One Act in A Tragedy

Part 2

Author: Ruby-Flame Jedi Queen

Rating: PG

Feedback: Pretty please!

--------------------------------------------------------

Four years passed without my seeing Anakin since the day of my vacation, and I could tell from his notes he was getting a bit lonely even though he loved his training (except for meditation). I still don't quite understand why he despised meditation, and when I wonder now, I believe it might have had something to do with...with...oh, what was it that Obi-Wan told me once? "The dark side can be a powerful seductress..."

Maybe, maybe it was because every time he cleared his head of thoughts, the dark side swept in. Lying to him, deceiving him, and he wanted to shut it off. I can give you anything Ani, anything you want! They are wrong, the jedi. They cannot comprehend the power, and the wonders that the darkside holds...Could it be? Was Anakin in danger all those years? No one knew? Could it have been stopped? Why didn't I put two and two together before...it was too late? Why's, What if's, If only's; all these questions, they could drive a person insane. Exactly like the constant whispering of the darkside... STOP IT, Amidala, this will just make you regret things more. Yes, regret is my companion. And a distant longing befriends me as well; it could possibly be hope. I doubt it. It could be Ani. Probably. Or it could be the past. Memories of the past... Yes, memories are the only true FRIEND I have, so they run through my mind, constantly. Sometimes I begin to intertwine them with reality, but then I remember. Everything...

A sudden gust of wind swept back Amidala's hair as she sat overlooking the city of Theed. Below her everyone seemed so small, and she smiled at them going about normal affairs. The war had become a distant memory, and if you gazed upon the city now, you couldn't tell there had been one. There had been changes made, of course, because of the war. Now the Gungans and the Nubians were close allies. The city was rebuilt to be prepared for a sudden attack, and there were other changes made as well. But here, in this spot, at this moment, they were too long to list. Amidala loved this spot atop her softly matted hill--the breeze running across her face, the view from the sparking city of Theed, and the flamboyant colors of the setting sun. She closed her eyes and listened to the whispers of the wind. There was nothing that could relax Amidala as much as this, especially when she was overwhelmed with political issues.

***

When Amidala next opened her eyes, the sky was becoming dark, and the air was still. She sat up suddenly and remembered she was going to be late for her own birthday ceremony. It was not going to be too large since it was closed to the general public, but she *was* ,of course, expected to be there. She rolled her eyes when she thought about Sabe's plea the day before to let her be the queen for the ceremony. Amidala carefully stood, stretched, and wiped the grass off her clothes. This was HER party, after all. She turned towards the palace, gave one last reproachful look out towards the city, lifted her skirt so she wouldn't trip, and took off at full speed, laughing at what someone would say if they saw her like this.

The handmaidens had a dress all ready for Amidala to wear, but Amidala took one look and it and frowned. "Not on my birthday, " she whined. Amidala hated the colors orange, yellow, and bright pink together, and yet here was a dress that looked like a birthday cake, glowing with those colors.

"Especially on your birthday," Eirtae advised.

Amidala began to protest, but Yane cut in. "As your handmaidens, it is our duty to remind you of YOUR duty as the queen."

"Queens do not wear such ridiculous dresses. Not a fashion statement." Amidala stated seriously, and after a second choked back a laugh. Then after another second everyone in the room burst out in laughter.

"We're just kidding, Oh Picky One, here's your actual birthday dress."

The handmaidens pulled out a classic violet dress, not to fancy, but flattering, and then a light silver shawl with matching jewels hanging down that shimmered under the light, and would call attention to the queen.

Amidala put on quite a show of curling her lower lip, crossing her arms, and pouting, but the handmaidens could tell she loved the birthday dress. Amidala just wouldn't give them the satisfaction of showing it. But she finally gave in. With a grin that would make you rub your eyes in amazement and wonder whether a second ago you had seen a pouting face, Amidala stood up and laughed. "It's my birthday, so bring it on!"

***

Amidala entered the room blindfolded with Sabe and Sache escorting her.

"This way, Your Highness," Sache led, and Amidala knew she was in front of many people just by the echo of their conversations.

"I thought this was a closed birthday party, "Amidala whispered fiercely under her breath, "And I never gave my permission to be led blindfolded in front of all my guests."

"This party has only your personal friends, I assure you," Sache answered.

"...And as for the blindfolding, that was someone else's idea." Sabe added.

