Chapter 30 The Battle for Geonosis & A Jedi Wedding
The gunships flew over the barren, rocky plains of Geonosis which was now filled with clone troopers and battle droids whilst cannons and walkers were being deployed to help aid the clone troopers whilst the Separatist's army made its way across the battlefield towards the Trade Federation core ships which were unleashing waves of battle droids, super battle droids and stranger new droids into the fight.
The gunships carrying the Jedi landed just behind the control centre allowing clones and Jedi to emerge, including Anakin, Obi Wan, Padme and Hannah. They all move over towards Qui Gon, Jacen, Master Windu and Master Yoda.
"Masters Jacen, Qui Gon and I will command the three clone squadrons at the centre of the battlefield, Obi Wan and Anakin, you will each take a squadron along with Hannah and Padme" Mace explained. Obi Wan and Anakin both nodded in agreement before they took their squad of clone troopers and along with Padme and Hannah raced across the desert plains.
Yoda then looked to the pilot of his gunship "To the forward command centre, take me!" He orders him before they all saw the gunship lift off flying over the battle as Qui Gon, Jacen and Mace Windu headed off into battle with their clones. The battle was only just beginning however they would soon discover their enemies were not ready to surrender.
Whilst the Jedi and the clones began their fight with the Separatist battle droids and their vehicles, Lord Maul and Xanatos had headed up to the Geonosian war room where Poggle and his minions were monitoring the battle. Ruwee had taken Palo to be checked by a medic and a new arm to replace the one Anakin sliced off.
Xanatos was furious - he had come so close to seeing the end of his old master and his sons and at the last minute they were saved by Master Yoda and while he was fuming, Lord Maul was not even showing any emotion. Xanatos gripped the edge of the observation table showing the battlefield playing out before him
"How could the Jedi have amassed an army so quickly!" He angrily snaps "My old master and his family was suppose to die in that arena!" He cried. Lord Maul remained quiet, sending him a cold glare however Xanatos didn't have time for his intimating stares. "Don't give me those stares. I wanted to see my old master and his family die but instead they are fighting with their own army against our droids right now" he warns him.
It was then Nute Gunray, knowing they needed to ensure they didn't lose, spoke up "We must send all available droids into battle!" He exclaims as Xanatos scoffs "What good would that do!?" He exclaims "Their troops would just gun them down instantly" he informs him as Poggle then looked over at them all, upon discovering another unfortunate factor. "Our communications have been jammed" he informs them in his language before Maul, without saying another word, realises what he must do and what his master would want him to do and simply storms from the control centre leaving Xanatos annoyed. He only hoped Lord Maul had a plan to kill their enemies.
The battlefield was flooded with Separatist droids and Separatist vehicles against the Jedi and their clone army. Whilst Master Yoda remained at the forward command centre, the Jedi had spread out across the battlefield taking out as many droids and vehicles they could see. Anakin and Padme worked side by side, Obi Wan and Hannah worked together to eliminate all droids in their path.
"Now, this reminds me of the early days, you with your lightsaber, me with my blaster whilst protecting Anakin" she teases referring back to the days where they found themselves attacked by low life thugs from the lower city. Obi Wan grins back at her "And I can see that you've only gotten better with your blaster skills" he observes as she fires over his shoulder at a droid "Well, I had to do something when I wasn't tending to politicians" she grins right as he sees a spider droid hurrying towards them before Obi Wan leaps and lands on top of the spider droid where he then uses his lightsaber to stab the droid straight through its head causing it to come crashing down on the ground.
Obi Wan gives her a playful nod before she just shakes her head before they run off taking down more battle droids leading more clones further into battle.
Back at the Separatist command centre, Xanatos had decided he wasn't going to wait for Lord Maul to come back - he was either on the battlefield or long gone altogether. He heard Nute Gunray speak up once more having observed the battle and seeing that they were losing droids. "This is not looking good at all!" He exclaims as his associate beside him looked over at him "We must get the core ships back into space" he insists before they move away as Poggle then looks over at Xanatos
"We need to order a retreat" he spoke in his language "I am ordering my warriors back into the catacombs to hide" he explains as Xanatos rolls his eyes before he scoffs "Well, it would appear as it Lord Maul won't be coming back so I am not wasting anymore here" he informs him seeing Poggle move over towards one of the control panel where he downloads a holographic schematic onto a cartridge.
