THIS STORY IS COAUTHORED WITH MYSELF AND MirskianQueen

CHAPTER THREE

Anakin sat nervously between his Grandparents, unsure what to say; he couldn't begin to think of a way to explain what had happened to his Mother.

Sharmila smiled, squeezing Anakin's hand reassuringly. "It's alright, Anakin. You don't have to tell us anything right away."

Anakin was surprised, as he looked at her. "I thought you'd want to know about Mum?"

"We do," Shmilan agreed; pacing a hand on Anakin's shoulder, "But we can also see how hard it is, for you to talk about her."

Anakin looked down, "I'm sorry." They had a right to know what had happened, but it was so hard; it wasn't just her death he would have to tell them about either, but also her - and his - life as a slave.

"You have nothing to be sorry for," Sharmila said gently, raising a hand to stroke his cheek.

"We already guessed that something bad happened to her," Shmilan's voice was quiet, and filled with sadness. "And we've known for years that she could be dead."

"She wasn't..." Anakin swallowed as he looked at his grandparents, "She only died a year ago."

"A year..." Sharmila's eyes filled with tears, Shmi had been alive a year ago? "... Why didn't she come home?"

"I don't know," Anakin said, biting his lip; while she was a slave, it wouldn't have been possible - but he didn't understand why she hadn't tried to contact them once she was free.

"Your Mother was loved by everyone here," Shmilan told Anakin; putting an arm around his Grandson's shoulders. "She was the most kind, caring person you could ever meet; she always went out of her way to help anyone who needed it."

Anakin couldn't help smiling, "She was like that with me too..." He said softly, "She always said that the biggest problem in the universe, is that no one helps each other."

Sharmila and Shmilan smiled, that didn't surprise them.

"We don't know what happened after she left," Sharmila's voice was quiet, "But when she was sixteen, she decided she wanted to 'explore the galaxy'."

Anakin stared at his Grandparents in shock, "You let her go alone?"

"No!" Shmilan shook his head, "I appointed bodyguards to go with her, but they never returned..." He sighed and shook his head, his eyes downcast."... And neither did Shmi."

Anakin swallowed, taking a deep breath as he forced himself to tell them why his Mother had never returned home. "She was sold into slavery."

"What!" Sharmila and Shmilan stared at Anakin in shock, their faces pale with horror.

Sharmila shook her head, tears filling her eyes. "How is that possible?" Even if she had been captured, with her royal status, she should have been ransomed.

"I don't know," Anakin shook his head, "The one time I asked her about it, she told me she was captured by pirates, and that they sold her into slavery." Looking back now, after earning his Mother true identity; he wasn't sure he had the whole story.

Shmilan was looking at Anakin, his eyes wide as he realised something Anakin hadn't told them; if Shmi had been a slave when Anakin was born... "You were born into slavery, weren't you?"

Anakin's breath shook as he nodded, looking down at his feet. "Yes." he stiffened, looking up when he felt his both his grandparents' arms wrap around him; enveloping him in a tight, warm hug.

"I am so sorry..." Sharmila whispered, kissing his cheek. "If we had known..."

Anakin smiled, shaking his head. "It's not your fault," he said with a shrug.

Shmilan frowned, "obviously you're not a slave now..." He looked at Anakin, raising his eyebrows. "How were you freed?"

Anakin smiled as he remembered how happy he had been, when he had found out he was free. "Obi-wan and his Master, Qui-gon, were protecting the Queen of Naboo..." He told them, "... Their ship was damaged, and they ended up stranded on Tatooine, until they could get the parts they needed to repair it."

"I'm guessing that's where you come in," Sharmila said with a smile, brushing Anakin's hair back from his face.

"It is," Anakin confirmed with a nod. "They ended up staying with Mum and me, after I offered them shelter from a sand storm. And they told us their problem over dinner..." He continued, smiling at his grandmother. "As it turned out, I came up with the solution." He told them briefly about his history with podracing, and about his plan to enter himself in the pod race, so Master Qui-gon could bet on him, and get the parts they needed if he won.

Anakin couldn't help laughing when he remembered the look on Padme's face, when she realised he hadn't been able to win - or finish - a race. "That was actually the only race I ever won," he told his Grandparents. "And i didn't know at the time, but Qui-gon had made a second bet with Watto; if I won the race, I was free."

Shmilan chuckled, his Grandson's story was not what he had expected. "It sounds like you were very lucky."

Anakin grinned, laughing as he shook his head. "Don't let Obi-wan hear you say that."

"Why not?" Sharmila asked, cocked her head.

"Because, Obi-wan doesn't believe in luck." Anakin replied with a grin. He looked at his grandparents, with a curious frown. "Do I have any other family?"

