Mustafar

Part III

Naboo – Padmé’s Lake Retreat: 2 months later

Setting aside the search for the comlink, Anakin rushed through the resort and dashed into the bedroom where Padmé lay in labor. Her breathing had become heavier and her face registered shock for some unknown reason. Anakin didn’t know if she was hurt or in pain or both. Suddenly his dream vividly sprang into his mind and the terror he felt of losing her.

“Padmé! Tell me what to do! Please, I don’t want to lose you!” he blurted out in anguish as he ran to her bedside.

“What?” Padmé dazedly asked. “Oh, no, it’s…nothing like that.” She took a few breaths to calm herself. “My water broke. I don’t know how long it’ll be before the baby is born!”

 

It would seem to be one revelation after another for the Jedi and his head was reeling. All his ears would translate was ‘baby’ and his loss of what to do next. Arianna had insisted on his active participation of birthing classes, but now his mind was a fog and all those instructions were blurred.

“Ohhh, this one is painful,” Padmé uttered through clenched teeth.

“Another contraction?” Anakin asked in amazement.

Padmé grimaced. “Yes. How soon before the midwife is here?”

“She didn’t say. She’s on her way though.”

“What about Mom and Sola?” she pressed.

Anakin reached up and stroked his beard as his old mentor, Obi-Wan, had done so many times in the past. “I, uh, haven’t reached them yet,” he admitted, averting his wife’s gaze. 

“Then will you please go contact them?” Padmé retorted, slightly agitated.

Anakin could tell by the tone of her voice that he had better move and get the others to the resort – soon! “I’ll be back, Angel. Just lie back and relax.”

“If I didn’t look like a huge bubble and my back didn’t ache, I probably would be able to,” she snapped. Almost instantly, her voice changed back to one of sweetness as she admitted, “I’m afraid, Ani.”

Anakin took hold of her hand, brought it to his lips and then reverently kissed it. “Once I reach Mom and Sola, I won’t leave your side again. I promise.”

Padmé watched as her husband quickly left the bedroom and continued to stare at the doorway nostalgically. She thought back to when they had come home to Naboo and the inner healing that had been taking place since. “He’s come so far,” she quietly said. “But our baby, born healthy and strong, will be the proof he needs to continue.”

************************************************************

As part of his restitution, Anakin willingly volunteered in the small towns nearby, and had since shortly after they arrived back on Naboo. Whether it was simple gardening, construction of some kind or anything mechanical, he made himself available to help wherever he was needed. He even volunteered a few times at one of the child care facilities while parents went off to work. Although, each time he left at the end of the day he was completely exhausted and his head ached. In his mind, he applauded the women who worked at those facilities every day and wondered how they remained sane.

As far as anyone was concerned, ‘Kitster’, the pseudonym Anakin had given himself and a reminder of a dear friend from his past, was just a nice man willing to help out. Each time they tried to pay him for his services, ‘Kitster’ would politely refuse. They ultimately realized that no amount of money they offered would be accepted and finally gave up trying.

Whatever task he could assist with, he did. Some days he came home absolutely worn out, but it served as a reminder of the road ahead.

However, Anakin had been careful not to draw attention to who he truly was in case the news made its way back to the Emperor. He wore his long hair pulled back into a tight ponytail and no Jedi clothing of any kind. Instead, it had been hidden away inside a trunk in their bedroom chamber. Sola, Padmé’s sister, furnished clothes for him and, thankfully, his full beard and moustache completed his disguise. He never used his Force abilities among the people and as a result had come home with several bruises and cuts on more than one occasion. Padmé had ended up teasing him about how clumsy he truly was.

No one ever knew he was the ‘Hero without Fear’. Everyone thought Anakin Skywalker was dead.

However, the truth would reveal itself when it was ready.

************************************************************

“Hello Anakin,” Jobal graciously greeted her son-in-law via the holo-transmitter.

“Hello Jobal,” Anakin replied with a bright smile.

Jobal tilted her head slightly to the side and a very apparent glint gleamed in her eyes. “Is it time?”

Anakin simply nodded his head.

Jobal’s face lit up from the happy news. “I’ll contact Sola and we’ll be there soon. Oh, and Anakin, a word of warning from past experience…”

“Yes?” Anakin was somewhat confused.

“Padmé may have…mood shifts. This being her first pregnancy, it’s possible that she’ll be elated but frightened at the same time. Comfort and calm her the best you can.”

Anakin chuckled as he brushed aside a lock of hair. “I think I’ve already seen these ‘mood shifts’.”

Jobal smirked. “We’ll see you both soon.”

