Author's note:
Anyone still here and interested in this story?
.
.
.
"There are some dry, ancient Jedi garments in the bathing area through that door," Anakin explained, pointing towards the closed door of the nearby room.
Leia's brows furrowed slightly as she contemplated his words, a blend of relief and curiosity shimmering in her eyes. She nodded appreciatively, welcoming the chance to exchange her cold, damp attire for something dry.
"Thank you," Leia responded, her voice soft but filled with gratitude. It was only then that she noticed Anakin had also changed his clothes. They were still the familiar black Jedi garments, albeit with a more traditional and classic design.
Leia winced as she slowly got off her cot, her head throbbing with pain and her bandaged feet stinging with each step. The adrenaline that had fueled her earlier escape had now faded, leaving her acutely aware of every bit of pain she was in.
Anakin stood up and walked over to her, concern evident in his eyes as he watched Leia struggle.
"I'm sorry," he said softly, "there was no numbing cream in the medical supplies. Whoever was in here last must have used them all. Here, miss. Please, allow me to help you." He offered his gloved hand to her.
Leia looked down at his hand with gratitude, a small but genuine smile forming on her lips. "Thanks, uh... Pardon my manners, but what is your name?" she asked, her voice filled with warmth and an apologetic tone as she placed her hand in his.
"Anakin. Anakin Skywalker," he answered, smiling warmly as they began to walk together. He assisted Leia, his other hand gently supporting her lower back as they moved forward. She swayed slightly with each step, relying on him for both physical support and comfort in this unfamiliar place.
The last name "Skywalker" hit Leia and caused her to abruptly stop walking, sending shivers running down her spine. Her brows furrowed as she wondered why this name stirred something within her.
"What is it, m'lady?" Anakin asked her with genuine concern, noticing her sudden pause and the perplexed expression on her face.
"That... That name seems familiar: Skywalker... I wonder why. But that's the thing... I can't remember a thing. I just woke up in the cave with that Sith without any memories of who I am. I don't even know what I look like," Leia confessed, her voice tinged with both curiosity and frustration as she grappled with the inexplicable connection she felt to the name.
Leia couldn't help but feel that the name somehow haunted her in a comforting way, as if it held the key to unlocking the mysteries of her past.
Anakin looked down at her, a mix of pride and bashfulness on his face. "I'm sorry to hear that... I think I can help you understand why that name seems familiar, though," he offered, feeling a deep sense of sympathy for her situation. At the same time, a sense of smugness washed over him as he assumed Leia had recognized his last name due to the renowned deeds he had performed as a Jedi, making the Skywalker name known throughout the galaxy.
"You can?!" Leia asked with a hopeful glimmer in her eyes, stopping in her tracks and turning to face Anakin.
Anakin nodded, his expression earnest. "Yes, you see, I'm actually a very well-known Jedi. I've helped rescue many innocents and fought against evil. I'm quite well known too among the Jedi in the Jedi temple."
Leia's brows furrowed in deep confusion as she processed his words. "What you're saying doesn't make sense to me... Something inside me says I remember the Jedi were all killed, and the temple destroyed."
Anakin's eyes widened at her words, his jaw dropping in disbelief. His face lost a bit of color as he grappled with the idea, taking a few moments to compose himself.
"That idea... must be from a nightmare you had while you slept because I can quite assure you the Jedi are doing fantastic and thriving," Anakin said awkwardly yet gently, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. He tried to soothe her fears while still recovering from the notion of such a horrific world her mind had imagined.
"Oh..." Leia replied slowly, her eyes filled with a mixture of sadness and uncertainty. She questioned the validity of her own thoughts and memories, unsure of what to trust. All she knew for certain was that whatever had happened in the cave earlier, the voice, the memory, had all been undeniably real.
"It's something that happens to me all the time," Anakin said warmly, seeing the fear on Leia's face and trying to relax her. "I have nightmares that I think are real until I see Pad-"
Anakin abruptly halted himself before he could utter Padme's full name. He couldn't afford to risk the Jedi somehow discovering anything about his and Padme's marriage. .
