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Rush by Love and Rock Music. (TCW) The first half of "Destroy Malevolence," as Anakin and Padmé make their way towards each other. |
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FAN FICTION : EPISODE II ERA (PRE-AOTC)
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Anakin's Rose
by BeElleGee
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Disclaimer:
No claim to any of them. No copyright infringement
is intended.
Archive: Yes. Just let me know where it is going.
Author's note: Amidala is twenty-two, Anakin is eighteen.
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Her skin was softer than anything he'd ever felt before. The gentle curve of her
cheek was warm and yielding beneath his fingertips like the petals of a wild
desert rose.
He leaned forward and kissed her then, faintly touching his lips to her face.
Her complexion warmed to a creamy pinkish hue as he gathered her into his arms.
Her body felt luxurious and he held her tightly, delighting in her exquisite
beauty and delicate feminine grace.
"I've always loved you," he confessed and surprised himself with this
revelation. She had always been the center of his heart, but he never allowed
himself to acknowledge it in this way before. The whole idea of being in love
was unnerving. Thoughts of her occupied his mind to the point of distraction.
His need to be near her was getting intolerable. The uncertainty he felt made
him emotional and melancholy.
But none of that mattered to him the way he knew it should. He still longed to
have her as his own. He believed if he could have her love in return, the
negativity would gradually lessen in the light of the positive.
Being in love, his life seemed to have new meaning and purpose. The way he
perceived his surroundings had changed. He noticed more: minor details of
insignificant things like the way a leaf floated lazily in a pool of water in
the garden, the infectious sound of the children laughing, or a certain color of
a person's eyes. In a way it made him feel like a small boy again, seeing
everything for the first time with wide and wondrous eyes.
"Please, tell me you love me," he urged her gently. "I need to
know."
'Anakin,' she whispered. 'Let go. I'm hurting you.' Her voice sounded distant
and surreal.
She started to slip away from him. Her image became transparent and then
dissolved into nothingness.
"Wait! Please don't go," he pleaded. "Stay with me." But she
was already gone. "Padmé, I love you."
'Anakin.'
Anakin could still hear her small sighs in the breeze that ruffled his hair. He
could still smell her sweet perfume. He inhaled deeply, breathing in its heady
fragrance. It was all he had left of her. It was all he would ever have.
"Padmé."
"Anakin!"
The young Jedi abruptly opened his eyes and saw his master, Obi-Wan Kenobi
kneeling in front of him with an alarmed expression of concern on his face.
Where was Padmé? He had been holding her only a moment ago. He glanced around
quickly. He felt frightfully disoriented all of a sudden and struggled to pull
his conscious mind up and out of the subconscious depths in which he had
plummeted.
Obi-Wan took his hand. Anakin was only vaguely aware of what his master was
doing.
"Let go."
"I can't let her go. I need her. I love her," Anakin lamented. He
looked into his master's eyes. "She wouldn't hurt me. Not if she loves
me." His tone was unsure and questioning, as if he was hoping his master
would confirm what he was saying.
"Let go, Anakin," Obi-Wan told him. "Open your hand, you're
hurting yourself." He began forcibly prying Anakin's fingers open.
Confused, Anakin relaxed his grip, unaware that he had even been holding
anything. Pain suddenly seized his hand and he looked down.
"What?" he gasped, seeing blood trickling in thin streams down his
wrists. He was holding the mangled remains of what once had been a rose blossom.
Obi-Wan carefully peeled the thorny stem from his padawan's grasp and tossed it
aside. He examined Anakin's hand with a critical eye and began picking bits of
thorns from his fingers.
"Ow!" Anakin winced and tried to pull his hand away. Obi-Wan glared up
at him and pulled it back.
"You've cut yourself badly," Obi-Wan told him. "You're going to
have to go to the clinic and get this cleaned up."
Anakin looked dazed. "She hurt me," he muttered.
"Who?"
"Padmé."
Obi-Wan glanced up. "The rose hurt you, Anakin," he countered. He
lifted the hem of Anakin's cloak and pressed it gently into his palm to stop the
bleeding. "And it wouldn't have hurt you if you hadn't crushed it so
brutally."
A chilling awareness suddenly came over Anakin. He looked down at the mangled
blossom on the ground. Just like Padmé, he had suffocated the rose by his
overwhelming need to possess it. He had taken away its beauty by holding it too
tightly. He had killed everything about it that made it so attractive to him in
the first place: its color, texture, fragrance, and form. He had loved it
because it was wild and beautiful and alive. "It was a warning. If I love
her, she'll die." He shivered slightly.
Obi-Wan rose, pulling Anakin to his feet. "What are you talking about?
You're not making any sense at all."
Anakin closed his eyes and sighed heavily. "It makes perfect sense."
"Only to you, Padawan," Obi-Wan said quietly. He took Anakin's head in
his hands and looked into his eyes.
Annoyed, Anakin shook him off. "What... what are you doing?"
"I was checking to see if your pupils were dilated," he informed.
"It's possible you may have a concussion. I heard all about your little
altercation this morning in the training room. I was approached by Master Yoda
as soon as I walked in the Temple this afternoon."
"I don't have a concussion," Anakin told Obi-Wan and frowned. The
morning's events were beginning to come back to him.
Obi-Wan released him and stepped back with an exasperated sigh.
"Well, that's a relief. Maybe you would care to explain yourself if what
you've been spouting isn't the irrational thought processes of someone who was
recently brained with a chair, hmm?"
Anakin rolled his eyes. "I was meditating. Just like Master Yoda told me to
do and I had a vision. It was a little disturbing. That's all."
Obi-Wan took a deep breath. "Are you all right, really?"
Anakin swallowed his anger and nodded slowly. "I was going to go to the
clinic but I came here instead to cool off a little. I began meditating. At
first on my failure to maintain control this morning. But that was only fueling
my anger. Then I started thinking of Padmé. Thinking of her always soothes me,
it seems. She's my shelter, my sanctuary." He closed his eyes wearily for a
second. "I'm all right. Well, except for my hand."
Obi-Wan gestured at the garden path. "Come on. Let's get you to the
clinic." He lead Anakin past the treeline and down the path to the lower
level of the garden.
Anakin followed in silence. A heavy sadness settled over his heart.
