(III[0]III]–––––––––––O–––––––––––[III[0]III)
Checkmate
(III[0]III]––––––––––––––O––––––––––––––[III[0]III)
This story was, is, and only will be a Harry and Padme story. I'll admit that Aayla Secura is one of my favorite characters and if wasn't Padme it would be her. On another note, the story by bluminous8, Sword and Magic, is one of my favorite stories of all time and also features Harry and Aayla, I reccomend that story for all you wanting Harry and Aayla. That said, there will be no Aayla and Harry lovin' in this story. Sorry for anybody hoping for that pairing and for anybody hoping for a harem, that won't be happening either =(. Sorry.
Someone asked something about other emotions powering lightsaber forms. I'm honestly not sure. I mean, I don't fight when I'm happy, personally, so I don't see any reason a Jedi would. Jedi are supposed to be calm and collected. Sure, Harry could fight because he may love someone and to defend someone he cared for, but can you use love? I'm not sure. You can get angry and that may push you forward but I don't really sure how someone could use love and happiness as an emotion to attack with. You don't attack someone because your happy at them (not normally anyway) but you'd be more inclined to do so if you were angry with someone.
I answered that question – or at least tried – mostly, because you could say it has a bit to do with this current chapter. =]
Happy readings!
(III[0]III]––––––––––––––O––––––––––––––[III[0]III)
Harry and his master went about the same routine for the next week with little change. Harry would perform his guard duty, whether that was helping when needed or actually putting down a wild animal. The latter had actually happened when the young padawan ventured into the surrounding forests alone. Master Windu would speak with the King and his guard, trying to get a feel for the upcoming election. While Harry and his master would not admit it out loud, they both thought it, King Veruna was not to be trusted. There was just something off about the man. From his talks with Padme, Naboo was eager to be rid of the suspicious man. Back-door dealings were supposedly the only thing he was good for, not Naboo's well-being.
A week after their arrival found Harry once again the garden going of his katas. He wasn't wearing his usual outfit and settled for a t shirt and his pants, no boots. While he liked the privacy of practicing in his room he liked the freedom of being outside much more. Giving a show and a little exposure also never hurt.
Harry was beginning to love Naboo as he was other things. He couldn't figure which he was more pleased with. The bustling energy of Coruscant or the gentle flow of Naboo. The Force seemed to be strong in both places, yet it felt differently. Coruscant, it was chatty, noisy and alive, most likely thanks to all of the people – Jedi included. On Naboo it was like a whisper, gentle and peaceful, the nature of Naboo was likely the cause.
Harry's violet blade hummed in the morning air, cutting through invisible droids and blocking blaster fire he hoped to not see for a long time. Harry leapt into the air and curled his body, spinning forwards before coming to stop and landing on his feet, blade still in hand. Harry twirled the cylinder in his hand – and in turn, the blade – before crouching low and swinging the blade, skimming the grass of the garden and effectively clipping it.
Harry turned his blade off and began taking in deep breaths of air through his nose. He paused for a moment before smiling broadly. "After a week I have become accustom to your presence, Padme."
Padme gave a small squeak before coming out from behind the bush she was hiding in and smiled, fighting and losing against a blush. "That was impressive, Harry," she commented truthfully. The things he could do with that blade were truly remarkable. It only added to the mystique, the legend that was the Jedi. How something so beautiful could be so very deadly was remarkable. "How are things going?"
Harry shrugged, taking a sip of the water Padme handed him. "Thank you," said Harry. "The same, pretty much. Master Windu does not trust the King very much. While it isn't solid and we can't really do much about it, Master Windu can sense the fear and distrust in him. He is hiding something and we can only hope that we find out what before it is too late."
Padme nodded thoughtfully. "I hope you do, with elections coming so soon."
"Your wish is my command, milady. Or should I start calling you Queen Padme?"
Padme flushed before mumbling, "Only when I'm in my makeup and dress."
