Midnight in the Garden

Chapter 11--The Conundrum

Anakin sat trembling on Padmés couch two days later at midday. He let Valorum admit Sereine when she knocked. The protocol droid once again stood silent in the corner.

He heard Valorum's voice, muffled: "You couldn't bother to come early, could you? I haven't seen you alone in two weeks." And hers: "Finis, please, it's been a crazy morning in there. I had all I could do to get out at all."

Anakin didn't look to observe how they greeted one another. For once, he didn't care.

Sereine swept into the room. "Anakin, we really have to limit how often we do this at this time of day. I'm sure he's guessed where I am."

"Well, he didn't tell you about the Jedi Temple meeting," said Anakin. "So you're even."

She took one look at his face and stopped short. "What's wrong?"

"I've come to a decision," Anakin managed through a throat that hurt. "I'm going to have to tell Padmé and everyone else eventually, but I thought I'd better tell you first. Sit down."

Valorum took a chair close by, and Sereine settled beside Anakin.

After a terse silence Anakin announced, "I've decided to leave the Jedi Order."

"What?" said Valorum.

Sereine looked at her hands for a moment. "I suppose you've thought this over carefully."

Anakin sniffled. "Yeah," he said. "There just isn't any other way. I'm not going to leave, actually. I'm just going to tell them our situation. Not about Palpatine. Just Padmé's and mine. But I know what will happen after that. Even if Obi-Wan or Master Yoda felt moved to try to make an exception, Master Windu will be sure to shout them down.

"But if I leave, I can bring Padmé to them. Maybe they can help her. And if they can't, I'm sure Obi-Wan will read the holocron for me. He cares about Padmé. He's not much for Sith holocrons, but he'll do it if I ask him. And if all else fails..." Anakin ran a hand through his hair. "If all else fails, I have a plan for getting the information to Palpatine. We won't have to steal the holocron," he said.

A silence filled the room.

"Even if Palpatine can do what he says," said Valorum, "he will extract a price from you. You do know that, don't you? Anakin, I don't discount the importance of Senator Amidala to you, and I understand the gravity of what I'm asking of you, but...under the circumstances, perhaps it is better to consider...the alternative."

Anakin, pale and trembling, met the former Chancellor's eyes. "I can't do that," he said, and swallowed and shook his head. "I won't. If it comes to that...I am prepared to do what Palpatine asks."

Finis sat back in his chair and cast the most savage look yet at his wife.

Anakin caught it. "You could have left already!" he accused. "You haven't sacrificed your own wife! Don't ask me to sacrifice mine!"

Finis's hard stare at his wife turned to one of almost pure hatred. "Perhaps I should have!" he burst out. "Look at what you have done, Sereine. Is this what you wanted?"

Sereine took in the outburst, her eyes searching her husband's face. Then she got up and crouched on the floor before Anakin, looking up into his face and taking his hands in hers. Anakin saw the look in her eyes, and for a moment it was as if he were looking at a pale, ivory-and-redhead version of his mother.

"Anakin," said Sereine, very gently. "I understand that the thought of losing Padmé is...is horrible to you. But I don't recommend that you do this. Palpatine is bribing you with Padmé, and he may grant you this one thing. But other than that, it will be the Jedi Order all over again. You're going to exist for what Palpatine wants, whether it's what you want or not. Palpatine wants mindless obedience, and I really don't think that placing yourself in a subservient position to him is right for anyone."