Chapter
IV – Through strength lies courage
The twins blossomed and grew quickly as all children do
and Anakin developed a new appreciation for his mother as
he watched the twins thrive. The sleepless nights, endless
feedings and food fights [in which he was not a voluntary
participant, despite his wife’s claims to the contrary]
were long gone. Well, except for an occasional altercation
that just happened to involve food. However, the constant
chatter of the twins replaced their previous experiences
and it proved to be yet another challenge. Luke was the
quieter one, whereas Leia was voluble and once she got
going it tended to send her parent’s to the brink of
their sanity. Padmé continued to remind her husband that
children were naturally curious and questions were
inevitable. To his dismay, Anakin discovered that nothing
was sacred with children – if they didn’t know, they
asked.
“Daddy?” Leia began, her face scrunched up as if she
were concentrating real hard on something.
“Yes, Princess?” Anakin answered, picking up toys that
for some reason couldn’t be put away properly.
“Why do boys stand up to go potty but girls have to sit
down?”
“Wh-at?” Anakin stood up, suddenly dropping the toys
in his arms. Confusion graced his handsome face.
“I asked –” Leia started.
Anakin stopped her, utterly flabbergasted by her question.
“Um, well Princess, you see,” the Jedi’s face
exhibited the dilemma of such an audacious question as he
ran a hand through his hair, trying to be delicate yet
truthful, “boys have different parts than girls…so
they can do that and-and girls can’t.” He found
himself stumbling over his words.
“Oh. Okay.” Leia chirped and went off to play.
Standing next to the couch, Anakin let himself fall onto
it then sank his head into his hands. Sighing he mumbled,
“Kids,” and groaned.
Obi-Wan was a constant visitor and the new parents
couldn’t have been more grateful. Invariably, they had
the droids, C3PO and R2D2, to help with the children and
household chores but the visits from Obi-Wan Kenobi were
special to the twins – Luke in particular. His godfather
made it a point to be fair-minded when affection was given
the twins but there was a connection, a bond between
Obi-wan and Luke that had formed shortly after his birth.
It was not something that could be explained – but felt
– and it only continued to solidify as time went on.
Obi-Wan turned back the years as he played with the
children, reverting back to the days of his youth where
stress was minimal and Luke and Leia adored him beyond
measure. Padmé often found it disconcerting that her dear
friend would never have children of his own. She knew that
although Anakin had directly disobeyed the Jedi
Directives, Obi-Wan could not. His solitary life had begun
shortly after his birth, whereas, at a very tender age,
Anakin was thrust into a life he found difficult to adapt
to. Padmé knew that the only reason her husband had not
been cast out of the Jedi Order was due to circumstance.
Jedi were dying in the war against the Empire, as well as
from the hands of Count Dooku or worse – the Sith Lord
himself. As much as Master Yoda felt Anakin should be
punished and removed from the Order, he silently admitted
to himself that Anakin was an asset, Chosen One or not.
Undoubtedly, the twins made up for that omission for the
Jedi Master. He was their Uncle ‘Ben’, simply because
they found it difficult to pronounce his real name.
Obi-Wan didn’t seem to mind, he thought of it as an
endearment to two of the people he most cherished.
“Uncle Ben, Uncle Ben! When are we gonna fight again?”
Luke shrieked as he ran toward the Jedi Master as he
entered their home.
“Me too, me too!” Leia joined in.
Obi-Wan scooped them up into his arms, at the age of five
they were still small enough to fit on each side of him.
“We’ll have to ask your parents, where are they?”
“Mommy’s in the kitchen, making something awful!”
Leia chirped and made a funny face.
“Why do you say that, Princess?”
“’Cause it smells bad!” She answered and gave him a
strange look for asking such a ridiculous question.
“Oh, I see.” The Jedi raised his eyebrows, wrinkling
his forehead. “What about Daddy?”
“He had to go see the funny green man.”
“Leia,” Luke hit his sister in the arm, “don’t
talk like that about Yoda. Mommy’s gonna put you in the
corner!”
Leia stuck out her tongue at her brother.
“All right you two, don’t get me into trouble with
your mother, she’ll think I’m telling you bad things
if she hears us.” Obi-Wan put the precious imps on the
floor. “Now, run along and play, NICE!”
The pair dashed off and before long crashing and banging
resonated from one of the bedrooms. The Jedi shook his
head and walked to the kitchen.
Padmé was frowning at the pot on the stove when Obi-Wan
appeared.
“What are you cooking?” He asked, giving her a quick
hug. Leia had been right, it did smell awful but the Jedi
wasn’t about to voice that opinion out loud.