Harry didn't even both hiding it and openly chuckled. His attraction towards the brunette had only grown with the more time he spent with her and it seemed there was nothing he could do to stop it. Everything he had thought about her during his first view of her had proved true. She was strong, smart, quick witted, cheeky when she needed to be and funny. She was, simply put, amazing.
"So what brings you here today besides watching me?"
Padme gulped nervously and began wringing her hands slightly. "My parents and sister would simply love to meet you," said Padme in a rush. "You know," she forced a laugh, "being a Jedi and all. It could be a once in a life time opportunity. So… will you come to a dinner?"
Harry crossed his arms across his chest before sitting down and putting on a face of mock seriousness. He already knew he would be attending this dinner if he had to fight a dozen droids. He just liked to see Padme sweat a little. "Hmm… Have you spoken with my master about this?" He asked, knowing very well she hadn't.
"Err, no, I haven't yet," she admitted, frowning.
"That is unfortunate seeing as it is unlikely I will be able to attend what would, no doubt, be a lovely dinner."
Padme gulped, her knees wobbling slightly. "You… you can't come?"
Suddenly Harry smiled. "Of course I will!" He exclaimed with poorly hidden excitement.
Padme felt a sudden urge to do many things. Slap Harry was one, hug him another, strangle him was a stronger one, as was to kiss him. Padme settled on rushing forwards and wrapping her arms around him while burying her face into his neck. Harry sighed in content, wrapping his arms gently but firmly around Padme's waist.
'I could get used to this…' Was the paramount thought running through either of their heads.
"You're going to pay for making me worry," she murmured into his neck.
Harry chuckled softly, pulling away. "That I don't doubt, Padme."
Padme sighed but smiled none the less. "It's going to be wonderful! I've told mother many of the stories you've told me and she's just dying to meet you." Padme frowned. "Sola can't wait to meet you either."
"Really?" He asked, feigning excitement.
"Yes," said Padme in a tone that said it was the end of that particular discussion. Harry called it 'Queen Talk'. The first time he had said that he was nearly slapped in the back of his head.
"Well I need to keep practicing and then I'll need to take a shower and get dressed for dinner," Harry commented, more to himself than Padme.
"Can I help?" Padme asked.
A light suddenly went off in Harry's head. "You can. It won't be the same but you can throw rocks and other things at me for target practice."
"Excellent!"
Harry submerged himself in the force for a moment before calling upon an empty basket he had kept his food in. Slowly he pushed the basket into Padme's waiting hands and begun filling it with rocks and pebbles of all sizes. When he was finished he backed away from her.
"Some of them right come back or ricochet so be very careful," he warned her only to receive a nod in return. "Don't hold back either, throw as hard as you can."
Harry balanced himself out physically and though the force, spreading his legs and bending them slightly before igniting his lightsaber with a hiss and raising it above his head slightly. Harry nodded and waited for the first rock. The first one was thrown – in what Harry wasn't sure was a joke or not – underhanded. Frowning, Harry was deeply tempted to simply push it back at Padme but decided to viscously slice it in two.
'Hopefully that will show her I'm not joking…'
The next rock came much faster than the first.
The rocks came and came as Harry twirled his violet blade of doom and turned the rocks into pebbles and the pebbles into, well, smaller pebbles.
Padme was awed that the boy she had come to deeply care was just so… so skilled. Part of her knew that she shouldn't be surprised as he had been with them for over a decade but it was still something else. Padme stuck her hand in the basket and came out empty at first before frowning and taking a peek.
"There are only about six left, Harry," said Padme.
Harry smirked. Oh how she loved that smirk of his. "Toss 'em all," he commented with a touch of arrogance, a hint of pride and just a smudge of smugness.
"All of them?" She questioned.
"All of them."
With a smile Padme placed her free hand under the basket before surging it forwards and allowing the final stones to be released into the target area. She could only watch in awe as Harry became a blur and destroyed what was left of the Pebble Army.
From Harry's point of view it was much more boring. The moment she had placed her right hand beneath the basket he let loose. He felt the surge of the force and simply basked in it for a solid moment. When he came to the rocks were coming as well. Only it wasn't the same. It may have looked like a blur to Padme but to Harry they were moving slower than a hutt.
