When Destinies Meet, part 1: In the wake of discovery

Author's Note:
I'll be unable to update for a while, so I decided to post another chapter. Here is chapter six! It's a bit longer than the others, and hopefully you will like it. This is where things get interesting...from this point on, we step into the world of The Phantom Menace!

Chapter Six

Four months. It had been four months since the Nubian cruiser with Queen Amidala of Naboo and her staff had crash-landed upon Middle Earth. Four months of literally no communication with the Core, or Coruscant for that matter. Without the ability to send or receive messages, the Nabooans had been practically cut off from the rest of the Galaxy.

Not that all of them minded; Yané and Saché, the youngest two of the handmaidens, were quite pleased to be able to get to know this foreign culture better. They were quick to learn, and picked up words of Elvish easily. After about three weeks, Saché was able to converse in broken Sindarin. After one month, Yané was fluid in the language. Eirtaé enjoyed being the centre of attention for once; with her tall, willowy figure and long flaxen hair with bright blue eyes, along with her good-mannered nature, she soon became quite a catch for the Elves of Imladris. Not to mention that Elrohir and Elladan had decided to be her personal escorts throughout Imladris and she couldn't make one step without at least one of them knowing what she was doing or where she was going. Rabé had formed a closer bond with Panaka, who wasn't very pleased that their stay here was becoming so long. Sabé had grown close to Erestor, and, to Elrond's and Glorfindel's utter amusement, the tight-mannered scribe and counsellor had softened considerably, and even allowed the young girl to help him with some of his paper work.

Padmé however seemed to be ignoring all the admiring looks she received from the Elves, and rather sticked to the company of Arwen or Galadriel. The Lady of Lórien was very pleased to find someone so young with manners and diplomacy so well-developed, and together they spent countless hours walking or sitting in the gardens of Imladris, talking about various topics on how to properly govern a nation. Arwen took Padmé for long rides, teaching her how to ride a horse, or a 'mutant bantha form' as the monarch tended to call it, although it looked nothing like the banthas, to be sure.

Inside the Valley, peace reigned on, harboured within by the power of Vilya and the wisdom of Elrond. Outside, they were preparing for a war. Gandalf the Gray had arrived, accompanied by thirteen Dwarves and one Hobbit. Thórin Oakenshield and his company were beginning their quest to retrieve the gold and home lost to Thórin's ancestors long ago. From the moment they arrived, Elrond had called his closest advisors and family to him. It was decided to keep the presence of the foreigners secret; thus Galadriel departed with Padmé and her escort to Lórien, while Arwen remained behind and played hostess to their guests.

In due time, Amidala and her staff were able to return to Imladris, where their mechanichs quickly resumed work on the cruiser, trying desperately to get it fixed. Luck seemed to be on their side for once, for the ship was beginning to show signs of improvement. They had no tools nor parts to repair it in whole, but they knew that it would be able to fly once the finishing touches to the hyperdrive and engines would be done. Later, on Coruscant or Naboo, they would have it repaired and redone completely, and Panaka made a note to remember that.

Finally, after what seemed an eternity, the silver cruiser was ready to depart. Repaired as best as the mechanics and astrodroids could manage, it proudly stood, although with bumps and curves all over its metal skin. That would have to wait for a more thorough repair some other time, in some other place.

The time came when one morning Padmé did not donn the light, pale-coloured elvish robes but was once again dressed in her formal Naboo wear. For the occasion, Elrond had gifted them with a feast of honour, and the evening passed with merriment and songs, although sadness lingered among the gathered. They had all grown attached to one another, and the departure would be a sad one, although Amidala had promised to return and visit as often as her position would allow her.