No sooner had the transmission ended and Anakin shouted, “3PO, R2!”

************************************************************

Feeling more relieved that help was on the way, Anakin informed both C-3PO and R2D2 about what was transpiring. Of course, the golden droid was beside himself in excitement and R2 beeped and twirled his elation.

“3PO, bring Padmé some cool water and ice – separately,” Anakin stated even as he searched his mind for the midwife’s other instructions.

“Of course, Master Anakin!”

“R2,” Anakin smiled at the astromech droid. “I need you to monitor Padmé. If she’s in distress, whistle loudly.”

R2 beeped in response.

“Where will you be, Master Anakin?” 3PO inquired.

“Searching for the midwife’s comlink. I don’t suppose you know where it is?”

“I haven’t seen it, but should I find it, I’ll inform you immediately.”

Anakin patted the droid he’d built so many years ago on the shoulder. “Thanks, 3PO.”

 

After leaving the droids to their tasks, Anakin sought out the comlink Arianna had mentioned. Walking from room to room, he was about to pass by the nursery when he felt a pull that beckoned him inside.

 

Anakin marveled at the nursery Padmé had so lovingly furnished. The pastel yellow walls shimmered with pictures of birds and animals and overhead, the painted ceiling boasted a blue sky beneath fluffy white clouds. Suspended from the ceiling hung a sheer white curtain that draped protectively around the crib Sola had given them. Padmé herself had slept in that crib, as had her sister and her children, and now their child would as well.

“Looks like we’ll need another crib,” Anakin softly said to himself.

“You finally know about the twins?” a voice asked.

Anakin recognized the voice and glanced over to his left only to see his mentor’s ghostly image. “I’m not surprised you knew,” he replied.

“The Living Force would have told you – had you wanted to know.”

The Jedi smiled and shook his head. “Padmé wouldn’t allow it.”

“Your children are a blessing and you’ll soon learn just how much. All you’ve learned and re-learned has brought you to this crucial point.”

Anakin looked confused. “Crucial, Master?”

“Remember the Jedi Temple. What happened?”

The Jedi paused for a moment as his thumb and index finger rested on his furry chin. “The – young-lings?”

Qui-Gon slowly nodded. “If Darth Vader were ever set free, would he kill your children?”

Anakin’s eyes bulged and he took a step back to steady himself. “No, that part of me is gone! Vader is dust! He will never harm my children!” he adamantly retorted.

“So sure are you? Vader stormed through the Jedi Temple, striking down anyone in his path.”

“He no longer controls my thoughts or actions,” Anakin proudly stated. “You, Padmé, and the people here have taught me so much in these last few months.”

“Yes, your progress has been impressive.”

Anakin bowed his head. “Thank you, Master.”

“And what if the Force made you give up your children?”  the ghostly form prodded.

The unexpected question left Anakin shocked and speechless and he looked around in confusion. “No…no, I can’t,” he finally said as his stomach began a series of wrenching twists, his heartbeat pounded in his ears, and he began to tremble. “No! Why are you asking me this?” he demanded in a broken voice.

“To reciprocate for your crimes,”  Qui-Gon calmly countered.

Anakin’s jaw dropped open. “That’s…not…possible! Please, Master Jinn, no!” he pleaded as he sank to his knees, his arms nothing more than loose appendages at his side unwilling to break his fall. His head dropped to his heaving chest and he said nothing as his mind raced of what was happening and what to do. And then suddenly he softly said, “If anyone is to be sacrificed, it will be me.”

“You would take their place in the Living Force?” the composed Jedi Master asked.

Anakin nodded in accession.

Qui-Gon appeared to be mulling over the offer and remained silent for several minutes. Anakin’s head was still lowered when the apparition ultimately spoke. “You must destroy the Emperor.”

Anakin slowly raised his head and his face displayed his uncertainty. “Master – I already know I must defeat the Emperor. I don’t understand what that has to do with my children.”

Qui-Gon floated closer to his pupil and then said, “The balance must be restored. The Emperor must be defeated and one just as powerful must also be sacrificed to even out the shift of power. This task is going to challenge you, much like the Jedi Trials would. Be warned of anger, jealousy, and corruption. The Emperor is not as willing as you to forego his prize. Should Darth Vader emerge, all is lost.”

“He can’t corrupt me again,” Anakin protested.

“You are not invincible, young one.” The Jedi Master stared hard at his apprentice. “Justice will be served.”

Anakin wanted to ask more questions but the Jedi Master had already begun to fade away and then disappeared.

“A life for a life,” he somberly said and then walked out of the nursery.

************************************************************

Part IV