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The Padawan Learner

By: Holly Richardson(Jades) Jedi Knight Kla-sys Tynir

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Disclaimers: Thanks to the author of The Princess Bride and George Lucas for the use of their characters.

Part 1

Padme raced Sabre through the high grasslands of Naboo. Faster and faster, but it brought her no pleasure and her mind wandered. Her thoughts touched on the painful memory of her parent's death and how they had pleaded with her to keep her identity a secret. That had been ten years ago, when she was eight. Before her young padawan had come to live with her. Her padawan. HER padawan. The thought provoked a tiny smile to her lips. After her parents died, the young teen han moved in with the unspoken vow to care for her. And he had. For the last ten years, he had stayed and done whatever she needed and obeying her every command. But no matter what she said or asked, he always answered simply, "as you wish." At first, the phrase had annoyed her and she had tried to manipulate him into speech. Then, it had puffed out her pride, as she was sure she had conquered him. But now, it brought a special undescribable pleasure to her heart. It warmed her to hear it. She often spent a great deal of time thinking up silly, useless things for her to do, just so she could hear it said. She didn't know why, but what she did know, was hat she was spending entirely too much time thinking about her young padawan. She reined in and dismounted.

* * * * *

Anakin Skywalker ad stayed usefully employed while his mistress was on her daily ride. And now, she had returned. "Padawan." She had always called him that. It meant "apprentice or helper". She had never once used his name. "Padawan, come and take care of Sabre." He put down his tools and quickly left to do her bidding. Anakin stepped around the corner of the stables, head bowed, eyes downcast. "Padawan, take Sabre to the stables. We've had a hard ride today." As he took the reins from his mistress' hands, Anakin stole a glance at her and was caught up in Padme's deep brown gaze. For the eternity of a second, something flashed between them. Then, Sabre moved... and it was gone. Gone like it had never been. But they both knew it had. Anakin lowered his eyes. "As you wish."

Part 2

Days passed as though nothing had happened. Summer heat faded and autumn breezes came. It was on a particularly cool October day that something changed. The day was born and the two commenced with their daily tasks in its growth. It was nie late afternoon, the clouds hid the sun and a fresh spicy wind tousled their hair. It would be cold tonight. "Padawan," Padme turned toward him as she spoke, "get some wood for a fire." Anakin stood and looked at her, a mysterious smile mixed in the clouds of his blue eyes. "As you wish." Then, he scooped up the wood and ducked into the house. Padme just stood there, with a knowing as great as the knowledge of her own name. Deep in her heart, she knew, that when he said "as you wish" this last time, he was really saying "I love you." Padme went inside, where Anakin was busy lighting a fire. She watched him as she walked over to the counter of her tiny kitchen. He rose to leave and she thought quickly. Spying a pitcher over-head, she called to him. "Padawan, fetch me that pitcher." Anakin slowly turned and walked over. He reached up and lifted it down as he moved closer to her. Padme's heart pounded. He had never been this close before. Anakin set the pitcher down and looked deeply in Padme's eyes. In a voice no louder than a whisper, he said, "As you wish." It was then that Padme realized that she truly loved him back.

* * * * *

They stood in each others arms, the sunset glinting in their hair. "Oh, Ani, must you go?" "You know I must." He replied, running his thumb down her cheek. "I cannot allow myself to marry you until I can support you. A ship sails today, and I will be on it. I'll make my fortune and return for you." Padme laid her head on his chest and tightened her grip around his shoulders. "Oh, promise me you will. Promise that you will come back to me." Anakin threaded his fingers through her long hair, his chin on her head. "Haven't I always done as you wished? I will not fail you this time." With new tears, they shared one last kiss. Then, Anakin tossed his small bundle over his shoulder, and left. Padme watched him until he disappeared on the horizon.

* * * * *

A few weeks later, Padme received word that his ship had been attacked by the infamous bounty hunter, Boba Fett, and that all aboard were killed. Heartbroken, Padme locked herself in her house, and for weeks, she didn't eat or sleep. "I will never love again."