Chapter 52

Obi-Wan hid in the darkness as he saw the Tusken Raider camp a few feet away. He could feel Padme's presence, she was weak, but she was holding on. He knew the sand people were still in the hut with her, he had to wait to make his move. Finally after what seemed like an eternity he saw three sand people emerge from the hut and walk off. Now was his chance.

He entered the hut using his lighsabre, he had to enter from the back to stay hidden. Once he entered the hut he saw Padme tied up, her face covered in blood.

He didn't have time to feel anger; he needed to get her out of there as quickly as possible.

"Padme, I'm here" he said as he gently but quickly untied her hands.

She panted heavily, then slowly opened her eyes and took in his face, a small smile forming, "Obi-Wan?"

"Yes, I'm getting you out of here."

"I knew you'd come, I knew if I held on you'd be here."

"I'm sorry I couldn't come sooner."

"No it's alright, ahhhh" she cried out in pain as he untied her feet. She continued to whimper as he freed her from the heavily knotted ropes.

"Shhh it's alright, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry" he whispered as he laid his head down on her shoulder. He then started wiping the blood from her face with his tunic.

"They tortured me."

"I know, I'm so sorry my love, I should have protected you."

"It's not your fault; I just wanted to say goodbye to Luke on my own."

"Padme, we have to go now" he said as he picked her up as gently as he could. She immediately started screaming in pain and he put her back down, afraid the sand people would hear.

"I can't; it hurts, I think my ribs are broken."

He touched her chest gently, putting his hand on her mouth to mask the screams; her ribs were definitely broken, along with a few other bones. He released all his anger into the force.

"Where is Sola and Mara?" she panted, he noticed her breathing was becoming more and more shallow.

"They are safe, they are on Chandrila."

"Good." Her eyes kept drifting in and out.

"Padme, I need you to hold on." He was about to use the force to put her asleep when all of the sudden he heard loud noises coming from outside the small hut. He then felt a very familiar presence, Vader.

Blast fire could be heard from outside, Obi-Wan began to use the force to hide their location, but it was too late.

Darth Vader emerged into the room along with two stormtroopers, he looked down at Obi-Wan and Padme then lounged forward, knocking Obi-Wan over and away from Padme.

"Leave us" Vader screamed and the two stormtroppers left the hut immediately.

Obi-Wan watched as Vader knelt down beside Padme taking her in his arms. He knew the dark lord would not hurt her; he wasn't sure about himself though.

"Padme" he said in his deep, dark voice.

"Ani?" she said as she slowly opened her eyes, the blast fire continuing outside.

"Stay with me Padme" he said as she started to drift out of consciousness. "You are safe now."

"Yes, oh Ani, I'm so sorry, for everything" she said as she grabbed his hand.

He didn't respond, instead all that was heard was his deep breaths, Obi-Wan wondered if there were tears behind the mask.

"Padme" he finally said.

"Where is Obi-Wan?"

"I'm right here Padme" Obi-Wan said softly in the distance.

"I love……." she started to say then released Vader's hand, releasing her last breath.

She was gone.