Duty of a Handmaiden

Summary: A young woman of Naboo is hired to become Senator Amidala's bodyguard. She fits all the requirements – looks, intelligence, loyalty. But can she perform her duty when faced with a moral question that divides the entire galaxy? (originally Premonitions of a Handmaiden)

Rating: K+ for the most part, but T a little later on

Genre: mystery ; friendship ; hurt/comfort ; angst (mostly emotional, but a bit physical) ; romance

Canon Character(s): Master Obi-Wan Kenobi (38); Jedi Anakin Skywalker (22) ; Darth Sidious/Chancellor Palpatine ; Senator Padmé Amidala (27)

OC Character(s): Anali Yané

Set During: RotS

Note: In this fic, my OC really isn't an OC; I kinda just took one of the real characters who really didn't do anything in TPM and sorta . . . made her my own. Just thought I should explain that. Her identity will be revealed as the story moves along. And, as mentioned in the summary, this story was originally called "Premonitions of a Handmaiden" and the one-shot from that is something that my friend posted (against my will, but nonetheless posted).

Prologue

"I'm concerned for Senator Amidala's safety."

A sigh. "She never takes anything seriously when it comes to her safety. To her, anything is worth it for helping her people."

"Still, she needs protection."

"What about the Jedi?"

"They are spread too thin to be of much help in this matter. Nor would Senator Amidala would appreciate having visible increased security when it is obvious that the citizens need the help of the Order more than she does."

"She has always been a stubborn one."

"Do you have any recommendations as to what can be done?"

"You really think she's in that much danger?"

"Yes."

"Then if this is your last recourse, I would suggest you hire a bounty hunter."

"A bounty hunter? They'd sooner slice off Senator Amidala's head and give it to Count Dooku and General Grievous than protect her! They are not in any way trustworthy. She would be too tempting a target for any of them to resist."

"Here's where you are wrong."

"How so? No bounty hunter would ever consent to protect a Senator."

"I was not speaking of bounty hunters in general, Captain; I had a particular one in mind."

"Who?"

"She's called the Silent Shadow. Surely you have heard of her?"

"No."

"I didn't think so. She wouldn't do the kind of things that would get her into the Holonews. . . Bloody war takes up all the reports."

"Why? What does she do?"

"The Silent Shadow specializes in utilizing bounty hunter techniques to capture Separatist scum. You wouldn't have heard of her, though; although she's extremely successful, she prefers to remain anonymous. No one's ever seen her out of her armor, though."

"Then how do you know she's a she?"

"Because she used to be a handmaiden, that's why."

"A handmaiden? To who?"

"To Queen Amidala. During the Naboo blockade. But don't believe me. Go and find her yourself."

"What's her real name?"

"Rumor has it that her real name is Anali Yané."