"Wow," she whispered, still in awe. It was simply… impressive.
Harry squared his shoulders and placed his arms at his waist before bowing. "I live to serve." He smirked.
"You're insufferable," she groaned jokingly.
Harry smiled before sitting back and settling into a meditative state. "Be right back," he said to Padme, winking.
'Master?' Harry reached out tentatively.
'What is it?' His master responded quickly.
'I was just seeing if this worked…'
'Get to the point, Harry.'
'I always knew why I liked you. Right to the point, Master, there is this family that would like to have dinner with me…'
'And you wish my permission to go.' There was no denying it. His master was amused.
Harry felt the need to one-up his master. 'Not quite. You see, I plan on going to this dinner. I simply thought it'd be polite to ask you.'
Harry felt the amusement and a small tingle of anger. 'Fine, you may go but be mindful of your surroundings and do not make a mockery of us.'
'Yes, Master,' Harry said before the bond could close.
"…harry… Harry!"
"What?" He groaned.
"Oops, sorry," said Padme, not sounding sorry at all. "What was that?"
"Contacting my master," said Harry, tapping the side of his head for good measure. "He says I can come to dinner as long as I don't make a mockery of the Jedi Order." Harry immediately knew he was setting himself up to fail and Padme didn't disappoint.
"You are already an embarrassment to the Jedi Order," she said before sniffing in mock disdain.
"I could always cancel…"
"No! There's no need for that!"
(III[0]III]––––––––––––––O––––––––––––––[III[0]III)
"So, what is it really like to be a Jedi, Harry?" Sola asked for what seemed like the hundredth time. Harry wouldn't say it – for fear of hurting Padme – but her older sister was much more childish then she.
Dinner with the Naberries was something Harry had never experienced… seeing as he had never had dinner with a real family before. Sure he ate with his friends at the temple, but this wasn't the same. There was something he couldn't quite put his finger on. Temple meals were easier, simpler and funnier but this… this was, warmer, cozier and welcome. Harry recalled something he had heard Yoda say once 'Seeing you alive brings warm feelings to my heart.' He hadn't been sure what the little guy had meant but now… now he at least has an idea.
Did he dare think that Yoda – the Yoda, Master of the Order – had formed an attachment of sorts? Harry shook his head and took another bite of his food before looking up and remembering the question he had been asked.
"Amazing!" Harry eventually answered. "Intense space battles almost every day and lightsaber duels to the death before bed time!" Harry exclaimed, casting a smile at Padme who was looking at her dinner plate trying to hide her own grin.
Sola flushed in embarrassment. "Sorry," she muttered.
"Forgive my daughter, Harry, she's simply excited to me a protector of our galaxy," spoke up Jobal.
Harry had just met Padme's parents and he was already beginning to like them. Harry could see where both Sola and Padme got their looks from as their mother was still stunning. He could also see it was from her mother that Padme got her kindness, compassion and overall warmth from. While her father hadn't treated Harry as nicely as he would have liked, he was courteous. He was where Padme got her cold, calculating and strength to do what must be done attitude from.
"It's alright, ma'am," said Harry.
"So what did you two do today?" A suspicious Ruwee inquired – Padme clearly got her curiosity from her father as well.
"Padme helped me with my lightsaber training, sir."
"Did you really, dear?" Jobal asked her youngest.
"It wasn't much, mom. I just threw rocks at him while he cut them to pieces," muttered Padme.
Harry jumped to her defense. "The droids at the temple are much simpler to practice against though. While they can shoot in a different area you can't change the speed they come at or the angle, not entirely. You were able to change the direction and speed of the rocks. It also helped that the rocks were different sizes," said Harry, shooting Padme a quick grin.
"Can you show us?" Sola blurted.
Harry bit his lip and looked around the kitchen. "I don't think so. I'd probably cut something in half in a room like this. I can show you my blade if you'd like…" he trailed off uncertainly.
"Can he, mom, please?" Sola pleaded.
