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FAN ART |
FAN FICTION |
Rush by Love and Rock Music. (TCW) The first half of "Destroy Malevolence," as Anakin and Padmé make their way towards each other. |
P/A SITE
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CALENDAR
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FAN FICTION
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The Heart's Fondest Desire
by MissPadme
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The transport
unloaded its passengers at the village depot. They clambered off carrying bags
of gifts and food, and luggage; the Naboo's most important holiday, Festivus,
began the day after next and the village's scattered sons and daughters were
returning home.
Among them was a young woman dressed in a warm dark emerald-green cloak, her
hood drawn up to conceal her face. In one hand she carried a bagful of wrapped
packages, in the other she held a small suitcase.
She could have taken a speeder directly to her family home but she decided on
this crisp, early winter day to walk there, taking in the sights of the place
where she'd lived out her girlhood.
She came upon the village's main square where an ice rink had been set up and
was already full of people of all ages skimming across the ice. She walked up to
the rink and decided to watch for a while, thinking of perhaps bringing her
nieces here sometime during her holiday sojourn. It had been a long while since
she had the time to go ice skating; simple pleasures often fell by the wayside
for her far too often.
An attractive young couple caught the woman's eye. They seemed to be in their
early 20s, he was tall and dark-haired, she a smaller redhead. But the young
woman could not help but put herself and another man in their places, laughing
as they skated around each other, falling down on occasion and picking each
other back up. They finally skated arm-in-arm, oblivious it seemed to everyone
else around them.
*If Ani were here, I'd show him how to skate; I doubt he learned how on
Tatooine and I don't think it's part of standard Jedi training,* the young
woman mused. She grinned at the prospect of her beloved taking his first
tenative steps on a sheet of slick ice. Knowing Anakin, he'd want to show
right away this was yet another task that would come easily to him but she was
certain he'd end up right on his rear end over and over again. But he at least
had the good humor to laugh at himself; somehow she had the feeling he only
shared that humor with her.
*My poor darling.* Her heart wrapped itself around that place in it where she
kept her husband, as though he could feel that embrace from wherever in the
universe he happened to be. How she dearly wanted him to be there with her, but
it was not possible.
Sighing, the young woman moved on.
She came to the familiar streets leading to the alleyway where her family home
waited. She recalled the last time she walked down these old stones, with Anakin
at her side. It had been spring then.
Padmé Amidala Naberrie-Skywalker stood at the foot of the stairs leading up to
Naberrie home. A cold wind blew down the alleyway, stirring up the dead leaves
shed during the autumn season. It chilled her even through the thermal cloak.
But the wind also carried the familiar smells forever a part of her
memory...right now her mother and probably her sister were baking bread. Her
heart full of emotion, Padmé climbed the stairs and knocked on the door.
The door flew open and there, dressed in an apron dusted with flour and smeared
with stains was her sister Sola. "Padmé!" she gasped. "You came home!"
The sisters embraced tightly, then Sola turned and yelled, "Padmé's here!
She's here, everybody!"
Soon, Padmé was surrounded by her mother, her brother-in-law, her nieces Ryoo
and Pooja, and her father. "I was afraid you wouldn't be able to come,"
Jobal Naberrie said.
"The Senate ended its session on time after all and there are no reported
hostilities on the route here. There was nothing to keep me from missing
Festivus," Padmé said.
"Where's Artoo?" little Ryoo inquired.
Padmé smiled and caressed her niece's round cheek. "I left Artoo on
Coruscant to look after some things," she said. *I couldn't very well bring
him and leave Threepio all alone,* she thought. Anakin had left his protocol
droid in her care while he was gone. And bringing all of the droids with her was
unnecessary. Besides she kept Artoo on the lookout for any communications from
Anakin.
"Well, let's get you settled in," Ruwee Naberrie said, taking Padmé's
bags from her.
"Indeed," Sola said. "We could use some help in the kitchen you know."
"I'll be right there," Padmé said, glad to finally be home.