"Pad?" Leia questioned, her brow raised in curiosity.
Anakin let out an awkward laugh, trying to downplay the slip of his tongue.
"It's nothing," he replied, though he couldn't help but feel a strong pang of guilt for not being entirely truthful with Leia, given her condition.
Leia raised an eyebrow and gave him a knowing look that seemed to say, "Mm hmm, sure."
She smiled at him in a way that suggested she was willing to let it slide, considering all that he had done for her.
"Right," she said, her tone light, but with obvious disbelief.
Anakin chuckled awkwardly in response before clearing his throat. The earlier fear he had seen on Leia's face when he had corrected her about the Jedi's survival played fresh in his mind.
"Just know, madam, that I will help you. I'll find a way off this planet and get you the finest medical help to assist in recovering your memories. I'll keep us safe from that Sith too," Anakin reassured her, his commitment unwavering.
Leia smiled, genuinely touched by Anakin's words. His kindness and reassurance meant a lot to her in this confusing and unsettling situation.
Her eyes then took in the Jedi more deeply than before, too preoccupied with her surroundings and worries to have truly noticed him earlier. By any most standards, he was a very handsome man, his features conforming to traditional standards of attractiveness. Yet, as she considered this, a peculiar feeling of disgust surged strongly within her, making her want to retch.
Leia's brows furrowed in confusion as she tried to make sense of her own emotions.
What's that about? She wondered silently, utterly perplexed by her inexplicable aversion to Anakin. Even the thought of kissing him sent waves of nausea rising in her throat.
She swallowed hard, suppressing the bile that had threatened to surface.
Anakin, noticing her strange behavior, grew concerned and asked, "What is it?"
Leia decided to let go of the confusing and unsettling issue she was experiencing and instead gave Anakin a mischievous grin.
"Nothing," she teased, taking a playful jab at him, a hint of mischief in her eyes, and playfully echoing his earlier "nothing" response.
Anakin couldn't help but snort with laughter, appreciating her sense of humor.
"Touche, Madame," he responded with a grin, enjoying this light-hearted moment between them as they continued walking side by side.
.
.
.
Leia emerged from the bathing area dressed in pristine white Jedi robes, her figure now draped in the flowing garments. Anakin was beginning to rise in order to assist her, but she gently raised a hand, signaling for him to stay where he was.
"Don't worry. I've got it now," she assured him with a smile, her steps more confident as she glanced down at her feet. The Jedi shoes she now wore caused her less pain than standing barefoot on her wounded feet, making her walk more steadily.
Anakin returned her smile, pleased to see her gaining strength. "Well, miss, Jedi clothes suit you quite well. Have you ever considered becoming one of us?" He asked, a playful teasing tone in his voice.
Leia raised an amused eyebrow at his remark. "And what? Live a lifetime of celibacy? Not for me, pal," she retorted with a snort.
Anakin burst out laughing, his cheeks turning slightly pink at hearing such a candid remark from a young woman.
"Seriously, I don't know how you all do it. I could see if it was temporary. Done in wait for marriage," Leia continued as she made her way over to him.
Anakin's laughter tapered off, and he squirmed awkwardly where he sat, feeling a pang of guilt over his deceit regarding his hidden marriage to Padme and the vows of celibacy he had taken as a Jedi. He brought a gloved fist to his mouth and cleared his throat.
"Yes...Well..Uh... How do you feel?" he asked, eager to change the subject, just as Leia settled down beside him next to the fire.
Leia looked over at him as she sat, starting to remove the pins from her wet updo so she could dry her soggy hair by the fire.
"Better, now that I'm no longer being chased by a giant monster wanting to destroy my soul and have something warm on," Leia said humorously as she placed pin after pin that she had removed from her tresses in front of her on the ground.
Anakin smiled, finding solace in their shared similar sense of humor amidst the darkness of their situation.
