Before - Legends What Friends Are For. PreTPM story of 8 yr old Padme and her best friend, a 14 yr old Jedi Padawan

Padme Amidala Skywalker couldn?t remember a time when Summer wasn?t her best friend. She was always with her, at least in spirit. Even though the young Force adept was often on Coruscant at the Jedi temple or off on some Jedi mission, she always made sure to visit. After the Trade Federation fiasco, Summer, then a trained Jedi, came to serve as her Jedi protectress. The young senator had never seen loyalty run so deep. She could remember the first time she?d seen that loyalty in action?


I was extremely giddy. As a usually composed and calm child, even at eight, giddy was something I wasn?t often. But Summer was coming! My totally awesome and amazing best friend who didn?t treat me like a nuisance was returning to Naboo!

I smoothed the front of my simple frock, pale yellow in color, and tucked a loose curl behind my ear. My brown hair was pulled back into two unadorned braids on either side of the back of my neck.

My chocolate eyes scanned the busy landing area of my home planet?s capital Theed. My mother, father, and sister were waiting back at our house. I knew my way around the city well enough to pick Summer up from the port and take her back to my home. Home was only a five-block walk from the bustling main port and Naboo was a safe planet.

Summer was not expecting me to pick her up. The last plan she knew was her parents were picking her up and bringing her back to her home. Instead, my parents were going to bring Summer and me to the orchard just outside Theed that served as the home of Summer?s family and the orphaned boys that attended the school the Kicklighters ran.

A ship took off from the platform next to me and it glided into the air, its silver hull gleaming in the Nubian sun. Reverting my eyes to the ground level, I again searched for my best friend.

Finally, I spotted her, standing on a bridge, facing a sparkling waterfall. Her hands were clasped behind her back in a reflective way. She stood much taller at fourteen than I did since she was six years older than I was. Her gold and amber hair was twisted up onto the back of her head and held in place by a clip. Her stark white Padawan braid hung slightly below her shoulder. Summer wore dark blue pants that fell past her feet so her sandaled heels stepped on the hem of them. She also wore a bright yellow shirt and a brown Jedi cloak was tucked under her arm.

?Summer! Summer, Summer, Summer!? I cried, rushing over to where she stood.

?May!? she returned, turning from her view. She embraced me and twirled me around a little. ?What are you doing here, Squirt??

?Plans changed. We?re taking you to your house,? I smiled brightly as she put me down. ?Where are your bags??

?Back on the shuttle, with my master,? she chuckled. ?They?re about the same size.?

I giggled, ?Can I meet her? Your master, I mean.?

?Of course,? she grabbed my hand, ?Let?s go.?

She escorted me to a platform just a few meters away and to a Jedi shuttle. We walked up the ramp and into the cargo area of the shuttle.

A short green alien with reddish hair and long ears stood next to a bag that was indeed nearly the same size. I had to suppress a laugh in respect for the Jedi Master.

?Master Yaddle, I?m pleased to introduce Miss Padme Naberrie, my best friend since her birth,? Summer smiled.

?Pleased to meet you, I am. Spoke often of you, my Padawan has. Loves you much, she does. Off, you run, Padawan. A good vacation have.?

?Nice to meet you,? Padme offered brightly. Master Yaddle nodded and returned to the passenger area of the shuttle.

Summer bowed to her as she left. ?So May, let?s head off. On to your house, then home sweet home.?

 

Oh goodie, I get first reply!!
That was a very good start. I see a lot of possibles for this story, and hope to see what you have in mind soon!

 

?Summer, it is so nice to see you,? my mother greeted my best friend with a hug.

?It has been much too long, Aunt Jobal,? Summer laughed, returning the hug fiercely. ?Where is Uncle Ruwee??

?He just went to the store to pick up a few things. He should be back to take you girls out to Lolam?s Point soon,? my mother answered, releasing Summer.

?You packed yet, May?? Summer asked me, turning her ever-smiling face to me.

I clapped my hand over my mouth. In all the excitement of Summer?s arrival, I?d forgotten to pack.

?Oops,? Summer giggled for me. ?C?mon. I?ll help you.?

We happily skipped into my bedroom. Summer and I were never happier than when we were together.

?This?? she asked once we were in my room packing, holding a breezy and comfortable dress of mine up.

