Chapter Two:
(A/N: Some of this chapter's contents may not be suitable for some/younger readers.)
.
Silence.
Darkness.
Utter cold.
Lungs, starved for the very air that was frozen within them.
Awareness is a forgotten concept... or is it?
Sometimes it's all blankness: others it's sworn that faint cackles are heard.
Alone, so very, very alone...
...who is she again?
So cold... it is a cold so deep, so thorough that she cannot describe it even as her frozen mind attempts the feat.
Will she ever be released from her prison?
A brush of something stirs her conscience, her heart... a barely remembered touch, but for some reason it brings unexpected warmth and she has the burning ache to return it. It is a sear so fierce as to match the cold of her imprisonment.
Again that faint cackle, as though it too was frozen in time with her, trapped also within the walls of the prison now that it was inside. No way out... no way...
Then she feels it... a cold so unlike her prison... it is of a deeper chill than anything she has ever experienced. And accompanying it is darkness, so utter and complete that it makes her own night seem lighter. This cold was of the soul.
Somehow, though she does not know how, she understands this...
... and despite frozen muscles, she shudders under the skin.
No way out... no way...
I want out!
No way out... no way...
... darkness...
... silence...
... utter... cold...
No... way... out...
... no way...
00000
Mara paused at the door to the hut she and Luke shared, sensing a strange tranquility from within. Laced among the feeling were traces of excitement and... apprehension? With a frown, she placed a hand to the door and it slid open to the usual semi-darkness that was met with upon leaving the direct light of the double suns.
Mara's eyes took a moment to adjust, but when they did, she scanned the space with a critical eye... but there was nothing out of sorts. Casting about for her husband in the Force, Mara sensed him in the back room.
With an eager step, Mara trudged forth, ready to be with him after a long day of exercises. She'd been gone most of the early morning and afternoon, though she'd been careful to keep to the shade as much as possible, and drink plenty of fluids.
Even so, she was hot, sweaty and ready to vegg for a while.
Mara pushed open the back room, wondering why he was in there, when she froze in the doorway. The room, which acted as either a second bedroom or a storage space as need be, had been transformed.
Mara felt her jaw go slack.
In place of shelving and chairs, the bed had been cleaned and made, there was a pallet of thick towels in one area, and a medium sized basin filled with steaming water. Beside that were small vials of toiletries, and another pair of towels. Also, there was an assortment of candles about the space, providing the ambient lighting while music played so softly it was almost inaudible.
And sitting in the center of the floor, dressed in noting but a silken robe she'd never seen before, was Luke.
He looked up at her and smiled a bit shyly, obviously uncertain about her reaction. Mara realized she was still gawking like a fool, and closed her mouth. With a tentative step, Mara entered the room while Luke rose gracefully to meet her.
"Luke, what is all of this?" she asked gingerly, taking another look about.
He lifted a brow. "Did you forget what today is?" he asked with a hint of humor.
Mara opened her mouth to retort... and then paused, having to think. What was today, anyway? She was embarrassed to realize she'd stopped keeping track: that was not like her. So caught up in her musings was Mara that she failed to notice Luke pick something up from where he'd been sitting.
"Happy Lifeday, Mara," Luke murmured, presenting her with a small bouquet of flowers.
He handed her the buds... and Mara simply stared...
"...what?" was all she could manage to say.
Luke dropped the flowers a few centimeters, now showing slight concern. "Mara, today is your lifeday... I know because I saw it in your memories when we melded." When she still hadn't unfrozen, he stepped forward, placing a hand on her arm. "Mara? Are you alright?"
She lifted watery eyes to meet his worried baby-blues.
"I..." she choked, taking a shuddering breath. "No one has ever cared to celebrate it... celebrate me... before..."
Understanding lit Luke's gaze, and he touched her cheek tenderly. "Then I am honored to be the first, My Love."
Mara allowed the tears to slip free of her eyes, and Luke kissed them away, pulling her close to him. Mara burrowed her face into his chest, seeking his comforting presence. It was true: her master had never really celebrated her lifeday save to acknowledge that she was ready to add a new level to her training, or something else that was meant to increase her usage to him.
