The Moon and The Sun

Chapter Two: Husband and Wife

Anakin woke to a warm body curled up on his chest, brown curls mused and haloed around a pretty, freckled face. His non-mechanical hand rose to brush a piece of hair away from Padmé’s closed eyes. She let out an adorable squeak, burrowing further into his chest, before squinting up at him drowsily.

“Ani?” He grinned at the way she said his name. It always filled his chest with a soothing warmth.

“Good morning, wife.” His grin was full of mischief, as always, and she couldn’t help but smile back, resting her chin on the back of the hand that was pressed against his toned chest.

“Good morning, husband.” Hearing Padmé refer to him as her husband caused him to jolt. It was real. He was married to Padmé, she was his and he was hers. He grabbed her by the hips and flipped so he was hovering over her.

“A woman of many titles. Queen, Senator, Defender of Democracy, Wife.” He smiled happily at the last one, finger gently tracing over her cheekbone as he studied her tenderly. Her hand came up to cup his, pressing a kiss to his nose.

“The last is my favorite.” He belted out a laugh, knowing damn well that she was lying.

“No it isn’t. Senator of Naboo will always hold your favor.” She giggled, happy to see him so lighthearted and momentarily flashing back to the day they spent rolling around lush green hills. She slid her hand to the back of his head, tangling her fingers in his sandy, loose, curls.

“Perhaps.” She conceded. “But the title of wife to you will always match it.” Her lips gently slid over his in a reassuring manner, knowing that, while he’d said it as a joke, he needed to know he was important to her. Her mouth travelled across his sharp jaw and down his neck, still in shock that she was able to do so, before flipping them over.

Her brown curls separated them from the outside world, from the reality that was desperately trying to enter their little bubble of happiness. She leapt over the side of the bed and slid on a lavender nightgown.

Anakin groaned, rubbing his hands over his face as his wife left his embrace, before propping himself on his elbows to watch her. “What are you doing?”

She looked at him with a grin, pulling her hair out from under the long, intricately decorated, robe she’d pulled on over her sleepwear. “Going to find someone to cook us breakfast.”

He barked out a laugh, fully aware that Padmé had never prepared food in her life. “I can do it, Angel. Just let me meditate and then I can prepare us something.” She loved when he meditated. He could never do it for long, unable to stay still as he was, but he always radiated peace. She loved to sit with him and absorb his presence, watching as the lake country moved with the wind.

Anakin definitely preferred Padmé’s presence during his morning meditation to Obi-Wan’s, she soothed him while his master made him antsy. She crawled back onto his lap and ruffled his hair affectionately. “Or, I can find someone to make us a hearty breakfast while you meditate and I get ready for the day.” He shook his head, hands gripping her by the thighs.

“Padmé, no one can know we’re here together. You know that.” She played with his long fingers in her lap and grinned up at him smugly from under her lashes.

“My Handmaidens know how to use discretion, Ani. Don’t worry, Dormé will handle it all.” She slid off him once more, and gave him one more lingering kiss, before gliding from the room, her gown and robe swirling around her ankles.

Anakin watched her go with adoration, jumping up and pulling on his neutral and plain Jedi pants. He strode out onto the balcony, blue eyes taking in the rolling hills and distant, crashing waterfalls that morphed into the still waters of a lake. He braced himself against the stone railing for a few minutes, soaking in the view, before pulling himself upright and folding his hands behind his back. His eyes drifted closed as he immersed himself in the Force, peace overcoming him. Despite his inability to be still, he did enjoy meditation. It felt like coming home, or being embraced by an old friend.

Anakin knew that he was more deeply connected with the Force than any others, his midichlorian count was higher than ever seen before, and, somehow he knew, would ever be seen in the future.

Even in meditation he could sense her, the way her curls tickled the exposed skin of her shoulders and back, the amusement bubbling from her lips at a comment Dormé had made, and the longing she felt to return to his side. The life forces of every thing around pulsed, but none as brightly or fiercely as hers. His lips curled up in a smile as the feel of heel washed through his system.

