The Power to Save Her
Chapter 35
Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars.
Important Note: I will not follow comics/legends characters or concepts closely, if at all. My knowledge is strictly on the that of the movies and a more mainstream knowledge of Star Wars. Though I may reference events and things outside of the movies, I do not claim to know the material on a deeper level.
Epilogue
Anakin woke, the early spring air teasing at his skin. He kept his eyes closed, breathing in the crisp air, while the blanket kept him warm. Though half-awake, he reached out his arm for her, only to find the space next to him empty. Slowly, he opened his eyes to see rumpled sheets, telling him she was already up. The doors out to the balcony were open, having been the source of the coolness, and he could sense her somewhere among the garden next to their room. His hair was longer now, brushing the edges of his vision, while he turned to look around the empty room.
Nothing was out of place, which was to be expected, but paranoia was a difficult habit to suppress.
It seemed like he'd keep on forgetting that he was safely on Naboo, and not commanding the Executor. Though a little uneasy at the calm, he could see himself eventually getting very used to this life. For a few minutes he simply stayed there, laying on his back while savoring the moment of peace, or at least telling himself to do so. When he'd had enough waiting around, he finally opted to get out and take a step out into the morning sun. He passed through the doors and onto the balcony, taking in the view. His hands were resting on the sandstone railing, feeling the warmth of it rising to his hands. The garden around the private home was teeming with life, and he could see both Ryoo and Pooja having a pleasant conversation with his sister by marriage, Sola. The three were gathered near the docks.
The sun, having risen an hour before, was casting a glow on his skin that was now tanned from his time spent free of the suit. He was content, he reminded himself, and took a deep breath in. A feeling which filled his everyday life, something that bordered on happiness, was felt now, something which was not objectional by him. Though it was too easy to recall the past, and all the pain that resided in it, he actively chose to find the good in the little things. It wasn't always easy. Anakin let his eyes drift to the waters of the lake country, seeing waves which were slightly choppy, knowing that he had good days and bad ones. Both he accepted as a part of his life now, but the bad would not spoil what new good he'd found.
There was a slight rustle to the side, and he turned to see Luke ascending the stairs up to where he was standing. The boy seemed to more at peace than ever before, his training in the Force having grown exponentially. Anakin could see that he took more after his mother in temperament, his calm contrasting starkly with the hotheaded young man that Anakin had once been. Instead of his usual robes, the boy had opted for something far more casual for his time spent in the countryside. Upon noticing his father was staring at him, he smiled slightly.
"Father.", he greeted, coming to sit on the stone bench next to him.
"Good morning Luke.", he replied, turning to look at the boy, who was content to bask in the warm light.
"Have you completed your lightsaber?", the boy asked, noticing a silver object resting on a table.
Anakin smiled slightly, summoning it to his hand easily, and presented it to his son. Though the kyber crystals had been difficult to find, they had happened upon ones that called to both he and Leia before their arrival on Naboo. Luke took his newly constructed lightsaber, switching on the azure blade. It was very akin to the one he'd had before his fall to the dark side.
"It's very similar.", Luke commented, though he said little else. The boy presented the lightsaber back to him, which Anakin took. "Master Yoda is expected to arrive in couple hours. Will you be there to greet him?"
"As long as he doesn't lecture me.", he muttered quietly, though he nodded in agreement.
"He'll lecture us both if we don't make it there in time.", Luke uttered with an impish smile. "You'd think after 900 years he'd be more patient."
"Yes, you would.", agreed Anakin somewhat tiredly at the arrival of the old master. "I should probably prepare myself mentally for that welcome."
"Alright, have a good meditation.", Luke replied, having translated his meaning.
Anakin left the boy on the balcony, and the young Jedi began his own mediation there. Anakin, deciding to get a little sustenance in him before he found a place to ponder his life, and sauntered to the kitchen. It was empty, but he found some locally grown things to eat, and then promptly made his way to a separate garden located on the other side of the house.
He happened upon Solo and his daughter kissing, to which he allowed himself to feel a fair bit of disgust. Leia groaned, sensing him in the Force, and turned to him with a glare. Solo, a second later realized that they were not alone, and turned to Anakin who was crossing his arms, not bothering to hide a scowl.