"The Jedi must not find our designs for the ultimate weapon" Poggle warns before he moves back over towards Xanatos "If they have any idea of what we are planning to create, we are doomed" he informs him. Xanatos takes the cartridge from Poggle. "With Lord Maul most likely dead, I will deliver the designs to his master on Courscant. He'll know what to do with them" he insists before he storms towards his speeder that would take him to his ship.
At the forward command centre, Yoda and the clone captains noticed that the cores of the battle ships were starting to take off to head back into space. Something that Yoda could not allow. He looks over at one of the clone captains.
"Concentrate all your fire, on the nearest starship!" He orders them as the clone captain nods "Yes, sire" he replies turning to one of his troopers at the controls. "Move all coordinates to sector 5.5" he instructs seeing the trooper and another trooper re adjust their controls before they were able to aim at the nearest starship increasing firepower, they then saw it weaken before the core ship was brought back down exploding into a fireball.
Seeing one of the core ships exploding meters before him, Qui Gon then felt a surge in the force, a familiar presence escaping, Xanatos! He was attempting to escape the planet and after everything he had tried to do to his family, Qui Gon wasn't about to let him escape again. He looks over at a clone trooper "Get me a gun ship!" He orders him as Jacen looks over at his son. "Where are you going son?' He asks as Qui Gon looks back at his father
"Xanatos is attempting to escape and this time I'm putting an end to his vendetta against my family" he informs him as Jacen knew he couldn't let his son go after his former padawan alone. "Then I'm coming with you" he insists running after him towards a gun ship that was just landing right at the moment that Qui Gon saw a speeder flying over the battle.
"Pilot, follow that speeder!" He orders as the clone nodded "Yes sir" he tells him before Qui Gon and Jacen held on as the gunship lifted into the sky in pursuit of Xanatos's speeder.
The droid army was being pushed further and further back as Lord Maul scanned the plains. The Jedi were winning this battle and he knew his master would not be pleased and so he decided lessen the Jedi's chances in the future by taking out the so called Chosen One of the Jedi Order and so when he spotted Anakin Skywalker fighting alongside Senator Amidala, he calmly made his way across the battlefield towards Anakin and Padme who were too busy fighting off droids and Separatists to see him coming
But Hannah did. She spotted the hooded figure of Maul stalking his way straight towards Anakin! He was planning to ambush him and Hannah knew that Obi Wan wouldn't want to lose his younger brother and so, without alerting Obi Wan and with time against her, Hannah sprinted towards Anakin right as Maul was within sight of Anakin.
Hannah's eyes widen in horror as she called out to Anakin "Anakin!" She cried seeing him looking for her right at the moment Lord Maul was raising his lightsaber ready to stab Anakin in the back however as Anakin turned around seeing Maul directly behind him, Anakin begins to raise his lightsaber to block his attack. He then found there was no attack but his brother's painful shocked cry
"Nooooooo!" He heard Obi Wan screamed as Padme gasps and Anakin looked in front of him finding Hannah right in front of him and Maul's lightsaber straight through her stomach. Maul snarled and glared straight at Anakin pulling his lightsaber as Hannah clutched her stomach falling to her knees right at the moment Obi Wan raced across the battlefield until Anakin only saw blue and red lightsabers parrying against each other as Obi Wan and Maul began their fight across the battlefield leaving Anakin and Padme still standing frozen in their places.
Anakin fell to his knees lifting Hannah into his arms, he felt the tears in his eyes as he looked at the young woman who he had known for most of his life, who was like a sister to him, in his arms, mortally wounded. "Why….why…." Anakin chokes as Hannah weakly smiles "I couldn't let Obi Wan lose his little brother" she whispered as Anakin shook his head, tears falling down his cheeks as Padme felt sorrow in her heart for her dear friend, fearing the worst.