Obi-Wan looked over at his apprentice. He was the portrait of dejection.
"I'd like to hear from you what happened this morning," he began
cautiously. "It's not like you to react in anger the way you did today. I
know the others bait you, but before you seemed to be able to handle it. Lately,
you have been letting your temper get the best of you."
Anakin refused to meet Obi-Wan's eyes. "Somehow, they found out about my
plans for this evening and made some off-colored remarks. I reacted foolishly.
One thing led to another. Before long I had a full scale war on my hands."
He peered up at his master expectantly but Obi-Wan remained silent with a
pensive expression. Anakin sighed. "I'm sorry. Next time, I'll try harder
to just walk away from their taunts. Just like I've walked away from them a
thousand times before." He stopped and focused his attention on another
rose. He reached out and tenderly caressed its white petals.
Obi-Wan gazed at his padawan searchingly. "Don't you realize that the only
reason they bait you is to get you to react in anger? It is a way for them to
confirm their jaded opinions of you. And you play right into their schemes,
Anakin. You should know that by now."
Anakin shrugged. "I know. What else do you want me to say, Obi-Wan?"
Obi-Wan lowered his eyes. He could feel Anakin's sadness. His sense of rejection
went beyond his peers here at the Temple. He felt a rejection tinged with a fear
of loss. At first he thought it may be Anakin's fear of not fulfilling his dream
of becoming a Jedi, but it ran even deeper than that. It was closer to his
heart. It was a fear of losing something his very soul fed off of.
Anakin seemed entranced by the rose. His expression was passive, but slightly
dispirited. His eyes were unseeing and he seemed to be brooding.
It occurred to Obi-Wan then. Anakin had fallen in love. And Obi-Wan had a pretty
good idea of who it was that Anakin was in love with. Over the years, his
boyhood crush had evolved into something deeper and more complex. Obi-Wan
wondered if Anakin was aware how his feelings had changed regarding her.
Obi-Wan turned and started back down the path. "So, tell me about your
vision. You mentioned Padmé..."
Anakin looked over at Obi-Wan and blinked in surprise at the sudden change in
topic. He started after him with a heavy sigh.
"I'd really rather not."
Obi-Wan frowned. "Perhaps I could help you interpret it."
Anakin shook his head. "No, I know what it meant. I don't want to talk
about it. It was somewhat personal."
Obi-Wan raised his brow. "Personal in what way?"
Anakin narrowed his eyes in irritation. "Never mind."
"But maybe it's something we need to address," Obi-Wan pressed.
Anakin stopped walking again and put his hands on his hips. "You just don't
give up do you? All right, it was about Padmé. I was thinking about her--
fantasizing, if you will, about her. Metaphorically as a rose."
Obi-Wan found himself momentarily at a loss for words. He stopped and faced
Anakin. "Why should that upset you--"
"Because she's my friend!" Anakin snapped. "Can we drop the
subject please?" He turned and strode past his master. Obi-Wan jogged after
him.
"You said she hurt you. How?" he continued, his expression growing
solemn with concern.
Anakin slowed his pace and glanced over at Obi-Wan. He held up his hand and
flexed his stiff fingers. "As a rose, she did hurt me." He shook his
head and sighed. "I don't know. My vision was very ethereal and romantic at
first. It was as if the rose I had been holding became her. She was becoming
more beautiful as I loved her. Like a rose opening to the sun." He paused
and took a deep breath. "But she wouldn't say she loved me. Then she
disappeared. Everything had been beautiful until I admitted I loved her. I was
left with nothing... but a bruised rose and a bloody hand." He shrugged it
off suddenly. "All nonsense, really. She wouldn't hurt me. She's a friend.
She's just a good friend." He cleared his throat and offered Obi-Wan an
unconvincing smile.
Obi-Wan stroked his beard thoughtfully. "You didn't believe it was nonsense
before. It doesn't sound like nonsense to me. I think your subconscious was
trying to tell you something, but I think your interpretation of this vision is
a little fatalistic. Something about loving her frightens you. That much is
clear. Maybe you really didn't want to hear her say she loved you. It may be
that you are afraid her love will make you vulnerable. But you have to realize
that is what loving someone is. Love is learning to trust each other enough to
rise above your fear of being vulnerable. It may be a difficult thing to do at
first, but in time, you'll come to find that being vulnerable doesn't matter as
much as your feelings for each other. The real question is why is this surfacing
now? Maybe your date with Her Highness tonight has brought your true hidden
feelings to light."
Much to Obi-Wan's surprise, Anakin laughed scoffingly.
"Hidden feelings? Are you serious?"
Obi-Wan furrowed his brow in irritation. "Yes I'm serious. Perhaps you
truly believed what you felt for Padmé was mere friendship, but locked away
deep in your heart was something more."
Anakin shook his head. "I love her as a friend," he persisted.
"My feelings for her haven't changed just because she and I are
older."
"You're lying to yourself," Obi-Wan shot back. "If you won't even
acknowledge what you're feeling, how are you proposing to deal with it?"
Anakin was becoming increasingly uncomfortable. His hand was throbbing along
with his head and Obi-Wan was trying what little remained of his patience. Right
now, he just wanted to get to the clinic and away from his master's tenacious
inquisition.
"There's nothing to acknowledge," Anakin replied.
Obi-Wan sighed heavily. He placed his hand reassuringly on his apprentice's
shoulder. "Are you nervous about tonight? Is that why you're so
sensitive?"
Anakin licked his lips apprehensively. "I wouldn't say I'm nervous. I'm
looking forward to seeing her again. It's been four years. And it's not a
'date'. I am just accompanying her to dinner."
"Her Highness just might be expecting a little more than that from you
tonight. Like you said, it's been four years. You two have a lot of catching up
to do," Obi-Wan pointed out.
"Maybe," Anakin admitted. Obi-Wan was getting very close to the truth
now.
"And what are your expectations of this evening?" the older Jedi
continued. "Have you considered the possibility that she won't live up to
your fantasy images?" Anakin remained silent. "She may be flawed and
feebly human, just like you. Can you love someone like that?"
Anakin's blue eyes flashed menacingly. Obi-Wan leaned towards him and shook his
head.
