Chapter 15 - Nightfall
The nights here on Coruscant are beautiful, like a painting of every color imaginable, the lights beaming in from all directions, absolutely stunning. I've missed this place. To think it's been two months.
I change quickly, slipping into my simple silken nightgown, and pushing my hair back with a plain hair tie. I wash my face, letting all the troubles of the day wash away as well. When I'm finally finished, I feel comfortable, calm, and collected.
I duck out of my room to check up on my new security, and find my room oddly empty of bodies. A single figure rests on the couch, hands folded, leaning forward.
"Hey," I call, and he turns to look at me. He's calm at first, but when he locks eyes, his mouth curls up again, and that devilish grin returns.
"Hey," he replies, jumping to his feet.
"Don't let me disturb you," I tell him, but he stays standing, his hands behind his back, pencil-straight, almost like he's standing at attention.
"Is there something I can do?"
"Calm down Ani, it's just me."
He laughs, and softens his posture.
"Where's Obi Wan?"
"He went to check on security downstairs. He left me to keep watch on you."
My stomach turns, just slightly.
"Actually, I was thinking... I've been waiting to find out whose been after me for two months now, and nothing has turned up."
"That's frustrating. I'm surprised they didn't send more qualified officials to help."
"Well, it never got that serious. This is the first attempt where someone has died instead of me."
"Correction, coronation day on Naboo."
"That was at least ten years ago."
"Just saying," he shrugs.
"Anyway. I was thinking, I might be better bait for the killer if those cameras are off. You can sense movement in other rooms, right?"
"Of course," he scoffs.
"Great. I'll cover the cameras."
"Wait," he says, reaching out for me.
"What is it," I ask, confused.
"Take R2 with you. Just in case they use some weird method."
"Good idea," I grin. "Come on, R2." The astromech droid whoops happily, and follows me to my room. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Anakin rubbing his palms together, uneasily.
Maybe this wasn't such a good idea. But I really do want to know who is trying to kill me. I smile at him, and wave goodnight.
"See you in the morning," he says nervously.
oOo
It's completely black. Sort of a haze surrounds me, and when I lift my hands to see my fingers, I see nothing but the blackness. I'm almost suffocating.
Suddenly, a burst of light appears, a figure, surrounded by a certain glow. It's a man, broad shoulders and long hair, wearing a baggy shirt and pants. I can't make out his face or anything about him, but somehow, I know he's smiling. It's uplifting, the sight of him, and I know he's the one I'll always be in love with. The one who will cherish me and care for me.
He extends a hand, and I reach out I take it.
My eyes flick open, and all I see is a man's chest, someone leaning down over me. I scramble around, trying to get up, when I notice the lightsaber in his hand. It glows blue, very close to my face.
He pants, quickly jumping away, and staring at the window. A dark figure shifts behind it, and suddenly, there is Obi Wan Kenobi, jumping through the window of a several hundred story building to catch my assassin.
"Stay here," Anakin orders before quickly running off down the hall, most likely towards the garage, to follow his master. Dormé and the others rush in after him, quickly moving to my side.
"Are you alright, my lady," asks Dormé, quickly sitting down next to me.
"What happened?"
"The assassin must have found a different way to kill you, a way that didn't mean they had to come into your room. But don't worry. The Jedi will catch him," says Typho, his arms folded in confidence.
I look around, and find the sliced bodies of two worms, thick and white, near my head.
"They must have been using those," I grimace, disgusted.
"Would you like us to take you to a different room-" asks Dormé, "-so you can sleep?"
"No, I'd rather wait for them to return. I want to be sure they come back safe."
"Are you sure that's a wise decision," asks captain Typho.
"It may not be wise, but it's my decision."
He nods, and takes my hand to help me up.
"Are you sure you're alright, M'Lady," asks Dormé again.
"I'm fine," I say again. "But do help me into something else, I can't stand to be in these clothes any longer. Not tonight."
She nods, and leads me back to my closet again. I shiver, the chill of a bad feeling running down my spine.
This can't end well.
oOo
The boys return late that night, frazzled and tired. Obi Wan insists that I go back to bed, but I can't sleep until I hear news.
