Shadow of Trust

Chapter 2 - The Return of a Hero

Anakin stormed through the training grounds, trying to reach his Master who was standing by a pillar. "Anakin, nice to see you again. How was Alderaan?"

Anakin's response came promptly, "It was very tiring. Clones everywhere. Up until a few months ago I would have liked to see so many of them, but now..." The rest of the sentence was drowned out in a long yawn.

oOo

At the same time, Padmé and Ahsoka entered the training ground. Padmé immediately looked around. She searched for her Anakin, in vain. "I can't see him anywhere," she said sadly.

"We're only in the temporary corridors. Let's go to the balcony there," Ahsoka said encouragingly and pointed to a narrow balcony from which one had a view of the entire Training Hall C. Padmé just nodded and followed her companion onto the balcony.

Hall C was one of the smallest training halls and had a diameter of about 300 meters. Again, Padmé looked around for her lover. "There," she exclaimed happily. Now Ahsoka spotted him too. He faced Obi-Wan and talked to him. Just as Ahsoka wanted to turn to Padmé, she suddenly disappeared and was already running down the stairs to the hall.

oOo

"Well, Anakin, times are changing," Obi-Wan explained.

"Palpatine ... a Sith Lord! Nobody expected that. He controlled the Senate, the Republic -everything!" Anakin's voice was raging. His wife had always been close to Palpatine. Every day. If he had revealed himself sooner, Padmé might not even be alive now! Where was she? She had promised to wait for him here. He just wanted to continue talking, say goodbye to his former master when he suddenly felt her wonderful presence and turned around automatically.

"Padmé!" She ran into his arms and he happily turned her over. They stood arm in arm, the rest of the world fading into the background. Anakin looked into her wet eyes. The first tears of joy rolled down her cheek. With his real hand, he wiped them away and kissed his wife. Padmé, enjoying this moment more than anything else, pushed closer to him and never wanted to let go. To stay in this embrace forever. In a world without Jedi and Sith. Without war, loss and sorrow. A world where only the two of them existed and were happy.

When they finally broke the hug, Obi-Wan gave them a crooked stare. Anakin, noticing his gaze, laughed and grabbed Padmé's hand. "Are you alright Master?"

That brought the absent Obi-Wan back to reality. "Yes of course. What could be wrong? Except that sooner or later Palpatine's clones will find a way to storm the temple. It could be any day. So be vigilant."

Now it was the couple who stared oddly at Obi-Wan. Anakin sensed Padmé's fear. She'd almost lost him once before. Back when Palpatine had confessed to being a Sith Lord. The old man had tried to manipulate him. But Anakin saw through Palpatine and ran away. First to Padmé. He had told her everything. She had had to promise him not to leave her apartment until he came to take her to the temple. "We'll be safe there," he had told her. When he told the Council about Palpatine, all Jedi were warned. But soon the clone soldiers took over. Prepared to storm the temple. But the Council had an extremely effective plan. A long time ago, a plasma-hydro shield was installed around the temple. It activated immediately and since then, they have been safe in the temple from Palpatine and his clones. Safe for now but not forever.

"Come on, Obi-Wan! Why do you always have to exaggerate? We're safe here. From the clones and from Palpatine. It's been four months since the clones were stationed outside the temple gates. Or have you seen one of them inside?", he asked Kenobi confidently.

His former master smiled and then admitted: "Fortunately, I haven't come across a clone yet. But what I mean to say is that despite everything, we have to be vigilant."

His former Padawan just nodded. Then Padmé suddenly remembered Ahsoka and widened his eyes. She turned and saw Ahsoka standing next to a lightsaber case, a little embarrassed. Padmé gave her an apologetic smile and waved her over good-naturedly. Then she tugged on Anakin's sleeve and whispered. "Anakin, I think someone here wants to talk to you."

Anakin turned his head and saw her...

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Thanks and greets,
Skyllen =D