The Order would never approve of their union, they would toss him out if they ever discovered just what had occurred on the Senator’s home planet, but Anakin took pleasure in the knowledge that the Force had brought them into each other’s lives and approved of the resulting marriage.

Padmé softly stepped up beside her husband, grinning at how relaxed his face was, eyelashes brushing against high cheekbones. He smiled lightly when he felt her approach, letting her know that he knew she was there, but didn’t open his eyes or speak, continuing to meditate. She watched him, and the landscape, for awhile before moving back into her- their- room.

Her robe was dropped on the bed and, a few more steps later, her night gown pooled at her feet before she stepped into the fresher. A few short minutes later, she was twisting her hair intricately, adorning it gleaming silver bands.

Her curls were swirled atop of her head in loops, slightly reminiscent of Geonosis, and held in place with multiple wide, thick, silver bands that eventually met her hairline, while some hair still fell across her shoulders and was decorated by a crystals only found in Kashyyk.

She moved over to her wardrobe and pulled it open, thankful to be dressing on her own rather than by and with her Handmaidens.

The gown she pulled out was a dusty blue, a nod to her husband’s eyes, with billowing sleeves that curled in at her wrists, causing a plume like bunch of fabric to encircle them. It fell in subtle layers to the ground and clung to her torso, her curves accentuated by matching silver bands starting at her hips and cupping her breasts. It encircled her neck and flowed over her shoulders, a wide band atop each shoulder.

She slid a pin into the loops at the upper back of her head and slid in in. Tucking a variety of other objects under and into her hair and dress before rejoining her Jedi. When she stepped beside him he turned to face her, eyes raking over her, burning with a mixture of love and lust. “You’re so beautiful, Padmé, but now I want to just undress you once more.”

She laughed, kissing him, before tugging him back through their room. “Come along, Ani. Let’s go down for breakfast before we waste away due to you not allowing us out of bed. He chuckled, kissing the top of her head, and then pulled away from her.

He tugged his shirt over his head and strapped on his utility belt, comforted by the weight of his lightsaber against his hip. Once they were both fully dressed, he joined her in the hallway and took her hand once more. “As you wish, m’lady.” She smiled lightly at his teasing tone, eager to show him the meal she’d had prepared. He grinned at the sight of bantha meat, prepared finer than he’d ever seen, and shuura fruit desert. Something from his planet and something from hers. He pulled her into a deep kiss of gratitude and moved to pull her chair out for her. “Senator.”

“Thank you, Jedi Skywalker.” They both chuckled giddily as they served themselves. They were well aware that they weren’t going to get a honeymoon. That not too long from now that they’d both have to return to their duties and to real life. But in that moment, they refused to think about it, they were going to enjoy the time they had together before they had to return to pretending not to love each other.

Anakin knew he’d have to develop a plan to be able to spend time with Padmé discreetly, a path he’d take to her rooms in the Republic 5000 without being followed. He’d be damned if he didn’t sleep with his wife every night they were on the same planet. But right now, he was enjoying breakfast with the love of his life.

Padmé watched Anakin eat happily, thrilled he was enjoying it. Bantha meat wasn’t known for being the most enjoyable meal, so she’d taken a risk and had out prepared in a Nubian fashion. She’d been worried it wouldn’t have gone well with the Tatooine food or that he wouldn’t have liked it. But, Anakin seemed to enjoy it, he was scarfing it down. She grinned at him, finally beginning to eat herself. “Famished due to last night’s activities, lover?” His reaction was just as she’d hoped, he blanched, choking on his forkful of food. His lifestyle had caused him to be rather innocent, albeit a fierce warrior. Jedi, not allowed to have attachments and therefore having no use for it, were never taught about the acts between a man and a woman, and it was certainly never referred to so lightly in front of them.

And as Padmé was raised in a proper fashion, he definitely didn’t expect such comments from her. But they wasn’t in public, and he wasn’t someone she had to be professional around. This was Anakin, her best friend and love of her life. She had no such qualms about making jokes of that nature to him, especially when they made him blush as so.

When he finally managed to swallow the bite of food, he glared at her, aware of what she’d done. “And you’re not?” She smirked up at him, taking another bite before responding.

