Change the Fate's Design

You Know the Greatest Loves of all Time are Over Now

Padmé looked at the newcomer, furrowing her brow.
"Have we met? You look rather familiar?" Padmé wondered.
"This is Galen Erso. He worked for the empire." Bail said.
"You helped build the Death Star, didn't you?" Padmé realised why he looked familiar.
"You were not the only double agent, Mrs Vader." Galen nodded.
"Please, just Padmé."

"Now, as we were saying. We need to announce your arrival and your purpose here." Mon reminded.
"Of course. Galen, what do you suggest?" Bail asked.
"We need to call a meeting. Get everyone on the base into the strategy room and present her as the senator they remember her as." Galen hummed in thought.
"Yes, we should arrange it for this afternoon. In the mean time, let's get you into some new clothes." Mon took Padmé's arm and guided her from the room. Padmé looked back to see the other three talking in hushed tones.

——

"Try this one,"
Another dress flew over the door onto Padmé's head. She pulled the fabric off and looked at it nervously.
"Uh, Mon? Do you have anything looser? I don't think this will fit," she asked.
"Of course. Here,"
Another item flew over the door and she barely managed to catch it.
Padmé pulled on the floaty white gown and zipped it up. It fit comfortably while hiding her small baby bump.
"Is that better?" Mon called out. Padmé opened the partian and stepped out.
"You look lovely, Padmé," her friend smiled kindly.
"Thank you. Would you happen to have any small clothes? My children might need to change as well,"
"How old are they?"
"Six. Their names are Luke and Leia."
"Hmm, I'm not sure if we have any that size. Let me check," Mon dug around in the small closet before sighing in defeat.
"Maybe you should ask Galen. He has a girl around their age." She suggested.
"I'll do that, thank you, Mon."

Padmé felt like she could breathe again once she had stripped away her Lady Vader disguise. She made a mental note to speak to Galen and also look for something for Nova once the meeting was over.

——

A few hours had passed and Padmé stood with Nova by her side outside a room packed with rebels. Mon had stayed with the twins so they could both be there. Padmé fiddled with her loose curls anxiously. She hadn't faced a crowd in a while, like this at least. In the empire she only had to stand there and look pretty, not make speeches or rally the troops.
"You need to stop pacing milady, the stress isn't good for you," Nova told her gently.
"I know, I'm sorry. I just haven't given a speech in so long. What if they don't trust me? What if coming here was a mistake and I just put my children in more danger?" She rested her hands on her stomach, trying to calm her breathing.
Nova took one of her hands.

"You know, when I was growing up, my mother told me the most amazing stories. They were all about a strong, beautiful queen. She didn't stay on the sidelines during battles, she stood by her people and fought with them. She fought for peace and justice and equality. Whenever I got scared, I thought about that queen and what she would sayin that moment,"  Nova smiled. "My whole life, I have looked up to that queen. That queen was you, Padmé. You have fought far harsher battles, you can do this."
Padmé teared up, pulling the younger girl into a hug.

A loud thundering applause startled them both, and they moved closer to the door to listen in.

"My people, many of you know Galen, a former builder for the empire who came here to help our cause. He has proven himself as a trusted member of the republic, and his insight has helped us advance in our fight."
There was more applause and hollers in agreement.
"I call you here today to introduce you to another double agent with valuable intel to share. For years she has lived on the empire's base and had a personal view into the empire's plans. Please welcome former senator and my trusted friend, Padmé Amidala."

Padmé and Nova walked in to the sound of voices, some confused and some angry. Padmé took a deep breath and stepped forward to address the crowd.

"Some of you may know me as senator Padmé Amidala. I represented Naboo in the galactic republic. Some of you know me as Lady Vader, Darth Vader's wife and mother of his children. But I stand before you as Padmé Skywalker, mother, fighter, and rebel. I have been working with Jedi Obi Wan Kenobi since the rise of the empire, gathering intel and relaying messages to him. I come here now because I was no longer safe in the empire, and neither were my children. I am happy to help the cause in any way that I can, and all I ask for in return in sanctuary. I know that I may not deserve your trust, but I ask for the chance to prove myself. I have always been a believer in pease and justice, and that has not changed. Thank you."

"Why should we listen to her? She's married to a Sith Lord!" A man shouted from the crowd.
Bail was about to defend her but Padmé lifted a hand to stop him.
"My marriage ended when I left. I have no loyalty to the empire or Lord Vader." She said, sounding much more confident in her words then she felt.
"What about your kids?" Someone else yelled.
"My children will stay by my side. There is no reason to distrust them, they have not been brainwashed by the dark side. I wouldn't allow it to happen."

The crowd seemed content, though she could still feel a few glares on her as she turned to walk back.
Padmé stood silently beside nova as Bail finished the meeting, her ears ringing and everything else blurring into the background.
"Are you alright, milady?" Nova's voice snapped her out of it and she realised that all the rebels had left. Bail also watched her with concern.
"I'm fine," she smiled, trying to reassure the young girl. "But I would really like to lay down for a while."
"Of course, you've had a long day. Take as much time as you need." Bail said, guiding them into the hall.
After a quick goodbye, Nova and Padmé walked back to their new quarters, Padmé's fatigue growing by the second.