The roses in the Royal Gardens were past their prime, shedding petals in the slight breeze and drenching the air with their perfume, but Amelia didn't mind. Roses were her favourite flowers...they were her mother's favourite flowers too...and thats where she'd got her second name - Amelia Rose.

Picking a bench furthest from the Palace, Amelia made sure that she was quite alone before she pulled out the comlink again and replayed the speech.

"My noble colleagues, I must draw to your attention the situation demanding our attention at this time."

"My noble colleagues," Amelia began, forcing her voice to become deep and full of passion. "I must draw to your attention the situation demanding our attention at this time." Very close...almost there...

"Ryll Darkell is doing everything in his power to prevent me from being elected, and all you can offer is a violent solution? I, for one, will not condone a course of action that would lead us to war, because that is exactly what will happen. Offer Darkell violence and he can only show us violence in return. Naboo has already seen its fair share of war! I do not wish to be the one who brings it about on this beautiful planet once again."

Again, Amelia repeated this out loud, using the same tone and passion that the Queen had. Too her own ears, she sounded...weird...but what if she recorded herself saying this very speech? Would she sound like the Queen?

There was only one way to find out. After she'd recorded it, she played it back to herself and was amazed at how close it sounded.

"...many will lose their lives. All will lose their freedom! I can't allow this! Ryll Darkell does not scare me and I will not let fear push me into disastrous decision. I urge you not to either! If we rise above Darkell, instead of stooping to his level of rumour spreading and deception, then war can be avoided. Because tell me honestly - Is there anyone in this room right now that wants to see this planet at war again? I cannot believe there is!"

She was so close now it was annoying...if only she could work out what was missing, then she could fix it...perhaps Asane could help? But not tonight...in the morning.

For now Amelia was content to just sit and look at the roses. She'd seen these very gardens many times from the courtyard up above...but never from down here, so close to the beautiful flowers.

Eventually, however, she decided to call it a night and wandered back to her room, the speech repeating over and over in her head.

Adjusting her robes as she walked down the stone steps leading to the garden, Amelia was once again hit with the sweet smell of the roses that she'd come to love. Pausing for a moment to inhale their sweet scent, she noticed that Asane was standing with her back to her a little way off. Deciding that hanging around with near-dead flowers wasn't the best idea at a time like this however, she hurried over, trying to make it look like she wasn't hurrying as she approached her friend.

"Hey Asane...I got your message...Is everything ok?"

"Everything is fine..... The Queen was very happy with your recordings, so she wants to meet with you.... She will be here later on in the day..... She wants to meet alone, after all, if you are to be her decoy in the future, you are both going to have to get to know each other, but especially you will have to know about her...... If you wait here, I will go and tell her that you are waiting for her..... Just stay calm, remember she's just like one of us as you know yourself.... Right, I'd best be off..... Good luck!" Asané said as she began to leave.

After a good hour of waiting, the gardens began to darken as the sun was setting on Theed.

Then out of the shadows came a figure dressed in a purple cloak, similar to the handmaidens. It was the Queen, but without her royal make up and usual dress, she was merely a handmaiden.

"Amelia..... I'm glad you waited for me.... I had to change into this so that no one would suspect and follow me..... Sadly there is nowhere safe for someone like me..... Not in these times...... I spoke with Asané and she let me hear your recordings, I must say, you did a wonderful job" The Queen's voice was much higher at this time, more so than when she acts as Queen, the difference was quite noticeable, "I myself had to practice how I articulate when I am representing Naboo, but this is my true voice.... But the one you must master is the voice I use in public or with advisers.... Yes Amelia, I wish for you to become my decoy..... If you would accept that is...." She waited

"I...I would be delighted...and honoured to be your decoy," Amelia gasped, hardly able to believe what she was hearing. "I...I can't express enough how much this means to me...thank you...thank you so much."

She gave a huge grin then - a grin that expressed everything she was feeling. Relief, happyness, contentment, delight, excitement and even a little pride at her amazing achievement.

