'I think so, too,' Padme put in sincerely.
They had arrived at the great doors of the palace, and paused to take in the beautiful scene. Unlike most of Coruscant's buildings, which seemed to have been designed with utter efficiency in mind, this structure was more akin to the Jedi Temple, an understanding that aesthetics were important, that form went hand in hand with purpose.
Padme knew her way about the place, obviously, and she was well known by almost all of the people within, and so the two walked along easily to the throne room, where they were announced at once.
Smiling faces greeted them. Sio Bibble, Padme's dear friend and her trusted adviser when she was Queen, stood by the throne, flanking Queen Jamillia as he had so often flanked Padme. He hadn't aged much over the last years, his white hair and beard still distinguished and perfectly coiffed, his eyes still full of that intensity that Padme so loved.
Beside him, Jamillia looked every bit the part of Queen. She wore a great headdress and flowing embroidered robes, the same type of outfit Padme had worn for so very long, and the Senator thought that Jamillia looked at least as regal in them as she had.
Handmaidens, advisers, and guards were all about, and Padme reflected that one of the side effects of being Queen, and not a pleasant one, was that one was never allowed to be alone.
Queen Jamillia, standing perfectly straight so that her headdress did not topple, rose and walked over to take Padme's hand. 'We've been worried about you. I'm so glad you're here, Padme,' she said, her voice rich and with a southeastern accent that made her enunciate the consonants powerfully 'Thank you, Your Highness. I only wish I could have served you better by staying on Coruscant for the vote.'
'Supreme Chancellor Palpatine has explained it all,' Sio Bibble interjected. 'Returning home was the only real choice you could have made.' Padme gave him a resigned nod. Still, being sent home to Naboo bothered her; she had worked so very hard against the creation of a Republic army. 'How many systems have joined Count Dooku and the separatists?' Queen Jamillia asked bluntly. She had never been one for small talk.
'Thousands,' Padme answered. 'And more are leaving the Republic every day. If the Senate votes to create an army, I'm sure it's going to push us into civil war.'
Sio Bibble punched his fist into his open hand. 'It's unthinkable!' he said, gnashing his teeth with every word. 'There hasn't been a full-scale war since the formation of the Republic.'
'Do you see any way, through negotiations, to bring the separatists back into the Republic?' Jamillia asked, staying calm despite Sio Bibble's obvious agitation.
'Not if they feel threatened.' It amazed Padme to realize how secure she was in these estimations. She felt as if she was beginning to fully understand the nuances of her position, as if she could trust her instincts implicitly. And all of her talents would be needed, she knew. 'The separatists don't have an army, but if they are provoked, they will move to defend themselves. I'm sure of that. And with no time or money to build an army, my guess is they will turn to the Commerce Guild or the Trade Federation for help.'
'The armies of commerce!' Queen Jamillia echoed with anger and distaste. All on Naboo knew well the problems associated with such free-ranging groups. The Trade Federation had nearly brought Naboo to its knees, and would have had it not been for the heroics of Amidala, a pair of Jedi, a young Anakin, and the brave flying of the dedicated Naboo pilots. Even that would not have been enough, had not Queen Amidala forged an unexpected alliance with the heroic Gungans. 'Why has nothing been done in the Senate to restrain them?'
'I'm afraid that, despite the Chancellor's best efforts, there are still many bureaucrats, judges, and even Senators on the payrolls of the guilds,' Padme admitted.
'Then it is true that the guilds have moved closer to the separatists, as we suspected,' Queen Jamillia reasoned.
Sio Bibble punched his open palm again, drawing their attention. 'It's outrageous!' he said. 'It's outrageous that after all those hearings and four trials in the Supreme Court, Nute Gunray is still the viceroy of the Trade Federation. Do those money-mongers control everything?'
'Remember, Counselor, the courts were able to reduce the Trade Federation's armies,' Jamillia reminded, again holding her calm and controlled voice.
'That's a move in the right direction.'
Padme winced, knowing that she had to report honestly. 'There are rumors, Your Highness, that the Federation's army was not reduced as they were ordered.'
Clearing his throat, Anakin Skywalker stepped forward. 'The Jedi have not been allowed to investigate,' he explained. 'It would be too dangerous for the economy, we were told.'
Queen Jamillia looked to him and nodded, looked back to Padme, then squared her shoulders and firmed her jawline, looking regal in the ornate raiments- very much the planetary ruler obedient to the Republic. 'We must keep our faith in the Republic,' she declared. 'The day we stop believing democracy can work is the day we lose it.'
'Let's pray that day never comes,' Padme quietly answered.
'In the meantime, we must consider your own safety,' Queen Jamillia said, and she looked to Sio Bibble, who motioned to the attendants. All of them, advisers, attendants, and handmaidens, bowed and quickly left the room. Sio Bibble moved near to Anakin, the appointed protector, then paused, waiting for all of the others to be gone. At last he spoke. 'What is your suggestion, Master Jedi?'
'Anakin's not a Jedi yet, Counselor,' Padme interrupted. 'He's still a Padawan learner. I was thinking-'
'Hey, hold on a minute!' Anakin cut her short, his eyes narrowed, brow furrowed, obviously agitated and put off by her dismissal.
'Excuse me!' Padme shot right back, not backing down from Anakin's imposing glare. 'I was thinking I would stay in the Lake Country. There are some places up there that are very isolated.'
'Excuse me!' Anakin said, giving it right back to her, in words and in tone. 'I am in charge of security here, M'Lady.'
Padme started to fight back, but she noted then the exchange of suspicious looks between Sio Bibble and Queen Jamillia. She and Anakin should not be fighting in this manner in public, she realized, not without making
