Chapter Three : Kidnapped!
Sorry guys for the lack in updates, but I jsut haven't been able to get the story exactly as I would want it to go. But, for those chomping at the bit, here's what I have so far. Very short, but it does get the tone set and ready for the next chapter. Enjoy!
Leia's long brown hair tickled her face underneath the hood of her desguise. Her clothes were simply fashioned, keeping her profile under radar of anyone that may be a bit... disgruntled at the Queen's new commands. Orlé walked in step with Leia, althought she nearly a whole head taller than her. The handmaiden was escorting the princess to the hangar, at the far end of Theed. A transport was waiting near the palace to take the two, plus two captains of the Royal Guard, to the hangar set for Coruscant.
Then she felt it. It wasn't like she actually knew, but rather she felt something deep inside. Leia's whole spirit became wary of something. Something elusive that was lurking just around the corner. An uneasiness filled her entire being and she began to dart her eyes around, searching for whatever was making her uneasy. With what Jedi training she had from her father years ago, she knew this to be the calling of the Force. Whatever the Force was trying to tell her, she must be mindful of it.
Orlé turned her head down, looking over at Leia. She noticed something wasn't quite right. Leia turned up to face Orlé and whispered, "Something's not right here."
Orlé looked at her strangely. "What is it, Leia? What's bothering you?" she whispered back in reply.
"Something strange, something uneasy. I'm not sure what but... something is out there."
Orlé stopped mid-step and turned to Leia, grabing her arm tightly. "Leia, maybe you shouldn't go back. It is probably too dangerous for you to be traveling by yourself without the aid of anyone."
Leia half-smiled. "Orlé, I don't mean to worry you," she said and began to walk forward again. "It's probably nothing at all. Just a queasy stomach."
Orlé sighed in reply. She didn't want to let the girl go home at a time like this, when the whole galaxy was at war. There wasn't one thing Leia wanted more at the moment and that was to see her family again.
The pair began walking again when, as the saying goes, all hell broke loose. A laser blast caught Orlé square on the shoulder before she even react, sending her backwards on to the ground. The Royal Guards immediately surrounded Orlé and Leia, with Leia frantically trying to wake up the unconscious handmaiden. Suddenly, a figure swooped around the group, slashing the guards with a brilliant flash of red laser light, bringing Leia to a whimper.
"Daddy... please..."
The figure looked down at both her and Orlé and immediately grabbed Leia's arm, flinging her around itself and covering her mouth a cloth. Leia kicked and screamed, but all too soon, her world went dark. The figure carefully hefted the young girl on her shoulder and ran from the scene, leaving only the mess of dead guards and a wounded Orlé.
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Warm, delicious scents wafted in from the kitchen as soon as Anakin and Obi-Wan appeared in the doorway of Anakin's home. The whole suite smelled sweetly of thick, rich sauce and something very familiar...
"Are you making Alderaanian pasta, Honey?" Anakin called, his stomach already beginning to growl. Obi-wan chuckled. "You're always hungry, Anakin. We just had a late lunch nearly an hour ago."
Anakin turned around to him, smirking. "A Jedi's gotta eat, Ben."
Padme came out of the kitchen, rubbing her hands in a dishtowel. "Hello, Obi-Wan. How have you been doing?" she asked brightly.
"Fine, Padme. You seem to be doing rather well, too. You're cooking has improved over the past few years," he said, glancing over at Anakin rubbing his stomach and headed toward the kitchen.
Anakin called back. "I'll say. You should have seen the first thing she cooked for us together." He squinched up his nose as if remembering how bad the smell and taste was. Padme caught up to him and nudged his arm. "I don't hear anymore complaints now, do I?"
He smiled and reached down to kiss her on the cheek. "Of course not, Baby."
Luke came running in, but then caught sight of Obi-Wan and immediately stopped and bowed, nearly toppling over from the rush. Anakin and Padme both chuckled, with Obi-Wan bowing deeply to Luke, keep a smile all the while. "Hello, young Skywalker. I trust your sparring practices have gone better since last week?"
Luke's face reddened as he nodded slowly. "Yes, Master Kenobi. That technique you showed me last week helped alot. Dad's been a great master to learn from," he said, looking over at his father. "but I guess I just needed a little extra help."
That made Obi-Wan and Padme both laughed as Anakin stared down Luke and playfully began to tickle him. Luke laughed and giggled until his father stopped when he complained his sides hurt. Padme went back into the kitchen when Anakin looked up suddenly, his eyes closing tightly and he doubled over. Luke scrambled to his feet and placed his hand on his father's back. "Dad, what's wrong?"
Obi-Wan realized something was wrong. He must be feeling something through the Force. "Anakin," he asked quietly. "What's wrong? What is it?"
Anakin slowly looked to his son. "Luke, I'm fine. Just a headache. Go help your Mother in the kitchen."
Luke smiled slowly, shook his head, and walked into the kitchen. Anakin looked over at Obi-Wan. "Something's terribly wrong." He stood up, but stumbled and Obi-Wan helped steady him over to the sofa. "Something has happened to Leia. I felt her presence and she was afraid. Very scared and afraid."
Obi-Wan's face frowned. He was afraid something might happen to her. She had been seen with Anakin too many times for people not to guess who she was. Whose daughter she was.
"You know her transport is to be here within the hour. The hangar would be contacted if something had happened."
"Yes, but I still have this feeling that something..." his throat constricting. Obi-Wan placed a reassuring hand on his old padawan's shoulder.
"Anakin, I'm sure that she will be fine. But, if you want," he said with a half-smile, "we'll contact the ship and see how she is doing. Just to be safe."
Anakin nodded. He informed Padme of the situation and she stayed with Luke until him and Obi-Wan got back from the contact center at the hangar.