[random] Hmmmmmm... as I delve deeper and deeper into this story... I was beginning to think... maybe he shouldn't go bad. But... the purpose of this story would gone. I'm beginning to think alternate ending sequence.

As for the love scene, well... the rating might just have to bump up a little. And when it does come, don't laugh... I haven't written THAT many love scenes. [/random]

This section is a little longer than past sections. I think I owed that much since the last part was so miniscule. This IS my first wedding though... so I will graciously accept critiques.

Thank you for your reviews :)

* * * * *
Part VI

The sun had just risen over the inn. Padmé stood outside the inn, closing her wrap against the morning chill. Her eyes were wandering over the hills in the distance, over the river and trees. Birds chirped and her mind automatically guessed each song.

Everything, she thought, but the wedding.

The wedding.

It was only a short half-day away. She had never been more ready. Or more in love. Or more nervous.

The sun was rising past the hills now. She tried to force her mind back to the soothing presence of nature, but all she could think about was the upcoming wedding. Her gown, one of Naboo's finest, was ready for her to take the steps in, just inside the door. The ring, woven ivory, was sitting on her table, ready to be placed on her finger. Her hand, now trembling, was eager to be slipped inside Anakin's, the man she would stand by, forever.

Suddenly running away seemed like a tempting thought. It was their wishes that they get married in secret, because obviously a Senator from Naboo and a Jedi Apprentice were forbidden to fall in love, get married, consumate...

She averted her eyes from the sunlight, two red glows appearing on her cheeks. Part of her was hoping, praying that everything she had dreamt of in the past few days would come true.

She wished her sister was there, so she could soothe her jangled nerves. Her mother would be a great deal of help, trying to smooth the dress and arrange the veil. Her father would be standing outside her door, impatiently rapping his fingernails against the wall, telling her that every second she spent inside primping would be another wasted. And then as she stepped out, he would tell her that he had never seen anyone look so beautiful, so young, so carefree...

Padmé bit her lip. She almost wished her parents would witness this. But Anakin wanted it to be private, as Padmé's family had not. They wanted to celebrate, to embrace their new son-in-law. They wanted a grand party, with food and drink and many, many people.

She almost laughed as she remembered Anakin's reaction. His eyes had grown wide. Her had looked at his feet, at the furniture, at everything except Padmé's father's expectant face. And then he had kindly told him the truth: he was not allowed to marry.

Which set off another spark. Her parents demanded to know why they were doing this. They demanded to know what he was thinking, marrying their daughter, when he could be dead the next week. It was Anakin who had set them straight by speaking in his very quiet tone: "I almost lost her once. Never. Ever. Again."

Padmé's mother had teared up. Padmé's father glared at him in contempt before heaving a great sigh and finally giving his daughter a well wishing. His only request was that one of the droids record the wedding so the family could at least see their eldest daughter in her true moments of happiness.

Anakin agreed to at least that. He even agreed to return the following day with their daughter for a small family celebration. He would remain on the planet two days further and then return to Coruscant.

She was concerned for that. Her father did worry about him leaving her so soon after their wedding.

But the time for pondering her next step was over; her handmaiden had just called out to her, a breakfast tray in her hand. And judging by the excited look on her face, she was going to do more than just serve.


* * * * *

He had just woken up when he realized there were people in the other room. Groaning, he rose and dressed quickly before moving. The people he had heard were the two droids. C3P0 was carting a loaded tray while R2 followed closely behind, zapping out small currents of blue electricity to hurry up the taller droid.

Anakin choked off his laughter and accepted his breakfast with a smile. The two droids continued on into the other room, where they were preparing the clothing Anakin would wear for the ceremony only a few hours away.

As he spooned up his fruit, his mind began to wander. He thought about the previous two days, which he'd spent with both Padmé's family and her friends from the political youth program she'd been involved with years ago. While they expressed their well wishes and salutations for their engagement, they cast a weary eye on him, almost in disbelief that Padmé, their Padmé, was going to be marrying a Jedi.

He swallowed his pear, but the knot in his throat wasn't ceasing. A cold sweat broke out over his brow and he forced himself to finish eating his breakfast before pushing the plate aside.

Last night had been a memorable night for them. They had ridden the gondola to the inn, in the lake country, and were eating their first dinner together as an engaged couple. And, like an engaged couple, were arguing about what would happen after their vows were taken the following day.

Padmé had taken the position that she would return home and continue being a Senator for Naboo. The only problem was, Anakin had said, was that the Viceroy for the Trade Federation was still after her. And with a wayward Jedi collecting more and more separatists and signing new treaties everyday, Padmé's life was in graver danger. As he turned away from her, he had sworn she had whispered "but this is the chance we'll have to take".

"I love you, Ani," she had said for the dozen-th time that day, her eyes pleading for him to understand.

He understood, all right. He understood she was stubborn and pigheaded about him trying to keep her safe. "You're not safe," he had muttered, keeping his gaze on the fish he was carefully spearing. "I don't want to lose you again."

"You won't."