--------------------------
Padmé should be
happy. She was at home, her true home, for Festivus. The air was crisp and chill
outside and judging by the thick grey clouds she could see through the windows,
there just might be some snowfall. The cozy family home was gaily decorated for
the holiday. The dining table at which she now sat was laden with dishes she'd
loved since childhood. She was surrounded by those closest to her heart: her
mother and father, her sister and her sister's husband, her two darling
nieces. After a sumptous feast, they would go into the main parlor and open
their gifts, then sing holiday songs as they sipped on warm mugs of steamed
cider. Padmé loved Festivus. She was grateful to escape the miasma that had
become the political landscape on Coruscant. She was glad to not think of
squabbling delegates, Separatists, or war. Everything should be perfect, but it
wasn't.
Anakin wasn't with her.
This was the first Festivus since the events of last spring that resulted in a
secret marriage with her Jedi protector. All she could think of was how much
Anakin would have loved being surrounded by warm and loving family, how she
could see him helping to decorate the home, and wrap gifts for the nieces. She
could see the two of them--late at night after everyone had gone to
bed--cuddling in front of the fireplace, wrapped in one of her mother's
hand-knitted blankets. But it was impossible. No one was to know of their
marriage, at least not now. Even if they could openly live as husband and wife,
with the war raging across the galaxy, Anakin was needed along with the rest of
the Jedi to fight for the Republic.
Padmé looked at her surroundings and marvelled at how far away the war seemed.
Everything here was so *normal.* It pained her to think her beloved might be
huddling cold on a bloody battleground while she was here stuffing herself in a
nice warm house. Silently she prayed for the umpteenth time that her Ani was
safe.
"More?"
Her mother's voice and a steaming bowl held in front of her face snapped her
out of her reverie. "Oh, sure, thanks, Mom," Padmé said, spooning a small
portion on her plate.
"That's it?" Jobal Naberrie asked, her eyebrow arched.
"I need to save room for dessert. I'm almost full."
"Better take advantage of your mother's home cooking while you can. I doubt
there's anything like this on Coruscant with all of that reconstituted
stuff," Ruwee Naberrie said.
"Dad, it's not that bad over there," Padmé laughed. "But even the finest
restaurants in the capital don't quite measure up with Mom."
Jobal beamed with pride. "Thank you, dear."
Padmé's sister Sola helped herself to some more roasted shaak before she
casually asked, "So how's your friend?"
Padmé looked up, perplexed. "My friend?"
"Yes, the young man you brought here last spring, the Jedi."
"Oh, Anakin." Padmé could feel heat rising in her cheeks. She put on her
best Queen Amidala mask and hoped nothing she was about to say would give her
away. "I've heard from him occasionally since we parted. He and Master
Kenobi are well, but because of secrecy, they cannot tell me where they are or
what they are doing. I only know if the message comes from the Jedi Temple
itself." *Nothing like the truth to conceal the truth,* she thought.
"He's probably on the front lines with the clonetroopers, isn't he?"
Ruwee said. He shook his head. "It's a shame, such a young man exposed to
the horrors of war."
Sola said with a reassuring glance at her sister, "He's a Jedi, Dad. I'm
sure he is able to take care of himself." She then said to Padmé, "He'll
be all right." Understanding shone in Sola's eyes.
*But what does she understand?* Padmé wondered.
------------------------------
Padmé reclined
on the parlor sofa, her meal sitting heavily in her stomach, making her slightly
drowsy. Night was falling outside and she could swear she was seeing the first
flakes of snow drift by the window. Jobal had lit some candles to mask the
smells of food and Ruwee was starting a blaze in the fireplace. Little Ryoo and
Pooja danced around excitedly, anxious to open their gifts. Padmé looked at her
young nieces with wonderment that once she had been as innocent as they, excited
about simple things like Festivus presents. That seemed so long ago. At age
eight she was helping refugees passing through Naboo. By twelve she was an
apprentice legislator and Princess of Theed. Two years later she was Queen.
*I grew up too fast,* she mused. To serve her people she sacrificed her youth.
It was a worthwhile price to pay but it left her longing for something else in
life.
She found that something else, as imperfect as it was, in Anakin's arms.
