"I love you ... I know"


Setting : The Queen's private chambers, Theed Palace, Naboo, about 10 years after the Battle of Naboo.


Queen Amidala dismissed Senator Bibble and turned her thoughts away from the unusual peace of the Galactic Senate. The door clicked shut behind the old man. Her torquoise gown, representing her authoritive position for the evening hours, shimmered as she gracefully moved to the open balcony to breathe in the sweet air of Naboo. The Solleu meandered towards the great falls, sparkling amber in the sunset hour. Her hair, loosened to its full length, wafted gently with the breeze. Sabe' stood quietly near the door, her head bowed, ever alert, always ready to advise or protect her Queen. A flock of white birds caught Amidala's eye, and her mind flew with them : she could sense him arriving, making his way through the Palace corridors, his heart beating now in time with hers. A shiver ran down her spine and she smiled. It had been so long since their last visit ... too long.

A chime sounded at the door. Amidala turned to face it, her eyes subconciously flickering a signal to her handmaiden. "Come in, Anakin", she called. The doors gently whooshed open, and a tall man, taller than she, though always a few years her junior, entered. His strong, proud features caught the light, and his sandy hair shone. Even from across the room she felt the power behind his deep blue eyes. He strode to her, and they embraced.

"It is so good to see you again, my angel", he whispered into her hair. "There is no need for one of your tricks this time ! We are here not because you called us on a mission, rather the Council has finally granted me leave to return to Tatooine"

Padme' pulled away, holding Anakin at arm's length. "Tatooine ?!" Her heart suddenly felt icy, her eyes wide with surprise ... and fear ?

"That is correct .... Padme', what's wrong ?"

"I ... I don't know, I just have a bad feeling about this, Ani". She looked down, confused now, not sure of her feelings. A welter of images had suddenly cascaded through her mind, most of them blurred and incomprehensible, some of them ... sharper with familiarity. But before she could express them, her beloved had lifted her and spun her around, the characteristic fire shining once again in his eyes.

He grinned. "Chancellor Palpatine's endorsements for the abolishment of slavery in the Outer-Rim has finally got past its last objections and has been accepted. Masters Windu and Gallia seemed concerned that it should have taken so long ... but no matter - Palpatine himself has requested that any available Jedi be sent out to the Rim with the Senate Representatives to ensure the new edict is carried out in full and there are no ... ah, local objections. Padme' !", he cried out jubilantly, "I can return home and free my mother and Threepio and Kitster, and the rest of the slaves ...!"

Anakin's lightheartedness was infectious. "Oh, Ani, I'm so pleased for you !"

"Padme', my angel, Obi-Wan and I leave in the morning. He indulged me, and granted this side trip to let you know. He let me take the controls and I guided the ship with the Force in record time ! We ... ah ... did have to comatose our dignatories though !!" The excited Jedi dropped his voice in mock conspiracy. "Actually, I think he was glad to return here too, he does confess to enjoying his visits to Naboo !!" he laughed.

Padme' joined in the laughter. A slight blush coloured her cheeks, and she turned her head slightly, but Anakin continued, heedless. "And if there is any trouble ... well, the two of us will silence it !" he patted his new lightsabre, hanging, emitter up, at his hip. "I rebuilt it after that 'accident' on Ord Mandell, no training sabres for me anymore !" The smooth chrome finish of the casing gleamed in the dusky light.

Padme' slipped her hands about his waist. "Ani, be careful".

"I love you", he whispered.

"I know", she smiled. "May the Force be with you !"


-----


Setting : The Queen's private chambers, Naboo Quarters, Coruscant, about 12 years after the Battle of Naboo.


"Ani ! Calm down !" demanded Padme'. With a thunderous face, she stormed past Anakin Skywalker to the window overlooking the Senate Rotunda. Even at this late hour, the skylanes were packed with constantly flowing twinkling riding lights as air buses, taxis, freighters, and transports slipped into their designated traffic routes. The Queen of Naboo sighed, as she made out the heraldic laserlight display of the Organa Crest in the Alderaan Quarter a few blocks away. Anakin was different, now, she could see, and it wasn't just his stubborness. A darker edge hung about him, like a thick velvet cloak.

"Padme' ! There is so much inaction ! No-one seems to care anymore, no-one seems to have the ... the Force to do anything !" Anakin was finally speaking his mind to someone he knew would listen ; Palpatine was right : Obi-Wan, like the others, constantly dismissed him.

"Ever since I ... ever since Master Windu disappeared, the Council has been in disarray ! Ki-Adi-Mundi and Plo Koon never agree, swaying the others to their sides. Even Yoda spends as little time on the Council as he can. Instead, he prefers to meditate in the map room, as if searching out new planets to find a peaceful life for himself !"

He closed the distance between them, stood staring down at the back of her head, her hair gathered into three knots across her shoulders. "We have this power, and we should use it ! Bring order to the corruption that is all around us, bring the local bureaucrats to justice !"

Padme' turned, and gazed into those eyes imploringly. "But, Ani, if the Council feels it right not to intervene ...", she reasoned. "Ani, this anger ..... I held it in when the Council first passed you over for Knighthood, I supported it when you grieved for your mother, and your comrades who fell in the Slaver Wars ..." Anakin's gaze shifted, yet he remained impassioned. Her voice softened, balanced to calm her husband. "How does General Kenobi counsel you ?"

"Obi-Wan ?! Ha!" barked Anakin. "Tell me, 'Angel', how you feel towards the high and mighty General Kenobi ? Palp ... I ... hear it said the two of you are 'close' friends .... What do they mean ? Tell me!"

On no, thought Padme', not that, not now. "I ... I don't know what you mean, Ani. There is noth ..."

"No ! I can see it in your eyes, I can see it in your soul !" he retorted. "My best friend and my ..."

"No, it's not like that ! I hold Obi-Wan in the highest of respect, I ... !"

"Ha !" Anakin shook his head, glaring at his wife. The young Queen stared back in silence, tears forming in the corners of her eyes, searching his eyes, seeking a glimmer of hope. Anakin broke the moment. He wheeled about and made for the door.

"I love you, Anakin !" she called after him.

The Jedi Knight turned to her, his face dark, his icy blue eyes like flint. A mirthless smile twitched at his face. "I know", he snorted. Spinning on his heel, he strode away from her sobs.

I never mentioned the babies, she thought, placing a protective hand over her belly.


----- NR ~ 26 / 1 / 2000