The Price of Freedom
Disclaimer: I do not have any affliation with the Star Wars saga or George Lucas.
Spoilers: None
The long slips of night fell steadily over the state, leaving only the shadows of day behind. The night life had planted itself firmly onto the planet, discontinuing any normal attitudes that people in their proper tones displayed during the sun's rise into the sky. The moon had always brought along the personalities that stayed hidden when the sun stood dominate in the sky. They always faded away in the morning, a shadow no more, many of their lives.
He had assumed that many in their morning afters would change with the day. The darkness that they stole into during the night to hide from the day, would dissipate leading them to take new faces amongst the general public. To be someone else, until it was time to forget the problems that had forced them to slip away into the underworld of nightly activities. Drugs, sex and alcohol were among a few of the primary items that he had seen slipped from hand to hand, in a secret hold to be forgotten as it left its original owner.
The dark yellow hues that engaged the eye had frightened him. The eyes of a drug induced man or woman. The crazed expression that had loomed over their forgotten faces that would blotch until the drug relief took place over their body and left them in a state of disgrace. He had heard the stories of the drug scene, most from fellow Jedi Knights. The drugs that were now seeping silently in the clubs were harder to shake. Many of their takers, in their own depressive habits would chose death over cleansing their bodies from the drug that for a few moments brought them some tranquil thought.
It was the only place where they could openly display their love, without the realization of the public their proper places in society and the dark cloth that they wrapped firmly about their bodies in the process. Nobody had dared to look at them, when they entered one of the shabbily dressed clubs, in attire that hid their identities. Nobody ever dared to raise their eyes to them, while they quietly sipped at their drinks, basking in the thought of being together without the physical play that was meant for only their bedroom. Once or twice they had heard the odd comment, telling them to get a room or the offer of drugs. Never was there anything more to the suggestion than that.
None of the Jedi Knights that he had ever come into association with ever left the comfort of their small apartments to venture in the crowds that invaded the night scene. It was not proper etiquette for any Jedi to be seen in a club of an undisclosed nature unless it was for business. Obi - Wan had taught him that, when he was a boy of fourteen and had curiously looked upon the sight of the night club people. Their bodies clad in deep hues of gold, silver or silky red, showing their decorative bodies to the world. They were no different in their costumes, disguised by masks of paint and oddly assembled clothing that his wife had promised did not look as bad as the other clothing that they saw on a frequent basis.
The first time they had left their offspring on their own with Jar Jar Binks as a babysitter for a night of luxury, they had found their one year olds a bask in tears, and the apartment nearly ripped apart. His wife had not said much, except keenly glared at him, Jar Jar had hid when the first items began to violent crash about him. Padme had felt bad, when she had found him holding himself about his knees, rocking back and forth, fearful of what had happened. She had explained it without revealing too many facts, that it was probably just some force ability that the children that she claimed to have adopted must have obtained. Jar Jar had nodded, taking in the explanation, and promising not to speak word of the incident no matter who had demanded answers, especially any of the Jedi.
Jar Jar had babysitted for them a few more times, before in near hysterics he had promised never to do it again without the help of another. Leia had been happy enough, beating her hands against the floor forcing things to come crashing in a circular direction about her, as Luke lay still, his mouth dryly sucking on the end of the lightsaber that his father had unconsciously left in plain sight on the ivory cabinet, that he managed using his growing ability to take from his place just to use as a pacifier. Padme had been furious in a few words of less at him. Blaming the Skywalker genes for the havoc that their twins could cause without so much of a warning or prevention. He had uncomfortably slept on the couch that night. It had taken over five months before he had convinced her that it was safe to leave Luke and Leia under the charge of a babysitter.
He had brushed at the few pieces of lint that had accumulated on his long dark cloak as he approached the door that held his family safe and secure from the outside world. Obi - Wan had smiled at him for a moment, taking in the fresh smell of roses that permated from the apartment. A common Nubian smell, all Nubian women even in their filthiest times, which was few and far between, gave off the strong smell of roses. He had supposed they had bathed in it, allowing the flowery smell to soak into their hair and skin. He had clasped at Anakin's shoulder, noting the sweat that formed a second skin over the bronzed, that he had learned came from a battle in the warmer climate of Floridaica, while he himself maintained a paler hint for he had spent several months locked in battle with the few remaining seperatists on the lovely and majestic planet of Canadaire.
