Site hosted by Angelfire.com: Build your free website today!
l 01 l 02 l 03 l 04 l 05 l

Chosen to Rise, Destined to Fall
Chapter One: The Secret Union--

In the Lake Country of the soft, lush planet of Naboo, two beings were wed under the setting sun. Anakin Skywalker, a headstrong twenty-year old Jedi Padawan and Padme Amidala Naberrie, an equally headstrong and defiant young woman in the Galactic Senate.

After exchanging vows from a Naboo holy man, they shared a deep, passionate kiss. They broke apart slowly and turned to look towards the lake. The orange setting sun made the lake glisten and the landscape was rich in color.

Padme grabbed Anakin’s left hand and entwined her fingers with his. His right arm was now a golden mechanical droid arm. He didn’t like to talk about his arm much or how he lost it. The memories were sharp and painful and caused him a lot of anger.

Two druids stood in the background as their matrimonial witnesses. No one else was present. If anyone knew about their secret wedding, Anakin would be forced to leave the Jedi Order and Padme would then be known as the woman who had corrupted a Jedi.

Everyone knew that Jedi were forbidden to marry, but that didn’t stop them from anything that day. They had hidden their relationship from just about everyone. From the Senate, the Jedi Council, and especially Anakin’s master, Obi-Wan Kenobi. They had no choice but to hide it.

They stood there for a long while looking at the everlasting beauty of the lake. They holy man and the druids had already left. Anakin and Padme wanted this memory to last forever, but they knew that that could never be possible.

Sooner of later, someone will find out about them. Someone with the audacity and the hate to bring them down. Someone who wants to see them suffer the consequences. Someone, just someone.

“So,” said Padme. She looked up at Anakin and smiled. “How does it feel?”

He looked at her quickly. “My arm?” he asked her in a semi-angry voice.

“No,” she said, quickly defending herself. “I just wanted to know how being married feels.” She wished that the subject of his arm hadn’t been touched upon.

Anakin’s anger quickly faded. He looked at her and couldn’t help but smile at her. He loved the way the setting sun radiated off her striking features. He loved the way her eyes sparkled when she looked at him and how her dress swished when she moved closer to him.

“What is it?” Padme asked, bringing Anakin to his senses. She looked at him with concern. Ever since the events on Geonosis, he had been a bit disoriented. It was like he had other things on his mind.

“It’s nothing,” he said. She looked at him skeptically for a moment. He smiled coyly at her. “I just…I love you.”

She returned the smile back at him. “Well, I knew that. Or else you wouldn’t be here with me right now, would you?”

“No, I guess not,” he said, failing to stifle a laugh. He turned to look back at the lake again. He sighed. “It’s getting dark now. We should head back inside now.” He led her towards the main building of the resort. She followed suit.

Inside the air was cool and crisp and smelled of food wafting in from the kitchens. Anakin and Padme retreated to the dining room ready to eat. They sat down at the table across form each other.

A minute later, Teckla and Nandi, the resort waitresses, came striding in bringing with them the food to serve to the two newlyweds.

They ate their dinner slowly to savor the moment of their wedding night. They didn’t speak much throughout the entire. They were too busy thinking about each other and the day’s events. The two of them were looking forward to spending the rest of their lives as one entity and starting a family of their own, a life of their own.

When the food was consumed and the table was cleared, Anakin and Padme retired to the bedroom to get some rest. The day had been tiring and emotionally exhausting.

For the next few days, it will be Anakin’s job to stay on Naboo and protect the Senator, unless notified. But, little did he know that he would end up marrying her as soon as they arrived.

He had been dreaming about her for the past ten years, ever since he had left her after the Battle of Naboo. Now his dreams were finally coming true. He was going to spend the rest of his life with the woman he loved.

While lying in bed, Padme was thinking about what was to come. Would someone find out about Anakin and I? Will he still be with me 10 years from now? Will we have a family of our own to share?

She knew that none of these questions could be answered. Not yet, anyway. Not until the time comes can the answers be revealed. Padme silently responded to her own questions. She fell into an uneasy sleep next to her husband.