?Sure,? I answered, grabbing a nightgown out of one of my drawers. ?Summer, what happened to your Padawan braid? It was so long and pretty before.?

Summer grinned, taking the nightgown from me and saying, ?It?s a long story. Think you have time??

?Sure. We still have a few things to pack,? I answered.

?Okay. A few months ago I was fighting a young Jedi Padawan, Obi-Wan Kenobi, in a practice duel. He is a few years older than I am. Very handsome,? she smiled. ?He is very good with the lightsaber. I had to work hard to keep him at bay. During a particularly cool spin, the long annoyance got in the way of my lightsaber. Off went the end of it and now it is white and will be for the rest of my life.?

I giggled, holding a hand to my lips to stop me from laughing. She looked at me with mock anger and tackled me to the bed.

?You find that funny do you?? she asked, giving me her evil chuckle and tickling me.

I heard my giggles turn into screaming laughs as I fought her off. I could barely breath I was laughing so hard.

?Summy! Stop!? I screeched, struggling and twisting in her arms. Her body contorted with laughs and she let me go, rolling onto her back on my bed to regain her composure. I joined her, my sides hurting from laughing.

?That?ll teach you, little miss May,? she gasped for air.

?Sorry,? I managed. ?Didn?t know you were so sensitive on the subject.?

She smirked, sighing heavily. Summer closed her brown eyes. She seemed happy and content, which made me so. I rolled closer to her, snuggling up to her side. I felt at ease. Something about her made me feel safe.

?I?m happy you?re back, Summer. I missed you,? I yawned. The tickling had worn me out.

?I missed you, too, Padme,? she answered, twisting one of my braids in her fingers. ?Coruscant is just plain boring and busy. It?s ugly and dirty. No fun without my best bud.?

?Girls! Padme, your father?s here to take you girls out to Lolam?s Point,? my mom called to us.

Jumping up and slamming my case shut, I picked it up and took off to my dad waiting outside. Summer was right behind me.

?Ahhhh. Padawan Kicklighter, you have grown up,? my father smiled when we reached him. ?What Jedi trick makes you so tall??

?Hello, Uncle Ruwee,? Summer laughed, giving my dad a tight hug. ?It?s good to see you. Where?s Sola? I?m sure my brother would love for her to stop by.?

I giggled. Summer?s brother had a crush on my sister. His name was Bola, which rhymes with Sola, something Summer and I teased them mercilessly about.

My dad chuckled wholeheartedly. ?I?m sure he would, but I do believe she is off seeing another of her admirers today.?

?Bola will be very jealous,? Summer said faux-sternly. Then her sternness melted away and she shrugged lightheartedly. ?Since when have I worried about my big brother??

?Never,? I snorted, lifting my case into the speeder with a grunt.

?Smart girl,? Summer commented, picking me up and plopping me in the back of the roofless speeder.

?Hey!? I objected. ?I can get myself in.?

?Sorry, May. I forgot you went and grew up on me while I was gone,? Summer apologized, hopping over the speeder side and landing right next to me. ?Coming Uncle Ruwee? Or do I have

 

c'mon people! UP

 

This is a really great story. I've never read a story where Padme was so young before. Please continue.

 

Summer?s father greeted us at the entrance to Lolam?s Point. Summer jumped out of the speeder and embraced her father tightly.

?Papa! I?ve missed you so much!? Summer cried.

Hyor Kicklighter was a hulking man with golden brown hair and amber brown eyes, just like his youngest daughter. He had a deep laugh and a big smile that always made me feel right at home.

?How are you doing, Padme?? he asked, releasing his daughter and climbing into the front seat of the speeder with my dad.

?Good, sir,? I answered as Summer plopped back down next to me.

?That?s good. Looking forward to your visit? The boys have been a bit rowdy recently. Pay them no mind. They?re just boys having their fun. Summer, Tant Jatal is very excited about your visit,? Uncle Hyor spouted.

Summer blushed. I giggled. Tant Jatal had a crush on Summer and wouldn?t leave her alone. He was one of the boys at the orphanage, so he was there every time Summer visited.

?Oh no. Papa, can?t you just tell him to stay away from me?? she asked, looking at me helplessly.

?That would be rude,? Uncle Hyor laughed. ?And it would ruin the rest of the house?s fun. Why would I want to do that??

