Thanks to Azn, Shadow Girl, Kathi Skywalker, Moonlit Padawan and Aubergine girl for the review, they are very appreciated! I hope you like this next part.
Oh and thanks so much for the tribute Moonlit! I am a girl btw J thanks again everyone, your support is very important to me!
***
Anakin wouldn't have minded staying in hyperspace for a few more days…light years even. It was the only time they were truly safe from the empire, and the only time Padmé and he were allowed to be real people, not just leaders of a war.
Anakin also longed desperately to speak with his wife again, he sensed how unnerved she was after their conversation. She said she forgave him, that she loved him, but he knew her to well to believe it. It was like her to be strong like that, it was almost an involuntary reaction to everything she was faced with.
Shaking thoughts of things other than his mission, Anakin continued to walk along the wet, muddy ground of Dagobah toward the other command ship where the Jedi were on board. The Jedi, ah yes, that was another problem of its own. One he cared not to think about.
"General!" Commander Darkcloud exclaimed, running over to Anakin's group, "The Jedi wish to speak with you immediately." He spoke in a slightly hushed voice to his superior officer. Anakin shook his head, "I can't drop everything right now Commander, I must meet with Solo as soon as possible."
The commander persisted quieting his voice further, "They seemed rather resolute that the you must meet with them, Anakin. They said is was urgent, and of great importance." Anakin just stood in silence for a moment. He had no desire to speak with his former masters, yet he knew deep down the confrontation was inevitable. "I must meet Solo," Anakin replied again, in a voice which seemed he was merely attempting to convince himself his statement was true.
Just as the Commander was about to give a retort, a soft voice spoke from behind Anakin as he felt a petite hand rest on his shoulder, "General, I can take the squad ahead and meet Admiral Solo, I am for sure we can handle it." Padmé said, her voice both commanding and kind, as she once again shifted into her political mode.
Anakin suddenly felt uncomfortable, Padmé and he had barely spoken, much less touched, since he had left for the cockpit from their chambers aboard the ship two mornings ago. He paused for a second, coming up with no reasonable excuse, before replying"…Alright, thank you Senator." He mumbled incoherently, dreading talking with those three again. Padmé must have noticed this for she gingerly squeezed his shoulder reassuringly before returning to the delegates and other squad members behind him.
"Tell them I'll be there after I brief the parties," he ordered Commander Darkcloud, waving his hand at the small group of people behind him. Darkcloud nodded and jogged back up into the ship as Anakin slowly turned and walked over to where his wife was quietly conversing with her peers.
He quickly cleared his voice to gather their attention and when they finally had their gaze upon him he began speaking, his voice bearing no emotion, just simply sharp and commanding. "Senator Skywalker will be leading you to the rendezvous point where Admiral Solo, his platoon, and family will be waiting to assist you. My squad will assist you on your way and I will come as soon as possible after I meet with a few…guests. May the force be with you."
Anakin turned to walk away, a small force on his arm stopping him. Padmé led him slowly away from the group where the senators stood flustered along side Anakin's squad, not used to being dictated to in such a…military manor. "Everything will be all right," she spoke softly, not relenting her grip on him.
Anakin gazed at her for a brief moment, "Is everything alright with us?" he finally questioned. Padmé's arm dropped to her side, a bemused expression playing upon her face, "Anakin…I…we just need to talk things out." She murmured, Anakin straining to hear her.
Finally she locked his gaze standing on her tiptoes to kiss him softly and swiftly on the lips, then on the forehead. "Just give me time, we can talk when you arrive at the camp." She whispered on his ear, her warm-breathe a familiar feeling on his neck. Anakin nodded and began walking towards the command ship where the Jedi patiently awaited him.
"I love you!" He heard Padmé's voice almost yell across the swampy landscape, causing the group of rebels to give them both curious and intrigued glances, as Anakin stepped onto the slanted walkway on which you entered the ship.
He smiled somewhat, taking in her angel like appearance, despite the crusted mud on her boots and what the humid climate had done to her hair. He replied in a voice which matched her tone and volume, his eyes staring directly into hers despite the distance, "I know," and then retreated into the carrier.