Meanwhile, Anakin was thinking about his duties (surprising isn’t it). Had he overstepped his boundaries of a Jedi Padawan? Yes, he answered to himself. If Obi-Wan ever found out about the secret union, he was sure that the Jedi Council would be notified of it.

He was sure that Obi-Wan’s jealousy of him would play a huge factor in him leaving the Order. Anakin believed that Obi-Wan was jealous of his talents. He believe

d it strongly. He didn’t like to think about what would happen to them if the Council found out about everything, so he started thinking about Padme. He was happy to be with her now, but he knew that sooner or later, he would have to leave her to continue his training.

But tonight was their wedding night and he wanted to concentrate on Padme and nothing but Padme.

Chosen To Rise, Destined To Fall
Chapter Two: The Unwanted Messenger Rated: PG/PG-13

The bright morning sunshine struck through the windows and lit up the bedroom where Anakin and Padme sat on the bed.

“Padme, I was thinking,” said Anakin very sincerely. “Do you think that we should tell your family about us? I feel like we should be honest to them.”

Padme nodded in agreement. “I don’t like to keep things from my family. Telling them would surely be a step in the right direction. We don’t have to keep our relationship from everyone.”

“When should we tell them?” he asked solemnly. “We shouldn’t wait too long.” Padme looked at him carefully. “I’ve never known you to be rational before. You’ve changed these past few days.” “It’s not that,” he said truthfully. “I’d just rather be here with you than on another mission with Ob-Wan or facing the Council.”

She laughed nervously. She’d rather have Anakin here on Naboo with her that anywhere else in the vast galaxy. But she knew that her new husband had other duties to fulfill.

Just as Padme left the room to get dressed, R2-D2 rolled into the bedroom

coming towards Anakin. Artoo was beeping profusely. Anakin stood up quickly. “What is it, Artoo?” Just then a hologram appeared facing him. The image was that of Anakin’s master, Obi-Wan. He felt his stomach drop.

“Anakin?” Obi-Wan asked. “Where are you?”

“I’m on Naboo like I was instructed, Master,” he said. He was hoping that Padme would stay where she was and not enter the room at that moment. “I was escorting Senator Amidala home.”

“The Jedi Council have scheduled a meeting with you,” said Ob-Wan. Anakin stiffened at his master’s words. “To discuss the trials,” he finished.

Anakin breathed a sigh of relief. The hologram flickered but Obi-Wan still continued to speak. “I need you back here on Coruscant as soon as possible.”

“How about tomorrow, Master?” the Padawan asked.

Obi-Wan looked at Anakin with a master’s concern. “I was expecting you to be back here today.”

“I have other things to attend to, Master. It’s not all about you or the Council.” Anakin regretted his comments as soon as they had left his mouth. Sometimes his anger got the best of him.

“What did you say to me?” Ob-Wan said sternly. He didn’t like the tone in Anakin’s voice. It showed no respect.

“Sorry, Master,” said Anakin.

“What is more important than the Jedi Council? What could possibly interfere with your training?” He paused for effect. “Don’t let your emotions get the better of you, my young Padawan.”

“It is important,” said Anakin, speaking truthfully. “Believe me. I will be there tomorrow, I promise you that. Trust me on this.”

“You are becoming a bit unreliable these days, Anakin.” He sighed a collective sigh. “I must go now. May the Force be with you.”

“May the Force be with you,” Anakin replied back. The holographic image of Obi-Wan died and the droid rolled back out of the room. Anakin sat back down on the bed. He didn’t want to leave Padme, but he knew what he must do. At least he had all day today to spend with her.

A few moments later, Padme came back into the bedroom chamber in her Senatorial wardrobe. She was wearing a simple dress, for a Senator at least. The color was deep blue and the cut was very medieval-type, with it’s puffed sleeves and a low neckline. The bodice was beaded and her hair was pulled up away from her face.

She walked over to Anakin, whose face showed a look of both anger and sadness. She hesitated a bit before sitting down next to him. She looked at him with deep concern, “What’s wrong, Ani?”

He sighed deeply. “Master Obi-Wan wants me back on Coruscant. He says that the Council would like a meeting with me.” Padme’s eyes widened. “Do they suspect anything?”

Anakin shook his head. “I doubt it. The Council’s ability to use the Force is dying, remember? My master says that they would like to discuss the trials.”