?Because I?m your favorite daughter?? she offered sweetly, leaning forward so she was right next to his headrest and planting a kiss on his cheek.

He chuckled. ?You think you have me so wrapped around your finger, don?t you??

?Of course you are. I?m a daddy?s girl, you are supposed to be wrapped around my finger,? she answered innocently with a bright smile.

?Yes, well, maybe you are right, but I?m not telling Tant to stay away from you. He knows the Jedi rules, that should keep him away.?

?Easy for you to say,? she answered, leaning back as my father neared the main house at Lolam?s Point, her arms crossed her chest angrily.

?You could use a Jedi mind trick on him,? I teased as my dad stopped in front of the large main house.

I thought the main house was the most beautiful thing I?d ever seen, and I spent most of my life in Theed, a city of beauty itself. Uncle Hyor himself made it of white stones from the mountains even farther south, along with a couple of workers. It stood on the peak of one of the tallest hills in the area, surveying the acreage it was the center of. The house stood four stories tall with a roof tiled with the same teal-green tiles as the palace in Theed. The multiple windows were open on every sunny day and the noises of a house full of children came out on the breeze. Vines climbed all over the house and a porch with great white pillars stood in front. Three similar buildings surrounded it. The largest was the barn where all the crops were stored and the boys? menagerie of pets was kept. The second was a schoolhouse where Uncle Hyor taught the residents of Lolam?s Point their lessons. The smallest was the guesthouse for when travelers who didn?t wish to spend all of their time amongst at least ten children came to visit. Wild flower fields reached to the south and the crop fields to the east. The north and south were home to the gigantic orchards Lolam?s Point was known for. As much as Summer and I tried to cover every meter of territory in the orchards, we still had yet to do so.

?I wish, but I don?t think there is a Jedi mind trick to keep away unwanted suitors. At least, Master Yaddle hasn?t taught me that yet,? Summer answered, breaking me from my reverie.

?Everybody out,? Uncle Hyor boomed. ?Anya! Bola! Kayl! Summer?s here! We need help with the bags.?

Aunt Anya was the first out of the door and she rushed over to Summer and engulfed her in a hug, crying. ?My little girl is home!?

Summer?s mother was a hearty woman who I had only ever seen in the kitchen or cleaning the house or tending to someone?s needs. She had white hair, though she wasn?t elderly, and green eyes like Summer?s sister Kayl.

Kayl was the next to hug Summer. She was my sister Sola?s age, sixteen, and had bright red hair, like her brother. Kayl and Sola were good friends as well, though not as clos

 

uppppp

 

UP!!!!!!!

 

up once again. No more chapters until I get some response!!

 

Fine. Here you go.


We woke the next morning, dressed and ate quickly, and were out in the orchards before the hour was over. Summer and I walked together, talking over what had happened since we last spoke. Occasionally she would reach up and grab an early ripe fruit off of the tree, splitting it in half and handing one to me. The harvest started in two days. When it was over, Summer had to go back to Coruscant. That was the way it went every year. Neer and Hena ran ahead of us, swinging on the low branches and playing tag among the tall tegan fruit trees. Pan, a boy just a year younger than I, joined them. It had been awhile since the last fruit she pulled down and even longer since breakfast. My stomach rebelled and made its hunger known.

Summer looked down at me and cocked an eyebrow. "You are pretty hungry for a little lady."

"I am a growing little lady," I retorted with a smile.

"Let me guess... you want a tegan, and you want me to go get it for you since the early ones are all on the top now?" she grinned at me.

I batted my brown eyes at her and mewed, "Please, Summy."

She shook her head and flipped her Padawan braid back, pushing up the sleeves of the light sundress she wore. Grabbing onto a low hanging branch, she swung herself up and began to scurry up the tree, a flash of lavender.

"You can't climb the tree?" Pan sneered, coming up to my right and watching Summer in the tree.

My cheeks flushed red with embarrassment and anger and I said lowly, "No."

"How old are you?" he laughed.

"Eight," I answered indignantly.

He snickered even more and hopped onto the lower branch. "I'm a year younger and I can climb. I've been doing it forever. You are such a baby."

I narrowed my eyes and felt my bottom lip begin to quiver involuntarily. "I am not!"

"Yes you are. Look, you are crying!"

"Nuh-huh."

"Spoiled city girl," he said with a wicked grin and took off to catch up with Neer and Hena.