Anger was not the Jedi way however Obi Wan angrily fought back against Maul, fighting across the battlefield towards the higher cliffs where there were less battle droids and it became just the two of them amongst the rocky terrain. His focus only on his enemy who had mortally wounded the girl he loved. He saw Maul's yellow eyes staring straight back at him as their blades parried against each other's once more.
Beads of sweat dripped down Obi Wan's forehead as he successfully blocked each of Maul's attacks with his own however Maul wasn't backing down. If he couldn't kill the Chosen One, he would ensure the Chosen One's brother would die.
As the gunship flew across the rocky terrains chasing after the lone speeder, Qui Gon then felt a tremor in the force - pain. Jacen looks over at his son. "What is it, Qui Gon?" He asks as Qui Gon shook his head. "It's Obi Wan, something's happened. He's in pain and there's anger" he tells him as Jacen then asks "Should we turn the ship around and see what's happened?" He asks as Qui Gon shook his head. "No, Xanatos needs to be re captured and locked up for good" he reminds him as the gunship caught sight of the lone speeder
"Sire, we have a clear shot, should we shoot him down?" The pilot asked as Qui Gon shook his head "Keep following him. He should lead us to his ship" he replies him as they then saw a tall Geonosian tower coming into view with a small landing platform with an opening. Xanatos speeds his speeder directly into the tower as Qui Gon and Jacen jump off the gunship onto the platform, lightsaber blaring, they raced into the tower hoping to stop Xanatos before he escaped.
Inside the tower, a medium sized ship stood off to the side near another opening as a small droid wheeled up the landing ramp as Xanatos stood off to a side as Qui Gon and Jacen came running in. Qui Gon straightened up. "It's over Xanatos" he warns him "You're under arrest" he warns however Xanatos only turned around smirking.
"My old master, still attempting to bring me down" he smirks "I am a reminder of your failure master" he spat "You never could finish training me. You may have your sons but I was the first apprentice you taught and you failed" he spat as Jacen shook his head. "My son did not fail you. You let your attachment to your father get to you. You could have been a strong minded Jedi and you let your father control you" he explains
Xanatos angrily glared at him "Don't mention my father" he glared before he ignites his red lightsaber. "Your brats will soon know how it feels to have no father" he warns as Jacen exchanges a nod with his son before they ignited their own sabers, one blue and one green just as Xanatos leapt straight for them, his red blade clashing against the blue and green blades, the only lights in the darken small hanger.
Pushing Maul back further, Obi Wan hadn't realised they were now fighting up on the highest cliff of the Geonosian plains however Obi Wan wouldn't back down, letting his anger take control of him as he blocked and parried each of Maul's attacks with his own. Angrily, he had managed to slice Maul's double bladed lightsaber in half pushing Maul closer towards the cliff edge's.
Maul's yellow eyes glared right at him before he raised his lightsaber, aiming for his legs however Obi Wan was quickly and using the advantage while Maul's lightsaber was raised, aimed for Maul's waist, slicing him in half!
Suddenly Maul dropped his lightsaber, his face cringing as he stumbles back over the edge, his lower half of his body falling alongside him as his top half fell from view down amongst the Ricky terrain of the planet. Obi Wan breathed heavily however little time to relax, Obi Wan deactivated his lightsaber and raced back down the cliff, across the battlefield.
The clones were pushing back the droids even more, few of the core ships had successfully been able to escape into space however Obi Wan only focused on finding his brother, Padme and Hannah. He soon found them, right where he left them. Anakin on the ground, with Hannah in his arms. Obi Wan slowed his pace as Padme tearfully looked over at him.
"No" Obi Wan softly whispers as Anakin looks up at his brother "She's hanging on, but barely" he tells him as Obi Wan fell to his knees taking Hannah into his arms as she weakly looks up at him, attempting to smile. Obi Wan shook his head "No, I don't want to lose you" he cries.
"Obi Wan" Hannah weakly replies, softly raising one hand to touch his face. "I…I love you" she smiles as Obi Wan shook his head "Then, why, why did you do that?" He asks confused as Hannah strains "I knew you couldn't lose your brother" she points out as he felt the tears falling down his face pulling her closer to his chest "I don't want to lose you" he says as Hannah softly strokes his face.
