When the lights go down
and there's nothing left to be
When the lights go down
the truth is all you see
(Faith Hill)
Vader still watched the child in front of him. His child. This was so much more he'd ever expected or hoped. This child that looked so much like his love. This child with her undoable intelligent and bravery of her mother and his potential in the force could be the one thing he needed to end Palpatine tyranny at some day. Maybe she was the one who would bring balance to the force and order to the galaxy…at his side. He didn't really question Palpatine's methods but didn't support them either.
"I didn't call you." Leia said sheeply. The dark Lord took place beside her.
"No you didn't - at least not literally."
"I…I don't understand." The little girl started but was calmed by her visitor.
"That's nothing to be ashamed of, little one. The thing with which you called me is named the force. There are countless adults who have also never heard about it." Leia nodded bravely but it was clear that she still didn't understand.
"I'm willing to explain it to you later if you want to." Leia nodded eagerly. "Yeah sure. I would love to know how I've done that. How knows who else I might have called already?" The dark Lord smiled under his mask.
"None girl, I assure you. There aren't many people who can hear you like I do. What is your name?"
"Well… I'm not allowed to speak with strangers and I don't know mommy would approve telling you anything."
"Oh your mother is right about this and you should better obey her command. I know that because I know your mother. Her name is Padmé Amidala Naberrie Skywalker, am I right?"
Leia smile bridly like the other had just made some kind of wizard trick. "Yes! Well no, not really – but you mean the right person! How did you know?!"
"As I said, I know your mother. But I haven't seen her in a very long time. The last time I saw her you weren't even born. You could say we were good friends."
"Ok then…My name is Leia. Leia Organa. Mommy will be very happy to see you again!"
Metal, everything felt like metal. Amidala Organa was Padmé Skywalker? Fool! Bail had always adored her, but now it finally made scene that Miss Organa's public appearances were `rare` or almost none existence. Still he was a fool.
"Well Leia don't be so sure about that. My name is Lord Vader. I'm working for the emperor or the government if you know what I mean…Your mommy and I had some kind of disagreement and I left her in a way which wasn't very nice."
Leia's cheeks blushed. "I know mommy can be mean sometimes. I myself just ran away. But she won't be angry. I know." Leia smiled and stretched out a hand at the dark Lord. "Come on. She won't. I promise! And as long as there is someone else she won't try to make me a bad conscience." The dark Lord almost laughed about the little girl who tried to encourage him. She filled some place in his black heard which he didn't knew it exist. But one thing was for sure: He wouldn't leave without her.
"Very well, let's visit your mother."
****
"Love is the ideal thing,
marriage a real thing;
a confusion of the real
with the ideal never
goes unpunished."
(Johann Wolfgang von Goethe)
„No don't." Padmé said and helped one of the servants cleaning the dished.
"But My Lady you shouldn't do that. This is no work for a queen." But Padmé took the plates never the less.
"Mabye, but it helps me to get my head clear from all the politics and we shouldn't forget where we're coming from, should we?"
"Indeed."
Padmé almost let the plates dropping to the ground as she heard the dark voice from behind. She whirred around and looked clumsily back and forth between the dark Lord and her little daughter, standing next to the black gigant.
"Leia! Come here!" she ordered furious. "Now!"
The little girl did as she was told, but her dismayed expression revealed that she wasn't used to her mother's tone. Padmé gave her the last three plates and forced on a smile. "Please Leia bring these to Armeé. And go playing into your rooms. Do you?" Leia nodded.
"Yes mommy." She took a look backwards and tried to wave as far as it was possible with the new burden. "Bye bye - But you'll explain to me later?"
"I told you I would Leia. Now do as your mother wishes." Leia looked a bit disappointed but left the room never the less.
Padmé felt everything and nothing. Pressing her hand to her breast, to calm her beating heart, she finally found the strange to face him.
"Hello Padmé."
"What do you want from me VADER." Almost hatefully she split out the word.
"Isn't that obvious MISSES ORGANA." A feeling of shame and betrayal washed over the young queen. She behaved like a small child.
"Let us end this foolish game Padmé. I'm not in a mood for such trivials. I am here because of my daughter. I heared her calling though the force. And don't dare denying it Padmé. I wouldn't miss my own blood."
It was as if some spell had been broken. "Your blood! Never dare speaking of her like she's your daughter again! Leia is Anakin's and my daughter and none else's."
"Stop it your highness. This argumentation is under your dignity and you know it. I know that denial is a powerful crutch. But never the less Anakin Skywalker and Darth Vader are one and the same person. And nobody should know that better than you, my precious wife. And your denial will stop here and now. Leia is my daughter and the fact you hide her from me is unforgiveable!"
Padmé stormed forward like only a mother is capable of while trying to protected her child. "No, you bastard! You will not lay your hands on my baby!"
"Padmé, she's my child as well. And I only wish for her to take her rightful place in the galaxy. Our daughter will become very powerful in the future."
"Like you?" Padmé felt tears in her eyes. "I don't want my daughter to become powerfull. Everything I ever wanted was love. Is that too much to ask for? You've hurt me once, don't do it again. I beg you. Don't take her away from me. I'm not sure if I could bare loosing my child."
"You wouldn't loose your child, your highness. You just have to confess to the galaxy that Leia is my child. And that she has a right of the empiral throne."
So this is all this about, Padmé thought. The empiral throne. Palpatine didn't have children of his own and with a heir of his own combinated with Leia's force powers Vader would try to overthrow Palpatine. This was pure Sith thinking.
"You're so countable Vader, everything is about power. This is why I never told you about her. I know she would only be a part in one of your sick games. And what if Leia were just a child? With none of your powers? Would you leave her behind just like you left me?" He reached up his hand to trace the corner of her mouth. She flinched as he touched her tender lips. Pain. Death. Torment. Salvation. Love.
Vader shook his head.
"Relationships served only the weaks and vulnerables." He said and did somethink total unecpacted. He left.
TBC
A/N: I know it's short. But I promise there will be more sooner or later ;o) But please let me know what you think about it and write reviews!