Saga Birth Rite - AU/AR Padmé, Anakin, Obi-Wan, Yoda, Palpatine. *Author's Note* 7/21

Title: Birth Rite
Author: Daenarrah
Time Frame: RotS
Genre: AU/AR that will loosely follow RotS story line.
Summary: Being pregnant is supposed to be a wondrous thing for Padmé Amidala Skywalker, it's not supposed to put her life in jeopardy. (new summary)
A/N: I got the idea for this fic from a small sketch in the Art of RotS book. It's a small image down in a corner of Padmé huddled over in pain with Yoda standing before her with his arm stretched out and hand open to her. The image stuck with me and this came about.

I'd like to thank leia_naberrie for helping me brainstorm for this. Her input is very helpful and valuable and I look forward to brainstorming with her some more as I write this.

I have an outline for this but it keeps changing so I'll just have to see what happens. As for updates? I'll try and update every week but my kids will be done with school next Thursday and we have a busy summer ahead of us.

I have a PM list

VA_Parky
KELIA
Jade_Max
Valairy_Scot
Star_Angel
VaderLVR64
ehopepower
Across_The_Stars-24
FitJedi
leia_naberrie
Padlei
G__Anakin
merijune
Jazz_Skywalker
randomangel22
Venus_Star2-com
JediNemesis
penpadme
rocketscientist
AnakinsFavorite
DarthVaderette
LVB
Kyana-Morgaine
satanat_solo
laura_az
DarthSilious
Darth_Drachonus
Lady_JediSkywalker
timerift22

Let me know if you want to be added or removed.

Okay, now.

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Birth Rite



The pain had been tolerable the last few days. Enough so that Padmé had been able to hide her discomfort from Ellé and Moteé rather well. Both of her handmaidens knew she had been dealing with mild bouts of morning sickness for the past two standard weeks but said nothing when she made her way to the Senate Building each day. Pregnant or not Padmé wasn?t about to let it keep her from performing her senatorial duties. Nor was she going to let it draw suspicion to her, which long unexplained absences or dismissals could do.


So it came as a surprise to Ellé and Moteé and both had found it odd that Padmé had left the Senate sessions early the past three days. Padmé assured them it was nothing to worry about. She told them she was overworking herself to defeat the latest set of addendums being put forth and being in her first trimester of her pregnancy, she was tiring herself out. Her handmaidens seemed to believe her because after a long nap each day she was refreshed and ready to continue with her work. They never questioned her further but they did reprimand and remind her daily about the doctor?s orders: plenty of rest and no overexertion. Padmé merely nodded each time telling both women she was being careful.

So, the pain had been tolerable, but today it was quickly becoming unbearable. It started out like all the other times: a small flutter in her lower abdomen, that grew into a pulsing ache and then extended out to engulf her entire torso - front and back. The pulse had a rhythm that kept time with her heart beat. Every time she breathed the pressure exerted on her diaphragm from the tightness of her dresses magnified the ache to the point where she had to take shallow breaths to keep the pain from getting worse.

She found no comfort in her breathing exercises today, however, and she closed her eyes tight. Her teeth were clenched together and her jaw was so rigid she felt it twitch the littlest bit. She was grateful her head was bowed, seemingly glancing down at the datapad she held in her hands; no one could see the anguish that was etched deep on her face. She wanted to cry out in pain when she felt the pulsing ache quite literally ripple and roil through her abdomen in an almost violent fashion, then cascade out to engulf her. She told herself she couldn?t.

It would be her turn to speak in a few moments and she wasn?t about to let her voice go unheard after spending the past several days preparing her speech. Sitting in her pod in the Senate

 

Oh, interesting indeed. I'd like to see where this goes.

All were immediately at his side trying to help him. Obi-Wan called out to him trying to find out what was wrong but Anakin never heard him. Curled up in a fetal position and willing the pain to go away, his mind was elsewhere. It focused on only one thing: Padmé. Something was wrong, terribly wrong.