I swiped the lone tear from my cheek before Summer could get back and watched him leave angrily.

"Hey you, why the angry look?" Summer asked as she dropped down in front of me.

"Nothing," I answered quickly, grinning again and taking her hand.

"You sure? You know you can tell me anything."

"Of course. I don't ever hide anything from you," I admonished, elbowing her in the stomach.

"Good," she said gruffly, handing me the tegan, split in half. I received the larger half as she always gave me.

"What do you want to do now?" I asked.

"Hmmmm, I'll race you to the pond?" she offered with delight in her eye.

"But you'll win. You're bigger!" I protested as we walked along. I brought the tegan to my mouth and took a bite, the juice running out of my mouth and down my chin. Our arms swung in unison.

"Then I'll run like this," she said, letting go of my hand and going down on her knees, trying to walk very fast on them.

I laughed uncontrollably and the tegan went flying from my mouth.

"Pretty," Summer commented dryly before breaking into chuckles she had no power over. "You seem to do everything prettily," she managed between laughs.

I took a deep breath to control myself and then heard a rustling in the bushes. Neer, Hena, and Pan were far ahead, out of hearing distance but still in sight. I laid a hand on Summer's forearm to calm her. She quieted down and closed her honey eyes, stretching her senses.

She stepped over to a nearby bush and stuck her hand in, fishing for something. Her catch was a young, flustered looking Gungan.

"A Gungan?" I asked. "What is a Gungan doing so far from the lakes?"

"Hey-lo! Meesa Jar-Jar. Meesa lost," his long, narrow face turned from exuberant to downtrodden. "Meesa can't find meesa Papie!"

Summer gave an exasperated sigh and I giggled.

"Which direction did you come from?" Summer asked patiently.

"Thatsa one! No! Wait! Over there! No!" he said, pointing in all directions, his ears flopping around. "Sorries. Who yousa?"

"This is Summer. And I am May," I answered brightly, amused by this creature.

Summer shot me

 

Awwwwwww, how sweet!

This is the first story I found that has padme at this age.

In the future of this fic, does Summer Die fighting darthmaul, or does she help kick his a$$ with obi and qui?

Loves this, so *Bumps it up*

 

nah, she doesn't die. She kicks ass in the Clone Wars, but that's a different story. The sequel to this story, which will be posted as soon as I finish posting this one, is set after Episode 3 and tells the story of Padme and Leia parting ways. Summer plays an integral role.

 

Author?s Note: We are nearing the end, folks. 2, maybe 3 chapters left, not including this one. Ummmm, well, I uh, just realized, coming back to write this Author?s Note that I wrote this chapter in third person. Don?t ask how I was so freaking confused that I forgot to write in first. But this chapter is better written in third, I think, because you get to see what all is going on in all of this. Next chapter will be back from Padme?s point of view. Sorry.


Night fell whispering on Lolam?s Point. Out in the orchards, nocturnal insects and birds began their symphony. The stars were out in full force, not masked by the deceiving clouds lingering at the edge of the horizon. A lone little girl slipped out of the big house on the hill, a pastel blue dress clinging to her tiny frame as she ran noiselessly towards the orchards behind the house. Her hair was a long, dark brown reaching nearly to her waist, flying freely around her. She had spent the day playing in the wild flower fields and a bit of fatigue weighed down her small shoulders. Summer assured her she didn?t have to climb that tree, but the little girl, who went by Padme, was determined. And as Summer was about to discover, she had a stubborn streak deeper than Lake Theed.

Nearly breathless now, Padme stopped beside the same tree Pan teased her about the day before. In the dark it looked even more intimidating. The curving spires of the sylvan castle played dark against the midnight blue sky and the leaves and hanging fruit cast shadows not of this existence against the ground and other branches. Padme swallowed hard.

?Now or never, Padme,? she whispered to herself, her small voice echoing through the quiet orchard. Her soft fingernails dug into the bark and the little muscles in her upper body tensed as she pulled herself up higher, swinging a leg onto a low branch and barely making it.

She grunted and sighed with effort, shakily standing so both nerf leather soft boots stood, one in front of the other, on the narrow branch. Blowing air out of her small and chubby lips, she repeated the steps again and again. For her small body, this was a time consuming process.