"You'll never…" she strains more as she feels her life drawing to a close "I'll always love you" she promises him before, with one last breath, Obi Wan watched her eyes closed and her head fall back as he continued to cradle her in his arms. She was gone leaving Obi Wan in tears as Anakin wrapped an arm around Padme's waist pulling her closer feeling the tears fall down his own cheeks sensing his brother in deep pain watching his brother sobbing for the loss of his girlfriend as the clones destroyed the reminder of the droid army.
Blue, green and red were the only light in the hanger as Qui Gon, Jacen and Xanatos, pressed on in their battle. Xanatos angrily glared at his former master which then only ignited his hatred more and pressed on in the fight however Jacen and Qui Gon were not backing down only making Xanatos attempt to separate them even harder. Xanatos then saw his chance and leapt over Jacen giving him little time to react as he landed behind him, his lightsaber then aims straight for Jacen's arm slicing it clean off at the elbow. Jacen cries out however Xanatos then using the force, pushes Jacen across the room as Qui Gon shook his head as Xanatos smirked before pressing on in his attack, green and red blades crossed together as he could feel Xanatos's hate and anger giving him strength in his attack and Qui Gon was stronger but he could feel Xanatos drawing more strength from the dark side of the force fuelling his energy.
In a sudden unexpected move, Xanatos used his lightsaber and delivered a hard blow to Qui Gon's side causing him to stumble before Xanatos smirked force pushing him across the hanger towards Jacen. Xanatos smirks as he starts to move towards his old master. "I will finally be rid of you master" he scoffs however he stops mid way as he hears the soft banging of a stick on the ground. He turns back around seeing a shadow coming into view before he sees Master Yoda hobbling into the hanger. Xanatos smirks - his old master, Qui Gon's father and one of the top Jedi Masters in the Order in his presence and he would ensure none of them left this hanger alive.
"Master Yoda" Xanatos scoffs as Yoda, leans on his walking stick but looks directly at the young man. "Xanatos, once a promising student, but now the dark side I sense in you" he regrettably informs him as Xanatos glares back at the Jedi Master. "This doesn't concern you, Master Jedi" e scoffs. Xanatos reaches out to the towards a large piece of machinery hanging from the ceiling. He pulls it off the ceiling and hurls it straight for Yoda however he is quick, letting go of his cane and using the force to stop it mid flight before simply tossing it aside.
Unfazed, Xanatos then reaches for another piece of machinery from another part of the ceiling throwing it towards the small Jedi Master however once again Yoda is quicker and stops it again mid flight and tosses it aside. Yoda smirks back at him "Much to learn, you still have" he taunts as Xanatos knows what he needed to do and ignites his lightsaber once more.
"I will do what has never been done before and be the one who kills Master Yoda" he smirks raising his lightsaber in defence just as Yoda ignites his own small green lightsaber. Xanatos leapt towards Yoda just as Yoda leapt towards him. Once again, green and red blades intertwined as Yoda was able to block every parry and strike. Yoda may have been one of the oldest Jedi Masters, but his strength and fighting style was far greater then Xanatos would have thought and as he attempted to bring the Jedi Master down, his weakening strength was showing.
Yoda leaps over Xanatos, touching the wall, jumping higher and higher as Xanatos attempts to hurl his lightsaber towards him catching it once more as Yoda lands back down behind him causing Xanatos to turn around, his red blade interlocking with his once more as Yoda smirks looking up at him. "Fought well, you have, young Padawan" he mocks as Xanatos glares coldly at him once again
"This is only just the beginning" he warns him and then spies a large crane nearby, close to where Jacen and Qui Gon lay. Seeing an attempt to create a distraction, Xanatos uses the force to pull the crane down towards Jacen and Qui Gon, who are both unable to stop the crane from falling on top of them leaving Master Yoda to quickly let go of his lightsaber and sight of Xanatos to reach out into the force to grab hold of the crane that was now hovering dangerously over Jacen and Qui Gon.
With Yoda distracted, Xanatos wasted no time bolting for his ship as Yoda, his eyes closed as he concentrates on the force to move the crane away from the two wounded Jedi and bringing it down meters away. Taking a deep breath, Yoda then hears Xanato's ship's engines roar to life before moments later, the ship blast out of the hanger flying into the upper atmosphere.