"Do not worry, there is nothing now to fret over." Obi - Wan smiled, remembering the calming words that Mace had in his private discussion with a few divulged the information that the balance had come back into the order it was supposed to maintain, thanks to Anakin Skywalker, the man that destroyed the sith and apprentice in a strategic manner that saved possibly billions of lives from torture and death. Mace had offered congratulations and praise though he did not feel it proper to allow the chosen one to gloat over his victory. The party had been brief, and secluded. A time of joy, as the elder knights came together to allow their cups to clink against each others, before they awoke to the remaining struggle of people that still existed because of the sith lord's domination endeavours.
War had remained, broken only recently by the promise of peace and rebuilding. It had been Yoda that suggested that until elections could re-begin that the role of Supreme Chancellor of the senate should rest with the Viceroy and Senator of Alderaan. Nobody had argued it, he had been a leader in the war, protecting not only his own people but any one who required the help of someone whether in military or socially. It had taken time to convince Bail to take the role, though their was clear support of it from many of the senators who applauded and even nominated the idea behind the closed doors of confederacy.
He had watched his former apprentice bow his head, to take in the sight of the rouge floor beneath his black leather shoes. Accepting the small detail of galactic peace, though turmoil still raged in some corners of the galaxy primarily Arkellia, Liko, Sudania and Eiras. They had both spent months on each planet attempting to help, but to find that help was nearly impossible to give without several other necessities being demanded other than military. They needed money, a stable government and food. Military was only a slight thing that was required, compared to the major three. They both witnessed children laying dead on the streets, their heads bald from malnutrition and blood coming from their noses. That was the memory that haunted both of them, the children.
"I don't know, Obi - Wan, but just because the threat of the sith no longer exists in the galaxy does not mean that everthing is nothing to fret over..." He began as the door slid opened to reveal a tiny girl, her long brown locks soaked with water that fell gently against her bare back and a bright smile plastered across her face. A soft pink towel dragged behind her, as she reveal her nude body to the world. He had bent down, sheltering her small body with the pink towel that she was convinced did not suit her or her cause of going nude about the apartment. Obi - Wan had merely rolled his eyes, softly laughing at the imagery of the small girl and his former apprentice in a struggle over a towel. She had fought against the towel being wrapped around her, pushing it down several times, much to her father's protests. In the end, he had tightly bound her in the towel before picking her up to ensure that she could not escape the proper cloth that protected her body from outside observers.
"Who are you?" She had questioned, as she played with her father's blond locks of hair that came down to cover his years. Tightly binding them into misshapen braids and zulu knots. He had not so much cared about his daughter's pleasurable deeds to his hair, at least it had maintained her from screaming out and fighting him, or worse allowing his friend to see the power that she had inherited in the force, which would warrant her immediate detention from the family to the Jedi Temple, with her brother as a companion leaving his wife heart broken.
"I am Master Obi - Wan Kenobi, I am a Jedi Knight." He had smiled, the girl had vainly attempted to pronounce his name but failed and decided that his name would be something prettier than the name that he had, Jola. Anakin had laughed, holding his daughter tightly as he listened to the words that she sputtered. In no doubt, she was not a shy child. She had inherited many of her parents social skills.
"What is your name?" Obi - Wan had questioned, noting the proud smile that decorated his former padawan learner's face, but pushed the thought back in his mind. It was probably only laughter at the name of Jola. Jedi Master Jola, as the girl stated. She had held out her hand, allowing it to move from her father's neck. He had taken her hand, as she had whispered the beginnings of her name Leia Sk..before Anakin had stopped her from talking whispering something to her, before she proclaimed Naberrie.
"It is nice to meet you Leia Naberrie." Obi - Wan smiled. He had heard of the rumour that the Senator in her private time had adopted two children both parentless from a extended family connection, shocking many of the inhabitants of both her own home planet as well as the rest of the loyalists. She had eluded the press for the first year and a half of the twins lives, though many were unsure how she managed to do such a thing, when reporters had been stationed carefully about each of her work stations to get answers to many of the questions that they felt the public deserved to know. Eventually the story had faded, with the news of Palpatine and Count Dooku's connection to the darkside.