Jobal felt her lips' twitch at her oldest antics. "If Harry wants to, he can."
"Alright," Harry muttered, standing up and drawing his lightsaber. With a hiss the indigo blade erupted from its handle and illuminated the dining room.
"Wow," Sola whispered. Even Ruwee looked impressed and Harry had the feeling the stocky man didn't quite like him. Harry felt a slight disturbance and turned just in time to slice a roll in half sent his way courtesy of Sola. "I had to try," she muttered. Harry shrugged before deactivating the blade, clipping it onto his waist and taking a seat.
"Sola! You could have gotten somebody seriously injured!" Her mother reprimanded her.
"Mom," she whined, "you know you wanted to see it to!"
"Not at the cost of our dining table," she replied with a half-hearted glare.
"Well," she smirked, "we got dinner and a show. Who wants dessert?"
'Yes,' Harry decided, smiling, 'I like the Naberries.'
(III[0]III]––––––––––––––O––––––––––––––[III[0]III)
As Harry walked back to the palace he and his master were currently staying he couldn't help but glance at Padme. She had literally forced Harry into allowing her to walk him back the short distance from her home to the palace. Harry wanted her to walk, really he did, he just didn't want to either get her in trouble or arise suspicion of some sort. Mainly, his master.
Harry nodded to the guards on duty as he passed through the entrance and came upon the grounds. He turned to Padme. "Dinner was amazing and your family was great," said Harry truthfully.
"It was nothing," said Padme, waving a hand in the nighttime air.
'Force she's beautiful…'
Harry could feel his attachment growing into something more the longer he just looked at her. The way her pale skin shone in the moonlight had Harry biting back a groan. That little bit of her shoulder that was peaking out through her dress... Harry abruptly cut off his trail of thoughts.
Harry coughed, running a hand through his messy hair. "I'll see you later, I suppose," he murmured.
"I suppose," Padme whispered into the night as Harry made his way inside the palace.
(III[0]III]––––––––––––––O––––––––––––––[III[0]III)
"Err, hello?" said Harry.
The gungan that was currently trying to get past him wasn't doing a very good job. He was crouching, but it was a poorly done kind of crouch. His long flappy ears bounced and he was muttering to himself over and over. He wore leather pants and a similar sort of vest with the sleeves cut off. He gave a loud squeal and turned around when addressed.
"Uh-oh! Mesa gunna be in bigggg twouble."
"You are if you don't tell me who you are and what you're doing here," said Harry sternly.
"Mesa Jar-Jar Binks!" He looked down and frowned. "Mesa lookin' for food."
"Don't you have a sort of, err, tribe?"
"Mesa bein' kicked out cus' I'm too clumsy," he pouted.
Harry clucked his tongue in sympathy. "I've got some food here and there is a pond with fresh water over there," said Harry, going into his basket of food that was provided by the cooks and pointing to the pond.
"Yousa bein' berry nice to me," said Jar-Jar. Harry smiled and tossed him an apple, he frowned however when the gungan decided to use his very long tongue to snatch it out of the air and swallow it hole.
"Yeah," said Harry, still frowning before shrugging, "I'm a Jedi. We help those who need it."
"Mesa tribe ain't beein' as nice as yous is! Mesa savin' they lives an' they still kicking me out!"
"That doesn't really make much sense," Harry commented.
Jar-Jar shrugged. "Theysa sayin' mesa to big a pwoblem. Makin' toosa many messes."
"That is… unfortunate," said Harry, trying very hard not to laugh at the poor creatures situation. 'I wonder how Obi-Wan would feel if he was kicked out of the Order thanks to his clumsiness…' Harry thought with a snort.
"Uh-huh," Jar-Jar agreed while swallowing a whole pear he had just snatched out of Harry's hand as he was trying to hand it to him.
"Will you stop that!" Harry snapped. "You're going to wind up choking and I don't feel like performing the Heimlich maneuver. And it's rude to eat like that without talking bites."
"Okydee!"