"You may discover that despite your feelings for her, she may only be able
to give you a token amount of affection in return. What if you find out she met
someone? It's been four years, Anakin. What if she only accepted your invitation
out of obligation? She and her people are indebted to you. How could she refuse
you? These are very real possibilities. How will you handle such
revelations?" He paused and looked hard at his apprentice. "That's why
I think you need to come to terms with your feelings before you see her
tonight."
"Stop," Anakin growled. He glared at his master, his heart pounding
forcefully inside him. He couldn't bear to hear anymore.
Obi-Wan sighed. "Anakin, I can feel your fear."
Anakin held up his hand to silence him. He took a deep steadying breath.
"I am not afraid of possibilities," he whispered, his voice void of
emotion. "Even if what you said has come to pass, than what business is it
of mine? I have no claim to her."
Obi-Wan knew when to back down. He raised his hands in a gesture of
capitulation. "Fine," he said tersely. "It's your life, Anakin.
I'll leave you to it."
"Thank you," Anakin quipped. He spied the lift which led to the upper
levels of the Temple and quickened his pace. Reaching it, he jabbed the door
release and quickly punched the level number for the clinic.
Obi-Wan turned to leave him, feeling the need to meditate in the gardens himself
now.
The door to the lift opened and Anakin stepped inside. He watched Obi-Wan's
eager retreat and felt unexpectedly alienated. He knew the only reason Obi-Wan
irritated him so much was because Obi-Wan was usually right, and more
importantly, he freely dispensed his worldly wisdom to Anakin because he cared
about him.
"Master?"
Obi-Wan turned slowly. "Yes?"
Anakin sighed heavily. "Don't worry so much. I'll be all right. No matter
what happens tonight. I can handle it."
Obi-Wan felt terribly old suddenly. He dragged his hand through his long hair
and summoned a reassuring smile. Anakin was right. His padawan was all grown up
now. He had to remember it was time to let him experience life for himself and
learn from it. He couldn't always be there to protect him anymore; just like
this morning. And now tonight too. At times Obi-Wan missed the cherubic, hopeful
child Anakin once was. Problems had seemed so much easier to remedy then. He
gazed at the tall, handsome young man in the elevator and was suddenly filled
with pride. Anakin was strong and wise and not easily deterred. He would be all
right.
"Well, go take care of yourself," Obi-Wan said quietly. "And have
a good evening, Padawan. I'll see you when you get back."
"Thanks, Master. You too." Anakin nodded and released the door.
********
"Your Majesty, time grows short," Eirtaé gently reminded her queen as
Amidala rejected yet another gown.
The queen of Naboo sat, wrapped in a bathrobe, watching with growing disinterest
as her handmaiden sorted through her wardrobe. Sabé stood behind her,
struggling to subdue and style Amidala's lengthy and unruly locks.
"Your Highness, you must choose a gown soon," Sabé urged. "You
are not only running out of time, you are running out of options as well."
Amidala made a face. She fought the urge to gnaw her nails. Her insides
fluttered every time she thought about what she proposed to do tonight. She
thought of Anakin. What was he doing right now? What was he thinking? Her
stomach sank and she felt her courage wane. Maybe it was too soon to tell him.
Maybe she would end up making a complete fool of herself. What if he had a
girlfriend? Another Jedi perhaps; some pretty young thing from the Temple whom
he would have a lot more in common with than some prissy blue-blood half a
galaxy away. He had never mentioned anybody to her in his correspondence, but
then why would he? She had no right to oversee his private, personal life.
"I don't think I can go through with this tonight," Amidala admitted.
Sabé and Eirtaé exchanged concerned looks.
"You're not ill, are you, Your Majesty?" Eirtaé asked.
Amidala shook her head.
"Shall we contact the Jedi Temple and have them tell Anakin Skywalker that
you aren't up to going out this evening?" Sabé offered. "Eirtaé can
call the Chancellor's secretaries."
"No, no. You don't understand," Amidala stated. How could she explain
it to them? She gestured at the assortment of formal gowns and hair accessories.
"I can't do 'that'. It won't feel right."
Sabé and Eirtaé exchanged endearingly confused looks.
Amidala smiled. "Look, I need to speak with Anakin about something very
personal and important. If I package myself behind layers of face paint and a
towering headdress, it won't come across the way I need it to." She looked
up at Sabé. "I'm going out as a handmaiden tonight. You get dressed as the
queen. The yellow gown. Hurry."
Sabé looked at her as if she had lost her senses. "Your Highness, do you
really believe that's wise? Anakin Skywalker is expecting to escort you, not me
as you. It would be... impolite to say the least."
"How can I make you understand? I can't spend tonight at some stuffy
diplomatic dinner at the Chancellor's castle with me all coifed and corseted as
Her Royal Highness and bind Anakin's conversations to a code of propriety and
etiquette. If I'm Padmé I can be free to be with him as myself and not the
queen of Naboo."
Sabé shrugged. "If that's what you wish, Your Highness, of course I will
abide by it, but may I point out, it will be somewhat awkward at the banquet to
have the queen's escort keeping company with her handmaiden."
Amidala shook her head. "No, Anakin must not know who I am. Not at first
anyway. Not until I know how he feels about me. I'm not about to proclaim my
innermost feelings if he still thinks of me as his childhood pal."
Eirtaé studied the yellow gown Amidala had chosen and frowned. "Your
Majesty, you are taking a considerable risk."
"I'm merely being cautious," Amidala replied.
Sabé came around the chair and into Amidala's line of vision. "Your
Highness, surely Anakin will know it is me."
Amidala shook her head. "Not necessarily. We haven't seen each other in
four years. I'm sure any subtle changes in my appearance he notices, he'll put
down to the passing of time. We'll overdo your makeup and hair. You'll be
unrecognizable. The Chancellor won't even realize you're not me. I'll keep my
face hidden under the hood of my cloak as your handmaiden. It will work. It has
to."
Sabé looked skeptical. Amidala pulled off her robe and grabbed the bright
orange handmaiden's gown that Sabé was going to wear. Eirtaé reluctantly
helped her into it. She tucked her long hair inside the cloak and adjusted the
hood. Then she faced Sabé.
"Your Highness," Sabé said with a resigned sigh, "Regardless of
how Anakin feels about you, he will no doubt be somewhat 'vexed' to say the
least, when he learns of our deception."
