Without A Clue
Chapter 5: Funerals and Flowers
It is shortly after the end of AotC. The Clone Wars have begun, and the galaxy is in turmoil. Padmè and Anakin are finding it very hard to keep their love a secret. The Trade Federation still wants Padmè dead, but have begun making more personal attacks on her loved ones, killing her mother, father, sister and brother-in-law.
(AN: I will try to get this moving along, I swear! A reviewer had commented that they thought Ryoo and Pooja were Luke and Leia's age. I just thought I would clear that up. According to the starwars.com database entry Ryoo is 6 and Pooja is 4 during Attack of the Clones. Because this story takes place directly after the movie, that is the ages I am going by.) _______________________________________________________________
Anakin stood in the doorway, he was in no hurry. He hated the thought of Padmè in pain, and it was inevitable. At her family's funeral, pain was just a give in.
"Anakin, can you make sure the girls aren't hungry?" Padmè called from her vanity.
"Sure." Anakin replied.
He walked to the dining room where the girls were waiting. "Ryoo, Pooja, would you like something to eat before we go?" Anakin asked.
"Sure Anakin!" Pooja answered, the small girl ran past him into the kitchen, she yelled back, "I will find something!"
"What about you Ryoo?"
"I am fine."
"Are you sure?" Anakin asked, feeling sorry for the girl, she was so young, he knew what it was like to lose a parent, it tore you up inside. Ryoo was just old enough to understand, while Pooja was still to young, and she had been told that her parents had gone on vacation, which didn't seem to bother her for now.
"Yes I am sure."
"Ok, I will be in the kitchen if you change your mind."
"Yes, I know."
Anakin made his way from the dining room to the small kitchen, where Pooja was standing on a stool, trying to reach a plate.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa," Anakin said as he rushed in and swooped the small girl into his arms, "If you can't reach something, just ask, I don't want to see you hurt, okay?"
"Yes Anakin."
"Alright," he said as he set her down.
Padmè watched from the doorway smiling as she thought to herself, "Some day he will make an amazing father." This thought sparked thoughts of her own future, How could they have children if their marriage was forbidden? Her thoughts were interrupted by a question.
"Padmè, would you like some as well?" Anakin said holding up a fruit bowl.
"No thank you, did Ryoo want any?"
"She said she wasn't hungry, she is in the dining room." Anakin said conveying his concern for the girl through his facial expression.
"Well Pooja, which one would you like?" Anakin asked holding out the bowl for the young girl to choose from.
***************
The funeral was to be a traditional Naboo burial. As Obi Wan, Anakin and Padmè arrived with Pooja and Ryoo people immediately started offering their condolences.
"Anakin take the girls with you to the gardens, they should enjoy those," Padmè said.
"But I want to stay with you Aunt Padmè," Ryoo pleaded.
Anakin nodded at her.
"Okay, Ryoo can stay with me, but Pooja needs to go with Anakin," Padmè stated.
"But Senator who will be your security?" Obi Wan asked.
In unison Anakin and Padmè replied, "You."
"But I have some things to take care of," Obi Wan stammered.
"Master, come with me for a moment," Anakin demanded.
Anakin led Obi Wan over to a secluded area nearby.
"Listen Master, you do not know how hard it is to lose a parent. Padmè is handling it well, and she is just thinking of the girl's best interests. Pooja does not know her parents are dead, and she doesn't need to know that yet. She would just be upset to see a funeral now, so it is for the best if I take her."
Obi Wan nodded and Anakin walked over to Padmè, taking Pooja's hand he led her off.
"Anakin, be careful," Obi Wan warned, but it was too late, Anakin was already out of earshot, the young girl in his arms.
Obi Wan turned to face Padmè once again, he was surprised to find the senator nowhere in sight. Upon closer inspection he found her deep within the growing crowd, Ryoo at her side.
Obi Wan started weaving his way through the funeral-goers, eyes fixed on the Senator's petite form as to not loose sight of her again.
Once he reached her side he spoke, "Padmè, you need to make sure your security is with you at all times. You never know who is lurking around a place like this."
