Between the Lines
Summary: A letter from Padmé to Anakin is not all it seems. AU one-shot. Complete.
Timeframe: After Anakin has turned, after the twins are born, but the events are slightly different.
Archive: In the unlikely event that someone would actually want to archive this – ask and I'll say yes. Just let me know where it's going.
Disclaimer: All things recognisably Star Wars belong to George Lucas. I just like making up my own stories. ALL HAIL LUCAS!
A/N: Just a little experimental bunny that popped into my head – kind of another, less stupid way for Padmé to go. The italics are, obviously, the between-the-lines parts. They are what she was thinking, not some secret code, thus, Anakin won't know the truth. Just for clarification.
Dear Anakin,
I write to you about a serious matter, and I know these words will hurt you deeply.
I am being forced by Sidious to betray you, so that you will be trapped in the dark side.
Our love, our marriage, our life – it was beautiful. It was like some wonderful dream. But now, the dream is over, and I have woken up to the real world.
Our love and our marriage were so pure and beautiful – but now it has been corrupted and our dream has been splintered by your new Master.
I'm leaving you, Anakin. I'm ending the dream. It's time for you to awaken, like I have.
I've been forced to do this. I don't want to end this dream.
You have failed me. You have failed me because you never gave everything up for me, as you should have, and now that you have, it is too late.
I failed you. I failed you because I saw you give up everything right and good for me, and I didn't stop you. Now it's too late.
My children were stillborn. You didn't save them. You could have, but you didn't, and now they are dead.
My children are alive, but they are hidden. If Sidious finds them, I cannot save them. Even you can't, no matter what you do.
I'm going away, far away. Don't come looking for me – you won't find me, and I don't want to see you.
I wish I could see you one last time, but as soon as I finish this and deliver it, I know Sidious will have me killed.
After what you have done to me, I can't love you any more. If you had sacrificed more and sacrificed it earlier, I wouldn't need to do this.
I will always love you. If only I could have stopped you from giving everything up, we would still be together. None of this would have happened.
I'm sorry. It has to be done.
Please forgive me.
Goodbye.
I will always love you.
Padmé
Fin