Amidala had not had the experience of being blindfolded too often in her past, and she felt a little dizzy being surrounded by darkness and sound. Plus, she didn't know if she could trust her mischievous handmaidens completely. She felt herself continually going forward, and when she couldn't bear it anymore she asked, "Where are you taking me?"

Sabe and Sache exchanged a knowing look and a grin at Amidala's excitement.

"Just a little farther...."

"I don't see why I must be blindfolded-" Amidala began, but Rabe, who stood behind her interrupted, "Because it's NECESSARY," and now Amidala was really beginning to become sucpicous.

"All right, what is this all about?" She pried.

"It's an old birthday tradition," The handmaidens said in unison.

Now Amidala was very much suspecting something- and she didn't like it.

"As the Queen, I order you to tell me!" She said this so officially the handmaidens stopped in their tracks for a split second.

"Actually, we'll show you," Rabe finally answered, and she removed the blindfold...

Amidala was taken completely off guard. There was no one in the room. And yet, the sounds of conversation still carried on. She was dumbfounded for a split second, but then logic kicked back in. If there was no one in the room, that would have to mean the noise was...

"A sound recording of conversation," Yane stated, as if reading Amidala's mind.

Amidala began putting the pieces of the puzzle together, "Then that would mean that you are all planning a-"

"SURPRISE!" From underneath the center table, already decorated with plates and silverware, and food, about two dozen people emerged. They clapped and laughed at the queen's surprise, and it *was* quite surprising that the handmaidens convinced all those dignitaries to hide under the table.

Amidala was particularly drawn by young light laughter to her right, and broke out into a grin when she caught sight of whom it had come from.

"Anakin!" She was even more surprised when she saw how much he had grown in four years, she realized he was now a teenager, and it made sense- he looked more mature. Before he would have ran up to her excitedly, now he walked up a bit bashfully, and offered her his hand.

"Oh come now, Ani, you're not to grown up for hugs now are you? We're better friends than that."

He relented and gave her hug, but he made it a quick one. Amidala grinned at his shyness. She gave him a wink, and a look telling him they'd get to talk more later, and went off to greet other guests that were beginning to pour in, (the ones who hadn't been convinced to hide under the table,so she wouldn't seem rude. When she was in the middle of a handshake with Bail Organa, she remembered a padawan wouldn't come without his master, and excused herself to go find Obi-Wan. She spotted him at the far corner of the room, speaking with another Jedi Knight who had her own apprentice standing by her side. Amidala walked towards him, trying to remain unseen in order to surprise him, but she must have forgotten this was a JEDI she was trying to sneak up on because he detected her presence rather quickly.

"Long time no see, Your Highness," Kenobi greeted and extended his hand in greeting.

Amidala remembered her conversation with Anakin about the handshaking a few minutes ago, and stifled a laugh as she shook his hand.

"We are pleased with your unexpected arrival," Amidala answered, and then added, on a less formal note, "By the way, Anakin has been a bit...quiet for his usual self-- how's training going?"

"Actually, quite well. I've got him to appreciate meditation now-"

"What?!"

"That was a joke, Your Highness."

"Oh, I knew that," Amidala insisted and tried not to look like an idiot.

"A jedi knows when you are lying," Obi-Wan teased.

"So they must know when you're telling the truth," Amidala pointed out.

Obi-Wan shook his head and cleared his throat. "As I was SAYING," He once again began, "Training is going well. The council is quite impressed with Anakin's abilities , although they are still a bit troubled with his foggy future. Sometimes it troubles me, to tell you the truth, but Anakin's given me no reason to distrust him. He's actually one of the more truthful jedi--"

"Ah, yes," Amidala began, "I heard about the 'incident' involving the three padawans. What DID the council decide on that one?"

Obi-Wan's face became grim, "They are still to be trained because without guidance things could go even worse than they already are, but I think their master's are in for a long struggle. I heard it may have happened because the masters never properly prepared their padawans for the temptations of the dark side."

Amidala became a bit worried, "Temptations? Has Anakin been prepared?"

Obi-Wan nodded, coming out of the mood somewhat, "We've had our talks on the matter, and I believe Anakin is prepared. The dark side is a force that resides in the midicholrians themselves and tries to tempt jedi with its seductive promises. But it can be ignored if you anticipate it and learn to resist it, and all jedi knights and masters have dealt with it before. It makes a jedi stronger if nothing else." Obi-Wan paused for a moment, as if contemplating a sudden deep thought, but he shrugged it off and became cheerful again and started on a new subject, "Forgive my rudeness, Your Highness, I seemed to have forgotten to wish you a happy birthday!"

