starter for @allthingsdie
It was prudent for the Rebellion, for Padmé and both her children, for any Jedi survivors to know where Vader was. After all, he was the most dangerous man in the galaxy, knowing where he was going meant they could get early warning to any rebels, or survivors of Order 66 to flee. For two years now Padmé had taken that information and used it to stay out of Anakin’s path. Not today. Not any more. She couldn’t keep running while her husband was serving Palpatine.
No matter the time or distance or what had happened. She knew he was still good, she knew it. And she wouldn’t leave him to continue this fight on his own. And perhaps some part of her, some childish, hopefully part of her hoped she could bring him home, and they could go get Luke, and they could be a family.
Her heart was racing in her chest as she kissed Leia good bye, leaving her on Alderaan with Sabé. Her stomach twisted into knots as she loaded Artoo into the small one man fighter, and flew off for a reunion with her husband. Not alone though, never alone so long as she had Artoo with her. The little astromech took this mission seriously. As he took all his missions seriously, but for this one, she knew the little droid wanted Anakin back nearly as much as she did.
As soon as she touched down on the planet, she and Artoo headed off to find the small Rebel encampment. Relief swept through her like she’d drunk too much wine, “You all need to run, now, go, Vader is coming” she warned them. They scattered, prey running from a predator and Padmé sat down and waited.