Dear me.

 

Oh, wow, this was wow, so chilling yet so god, please keep going and add me tot the pm list cuz I can hardly wait to see what will happen next.

 

It's here! It's here! *Happy dance* Ahem...

Oh, Daenarrah, what a beautiful, heartpounding start you have here! You grabbed me from the very first paragraph and never let go. I am absolutely beside myself to see what happens next.

Your description of Padme's pain was so vivid - I mean, it was making my own stomach hurt for crying out loud!! And Anakin at the end... Awwww.... Those two just give me the warm fuzzies even in the face of disaster!

I'm glad Yoda is somewhat clued in. The imagery you gave us with his meditation discoveries was truly breathtaking. Awesome, awesome work.

Needless to say, I am anxiously awaiting your next post!

 

Incredible! Please add me to the PM list!

Somewhere on a planet whose name was of no importance, Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker tossed and turned in his sleep. His hair and clothes drenched with sweat clung to his face and body and he murmured and moaned, whimpering in pain in the dead of night. Suddenly he awoke, falling off of his cot to the cold hard floor below. Clutching his stomach he cried out in agony and roused Obi-Wan and several of the ARC troopers from their sleep.

All were immediately at his side trying to help him. Obi-Wan called out to him trying to find out what was wrong but Anakin never heard him. Curled up in a fetal position and willing the pain to go away, his mind was elsewhere. It focused on only one thing: Padmé. Something was wrong, terribly wrong.

Uh oh, this isn't good!

Looking forward to more

 

Whoa, that was intense!

Poor Padme, it seems as if she is in for a very rough pregnancy.

I'm impressed Yoda is able to sense the disturbance in the Force considering how successful Palpatine has been in blinding the Jedi.

Wonderful start, I'm eagerly looking forward to more

 

Ooooooooo poor padme.... Man the twins are really strong... Plz add me to your pm list I wanna follow this

 

Valairy_Scot: I added you to the PM list, if you don't mind.

Poor Anakin has no idea either what's going on.

Thanks for reading.


Star_Angel: I'm glad you like it so far. I hope you'll like where I take it. You're on the list. Thanks for reading.


VA_Parky: I love reading your reviews! Your comments always encourage me to keep going.

I was hoping the first paragraph would grab you. (I rewrote it about 5 times ) And I wanted people to feel Padmé's pain. I took what I remember from labor, which never leaves your memory, and applied it to this with a twist.

Anakin and Padmé can make any situation warm fuzzy no matter how bad it is. I don't know if that's necessarily a good thing though.

I'm relieved to hear about Yoda's meditation. That was another scene I rewrote several times trying to get it right. I wanted to show the connection he has with the Force.

Thanks for reading. Next post is in the works.


VaderLVR64: Thank you, Kim. You've been added to the list.

All I can say now is Anakin's not going to like what he experiences.


KELIA: Yes, Padmé's in for a rough pregnancy. I kinda wish this would have been in the movie. But since it wasn't I can explore it here.

Well, Yoda senses something but he doesn't know what it is yet. He's still struggling.

Thanks for reading.


anakinsangelover: Two strong force-sensitives for the price of one here. I agree, poor Padmé.

Thanks for reading, and you've been added to the PM list.

 

What a start to this piece of writing. I am toally hooked and gearded to read your story. I think you did a very good job explaining what was going on to everyone and with a excellent sense of drama. Please put me on your PM list also! Thanks!

 

Very interesting. Can't wait for more. Yoda & Anakin can feel Padme's pain. Can you put me on the pm list. Thanks.

 

Oh very interesting indeed- please add me to the pm list. I'm hooked.

 

So you've started it? Excellent! I like what you've written so far. You struck the right balance between graphic and offensive with your description of Padme's pain. And the way you connected Anakin to her suffering was surreal. I'm looking forward to reading more. Please put me on the PM list for this one.