"Leia!" The woman's voice carried lightly through the apartment, before she had emerged from the refresher. Her clothes soaked with soapy water, while she craddled a boy of the same age as Leia tightly within her own arms, though he remained dry compared to her. The small child buried his face into his mother's shoulder, shyly removing his eyes from the strange man that had came into the apartment with his father, though he was even shy of the man that was partially responsible for his birth.
"Master Obi - Wan, Anakin. I thought you would be here later. I was just preparing Luke and Leia for bed." Padme had announced, brushing her hand lightly across her son's wet blond matted hair. Attempting to sooth his discomfort, and bring his eyes away from her black shirt to the guests that had arrived clearly. She had gently kissed his brow before setting him down on the couch, before taking a seat beside him following her husband and daughter's lead on the other sofa, leaving Obi - Wan to take residence in a lonesome chair facing the two couches.
The talk had remained relatively light to avoid any fears that could well into the children's minds over the threats against their mother's life. She had scooted them off to bed, when the conversation began to heat, guided by C-3P0's kind hand to make sure that they did not end up in another area to spy on the conversation. Padme smiled, taking in the sight of her children, as Leia ripped off the towel that hugged her body as she ran to the room that she shared with Luke. Luke had dragged his feet, continually glancing back at his mother sadly, as C-3P0 took his hand and pulled him along.
"I think that it would be best Senator Amidala if you and the younglings went to Naboo, somewhere you were farmiliar with to keep safe unil your wedding date." Obi - Wan began, noting the displeasurable look that washed over the Senator's face at the mention of the wedding to the crowned prince of Arkellia. He had heard of the discontent and anger, but assumed that it had passed and was why she had agreed to marry him. Anakin had frowned, lightly brushing his finger tips through his long hair, tearing out the braids and knots that were firmly planted in his hair.
"What about my senate duties, Obi - Wan? I can't just deny them. Naboo..." She began, stopping for a moment to look at her husband who in his depressed nature had looked at her with a nod. Agreeing with what his friend had proclaimed. She had known of his displeasure that reeped through his body at the mention of Ropa Ekert and her forced betrothal to the horrid man that in one instant had for pleasure killed many people from his own world. The way he raped any woman who did not willingly permit him into their bodies. She had already delayed the wedding for a year and a bit, calming several different excuses that could no longer work and Ropa had become more demanding that the wedding take place rather than to dissuade him that she was not the woman for him.
"Senator, Luke and Leia are more important than the senate, aren't they?" He had asked, already knowing her response to the question. The twins had always came first, except for their own marriage. She nodded in defeat, prompting Obi - Wan to promise that their Jedi protectors would not be allowed to leave her until the mystery was solved and the threat was removed from herself and the younglings.
"C-3P0 will you show Master Kenobi to his chambers." Padme had pronounced, "I want someone by the children's chamber so that if anything is to happen at least one of you is near me. Anakin will be in the bedroom chamber next to my own room." Obi - Wan had smiled, bowing his head slightly to her, following the droid who rhythemically spoke of oddities that he had heard of in the holonets and questioning their nature. Obi - Wan had listened muttering only a few answers, before he left the droid alone, to shut down for a few hours before twins awoke from their night sleep.
"I have tried everything, but he will not allow me leave of this stupid engagement." Padme said softly, burying her face into her husband's cloak. He had nodded, brushing her lose hair with his hands, before pulling her face up so that he could tenderly kiss her soft pink lips.
"I know, we will find some way to deal with this. I do not want him near our children." Anakin said softly, "Or touching my wife." She had nodded, before pulling him away into their bedroom, for at least a few hours of physical solace. To be able to lie together before Obi - Wan stirred and came in search of him, to prepare for the day's long journey with two three year olds.
Author's Note: I would like to thank you all for your help. I know the questions that I asked did not appear in any context in this chapter. But it does appear later in the story. I agree that Padme was most probably a virgin when she and Anakin married and that most Nubian women are virgins. But I am not sure about the birth control item. I think that they would believe that any child spawned was born for a reason, because Naboo seems like an old fashioned world. I have decided that I am not going to put up any updates for Back to the Future until my March Break begins. Is anyone going to see the movie Robots? It looks good.