Disclaimer: Star Wars and all associated characters, plotlines, and worlds (good and bad) are property and copyright © of George Lucas (aka The Richest Man in Hollywood). This is purely for fan entertainment only.

Also, this fanfic is rated MA for any mature content I may or may not include (just in case). I don't recommend reading it if you're not old enough to understand mature themes or sexual content. Also, strong and possibly sexual language. (Just in case, not a promise)

Chapter 4 – Padmé's Ruminations

She couldn't help thinking how odd it was to see Obi-Wan without his Jedi robes on. She followed behind him up the winding platforms into the treetops of Endor, noticing how different subtle changes in his appearance made him look. He had donned the clothes of a normal civilian and brushed his hair back a different way. It was a shame, really, his bangs now hung across his blue eyes. He had stopped short at shaving his beard, stating that he would look naked without it.

She herself felt rather unadorned, wearing a gown with significantly less ornamentation. It was cut rather simply, and was not made to flatter her features the way all of her other gowns were. She almost opted to wear pants, but she did not want to venture into anything constraining while her body was still healing from the pregnancy and delivery of the twins.

They finally reached the top of the platforms and she stopped to take in the view. It was literally an entire small town at the top of the trees. It made sense, though, as the trees grew rather close together. No one seemed to be out and about in the town, however. A lone man sat propped against the thick trunk of one of the ancient trees, and stood up upon their approach. He eyed them warily. "Hello, strangers."

Obi-Wan nodded to the man casually. "Hello. I am Ben Kenobi and this is my wife, Tiané, we are looking for a place to stay." He gestured to Padmé in turn, but the man did not seem to notice or care.

"Right… only rule here is that you pay your rent on time- every fortnight, and to that office." He gestured to the door he sat by.

Obi-Wan nodded. "Very good. I…"

The man interrupted. "We also don't want to hear any stories, the less we know about you, the better." He looked at Obi-Wan sternly to emphasize this point.

Obi-Wan couldn't help grinning at Padmé. "Perfect."

The man grunted. "Follow me." They followed him down through a maze of platforms to where he designated their quarters would be. They still encountered no one through the entire walk to their quarters. She hoped that Obi-Wan was paying closer attention to the ways around; she couldn't find her way back to the ship without getting lost. The man gestured at a door in the end of one of the spirals. "Yours, after you pay the rent up front." He designated an amount.

Obi-Wan retrieved the amount from a small pouch at his waist. He gestured for Padmé to go inside, and followed her in after watching the man walk away. The front room was small, with a sturdy wooden table in one corner and a fireplace across from a long, fairly new looking couch. There was one bedroom with one large bed and a 'fresher room adjoining. The furnishings were all simple and the linens clean and fresh. "Not bad." He murmured, resting his hands on the table. "What do you think?"

She sat down on the couch, bouncing a bit to test the springiness of the cushions. "It will do." She looked around, reacquainting herself with a lesser quality than she was used to. She had to remember- she was no longer Queen Amidala, nor was she a Senator or a Jedi's wife.

He chuckled, knowing that is what she was thinking-after all, he had never seen her in quarters this sparse. "Your majesty, it will definitely have to do." He bowed to her, keeping a playful grin on his face.

Padmé laughed, her heart lightening about the situation. It was not such a bad thing to be in exile with this Jedi, he had always been a very good friend, always made her smile. She could count on him to diffuse a difficult situation. "Good, Master Jedi, now would you be so kind as to fetch my bags?" she tried forcing a stern look on her face but erupted into giggles, trying to think of happier thoughts. She wanted to be happy just a while longer because she knew as soon as he was gone, she would sink into her ruminations again.

He gave her another mock bow, a quick grin, and his blue eyes met hers and for a moment they shared the mirth. He did, however, go down to retrieve the few possessions and clothing they had brought with them to Endor.

And she was left alone with her thoughts, for the first time since she lost her children, her husband, and her life.

Surprisingly, though, her thoughts strayed more to the blue eyes she had just seen, rather than her dead husband's. She had always been grateful for his presence, he was the calm, peaceful force in her life, what a Jedi should be. Anakin had never learned the control over his emotions; he was all passion. Everything he did was tempered with frustration, love, pain, arrogance… As she looked back on it, she realized that his passion was part of the reason she had fallen in love with him in the first place.

Or rather, she thought, perhaps she was just in love with how he was in love with her. He had doted upon her from the beginning of coming back into her life. Every time she saw him- even in front of public officials- he reminded her of how beautiful he thought she was. The attention had always made her feel special and wanted. It dawned on her that this was probably what she had fallen in love with- not Anakin himself.

Her thoughts drifted again to Obi-Wan, the Jedi she had known longer. Even now, with the Republic in shambles and a Sith on the throne as an Emperor, he still believed in the same common goals as she did, of democracy and justice. Anakin had revealed his true intent to her at the end- he did not care about the Republic, he just wanted power and recognition in whatever way he could get it. Obi-Wan was content to be unknown and powerless as long as democracy prevailed and the people were safe from the evil grasp of the Sith.

She smiled at that thought; she knew Obi-Wan would never be content to leave the Republic behind, not even in their sanctuary on Endor. She would have to get with her dear friend right away to start making plans for the rebellion.

He was inwardly glad that the clones had a complete sense of obedience and did not even think about complaining about the cold, as he knew normal men would. The ice and snow of Rhen Var could get to anyone. Their white clone trooper armor had blended rather well in the snow before it became tainted with the blood of the Jedi supporters.

Darth Vader himself stood out in the snow, his black cape billowing around him in the wind. He resheathed his light saber, tucking it back onto his belt. The dead body of the Jedi Knight Amras Narmolanya laid at his feet, his head still rolling away towards the cliffs. He had been all too easy to defeat, it was as if he had not even been worth coming all this way… but it was another one of the Jedi out of his way. His list was getting shorter.

"Next on the list, Commander?" he turned to Commander Appo who was still faithfully at his side.

The Commander had apparently memorized the list. "Jedi Knight Jori Carver, of Naboo."

He was silent, save for the mechanical breathing. "Naboo…" he finally uttered, his voice dangerously soft. He was sure there would be plenty of Jedi supporters there; the entire royal family he supposed.

He paused in the doorway silently, long enough to watch her, gauge her mood. She didn't look upset, and was in fact smiling. So, he waited no longer, making a big show of carrying her bags into the front room. "Oh, Padmé, how much clothing does one woman need?" he dropped the bags by the table. "Are you hiding Sabé in there as well, and her clothing?"

She stood up, laughing. "Oh of course, Obi-Wan, a woman must always have her clothing about her, as well as her best friends… and an innumerable amount of shoes!"

He gestured to himself. "This is the only pair of clothing that I need." He laughed, adding, "One pair of clothing to keep me from the elements, a bit of food and water, and the Force… good company can make it worthwhile."

Padmé smiled, "As many stories as I'm sure you have yet to tell me, I'm sure we'll never be at a lack of company."

He mocked being offended. "You wouldn't want to hear my boring stories."

She grinned at him, "No, but I do want to hear your interesting ones; we have a lot of catching up to do." She looked into his calm blue eyes, loving how they lit up when he actually starting enjoying himself.

"I am sure I can accommodate you." He grinned.

"I'm sure you can, Master Jedi."

Sorry this took a little longer coming out; I had wanted to get it right and finally just let it be. Keep telling me what you think; I hope everyone is enjoying this as much as I am!