"I'm happy to hear that," he replied genuinely. "Forgive me, but I never did ask for your name like you asked for mine. I know you said you had memory trouble, so if you don't—"
"I don't remember it, but that giant shadow of death that chased after me said my name was Leia," Leia interrupted dryly, her gaze fixed on the fire. She placed her long, wet hair over one side of her chest to dry it by the fire after removing the last of the hairpins. "But I think he was telling the truth about my name being Leia. It just seems... right. So I'll just go by that for now."
Leia... Anakin thought, contemplating the name. It struck him that he would now find himself alongside a woman who might share the same name he had recently chosen for his and Padmé's baby. Anakin had never been one to believe in mere coincidences. Perhaps, he mused, the Force was trying to convey that the name he had picked was indeed the right one.
Then, a heartwarming smile touched his lips as he considered another possibility.
If so then that must mean I'm right too... about the baby being a girl.
He envisioned himself holding a newborn daughter, filled with an overwhelming desire to love, cherish, and protect her with every fiber of his being.
"Alright, Leia. I trust your instincts," Anakin said aloud, his tone gentle as he continued, "But, tell me if you don't mind, everything that you remember of your time on this planet." He approached the subject delicately, fully aware of the possibility that she had endured torture at the hands of the Sith, which might explain her head injury.
"Including what this Sith told you," he added, "And I'll tell you what happened with me. I want us to try to get to the bottom of this, to piece together all the fragments and figure out what's happening to us."
.
.
.
"The voice you heard must have been the Force. You must be Force-sensitive," Anakin mused, his hand rubbing his chin as he considered the pieces of the puzzle they had and tried to gather them together to make sense of their situation.
Leia's expression turned to one of visible shock at the idea of her being Force-sensitive.
"Me?" she questioned, clearly surprised. "But, not a Jedi?"
Anakin glanced at her dismissively, returning his gaze to the crackling fire. "No, definitely not. You're too—"
He stopped himself from continuing, realizing that what he was about to say would come across as extremely rude to those unfamiliar with the ways of the Jedi.
Leia looked at him, curiosity dancing in her eyes, wondering what he had almost said. Then, it struck her, and she grinned mischievously, crossing her arms.
"Ah, I see. I'm too evil. Too animalistic in the eyes of the Jedi," she quipped, her laughter filling the air as her head fell back in amusement.
"No, no! That's not it!" Anakin protested with an adamant shake of his head, looking at her earnestly.
Leia laughed once more, her playfulness shining through as she pushed Anakin's shoulder. "Hey, you guys aren't supposed to lie unless it's necessary!" She grinned. "It's fine. It's no big deal. I'm not as good as the Jedi. I get it."
"But that's not what I meant at all, Leia. You've misunderstood," Anakin said earnestly. "The Jedi don't claim to be perfect. All Jedi grapple with thoughts of anger, hate, and the desire for revenge. Every person faces such struggles."
As Anakin spoke, Leia's amusement transformed into genuine interest and surprise at his words.
"I battle such temptations all the time," Anakin confessed, his voice tinged with guilt.
And I don't always pass such tests. He thought, burdened by the memory of his own past transgressions.
"What makes the Jedi different is that we wage an inner war against ourselves to resist succumbing to such trials. Isn't that contrary to the way of the universe? I'm not saying that those who aren't Jedi are horrible people. What I mean is that Jedi must use the Force to shield ourselves from giving in to such thoughts, even in the depths of our hearts."
"I understand," Leia nodded thoughtfully. "You Jedi are stricter about it than most people. While you're talking about battling such thoughts, I've been comforting myself with the daydreams of grabbing your lightsaber back there while you were fighting that Sith and stabbing him in the guts."
Anakin laughed heartily.
"That's understandable," he replied with a smile, appreciating her candid honesty.
The two shared a smile and then returned their gazes to the fire, the atmosphere between them growing more serious.
"Got any ideas what's going on with us with that Jedi knowledge of yours?" Leia asked, her tone carrying a touch of uncertainty.
Anakin's forehead furrowed in thought. "Something," he began slowly, "but it's too absurd to possibly entertain."
Leia scoffed. "More absurd than you winding up here on some planet out of the blue?"
