Thanks for all the wonderful feedback. I really appreciated it. Hope you enjoy this next installment!
Jojotheorange: Thank you very much. Happy to have you join the story. Thanks for reading!
Major Wallace: Will do!
D. Greynight: Well, Anakin is still in those adolescent doubting years. Remember he's just barely 18 at this point and still has more growing up to do. Thanks so much for reading!
Ethanpiazza: One thing to always keep in mind with Palpy, he always keeps his eyes out for potential minions to do his evil bidding. As for Anakin, hopefully his insights will continue to serve him well. As for Dahlia, time will tell where her true loyalities lay with. Thanks for reading!
Bahjcb: Yes, it wasn't too clear what Barriss picked up from her. We shall learn more of that soon. It will be interesting to see what Anakin does with his 'feelings' about Palpy. Thanks for reading!
Raven E: More mush coming!
MoAngel: I agree our favorite couples need some downtime. Whether they will get any remains to be seen. Thanks so much for reading!
Mlhkvh5: Thank you so much for the wonderfully kind comments. They definitely do a writer good. Things do seem to be coming to a head. Still, Palpy being Palpy, he always finds a way to hide his involvements. Thanks so much for reading!
Hewhoreaps: You hit the nail on the head about the potential mess. I will say that at some point, one or more of the different plot lines will somehow converge. Should make for some more interesting developments though. Thanks for reading!
Bandqsecurtiyaw: Thanks!
Darkbethilor: Sorry for the delay between posts. Sometimes I get into a good rhythm and can punch things out fast. Other times, it is like trying to run through quick sand. We shall see though how things will play out with Siri and Dahlia. Time will tell. Thanks for reading!
Flaming Man of Iron: Thanks so much! Will do!
Shookie: Thank you very much. Hope you enjoy this next one!
Red lightening: Thanks so much. First part of it is here. More to follow!
Tychron: I really appreciate your kind comments. You make an interesting point about Jaden and Dahlia. Still, they can deviate from what we expect from canon so nothing is set in stone at this point. As for our Mandalorian contigent, they could definitely make things harry for a galaxy already tense with the Separatists. We shall see soon what will happen. Thanks for reading!
ILDV: Thanks!
Charlie Hayden: Ellise is definitely an enigma. We'll see what her real intentions are. As for the shadow figure, what that was is still up for debate. Thanks for reading!
Ghostreaper181: Welcome back! No need for apologies. I can completely understand how DRL can be. Thank you so much for the overly kind comments. Hope to see you around the thread! Thanks for reading
Journal of Anakin Skywalker
First Entry-12th month, 27th day, Standard year 30,521
My dearest anera, Padmé,
It is late morning before our presentation day and I find myself alone in my residence for the first time in a long while. Somehow the anticipation of tonight's festivities has given me the inspiration to write in this beautiful book of blank parchment you gave me on my last life day. In this day and age of technology, I find it odd to put ink to paper, but somehow this feels so much more personal. So, I think from now on, I am going to write down my thoughts until I fill this book and then one day I will give it to you as a present. Maybe it will be a wedding or anniversary gift years from now? Who knows what the future will bring?
As you are reading this, probably long from now in the distant future, I hope our presentation ceremony was everything you ever imagined. I know it is not in the same league as a wedding, but hopefully that joyous event won't be too far away. Still, it will always be my intention to do everything possible to make you happy. Just the fact that you are in my life, I know I could die now a happy man. Not that I would want to, mind you; but, the completeness you bring to my heart and soul is more than any man could ask for, even if he had a thousand lifetimes to live.
Sometimes I wish there were words besides I love you to truly describe my feelings for you. What I can say, though, is that you are the realization of my heart's deepest desire. When I was a slave on Tatooine, there were many nights when I would look up into the stars and pray that I would get the chance at knowing such joy. Thank the Force my prayers were answered when you entered that dusty shop and I realized that angels were real. You are everything to me and I look forward to growing up and hopefully growing old with you and in your love. Even death no longer frightens me because I know our love is perpetual. .
I hope you enjoy this collection of thoughts. Remember that I have always and will always love you in this life, as well as the next….
