it shows my gold locket containing pictures of my parents very nicely. So, their first impression of me won’t come off too bad…er, hopefully. They sent a repulsorlimo to pick me up. Me! Yané Tarok! A twelve-year old! By the Force! I am all alone in the back seat, except for a forbidding middle-aged woman in the uniform of a security officer. She isn't much company. We've arrived. I gulp. The woman gives me a look, and so I put away my datapad and climb out after her. The sun is shining down on the Theed Palace courtyard. What will my life be like now? Entry 2: Theed Palace I've met the Queen! I was a little surprised to find that beyond that queenly demeanor, she really is fourteen years old. Her real name is Padmé Naberrie, she adopted the name Amidala when she first elected for public office. Amidala. What a nice name. She has family somewhere in Theed, parents and one older sister, named…Sola or something like that. She has been in public service for a long time, she’s quite the professional, very diplomatic and regal. I was a little nervous to meet the other three handmaidens but everything turned out fine. They're really nice. Eirtaé Bukaro is older than the Queen at fifteen. She is the only blonde handmaiden and does the Queen's make-up. Thank goodness! I'm horrible at make-up. At twelve, I'm not very crazy about make-up. Eirtaé is to teach us about etiquette…she’s very elegant. Though she is very much different from Queen Amidala, she would also make a very excellent monarch. She scored very high on her entrance exam to the University of Theed. 97%, I believe is what she told us. Sabé Hirota (who's fourteen) is the handmaiden, who in times of danger, will be the Queen's decoy. I got a funny feeling when I wrote the word "danger". That's silly. Danger? Here in peaceful Naboo? Right. Sabé looks exactly like the Queen, with dark, beautiful brown hair and gentle, soft brown eyes. Sabé seems to have an interesting fetish with feathers…she has a lovely collection of different Nubian bird feathers arranged in a dazzling collage. Saché Obaro, who has light brown hair and pale blue eyes, is closer to my age at thirteen. Light-hearted and fun-loving, she seems to know everyone you would need to know in Theed. A party girl, if I ever knew one. There always seems to be a mischievous sparkle in her eye, an unknown glint of mystery. All her jokes are hilarious, but all my jokes seem utterly stupid. They fall flat and there’s an awkward silence between us whenever I try to tell a joke. And then there's Rabé and I. Rabé is fourteen, but we've been best friends ever since she moved near me. Her hair is so lovely, a raven black, and her eyes are dark enough that I call them black as well. She lost her parents just recently, I feel for her. I would be an empty shell if my parents were gone, but she’s carrying on amazingly. Since I lived at the edge of Gungan/Naboo territory, my father had my sisters and I learn self-defense. I really had no use for it, but now Captain Panaka tells me that as handmaiden for the Queen, I might have use for it. A bunch of pish posh it all is. I had three sisters, all older than me, all much more beautiful and sophisticated than I. However, as youngest, I had a carefree life spent exploring the forests, the rivers, the meadows. Green was the central color, nature the central scheme, and peace the central mood. Almost like Theed. Today the Queen had to do business in the throne room. Her outfits and headdresses are marvelous! Very elegant. The handmaidens sat on chairs ringing the grand chamber, paying attention to the things going on and of course, our Queen. Since father was a politician, I was able to follow along with all the political dealings. Something about the mention of the Trade Federation and taxes didn't bode well with me at all. They were talking about the new taxes on trade. Seems the Trade Federation didn’t like this. But how can anything go wrong with my dear Queen Amidala at the head of my beloved Naboo? I mean, seriously. Sure, she’s very young. Some say she’s naïve and not suited for her role as monarch. But I believe she is. She will change Theed in profound ways, leaving her legacy behind for others to follow. Entry 3 Theed Palace My room is so much bigger and fancier than my room at home! And I'm only a handmaiden! Well, I suppose handmaidens are privileged. I told Rabé about my strange feelings. She got a strange look on her face. "The Trade Federation is becoming a problem. They say they’re going to do something…we have no idea what, or if that’s a fact or just a rumor. But don't worry about it." She said to me. But