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Topic:
Portrait of a Lady ~ A Padmé Short Story - Completed 5/29
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slow_dawn
Registered:
Apr '06
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Date Posted:
5/21 7:35pm
Subject:
RE: Portrait of a Lady ~ A Padmé Short Story - Updated 5/20
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Nice update. I enjoyed the slight melancholy of this entry. It must be a tough thing to revisit all of those memories knowing that Padme is gone.
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O, Life! That persistent struggle which rises slowly with with the warmth of dawn but fades quickly in the twilight of dusk! The Tragedy of Anakin Skywalker??? The Vig Challenge Board - http://boards.theforce.net/fan_fiction_resource/b10304/28176650/p1
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Gina
Registered:
Jun '03
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Date Posted:
5/29 4:38am
Subject:
RE: Portrait of a Lady ~ A Padmé Short Story - Updated 5/20
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VaderLVR64
Thank you! 
randomangel22
Yes, it does. And long-distance in itself isn't easy, whether you're young or older.
Thanks for reading! 
divapilot
She always struck me as the type of person who was caring, who wanted to help others reach their potential and their goals.
Glad you're enjoying the story! 
nabooqueen2008
Thank you very much! 
slow_dawn
It isn't easy for him. 
Thanks for reading!
Here's the final chapter! Thanks again for reading, everyone.
Part 5: New Beginnings
The casket glides along the waterfront, her still form peaceful and beautiful, as if untouched by time and death. My breath catches in my throat and tears begin to fall from my eyes as I see the rounded mound of her belly. Many of our world whisper of scandal, desiring to taint her memory. But I see only my Padmé, my friend. She was to be a mother. How proud she must have been.
So much hope, such joy…and now it would never be.
Her body approaches its final resting place, and the Holonews broadcast fades to black, only to begin again a few moments later. Her funeral rites have been broadcasting continuously since yesterday's ceremony. Unable to witness anymore, I press a button and the holoscreen is deactivated. I couldn't bring myself to attend the ceremony. I didn't want to remember her this way, in death. To me, she will always be alive, the sun shining behind her as she smiles shyly down at me. She will always be the young woman I drew in her portrait.
Walking across my studio to the wall of windows, I place a piece of blank parchment on my easel and gather my materials. My hand rests poised over the parchment as I first allow my memories to draw the picture.
"It's beautiful. Are you an artist?"
I smile to myself as I begin, my hand steady and sure as I sketch a faint outline. In my mind's eye, I see her as clearly as I did that fateful day, the sun glinting in her hair, and her eyes alive with wonder and possibilities.
"No, I'm not an artist," I answer softly.
"Well, you could be," she says.
Each brushstroke both pains and heals…
I am oblivious to the passing of time and am surprised to find that the sun is setting when I put down my brush at last. The portrait is different somehow from the one I gave her all those years ago. The first was created by a clumsy boy, unsure and raw in his craft. This one was created by a more practiced hand that has been tempered by time and experience. But both were created from love and friendship. I gaze at her portrait, and begin to whisper the traditional Nubian funeral chant as I say goodbye to my queen, my leader. But I offer a silent prayer to the gods to guide her spirit safely home as I say goodbye to my friend.
I feel an arm come to rest upon my shoulder, and I inhale her familiar, comforting scent. It is one of wildflowers after a rainstorm. "She truly was beautiful," Arianna whispers.
Turning to my beloved, I take the tiny bundle from her arms and hold our baby daughter closely. Only ten days' old, she is so new, so tiny. I cannot help but think of Padmé's unborn child, knowing that somewhere there is a father mourning for both his love and his child. It is a grief I cannot begin to fathom, and I send a silent prayer to the gods for this man, as well.
I turn to my Arianna, and I see the fear and worry in her eyes as she looks at our daughter. These are dark days for our planet. And if the murmurings are to be believed, even darker times lay ahead for our entire galaxy.
My daughter coos softly, her dark eyes staring up at me with such wonder and innocence, and I am reminded that with death comes rebirth, new life.
I kiss my wife tenderly on the forehead and whisper reassurances against her skin. For I know we will survive – our people, our planet.
Even now, amidst the countless deaths that have shattered the core of our very Republic, perhaps somewhere, a child has been born who will one day lead our galaxy with the benevolence of our late queen. Or a child with a warrior's heart and a wise man's spirit, a child who will help our Republic rise from the ashes.
"There is hope, my love," I tell her with a smile. And I believe these words.
For with every ending, there comes a new beginning.
The End
~*~
-----signature-----
A long time ago in a house far away, there was a mother who was strong in the ways of the Force.
