this addition has been edited as of january 5, 2020

CHAPTER SEVEN

THE DOCKS WERE FAR FROM deserted, Artie realized as she stepped down from the tram platform into a crowded courtyard where countless refugees waited in earnest to board a starfreighter. She, Padmé, and Anakin would travel amongst them, dressed in simple roughspun, and remain hidden until they reached Naboo. It was Captain Typho's idea that they fly in a refugee ship, insisting it would be the last place anyone would expect a senator. The longer Artie stared at the weathered, creaking starfreighter, the more she agreed.

She kept close by Padmé, gripping the handles of her bag tightly. Captain Typho and Dormé stepped off after them; Anakin was held back in conversation with Obi-Wan, and Padmé's droid R2-D2 waited with them. Artemis caught herself watching Anakin and quickly turned away, hoping he hadn't noticed. His words from the day before still gnawed at her, insistent and infuriatingly logical. She was having trouble convincing herself they weren't true.

Dormé hurried to Padmé and wrapped her in a crushing embrace, cheeks wet with tears. "Oh, Dormé," Padmé comforted, stroking her hair, "you'll be perfectly safe."

Dormé sniffed, and with a slight laugh, released the senator. "It's not me I'm worried about—what if something happens to you?"

Dormé would be acting as Padmé while they were gone—even then, she was donned in one of Padmé's gowns, a silken shawl wrapped around her arms. After Cordé, Artie was shocked anyone would want to play decoy again. It only made her appreciate Dormé's bravery more.

Padmé smiled warmly and shook her head, still grasping Dormé's hands. "I'll be fine. I have this spitfire," she nodded at Artie, "and a Jedi protector who will have to prove just how much he's grown up." Padmé threw a good-natured smirk in Anakin's direction. "I have full confidence that everything will go just as planned."

Artie risked another glance at Anakin. She caught him saying goodbye to Obi-Wan, who patted him on the shoulder, whispered something in his ear, and retreated back into the tram. Anakin watched him go, then came to join the rest of them.

"We should go," he said. "The freighter will fill up quickly."

"Good thinking," Padmé said. She held out her arms to Typho and he took her hands firmly. "Captain, I'll trust you to see that everything runs smoothly in my absence."

Captain Typho dipped his head in a small bow. "I'll stake my life on it, my lady."

Padmé turned back to Dormé. "Stay safe, my dear," she whispered. Dormé looked close to tears again. She dabbed at her eyes and mustered a tearful smile. She shifted her attention to Artie and pulled her into a crushing hug.

"Be safe, child," she said gently. "Protect our queen." 

Artie nodded into Dormé's hair. "I will."

Dormé released her and stepped back beside Captain Typho. The Captain jerked his head toward the freighter. "You should get moving."

"Yes," Padmé clasped her hands together. Already her foul mood was mellowing and becoming excitement. Artie knew she must miss her family greatly. "Let's go."

They said a few more goodbyes and set off to the docks. Artie evened her pace with Anakin's, and while Padmé did throw her a curious glance, she didn't say anything and led the way with R2.

"Do you think Dorme was right to be afraid for us?" Artie asked Anakin. "Do you think it's a good idea to return to Naboo?"

Anakin seemed to think for a moment. "I think her fear is justified," he said at last. "I'm not entirely sure about this, either. It's the first assignment Obi-Wan has let me go on alone."

"Really?" Artie was surprised. "Well, don't tell anyone that. You're the bodyguard, remember?"

Anakin grinned. "I'm happy to come along, really, but I can't help but wonder if you and Padmé actually need an escort."

"Truthfully? No," Artie laughed. "We can take care of ourselves. We do appreciate you joining us, though. Vacations are better in threes."

Anakin smiled, eyes to the ground. "I'm glad, too. I thought about what you said yesterday and it made me want time away from the Temple. My life can't be exclusive to the Order—that's hardly living."

"Isn't devoting your life to the Order sort of the point?" Artie said.

"I suppose," Anakin's smile turned mischievous. "I'll do all my devoting when we get back."

