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.