Harry sat back and closed his eyes, but not before he noticed Jar-Jar attempting to subtly watch him and failing. Harry shook his head and turned towards the lake, but not before Jar-Jar snatched up a banana and swallowed it whole. That would have been fine and well if Jar-Jar didn't start to turn a nasty shade of fuchsia that looked very odd on his unusual skin.
Harry groaned.
(III[0]III]––––––––––––––O––––––––––––––[III[0]III)
About a week later after Harry's encounter with Jar-Jar Binks he was sitting in one of the palace's meditation chambers with his master.
"So, what's on our to do list for today?" Harry asked.
Master Windu sighed in frustration. "We are needed here tonight for a dinner."
"A dinner…"
"Yes, but it isn't just a dinner. It is a formal dinner. Senator Palpatine will be here as will the King and his family and the delegates still in the running for the crown as will several other political figures." 'Padme…' "So we can expect a large service tonight…"
"What's the matter, Master?" Harry wondered. His master had been distant and worried the past few days.
"Ever since we've landed on Naboo I've felt a disturbance in the Force and it's been building up to a crescendo."
"And you think that it – whatever it is – is going to happen tonight?" Master Windu nodded. "Well there lucky they've got the two best Jedi in the galaxy here!" Harry got a thoughtful look on his face. "Never mind, Master Yoda isn't here with me…"
"Brat!"
(III[0]III]––––––––––––––O––––––––––––––[III[0]III)
"I have been using Naboo's natural resources for the greater good! This planet has been dominated by the Gungans for years! What do they need with technology and oil? They're savages who live underwater!" King Veruna bellowed.
This dinner was going downhill fast. Harry spared a worried glance to his master who was watching the entire thing with a suspicious glare. Veruna had basically just admitted to the entire hall that he and his people had been stealing from the planet for their own needs. Senator Palpatine looked positively horrified at the fact but there was something in his eyes… If Harry wasn't mistaken it looked like he found the entire situation hilarious.
Padme looked beyond angry that the King had been stealing Naboo's resources and pocketing the change. Not to mention his treatment of the Grungan race. Just from the way he talked of the creatures Harry could tell he despised them and any other non-human race. Harry reckons he should have seen it before he even opened his mouth when the man entered the hall with a Rutian Twi'lek wearing barely anything at all hanging off his arm.
Harry shook his head sadly and took a sip of his water before sighing softly. He really wished he was outside sitting in the garden. The only bright spot of the dinner was Padme. She was truly stunning. She had obviously been pressured by her higher-ups to dress appropriately for the dinner and had done just that.
Her hair was up in an intricate yet elegant knot with a few strands of it falling and framing her beautiful face. Her dress was a snowy white with red and gold lining, shoulder less and rather revealing, if Harry hadn't known any better he would have thought it was held up by the Force. The white heels she wore made her even taller and too Harry it was only a plus.
Harry looked up from his plate and sent her a wink, smiling.
" – I resent that, Senator Oragana! Why are you even here?" Veruna sneered. "You've been a Senator for how long? A few months? I've been King for over a decade!"
Senator Bail Oragana – who had indeed only been the Senator of the Alderaan Sector for a few months now – looked back impassively at King Veruna over his steeple fingers. "Then I would suggest a change is in order. It is obvious you no longer have Naboo's best interest in mind and have let what power you had go to your head," he said coolly.
"And it's a good thing an idiot like you isn't Senator of my planet!" He all but snarled.
"My lord, maybe you should – " Senator Palpatine tried.
"Silence, worm," Veruna growled causing Palpatine to flinch back as if struck.
Once again Harry watched the man closely. He was – most likely – the most interesting man at the table. He had been the senator of Naboo for a while now, so how had he not known what was going on? At first glance it would look like he was terrified of Veruna but it didn't all fit. There were moments were he glared at the man with the utmost hatred. Harry felt a slight disturbance in the Force but let it go as nothing looked to be wrong at the moment.