A
Anakin gently closed the book and smiled. It was a welcomed distraction from the nervous energy he had been feeling in anticipation of the evening's events. He was thankful that the journey from Coruscant had gone without incident, and for the opportunity to spend time with Obi-Wan. Anakin was also thrilled that his family would be arriving today. He looked over the chrono and immediately jumped up from his couch. Running into his bedroom to collect his things, he nearly collided with Threepio who was, as usual, fussing over something Artoo had done.
"No, I will not be quiet, you little bucket of bolts!" Artoo whistled in a series of tones that sounded to Anakin like curses, which caused his creation to gasp in shock. "You watch your language!" The Protocol droid winced when he noticed Anakin scurrying about. "My apologies, Master Anakin. Artoo decided to upgrade your palace terminal and neglected to notice that the stores were out of an important component"
"It's alright, Threepio. I was just looking for my comlink anyway." Anakin flashed a quick smile over at the diminutive astromech. "Besides, I'm sure Artoo will come up with something inventive to fix it.
"Yes, of course, sir." The golden droid pointed over at Anakin's workbench. "I believe the last time I saw your comlink was over there."
Anakin snapped his fingers as he remembered that the unit was exactly where Threepio said it would be. "Thanks. I've got to run."
"Very good, Master Anakin." Threepio called after him. "I shall have everything ready for your family's arrival."
"Good work!" Anakin shouted as he ran out the door. Making his way into the Palace proper, he activated his comlink. Hopefully Obi-Wan wasn't already waiting for him at the Theed Starport.
Obi-Wan slowly opened his eyes as he felt the warm sunshine beaming down brightly on his eyelids. Wearily, he rolled over, his arm softly landing on the bare back of his wife, Sabé. He couldn't help smiling as he looked upon her slumbering, peaceful face, which was partially obscured by her long auburn hair. Obi-Wan ran the back of his hand against her soft face as he mused how utterly fortunate he was to have her in his life. He loved her beyond measure and she gave him hope of a warm future.
"I'm surprised that you have the energy to be awake so early," Sabé muttered with a sultry grin. "Especially since I kept you up so late."
"Unless you call the eleventh morning bell early," Obi-Wan quipped, "then it is quite early indeed."
"You've been so stodgy since your arrival," Sabé pointed out. "I think you've been spending way too much time at the Jedi Temple."
Obi-Wan couldn't help being amused. "That's not what you were saying last night." He cocked his head to one side. "That reminds me, what does your sultan mean?"
She reached around and threw a pillow at his head. "Am I going to have to teach you some manners again?"
"I'm not afraid!"
"You will be!" Sabé jokingly threatened as she launched herself at him.
Obi-Wan somehow caught her lips with his own, which caused his heart to race. As he rolled her over and was about to surrender to the wonderful fact that they would spend yet another day in bed, the soft, but distinctive chime of his comlink echoed throughout the room.
"If you value your life, Master Kenobi, you'd better not even contemplate getting that!"
Obi-Wan chuckled between fervent kisses. "It could be something important."
"Name one thing that could possibly be more important at this very moment?" Sabé inquired with an arching eyebrow.
"Anakin's and her Highness' presentation ceremony."
Sabé halted her assault, her features betraying her thoughts. "You got me there."
Obi-Wan gave her a quick kiss before answering the chirping unit. "Kenobi here."
"Master?"
"Jaden?"
A gleeful chuckle answered before the voice responded, "No, yourother student."
"Oh. Sorry, Anakin. Is everything alright?"
"It would be if you were here at the Spaceport waiting with me."
"Spaceport?" Obi-Wan said to himself before the realization of his mistake hit him. "Oh blast! I'm sorry I forgot that your family was arriving today."
Anakin chuckled again. "That's alright, Master. Besides, I just found out that the transport is late."
"I'll be there in a few minutes."
"I'll be waiting. Skywalker out."
Obi-Wan gave Sabé another kiss before jumping out of bed, much to his wife's chagrin. "I'm going to kill that boy when I get the chance," she growled.
"Don't be too harsh on him, my love." Obi-Wan said as he was putting on his tunics. "Besides, I am his Tadjeek and I should have been at his side since this morning."