Anakin gave her a wry look and nodded, conceding her point. "You got me there."
"There are ancient Jedi myths of a planet," he continued slowly, "often told to younglings to impart moral lessons. But that's all they are—stories, legends."
Leia raised an eyebrow. "Well, sometimes there are kernels of truth in myths, isn't there? Or what if whatever these stories are, they're actually true, but the Jedi eventually came to believe they're myths because, I'm guessing, they sound really out of this world? Out of this world, like you popping up here out of nowhere?" She offered.
"Perhaps," Anakin slowly admitted, still grappling with the idea that the tales he had grown up with might hold more truth than he had ever imagined.
"Well?"
Leia raised an expectant eyebrow, crossing her arms and looking at him with a friendly smile.
"Hm?" Anakin asked, slightly caught off guard by her question.
"Are you going to tell me what these stories are about or not?" Leia pressed, gesturing with her hands as she spoke, her curiosity piqued and her interest in the Jedi myths clearly evident.
"Pardon me, Madam." Anakin smiled apologetically. "You're right. I should inform you about the tales."
Anakin cleared his throat and began to speak, weaving a tale for Leia.
"There's a story in Jedi lore," he began, his voice carrying a certain gravitas, "about a mysterious planet. This planet is unlike any other, for it exists beyond the boundaries of space and time, shaped and nurtured by the very Force that binds the galaxy together. It's a place where many beings are drawn, regardless of whether they are Jedi, Sith, or even those with no connection use of the Force. They are brought here for a purpose—a purpose of great significance."
He continued, "You see, those who find themselves on this planet arrive there only when the matter is grave, when it involves something that has the potential to alter the course of the galaxy itself. It's a place where individuals are challenged, tested, and given the opportunity to learn, to make pivotal decisions, or to accomplish tasks of monumental importance. This planet, you could say, is reserved for moments that will shape the destiny of the galaxy, whether for the better or for the worse."
As he spoke, Leia listened attentively, captivated by the tale of this enigmatic world and how it might relate to their own mysterious circumstances.
Anakin continued his tale, illustrating the story of a man who had been reluctant to embrace the Force. "This man, who hailed from a distant corner of the galaxy, had vehemently resisted any involvement with the Force, determined to lead a life free from its influence.
However, the Force had other plans for this reluctant soul. One day, he found himself inexplicably transported to the enigmatic planet, where the Light Side and Dark Side of the Force both had a strong interest in recruiting him. He was faced with an unimaginable decision—to become a Jedi or to join the Sith. It was a choice that would shape not only his destiny but the fate of the entire galaxy.
The Force showed him vivid visions of what would transpire should he choose to the path of the Jedi. He would endure immense suffering, facing trials and challenges that would test his resolve. In the end, he would meet a heroic demise, but his sacrifice would lead to a galaxy transformed for the better, where peace and justice prevailed.
Conversely, the Force revealed the consequences of embracing the Dark Side. He would gain boundless power and unimaginable wealth, but at a terrible cost. His actions would result in the deaths of countless innocents, leaving more than half the galaxy in ruins and despair.
In the end, the man made a profound choice—to follow the Light Side of the Force. The realization that he possessed the power to bring about immense good in the galaxy prompted him to shed his resistance to using the Force. He embraced the Jedi path, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead, driven by the desire to make a difference and uphold the principles of peace and justice."
As Anakin concluded the gripping story of the reluctant man's choice, Leia couldn't help but feel cold chills running up and down her body. She rubbed her arms, trying to dispel the overwhelming sensations that had washed over her. Despite sitting beside the warming fire, she involuntarily shivered, the story's impact lingering within her.
"So that's where you think we could be?" Leia asked, her voice a mix of curiosity and apprehension. She looked at Anakin, seeking confirmation. "On that planet you were talking about?"
Anakin turned his gaze slowly toward Leia, the rawness of his certainty yet uncertainty reflected in his eyes as he considered her question. "That's the only Force-related answer I can think of for where we could be," he replied, his tone tinged with a sense of wonder and unease. "Otherwise, your guess would be as good as mine."
