A/N: All characters are property of George Lucas.
Flash back – 14 years ago
“Ani there you are,” A small brown haired girl approached a small blond haired boy, who was sitting in the shelter of his home, out of the hot Tatooine sun.
She said, “I’ve been looking everywhere for you. Mom finally let me out.”
“I’ve been sitting here for almost half an hour waiting for you’ he teased. The young girl poked her tongue out in an act of defiance.
“Do you know what is special about tomorrow?” She asked expectedly.
The boy nodded. “Yes, it’s your birthday…and I’ve brought your present here with me.” He handed the girl the small gift.
“What is it?” She questioned him. He just gives her a mysterious smile. She quickly discards the wrapper and looks at it in amazement.
“I carved it my self, it’s a japer necklace.” He smiles proudly.
‘It’s beautiful.’ The girl exclaimed as she placed it over her head. She leaned over and kissed his cheek.
“Thank you.” He blushes and stared at her.
“What is it?” She questioned
He stated, out of the blue, “One day I’m going to marry you. That I promise”
“I can’t wait,” She laughed, as she fingers the pendent.
(End of flashback)
(Padme’s POV)
I suddenly snap back to the present, still holding the japer necklace given to me by Anakin. It has helped me through many of my troubled times; such as, my mother’s death, my father becoming Emperor and now having an arranged marriage to Darth Vader. He is my arch enemy. That man has no heart, he is nothing but evil! Not only is he my father’s second in command, he kills everyone that defies him. In addition, I realize I have never seen him without his armour. He is probably hideous, an uncivilized being.Again, I stroke the pendent gently, placing it underneath my top. I do not want to lose it. It is my only reminder of the happiest times I had as a child. My mind travels back to Anakin, the boy I met fourteen years ago. What is he like? Is he more handsome than he was as a boy? What kind of man is he? Would he know that I’ve changed my name from Padme to Amidala? How I wish he was here to rescue me!
My attention is raised by the doors to my bedroom hissing open. I look up to see my older sister, Sabe entering. With an ugly scowl marring her face, she rushes to the refresher.
I walk over to the refresher door concerned. “What is wrong, Sabe?”
“It’s none of your damn business,” She screams through the door. The door of the refresher opens and she is standing before me, tears rushing down her face.
“Why do you get everything?” She sobs.
“What are you talking about?” I ask puzzled, concern etched in my face.
She steps forward and screams, “You know what I’m talking about.”
“Sabe, what are you talking about?” I ask, now extremely confused.
“You know what I’m talking about. Quit playing dumb.” She screeches before turning to the door. I stare at her dumbfounded. What is going on?
“You will pay for this Amidala.” She stares at me with venom before turning and leaving the room.
I stand still as I realize my sister despises me. What for? I have no idea, but now I have created myself another adversary.
(Sabe’s POV)
How could she do this to me? I thought she knew me. I thought she knew that I love Darth Vader.I run as fast as I can to my bedroom. Entering it, I collapse on the bed and burst into tears. Three years ago, Darth Vader joined my father. Since I first laid my eyes on him I have loved him, even with the armour.
Now I have lost my only chance to be with him. I have lost him to my sister. She does not even like him! It’s a wasted relationship!
An evil thought enters my mind. I will try anything to break their arranged marriage. I remember the last words I spoke to my sister and grin.
“Watch out Amidala, I’m going to break off your engagement and you will regret that you ever stepped foot on my territory.” I smile as a million plans twirl through my mind.
I leave the grey of my bedroom behind and walk to my father’s throne room (on the death star). The storm troopers guarding my father announce my presence to him.
“Let her in,” I hear him command. I’m escorted into the room. Looking around, I notice Darth Vader standing near my father, nodding his head as my father spoke. I observe my father end the conversation with the nod of his head, but Darth Vader stands at his side.
“Sabe, what is it you want? More money, clothes, servants?” He looks at me alarmed.
“No father,” I speak.
I stare up at him into his brown eyes. “I want an audience with you alone.’” He looks surprise, for I had never asked for that before.
All the storm troopers leave, apart from Darth Vader. I gape at Vader. “I want you to leave too; this is between my father and I.” Darth Vader gazes at my father as if seeking permission to leave.
“You may leave my young apprentice.”
“Very well, master” He leaves us behind and my father turns to me.
“Now daughter, what is it you want that requires everyone to leave?”
‘It’s about Amidala and Vader.’ I take a deep breath before launching into my explanation, before exploding, “Why is it that Amidala should marry Vader? Why not me? You know how I feel father! Also she is younger than him. It should be me, we are the right age!”
He wipes away sweat from his brow and replies, “I know how you feel about Vader, I could sense it. However if you did marry Darth Vader, your emotions would have gotten in the way. Therefore you would not be able to be a good sith, a strong sith.”
“Still, why her?” I demand, “Why not someone else?”
“Who better than the daughter of the Emperor, and she does not have feelings for him.” He answers.
Feeling frustrated that I have received no better reply, I exit the room.
(Darth Vader’s POV)
I leave the room as the Emperor commands me. My last conversation with him puzzles me; marriage, marriage to his youngest daughter. She is a beauty unlike her sister; however, there are greater benefits to being married to the Emperor’s most beautiful daughter. No man will ever own her beauty apart from me.Leaving the throne room I decide to go and catch some sleep before my night duties. I walk silently through the corridor, my feet stomping against the metal floor.
I enter my bedroom; it is not too far from the daughters’ bedrooms or the Emperor’s. It’s rather bare, only a few personal items decorate my room. It contains nothing from my past life, those memories are too painful.
I remove my amour and the black helmet that covers my face. I take a deep breath in and shake my long blond hair loose. Free from the constraints of my armour I head to the refresher.
After a quick shower, I climb into my bed. Settling down, I prepare to sleep, but sleep does not come easily. A memory enters my mind from my past life as Anakin Skywalker.
The memory of me giving a young girl a present haunts me. I remember the promise of marriage I gave to her, and the hand carved necklace.
I try to remember her name as I fall back down into a deep uneasy sleep. Her image lingers in my mind as I sleep uneasily.
(Padme’ POV)I close my eyes and allow memories to sweep me away….I slouch on the hot sand, waiting for Ani to come along. Watto should have let him out by now. I squint at the twin suns above me. The air is dry and humid. I breathe in and exhale the air from my lungs. Where is he? A small young boy lingers in the background. I laugh and shout, “Ani! There you are!”He sniggers, but doesn’t come near me. He runs into the crowd. I giggle with delight. “Wait for me!” I run through the crowd, and lose sight of my best friend. Laughing wildly, I try to find him. I see his blond hair dance in the wind and leap around another corner. Scampering to the corner I jump on him. He squeals in surprise. We fall to the ground and instead of seeing a boy, I see a young man. He smiles at me, “I’ve missed you Padme.” I hold him close and weep. “I miss you so much Ani!”
“I wish you were here too.” He whispers.
“Anakin, you promised me, we’d be together! Why have you abandoned me?” I weep into his chest.
He brushes my hair back and says, “I wish…I’m not who I was back then, Padme.”
“What-do you mean?” I stammer.
He chokes and stammers, “I can’t- stay…”
“Anakin! NO!”
(Vader’s POV)
I sit up quickly, panting. What was that? Padme’… The girl I played with as a child… Her name is Padme….To Be Continued.
Read the next chapter here.
