The Jedi Protector

Anakin looked across the seat at his soon to be bride and flexed his right hand, the metallic fingers still foreign to the touch. They smelled of copper and titanium and they felt lighter and yet at the same time heavier than his human arm had been. Anakin looked at it, his droid arm; colored the same color he imagined Three-pio would be one day. They were no veins on that arm, only metal and electro sensors that went into his forearm that was still flesh and blood. Anakin felt ashamed and yet at the same time proud of the arm or lack thereof.

Anakin felt ashamed because it represented his failure. He was the Chosen One and he had failed to protect Padme from Count Dooku, the Sith Lord who had ordered her execution. Anakin felt like he had failed, like he had failed the Jedi and their teachings, and more importantly like he had felt Padme and his mother. He felt ashamed of the pity he felt from him mother; he wanted her love, not her pity. He looked upon the glowing form of his fiancée and even though he knew he shouldn't he couldn't stop himself he used the Force checking for a sign of pity, finding none he settled back contently as her eyelids fluttered open.

"Anakin," she said softly.

"Yes, my love."

"What did you do?"

"I was just meditating," he lied, his eyes darting around nervously.

"Anakin," she persisted, "Tell me."

"My love there are some things I cannot tell you."

"Anakin, I may not be a Jedi but I can tell when you aren't being honest with me." Padme Amidala searched her future husband's face and the worry seemed to melt away.

"You are right, Padme. I am sorry. I just didn't want to trouble you. I wanted to make sure you were sure about me…about us," he replied hesitantly.

"Why wouldn't I be?"

"A Jedi's life is not an easy one. I'm asking a lot from you, Padme."

"It's nothing I can't handle. I have been both a queen and a Senator. I have been a daughter and a granddaughter. I have been an aunt and a sister. Make me a wife. Make me your wife," she said with startling clarity.

"There's nothing I want more but I don't want to be selfish. Can you bare having a husband…" Anakin trailed off turning his mechanical hand over as he went to look out the window, and clenched and unclenched his fist. He watched as the Captain excused himself.

"Is that what's bothering you? I've never known anyone braver than you. Although many Jedi were lost, you saved my life. You told me yourself that Count Dooku would finish off Master Kenobi if you hadn't stopped him with your blade. You know as I do that's not the first time you've saved my life. You saved my life from the sandstorm on Tattooine. You saved my planet from the Trade Federation at the age of nine. You are a hero. Anakin, I'm so proud of you and so is your mother. I would want no one else at my side for the rest of my life," she said rushing over to him and placing her lips gently on his and he couldn't help but think that she tasted faintly of ginger and mint. She smiled shyly as she broke away and Anakin blushed upon hearing Captain Typho clear his throat.

"I apologize Milady, Master Jedi, but we have arrived upon Naboo and we have been given clearance for landing."

"No apologizes are necessary, Captain. Is Dorme ready?"

"Yes, milady."

"And Peter?"

"Yes milady. They will be in position as soon as we land. I will fetch Friar Jenkins personally as soon as we land. I trust that Master Jedi Skywalker can see to your protection."

"Yes. Thank you Captain," she said and he nodded performing an about-face and leaving. Captain Typho watched the two of them, he being the only one except for the two of them to know about their wedding. They made a striking couple, although he could see the frustration in the young man he also knew that being a Jedi wasn't easy. They seemed to love each other very much and truth be told he had had a crush on the young queen himself but he had never seen her as pretty as she was now basked in love. He could tell from the eavesdropping he had done that the young Jedi was frustrated with himself and not with Senator Amidala. He knew that Skywalker was a padawan and not a Jedi Knight, yet he felt that the young man needed a boost to his ego; it was his wedding day too. No sooner had the Captain landed than Skywalker approached him.

"Captain, the Senator tells me that you have been...um…privy to certain…um….intimate details."

"Yes I have Jedi Skywalker. This plan for example, was entirely Senator Amidala's idea. Would you like for me to run it by you. I would appreciate your expertise."

"Of course, Captain."

"Typho. My name is Captain Typho. The Senator calls me Captain but the two of us are in the business of protection."

"All right then, Captain Typho. Run it by me."

"As I was saying Dorme is one of Senator Amidala's handmaidens. Ever since she became Queen of Naboo their have been attempts on her life. The Senator devised a plan and would only hire handmaidens of similar coloring and build as herself." Anakin nodded his head thoughtfully as the Captain continued.

"So at a distance, they would appear to be Padme," he said with understanding.

