Chapter 14
When Obi-Wan resurfaced, he had expected to find Padmé exactly the way he had left her; kneeling and within reach in front of him.
He should've known better. Ever since coming to Naboo just a few short days ago, nothing had happened as he had expected.
Instead, Obi-Wan stumbled forward to lift her body which had slumped sideways to the floor.
"Padmé!" There was no response and he immediately checked her vital signs. Her pulse was erratic, but at least she still had one.
Unsure of what to do, Obi-Wan lifted and carried her to the nearby sofa where he pried open an eyelid to check for signs of concussion, thinking perhaps she had hit her head upon the floor. What he discovered upon doing so frightened him. The sclera appeared completely black, although on closer inspection, the darkness inside her eye was an actual moving shadow; quite similar to what he had witnessed in the void.
Anakin!
How had this happened? He been right here the whole time! He had seen her life force just on the edge of the void, shining bright and beautifully in his mind. Never had it wavered or disappeared!
Faced with only one option, Obi-Wan knelt down beside her, early exhaustion seeping into his joints. He had to find her and he knew just where to look.
The familiar path of light was now hazardous, marred by tendrils of oozing darkness, which seemed concentrated just ahead. He followed the path which led straight to the focal point. Where there had once been a portal of light leading to the brilliant, soothing essence of Padmé was now a gaping black hole. His inner voice screamed at him to retreat, that she was lost, and that he was in extreme danger. He chose to ignore it.
Damn his life! Obi-Wan screamed out into the void. He would not let Anakin take her!
He entered into darkness where just a small beam creating a shaft of light shone down upon a makeshift chair, created by the black mire surrounding him. In that chair sat Padmé, her hair elaborately curled and clasped, dressed in a billowing gown of light blue silk which draped off her shoulders and was held at the neck by a jeweled collar. What Obi-Wan found most extraordinary, however, was not her appearance, but the absolute calm resignation surrounding her.
"Padmé," he uttered, dropping to his knees at her feet.
/Don't despair, Obi-Wan. I know you tried. But as I explained to you before, there are sacrifices which have to be made for the benefit of others. You are a Jedi, a servant of the Republic. I know you can understand what that means, and why I've chosen to do this./
Her words sparked a memory. Something Qui-Gon had said. He was supposed to ask her something. Why was it so difficult to remember now?
An echo of that conversation filtered through the void and sounded in his mind, and he immediately voiced it, expressing the need for an answer with the intensity of his gaze.
"Why did you come to Varykino?"
She hesitated, her own gaze darting from his mouth to his forehead.
"Tell me, Padmé. I have to know. If you value our friendship, please tell me."
Her resolute frown turned upward to form a tiny grin, but one which displayed sadness and disappointment, not joy.
/You really have no idea do you?/
His confused expression apparently gave him away.
Her eyes glanced up and then around. Obi-Wan wasn't certain what she was looking for. There was basically nothing to see but the dark muck.
/Since it's too late, I will tell you. I made a deal with Anakin. I would give myself to him, be with him in this place for all eternity if he would leave you alone and let you live./
Were his ears being filled with the darkness? He couldn't have heard her correctly!
"You did what?"
/I came to Varykino to die, Obi-Wan. Anakin swore he wouldn't harm you if I would join him. If I would voluntarily be with him forever./
He didn't know what to say, although one important question abruptly came forward.
"Why? Why would you do this? I don't understand!"
If it were possible, her lovely dark eyes filled even more disappointment as a ghostly hand reached out to caress his face. He couldn't feel her actual touch, but somewhere deep inside himself, he began to feel a warmth; a small ember of hope sparking to life.
/…look deep inside yourself…/ Qui-Gon had told him. Could that mean what he thought it did? What he hoped it did? There was only one way to find out.
She had yet to speak words of explanation, but he was a man of action. He always had been- even sometimes to a fault.
Rising quickly, Obi-Wan reached for her and drew her now solid form up and against his body. The sudden movement sent a ripple through the darkness, and small spikes of the mire began lifting all around them.
"Kiss me," Obi-Wan demanded, apparently startling her. "I'll explain later."
It took her a moment to comply, her mouth moving hesitantly at first. But as the friction began to build, so did the ember burning in his soul, until a small flame leapt up and began to flare his desire.
Obi-Wan acted again on impulse, drawing her more strongly against him, tilting his head and engaging her mouth in a more thorough exploration, his hands busily caressing the bare skin of her back through the open drape of her gown, which only fueled the fire quickly building inside him.
He now understood what his Padawan had meant. Indeed, he had been a blind fool.
"Padmé," he muttered her name while feasting upon her lips and neck. "You can't leave me! I love you, I love you," he continued murmuring as he held her close. He would use his own willpower, his own strength to not release her into this horrible place if he had to!
"It's too late," she spoke aloud to him, drawing back and grasping his face in her hands, her eyes spilling over.
"No, it isn't! Trust me, darling. Please!"
While he desperately awaited her reply, Obi-Wan could feel the sucking, gripping sensation of the darkness as it began to crawl up his legs, cementing him to the spot.
"Why would you agree to this?" he urged her to answer, feeling the level of the mire now at his knees.
"Because," she sobbed. "Because I love you! I've always loved you!" she blurted out. "But that doesn't matter now!"
"Yes it does," Obi-Wan smiled down at her, his arms wrapped around her tightly, a peaceful sensation filling him as he had never felt before in his life. "Look at us, Padmé. Use your mind. Look at what we've become."
Her expression gradually transformed from grief, to confusion, and then utter amazement. "We're glowing! Why are we glowing?"
"We've created a bond, you and I," Obi-Wan explained proudly. "A lover's bond. Let me show you."
Once again, Obi-Wan drew her tight, and began teasing her lips with his own. He had initially watched her while he did so, but soon, the bright glow of their connection became far too dazzling to look upon. The more passionately he kissed her, the more brilliant it became, forcing him to shield their faces with his hand.
And all the while he could hear the agonizing screams of his lost Padawan, warning him to leave, telling him Padmé was his and that no one else could ever have her.
He ignored it all, focusing solely upon the astounding love building inside him for a woman he thought he may never deserve, though by the power of the Force, he would strive to be worthy.
Obi-Wan expressed that new-found love in his kiss and in his embrace, until a crackling sound was heard, followed immediately by an explosion of light and love, which left the lovers standing in a broad expanse of brilliant white.