Author's Note: Hey there! Here is the next chapter in our ongoing saga. If you need a refresher on hirtii, please check out Dancing with the Star Wars. As always, thank you so much for reading and reviewing. I love it! You're the best!
By the time Padme had reached Anakin, her hands had stopped trembling and the fear had left her eyes. Still, he could sense her lingering discomfort and gently prodded her through their Force bond. She absorbed the love and reassurance he was sending and looked at him with a grateful smile. Thank you, my love. I'm all right. Ignoring the slime that covered his face, she swept a finger over his lips and kissed him gently. His eyes searched hers for a moment until he nodded, apparently satisfied that she was telling the truth. Slipping and sliding, they made their way to the entertainment director and turned over five fully intact babops. She quickly handed over the next clue, careful to avoid contact with their sticky hands.
"You can clean up outside," the woman offered sympathetically.
With one last wave at the cheering crowd, Padme and Anakin dashed out of the tent and headed straight for the outdoor water cache. Stepping into the marked area, they were immediately doused with a lengthy stream of cool, clean liquid as it washed away the remaining ooze. Significantly refreshed, they grabbed a large blanket and toweled off before tearing open the clue.
"You have completed the final challenge of this leg of the race. Now, teams must hike towards the eastern sky and find the Hermett Sand Dune. Climb to the top where you will discover an assortment of sandboards. Choose the ones marked with your names and ride them to the Fifth Destination. Hurry! The last team may be eliminated."
Taking a moment to survey the surroundings, they quickly determined which way was east and started walking briskly. Hearing a commotion, they looked over their shoulders and spotted Obi-wan and Mace as they exited the tent, dripping with slime. The night was quiet and their words carried on the small breeze.
"I can't wait to wash this stuff off!" Mace cried, looking grim. His head covering was soaked with the gooey substance which gave his entire head a greenish glow.
"For once I completely agree with you!" Obi-wan replied. Threepio followed at a safe distance, looking horrified at the entire situation. Padme grabbed Anakin's hand and pulled him away before he could laugh too loudly. Moments later, they reached the large dune and began to climb.
The hot air had dried their clothing quickly, a fact for which Padme was grateful, as the sand was sticking to her enough as it was. She didn't need to look at Anakin to get his feelings on the matter. She remembered his opinions on sand quite well and wondered if he thought of his mother during times like these.
"Are you all right over there?" Padme asked gently.
"I'm fine," Anakin responded quietly. Giving her a small smile, he added, "Thanks."
After a few more moments, Padme's legs started to burn as they struggled to keep their footing on the steep path. This is why they invented turbolifts, she thought darkly. She found her breaths coming in sharp gasps and paused for a moment to secure her braid. She flashed Anakin a mildly annoyed look as she saw him scrambling up the hillside next to her, looking as refreshed as he would if they were simply out for a leisurely stroll. Hearing Artoo's encouraging beep, she nodded to herself and began climbing once again.
"Keep going - we're almost there!" Anakin encouraged. Looking up at the large amount of hillside she still had to cover, she glared at him and dragged a hand across her brow.
Finally, they reached the top of the enormous dune and Padme turned to see the Jedi Masters coming up right behind them. Forcing her legs to move, she followed Anakin to the row of smooth wooden boards and found the one marked "Liri." She grabbed it and threw it on the soft ground, inches from the downward slope. Gripping the steering ropes in her fists, she laid on it carefully and dug her feet into the sand.
"Go!" Anakin yelled, pushing off. Her legs obeyed the command and within seconds she was gliding along beside him. A wild cry of laughter escaped her throat as she flew down the hillside, gaining speed as she went. Catching sight of the host droid, she aimed her board slightly to the left and began to panic as she realized her board had no brakes! Dragging her feet in the sand to try to slow her approach, she finally gave up and rolled off the board, tumbling to a stop a few inches shy of the mat. Feeling clumsy, she watched as Anakin leapt from his sandboard and easily landed on his feet.
Catching a flurry of movement out of the corner of her eye, she spat the sand out of her mouth and stretched her arm forward, touching the mat just before Obi-wan and Mace ran forth.
"Welcome to the Fifth Destination! Liri and Kaide, you are team number 1!" the droid exclaimed. Anakin quickly helped Padme to her feet as "Dake and Tarv" were proclaimed team number 2. Shaking the sand out of her tunic, Padme's frown quickly began a grin as she realized Mace was once again the not-so-proud owner of a pink head scarf. Catching her amusement, Mace pulled the offending fabric from his head and wadded it up in his hands.
FIFTH DESTINATION - DUNES OF TERRARO RESORT - TWO HOURS LATER
Padme ran a silver hairbrush through her damp curls, happy to see the strands were sand-free. She tightened the ties of her robe seconds before the visitor's chime sounded. Hearing the water running, she realized Anakin was still getting cleaned up so it was up to her to welcome the Jedi Masters. Punching in a series of codes, the door slid open to reveal an empty hallway. Peering out, she caught a flash of a black cloak disappearing around the corner. She heard a painful cry reverberate through the still corridors. The despair she heard in its echo caused her heart to clench painfully.
Letting the door slide shut behind her, she lifted the hem of her robes and hurried towards the corner where she had last seen the black cloak. As she rounded the structure, she saw another flash of black as it swirled into another hallway. Picking up her pace, she tried to call out to the stranger but her voice seemed to be lodged in her throat. Stepping through a bright doorway, she found herself in a beautiful garden. Distracted momentarily, she let her fingers trail over the brilliant flowers and inhaled their luscious fragrance. Her attention was quickly torn away as she heard another sharp cry.