***
The sound of Anakin's heeled boots echoed throughout the metal hallways as he slowly walked towards the Jedi's chambers on the small shuttle. He couldn't help but feel a chill up his spine, for this time, Padmé wouldn't be there to hold his hand, to assure him everything would be alright. This time he was on his own and he was scared.
He felt their presence's, calm and controlled emotions radiating from their Auras, as he approached the door. He hated their control, he despised it more than Sidious himself. Yet he envied them so for it. Anakin had the weakness of passion, one at times he was grateful for but had overall cost him his greatest dream. Yoda had constantly cautioned him about it time after time, and now that he looked back, Anakin wished he could change his decision to ignore the warnings.
Shaking all the regrets to the back of his mind and taking a deep breath, Anakin straightened his posture and pressed the keypad, the metal door sliding open with a swishing noise in response.
"General," Master Windu said cordially, all three Jedi standing as he entered the room in accordance with protocol. Anakin bowed quickly and then sat down across from Obi-Wan in one of the circular chairs, finding it quite uncomfortable. "You wished to speak with me masters?" he managed to muster out, controlling his nervousness the best he could.
Master Yoda nodded, swiftly glancing at his comrades before turning back to Anakin. "Hope we do, that a decision you have reached. Quickly the danger is coming, clouding everything the dark side is." The elderly Jedi Master replied, causing Anakin to bow his head, his mind flooding with so many thoughts of the past, the present, and the most dreaded future.
"I have come to a decision Masters, and I have decided I will go with you, complete the training necessary to destroy the Sith, but I will not leave the Rebellion…or Padmé….in the process." Anakin he hoped he spoke with enough conviction to convince the powerful men in front of him to accept his proposal. For it was the only one he would be able to agree too. No compromises.
"That isn't possible Anakin, the code forbids…" Master Windu began to protest but was silent at the wave of Master Yoda's small hand. "In dire need of his help the remainder of us our, accept the proposal we must." Obi-Wan nodded in agreement, "Anakin it the key to this Mace, without him we might as well surrender ourselves over to Sidious."
Anakin sat uncomfortably for a few moments, fidgeting whenever one of the Jedi glanced in his direction as they continued to converse quietly in order to convince Windu this was the only way. Finally, Mace surrendered and agreed to the offer, causing Anakin to emit a short sigh in relief.
"Obi-Wan will continue your training, you must start soon" Mace said curtly, Yoda giving him a sharp glance of disapproval. Anakin was relieved, yet slightly unnerved by the knowledge his old master, and once beloved friend, would be continuing his training. He couldn't help but notice Obi-Wan shift in his position as well, telling Anakin he felt the same.
All of the sudden, Anakin cleared his throat as he remembered his prior commitments, "Before I can begin Masters, I must complete this mission and meet with Admiral Solo." Anakin spoke in a rushed, yet slightly meek tone. The Jedi masters exchanged looks of disapproval but nodded in agreement, knowing that he could not abandon his squadron…or his wife.
As Anakin stood to go, Master Yoda stopped him with a wave of his hand. "With you Obi-Wan will go, and on your journey your training will begin." Anakin and Obi-Wan locked gazes as the latter stood and walked to the side of his former and once again padawan.
As the men turned to leave, silence enveloping the chamber, Yoda stopped them once again but this time solely with his voice. "Remember Anakin, on you this all depends." He said softly, causing a chill to run a up Anakin's spine as he and Obi-Wan walked out of the chamber, the door sliding closed behind them.
Anakin Skywalker once again felt the weight of the galaxy on his shoulders, but this time he swore to himself he wouldn't let it's fate, nor his, fall into the shadows.
***
Padmé walked alongside Bail and Mon Mothma as they traipsed through the swampy undergrowth, weapons in hand ready to dispose of any threatening beast whom may be lurking nearby. "We're almost there," she said to the tired group behind her, halfway trying to convince herself that Solo's camp was nearby.
Bail leaned closer to her, making her feel slightly uncomfortable and whispered casually into her ear, "The scanner is still picking up no signs of advanced technology. Either we have another half day of walking or Solo is relying on human power alone. If that's true we could have already passed the camp." Padmé nodded in agreement, frustration visible on her face. "We need Anakin, or any of the Jedi for that matter…" she muttered, Bail stiffening as she mentioned the man he despised most.