 

ehopepower: Thank you. I'm glad you like how everything starts. I wanted to try and get that balance between everything and not give away too much. Thanks for reading and you've been added to the list.


Across_The_Stars-24: They can feel her pain but they don't know yet what's going on. And poor Anakin is the only one right now who knows it Padmé. You've been added to the list. I'm glad this caught your interest. Thanks for reading.


FitJedi: Glad you like it so far. Thanks. And you're on the list.



leia_naberrie: Yep, I started it. I'm glad you like what I have. The ideas we put back and forth to each other helped. I really wanted to find that right balance with everything from Padmé and her pain to Yoda and the Force to Anakin and his own pain. I almost didn't add in his pain experience but I figured start off with it as well. But it won't be an immediate connection to what's happening. More like what he went through there.

You're on the list.

 

This fic really looks interesting... I agree with the other posts, I really felt Padmé's pain. And Anakin felt it...

I can't wait to see what you'll do with this plot bunny.

 

Chilling and beautiful all at the same time.

Wow, your descriptions just... blow me away... bravo! Thanks for the PM! I've really been looking forward to this and.. well... like it's been said before the imagry here is so vivid it's almost like the pain is your own... *shivers*

Bravo! I look forward to more!

 

Padlei: Thank you. I was hoping to make the reader feel what Padmé was going through. And things are only going to get worse before they get better. The same for Anakin too. And he's not going to know what to do.

I hope you don't mind, I put you on the PM list.


Jade_Max: Thank you, Jade. I had hoped to make it worth the wait when I was working on the opening chapter. I swear I rewrote the danged thing so many times.

One thing I like to do is have the reader experience the story with the characters but I always worry that I may go overboard. So knowing that you and so many like what I have is very reassuring to me as a writer.



Chapter 2 is about three-fourths done or so. I should have it up, hopefully, in a few days. Thanks so much to everyone who's reading.

 

I like this!

Can I be on the PM list?

 

G__Anakin: I'm glad you like it so far. You've been added to the list.
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Here's chapter 2. I got it done sooner than I expected.

Jar Jar has two lines here and they'll most likely be his last. Trying to get his speech pattern down was not fun. I'm sure I screwed it up somewhere. If I have in any way please tell me so I can fix it.

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Padmé had been brought to the Coruscant Med Center under the protection of Palpatine?s Red Guard. He had insisted they escort her, guaranteeing she get there in a swift and timely manner. That definitely was what was needed with the present and dire condition Padmé was in. There could be no stalling. Every moment of hesitation could mean a greater risk to her health. Especially when no one knew what could possibly be wrong with the senator from Naboo. Upon arrival she had been rushed into emergency where the medical droid that had treated her since her first days as a senator was waiting.

Over an hour had passed and there had been no word on how she was doing.

Ellé and Moteé had been in with Padmé the entire time but so far neither had stepped out to inform the waiting and worried supporters on how she was faring. The most they could do was wonder about what was going on back in the room Padmé had been placed in.

Senators Mon Mothma and Bail Organa and Representative Jar Jar Binks all took turns sitting or pacing in the waiting room to hear anything on their stricken colleague. The Chancellor had contacted Bail twice himself to find out if there was any word. The frustration was evident on his face when both times Bail told him no.

?You will notify me as soon as you find out anything,? Palpatine requested both times. ?I?m so incredibly worried about Senator Amidala. I couldn?t bear it to find out there was something seriously wrong,? he added after the second time. ?I consider her a good friend and colleague.?

Bail assured the Chancellor he would then went back to waiting.

Not long after Ellé emerged from the Emergency ward. She was immediately greeted by the two worried senators and one representative.

?What can you tell us?? Mon Mothma was the first to speak.

?Her droid gave her something for the pain and Milady is resting now,? is all she said, her words deliberately vague.