"Sithspit.", the smuggler muttered, averting his gaze, though Leia was decidedly annoyed now. "Uh, I guess I'll see you later."
"Bye Han.", Leia replied, her voice going softer.
After the man had left, she turned on him, her frown evident.
"Why do you feel the need to do that?", she demanded, crossing her arms, unintentionally mirroring him.
"Do what?", he asked, though he knew perfectly well he'd succeeded in scaring the captain away.
"We're saying our vows whether you like it or not.", Leia stated lowly, seeing straight through his feigned innocence. "Get used to it."
Anakin scowled but didn't argue with her, knowing it was pointless. Instead, he waited in silence awkwardly, while his daughter continued to give him a pointed look. Finally, he sighed, wanting to move on from the topic.
"Do you want to meditate with me?", he asked, softening his voice. Leia eventually lost her severe expression and sighed as well.
"Yes.", she agreed.
Then he sat across from her, crossing his legs, while she did the same. For over an hour they meditated in silence over different things, though his present reality was one of things he thought of. Leia had grown less tense around him, and though he'd never heard her express it, he could feel her emotions regarding him were changing. He dared not to hope that she had forgiven him, perhaps she never would, but he was content with the knowledge that she allowed him to spend some time with her. He'd been out of practice meditating, and she had clearly grown stronger in it, for she suddenly voiced a response to what he'd been thinking.
"I do forgive you."
Anakin took in a quick breath, having not meant to let that be expressed.
"I… I don't-", he began, before she tilted her head at him with half-smile. Then he gave up trying to disguise what he'd been thinking and then continued, "Thank you."
"You're a piece of work, but you may be right about Han.", she continued, moving on from the subject. Anakin though relieved, didn't particularly enjoy the topic of her words. "He's a scoundrel, but we owe him a lot."
"I know.", Anakin replied, though he looked back at the house.
"He's irritating.", Leia amended, further trying to empathize with him, though there was an undeniable happiness in her voice, which Anakin could see clearly. "But he doesn't need to be perfect."
"You don't need to convince me of his goodness.", he uttered dryly, then cleared his throat. "I am well aware."
Leia rolled her eyes but rose to her feet, having given up trying to smooth it over between her father and her betrothed. Anakin though grateful, in a removed way for her attempts, wasn't ready to move past this just yet. Instead, he did the same as his daughter and stood. Then he titled his head upwards to look at the sky through the tree branches and noticed that the position of the sun in the sky had shifted. When he leveled his gaze at her, he noticed something he haden't before. There were saber pieces resting on a stone table nearby, a kyber crystal waiting to be assembled with the rest.
"I'd ask if you wanted to greet Master Yoda, but I see you're busy.", he stated, motioning to the objects.
"I came out here to find some solitude.", Leia nodded, before turning to him with lighthearted smile. "Only to be interrupted by both you and Han."
"I will leave you in peace then.", he replied, not liking the idea of being lumped in with the smuggler. "But practice later this evening?"
"If all goes well, yes.", she agreed, though looked daunted by the task before her.
"You can do it.", he encouraged, though he said little else before walking away.
He found Luke near the transport ship, attired with his usual dark clothes, while Anakin kept himself simple with a brown robe. They flew to the edge of Theed, rural enough for Anakin not to get recognized, but near enough to a hanger that could accommodate space craft. They were only just arriving to the hanger when a shuttle was seen descending into it. When the craft landed, and the ramp lowered onto the floor, and the first thing Anakin saw was the hobbling Jedi master. His cane tapped the ground regularly, and he barely paused to give the two of them a "hmph", before continuing down.
Behind him were a pair of other footsteps, which belonged to someone Anakin hadn't been expecting. Rex, he recognized, though he found himself losing the ability to speak. The clone didn't seem to recognize him, instead turning to impatiently usher the other two passengers to follow. Down the ramp came two droids that were very familiar to Anakin, and he had to feel relief at seeing them back where they belonged. Luke came forward, greeting both Yoda and Rex, the former observing his son with some ever-present ruminating in his demeanor and the latter with a pleasant smile on his face.
