The Mercy Seat: Part Four

[lazypadawan]

The group of Senators gathered in Bail Organa's office at Mon Mothma's request. The Chandrilan Senator, a woman even younger than Padmé, had a serenity that belied a fiery determination. Many in the Senate distrusted her and called her a radical. More than a few privately warned Padmé about even being seen near her.

Yet, despite their differences, Padmé shared Mothma's concerns for the Republic and its democratic traditions. Padmé also believed she could be a voice of moderation among the discontented Senators.

For months, she'd come to these gatherings to discuss strategy on how to ensure Palpatine remains faithful to Republic principles. Not that they have had much success. Palpatine enjoyed popular support in the Senate and among the public. Even after this morning's move to transition more power to sector governors, away from the Senate. Powers they'd enjoyed for millennia.

"He intends to disband us," Mon Mothma said.

"Sadly, I have to agree," Bail Organa nodded.

Disband the Senate? They must be joking. "I am no happier than the rest of you about this. But I've known Palpatine for years; he was my most trusted adviser. I'm not prepared to believe his intent is to dismantle the Senate," Padmé said.

Once again, Padmé was defending Palpatine. But this time her fellow Senators, especially Mothma and Organa, spoke of resistance. It didn't take much more subtlety to realize they didn't mean more petitions or protests.

"Say no more. I'll not hear any more of this," Padmé said. The last thing the galaxy needed now was more chaos and destruction.

"Very well, we'll save it for another time, when it's right," Bail Organa said.

"We cannot share this with anyone, not even our families," Mon Mothma warned. Padmé tried not to show her dismay, but inside, her heart ached.

***

Padmé left Bail Organa's office shaken. She could scarcely believe what she'd heard...they were talking about rebellion. Treason. And they expected her to keep it from everyone, even Anakin.

Damn these secrets, she thought. She could never betray her fellow Senators and even she realized the Chancellor was going too far with his powers and not doing enough to pursue diplomatic means to bring the war to an end. Count Dooku was dead and the time had come to negotiate with the Separatists. There were legitimate grievances that needed to be addressed, wounds that needed to be healed for the Republic to be whole again. At times it seemed to Padmé that the Chancellor was less interested in bringing the breakaway worlds back into the fold than utterly crushing them. The Chancellor now said the job wasn't done until Grievous was captured or destroyed. She wondered if the job wasn't going to be done until even the lowliest Separatist guerilla fighter was on a funeral pyre.

But did it really merit going as far as actively opposing Palpatine? Trying to oust him? Long ago, Padmé was asked to betray an ally for the greater good and that decision, even if it was entirely to save her people, always haunted her conscience. To betray the one who had been a close ally since she was Queen, who had advised her and guided her through the political minefields of Coruscant, a fellow Naboo, a good friend and mentor to her husband, disturbed her greatly.

Yet what troubled her the most was having to keep a secret from Anakin. For five long months she had to keep her pregnancy secret while he fought in the Outer Rim Sieges. Just as they were able to share in the future of their child, she had to keep this from him. I tell him to be honest with me and now I can't be honest with him. Ani, would you ever forgive me if you knew?

"Milady, are you all right? Do you need anything?" It was Ellé, her handmaiden, falling in step beside Padmé as she neared her office.

"I'm fine, Ellé. It's just more of the same," she said with a wistful smile.

Ellé nodded. "Understandable, Milady. These are interesting times."

Interesting indeed. I can't wait to leave this all behind, if only for just a while. It'll be good to refocus on other things. As if to answer her thoughts, she felt the baby move in her hidden belly. Her plan was simple. She will return to Naboo for the remainder of her pregnancy, first conferring with the Queen. Apailana was likely to accept her resignation from the Senate. She too believed public service was for the young and unencumbered. Then Padmé would go to her family and tell them about the baby. She wasn't sure yet if she would reveal the father of her child or tell them she was married. That was something she would have to discuss with Anakin. Then she would go to the Lake Country and plan for the birth.

Again, her cares were allieviated with dreams of motherhood and a quiet time back home. Further down the road, who knew? She was young enough to have a large family if she and Anakin desired. Otherwise, she could always serve as an advisor to the Royal Court, teach youngsters in the Legislative Youth Program, or go back to refugee relief. The devastation of the war will leave millions of beings displaced for decades. Maybe even one day, if she and Anakin could ever live openly as husband and wife, she could write her memoirs.

They went into the Naboo consulate's office, Padmé briefly greeting Representative Binks on his way out. "Milady," Motée greeted. Captain Typho and Threepio were also present. Padmé excused herself to her private office, needing a few moments alone to think things through. Casually, she checked the Holonet for any relevant updates when one caught her eye. Jedi Skywalker Appointed To The Jedi Council.

She gasped audibly, dropping some datacards. She eagerly read the rest of the breaking report. Supreme Chancellor Palpatine announced the Council's approval of Skywalker's appointment just moments ago. Skywalker, 23, is the youngest Jedi ever to sit on the Council. The man known to billions as The Warrior of the Infinite and The Hero Without Fear just successfully rescued the Supreme Chancellor from the diabolical Count Dooku and General Grievous, one of many great feats over the course of the war. He joins former mentor and frequent partner Master Obi-Wan Kenobi on the Council.

Her heart swelled with elation. "I'm so proud of you," she whispered. With Anakin on the Council, he'll be indispensable to the Order. Maybe, just maybe, he'll be able to push for the changes that could allow them to live openly with their love. With their family.

Then the answer to her dilemma came to her. If she could convince Anakin to talk to Palpatine about pursuing diplomacy with the remaining Separatists, it could diffuse the tension between the Supreme Chancellor and the dissenting Senators. There would be no plans for subversion and no need to keep anything from her husband.

Comments

[vanimy.livejournal.com]

Argh. Missed this again. Great job with Padmé's thoughts, it's great to see other perspectives on this. :) but where is the nookie, dammit? :P

fanfic

[(Anonymous)]

good job i can't wait for more Anakin AND Padm'e mush.