Amidala took a deep steadying breath. "Oh, no doubt. 'Vexed' to say the
least. But I'm hoping his wounded pride won't deafen him to what I have to
say."
Eirtaé brought the yellow gown over to Sabé and she and Amidala helped her
into it.
Sabé busied herself applying the thick white makeup as Amidala and Eirtaé
began wrapping and braiding her hair around the elaborate headpiece that matched
the gown.
"Remember," Amidala was saying, "I'll need your help to get
Anakin to open up a little. Ask him questions. Try to get him to talk about
things we have in common."
"Your Highness, I don't know what you two have in common. What kind of
things should I ask him?" Sabé inquired. "I hardly know Anakin. I
know his master better. At least I've spent time with him."
Amidala frowned. "Certainly you can think of something Anakin and I have in
common." She closed her eyes and sighed heavily. Eirtaé was right. She was
taking an awful risk but hopefully the ends would justify the means.
Amidala thought back to the last holographic transmission Anakin had sent her a
month ago. He had bowed and then began reciting a limerick about a Gungan
waterfowl. He was unwittingly charming and adorably coy. He had become the
heartbreaker she always knew he would be. Maybe the one who would break her own
heart.
********
Anakin followed the golden protocol droid to the fifth level of the senatorial
guest quarters where Amidala and her entourage were staying while on Coruscant.
He waited outside the royal apartments while the guard informed the queen that
her escort had arrived. He smoothed down the front of his dress shirt and
adjusted the formal black cloak draped over his shoulders with an impatient
sigh.
The guard came out and told him to wait inside. Anakin's heart began racing and
he took several deep calming breaths before opening the door. He tried to summon
the Force to maintain his emotions, but it evaded him. He couldn't concentrate
knowing she was on the other side of the door.
Once inside, Anakin found himself alone in an entryway. He cleared his throat
and looked around hopefully.
One of Amidala's handmaidens suddenly appeared. She stood looking at him for a
long time before saying anything.
Disguised as a handmaiden, Amidala was trying hard not to stare, but she could
hardly believe Anakin was actually standing in front of her. He wasn't a
hologram. Tonight, he was real. It took everything she had to keep from running
to him and throwing her arms around him. He looked even better in person: tall
and athletic and dashingly handsome. She took a deep steadying breath and
cleared her throat.
"Good evening, Anakin," she greeted, in a slightly accented voice.
"Her Majesty will be with you shortly. Please make yourself
comfortable." She gestured at a chair inside the parlor.
Anakin shook his head. "If it's all the same to you, I'd really rather
stand," he said and forced a smile. He thought he heard the young woman
sigh softly. He stepped closer to her and tried to get a good look at her but
the cowl and hood of her cloak were shadowing her features too heavily. He
thought she looked familiar but he couldn't recall her name even though he had
met all of Amidala's handmaidens at one time or another. They were so similar in
appearance it was hard to tell them apart.
"Very well," she said. "Her Highness is aware that you are
waiting. It shouldn't be much longer. Now if you'll excuse me, I'll offer her my
assistance."
The handmaiden scurried off into one of the back rooms and disappeared.
Anakin frowned and fidgeted slightly, tugging at the collar of his shirt. The
queen obviously was in no hurry to renew their acquaintance.
Minutes passed and Anakin began pacing. Finally he sought out the chair in the
parlor and sat on the edge. He waited a little longer, his eyes fixed on the
closed door. After awhile, he settled back and closed his eyes, trying to get
some semblance of control over his nerves.
"Forgive me, Anakin, for keeping you waiting like this," Her Highness
said as she suddenly glided into the room followed by two of her handmaidens.
They bustled around her, adjusting her gown and hair until Her Highness shooed
them away. She gazed down at the restless figure in the chair.
Anakin's heart skipped a beat upon hearing her voice. He slowly sat forward and
looked up.
A vision of stunning beauty more dazzling than the twin suns of Tatooine stood
before him. Her gown was the color of a golden sunset with pale pink and
lavender hues. Her long hair was plaited around a spray of yellow and white
flowers in a golden headband that looked like the rippling rays of solar flares.
She didn't seem real, almost. The way she looked reminded Anakin of an art
sculpture; if one ever decided to come to life as a woman. The effort she and
her handmaidens had put into this evening's regalia had definitely been time
consuming and he sincerely hoped they hadn't gone to so much trouble because of
him. He thought she looked even more beautiful when she was Padmé.
"How nice to see you again," Her Highness continued.
Anakin shot to his feet, suddenly remembering his manners, and bowed.
"Your Highness, the pleasure is mine," he breathed. Cautiously he
looked up into her eyes, straightened and waited. He wasn't exactly sure what to
do next. He didn't know if it was proper for him to address her without first
being spoken to or even continue looking at her the way he was.
She seemed reluctant to approach him as well. They stood staring at each other
across the expanse of an invisible barrier, neither one willing to make the
first move.
Finally, one of the handmaiden's stepped forward. "Your Majesty, we need to
leave now if we are to arrive at the banquet in a timely manner. The transport
is waiting."
Her Highness momentarily turned away from Anakin and looked over at her
handmaiden. "Yes, of course, Eirtaé." She faced the young Jedi again
and extended her hand.
Anakin's heart began thudding heavily inside his chest. He courteously stepped
towards her and offered her his arm. He would have rather held her hand, but
decided that would be too informal. At least they would be touching.
She swept up the skirts of her gown in one hand and casually slipped the other
around his elbow. He expected her touch to be raw electricity to him. He drew in
a sharp breath of anticipation, but strangely he could only feel the heat of her
hand through his sleeve.
"If I may say, you look lovely this evening, Your Highness," Anakin
stated.
"Why thank you, Anakin," she replied graciously.
Concealed beneath the hood of her cloak, Amidala, the handmaiden, frowned.
Anakin was being the perfect gentleman, she thought, but he was also being
distant and overly formal. That wasn't a good sign. Maybe he already suspected
something. Then again, maybe he was just nervous.
"Anakin, you look very nice this evening as well," the unfamiliar
handmaiden, the one who had greeted him in the entryway, said unexpectedly.
Anakin turned to look at her and smiled. Her simple compliment made him feel
pleasantly warm inside and he wondered if he was blushing.