"Commander Skywalker, so good to see you again.", greeted the clone to his son. "I heard about what happened, and I can tell you without a doubt that your father would be very proud."
"He's told me himself.", Luke replied with some playfulness to his voice, and the clone tilted his head in curiosity before looking beyond the young Jedi to lock eyes with Anakin.
The man's expression was nothing short of shocked and mystified.
"At ease Rex.", Anakin greeted, though his smile was marred with some self-disdain. "As you can see, I am not one with the Force."
There were several moments of silence where the clone contemplated this information before an easy smile broke over his face.
"I won't ask how you did it, but you have.", replied the clone shaking his head. "I am happy to see you alive General."
Anakin smiled at the old title, the memory of it taking him back to their days fighting Separatists.
"And I you.", he replied, the same amount of warmth in his voice.
Then they filed onto the transport and turned back in the direction of the house with the Jedi Master, the clone, and the two droids in the late afternoon sun. On the way, Yoda spoke to his son, inquiring of his training which Anakin had been overseeing. Though the old grandmaster had asked him to take it from there, Anakin knew that Yoda would always be teaching. The grandmaster had spent over a week on Endor with the locals, along with Rex who'd been on that same mission to take down the shield generator. The clone was still retelling the events that transpired on the forest moon when the ship arrived at the home.
"Thank goodness for Threepio when it came to the locals.", the clone uttered, almost sarcastically, glancing back to the protocol droid. "Nearly let us be eaten by fuzzy little creatures before Master Yoda stepped in."
"I told you, it's against my programming to impersonate a deity!", came the obstinate reply of Threepio.
"I don't remember adding that.", Anakin muttered, too quiet for anyone to hear. Artoo beeped an expletive and Threepio chastised him.
"Did you say fuzzy… creatures?", Luke asked, growing perplexed by the notion.
"Ewoks, yeah.", replied Rex his face revealing a slight smile, which puzzled them a moment before he explained himself. "After the misunderstanding passed, they helped us blow up the shield generator. Without them, the fleet wouldn't have been able to destroy the second Death Star."
"They sound dedicated."
"They are that, and more.", replied the clone with some fondness before continuing. "Though they're friendly enough, I needed some time away, so I offered to escort Master Yoda to meet with you."
Then Anakin shifted his gaze to the Jedi Master, who'd been relatively quiet.
"Speak with you, of the future of the Jedi, I must.", came the voice of the master, his expression serious, though he was watching both Luke and Anakin expectantly. "Something new, rise it must."
"The Imperial Palace has been emptied.", Anakin replied, though he knew that Yoda meant more. "And I ensured the proper burial of all the fallen Jedi. It's yours to do with as you wish."
"Of the past, I do not speak.", Yoda countered, seeming to brush off the generous offer. "Something different must come, to keep in balance, the Force."
"You speak of a new Order?", Anakin asked, growing stunned by the notion.
"If led by the Chosen One, yes.", Yoda replied, and Anakin drew back at the title in which the master had openly bestowed upon him. The prophecy hadn't been taken as truth before, and Anakin himself didn't know if he believed it.
"The training begins with Luke and Leia.", Anakin finally decided, glancing down to the smaller Jedi. "Then I will think about it."
"Agree with you, I do.", Yoda replied, not too troubled by the notion of him waiting. "Brought balance to the Force you have, young Skywalker."
By the time the sun was setting, they had all eaten and were comfortably resting in the main room. Yoda was meditating with Luke, Leia was with Solo, and Padmé was speaking with Rex. Sola and his nieces were with them, taking in the stories that the old clone had to give. Artoo and Threepio were in the hallway arguing about something inconsequential, though Anakin was sure it was something to do with the protocol droid's memory. Though it'd taken some time to think about, Anakin was pretty sure he'd be able to restore some partial memories from the backup of Artoo's memories.
Something he'd deal with in the morning.
