The Meaning of Sacrifice
Before he'd taken even two steps into the senatorial suite, Anakin could tell that something was wrong. Silence had replaced the usual hustle and bustle of Padmé's abode, and there was no one to be seen- an oddity considering the fact that his wife hardly went a standard hour without an appointment or entertaining guests.
It never fails that I feel like a stranger in my own home upon returning after being away for so long he thought with a small grin.
Laying his cloak down on the nearby couch, Anakin slowly paced through the adjoining rooms and became increasingly worried as he saw no signs of life, particularly that of his beloved Padmé.
She's probably still up at the Senate slaving way for people who never appreciate her efforts he thought grimly, and all at my expense!
Months away had made him miss Padmé terribly, but he was content to wait for her until she returned. With a mental shrug, he walked to her bedroom, sighing as he caught a whiff of his wife's familiar scent, one that could just as easily make him sleepy as on edge.
Suddenly, Anakin stopped dead in his tracks.
Did he hear someone crying?
Lightsaber in hand, Anakin barged through the partially cracked open door and into the bedroom. Panic raged through him as the crying grew louder, only adding to his sense of foreboding. By then, the victim was undoubtedly Padmé, and after bracing himself, Anakin shoved the bathroom door open.
Kneeling with her tearstained face in her hands was Padmé. Heaving many a heart-wrenching sob that shook her shoulders as she rocked back and forth, obviously in terrible pain, Padmé did not seem to notice him. At her feet laid not blood but something more precious- long locks of her soft, brown hair. The curls covered the ground around her, causing a sense of defeat as well of loss.
While Anakin could only stand there in shock, Padmé continued to weep for her lost hair.
"Angel," he finally breathed, rushing to her side and scooping his little wife into his arms.
"Anakin!" she hiccupped, starting in surprise. She eventually snuggled into his embrace where she continued to cry. "W… what are you… d… doing here?" she asked, her watery eyes looking sadly at him.
He ignored her question and surveyed the battle ground they knelt on. "Angel, what happened?"
"I… had… a moment of realization," she hiccupped again, this time smiling weakly.
Anakin secretly wondered how 'a realization' could have caused his wife to impulsively cut off several inches of her enviable hair, but the respectfully waited for her to explain.
Her morning had been rather tedious, and after having attended many long meetings and endured a seemingly-unending tour of Coruscant's new Med Ward facilities, Padmé found herself doing what she had come here for- being able to see the Center through the eyes of a simple human being. Sicknesses raged around her, making Padmé feel only too aware of her own good health and fortune. It was times like those which made her feel guilty of her privilege.
Quite sobered by these thoughts, Padmé continued to wander along, not headed in any particular direction.
Suddenly, something hit Padmé's legs, catching her more off guard than balance.
Looking down in surprise, Padmé found the most adorable little girl looking up at her. The child was obviously alarmed and wobbled on the spot as she tried to regain her balance. Her efforts were futile and she soon plopped onto her bottom only to tirelessly stand back up and grin. Though an identification bracelet was clasped about her wrist, she wore an adorable pink jumper with a matching woolen hat that only complimented her cherubic face.
"Tiré!" a voice called out from behind them. Quickly striding up to them was a young woman who, by her amazing likeness, was the little girl's distraught mother. "You know better than to wonder off like that," the woman chided though she obviously hated to do so, for a smile spread over her pretty yet weary face as the little girl giggled, obviously unharmed. "I hope she hasn't been bothering you, Miss."
For a brief moment, Padmé started upon realizing that the woman did not recognize her, but quickly turned her attention back to the little girl. It was a good thing she did so- Tiré took another unsteady step and promptly lost her balance. Quickly, Padmé bent down to catch her and scooped the little girl into her arms, alarmed by how frail and thin the one-year old was.
Giggling, the toddler did not notice Padmé's discomfort but immediately started to squirm. One hand was extended out to her mother, the other one scratching at her head. After a little, the cap slid off to reveal a shiny, hairless scalp.
Had the mother not been there, Padmé would have cried out in fright, but she merely tried to keep a calm face.
The mother hadn't noticed Padmé's shock but had rushed to pick up the hat, which had fallen to the floor, and carefully placed it back on the child's head with an affectionate kiss. "Tiré," she sighed, "you know to keep it on."