"Well you've earned it..... Firstly, when you are posing as me, remember to call my by my first name..... Verlé..... There are so many handmaidens in this place, it is not often that people know the names of all..... It is too late tonight to begin your training, but from now on.... You are no longer merely a handmaiden.... You will be taught everything that I know, and I will share the secrets of Naboo with you..... It takes a lot of trust and dedication to be a decoy, but I know you will do us all proud...... Right, it's best that we retire for the night..... Sleep well Amelia, come and meet with me tomorrow in the Throne Room, the other handmaidens will be there also..... After my session with my advisers, you will all escort me to my office, and then there we shall speak alone and your training shall truly begin...... Good night for now Amelia...." She raised her hood and fled back into the shadows of the garden.

"Goodnight," Amelia muttered to the suddenly empty garden. Still smiling, she started to make her way back towards her room, still quite unable to believe her luck. It had been a long day of suspense and waiting, but finally it had all payed off because now she was doing a job that, two weeks ago, she'd never have thought possible. She'd only been in the Queen's service a short while, but the Queen seemed ready enough to trust her with Naboo's most precious secrets...that in itself was a truly great honour, but Amelia sensed there was much more to this job...much more responsibilty and honour.

Wandering back into the gardens later that evening, Amelia found a quiet spot beside a small water fountain, and perching herself on the edge of the fountain, let her fingers dangle in the cool water, making little ripples that increased, the further from her fingers they spread.

As she sat there, she allowed her mind to wander again, his time to her duties as a decoy, the information she'd have to learn...and that charming young man in the market. Who was he? He'd been dressed as sruffily as a sailor or traveller, and yet had all the manners and attitude of a noble...

He reminded her somewhat of her Uncle Derren, who she hadn't seen since she was five. God knows where he was now or what he was doing these days...and to be honest did she reallly care anymore? Her entire family had left her in one way or another...she'd been on her own for four years now, and had been doing just fine. Better infact.

Finally resting her mind on the beautiful sights intead, she sat enjoying the scenery and the fountain, well into the evening.

A guard began to make his way through the gardens until he finally approached Amelia,

"Amelia... A young man wanted us to hand this to you.... We had the item checked for security reasons.... I hope you understand.... It is clean..." He said handing it to her.

The guard nodded his head a little as he gave the item to her, before turning and leaving the gardens.

Amelia turned the belt over and over in her hands. It was quite large - placed against her, it would cover the area between her chest and waist easily, plus some - and on the front was a huge blackish gold star, intricately carved with a single jade set into the very centre. Around the rest of the belt, at regular intervals, smaller - although still quite large studs were placed at regular intervals, each studded with a smaller jade stone. With a thicker stip of leather at the top and bottom, and wavy stitches encircling it, attaching the strips to the main belt, it was no wonder it was so heavy.

Still, it matched her outfit perfectly, so Amelia wasn't about to complain. She could guess who the young man had been, and made a mental note to thank him next time she saw him...although she was in no particular hurry at the moment...she had better things to do.

Attaching the heavy belt round her waist, over her sash, she went back to her room for the remainder of the evening, determined to get a good night's sleep before her marathon research task in the morning.

The following morning Amelia was awakened by a light tap at her door, as the door opened Asané entered the room.

"Hey Amelia, sorry if I wakened you, I just wanted to come and help you with your training.... The Queen is going to be busy for quite some time so she's left it to me to help you.... I know you won't be so keen with this, but I think politics is the best option to look into.... Concerning the Galactic Senate, it's almost pointless to teach you any of it as it is mainly all for show, the Senators don't have any real power, not the way they used to in the days of the Old Republic.... I shouldn't really be speaking this way out loud but I'm sure we're safe here.... But it's certainly not a topic for outside the palace.... Is there something concerning politics either on Naboo or the galaxy in general that interests you?" She asked.

Amelia stiffled a yawn as she sat up straighter in bed and made room for her friend to sit down, only just realising that she'd forgotten to change into her night clothes the night before and was still wearing the heavy belt.

That's gonna leave a mark, she thought to herself, making a mental note to remove the offending item when she had a moment. Then she looked back to Asane, only just registering what the handmaiden had said.