that's the problem. I am worrying about it. Oh, not much. Saché has dragged me to parties on our days off and Eirtaé has been teaching me some medical stuff and I've been catching up with Rabé and getting to know Sabé, and well, I've been busy. There have been several balls and they were all magnificent. The first time I looked around in awe. Rabé told me I looked ridiculous with my mouth hanging open so I shut it. But I can't help being amazed! Theed is wonderful. Oh no. There goes that feeling again. What is up with that? Why should I feel sad if I am at the capital of Naboo? The center of peace, so to speak. It's stupid to feel this way. Isn't it? Entry 4 Theed Palace Captain Panaka was a bit impressed, I could tell, at my self-defense skills. I was pleased. I noticed Eirtaé and the others had a look of disgust, most likely from using weapons and fighting. They all believed firmly, very firmly, in the idea of peace. Ever since the time of Great Suffering, we have been in an era of peace. But everything is just a blip in the ongoings of Time. Sooner or later, good will come…then go. Evil will come…and go. It’s a great interchange. I blink. What did I just write? It was said that we once had a Jedi Master in the Tarok family…no one knows what happened to the mysterious Master Tarok. Or what happened with our Force sensitivity. Maybe…no, it’s impossible. Jedi Yané Tarok! The idea! It’s hilarious! Besides, the Jedi Masters would have “discovered” me at birth. I wouldn’t be here if I was a Jedi. I haven't told anybody this, they might think that I am not a true Naboo citizen. But I do not abhor fighting. I think peace is the better way, but when you must fight, fight by all means. Because the only way to protect peace is to fight anything that threatens it. That is what I think. I have learned to do fancy hairstyles and surprisingly, how to do make-up. I prefer to go without, but the others have told me I look very sophisticated with make-up, so I wear it mostly to get that sophisticated air. That's also a bit funny. Me, backwoods Yané Tarok, sophisticated. Later A huge fleet came out of hyperspace just hours ago. It was found to be that it was the Trade Federation. The obvious reason is so utterly idiotic. Angry at the taxes on trade, they decided to blockade Naboo, a peaceful planet with virtually no armies. What kind of creatures are these Neimoidians? Their Viceroy is an especially sneaky one named Nute Gunray. Queen Amidala met with him via vid-screen for official communications. I was proud to say she gave him no quarter in the beginning “negotiations”. She was proud and cold, working hard to dispel the opinion that she was young and naïve. Truly, I do not know what the Trade Federation can hope to accomplish by this blockade. After all, there are wealthier planets in the galaxy. Sio Bibble was most adamant in continuing the negotiations while others were opting for calling for help, or (this was the minority voice) war. The Trade Federation’s timing could not be worse. Only five months into her reign and she is faced with a most traumatic crisis. But she can handle it. I have faith she will. And she will handle it with…finesse. The days wear on. Still the Trade Federation ring our planet with their ships. It has prevented any supplies from going in or out. Our thriving trade business has been cut off. Food is scarce. Though the streets are quiet, there is undercurrents of panic. The Trade Federation seems to be making an example of us, paying no attention to the laws. And while we are helpless all the Galactic Senate does is discuss this endlessly. The Queen must do something soon. Finally, the Queen contacted Supreme Chancellor Valorum. “I hold you personally responsible,” the Queen lashed out. “for the suffering of my people. Every day you delay, you take bread out of the mouths of starving children of Naboo. “ Valorum turned pale. I was pleased. Her words came through to him. After a moment, though, he regained his composure. “I will send Jedi ambassadors to meet with the Viceroy of the Trade Federation.” He told Amidala. I am glad he sent the Jedi. It means he is doing something. When the Chancellor calls upon the Jedi, he means business. The Trade Federation should crumple. Entry 5 Theed Palace Today the Queen once more talked with the Neimodians to try to negotiate with them. The Neimoidians are certainly not handsome. They have greenish-grayish-bluish oily skin. Their sunken eyes are orbs of yellowish-orange. Their mouths (which are in actuality no more than tucks in their heads) are forever in a dour expression. Nute Gunray spoke first. “Again