Murder the Dawn: Epilogue: Full Circle

[ladyofleithian]

In which Kaida and Jinn Kenobi are given to the Organas and Larses, respectively, and Anakin and Padme go to receive training from the ghost of Qui-Gon.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Author's Notes: Well, this is it. The final chapter. It's been a wonderful ride, posting all this -- thank you, all of you, for being so supportive and wonderful. There's going to be a sequel to this, by the way; don't you fear. :) Maybe when I sign up for the next AU Big Bang -- assuming I also get through NaNoWriMo. *Sighs* God help me...

It feels like an eternity before they finally arrive at Owen and Beru’s house. Anakin remembers going there, long ago, to search for his mother, Shmi Skywalker. Even now, though, standing before it is painful. It is almost like an old, painful reminder of his past failures. Failure to save his mother, failure to save Ahsoka (not on Mortis, but elsewhere), failure to save the Chancellor -- to save Obi-Wan from the horrible fate that awaited him, and failure to save Satine from dying in childbirth.

Failure was an apt name for all of it indeed.

But at the very least, he can try and save Jinn and Kaida. It was the least he can do for the man he looked up to, the man he loved.

Not in the way that Obi-Wan loved Satine – but the same love Obi-Wan must have felt for his comrades, once upon a time. And for me?

Even thinking about it is enough to make him almost shake.

They have already dropped Kaida off at Alderaan – Anakin still remembers Bail’s words. “We will never betray the Republic, nor the Jedi.” Almost speaking about the Republic and the Jedi as if they were still there, when, if anything, the opposite was true.

Anakin never wanted to believe that the Republic had become corrupt. That those who died out on the battlefield of the Clone Wars had died in vain. And yet that was the case.

He only wonders why he didn’t see.

Even now, he can still remember speaking to Padme of it, and her reply: “Neither did I.” Though she spoke about the Sith cause, believing that Sidious was creating a better galaxy, Anakin knows that in a way, their feelings are the same, though the circumstances are different.

He only wonders why he didn’t see such a thing before: they are the same. They are almost, completely, the same. Two different worlds, yes, but just as human as anyone else.

Even now, Anakin knocks on the door. It takes a while before Owen arrives, and even now, looking into Owen’s eyes, Anakin has to gather the courage to say words that should be simple to say.

“Is Beru Lars around here?”

Even long after Beru Lars has invited both Anakin and Padme in – though Owen gives Padme a few awkward looks, as if to say, shoot us in the back and you’ll never live to tell all the while. And all the while, Anakin keeps a hand on Padme’s shoulder protectively. He knows that Owen has had less than favorable encounters with Padme in the past, but even now…

Even talking with Owen and Beru, convincing them to adopt Kaida, Anakin has to leave out more than a few details – something he can’t bear to do. Granted, there was the matter of covering for Obi-Wan and Satine’s relationship, but even now…even now this is difficult.

To his relief, however, Beru is more than willing to take Jinn in. “We always wanted a son,” she said, “He will be loved with us, Anakin. I promise you.”

And even her words, her warm smile as she takes Jinn from Anakin’s arms, is enough to relax Anakin, to soothe muscles that he didn’t realize were tense.

He doesn’t want to leave. But even now, he can still remember Qui-Gon’s words as they headed to Tatooine. Meet me here in the Jundland Wastes.

So reluctantly, he bids farewell to Owen and Beru, and with Padme, heads deeper into the desert.

***

Qui-Gon can sense a familiar presence. Anakin’s presence. Even now, approaching him, Qui-Gon cannot help but look him up and down. He is different, far too different, from the innocent boy that he, Satine and the others picked up off of Tatooine, and the high-spirited Padawan of Obi-Wan Kenobi.

With him is Padme, formerly the apprentice of Darth Sidious, now a proud member (no doubt) of what will become the Rebellion. They will come out of hiding one day, to face the newly minted Acheron once more. It is, after all, the will of the Force.

The best he can do is quietly plead to the Force to bring the two of them joy. It will be a hard task, a thankless task, but in the end, all will be stronger for it.

The galaxy will be stronger for it, in fact.

