Chapter 7: Anakin's Promise

"An excellent performance my boy," Ruwee beamed "You truly gave the crowd a worthy fight. Your father will be proud of you as will the Jedi," he assured him as Anakin bowed to him, watching Ruwee extend a hand to his daughter.

"As promised, my daughter Princess Padmé, your bride, I know that you will protect her with all your heart and skills," he told him as Anakin looked back at Obi-Wan at the same time Padmé stepped forward, her lovely brown eyes staring back at him.

"I'm yours," she breathed with a smile that warmed his heart like it had all those years ago. Anakin smiled.

"Thank you your highness, but I'm afraid I must confess something," he replied. Ruwee looked stunned.

"What is it my boy?" he asked as Anakin smiled.

"I fought today, not just for my honor but for my brother Obi-Wan's honor as well and we had a secret pact," he announced. Padmé watched him curiously.

"Anakin, what are you doing?" she whispered as Anakin smirked.

"Had yesterday's fight being fair, I would have been fighting my brother today and alas that did not happen and we had made a pact," he announced. The crowd watched stunned, wondering what the young Jedi was talking about.

"It is my wish that Princess Padmé marries my brother and Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi," he declares. The King's face drops as the crowd gasps, Padmé is speechless while Anakin just smiles.

Padmé throws her arms around Anakin. "Oh Anakin, you're the most bravest, honest, wonderful friend I can ever have," she cried through tears of happiness as Anakin hugged her.

"You'll always have me as your friend," he assured her hugging her close, wiping the tears from her face.

"Now, go and kiss your future husband," he teased watching her rush across the arena towards where Obi-Wan was sitting as Ruwee turned back to Anakin.

"I've never met a man more noble, unselfish and brave than what I just witnessed," he confessed as Anakin bowed once more.

"I saw it in her eyes when she saw my brother and it would be cruel to make her love me when her heart was with another man," he insisted shrugging "And we'll always be friends and family," he observed watching Padmé help Obi-Wan to his feet.

Padmé threw her arms around Obi-Wan, then placed her hands on his face as he wrapped his arms around her waist.

"Your highness," he smirked cheekily as Padmé only responded with a passionate kiss on his lips.

"You have a wonderful brother," she whispered as Obi-Wan looked back over at Anakin who chatting with the King.

"Yes, he is one of a kind," he admitted looking into her soft brown eyes.

"And now we'll always be together," he promised her making her smile even more.

"I love you Obi-Wan Kenobi," she confessed as Obi-Wan held her close.

"I love you Princess Padmé Naberrie," he replied and right there, in front of the crowd, the Jedi, Anakin and her father, Padmé and Obi-Wan shared another romantic kiss. Anakin may have won the tournament but Obi-Wan won the real prize- his true love Padmé.