Padmé saw her sister Sola and her husband together, happy as they watched their
children pick up wrapped packages and shake them to guess what was inside. Sola
smiled and whispered something in her husband's ear. They both laughed and
then lightly kissed on the lips. It was another poignant reminder of the price
she paid to commit herself to Anakin. She missed him that much more. But she
also chose to draw hope that one day, she and Ani would spend every holiday
season together, watching their own children enjoy it.
Just before she left Coruscant, she'd sent an encoded message to Anakin,
letting him know she was going to be at her parents' house for a few days.
Force only knew when he'd be able to read it. They'd only been able to
rendezvous once since their honeymoon, at her quarters on Coruscant. It was
risky to meet there but they could not stay away from one another, especially
since they had to grasp for every moment of time they could.
It was at last time to open the gifts. The girls received a bounty of things
from their doting parents. They especially loved the educational toys Padmé
found for them. The grateful nieces showered their aunt with wet, sloppy kisses
in gratitude. She then opened her own gifts. Her nieces hand-made a simple yet
colorful little clay vase. Sola and her husband had given her a
beautifully-brocaded velvet shawl. Her parents gave her a fine necklace of gold
and gemstones unique to Naboo. They were all beautiful things, given with love,
and Padmé treasured them. Yet her fondest desire was for something that could
not be put in a box and wrapped.
Jobal brought in steaming mugs of hot cider once everyone had opened all of
their gifts. Padmé sipped at the beverage tasting of Nubian apples and spices,
another taste that brought her back to her childhood. Then her father rose to
his feet and cleared his throat for everyone's attention.
"I'd like to propose a toast," he said. "Here's to a holiday when all
of me and mine are here, alive, safe, and happy. In light of all that has
happened this year, that's all a man could ask for." He held up his mug as
everyone said, "Hear, hear!"
After an evening of song and games, the family retired to bed. Padmé had just
set a blaze in her fireplace to bring more warmth to her bedroom when she heard
a soft knock on the door. She walked over and opened it, finding Sola standing
in the hall. She held a package in her hands and a mischievous smile on her
face. "Can I come in, Padmé? I have something for you, but not to open in
front of everyone," she whispered.
Padmé arched her eyebrow. "Sola, what are you up to?"
"Don't worry, little sister, trust me on this." Padmé let in her sister
and shut the door. Sola handed Padmé the package and the younger woman sat upon
her bed to open it, casting a suspicious eye on her grinning sister.
Padmé lifted off the box top and opened the layers of tissue paper. Inside was a
swath of ivory silk. Padmé lifted the material out of the box and saw that it
was a revealing, form-fitting nightgown. "It's beautiful," Padmé gasped.
"I thought you would like it," Sola beamed. "Ah the days when I could wear
something like that! Enjoy it while you can, my dear."
"Sola," Padmé said reproachfully, then she embraced her sister. "Thank
you."
"You're welcome," Sola laughed, patting Padmé's back. "I'm off to bed
now. See you in the morning."
"Good night, and I love you."
Sola winked and blew a kiss at Padmé before letting herself out of the bedroom.
Padmé undressed and put on the new nightgown. It felt so luxurious and so
sensual on her skin and it accentuated her curves. *If only Ani could see me in
this. He will, the next time we meet.* Padmé then noticed the snow falling in
earnest outside her window. She walked over to the windowsill, leaned on it, and
watched the snow carpet the ground and trees with white. It was an old Nubian
superstition to make a wish upon the first snow, and this was indeed the first
snowfall of the winter. She closed her eyes, made her wish for what it was
worth, then went to bed as firelight danced in shadows on her wall.
----------------------------
*Tap.*
*Tap.*
Padmé blinked slowly out of her sleep. The embers in the fireplace were dying
and from what Padmé could tell by the moonlight streaming into her bedroom, it
was still night. She could've sworn she heard tapping on her window, but, she
mused in her half-asleep state, it might have been just part of a dream. She
drew up the covers on her closer, rolled over to her side, and started to slowly
drift back to sleep.