"Thank you, Milady," Anakin told her. He gazed at her, unable to take
his eyes off her for the longest time. Though her face was shadowed, Anakin
could feel the weight of her stare.
The queen gently cleared her throat. "We must be going," she said
carefully and smiled.
Anakin faced the queen, hoping she would say more, but she fixed her eyes
forward and remained silent all the way to the transport. He was disheartened
further when he realized she was taking her two handmaidens with her to the
banquet.
Once inside the transport, the queen seated herself across from Anakin flanked
by her handmaidens. Anakin forced a smile.
"Your Highness," he began, "I beg your pardon, but certainly you
won't require these ladies to accompany us to the banquet this evening? You are
being escorted by a Jedi, after all." He hoped that sounded tactful.
Her Highness smiled benevolently. "I'm sorry to have to require their
company even on a night of festivity such as this, but I do. Certainly you don't
object?"
Anakin swallowed uncomfortably. He spoke directly to the two handmaidens.
"Not at all. I meant no offense, to you, Eirtaé or...."
"None taken," said the unfamiliar handmaiden.
Anakin peered over at her. There was something peculiar about her. Something he
couldn't quite put his finger on. It was more of a sensation than anything else.
A tremor in the Force. A gentle tingle. It seemed to occur whenever she
addressed him. Whenever he knew she was looking at him. Experimenting, he
purposefully addressed Eirtaé.
"Milady,
I hope you were not insulted?"
Eirtaé grinned. "Of course not, Anakin. And don't worry. The deciding
factor for our presence here tonight was not based on whether or not you would
behave like a gentleman. Or a Jedi."
Her Highness fought a smile. She glanced at Eirtae, sharing some private inside
humor with her.
Embarrassed and caught off guard, Anakin sunk deeper into his seat and lowered
his eyes.
He suddenly recalled the whole purpose of speaking to Eirtae and sat up again,
intrigued by the lack of sensation he felt. It wasn't anything like what he felt
towards Her Highness' other handmaiden. Even Her Highness wasn't provoking the
intense feelings in him he had anticipated. He gazed up at the queen.
Beautiful beyond words, but empty, he suddenly realized. She was void of any
intimate feelings for him. He concentrated hard, but he couldn't feel anything
more than a slight physical attraction. He couldn't even feel friendly
affection, yet he knew without a doubt they were the best of friends. They had
been for years.
"Please tell me, how is Obi-Wan these days?" Her Highness asked.
"I miss him."
Anakin felt an inexplicable jolt of jealousy sizzle through him. Now he felt
something stir in her. He felt her sudden enthusiasm and her sincere curiosity.
He struggled to keep his voice neutral.
"Obi-Wan is.... just fine," he began in a quietly measured tone.
"I'll be sure to tell him you asked about him."
She smiled brightly. "That's very kind of you. I'm pleased to hear he is
doing well. It's unfortunate he couldn't come tonight."
"Other obligations," Anakin said, stressing the latter word, almost
hoping to insult her. Anakin took a deep calming breath. He had to keep his
emotions in check. He couldn't be so thin-skinned around her. When she asked
about Obi-Wan, she was more than likely just being polite. He knew she and
Obi-Wan were friends as well, but that didn't explain why the mere mention of
his master's name caused more of an emotional reaction in her than seeing him
after four years.
Anakin felt thoroughly miserable. Sometime during the past four years, he had
lost her. He had lost her so entirely, his heart seemed to know it before his
head. Despite the lack of feeling he sensed from her, he had clung to the remote
possibility that she was just being respectably royal. He thought maybe if they
could be alone sometime together, she would open up to him and not worry so much
about appearances and propriety. But now, he realized, by agreeing to go out
with him tonight, she was probably only being polite to him-- tolerating him out
of some distorted sense of obligation, just like Obi-Wan had said.
Anakin reached up and dragged his hand through his hair in agitation.
The handmaiden sitting across from him gasped sharply, startling him. She boldly
seized his hand and cradled it between both of hers.
"Gracious, what have you done to your hand?" she demanded, examining
the bandages closely.
Anakin was momentarily at a loss for words. "It's nothing," he
managed. "It will be healed by morning."
"Mmm, it does looks a little swollen," the queen noted. "And
badly bruised."
Anakin nodded, too confused by what he was feeling to acknowledge her any
further. He stared, fascinated, at the figure of the little handmaiden holding
his hand. She caressed his sore fingers with delicate care. The alarm and
concern he felt from her was beyond reason.
"How did you injure it?" she asked. "Was it on a mission? Or
training perhaps?"
Anakin focused all his attention on her. He wished he could see her face. If he
could look into her eyes....
"No, nothing as dramatic as that," he told her softly. "It was a
rose, actually. I pulled a blossom from the bushes in the Temple gardens this
morning." Anakin could see her smile pierce through the shadows of her
hood.
"That wasn't exactly smart was it? Don't you know for all their beauty,
roses have thorns?" she teased.
"They are deceptively beautiful, thus all the more beguiling," he told
her in a low voice. "And I wasn't feeling very smart at the time. I was
feeling lonely and romantic." He squeezed her hand slightly. Her smile
abruptly disappeared and she quickly released him.
His hand felt cold and empty without her warm grasp. He tucked it into the folds
of his cape. He was more confused by what HE was feeling now. This handmaiden
was stirring his heart more than Her Highness had all night. He had heard of
falling in love on a rebound, but this was ridiculous. Unfortunately, he
couldn't deny what he was feeling.
Impulsively, he reached towards her and cupped her chin in his other hand. He
wanted to see her face in the light. Her skin felt like the petals of the rose.
He couldn't resist the urge to touch her more intimately. He brushed his thumb
over the curve of her cheek and sighed.
"What is your name?" he asked, but before she could say anything, the
queen took a hold of his wrist and all but pulled his hand away.
"Anakin, we've arrived," she announced. "Please assist me out of
the transport."
Anakin looked over at her curiously. The urgency of her tone hinted displeasure.
He wondered if the extra attention he had given her handmaiden had disturbed
her. Did she think he had been flirting with her? It seemed no matter what he
did or said tonight it was wrong. He cleared his throat and shot the queen an
apologetic expression. "Of course, Your Highness."