The next day, Sabé and Yané placed the white make-up on Padmé's face again and coloured her upper lip red, also making the Scar of Remembrance and the two beauty marks on her cheeks. Rabé brushed the Queen's hair until it shone, and once again proved that her imagination for elaborate hairstyles had not died; elegantly she twisted two knots out of the long locks and pinned them on top of Padmé's head, leaving one lock free. That she braided and twisted the braid around the knots. Saché and Eirtaé had gone to the cruiser to fetch a gown for the Queen, and now helped to dress her. For the travel the chosen gown was of deep wine-red, with a thick green sash around the monarch's slender waist. Made out of velvet, it flowed and folded nicely, the Naboo regalia embroided upon it in green. The sleens flowed about her in many layers, as did the skirts, hiding her legs as was tradition. The outlook was completed by a golden tiara with the sovereign Naboo medal upon it, a reminder of who Padmé was and the power she wielded. The handmaidens were clad in deep green cloaks with hoods pulled low over their faces.

Elrond and his family, as well as all of Imladris was there to see them off. Amidala bowed low before the Elven-lord.

"Hir-nin, you have been most gracious to offer us housing and food during our stay here. In the name of the Naboo I thank you, and hope to perhaps someday greet you in my own court, to return the favour." The Nabooans all bowed low. Elrond placed a hand across his heart.

"Hiril-nin, you have offered me no other way to treat you. I did all I could. Hopefully, your stay here shall take a place in your heart and you shall remember the Valley of Imladris with fondness. No i Melain na le. Na-den pedim ad." Padmé bowed her head and replied in flowing Sindarin.

"No i Melain na le. Cuio mae. Navaer!"

The formal parting was done; last minute embraces and stolen kisses were given and taken, then the Naboo company departed the Last Homely House. Arwen had offered to escort them for a while, then she would return home. Bitter were her feelings at the parting, yet she knew that all good things come to an end sometime. She stayed silent, riding besides Padmé. The Queen stole glances at her friend from time to time, but did not speak, until they were over the narrow bridge and the haunting songs of farewell were left behind them.

"Do not despair, Arwen. We shall meet again. Sooner than you think, I suppose." The Evenstar looked up with a smile, although sadness lingered in her wise gray eyes.

"To soon, I fear." She said no more, and Padmé did not press the matter. Little did she know that Arwen possessed the gift of foresight, a trait of her father, and that her words would come true all to soon.

Panaka and two others strode into the glade where the Nubian cruiser rested. Olié the pilot was already sitting in the cockpit, waiting for her Majesty to arrive and give the green light for lift-off. Arwen dismounted and embraced Padmé tenderly. The Queen tried not to weep, but there was no mistaking that she was sad. Gently, the tall elleth placed a hand across her heart, then across Padmé's.

But before she could speak, a whizzing sound shot pass them. Arwen jumped and pulled Padmé down instantly.

"Get down!" she cried, and covered her face. Arrows whizzed from everywhere, the sound dangerous and annoying alltogether. Panaka pulled out his blaster, the guards following suite. Something was among the trees. Tension hung upon the air, everyone could feel it. The black-skinned captain of the guard motioned to the handmaidens, who crawled towards the cruiser.

Black shapes jumped from out of the trees. Arwen's eyes widened in fear and detest.

"Yrch!"

Amidala looked at her with a frightened, confused expression on her pale face. Arwen grabbed her hand and pulled her to her feet.

"You must get onto the ship! Come now!" Amidala grabebd her skirts and ran as fast as she could. From out of nowhere Arwen pulled a sword and slashed across the throat of a creature that got to close to them. Black blood splattered over the front of her pale dress, staining it violently. The elleth spat at the gaining creatures and followed the Queen of Naboo. Sabé and Rabé had already reached the rampway, and had taken out their blasters, shooting at the advancing orcs. In mere moments, the peaceful glade became a field of masacre, with bodies, sometimes still twitching, lying everywhere. But more seemed to come from every direction. It seemed to be an invasion on Imladris.

Arwen cut through the belly of another beast before she tripped over the hem of her gown and fell to the ground. A cursed escaped her and her beautiful face twisted into a grimace. Suddenly the weight of something was placed between her shoulderblades, disabling her to breathe. Stinking breath came close to her cheek. The Princess closed her eyes and snarled in distaste.

