Epilogue
As the sun rose over the kingdom, the fires across the town had been put out but it was sombre mood in the palace - the young princess and the head royal guard/brother in law were missing, taken by the witches. Obi Wan had been rushed to the palace physician and Padme was told he would be alright. Jacen and Lily clung to their mother as she was then checked over as Bail, Breha, Sabe and Dorme all hung outside the physician's chambers.
"You seem to appear alright your highness, just a few cuts and bruises and sprain to your wrist but you will be fine" they told her as Padme nods. She felt like she wanted to be sick, knowing one of her own children was in the clutches of those witches. She knew Anakin would protect her but Kiara was her first daughter and she should be in her arms and instead she was scared away from her.
"Mommy?" Jacen asked breaking the silence "Is father going to be alright?" He asks as she lifts him onto her lap looking over at her husband "He's going to be fine….." She stops when she sees him slowly move and open his eyes. "Padme?" He softly speaks as she is instantly by his side, taking one of his hands in hers.
"Obi Wan" she breathes a small smile on her face however Obi Wan then saw the pain on her face "What's wrong?" He asks. Padme shook her head as she then let the tears fall. "The witches escaped and they took Kiara and Anakin" she cried.
Obi Wan felt sick - his brother and one of his children were now captives of the witches. He shook his head "And Thalia?" He asks as Padme, lips trembling answered him "Anakin stabbed her in the back but it was another witch who helped them all escape along with Anakin and Kiara" she explained. Jacen looked over at his father
"Father?" He spoke as Obi Wan smiles taking his small hand in his. "It's going to be alright, I promise we'll bring Anakin and Kiara back" he promises. Padme was overcome with emotion once more before she got to her feet, Jacen sitting on the seat as she held Lily in her arms. "What if we never find them Obi Wan?" She asks "I mean, Thalia's dead but now she has her followers to carry out her plot. We may never see Anakin and Kiara again, they may be lost completely" she cried. Obi Wan then slowly pulled himself up, and got up off the small bed moving over towards his wife.
He wrapped his arms around her, rubbing Lily's back as Jacen held onto his parents. "Padme, I promise you, I won't give up till they are back. Anakin is my brother and he did everything he can to try and stop Thalia. He'll protect Kiara until we find them" he insists. Padme was silent for a moment before she looked up at her husband seeing him give her a small sincere smile, a smile that told her to trust him.
"I want to believe you Obi Wan but…." She was then cut off by Obi Wan "Believe me, trust me when I say we'll find them and bring them home" he assures her as Jacen then spoke up "I trust you father" he admits as Obi Wan leans down to give his son a hug, whilst keeping an arm around Padme who was holding Lily. Obi Wan's word had helped her but it didn't make her still feel distraught about Kiara and Anakin's predicament they were in right now.
It was a sombre mood around the camp as Alwina, who was grieving for her friend, moved through the camp towards where their new prisoners were being kept. As she entered the small tent, Kiara stepped further back from her as Anakin glared back at her.
"Come to torture me some more?" He asks "I won't see Kiara become one of you" he warns her. Alwina smirks before she once again choked him seeing him struggle to breath. Kiara felt the tears in her little eyes as she became upset once more "Uncle Ani!" She cried "Stop, please" she sobs however Alwina didn't stop and Anakin found it becoming harder and harder to breathe, that was until Alwina felt a small push hit her causing her to release her grip.
Alwina smirks down at Kiara, her hands shaking and tears down her face "Well, little one, looks like those powers are starting to reveal themselves" she grins. Kiara shook her head "Don't hurt him" she sniffs as Alwina kneels before her. She tilts her head. "If you listen to me, your uncle will be safe" she promises her as Anakin, struggling with the cuffs, shakes his head "Don't listen to her Kiara!" He warns her. Alwina ignores him and looks back at the little girl "You want your uncle to live don't you?" She asks. Kiara nods as Alwina smiles. This was going to be quite interesting, Thalia may not be alive but Alwina would honour her by turning one of the Royal children into one of theirs.
The End! But not for long, for there is one more story as you can guess by now - Will Obi Wan and Padme see their little girl again or will it be too late and she is lost forever? Can Kiara keep her uncle alive long enough for her parents to find them? Or will Alwina finally ensure Thalia's wish for the kingdom be granted. Look for all this in the next installed "Fighting for Freedom"