you come before me, Your Highness,” Nute said. “The Federation is pleased.” Who was he fooling? “You won’t be so pleased when you hear what I have to say, Viceroy,” Amidala told him. “Your trade boycott has ended.” I studied the vid-screen carefully. He didn’t appear to falter. “I was not aware…of such failure.” He replied. “I am perfectly aware that the Chancellor has sent Jedi ambassadors to you, and that you have been commanded to reach settlement.” But Nute didn’t move from his position. “I know nothing…about such ambassadors.” The Queen glared stonily at him for a minutes, shifting the lies from his words. Finally, “Beware, Viceroy. The Federation has gone too far this time.” “I would never do anything without the approval of the Senate.” He pronounced, in his queer Neimodian accent. The communications ended. Immediately, Sio Bibble began to speak. I observed that the Queen only half listened. Soon Senator Palpatine’s face appeared. The Queen spoke with the Senator about the recent events and he was puzzled. The communications, however, were cut short. Desperate, the Queen called out his name. She inquired of Panaka what had happened. “Our communications have been jammed, Your Highness,” he informed her. “Invasion!” cried Sio Bibble. Panaka shook his head. “I can’t imagine the Federation would take such a step. The Senate would invoke their trade franchise. They’d be finished.” “We must continue to rely on negotiations.” The Queen said smoothly, though I noticed her voice caught. “Negotiations?” echoed Bibble incredulously. “We’ve lost all communications.” “I will not condone a course of action that will lead us to war,” Amidala said firmly. Entry 6 Theed Palace I only have a little time to write this, but dear Theed has been invaded! The Trade Federation has dropped their despicable battle droids in droves upon the green meadows outside the City. They came, marching mechanically into the streets. We are in the Queen's chambers now. Sabé is getting dressed as the Queen. Sabé wanted to wear black, to show she was in mourning for her people and for Theed. The Queen agreed. Saché then stepped forward. “Milady…should not the handmaidens wear bright dresses, to show that we are determined to defeat the vile Neimodians?” She spoke formally. Queen Amidala smiled bitterly. “Yes, that is a fine idea.” Sabé still could not choose which dress she should wear. It had to be ornate, and black. Regal and majestic. Grinning impishly, I spotted a dress with a feathered headdress. Running towards it, I showed it to Sabé and she grinned back. The other handmaidens soon arrived and we helped Sabé get dressed. Saché found the perfect dresses, hooded flame-colored ones. After dressing quickly, Sio Bibble and Captain Panaka knocked our door and we marched to the throne room. The Neimodians had required the Queen’s presence. Amidala, now known as Padmé, is a handmaiden for the time being. I see fear written across all the others' faces. I feel fear on mine. That feeling of fear, creeping up my spine is all due to the horrible Trade Federation and their battle droids. “I brought you here for a purpose, Queen Amidala,” Nute Gunray began once we were in the throne room. “I was not brought,” Sabé said, her voice slashing like a sword. “This is my throne room. I do not recognize your authority.” Yay Sabé!! Inwardly I cheered. Furiously, he flourished a paper before her and commanded her to sign it. It was a treaty legitimizing their occupation. He had been assured that the Senate would ratify it. I seethed. What an idiot. Who in their right minds would legitimize this atrocity?? Again Sabé would not budge. “I will not cooperate.” He drew his face close to hers. I did not hear what he said. I looked at Padmé. She was nervous, yet…determined. “Do what you will! I will never surrender!” She spat out in response to his words. I glanced at Saché, and pointed to our dresses. Together our lips curved in a semblance of a smile. Entry 7 Camp 4 It has been days since I last wrote. Everything that has happened seems surreal. The only thing that has kept from believing it is all a dream is that I am here. In Camp 4. The battle droids were in the midst of processing us to Camp 4. And then suddenly, two Jedi appeared, with lightsabers of blue and green. They were magnificent. The Master, named Qui-gon Jinn, was a serious man, and his younger apprentice Obi-wan Kenobi likewise, though with a hint of dry humor. I was terrified, my heart beating furiously through all of this. We all managed to keep our cool and not go into hysterics, but I could tell Saché was on the verge. I was, as well. Master