She "forced" her sons to clean their room, she "forced" her sons to behave.
- Part of a story written by my 9 yr. old sons I found while cleaning their desks
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VaderLVR64
Title: Fan Fic Manager in Combat Boots
Registered:
Feb '04
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Date Posted:
5/29 4:55am
Subject:
RE: Portrait of a Lady ~ A Padmé Short Story - Completed 5/29
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Even now, amidst the countless deaths that have shattered the core of our very Republic, perhaps somewhere, a child has been born who will one day lead our galaxy with the benevolence of our late queen. Or a child with a warrior's heart and a wise man's spirit, a child who will help our Republic rise from the ashes.
"There is hope, my love," I tell her with a smile. And I believe these words.
For with every ending, there comes a new beginning.
Powerful and poignant, you never fail to move me with your writing. 
-----signature-----
If you have to choose between tears and laughter, remember that laughter burns more calories. Army Mom! HOOAH! Adopt a soldier: http://soldiersangels.org/
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divapilot
Registered:
Nov '05
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Date Posted:
5/29 8:08am
Subject:
RE: Portrait of a Lady ~ A Padmé Short Story - Completed 5/29
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So beautiful! What a wonderful tribute. I love this story. (sniff)
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Never tell me the odds. AKL
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nabooqueen2008
Registered:
Jan '08
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Date Posted:
5/29 8:39am
Subject:
RE: Portrait of a Lady ~ A Padmé Short Story - Completed 5/29
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*sniff and sigh* That was so beautiful! So moving....thank you for that! Palo is so often portrayed as a bad guy, but in this one....so sweet! Beautiful...could you let me know if you ever happen to write anything else. I'd love to read it. Thanks!
~nabooqueen~
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Golden_Jedi
Registered:
Jun '05
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Date Posted:
5/29 9:05am
Subject:
RE: Portrait of a Lady ~ A Padmé Short Story - Completed 5/29
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Beautiful story!
-----signature-----
The country is that place where chickens walk around uncooked - Julio Cortázar Unexpected Blossom http://boards.theforce.net/beyond_the_saga/b10477/28693266 Sailing Little Boats http://boards.theforce.net/beyond_the_saga/b10477/28747916
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randomangel22
Registered:
Feb '06
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Date Posted:
5/29 10:54am
Subject:
RE: Portrait of a Lady ~ A Padmé Short Story - Completed 5/29
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Yes, Palo believe that there is hope because one day the Empire will fall. 
Even though in the movies they don't really elaborate on Padme's relationship with Palo, one would think they were quite close at one point in time and after they parted it would've been difficult for Palo to forget the girl who believed in him when no one else did.
Excellent job on a such a heartbreaking yet bittersweet story!
-----signature-----
I think the worst time to have a heart attack is during a game of charades...or a game of fake heart attack. --Demetri Martin
Yeah that would suck now wouldn't it?
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slow_dawn
Registered:
Apr '06
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Date Posted:
5/30 2:13pm
Subject:
RE: Portrait of a Lady ~ A Padmé Short Story - Completed 5/29
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[i]I cannot help but think of Padmé's unborn child, knowing that somewhere there is a father mourning for both his love and his child. It is a grief I cannot begin to fathom, and I send a silent prayer to the gods for this man, as well. [/i
Oooh, great stuff!
I really enjoyed this little story. It was such a sad look into the past!
-----signature-----
O, Life! That persistent struggle which rises slowly with with the warmth of dawn but fades quickly in the twilight of dusk! The Tragedy of Anakin Skywalker??? The Vig Challenge Board - http://boards.theforce.net/fan_fiction_resource/b10304/28176650/p1
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Alley_Skywalker
Registered:
Sep '05
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Date Posted:
7/1 6:19am
Subject:
RE: Portrait of a Lady ~ A Padmé Short Story - Completed 5/29
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Loved it! (Read it in one go, too!)
I love the idea of the Palo/Padme paring. Also the whole sence of a backstory ingrained in the events of canon is really fun to read. Well writen, on top of it all.
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Knight of the Fanfic Order (trained by oqidaun) Master to CodyMonKenobi & mujapple-juicey Facades: http://boards.theforce.net/the_saga/b10476/24152038/p1 "No government has the right to tell its citizens when or whom to love." -- Rita Brown
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skypadme94
Registered:
Oct '07
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Date Posted:
7/2 9:33am
Subject:
RE: Portrait of a Lady ~ A Padmé Short Story - Completed 5/29
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That was sweet... I hope they named the baby Padme' 
-----signature-----
Anakin-"Jedi mind trick?"
