A Warm Breeze in the Snow Storm
By Rose-Arwen-Padmé
Across the Stars
His heart had not pounded this furiously since that day in the Nubian palace throne room, the day that he'd unleashed his rage and grief on those still alive when he'd learned that his wife and child had passed into a world that he could not follow. Each pound of his unsteady heart seemed ready to burst it through his chest and his mechanical breast plate.
"Yomané," Vader seethed angrily. The handmaiden, however cleverly, had lied to him. She had lied straight to his glaring face. Now, it was no wonder why the rest of the Nubians in the room had remained silent so submissively when she had begun to unveil her fable of Amidala's fate to him. They must have picked up early on that she wasn't telling anything near the truth. And he, being the emotional wreck that he was at the time, had drunk up her information thirstily. He had been so starved for any news about what had become of his dear wife that he actually never thought to question Yomané's story.
Ten years—ten years had been lost, all due to his mistake. Lord Vader knew for a fact that she wasn't on Naboo at that time when he had been. He had scoured everywhere on that planet— every cottage, every village, every town, and every city. Where had she been? Where had she gone after she'd been taken from Coruscant by Kenobi? Why hadn't he felt her living presence all these years?
He would soon have his answer.
Presently, Darth Vader and his 12th squadron were cruising hastily through Naboo's skyline, intent on one destination—Varykino. And Darth Vader, as reluctantly forced as the thoughts were, could only think of three other days in his life when he had been this nervous. The first time was the afternoon elevator ride before he was reunited with the then Senator Amidala, who he'd still thought of as his rosy Padmé—Obi Wan's comment about being "a little on edge" was the understatement of the year, which was yet another example for Vader that Kenobi never really understood him. The other time was his wedding day, the sunset evening when Padmé had taken his name— had become a Skywalker. His expected fears about being a good husband for her had been magnified times ten by the problems, oaths, politics, and other dramas that screamed reasons at them of why their union should not take place. The final day when he'd been this nervous—a day that he now scoffs at—was the final day of his Jedi trials. Lord Vader did not ponder that date very much.
What will Padmé think when she sees me in my monstrous suit? Will her kind spirit that I remember shine through and she won't put bad judgment on me? Will she keep turning away, and refuse to even look at me? No, that possibility would never come true, he would make sure of it. He would make her look at him. But... when she speaks… oh, Force, what will the very sound of her voice do to me? To hear those sweet Nubian inflections interwoven into that melodious voice… he feared that it would be his undoing. He was terrified of the emotions he would feel if she spoke his former name that he'd renounced. It was bad enough that she'd taken on the name Anaka Skyler—it was much too close for comfort. But, what if she said it… the name that he'd grown up with… the name that had been his very being? Or, even worse… what if she said the nickname that he had only allowed two people in the universe to call him by... the name that his lover, and his mother, had tenderly called him by?
However, as basic as it was, Darth Vader felt most anxious at the mere, yet gigantic prospect of simply seeing the living form of Padmé Amidala. He had told himself, after he'd learned of her "death", that he would never go in search of her grave. The site of her dead form would have been too much for the dark lord to handle. She had always been his greatest weakness. However, now, the idea of a living wife was more emotional, more terrifying then coming across a memorial.
And her eyes… those deep pools of brown and auburn…
A low growl of rage rumbled in the back of Lord Vader's throat, and the startled men around him took a few cautionary steps away from his black form.
He was acting like a love-struck school boy! He was unraveling himself with mere thoughts of her—he hadn't even seen her yet, and already he was falling apart! He was Darth Vader, Dark Lord of the Sith… who was he to muse about 'deep pools of brown and auburn'? He had to reign in these dangerous emotions, seal them in a cart, and toss it into a black hole of space. He had to regain control somehow…
His tense posture relaxed somewhat as he sneered a little beneath his mask.
Well, perhaps he could control some aspects of her appearance, especially those dangerously sentimental eyes of hers…
"Captain!" he exclaimed, and he immediately heard the hustle of men clearing a pathway for their other leader to make his appearance to Vader.
Within moments, Captain Tistle had saluted his superior and awaited his orders by Vader's side.