"Exactly, Jedi Skywalker. Now before I proceed I want to assure you of my absolute discretion in this delicate matter. I am dedicated toward that discretion. That is what you were getting at isn't it, Skywalker?" Anakin blushed and when Anakin blushed he didn't blush all at once, rather, the blush started at the nape of his neck and crept upward until his whole face looked like the Sith Lord whom had taken his arm.

"Yes, it was, Captain Typho."

"Then I will continue. Peter will escort Dorme to the Senator's home wearing your type of clothing."

"Jedi garb? I've actually brought an extra set. Jedi don't own much but it's enough," Anakin said proudly.

"That would pull this off much better. From a distance it would appear that you and Padme had arrived at her home, leaving you free to …your business while they resume a normal day's outing."

"Sounds good, I really hadn't thought of all the details," Anakin admitted lamely.

"Getting cold feet, Skywalker?"

"Of course not. I love Padme; have loved her since the moment I first laid eyes on her. I'm just worried that she deserves better than the life I can offer her. I would give her the whole galaxy if it were within my power to do so."

"I know, Senator Amidala, and what she needs is love not lust for power. As long as you love her and think with your heart and never stop following it you will be fine. She's had too many that thought with their head and not their heart. I think Senator Amidala needs someone just like you to fill her life with laughter when she becomes too serious."

"You love her too, don't you, Captain."

"Aye, I do. However, I love her for what she has done for the Naboo and I respect her for thousands of reasons I couldn't even begin to name. Nay, you won't have to worry about a rival for her affections for I have respected you since you save my planet." Captain Typho turned and saluted performing an about-face, he walked away leaving Anakin wondering. For he had seen the way the Captain had of become serious, he had also seen within the Captain despite all his military bearing there was a teasing smile there. He trusted the Captain with Padme's life.

Yes, Anakin Skywalker had a lot to be thankful for. He would soon have a loving wife by his side. He had his mother back. He was a Jedi, hopefully, soon to be a Jedi Knight; he had one of the wisest and most powerful masters of the order as his master. He had survived against a Sith Lord. Yes, Anakin agreed, his sacrifice was more than worth it. Maybe someday he would even earn Master Yoda's respect though he had once thought that Master Yoda was all instruction and very little demonstration, he was glad to have been proved wrong. Boy, had he ever been impressed. Still, it made him feel less of a man that Padme deserved. She deserved a completely human husband, not one that had a mechanical arm. Yet, Palpatine had made him feel adored, as if the whole galaxy appreciated his sacrifice to make the galaxy a safer place. When he had seen that crimson blade above Obi-Wan's throat, despite the minor burns he himself had endured he had focused on the Force to guide both him and the borrowed lightsaber. The Force had acted through him moving his lightsaber between Count Dooku and his beloved Master's throat.

The only wish Anakin had for his wedding was that somehow his mother and Obi-Wan could make it, but that wasn't possible not if they were to wed. Anakin was almost positive that Obi-Wan would keep his secret; however, he didn't want his master to be torn between their loyalty and his love and loyalty toward their Order, their world. It was going to be hard enough for him but he had had another life. Being a Jedi was all that Obi-Wan had ever known. Anakin turned to collect his bride, "Milady."

"Tomorrow. Tomorrow, Anakin and our lives will truly begin."

"You have that wrong, milady. We marry tonight, because I want tonight to be our wedding night. I can't bare to suffer another night, or another day without you as my bride."

She nodded, "Tonight, then Anakin."

"Master Anakin," Anakin heard a familiar mechanical voice say, "I really do detest flying."

"Don't worry Artoo. We are here. We are done flying for now."

"Thank you, Master!" Three-poi's voice said with what sounded like a sigh of relief. Anakin couldn't help but to laugh as he pictured Master Obi-Wan's lecture on how droids were machines and didn't have emotions, other than inputted loyalty. Three-pio nearly sounded airsick. Was it his imagination or had his droid looked queasy? Artoo beeped his disapproval.

"Let's go milady. Your chariot waits."

"But Anakin, I thought we would walk. Naboo can be so romantic at sunset." Anakin gazed back at the yellow speeder that he had customized himself. She placed her soft cool hands on top of his and he forgot the reasons he was prepared to tell her it wasn't a good idea, her safety at the top of the list and his stared into her brown eyes, eyes full of passion and mystery and he forgot everything except that they were getting married and she would be his, and his alone, for as long as they both lived.

"As you wish, milady," he said leading her protectively through the streets of Theed toward the lake house. Although he tried desperately to be alert for potential threats he found himself mesmerized by his future bride.