Padmé sighed, “Nothing…anymore. I was trying a new
recipe but failed miserably.”
“When is Anakin due back?”
Grabbing the pot, Padmé dumped its contents into the
trash. “Soon, I hope. Are you sure it’s okay that you
watch the twins tonight? The older they get, the more
difficult a time 3PO has with them. I actually believe
that R2’s beeps and whistles are meant as laughter
toward the poor droid.” A smile crept across her lips.
“Anakin and I just need some time alone. I will warn you
though, they were very excited about you coming over so
keep those Jedi senses attuned, you may need it!” She
chuckled at the thought of Obi-Wan getting tackled – and
not for the first time – by her rambunctious children.
“Perhaps I should teach them more lightsaber
techniques?”
Padmé threw the towel she used to wipe her hands at the
Jedi, “If you do, then you can raise them! They’ve
broken enough already!”
“Ah, yes, they seem to have inherited your husband’s
control and temper.” He laughed.
“Ahem.” Came the sound from the doorway.
“I sensed you long before you came in my old Padawan,
where’s your sense of humor?” Obi-Wan turned around
and saw a distinct smirk on Anakin’s face.
The young Jedi ignored him and turned to his wife, “Are
you ready, love?”
“Yes.” She sounded frazzled, “I was trying to make
something for everyone to eat but, well, I don’t know
what you’ll feed the children now…”
“Don’t worry,” Obi-Wan laughed, “Go, enjoy
yourselves. We’ll manage…somehow.”
************************************
Six years of living in the dense jungle-like surroundings
of Dagobah no longer concerned Padmé. In contrast, Naboo
offered everything Dagobah didn’t, except for safe
haven. Her home planet had suffered attacks, yet the
damage was repairable and the Nubian people forged ahead,
determined to live their lives as they had always done –
in peace. Yet, Padmé longed to return to her native
planet. The picturesque waterfalls, green, rolling hills,
the people – her family especially. Even as these
thoughts disheartened her, Padmé realized that home was
where Anakin and their children were and she found herself
quite content in that knowledge. In addition, something
mysterious swathed the planet – as if it were virtually
shielded by the Force itself.
Despite the continual concerns of the ongoing threat of
the Empire, thus far Dagobah remained untouched by enemy
forces.
“What did Yoda want to talk to you about?” Padmé
asked, her light blue gown billowing out from the light
breeze, as she walked arm in arm with her husband through
a cluster of trees, carefully skirting the muddy path
along the way.
Anakin took a deep breath and closed his eyes as they
walked. The Jedi Masters news hadn’t surprised him,
although it was upsetting nevertheless. He dreaded telling
his wife but she had a right to know and he wasn’t about
to start keeping things from her.
“Chan-Emperor Palpatine is still hunting us. He’s
raised the bounty and we may not even be safe here much
longer.”
“D-does he know of the twins?” The apprehension in her
voice rang clear.
At this question, relief swept over Anakin’s face.
“No. As far as our spies have found out he has no
knowledge of them. If he did,” Anakin shuddered, “I
don’t even want to think about it.”
“Surely you don’t think he would hurt them? They’re
children and no threat to him!”
Anakin slowly shook his head from side to side, “On the
contrary, yes, they are.” Their walk took them to a
remote area that became a favorite of the couple long ago
and one that remained secret from others. “They are the
children of the ‘Chosen One’ and the Force is very
strong in them. So many Jedi lost these past few
years…” Anakin’s thoughts tumbled from his lips.
“I’ve stalled too long… Masters Obi-Wan and Yoda,
along with myself, will need to begin training them. Teach
them how to shield their thoughts and presence from
others…and fight…”
Padmé gasped in spite of herself. She knew, in her heart,
that her husband spoke truly. The time had come to fully
acknowledge the strength of the Force that flowed through
their children. “You’re holding something back, what
is it?” Padmé stopped and turned toward her adoring
husband. She reached up and lightly stroked his cheek.
“Beloved, tell me.” Padmé knew her Jedi husband
better than he knew himself – his vulnerabilities, his
strengths and his abundance of compassion. He wouldn’t
hesitate to give his life for his family and would prefer
to protect them from the horrors of the universe than let
them witness it firsthand. She knew him deep into the
depths of his being – the soul that had conjoined with
her own.
