The heart of tragedy does not lie in stealing or taking away… It is in putting on, in adding, smothering without the pillows. (T.H. White)
One glance at the haunted look in Obi-Wan's eyes told Padme there was something horribly wrong, which could realistically mean only one thing.
"He's dead, isn't he."
This was absolutely refusing to sink in. Probably it wouldn't for a long time.
"Ams I…it happened so fast. I found him, and he was so angry, at everything in the whole galaxy, it seemed. I didn't want to fight, but we did and…and he fell into a molten pit."
Padme was almost certain that her heart stopped beating for a moment. Her handsome knight, her husband and… gone forever.
"Anakin's not only my husband, he's the father of my children."
That was surprising enough to keep an almost unbearable silence in the room for a minute.
"Yes. I haven't told the press, I didn't want them to find out before my own husband…but, gods, that'll never happen now."
"Ams, it is crucial that Palpatine never knows you have children". Everything seemed to be moving in slow motion.
The terrifying reality dawned on her. "And that can never happen if I'm acting as queen".
She simply put her arms around Obi-Wan's shoulders and cried as though she would never stop.
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Bail Organa, prince and senator from Alderaan, was trying to pay attention to his advisors, who were discussing what type of action to take against the Mandalorian attacks. While he hated them as much as everyone else, he couldn't get his conversation with Obi-Wan out of his mind. His wife, Sabe, had seemed both horrified and excited at the same time, and he had to admit he was starting to feel the same way. Of course he had to say it was fine for Padme to come, but what about the future months, no, years? He would love to have a child of his own, but any talk about that would have to wait until Amidala arrived.
"There must be a pattern of some sort to these attacks. We have to learn what it is to have any hope of being prepared."
What a wonderful jolt into reality. Still, he had to respond. "Yes, of course, but they have been attacking random systems."
Once Sabe and Padme were finally able to talk on their own, the looks they gave each other communicated really all that had to be.
"Ams, have you thought at all about your plans now?"
For a second, Padme looked at her like she hadn't understood. "No, I'm not really sure. My life was supposed to be figures out when I was fourteen. Now, I honestly don't know."
"What I mean is, have you really been able to think through whether you want to go through with this plan. You've been through so much already, and, believe me, I don't want to add to it. You've got enough pressure without me adding to it."
"Sabe, you've always been a true friend, and yes, I'm sure about that much. I wouldn't trust anyone but you and Bail."
"You don't know how much that means to me."
