The Angel's Choice
Prologue: Return to the Past
Sand began to cover the once again 14 year old queen of Naboo. Luke and Leia stared at her when suddenly, Luke ran forward and pulled Leia with him.
"Mother wait!" Luke cried and reached out a hand. The sand around Padme thinned near them and the young queen reached out, trying to catch her son's hand.
"I'll do what I can to save you!" She cried, tears forming in her eyes.
"But you won't do it alone!" Luke cried, "I can sense that we'll be coming back!" Leia suddenly cried,
"So do I!" Padme smiled. She believed them but she also knew it might be years for her before they come back. Quickly, she retracted her hand and reached into her pocket. She took out her two rings and threw them just as she vanished. The rings landed in Luke's outstretched hand and the rebellion watched in amazement as the sand rose to the sky and vanished.
"She's gone." Luke whispered before he looked down at the rings in his hands. One silver and one gold. He held out the silver one to Leia. "So she's always with us." Luke smiled, "And so we never forget." Leia nodded and took the ring.
Padme's eyes shot open and she heard Artoo beeping worriedly. She sat up with a groan and said, "I'm fine Artoo." She shook her head when the five years in the future came back to her. The queen jumped to her feet and felt the inside of her pocket. The rings were gone. She smiled and walked over to the same spot she had stood on before she left her own time. Tears welled in the 14 year old's eyes as she whispered, "I'll wait for you Luke and Leia. You're my only hope."
Her tears slid silently down her face as she reentered the house, curling up in a tight ball on the blanket Shmi had provided for her. How long would she have to wait before she'd see the twins again? Would they be alright? Their father had died only a few hours ago before she'd left.
No, she wouldn't think like that. They'd be fine. Luke and Leia are the two most responsible people in the galaxy, she told herself firmly.