clonewarsreturns:

whutotthewhut:

nightbloomers:

Queen Apailana at Padmé’s funeral in Revenge of the Sith (2005)

Let me take just a quick moment to fawn over this glorious woman. Queen Apailana of Naboo was supported by Padme Amidala herself in her bid for the throne.

She won and began her reign at the age of twelve as one of the youngest rulers in Naboo’s history, two years younger than Amidala when she took the throne. Her greatest desire was to be an exceptional queen like Amidala and Jamillia before her.

Her reign was marked by the end of the Clone Wars in 19 BBY, the same year she turned thirteen, and the same year her long time friend and mentor, Padme, died. Even as she mourned, Apailana did not swallow the story given by the Empire and Palpatine that Padme was murdered by the Jedi (somewhat ironic as Anakin was at fault) though she maintained a facade of loyalty to protect her people.

In reality, her faith in Padme led her to defy Order 66. Stating that towards “ the end of her life, [Padme] still had faith in the Jedi… I still think of the Jedi as friends” and she secretly harbored Jedi who fled persecution and death. 

In the face of the new Empire and Emperor, and after her own ambassadors had been murdered or mutilated, Apailana chose to prepare her home world for the prospect of war. When it was found that she was indeed harboring Jedi to spare them from Order 66, Darth Vader himself ordered the 501st legion to kill her.

What resulted was a small battle, with Apailana, armed with a blaster, fleeing with several of the Jedi she had shielded. Each acting as a bodyguard to the young Queen either out of thanks for her kindness or a sense of greater duty. 

She was shot by sniper rifle, dying outside of the royal palace, her people could do nothing but watch. 

Apailana was fourteen years old. The same age Padme Amidala had been when she ascended to the throne.

The Jedi who were with her perished as well and the remaining ones on Naboo were hunted down and exterminated shortly after. Naboo was brought to heel by the Empire and placed a puppet Queen on the throne to keep the planet in check for years to come.

A child ruler who, emboldened by the women who came before her, and to honor a dear friend’s spirit after death, stood in the face of an Empire and wouldn’t back down.

May you find peace in the Force, Apailana, fierce Queen of Naboo.

Wow. Truly beautiful