Hey, all! Just so you know, this story takes place while Anakin and Padmé are at the lake retreat. I honestly like my other story better, but I hope you enjoy this one! Oh, yeah, I tried to put some humor in here, so try to look at it with an open mind. I don't do humor well. ; ) One more thing. I know that Anakin and, more likely, Padmé act out of character. Sorry 'bout that, didn't realize until I had finished writing the fic. I didn't mean to!! Read and Review!
Kennesaw Mountain Marching Band Rules!!!!!!! : D
Disclaimer: No, they aren't mine. Nothing in this story is except for Angel and Grace, and I wish they were real. : )
Now, on with the show...
It was still dark outside as Padmé Amidala walked quietly to her friend's room. She was already dressed in loose blue pants and a matching shirt.
Quietly, Padmé slipped into her sleeping companion's quarters, not wanting to wake anyone but him.
"Anakin!" she whispered loudly once she was near his bed.
When he didn't do anything, Padmé bent over him and whispered, "Anakin, get up!"
All Anakin did was roll over and mutter something that sounded like, "But I don't wanna meditate, master."
"For the last time, Ani, get up!" Her hair, which she hadn't tied back, fell onto Anakin's face. He reached up and swatted the brown locks away. Finally, Anakin opened his eyes.
"I told you, Master, I don't want to-" he was cut short when he saw that it was Padmé who had woken him, not Obi-Wan.
"Padmé?" Anakin asked sleepily, "What are you doing here?"
"Trying to wake you!" she retorted, "Now get up and get dressed! I want to take you somewhere."
"Okay, okay..." he said groggily as he got out of bed. Padmé noticed that Anakin wasn't wearing a shirt, and had to remind herself not to stare.
"Meet me on the back deck when you're ready," she said before she left the room.
"There you are!" Padmé exclaimed when Anakin joined her on the deck.
"What?" Anakin asked innocently, "It only took me five minutes!"
"Oh, well," Padmé said, slightly embarrassed, "Follow me."
Anakin obeyed, following her down a flight of stairs at the rear of the deck and onto a dirt path nearly hidden by the green, exotic trees of Naboo.
"Padmé, where are we going?" Anakin asked curiously as he looked up to see the sun shedding its first light on the forest the were walking in.
"Oh, you'll see," Padmé answered at length, loving the confused look on Anakin's face.
After a few minutes, the two reached a fenced in clearing. Padmé whistled.
"Ani," Padmé wondered, "have you ever ridden a horse?"
The question took him by surprise.
"A real one?" he asked.
"Of course, a real one!" Padmé laughed.
"No," Anakin said suspiciously.
"Well, here's your chance to learn," Padmé said as two animals ran up to the fence.
"You're kidding, right?" Anakin asked seriously as Padmé climbed into the enclosure. He had never seen a horse before. He doubted that such a beautiful animal could survive in the deserts of his home. His mother had said that her great-grandmother, his great-great-grandmother, had, before they were slaves. Before they had to live on Tatooine.
"Why would I be kidding?" Padmé asked calmly as she stroked a white mare's head.
"Is this what you wanted to show me?" Anakin wanted to know.
"No," Padmé said, "We just need them to get there."
"You mean, I actually have to get on?" Anakin asked, stunned.
Padmé nodded.
"No, absolutely not." Anakin said defiantly.
"Why not?"
"Well, I like to fly, not ride; especially not on something alive!" Anakin looked into her pleading eyes.
"Oh, all right." he finally agreed. 'Why can't I say no this woman?' he asked himself.
"Thank you!" Padmé said happily. "There's a gate over there. And could you please grab the two bridles on the post?"
Anakin went to do as she had asked. When he returned holding the two bridles, Padmé said, "You can ride Grace." She pointed to a chestnut; " It'll be impossible to fall off her. Sometimes I can swear that she's an elvish horse, like in stories. I'll ride Angel, the white one."
When she had gotten the bridle on her horse and helped Anakin with his own, she said, "Now just jump onto her back."
Anakin stared at her like she was crazy.
"Don't worry, Grace is gentle. She won't run away." Try as she might, Padmé couldn't keep the laughter out of her voice. Anakin was afraid! "Go on, it's not hard!"
To prove her point, Padmé put her hands on Angel's back and pulled herself up, swinging one leg to the other side. She took hold of the reins. Anakin did as she did, and was soon on Grace's back, reins in hand.
"Okay, now press your heels gently into her side." Padmé instructed. "See? It's not so bad!" she said as Grace started walking.
"C'mon, lets get going." she said , guiding Angel to the gate, Anakin and Grace following. "It's a few hours ride."