Padme’s face brightened at the sound of his words. “But Anakin, that’s great! I know that you can pass. You are one of the most gifted Jedi that I have had the privilege of knowing.”

“But it means leaving you, Padme,” he protested. “I don’t want to leave you. What if something happens while I’m gone?"

She looked at him very sincerely. She didn’t want him to pass up on his dreams just because of her. Anakin had abilities that most Jedi don’t achieve. Padme didn’t like the idea of him wasting his talents. “Nothing will happen. Trust me. I can stay with my family while you go to Coruscant. I will be safe there.”

“Just don’t go outside alone, that’s all. There have been far too many attempts on your life for me to leave you unprotected.”

“I will be fine,” she assured him. “Anakin, we’d better leave soon. I will get my things ready and then we will be on our way.”

Anakin didn’t reply back. He wanted to make this day last, because he might not know when he will see her next. As a Senator, she was constantly busy and as a Padawan, he was always on some distant planet working on certain assignments.

Even though Anakin did not want to leave Padme, he was worried about the reactions of her parents and her older sister. He had only met her family once before. He wasn’t sure how warm their reception would be towards him when they find out.

He had no time to dwell on ant of this, because Padme kept nagging him to get his things packed. When Anakin told her that he had nothing to pack, she just sighed and told him to come and help her with her packing. He blanked the negative thoughts swirling through his mind out of his head, because all he wanted to do was to make Padme happy.

Chosen To Rise, Destined To Fall
Chapter Three: Anger Management--

To get to the house that belonged to Padme's family, Anakin and Padme had to use a water speeder to cross the vast lake.

The driver, Paddy Accu, drove the speeder faster, making the water spray lightly on their faces. This was Anakin's second ride in the speeder and he enjoyed it just as much as the first time.

It didn't take long for the speeder to reach the other shore. The boat docked and Anakin climbed out while Paddy handed him the suitcases. After the luggage had been set on the dock, Anakin offered his hand to Padme. She accepted and he helped her out of the boat.

They grabbed her belongings while the water speeder sped off in the distance. Anakin and Padme walked in the direction of a familiar house not to far off.

It only took a couple of minutes to reach the house. Anakin wasn't as nervous about meeting her family as he was the first time. But, the thought of what was to come brought back some of those nerves.

Padme led Anakin inside the house. The air smelled of breakfast cooking in the kitchen, which was occupied by her mother Jobal and Padme's older sister, Sola.

"Padme!" her mother shouted. An iron pot fell to the floor. Sola turned quickly around to see her mother rushing towards Padme and embracing her in a motherly hug. "We've been so worried about you. Queen Jamilla informed us about the events on Geonosis. You could have died!"

"But I didn't, Mom. I'm here and I'm fine," she reassured her mother. "Where is Dad?" she asked, looking around for a sign of her mother.

"In his study, I think," Sola informed. "Ryoo and Pooja are in Theed with their father," she said explaining the whereabouts of her two children. "Breakfast should be done any minute now." She turned to Anakin. " It's nice to meet you again, Anakin. You two should go into the dining room while we clean up." She gave her sister a sly grin before returning to her kitchen duties.

After a few minutes, breakfast in the Naberrie household was served. The dishes were all unfamiliar to Anakin, but they certainly looked delicious. Padme's father, Ruwee, greeted his daughter and Anakin, before leading them in saying grace.

The breakfast was mouth-watering. It was warm and tasty. Just as good as dinner, Anakin complemented in his mind.

When the food was devoured and the table was cleared, Padme led Anakin to and her family to the sitting room. "I have something to say to you all," she stated, giving her husband a look of reassurance and trust. "Last night, after returning from Geonosis, Anakin and I got married."

Ruwee's face was one of complete and utter shock. "You what?" he said angrily. The tension in the room was building up.

"We got married," she said firmly, while holding Anakin's hand with her's.

"I can't believe you would do something irresponsible like this. This is completely beyond anything you have ever done before."

Jobal put her hand on Ruwee's shoulder to calm him down. She looked at Padme. "I understand, dear. I just wish you wouldn't have done it so quickly. Did you take the time to think everything through? Did you think of the consequences it might have on your careers and your reputations?"