"Ya don't like what ya smellin' is it now?" came a feline-like snarl from next to her. A hairy cheek rubbed against her own. Arwen felt ready to vomit her breakfast out.

"Pretty things like yourself should remember to stay with their Fathers…pretty things like yourself usually end up like nice prizes for one such as Krugloh…" If possible, Arwen would have rolled her eyes, but the situation she was in was much, much worse. Her right hand slipped onto the blade of her sword and she could feel it pressing into her skin, a shapr pain coming from it.

Suddenly the weight left her with a yelp, and the smell of burnt flesh filled the air. The dark-haired elleth looked up and saw Krugloh sprawled across the ground, limps twitching, but quite obviously dead. Looking up, she saw Padmé with a blaster. The Queen grabbed her friend's hand.

"Come on, to the ship! Captain, to the ship!" Her voice rang out in a commanding, calm tone. Arwen and the rest followed. The rampway was beginning to close when the two women were pulled up by the handmaidens. One orc got stuck between the closing doors, and was sliced in half. With 'eews' from the women, Panaka threw it out at the first chance he got. Olié started the engines. The unlucky orcs that had begun climbing onto the silver ship slipped off as it lifted and slowly began to ascend into the air.

In the meantime, Arwen was beginning to realise that she was leaving her homeworld and all she ever knew, and that her father still needed to be warned about the orc attack. She jumped to the doors, but was pulled back by Panaka and Eirtaé. She clawed and screamed, and even begged in the end. This was not what she had wanted. Not what she had planned. Her future lay in Middle Earth, in Imladris, with her father and brothers and people. She was their Evenstar, their Light, their guiding spirit, the only living memory of what they had lost to a mortal's love. She could not simply fly away to an unknown future!

The Elf collapsed onto the floor after about an hour of struggle. Her face was damp with tears, gray eyes shimmering with them. She hid it in her hands and wept, wept her heart out. Padmé knelt beside her friend and embraced her, holding her close. She knew exactly what it was like to leave her homeworld behind. The handmaidens ushered the staff to their work and helped Arwen to a room on the cruiser. After the tiresome events, the Elf fell asleep, tears streaming down her cheeks even as she slept, eyes wide open. Neither of the girls dared take away the sword she had clutched to her breast. Padmé, too exhausted to do anything else but fall asleep, was helped outo f her formal attire and laid to rest. The handmaidens departed to their chambers as well. Soon, Middle Earth was but a speck behind them.

Panaka stood beside Olié in silence. The only noise was the sound of the machines in the cockpit and the engines humming below them. The stars became a thin white line as the cruiser made a jump to lightspeed. The jump took them mere moments, before they were thrown out of it in a more known region to Ric Olié. The signal hummed. They were back in the known world.

Olié nodded to Panaka, who took up a microphone.

"Coruscant, this is Captain Panaka of the J-Tpye 327 Nubian Royal Starship, chosen to transport Her Royal Highness Queen Amidala, recently elected ruler of Naboo. We don't know how long we've been out of reach, but we're alive with a damaged ship." The captain waited for a responce. Soon, there was a voice in the transmiter.

"J-Type 327 Nubian Royal Starship, this is Coruscant Starship Command. We hear you loud and clear. Senator Palpatine and Chancellor Valorum have been worried for months. The searching parties sent out to find you were unsuccesful. Welcome back! Is there anything you would like to say to the Senator? He is worried for Queen Amidala's safety."

Panaka thought for a moment before replying.
"Affirmative, Coruscant Starship Command. We're setting our course for the Capital as we speak. Tell the Senator that Queen Amidala will be visiting him shortly." He paused before finishing.
"And tell him that we're heavier by one Royal Counsellor. Captain Panaka of the J-Type 327 Nubian Royal Starship, over and out."

TBC

Hir-nin - my lord
Hiril-nin - my lady
No i Melain na le. Na-den pedim ad. - May the Valar be with you. Until we speak again.
No i Melain na le. Cuio mae. Navaer. - May the Valar be with you. Live well. Farewell.
Yrch! - Orcs!
elleth - a female Elf

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