“Oh, I definitely am.” They both dissolved from heated stares to childish giggles.

After working their way through the main course and desert, they moved out into meadows. Padmé blushed prettily when Anakin tucked a pink flower into her hair. She grinned as she returned the favor, laughing at the sight of a big bad Jedi, padawan or not, with a flower behind his ear, tugging on his padawan braid affectionately. He revelled in her joy, in awe at the way she seemed to be made of sunshine, everything bright as her very core. He kissed her just beneath the ear before gently tackling her into the long grass, making sure to shield her from the impact. The two young lovers spent the rest of the afternoon rolling around and chasing each other, Padmé even going so far as to try Anakin’s joke, scaring the kriff out of him when she hit the ground and didn’t get up, but took quite a bit of joy in getting revenge on him for the same thing.

Anakin had been grumpy over it for about three minutes when Dormé had found them, bearing news from Queen Apailana. “My lady! My lady!” Padmé sat up, Anakin still stretched beneath her, and looked at her handmaidens with wide eyes.

“Dormé? Sateè? What’s wrong?” The two women were breathing normally, despite the distance they’d run, athletic as they were, and they kneeled beside their lady and her husband.

“The queen has sent word, my lady. She requests your presence at the palace as soon as you can get there.”

“Queen Apailana? Has something happened? “ Padmé rose to her feet gracefully, Anakin moving to stand next to her protectively out of instinct.

Dormé shook her head and Sateé peered at Anakin curiously, or having missed the position he and the Senator had been in. “I don’t know, my lady. But we have to get you packed and on a transport immediately. Your Jedi protector as well.” Anakin smiled thankfully at the handmaiden and nodded.

“Dormé’s right. Sateé will go ahead to assist in packing your things while Dormé and I accompany you back to the house, just in case the reason her highness wants you at the palace is because the threat to your life has risen, they might now where you are.”

Padmé shook her head. “If they knew where I was they would have struck already, and Queen Apailana would have sent guards as well as her request. Dormé, go with Sateé. I’ll be fine and Anakin will be with me. The faster I get packed the better, make sure to pack some things for Jedi Skywalker.” The two women nodded in respect and acquiescence.

“Yes, my lady.” They scurried off, Sateé shooting Anakin a look of warning, Dormé and Sabé being the only women who were aware of the marriage that had happened, having served as witnesses to their wedding, as well as Threepio and R2-D2.

Anakin pulled his lightsaber from his belt, gripping it tightly, and opened himself up to the Force, expanding his senses and staying alert for any threats, just in case. Padmé bristled at the waves of protectiveness rolling off of Anakin, remembering the stifling feeling of having her every movement watched when she’d originally been threatened.

She stopped walking, taking his elbows in her hands comfortingly. “Ani, everything’s fine. This place isn’t listed as a piece of property I, or my family, own, and it’s far from anywhere else. The chances of us being found are slim. I’m sure Apailana just wants to ask me to return to my post, let’s not borrow trouble.”

He peered down at her with burning eyes, his body curved over hers as if to shield her from an invisible threat. “You are everything, Padmé. If anything happened to you, I wouldn’t survive it. I know you hate being overprotected, but just give me this, or I will go mad.” She frowned at the thought of him not making it, but nodded, taking his free hand as they continued on their way.

When they entered their room, all of Padmé’s handmaidens were standing there, bags in hands, as well as Anakin’s droids. They looked regal, with long gowns and hooded heads, but the lovers knew that they were just as lethal, with weapons tucked in every available space. Anakin nodded at them in greeting as Padmé picked up a bag and they all nodded in return. Padmé took in the protective horde around her, sighing in annoyance and affection, before striding from the room.

Anakin stuck tightly to her side, lightsaber firmly in hand, as the Handmaidens formed a tight circle around their lady, eye’s flicking around subtly as they searched for threats. “We’re still in the house!”

Sabé tskd at her from her left and shook her head. “Let us do our jobs, my lady. And let us have the peace of mind that comes along with protecting you.” Padmé sighed but nodded, knowing this was fight she wouldn’t win.