*Tap.*
*Tap.*
Again, Padmé's eyes opened. The tapping came from her window. At first she
thought it might just be an animal, but then she heard it again. She sat up. It
sounded as though a pebble hit the window. Who or what could be doing such a
thing in the middle of the night?
Wariness naturally took over. Padmé's security guards had been concerned about
her going home alone without any protection. But Padmé didn't want guards
present at a family holiday gathering. She felt it was too intrusive and it
emphasized Padmé's difference from the rest of the family. She just wanted to
be Ruwee and Jobal's daugther, Sola's little sister, a beloved aunt and
sister-in-law, not the former Queen Amidala or Senator Padmé Amidala. Captain
Typho had begged Padmé to reconsider, even requested that Padmé bring Dormé
along as a compromise. But Padmé wouldn't budge; besides, Dormé had family of
her own she hadn't seen in a long time. She insisted that her loyal handmaiden
go to her own home.
Padmé knew she should have listened; the Trade Federation and their allies in
the Separatist movement wanted her dead. If she didn't have to worry about
their agents, she had to worry as well about a substantial bounty on her head.
It wouldn't have taken much effort to find the Naberrie family home. Yes, she
was more than capable of taking care of herself. But now she realized she had
also put her family in danger.
*Tap.*
She opened a bedside drawer and took out her chrome-plated laser pistol. She
glanced at the chronometer as she did so...0230. No one would be out wandering
around on a cold night after Festivus. She crept up to the window, staying below
the line of sight of the glass. She rolled over to the right of the window and
slowly rose to her feet. Peering out the window but careful not to show herself,
Padmé's heart leaped at the sight of a tall humanoid figure outside, below her
window. The figure picked up something off the ground and threw it at the
window. A pebble bounced off the glass with another "tap." Someone had
tracked her here! Taking a deep breath to calm herself, Padmé quickly formulated
a plan. She would count to five, open the window, and open fire on the target.
She clicked the setting to "stun." Once she got him, she would immediately
contact the authorities.
*One...two...three...four* With one motion, Padmé whirled, threw open her
window, aimed her blaster at the target below, and fired. Two stun bolts flew
through the crisp cold air but the assassin cartwheeled away with incredible
speed, leaving the bolts to harmlessly impact on the snow. "Padmé! Wait!"
The young woman froze. She knew that voice...
"Ani?" she called out, praying no one in the house could hear.
"Padmé!" Now under the moonlight could she see her beloved, apparently
relieved she finally recognized him.
"What are you doing here?" Padmé said, whispering just loud enough for
Anakin to her.
"I'm on leave from my last mission," he whispered back. "Artoo relayed
me a message enroute and I decided to stop on by."
"Come in," she said. "It's freezing out there." She shivered in her
thin nightgown.
"Back away from the window," he said, taking a few steps back himself. The
next thing Padmé knew, her Ani had leapt through the window into the bedroom. He
turned and closed it as Padmé ran up to him.
"Ani," she sighed, holding him tightly to her, "tell me this isn't a
dream."
"I have to tell myself the same thing," he said, resting his cheek on the
top of her head. He tightened his embrace around her and Padmé could tell he was
struggling to hold back tears. Moisture welled up in her eyes.
Anakin looked down at his wife's nightgown. "Is this one of your gifts?"
he asked, fingering the silk.
"Yes," Padmé said, "it's from my sister."
He smiled for a moment. "She has good taste." Then he looked wistful as he
said, "I'm sorry I don't have anything to give you."
"No," Padmé said, looking up into Anakin's eyes. "You've brought me
the only thing I truly wanted." Moved, Anakin gently cupped Padmé's chin and
their lips met. They held each other as their deep, passionate kisses brought
warmth to their chilled bodies.
******
Early the next morning, Sola lightly rapped on Padmé's door. Not hearing an
answer, she pried open the door and saw her sister curled comfortably in bed,
fast asleep, in the arms of a familiar young man. At first she blinked her eyes
with disbelief. Then she realized all of her suspicions and hunches were true.
Grinning, Sola quietly shut the door. She'd have to make breakfast on her own
then... and think of a way to help cover for the presence of Padmé's Jedi
friend.
The End.
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