"I did, Mom. We're in love with each other. Nothing will ever change the way we feel about each other. Not time. Not distance. Nothing."

"But what happens if someone finds out?" Ruwee asked. "He's a Jedi. Did you think of that?"

"No one will find out about anything," said Padme defiantly. "We have been thinking these things through.

"Apparantly not enough," her father muttered loudly.

Padme didn't pay any attention to her father. "Listen," she said."Anakin will be leaving for Coruscant tomorrow morning. In the meantime, we need a place to stay. Is that fine with you?"

"Fine," said Ruwee grumpily. "You can stay in your room and Anakin can stay in the guest room."

"Dad!" cried Padme incredulously.

"You either live by my rules, Padme, or you can find somewhere else to stay. do you understand me?"

"Fine," she said. She had a look of defeat on her face. Her dad seemed to think that getting married was a horrible mistake. Her mother didn't know what to think. She wanted to be happy for her daughter, but she didn't want to make Ruwee more upset. Sola was undeniably happy for her sister and Anakin.

Padme go tup from the chair she had been sitting on. She grabbed Anakin's hand and led him onto the balcony away from her parents. She believe how her parents were behaving. She had hoped that they would be happy for her.

Anakin looked at her. "Well," he said, "that was better than I had expected."

Padme gave him a stern look. "How can you stand there and say that? That was horrible. That must have been the understatment of the year." She looked at the landscape and sighed. "I just wanted their support."

"Well at least you have a family to share the news with," said Anakin with remorse. "I wish she were here. I miss her, Padme."

"I know, Ani. I know how you must feel," she said in a comforting voice. In reality, she didn't know how Anakin felt, but she wanted to make him feel better.

He pulled away from her. "No, you don't know," he said angriliy. His eyes were as cold as steel. "In my twenty years of existence, there have been only two people whom a truly love, You and my mother. How would you feel if you had been speparated form your mother for ten years? If you returened to your home to see her again, how would you feel if you learned that she had been captured by a ruthless, murdering band of Tusken Raiders? How would you feel in you saw her covered in cuts and caked on blood? How would you feel if you had her in your arms while her life slipped away from reach? How would you feel if you saw your mother die? Don't tell me that you know how I feel, because you don't."

Anakin's face was seething with anger. Padme realized that he was quick to anger when it comes to things like his mother. He truly loved her, but he never liked to show his weaknesses. He wanted to maintain his facade of strength and power. The only person who completely understood Anakin was Padme.

"I'm sorry, Anakin," she said. She had to be more careful with her words. "I only wanted to make you feel better."

Anakin looked down at his feet. He was trying hard to control his anger. He hated to have Padme see him like this. "I know," he said sincerely. "I didn't mean to lose control like that,"

"It's ok, Ani," she said. "Why don't we go inside. We still have the entire day with each other."

"I just hope your dad doesn't kill me before then," he said sarcastically. The two of them just laughed and walked back inside. To get to the house that belonged to Padme's family, Anakin and Padme had to use a water speeder to cross the vast lake.

The driver, Paddy Accu, drove the speeder faster, making the water spray lightly on their faces. This was Anakin's second ride in the speeder and he enjoyed it just as much as the first time.

It didn't take long for the speeder to reach the other shore. The boat docked and Anakin climbed out while Paddy handed him the suitcases. After the luggage had been set on the dock, Anakin offered his hand to Padme. She accepted and he helped her out of the boat.

They grabbed her belongings while the water speeder sped off in the distance. Anakin and Padme walked in the direction of a familiar house not to far off.

It only took a couple of minutes to reach the house. Anakin wasn't as nervous about meeting her family as he was the first time. But, the thought of what was to come brought back some of those nerves.

Padme led Anakin inside the house. The air smelled of breakfast cooking in the kitchen, which was occupied by her mother Jobal and Padme's older sister, Sola.

"Padme!" her mother shouted. An iron pot fell to the floor. Sola turned quickly around to see her mother rushing towards Padme and embracing her in a motherly hug. "We've been so worried about you. Queen Jamilla informed us about the events on Geonosis. You could have died!"

