WALK AWAY || a.s.

03

naboo was as beautiful as she remembered.

the atmosphere broke as the ship lowered. marwen's eyes were glued to the windshield, firmly gripping the pilots' seats to steady herself in her awe.

as they got closer to the landing pad, marwen could make out a line of figures waiting for them. she squinted, trying to identify them all. when they had landed properly, the girl practically lept off of the ship, bumping padme's chair on the way.

"disregard for others is the only way to properly exit a ship!" padme called sarcastically after her. she didn't care to mind the comment though because as soon as the ship's mouth opened, marwen made out the rigid figure of her mother's being. ecstatic beyond all logic, she shouted.

"mother!" she yelled, waving her arms about. freya beamed at her daughter, caught by surprise at the force of her body slamming against her own.

"marwen, my love! it's good to see your face." marwen pulled away, a childish smile playing at her lips. "you've grown." she commented, running a hand over her hair. the two laughed for a moment before embracing again. this time when they pulled apart, freya was greeted with padme and the two jedi. "my lady," she bowed slowly. "it's been a while." their smiles were slow and reminiscent, like the glow of old embers suddenly given a breeze. padme walked to hug her old advisor.

"i trust that you've taken good care of our home?" she joked. freya shook her head and grinned.

"i wish i could say that i have. i would have a limb in every district if i were able." she admitted. padme's face fell slightly, remembering why she had returned to begin with.

"i was frightened to hear what had happened. while i'm thankful there were no casualties, it troubles me to think that something that cruel could be happening again." padme referred to the invasion experienced under her reign as queen.

"it's nothing to fear. we'll fix things, just like we always do. isn't that right, my dear?" freya motioned towards her daughter, who inly replied with a hidden smile and roll if her eyes. "we are at your service during your stay, senator. just give me the word, and we are at your will." she returned her attention to the brunette.

"thank you, freya. i'm pleased to say though that we have brought along our own means of security." at this point, obiwan's ship had landed on a neighboring pad. as he exited to join the group, ahsoka and anakin approached the guards.

"we meet again, guardian qun. it's good to see you." anakin said with a warm smile. marwen noted his trip to their home planet to visit and speak with her friend privately. "this is my padawan, ahsoka tano." he introduced. obiwan rejoined his fellow jedi.

"master kenobi, at your service." he bowed to the group of guards.

"we are thrilled you are here. please, make yourself at home in the palace. naboo is your home as much as ours." freya commented. marwen chuckled to herself at her mother's hospitaity, knowing full well that she was going to criticize their mannerisms for the next two days behind their backs.

marwen took her mother's arm and led the group towards the palace. the queen was waiting for them, that much the girl was sure of, anxious to gain padme's help in easing the anxiety of the people.

the palace's halls echoed with their footsteps, the ceilings and jeweled pillars reflecting the smallest of sounds. marwen couldn't help but gaze at the walls that she missed so much.

her pace slowed as she looked up at the muraled ceiling, the most recent being of padme's reign. she was depicted as any queen, bright and graceful. marwen couldn't help but wonder if that's how padme felt about the reign itself.

"the art here is something i don't think that i'll never not be amazed by." a voice snapped at marwen's attention. skywalker was now beside her, looking up at the same mural. she returned her gaze to the ceiling.

"i have lived here my whole life, and i can say the same thing, in confidence." she replied. anakin looked down at the girl.

"you've been with padme for many years now, haven't you?" he commented more than asked. they started walking again.

"for as long as i can remember, she has existed in my life. i believe it will always be that way." marwen said. it sounded simple rolling off her tongue, but its complexity was beyond analysis. anakin nodded at this, keeping his eyes forward.

they walked in silence for a few moments more before coming to the throne. the queen sat waiting for them, a warm smile on her face.

"padme, marwen. it's so good to see you." she said to them.

"the pleasure is all ours." padme responded with a curtsy. "how are the outer villages?" she wasted no time in asking. the queen sighed.

"they are afraid, but strong. an address is organized to be held in the capital tomorrow. you will stay here tonight as our guests. tomorrow, you will bring hope." she told them with a nod.

"anything that we can do to aid you is what we are willing to do." padme said.

"freya will guide your friends to the wing in which you will spend today. i do request your company, padme. there is much we need to discuss." marwen's eyes darted towards padme, who nodded to the queen in response. she felt nervous.

"of course, your highness."

marwen glanced at her mother, who's focus was on the queen. she grumbled to herself before straightening from her kneel along with the jedi.

"come now." freya waved. the congregation followed her slowly, all except for marwen. she reached for her friend.

"don't overburden yourself, padme." she said quiety. the senator gave her a knowing look and gently pulled from her grasp.

"i will be fine, she assured."

marwen watched as padme followed the queen's train. they headed towards the east balcony, too far away to hear. but the girl remained standing in the middle of the throne room, watching. she couldn't shake the feeling that something terrible was about to happen.