"You were right, this isn't spice miners from Naboo. There's someone out for your head; a bounty hunter," Anakin tells me, his deep blue eyes looking straight back at mine, distracting me with their beautiful dance.
"But we didn't get his name," Obi Wan says, snapping me out of my trance. "We'll be speaking to the Jedi council tomorrow to decide on a course of action."
"Well, you did your best," I tell them. "I would have liked more information..."
"We're not done yet, M'Lady. We now have a lead on the person who is trying to kill you. We'll be here, protecting you and investigating this case until you are safe again." Obi Wan nods his head at me, ensuring that I understand.
"That's really quite helpful, master Jedi, thank you."
Obi Wan rises to leave, and eyes Anakin when he doesn't stand up.
"Are you coming, Anakin?"
"I'm going to stay up a bit later. I can't sleep, anyway."
Obi Wan nods, and eyes me with concern for his padawan in his eyes. I nod back at him, as if I'm telling him that I'll watch over him. Curious, that I should watch my security rather than my security be watching me. It calms him, anyway, and he makes his way to the guest room to sleep.
"So," I begin, "how have you been doing since leaving Tattooine?"
He smirks. "As well as I can, I suppose."
"Do you miss your mother?"
"Every day. I wish I could see her again, but that's against the code."
"Why?"
"Attachment is forbidden. Going to see her would be renewing an old attachment to her."
I nod. "So, the Jedi aren't allowed to be close to anyone?"
"Not really. Not in the way others can." He chuckles, mostly out of self-pity. "We can be close to each other, as teachers, mentors and students, but being in a romantic or loving relationship with someone is... Forbidden."
I sigh. "That's unfortunate. I would have liked for you to see your mother again. I'm sure she's missed you."
He grins, and sort of half laughs, half sobs. "I'm sure she has, too."
oOo
It's early afternoon. Obi Wan and Anakin left early this morning to meet with the council, leaving me alone with my magazines. They're a guilty pleasure of mine, like eating chocolate just before dinner, or skinny dipping in my fountain. Today, my issue is called the Jedi Journal. It tracks the lives and missions of unsuspecting Jedi, and only issues once a year, so it's extra special to be reading one. Every year they do a special ranking of the most attractive Jedi, the top twenty hottest Knights in the Jedi order. They have very special artists illustrate their picks in skimpy clothing, and put them in compromising positions. This year, their top pick is that Nautolan guy, Kit Fisto. And to think he just visited me the other day.
Suddenly, the buzzer rings, and someone steps out of the elevator. I quickly hide my magazine, and go to check who it is, my finger hovering over the comlink which master Kenobi set to go off if I press it. It'll let him know I'm being attacked. I let out a sigh of relief when I see who it is.
"Chancellor Palpatine, so nice of you to drop in."
"It's a pleasure to see you, Padmé. Please, you can call me Sheev. We're not in a public place."
"Sorry, I don't really feel that's appropriate. But it is good to see you. Is there something I can do for you?"
"Actually, there is," he says, making his way up the steps to sit with me. "The Jedi council has requested I talk to you."
"What about?"
"Well, they want you to lay low, and leave Coruscant for a while."
"Again," I burst out. "I just got here, and now you want me to leave again?"
"For your own safety, it would be wise for you to return to Naboo. Just for a short time."
"No," I protest. "The Jedi order have no jurisdiction over me."
"No, but I do," Palpatine smiles. "Which is why they sent me. I think it best that you go. If you get killed just because we couldn't convince you to leave the planet, I wouldn't stop blaming myself." He grabs my hand, and holds it tightly in his grasp. "Please, M'Lady. For your own safety."
I stand there, uncomfortably, looking him in the eye. I've never trusted him, not from the start, but he does outrank me now. He can order me away, and I must go.
"I will return to Naboo," I sigh.
"Perfect," he grins. "I'll have your ship readied, you leave in three hours. They're sending Anakin as your escort."
"Thank you, chancellor," I tell him, almost as if I'm telling him to leave.
"Have a safe trip," he says, with a smile. "You'll be back in no time." He gently kisses my cheek, and leaves.
And so, I must return to Naboo. Again.