They separated to pile into several speeders, knowing they all couldn’t squeeze into one. Anakin stood pressed to his wife as Sabé drove and Dormé kept an eye on their surroundings, a speeder ahead of them and one behind.

When they stepped back onto dry land the formation was quickly reassumed as she was rushed onto the first transport to Theed. People stared at the finely dressed crowd, the Handmaidens sure to keep Padmé out of view, having draped a cloak around her shoulders and made her pull a hood over her face. Everyone on Naboo knew of hero Queen-turned-Senator Amidala, and her face was recognised everywhere she went. The on edge group was already noticeable enough, especially with a Jedi in accompaniment, the last thing they needed was Padmé getting recognised.

The transport jolted to a halt, Nubians flooding out, followed by the obviously rich passengers. Queen Apailana had sent a transport and some guards to take them to the palace, and even Padmé grew a bit nervous at the sight of the royal guards waiting for them. Anakin stiffened farther, if that was even possible, and pulled her even closer. He took the bag in her hands and handed it off to Sateé, freeing Padmé to run or fight without difficulty if need be.

“It’s, fine, I’m okay, Anakin.” She mumbled reassuringly.

He mutely shook his head and nodded to the guards who joined their formation. The large group’s footsteps echoed throughout the ornate hallways of the palace, heavy doors being heaved open to reveal the throne room, Apailana perched regally in front of them. The guards immediately took up posts around the room as Apailana stood, moving to take her mentor and idol’s hand warmly.

“Senator Amidala, welcome. “

“Your highness, it’s good to see you. I’m afraid your urgent message has put my Handmaidens on edge.”

Apailana smile beautifully at the women surrounding her friend, eyes locking on Anakin. “My apologies, ladies. Jedi Skywalker, wonderful to see you again.”

He nodded and smiled stiffly at her. “You as well, your highness.”

“I’m happy to say I haven’t called you here for anything too distressing.” Apailana moved back to her throne and sat, the group moving forward with her. “Simply put, Palpatine, although from Naboo, does not share our values. He has seized too much power in your absence seeing how you are not there to help others see through his charm. If we do not take action, he will render the Senate powerless. I ask that you return to Coruscant. I’m aware that you went through quite the ordeal on Geonosis, but you are needed.”

Padmé dipped into a small curtsy, smiling diplomatically at her queen. “I understand, your highness. I am more than fit, and happy, to return to duty and serve my people.”

“You are an inspiration to all, Senator Amidala. Thank you for your continued service.”

“And you, your highness.” With a final curtesy, she spun around and glided our, Handmaidens and Jedi alike falling into position around her. When they stepped out into the perfect Nubian air, Padmé stopped, turning to her husband with a sigh. “As happy as I am to be working again, I will miss our ability to be together openly.” Anakin smiled sadly at her and took her into his arms.

“We’ll figure it out, angel. Coruscant won’t keep me from your side.” Padmé buried into his chest, allowing herself a few moment there, before pressing a kiss to the clothed planes of his chest and pulling away.

“Alright. Let’s get back to Coruscant.” The barrier of women was enough to keep admirers from his wife, but it did not discourage spectating.

They finally came within the silver coated, H-type yacht ship that acted as Padmé’s diplomatic transport. The silver gleamed in the sun, making the reflective surface difficult to look at. Padmé had once explained to Anakin that the silver denoted her status as a former queen of Naboo, and was the same color of the carrier of the royal household. It was a nice ship, sleek and fast but not nearly as heavily armed as her former ship when she was queen, but still had as strong of a shield.

The lack of weaponry irked Anakin, who wanted his very vocal wife as defended against those who violently disagreed with her politics as possible. Loading onto the ship took mere moments, explaining what was happening to a very inquisitive Threepio took more time than the Nubians and Anakin needed to get settled, especially when he and R2 began bickering. When they took off, Anakin slid into Padmé’s room, who looked at him sadly. The couple crawled into each other’s arms on the large, soft bed, desperate to spend as much time together as a couple, Coruscant, and real life, getting ever closer.

Chapter One

Chapter Three