The transport came to a stop in front of the Chancellor's opulent palace. The
doors were opened by robot footmen who reached in to help the handmaidens exit.
Anakin climbed out next. He took the queen's hand and guided her out. They
followed the robots up to the enormous double-doors which opened to the palace
vestibule. They made their way down the receiving line and then into the lesser
hall for cocktails and appetizers.
Anakin watched Her Highness from a short distance away as she and her
handmaidens mingled with the other dinner guests.
What was wrong with him? Why was he so confused? Maybe he did have a concussion
after all. This was the same woman who had been his friend for eight years. She
was the same one who sent him poetry and music in her correspondences. She was
the same one who asked his opinion of new gowns she'd acquired and went into a
rapturous soliloquy describing the sunset over the waterfalls. She was the woman
he loved. How could he not feel the love he knew he had for her?
She was the epitome of grace and exceptional beauty. She was poised to
perfection. She was everything someone of her stature should be. Anakin could
see why as a child he had fallen head over heels for her. He had never met a
girl like her before. She was so elegant and regal. Even as Padmé.
It hit him then, an unexpected occurrence so fast and hard, it reminded him of
how he had felt when the chair collided with his head this morning. His eyes
sought out the handmaidens. Eirtae was easy to recognize despite the hooded
cloak shadowing her face. She stayed quietly off to the side of the queen, no
more remarkable or noticeable than one of the rooms fixtures. But the other
woman. She was right by the queen's side, looking around and taking stock of her
surroundings. She seemed to stand a little straighter, move more fluidly. She
had presence. Just as much presence as the queen, if not more. Suddenly Anakin
could not take his eyes off her. She had intrigued him all evening and now he
knew why.
They had switched. Amidala was disguised as Padmé. Sabé was disguised as the
queen. This wasn't really anything unusual for them to do. He knew it was a
defensive measure. Amidala and Sabé had the routine down to perfection. Almost.
Anakin felt a surge of emotions surface and quickly grabbed a cocktail drink off
a passing service tray. He downed it in one gulp.
Why would she want to deceive him like this? And tonight, one of the few times
they could truly be together? If everything Anakin had sensed in Amidala was
true, it didn't make sense for her to hide from him in this way.
Anakin's mind raced. He started towards Amidala but stopped. No, he didn't want
to confront her until he understood her motives. He would talk to Sabé first.
Sabé was talking to Amidala but Anakin was too far away to hear what they were
saying. He stalked over to where they stood, bringing their conversation to an
abrupt halt upon his arrival.
"Ladies, if you'll excuse us," he began, "I need to talk to Her
Highness in private." He took a hold of Sabé 's arm and ushered her out of
the as the 'handmaidens' stood gaping after them.
He knew this castle well. He'd spent a lot of time here as a guest of the
Chancellor's and was familiar with its more secluded passages. He led Sabé down
towards the back of the castle almost to the opposite side, to one of his
favorite rooms, well away from the other guests in the great and lesser halls.
"Anakin Skywalker, would you please explain this impromptu tour of the
Chancellor's palace?" Sabé demanded breathlessly, once they had stopped.
She glanced around and took in the affluent furnishings and the big stone
fireplace with the polished antique mantle that dominated the large room.
Anakin walked slowly over to her. "Don't toy with me anymore," he
began. He locked his eyes on hers in a piercing gaze.
"W-What are you talking about?" the 'queen' asked and involuntarily
took a step back. Anakin looked so formidable, she kept backing up until she
bumped into a wall.
Anakin followed her right up to the wall and then stood towering over her. He
stared down at her but she was having a hard time meeting his gaze. Anakin
decided to do a little deceiving of his own to teach them a lesson.
"Don't you realize I can feel what you feel?" Anakin asked, his voice
low and intimidating. "I know you're deceiving yourself right along with
me. But I'm not going to fall for it anymore."
"Anakin, let me explain," Sabé pleaded. She tried to slip around him,
but he caged her in with his arms and leaned closer to her. The blazing fire
reflected in his eyes and gave him a feral look that Sabé found thoroughly
disconcerting.
"Just admit it," he whispered and began languidly stroking the side of
her face. Sabé pushed him back.
"How dare you?" she screeched. Obviously he knew. But what the hell
was he doing? He was looking at her as if he wanted to devour her. But Sabé was
ready to resort to violence if he didn't release her in two seconds.
"We're finally alone," he breathed reassuringly into her ear.
"You don't have to pretend anymore, not with me. I love you, Padmé, and I
know you love me too. So tell me..." He paused and placed his hands on her
shoulders, then drew her up against him. "Show me...."
Sabé 's eyes grew wide. Her heart clenched in her chest. Anakin didn't know
after all! He still thought she was Amidala! She had to go along with it; she
knew the real Amidala loved Anakin. Sabé realized she couldn't fight him off
now. She couldn't even reject him. It would destroy Amidala's chances with him.
Maybe she should just tell him that she was not the queen. But then Amidala's
words echoed in her head. Under no circumstances, she had said. Damn and blast!
Where was Amidala?
She looked up into his eyes and tried to calm herself. "Anakin, I... I love
you too," she said shakily.
********
Amidala and Eirtaé raced down one passage after another. Anakin had all but
disappeared with Sabé.
"This spider's nest of a castle has more twists and turns in it than a
maze!" Amidala muttered as they turned down another empty passage.
"Come, this way, Your Highness," Eirtae urged. "I think I hear
something."
Instead of following her, Amidala stopped and leaned heavily against the stone
wall.
"I just don't understand," Amidala sighed, dejectedly. "Anakin
knows who I am, so why did he go off with Sabé? Why hasn't he said anything to
me yet? He knows, but he hasn't really reacted at all. It's as if he really
doesn't care."
Eirtaé doubled back to Amidala. "He can't possibly know, Your Majesty. You
said it yourself, if he did he would have confronted you with this knowledge by
this time. We must hurry. I can only think of one reason for him to seek out
privacy and seclusion, Your Highness."
Amidala shook her head emphatically. "No, he has to know. He's been more
attentive to me than he has been to Sabé. If he really doesn't know who he's
got with him right now, than he's a cad. You could almost say he's been flirting
with me. Very subtly, but still. He touched me and spoke so tenderly to me
tonight, he must know..." She paused as something heartstopping suddenly
occurred to her. "Oh. Oh, Eirtae. He must have feelings for me then. He
must have been trying to tell me. I should have acknowledged him. He must think
I'm trying to hide from him. He's going to leave tonight either believing I
don't care about him anymore, or I am a wicked, thorny rose, beguiling but
deceptive."