Sabé smiled as Obi-Wan knew she was aware of the honor Anakin had bestowed on him. A Tadjeek, according to Naboo tradition, was either an older family member or close friend who would accompany the suitor or the monarch on the day of his or her presentation to the people. From that day on, the person would serve as a confidant as the suitor prepared for the next step in the relationship—marriage.
At first, Obi-Wan had been worried that this position would cause problems with the Council, should they find out; however, in the Queen's request to them for his presence, she had apparently described this honor in enough detail to avoid causing any suspicion in the elder Jedi. Besides, he was truly touched that Anakin had asked this of him, especially since they had spent little time together over the last two years. Despite whatever duties the Jedi would place on him, Anakin would always be one of his greatest responsibilities.
"You're right, my love." Sabé acquiesced. "I've just…missed being with you."
Obi-Wan smiled warmly as he reached over to gently lift her chin. "And I have missed you. Be happy, though. I still have well over a week left, and our transport for Presbilla island leaves early in the morning." He moved closer, wrapping her in his arms. "Then, I promise there will be no comlinks or urgent messages…it will be just the two of us."
Sabé giggled softly then gave him a quick kiss. "I can't wait."
"Nor can I."
"You'd better get a move on then," she said with a sly grin. "You wouldn't want to keep his lordship waiting."
"I'm sure Anakin will be quite the bundle of nerves." Obi-Wan mused aloud. "It will fall onto me to keep him distracted today."
"I can tell you that having to help Padmé get ready today will be no picnic," Sabé said with mock annoyance.
"I'll see you tonight at the ball…I'll be the one wearing the brown Jedi robes."
"I'm sure that will really get all the ladies swooning," Sabé replied with a wink.
Obi-Wan tugged at the middle of his robes in effort to straighten them. "I promise to save the first dance for you."
"You'd better," she answered playfully.
It was a clear, sunny late morning in Theed as Padmé took another sip of her herbal tea. Although she normally enjoyed the peaceful quiet of the mornings to read the holonews, on this day, she welcomed the jovial giggles of her two nieces as they ran about the veranda. It was rare for her entire immediate family to come for visit at the Palace. Typically, Anakin and she would go to the family home in the mountains as it always provided a welcomed retreat from the daily pressures of her office.
Padmé beamed as she looked up to see her father and brother-in-law Darred apparently engrossed with someone on the latter's datapad. Meanwhile, her sister Sola, who was obviously enjoying her breakfast since Ryoo and Pooja had forgotten about her, sat quietly as she took in the view into the city. Her mother was being a typical mother—worrying about everybody but herself.
"Would you like another buttered scone, sweetheart?" Jobal Naberrie asked as she was gathering the family's empty plates.
"You don't have to do that, Mother." Padmé grinned. "We do have people to take care of that."
Jobal's face seemed to flush red but she continued on with her task. "As long as I have two good arms, I can gather some dishes together."
"Oh mother," Sola chided from the other side of the table. "How often do you get served by others?"
"Not often enough," Jobal replied, planting a well placed elbow into Ruwee's shoulder.
"Ow! What did I do?"
"Nothing honey," she answered, now noticeably grinning.
"I'm so glad you all could make it," Padmé said, happy to once again be with her family.
"Don't be silly, little sister." Sola said with a loud huff. "We wouldn't have missed this for anything."
"I wanna see Artoo!" Ryoo interrupted with a stomp of her foot. "Where is he? I want to play with him!"
Padmé exchanged amused glances with her sister. "He's probably helping over at Anakin's residence."
"Wanne see, Annieken!" The nearly three-year-old Pooja uttered at the mention of his name.
"Anakin!" Ryoo parroted. "I want to see Anakin too. And Artoo."
The entire Naberrie family laughed at the young girls' antics. Sola then turned to her sister. "They both have quite the little crush for him."
Padmé couldn't help smiling. "He's quite fond of them too."
"I'm still in awe by the wooden horse that he made for Ryoo's last life day." Darred admired. "He is quite talented."
"I'm sure in many ways," Sola interjected as she softly elbowed Padmé.
"Sola!" Padmé said outraged, but couldn't help blushing.
"So, darling, have you decided which gown you are going to wear tonight?" Jobal asked apparently to change the subject.
