The Shadows Star: Book 2

39: I'll Bring Them Back

She made her way back into the kitchen to find Padmé and Beru consoling Cliegg. The old man's devastation was fresh in his mind. His face was carved in heartache.
Padmé noticed Sombra in the doorway and leaped up, holding her close. "What happened?"
Her voice was clear of all emotion, Anakin's departure weighing on her. "He left. Alone. I tried to convince him, but he wouldn't let me go."
Cliegg's eyes held a mix of sadness and nostalgia as he looked at Sombra, his voice tinged with a heavy emotion. "I'm sorry, dear. What was your name again?"
She took a moment to respond, swallowing her frustration. "It's Sombra. Sombra Vala Koon."
A somber smile touched Cliegg's lips as he nodded. "Ah, Shmi would tell me about you."
Sombra's eyes widened in surprise. "She remembered me?"
Cliegg's gaze softened. "She called you Anakin's angel; said you two had a connection like no other."
A sense of warmth and nostalgia washed over her. She recalled the moments Shmi had been kind to her and she absentmindedly reached for the ribbons in her hair that she had gifted her.
"I miss her," she admitted, and she felt a lump form in her throat. "We only knew each other for a few days. I never expected her to remember me. She was very kind to me."
Cliegg's expression became wistful. "She spoke highly of you, hoped that you and Anakin would stay close. She knew you two would take care of each other. If she knew you two had fallen in love, she'd be so thrilled."
Sombra shifted uncomfortably. "We're Jedi, we may be good friends, but not romantically involved."
Padmé, Beru, and Cliegg exchanged knowing glances, their eyes filled with amusement. Sombra furrowed her brow, demanding an explanation.
"What?"
Padmé chuckled, "Sombra, the way you two look at each other is adorable. It's written all over your faces."
Beru added with a warm smile, "I thought you two were together for sure. You make a good pair."
Sombra sighed, feeling frustrated and vulnerable. "But Jedi aren't supposed to..."
"My dear, sit with me please," Cliegg interrupted, his voice gentle but firm. "I know Jedi have rules, but take the advice of a brokenhearted old man: life is too short to deny love. Cherish being with the one you love before it's too late. Be proud and happy that you've found love, Sombra. Embrace it."
Padmé's eyes bore into hers, searching for the truth. "Can you honestly say that you feel nothing but friendship for Anakin?" she asked with a knowing smile.
Sombra sighed, her resistance crumbling. A smile tugged at the corners of her lips. "Maybe... just maybe, there might be something more," she admitted, a hint of vulnerability in her voice. She finally began to accept what she had never admitted even to herself.
Padmé and Beru exchanged amused glances, their giggles blending into the room's warm atmosphere. Cliegg chuckled, "I'm guessing that's as good as a confession. It's been an eventful day, and we should rest. You two are more than welcome to stay the night. Beru, can you take them to the spare rooms?"
"Of course Cliegg," she smiled and began leading the girls away.
Sombra nodded in gratitude, "Thank you, Mr. Lars. We are forever in your debt."
Beru brought them to adjoining rooms and wished them good night. Sombras settled onto the bed, her gaze fixed on the rough stone ceiling. The desert night brought a biting cold, accompanied by the eerie howls of the wind and the distant calls of massiffs. The unsettling sounds sent shivers down her spine, causing an icy sweat to break out on her skin. She tossed and turned, but it became evident that sleep would remain elusive, no matter how hard she tried. Frustrated, she sat up abruptly and made her way towards the garage.
Upon entering, she cast her eyes about the array of tools and gadgets, eventually retrieving a small droid from her belt she had been tinkering with during her restless nights.
"Hello, Miss Sombra," a voice chimed in from behind her.
Startled, she jumped at the sudden sound and turned to see the protocol droid. "Oh! Hello, Threepio."
"Are you having trouble sleeping?" he inquired kindly, taking a step closer.
She let out a small laugh, her voice tinged with exhaustion. "Yeah, I guess I am. I have too many things on my mind."
"Hmm," the droid hummed in contemplation. "Are you worried about your duties as a Jedi?"
"No," she began, considering leaving it at that, but the need for companionship spurred her to continue. "I'm just concerned about Anakin. I should have told him something, but I didn't because I was too scared. Scared I'd hurt him... and myself. For the first time in my life, I'm confused."
"I'm not sure it will make you feel any better, Miss Sombra, but I don't think there's been a time in my life when I haven't been confused," Threepio admitted with candor.
Sombra couldn't help but chuckle at the droid's honesty. "Actually, 3P0, it does make me feel better. Thank you. I just... I want him to know I care about him. I want to be there for him, but I have no way of getting to him."
"Don't worry about Master Ani. He can take care of himself, even in this wretched place," the droid reassured her confidently. "There's no need for you to take the speeder and chase after him."
Sombra's eyes widened with hope. "Wait," she exclaimed, turning swiftly, "there's another speeder here?"
"Why, of course. Miss Beru keeps a speeder here for when she needs to get to the market," Threepio replied.
Sombra beamed and hurried outside to find Beru waiting just at the entrance of the garage. Beru held out Sombra's cloak and belt.
"Go. Help him," Beru said with a kind and knowing look.
Sombra looked at Beru with awe and gratitude. "Thank you, Beru. You're a saint. I'll bring them back, I promise."
She donned her cloak, securing the belt around her hips, and swiftly mounted the speeder, her heart filled with determination as she followed Anakin's presence through the dark desert night like a guiding thread.