"I need you to carry out an order as civilly and gently as you possibly can."
Captain Tistle was sure that he hadn't heard the demonic figure correctly. "Pardon me, sir?"
"You heard me, Captain. Don't get me wrong—I expect this order to be carried out just as firmly and thoroughly as any other."
A brisk nod was the first sign of understanding from the captain. "Absolutely, Lord Vader. Whatever you say shall be accomplished."
"I know," Vader replied, crossing his arms in front of his chest in imitation. This is where he felt power. These were the threatening moments when he felt in absolute control. "There's no need to state the obvious. Our coordinates will take us to a lodge on one of the lakes. You have no doubt already figured out that we are headed to the lake country. When we get to this lodge, the utmost care will be taken with the property." His extremely tense voice and stance left no room for the Captain to think otherwise of his orders. "There will be no damage to the land or the building. Tell the men that they can consider their lives lost if a single flower is stepped on."
Captain Tistle swallowed. He had never, in his ten years of working with the dark lord, heard such orders be given by Darth Vader. Several moments passed, and Tistle dared to ask, "Is that the order that you were specific about, my lord?"
"No, Captain," Vader continued. "There is something at this lodge that will be handled with the most care above all the rest—something very precious."
"And what would this thing be, my lord?"
"A woman."
Now Captain Tistle was sure that he had heard wrong. There was no possible way that Lord Vader had just said—
"She is not to be treated as a captive, do I make myself clear? Yes, she is under my jurisdiction, but she is not to be touched or threatened. Tell the troopers that I'll make sure they feel torture worse than they can imagine before death if a single one of them either places a finger on her or raises their blaster to her. If they so much as idly point their blasters in her general direction…" Vader paused suddenly, as if the fire inside prevented him from finishing his threat, and the captain watched his fists clench into tight balls. "If, and it better not, but if the situation arises where she needs to be touched, you, and only you, will do so." He took two several steps towards Captain Tistle. The other man stared up into the devilish mask towering above him. "Don't let that kind of situation arise, Tistle."
Struggling to keep his voice from quivering, Captain Tistle answered, "Yes, my lord. I will do as you order."
"Further, Captain, you will tell her to wear a transparent scarf around her eyes—one that she can see through, obviously. Once this action has been accomplished, communicate with me, and I will leave the ship to come to her. Once I arrive at her location on the lodge, we are to be left alone."
Trying to think logically with Vader's breathing ringing in his ears, Tistle asked, "But, my lord, what if she has no such scarf that is transparent?"
"I know this woman. She'll have enough dresses and accessories to dress a small planet." It was a crude remark; one that he knew was most likely not true anymore. Since the dawning days of the Empire, fashion had been thrown out, along with other luxuries, even on Naboo. The likelihood of a stowaway caretaker, someone trying to keep their true identity a secret, having an elaborate wardrobe that matched the one she kept in the old days was very small.
"It shall be done, my lord."
"I want you to understand something, Captain. Her eyes should not, in any way, be clearly visible. Find a suitable scarf, Tistle," he paused, "or be ready to find another career choice."
"My lord?"
Oh, no... The moment that Darth Vader had been both anticipating and dreading for the past half hour had come. He had been waiting—hiding?—out in his shuttle while half of the 12th squadron and Captain Thistle had secured the area… and the caretaker.
Now, just like Vader had ordered him to, Captain Tistle was notifying him over the comlink that Darth Vader could step off the shuttle and onto the land. He was calling to tell him that 'the precious woman' was in position to be spoken too.
The Sith lord's nerves were frantic. He had to force his shaking hand to push the button as he activated his end of the communication line.
"Go ahead, Captain."
"My lord, the woman is in position for your arrival. She is at the balustrade overlooking the south end of the lake. It faces the island in the middle of the lake, sir."
Vader swallowed. He knew exactly where Tistle was talking about the moment the captain had said 'balustrade'.
"And is the scarf in place?"
"Yes, my lord. She complied with our request very generously. There was no struggle, either verbally or physically, at all."
Vader wanted to ask so many questions at once. What does she look like now? Is she crying? Does she appear pleased? Why didn't she struggle? Has she said anything? Does she know who's here?