Leia let out a sigh and then offered humorously, "Or perhaps one of us is on a spice trip."
Anakin looked at her in pleasant shock, his eyes widening briefly as he processed her jest. It was a rare occurrence for people to joke in such a way around him as a Jedi. The change was refreshing, and a small smile crept onto his face. They both shared a laugh at her suggestion, their laughter a brief respite from the enigma of their situation.
When the laughter eventually faded, Leia's stomach growled audibly, making her blush in embarrassment.
"Sorry about that," she apologized.
Anakin shook his head, offering a warm smile. "No need for that. It's natural," he reassured her. "Force knows how long it's been since you ate something," he added, looking at her sympathetically.
As Anakin looked at Leia, he couldn't help but notice that, while he knew she was undoubtedly a young woman, he couldn't shake the feeling of how she reminded him of how he felt about the younglings at the Jedi Temple—vulnerable, and in a way, adorable. It was a peculiar sensation, one that he found himself unable to fully comprehend.
In his heart, he knew it was an odd connection to make, considering that Leia didn't appear much younger than himself. Yet, these thoughts and feelings persisted. Anakin decided to push them aside.
"I'll get you the ration bar and water I saved for you earlier," he said with a kind smile, rising from his spot and making his way to a nearby table near her cot. There, he retrieved the bottle of water and the ration bar, bringing them back to Leia.
Leia's mouth watered at the sight of the food, and it was only then that she realized just how hungry she was. She thanked Anakin with a grateful nod and a soft, "Thank you," before reaching for the ration bar with shaking hands. With each bite, her hunger seemed to take over, and she hungrily devoured the food, savoring the nourishment that filled her empty stomach.
Once Leia finished eating the ration bar, she felt the effects of the carefully engineered chemicals in it taking hold. Her hunger was swiftly replaced by a sense of fullness and satisfaction.
"Better?" Anakin asked, a warm smile on his face.
Leia nodded in response, her expression grateful. "Much."
As Leia took a sip of water, Anakin stretched out his hand toward one of the books on the nearby shelf and used the Force to bring it to him. Leia watched with awe as he effortlessly had done so.
"Maybe I can find something in here to help us," he said, taking the book in his hands.
Leia observed him as he began to flip through the pages of the book, her curiosity piqued. However, as her eyes rested on Anakin, she couldn't help but be reminded of the strange feeling she had earlier—the discomfort she experienced when considering any attraction toward him. It resurfaced in her mind, causing her to question herself once more.
Unbeknownst to her, she had been staring at Anakin for quite some time, and he began to feel her eyes on him. He lifted a curious brow at her, and Leia suddenly realized that she had been gazing at him. She instinctively covered her mouth with her hand, feeling a bit embarrassed.
"It's just..." she began awkwardly, "Anakin, If I can be so bold: I can tell you're really attractive, but I have no attraction toward you. It's so strange. And I know I'm not interested in other women like that. So I just wonder what's going on..."
Anakin smiled, thinking he might have a plausible explanation for the odd feelings Leia was experiencing. He also couldn't help but feel flattered by her words about his appearance.
"Perhaps you are in love but don't know it," he suggested, his expression thoughtful. "Someone you can't remember. When you love someone, you're able to see that people are attractive, but you have no desire to be with them because the one you love so much is all you want to be with."
The look in Anakin's eyes as he spoke, reminiscing about love, left no doubt in Leia's mind. It was evident that he was speaking from personal experience, and given his status as a Jedi, it was understandable that he wished to keep his feelings private.
"Perhaps you're right," Leia conceded with a sigh, running a hand through her almost completely dry hair. Her longing for answers about her forgotten past weighed heavily on her. "I just wish I knew who he was if that's true."
.
.
.
Darth Vader's eyes fluttered open as he slowly regained consciousness. He found himself lying on muddy grass, groaning from the residual effects of being hit by the stun laser. As he turned his head, his gaze met the planet's sun, casting its morning light upon him. In that moment, memories flooded back to him with a sudden rush.
