Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters or anything Star Wars related.
EPILOGUE
Obi-Wan Kenobi stood in the center of the glossy marble floor and admired the new chambers. The Jedi Temple had finally been restored to its former glory. Faith in the Order had been revived throughout the recovering galaxy and the Republic was once again in control.
He was gratified to find the new council chambers a shining image of what it had once been and let out a long sigh. However, this sigh was not of exhaustion as most had been in recent times…it was a sigh of relief. A heavy weight had been lifted from his shoulders – from the shoulders of everybody that had suffered under the reign of the Sith and the Separatist forces, but they knew peace before and they would now know it again.
"I believe congratulations are in order, my young apprentice," he heard a voice speak up from behind him. "It is not every day you become a member of the high council."
Obi-Wan grinned as he turned around to face his visitor. "It is all thanks to your teachings, Master Qui-Gon."
"Oh, I am not so sure," Qui-Gon replied with a warm smile.
Obi-Wan's eyes widened when he spotted the second glowing life form that stoically stood beside his old Master. "Master Windu!"
"Hello, Obi-Wan," Mace greeted him, nodding respectfully.
Obi-Wan quickly inclined his head and returned the gesture. "Master, it is good to see you again. It is good to see both of you."
"It is good to see you as well, Master Kenobi," Mace replied.
"And where is young Ani this evening?" Qui-Gon wondered aloud.
"He and Senator Amidala left for Tatooine this morning," Obi-Wan answered with a solemn expression. "I believe he has finally decided to let go…"
Anakin knelt down in the golden sand. The harsh heat from the multiple suns beat down on him and drops of sweat beaded down his face, but he didn't care. His full attention was focused on the grave that rested before him…the grave of his mother. Shmi Skywalker.
He had let her down – he knew it – and there was no way he could change that. However, he could choose to lead the rest of his life the way he was meant to…the way she had wanted him to. To live in happiness and serenity for the rest of his days. To become the Jedi he had promised he would be. He knew now that being a great Jedi had nothing to do with ones power – not measured by strength -- but with knowledge and understanding of the Force. The dark side was only pure power and it offered nothing more than just that.
Scooping up a handful of sand, he finished the quiet words of love he had wished to share with his mother and rose back to his feet. He allowed the sand to slip through his fingers as he said his farewells.
"I miss you…I know you would have made a wonderful grandmother."
Padme watched her husband from the distance while he turned around and started back in her direction. She knew it was over. After all this time, Anakin had returned to her and she felt a reassuring feeling of calmness and contentment wash over her.
Things were as they should be.