Exhausted, Yoda pulls his walking stick towards him before he starts to move towards Jacen and Qui Gon, just as Qui Gon was slowly getting to his feet, helping his father right at the moment a squadron of clones came running in.
Majority of the droids and their vehicles littered the battlefield as medics tended to wounded Jedi and clone troopers whilst others tended to the fallen troopers and Jedi. Anakin and Padme had followed Obi Wan, who carried Hannah in his arms, towards a make shift tent where she now laid on a bed, a white sheet over her body. Anakin looks over at Padme "I'm worried for my brother, he hasn't said anything since she died" he tells him as Padme places a hand on his arm. "He's grieving. He lost the girl he loved before he fought her murderer. He just needs time" she replies as Anakin wraps an arm around her waist. "I can't imagine what he's going through. I couldn't imagine losing you" he confesses.
Anakin then moves towards his brother, placing a hand on his shoulder. "I'm sorry Obi Wan" he whispers "Hannah was a good friend. She saved my life" he points out as Obi Wan only nods. "She knew how much you mean to me brother and she sacrificed herself to save you. I'll never forget what she did" he tells her as Anakin nods "She was like a big sister to me and she loved you deeply" he tells him before Anakin then surprises his brother and gives him a strong comforting embrace as Padme watched the two brothers before she quietly exits the tent seeing Qui Gon moving towards her.
Jacen had been transported up to one of the Republic ships in the upper atmosphere for more urgent medical attention while he had just been touched up at a make shift medical station on the ground. "It is good to see you alive my dear girl" he tells her as Padme gives him a small smile. "It's hard to smile when someone I love is hurting and I lost a dear friend. Hannah helped me become the Senator I wanted to be. I don't know how to feel" she admits as Qui Gon places a hand on her shoulder. "Grieving takes time and none of you could have expected what happened" he explains. Padme gives him a nod before she watches him enter the tent where Anakin and Obi Wan were.
Qui Gon moves over towards his eldest son "I'm sorry my son" he begins to say in a sombre tone. "I felt your sadness and anger in the force but we couldn't give up a chance to capture Xanatos" he explains as Anakin looks over at his father. "You captured him at last father?" He asks as Qui Gon then shook his head. "Wealmost had him however your grandfather and I were wounded and Master Yoda fought him but in the end, Xanatos attempted to kill your grandfather and I had it not been for Master Yoda intervening before he escaped" he informs them
"But at least one of our enemies is dead" he points out referring to Lord Maul's death. Obi Wan nodded looking back at the bed where Hannah's body was. "At a price" he softly said before he silently exited the tent as Anakin looks over at his father. Qui Gon places a hand on his son's shoulder "Give your brother time. I remember how much I was hurting when I lost Bria. Ask your grandfather he had to look after your brother while I grieved" he revealed as Anakin then had another thought. "I feel like I can't be happy with Padme while my brother is hurting, having lost the one he loves" he admits as Qui Gon smiles
"Your brother would want you to be happy and know you are there for him when he needs you to be" he explains as Anakin nods breathing a sigh of relief. "Well, least with the clones help we were able to secure victory here today" he points out just at the moment they heard Master Yoda's voice.
"Victory?" He asks appearing at the entrance to the tent beside Padme who looked down at him as Yoda goes on "Victory, you say?" He asks "Young Skywalker, not victory" he warns him sighing "The shroud of the dark side has fallen" he informs them before he gives him a serious grave look "Begun the Clone War has" he reveals just as Padme moves over wrapping an arm around Anakin, her head resting against his shoulder. All three of them didn't even respond to Master Yoda's response.
At the same time the Jedi were counting the Battle of Geonosis as a win, Xanatos' ship was coming out of hyperspace and moving towards the planet Courscant. Xanatos pilots the ship towards the section of Courscant known as "The Works" located in the industrial sector. Xanatos hadn't known exactly where to go until he noticed in the ship's nav computer, the coordinates for an abandoned tall building ahead.
