"My Dear Padme"- Anakin's death

I was looking around and stumbled on this. Wonderful work, MARA JADE, EMPEROR'S HAND. The plot's perfectly plausible, and, in the way you wrote him, I can find myself sympathizing with Darth Vader. What has me apprehensive is what will happen to Amidala. Will she give birth to the twins, go on some mission, and get killed? Or did she just lose heart and disappear? I can't wait to see.

 

Will people stop talking about how good this is and start writing more of the story?!?!

 

What can I say MJ, EH, apart from:

"MORE! MORE!

I love it! There really is nothing quite like a good tear-jerker!

 

What can I say MJ, EH, apart from:

"MORE! MORE!"

I love it! There really is nothing quite like a good tear-jerker!

 

As you wish, Jomi and femalejedi...

---------------------------------------------

Alderaan's capital was pitch black as the Queen's ship touched down gracefully on a landing pad just outside the city. Silently, three cloaked figures descended the ramp, dissolving instantly into the shadows. With the dark as their friend, they made their way unseen into the city and to the Capitol Palace of Alderaan.

The feelings of anxious excitement and nervous fear were strong in Padme as she snuck around to the side of the building. She drew her hood further forward, hiding her face in its folds. Cautiously, she tapped on a small wooden panel three times, looking right and left in the darkness and fingering the blaster she concealed in her cloak. If their plans had been discovered...

No; the secret door slid open to reveal not a legion of Imperial troops, but a fourth figure draped in cloaks-- Bail Organa. He beckoned them inside quickly, and Padme stepped into the room with her two companions.

Sabe was the first to remove her hood. She blinked in the sudden light of the room. "We are safe here?" she questioned in an urgent tone. "I cannot allow my queen to venture into danger."

"No danger, my friend," assured Bail quietly.

"You are sure?"

"Had I not been, I would not have summoned you here." He gazed at each of them in turn-- Padme, Sabe, Panaka. "Though, by choosing this path, you must expect danger."

"I'm quite aware of the dangers," put in Padme, sensing Sabe's protectiveness. "I chose to be here; now I'm here." Now she ran her eyes across her comrades. "As did each of you."

"Yes, my queen," murmured Sabe. Panaka cleared his throat in an affirmative. Bail studied them, then nodded. "Come then."

He led them down a series of twisted little passages to a narrow, dark hallway of shiny, almost black wood. Halfway down the hall, he stopped at a door, entered a combination into the lock beside it, and waited for it slide open. Nodding his head, he indicted for Padme and Sabe to enter. Panaka followed, and Bail came last.

Inside were two others. Padme recognized the man as Garm bel Iblis, general and Senator of the Empire... or at least, he had been. The woman was of course Mon Mothma, who Padme knew well and respected immensely.

Garm bel Iblis walked courteously to the queen, taking her hand and touching his lips to it. "Your Highness."

"Senator." She nodded to him, then turned to Mon Mothma, who smiled and bowed her head in acknowledgement.

"You can take off that cloak, dear," said the Chandrila senator in her clipped, crisp voice. "It is a pleasure to see you once again."

Padme slipped out of the hooded garment, hanging it on the ornately carved cloak hanger next to the door, but not before retrieving her firearm and attaching it to her belt. Bel Iblis nodded his approval.

"Got to keep a weapon close at hand here."

Sabe and Panaka had considerably better arsenals. The handmaiden even packed a sleeve holster containing a very small but powerful blaster. They weren't taking any chances.

For there was no turning around now. They had just declared themselves enemies of Palpatine. Their position was not one with which to take chances.

Padme prayed that her blaster would be sufficient protection.

Somehow, she didn't think it would be.

---------------------------------------------

I'd write more, but the curse of my life (alegbra) plagues me yet again. So, until later... May the Force be with you.

--Mara Jade

[This message has been edited by Mara Jade, Emperor's Hand (edited 11-22-1999).]

 

Yeah! This is sooooo good! *BS* I'm happy, now! keep it going, plz! POST!

 

Whee!! I go to MDP to find not one, not two, but three new posts!!!

YAAAY!!

:Mara reads them, then gasps and falls down in a dead faint from their wonderful quality..:

 

Cool, new page. Keep it up!

 

Wouldn't you know it? I'm done with my algebra homework (grr...) and there isn't even school tomorrow. Figures.

But, since that's the case, I can continue the story...

---------------------------------------------

The meeting was long and very tense. The threat of Imperial spies kept communication limited to cryptic sentences and code words, many of which were hard for Padme to follow. Plus, she was very, very scared. Every second was wrought with danger and a fresh awareness that if she was caught she would die. No other possibilities existed. If their group was somehow discovered, each of them would be put to death.