Padmè turned suddenly as he spoke, "Obi Wan, you startled me."
"I am sorry M' lady."
She waved her hand, "Don't worry, it wasn't your fault."
Obi Wan looked her in the eye, for the first time realizing the pain that shown in her usually sparkling brown eyes. They seemed glazed over and hazy, red from tears. She was in worse shape than the girl that accompanied her.
Ryoo was crying, but was trying to keep her composure. The girl obviously took after her aunt, she was very strong.
**********
Anakin and Pooja had just reached the gardens. Anakin set the small girl down on her feet again.
"What do you want to do first?" Anakin asked.
"I wanna see the fruit trees! They're my favorite. Mommy always let me pick some to eat, can we do that today?" Pooja asked in an excited tone.
"We will see, maybe if you are good," Anakin replied with a grin.
"Oh don't worry, I am always good!"
Anakin just smiled, taking the young girl's hand as they made their way through the wide stone paths of the Theed Palace gardens.
"Look Anakin, a birdy!" Pooja exclaimed, pointing to a small perching bird under some topiaries.
"Wow, do you know what kind of bird that is?" Anakin asked.
"No, do you?"
"No."
"Oh, we should ask Mommy, she knows a lot about birds," Pooja said.
"I think we could ask Aunt Padmè too, she knows a lot about everything," Anakin replied. He couldn't help but feel saddened by the little girl's comment about her mother.
"Anakin do you love Aunt Padmè?" Pooja asked, stopping to look at Anakin.
"Why do you ask?" Anakin replied, truly stunned by the question.
"Because Mommy and Daddy said that Aunty loved you last time you were here. And I wanted to know if you loved Aunty too."
Anakin blushed, "Yes Pooja, I do love your aunt."
"Are you going to marry her? Because that would make you my Uncle! I would like that!"
Anakin stopped, he debated to himself either to tell Pooja the truth, or explain to her that Jedi could not marry. He found no harm in letting the girl in on the secret, so he told her, "Well Pooja, Padmè and I are married."
"So, you are my uncle?" Pooja said, excitement growing. "You're my Uncle Ani! I never had an uncle before."
"Well I never had a niece before either, but you're the nicest one an uncle could have."
"Thank you Uncle Ani, but if you and Padmè are married, how come there wasn't a wedding? When Daddies friend got married we got to go to the wedding."
"Your aunt and I just had a small wedding, no one came but us, but you know what?"
"What?"
"I wish you and your sister would have come, it would have been a lot more special."
"Look! The fruit trees are right there!" Pooja said as she ran to the small section of the garden.
Anakin breathed a sigh of relief, he hopped Padmè wouldn't be mad that he told Pooja.
"Have I been good Uncle Ani? Can I have a fruit?" Pooja asked.
"Well let me think." Anakin said playfully.
"You have been awful good, how about you pick one of your favorite fruits, and we can share it."
"Okay, that sounds good, my favorites are grapes!" Pooja said as she went over to a small vine.
Anakin picked a bunch off the top for the girl.
"Hey I have an idea," Anakin said.
"What's that?" Pooja asked intrigued by Anakin's proposition.
"How about we pick your Aunt Padmè some flowers."
"Yeah! I know where the prettiest ones are, follow me!" Pooja said as she started running down one of the paths.
Anakin jogged behind her, smiling all the way.
*************
"I wonder where Anakin and Pooja are? They should be back soon," Obi Wan pondered.
"Pooja is probably keeping him busy, she never seems to run out of energy," Padmè replied. "I am going to change, I will be right back," Padmè said as she made her way back to the bedroom hall. They had just returned home from the funeral, and she couldn't help but wonder where Anakin really was, "They couldn't have possibly been in the garden all this time." She looked at the chrono on her headboard, "4 hours, no, he must have taken her somewhere else."
************
"Okay Pooja, you take these," Anakin said handing her the enormous bouquet of fresh flowers they had picked.
"Yeah, and I will put them behind my back to surprise her!"
Anakin nodded as he rung the doorbell.
Obi Wan came to the door, "Anakin, where have you been?"
"We were in the garden, Master," Anakin said, annoyed by Obi Wan's tone.