As he approached the building, he saw the hanger door open allowing him to gently glide the ship to a landing inside where he then noticed a lone, cloaked and hooded figure entering the hanger. Lord Maul's master. Xanatos exited the ship and headed down the landing ramp before he made his way towards the figure, known as Darth Sidious. "Lord Maul is dead" Sidious spoke in a cold voice, although Xanatos knew he wasn't asking a question but rather telling him what he had felt in the force.
"Most likely but I have the plans" he assures him as Sidious nods "You have done well Xanatos" he tells him as Xanatos begins to walk along side him. "Except my old master and his family is still alive" he angrily spat. Sidious smirked under his hood. "Patience, there will come a time where you will be able to kill them" he promises turning to look over at him
"Tell me, what of the war?" He asks as Xanatos looks at him confused but straightens "The war has began"he assures him as Sidious smirks "Excellent, everything is going as plan" he informs him. His apprentice might be dead but his plan for galaxy would still be fulfilled.
The Jedi council had returned to Courscant to grieve for their fallen and tend to the wounded more. Jacen had headed back home to Corellia where Allana was waiting for him while Qui Gon, Obi Wan, Anakin and Padme made the journey to Naboo where their friend Hannah would be given a private farewell with her family.
The sun was beginning to set casting an orange glow across the city of Theed and in one of the city's spires, Qui Gon, Obi Wan, Anakin and Padme gathered with Hannah's family and members of the Senatorial political committee including Alexander. Hannah's body had been placed on a stone block in the middle before orange flames cackled before they started to engulf her body. Padme kept her head low as Qui Gon looked over at his sons seeing Anakin slowly placed a hand on Obi Wan's shoulder.
"She loved you deeply Obi Wan" Anakin tells him as Obi Wan remained silent, before Anakin saw two tears fall down his cheeks as he silently watched the flames engulf her body. He had barely heard his brother's words and instead was replaying the situation in his head - how Hannah raced across the battlefield towards his brother, jumping in front of him just as Maul's lightsaber was preparing to stab Anakin in the back and instead went through Hannah's stomach.
Obi Wan never felt much anger but he had felt the anger swelling inside of him as he engaged Maul and when he sliced him in half, he felt nothing and was happy. Maul was dead and they didn't have to worry about him anymore however Hannah died in his arms. He was going to propose to her after the battle and now, the ring still remained in his pouch on his belt.
Unable to look at the flames any more, Obi Wan slowly turned his head towards his brother. "I know Anakin and what she did, was selfless. She looked to you as a little brother and while I'm sadden by her loss, I can't imagine losing you brother" he admits placing a hand on his shoulder. Anakin gives him a small nod before they turned back to watch the flames burn as Anakin then slowly took one of Padme's hands in his as Qui Gon watched his sons with pride even in dark sad times, the brothers were always there for each other.
Three days later, Qui Gon, Obi Wan, Anakin and Padme flew to Corellia where Jacen, Allana, Shmi, Sola, Ryoo and Pooja were waiting for them. Despite Anakin feeling they should wait a little bit more thinking that Obi Wan would not be up to celebrating his wedding to Padme, his mother and grandmother had insisted that time was precious more than ever and with the Clone Wars starting, there may not be another time.
As the ship landed on the landing platform, Anakin looked over at Obi Wan as they made their way over towards the landing ramp. "Are you sure you're up for celebrating my wedding?" He asks "I mean, it might take some pull but I may be able to convince grandmother and mother that we can postpone the wedding" he insists as Obi Wan gives him a small smile looking over at him. "I appreciate your concern brother but these last three days have made me appreciate those I love more" he begins to reply "I'll always love Hannah and she was looking forward to your wedding almost as much as I was, she would not like it postpone because of what happened" he reminds him "And good luck telling grandmother and mother the wedding's on hold" he smirks as they followed Qui Gon and Padme over towards a nearby speeder where they saw their family waiting for them. Jacen had been fitted with a prosthetic hand and arm to the elbow which was covered with a black glove underneath his cloak.
