The Shortfics Chapter 20: Candle in the Wind, a star wars fanfic

Candle in the Wind

Author: LVB

Summary: Goodbye, Naboo's rose. Obi-Wan POV. One-parter.

A/N: This was written before Ep III was released and then re-edited to fit in with the film.

Theed, the capital city of Naboo, stands tall and proud, waiting to welcome all those that gather here on this day of Planetary Mourning. I stand here, barely comprehending the tragedy that lies before me. A shell, closed up, standing in silence waiting for the ceremony to begin. The first day of the funeral, I have been told, is the day for Mourning. Black; hard, cold and dead black is worn by all.

The ceremony itself reflects the traditions held by this planet for centuries, its royal links emphasised to show the grandeur of the Naboo government. It is to honour the dead and respect their significance. And as I stand and wait for the procession to begin, on this first day of Mourning, I feel lost in a world of madness. It does not matter that I am a Jedi. Today, I am simply a man who hides in a crowd, mourning the death of a great woman and that of her secret husband.

And now, it starts. The funereal music rises from Theed like a lonely balloon lost in the wind. The Force guides it, encourages it and opens the music's wings and lets the sound of Senator Amidala's death be heard. The marching begins and I look on with torn and empty eyes. I should not be here; I know that much.

But how could I turn away; knowing firsthand of the pain and sacrifice this woman gave? I had been there, right at her side, when she passed on into the next life. The Force within me cried and failure itself planted its ugly seed in my hardened heart. There is only loss here; the Force does not exist in this moment. There is death; there is no Force.

From my place in the distance I can see the dignitaries walking behind the coffin- the Queen of Naboo, Jar Jar Binks and Boss Nass. They all walk, their heads hung in silent mourning of their dead comrade. Her family walks behind them too, each holding a lone candle. Their candles flicker gently in the wind. I can see from here that their faces are stained with the tears of their loss.

Her falsely pregnant stomach rises out of her cold, blue dress. The Naberries deserved some peace; they deserved to know that Padmé's children did live. But that wasn't something they were allowed to know. They too would forever mourn the death of those who were still alive.

Her coffin has finally reached the formal burial ground. Her mother walks up to the coffin and places a single rose on her daughter's middle. Her husband gently pulls her away from the coffin and holds her as they close the lid. The Naboo finally lower her into the ground of the beautifully decorated grave. Flowers of all colours adorn the rich architecture that canopies it.

"Goodbye, Padmé. I am sorry I could not save you. I am sorry I could not save him," I whisper into the wind, and replace my hood. I look in my arms and into the eyes of Luke. I take one last look at the planet where my Master died…where my friend now lays in eternal rest. Then I turn around and leave to deliver Luke. Perhaps there is hope after all.

Days later an eerie presence swept through Theed, as a lone figure came to stand at the grave of Padmé Amidala. He dropped to his knees and tenderly touched the hard, granite stone that bore her parting words:

Here lies Padmé Amidala Naberrie

Queen, Senator

Her legend will never fade

Beneath it was a smaller stone, nearly impossible to read.

Here lies Baby Amidala Naberrie

A life lost in eternity with her mother

A deep, mechanical voice sounded strangled as a small moan escaped through his voice filter. He placed a single blood red rose on the grave of both his wife and his child. A single tear flew down his cheek, hidden by the black mask. As he lowered his head, he took a gloved hand and slowly, in the dirt next to their grave, carved the name 'Skywalker' into the ground. He stood, and after taking one final look at the planet his wife so dearly loved, left Naboo forever.