The girl, the rebel. She was his daughter.
And that mysterious Jedi he had fought. He must have lost to him.
Vader's mechanical breathing quickened as he grappled with the overwhelming emotions that surged within him. Rage, anger, and frustration boiled beneath the surface. He knew he had failed, and it gnawed at him.
Sitting up abruptly, he scanned his surroundings, realizing that there was no trace of either the girl or the Jedi in sight. It was clear that many hours had passed since the confrontation. The realization fueled his anger further, and he let out a deafening scream of rage. Nearby trees trembled from the sheer force of his dark emotions, and animals scattered in fear from the sound of his furious roar.
.
.
.
Leia had drifted into a restless dream, memories of the past resurfacing in her slumber. In her dream, she saw Han Solo, their faces drawn close, and she remembered the warmth of his lips against hers. Her confession of love, met with his acknowledgment, played vividly in her mind. But then, her dream took a dark turn, and she witnessed Han Solo being frozen in carbonite, a cruel act orchestrated by the Sith who had pursued her.
Leia jolted awake with a gasp, her heart racing as she sat upright in her cot. Tears streamed down her cheeks, and her hand trembled as she covered her mouth, trying to stifle the sobs that threatened to escape.
Just then, Anakin entered the shelter, bearing the body of a boar-like animal over his shoulders. He glanced over and saw Leia in distress, her tear-streaked face filled with anguish. Setting the kill down on the ground, he rushed to her side, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder and then moving it gently down her back, offering soothing motions as he knelt beside her.
"What's wrong, Leia? Was it a bad dream?" he asked, his voice filled with concern and empathy.
Leia looked up at Anakin, tears shimmering in her eyes, and she shook her head, her voice quivering with the weight of her memories. It was more than just dreams; it was a haunting recollection of the past.
"He killed him," Leia whispered, her voice filled with sorrow and pain.
Anakin furrowed his brow, his concern deepening. "Who killed who, Leia? You're not making sense. Take a deep breath, and try to explain."
Leia took a shuddering breath, trying to compose herself. "I saw memories while I slept," she began, her voice trembling. "That Sith who was chasing after me... he killed the man that I love, right in front of me."
She played back the memory in her head, recounting the heart-wrenching scene. But then, a glimmer of hope seemed to pierce through the darkness. "No, wait. I think.. he's still alive," Leia said, her tone becoming more hopeful. "I just remembered... he was tested on and lived."
As she spoke, a strange clarity washed over her, and a memory flashed in her mind—The shadow like man's command to test freezing her beloved in carbonite and yet he lived. It was a fragile ray of hope in the midst of her distress.
"But he might as well be. He's frozen in carbonite," Leia replied, her voice heavy with despair.
Anakin offered her a reassuring smile.
"Then there's still hope," he said encouragingly. "I'll help him. Me and my master, Obi-Wan, will work together to help him. I promise you this, Leia. Force willingly, the two of us will get off this planet together, and I'll save him," Anakin declared with unwavering determination.
As Leia found comfort in the Jedi's words, the name "Obi-Wan" resonated in her mind. It triggered a sense of familiarity, but she brushed it aside, assuming that if Obi-Wan was Anakin's master, he must be a well-known figure of the Jedi too that she heard of.
"I brought breakfast," Anakin said kindly, attempting to lift Leia's spirits. He pointed to the hog he had brought in and then pulled out some large-sized orange eggs from the pockets of his Jedi robe.
Leia's smile began to return. "That's wonderful," she said with gratitude in her voice. "But there are no pots and pans in this place, are there? How do we cook it?"
Anakin reassured her, saying, "You're right. I couldn't find any, but don't worry, I have some tricks up my sleeve."
Anakin skillfully cracked the eggs and placed slices of meat on a flat slab of rock positioned over the hot, crackling fire. The food sizzled and cooked, releasing a mouthwatering aroma that filled the shelter. With a few sticks he had washed off he was able to awkwardly flip over a fried egg.