Only her caretaker when she'd still been young had attempted to show Mara kindness on her special day. But even that had ended in tears.
Luke held her until Mara had waded through her dark memories, not complaining or rushing her. At last Mara pulled away and smiled softly upon him.
"I love you so much, Luke," she whispered, standing on her toes to kiss his lips.
Luke smiled against her mouth, and ran his hands along her sides. Mara pulled back and peered with new eyes at the assembled room. It looked to her like Luke had set up a mini-spa, though her gaze lingered questioningly on the basin of water.
Following her line of sight, Luke moved to stand at her side, though his hand remained at the small of her back.
"Water is not something to waste on Tatooine, but I think we can spare enough to give you a real-water bath," he explained.
Mara threw him a frown. "But... that is not nearly enough water for me to soak in."
Luke's eyes smoldered. "It is if I give you a sponge bath."
Mara's heart fluttered at the thought of being pampered by this man... and she found herself almost giddy with anticipation. Sensing this, Luke smiled and moved to stand behind her, beginning to help her remove her clothing, one piece at a time until all she wore was her wedding band.
Then he guided her to the lush pallet of towels, and she lay down, with Luke kneeling comfortably beside her. He smiled at her and reached over to grab the cloth from the warm water. The sound of it trickling back into the basin upped Mara's excitement... and when he began to gently and lovingly bathe her, she shuddered with pleasure.
Never before had anyone made her feel so wonderful, so beautiful... so loved. Mara never would have thought it possible for someone to take the time to give her a bath just to show how much they cared for her: no matter what day it was.
Luke's ministrations to her body were relaxing and caressing, and she found herself closing her eyes to enjoy the experience to the fullest. He took his time, and after he'd washed her fully, he grabbed one of the extra towels and gently dabbed her dry.
When finished, Luke set the basin and soaps aside and, with a secretive smile, produced something from within the folds of his robe before her eyes opened.
After an unknown amount of time, Mara sighed happily and peeked through her eyelids... and promptly gasped when a blue-green silken fabric slid through Luke's fingers to lengthen into a nightgown.
She sat up as he held it out to her, and ran her fingers over the fabric. It was the smoothest and most exhilarating material she'd ever touched, and Mara couldn't wait to slide it over her head... to feel it cling to her body in all the right places while still being comfortable.
"Luke..." Mara breathed, standing with his help and lifting her hands accordingly when he bunched up the hem so he could help her into the gown.
She quivered with excitement as the heavenly fabric slid easily down her exposed body and, once it settled, Mara ran her hands all over her frame. It was pure luxury, and she loved every inch of the gown.
Luke watched her with a happy grin, feeling his heart warm as he watched his beloved wife. He felt his breath catch, and he had to remember how to breathe properly now that she was in the gown and running her hands all along her body. She looked exquisite, with the fabric hugging her hips just right and accenting her bust-line perfectly.
Finally, Luke could no longer resist the urge to join her, and he stepped in to also run his hands the length of her body until his arms would reach no further.
Mara's eyes met his, her breath coming in staccato bursts... and then she was in his embrace, her lips encasing his in a passionate kiss. Luke pulled her close, but continued to caress her frame, shuddering when she reached under his robe. Her fingers traced tingling lines of pleasure up his bare back, to come to a rest at the nape of his neck, where she then played with his hair.
She sent him a request through their bond, and Luke picked her up, carrying her to the prepared bed.
00000
The early morning hours found them snuggled together beneath the sheets, with Mara's head claiming Luke's chest as her pillow. He woke first, and waited patiently for her to do likewise.
Today he planned to give Mara his second gift. He couldn't wait to give it to her, and see her face... though he hoped she would accept it too. He was a little nervous, to be truthful.
Mara stirred against him, her body moving against his in a most enticing manner. Then her emerald eyes opened and Luke gave her a loving smile.
"Good morning, Beautiful," he murmured, kissing her head.
"Hi there," Mara sighed happily, squeezing where her arm already encircled his middle in a hug.
However, her attempt to kiss his lips was foiled when her stomach twinged threateningly, and Mara's face morphed into a panicked expression. She was out of the bed faster than he could blink, and Luke barely registered the sounds of her being sick before he was racing after her.
