A/N: Dark themes are covered in this story. While nothing is graphic it is important to know that there is rape, slavery, and torture.

Disclaimer: I own none of this.


The worst part about it was that she found out from the holonews. No, that wasn't true, that was the shock speaking, the worst part of it was that her husband was dead. But, her first thought upon learning of his death was that learning about it from reporters was the worst part. When she had married Anakin she knew that the risks of a secret marriage included learning bad news from outside sources but knowing and experiencing were very different things, she discovered. He was dead. The Hero with No Fear was dead. Her husband was dead. And she found out from a news reporter. Padmé fell to her knees crying.


The worst part about it was the he was never going to see her again. No, that wasn't true, that was the trauma speaking, the worst part was that he was now a slave, again, but his first thought as he bowed before the Zygerrian queen was of Padmé. How he was never going to see her again. How he was going to have to spend the rest of his life as a slave, after he and his mother lost so much for his freedom, serving a queen he hated and his wife would never know. At least Obi-Wan, Rex, and Ahsoka were free, at least he had that solace. But he would probably be declared dead, the mission too covert and his fame too widespread to announce his captivity. Kriff, his wife would have learned about his supposed death in the worst way possible, not the way that a war hero's wife deserved. He was legally dead, his wife was alone, and she would never know the truth. The truth that he was a slave, just like when they met. No, I'm a person and my name is Anakin, he told himself. He kneeled before the queen and hoped his helmet hid his tears.


A/N: This fic is an AU of the Clone Wars episode The Slaves of the Republic. It takes AU pretty seriously, deviating from canon in a lot of places, but it's a story I've had running through my mind for a while now and wanted to share. Other than this, the first 6 chapters are completed and will be posted slowly (except for chapter 1 which I'm posting as soon as this is posted.)