Obi-Wan-"If it was, I wasn't aware of preforming it."
Anakin-"Ten drinks will do that to you Master."
Obi-Wan-"Well are you any better off?"
Love Star Wars It's Good for You!!!!!
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Gina
Registered:
Jun '03
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Date Posted:
7/10 1:05pm
Subject:
RE: Portrait of a Lady ~ A Padmé Short Story - Completed 5/29
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Thanks, everyone, for reading. I hope you enjoyed the story.
I'd also like to express my thanks to those who nominated this fic in the Saga Awards. I'm grateful that you thought it deserved your nomination. 
VaderLVR64
And I can say the same about YOUR writing!
divapilot
Thank you very much! I'm glad you liked the story.
nabooqueen2008
I'm guilty of writing Palo as a villain in a few of my fics.  I thought it was time to write him as the good guy for a change, LOL! As for my other fics, I have a few I'm working on. The links are in my bio. Thanks again for reading!
Golden_Jedi
Thank you!
randomangel22
It's funny how Palo is such a minor character, barely mentioned in the films, yet so many of us fanfic writers use him in our stories. LOL! I agree that they probably were close at some point and probably kept up with each other's lives/accomplishments to some extent. Your first love always hold a sentimental spot in your heart.
Glad you enjoyed the story!
slow_dawn
Thank you! When I first wrote this story a year or so ago, it was just a vignette about Palo hearing of Padmé's death and painting a portrait of her in remembrance. But then I realized it was their history, their back story, that needed to be told. LOL!
Thanks for reading!
Alley_Skywalker
Wow! Thank you. I'm glad you liked the fic.
skypadme94
You know, I never even thought about that. LOL! I should have had them name the baby Padmé.  Thanks so much for reading!
-----signature-----
A long time ago in a house far away, there was a mother who was strong in the ways of the Force.
She "forced" her sons to clean their room, she "forced" her sons to behave.
- Part of a story written by my 9 yr. old sons I found while cleaning their desks
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Lisbev
Registered:
May '08
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Date Posted:
7/10 9:20pm
Subject:
RE: Portrait of a Lady ~ A Padmé Short Story - Completed 5/29
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I’m normally not a Palo fan, guess because most stories have him causing trouble for Anakin and Padmé, BUT this was definitely an exception.
Even now, amidst the countless deaths that have shattered the core of our very Republic, perhaps somewhere, a child has been born who will one day lead our galaxy with the benevolence of our late queen. Or a child with a warrior's heart and a wise man's spirit, a child who will help our Republic rise from the ashes.
WOWsers!!! AMAAAZZING!!!!
How ironic that the 3 traits Palo mentioned happened to be perfectly infused into one person. Luke really does embody Padme’s benevolence, Anakin’s warrior heart and Obi-Wan’s wise spirit.
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Gina
Registered:
Jun '03
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Date Posted:
8/25 4:56am
Subject:
RE: Portrait of a Lady ~ A Padmé Short Story - Completed 5/29
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I wanted to thank everyone who voted for this story in the Saga Awards this summer. I'm honored to know you enjoyed the fic.
~Gina
Lisbev
I’m normally not a Palo fan, guess because most stories have him causing trouble for Anakin and Padmé, BUT this was definitely an exception.
LOL! Yes, and my fics with Palo are some of the ones with Palo causing trouble for them.  That's why I decided to write a fic where he wasn't the bad guy.
How ironic that the 3 traits Palo mentioned happened to be perfectly infused into one person. Luke really does embody Padme’s benevolence, Anakin’s warrior heart and Obi-Wan’s wise spirit.
His words were definitely meant to be a reference to the twins.
Thanks for reading the story. I'm glad to know you enjoyed it.
-----signature-----
A long time ago in a house far away, there was a mother who was strong in the ways of the Force.
She "forced" her sons to clean their room, she "forced" her sons to behave.
- Part of a story written by my 9 yr. old sons I found while cleaning their desks
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Lady_Skywalker87
Registered:
Aug '08
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Date Posted:
8/27 9:50am
Subject:
RE: Portrait of a Lady ~ A Padmé Short Story - Completed 5/29
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Lovely story Gina! ...Very moving!...The fan-fics I've read that had Palo in, he is always causing some kind of trouble. It was refreshing to see him a different side of him...great job!!!
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A Jedi's Angel http://boards.theforce.net/a/b10476/29014631/ -"In The Emperor's Shadow" By: Kae-Din
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barriss31
Registered:
Apr '05
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Date Posted:
8/27 9:44pm
Subject:
RE: Portrait of a Lady ~ A Padmé Short Story - Completed 5/29
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Lovely!
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