"But I didn't, Mom. I'm here and I'm fine," she reassured her mother. "Where is Dad?" she asked, looking around for a sign of her mother.

"In his study, I think," Sola informed. "Ryoo and Pooja are in Theed with their father," she said explaining the whereabouts of her two children. "Breakfast should be done any minute now." She turned to Anakin. " It's nice to meet you again, Anakin. You two should go into the dining room while we clean up." She gave her sister a sly grin before returning to her kitchen duties.

After a few minutes, breakfast in the Naberrie household was served. The dishes were all unfamiliar to Anakin, but they certainly looked delicious. Padme's father, Ruwee, greeted his daughter and Anakin, before leading them in saying grace.

The breakfast was mouth-watering. It was warm and tasty. Just as good as dinner, Anakin complemented in his mind.

When the food was devoured and the table was cleared, Padme led Anakin to and her family to the sitting room. "I have something to say to you all," she stated, giving her husband a look of reassurance and trust. "Last night, after returning from Geonosis, Anakin and I got married."

Ruwee's face was one of complete and utter shock. "You what?" he said angrily. The tension in the room was building up.

"We got married," she said firmly, while holding Anakin's hand with her's.

"I can't believe you would do something irresponsible like this. This is completely beyond anything you have ever done before."

Jobal put her hand on Ruwee's shoulder to calm him down. She looked at Padme. "I understand, dear. I just wish you wouldn't have done it so quickly. Did you take the time to think everything through? Did you think of the consequences it might have on your careers and your reputations?"

"I did, Mom. We're in love with each other. Nothing will ever change the way we feel about each other. Not time. Not distance. Nothing."

"But what happens if someone finds out?" Ruwee asked. "He's a Jedi. Did you think of that?"

"No one will find out about anything," said Padme defiantly. "We have been thinking these things through.

"Apparantly not enough," her father muttered loudly.

Padme didn't pay any attention to her father. "Listen," she said."Anakin will be leaving for Coruscant tomorrow morning. In the meantime, we need a place to stay. Is that fine with you?"

"Fine," said Ruwee grumpily. "You can stay in your room and Anakin can stay in the guest room."

"Dad!" cried Padme incredulously.

"You either live by my rules, Padme, or you can find somewhere else to stay. do you understand me?"

"Fine," she said. She had a look of defeat on her face. Her dad seemed to think that getting married was a horrible mistake. Her mother didn't know what to think. She wanted to be happy for her daughter, but she didn't want to make Ruwee more upset. Sola was undeniably happy for her sister and Anakin.

Padme go tup from the chair she had been sitting on. She grabbed Anakin's hand and led him onto the balcony away from her parents. She believe how her parents were behaving. She had hoped that they would be happy for her.

Anakin looked at her. "Well," he said, "that was better than I had expected."

Padme gave him a stern look. "How can you stand there and say that? That was horrible. That must have been the understatment of the year." She looked at the landscape and sighed. "I just wanted their support."

"Well at least you have a family to share the news with," said Anakin with remorse. "I wish she were here. I miss her, Padme."

"I know, Ani. I know how you must feel," she said in a comforting voice. In reality, she didn't know how Anakin felt, but she wanted to make him feel better.

He pulled away from her. "No, you don't know," he said angriliy. His eyes were as cold as steel. "In my twenty years of existence, there have been only two people whom a truly love, You and my mother. How would you feel if you had been speparated form your mother for ten years? If you returened to your home to see her again, how would you feel if you learned that she had been captured by a ruthless, murdering band of Tusken Raiders? How would you feel in you saw her covered in cuts and caked on blood? How would you feel if you had her in your arms while her life slipped away from reach? How would you feel if you saw your mother die? Don't tell me that you know how I feel, because you don't."

Anakin's face was seething with anger. Padme realized that he was quick to anger when it comes to things like his mother. He truly loved her, but he never liked to show his weaknesses. He wanted to maintain his facade of strength and power. The only person who completely understood Anakin was Padme.

"I'm sorry, Anakin," she said. She had to be more careful with her words. "I only wanted to make you feel better."

Anakin looked down at his feet. He was trying hard to control his anger. He hated to have Padme see him like this. "I know," he said sincerely. "I didn't mean to lose control like that,"

"It's ok, Ani," she said. "Why don't we go inside. We still have the entire day with each other."