"Oh and don't worry about the early start. I think you'll find my alarm's about to go off right about - " She was interupted by the shrill beep of her alarm clock, which she gave a hefty thump to stop. " - now." She finished with a knowing grin.

"As for politics that interest me...I haven't really had a chance to look properly yet, but I am quite interested in the years during Amidala's reign as Queen, then as Senator. Seeing as most of my childhood happened during this time, its all I really know. I used to look up to Amidala as my hero...still do, to be honest. So yeah...that's the area that probably interests me the most...oh and possibly this whole Darkell thing. But the Queen's already explained that to me and we've talked about it a bit too, so I know what that's all about now."

"Yes the Darkell issue is an annoying one.... It's gone on for longer than we had hoped.... Concerning Amidala, there are many gaps in her history.... The best person to speak to concerning it would be Senator Naberrie... She's often compared to her aunt in many ways.... Well, once you feel you have learned enough, you will be sent into the political arena to represent the Queen... Now that will be a challenge.... And a scary one I hate to say.... You will need to know how to answer questions that you have not been spoken to about before hand...." Asané informed her.

Amelia looked at her friend, trying not to look alarmed, but suspecting that she'd just failed miserably.
"Right...spontaneous answers...I can do that...I think...what sort of questions will they be? What will I be doing? Will the Emperor be there? How can I prepare for it?"

She forced herself to stop and looked to Asane sheepishly.

"I'm panicking aren't I?"

"A little..." She laughed, "But I can't deny I would do the same if I were in your position.... It is unpredictable what you could be asked.... Could be something simple or something obscure... But remember, sometimes the Queen herself is not aware of all the answers that she needs.... She is constantly learning more herself... She has to try to keep on top of everything, but at the end of the day, we are only human... Not droids... We can't be expected to remember every little thing.... The most important thing for you to focus on is your confidence... If you look and act confidence then everyone will believe you are...."

She sat down and gave a little sigh, "I hope that you will never have the misfortune of speaking with the Emperor... He can see through anyone... And all he would do is embarrass you by revealing your true identity.... He has been known to do that before..."

"Really?" Amelia asked, partly worried, but also partly angry at what she'd just heard. "But he has no right to do that! It's unfair! Unjust!"

She made a visible effort to control her anger before she continued on.

"Don't worry...I won't let him do that to me...When I was in that dress that past Queens had worn...I felt different somehow...I did feel more confident, and once I got past the nerves, I was actually enjoying myself. If I can do that infront of millions of people, then who is the Emperor to say that I'm not who I am? Even if he does reveal who I really am...I won't let him get to me...that's a promise."

Seeming to have satisfied herself with that little rant, she smiled again and fell silent, waiting to see if Asane had anything more to say on the topic.

"Well it seems you certainly have the nerve for the job of decoy... I doubt the Queen will let you get into the Emperor's presence, even the best of decoys would not be happy to meet with such a man.... Under any circumstance... Right, let us get to work... We will go to the library and look through the records for things that you will need to know... I know it's boring but it will be worth it!" She said smiling as she headed for the door.

"Lead on," Amelia grinned, pulling herself out of bed to follow. She didn't bother taking the belt off, because for the moment it finished off her outfit and she was in no hurry to take off the beautiful robes either. So instead she just pulled on her boots and followed Asane down to the library, grabbing her satchel of belongings on the way.

It seemed like an eternity since she'd last been in her favourite place, so as she walked down the steps towards Asane, she savoured every moment of the sweet scented roses, and the pretty, delicate flowers that showered the pathway with their velvet petals.

Eventually she reached her friend.

"Asane? You said you wanted to see me?"

"Yes, I wanted to speak to you about a few things..... First thing, how is you health? The Professor was a little sketchy on the details...... Though I'm certain everything must be fine if he let you out of his sight..." She laughed a little, though it was clear that she seemed a little nervous about something.

