The Moment of Balance

by Tycalibur

This story chronicles the internal thoughts, feelings and conflicts of Luke Skywalker, the Emperor and Darth Vader in the final moments of the well-known confrontation in the throne room of the Second Death Star. It mainly focuses on Vader, but offers an

9. Epilogue Padmé

Epilogue - Padmé

Somewhere, along the faintest ripples of the Force, Padmé Naberrie Amidala Skywalker smiled at the scene below her on Endor. Though she was never strong enough in the Force to either speak with or even to make her presence known to her children or to Anakin, she had watched over all of them for a very long time. She wondered all these long years why her spiritual identity lingered in this realm if she could not do anything to help her children. Obi-Wan told her after his death that she still had a final task to complete. Though she never understood the will of the Force, she complied with it. Padmé had spent her spiritual existence wondering when that moment would come.

Now, it finally had.

All the energy she had left was spent when she appeared to her husband, and now the Force was ready to claim her.

Happiness in death rather than in life would do - it was better than never again feeling that joy I once felt with Anakin, she decided as she felt the Force pulling her in. Releasing her agonizing grip on her weak but continued spiritual existence, she surrendered herself to become one with it, waiting for her love, Ani, to return to her and to be with her together in happiness.

There is no death; there is only the Force.

Author's notes:

DISCLAIMER: All characters, ships, lightsabers, dialogue, planets, ideas, accessories sold separately and galaxies far, far away belong to George Lucas. I just use them to have fun with my own imagination, in a non-profit manner. :)

This story was my very first to ever be archived on TF.N...it was first published in March of 2003. I cut my teeth with the really tough beta readers with this story. The kind who will always find something wrong with your work, and red mark it to death. I always appreciate this kind of criticism. It's a few years old and seems dated to me now, but my best beta readers always say the same thing about their own work...that it's a sign that -- as authors -- we are always changing, evolving and growing.

Padme was a last minute decision on my part. The rest of the plot always just kind of made sense to me if you watch the existing five movies and interpret the connections a certain way. Anyway, looking forward to your feedback, and I do hope if you've read this far that you enjoyed the piece. MTFBWY.

Ty