What Could Have Been Part 2: Anakin's Trials

Stories From the Desert

Luke

Aboard the transport ship, the Escapade, Luke hesitantly entered his parents' quarters. He didn't hide much from his mom and dad, but now he was interrogating one of them! But when he thought about it, he decided he would rather be trouble with them, than with his sister.

Leia wasn't one to let things go. And if Luke was told to find information about the past of their parents, he was gonna go find some!

The door slid open and his mother, Padme, was brushing her hair while sitting at the edge of the bed. "Hey Mom, " he greeted quickly. Padme smiled, "How are you doing Luke? Did your father let you fly yet?" Luke slumped his shoulders, "No... why won't he let me? I'm a good pilot," he defended. His mother chuckled a little, "I'm sure you are, but your father has his reasons."

Luke pounced at the chance to gain details, "And what reasons would those be?" Padme sighed and then set down her brush, "When you're father was very young, younger than you, he used to fly pod racers. It was very, fast and very dangerous. He was almost killed once. That's probably why he worries."

Luke wasn't done with the questions but it seemed like his mother was, "How long have you known him for?" For a moment, Padme didn't respond. She thought for a long time before speaking, "We met a long time ago on a planet far away... a planet called Tatooine." The way his mother spoke, Luke could tell that she was deep in thought. Tatooine must have been an amazing planet. At least, Luke thought so.

Padme

Just saying the planet brought back the distant memories of the desert planet that always seemed to fascinate Padme. It was so simple on the surface; plain, flat, and vacant. But if you took the time to venture into the bustling streets of Mos Eisley, it was anything but vacant. The planet had such a past, such a history. So many mysterious people roamed those streets. All looking for something; a way out. That was what Padme saw anyways. No one came to Tatooine on purpose. You were either refueling, repairing, or hiding... or you were a slave. People never wanted to stay there forever. Especially Anakin.

The moment she had met him as a young slave boy, Padme knew he was meant for something more. She was right.

Returning from her trance-like memories, Padme watched her son staring at her. He was expecting more than one sentence. He was expecting a story. "Your father raced pods on Tatooine. He was very good," she added. Luke grinned, "I wanna learn to pod race too!" He exclaimed. Padme shook her head. Good luck telling that to your father...

Anakin

It was a good thing that Anakin had set the Escapade on auto pilot because his mind was galaxies away. No Anakin, whatever, or whoever that was, Leia wasn't talking to a boy! Anakin wasn't sure what Leia had been doing, but when he had looked in her direction, he swore he saw a young looking figure next to her. No! You were seeing things! Leia doesn't talk to boys! Well, other than Luke... but still! The thought made Anakin feel like his golden locks of hair were going to fall out. You're getting old... he thought in horror. He touched the top of his head with his gloved fingers and felt the same mess of long hair. Thank the Force! He thought, letting out a breath. Just then, Leia stepped in to the room. She was humming the old lullaby that Padme used to sing to her. Anakin raised an eye brow as his daughter merrily sat down and dreamily continued the song. "Watcha doing Princess?" He asked with slight concern. Leia didn't respond immediately. Instead, she took her time answering the question, "I'm fine... Daddy, can I ask you a question?" Anakin spun around in his chair, "What is it Leia?"

Leia took a breath and then responded, "How did you feel when you and Mom met?" Anakin nearly fell out of his chair. The question not only caught him off guard, but also confirmed his suspensions that Leia had been talking to an actual boy! "Well... uh... I... I guess I..." It took Anakin a minute to put the feeling in words. But he knew the feeling of love at first sight more than anyone in the galaxy.

"Leia, do you know how you feel when the ship jumps to hyper-speed? That sudden jolt that makes you kinda light headed?" Leia nodded, "Uh-huh." Anakin smiled, "Well when I met your mother, it felt a lot like that. I felt like the world almost stopped and I was flying at the speed of light. Its a good feeling..."

Imagining the day he first saw Padme was almost like reliving it. The glow of day was surrounding her. Making her dark brown hair shimmer. Her soft skin was perfect and flawless like porcelain. He couldn't take his eyes off of her.

"But that's a feeling you won't get for a long time..." Anakin assured his daughter. Leia frowned, "Well how old were you?" She asked. Anakin froze. Nine years old wouldn't be such a good answer. Not if he was telling his eleven year old child that it would be a while. "I was... young..." he answered vaguely. Leia perked up, "Then that means we still have a chance!" She exclaimed happily. Anakin's eyes widened, "We?"

Leia shrugged, "Umm, I mean... me! Me still has a chance..."

Anakin cocked his eye brow, "We need to work on your grammar, Princess." But inside, Anakin knew that there was something much worse than improper use of grammar there was a boy...