?That?s it? That?s all you can tell us?? Bail asked sounding perturbed. He gave the handmaiden a look telling her he wanted more information but Ellé stood unfazed. She hadn?t spent the last two years in loyal service to Senator Amidala to try and be intimidated now by the senator of Alderaan.

?Milady hasn?t been feeling well the past several days,? she added further, hoping to appease Padmé?s colleagues who had been vigilantly waiting to hear word on her. ?Her droid believes she?s been fighting some kind of virus. And with the way she?s been working to defeat the latest round of addendums she?s worn herself out. To put it simply, she?s suffering from illness and exhaustion.?

?But how do you explain the horrible pain she was in?? Mon Mothma asked. ?She couldn?t move and she certainly wasn?t able to stand.?

?Daresa gotta be moy moy den dat,? Jar Jar added after being silent for so long.

?I agree,? Bail interjected. ?What we witnessed today has to be more than just a case of illness and exhaustion.

?Where?s her medical droid? I?d like to talk to it.?

Thinking quick on her feet, because she knew Padmé didn?t want the droid talking to anyone; the true reason for Padmé?s collapse couldn?t be revealed - yet it was one not even her droid was sure about. Ellé informed them, ?Her droid is?unavailable right now, which is why I was sent to talk to you. Milady will be staying in the center overnight for observation and some tests will be run tomorrow to make sure nothing has been missed.?

It was true, Padmé would be staying overnight - to make sure the baby was all right - but there wouldn?t be any tests run the next day. Those had already been performed and the d

 

Stupid Palpy, why dose he always have to put his big behind in everybody else?s lives.

Well, this was an amazing update and now I cannot wait to see what is going to happen next and what did happen to Padmé? Please update soon and thanks for the pm.

 

*runs into thread and accidentally knocks it over* Whoops. *Sets it upright* Ah, there we go.

WHEEEEEEEEEE!! An update! Oh, I was so excited when I received your PM! I raced right over to see how our favorite Senator was faring. I'm glad to see that she's relaxing comfortably - and that her handmaidens have everything under control. She is so lucky to have them on her side.

Unfortunately, my relief melted away quickly when I saw Palpatine enter the picture. That grubby little ##$^@!!! Why can't he leave our favorite couple alone? Ah, well - what would the fan fiction world be without angst!

I have to make one teeny confession. When I saw your Author's Note about Jar Jar, I thought he was going to be hit by a speeder or something. "These two sentences will be his last..." Hee! Kinda ominous there, Daenarrah!

Great job! You have quite a story going on here - and I'm loving it!

 

Uh oh, things aren't looking very good!

?Senator Amidala is hiding something,? Palpatine decided after much thought. ?Her handmaiden?s behavior suggests as much.?

Turning away from the viewport he went back to his desk and sat down. Steepling his fingers, he thought about things further. ?Senator Amidala is hiding something, but what could it possibly be??

His thoughts then took a turn towards an idea that sounded completely absurd at first but considering all he knew and all he had done, he had to wonder. ?Could it have something to do with the disturbance I felt in the Force right before she collapsed??

Palpatine...BOO!

Looking forward to more!

 

Hmmm.... The scheeming by Padmé and her handmaidens to keep it secret - the reactions of everyone involved... this could have been something straight out of the movies *evil grin*

Palpatine is so in character too - I love it

Hmm, so Padmé's going to try and keep the fact that she's in pain from Anakin, eh? I can't see that working after he experienced it himself... and where's our little green muppet? I can't wait to see where you take this, there are -so- many possibilities!

 

Good Post!

Can't wait to see where this is going!

Thanks for the PM!

 

Oh my, unexplained pain that many feel. Not good, not good at all.

I think you got Jar Jar down just fine. A little dose of him seems quite funny, actually.

thanks for the PM

 

Uh oh Palpatine is suspicious - that is definitely not good. The last thing Padme needs is him poking around in her business.

Wonderful update