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Gungan to the left


Lifespan (G)


By : VA-Parky

Archived on: Monday, November 28, 2005

Summary:
Vader pays a late night visit to Padme's grave. One-shot.

She would never tell him the exact day of her birth. He would beg and tease and she would simply smile and reply, "My life began the day I fell in love with you."

NABOO - THEED, LATE NIGHT


The powerful figure strode through the Naboo capital, grateful for the solitude the late hour afforded him. His eyes never left the ground beneath him, his senses staunchly refused to take in the beauty that was his wife's home planet. Perhaps if he didn't look around, didn't take it in, his presence might not stain the majestic capital.

His angel's home. Her final resting place.

Coming to the entrance of the Memorial Grounds, his steps faltered as he finally faced the presence of the looming monument before him. Behind his mask, his face went slack as he took in the beautiful shape of an angel, stretching its wings to the ethereal sky above. Once again, the familiar crushing grip of despair and loneliness wormed its way into his soul.

What was left of it.


He would bring her things whenever he could, always hoping he might accidentally hit the right date. He would shyly present her with flowers from the Jedi gardens, sparkling stones from his journeys to distant lands, and brilliant feathers from creatures she could only dream about. He would hand them to her, his grin brimming with love as he inquired about 'any recent celebratory events.'

Each time, she would take his gifts, smile knowingly and say, "Ani, my life began the day I fell in love with you."


He approached the graceful stone figure and bowed his head in reverence. His mechanical breathing was the only noise that filled the air, the nocturnal creatures having deserted him in fear. Finally his eyes drew up, caressing the inscription.


Padm? Naberrie Amidala
Beloved Queen and Faithful Senator
An angel returned to the stars


"Just tell me, love," he begged, running his hands through her hair. "We can celebrate; just the two of us!"

Smiling at him, she just shook her head in amusement, her voice running through his head like warm silk, "The date doesn't matter. Don't you see, Ani? My life began the day I fell in love with you."


His eyes closed for a moment, picturing his beautiful wife, her spiraling chestnut hair, her dancing eyes. He remembered the way she smelled, the intoxicating scent that was hers alone. It bespoke an aura of peace, tranquility? love. Things he was destined never to feel again.

There was a crackle of electricity as a transparent figure appeared before him. He stumbled back instinctively, his eyes flying open at the sound even as his lips formed her name. Padm?? She was carrying herself proudly, her slim figure swathed in traditional Senatorial robes. She looked not at him, but at a point beyond his shoulder. Calming his racing heart, he realized this was not a wayward spirit.

It was a holovid.

Dimly, he watched her beautiful lips part. The volume was muted due to the late hour, so he couldn't hear what she was saying, but he recognized it nonetheless. It was one of her most famous speeches, made to the Senate hours after an attempt had been made on her life. She had lost one of her dearest friends that day, but had gotten him in return.

And it had cost her.


Anakin watched the golden droid approach, his movements stiff yet welcoming.

"Master Anakin, sir... I asked Miss Padm? the question you posed..."the droid began, trailing off uncertainly.

"And?" Anakin prompted.

"She said to tell you, 'my life began the day I fell in love with you.' Does that make sense to you, sir?"

With a resigned grin, Anakin answered, "Perfectly."


Jerking back to the present, he saw the holovid change to a still image of Padm? in more recent times, her hair pulled up in a sophisticated twist, her sparkling eyes belying the stern expression on her face. He stood in complete silence and drank in every image of her until the final scene flickered forth, showing those beautiful eyes closed, locked behind her lids forever.

Her funeral.

Moving of its own accord, his hand stretched forward to caress her cheek, perhaps in an illogical attempt to rouse her from her eternal slumber? but he reached into nothingness.

His eyes dropped in anguish, tears initially blurring the inscription he saw there. Kneeling, he traced his fingers over the words as they blazed forth in his brain.


Born unto the world on the 22nd day of the 3rd month in the Year 12022.
Taken from us on the 22nd day of the 3rd month in the Year 12049.


The last shred of peace he had stored away in his memories of her was ripped from him in a white-hot blur. He screamed, the sound so agonizing it wasn't heard by another living soul. He fled to his ship and fired up the engines with a roar, suddenly desperate for the vast anonymity of space. Ignoring his shaking hands, he pushed the controls to the max, sending the vehicle hurtling towards the sky.


The remnants of the vapor trail swirled across the lush grounds, gracefully solidifying into the shape of a woman. She was of another world, kissed by a golden light so pure it illuminated the Memorial Grounds. Strands of dark chestnut hair caught in her tears as she watched his ship disappear from view.

Smiling sadly, her image began to fade as she whispered, "Ani, my eternity will begin the day you return to me."


-FIN-



Original cover by Lyra Luminara. HTML formatting copyright 2005 TheForce.Net LLC.


Fan Fiction Rating

Current Rating is 9.11 in 95 total ratings.

 as:
Reader Comments

Add a comment about this Fan Fiction

Author: Jedi of Imladris  (signed)
Date posted: 11/28/2005 10:40:09 PM
Jedi of Imladris's Comments:

Beautifully written throughout! I love the idea of Padme never telling Ani her birthdate--it seems like something she would really do. The flashbacks were a lovely touch. The whole story was very touching and moving. I especially enjoyed the 'spirit' Padme at the end.

Excellent job!

Author: someone who doesnt have a name
Date posted: 11/28/2005 10:45:39 PM
someone who doesnt have a name's Comments:

Wow. This is short but its quite powerful. I liked it alot. It created this sense of something that i cant explain. Well done, well done.

