Chapter 3

Anakin had been in Theed for two days now. There were plenty of extra rooms in the Palace and Padme had found one for him. She recalled with delight at how Anakin had been amazed by the size of his room. The next morning he said that he had never had such a comfortable night of sleep in a bed that large.

The two of them didn't get to see each other that often. The Queen worked from morning to night, and Anakin usually kept to himself in his room. She had her handmaidens check on him throughout the day, and they usually reported back to her that Anakin was either meditating on the floor or staring out the window. Padme herself had peeked into his chambers on a few occasions and found a blindfolded Anakin in the middle of saber practice. She marveled at how fast he moved to defend himself from the training droids, but he quickly sensed her presence and shifted his attention to her.

The two friends had a few moments to themselves when Padme insisted on dining with her friend. The conversation was mostly one-sided; Anakin asked Padme about everything, her life, her work, her family, and he absorbed every word she said like it was a Holy Gospel, but he never said a word about himself.

Padme was growing impatient over her inability to communicate with her old friend, but what caused her more frustration was the fact that Anakin was clearly hurting and would not allow her to help him. Normally she despised the official social duties that as Queen she was obligated to attend, but she hoped that the event coming up that night posed an opportunity for her to pluck Anakin out of his shell.

"There is a ball in the palace tonight. It is a minor function, basically a setting for the socialites to nit-pick at each other. Of course, my presence is required, and I would like someone to keep me company. I usually want to fall asleep during these inane events."

Anakin looked up from his meal with the expression of eager innocence that Padme had missed so much. "Really? You want me to come?"

"Of course I want you to come! I missed my old friend Anakin Skywalker. I haven't seen him in five years, you know, and I'm wondering whatever became of him."

"What do you mean," asked a confused Anakin. "I've been here for two days."

"And you haven't said a word about what's been obviously bothering you. What's wrong, Anakin? Please tell me. I won't judge you. Let me help you, Anakin, I want to help."

Both of them were shocked at her outburst, though Anakin felt guilt and dismay over Padme's frustrations. "I'm sorry, Padme. I never meant to cause you any problems. It'd be best if I leave." He reluctantly got up but her words stopped him from moving further.

"But you don't have anywhere to go," she protested softly. She had long figured it out. Padme walked over to Anakin and grabbed his hand softly. "I know the Jedi don't know you're here, Anakin."

"So you've already talked to them." Anakin stared at the floor.

"No!" Padme took Anakin's chin with her other hand and lifted his head up. "Anakin, look at me!" He did. "Trust me, Anakin. I figured it out by myself, and I will not tell anyone you're here if you don't want me to."

"Thank you." Anakin did not feel the need to question her sincerity. If Padme said it then it was invariably true. "That means I can't go to the ball, you know. Someone might recognize me."

"Ani, the people of Naboo only remember a sweet little boy. They won't know what you look like now."

"True, but what if someone inquires about my identity?"

Padme drifted into thought. "How about this? You can be a distant cousin of mine, from Alderaan."

"Cousin? You didn't intend for me to be your date?" Padme could tell Anakin's disappointment. She hoped she hadn't given him the wrong idea.

"Oh Ani," she paused, trying to think of the right words to say while monitoring the look on Anakin's face. "You've always been dear to my heart, Ani, and I care for you a lot."

"I love you, Padme. I have dreamed about you everyday for the last five years. You are the reason I get up every morning, the last reason I have to live."

Padme found her knees weakening as she found herself a chair. She did not take her eyes off of Anakin. She had long known that Anakin probably still harbored some form of crush on her, but she did not expect it to have developed to this extent. His intense voice did not make any attempts to betray his emotions, and his tortured tone suggested that he had long wanted to tell her this. Padme looked into his intense eyes and saw a man firm in his convictions.

"I'm sorry," he apologized, sensing her discomfort. "I shouldn't have said that. You don't have to say anything, Padme."

"No, Anakin. I don't know how to react to what you told me right now, but I'm glad you said what you said. Anakin, I don't want there to be any secrets between us."

Knowing what she was inferring, he quickly changed the topic. "Are you going to have an elaborate headdress tonight?"

"Yeah, why," asked Padme, puzzled over why Anakin suddenly took an interest in her hair.

Anakin reached into his tunic and took out a tiny object. Upon closer examination, it was a hairpin, except it had several glowing gemstones on it. Padme saw that there were several shades of blue, green, yellow, and purple.

"Sabe gave me a weird look when I asked her for a hairpin," Anakin said as he offered the said object to Padme. She took the hairpin and marveled at its radiance. "I attached several crystals to it, the crystals that we made our lightsabers with."

"Thank you, Anakin, but I'm not sure if I can take this."

"Please, Padme, I insist on it. Accept it as a token of my gratitude for the hospitality you've shown me."

He edged closer to her, took the hairpin from her hands, and started braiding it into her hair. Padme wanted to protest but Anakin spoke first.

"The crystals are strong in the Force. They'll keep you safe."

He finished his work and a very unnerved Padme got up to leave. She was surprised at herself for letting him get so close to her and touch her hair. But for some reason she felt safe, almost comfortable, in his presence. There was nothing threatening about Anakin's actions. Still, she reminded herself to watch her own actions in the future. The little boy from Tatooine was growing up now. He may not have been completely grown yet, but nevertheless, a simple hug between two old friends may not be so simple anymore.

"I better get going," she said, trying to distance herself emotionally from him. "I've got to get ready for tonight. You should too. I'll have Rabe or Eirtae help you select a suitable wardrobe." As she walked out of the room she turned back to look at Anakin. He had been staring at the ground again, and Padme felt her composure slipping. He looked so pitiful, so helpless, so sad. She wanted to comfort him, to tell him that everything was all right, that she wanted more than anything to help him with whatever demons he was dealing with. But she didn't know where to begin. She wasn't even sure if she knew Anakin Skywalker anymore.

"We will talk sometime," she said in a deep and authoritative voice that did not betray the emotions laden in her words. "We will talk about everything, when I know what to say to you."

He looked up at her, and her eyes found his, almost pleading for his approval. Anakin gave her a silent nod and smiled at her, reassuring her with his consent.

Thanks a lot for your reviews and your encouragement. Sorry this update took so long. Unfortunately the next one may be in more than a few days too as these first three chapters have really been only the prologue to this story. The action will pick up starting very soon, and the next chapter will be very key to the rest of this story and the three that I plan to follow it. Thus, in order to keep writing I need to form a more detailed outline of the saga, but I will try to get it out as soon as possible. Again, thanks a lot for reading.