Thankful that she would not have to expand on the intimate details of her love life, especially with her family, Padmé responded, "I'm not wearing any of the royal gowns. Instead, I had something made."
"Oh really?" Her mother responded.
"What does it look like?" Sola queried.
"It's a secret," Padmé winked.
"Oh, rubbish!" Sola rolled her eyes. "Spit it out!'
"You'll just have to wait like everyone else," Padmé calmly retorted.
"Please tell me that you did get Anakin something appropriate." Sola hopefully asked. "Preferably new."
"It was like pulling teeth from a nexu, but I did." She answered with a wry grin.
"I have no doubt," Jobal chuckled.
"He will look quite stunning!" Padmé declared.
Sola scoffed and shook her head. Turning towards her mother, she observed, " Oh, she's got it bad."
Jobal chuckled, but quickly became more serious. "Now, now, we should be happy for your sister. Anakin is a very nice young man."
"And has quite the dreamy eyes." Sola wiggled her eyebrows at Padmé.
Darred exaggerated clearing his throat. "And what am I? Chopped shaak's liver?"
"Ohhh…hush." Sola said while throwing a napkin in his direction. "Remember darling husband, I am going home with you tonight after the ball…and without the girls."
Darred dramatically shrugged his shoulders. "Lucky me," he said sarcastically.
Sola looked to be powering up for one of her infamous rants when Dormé quietly walked onto the veranda. "Pardon the interruption, Your Highness."
"It's quite alright," Padmé responded, waving her hand.
"Rabé wished for me to inform you that she has everything prepared for you."
"Thank you, Dormé." She replied as she placed her napkin back onto the table. "I will be there momentarily."
After the handmaiden departed, Sola shot Padmé a curious stare. "I thought Cordé was supposed to join us?"
"Unfortunately, she's en route to Alderaan on a special assignment."
Sola scrunched her face. "And what about Sabé?"
"She will be here."
"Where is she?"
Padmé shrugged, unwilling to disclose her friend's secret. "She's…indisposed."
"Indisposed?" Sola remarked. "What is that supposed to mean?"
"Don't worry," Padmé said, giving her sister an icy glare as a warning not to press the issue further. "She'll be here."
Sola nodded then looked down at her chronowatch. "Well, we'd better get you inside. It's going to be a long day."
Anakin sat quietly next to Obi-Wan at the Theed Spaceport as they waited the arrival of the Lars' transport from Tatooine. According to the dockmaster, there had been a problem with the ship before it left the desert planet, causing the delay. Knowing fully well that Obi-Wan would require meditation to erase his anxieties over that evening's event, Anakin opted to silently rehearse his lines. He could sense that his friend had many questions for him, as they had little time to speak since their return from Coruscant. Anakin still harbored considerable guilt over having to lie to Obi-Wan about Professor Zhall's true intentions.
"How has your training been progressing?" Obi-Wan asked, breaking the silence.
"General Tro usually keeps me quite busy once I've taken care of my other duties."
Obi-Wan appeared to perk up at mention of the mysterious former Jedi. "I haven't seen her since we left Coruscant."
Anakin shrugged. "I'm not surprised. She tends to keep to herself when off duty."
"Is she as strange as she seems?"
"Even more so," Anakin slightly chuckled. "There are times though that she can be downright frightening."
"Oh?"
"Somehow she knew about how Master Qui-Gon died," Anakin began, but stopped abruptly as he noticed the pained expression growing across his friend's face. "I'm sorry."
"It's alright," Obi-Wan waved dismissively. "We can talk about him. Go on."
Anakin forced a smile. "She found the spare lightsaber I the former owner of the Angel Queen had stashed aboard and attacked me with it. Said it was a lesson on fear."
Obi-Wan had never looked more mortified in Anakin's experience. "Surely not!"
"Afraid so."
"What did you do?"
"I did what came to mind," Anakin recalled. "I used the Force against her."
Obi-Wan pensively rubbed his beard as he reclined into the bench. "I've never had a good feeling where she was concerned."
"Although your styles are very different, I am learning from her, Master." Anakin said. "That's not to say that I don't miss your instruction," he added with a large smile.