Author: VaderLVR64
Date posted: 11/28/2005 10:47:16 PM
VaderLVR64's Comments:

Wow! That was incredible! It was beautifully written and very powerful! Lovely, lovely work!

Author: DarthTrump
Date posted: 11/29/2005 7:54:37 AM
DarthTrump's Comments:

Wow!!! great story form begining to end.
i really loved the end when her ghost came and talked as Vader was leaving.

Author: Dawn_Amidala
Date posted: 11/29/2005 10:11:00 AM
Dawn_Amidala's Comments:

Excellent work. I loved it. I loved the end when her ghost came back. I love the idea of her waiting for him, it echoes the last words she spoke. Great job!

Author: me_love_darth_squishy
Date posted: 11/29/2005 6:31:57 PM
me_love_darth_squishy's Comments:

Wow. I mean Wow. i started to cry. That's a great story. I love it.

MTFBWY

Author: Aglor  (signed)
Date posted: 12/4/2005 7:47:18 AM
Aglor's Comments:

Very interesting. It was very good. Very good work.

Author: Voldader
Date posted: 12/6/2005 7:46:13 PM
Voldader's Comments:

An awesome read! Words cannot express how this story made me feel. I absolutely loved it. Keep writing!

Author: retard18426
Date posted: 12/10/2005 9:55:35 PM
retard18426's Comments:

That was beautiful. It really brought tears to my eyes. I felt the pain for Vader all throughout that. And while Darth Vader did some horrible things in his life, there is no denying how much pain he sufferred through. That last part about her date of birth being the day she died was truly cruel and ironic, it just added one last painful burden onto a life already ridden with tragedy. I loved this, it was truly one of the most moving things I've ever read. Thanks.

Author: Jericho
Date posted: 12/15/2005 5:58:51 PM
Jericho's Comments:

This is one of the best I ever read. Beautiful throughout. I really affects me deeply. If it doesn't affect you, you have no soul!

Author: Marjory
Date posted: 12/25/2005 12:17:35 PM
Marjory's Comments:

Well done on a lovely story. Especially liked the ending.

Author: Gina  (signed)
Date posted: 1/2/2006 8:14:09 PM
Gina's Comments:

I loved this vignette. So heartbreaking, yet so beautiful.

Well done!

Author: Cronos
Date posted: 1/5/2006 12:08:58 PM
Cronos's Comments:

Awesome story, I especially liked the irony of Padme dying on her birthday.

Author: Corana
Date posted: 1/27/2006 6:52:57 AM
Corana's Comments:

That was amazing!! I have read a couple of fan fics of vader remembering padme or going to her grave but yours was the best!

Author: 'saberbabe
Date posted: 1/30/2006 8:59:53 PM
'saberbabe's Comments:

*sniff* wow. that was amazing! the end was PERFECT!

Author: 1-800-jedigirl
Date posted: 2/2/2006 5:25:46 PM
1-800-jedigirl's Comments:

how can a story be so crual and yet so beautiful it tore at my heart in a way i cant remember feeling since revenge of the sith watching as these things happen and theres nothing i can do to prevent it and what her spirit said it reminded me of a tatooine folk song that i read part of in the planet of twilight about how no matter what happens true love allways meets in the end

Author: 1-800-jedigirl
Date posted: 2/2/2006 5:27:30 PM
1-800-jedigirl's Comments:

how can a story be so crual and yet so beautiful it tore at my heart in a way i cant remember feeling since revenge of the sith watching as these things happen and theres nothing i can do to prevent it and what her spirit said it reminded me of a tatooine folk song that i read part of in the planet of twilight about how no matter what happens true love allways meets in the end

Author: love_dolphins
Date posted: 4/18/2006 6:36:25 AM
love_dolphins's Comments:

AAAAAWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!
So Cute nice job............

Author: Kadi-Ahn_Tanye
Date posted: 7/14/2006 10:27:58 AM
Kadi-Ahn_Tanye's Comments:

This is one of the saddest stories I have read. Keep up the good work, VA-Parky!

Author: Caroline
Date posted: 1/4/2007 2:51:43 AM
Caroline's Comments:

I'm seriously crying. Most romantic thing I've read in a long time!!!

Author: Brooke
Date posted: 2/28/2007 6:45:20 PM
Brooke's Comments:

Wow, that was amazing. It almost made me cry. It was so sad and sweet that Vader's last happy memory of her was that she never told him her birthday, and he always tried to guess. Then when he realizes he killed her on her birthday... and his last happy memory is destroyed.... beautiful... A truly wonderful story.

Author: ratna
Date posted: 3/18/2007 12:19:02 AM
ratna's Comments:

"... People tell me it's a sin
To know and feel too much within.
I still believe she was my twin, but I lost the ring.
She was born in spring, but I was born too late
Blame it on a simple twist of fate."

Author: kiki
Date posted: 5/23/2008 6:08:05 AM
kiki's Comments:

that was really good. i really liked padme at the end and how she wouldnt tell him her birth date. great plot and i loved the story!

Author: kimmi j
Date posted: 8/10/2010 11:45:09 PM
kimmi j's Comments:

i love this story! It made me cry!

Author: Anakin+Padme  (signed)
Date posted: 12/27/2011 11:09:22 PM
Anakin+Padme's Comments:

Wow! This was amazing. This shows me that love can last and go on forever no matter what happens to the ones in love. The ending was terrific and I love the last line.Thanks so much for entertaining me with this story.


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Archived: Monday, November 28, 2005







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