Since the overall company was occupied and he was free of social obligations, he stepped out into the night air, opening his communicator which connected to the Executor. Piett answered directly, and though Anakin had asked him to refrain from calling him Lord Vader, he could tell that the man still struggled with it from time to time. Piett though always stressing to do a good job, was significantly less so by the fact that the fighting had died down significantly. He almost seemed happy to be serving out there still, while also among his own and making a positive difference around the galaxy.
"Lord V- Skywalker.", Piett greeted, grimacing slightly as his slip up.
"Piett.", Anakin greeted not drawing any attention to the blunder. "I assume that the tensions on Corellia have settled?"
"They have, though with significant help from the New Republic.", he replied, seemingly happy at this report. "If not for their intervention an uprising would've begun."
"Rebel or Imperial?"
"It's difficult to keep track these days, but it was an Imperial one.", Piett reported. "Though Imperial leaders seem to appease most, not all systems take kindly to the Rebellion leaders having partial authority."
"Still, less bloodshed than we've had in many years.", Anakin replied, almost to himself before turning his attention back to one of his most trusted men. "You've done well. Take a few days and report to the New Republic."
"Thank you."
Then the communications cut, and Anakin was left to enjoy the night air of the home he'd spent much of his time in. Home had always been where his loved ones were, and right now they were settled in the warm common room, finally at peace. Anakin sighed, wishing that this time would've come sooner, but was grateful for what he'd been given.
The Force had been generous with him.
"It certainly has.", came a voice and Anakin sighed with some amusement.
"Obi-Wan.", he greeted, wrapping the robe closer around himself from the cold night. He continued to hear the lively chatter from within the home and turned back to his friend.
"I see peace has done you good.", commented his old master.
"The days have been calm, but I fear in time that this will become too much leisure.", Anakin admitted, even as a colder breeze rustled his hair.
"Yoda speaks of a new Order.", his friend began, and though a ghost, sat on the edge of a nearby bench. "Do you feel you are ready?"
Anakin shook his head, sighing, while looking out into the moonlit waters.
"I don't think I'll ever be ready.", he replied quietly, before shifting his gaze to his friend. "But it's my burden to carry, my duty, so I'll do it."
Obi-Wan didn't appear troubled by this, slight humor in his eyes.
"You're not obligated to do so, as your son himself spoke of wanting to carry on teachings," Obi-Wan replied, his cares seeming worlds away. "But this is your chance to make a new Order that does not become stagnant in their codes."
"Yoda spoke of this earlier. From the sounds of it, you both want me to helm an order that breaks all the rules.", Anakin replied dryly, a sardonic smile coming over his face.
"Not, all of them mind you." Obi-Wan clarified, giving him a faux stern expression. "Just something better than what we were."
Anakin knew that he disagreed with the Jedi Code on so many levels, and he still did, but it never justified his evil against them.
"I'm sorry.", Anakin muttered, feeling a hint of shame come over him.
"How many times must I ask you to stop saying that?", Obi-Wan retorted, though his words were longsuffering. "The future of the Order is in no danger. It is either yours to actively shape, or to let your son help begin. Just think about it."
"Should I accept to do this, expect to be summoned to speak with me. Several times.", Anakin warned, despite the gravity of the decision. Obi-Wan smiled and nodded slightly.
"I look forward to that", his master replied, before descending the steps of the balcony. Then he turned to level his gaze with Anakin. "But until that day comes, goodbye my brother. May the Force be with you."
Anakin nodded to him, then heard some laughter from within the house. He glanced over to the sound, only haven taken his eyes off Obi-Wan for one moment, but that was enough time. When he turned back, the glowing form had disappeared altogether.
This left Anakin to ruminate on what he was to do with his future, and though he knew he had plenty of time to decide, he didn't know what the right course of action was. Anakin sighed, finally supposing that he'd have to take council and do a lot of meditating on the subject. Anakin picked up a small stone, levitating it with the Force casually. While doing this, he heard a noise to his left. He turned to see Padmé who'd come to find him.
Wordlessly, he showed her the communicator, and she nodded, approaching him.
"Any news from the front?", she asked, her voice soft.
"Nothing of consequence.", he replied, though he must've shown something on his face, for she questioned him without uttering a word. "I'm also considering working with Luke on finding other Force sensitives."
