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Before the Dawn

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While it was the dawning of a new era for the citizens of Naboo, it was once again another adventure into the unknown for Cori'iana Sanandrassa, the departing Queen of Naboo. After all the pain she had been burdened with since becoming queen, Cori'iana had opted not to run for a second term. While she was well-liked by her people and likely would have been elected again, Cori'iana wasn't sure she could handle two more years of threats to her life or her people. While she was still loyal to Naboo, her heart wasn't in the place it had been two years ago when she had been elected queen.

Padme Amidala, as the people of Naboo had come to know her, was to be Cori'iana's successor. Cori'iana had fears about young Padme becoming monarch at only fourteen, knowing the weight and pressure that came with the responsibilities of a monarch. Cori'iana was only seventeen when she ascended to the throne and with her lack in years came a certain naivety. One that had been shattered mere weeks into her reign. She only hoped that Padme wouldn't be doomed to meet the same fate.

Cori'iana stood outside on her balcony watching the sun rise over Naboo. While there were many things about the job of monarch that had been unpleasant. Watching the sunrise or the night sky twinkle with stars from this balcony with the thundering of the waterfall in the background was one of her favorite things to do, especially after the suggestion from a friend. It brought peace to her soul and centered her.

For a moment, she closed her eyes and allowed the wind to ripple through her hair as she breathed deeply, finding her center.

"Excuse me, your majesty," a calm voice called from behind her.

After taking one last breath, Cori'iana opened her eyes and turned to see one of her handmaidens. With a soft smile on her face, she said, "Good morning, Scerra."

Scerra offered her queen a bow of her head before responding, "Good morning, your majesty."

Cori'iana sighed, folding her arms across her chest. "That's one thing I won't miss," she mused. "Always needing to be called your majesty. It's too . . ." She paused and crinkled her nose. "It's far too formal for my taste."

"You'll still be milady to me, milady," Scerra said with another slight bow.

The queen chuckled softly. "Then it looks like I'll just have to find myself a new title then, won't I?" She grinned at her handmaiden as her hands rested on her hips.

Scerra smiled for a moment, before turning more serious. "It's time to ready you for the ceremony."

The queen nodded her head slowly in understanding. Today was the ceremony where the throne would peacefully be transferred from one monarch to another. It had long been a tradition of the monarchs and Cori'iana had no plans to make the transfer anything but peaceful. The peaceful transfer of power was an example for the rest of the Republic to follow. It was also what Padme Amidala deserved. And it was what the citizens of Naboo deserved.

Her heart seemed to stop for a moment as she glanced back over her shoulder at the beautiful landscape of Naboo from the palace. She would miss it here. Tightening her robe around her waist, Cori'iana walked inside the palace to be readied by her handmaidens as queen for one last time. That was another thing she wouldn't miss, having to be readied by others when she was quite capable of dressing herself.

Scerra opened the door and Cori'iana was greeted by several more of her handmaidens inside the bedroom that would no longer belong to her. Biala motioned for Cori'iana toward her vanity. Forcing a smile on her face, she sat down in front of the ornate vanity to have her makeup done as the monarch of Naboo for the last time.

As queen, makeup was part of the mask she wore to hide her true identity from the people. Although, people already knew that she was the granddaughter of a former queen. Queens of Naboo typically changed their last names when campaigning to become monarch to keep their true identities and their families safe. She had adopted the name her grandmother had chosen for her reign decades ago - honoring her grandmother and respecting the tradition of Naboo. As well as hiding the name given to her by her father, her true identity. While her new identity had been those things, it had done nothing to keep those she loved safe.

Cori'iana attempted to sit still as Jysyal started her eye makeup, but she still fidgeted a bit only to be greeted by a gentle scolding from her handmaiden. Even as queen, sitting still was never a skill she had fully mastered. Improved? Yes. Mastered. No. Thankfully the chidings were less severe than when she was younger. While her parents hadn't minded so much, her grandmother had been especially harsh.

Jysyal seemed to transform her eyes into a work of art with the blue and purple makeup palette she had chosen. While Cori'iana wasn't sure what Jysyal planned to do after today, she hoped that her handmaiden would pursue something in the arts. Her handmaiden was certainly talented enough.

Biala helped Jysyal attach butterfly wings and jewels to Cori'iana's eyelashes. Weeks ago, when preparations had begun for her final foray, Cori'iana had wanted her outfit to represent change and hope to the citizens of Naboo to help smooth the transition between queens. Her handmaiden Winni, who was often used as her decoy, had suggested butterflies and Cori'iana enthusiastically agreed with the suggestion, much to the dismay of her grandmother.

Speaking of . . .

Her grandmother, Dordirri'ih Sanandrassa, floated into her room with an immediate look of dissatisfaction on her face. Her face looked like she smelled something rotten and her eyes were aflame with displeasure. Although, that was most days for Dordirri'ih. She kicked at the gray little furball that attempted to rub up against her.

"Good morning, Grandmother," Cori'iana greeted, hoping to quell whatever her grandmother was about to verbalize. She reached down and picked Meellen up, placing him on her lap. He immediately cuddled up to her and began to purr.