"I'm fine, honestly. Infact I've never felt better," Amelia replied brightly, "The professor gave me this to wear so that he can keep a check on me, and I've gotta go back and see him tomorrow, but yeah...I feel great."

She showed Asane the black wrist device, then picking up on her friend's nervousness, she frowned.

"What? What is it? What's going on Asane?"

"We...... Well.... The investigation is still going on as to who attacked you at your home.... But as of yet we've had little luck..... They can't find anything.... They have checked all of the space ports to see if any unidentified crafts arrived and left the planet recently, but nothing...... So it is most likely that he landed near your home....... So for now the investigators are looking for evidence of this, but considering the vastness of the lake country, it could take some time..... But there's something else...... Some of the Queen's advisers are getting.... Well..... They are pushing her around cause of all this mess, they feel that a danger to your safety is a danger to her own..... Which of course, she sees as nonsense, so they were asking that you are given a leave of absence until everything has blown over..... Which could take.... Well.... Who knows how long it could take?! So instead..... She has come up with..... An idea..... She is going to 'officially' give you a leave of absence..... And also, myself....... We will then go out of the public eye for some time, we will go undercover to Mandalore...... That is where the Bounty Hunters are situated...... Once there, we will infiltrate the the camp and check out the terminals and see if your name or your family's name is on the list...... If it is.... Then we erase it.... Preventing all future problems...... If it is not there, then we know it is something more..... Personal..... It's a dangerous task..... But I offered to help you with it......" She said, still looking concerned but determined.

"Erm...ok," Amelia replied after a moment, struggling to take it all in. "So...so basically, we're just supposed to walk into the bounty hunter camp...look at their computer then leave again? Are you insane! That's impossible! It can't be done!"

She started pacing back and forth, her head in her hands, muttering "It can't be done, it can't be done," before finally halting infront of Asane again.

"Ok, so say we do manage to somehow get into their camp...undetected...we're just supposed to walk up to their computer and erase a load of data that's either gonna be heavily protected, or not there in the first place? It can't be done!"

After another long bout of pacing back and forth, she finally took a deep breath and forced a grin. "Ok, I've got everything to lose, but then, everything to gain...so...when do we start?"

"Well I will report back to the Queen as soon as possible and she will make the arrangements for our 'leave of absence'..... She has also given us a Naboo Starskiff (like Padmé's ship in Episode III :D) to travel with....... Although, in order to sneak into the Mandalorian camp we are also going to have to dress like Bounty Hunters, should problems occur..... It is very dangerous...... But as you said.... We've either for everything to loose or to gain...... But I don't mind taking that risk.... We just have to be careful......."

Asané stood up, readying herself to leave, "Have a good rest tonight, it is likely we shall leave tomorrow night, so that no one will be aware we have left..... The Queen said that her skiff has been moved to a port at the other side of Theed..... It would be too dangerous to use the Queen's personal hangers, would arose too much suspicion.... And no one can know of this..... At this point in time, only you, me and the Queen are aware of this...... A lot is at stake..... If we are captured, the Queen will have to erase any evidence of both you or I ever existing! The Empire has dealings with the Bounty Hunters so they work closely together...... And if she is seen to be working against them, it could spell trouble for the Naboo..... Right.... I really should stop scaring you shouldn't I..... heh...... Okay, well.... We'd best get a good night's sleep! I will contact you in the morning, we'll have to prepare ourselves straight away, but also give the appearance that we are leaving back to our homes for a nice holiday rather than...... This......" Asané clearly looked concerned about the consequences of what they were going to do. She nodded slightly before disappearing off into the palace.

Amelia sat for a few hours in the garden, contemplating everything in her mind. Eventually, she couldn't concentrate anymore and decided to call it a night.

At least she wouldn't be alone...that was the main thing. Still...if she failed...the thought was too unbearable. Her encounter with the intruder at her house had been bad enough. Now she had to go undercover into their camp.

"Still, if I can pull this off, being a decoy will be easy," she told herself as she wandered back up to her guest room for a night in luxury and comfort...Not that her old room wasn't comfy, but it lacked the luxury this new room offered.