"I think this is a good idea.", she replied, not troubled by the notion. "But clearly something about that idea isn't sitting well with you."
"My promise to you.", he replied, looking at their surroundings, furrowing his brows. "We've managed to hide, creating a new life, but duty wants to call us back."
"We can have both things.", she replied, her troubles seeming miles away.
"As far as the galaxy is concerned, Anakin Skywalker is dead.", he replied, somewhat critically. "Darth Vader might be able to come and go as he pleases, but the moment everyone knows the connection, what we have here, could end."
"If you want to do this, I won't stop you.", she replied, clearly noting how restless he'd become during all this. Anakin sighed, shaking his head.
"It wouldn't be fair to you."
"Anakin, I've never feared a life of duty or the consequences therein.", she replied, her tone quite serious. She came next to him, putting a hand on his arm, "As long as it's something we do together, I am happy."
Anakin exhaled, still uncertain.
"I don't know yet."
"And that's okay.", she stated, though she could see that he was still a little anxious. Then she crossed her arms, asking him a unexpected question, "If I served in the New Republic, would you stop me?"
"Of course not.", he replied automatically, turning to her with some concern. "Is… is that something you want?"
"That's beside the point.", she replied, shaking her head. "The point is that we'll both work to make the other happy. We are not prisoners to one life."
"It's a good life though.", he replied, acknowledging the peace they found here.
"It is but it is not something we are bound to. We do not need to decide to do with our future on this day.", she reminded again, which brought him back to the present. Then she let a playful smile form on her face as she continued, "For now, enjoy the moments we have as a family, and stop brooding."
Anakin smiled humorously at this, feeling grateful for her sensibilities.
"What would I do without you?", he asked, though the question was rhetorical.
"No doubt working yourself into anxiety.", she replied, a yawn coming into her voice as she spoke. Anakin noticed the drowsiness in her eyes, as she continued, "It's getting late."
"Are you going to sleep?"
"Are you coming?", she said, answering his question with another question.
She turned back into the house and he followed her, taking note of what everyone was doing with some fondness. Luke was rising from the floor after a long meditation, clearly tired from the day. Leia after having successfully completed her lightsaber was admiring it on a table while leaning her head on the smuggler's chest. Though Anakin frowned slightly at the sight of them together, he nodded to Solo and the smuggler did the same, showing mutual respect. Yoda and Rex were still talking by the fireplace, though the grandmaster seemed to be doing most of the talking. The clone, while politely trying to engage, was certainly falling asleep.
Anakin went to the room he shared with Padmé, leaving the doors to the balcony open, feeling tiredness come over him. Though the day hadn't been busy, there'd been some meditation which helped relax his concerns for the future. Before drifting off into a restful sleep, he remembered something that finally allowed him to relax. Home was wherever his family was, and they could weather anything, as long as they had each other. Anakin wrapped his arms around Padmé while her back was to him, bringing her closer.
The power to save her hadn't been given to him by the Force, nor had it ever intended to. She hadn't been brought back just so that he could rescue her. She was there for an important reason and given a gift that he'd not seen before.
The power to save him.
The End
A/N: And this epilogue was pure fluff, but I couldn't resist ;) I hope you all enjoyed the character interactions all from Anakin's point of view. I figured that if this story began with his perspective, it should end this way just the same. Star Wars, though filled with many characters, is something that began around the Skywalkers.
I can't believe it's actually over! I absolutely adored writing this, which originally, I planned to be ten chapters long at the most. It started as a way for me to understand Anakin's character better, and then I absolutely fell in love with the idea of redeeming him through Padmé.
One last special shoutout to RyanSquad, ichigo urahara Shihoin, MMM73181, westerns never die, Jedi Alex Colbent, Morriganna, ELinkA, and Jeda31 for reviewing the last chapter and a big shoutout to everyone who's reviewed in the past! I want to give another big thank you to those who favorited and followed my story and me as an author. I also want to give a big thank you to my readers who've supported this work with views. In short, I want to make sure my appreciation is shown to all of you, for without you, this story wouldn't have gotten this far. Thank you so much for your gracious support! I hope this story stays with you and that many more will come to enjoy it as well :)