"Oh, you weren't being rude. Merely yourself." Amidala commented and Obi-Wan tried to look taken aback. He failed.

"Well, Happy Birthday anyway, Your Highness."

"If we weren't around dignitaries, I'd tell you to make it happier by addressing me as Amidala. But since we are, I suppose I'll have to suffer--"

"Hmmm...I suppose you will," Obi-Wan answered off-handedly. Someone on the other side of the room must have caught his eye..."Will you excuse me for a second, Your Highness? I have someone I need to speak with."

"May I ask, whom?" Amidala inquired politely.

"You may ask," was the answer.

"I see, very well then. I'll talk to you later-- that is if you will be staying?"

"We wouldn't come here for nothing, Your Highness. Happy birthday, once again!"

"Thank you!" Amidala replied, and with a nod, Obi-Wan departed towards-- but before Amidala could figure that out, she was startled by a voice whispering in her ear.

"Wha-" she cried and turned herself around to find Chancellor Palpatine standing right in front of her. "Oh, hello, Chancellor," she addressed him, her heart still beating rather quickly from the surprise. It was an unpleasant one, at that.

"Hello, Your Highness. And happy birthday," He greeted with his voice dripping with false sincerity.

She didn't recall inviting him...."Thank you," she replied, in an equally dramatic tone, making sure she flashed him an over-exaggerated smile. Amidala was feeling very annoyed, and she wished someone would come and rescue her. She noticed Captain Panaka standing in the far corner of the room and secretly managed to catch his eye and throw him a pleading glance.

Palpatine began to talk of the latest political problems (and during Amidala's birthday party, how rude!), when Panaka, acting quite distressed interrupted his speech.

"Your Highness, I must speak with you immediately." Amidala nodded and gave him a deliberate stare as if to remind him Palpatine was not going to up and leave. "In private," Panaka added. Palpatine, who looked quite annoyed by the interruption, nodded at Amidala and added, "We'll talk later," as Panaka and Amidala walked away.

They went into the far left corner of the room, and pretended to be carrying a heated conversation, and then Amidala suddenly laughed. She added, especially loud so Palpatine would hear, "Quite a misunderstanding, I assure you. Now, I have a few other matters to attend to," and with a grateful smile Amidala went searching for a more...friendly person to talk to.

***

Amidala found Anakin sitting at the table alone, staring hungrily at the food. Amidala sat down beside him, and he acknowledged her with a smile.

"You've been awfully quite, Ani, is something on your mind?" Amidala asked.

Anakin suddenly stopped smiling and look at the food once more.

"No." he replied.

"Well then, how about you tell me how you're doing?"

His eyes started to light up, and he opened his mouth to begin pouring things out when he suddenly sighed and answered, "Fine."

Amidala sat by his side for a while in silence, worrying and waiting for an explanation. None came. Amidala could feel her guests getting restless, and stood up, preparing to address them. She began to walk away when Anakin grabbed her wrist. Amidala turned, and saw tears brimming in Anakin's eyes.

"I'm sorry Amidala. I'm not trying to ruin your birthday, or our time together. It's just-" Anakin never finished the sentence. But Amidala offered, "Would you like to talk just the two of us? Later?" Anakin nodded. Amidala set Anakin's hand back on his lap and smiled at him. Anakin went into a trance for a second and thought that he would melt if Amidala smiled at him any more. The wonderful feeling ended when he looked up to find Chancellor Palpatine staring at him. A small fraction of a smile stood frozen on Palpatine's face, and Anakin broke eye contact. He did not like that man.

Amidala managed to gather everyone's attention by tapping silverware lightly against her glass. Slowly, the conversations in the room died down, and the fancily clad guests turned their attention toward the queen.

"Welcome all, and thank you for attending my eighteenth birthday!" A few cheers and claps followed this statement and Amidala smiled and continued, "As a few of you know, and some of you suspect, this is my last birthday being the queen." There were a few gasps from the back of the room, and Anakin dropped his jaw. Amidala continued, "This is not because I am hoping to escape to a private spot of my own, as is one of the rumors; it is because..." Amidala paused to make sure she had everyone's attention, and she did, "Well, it is because," and at this pause a few people encouraged, "Yes?" Amidala finally told them, "I have been nominated to run for Senator!"