"Very well. I will be there momentarily. Clear the men as soon as I'm in sight."
The walk to the exit door of the shuttle took much less time than Vader liked. Yet, suddenly, in the two seconds that the door took to open, a sudden urge that Vader had not experienced yet washed over him. He wanted to see Padmé. He needed to see Padmé. He couldn't wait another moment to be with his wife. He wanted to dash to her side as quickly as his feet could carry him. But his rush of new feelings as his trepidation subsided was veered as the door completely lifted.
There was a reason why Vader had avoided looking out the port holes before now. However, now he could not blind himself to not see the familiar landscape that stretched out before him. 'Beauty' did not describe the sight, did not do it justice. The lodge beamed in the sunlight, the tiles on the roof reflecting brilliantly. The rainbow of endless flowers sighed on the wind in their rich soil. The leaves on the trees and the flowers blooming on the branches still took his breath away. The surrounding water sparkled like a thousand jewels beneath the surface.
This, he knew, was something that even Darth Vader, Lord of the Sith, could stare in awe of. This was something he could never destroy.
And as the breeze billowed his black cape, it brought with it memories that washed over him in dozens of waves. Every place, every spot had a memory connected with it—a memory filled with love and happy times.
This was the last place he had called home.
He was so caught up in his reverie, that for several moments, he forgot his purpose at this sentimental paradise. Then, inevitably, he remembered why he was here.
His heart started pounded heavily again as he did something he hadn't tried in ten years… he opened himself up to the Force signature of his wife.
He could have fallen to his knees right then and there. He felt her heart beat as if it were his own, and he could taste the sweet, rosy air as he breathed with her. For a brief second, his essence combined with her physical one for the first time in over a decade. For too short of a moment, he felt a connection with her that matched the one they had shared so long ago— the evening on Coruscant when he had stood looking at her apartment from the Jedi Council room, and she had stood in their living room gazing towards him.
However, the intense connection lasted only a second before someone was overcome that they had to shut it off. He wasn't sure if it was him or her, but one thing was for certain: if she had any doubt before over who had come to seize her and speak to her, she knew now. In their intense, but brief relation, he had felt her weakness, her strength, and her recognition.
His legs carried him to the south end of the lodge without him knowing it. Before long, he was slowly walking up the final path before the corner that would show him the banister. His black form treaded slowly through the rose paradise.
On both sides of him, flowers moved swiftly as he moved beyond them. At first they seemed to bustle, as if unsure whether or not they should wilt as he passed. Yet, after another moment of hesitation, they seemed to sigh in recognition and content finality.
He rounded the corner, swallowing hard as he did so.
There was a figure dressed in blue—the blue of the water—standing in the middle of the balustrade.
It was the same place where he had exchanged wedding vows with that figure thirteen years before. The figure, a petite woman, had—still had—a flowing cascade of chestnut curls that fell down her back and over her shoulders. Her water-blue silk gown lay in a puddle around her feet. As the wind blew faintly, it softly rustled a few curls of hair that danced playfully in the breeze. All of these details became clearer as he continued his steps. For the first time in a while, he felt a thankful thought in regards to his mask—five years before, he'd had the lenses of his mask modified so that everything would not be basked in a red light. He saw all colors as clearly and vividly as anyone.
Oh Force, the closer I get to her, the worse it gets. He was within feet of Padmé. I'm with her. I can't breathe…
He stopped ten feet away from her. He couldn't go any farther. The troopers had long since departed, and he was alone with his wife for the first time in years. The wind sang through the trees, its melody the theme song to the husband and wife's reunion.
After several unbearably long minutes, it was Padmé who finally spoke. She sounded calm and angelic. He had yearned for ten years to hear that voice again…
"Well, I assume you're not here to rent the lodge out for the weekend."
TBC...
UPDATE /Author's Note:
I'm posting this because I am also posting this story on the message boards of another site, and over there I posted this just to clarify... so I thought I'd add it here, too! I hope this helps with any misunderstandings...
Vader asked for a transparent (able to see through) scarf, because he does want her to be able to see him. This is their reunion, not a trick. Plus, remember-- he felt that intense connection with her a few minutes before he saw her...