Startled, she moved forward, her feet following the path as if she'd traveled it a million times. Her mind didn't know where she was going or what she expected to find, yet she felt driven forward by an unseen force. Reaching the middle of the winding path, she felt herself recoil in horror at what she saw laying in front of her. Anakin, her beautiful Anakin, was chained to a stone post, his head lolling lifelessly on his chest. With effort, he brought his eyes up and fixed her with a helpless stare. His cracked lips parted to whisper her name as his bloodshot eyes pleaded with her to help him. To save him.
Choking back tears, she started forward and watched as vines came out of nowhere, wrapping themselves around her ankles. She fell to her knees, the rough stones cutting through her robes and into her skin. Reaching down to swipe at the blood, her hands came in contact with a lightsaber. She grasped it tightly, struggling to activate the blade, her mind screaming in urgency. But the saber refused to engage. Crushed by the weight of the realization, she allowed the weapon to fall from her numb fingers and it clattering on the stones loudly. She could only watch in helpless agony as her love's life slipped away. Sobbing raggedly, she reached forward with trembling fingers as she tried to touch him one last time-
And felt firm hands pull her back sharply, causing her legs to go out from under her and sending her crashing to the ground. Her head struck something hard and caused her vision to swim momentarily. Struggling to stand, she felt strong arms sweep her up and rush her away. The lights overhead were harsh and she closed her eyes, trying to block them out. She felt another wave of fear crash over her heart and fought instinctively to push it aside. Fight it, Padme. Fight! Come back to me!
Disoriented, she felt herself being settled onto a soft bed and could hear the quiet whirr of a medic droid as it scanned her body. She tried to speak, but her tongue felt heavy and thick and she couldn't get any words out. She remembered the look on Anakin's face, the way his head had hung motionless. She had failed him. A chilling blackness was calling for her and she struggled against it, trying to obey the familiar voice that was whispering soothingly - Don't give in, Padme. I love you! You can do this! She kicked away from the blackness, feeling her heart swell as love and adoration flowed through her soul.
She hissed as a needle embedded itself in her skin and felt the warmth of the liquid spreading through her veins. There was another sharp pain and she felt her body relax as she sank into the welcoming embrace of sleep.
DUNES OF TERRARO RESORT - MEDICAL BAY
She heard a low murmur of voices as her eyelashes began to flutter, trying valiantly to stay open. She moaned softly as she tried to raise a hand to her head, attempting to soothe the relentless pounding. She gingerly moved her head to the side, wincing as the pain increased. She forced herself to lie still and counted to fifty.
Finally, she brought her eyes fully open and met the worried gazes of Obi-wan and Mace. Her eyes darted from one Master to the other as she tried to figure out why Anakin wasn't there. Struggling, she attempted to sit up and made a small noise of gratitude as Obi-wan aided her quest.
"Where-" she began, her voice dry and papery. She quickly accepted the small cup of water Mace offered her and took a sip before trying again, "Where is Anakin? Please - is he all right?"
"He's fine, Milady," Obi-wan promised. "He's resting."
"Resting?" Padme questioned, worry filling every fiber of her being. She understood her husband inside and out and knew he wouldn't willingly leave her bedside. Oh, Ani! What happened?
Realizing Padme was quickly becoming even more upset, Mace placed a calming hand on her brow. She settled back into her pillows reluctantly before murmuring, "Please. You must tell me what happened."
With a sigh, Obi-wan explained, "We were coming to your room for our usual briefing. As we approached, we caught a glimpse of you rounding the corner at the far end of the hallway. You were moving strangely - your movements fluid, yet quick. The Force hit us with a warning and we rushed to follow. We lost sight of you when you went into the gardens, but Anakin came crashing past us and found you in seconds."
The Jedi Master paused for a moment, hesitant to continue. Padme fixed him with the best Senatorial stare she could muster and he finally continued, "When we came upon you, you were kneeling on a bed of stones with tears running down your face, sobbing as if your heart was broken. I think we all stopped breathing for a moment when we realized what you were reaching for."
She felt her stomach clench as she waited for him to finish.
"Hirtii," he stated. "In its natural form. If we would have found you two seconds later, well... We wouldn't be having this conversation." His voice grew stronger as he continued, "Anakin wrenched you away just in time. You were like a rag doll, unresponsive and limp. He rushed you here - to the medical bay - when it was apparent you weren't emerging from the vision."
She closed her eyes as she remembered Anakin's voice commanding her to fight, to come back to him. She turned tear-filled eyes to Mace as he finished the tale.
"Anakin had to connect with you through your Force bond, only it was harder this time because he was being blocked. He finally got through to you, breaking your trance before he collapsed in exhaustion." The Jedi Master stepped aside, revealing her husband, his handsome face ashen as he slept in the cot beside her. Her hands flew to her mouth as she stifled a cry of fear.
"He'll be okay," Obi-wan assured her. "He's just resting, I promise."
"But I don't understand," Padme whispered. "I was able to fight the shadow earlier this evening."
"Earlier?" Mace asked, confusion etched on his face.
"During the challenge - with the babops. I had a vision, but I was able to break out of it. Why couldn't I do it this time?" She looked at them, her brown eyes flashing with frustration.
There was a moment of silence as the Jedi Masters pondered her question. Finally, Mace mused, "I believe this may have been a retaliatory attack against your previous triumph. Force, its intensity must have been overwhelming." He sighed before turning a serious gaze on her. "You're going to have to work harder than you ever have in your life to defeat this. You must remember - hate is powerful."
There was a brief silence before he finished-
"But it doesn't have a chance against love."