At this, the guests erupted into cheers and clapping, and Amidala positively beamed to be so fortunate to have all their support. Except for one face maybe, Amidala noted as she spotted Palpatine with a strained smile on his face. But what could she expect? When finally the roar died away Amidala added," Enough talk, let us eat and enjoy ourselves!" This was also a welcome statement, and not long afterward everyone was seated and ready for the delicious looking banquet.

***

"Gifts, Your Highness," Eirtae was stressing, "No one was going to come without a gift for their favorite *senator*!"

"Well, I hope they did not feel obligated, this is all so wonderful of all of them. I really don't deserve this much attention and special treatment."

"Of course you do! You've done a lot for many people, Your Highness, whether you realize it or not."

Amidala finally nodded and smiled and turned toward her expecting guests. "All right, whose gift should I open first?"

This began a bustle of conversation, and it also sparked something within Anakin. He caught Amidala's eye and gave her the best puppy face he could muster. Amidala decided she couldn't ignore a look like that, and picked up a small, but heavy gift, with a holo message taped on to it and large scribbled letters spelling out "From Ani".

Amidala opened it slowly, trying to keep her face impassive but losing to the excitement, and she gave a surprised gasp when she finally saw the gift that lay inside. Anakin seemed very pleased with himself at that moment, and Obi-Wan chuckled lightly remembering how much Anakin had pleaded and waited to save up enough to buy that gift especially for the queen. Amidala had never seen anything more beautiful; it was a large Reorin Diamond that reflected colors like a prism, but also took on different hues of its own. Words took a while to form, and even longer to come out, but finally Amidala was able to manage, "Thank you very much, Anakin."

***

It was well after midnight when the party died down, and many guests began to say their congratulations and goodbyes. Amidala had gone through a great variety of gifts, from other gems and jewelry, to expensive robes and lamps, and even hand sewn, fancy silk lounge chairs, and impressive sculptures.

Obi-Wan had given her a pale white pearl necklace to "Match the makeup", and Bail had given her a variety of exotic flowers to add to her gardens. There were only a few guests at her party that knew of her private gardens, and Amidala was surprised that Bail had remembered.

Amidala's handmaidens had gotten her a great many things including new robes (from Yane and Sache), new hair pieces and makeup (from Rabe and Eirtae), and some crazy decorative sculptures from a town market (from Sabe). When Amidala had finished thanking her guests, having conversations with her closest friends and seeing her guests off, she was pretty much exhausted, but altogether pleased with the birthday ceremony. It had been quite a success, and much more "close to home" (as *that* gets for a queen/senator) than the huge festivities of past years when all the people of Naboo had attended. And Amidala was very happy with her gifts. But her eyelids were becoming much too heavy to keep up for much longer, so Amidala, accompanied by her handmaidens, bid a good night to Kenobi and Anakin, and retired to her chamber.

Amidala found herself lying on her back in absolute darkness. She began to panic, and felt around for any walls or any clue of where she was. She had barely stretched her arms out to the sides when they hit the sides of where she was enclosed. Amidala felt more claustrophobic than ever, and gasped as she stretched her arms upward and less that a foot above her felt a roof to her prison. Amidala bit back tears so that she could think more clearly. It was as if...as if she was in a coffin of some sort. Amidala banged on the side and top and heard a chain rattle in reply. She was locked in. Amidala tried to take calm, deep breaths, but she began to hyperventilate despite her attempts.

Suddenly she heard the sound of footsteps approaching the *coffin* and let out her breath. The lock on the outside was opened with a click, and chains were pulled away. Amidala sat up as the top was pulled off and found herself face to face with--

"Anakin!" Amidala exclaimed as she was jolted awake by a soft touch and saw the boy standing before her. Amidala almost had a heart attack. It was then she realized she had woken from one of those dreams again.

"Sorry, Your Highness, but I couldn't sleep, and you promised me we could talk."

"Ani, I didn't mean in the middle of the night!" Amidala groaned, but secretly she was happy to wake up from the dream.

"I'm sorry. I'll go--" Anakin sighed.

"No, I didn't mean THAT." Amidala motioned for him to come back, "Actually, you came right on time. Sit." She patted the right side of her bed.

Anakin gave her a puzzled look, but he sat down and then looked at her.

"Well?" Amidala encouraged.