Everyone in the big house slept as Padme toiled, and no one, not even the stubborn little girl herself, saw those deceiving clouds on the horizon begin to tumble that way, rearing their ugly thundercloud heads. The storm was quickly upon them, thunder shaking the roots of even the old tegan trees. By this time Padme was near the top of the tree and she clung to it for dear life. Her pale dress was plastered to her with rain. Frightened tears fell down her round face, but she couldn?t cry out or even speak. She was utterly terrified.

Back in the sturdy old house, many of the inhabitants were waking in the storm?s noise. The younger boys cried out in fear and ran to knock on Professor Kicklighter and Mama Kicklighter?s door. The older boys huddled underneath their covers. Kayl Kicklighter emerged from her room and went to cuddle the young ones and try to ease their fear. Summer Kicklighter woke up utterly terrified.

She immediately knew the feeling was not her own.

?May, there is nothing to be afraid of,? she soothed, leaning down to assure the little one.

But to Summer?s horrible surprise, Padme Naberrie was not in her bed.

?May!? she cried. ?May! Padme!?

There was no answer. Summer stretched out with her Force skills and found Padme was not within range. She could feel her vaguely, could feel the terror radiating off of her, but Summer could not pinpoint the place. She climbed out of bed, throwing her Jedi robe around her shoulders and scrambled out of her window so her parents wouldn?t see her.

Lightning illuminated her entire field of vision and only with her Jedi calming did she keep from flinching. A thunderclap shattered her eardrums. She hopped off of the vines on the wall a few meters from the ground. She took off sprinting in the general direction of Padme. At the edge of the southern orchard, she felt a vaguely familiar fear in the bushes. I

 

up!

 

up again....

 

The only reminiscences of the storm were the occasional roll of thunder in the distance. I sighed and drew the warm blanket closer around me and cautiously stood on my lower bed, peeking at Summer who looked asleep. Suddenly her good arm moved and she patted me on the head.

?Come on up,? she smiled.

Letting the blanket fall, I wordlessly ascended the bed and curled next to her. Seeing her right arm in a sling, I shuddered. I remembered the horrid crack of the branch and the thud of her body hitting the wet soil. Her arm had been bent so unnaturally!

Later, Uncle Hyor said she?d broken her collarbone and she?d be fine in a few weeks. Even sooner once she got back to the Jedi healers. I repeated this to her.

?Your dad says your Jedi healers can fix you as soon as you get back,? I whispered.

?They can, but they won?t. My master will want it to heal naturally, as a lesson. I kind of want the same thing.?

?A lesson?? I questioned, sitting up and looking into her honey brown eyes.

?Yes,? she sighed with a grin. ?A lesson. To remain aware of my surroundings at all times.?

?I?m sorry,? I said, fighting the tears out of my eyes.

?For what??

?Climbing the tree and getting stuck. Making you come after me. Making you fall and break your collarbone,? I answered, huge tears slipping slowly down my cheeks.

?Oh, May!? she cried, wrapping her left arm around me and pulling me very close.

?Please don?t ever think that it is your fault! I was saving your life, and with that stubborn streak of yours, it won?t be the last time, either. I love you, my little queen, and I?m going to take care of you no matter what,? she cried.

?Always and forever??

?No matter what.?

?Papa?s taking me on with him on another refugee mission after you leave,? I said softly, snuggling into her. ?I?m excited.?

She laughed, a rumbling rising from her chest against my ear.

?And for that reason you are going to make a wonderful Queen of the Naboo someday. When you are, may I come and visit you in the palace??

?Of course,? I giggled.

?Good. Don?t forget, ?cause I?m gonna hold you to this. One day you?ll be sitting up in Theed Palace settling disputes between two farmers and I?ll just mosey on in and make myself at home.?

?That would be wonderful, Summy,? I laughed, reaching up and tugging her Padawan braid. ?Though I know you?ll never do it.?

?Don?t be so sure,? she teased brightly.

I laughed so much my sides hurt and then sighed, feeling the rise and fall of Summer?s chest.

?Can I sleep up here tonight?? I asked quietly.

?I?d already assumed you were,? she answered.

?Thank you. Goodnight, Summy. Thank you for saving me.?

?You?re welcome. Don?t forget I?d take a hit for Naboo?s future leader any day.?

?I love you, Summer.?

?I love you, too, Padmé.?