Anakin relished in his wife’s touch as it sent a
thousand electric currents throughout his body. He looked
into her eyes, those sensual brown eyes that captivated
and held him. He contemplated how he had become so
deserving of her love and found no answer. Deep within his
heart, he knew he could never love another more profoundly
than the woman before him and the children they had given
life too. Smiling, he brushed his lips to hers, reveling
in the sensations such a tender kiss inspired. “I love
you.” He stated simply from the core of his heart.
Padmé lovingly smiled at his endearment and knew whatever
he held back in telling her, couldn’t be good news.
“As I love you my darling.”
Anakin stood unmoving, losing himself in her presence; her
face…her eyes…her full lips…and her glorious scent.
He fervently wished that his tidings could have been
happier. It numbed him inside to think his words could
hurt her but he wanted her to learn this information from
him – no one else. “The Emperor, Palpatine…”
Padmé looked confused, “Yes?”
“He…” The vile words brought a foul taste to the
Jedi’s mouth, nearly making him gag. “is…the
Master Sith.”
Padmé’s hand covered her mouth but her eyes – those
expressive chocolate eyes belied her innocence. “I-I
know – I didn’t want to…I never wanted to
believe…Oh, how could he? All this time…”
Anakin stopped and hugged his wife. “You knew all along,
didn’t you?” He asked, placing his forehead against
her own.
“I suspected, especially after you were almost choked to
death and then the events that followed.”
He pressed her closer to his chest, she was trembling in
spite of the warm air. “My angel, you have more insight
than the Jedi Council! But you are correct, back on
Coruscant that was him trying to kill me for discovering
him. Although at the time I didn’t really know who or
what did that to me. I should have though, I should have
pieced the puzzle together. To think he still wants me to
be at his side…yet the bounty remains.”
“Anakin,” she began softly, “what is past cannot be
undone, but the present can always be changed as well as
the future.” Padmé shook her head, her long tresses
tumbling around her shoulders. “After all this time, I
too find it incredulous that he still wants to corrupt
you!”
“He’s a man without mercy or conscious – or soul for
that matter. I’m sure he surmises that you are a main
leader in the opposition and that in itself makes him
incensed. The only thing he wants me for is the power of
the Force I have.” Anakin gazed lovingly at his wife,
“Such power, if turned to the dark side, would be
catastrophic for the Alliance. I fell once my beloved”
he gently traced her cheek with a finger, “and you were
there to guide me. You have continually been my light and
kept the darkness inside me disciplined.”
“But Anakin, you give me too much credit! It is you
who have learned to control your feelings and your
anger.”
The Jedi Knight shook his head. “No, my love, you put me
on the right path. I was as reckless as Obi-Wan kept
saying but the Council just kept telling him to have more
patience with me. They ignored the danger I was slowly
becoming, that is, until I saw you again after a decade.
Oh, if only you knew how much I ached for you all those
years. Wishing, dreaming of you being with me. Even then
you were a beacon of light that assuaged me as you still
do.”
Her eyes were moist as Padmé took hold of her husband and
kissed him with such longing and passion that it almost
overwhelmed her. Her love for this man, her Jedi Knight,
so complete and unconditional, it frightened her
sometimes. If she ever lost him… No, she thought,
I don’t even want to consider such a possibility.
They took comfort in each other’s embrace and simply
rested on one another for a few minutes in silence – for
words were not necessary.
Anakin continued as they reluctantly parted and began
walking arm in arm again. “Do you realize that only you
and my mother have loved me as I am, faults and
transgressions together? Do you see why you have been such
a treasure to me? Before you came back into my life, I was
ripe for the dark side!” Agitation resounded from his
voice. “I wanted power and prestige and all that came
with it! I wanted to show the Council that I wasn’t just
some uncontrolled boy who they had unwillingly allowed
into their order! I had no one to love and after leaving
my mother behind on that wretched planet I felt lost and
afraid…and terribly alone.” Anakin took a deep breath
and sighed.
“We’ve never talked about this. Well, very little
actually. You’ve been holding this inside all this time?
Why didn’t you ever talk to Ben, I mean, Obi-Wan?”
Padmé corrected herself, she had been hearing her
children refer to the Jedi Master as Ben for too long.
“Or me?”
“I wasn’t comfortable enough then. I thought I would
get kicked out of the order. Besides, Obi-Wan and I never
seemed to agree on much. He tried to help me but when it
came to emotions – my intense emotions – he didn’t
know how to react because his own were tucked so far
inside him. He followed the Council explicitly, doing
exactly as they instructed him, never wavering. I-I wanted
to be a Jedi more than anything and didn’t want to risk
it for my inability to master myself. I was very lonely
and scared Padmé…and confused… Until you came back
into my life.” Anakin paused for a moment. “I-I
guess…maybe I was afraid…to talk about it with you. My
love for you encompasses the universe.” His voice
lowered to a near whisper. “I didn’t want to risk
losing you.”
