Be not despaired, faithful reviewers. Conflict is on the horizon.
Sixteen years later
Time passed quickly for us in Naboo. Anakin found a job working on a fishing boat, and I made
jewelry to be sold at market. Our love continued to grow, and we slipped into a comfortable routine in
our relative solitude. We were far removed from all the turmoil and political intrigue that had engulfed
the Empire. One night, during dinner, after hearing Anakin's tale of a shipwreck earlier that day, I
blurted out something that had been gnawing at my mind for the past week.
"Our children turned sixteen earlier this week."
Anakin's weathered face softened as he reached for my hand. We had changed a bit over the
years" I had become more muscular, as I often helped Anakin on the boat, and the absence of stress
related to my political position had softened my face. I still wore my hair long, but usually just wore it
down or swept off my face in a barrette. I traded my regal robes for simple, short tunics and sensible
boots. Anakin had definitely benefited from his work on the boats. He was tan and chiseled with
bulging muscles. He wore his hair very short and also dressed in simple pants and loose fitting shirts.
We were unable to conceive any other children, so our lives were wholly dedicated to one another and
pleasing each other. I imagine that our inability to have children stemmed from the magic that brought
us back together.
"I had no idea how I would broach the subject, Padme, but I figure now would be the best time
to do so…Obi Won contacted me yesterday."
I gasped. In all our years, we had not received contact from any of the people of our pasts. Obi
Won, Yoda, my parents, no one. They had become unspoken whispers on our tongues as the years went
by. In our hearts we hoped that they were all safe, but we could never be sure that they all survived.
"What…what did he say?"
"He is living on Tatoonie. The reason he contacted us was that he felt a stirring in the Force,
something that I have felt as well recently…"
"You're feeling the force?" I asked, "I thought that it would have faded with time and disuse."
"I will never be free of my Jedi training. Obi Won requested that we travel to Tatoonie and help
him with a project."
I clasped my hands together in delight.
"Oh Ani!" I exclaimed, "It will be so wonderful to see our old friend Obi Won again. This is so
wonderful! When do we leave?"
"He said it was urgent, so I believe we should leave as quickly as possible."
"Well, we better get going then," I said, sweeping the plate of half-eaten food from in front of
him.
We chartered a private jet for us to fly to Tatoonie. I voiced my concern over fear of cost, but I
was secretly exhilarated. It had been years since I had flown, and the feel of the controls in my hands
was therapeutic. When we finally arrived at Tatoonie, I could barely contain the excitement bubbling in
my heart.
"Oh, Ani! The last time we were here was the first time we met, almost thirty years ago!"
"I was stricken with you then. Even though I was young, I knew that here was something about
you…your spirit, your gracefulness, your beauty. Even when you were pretending to be an attendant,
you exuded royalness."
I smiled.
"I am so anxious to see Obi Won. Did he say where he was going to meet us?"
"At the unloading dock. I sent him a message to him when we were about to enter the
atmosphere, so he should be here soon."
A utility droid got our small satchels and carried them to the unloading dock. It was then that I
saw him. Anakin and I look at one another, and then broke into an excited run, tackling him from
behind in a joint hug.
"Anakin! Padme!" he exclaimed, hugging us back, "It is such a pleasure to see you two. Come,
come, let's get your bags into my hovercraft and we can get to my home and catch up.
As we boarded the craft, I noticed how much Obi Won had aged. His hair had become sprinkled
with gray, wrinkles had appeared on his worn face. But his eyes still twinkled with the mischievous
light that they had so many years before. Upon arriving at his house, Obi Won carried our satchels into
the small dwelling etched out from the side of a mountain.
"You two will be staying in here," he said, showing us into a small room with a bed in the
center, a wardrobe in the left corner, and a desk in the other corner, "I'm sorry that the
accommodations are a bit shabby…the lake house is a bit more luxurious, I am sure."
"This is perfect, Obi Won, thank you so much for allowing us to visit you…words cannot
express how wonderful it is to see you once again," I said, giving his hand an affectionate squeeze.
"Well, I'll let you two get settled. I have some business to attend to, but I'll be back in about an
hour for dinner."
"Is there anything we can do to help with dinner? Or anything else?" I asked.
"No, just unpack and relax. I know how long trips used to get you down," he said, clasping
Anakin's shoulder with a fatherly arm.
When he left, Anakin and I placed our things into the wardrobe. I began to think of the
circumstances: I was on Tatoonie, with my son living nearby as Obi Won was his silent protector. If
only I could find his exact whereabouts, and slip away, just to see him run or play. Would he be blonde,
like his father, or dark haired like me…my thoughts were interrupted when Anakin spoke.
"I know what you think of, Padme, and it must not occur. Luke was taken from us and placed in
the care of a couple that will love and nourish him. It would be unwise, and frankly, selfish to seek him
out."
"I wouldn't talk to him," I explained desperately, "I just want to see my son…is that so wrong?"
"Not normally, but Yoda had his reasons for placing Luke where he is. You would do him more
harm than good if you went to see him."
"Well," I said, raising my voice, "if you had not forced me to make the decision about our lives,
then my children would have never been taken from me!"
"So you regret choosing our love? You would rather me have lived a life consumed by the Dark
Side? Is that what you are saying?" he raged, grabbing his cloak and walking to the door.
"Ani, wait," I pleaded, grabbing his arm.
"I'm going out," he said, forcefully slamming the door.
I lay on the bed, tears falling in puddles on the coarse blanket. It was our first major argument.
In over seventeen years of marriage, I had never seen him get so angry at me. I closed my eyes,
praying that we could work this out, that we could forget everything and just enjoy our time
with Obi Won.
"Padme, wake up. It's time for dinner."
Obi Won shook me gently, and then helped me get out of bed.
"I'm sorry," I apologized, "I must have been so tired from the trip. I forgot how stressful flying
is."
"Ah yes," he said unbelievingly, "Anakin is already at the table. Let's go there, before the food
gets too cold."
As we entered the dining room, Anakin did not look up. I wanted to cry all over, rush to him,
and make him look at me…make his anger stop. But I composed myself and sat down next to him.
"So Obi Won, the curiosity has gotten the best of me…why did you ask me here?" Anakin
asked.
"I need your help…Yoda feels that there is a young boy on Tatoonie who has extreme promise
as a Jedi. He could possibly bring the Order back into being. Tatoonie seems to be a breeding ground
for promising young Jedi, eh?"
Anakin let out a short chuckle.
"And so I need your help training the boy. I am getting older, and you have surely not forgotten
your training…"
"I don't know what to say, Master. I would love to help you train this youngling. What is his
name? I might know of his family, if I can remember far back enough."
Obi Won glanced warily at me.
"The particulars are of…"
"What you say in front of him, you can say in front of me…we're supposed to be partners," I
said, with a steely edge to my voice.
"Well the youngling I have requested to train is your son, Luke Skywalker."