When Amelia returned to the palace that evening, she found the Queen alone in the gardens once more, and this time there were no guards or handmaidens, so Amelia didn't need to hide in the shadows.

"Your Highness," she greeted sadly as she joined Verle on the same bench she'd been sitting on earlier. "Please, forgive me for my rudeness earlier this evening. I...I was not myself."

"I did wonder," Verle smiled a little. Then she gazed into Amelia's eyes and sighed. "It didn't go well, did it. The mission."

"We did what we went to do...sort of," Amelia replied as she looked up to the starry sky. "My family's name was in the database, but we could not erase it because they had a back-up copy, so there would have been no point."

"You mentioned that earlier," Verle nodded. "What you didn't tell me, however, was where Asane is, and how you come to be injured."

"I...I ran into a tree," Amelia winced. "We were discovered and had to fight our way out. I didn't look where I was running and ran into a tree."

"Are you alright?" Kylantha seemed genuinely concerned as she placed a hand on Amelia's shoulder. Then she frowned. "You are shaking...what's going on Amelia? You still haven't told me where Asane is, and where you disappeared to tonight."

Amelia took a deep breath, then sighed and forced herself to continue. "Asane's dead. She didn't make it out of the camp. I went to tell her Aunt the new tonight because I thought she should hear it from me, and not someone else. Sorry."

Verle was quiet for a long time as she contemplated Amelia's answer.

"Well..." she said at last. "I knew something had happened from the way you were acting. Like you said, you were not yourself earlier, so I knew something had happened. But I had no idea about Asane...I'm so sorry. Are you alright?"

"I am now that I've spoken to her Aunt," Amelia nodded. Then she looked to Verle. "I promised her I'd pay for her niece's funeral. But...if there is no body, how can you have a funeral?"

"Leave that to me," Verle smiled sadly, patting Amelia's shoulder gently. "You should get some rest. I doubt you've had a chance to since leaving Mandalore, have you?"

Amelia couldn't disagree with this, but was reluctant to go just yet.

"I'm fine," she insisted. "I...I just...I just wanted to say that..." her voice trailed off as she realised she wasn't entirely sure what she actually wanted to say.

"Asane was a wonderful person, Amelia, and she didn't deserve to die. But sometimes these things happen, and there is nothing we can do about it. Don't let it get to you. It's not your fault that she's no longer with us, so don't convince yourself that it is. Grieve for her...attend her funeral...find some closure and then move on. It does not do us well to dwell in our past. We should look to the future and what we can do, not what we didn't do. Go now, and think about that. And if you remember nothing else about what I have said, just remember that it's not your fault. Understand? Asane's death was the will of the Force."

Amelia sat there, listening quietly to this, and when the Queen had finished, she nodded.

"I will," she agreed finally. "Goodnight, Your Highness...and thank you."

Verle just watched in silent admiration as Amelia rose from the seat and took herself back to her room. It had taken tremendous courage to retell such heartbreaking news twice in one evening when she hadn't even recovered from the shock herself, and if she hadn't already had it, she'd certainly have won the Queen's respect now.

Amelia couldn't sleep that night, though not for want of trying. Her mind buzzed with so many things that even though she wanted to, it was impossible to even get so much as a few minutes sleep, let alone a good few hours.

So in the end she left her room in the Palace and wandered down to the gardens. The beautiful array of flowers always helped to calm her mind, and eventually, towards dawn, she realised that she'd actually been sitting out there all night, which wasn't so good, seeing as she had work to do today.

Finally getting up from the bench she'd been sitting on, she pulled her jacket collar up a little and started back into the palace to get changed into her Handmaiden's uniform. Then she set about her chores for the day, and even managed to find time for a little training down in the chambers below the palace. It had been some time, after all, and she felt she needed to brush up on her skills a little.

Then, towards midday, she went for a walk in the marketplace again, in search of some new clothes for her still very boring and mundane wardrobe. All she seemed to possess these days were bland, mundane clothes which made her blend in and to the background, or excessively regal and royal during her service to the Queen. She just needed some ordinary clothes.