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ELLIEDE GLIDED INTO the room, wisps of white blonde hair blowing across her face. The doors flung open, bright strands of sunlight streaming into Senator Amidala's room. Padmé and Elli had long been friends now, and it was not uncommon for Elli to walk in unannounced. Elli bit her lip, forcing a smile on her face. She only hoped it hid the shaking of her lips. "How's the packing going?" she asked.
Padmé glanced up, the corners of her mouth turning upwards.. "Not well, I'm afraid. Care to help?"
Elli nodded but did not say anything, removing her hands from her pocket. They shook as she passed Padmé neatly folded clothes, though the young senator did not seem to notice.
"This senate meeting is very important," Padmé began, her eyes too focused on her bag instead of the cracking, crumbling girl at her side. "We cannot allow the creation of this army. It would spread war across the galaxy."
Elli hummed in approval, but said nothing, too focused on her hands betraying what lay in her head.
"Violence will only bring more violence," Padmé continued. "And I'm sure we have both seen enough of that, do you not agree?" She glanced up at Elli, studying her face. Padmé's hands – which previously had been folding and pushing clothing into a suitcase – paused their motions. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing," Elli murmured, turning back towards the mountain of dresses at her side. She wiped her hands on her skirts. "Are you excited to return to Coruscant?"
Padmé's stare could burn a hole into the back of Elli's head. "Yes," Padmé admitted, turning back to the packing. "But I'm more fearful than anything else. We have no hope if this war begins. I wish you could join me on the ship, it would bring me comfort."
Elli sucked in a gulp of air, grateful for the change of topic. "We have to keep up appearances," she said. "People would expect me to be by your side. If there is an attempt – and I'm sure there will be – we cannot risk your safety. I will join Cordé on the ship. I cannot die, nor can I truly be hurt. It's safer this way." It was her duty to protect Padmé, her solemn oath. She had promised the sworn in Queen, and now she must abide by the laws of her own creation.Tears sprung into Elli's eyes, and she wiped at them quickly
"Will you please tell me what's bothering you?". When she did not answer, Padmé asked, "Is it your nightmares? Don't lie to me, I know they haven't stopped."
Elli glanced up, ready to sing her usual defence – she was tired, she was worried, the thought of travelling the galaxy made her stomach churn– but before she could say a word, a shadowy figure appeared in the corner of the room, face shielded by darkness. She knew that man, even if she couldn't see an inch of his skin.
Elli let out a gasp, dropping neatly folded clothing onto the floor. Her hand flew to her pounding heart, trying to take in great gulps of air.
As soon as the figure appeared, it was gone again. "What's wrong?" Padmé asked, glancing around the room, searching for an intruder, senses on high alert. But she would never find anything. It was never real.
Elli forced a smile onto her face. "Nothing," she said, the lie hissing against her teeth. "Thought I saw something. It was a trick of the light."
She hated lying. She knew Padmé could tell something was wrong, just as it had been since Elli had first arrived on Naboo 10 years prior. Scorched by twin suns, Elli had arrived with hope in her heart, her best friend by her side. Now, he was gone, vanished into a new world.
