Thread: Star Wars:  The Dying of the Light (TheCorsair, Miss Melly)

So this is how liberty dies... With thunderous applause. Those words, her own words, were the only thing she could remember. Perhaps, she did not want to remember what transgressed afterward. It had all been a blur, truthfully. There were certainly bright moments in Padme's life, but they had all been wiped as she foolishly attempted to reconnect herself to the man she hoped she could trust. Obi-Wan had told her so many things. Too many things. Slowly, these dark memories surfaced into the mind of her poor sufferings. There would only be more to come. All she had to do was... Wake up. A voice? Strange. It sounded familiar, but too faint to make out a definite match. And soon, she could see the little black dots before eyelids slowly opened. Padme focused on her breathing first this was an important step. Next, she remembered her duty that had now surpassed being a Queen, then a senator the baby. Hand to her belly, she clasped there. Warmth. Life. Nothing had happened. It was either motherly instinct, perhaps the Force -- Anakin had mentioned this once, with that sly grin -- but her baby was moving. Perhaps a little slower than usual. She felt weak, but not undone. Never. She could hear the soft beeping, low, of R2 in concern. Anakin, she whispered, her voice still lovely and calm like little chiming bells, but hoarse. She sat up very slowly, trying to stable herself. R2 began to pace the room as if nervous. One of his circuits was connected to a drip, giving Padme the fluids she had needed. Touching her face, she reached behind her neck. All stiff. It was amazing what pregnancy could to do her. Anakin had said something about her 'glowing,' but she felt rather gross. Her head hurt, and as she swung her feet around, C-3PO nearly fell over, startled she had awoken. Miss Padme! He exclaimed, though his droid voice kept him monotone. Still, there was an emotional concern there. Where... where is Obi-Wan, he was just here, they... they were here, she could feel the tears ready to well up in her eyes. Never had she cried so much. Why? Why had she cried. You must be strong for what is to come, senator. Who's there?! Padme called. The voice, again, was calling her from a corner. Or... or something. But this was the ship, there couldn't have been any one else. C-3PO stared at her before turning. I shall retrieve Master Skywalker, he commented and hurried his way out. R2 rolled back then bumped into the bedside next to Padme. It's alright, she padded his rounded top and it seemed to offer some comfort. It's all going to be alright. She had been reassuring the droid, but perhaps the words needed to reassure her own self. Then, footsteps. Quickly, coming at her very quickly. She tensed, and as if she'd hit a brick wall stacked with the knowledge previously, she gripped her head. At that very moment, everything flooded back to her. Anakin and Obi-Wan had been fighting. They were arguing, something about betrayal... what had happened. Her breathing became heavy as Anakin, her one and only Ani, swept in and immediately came to her side. He never failed to do so, trying so hard to keep his emotions in check in public. He gripped her hands, quite hard, and suddenly, she remembered this grip. This strange grip that would hold her around the neck, choking the very life out of her. Eyes wide, she drew away from his touch. Stay away, she called with what bravery she had left. Where is Obi-Wan? It seemed Padme, at least to Anakin in his state of mind, did not care for his tears. Ani, where is he!? She demanded, her voice growing. She looked down to find not two baby blue eyes amidst his smoked face, but rather, yellow orbs. Piercing. Dangerous. What have you done, Anakin?! If Anakin had tried to hold her hands, or kiss her, she had turned from all of it. She had feared this man, this path, that she could not follow. He had tried to kill her, hadn't he? Ah. And so she is alive. See, Vader? Not all dreams, come true, a voice called and Padme tensed, her frightened figure began to tremble. There he was. Supreme Chancellor Palpatine. No. This was no longer a man she thought she had known. She had her suspicions from day one, and as they began to build, she attempted to meddle in his affairs, striking delegations to try and weaken his power. He had changed. There was no longer the quick, coy smile of an aging man, but rather, a Sith Lord who commented an Empire. His Empire. A smile formed on his wrinkled skin as he attempted to come near Padme. Surely, his new, young apprentice would oblige. I am so glad to see the Senator safe. May I take your hand? If only for a moment. There was a strange attempt behind this and when he reached for it, she immediately flinched in his grip. Let go! She demanded, stumbling and almost falling off the bed in attempt to pull back. Padme was not unknown to the idea of putting herself at risk. In fact, she had done it multiple times during the Clone Wars to Anakin's horror and slight amusement. Now, the game had changed and she feared she could trust no one. Palpatine was living proof of this and she looked in horror at the man she once called husband. The fear in her beautiful eyes and trembling in her hands. Anakin, please !