rasalvatore.attackoftheclones-第27章

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　〃That's　why　I'm　here；〃　Obi…Wan　answered。　Taking　Lama　Su's　cue；　he　rose　and　followed　the　Prime　Minister　and　Taun　We　out　of　the　room。
　
　　Lush　grasses　sprinkled　with　flowers　of　all　colors　and　shapes　graced　the　hilly　meadow。　Beyond　its　borders；　shining　waterfalls　spilled　into　the　lake；　and　from　this　spot；　many　other　lakes　could　be　seen　about　the　distant　hills；　all　the　way　to　the　horizon。
　
　Puffballs　floated　by　on　the　warm　breeze；　and　puffy　clouds　drifted　across　the　shining　blue　sky　above。　It　was　a　place　full　of　life　and　full　of　love；　full　of　warmth　and　full　of　softness。
　
　To　Anakin　Skywalker；　it　was　a　place　perfectly　reflective　of　Padme　Amidala。　A　herd　of　benevolent　creatures　called　shaaks　grazed　contentedly　nearby；　seemingly　oblivious　to　the　couple。　They　were　curious…looking　four…legged　beasts；　with　huge；　bloated　bodies。　Insects　buzzed　about　in　the　air；　too　busy　with　the　flowers　to　take　any　time　to　bother　either　Anakin　or　Padme。　Padme　sat　on　the　grass；　absently　picking　flowers；　bringing　them　up　to　deeply　inhale　their　scents。　Every　so　often；　she　glanced　over　at　Anakin；　but　only　briefly；　almost　afraid　to　let　him　notice。　She　loved　the　way　he　was　reacting　to　this　place；　to　all　of　Naboo；　his　simple　joys　forcing　her　to　see　things　as　she　had　when　she　was　younger；　before　the　real　world　had　pushed　her　to　a　place　of　responsibility。　It　surprised　her　that　a　Jedi　Padawan　would　be　so。。。
　
　She　couldn't　think　of　the　word。　Carefree？　Joyous？　Spirited？　Some　bination　of　the　three？
　
　〃Well？〃　Anakin　prompted；　forcing　Padme　to　consider　again　the　question　he　had　just　asked　her。
　〃I　don't　know；〃　she　said　dismissively；　purposely　exaggerating　her　frustration。
　〃Sure　you　do！　You　just　don't　want　to　tell　me！〃
　
　Padme　gave　a　helpless　little　laugh。　〃Are　you　going　to　use　one　of　your　Jedi　mind　tricks　on　me？〃
　〃They　only　work　on　the　weak…minded；〃　Anakin　explained。　〃You　are　anything　but　weak…minded。〃　He　ended　with　an　innocent；　wide…eyed　look　that　Padm　simply　could　not　resist。
　〃All　right；〃　she　surrendered。　〃I　was　twelve。　His　name　was　Palo。　We　were　both　in　the　Legislative　Youth　Program。　He　was　a　few　years　older　than　I。。。〃
　
　She　narrowed　her　eyes　as　she　finished；　teasing　Anakin　with　sudden　intensity。　〃Very　cute；〃　she　said；　her　voice　taking　on　a　purposeful；　suggestive　tone。　〃Dark　curly　hair　。　。　。　dreamy　eyes。。。〃
　〃All　right；　I　get　the　picture！〃　the　Jedi　cried；　waving　his　hands　in　exasperation。　He　calmed　a　moment　later；　though；　and　settled　back　more　seriously。　〃Whatever　happened　to　him？〃
　〃I　went　into　public　service。　He　went　on　to　bee　an　artist。〃
　〃Maybe　he　was　the　smart　one。〃
　〃You　really　don't　like　politicians；　do　you？〃　Padme　asked；　a　bit　of　anger　creeping　in　despite　the　warm　wind　and　the　idyllic　setting。
　〃I　like　two　or　three；〃　Anakin　replied。　〃But　I'm　not　really　sure　about　one　of　them。〃　His　smile　was　perfectly　disarming　and　Padme　had　to　work　hard　to　keep　any　semblance　of　a　frown　against　it。
　〃I　don't　think　the　system　works；〃　Anakin　finished；　matter…of…factly。　〃Really？〃　she　replied　sarcastically。　〃Well；　how　would　you　have　it　work？〃
　
　Anakin　stood　up；　suddenly　intense。　〃We　need　a　system　where　the　politicians　sit　down　and　discuss　the　problem；　agree　what's　in　the　best　interests　of　the　people；　and　then　do　it；〃　he　said；　as　if　it　was　perfectly　simple　and　logical。
　〃Which　is　exactly　what　we　do；〃　came　Padme's　unhesitating　reply。　Anakin　looked　at　her　doubtfully。
　〃The　trouble　is　that　people　don't　always　agree；〃　she　explained。　〃In　fact；　they　hardly　ever　do。〃
　〃Then　they　should　be　made　to。〃
　
　That　statement　caught　Padme　a　bit　off　guard。　Was　he　so　convinced　that　he　had　the　answers　that　he　。。。　No；　she　put　that　unsettling　thought　out　of　her　mind。　〃By　whom？〃　she　asked。　〃Who　is　going　to　make　them？〃