"Mara?" he came up from behind and held her hair away from her face as she vomited a second time.
He rubbed her back soothingly as she remained kneeling, and when she was certain she was done, Mara stood.
"Are you alright?" Luke inquired worriedly.
"Yeah." Mara accepted the moist cloth he handed her, and wiped her face. "I think I just got too much sun yesterday."
Luke looked her over, and she indeed did not look sick...
"I'm fine, Farmboy," Mara assured him, taking his hand. "I feel loads better already."
Luke knew that Mara understood her body perfectly well, and thus decided to take her word for it. His choice seemed to be the correct one when she was back to her normal self within minutes, donning her new gown just because and wearing a happy expression that he loved on her.
They ate a companionable breakfast, and after Luke did the dishes Mara decided it was time to change clothes for the day. Once in their normal gear, Luke knew it was time. He approached Mara and took her hands in his.
"Mara, Love, there is one more thing I wanted to give you," he told her.
Mara's brow rose. "Another gift?"
Luke nodded once, swallowing timidly. He led Mara out to the sitting area, where he sat her on the couch.
"Wait here please," he asked.
Luke went to the kitchen where he removed a box he'd hidden atop the refrigeration unit. He dusted it off and returned to his wife, who was waiting with open curiosity right where he'd left her.
Luke sat beside her on the couch, took a deep breath, and handed her the box. Mara gazed at it for a moment, and then took it. Slowly she pried the lid open... and her mouth dropped open. Luke fidgeted beside her while Mara stared at the contents of the container.
"Luke... is this..." Mara whispered.
"A lightsaber crystal?" Luke finished. "Yes. Or, it will be."
Mara lifted her quizzical gaze. "What do you mean it will be?"
"It's the right size and type, but you will have to infuse it with the Force and cut it to the required facets and such," Luke explained.
Mara returned her attention to the crystal, and carefully lifted it from the velvet casing that held it securely. It was a beautiful thing, a mixture of blue and purple, and Mara knew that it would produce a most beautiful blade when her lightsaber was complete.
"I love it!" she confessed. "It's perfect!"
"I found that when I was young," Luke said. "Some friends and I were exploring the caverns in a canyon out in the Jundland Wastes, and I got separated from everyone. I was frightened at first, but for some reason I kept feeling a tug. I couldn't explain it, but with every step in the indicated direction the sense of rightness increased.
"Finally, I reached a collapsed section of the cave," Luke continued, "where I spotted something glowing: a large crystal. I did not know how it was doing so when there was no other light source, but the moment I picked it up, I felt a sharp prick to my mind. I knew that it was a special crystal I'd been led to, but it wasn't meant for me. I never understood that until I met you... married you. And... I'd forgotten all about it until we returned here and began to collect lightsaber parts."
Luke looked down. "I had to retrieve it from my old homestead— I was surprised it survived that day— but you are very much worth it."
Mara was stunned, speechless. Suddenly the gift held so much more meaning to her, and she clutched the gem to her heart with one set of fingers. She took Luke's hand in her other one, lacing their fingers.
"You know what this means, don't you?" she whispered.
When Luke cocked his head, she went on.
"It means that we were always destined to be together," she claimed. "The Force had plans for us before we even knew the other existed."
Luke lifted their joined hands and kissed her knuckles, relieved that she liked her crystal so much. "And now we are bound for all eternity."
"Yes." Mara squeezed his hand and then hopped up eagerly. "I can't wait to finish my lightsaber!"
Luke, catching on to her enthusiasm, joined her in moving to the workbench that held the organized clusters of each of their new lightsabers. They had all the parts save their crystals. Luke had gathered the ingredients to make his own in the furnace he'd discovered in Ben's chest. He planned to make it green, since he wanted something separate from Anakin's. Also, to Luke, green symbolized life, vitality... and Mara's eyes.
Mara set her crystal on the table, and then grabbed the tools to begin her work on molding the crystal.
"I suppose this means I need to begin making mine..." Luke mused wryly.
"Only if you plan to spar with me in the near future," Mara returned evenly.
With a chuckle, Luke set about to do his own task.