"I just hope your dad doesn't kill me before then," he said sarcastically. The two of them just laughed and walked back inside.

Chosen To Rise, Destined To Fall
Chapter Four-Tearful Goodbyes

When they came back inside, they were greeted by Sola. She looked very happy and her face was bright with a smile. “I’m so happy for you both,” she said. “Even though Mom and Dad aren’t too pleased. I knew that this was going to happen someday. I just didn’t think it would be so soon.” She gave them another warm smile.

When they didn’t return the gesture, the smile faded. She looked back and forth between them. “What’s wrong? You two were all smiles when you came in. What happened?”

The couple exchanged nervous glances. Padme finally spoke up. “It’s nothing, Sola. Don’t worry about it.” She searched the room with her eyes for her parents.

Sola seemed to read her mind. “Mom and Dad are in the guest room preparing things. More likely they’re installing hidden cameras in there.”

Anakin looked at Sola nervously. She just laughed. “I’m kidding, Anakin. Besides, we don’t own that type of equipment. Not that I know of anyway.”

Just then, Ruwee and Jobel entered the room. They seemed to be having a heated discussion. They didn’t even notice that there were other people in the room. Ruwee was doing most of the speaking. “All I am saying is, dear, they acted irrationally. They could have asked us first about all of this.”

“I agree,” said Jobal, wanting to finish the argument before anyone else overhears. “But, Anakin is a sweet boy and I know that he truly loves Padme. Why can’t you be nice to him? For your daughter’s sake at least.”

Ruwee nudged his wife gently. They finally caught sight of Anakin and Padme and stopped in their tracks. Jobal was the first one to move. She walked over to Anakin and said, “Anakin, we prepared your room.”

“Thanks, ma’am,” he said politely. He wasn’t really sure what to call his new mother-in-law.”

“Please,” she insisted. “Call me Jobal. You are married to my daughter after all. You can stay as long as you like.”

Padme cut into the conversation. “He has to leave in the morning to meet with the Jedi Council tomorrow remember, Mom?”

“Oh yes. I do remember. Well, he is still welcome to stay anytime he would like. He is family after all.” Ruwee stood in the room, fighting the urge to say a few things, but he kept his mouth shut. “Since it’s still morning, why don’t you and Anakin go outside for the day? It’s such a lovely morning.”

Padme and Anakin walked past the Naberries and walked out the front door. Jobal was right. It was a beautiful day indeed.

They could feel the cool morning mist on their faces. Anakin loved being on Naboo. Everything here was beautiful and sensuous. Padme had grown up here all her life and even today, the beauty still seemed to amaze her sometimes.

Just then, hundreds of ships, starfighters, and carriers flew over the lush landscapes of Naboo. Most of them were heading straight for Theed, but some of them were beginning to land not far from the Naberrie household.

Padme shielded her eyes with her hand and watched the ships. This brought back vivid images of the blockade ten years ago. She recognized the ships easily. “Some of the ships are Trade Federation ships. But some belong to the Commerce Guild and the Intergalactic Banking Clan. They formed their own large invasion army!”

“We’ve got to get to Coruscant quickly,” said Anakin. He felt a strong need to protect her.

“My dad has an old refugee carrier when he was in the Refugee Relief Movement. We could use that to get us there.” She thought for a moment. “What about my family? We can’t just leave them here.”

“We can take them with us,” said Anakin.

They started running back to the house. Padme burst through the doors and shouted, “Mom! Dad! Sola!” They came rushing into the main room. “We need to get to Coruscant quickly. An invasion army is landing here. You need to come with us.”

“We’ll stay here, Padme,” said Ruwee. “I was born on Naboo and I will die on Naboo.” He looked at his daughter with tears in his eyes. “It’s a shame that we didn’t get to know Anakin a bit better.” He looked to Anakin and clapped a hand on his shoulder. “Make my daughter happy. I know how much you love her.”

“Dad,” Padme pleaded. “Don’t do this to me. Come with us. The carrier is large enough for all of us.”