"Your Highness, I think I hear them in this room," Eirtaé whispered,
her ear against one of the metal doors. She frowned.
Amidala pulled herself off the wall and joined Eirtaé at the door. They heard a
crash as if something had been knocked over. They exchanged wary glances.
Eirtaé didn't wait for her queen's command. She hit the door release and burst
inside. The sight that greeted her eyes stopped her cold.
Anakin had Sabé bent back provocatively over a sturdy-looking table, their arms
wrapped around each other, their lips mere inches apart. They both froze, then
simultaneously turned and faced the door.
"Anakin!" Amidala shouted. She quickly pushed back her hood and
stepped forward.
Sabé breathed a deep sigh of relief and pushed Anakin off her with a forceful
shove.
"What wonderful timing," Sabé proclaimed and put as much distance
between herself and the amorous Jedi as she could manage.
Anakin didn't bother to pretend to be surprised. He merely sighed and crossed
his arms over his chest, leaning his hips on the edge of the table.
"Padmé, what a surprise," he said tonelessly.
Amidala looked mortified. Sabé went over to her and threw her arm over her
shoulders and turned her back towards the door.
"Your Highness, before you say or do anything rash, there's something I
need to tell you!" Sabé whispered loudly.
"What... Just what do you think you were doing over there?!" Amidala
whispered back.
"Anakin, will you kindly excuse us," Eirtaé addressed him. "We
really need to speak with Her Majesty in private for a few moments."
Anakin straightened and started for the door. He shouldered his way through
their midst and exited without looking at any of them.
Sabé turned to Amidala. "Your Highness, Anakin brought me in here to
proclaim his love for me... for YOU! I thought he was going to beat a confession
out of me at first, but then he started whispering in my ear and telling me not
to pretend anymore. What could I do? I had to let him think I was you."
Amidala shook her head. "But I'm telling you he knew long before now. You
saw the way he looked when he saw me. He wasn't startled in the least."
Eirtaé sighed heavily. "Regardless, you will need to talk to him now, Your
Majesty. You will need to explain if you want to salvage any of this
evening."
"Salvage my life and future would be more like it," Amidala grumbled.
She gestured at the door. "Please send him back in and you," she
gestured at Sabé, "go back to the dining hall and be the Queen of Naboo.
I'm Padmé for the rest of the night. With or without, Anakin."
Eirtaé and Sabé left. Amidala belatedly tried to hastily comb through her wild
hair with her fingers. She licked her lips and wiped her watering eyes,
then took a deep breath.
She turned around at the sound of the door. Anakin walked in slowly and sat down
without waiting for her to say anything. He refused to look at her and fixed his
eyes on the crackling fire blazing in the cavernous fireplace across the room.
Amidala came towards him.
"I know you knew Sabé was not me when you brought her here. What were you
trying to do... going after her like that?"
Anakin snorted in disdain. "I was trying to get a confession out of
her," he growled. "I wanted answers, damnit! Something to help me
comprehend what could possibly have motivated you to do something like this
tonight. Her loyalty is rather commendable. She wouldn't tell me anything. She
knew I was about to make love to her on that table and yet she still maintained
her role as you, emitting the occasional sigh and moan for good measure. Well,
she was either being loyal to Your Majesty, or treacherous. You'll have to sort
that out with her later."
Amidala looked incensed. She glared at the closed door through which her
handmaiden had exited. She took a deep calming breath. She knew Sabé would
never betray her in that way. Besides, Sabé had a crush on Obi-Wan. She always
had. Amidala turned and faced Anakin again. "And just how far would you
have gone to obtain your confession?"
"To the very end if I had to," he snapped. "I'll have to sharpen
my interrogation skills so I won't have to go so far next time."
Amidala stared hard at him. She wished he would look at her. She wanted to see
the truth in his eyes. "Would you have, really?"
Anakin slowly shook his head. "No. It pains me to think you believe that I
would actually do such a thing."
Amidala swallowed down the lump forming in her throat.
"So when did you realize Sabé was acting as me?" she asked him,
quietly.
Anakin sighed. "Shortly after we arrived at the palace." He kept his
eyes resolutely off of her. He could do this if he didn't look into her eyes. He
could proclaim his indignation and walk out of her life forever. He would never
have to worry about his love destroying her. She would be safe from him. She
would live on, beautiful and free, just like a wild rose. And he would go on
too. He would learn to live without her. He would have to.
Amidala frowned. "Anakin, you knew who I was back in the transport, didn't
you? The way you looked at me. And the way you touched me. You squeezed my
hand."
"No," he persisted, his voice growing softer. "I only squeezed
your hand because you had been kind to me. You showed concern for me. I could
feel something peculiar about you. I sensed the emotions you were projecting. I
didn't understand why. Here I didn't even know your name, but I could feel how
much you seemed to care for me. I didn't sense anything like that from 'the
queen'. I couldn't understand why my best friend hadn't maintained a shred of
affection for me after only four years. But what was even more disturbing was
that I didn't feel anything for her either. Yet I knew I loved you with all my
heart."
Amidala's heart leapt. She placed her hand over it to make sure it was still
beating.
She stood directly in front of him now and Anakin longed to gaze up at her and
drink in her beauty. Her presence called to him like a sirensong. He
turned his eyes on her then and slowly stood up. She was even more beautiful
than he had ever imagined. Her large brown eyes were like pools of warmth and
light, beckoning him to come and drown himself in their depths. When he looked
at her, he still saw the same face he had mistaken for an angel from the moons
of Iego eight years ago. His heart twisted inside him with pain and he steeled
himself against the spell her beauty was casting over him.
"Actually, I really must thank you for what you and your friends have done
tonight. You have made what I'm about to do much easier," Anakin
pronounced.
Amidala looked startled. "What is it that are you about to do?"