It seemed that Tire didn't- she immediately attempted to remove it.
Afraid that her shaking hands would no longer be able to support her, Padmé sat Tire down on the ground and watched as the girl immediately scampered away, only to fall flat on her bottom again.
"It's the medication that does that to her," the mother said mournfully, watching in pain as her daughter struggled to stand up and remain doing so. "She is so full of life, but her body can't keep up with her…"
"What is wrong with her?" Padmé whispered, her heart breaking as Tiré turned around and flashed her a wide grin.
"She's has cancer. The doctors do not know when it began, but… but she hasn't ever known anything else!" the woman started to cry.
Feeling immense pity, Padmé gave the woman a reassuring hug all the while her own heart broke.
"I'll be alright," her companion finally sniffed, drawing herself up to her full height. "Come, little one- Daddy should be here now!"
Face glowing, the toddler rushed back to her mother but not before flapping her arms goodbye to Padmé.
In a sudden rush of emotion, Padmé knelt down before Tiré. "It was nice meeting you," she said solemly.
But, in a movement that would haunt Padmé long after she left the Med Center, the little girl reached out and reverently touched Padmé's abundant curls. "Ha.. hair," she said quietly, her mouth stumbling over the hard word.
"Yes, Tiré- that's hair," her mother said a little too cheerfully, holding out her hand for the girl to take.
"Bye-bye," the little girl chanted, continuing her arm flapping. Soon, the mother and daughter were gone.
"It is not much," Padmé said quietly, looking down at the floor, "but it is the least I can give her- I just felt so guilty about having so much hair when she has none."
Anakin nodded solemly. "I would donate some of mine," he joked, tugging on his short waves, "if I had enough to spare."
Padmé, though, did not find this funny but sighed. "Anakin," she said so quietly that he had to strain to hear, "have you ever thought about us… well, having some children?"
A long silence ensued.
"I can't say that I haven't," he said slowly with pursed lips.
"We can talk about it some other time," she said hastily, bending down to scoop up her hair. A moment later, she held out a curl to Anakin. "You gave me your braid- now you can have part of me."
Touched, Anakin took the strand and gently held it between his finger and fore thumb, brushing the softness. "Thank you," he whispered only to look up in surprise as Padmé caressed his face and smiled at him. "What?"
"I was just thinking," she said. "Someday, Anakin Skywalker, you are going to learn the true meaning of caring- and not just for me," Padmé said quickly as he began to protest. "You are going to be faced with a great challenge, and you are going to feel as I did today, but you're the Chosen One- you shall have a greater impact than I will ever, even with my small acts of kindness by giving what little I have."
"I am not half of what you think I am," he mumbled with his head hanging.
"I do not believe that, Anakin Skywalker. You shall someday give the greatest gift of all."
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Twenty One Years Later, On the Death Star Over Endor
"Father! Please!" a screaming voice could be heard through the sounds of lightning licking at a victim's body. "Father!"
It seemed as if Vader merely stood there watching as his only son was tortured to his death, but a great war raged within him: one of darkness and light, loss and love, and death and redemption.
You shall someday give the greatest gift of all.
Realization and strength washed over Vader's being, and his many years of suffering left his body.
This is my gift to you… my son he wept inside as he forcefully picked up the Emperor and, with what little strength remained in him, destroyed the darkness, my self.
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Same Day, Coruscant
That day was not only a time of death and renewal, but of birth. In a Med Center in the Imperial City, a young woman held her newly-born child, marveling at the dark and abundant hair the baby girl had. Touching her own hair, the woman noted that the babe had the same hair as hers.
"What shall we name her?" her husband asked fondly.
A momentary frown spread over the woman's face, but soon, a small smile graced her lips. "Padmé," she whispered.
"That is an unusual name," her husband said.
"It means 'gift' and was the name of the woman who showed me kindness during a time when I had no hope," she replied.
"She is indeed a beautiful gift," he agreed, bending down to kiss the baby's forehead. "Whatever happened to your friend?"
The woman became confused. "I don't know… I think she died when I was little, but mother told me- in secret, of course, because of the Emperor- that she was a great Senator and a kind woman."
"Hopefully she shall grow up to be like the both of you- kind, and generous of heart."
In her arms, the baby yawned.
Thank you, my friend, for all that you had given to me.
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