Ruwee just bowed his head. Jobel was crying before either of them has. “Be safe, dear. I’m so proud pf what you have accomplished. I hope that you and Anakin have a long life together. Like I had with your father. My place will always be here.”

Sola stepped forward and embraced her sister. “Give love to my daughters, Padme. If you see them, that is. I know that they are safe where they are.” She stepped away and looked at Anakin. “Anakin, I knew from the minute you stepped inside this house for the first time that you were the person that was meant to be with my sister. I hope you two have a family of your own like I did. I hope I live through this to see that family.”

Padme and Anakin just stood there, unaware of the invasion taking place outside. They heard shooting not far off. Ruwee gestured towards the hanger. “Go! Now! Before they catch you.”

The two of them rushed into the small hanger where the carrier was kept. They got inside, opened the hanger doors and flew of into the skies. Anakin was doing most of the flying. Padme, normally a strong individual, was emotionally weak at the moment.

Anakin looked down at the planet and he could see thousands of druids, maybe hundreds of thousands, populating the small planet

The journey to Coruscant seemed to last a lifetime. They wondered what was happening down on Naboo. They hoped that everyone was ok, but they knew that people were dying. They also wondered why this invasion was taking place. They had heard of recent invasions of other planets these past few days. The Separatists were determined to secure every system in the galaxy.

The refugee carrier arrived on the capital city of Crouscant a while later. No one was there to greet them, as their arrival was unexpected.

After getting of the carrier, Padme maintained her usual strong, powerful stance. She didn’t want to look weak in front of those who think her as strong. “The first thing we should do is to inform the Senate of the invasion. That would be the most important thing. Sooner or later the Council will find out that we are here. But right now, we have the Senate to worry about.”

Anakin nodded in agreement. It didn’t take them long to reach a giant dome-shaped building that housed thousands of Senators. When they walked inside the Senate building, they could hear much arguing and shouting from the assembly room.

“Do you think that they have already heard about the invasion?” Anakin asked Padme.

She looked distressed. “I don’t know,” she said gravely. “Probably, from what we hear.”

Just as Padme and Anakin were walking onto the empty Naboo platform, the Senate was adjourned. ‘Rotten luck,’ Padme thought. They were walking back off the platform when a familiar voice called Padme.

“Senator Amidala?”

Chosen To Rise, Destined To Fall
Chapter Five: Intrusion

It was Supreme Chancellor Palpatine. He was walking briskly toward them. “I heard about the invasion. I am so glad to see you alive.”

“But what will happen to Naboo, Chancellor,” said Padme. She didn’t want her people to suffer. The thought brought a sickness into her stomach. “We need help over there immediately.”

“It has already been taken care of,” said Palpatine. His eyes were red and sunken. He looked older, somehow, different. “Clone Troopers have already been dispatched to Naboo to handle this unfortunate situation. In the meantime, I have called a meeting with the Jedi in my office to discuss recent events. I am sure that they would be interested hearing from your point of view.”

With that, they left in the direction of the Chancellor’s office. Anakin felt as if his feet were filled with lead. He never felt comfortable in the presence of the Jedi Council. When the reached the scarlet filled office, the Jedi, along with an exasperated Obi-Wan had already arrived and were waiting patiently.

They greeted each other properly and seated themselves in front of Palpatine’s desk. The Council and the Senator were at the front, while Obi-Wan and Anakin waited in the back.

“I have come back from the solitude of Naboo to discuss the invasion of my home planet.” Padme spoke with true passion for it’s people, her home, and mostly, her family. She was a true leader in many ways. She was the voice of the people. “The Separatists, along with the Trade Federation, have engulfed the planet in oppression and suffering. The landscape is being destroyed and the people are dying.” Her eyes were beginning to swell. But she held back the tears, for her sake. “My family sacrificed their lives to make sure that Anakin and I got here safely. Systems throughout the galaxy have been invaded. The Republic has been submerged in war. This war will destroy the Republic and it’s foundations.”

“M’Lady, we are doing all that we can to prevent the demise of the Republic,” spoke Mace Windu. “But with the loss of so many Jedi during the Battle of Geonosis, I’m afraid we have done all that we can for the Republic.”

“One million clone troopers are well in the process,” said Palpatine. “And we have already ordered more in case of emergency. The Republic will always stand as long as I am around.”