Jinn helped us evade battle droids until we reached the hangar. There he told Sabé that he believed she would be killed and that they had to go to Coruscant. At first I was shocked. They wouldn't dare kill the Queen! But a sickening realization came to me that the Jedi Master was right. The Queen had to go. Sabé, make the right decision, go with them. At first, it appeared as if Sabé would elect to stay here, with her people. But Padmé told Sabé, "We are brave your Highness." And so Sabé decided to go to Coruscant. But she left Saché and I behind. Oddly, I feel no anger towards her. I feel sad. I cried when I was left behind, because I was feeling so hopeless and helpless. Now even more so. We are in a hovel in Camp 4. I hid my datapad from the droids and am able to write. I cannot believe this. Beautiful Theed is being held by the Trade Federation and my Queen is gone. Saché's spirits are as low as mine. There is no laughter or smiles anymore. It feels as if we have been here for ages, though I am probably exaggerating. Our flame dresses we wore that day are scruffy now, though they still seem to burn bright. I gather some hope from this. Things will turn out all right. I finger my gold locket and open it. The faces of my parents smile up at me. Are they all right? I hope. No, I know. Everything will be right again. It has to be. It just has to. But will I live to see the day? Entry 8 Camp 4 I am reliving everything. There is nothing I could have done to save Theed. I know that. But it seems as if something nags at me. Something I, Yané Tarok, could have done. Wait, it is something I can do now. The Trade Federation might have stolen our city, but they have not stolen everything we cherish. For a city is only a material thing, it can be made lovely again. But a soul, a soul needs to be lovely all the time, to give even the cruelest of times a tinge of hope. This, I can do. Entry 9 Camp 4 I have done it! I have made Saché smile. I have never been able to do so before. I remember the awkward silences of bygone days. Now, only to make her laugh. This has made me feel infinitely better. I play make-believe that we are princesses stranded here and that handsome Jedi Knights will once more save us. Saché is sleeping right now. I look outside our door and see the stars in the night sky. Conflicting emotions of hope and despair rage through me. Entry 10 Camp 4 I have finally made Saché laugh. How is not really important, anymore. Her laugh turned into a wracking cough. When she took her hand away from her mouth, I was glad to find that it wasn't covered in blood. Yet. Her laugh was wonderful and yet horrible at the same time. I could hear happiness as she laughed and yet the cough warped it into something horrible. Oh my! A face just appeared in our doorway. It isn't a haggard face of a fellow sufferer, but a rather, uh, handsome one. He motions for me to follow him. It is night, and his dark clothes blend in. I look at poor Saché who is resting. She opens her eyes, takes everything in at a glance and shoos me away. I kiss her forehead and follow this strange man. Entry 11 Camp 4 I have returned. That man turned out to be Zel Dray, part of a resistance cell. He led me to a clearing away from the camp. It seemed surreal. The clearing was lit up by fireflies and the lighting seemed to be a pale green light. There were other men sitting around in the clearing. He was short and to the point. “We need help in organizing our resistance. I know that you are one of the Queen’s handmaidens, skilled in self-defense.” “Yes, but what can I do? I am only a handmaiden and I won‘t leave my friend. She‘s sick.” His eyes danced with amusement. It made my knees go weak. I was glad I was sitting down. “Oh, but you won’t leave her. You’ll be the thorn in the Federation’s side from inside Camp 4.” They gave me a blaster and then sent me on my way. I must stop writing now. Saché is coughing again. I hold a cloth against her mouth. I sicken as I see a spot of red blood as I take the cloth away from her mouth. Entry 12 Where else? Saché asked me if our "gentleman caller" was a beau of mine. The idea! I laughed at that one and Saché did too. But that turned into a wracking cough also. Anyway, Zel told me that my job would be to spy around, to find out if the Trade Federation had anything else in mind. I accepted this "mission" even though I think it is impossible. If the Queen does not come back with help, we are doomed. I don't like that idea at all. Entry 13 Duh. Camp 4 I have just returned from my first spying mission. Zel gave me clothes that were less conspicuous than my flame