The man Anakin Skywalker sits comfortably in the makeshift hut – a hut that Qui-Gon has guided him to. He does not know who the original owners were – the Force tells them that they are long gone, however. Dead or alive, though, he does not know.

Even now, settling on the floor of the hut, Anakin Skywalker seems pale – almost as if he has seen a ghost. One of the phantoms of Mortis, no doubt.

“This was Kitster’s house,” he says, almost in awe. “I…why would Qui-Gon bring us here?”

Padme’s lips seem to quirk in a wry smile. “The Force has a will of its own, it seems.”

“It does,” Anakin says, “But still…”

I thought it would have special meaning to you, Qui-Gon says, amused, considering the life you used to live.

A light seems to come over Anakin’s face, and even now, tears seem to threaten to fall – he restrains them in time, though. The portrait of a Jedi in exile who still attempts to hold onto the last shreds of dignity, of their world, that they have left. Even watching him, Qui-Gon’s heart cannot help but ache.

He was nothing more than an innocent boy at first – a boy who had never held a lightsaber, who would never have meant anyone harm. But the circumstances, the Clone Wars, had forced him to do things that he never wanted to do.

War left many scars, of course – Qui-Gon knew that far too well. But even now…

“Master Qui-Gon,” Anakin says, “It is…” He swallows. “It is good to see you again. After all this time.”

As it is with you, Anakin Skywalker.

“You said there was a way to sustain life beyond death,” Anakin says. “And…other ways to fight against the Empire.”

I did.

“We will need all the help we can get.” Padme is solemn now, even quiet. “We need to find a way to save the Republic.”

Padme Naberrie. The Hand of Sidious. I never believed that I would see you again, but the Force works in mysterious ways. It is a miracle if it doesn’t have some degree of a sense of humor.

Padme chuckles, before going solemn again. “I was blind,” she says, sounding almost disgusted with herself – which she shouldn’t be, Qui-Gon muses. She did not choose to become Sidious’ apprentice – it was forced upon her. The best she can do now is attempt to fight against it. To rise above Sidious’ trickery – along with everyone else. “I followed the wrong path.”

The fault is not your own.

“I believed that Sidious would create a better galaxy. I tried to do what I…thought he wanted. But I was wrong.” Padme’s voice seems to crack. “I followed the wrong path. I…helped him get into power.”

That is no fault of your own. Sidious tells many lies, and the architecture is difficult to see.

“That,” Padme says, “Is obvious.” Silence. “Forgive my display, Master Qui-Gon – ’’

I believe, Qui-Gon says, There is no need to call me “Master”. Either of you.

Something in both Padme and Anakin relaxes.

Now, Qui-Gon says, Onto your first lesson: the art of the selfless. Through this, you will gain a greater understanding of how one attains life after death.

***

Throughout the galaxy, the signs of darkness are forthcoming. On Mandalore, Duchess Satine Kryze, the secret wife of Obi-Wan Kenobi is laid to rest, with the last remnant of his former goodness with her – the necklace he carved her himself on the day of their anniversary for the want of nothing else to give, out of the finest Stewjonian materials. Back in times where the good guys and the bad guys seemed clear, and the idea of the Chancellor being a Sith Lord in disguise was unthinkable, and genocide a bad dream.

On Tatooine, a former Jedi and a former Sith learn under the tutelage of the ghost of Qui-Gon Jinn – the art of the selfless, to name a few, and things that neither the Jedi Order nor the Sith Order would teach. Perhaps those techniques would truly balance the Force, for Anakin Skywalker was not idly named the Chosen One, and yet…

And far away, on Coruscant, the newly minted Darth Acheron, clad in black armor to hide his identity and sustain the remnants of him, sliced away by Anakin Skywalker, looks over the designs that the Separatists so vainly tried to protect: the designs for the ultimate killing machine. The Death Star.

And on Dagobah, a Jedi Master lands and contemplates his new exile.

And yet even now, there are signs of hope.

On Alderaan, Bail Organa delivers Kaida Kenobi into the arms of his beloved queen.

And on Tatooine, Beru and Owen Lars watch the sunset with Jinn Kenobi (now Jinn Lars) in Beru’s arms.

Jinn and Kaida will be reunited one day.

They will raise the galaxy out of darkness into light.

And no matter what happens, the light will always prevail.