　〃I　don't　know；〃　he　answered；　waving　his　hands　again　in　obvious　frustration。
　〃Someone。〃
　〃You？〃
　〃Of　course　not　me！〃
　〃But　someone。〃
　〃Someone　wise。〃
　〃That　sounds　an　awful　lot　like　a　dictatorship；〃　Padme　said；　winning　the　debate。　She　watched　Anakin　as　a　mischievous　little　grin　began　to　spread　across　his　face。
　〃Well；〃　he　said　calmly；　〃if　it　works。。。〃
　
　Padme　tried　to　hide　her　shock。　What　was　he　talking　about？　How　could　he　believe　that？　She　stared　at　him；　and　he　returned　the　severe　look…but　he　couldn't　hold　it；　and　burst　out　laughing。
　〃You're　making　fun　of　me！〃
　〃Oh　no；〃　Anakin　said；　backing　away　and　falling　to　sit　on　the　soft　grass；　hands　out　defensively　before　him。　〃I'd　be　much　too　frightened　to　tease　a　Senator。〃
　〃You're　so　bad！〃　She　reached　over；　picked　up　a　piece　of　fruit；　and　threw　it　at　him；　and　when　he　caught　it；　she　threw　another；　and　then　another。
　〃You're　always　so　serious；〃　Anakin　scolded；　and　he　began　juggling　the　fruit。
　〃I'm　so　serious？〃　Her　incredulity　was　feigned；　because　Padme　agreed　with　the　assessment　to　a　great　extent。　For　all　her　life；　she　had　watched　people　like　Palo　go　off　and　follow　their　hearts；　while　she　had　followed　the　path　of　duty。　She　had　known　great　triumph　and　great　joy；　to　be　sure；　but　all　of　it　had　been　wrapped　up　in　the　extravagant　outfits　of　Naboo's　Queen；　and　now　in　the　endless　responsibilities　of　a　Galactic　Senator。　Maybe　she　just　wanted　to　take　off　all　those　trappings；　all　those　clothes；　and　dive　into　the　sparkling　water；　for　no　better　reason　than　to　feel　its　cool　fort；　for　no　better　reason　than　to　laugh。
　
　She　grabbed　up　another　piece　of　fruit　and　threw　it　at　Anakin；　and　he　caught　it　and　seamlessly　put　it　up　with　the　others。　Then　another；　and　another；　until　too　many　went　his　way　and　he　lost　control；　then　tried　futilely　to　duck　away　from　the　dropping　fruit。
　
　Padme　had　to　clutch　at　her　belly；　she　was　laughing　so　hard。　Caught　up　in　the　whirlwind　of　the　moment；　Anakin　sprang　to　his　feet　and　ran　off　to　the　side；　cutting　in　front　of　a　shaak　and　frightening　it　with　his　sheer　jubilance。
　
　The　normally　passive　grazers　gave　a　snort　and　took　up　the　chase；　with　Anakin　running　in　circles　and　then　off　over　the　hill。
　
　Padme　sat　back　and　considered　this　moment；　this　day；　and　her　panion。　What　was　happening　here？　She　couldn't　dismiss　the　pangs　of　guilt　that　she　was　out　here　playing　without　purpose；　while　others　worked　hard　to　carry　on　the　fight　against　the　Military　Creation　Act；　or　while　Obi…Wan　Kenobi　scoured　the　galaxy　in　search　of　those　who　would　see　her　dead。
　
　She　should　be　out　there；　somewhere；　doing　something　。　。　。
　
　Her　thoughts　fell　away　in　another　burst　of　incredulous　laughter　as　Anakin　and　the　shaak　came　by　once　more；　this　time　with　the　Jedi　riding　the　beast；　one　hand　clenched　on　a　fold　of　its　flesh；　the　other　high　and　waving　behind　him　for　balance。　What　made　it　all　the　more　ridiculous　was　that　Anakin　was　riding　backward；　facing　the　shaak's　tail！
　
　〃Anakin！〃　she　cried　in　amazement。　A　bit　of　trepidation　crept　into　her　voice　as　she　repeated　the　call；　for　the　shaak　had　broken　into　a　full　gallop；　and　Anakin　was　trying　to　stand　up　on　its　back。　He　almost　made　it；　but　then　the　lumbering　creature　bucked　and　he　flew　away；　tumbling　to　the　ground。
　
　Padme　howled　with　laughter；　clutching　her　stomach。
　
　But　Anakin　lay　very　still。
　
　She　stopped　and　stared　at　him；　suddenly　frightened。　She　scrambled　up；　thinking　her　whole　world　had　just　crashed　down　around　her；　and　rushed　to　his　side。　〃Annie！　Annie！　Are　you　all　right？〃
　
　Gently；　Padme　turned　him　over。　He　seemed　serene　and　still。　And　then　his　face　twisted　into　a　perfectly　stupid　expression　and　he　burst　out　laughing。