"I believe," said one of Veruna's private guards, "this dinner has come to a close. If everyone – side for the two Jedi among us – would calmly make their ways towards the door and leave…"
Harry tuned the drone's – in the psychological way and by no means physical way as he was a human – words out and frowned at his words, sharing a slightly worried glance at his master. He wasn't worried that the King would attempt to assassinate them, no, he was worried they were under a sort of lockdown. It had been obvious from the start that they were being watched. Why else would the King insist they stay in his palace instead of on their own ship? The King likely knew that they knew he was up to no good and were going to report him.
" – Get these scraps of metal out of my palace!" Those were the last words King Veruna of Naboo would ever utter. One of those 'scraps of metal' was actually a droid who had a blaster raised at him. It happened too quickly. The droid fired.
Harry – along with his master – immediately leapt into action, lightsabers blazing and blurring and began reflecting the blaster bolts from the remaining droids. There were around three dozen of the bronze robots but the entrance they were coming in cut off their numbers momentarily. It was clear they were here for officials and political targets.
Harry deflected some blaster fire back towards its deliverer and spared a glance at the table. Several of Veruna's guards had been killed already and he could only guess the ones guarding the gates were dead already. Senator Palpatine was on the ground with a blaster wound to his right thigh moaning in pain.
Harry felt a disturbance and noticed a droid advancing on Padme and her family. He felt the rage burn inside of him and he used it. Using the Force he leapt across the room in a single jump and obliterated the foolish droid. Before parrying more blaster fire and reaching out with the Force. Four of the droids firing upon him and his master suddenly caved in upon themselves before falling to the ground utterly useless.
His master was making quick work of the droids and there were only a dozen or so left. Harry leapt forward and joined his master in finishing off what was left of the droid squad. Harry deactivated his lightsaber and quickly waisted it as the last droid fell.
Turning, he winced. Around a dozen people had died in the battle. Looking around he quickly realized something.
"Master!"
"What is it?"
"Look!" said Harry, pointing to a window. And indeed there was something wrong. The window was not shattered as if blaster fire had broken it. No, someone had fired upon the palace from a distance and killed several targets whilst they were busy. "Master, if I were to hazard a guess I would say that Veruna and his guard were the targets of this attack."
"And you would indeed be correct my young Padawan," said Mace, patting Harry on the shoulder. "It appears the droids were simply a distraction for the real attack." Harry nodded and spared a worried glance at the Naberrie family who was huddled in a corner looking positively terrified. Jobal mouthed something to Harry, 'thank you.'
Harry felt a warm, searing sensation on his arm. Sort of like when burned with a low powered lightsaber. "Sithspit," he cursed.
"What is it?" His master questioned.
Groaning, Harry showed him his left shoulder. "One of the droids clipped me!" He whined. He heard a gasp and didn't even need to turn to know it was Padme.
Mater Windu suddenly smiled. "That's going to burn when you stop using the Force to dull the wound."
Harry cursed.
(III[0]III]––––––––––––––O––––––––––––––[III[0]III)
Harry sighed sadly, casting a final look at the garden he had come to love in the short time he had spent on the beautiful planet of Naboo. He and his master were returning to Coruscant as the elections were done – hasty and last minute – but elections they were. Naboo had needed a quick replacement and Harry was positive they had found a good one under the circumstances.
Padme Naberrie was now known as Her Royal Highness, Queen Amidala of Naboo. She insisted Harry still call her Padme but he couldn't help himself sometimes and went with the full title. The final week of their stay on Naboo wasn't much as he and Padme barely spent any time together but he understood she had a duty and his job had went from guarding the grounds like a watchdog to actually helping with the security around the place.
Harry fiddled with the piece of twine in his hand. He knew the gift he had made for Padme wasn't much but he knew she was the type of person who'd appreciate the gesture. He just hoped he didn't come off looking like a moron.
Today was his last day on Naboo and they were saying their goodbyes – for now. Harry had already let the exuberant gungan know he wouldn't be in the garden with food anymore. Now he was just waiting for her…
Harry heard a sniffling sound and turned to see the new Queen of Naboo, standing there in all her glory. "Harry…" It was all Padme could croak before Harry pulled her into a tight hug she gladly returned. Harry felt her trembling and sighed sadly.