“Oh, Ani, I’m so sorry.” She buried her head into
his shoulder. “You will never lose me, I love you
and no one or nothing will change that. When you love
someone – you love every aspect of them, not certain
parts.”
He pulled away enough to look into her glittering eyes.
“You were able to tame me when no one else could.” He
said huskily, a lopsided smile on his face. “One look or
word from you and I would melt. I once told you I would do
anything that you asked and I would and did. You had
control over everything I did, even if you weren’t even
aware of it. I loved you and worshipped you, as I do
still.”
“Anakin, you shouldn’t put so much faith into one
person, it can lead to disappointment and failure. If I
were to die, this moment, what would become of you? Would
you turn to the dark side, forsaking our children? Or if
we didn’t have children yet would you do it?”
“You could never disappoint me, angel. We are one mind,
one soul.”
“Answer the question Jedi Knight!” Padmé stopped and
stood firm.
Her husband looked deeply into her eyes and answered with
utter sincerity, “During the Clone War I witnessed
carnage of unbelievable proportions, I felt grief and
sadness and desolation. I wanted it to end, all the death
and destruction. The loss of so many…” Anakin slowly
shook his head as he remembered. “Through it all, my
mind always found your light, your spirit and when it did
it gave me hope – a sense of purpose. Back on Coruscant
before the war, before all this and the war we are
embroiled in now,” he made a sweeping gesture with his
hand, “yes, if something had happened to you I could
have easily gone to the dark side. I was still in the
throes of learning what patience could bring me in
addition to undying love and acceptance. Now,” he took
hold of his wife’s hands, amazed at the strength they
held, “I know I am stronger. The dark side no longer
beckons and makes demands of me. I would be devastated if
anything ever happened to you but our children would bring
me out of my despair. My life would never again be
complete, but with them I could manage.”
Padmé persisted. The stern look in her eyes gave him no
option to evade the question. “And if they were gone as
well?”
Anakin raised an eyebrow to his wife. Was she testing
him? Did she know something he didn’t? “Why do you
ask such questions?”
Padmé closed her eyes and breathed in, her chest
expanding before returning to normal. A small sigh escaped
her lips before she opened her eyes and stared at the man
before her. “I have to know that with or without your
family, you will go on. That fear and hatred will not
ensnare your soul. I would weep forever in the afterlife
if you ever became that.”
The tenderness and love shining in her beautiful brown
eyes produced a lump in Anakin’s throat and he found it
difficult to swallow. Slowly, he descended onto one knee
and clasped her hands within his own. “I promise you,
Padmé Naberrie Amidala Skywalker, I will never leave you
or our children for the dark side be you alive or dead.”
“Such a noble man you are, my dear Jedi.” She smiled.
“All for you, my wife, all for you.”
Padmé took a deep breath, her cheeks flushed slightly
from embarrassment. “Oh, get up and kiss me!”
Anakin was only too happy to oblige.
************************************
“You’re certain?” The Jedi asked over the holo-emitter.
“Yes, Obi-Wan, correct this information is.”
Obi-Wan sighed, “Understood Master, Obi-Wan Kenobi
out.” He shut down the holo-emitter and pondered the
news. Emperor Palpatine was the Sith Lord. We have to
find a weakness in him, a way to destroy him before he
completely annihilates the galaxy. He thought back to
the time on Coruscant, shortly before they escaped and
what Padmé and Anakin had experienced. Of course,
Anakin discovers him through meditation and is nearly
killed. And he makes sure he’s granted all the
Senate’s power for the Clone War then once it’s over
he refuses to lay down the power and crowns himself an
Emperor! How could we have been so blind? But Obi-Wan
knew the answer. Yoda had said it himself, ‘the dark
side clouds everything’ and the Council had been
duped right under their noses. Perhaps Yoda had been
right when he said that the Jedi had grown arrogant. After
all, there hadn’t been a war in centuries and now I see
that the Jedi have grown complacent and arrogant. And now
we are paying for such folly, he realized bitterly. Maybe
this conflict is what we needed to get our heads out of
the clouds and back down where we belong and maybe other
things need changing as well…
************************************
It was the wee hours of the morning before Padmé and
Anakin quietly entered their home, stepping cautiously
across the floor. Not an easy task when you have toys
littering the floor and an over-indulgent uncle who
doesn’t make sure things are cleaned up afterward.