"Yeah, we were in the garden!" Pooja said.
Obi Wan looked down at her, he couldn't help but smile, "Your lucky she is here to defend you Padawan."
Anakin just shook his head as they headed inside.
"Is Aunt Padmè here?" Pooja asked.
"Yes, she is changing in her room, she will be out soon," Obi Wan replied.
"Uncle Ani, should we give them to her now?"
"No, we will wait until she comes out."
"Okay, I am going to get a vase," Pooja said running to the china cabinet.
"Uncle Ani?" Obi Wan questioned with a smile as the two men followed the girl.
"What?" Anakin laughed.
Obi Wan just shook his head, "What is it with you and kids?"
Anakin felt Padmè's presence coming nearer, "Pooja, lets wait with the vase."
"Why?"
Just then Padmè entered the room and Pooja giggled and rushed to hide the flowers behind her back.
"What do you have?" Padmè said with a smile.
"Nothing," Pooja giggled.
"Really?"
Pooja slowly brought the flowers around from behind her back, "They are for you! Me and Uncle Ani picked them for you."
"Wow, they are beautiful," Padmè said as she took the flowers from Pooja, bringing them to her nose, taking in the sweet aroma. "Thank you Pooja, and Uncle Ani," she said winking at Anakin.
"Your welcome!" The two answered in unison.
"Where is Ryoo?" Pooja asked, I want to show her them too!"
"Ryoo is in my room taking a nap, she can see them later," Padmè answered. "I think I know someone else who could use a nap?"
"Who?" Pooja asked.
"You, silly. It looks like Uncle Ani tired you out today."
"No I think she is the one that tired me out," Anakin said, pretending to yawn.
Pooja giggled, "I don't want a nap Aunt Padmè," Pooja said pouting.
Anakin tried to fight back laughter, Padmè shot him a look as if to say, "Shut up!" and he gave her a mocking pout right back.
She smiled and shook her head, "Come on Pooja, you need a nap."
"Fine, but can it be shorter than normal?"
"Yes," Padmè replied knowing the girl would be out for quite some time.
It is shortly after the end of AotC. The Clone Wars have begun, and the galaxy is in turmoil. Padmè and Anakin are finding it very hard to keep their love a secret. The Trade Federation still wants Padmè dead, but have begun making more personal attacks on her loved ones, killing her mother, father, sister and brother-in-law.
(AN: I will try to get this moving along, I swear! A reviewer had commented that they thought Ryoo and Pooja were Luke and Leia's age. I just thought I would clear that up. According to the starwars.com database entry Ryoo is 6 and Pooja is 4 during Attack of the Clones. Because this story takes place directly after the movie, that is the ages I am going by.) _______________________________________________________________
Anakin stood in the doorway, he was in no hurry. He hated the thought of Padmè in pain, and it was inevitable. At her family's funeral, pain was just a give in.
"Anakin, can you make sure the girls aren't hungry?" Padmè called from her vanity.
"Sure." Anakin replied.
He walked to the dining room where the girls were waiting. "Ryoo, Pooja, would you like something to eat before we go?" Anakin asked.
"Sure Anakin!" Pooja answered, the small girl ran past him into the kitchen, she yelled back, "I will find something!"
"What about you Ryoo?"
"I am fine."
"Are you sure?" Anakin asked, feeling sorry for the girl, she was so young, he knew what it was like to lose a parent, it tore you up inside. Ryoo was just old enough to understand, while Pooja was still to young, and she had been told that her parents had gone on vacation, which didn't seem to bother her for now.
"Yes I am sure."
"Ok, I will be in the kitchen if you change your mind."
"Yes, I know."
Anakin made his way from the dining room to the small kitchen, where Pooja was standing on a stool, trying to reach a plate.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa," Anakin said as he rushed in and swooped the small girl into his arms, "If you can't reach something, just ask, I don't want to see you hurt, okay?"
"Yes Anakin."
"Alright," he said as he set her down.
Padmè watched from the doorway smiling as she thought to herself, "Some day he will make an amazing father." This thought sparked thoughts of her own future, How could they have children if their marriage was forbidden? Her thoughts were interrupted by a question.