"You should've gone with the red ensemble, darling," Dordirri'ih said stepping beside the vanity. "Then again, we wouldn't have needed it yet had you run for a second term, like I suggested, my dear."

Cori'iana sighed and offered her grandmother a small nod. Her grandmother snapped her fingers and the handmaidens quickly backed away from their queen as Dordirri'ih began to inspect her granddaughter. Cori'iana didn't miss the subdued looks of annoyance on her handmaidens' faces. Well, except for Scerra who made no attempt to hide her annoyance.

"Milady," Scerra intervened through gritted teeth, trying to push her way toward Cori'iana. "We are not yet finished preparing our Queen . . . "

"This is what you thought would be fitting for a Queen of Naboo?" Dordirri'ih questioned, her voice stern, gesturing to her granddaughter. Scerra stopped in her tracks and reluctantly took a step back. "I knew I should have seen to it that my outfitter was chosen for today. She looks so. . . so simple. Cori'iana will be all but lost compared to me."

Her grandmother was right about that. Dordirri'ih had also chosen a purple ensemble. Her hair had been colored purple for the festivities and it was piled in curls that added nearly a foot to her height. Cori'iana's hair had been left its natural chocolate color and it would be trailing down her back with curls and butterflies. Whereas Cori'iana's gown was a bit more form-fitting, her grandmother's skirt likely had enough room to fit three handmaidens. Not to mention that while Cori'iana's train was but a few feet, her grandmother's train seemed to trail on for days. But none of that mattered to Cori'iana and she had learned long ago that her grandmother's insults were much more bark than bite.

Cori'iana reached out her hand and gave Dordirri'ih's weathered hand a gentle squeeze. "This is what I want, Grandmother. Besides, maybe today you'll catch the eye of some handsome suitor so you don't have to be quite so alone when you return home to the lake country."

Doridirri'ih smiled at her granddaughter and gently patted the younger woman's hand. "I just want this day to be perfect for you, darling. I remember my final celebration as queen as if it were yesterday. And I won't be alone. You'll be coming with me." Her grandmother smiled even harder, bearing more teeth.

Cori'iana grimaced inside. She hadn't yet decided what she wanted to do after today. Truthfully, she had wanted to confer with the person she trusted most but hadn't yet had the opportunity to do so. Although, if she waited any longer she wouldn't have time to consider anything. Unready to voice an opinion to her grandmother, she gave a slight smile and a gentle nod. If there was one thing she had learned as queen, it was to smile and slightly nod when you were unsure and didn't want to fully commit to an answer.

If her grandmother recognized the tactic, she didn't say anything. Instead, she gave her grandaughter's hand another pat. "If this is truly what you want, darling. . . " Doridirri'ih looked her granddaughter in the eyes and Cori'iana gave another nod. "Then I suppose I ought to see how your cousin is doing. He likely hasn't even risen from his bed yet."

She widened her eyes jokingly at Cori'iana and chuckled. Cori'iana chuckled back. It certainly was like her cousin never to be ready on time. These days she hardly saw him in the evenings and he slept in later than anyone else in the palace. The former queen pressed a kiss against the almost former queen's cheek before she floated out of the room, just as she had entered.

"I don't care what she thinks. You'll look beautiful, your majesty," Scerra said, returning to her queen. She gently ran her fingers through Cori'iana's hair. "If you ask me, she purposely is trying to overshadow you. She's probably still upset that you didn't run for another term."

"Scerra, you mustn't say such things," Winni corrected with her hands on her hips. "You're speaking about the queen's grandmother, a former Queen of Naboo herself. On some planets that alone is enough to be considered treason and worthy of the sentence of death."

"Well, it isn't here in Naboo. At least not under our queen," Scerra scoffed, flipping her hair over her shoulder. "Wouldn't surprise me if it was the rule of law under her."

Winni threw her head back and groaned. "Is it truly that hard to hold your tongue?"

The other two handmaidens Jysyal and Biala giggled. They knew better than most that that assessment was rather muted for Scerra. Even Winni knew, but that didn't keep her from chastising Scerra.

Winni must have noticed Cori'iana watching them. "My apologies, your majesty," she said, bowing her head.

"You know that I have always wished you to speak freely around me," Cori'iana said. "Besides, after tonight we won't have to worry about all that formality. I was just telling Scerra that earlier . . . " Cori'iana gave Scerra a teasing glance causing Scerra to grin.

"You mustn't encourage her," Winni sighed, attempting to mask a small smile on her face. "We'll have to work quick ladies. Especially if we don't want to be late for the celebration."

"I thought the queen is always on time and everyone else was simply early," Biala teased, which made the others, including Cori'iana, laugh.

"Not you too," Winni rolled her eyes and motioned for Jysyal to return to her makeup station. She then turned toward Scerra. "See what you've done? You've corrupted the youth of Naboo with your antics."

Scerra winked. "Well, someone has to."

Despite Dordirri'ih's protests, once the handmaidens were finished with her, Cori'iana truly felt like a work of art, especially in the elegantly crafted wings. The only piece left of her ensemble was her mask. It was another tradition of the queens of Naboo to help protect their true identity and only offer the identity that they chose to give the people.