"It's alright, Padme," he whispered. "The Force works in mysterious ways and I doubt this will be our last meeting. For good or for bad."
"Really?" She whispered back.
"Yes," said Harry, nodding. "I made you something." The garden suddenly became very hot around the neck and face area.
"You did?" Padme asked with wide eyes.
"Mhm," Harry hummed, passing her the piece of black twine. Padme gasped at what was connected to the twine. "It was my first lightsaber crystal. My master gave me my new crystal as a gift when I remade my lightsaber." He paused and tapped his waist. "I still have my old lightsaber but it was poorly made and didn't really have much of a use anymore…" Harry trailed off not really having much more too say.
"It's beautiful," Padme whispered, tearing up again. "It's the same color as your eyes."
Harry blushed, quite pleased with himself. "You're welcome."
"This makes my gift seem stupid and silly now," said Padme, frowning.
"Y-you got me something?" Harry stammered.
"Of course I did! I didn't want you to forget me," she mumbled.
"I could never forget you, Padme. After all, you are the Queen of Naboo…"
Padme ignored the last comment and dug her hand into her pocket, pulling out what looked like a piece of dark brown leather, but it was twisted and braided together, except for a long piece with what looked like writing carved into it. Harry frowned, he couldn't tell what language it was in or what it said.
"What does it say?"
Padme smiled at what Harry assumed was his foolishness or possibly his stupidity. "It says, Long I have known you not, but in my heart you shall always remain."
"Wow," Harry whispered, impressed, "you'd make Master Yoda proud."
Padme giggled, having heard a few stories about the little green Jedi Master. "Here let me put it on." Without waiting Padme clasped the bracelet around Harry's left wrist and tied off the ends. "There," said Padme, nodding her head and patting Harry on his forearm.
"Your turn," said Harry, taking the twine and crystal before stepping behind Padme. Padme gathered up her hair, allowing Harry access to the back of her neck as a way to tie the twine together. Harry gently tied the twine into a tight knot, attempting not to choke Padme in his nearly hyperventilating state. When he was done he let the twine fall and his fingers slip, brushing them across her silky smooth skin.
Harry felt Padme begin to shake and knew she was silently crying. Sighing, Harry wrapped his arms around her waist from behind and laid his chin on her shoulder.
"I don't… I don't want you to go…"
"I know," Harry mumbled, smirking slightly.
"Idiot," she scoffed, sniffling.
Harry let go, allowing Padme to turn and face him. Runny eyeliner, swollen eyes, and puffy red cheeks and she was still the most beautiful thing in the entire galaxy. "Don't worry, Padme. We will meet again."
"How you do know?" She half asked, half demanded.
"It is the will of the Force," said Harry mechanically, but he meant it. "When I pass my trials I will be able to accept my own missions and I will see you again. I don't know when exactly but it should be before your eight years are up. But…"
"What aren't you telling me?"
Harry gulped. "I sense… I sense I will be seeing you before that though."
"That's great!"
"It should be great, yes, but… I feel we won't be meeting the under the best circumstances, Padme."
Padme scrunched her nose and sighed. "You think what happened is just a sign that there is more to come?"
"Exactly," said Harry. Sighing, Harry checked his watch. He had ten minutes before his Master would be boarding their ship back to the temple. "I have to go now."
Padme nodded, then did something Harry had not suspected but privately hoped for. She lifted herself slightly and placed a gentle kiss on his cheek.
Harry would remember that kiss for the rest of his life.
It wasn't much, but it was a promise. A promise of more to come. A promise for the future.
(III[0]III]––––––––––––––O––––––––––––––[III[0]III)
Darth Sideous sat in a plush, high back chair, contemplating his next move. Mostly everything was going to plan, in a way. Sure there were a few setbacks but that was to be expected.