"Padmè, would you like some as well?" Anakin said holding up a fruit bowl.
"No thank you, did Ryoo want any?"
"She said she wasn't hungry, she is in the dining room." Anakin said conveying his concern for the girl through his facial expression.
"Well Pooja, which one would you like?" Anakin asked holding out the bowl for the young girl to choose from.
***************
The funeral was to be a traditional Naboo burial. As Obi Wan, Anakin and Padmè arrived with Pooja and Ryoo people immediately started offering their condolences.
"Anakin take the girls with you to the gardens, they should enjoy those," Padmè said.
"But I want to stay with you Aunt Padmè," Ryoo pleaded.
Anakin nodded at her.
"Okay, Ryoo can stay with me, but Pooja needs to go with Anakin," Padmè stated.
"But Senator who will be your security?" Obi Wan asked.
In unison Anakin and Padmè replied, "You."
"But I have some things to take care of," Obi Wan stammered.
"Master, come with me for a moment," Anakin demanded.
Anakin led Obi Wan over to a secluded area nearby.
"Listen Master, you do not know how hard it is to lose a parent. Padmè is handling it well, and she is just thinking of the girl's best interests. Pooja does not know her parents are dead, and she doesn't need to know that yet. She would just be upset to see a funeral now, so it is for the best if I take her."
Obi Wan nodded and Anakin walked over to Padmè, taking Pooja's hand he led her off.
"Anakin, be careful," Obi Wan warned, but it was too late, Anakin was already out of earshot, the young girl in his arms.
Obi Wan turned to face Padmè once again, he was surprised to find the senator nowhere in sight. Upon closer inspection he found her deep within the growing crowd, Ryoo at her side.
Obi Wan started weaving his way through the funeral-goers, eyes fixed on the Senator's petite form as to not loose sight of her again.
Once he reached her side he spoke, "Padmè, you need to make sure your security is with you at all times. You never know who is lurking around a place like this."
Padmè turned suddenly as he spoke, "Obi Wan, you startled me."
"I am sorry M' lady."
She waved her hand, "Don't worry, it wasn't your fault."
Obi Wan looked her in the eye, for the first time realizing the pain that shown in her usually sparkling brown eyes. They seemed glazed over and hazy, red from tears. She was in worse shape than the girl that accompanied her.
Ryoo was crying, but was trying to keep her composure. The girl obviously took after her aunt, she was very strong.
**********
Anakin and Pooja had just reached the gardens. Anakin set the small girl down on her feet again.
"What do you want to do first?" Anakin asked.
"I wanna see the fruit trees! They're my favorite. Mommy always let me pick some to eat, can we do that today?" Pooja asked in an excited tone.
"We will see, maybe if you are good," Anakin replied with a grin.
"Oh don't worry, I am always good!"
Anakin just smiled, taking the young girl's hand as they made their way through the wide stone paths of the Theed Palace gardens.
"Look Anakin, a birdy!" Pooja exclaimed, pointing to a small perching bird under some topiaries.
"Wow, do you know what kind of bird that is?" Anakin asked.
"No, do you?"
"No."
"Oh, we should ask Mommy, she knows a lot about birds," Pooja said.
"I think we could ask Aunt Padmè too, she knows a lot about everything," Anakin replied. He couldn't help but feel saddened by the little girl's comment about her mother.
"Anakin do you love Aunt Padmè?" Pooja asked, stopping to look at Anakin.
"Why do you ask?" Anakin replied, truly stunned by the question.
"Because Mommy and Daddy said that Aunty loved you last time you were here. And I wanted to know if you loved Aunty too."
Anakin blushed, "Yes Pooja, I do love your aunt."
"Are you going to marry her? Because that would make you my Uncle! I would like that!"
Anakin stopped, he debated to himself either to tell Pooja the truth, or explain to her that Jedi could not marry. He found no harm in letting the girl in on the secret, so he told her, "Well Pooja, Padmè and I are married."
"So, you are my uncle?" Pooja said, excitement growing. "You're my Uncle Ani! I never had an uncle before."