He had glanced up at those words. She hadn't touched her food yet, but was gazing at him with such intensity and passion, he could feel the warmth of her eyes down to the tips of his toes. He had reached across and taken her hand, pressing his lips to it. "Then I promise to protect you."

"Forever?" she had asked, a playful grin playing around the corners of her mouth.

"Forever."

He had lifted her hand then and risen, taking her into his arms as they spun in circles around the dining room to music only they could hear in their heads.

Afterwards, he'd walked her back to her room and with a silent kiss had departed for an evening of sleep.

Now, even at midday, he was well-rested, not knowing that just a few hundred feet away, his fiancee hadn't slept a bit.


* * * * *


Three hours later, Padmé stood by the door of her bedroom, staring at her reflection in the glass. Her long white dress clung elegantly to her figure and her veil was perfectly placed on her head.

She lifted her arm and fingered the fine lace that trailed from her elbow to her fingers, enjoying the soft, silky feel of the fabric.

"I'm ready for this," she murmured, smoothing her dress and holding out her hand. She practiced the words she would say in less than an hour. She held her head high and smiled, although her smile faltered a bit as a cold sweat overcame her.

What is wrong with me, she thought to herself, staring at her shaken reflection in the mirror. She looked fine, even when she pressed her hand to her face and felt the heat. Taking a deep breath, she remembered the song her mother had sang to her the first time she had gotten nervous about leaving home to attend the political youth program.

Even singing it to herself now was comforting. Not for the first time today she wished her mother was behind her, fussing with her veil and singing that stupid tune. Humming under her breath, Padmé arranged her hair around the veil and looked into her own eyes in her reflection. "Seriously. Ready." Forcing a smile, she lifted her skirts, and prepared to face the next step.


* * * * *


Anakin stood under the critical gaze of 3P0, who was smoothing the tiniest of wrinkles out of the robes Anakin had decided to wear.

"Fit for a Master, Ani," C3P0 concluded enthusiastically, stepping back and waving his chromed arms. "You look most ready."

"I'm not," Anakin finally replied, trying to see himself in his robes on the mirror behind 3P0. The droid was moving around, waving his arms so frantically, Anakin was half afraid it would fall apart. Finally pushing 3P0 out of his way, he glanced at himself.

He looked ready. He looked like a man. He looked like a man who was about to walk to his fate, his future, his every tomorrow until he could stare death in the eye.

But something in his stomach was fluttering. He pushed the thoughts aside, but the tiny voice inside his head was uttering Obi-Wan's words: 'you will be expelled from the Jedi Order'.

"Who cares?" Anakin snapped at his reflection, tearing away from it, his robes flowing behind him. He lifted his useless right hand, staring at the shiny gold, pretending he didn't hate it. He wasn't supposed to hate. Jedi were supposed to not have feelings at all. "What's the use anyway?"

"Anakin, we're ready," a voice outside his room said.

Taking a deep breath to calm his nerves, Anakin followed the voice.

* * * * *


The man who was officiating the wedding had just arrived with Anakin. The two droids were off to the side, and the sole handmaiden Padmé had allowed had just reached the top of the stairs.

Like an apparition, Padmé appeared, walking slowly. Her shoes clicked softly on the steps before she glanced up, spotting Anakin.

Then her face broke into a beautiful smile as the officiator gestured for her to join Anakin.

She reached his side and they reached across, joining hands for a single moment before the man who was officiating leaned back in to begin the vows.

All around them, baskets and baskets of tiny white flowers pouring out of their edges lined the ledge. The trees floated like angels in the breeze as the officiator finished speaking his opening, waiting as Anakin gave the ivory ring to Padmé, with his heart, and slipped it over her ring finger, softly speaking the words that sealed his promise with hers.

She glanced back up at him as the officiator spoke the words she was to repeat. She spoke them back, her voice as soft as the petals filtering through the air behind her.

The man joining them smiled and spoke his words of awe and congratulations before telling the newly married couple to join hands. They smiled at each other as he reached for her hand with his prosthetic. Then he leaned over, his lips gently brushing hers.

As they parted, they could hear the sounds of the droids behind them, their beeps filling the soft breeze. With a bigger smile, Anakin reached and took his new bride into his arms once again, pressing his lips tighter to hers. She held onto him, only pulling apart when she couldn't breathe.

Taking a mutual deep breath, they beamed at each other before taking the stairs back down to the inn, their hands joined.

Anakin glanced at her as they walked. Her face was glowing. She looked beautiful, more beautiful than he had remembered. She had a soft, dewy look about her that made her seem younger, yet older.

As Anakin glanced away with a smile, Padmé stole a glance at him. He looked like a youthful teenager, his wildest dreams finally coming true. He looked like he had defeated karma, with that sparkle in his eyes and a spring in his steps.

The reached the bottom of the steps before she could wait any longer. She paused and threw her arms around his neck, her lips tracing his. He broke the kiss first, leaning into her neck and breathing her scent. "A few more hours..." he whispered as they pried apart and headed back into the inn.

The large dining room was dark. As he reached for the lights, there was a loud click and the sound of exhuberant applause.

"Surprise!"