Time for Quiet
The night was still and quiet. Although the room's one window was open, there was no sounds from the nocturnal world below. Everyone and everything slept peaceably; everyone but Tahiri.
She tossed and turned in her bed, trying to sleep, but it was impossible. Thoughts kept popping up in her mind, requiring immediate attention and keeping her from drifting off.
Finally she gave up on sleep and crept out of bed, tiptoeing over to the window, a small glistening figure in the trails of moonlight playing on the floor.
Looking down at the midnight land below, for once she could think of nothing to say. Her heart caught in her throat at the beauty of it. She leaned her chin in her hands and gazed out into the silence.
So many things had been happening lately, her life was a whirl around her. Life was changing rapidly for her and there wasn't enough time to stand still and look around her anymore.
Maybe she did talk too much. It made sense that she was so busy talking she didn't have time to pay attention to what other people did or said. It wasn't as if she could help it, though. There was just something inside her that made her want to talk to people.
"Tahiri?" A soft voice from the area of the bed startled her and she almost fell over.
"Anakin! I thought you were asleep."
"No, I was watching you."
Tahiri blushed furiously. "You were supposed to be asleep."
"Probably." He agreed. "Are you all right?"
"I'm fine. . .Just thinking." She paused. "Anakin?"
"Yeah?"
"Do you think I talk too much?" She asked in a small voice.
He wanted to laugh, but he could tell this was something that was obviously bothering her.
"Tahiri. . .come here."
She slowly walked over to where he now sat on the bed and sat down gingerly on the edge. He reached over, holding her tightly.
"I love you. Now, you may talk too much, but I don't really care or notice. I like listening to you. You always have something to say and sometimes talking eases tension around us. Sometimes it makes it worse, but. . ." He smiled. "I love you and that's never going to change. I'll love you no matter what."
She relaxed into his hold, and he reached his hand around her chin, pulling her face back towards his to kiss her. Tahiri clung tightly to him, feeling as if she never wanted to let go. Anakin seemed to understand and made no move to pull away.
Finally she let go, and curled up next to him on the bed. He lay down once more and wrapped his arms around her, although it was warm out.
Here, in her room, at peace, and in love. . .She knew it was a time for quiet.