A/N: Sorry it took so long! Between our individual fics and organising the site and Darth Real Life, ARLT got a little neglected. LVB snickers: 'KD got plastered a few weekends ago'...But here we are, back, and better than ever! And rest assured, this fic is not and will not EVER be abandoned. It has two loving parents. Both KD and LVB stroke ARLT Enjoy!

Chapter 11

Anakin sat staring at the wall. While his mind was focused on staring, his fingers were gently tracing over a small object over and over in his hands.

It was the japor snippet that he had given to Padmé so long ago.

A single tear slowly made its way down Anakin's cheek.

His worst nightmare had come true. His Angel was gone. He would never be able to hold her, kiss her or ever tell her that he loves her more then anything.

The longer he sat there, the more tears that fell. The cries of Luke brought him out of his thoughts.

Anakin stood up and walked over to his son's cradle. He gently picked up the crying infant and began to walk around the room with him. Anakin forced a smile as he looked upon the face of his baby boy.

No. Wait. That wasn't right. Luke was his and Padmé's son. She was supposed to be there with him to raise Luke and eventually Leia. But that wasn't how things were going to be and Anakin had to make the best of them. Even if he didn't want to.

"This was your mother's, Luke," Anakin said holding up the japor snippet up so Luke could see it. "I wish you could have known her."

Anakin, Obi-Wan and Yoda had unanimously decided that Padmé's body was to be brought back to Naboo. They had also decided her body should appear to be still pregnant. It was Anakin himself who asked to prepare his wife's body. They would arrive on Naboo the next day, where she would undergo the customary Naboo burial ceremony; just as she had always wanted. It was a sad time for Anakin.
"I want to be involved in any way possible," Anakin told Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan nodded at his ex-padawan.

"I shall take care of Luke until you return. What of Padmé's family?" Obi-Wan asked; his brow furrowing as he shifted Luke from one arm to the other.

Anakin sighed. It was a difficult decision to make. And it seemed the final choice was up to him. But how could he decide? His wife's family were peaceful and friendly; he didn't want to put them in any danger. But on the other hand, they had every right to know that Padmé's children did live. They didn't deserve to mourn the death of Padmé as well as her unknown children.

Anakin kissed his son on the head softly. "I'll tell them," he whispered. "They deserve to know."

The day of the funeral was dark. Anakin was shocked and truly touched at the amount of people that had come to pay their last respects. Many were crying, holding candles in remembrance of their beloved Amidala. Anakin had spoken to the Queen and had been granted permission to walk beside the Naboo delegates and family behind her body.

The walk through the streets of Theed was a solemn one and passed by in a blur. The whole time, Anakin did not take his eyes off his beloved wife. Her handmaidens had been called to prepare her body. She looked beautiful, even in death. Her middle rose up falsely through her blue funeral dress. Anakin forced back another wave of tears. If he broke down now, he didn't know if he would be able to stop.

Momentarily he locked eyes with Padmé's mother. Her grief was apparent in her eyes; in the way she walked. Padmé might not have told her about their secret marriage, but Anakin knew at that very moment, Jobal Naberrie finally understood the secrecy that surrounded her daughter's life and ultimately her death.

And then, he thought about Leia; his daughter who was now in the hands of the Emperor. He could save Leia but now, Padmé was gone. And nobody could save her from her death, no matter how much they tried.

Finally, they came to the end of the long street. The Queen moved forward and took her place on the podium, looking out across the sea of mourners. The candles stretched across Theed flickered as a small gust of wind passed through.

Anakin watched as the young queen composed herself. She was only sixteen, much too young to have to deal with officially mourning her planet's senator. But Padmé had had faith in her. Anakin waited for her eulogy.

"We come today to mourn the death of Padmé Amidala Naberrie, Senator of Naboo."

Anakin felt himself tense when he heard his wife's name. Although they had been married in secret, it still stung when his legacy to her was left out. She ruled as Amidala, but she had died a Skywalker.

"The galaxy has been flung into darkness, and the light that was Senator Amidala has now been extinguished. But we now hold candles in remembrance for her spirit, in honour of all she stood for. Her light may be gone, but she will never be forgotten."

Another figure came to the podium. Anakin gasped. It was a Holy Man. Not only that, it was the same Holy Man that had married them all those years ago. Anakin's eyes caught the Holy Man's. He nodded to him through the crowd.

He would now recite the standard Naboo Death Prayer.

"To the Gods; please take this woman who has left our world. Walk alongside her on her path to the Other Side. Grant her family the memories of her life; grant them the moments of grief and those of tranquillity. Send her to the stars and let it be known here she rests, in peace, forever one with Naboo. Bless you, Padmé Amidala Naberrie,"

He paused momentarily and locked eyes with Anakin again.

"And may your spirit be at rest. From here to eternity."

"From here to eternity" echoed the thousands of voices, in respect and agreement with the prayer. Everybody lowered their heads, as the Holy Man placed a single rose on the open coffin.

Anakin took one last look at his wife, as the Holy Man closed the lid of the coffin.

"Goodbye, Padmé," he whispered, touching the hard wood she would be encased in for all eternity. "I love you and I promise you, on my life. I'll save her." He bowed his head.

A warm hand on his shoulder startled him. Looking up, he met the worried gaze of Jobal Naberrie. "Hello, Anakin."

He embraced the woman who was his mother-in-law. "Hello, Mrs. Naberrie. I am so sorry for your loss." She sighed.

"And I am sorry for yours. Come. We have much to discuss…"