She really couldn't blame him, her husband had taken all he loved and cherished, even her. She had much Sympathy for Bail Organa, sometimes even guilt for she occasionally saw the way he looked at her…and at Anakin, and knew the pain he was going through. She remembered feeling it when she used to see or hear the name Vader, she knew she wanted something she couldn't have.
"Padmé!" Bail's voice disrupted her from her thoughts, making her aware of the muck and rotting trees which surrounded her once again. "We have a lock on a possible camp site. It's only about…say a half days walk ahead." Padmé nodded, her first instinct to head straight for the camp, but after looking around at he companions and seeing the dark bags under their eyes and their slouched postures she decided otherwise.
"We shall sleep here for the night, I don't think walking that long would do anyone of us any good." She announced, some of her cohorts sighed in relief while others quickly unpacked their sleeping back and immediately began setting up tents. Padmé smiled tiredly and sat down on a fallen tree, ignoring the mossy growth that would most likely make the seat of her white jumpsuit quite interesting.
"I think the squad is awfully thrilled with your decision." Bail said, as he took a seat beside her, a respective distance between the pair. Padmé's smile widened, "I think they are too, we all are exhausted. Plus it should give the Jedi enough time to catch up with us." Bail looked away, nodding his head and watching the group scurry around making camp and dinner. "Yes, I am sure it will." Padmé watched him for a moment, noticing the moisture glistening in his eyes.
"Bail, I…" she finally whispered while placing a comforting hand in his shoulder. He quickly shrugged it off and stood up, clenching his hands into a fist. "Don't Padmé, just don't." Before Padmé had even a par-second to react, Bail noticed two other persons enter their camp site, and nodded towards them and the former Nubian queen before walking to speak with Mon-Mothma, leaving the Padmé staring after him.
Padmé shook off the feelings of guilt and pain Bail had just inflicted upon her, standing slowly and walking to greet her husband and friend warmly. There would be another time she could rekindle her friendship with the Prince, another time she could apologize for what did and didn't happen those years ago. Yes another time. But right now she would just embrace her husband and thank the force he was standing beside her.
***
Bail sat alone by the fire as the night continued, his cohorts sound asleep, gazing steadily as the flame dimmed slightly yet continued to flicker. He ignored the burning sensation erupting in his eyes as the cinders were carried by the cool night breeze in his direction, fidgeting with his hands and rubbing a circular metal object between his palms. The object was his wedding ring, the one his beloved Eyla had slipped on his finger the morning of their betrothal.
He gingerly plucked out the matching ring out of his small breast pocket and set it next to his own in his palm, the flames reflection shimmering on the fine Alderranian silver. This was the ring he had found lying on his pillow next to the cold limp body of his wife, gaudy bruises and garish cuts ornamenting her pale, soft skin and her once pearl white gown covered with crimson spots. He later found his daughter in the same position, delicately tucked inside her bed, yet with only bruises around her tiny neck. His darling baby girl, gone before her sixth birthday, before she had even begun to live.
He remembered collapsing to his knees and crying uncontrollably as his servants and guards carried the bodies to the tomb where they would lay for eternity in a peaceful sleep. It was months before he stopped dreaming of his revenge against the beast they called Darth Vader, the visions of his family haunting him every waking moment. He recalled the day it ceased, the day the auburn haired wife of his despised enemy walked into his home seeking refuge from the very man she exchanged vows with.
She, even with her skin pail and eyes dark and sad, had been luminous, her beauty striking him in the very core of his being. They had both been in pain, hurting inside more than anyone could imagine, and they naturally sought comfort in one another. And in his stupidity, his extremely vulnerable state, he had the nerve to fall in love with her. Only the guilt of betraying his dead wife and the grief of her not returning the feeling followed in consummation of his reckless actions. Now he would be forced to see her with him for the remainder of his existence.
As a wave of sorrow and rage coursed through his veins, he thrust the rings into the fire before him, causing the fire to erupt with sparks as it encountered the highly flammable metal. He showed no reaction to the popping, crackling cinders which flew in his face for his body was numb to any feeling except heartache. And he predicted it would be for quite awhile as he stood and walked over to his tent, shutting it's curtain and closing out the light of dawn,
***