Chapter 4: The Emperor's Ultimatum
Cold hands crept about Padmé's throat, filling her with the horrors of certain death and the painful memories of Mustafar. No mercy would be granted to her this time- no child of his grew within her and her husband, one present in Vader, was completely gone.
Struggling yet unable to take in any air, Padmé's bulging eyes looked into Vader's. This time, as she struggled against the invisible grip, Padmé said nothing- she had nothing to apologize for or plead with- she was only left with a million regrets.
A swift death would be Vader's final gift to her.
Suddenly, something momentarily flickered in Vader's red eyes and, after a slight struggle crossed his hard face, he let go. Gasping, Padmé fell forward as she massaged her neck and took in several long draughts of air.
Vader did not know that he had failed her a second time.
"That was just a taste of what you'll experience if you fail me," he said in a deep voice.
Disappointment washed over her so greatly that Padmé could not say anything.
Not caring about her unsteady condition, he sneered, "The Emperor wants to see the great senator from Naboo." His eyes had a malicious glint and a most unfriendly smile curved his lips. "I suggest you don't keep him waiting."
Perhaps the Emperor would give her mercy, but Padmé was slowly learning that fate was determined to leave her feeling all alone and increasingly helpless.
Anakin, please be with me.
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The unfeeling darkness of the Emperor's throne room made Vader's quarters feel like a haven in comparison. Coldness licked at her and caused Padmé to shiver in dread.
Vader strode a few feet ahead of her, his squared shoulders and obedient face so different from the way Padmé felt and the emotions she showed.
This was the ultimate betrayal.
Or, so she thought.
"Yes, Lord Vader, what is it?" an inhuman voice asked impatiently. The Emperor's chair was turned away from them, but Padmé could still remember the horrific face that belonged to the man who had once been her colleague and friend.
"I found her," Anakin said quietly as Padmé came to a stop a few feet behind him.
Slowly and most forebodingly, the throne turned around and revealed darkness itself. A pair of red eyes peered at her through the shadows.
"My dear," he said in a mocking tone, "how do you like your new title? Since the last time we had met, your husband has certainly improved his station in life."
Watching a muscle twitch in Anakin's jaw, Padmé whispered, "He is not my husband." Looking away, she said a little louder, "You took my husband away from me two years ago."
A cackling sound filled the room. "Still imprudently bold, are we not?" The way he looked at Padmé made her want to flee to Vader, but upon realizing that he would be just as unsympathetic, Padmé resolved to hold her ground as a queen, mother, and senator to the very end.
Still, she had no reply.
Licking his lips, the Emperor turned his attention to Vader. "How is the search for your child progressing?''
Horrified, Padmé whipped around to face Vader. "Anakin, how could you betray your own child like that? You loved our baby as much as you did me… have you really forgotten?" she stammered brokenheartedly, tears streaming down her cheeks. So distressed, she did not care that she had addressed him wrong. Her shaking hands found his arms as she pleaded him with her large eyes.
He did not even look at her. "She has refused to divulge the whereabouts of my son."
This comment hit Padmé like a sharp knife. Backing away from him, she could only think of how he had betrayed this last trust. No words could adequately convey the horror she felt as he swiftly destroyed what little remained of her family.
"Instead of coddling her, you need to be more… persuasive," the Emperor said in a voic that made Vader seem like a small child.
"I have…" Vader started to say, referring to his actions earlier, but the Emperor cut him off. Angry, Vader stood there with pursed lips.
"No, Vader. You must give her an ultimatum- life or death. She gets to either tell you the whereabouts of your son or you kill her."
Padmé quivered in fear and could only wonder one thing- would Vader be able to go through with his Master's request?
She slowly came to the realization that there was only one thing that could save her loved ones and her own life- turning Vader back to the Light and her.
But how?
Hope filled her as she contemplated this prospect, even as the Emperor continued his discussion with Vader.
Unfortunately, in the next moment, her hopes were dashed.
"When you find it," the Emperor instructed, "bring the child to me immediately- the last thing we need is for his mother to corrupt him."
"As you wish."
A fierce anger overcame Padmé and she became determined to never let Vader find her son.
Sadly, Padmé didn't even know where her son was.
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Spoiler for the next chapter: Lord Vader's Request
"My love," he whispered, lightly pressing his lips against hers, "why must we be enemies?"
"I am not the one who wants to be enemies," she replied.
He suddenly pulled away and regarded her. "I am not the one who ruined our marriage."
Contemptuously, she refused to reply to his comment at first, but she soon heard herself saying, "I was not the one who tried to kill our baby."
"Enough," he snarled before pulling her back against him. "I want to fix what was broken- us, Padmé. I want us to be a family again."
"Yes," she murmured, slipping into his embrace as he buried his face in her shoulder and kissed her hair.
"But we need to find our son," he breathed against her.
Author's Note: Sorry about the inconsistancy in chapter titles- I just now noticed that!