"Well I never had a niece before either, but you're the nicest one an uncle could have."
"Thank you Uncle Ani, but if you and Padmè are married, how come there wasn't a wedding? When Daddies friend got married we got to go to the wedding."
"Your aunt and I just had a small wedding, no one came but us, but you know what?"
"What?"
"I wish you and your sister would have come, it would have been a lot more special."
"Look! The fruit trees are right there!" Pooja said as she ran to the small section of the garden.
Anakin breathed a sigh of relief, he hopped Padmè wouldn't be mad that he told Pooja.
"Have I been good Uncle Ani? Can I have a fruit?" Pooja asked.
"Well let me think." Anakin said playfully.
"You have been awful good, how about you pick one of your favorite fruits, and we can share it."
"Okay, that sounds good, my favorites are grapes!" Pooja said as she went over to a small vine.
Anakin picked a bunch off the top for the girl.
"Hey I have an idea," Anakin said.
"What's that?" Pooja asked intrigued by Anakin's proposition.
"How about we pick your Aunt Padmè some flowers."
"Yeah! I know where the prettiest ones are, follow me!" Pooja said as she started running down one of the paths.
Anakin jogged behind her, smiling all the way.
*************
"I wonder where Anakin and Pooja are? They should be back soon," Obi Wan pondered.
"Pooja is probably keeping him busy, she never seems to run out of energy," Padmè replied. "I am going to change, I will be right back," Padmè said as she made her way back to the bedroom hall. They had just returned home from the funeral, and she couldn't help but wonder where Anakin really was, "They couldn't have possibly been in the garden all this time." She looked at the chrono on her headboard, "4 hours, no, he must have taken her somewhere else."
************
"Okay Pooja, you take these," Anakin said handing her the enormous bouquet of fresh flowers they had picked.
"Yeah, and I will put them behind my back to surprise her!"
Anakin nodded as he rung the doorbell.
Obi Wan came to the door, "Anakin, where have you been?"
"We were in the garden, Master," Anakin said, annoyed by Obi Wan's tone.
"Yeah, we were in the garden!" Pooja said.
Obi Wan looked down at her, he couldn't help but smile, "Your lucky she is here to defend you Padawan."
Anakin just shook his head as they headed inside.
"Is Aunt Padmè here?" Pooja asked.
"Yes, she is changing in her room, she will be out soon," Obi Wan replied.
"Uncle Ani, should we give them to her now?"
"No, we will wait until she comes out."
"Okay, I am going to get a vase," Pooja said running to the china cabinet.
"Uncle Ani?" Obi Wan questioned with a smile as the two men followed the girl.
"What?" Anakin laughed.
Obi Wan just shook his head, "What is it with you and kids?"
Anakin felt Padmè's presence coming nearer, "Pooja, lets wait with the vase."
"Why?"
Just then Padmè entered the room and Pooja giggled and rushed to hide the flowers behind her back.
"What do you have?" Padmè said with a smile.
"Nothing," Pooja giggled.
"Really?"
Pooja slowly brought the flowers around from behind her back, "They are for you! Me and Uncle Ani picked them for you."
"Wow, they are beautiful," Padmè said as she took the flowers from Pooja, bringing them to her nose, taking in the sweet aroma. "Thank you Pooja, and Uncle Ani," she said winking at Anakin.
"Your welcome!" The two answered in unison.
"Where is Ryoo?" Pooja asked, I want to show her them too!"
"Ryoo is in my room taking a nap, she can see them later," Padmè answered. "I think I know someone else who could use a nap?"
"Who?" Pooja asked.
"You, silly. It looks like Uncle Ani tired you out today."
"No I think she is the one that tired me out," Anakin said, pretending to yawn.
Pooja giggled, "I don't want a nap Aunt Padmè," Pooja said pouting.
Anakin tried to fight back laughter, Padmè shot him a look as if to say, "Shut up!" and he gave her a mocking pout right back.
She smiled and shook her head, "Come on Pooja, you need a nap."
"Fine, but can it be shorter than normal?"
"Yes," Padmè replied knowing the girl would be out for quite some time.