Through fear, jealousy and greed he had turned what was a good man and King into a power hungry tyrant that would make the Sith of old proud. By using their own natural resources of Naboo he had been able to twist King Veruna's mentality and turn him against the very planet they had promised to protect and serve. Sideous sneered when he thought of how easy it had been, which had eventually been their downfall. He had let Veruna think he was took weak, as Palpatine of course. Nobody dared challenge him as Sideous and live to tell about it!
Veruna's ego eventually got the better of him and the fool thought he could pressure him out of his share. Not that he even wanted or needed the share he earned as Palpatine. He had made everything possible for the fool. Had he not been secretly in control of the Trade Federation they would have never even reached out to Naboo and in turn the foolish King! The King didn't know that he was leading the T.F secretly and the T.F hadn't known he was Senator Palpatine either, but that didn't make it any different. Disrespect was disrespect. And for that the King had to die.
It changed his plans slightly but it was necessary. Now with the King out of the way he could fall back and play the role of the helpful, weak and caring grandfather to Queen Amidala and the rest of the galaxy. Only Veruna and his men had known he was corrupt – as Palpatine – but they were dead now, so, as they say, that was that. With the death of Veruna an entire new window of opportunities arose. A young, foolish and trusting Queen was now in place who would be – under normal circumstances – completely foolish not to accept the advice he will give her. He, after all, did know Naboo very well.
In the beginning he had simply planned to have Veruna give over control of Naboo to the T.F, but now he would need to take it. Naboo had no army and an abundance of natural resources. That would keep the T.F happy till it was time to betray them as well. Yes… the taking of Naboo would start a chain of events he had been waiting years for and he could hardly wait. But for now, waiting and planning was all he could do. And he would need to plan. Army or not, one does not simply take a planet no matter how powerful a single person is.
"Speaking of powerful," he whispered to himself.
His apprentice, Darth Maul. Powerful he was, influential and cultured he was not. He was a wild beast that had been tamed for the time being. Maul was simply a filler for now, he didn't know that, but it hardly mattered. Hopefully his apprentice would be able to possibly kill a few Jedi scum before they eventually cut the monster down. Yes… he would need a new apprentice soon, the Force was practically calling out to him, and it was leading him straight to Harry Potter.
He had, quite possibly, the strongest Force signature he had ever felt. It had nearly overwhelmed him at the dinner and he was sure the boy had caught him watching. The boy's power wasn't what surprised him – not entirely – no, it was the boy's emotions. He was a whirlwind of them.
Fear, anger, distrust, confusion, love, passion. Sideous could make it work if he had to, he was a master manipulator after all. Fear and anger would help him realize his true potential as a Sith and not a Jedi. Distrust and confusion would help pull him away from the Jedi when he realized they were holding him back. Love and passion he could use to his advantage as well, throw in a little jealousy and he would slaughter an innocent man if he thought his love was in danger or being unfaithful.
Sideous was even positive he had felt the boy acting on these emotions during the small battle. He used his love for someone and turned it into a raging tower of anger he unleashed against those pitiful droids. It was an impressive scene to witness from a boy of nearly fourteen.
'Yes,' he decided, 'I will need to watch the boy closely.'
"He will make a powerful Sith Lord…"
(III[0]III]––––––––––––––O––––––––––––––[III[0]III)
I'll try and explain Palpatine and Veruna a little better. Through the T.F (Trade Federation, if you hadn't known yet) he reached out to Veruna for Naboo's resources. As Palpatine he advised him into doing so, playing to his greed.
Eventually Veruna decided he no longer needed Palpatine and decided it was time to get rid of him, not knowing he was Sideous, and had orchestrated the entire thing. So as Sideous, he had the T.F's droid army kill the King and his officials.
Veruna's entourage knew Palpatine was corrupt but not the rest of the senate did so he had the droids target, but not kill him at the dinner. Making him look weak and frail.
I hope you enjoyed this update and will be waiting for the next! If all goes well the next update should on the 14th of May.
I'm a tiny bit up in the air about the next chapter. It is maybe a thousand words from being done but part of me wanted to show a bit more of Harry's Jedi 'Career' and not jump right into the movie yet. Go ahead and post up your ideas. A chapter of AU or get started on the Canon stuff?