"Oh, uh..." Anakin fidgeted uneasily.

"What is it you wanted to talk about Ani?" Amidala asked him. "Does it have to do with the way you acted earlier?"

Anakin nodded, but he didn't start talking.

Amidala waited, yet he remained quiet. Finally, Amidala suggested, "Why don't we go somewhere else--" Amidala realized she had not yet shown Ani her gardens, "--Somewhere nicer, a place that's easier to talk in."

"Like where?" Anakin asked.

"Well, follow me and I'll show you." Amidala replied.

She got out of her bed, slipped on her slippers and her robe, and motioned for Anakin to follow her. He did so, and they quietly crept through the empty hallways, where they only stopped once to assure a guard they weren't intruders. Finally they reached Amidala's gardens, and Amidala let Anakin in first.

"Wow! Is this yours?" He asked. Amidala bit her lip to keep from laughing; Ani's voice had cracked a bit on the 'wow' and reminded her, once again, that he was not such a little boy anymore.

"Yes, these gardens are mine," Amidala answered. "Will you talk in here?"

Anakin nodded, and they both sat down. Anakin looked at Amidala for reassurance before he began, and she gave him a smile, and small nod.

"Well, Padme--you don't mind if I call you that do you?" Amidala shook her head, "first of all, I'm really sorry for how I acted earrlier, but I hope you liked your gift," at this Amidala exclaimed, "Oh, yes!" and Ani continued,"I just want to let you know exactly why I acted the way I did." Amidala gave Anakin a worried look. "I...oh, I can't do this." Amidala gave him a pleading look. "I don't want to seem like a baby!" Anakin confessed.

"You won't, Ani!" Amidala assured him.

"I will too!" He answered.

"Please tell me," she whispered and Anakin sighed.

"Alright. You see, ever since I began my training, I began to have...well, I started having these weird dreams. I don't think I'm ever *me* in these dreams; it's like I see through someone else's eyes. But you're always in these dreams, and it seems, whoever I am, I want to hurt you."

Amidala was very worried. But she managed to hold back her curiosity and ask, "And why would telling me this make you seem like a baby?"

"Well, I assumed you'd think it was because I missed my mom, which I do, but that's not why I have the dreams."

"Why do you have them?" Amidala asked.

"Well, if I was to tell this to Obi-Wan, he would think it is the dark side," Amidala stiffened when he said this, "but I don't think so."

Amidala looked him in the eyes. "What DO you think it is?"

"I think it's a vision."

Amidala tensed, and suddenly had a flashback of her last dream.

He voice trembled when she asked, "And when was the last time you had a...*dream*?"

Anakin returned her gaze. "I couldn't sleep tonight," was his reply.

Now Amidala's face was white. "Ani, was I in... a....in a... coffin, by any chance in the last dream?"

Anakin squinted and blinked. "How did you know?"

Amidala was paralyzed and when she snapped out of it began shaking as a wave of coldness swept over her.

"Ani, I don't know why, but I think someone is...sending US these dreams."

Anakin's eyes widened, and when they returned to their chambers, it was in silence.

Amidala was frightened to return to sleep, and was sure, in his chambers, Anakin was too, but thankfully when she did slip into slumber, the rest of the night was dreamless.

***

Amidala woke up feeling very refreshed, but when the memories of last night came streaming back she had to suppress a shudder. Palaptine has something to do with this, she thought, and made a mental note to check up on that later.

Amidala's handmaidens entered the room not much shortly after she awoke, and she groaned and asked, "What is my schedule for today?"

The handmaidens grinned and said, "Actually, we've gotten everything covered. Except for the fact that you have guests to entertain."

Amidala sighed with relief. "Thank you. I'll won't forget this." Her handmaidens winked, and they exited the room.

Amidala breathed in deeply and enjoyed the bright feeling of having no pressing duties.

She relaxed a few more minutes in bed while watching the dawn of the new day. Amidala thought to herself, I am eighteen years old now and I'm going to be the senator! She didn't know what had brought the thought on, maybe just the beauty of the morning it corresponded with, but it brought on a giddiness that prompted Amidala out of bed. I'm finally feeling my age, and not older! Amidala thought, and she hurried into the dressing room to pick out some clothes. Within half an hour she was dressed, decorated, and ready to go.