She shivered, feeling closer to the five people around her. Their lives depended on each other, and on fate, or the Force, or maybe both.

By the end of the meeting, Panaka had been commissioned as captain of the Blockade Runner Liberty. Sabe had been put in charge of an elite commando team.

"And what of me?" inquired Padme.

The three Rebel leaders exchanged glances. Padme felt instinctively that there was something she didn't know, but didn't ask what it was.

Bail Organa broke the awkward silence. "Right now," he said slowly, "the most important thing you can do is to wait for your children to be born."

"But I can still perform diplomatic--"

"Don't argue." The tone of Organa's voice made it clear that he expected to be obeyed. So she bit her tongue.

"Anything else we need to know right now?" asked Sabe quietly.

Again, Bail exchanged glaces with Mon Mothma and bel Iblis before answering. "I think that about wraps it up, actually. Be very careful heading back." He didn't need to say more. They all knew what fate awaited them should they be caught.

Senator bel Iblis helped Padme into her cloak, squeezing her shoulder slightly. "Hang in there," he murmured, and Padme wondered if he could see the weight of Anakin's death hanging over her head. She hoped not. The last thing she needed was more sympathy.

"We should go straight to the Embassy," muttered Panaka.

"You two go ahead," said Padme, feeling a strange mental tugging.... "I have something I need to do first." Panaka looked at Sabe, who shrugged.

"Are you sure you'll be safe?"

"One can never be sure," replied Padme. The mental pull was growing stronger... "I'll be okay, don't worry," she told them hastily. "I can take care of myself."

Panaka sighed. "I trust, Your Highness, that as soon as you've concluded your 'business' you'll come directly to the Embassy?"

"Of course, Captain."

"Then... may the Force be with you." He took her hand briefly, then followed Sabe back to the secret entrance.

Padme watched them go, then set off in the direction of the psychic prodding. With each step, she kept her hand near her blaster, ready to pull it out and fire at the first sign of an enemy. The source of the pulling seemed to be very close... and as she rounded a corner, she discovered what it was.

Her hand slipped from the weapon, and she stared, open mouthed, at the figure which stood before her.

"Obi-Wan Kenobi..."

 

I'm baaaaack!!

---------------------------------------------

"Padme." The look on Obi-Wan's face made it clear that he was quite uncomfortable. Good, though Padme. Let him squirm.

She deliberately stared directly at him, boring into his blue eyes with her dark ones. "Well?"

"We... need to talk."

"I'm listening," bit out Padme. The surprise she'd felt upon first seeing him was quite rapidly replaced by a dull, hate-filled anger. She forced herself to be rigid, not to let emotion cloud her thoughts.

"Padme, I..." He faltered, and suddenly Padme could bear no more.

"You killed him," she said flatly. "You killed Anakin." Her chin trembled. "You betrayed him. You betrayed me."

"Padme, please. Let me explain."

"You deserve to die."

Her voice was shaking almost imperceptibly, and she took a step towards him. He made no effort to retreat, even as she stood right before him, trembling with hatred.

"Why?" she breathed, and Obi-Wan could see how hard it was for her to keep herself in check, could see how tightly she clung to composure with bleeding fingernails. He hoped she had a good grip on it.

"I had no choice, Padme. He'd have killed me otherwise. There was no way to turn him back, no possible way of saving him. I did the only thing I could do." He paused, wondering if he should go on, and then added, "I did it to protect you."

She only continued to stare at him, and for a moment Obi-Wan thought she was going to pass out. Then she drew a breath and pulled herself upright. "You had no choice," she repeated, her voice chillingly cold.

Obi-Wan should have seen it coming, but for some reason he didn't.

Her fist smashed hard against his cheek.

The force of the blow snapped his head sideways. Obi-Wan gasped in pain and shock. He hadn't expected that.

Neither had Padme. All the blood left her face, and she sank to the ground. "I can't believe I did that."

"I can't either," replied Obi-Wan dryly, touching his face gingerly. "Did that make you feel better?"

"A little," admitted Padme. It was true; after she'd decked him, a lot of the anger she'd felt had dissipated.

Not that she had forgiven him. It was going to take a lot of time for this wound to heal, and nothing was going to change it overnight.

However, she no longer wanted to rip his head off, either. "I'm sorry," she murmured, getting to her feet. "Are you okay?"

"Oh, I've been worse off," he replied, sounding a little distracted. "I feel sorry for anyone who rubs you the wrong way-- you pack quite a punch."