"Here ya go," Anakin said warmly as he placed a freshly cooked egg on a plate fashioned from a large green leaf he had cleaned. Anakin couldn't help but find Leia cute in a childlike way again for some reason at that moment, and that feeling clung to him as he had served the fried egg on her leafy plate. His words unintentionally carried a slight fatherly tone, though he suspected Leia hadn't noticed and was thankful for it.
So embarrassing. Anakin thought to himself.
"It smells wonderful," Leia said appreciatively. She looked up at Anakin with a grateful smile. "Thanks so much, Anakin."
With their large slabs of meat finally cooked, Anakin broke off a piece and used the tips of his fingers to drag his fried egg onto it, skillfully avoiding getting his ungloved hands covered in the egg grease. Leia observed his approach and followed suit, copying his actions with her own chunk of meat and fried egg. Anakin stretched out his offering, a combination of meat and egg, and held it out to her.
"Cheers?" he suggested with a warm smile. Leia couldn't help but giggle and took her portion of meat and egg, lightly tapping it against his.
"Cheers," she agreed, her laughter bubbling up. Then, still chuckling, she remarked, "We're so cheesy, aren't we?"
Her question made Anakin chuckle in agreement. Then, he said to her kindly, "Ladies first."
Leia thanked him for his manners and then took the first bite. The taste of the delicious salty meat combined with the lovely rich yolk of the egg made her audibly moan in delight.
Anakin grinned at her reaction and in excitement took a bite, his eyes lighting up as he savored the delicious flavors. Leia chimed in with an appreciative "Mm hmm" in agreement. Anakin, not wanting to waste a drop of the egg yolk, carefully licked some off his natural thumb with a satisfied expression.
"You know, it's always the simplest of meals that taste the best." Anakin remarked with a smirk, chewing with a mouthful of food before swallowing and taking another satisfying bite.
Leia responded, "You're absolutely right. I remember this one time I..." She trailed off, suddenly stopping herself as if a light had gone on in her mind. Anakin paused in his chewing, his eyes fixed on her intently. "You remembered something else?" he asked eagerly. Leia nodded, taking a small bite of her food, her eyes sparkling with the joy of recalling another memory, especially one that was a good one.
Leia recounted her memory with a smile on her face. "I remember my mother and father and I had been invited to a ball when I was very young," she began. "Goes to show you how much that Sith was lying to me. He really isn't my father. Anyway, I remember my mother had given me a plate of this fancy dish that was so expensive. I took one bite, and when she wasn't looking, I put the plate of food on a chair at an empty table, to hide it away. It tasted so awful. Later that night, I remember a woman of high reputation had ended up sitting on the plate of food and ruined her gown."
Anakin burst into laughter, finding the story so far and imagining Leia as a child and what she had done quite adorable and hilarious.
Leia snickered at the memory and continued, "Anyway, before that happened with that woman and her gown, I had snuck myself a plate of Bantha Burgers, which definitely weren't fancy, and hid under another table, eating it while everyone was busy dancing. It tasted so amazing. My poor mother and father looked everywhere for me." She chuckled at the mischief of her younger self.
Leia took a thoughtful pause, her expression slightly pensive. "It's strange, though. I can't remember their faces, just that memory of the fancy meal and them looking for me."
Anakin offered a warm smile and replied, "That memory is a testament to how much your parents loved you, Leia. Your mother gave you a fancy meal, and both your parents searched for you. It's a precious memory I think the force gave for you to have."
Leia, intrigued, asked, "You think so?" She then took a bite of her meat and egg.
Anakin nodded and added playfully, "And it shows how much of a troublesome brat you were." Leia rolled her eyes at his teasing but couldn't help but smile in agreement.
"I mean, I myself was no angel," he admitted with a reminiscent glint in his eyes. "I put my mother through many, many things."
Leia's curiosity piqued as she leaned in, her eyes fixed on the Jedi. "Alright, Mr. Jedi," she teased, "I shared my embarrassing childhood story of being a brat. It's your turn. Come on, share. I'd love to hear what the childhood of a Jedi was like."
.
.
.
Author's Note:
Hope you liked it.