The Mercy Seat: Part Six
Nov. 22nd, 2006 01:58 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
lazypadawanRated PG
Part Six
Padmé was alone with her thoughts in the penthouse, concerned with Anakin's unusual moodiness and distance. He was hers again for a little while earlier that evening, but duty called him away again.
The war must have changed him, made him more anxious, ergo his dark dreams. Yes, he had those dreams before. But back then, Anakin had dreamed of the present. His mother was truly suffering, dying. This time, Anakin believed he was dreaming of the future. But could those dreams be literal? Even if they were, the future wasn't set in stone; it could change. As far as Padmé could tell, her pregnancy was progressing normally and the finest medics were available everywhere in the civilized galaxy if there was a problem. Anakin had nothing to fear.
"Miss Padmé, I do believe you are working entirely too much these days," the fussy protocol droid said at the sight of his mistress sitting at a desk and vacantly staring at her datapad.
"It's not exactly work, Threepio," she said with a secretive smile, withdrawing from her own worries. "It's a database of names."
"Names for what?"
"People."
"I should think numbers would be easier."
"Numbers are fine for droids, but not for a person," Padmé said wryly.
Threepio cocked his head slightly to the side. "Why is that, Miss Padmé?"
"Well...it just is."
"I see. I think. Would you like a cup of rootleaf tea?"
"That would be wonderful, Threepio. Thanks." Padmé grinned as the droid headed for the kitchen. The poor dear never understood human behavior. She returned to scanning names originating on Naboo, focusing on a list of boys' names. Grinning, she rubbed her swollen belly. "I know there's a boy in there," she said. "I don't need the Force to know that." She chuckled when the baby tumbled inside of her. She studied the names, eliminating ones that were too common or didn't otherwise catch her eye.
Finally, one captured her attention. It wasn't particularly common, but it was simple and elegant. The name meant "light" and that made her smile. She loved the idea of her and Ani bringing light into a galaxy that desperately needed it. It sounded so hopeful and that warmed her heart. "If I'm right, then Luke it is," she whispered.
Yet, what if Anakin was right and she was carrying a girl? Padmé searched through girls' names. This time, a very old-fashioned name captured her attention. In one translation, it meant "joy." In another, it meant "meadow." Either way, Leia was a wonderful name for a daughter.
Suddenly, Padmé was giddy with anticipation. She couldn't wait for Anakin to come home and tell him the names she chose.
***
Hours later, Padmé's giddiness had been tempered by exhaustion. She lay alone in her bed, her eyelids becoming heavier. This is pointless, she thought. I'll just wait for Ani's warmth by my side to tell him about the baby names. Glancing at the chrono, she turned off the bedside lamp and drifted off to sleep.
The beeping of the in-room holo-link awoke her from a dreamless sleep. She sat up, activating the holo image from her bedside. It was Anakin.
"Anakin?" She rubbed her eyes, blinking. "Where are you? What time is it?"
"Padmé, I can't...listen, Padmé, something's come up. I have to spend the night at the Temple."
"Oh..." In her half-awake state, she couldn't hide her disappointment. "Well, all right, Anakin. I miss you."
"I'll miss you too. I miss you already."
"We'll be together tomorrow?"
"Yes. And soon, for the rest of our lives. We'll never have to be apart again."
She nodded. "Rest well, my love."
"I'll do my best. You too."
Sleepily she blew him a kiss before the image faded into darkness. Padmé lay back on her pillow. She wanted him here tonight. What did he mean that they'll never be apart again? It was her dream and his. But what did he have in mind? As sleep overtook her again, the questions faded away.
Part Six
Padmé was alone with her thoughts in the penthouse, concerned with Anakin's unusual moodiness and distance. He was hers again for a little while earlier that evening, but duty called him away again.
The war must have changed him, made him more anxious, ergo his dark dreams. Yes, he had those dreams before. But back then, Anakin had dreamed of the present. His mother was truly suffering, dying. This time, Anakin believed he was dreaming of the future. But could those dreams be literal? Even if they were, the future wasn't set in stone; it could change. As far as Padmé could tell, her pregnancy was progressing normally and the finest medics were available everywhere in the civilized galaxy if there was a problem. Anakin had nothing to fear.
"Miss Padmé, I do believe you are working entirely too much these days," the fussy protocol droid said at the sight of his mistress sitting at a desk and vacantly staring at her datapad.
"It's not exactly work, Threepio," she said with a secretive smile, withdrawing from her own worries. "It's a database of names."
"Names for what?"
"People."
"I should think numbers would be easier."
"Numbers are fine for droids, but not for a person," Padmé said wryly.
Threepio cocked his head slightly to the side. "Why is that, Miss Padmé?"
"Well...it just is."
"I see. I think. Would you like a cup of rootleaf tea?"
"That would be wonderful, Threepio. Thanks." Padmé grinned as the droid headed for the kitchen. The poor dear never understood human behavior. She returned to scanning names originating on Naboo, focusing on a list of boys' names. Grinning, she rubbed her swollen belly. "I know there's a boy in there," she said. "I don't need the Force to know that." She chuckled when the baby tumbled inside of her. She studied the names, eliminating ones that were too common or didn't otherwise catch her eye.
Finally, one captured her attention. It wasn't particularly common, but it was simple and elegant. The name meant "light" and that made her smile. She loved the idea of her and Ani bringing light into a galaxy that desperately needed it. It sounded so hopeful and that warmed her heart. "If I'm right, then Luke it is," she whispered.
Yet, what if Anakin was right and she was carrying a girl? Padmé searched through girls' names. This time, a very old-fashioned name captured her attention. In one translation, it meant "joy." In another, it meant "meadow." Either way, Leia was a wonderful name for a daughter.
Suddenly, Padmé was giddy with anticipation. She couldn't wait for Anakin to come home and tell him the names she chose.
***
Hours later, Padmé's giddiness had been tempered by exhaustion. She lay alone in her bed, her eyelids becoming heavier. This is pointless, she thought. I'll just wait for Ani's warmth by my side to tell him about the baby names. Glancing at the chrono, she turned off the bedside lamp and drifted off to sleep.
The beeping of the in-room holo-link awoke her from a dreamless sleep. She sat up, activating the holo image from her bedside. It was Anakin.
"Anakin?" She rubbed her eyes, blinking. "Where are you? What time is it?"
"Padmé, I can't...listen, Padmé, something's come up. I have to spend the night at the Temple."
"Oh..." In her half-awake state, she couldn't hide her disappointment. "Well, all right, Anakin. I miss you."
"I'll miss you too. I miss you already."
"We'll be together tomorrow?"
"Yes. And soon, for the rest of our lives. We'll never have to be apart again."
She nodded. "Rest well, my love."
"I'll do my best. You too."
Sleepily she blew him a kiss before the image faded into darkness. Padmé lay back on her pillow. She wanted him here tonight. What did he mean that they'll never be apart again? It was her dream and his. But what did he have in mind? As sleep overtook her again, the questions faded away.