"Absolutely," Sharmila smiled delightedly. "You have Uncles and Aunts, five cousins, and four second cousins."

Anakin's eyes widened, "I didn't know our family was so big." His Mother had never talked about them; it had probably been too painful for her.

Shmilan chuckled at Anakin's surprised look, "You are named after your great Grandfather, High King Anakin Regalis Skywalker..." He smiled sadly, taking a deep breath. "He was your Mother's favourite."

"The feeling was entirely mutual," Shamila commented, smiling at Anakin. "They had special pet names for each other, that no one else was allowed to use."

Anakin cocked his head, if his Mother had named him after her favourite Grandfather... "Was 'Ani', her name for him?"

Sharmila gasped, smiling as she nodded. "It was..." She took Anakin's hand, "... She called you that?"

"Yes," Anakin nodded, smiling. "Everyone did, they all kind of followed Mum's lead." He looked at his Grandmother, "What was Shmi's name?"

Shmilan grinned, "My Father called her Mimi."

Anakin couldn't help it, he burst out laughing. "Mimi?!" It was ridiculous! "I can't imagine Mum letting anyone call her that."

"Your Grandfather was the only person who could call get away with it," Shmilan agreed. "I think I had a lump on my head for a week, the one time I accidentally let it slip."

Anakin shook his head as he laughed, "I wish I could have seen that."

Shamila smiled, laughing softly as she stood. "Well, I think we've let your friends wait long enough."

x

I seemed like forever since they had left Anakin to talk to his Grandparents, and Obi-wan had made the Report; he was be dreading telling Anakin about how he might have brought the war to the peaceful world. Every time he looked out of the window a looking at the mountains and the people below doing there everyday things.

"Ahsoka what have I done?" Obi-wan asked as he paced in the room.

"Nothing! You didn't do anything, it is Master Windu's fault he is bring the war here." Ahsoka said as he stop Obi-wan pacing.

"Anakin isn't going to like this." Obi-wan said as he sat down on one of the couches with his head in his hands.

"I know," Ahsoka said trying to think of away to help Master Kenobi. "What about the Chancellor? Can't he do anything to stop it?" Ahsoka asked hopefuly.

"I tried that," Obi-wan said feeling guilty. "He agrees with Master Windu, it sounds like a trap to him as well, and he was thinking of sending more clones to back up Master Windu." Obi-wan said as he recalled the conversation he had with the Chancellor.

"What? He can't do that! the 501st is bad enough, if there are more, they'll attract attention." Ahsoka said worried about Anakin's new home.

"Thank the force I was able to talk to him not to send more clones," Obi-wan said happy he manage to do something of good.

"That's great news," Ahsoka said as she tried some of the food; she picked up some thin fried chips and tasted them. "Oh my!" Ahsoka said shocked on how good the food is then an idea came to her. "Obi-wan you've got to try the food, it is amazing!" Ahsoka said as she grabbed some crunchy looking bite sized cubes and ran over to Obi-wan.

"I don't think I can eat," Obi-wan said with mixed feeling.

"Trust me Obi-wan, you like it." Ahsoka said, as she put a combination of the cubes and the thin chips in Obi-wan's hands

"Fine," Obi-wan said reluctantly as he put the food into his mouth; After a few seconds,Obi-wan could taste a powerful sweetness, and it brought a smile to his face very quickly. "Your right Ahsoka," Obi-wan said as he enjoyed the food. "It makes me feel happy and calm." Obi-wan said as he walked over to the food and started to eat with Ahsoka joining in.

Anakin walked in a few minutes later, with High King Shmilan and High Queen Sharmila with Rectus and Armin following right behind them; Anakin was so happy, that he was practically glowing.

"Obi-wan I have a family a huge family, I had thirteen other members of me to meet." Anakin said as he hugged his grandparents.

"That is great to hear Anakin, I'm happy for you." Obi-wan said as he walked over to Anakin.

"I see you are enjoying our snacks, good to see" High King Shmilan said, when he noticed Obi-wan eating the food.

"Something is wrong, isn't there?" Anakin asked as he started to feel Obi-wan's negative feelings.

"Yeah Something is wrong Anakin" Obi-wan started to say but it his worry stopped him. "I contacted the Council and Master Windu is coming here." Obi-wan said, stalling slightly before he got to the really bad news.

"What, he's coming here? Why?" Anakin asked curiously.

"Forgive me for saying this your highnesses," Obi-wan said to say as he bowed at them. "But he believes that you and your world is a trap to get to Anakin."

"What!? Why would this Master Windu believe us to be a trap to hurt Ani?" Queen Sharmila asked a little hurt at the thought of them hurt they long lost daughter's only son.