"Very practical," Artie agreed, grinning right along with him. She hoped they'd be friends. She wanted one desperately—being the first apprentice in the Senate meant pioneering the position, yes, but it also meant she did it alone. There were no others her age, no others who wanted to talk about anything but politics. When Padmé was exceptionally busy, things could get very lonely. It made Artie think too much of Tatooine.

She was optimistic enough to think that this trip might benefit all three of them.

• • •

ARTIE LAY SLUMPED AGAINST HER bag, eyes squeezed shut as she tried to will herself asleep. Sweat beaded on her temples and down her back; the starfreighter was packed so densely that Artie could hardly move without brushing elbows with a stranger. The crowd was heavy with chatter, the clinking of bottles, of silverware against dishes, babies screaming. Artie could feel the ship's engine growling beneath her back, felt every pair of footsteps that passed her and shook the floor. There was no way she'd be sleeping.

Padmé had taken R2 and gone to get food for them all, and upon noticing the long line, encouraged Artie and Anakin to try and rest, at least for a little while. Artie glanced over to where Anakin lay to see if he was having better luck than her, only to discover him indeed asleep, drenched in sweat, a scowl twisting his face, mumbling things she couldn't understand. He thrashed out and Artie hurried to try and settle him.

"Hey," she whispered unsurely, kneeling at his side and shaking his shoulder. "Anakin, wake up." His eyes shot open. For a moment, he didn't move an inch, as if he was paralyzed. His eyes trailed to Artie and, realizing how close she was to him, she backed away quickly. She didn't want to embarrass him. "Are you all right? It was just a dream."

"I'm fine," he said shortly, sitting up and resting an elbow on his knee. He shut his eyes and ran a hand over his glistening face. Artie noticed he was still shaking.

"No, you're not," she argued. "You already told me about your dreams, so there's no sense in trying to hide them now."

Anakin stared at her, his expression unreadable, shifting, as if he was trying to decide between being angry or cooperative. Finally, he sighed. "Fine. Yes, it was a dream."

"Your mother?"

"Yes." Anakin broke his stare and his eyes moved to the ground. "I think I'm forgetting her—I've been away from her longer than I was with her. The only time I get a clear picture is in these dreams, and she's always in danger. And in pain." He tilted his head back against the freighter wall, closing his eyes again. "Sometimes I don't think they're dreams. They seem too real. I think something horrible must be happening to her."

Artie didn't know what to say. "I . . . I'm so sorry. That's awful. Have . . . have you told anyone else?"

"Just Obi-Wan," Anakin said, "but he and the Council consider the dreams to be indicative of my attachments. They say once I've learned to let go, they'll stop."

Artie drew back, aghast. "Obi-Wan thinks that?"

Anakin shrugged. "He might not, but he'll agree with the Council. And he does believe I hold on too much."

"Maybe, but," Artie shook her head. She couldn't understand this. "But it's your mother. You're supposed to hold on to your mother." As she said it, despite it being ten years since her abandonment, despite the fact that she hated her parents more than she had life in her bones, a wave of pain buried her. She wished she had her mother.

Anakin's gaze sharpened. Her looked over her in concern. "You're upset," he said, leaning towards her. "What—"

"I'm not," she insisted. "I just feel terrible for you."

"Artie, I felt it. You're in pain." He paused. "Tell me about—"

"It's not important right now." She tried to laugh him off. "Quit trying to change the subject. I think you should ask Obi-Wan to go to Tatooine. Just to make sure everything is all right. It might help give you peace of mind."

Anakin looked like he wanted to argue, but conceded with a sigh. He gave a weak smile. "I'm supposed to have peace of mind anyway."

"Maybe that's unrealistic," Artie suggested. "Though I suppose realism is lost on people who carry laser swords and move things with their minds."

Anakin laughed. "That's quite the summary."

"I know." Artie heard R2 whir and beep somewhere behind them. She glanced back and saw Padmé balancing their food in her arms. She stood to go help her and winked at Anakin. "Good thing I'm not a Jedi."

note.
I've finally gotten an update up! As I'm writing this, Fools has nearly 1,000 reads, and it would be fantastic if I could reach that tonight. If you don't mind, leave a vote or a comment telling what you thought of this chapter. I love you all so much!