　〃Oh！〃　Padme　cried；　and　she　punched　out　at　him。　He　caught　her　hand　and　pulled　her　in　close；　and　she　willingly　crashed　onto　him；　wrestling　with　fury。
　
　Anakin　finally　managed　to　roll　her　over　and　pin　her；　and　Padme　stopped　struggling；　suddenly　aware　of　the　closeness。　She　looked　into　his　eyes　and　felt　the　press　of　his　body　upon　hers。
　
　Anakin　blushed　and　let　go；　rolling　away；　but　then　he　stood　up　and　very　seriously　reached　his　hand　out　to　her。
　
　All　self…consciousness　was　gone　now　from　Padme。　She　looked　hard　into　Anakin's　blue　eyes；　finally　and　silently　admitting　the　truth。　She　took　his　hand　and　followed　him　to　the　shaak；　which　was　grazing　contentedly　once　more。
　
　Anakin　climbed　onto　its　back　and　pulled　Padme　up　behind　him；　and　they　rode　off　across　the　meadow；　with　Padme's　arms　about　his　waist；　her　body　pressed　up　against　his；　a　swirl　of　emotions　and　questions　spinning　about　in　her　mind。
　
　　Padme　jumped　at　the　sound　of　the　knock　on　the　door。　She　knew　who　it　was；　and　knew　she　was　safe…from　everything　but　her　own　feelings。　The　afternoon　at　the　meadow　replayed　in　her　thoughts；　particularly　the　ride　on　the　shaak；　when　Anakin　had　taken　her　back　to　the　lodge。　For　the　minutes　of　that　ride；　Padme　had　not　hidden　behind　a　mask　of　denial；　or　behind　anything　else。　Sitting　behind　Anakin；　her　arms　about　his　waist；　her　head　resting　on　the　back　of　his　shoulder；　she　had　felt　safe　and　secure；　perfectly　content　and　。　。　。
　
　She　had　to　take　a　deep　breath　to　keep　her　hand　from　trembling　as　she　reached　up　for　the　doorknob。　　　She　pulled　the　door　back；　and　could　see　nothing　but　the　tall　and　lean　silhouette；　backlit　by　the　setting　sun。
　
　Anakin　shifted　just　a　bit；　blocking　the　rosy　glow　enough　so　that　Padm　could　see　his　smile。　He　started　to　move　in；　but　she　held　her　ground。　It　wasn't　a　conscious　decision；　she　was　simply　entranced；　for　it　seemed　to　her　as　if　the　sun　was　setting　behind　Anakin's　shoulders　and　not　behind　the　horizon；　as　if　he　was　big　enough　to　dismiss　the　day。　Orange　flames　danced　about　his　silhouette；　dulling　the　distinction　between　Anakin　and　eternity。　Padme　had　to　consciously　remember　to　breathe。　She　stepped　back　and　Anakin　sauntered　in；　apparently　oblivious　to　the　wondrous　moment　she　had　just　experienced。　He　was　grinning　mischievously；　and　for　some　reason　she　felt　embarrassed。　She　wondered　for　a　moment　if　she　should　have　chosen　a　different　outfit；　for　the　evening　dress　she　was　wearing　was　black　and　off　the　shoulder；　showing　quite　a　bit　of　flesh。　She　wore　a　black　choker；　as　well；　with　a　line　of　sheer　fabric　running　down　over　the　front　of　the　dress；　barely　concealing　her　cleavage。
　
　She　moved　to　close　the　door；　but　paused　and　looked　back　over　the　lake；　at　the　rose…colored　tint　filtering　across　the　shimmering　water。　When　she　turned　back；　Anakin　was　already　standing　by　the　table；　looking　over　the　bowl　of　fruit　and　the　settings　Padme　had　put　out。　She　watched　him　glance　up　at　one　of　the　floating　light　globes；　its　glow　growing　as　the　sunlight　began　to　diminish　outside。　He　playfully　poked　at　it；　seemingly　oblivious　that　she；　or　anyone　else；　was　watching　him；　and　his　smile　nearly　reached　his　ears　as　the　globe　bounced　away　from　his　touch；　elongating　the　soft　sphere　of　light。
　
　The　next　few　moments　of　just　watching　Anakin　were　quite　pleasant　for　Padme；　but　the　next　few　after　that；　when　he　started　looking　back　at　her；　his　expression　alternately　playful　and　intense；　proved　more　than　a　bit　unfortable。
　
　Soon　enough；　though；　the　pair　had　settled　in　at　the　table；　seated　across　from　each　other。　Two　of　the　resort　waitresses；　Nandi　and　Teckla；　served　them　their　meal；　while　Anakin　began　recounting　some　of　the　adventures　he　had　known　over　the　last　ten　years；　training　and　flying　with　Obi…Wan。
　
　Padme　listened　attentively；　captivated　by　Anakin's