Summary: With a basis of Harry Potter and Pride and Prejudice, this AU tale tells of two very different people: Anakin Skywalker and Padme Naberrie. Anakin is an arrogant Jedi Master while Padmé is a bright young woman who aspires to make an impact on the Galaxy. When the Clone Wars have depleted much of the Jedi Order, the Jedi are allowed to marry. The Jedi Council becomes desperate for Anakin to marry, but will the Jedi and the politician be able to look past their pride and prejudices and into each other's hearts?
Disclaimer: I in no way shape or form own any of the Star Wars characters, places, ect. I also do not have any rights to the characters that are based off the books mentioned above.
Chapter 1: Must Insist Upon His Marrying
Never before had Anakin felt so nervous. In a climatic lightsaber battle that morning, he had saved Master Windu from certain death and had also destroyed the last remaining Sith Lord, Darth Sidious. While a group of Jedi Knights and their Padawans had remained behind in the former Chancellor's office, Anakin had been brought back to the Temple. Since then, he had waited for the judgment that was to come from within the large sealed doors.
After he had spent twenty minutes pacing, the doors to the chambers slid open. Raising his blond-haired head and squaring his broad shoulders, Anakin entered into the Master's presence.
A few more minutes went by as Anakin stood in the center of the room while Yoda regarded him with sleepy eyes. Meanwhile, the other Jedi, including Obi-Wan Kenobi, waited in silence for the wizened Jedi to speak.
"To be congratulated you are, Padawan Skywalker," Yoda's voice broke through the silence. In his shriveled green hands, he shifted his grimer stick. "To make you a Master, the Council has agreed."
In agreement, all the members slowly inclined their heads.
Gaping despite the seriousness of the moment, Anakin's surprised eyes found his Master's. "But…" he sputtered.
Because of his heroics, he had expected to be knighted, but to be granted a seat on the Council… this was beyond his wildest dreams.
"Yes, you did hear Master Yoda correctly," Obi-Wan said as if he were reading the younger man's thoughts. The twinkling in his eyes gave away his obvious pride for the Jedi he had trained.
"Disagree with the Council, do you?" Yoda asked in a mildly challenging voice, causing Anakin to blink rapidly.
"No, Master," Anakin said quickly, lest Yoda and the rest of the Council should change their minds. "This is just… unexpected."
"Ready, are you?"
A nagging feeling entered into the back of Anakin's mind, but before he could ponder it, he heard himself saying, "Yes, Master."
"Kneel, you must," Yoda ordered. He gestured with his grimer stick for Obi-Wan to go to his apprentice's side.
Numbly, Anakin knelt down and, all too soon, he felt the symbolic braid part from the rest of his hair.
"Congratulations, my former Padawan," Obi-Wan said solemnly. "No being could deserve this honor more than you."
"You may take your seat," Master Windu said, gesturing to the vacant seat next to his own.
How he managed to walk without stumblind, Anakin knew not, but he was soon sitting down. With both his metallic and true hand, he reverently began to memorize the feel and contours of the seat from which he would safeguard justice.
I am a Master.
He was so humbled by this sudden change in his life that he was oblivious to the pleased looks the other Masters exchanged.
"Master Skywalker," Yoda said. In reply, Anakin looked up. "Lost many Jedi during the Clone wars, we did. Solved, the problem of our lowered numbers must be if to survive we are."
"There are plenty of Force-sensitives in the Galaxy- perhaps a few missions…." Anakin began but soon stopped upon realizing how silent the room had become.
"The Council has already come up with a solution," Kit Fisto said slowly, his large black orbs blinking as his feelers quivered in anticipation. "We believe that certain aspects of the Code must be changed."
"But it has been our guide for thousands of years," Anakin protested, hardly able to believe what he had just heard. "We can't just destroy it in the course of a single meeting."
"Thought of this, we already have," Yoda said in a patient tone. He blinked sleepily at Anakin before continuing on. "Decided, the Council has, that marry, all the Jedi must."
"What?" Anakin gasped incredulously.
"And as the Chosen One," Seasee Tiin spoke, "you are to set the example."
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Two Minutes Later
"Master Kenobi, you must go and insist upon his marrying," Master Windu called out through the open door of the Council chambers.
Anakin had stormed out of the chambers, a slight pink tinting his handsome face. "This is an insult," he spat bitterly.
Quickly trying to catch up with him was Obi-Wan.
"It is an insult to us and everyone in the Jedi Order," Anakin continued to complain.
"We must do what is best," Obi-Wan said gently as Anakin came to a stop before a large window. From there, one could see the panoramic view of Coruscant's many levels. "The Jedi Order is in great danger of disappearing, Anakin. Your friends died fighting for what they believed in- do you think they would have felt their deaths justified if you wish for the demise of our Order?"
There was a long silence as Anakin gripped the metal window ledge. "You're right, Master," he finally admitted as he hung his head.
"Obi-Wan," the older man corrected him with a slight smile. "I am no longer your master, young one." He smiled as Anakin silently riled at the use of the term 'young one.' "Your life is your own to live, but might I suggest that you take the Council's request to heart. You are the Chosen one and everyone from the smallest of younglings to the wisest of Jedi look up to you. You need to set a good example that they can follow."
Anakin's eyes were distant as he looked out at the swiftly moving traffic lanes. "Master… Obi-Wan, you just can't understand," he said slowly. "I have… inner demons that no amount of meditating can rid of. What I did to those Sand People still haunts me," he confessed, looking down at the floor with troubled eyes. "If… if," he repeated firmly, holding up a gloved finger, "I were to find a woman that I would be capable of loving, I would not want her to suffer the same fate as others I have cared about."
"Oh," Obi-Wan said, the corners of his mouth twitching. "So you feel guilty over your mother's death but not over the many grey hairs you have given me?" He placed his hand on Anakin's shoulder and gave him a light squeeze. "I hope you can find someone that will help you through your struggles, but with a face like the one you've got, I wouldn't get my hopes up…"
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Three Years Later
The Council was becoming desperate. Anakin Skywalker- Jedi Master, the Chosen One, the Hero With No Fear, and the most eligible Jedi- had not married.
A desperate Mace Windu made communication with the headmistress of the Nubian Academy for the Political Arts and Sciences.