dress. I cannot believe what I have just seen. The Neimoidians were in our camp for some reason in a central building. I peeked in and I saw Sio Bibble with them. They were showing a holofilm....of the Queen's ship being blown to pieces. I almost didn't make it back to the hovel. I was too shocked. My Queen cannot be dead. She cannot. Entry 14 What was it again? Oh yes, Camp 4 I haven't had the heart to right for a while. But now I have. I don't know what it is, but there's something in the air that just smells of hope. Zel just came in and told me that the Queen was alive and that he and other resistance leaders were going to meet her. I asked him if I could come. He said no. I scowled and he told me I was cute when I scowled. I continued to scowl. Cute indeed! Saché laughed quietly in the back. She didn't cough this time. "The Queen is alive, Saché." "Of course she is." Somewhat guiltily, I look away. Saché had more faith than I in our Queen. Even though she was one who was sick, the one who had more cause for despair than I. Saché gently tugged at my sleeve. "Don't worry, Yané. We don't have to worry anymore. We all knew, in our heart of hearts, when we voted for Princess Amidala as our Queen and later when we were chosen to serve as her handmaidens, that she would lead us well. Our only job was to help and protect her, not to worry needlessly." Saché reached up for a hug, and so I bent down to hug her. Yes, I thought, everything was going to be all right because Amidala was our Queen. Entry 15 Theed Palace A lot has happened and so I must write it all down soon before I forget it all, though I think that would be impossible. Zel came back after meeting the Queen and told us that we were to help in liberating Theed! Saché was looking at me and the blaster. "I want to come too." “No! You’re not well enough!” I protested. “I will help the Queen in any way I can! I’m coming!” Zel gave her a blaster as well. I glared lasers at him. How dare he! She wasn’t well enough! When I confronted him about it, he patted my head and said, “We need all the help we can get.” I was furious. Whether for him letting Saché come or for that…that…patronizing pat I’m not sure. We left after a quick meal. I learned that most of the battle droids were away fighting a battle against the Gungans, who were on our side. I was shocked. But this alliance was an advantageous thing. The camps were being run on skeleton crews. The sounds of battle surrounded me. Saché was holding up fine. Soon smoke began to rise. I couldn’t find Saché. All around me nameless fighters dropped to the ground with deadly wounds. It was when we reached camp 6 that we hit serious trouble. Camp 6 was not being run on a skeleton crew. Saché suddenly cried out. She had been shot in the arm. Dropping down next to her, I paid no heed to the battle around me. Battle droids and destroyer droids began to come forth. It was then that a miracle occurred. We were surrounded when all of a sudden they fell over. Just like that. "The control ship is exploding!" Zel said, and pointed to the sky, where there was an orange ball of fire. When they fell over, my heart almost burst with all the hope I was feeling. Zel grinned at me. I grinned back. Hope. Something that I had to hang onto, because in the end, hope was what held us together. Hope and love for our young sovereign. I held on to Saché tightly. It was all going to be all right. Entry 16 Theed Palace We were resting in the shade of a big tree when an air taxi stopped in front of the sweaty resistant fighters; myself among the extremely sweaty. Did they have to give us dark clothing?! Spare me the ego, so what if it looks cool?! Anyway, the air taxi contained Sio Bibble, who had come to take Saché and I home. Saché was lying down in the grass. Zel picked Saché up (I noticed he was very nice muscles ) and put her in the air taxi. I climbed in. We went off to the palace. I looked out at Theed. It was horrible. The remains of the battle was everywhere. Charred battle droids...burnt corpses... Beautiful statues were knocked over, some disintegrated into fine power. My throat caught. So, this, then, was the cost of war. First, we dropped Saché over to the infirmary. The doctor looked very grave when he saw her. A blaster wound and her illness were serious indeed. Suddenly the door opened and the Queen and the rest of the handmaidens rushed in. They all ran towards me and we hugged as if there were no tomorrow. (Well, ya never know) After a while, my stench ended the hug and I went to the fresher. They went to go talk to Saché. After I came back, we had a long talk in the handmaiden’s