Chapter 2: Not Easily Forgiven
"Mi'Lady, are you alright?" a male voice asked.
Through her grogginess, Padmé heard the voice and began to restlessly stir from her slumber.
"Mi'Lady, are you alright?"
Her eyes slowly opened and, when they became used to the harsh light, saw an unfamiliar face before hers. He had a tired, almost weary face that was hardened by years of fighting. Though he was probably only her age, he seemed… old.
"Where am I?" she asked through dry lips. When she licked them, her parchedness was not relieved. After blinking a few times, Padmé took in her surroundings.
White.
It appeared to be a healer's ward of some sort. Everything was white- the ceiling, the floor, the walls, even the bed she laid on. Diagrams and cabinets filled with utensils surrounded her.
"You are on the Executor," the man informed her as he brought a comlink out of his pocket. "My Lord? She has awoken."
There was silence on the other end but, for reasons she could not explain, Padmé suddenly felt very afraid.
And lonely.
Static emitted from the comlink. "Very well, Commander. See to it that she is properly taken care of and then bring her to me."
Though dazed, Padmé recognized that voice.
Vader.
Her husband.
Instantly, she began to quiver in fear and, suddenly, the young man before her did not seem so kind. "What are you going to do with me?" she asked fearfully, her shaking hands clutching onto her white blanket.
The man ignored her but instead handed her
some clothes. It was a one piece outfit that consisted of a white
tunic with a hood. Bowing, he left her.
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Twenty minutes later, Padmé slowly made her way down the long corridor of the star destroyer, holding onto the commander with shaking hands. They walked slowly, but apparently not slowly enough, for they soon reached the bridge.
Standing at the other end with his back to her as he looked out the viewport at the galaxy that was his to conquer was Vader. His hands were behind his back as he gazed out at the stars which he had once claimed he wished to visit.
Sadly, Padmé realized that he was fulfilling his childhood dream, but in a horrific manner that her little Annie would never have fathomed.
As they made their way onto the bridge, all of the men working below stopped what they were doing and stared up at the woman clad in white as she passed by. Their mouths hung open as she made her way over to where Vader stood.
Padmé realized that he knew she was there but was intent on beginning the confrontation his way. Silently, she stood behind him as the Commander walked off.
Slowly, Vader turned around and gazed at her from behind his mask.
Her eyes rested on the floor and her hands were clasped before her. Her hair, now done up shone beneath the hood that she wore. The white outfit only enhanced her beauty and innocence as she stood there, its purity a stark contrast to the darkness that was Vader.
In a simple gesture, he reached out and brushed her cheek with his gloved fingers.
She turned her head away. "Do not touch me," she whispered, her brown eyes looking up at him in a haunted way that made Vader take a step back.
Padmé knew that, within that dark helm, Vader was shocked by her behavior. His breathing had become irregular, and his fists, which were at his side, clenched and unclenched.
Slowly, his rasping went back to its steady pattern as he raised his head. Off in the corner, the admiral and other men of high importance patiently waited, but when they saw him look at them, they all cowered in fear.
"I have someone I would like for everyone
to meet," Vader rumbled. This time, he reached up and brushed her
face without hesitation, ignoring her when she backed away. In an
ungentle action, he grabbed her arm and pulled her against him. "This
is my wife, Lady Vader."
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Coming Next: Padmé reacts to her new status in life.