Padme didn’t appreciate the tone in his voice. She sometimes didn’t agree with his points of view. She favored peace and negotiation, not war. She spoke firmly and stated, “You need to understand that when more clones are dispatched, the war will get larger and larger until the Republic self-destructs.”

There was a long silence following Senator Amidala’s opinions. If the Republic were destroyed, what would become of them all? They hated to dwell on those thoughts.

“Agree with Senator Amidala, I do,” said Yoda. “Something dark coming closer, I feel, but all is clouded.” He bowed his head solemnly.

The meeting ended fairly soon. Padme decided that she should stay on Coruscant to attend assemblies in the Senate. She realized that with the Jedi around, it would be extremely hard for her secret relationship with Anakin to stay a secret.

Anakin seemed to sense it too. With his training still to be completed, he wouldn’t see Padme as much as he would prefer. He noticed that Obi-Wan kept glancing at him throughout the entire meeting. The trials were to be postponed until further notice. The two Jedi were assigned to keep watch over the cloning process on Kamino and to establish a treaty with the Kaminoans. Meanwhile, Padme was to be put under the protection of Jedi Knight Angelye Vaughn and her Padawan Kindell Stewart. Angelye was an established Jedi Knight, who was well known in the Jedi Order. She was also the former Padawan of Mace Windu.

The four Jedi were meeting in Padme’s empty quarters with Captain Typho to discuss the Senator’s security measures. Typho left soon after, leaving the Jedi to themselves.

Kindell rarely spoke. He only spoke with permission from his master, which wasn’t very often. Angelye was constantly glancing at the pair of Jedi. Anakin was very fidgety. He was angry with the Jedi for making him leave Padme with people whom he had just met. Obi-Wan seemed deep in meditation. He wanted to focus on the coming mission.

Obi-Wan opened his eyes and examined the Jedi who would be taking over Anakin’s job. Angelye had light covered hair, which was brightened in the afternoon sun. Her striking blue eyes pierced him with intensity. She pulled up the hood of her robe to shield her face from onlookers. She was nervous, but she was more collective than Anakin.

Anakin, being extremely bored with all of the tense silence, walked over to the other Padawan and tried to engage him in a conversation. “I recognize you. Do I know you from somewhere?” Kindell looked at Anakin briefly, then shook his head. “Didn’t you train at the Jedi Academy the same time as me?” You did, didn’t you?” The hooded Padawan nodded.

Anakin felt very awkward. He wished that Kindell would answer him normally, with speech. “You can speak, you know.” Kindell shook his vivaciously. He looked to his master.

Angelye turned her gaze on Anakin. “He doesn’t speak without permission from me.” Anakin looked confused. “Don’t you follow the book?” she asked. He shrugged. She nodded to her Padawan giving him permission to speak and turned away.

Anakin was reeling a bunch of thoughts in his head. ‘I always thought that Obi-Wan was by-the-book, but I never knew there was actually a book.’

Padme walks into the room with her normal entourage( Captain Tyoho and her handmaiden, Dorme ). Typho had already informed her about the changes in security and she wasn’t too happy about the new arrangements.

Once all of the Jedi were standing, introductions were made. When the introductions were finished and everything was settled, Anakin and Padme went onto the balcony to say their goodbyes in private.

“How long will you be gone?” Padme asked. She was fighting the urge to hold him, but she knew that it was too dangerous. She felt as if they were being watched.

Anakin was holding onto that same urge. “As long as necessary, we were told.”

Padme looked deep into his eyes. “I wish you didn’t have to go.” She took a deep breath. “This mission doesn’t feel right.”

Anakin held her hands for comfort. “Everything is going to be fine. I’m pretty sure we will be back her in no time.”

“That’s what you said last time and look what happened. We ended up in an execution arena.”

“Don’t worry. I will be fine. You will be fine. You keep me informed and I will keep you informed. I love you so much, Padme.”

He leaned in to kiss her. She hesitated a bit, but finally gave in. They shared a warm, pleasant kiss on the balcony overlooking the splendor of Coruscant. It was perfect. Well, almost perfect. Nearby, a familiar person watched the passionate pair.