Author Notes: I like to thank Fox MC for doing a great job beta reading this. This little pieces came to me while working at the mine. I hope everyone enjoys it and would love feed back so review. Thanks Twister of the Mind.

Shadow Mother

From my hidden position I watch the two Jedi talking with my parents below in the cobble stone courtyard. I pay little attention to the legendary warriors. My worried eyes are focused on only one thing: the small figure… blanket in my mother's arm… my little girl. She looks so peaceful, fast asleep, unknowing of how her life is about to change.

Silent, warm tears flow down my checks. As I grip the window sill for support. The only light in the room pours in from the prefect day that mocks my pain, as if to belittle. How can I let this happen? Never will I see her again; never will I hear her laugh or cry.

A scream almost erupts from my lips as my mother hands my Markada to the Jedi but some how I stifle it. Looking away, I battle the need to rush down the stairs, out into court, to seize her back. Over and over I tell myself it is for the best, clinging to the hope that if I continue doing so…maybe it will stop my heart from breaking.

What other options do I have? If I take her back, she will have no life. Could I even provide us shelter and food, let alone anything more? The Jedi can grant her everything I cannot, and so much more. My parents have made it clear. They will disown me if I keep her, cast us out into the streets without a single credit.

How will I live? No one will hire a seventeen year old, not on Altaria-5. My only option would be to sell myself to others, and even humiliating work like that can't get us by. Could I leave and find another place in the galaxy? I would have to get someone to smuggle me out, for an Altarian under 18 must have a parent written permission to leave world. How would I pay for both of us? Could I trust them not to harm us, to not sell us into slavery? I know of the tales. Dare I take such chance with my little girl? I know the answer is no.

Then this is for the best. Looking back I see the Jedi are bowing, and now taking their leaving. If only I could have held her one more time, maybe that would have been enough. What kind of mother lets strangers take her baby? That loves her, one that wants her to have a future, even if it means never knowing who she was.

One Jedi turns and looks up at the shadow filled window, eyes oddly wise, but I duck behind the white curtains just in case, as not to be seen. As if he would realize the truth. When I peak out they are walking away, taking Markada with them. How can they know, that a grandmother is getting rid of her daughter's child, to erase her daughter sin, while also breaking her heart? How can they know?

It is over, yet the pain is even worse for now hope is crushed. No longer can I pray for a miracle, some divine intervention, to come and save me. My girl is gone to a new life, a better life. I must believe this and if I do… maybe one day I might see her again. See her and know I did the right thing.

The End