Qui Gon and Shmi happily shared a kiss and embrace as Allana embraced her two grandsons whilst Sola embraced her sister, with Pooja and Ryoo hugging Padme at the wrist. "Oh it's so good to see you both. I must say when I heard that you and Padme had gone to Geonosis to rescue Obi Wan and Hannah I was not impressed or hearing you and Hannah were captured" she tells him as Obi Wan remained silent before Allana fully embraced her grandson. "I'm sorry about Hannah Obi Wan. She was a lovely young lady and I saw how happy you were with her" she tells him as Obi Wan gives her a small smile. "Thanks grandmother" he tells her just as Shmi came over towards him. "My son" she smiles embracing Obi Wan. Obi Wan said nothing but just felt his mother's comfort. Over the years, reality had been forgotten and Obi Wan always looked at Shmi as being the mother who raised him and her comfort now, was giving him strength.
Allana then moved over taking Anakin's hand in one hand whilst holding one of Padme's hand in the other. "Well, I say we head home and get to work because we have a wedding to prepare for" she beams as Obi Wan then looks over at his brother allowing a small smirk to cross his face. "Well, I will admit I am looking forward to being a best man" he admits as Anakin simply laughs before they all headed towards the speeders awaiting them at the end of the landing platform before the speeders took them across the city towards the estate.
One hour later, Anakin in his finest Jedi robes stood out in the beautiful gardens of his grandparents estate alongside his brother Obi Wan in his Jedi robes. The guests were beginning to take their seats as the holy man stood underneath the altar to the other side of Anakin. The gardens were in full bloom and Allana and Shmi had worked hard to ensure it was a perfect sight for a wedding. Obi Wan leaned towards his brother
"I'm sensing some nerves" he smirks as Anakin straightens "Why would I be nervous?" He lightly laughs as Obi Wan grins "Perhaps you don't think this wedding will happen" he teases. Anakin rolls his eyes sending him a sideway glance. "Don't make me regret thinking about postponing this thinking you needed time" he warns him right at the moment they saw Jacen moving down the aisle, with Masters Yoda, Windu, Koon, Mundi and several other council members.
They took their seats in the front and second row on the groom side. Almost everyone had taken their seats as Anakin felt the nerves inside him stirring, it was almost time for the ceremony to begin.
Whilst inside the house, Shmi, Sola and the maidens were finishing the final adjustments on Padme's wedding dress as she stood before a full length mirror as Allana entered the room. "Oh my dear child, you look absolutely beautiful" she gushes. Padme smiles looking at herself in the mirror. It was a stunning dress - full length lace to the ground complete with laced corset front and laced sleeves to her shoulders. Her long brown hair flowed in beautiful curls underneath a matching lace veil.
"I've never seen a wedding dress so beautiful before" she admits as Shmi and Sola stepped back. Sola smiled "I can't believe my baby sister's getting married" she tells her adding "I've never seen you so happy before" she adds just as Ryoo, who had been sitting to the side with her sister Pooja, in their light purple flower girl dresses, spoke up. "You look amazing aunty Padme!" She gushes as Pooja agrees "Very pretty!" She giggles.
Allana moves over towards her granddaughter, standing beside her, looking at her in the mirror. "My grandson is not going to believe his eyes when he sees you" she tells her before she notices Padme look a little sadden. "What's the matter my dear?" She asks as Padme sighs. "I always thought my father would be here on my wedding day to give me away but he still thinks I should be married to Palo, so looks like I'm walking down the aisle on my own" she tells her just as they heard another voice enter the room. "No, you won't be" they promised as Padme turned to see her father in law Qui Gon, in his Jedi robes standing at the entrance.
"I'll be walking you down the aisle" he informed her as Padme felt the tears in her eyes. "Oh Mr Jinn, that's very kind of you" she tells him as he moves over towards her, taking her hands in his. "Padme, you've been apart of this family ever since the night you met Anakin. You make my son happy and Shmi and I are very pleased to welcome you into the family and from now on, just call me dad" he smiles as Padme wrapped her arms around him "This is more than I could expect" she admits right as Allana spoke up.
"Now, let's not stand around here any longer, when my grandson's down there wondering where his bride is" she grins before she follows Shmi from the room, followed by Sola with Ryoo and Pooja and lastly, with her arm linked through her father in law's arms, Padme and Qui Gon headed out to the gardens.
