Athena Leigh - Thanks. I hope you're still reading after this long break.
I really wanted to keep the better parts of their relationship in the
story. I'm glad you liked it. Thanks again. : )
Well, sorry for the delay everyone. I have been having a difficult time with the end. I had one thought, but then didn't like it, and have been fighting to come up with something since then. But thanks to CK and PT, both helped guide me in a direction that I think will work out well. I hope to get this one rapped up soon. Thanks again for your patience. ; )
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A low rumble could be heard beyond the green valley. Various beasts fidgeted in response to the pending danger that approached. The mass of warriors watched and waited for their adversaries to arrive and the battle to begin.
Slowly, the rounded ships rose over the horizon, to take positions opposite the Gungans. The lead vessel stopped the battletanks, and the commanding droid surveyed the battlefield. Calculating that they could easily take them down, he ordered the tanks to open fire. Their bolts of death pinged off of the impervious energy shields of the amphibious beings. The commander waited hoping that their continuous bombardment would weaken the defense screen surrounding that which they sought to destroy.
***
The small band of Nubians and Jedi entered the outskirts of the capital city. The Queen led them through the streets of her home as they made their way to the Palace. Inwardly, Amidala's heart ached that her glorious city and home had been thrust into the ugly business of war, but it also gave her purpose. Determined to rid her planet from Trade Federation occupation, Amidala gathered her resolve, making each step count. Her fellow countrymen followed closely behind and she knew they were just as settled on their task.
Glancing back for a moment she took in the sight of the Jedi. Both remained in their stoic concentration, stretching out with their Jedi senses to protect her. Padmé had been thankful for their support and advice, but for some reason she worried about them.
As they paused to wait for Panaka's signal, she noticed the young boy behind the Jedi Master. She liked him, he was a gentle and innocent soul, which is also what irked her. She did not think he should have accompanied them on such a dangerous venture. She knew he already had such a difficult life and to bring him along to war infuriated her. Had it not been for the innocence of youth and peace that they fought to protect? She could not abide the Master's decision to bring the child along, nor could she deny it. Obi-Wan was not her concern rather the entire future of a planet. Sighing she noticed the boy looking at her and offered the boy a sad smile.
Suddenly, her view was obscured by that of Anakin. He had approached to come up behind her and her smile changed. The two had spent some time together on the journey back to Naboo and they had both appreciated the other's company. Now as he came to stand behind her, she felt warm and comfortable in his presence. Distracted, Padmé almost missed Panaka's signal. Quickly she turned back to her duty and responded. The group closed in as they waited for the moment to attack.
Qui-Gon had felt the Queen's agitation, but also knew it was not her concern. He had assumed responsibility for the youth, making it his job to guide and direct where the boy went. Therefore he decided that the boy should travel with them as they infiltrated the Palace, so that he may protect him. For some reason, he had sensed that he needed to be with the boy as much as possible, but was unclear as to why. Banishing any further distractions by wayward thoughts, he concentrated on the coming battle. He had no doubts that the dark warrior he had faced on Tatooine would surface here as well. He just hoped that he and Anakin could handle such a perilous adversary.
Scanning the area, the Knight noticed the change in the Queen when Anakin approached and vise versa. Concerned, he pushed it aside, holding in the back of his mind for a private conversation when this was over. Suddenly, a flash across the road pulled his attention. Softly, he bent down to Obi- Wan and said, "Once we get inside, Obi, find a place to hide and stay there." He smiled as the boy nodded quickly.
The apprehension in the air was almost palpable to Obi-Wan as he followed along. Once they entered the city, he could sense the Queen's raging emotions. He tried to discern the cause when she finally looked at him. A sad smile crossed her features and almost thought it was him that she was thinking about. Maybe not him, but something that he might have reminded her of, but that would have to wait as Anakin stepped in their line of vision disrupting his train of thought.
Instead he looked up at the Jedi Master but found the man deep in thought. Watching the people around him, he tried to figure out what he should do. He felt like he was a hindrance to them, but when he asked Qui-Gon if he would come, he was surprised to find out that he would. At first he was going to suggest that he should remain in the forest, but the look in Qui- Gon's eyes still him and he accepted the Jedi's decision.
Now as they were on the verge of battle, he wished he had requested to stay. It's not that he was afraid rather that he felt he was more of a liability to their mission. When the tall Master told him to hide, he was mildly grateful for the direction. He suspected if he was hidden away he could not cause anyone undo harm brought on by their need to protect him. He could not bare the thought of someone being injured on his behalf. He set his mind to get out of their way as quickly as possible when they entered the Palace. A blinking like told him that their wait was over.
A moment later a laserbolt exploded the side of a Federation tank. The two groups rushed into the streets continuing their attack. Driving back the few droid troops they forced their way to the hanger bay. There they could enter the Palace and send fighters to attack the Federation Control ship still orbiting the planet.
**
"I thought the battle was to take place far from here," the Viceroy shouted. Shocked at the explosion just beyond the safety of the palace walls, Nute Gunray began to get a bad feeling about this. Turning to head for the Throne room, he was stopped by the entrance of the Sith apprentice.
Silently, the tattooed warrior went to the window. For a moment he watched the skirmish with great interest before turning back to the Viceroy. An eerie smile crossed the stern features and the Niemoidians cringed in response. The dark lord had seen the Jedi guarding the Queen, and he also saw the boy in tow. He could not believe his fortune at this new development and could not hide his surprise. He pushed past the Viceroy saying as he exited, "The Jedi have arrived. I will handle them."