quarters. Oh, I want to check on Saché now. I'll write more later. Entry 17 The Queen's Chambers They told me about their journey first. I was astonished. The Jedis' arrogance which turned out to be for the greater good had annoyed the Queen, Eirtaé, Rabé, and Sabé at first until they understood. When I told them I had thought they were dead, they were outraged at the Trade Federation's deceit. We all exchanged a round of hugs. They told me about the slave boy, er, Anakin Skywalker and the podrace. They told me about Coruscant. I got a funny feeling when they told me about Palpatine. He was a good guy right? But who was the one that benefited from my Queen's visit to Coruscant? Not her, but Palpatine. Very interesting indeed. And now he was Chancellor of the Republic. Methinks that is not good for some unknown reason. I kept silent though. When I told them mine, they were horrified and very sympathetic. They teased me a bit about Zel and even my protest that I was only twelve fell on deaf ears. Ah, well. I must get ready for the celebration! Entry 18 Theed Palace The evening before the Celebration, we went to Master Qui-gon's funeral. Saché was well enough to stand up, so she attended. Everyone's faces were long with sadness, but, Palpatine's face was....determined. I noticed a glint in his eye...it could have been the fire from the pyre, but...I have a horrible feeling it was...evil. Should I tell someone? Such thoughts of the Chancellor could be...treason. The day of the celebration dawn bright and clear. Today was the day where we would celebrate our victory and make the peace between the Gungans and the Naboo official. Rabé let me do the Queen's hair today, and I must say, it looked marvelous! The Queen wore a beautiful white gown with a body length wing-like headdress. We, the Handmaidens, dressed in beautiful dresses ourselves, but it was hidden by a velvet cloak with Amidala's symbol patterned in the front. Saché had to stay in the infirmary for final check-ups so she missed the Celebration. The young Jedi Knight, who was now a Master, Obi-wan Kenobi, had taken the boy Anakin Skywalker to be his apprentice. They attended the celebration as well. As Queen Amidala gave the peace ball to Boss Nass, the leader of the Gungans, I felt a ray of hope pierce my doubts, and for the moment, I felt like everything would turn out all right. For a moment. There was a ball after the Celebration. What a wonderful ball that was! You'll never guess who was there! Zel! He looked quite dashing... I danced with him a couple of times. He is now a member of the Queen's security staff. How convenient. Saché is feeling much better. I am very happy about that. Things are going to the way they used to be. Oh, there will be differences, but for now...there is peace. ~Epilogue~ Yané's fear of Chancellor Palapatine grew over the next five years, until she could no longer keep it to herself. She confided in her friend, Rabé, who had doubts herself of Palpatine. Together, the two handmaidens gathered intelligence on the Chancellor and found that he was, in actuality, no better than Valorum. Over the years, Yané and Zel came to love each other despite the difference in ages; she was 20 and he was 25. They were married a year before the outbreak of the Clone Wars. When Jamilla became Queen, the former handmaidens of Queen Amidala quit the service to pursue lives of their own. All the handmaidens married eventually. Sabé suffered a brief heartbreak when Master Obi-wan Kenobi told her he could not marry her, though she found love and happiness as a mother and wife with someone else. Rabé moved to the state of Peoria with her friend Eirtaé where the two became important political aides even while assuming the role of mothers and wives. Saché's sickness during the invasion weakened her health and she was never the same again. However, she was happy as a well-to-do florist and still attends parties with her husband. During the Clone Wars, all of the handmaidens helped as much as they could in their capacities. They were happy for Amidala when she became romantically involved with Padawan Anakin Skywalker and also when she eventually married him. After the Clone Wars, when Palpatine declared himself Emperor, Yané's worst fears were confirmed. Palpatine had used her dear Queen to further his own purposes. All the handmaidens were distressed when they learned of Anakin's fall to darkness and Padmé‘s death, though this was mingled with joy at the birth of Amidala's twins: Luke and Leia. It would a long time before the handmaidens and the citizens of the "Empire" would see peace once more.