“Ow!” Padmé whispered as her foot found a rather
sharp edged toy.
Anakin scooped his wife up into his arms and nuzzled her
ear. “Better Mrs. Skywalker?” he purred.
“Mmmm, much better, my Jedi Protector.” Padmé cooed
as she draped her arms around his neck.
Grinning, Anakin decided to forego adventuring through the
landmine of children’s toys and connected with the
Force. A sense of peace swept over the couple as the
mystical energy enveloped them in its serene folds. Padmé
felt like a bird; light, airy and uninhibited – it felt
glorious. Little did she realize that her wondrous husband
was doing just that, floating them just above the wreckage
covering the floor and into their room. He set her down
inside their bedroom and began removing his clothing,
readying himself for sleep.
“I was just feeling so heavenly.” Padmé said
dreamily, wrapping her arms around herself.
Anakin yawned and stretched, “That was the Force, angel.
It can feel so wonderful that you don’t want to let go
sometimes.”
“To feel so…” Padmé struggled for the right word.
“Free.” Anakin answered for her. “Yes, and it’s
difficult to let go. Sometimes I want to stay in its
embrace forever but then I see your beautiful face and it
reminds me to come home.”
“Here, let me help you.” Padmé could see how
exhausted her husband was and helped him undress. He
barely managed to get his sleeping pants on when he
collapsed onto the bed, a sly grin across his face and
fell asleep.
Padmé snickered at her husband’s playful smile and
sighed. She leaned over and whispered into his ear, “How
I adore you my love.” Slipping out of her clothing and
into a nightgown, Padmé laid down beside her Jedi,
curling her arms around his waist and drifting into a
peaceful slumber.
************************************
“Daddy, Daddy! Wake up!” Luke was bouncing happily on
the bed.
Anakin groaned and tried to turn away from his energetic
son but Luke wouldn’t have it.
“C’mon Daddy! We have ta go lizard hunting! You prooomised!”
Luke whined.
Anakin knew there was no way out of this one and a promise
was a promise. He reached over to grab his wife but found
her side of the bed cold. She must have gotten up a
while ago, he mused then suddenly turned and grabbed
his son, dragging the boy down onto the bed and covering
him with his chest.
“Say it!” Teased Anakin.
“NOOOO! Get off meeeeee!” Luke vehemently protested.
Anakin began the next phase of torture – tickling.
Luke giggled and pounded his small fists on his father’s
back. “Let me gooooo.”
“Not until you say it.”
“Daaaaaaddyyyyyy. I can’t breathe!”
Anakin loosed his grip but didn’t let go. “You can too
or you wouldn’t be screaming.”
“No fair, you’re bigger than me!”
“Ah, my son, a wise piece of advice. Now, say it!”
Anakin began his tickling frenzy again.
Luke was practically out of breath, “Ok, ok, I GIVE!”
Anakin smiled and let his son get up. No sooner had he
moved and Luke sprang up and jumped on his father’s
back. “Mommy’s making pancakes, ya want some?”
“Mmmm, mommy makes the best ones,” Anakin licked his
lips, “let’s go.” Kicking off what covers remained
on him, Anakin stood up with Luke still clinging to his
back and ran into the kitchen.
After putting Luke down, Anakin strode over to his wife
and wrapped his arms around her, nuzzling her neck.
“Thanks for letting me sleep, angel.”
Padmé flipped the pancakes then turned to greet her
husband. “You were so tired,” she flung her arms
around his neck and kissed him, “I didn’t have the
heart to wake you and Leia was already whispering in my
ear about pancakes.”
“You’re such a softie!”
Padmé slapped her spatula against Anakin’s derriere,
“I’ll show you who’s a softie!” Padmé turned and
gathered a stack of pancakes onto a plate then thrust them
at her husband. “Here,” she smiled, “your family is
starving.”
“Hurry up, man! I haven’t got all day.” Obi-Wan
chastised impatiently in spite of his mischievous grin.
Almost as if she knew what he was thinking Padmé simply
said, “Don’t even think of doing it Jedi Skywalker!”
Anakin immediately turned red. Instead of levitating the
pancakes over to his Master and dumping them on his head,
he placed them on the table, casting his friend a
good-natured sneer at the same time. Of course, the kids
immediately began grabbing at the food and putting them on
their plates, eager to devour the scrumptious victuals.
Anakin sat down and managed to get a few before the plate
was empty.
Obi-Wan was snickering, “She knows you better than you
know yourself!”
“Shut-up Obi-Wan!” Anakin rebuked and ate his
breakfast.
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