The music started to play as Anakin saw his mother and grandmother take their seats with their grandfather before Ryoo and Pooja began to walk down the aisle, throwing petals as they made their way towards the front before Sola stepped out in her long straight length thin strapped violet coloured dress clutching a bouquet of flowers in her hands. As she reached the front, she gave a small smirk to Anakin before she moved over behind her two daughters right as the music began to play even louder as everyone stood up seeing Qui Gon and Padme step out into the gardens and began to move down the aisle.
Anakin was at a total loss for words - seeing his father escorting his beautiful bride down the aisle, but then his eyes never left Padme. She was truly beautiful, an angel even. He knew she was beautiful, but she was stunning! Her eyes locked with his as she made her way down the aisle as he felt his heart beating faster before she reached the end of aisle. Sola moved forward to take Padme's bouquet from her as Anakin stepped forward taking Padme's hand in his as Qui Gon let go of Padme's arm watching Anakin and Padme move up the aisle towards the holy man as everyone took their seats.
The holy man looked around at the guests "Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to celebrate the union of Padme Naberrie Amidala to Anakin Skywalker Jinn" he informs them "May the happiness here with them today, be with them always" the holy man. Anakin and Padme, their hands entwined in each other's only had eyes for each other as the holy man goes on.
"This union has always been blessed by the force, showing that even Jedi find strength in someone to love them, Master Yoda, does the council bless this marriage?" He asks looking over at the small Jedi master who nodded.
"Blessed this union, the council does" he informs him as Anakin shares another smile with Padme as the holy man goes on. "The bride and groom will now recite their vows, Padme, would you like to go first?" He asks as Padme nods before she squeezes Anakin's hands. "Anakin, that night in the alleyway when I met you, you saved me, in more ways than one" she tells him "You gave me the strength and confidence to show I can be the strong minded Senator I want to be and stand up for my people while feeling the love of a family I've never experience" she points out "We've proven how strong our love is, time after time and stood up to those oppose our love. No matter what we'll always be together and I'll always love you" she smiles before the holy man then turned towards Anakin
"Anakin, you may go next" he tells him as Anakin clears his throat. "Padme, I've only loved one other girl, but looking back, I realised now, it wasn't true love and that night, when I saw you in need of help, I was doing my Jedi duty but when I saw you, I was taken aback and I knew something changed inside of me, to protect you and always be with you. You've proven yourself and can look after yourself but you'll always have me by your side" he promises leaning down to give her a gentle kiss on the cheek causing her to blush. "I love you" he whispers in her ear before he straightens back up as the holy man speaks up once more.
"May I have the rings please?" He asks as Obi Wan stepped forward to hand him the rings. The holy man then hands Anakin one of the rings. "Anakin, place this ring on Padme's finger and say with this ring, I'd be wed" he explains as Anakin gently starts to place the ring on Padme's finger. "With this ring, I'd be wed" he says as the holy man then turns to give the other ring to Padme.
"Padme, place this ring on Anakin's finger and say with this ring, I'd be wed" she softly replies. The holy man then proceeds. "Do you Anakin take Padme Naberrie Amidala as your loving wife, in sickness and in health, till death do you part?" He asks as Anakin grins "I do" he proudly replies as he then looks to Padme. "Do you Padme, take Anakin Skywalker Jinn, as your loving husband, in sickness and in health till death do you part?" He asks her as she nods
"I do" she replies, barely able to hold the tears back as the holy man then looks around the garden "If anyone objects to this union, speak now or forever hold your peace" he states however there was silence before the holy man smiles "I now pronounce you both, husband and wife, you may kiss the bride" he says before Anakin wraps his arms around Padme's waist, pulling her closer as she wrapped her arms around his neck, as their lips touched in a tender, passionate kiss, their first kiss as husband and wife. There may have been those who oppose their love, but before their family and friends, Padme and Anakin became husband and wife.
Next time: As the Clone Wars begin, newlyweds Anakin and Padme find themselves apart from each other either on the battlefield or in the Senate, while Obi Wan attempts to heal his broken heart, joining Anakin on the battlefield as Anakin is made a Jedi knight which means the thought of taking a padwan, will he chose his friend Ahsoka and as the Separatists attempt to push the Clone army back, new enemies rise up against the Jedi and the Republic