Anakin
As Cleig Lars explains Shmi's fate
"We need to talk."
Barely able to control my impatience, I follow Cleig Lars into the kitchen as those ominous words echo in my mind. 'We need to talk'… what's that supposed to mean? What is it he's holding back from me? It's a struggle I'm losing fast as memories of my time with Mom keep flashing before me. No matter how bad things got, she always made me feel loved and protected. And now she's in some sort of danger, and I'm sitting here doing nothing on this stupid moisture farm when I could be out there helping her! Only Padme's hand on my shoulder keeps me from jumping up, grabbing Cleig Lars, and demanding from him what's going on. Her presence has always had the power to soothe me. But I can't stay calm for long as we take our seats at the rough, wooden table and Cleig begins speaking. And as much as I try to give him my full attention, I can't keep my own thoughts from interfering.
"Shmi had gone out early like she always did…"
Like she always did? Did? Why are you talking about her in the past? Mom, what happened? Why didn't they take better care of you? Where are you now and what's wrong? Feeling panicked, I stretch out with the Force to search for her. I can catch a flicker of her presence, and I know she's alive, but it's as if she's very far away…or in great pain somewhere…
"…She was about halfway home when they took her…those Tuskens walk like men but they're vicious, mindless monsters…"
I can hear the sorrow in this man's voice, but I refuse to believe it's as great as mine. He thinks he loved her? She's my mother, and now I'm faced with the possibility that she might be dying! How can he speak so calmly? He might be resigned to her fate, but I'm not.
"I don't want to give up on her…"
Yeah sure you don't; that's why you're sitting here doing nothing and giving me
that look of pity, isn't it? Well I don't need your pity and I don't need your help. I could have prevented this by myself; I know I could have! I've had the dreams for at least a month now, and I would have been here a long time ago if Obi Wan had let me. He doesn't understand. What's the use of being a Jedi, having incredible Force powers, if you can't even protect the people you love?
"There's little hope she's lasted this long…"
As long as she's alive, there's hope. And I won't rest until I find her. I know what I have to do, and there's no time to waste.
Intent on my purpose, I stand up and start to walk toward the door. Owen Lars speaks up for the first time, and his question surprises me.
"Where are you going?"
Where does he think I'm going? I wonder as a dozen replies flash through my brain. But I don't have time to waste, so I fling an answer back at him, and ignore Cleig's dispirited reply and Padme's soft moan as I walk away.
"To find my mother."