Taking a steadying breath, Anakin reached over and pushed Amidala's long hair
from her shoulder. "To tell you that you are no longer my friend and you
will never be my lover." He drew her closer to him and she seemed to melt
in his arms. She gazed up at him, her lips parted invitingly, willing him to
capture her mouth with his, and ready to surrender herself trustingly to him if
he asked. He looked down at her, his resolve weakening with every passing
second. He suddenly released her and stepped back, summoning his dissipating
anger to the forefront of his mind to support his conviction.
"Anakin, don't push me away. I love you too," Amidala stated.
"How strangely you choose to demonstrate that love, my angel," Anakin
replied coldly. "How could you mistreat me like that? I was so confused and
hurt and actually jealous when I believed you had inquired about Obi-Wan. All
this time, I had been hoping-- clinging to my adoration for you as the only
constant in my rather tumultuous existence. If you would have told me you loved
me before... there would have been no end to my happiness. All the dreams I ever
dreamed would have become a reality tonight." Anakin paused and lowered his
eyes again. "I was watching you from across the hall. There you were,
dressed as a handmaiden, but you carried yourself with such stature and poise.
It made me think of Padmé. And then I knew." Anakin struggled to keep from
looking at her again, but he longed to hold her just one more time. She felt so
perfect in his arms and when he looked at her face, everything else around him
dissolved away.
Anakin sighed. He had to do this. He had to be strong. He cleared his mind of
all thoughts and concentrated on his intent. Once he had managed to block his
weakness for her from his mind, he continued.
"Now, if you'll pardon me, I'm very weary of all this. I'm certain your
handmaidens will see you safely to your apartments. I'm going back to the Temple
now. Goodnight... Padmé."
"No, Anakin, wait!" Amidala begged. She grabbed his arm before he got
past her. "I didn't do this tonight to hurt you! I wanted to be Padmé for
you."
Anakin glared at her. "Don't tell me you did this for my benefit, Your
Highness."
"I did! I knew as Padmé I could come and go tonight as I pleased. I knew
we could go off together and... leave the rest of the world behind. I wouldn't
have been able to do that if I was queen!"
Anakin pulled from her grasp. His face was like a storm cloud. "And just
when were you planning to unveil yourself? Certainly not until after I had made
a complete and utter fool of myself."
Amidala shook her head, her long dark hair dancing around her face. "I was
afraid," she told him. "I was trying to spare my feelings. I knew how
I felt towards you, that I was in love, but I couldn't allow myself to
tell you until I knew how you felt about me." She paused and took a deep
breath. "Sabé was supposed to ask you things. About your feelings. I guess
it was wrong of me to expect her to ask you personal things."
Anakin still glowered at Amidala but asked, "When did you know you were in
love with me?"
Amidala smiled sadly. "A few years ago." She reached up tentatively
and touched his face. "But you never said anything in your correspondence
that even hinted at your true feelings. I didn't want to get my hopes up."
"True feelings," Anakin murmured and took her hand in his. He tenderly
kissed her fingertips. "Don't you remember," he whispered. "I
told you I wanted to marry you the day I met you."
Amidala laughed. "Well, you were just ten. You hadn't met a whole lot of
girls then if I recall."
Anakin smiled. "But I knew. Even then, I knew," he informed her.
"There would never be anyone else for me." Anakin reached for her and
she drifted to him, wrapping her arms around him in a tight hug. He hugged her
back, burying his face in her luxurious hair. He couldn't do it. He couldn't let
her go. His love for her was too powerful and he knew his heart was hers.
"Anakin, forgive me! I never, never wanted to hurt you. You must believe
me," Amidala whispered. "I'm nothing but a coward. It was an ignorant
thing to do."
Anakin pulled back from her far enough to look into her eyes. He cradled her
head in his hands and tilted her face up. The light from the fireplace blazed
over her flawless skin turning it an ethereal white. It reminded him again of
his vision and he recalled the bruised white petals of the rose he had crushed.
"I know you didn't mean to hurt me," he sighed. "I can feel the
emotions in your heart. You really are in love with me, aren't you?"
Amidala nodded slowly. "Very much so."
"I'm a coward as well. I had a vision today," Anakin began, his voice
sad and distant. "It was something clearly ominous. It told me my love for
you would only destroy you. You tried to save yourself by not loving me in
return. You purposefully hurt me to try to live, but in the end, I had
overpowered you." Anakin closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "I
was afraid to love you after that. I was afraid to let you love me."
Amidala reached for his hands and lifted them to her face, kissing each one in
turn.
"It was the rose, wasn't it? The rose you picked?"
Anakin nodded. "I shouldn't be so weak. I should go off and leave you for
both our sakes. But I don't think I can now. Not since you told me you loved me
too. Oh, Padmé, I wanted you to love me more than anything I have ever wanted
before. How can I turn away from my heart's dream when I have it finally within
my grasp?"
"Your love was my dream too," Amidala replied. "Don't give in to
your fear, Anakin."
"Fear," Anakin repeated tonelessly. "Fear leads to hate. Hate
leads to suffering." He shook his head and sighed heavily. "It
consumes me sometimes. I should be able to control it by now, but there is so
much for me to be afraid of. Even love."
Amidala leaned into him and held him. "I'm not afraid," she stated.
"You never are," Anakin said and smiled. "You're either the
bravest woman I have ever known or the most foolhardy. You plunge right into
anything regardless of the consequences. You always choose to sort them out
later. I wish I could be like that. Always ready to seize the moment."
Amidala smiled up at him. "Well, one of us has to be sensible. We'll bring
balance to each other. It will be a perfect match." She gestured at the
door and tugged at his hand on her way to the exit. "Come on. We don't have
to stay here. We have all of Coruscant laid out before us tonight. We can go
anywhere. We can do anything."
"Whatever you desire. I am here to escort you, Your Highness," Anakin
said and bowed over her hand. "But first...." He straightened and
dragged her back into his arms. "I've been wanting to do this...
forever." He crossed his arms over her back, supporting her head with his
hands. He bent her back slowly and captured her mouth with his in a devouring
kiss. He felt her pulse race and her breath quicken and kissed her harder,
moving his mouth sensuously over hers, increasing the pressure on her lips until
she was laying back in his arms.
He held her body to him, marveling at her total lack of resistance. She yielded
completely to the power of his love and unlike the rose, she did not
wither and die, she became more alive as he loved her because she loved him too.
-
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