Padme felt her cheeks redden. "I don't know why I did that."

"You had to get rid of your anger somehow."

"Yeah," murmured Padme, her eyes distant. "I shouldn't have taken it out on you, though."

"We cannot change the past." Kenobi closed his eyes briefly. "Much as we would wish otherwise, the past is gone."

"Yeah," said Padme, a single tear running down her cheek. "I know."

 

Wow!! Awesome (as usual). I loved Padme's release of temper (he he)

Thank you!!!

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! I know what I'm thankful for

 

YEA!! I LOVE THIS STORY!! YOU ARE DOING SO GOOD!! CAN'T WAIT FOR MORE!!

 

That was cool It would have been even funny had she kicked him you know where

 

No no no, that's out of bounds in the fanfic world. At least for Oobi-Doob Scooby Dooby Benoobi.

(Feeling kinda loopy right now. hehe!)

This story's turning out really nice! I'm so proud... <sniffle>

 

I was only kidding I wouldn't want that to happen to my favorite Jedi. Great story..please continue it soon!!!!

 

I'm loving this more than ever! Padmé Naberrie - world featherweight champ!

 

Hey, MJEH,, we're still here. Can you pleease post soon? Pretty please?
uts on puppy dog eyes and begs:

And up...

 

Sorry to keep y'all waiting... I'm still dealing with a cartload of homework and I've got about 24 hours until it's due. But <lifts her chin bravely> I can find the time to post a little more by ignoring my schoolwork for a little while. I mean, which is more important?

I just wanna take the time to thank each and every one of you for reading this. It really does mean a lot to me. You're the best!

And now, our feature presentation...

---------------------------------------------

Obi-Wan stroked Padme's cheek gently. "Don't cry," he murmured, taking her chin in his hands.

Padme looked up into his face, her eyes soft but troubled. When she spoke, her voice was husky. "I know you mean to comfort me, and I appreciate it. Really I do. But--" She turned her eyes away, tears running down her cheeks. "It hurts too much, Obi-Wan."

"I understand completely," said the Jedi softly, taking away his hands. "I'm sorry."

Padme sniffled slightly. "It's okay."

Obi-Wan was silent a moment, then asked, "Do you want to talk about it?"

"I don't really need to talk," said Padme softly, rubbing her eyes like a child. "All I need is time to sort it all out." Her eyes met his again, pleading. "I need to do this myself, Obi-Wan."

She looked so lost, so sad, and all Obi-Wan wanted to do was take her in his arms, comfort her, take away her misery. She doesn't want that, he reminded himself. She wants to do this herself. Let her be strong. It's for the best.

He swallowed. "I understand."

"Good."

There was a brief silence, a restless silence filled with things that wanted to be said but could not. Obi-Wan broke it finally. "Can you forgive me for what happened to Anakin?"

Padme smiled slightly. "I don't blame you for what happened," she said. "I know you had no choice. It will just take a while before I can accept that. In other words--"

"Give it time?" suggested Obi-Wan with the ghost of a grin.

"Exactly," said Padme. She yawned. "It's getting late, and Captain Panaka will be worried about me. I better get going." She turned to leave.

"Wait," said Obi-Wan quietly. Padme turned back to face him again. "Would you allow me to escort you?"

Her face softened considerably. "I'd like that."

 

awww

Okay, Li'l Miss Let's Post At 2:22 AM, I think it's curfew time for you now. Don't make me get Official Fanfic Mother Hen on your hiney...

 

Hey, it wasn't 2:22 in the morning where I am! I live in California!

--Mara Jade

 

Whoohoo!

That was great *sniffles*

Bravo! Encore!

 

Oh yes, this is good. This is so very very good.

 

Aww...

Hey, you're not the only one ignoring homework for fanfic, MJEH! You have a peer! However, since I am not oficially a writer, I have even less of an excuse...yes, I will do my homework soon...I swear...

Keep it up! Yeah! That was a very powerful post...:sniff:

 

Homework- who needs the junk? I wish I could go back in time and prevent it from being invented. However, since I have yet to figure out the secret of time travel, I'm afraid I have to complete thirty algebra problems, read for English, and work on my science report before I can post more story.

But never fear, I'll be back, if not today then certainly tomorrow.



May your day be filled with lots 'n' lotsa smilies!

--Mara Jade

 

Ha! <bitter, sorta paranoid, hardened soldier look> Wait 'till junior year, hon. muhahahaha I just spent the entire Thanksgiving weekend on an AP English paper, and a little Analysis (like algebra but more) and AP Physics. ...and no post...urk...