"Did you tell them about the Clone war?" Obi-wan asked Anakin.

"WAR?" High King Shmilan and High Queen Sharmila and the guards said together

"No I haven't, I have been telling about what happened to mum." Anakin said feeling a like a kid again.

"Okay. The Republic is at war and we are fighting against a evil man named Count Dooku, and he want to hurt Anakin to turn him to the Darkside of the Force " Obi-wan said shocking the Rexcaelians in the room.

"My poor boy, having to fight in an awful war." High Queen Sharmila as she started to cuddle Anakin making he feel embarrassed again.

"Grandma!" Anakin said, already bonded with his family as he tried to get away from the hug but found out she is quite strong for her age.

"No! I'm not letting you to get yourself killed," High Queen Sharmila as she hugged Anakin.

"Mila dear, he is a grown man, so no hugging in front of his friends." High King Shmilan said to his Queen.

"He is not a man yet! he still has three weeks before he is a man!" High Queen Sharmila said not letting go of Anakin.

"There is even worst news." Obi-wan started to say. "When Master Windu get here he won't be alone, he is bringing the 501st with him." Obi-wan as he waited for the Reaction.

"What!?" everyone but Ahsoka and Obi-wan said and making High Queen Sharmila let go of Anakin

"No, he can't bring them here." Anakin started to say we he walked straight to Obi-wan, "If they came here you know what that means." Anakin said very shocked and very Upset at the thought.

"Yes" Obi-wan says as he looks down away from Anakin.

"What does this mean?" Asked Rectus very worried about the news.

"It means the Clone wars would be coming here, to Rexcaeli." Anakin said to his Grandparents shocked them again.

"No, that can not happen! Our world is peaceful, we don't want a war." High King Shmilan said to Obi-wan very worried about his people.

"I know. That is the last thing I want to do, both to you and Anakin." Master Obi-wan said as he sat down on one of the many seats.

"What about the Chancellor?" Anakin asked Obi-wan.

"Obi-wan asked for his help, but he agreed with Master Windu, and he gave approval for it to been done, he thinks it is a trap as well." Ahsoka said.

"I can't believe this," Anakin said as all the worry for his people and his anger at Master Windu bringing the clones here, which he knows for well would bring the Separatists with it.

"Don't worry my boy," High King Shmilan said to Anakin. "If the war comes here we would be ready." the High King added trying to calm everyone in the room.

"You don't what you are dealing with." Anakin said worriedly. "This war destroys life wherever it goes, and I don't what that to happen to here on mum's home; on my home." Anakin said as he hugged High King Shmilan and High Queen Sharmila together.

After a minute, Anakin pulled away from his Grandparents; his eyes narrowed, and a his expression became intensely determined, as he pulled out his comlink.

Obi-wan frowned, "Anakin, what are you doing?"

"I'm going to contact Master Windu myself," he said; taking a deep breath.

Ahsoka shook her head, "Obi-wan already tried to talk him out of coming, Master_"

"And now I'm going to try," Anakin snapped, "Maybe I'll be able to put a stop to all this." Even as he said it though, he doubted Master Windu would listen to him.

As Anakin had expected, the jedi Master answered almost immediately.

"Skywalker, I was wondering when I would be hearing from you."

Anakin took a deep breath, before he addressed Master Windu. "Obi-wan told me why you're coming, but you are mistaken_"

"I will be the judge of that, when I arrive." Master Windu said, cutting Anakin off. "This feeling that called you_"

"Was my family!" Anakin growled, interrupting Master Windu. "It's not a trap, King Shmilan and Queen Sharmila are my Grandparents. My Mother was their first born child, which as her son, makes me the rightful heir." Anakin told him, trying to make the jedi Master understand.

Master Windu frowned, If what you're saying is true, then the king and Queen have nothing to fear."

"They have everything to fear!" Anakin scowled, "By bringing the clones to Rexcaeli, you're threatening the planet, and the entire system with war!"

"The clones will only be there as backup, in case you are wrong." Master Windu's expression had become a disapproving frown, "We will discuss this further when I arrive."

As Master Windu ended the transmission, Anakin let out a furious snarl.

"It's alright Ani," Sharmila sighed, taking her grandson's hands. "He'll see how wrong he is, when he gets here."

"And if the Separatists follow him?" Anakin asked, shaking his head. "What then?" Rexcaeli was the one place that hadn't been affected by the war.

Shmilan shrugged, taking a deep breath, as he drew himself up to his full height. "Then we will deal with them, when the time comes."

"Until then, you should get some rest..." Sharmila smiled, ushering Anakin, Obi-wan and Ahsoka from the sitting room. "By now, your rooms should be ready."