Disclaimer: I don't own the SW universe. All the characters belong to George Lucas. This story was written for fun and meditation purposes only.
A/N: Hi, everyone!
Actually, I wanted to get the beta-ed version first, but I couldn't resist the temptation to post it now. Once again, I apologise for many, many mistakes!
Thank you so much for reading and for your support!
Chapter Two
The magnificent entrance hall of the Senate building was enveloped in a veil of shadows, all too complementary to the shadows of doubt and premonition in Padmé's soul. After another Senate session, she was striding towards the exit with her colleague, Bail Organa.
What was Palpatine planning? With each day, the skilfully entangled web of deception became even thicker. Palpatine was like a venomous spider, pulling the strings of fate with perfect precision, and they all were just hapless insects.
She and Bail turned around the corner and headed towards the exit among a dark tunnel of pillars. The enormous mute giants towered above them, and Padmé sensed her powerlessness and her insignificance as clearly as never before. The dumb feeling of uneasiness and foreboding Padmé had been carrying for a long time, intensified even more, for there was no light at the end of the dark tunnel. Even the sky outside was covered with thick clouds, matching all too well with Padmé's uneasiness.
Padmé glanced sideways at Bail. He was frowning, looking exactly as worried as she was.
"I don't understand what is going on," she said, feeling a great urge to share her fears with someone.
"Palpatine got us all fooled," a female voice sounded behind them. Padmé turned around and saw Mon Mothma, the Senator from Chandrilla, and Fang Zar approaching them. A third person was with them. It was a young man with dark blonde hair and astonishingly blue eyes that Padmé had seen only in one person so far. A dull ache in her stomach stirred, and Padmé was overwhelmed with a powerful wave of anguish at this cruel reminiscence of Anakin.
"Hello, Padmé. Hello, Bail," Mon Mothma greeted them warmly. "This is my nephew, Kayle Mentho."
Kayle smiled shyly at them, and Padmé felt her heart beating faster. She saw Anakin, smiling at her through Kayle.
"I am Bail Organa from Alderaan. Pleasure to meet you," Bail said politely, firmly shaking Kayle's hand.
Padmé pulled herself together. "I am Padmé Amidala. It is nice to meet you," she said, stretching her hand out for a formal handshake, but Kayle leaned down and captured it with a tender kiss. The soft touch of his lips on her skin sent electric sparks down Padmé's back, and as she looked into the smiling ocean of blue, she felt her heart doing a mad flip. The same eyes as those of Anakin…
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Senator," Kayle said politely. "You are very beautiful, for a Senator, at least," he said, blushing slightly. Mon Mothma threw him a sharp look. A young handsome man, admiring her beauty – it was an image of another man, and Padmé felt another pang at her heart. Anakin, where are you?
"This system of local governors…I wish I knew what Palpatine is planning," Fang Zar said thoughtfully, scratching his chin. With an enormous effort, Padmé brought herself back to reality.
"Why don't we all have a cup of tea at my apartment?" she suggested. It was not uncommon for them to meet after another dubious session and to discuss what possible effects it could have on the galaxy.
As her eyes stopped on Kayle, her heart made another loop. Having some tea with Kayle sounded like a really good idea…The others nodded in agreement, but Padmé saw only Kayle.
"With great pleasure, Senator," he said warmly. Padmé liked his smile.
-----
Threepio had kindly brought the drinks to the guests, and the five of them were sitting on the couches in Padmé's main room.
"The Republic is slowly turning into a dictatorship. This new reform gives Palpatine absolute control over the Senate," Bail said slowly.
"He turns everything upside down. All the things I've fought for don't matter any longer. Justice, peace and freedom – these are virtues we try to gain for the Republic. Instead of bringing them, today we have destroyed another piece of it," Mon Mothma said quietly. She was very pale and seemed to be light years away. Padme knew exactly how the Chandrillian Senator felt. There had to be something they could do…
"I don't know much of politics, but I don't like the direction the wind is blowing," Kayle said. "I don't like Palpatine. He is not a good man."
"You are right," Padmé said vaguely. If only Anakin hadn't liked Palpatine so much…Kayle didn't. Padme snapped out of her reverie. Why did she keep comparing Anakin with Kayle? What was she thinking?
"So, Kayle, you are Mon's nephew?" Padmé hurried to change the subject. "I don't recall meeting you before."
In response to her question, Kayle smiled warmly. "I haven't seen my aunt in twelve years," he said. "I was a little boy when I saw her last, so I decided to pay her a surprise visit. I hope you didn't mind, did you?" he asked his aunt.
Mon Mothma grinned affectionately. "Of course not! I missed my youngest nephew, after all."
The way Kayle watched Mon reminded Padmé so much of little Anakin speaking with his mother. The same look of affection and pure, innocent love, the corners of the lips twitched into a slight smile, blue eyes shining with warmness…She missed Anakin so badly. Was he alright? He had to be, for both their sakes…
"Are you all right, Padmé?" she distinctly heard a gentle voice calling her. She snapped out of her reverie again and found herself staring into two blue orbs, looking at her with concern. "You seem to have dozed off."