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Please don't forget to review. I would greatly appreciate it. Have a good one. : )
Well, sorry for the delay everyone. I have been having a difficult time with the end. I had one thought, but then didn't like it, and have been fighting to come up with something since then. But thanks to CK and PT, both helped guide me in a direction that I think will work out well. I hope to get this one rapped up soon. Thanks again for your patience. ; )
---------------------------------------------------------------------
A low rumble could be heard beyond the green valley. Various beasts fidgeted in response to the pending danger that approached. The mass of warriors watched and waited for their adversaries to arrive and the battle to begin.
Slowly, the rounded ships rose over the horizon, to take positions opposite the Gungans. The lead vessel stopped the battletanks, and the commanding droid surveyed the battlefield. Calculating that they could easily take them down, he ordered the tanks to open fire. Their bolts of death pinged off of the impervious energy shields of the amphibious beings. The commander waited hoping that their continuous bombardment would weaken the defense screen surrounding that which they sought to destroy.
***
The small band of Nubians and Jedi entered the outskirts of the capital city. The Queen led them through the streets of her home as they made their way to the Palace. Inwardly, Amidala's heart ached that her glorious city and home had been thrust into the ugly business of war, but it also gave her purpose. Determined to rid her planet from Trade Federation occupation, Amidala gathered her resolve, making each step count. Her fellow countrymen followed closely behind and she knew they were just as settled on their task.
Glancing back for a moment she took in the sight of the Jedi. Both remained in their stoic concentration, stretching out with their Jedi senses to protect her. Padmé had been thankful for their support and advice, but for some reason she worried about them.
As they paused to wait for Panaka's signal, she noticed the young boy behind the Jedi Master. She liked him, he was a gentle and innocent soul, which is also what irked her. She did not think he should have accompanied them on such a dangerous venture. She knew he already had such a difficult life and to bring him along to war infuriated her. Had it not been for the innocence of youth and peace that they fought to protect? She could not abide the Master's decision to bring the child along, nor could she deny it. Obi-Wan was not her concern rather the entire future of a planet. Sighing she noticed the boy looking at her and offered the boy a sad smile.
Suddenly, her view was obscured by that of Anakin. He had approached to come up behind her and her smile changed. The two had spent some time together on the journey back to Naboo and they had both appreciated the other's company. Now as he came to stand behind her, she felt warm and comfortable in his presence. Distracted, Padmé almost missed Panaka's signal. Quickly she turned back to her duty and responded. The group closed in as they waited for the moment to attack.
Qui-Gon had felt the Queen's agitation, but also knew it was not her concern. He had assumed responsibility for the youth, making it his job to guide and direct where the boy went. Therefore he decided that the boy should travel with them as they infiltrated the Palace, so that he may protect him. For some reason, he had sensed that he needed to be with the boy as much as possible, but was unclear as to why. Banishing any further distractions by wayward thoughts, he concentrated on the coming battle. He had no doubts that the dark warrior he had faced on Tatooine would surface here as well. He just hoped that he and Anakin could handle such a perilous adversary.
Scanning the area, the Knight noticed the change in the Queen when Anakin approached and vise versa. Concerned, he pushed it aside, holding in the back of his mind for a private conversation when this was over. Suddenly, a flash across the road pulled his attention. Softly, he bent down to Obi- Wan and said, "Once we get inside, Obi, find a place to hide and stay there." He smiled as the boy nodded quickly.
The apprehension in the air was almost palpable to Obi-Wan as he followed along. Once they entered the city, he could sense the Queen's raging emotions. He tried to discern the cause when she finally looked at him. A sad smile crossed her features and almost thought it was him that she was thinking about. Maybe not him, but something that he might have reminded her of, but that would have to wait as Anakin stepped in their line of vision disrupting his train of thought.
Instead he looked up at the Jedi Master but found the man deep in thought. Watching the people around him, he tried to figure out what he should do. He felt like he was a hindrance to them, but when he asked Qui-Gon if he would come, he was surprised to find out that he would. At first he was going to suggest that he should remain in the forest, but the look in Qui- Gon's eyes still him and he accepted the Jedi's decision.
Now as they were on the verge of battle, he wished he had requested to stay. It's not that he was afraid rather that he felt he was more of a liability to their mission. When the tall Master told him to hide, he was mildly grateful for the direction. He suspected if he was hidden away he could not cause anyone undo harm brought on by their need to protect him. He could not bare the thought of someone being injured on his behalf. He set his mind to get out of their way as quickly as possible when they entered the Palace. A blinking like told him that their wait was over.
A moment later a laserbolt exploded the side of a Federation tank. The two groups rushed into the streets continuing their attack. Driving back the few droid troops they forced their way to the hanger bay. There they could enter the Palace and send fighters to attack the Federation Control ship still orbiting the planet.
**
"I thought the battle was to take place far from here," the Viceroy shouted. Shocked at the explosion just beyond the safety of the palace walls, Nute Gunray began to get a bad feeling about this. Turning to head for the Throne room, he was stopped by the entrance of the Sith apprentice.
Silently, the tattooed warrior went to the window. For a moment he watched the skirmish with great interest before turning back to the Viceroy. An eerie smile crossed the stern features and the Niemoidians cringed in response. The dark lord had seen the Jedi guarding the Queen, and he also saw the boy in tow. He could not believe his fortune at this new development and could not hide his surprise. He pushed past the Viceroy saying as he exited, "The Jedi have arrived. I will handle them."
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Please don't forget to review. I would greatly appreciate it. Have a good one. : )