He wasn't sure if it was him or her, but one thing was for certain: if she had any doubt before over who had come to seize her and speak to her, she knew now. In their intense, but brief relation, he had felt her weakness, her strength, and her recognition.
She knows exactly who's knocking on the door.
Vader got the scarf because he's worried about the effect looking directly into her eyes will have on him. A popular saying is "Eyes are the windows to the soul". She's still his greatest weakness. He's terrified of how vulnerable she makes him feel. He feels like he can have some control over the emotional situation if the appearance of her eyes is somewhat distorted-- hence the request for the scarf. It's all in a vain attempt to sheild off the powerful effect she still has on him.
You've got to think that this guy spent years looking at her lovingly and being looked at by her lovingly through those eyes. It's very intimate for him. I'm kinda making it so that his favorite physical characteristic of her's is her eyes, and he's not ready yet to face them yet. They are the most 'Padmé' physical characteristic about her, and therefore the most likely to evoke 'Anakin' emotions in Vader.
Jokerisdaking - Thank you for the very kind comments! I've become a bigger fan of the Naberrie's just through writing this story, so I promise I will try to incorporate them into the story later. I'm glad that you are enjoying the story so much! I hope that you enjoyed this one (chapter 7) just as much.
BGTom - Or... they do! They do reunite. :-)
Niraha Skywalker - Thank you! I REALLY appreciate it! ;-)
eternalhope08 - I completely agree-- Anakin is VERY hot. And I'm not talking about the kind of hot that he got while roasting like a marshmallow by the lava. I mean VERY cute hot! ;-) Actually, I've been going back and forth about making it a happy ending or not. I honestly don't know what to do. One way will make it an AU, the other way will actually make it flow along with the orginal trilogy movies seemlessly. I guess I better make my decistion pretty quick. :-)
Leif of Rohan - Thank you for reviewing again! It's always great to hear from you, and the other repeat reviewers. I always look forward to reading you all'sperspectives on the chapters. Thank you for such a generous review!
LVB - Thank you! I had lots of fun on my time off-- and I got plenty of story ideas while I was away. Eh, but it's too bad when you finally get a flood of ideas, and you can't write them up! I didn't have a computer! lol! Thanks again for the review! I'm glad you like Sola's reaction!
anonymous - lol, I think this may have been the biggest cliff hanger of the story so far, so I'm glad that you like being left in suspense! Thank you very much for your review!
Snow Lepord - Awww, shucks! Thank you again! I really appreciate you continuously reviewing. Your remarks are always great to read. Thank you for taking the time:-)
eridani - Hello! And this greeting is coming from both "Rose-Arwen-Padme" and "Aristo-nobi". lol! Thank you so very much for your review. I feel honored, andI loved reading what you had to say.That'Anakin coming through' moment("You've got to be kidding") is actually probably my favorite line in that entire chapter, so I'm very glad that you liked it and mentioned it!Yes, there will be about two or three more chapters. I haven't quite decided how I want this to end.
scooter5710 - Awesome! There's more wickedness to come, I promise. :-)
J.E.A.R.K.Potter - Hi there! wink Nah, I bet the name doesn't sound familiar at all. wink Yay! I'm glad that you liked that line! I had to work for a while at wording it just right, so I'm glad to hear that you were pleased with it!
Ani-maniac -Hello there! (just like with eridani above, this greeting is coming from both "Rose-Arwen-Padme" and "Aristo-nobi" wink) I'm so pleased that you are enjoying this story! Thank you very much for your interest and support. I hope you like the rest of the story that is to come!
MeyaRose - Lol! So do you!
HotaruFireFly55 - Thank you very much for such flattering remarks. I take the time to say thank you individually because I really do appreciate you taking the time to leave reviews. Truly, thank you very much. :-)
Chou hime - Yay! I'm very pleased that you think the plot is original. I'd rather dish out 1 original piece a year than 15 'redone plot line' pieces. The length! YAY! This chapter (#7) I think is the longest one yet. It's 6 pages on Microsoft Word. I hope you liked it too!
baby blonde - Awww, thank you very much! That is a very sweet compliment. I hope you like the rest of the story!