Amidala was mentally running through some ideas of places to take her guests when a dark feeling interrupted her mood. She shuddered, and tried to brush it off, but it remained. The feeling itself was hard to describe--it was distant but near, and kind of like... a warning. Amidala couldn't put her finger on it, but whatever it was it was disturbing. Amidala ran out of her bathroom and into her main chamber and began to near the holoscreen to send a message to handmaidens when she was suddenly grabbed from behind, and immediately muffled. Her assailant overwhelmed her with his power, and immediately he hog tied her with a wire of some sort. He took out a weapon she did not have the time to recognize, and brought it with a "clack!" Down over her head as she screamed in fear. But the scream was cut short as her consciousness fled and all that was left was darkness.

***

Anakin awoke screaming out in fear from a very vivid image of an unlit lightsaber being crashed down on his head. Anakin swallowed his heavy breaths back and attuned his mind to the force while reaching out with it. Then the strangest thing happened. Anakin lost all feeling of the force for a moment. He jerked back in surprise and almost cried; it was like having one of your senses suddenly leave.

Anakin heard Obi-Wan enter his room in a hurry (heard--he didn't feel it as he would normally have) and saw from Kenobi's frantic look that the force had been blocked (what else ccould it have been?) from him as well.

"Master...someone's been hurt," Anakin began, but to his surprise Kenobi nodded. "What's going-"

"Anakin, your questions can not be answered at this moment. We have little time. Follow me quickly."

Anakin did as he was told, and stepped out of his chamber into a crowd of people. Somehow they had all felt it too...

No.

Anakin felt his heart skip a beat.

"Amidala?"

Kenobi didn't answer, but that was more than enough to answer Anakin's question. He only pulled out his lightsaber and ignited it, and motioned for Ani to do the same. Anakin did, and the crowd immediately parted to let the jedi through. Anakin had a sudden feeling of importance, but he quickly brushed it away in distress. The only important thing now was to find the queen.

***

The force retuned a little after they entered Amidala's bed chamber to find the intruder standing over her with his lightsaber raised. The moment it retuned Anakin caught a stray thought...She didn't even put up a fight...and suddenly saw red because of his anger. Before he even realized what he was doing, Anakin stood before the intruder with his lightsaber holding back the intruder's. The mysterious man's cloaked face was completely hidden, but Anakin could feel the man's surprise. But Anakin took no note of it, but continued pushing the intruder back, feeding on his anger. Suddenly he felt his heard his master say in shock, "Do not use anger.." and Ani's lack of focus combined with the intruder's power left Anakin with no chance of defending himself; the man's power was way beyond Ani's limited training. With a blow through the force, Anakin was sent reeling back, and the last thing he heard was Obi-Wan rush forward to take his place.

***

Everything was groggy after that. Amidala regained consciousness for a brief second, long enough to hear the shattering of glass, and then she fell back into the darkness.

***

INFIRMARY

Sounds were what first made Amidala aware that she had been unconscious and was now waking up, for they broke the silence of the darkness. But something strange made Amidala wonder if she was awaking to the world she had always known. For some strange reason, Amidala was feeling a deep despair and franticness that was not her own emotion. Huh? She thought to herself. It made no sense.

*You're okay?!* A voice intruded her thoughts and made her body jolt backward a bit.

She *felt* the despair melt away to joy. Amidala decided not to mention to Anakin that she was feeling HIS emotions, as well as her own. The thought still seemed silly, even though it was standing right in front of her, in a manner of speaking.

Then Amidala realized she did not know how to mention anything to Ani at all, seeing as she couldn't use "thought-speech".

*Padme, you're using it right now!*

Amidala was again confused. He had heard her thoughts?

*Yes, I hear your thoughts. You mean you're not even TRYING to send them to me?*

Amidala decided she might as well talk to him, after all she was *speaking* anyway, so she replied, *No, I wasn't trying.*

How much had he *heard*? Did he know she could feel his emotions?

*Yeah, and I can feel yours too. You're just as confused as I am.*

Amidala sighed mentally. (She had no idea she could do that either). *You got it. How are we able to do this?*

Anakin contemplated her thought before sending an answer. *I don't know, but everybody thinks you're still unconscious, so keep the charade. It works to our advantage, because now we can talk. About... well you know. The dreams.*

Amidala hadn't wanted to think about those, but now her thoughts were carried back to that awful, suffocating coffin... she had to suppress a shudder.

*They have something to do with this... I know it.*

*Yeah.* Anakin answered.