"Oh, I'm fine. Thank you for your concern, Kayle," Padmé replied, bewildered.
"Are you sure?" Kayle persisted. He put his hand on her shoulder. It felt comforting and soothing. "Maybe there is something I could do for you," he suggested, looking shy.
Padmé looked at his concerned face, and felt time stopping. This man was so caring and compassionate, and full of gentle charisma.
"Maybe there is, young man," Bail said, the tone of his voice mischievous. "Today there is a ball in honour of the introduction of the new law." He paused for a moment, his lips pursued in a thin line. "You could escort Padmé to it. She needs to have some fun."
"Bail, I told you, I'm not going," Padmé began to protest, but was cut by Mon Mothma.
"Padmé, you are a young and stunningly beautiful woman," she said. "You shouldn't waste the best days of your life rotting in loneliness. Even the most beautiful flowers wither and die. Find the sun while you still blossom."
Padmé wanted to retort that she had already found her sun, the brightest in the universe, but then she bit back her remark. Her love for Anakin, infinite and unconditional, was a forbidden one, and even though Padmé trusted these people with her life, they could not possibly know the truth. Anakin was still gone, and no Anakin meant no fun. Besides, Kayle was indeed a very likeable and sympathetic young man.
"I shall come," she said after a slight hesitation.
-----
Padmé stood at the veranda, gazing at the city. The view from the high tower was magnificent, and she found it soothing, just looking at the busy turmoil outside. She remembered the first time she shared this view with Anakin soon after their marriage. But he had had eyes only for her…
It had been four months, two weeks and three standard days since she had last seen him, talked to him, or just rested with him. With each day, the pain of their separation intensified, and she felt herself simply fading away. She couldn't exist like this much longer.
Padmé went to the wardrobe and pulled out a wooden box, carved with symbols of happiness and love. She remembered how she watched Anakin making it for her, his forehead furrowed in concentration. She remembered how worried he had been about whether or not she would like it. How could she not? Watching the expression of utmost happiness, pure joy and unconditional love on his face was one of the brightest moments in her life, when she accepted his gift with shaking hands. This simple box was one of the few symbols of their union, something that was only for them. He had then given her a kiss of love and gratitude, and Padmé had felt herself leaving the galaxy and rising to the stars.
Snapping into the present, Padmé opened the box. Inside were a holo cube and a thin braid of golden hair. She picked up the braid, smiling in reminiscence. A small lock of hair, yet it meant so much for both of them. Padmé would never exchange it for any prized possessions. The braid, simple and beautiful, was the symbol of their undying love for each other.
Padmé picked up the cube and activated it. A flickering blue image of smiling Anakin appeared before her. She took this picture on the night before he left. She caressed his cheek lovingly, but her hand touched just blue air. A single tear ran down her cheek.
"Oh, Ani," she whispered softly. "Please come back soon."
His warm blue eyes looked at her compassionately; his smile was one of reassurance and love. It was as if the hologram was trying to comfort her, to tell her that everything would be alright…
Another pair of blue eyes flashed in her mind, the image of another young man watching her adoringly appeared before her inner eye. Today she would be going out with another man. Anakin was out in the battle field, fighting for justice and trying to restore the peace in the galaxy, and she was going to have fun. But there would be no fun without him…
Yet Padmé couldn't shake the ever-growing feeling of unease. Many men tried to charm her during Anakin's absence, but no one had ever succeeded as much as Kayle did. This young man had a mysterious effect on her she couldn't explain, as her thoughts kept drifting back to him. Her heart belonged to Anakin, and she wished for no other man in her life. Why was she thinking about Kayle? It was not only his striking outer resemblance to Anakin that captured her, there was something else about him that attracted her, something she couldn't put her finger on…
Maybe the ball will be fun. Padmé slumped helplessly on the bed and punched it furiously with her fists. Kayle Mentho was no one to her. No one.
The sky became even darker, and Coruscant looked very menacing to her. The atmosphere outside was choking and calm, as if a great storm was coming. The feeling of restlessness and uneasiness intensified even more, and Padmé stirred anxiously. Somehow she knew she had to put the HoloNet on…
She reached for the control and pushed the button. The screen activated, and the announcer, a young human female, appeared. She looked very grim, and Padme's stomach gave a panicked jerk.
"-and we regret to inform you that Master Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker, were found dead only a few hours ago."
The image of two dead bodies appeared. Padmé looked at them in shock, unable to breathe. Her voice left her.
"Young Anakin Skywalker, also known as the Hero With no Fear-"
A large close-up of Anakin appeared on the screen. He was deadly pale, and a thin stream of dry blood run from his mouth. His blue eyes, usually so full of life, were snapped open and looked blankly at the world.
No, Anakin couldn't be dead…Not Anakin! Wild tears obscuring her vision, Padmé turned off the screen and slumped onto the bed once more, her body shaking from uncontrollable sobs. She refused to accept it. It was impossible…
But his eyes, usually sparkling with life and glowing with warmth, were now dead and cold. The image of his lifeless body kept swirling before her eyes, as she gave out a helpless cry of anguish.
Gone…Anakin is gone…