Within moments I faded into a warm and happy slumber.

Author?s Note:
Just the epilogue left after this. This was really really short, I know, but there wasn?t much else to be said. Review review review and you?ll get your epilogue soon!

 

awwww...that's sooo cute.....so sweet...i look foward to the next post!!

 

THE FINAL CHAPTER??. Set seven years in the future???


I stepped into the receiving room, sorry I hadn?t been able to change out of my hindering royal robes before meeting my Jedi guest. The Jedi didn?t give a name, but my heart knew who it was. My heart seemed fuller now than it had been in a very long time.

Crimson fabric fell off of me to the floor, deep purple trim tracing intricate ceremonial designs. Today at least my hair was done more simply than usual. It was separated into three braids, those in turn braided together, then twisted into a bun on top of my head.

The Jedi stood at the window, legs shoulder width apart and hands clasped behind the back. The window viewed a waterfall that was located next to the spaceport. My memory was immediately turned to a day seven years prior, the same waterfall and the same stance, the same Jedi down to the hairstyle and cloak draped over one arm. A few notable differences could be noticed. The clothes of course were different; this time she wore a black shirt and dark gray trousers with combat-appropriate nerf-leather boots. As well, a sloppily wrapped gift rested next to her foot. Her Padawan braid was missing.

?I knew it was you,? I announced my presence softly.

?You know many things, Your Majesty. You are beyond your years. Can you read my mind?? came the sober response. She didn?t turn.

I held back a laugh and played along. ?No, that is your job, Madame Jedi. What are you thinking??

?I am remembering, Queen Amidala. Remembering a day and a waterfall very similar to this one. And a very special girl who has gone and grown into an amazing young woman on me.?

?My thoughts were very similar,? I smiled.

?It has been a too long since I have seen this young woman.?

?And what is this young woman?s name?? I asked, walking to stand next to her, the beaded fringe of my gown clinking on the ground.

?She preferred for me to call her May, though she has gone by many names in her life.?

?It HAS been too long, Summer,? I cried, ending the game and throwing my arms around her neck. She returned my hug fiercely, kissing my forehead. ?And hopefully this visit will be less painful than the one you are remembering.?

?Oh, I don?t know,? she laughed, releasing me. She pulled on the collar of her shirt and showed me a collarbone scar. ?I wear my badge of duty to my queen with pride. If it wasn?t for it, you wouldn?t be here.?

?You will never let me live that down, will you??

She looked as if she contemplated this for a moment. Sliding her arms around me, she replied, ?Nope.?

We both laughed, the mixture of our laughter echoing through the grand ceiling-ed room and causing a wave of security to pass over us.

?I missed you, my little May. I cannot believe it has been so long. I missed your fifteenth birthday!?

?Oh, it was only a little while ago. It doesn?t matter,? I blushed.

?Nonsense. I didn?t even send a greeting. What a horrible friend I am! And I cannot believe I was gone when you came to Coruscant. To make it up, I have two gifts for you.? She stooped to scoop up the gift on the ground. She handed it to me. ?I wrapped it myself, hence the messiness. Now this isn?t much for Queen Amidala of the Naboo, but I thought it would mean a lot to my little May.?

?Summy, you shouldn?t have,? I protested while tearing the paper. Inside was an air-sealed bag with Summer?s stark white Padawan braid.

?Now before you ask, it is a Jedi tradition to give your braid to the person who has had the largest influence on your life. Most Padawans give it to their masters, but Master Yaddle told me not to, because it wouldn?t be true. We both knew it belongs to you. Besides, you are the one who liked to tug on it.? She ended with a grin.

It was the most meaningful gift I?d ever received. Clutching it to my chest I hugged her tightly.

?Thank you! This means so much to me. You really shouldn?t-?

She cut me off with a finger to my lips. ?I should?ve. So, now for gift number two, which will probably mean more to th

 

upppppp

 

up again..... c'mon guys.

 

up for the final time. i'll be posting the sequel on the Saga forum soon. I'll include a link later

 

That was ssssssssoooooooo Adorable!!! I loved it!!! I'll be sure to watch for the sequel. My sister loves it too, its to cute!!!

 

For the few of you who enjoyed this, the sequel has been posted.
http://boards.theforce.net/message.asp?topic=11927841&start=11931539
Please check it out.