My Frozen Heart
Chapter 9
'He's not here!' Owen Lars informed the terrifying Lord Darth Vader, who had just burst into the Lars homestead, lightsaber drawn demanding to know where his son was.
'What do you mean not here?' The masked Sith Lord asked in a deep voice. Vader always wore a mask when dealing with people he had known during his foolish days as Anakin Skywalker.
'He went with Obi-Wan.' Owen whispered.
Vader felt his temper explode, and he bellowed at his trembling stepbrother,
'WHERE did Obi-Wan take him?'
'I don't know' Owen replied quietly, 'Coruscant I think.'
Fuming with anger Vader stormed back out of the homestead and back across the vast Tatooine wastes. He left Owen and Beru trembling but safe in the wreck of their home.
Theed palace was more beautiful than Luke could have ever guessed. Having lived on Tatooine for the past 18 years he found everything about the planet of Naboo breathtaking; from its shimmering crystal blue lakes to the giggling children playing in the streets. It was as different from Tatooine as it was possible for a place to be.
Padme was overjoyed to be back, but she couldn't help but be amazed by how free of Imperial influence the place seemed to be.
'Perhaps…' She couldn't stop herself from thinking 'Anakin hasn't invaded Naboo because he still loves me,'
But she banished the thought and corrected herself 'No doubt Lord Vader has not invaded Naboo because it is too small and insignificant to be of interest to him.'
She noticed that Obi-Wan was starring at her and she smiled back at him as the group continued to walk towards the palace gates. Luke was leading the way, his eyes full of almost infantile wonder.
'I sent word of our arrival.' Obi-Wan announced when they reached the gate, which immediately swung open to admit them, before snapping shut again.
'I was told we should wait in the main palace meeting room.'
Now Padme, who still knew the place like the back of her hand led the way.