Winni walked toward her carrying a silver tray with three different Venetian masks, each one more ornate than the last. "I wasn't sure which one you'd prefer, your majesty. So I made three." With her eyes cast downward, Winni offered a slight curtsy.

"You made these?" Cori'iana asked thoughtfully, with her mouth slightly agape. "I thought we had someone who . . ."

"We do, your majesty," Winni offered, beginning to shake. "If they're not to your liking, I can call on him. I apologize for the lack of foresight. I was only trying . . ."

Cori'iana gently rested her hand on her handmaiden's arm. "They're beautiful, Winni. I would be honored to wear one of your designs. Truly. I was simply in awe that you were capable of making them. I just didn't know you could make them. Between you and me, these look finer than Brindalov's anyway."

Winni breathed a sigh of relief. Although, she still hadn't completely stopped shaking.

"I won't be queen for much longer. If you'd like, I can see if he'd take you on at his shop. Then all of Naboo, and future queens, could see and wear your beautiful designs. Brindalov should be coming today."

"I couldn't ask that of you, your majesty," Winni said.

"You don't have to. I want to do it. That is, only if it is something you'd be interested in. I wouldn't want to force you into something you don't want to do." Winni still looked too shocked for words. "Think it over, hm?"

"Same goes for the rest of you," Cori'iana added, looking softly at each of her handmaidens who had stood by her side the past two years. "If there's any way I can be of help to you, please let me know. Even though I will not be queen any longer, I'm sure I'll still have some sway."

"Your people love you dearly, your majesty," Jysyal added, curtsying her way into the conversation. "I'm sure they would consider anything you ask of them as the utmost honor."

Cori'iana sighed and sat down on her bed, petting Meellen as he rolled over to have his tummy rubbed. "I'm afraid I haven't earned many favors beyond Naboo, however. The delegation from Baethea . . ."

"The people of Naboo don't doubt your heart, your majesty." Jysyal knelt in front of her queen before she whispered. "Outside of this room, there are very few who know of the dangers that have plagued your rule. Call me selfish, but I would rather your life be spared at the expense of Baethea, than for you to give your life for people who have no love for you. You wouldn't be a martyr in their eyes. Just a means to an end. And I'm positive the people of Naboo would agree with the sentiment if they knew."

"Which they can't. I have left a lengthy note on the subject for Padme, including some treaties I drew up in favor of Baethea. Perhaps one will suit her. I can only hope she won't be plagued with the pressure I was and that she'll be able to do something."

"I don't mean to speak out of turn, your majesty," Biala added. "But are you sure you'll be fine with Padme Amidala taking all the credit for your work?"

"You ladies will know the truth and that's enough for me. It was the only thing I could think to do that keeps me and the people of Naboo safe, while giving the people of Baethea what they've longed for - no, rather what they deserve."

"It hardly seems fair that Padme Amidala will be the one going down in the history archives and receive the accolades from Baethea, who will certainly show you no love," Scerra scoffed, folding her arms across her chest.

"Need I remind you that in a few short hours, Padme Amidala will be your queen too? Her success depends on us," Cori'iana gently chided her handmaiden. While she could tolerate the jabs against her grandmother or cousin or almost anyone. What Naboo needed was a peaceful transition of power. Especially to grant Baethea its freedom. And it was a price she was willing to pay.

Cori'iana pressed a gentle kiss against Meellen's soft head and then rose to her feet. Her handmaidens quickly formed a line and stood at attention. She then walked over to where Winni stood in line, still holding the trays of masks. Cori'iana pursed her lips for a moment as she examined them before reaching for the one in the center.

"I was hoping you'd choose that one, your majesty," Winni said with a cheerful grin on her face.

Cori'iana softly smiled at Winni before she allowed her handmaidens to place the mask on her face. She then straightened her stance and stood at tall as her five feet and three inches would allow. It certainly wasn't her height that commanded attention, but rather how she presented herself.

The handmaidens beamed at their queen with great pride. "I do believe she's ready," Scerra stated, gently elbowing Winni in the side.

Winni contorted her body to be out of the reach of Scerra's elbow before she cleared her throat. "She was born ready."

Scerra rolled her eyes and began walking toward the door with the other handmaidens. "Must you always spoil my fun?" she directed at Winni over her shoulder.

Mocking Scerra's own words to her, Winni smirked "Someone has to." Winni then stuck out her tongue which made Scerra's open mouth drop further.

"I didn't know you had it in you," Scerra said in disbelief.

Winni raised her eyebrows as she reached for the long handle on the ornately decorated and heavy door which Biala was already holding. Scerra shook her head as she grasped the other door with Jysyal.

The handmaidens worked together to open the doors for their queen, for the moment Cori'iana stepped into the hall the peaceful transition of power began.

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Author's Note: Baethea is the genius of MissHiraeth98 - go read her fic Heavenly Light.

This is the first of three parts to the prologue before I jump into more canon stuff. I wanted to give y'all a glimpse at things first.

Please know that I'm only weeks back into my Star Wars obsession, please be kind. Thank you!