Obi-Wan chuckled. "And I miss our sessions together also, Anakin. I always found them enlightening."
"You know, I wouldn't be the man I am today without you, Master."
His friend's mood noticeably lightened as a large smile filled his features. "That is very kind of you to say, Anakin."
"It's the truth," he continued. "If you hadn't agreed to start my training secretly, I don't know what would have happened to me."
"I was simply following the will of the Force," Obi-Wan admitted.
Anakin couldn't help chortling. "I think it is due to you having a lot more of Qui-Gon in you than you'd ever admit."
"Possibly," he responded, sitting up in the typical Jedi stoic pose.
"I know he's very proud of you," Anakin said with a smile.
Obi-Wan stared at him wordlessly for several moments. "Speaking of him, how has his lightsaber been working?"
Anakin couldn't help sighing loudly. "I've been having to do a lot of modifications to the chamber housing the crystal. General Tro seems to think that the crystals themselves are wearing out, but I think it's a power distribution issue."
"I'm afraid she might be right," Obi-Wan lamented. "The unit is going to fail soon."
"I thought lightsaber crystals were indestructible?"
Obi-Wan shook his head. "Like all things, they too expire with time." Releasing a deep breath, he added, "As does the entire lightsaber itself."
"I have constructed a new lightsaber, but I have been unable to find a new crystal and General Tro has been her usual cryptic self as to where I can obtain a new one."
Obi-Wan nodded and folded his arms. "There are several caverns where the crystals can be harvested. However, they are all controlled by the Jedi."
"I figured as much," Anakin said with a deep sigh. "That's why I created a synthetic one."
"Synthetic?" Obi-wan mused aloud. "Only the Sith have been known to do that."
Anakin shrugged in resignation. "Given that I had no other choice, I didn't see any alternative."
"Anakin, the Jedi view crystal selection as a highly personal thing." Obi-Wan worriedly informed. "In fact, it is a highly ritualized process when a padawan selects his first crystal."
"Well, given my exclusion from the Order," Anakin said in a tone much harsher than he had originally intended, "I felt I had to do what was necessary." Obi-Wan looked as if he had kicked him in the stomach. "I'm sorry, Master."
"Quite alright, Anakin. You have every right be upset."
Wanting to avoid an axiomatic discussion on anger and the dark side, Anakin offered, "I've almost got it working."
"Oh?" Obi-Wan couldn't hide his intrigue.
Anakin smiled as he reached into his boot, withdrawing a silver encased hilt and handing it to Obi-Wan. The Jedi Knight looked over the weapon externally before opening it to reveal the inner mechanisms. As he inspected the lightsaber's inerts, he whistled aloud. "Anakin, this is very impressive work. What material did you use for the power cell? It doesn't look like diatium."
"That's because it's not," he responded with a grin.
"Then what is it?"
"It's kelvacyte."
"Kelvacyte?" Obi-Wan said to himself. "But how? It's extremely rare."
"Tell me about it," Anakin said, unwilling to reveal the Naboo's national secret. "Let's just say that it was a gift."
"I see," Obi-Wan replied as he turned his focus back onto the weapon. "The power output on that though must be incredible."
"It is," Anakin started, but then scrunched his face. "Or should I say, it would be if I could keep the blasted thing from shorting out."
Obi-Wan's face contorted slightly as he glanced back down to inspect the weapon. After several moments, he turned the blade knob to the off position and then activated the lightsaber. The synthetic crystals, which were an unusual deep blue color, sparkled briefly before the light disappeared. "Ah ha!"
"Ah?"
Obi-Wan nodded. "I see what the problem is. Since you're using synthetic crystals, undoubtingly they have a different refractive index than traditional ones. And probably, I'm guessing anyway that you aligned them based on Qui-Gon's lightsaber, not taking this into account."
Anakin couldn't help slapping his forehead. "Yes, of course. That's got to be it."
"I'd suggest letting your astromech aligning it for you and it should work then."
Anakin smiled. "I can't wait to get back to try."
"It will have to wait though."
"Why?" Anakin asked, still absorbed in studying his lightsaber.
"Looks like your family's transport has finally arrived."
TBC-Thoughts, comments and suggestions are always appreciated!