‘I hate them. I know you’re going to tell me it’s wrong, that I’m bad for feeling this way, but it won’t change my mind. I wish they were dead,’ Runa stated as her bokken clacked against her mentor’s own. Her small face was stoic and guarded but her eyes did little to hide the anger and disgust that lingered within them.

Tamé frowned in reply as she was only too aware now of the fact Runa had finally learnt of her heritage. However she had known the identity of Saché’s surrogate daughter long before this moment and had done her best to respect Saché’s wish to ensure Runa was enlightened to the other side of the empire. So as to keep the young girl’s mind open and her heart from being filled with hatred for her parents.

But try as the elder woman may, there was only so much she could do and even that was a struggle as she too held a rather potent outlook when it came to the Vaders. Fortunately this mindset was never cast on their daughter and Tamé couldn’t deny the fact Runa was as fine a pupil as her aunt was years ago. However on this day she was not at all proud of Runa’s rather vicious statement and was quick to draw their little spar to an end.

With the wooden bokken now pointed at Runa’s heart the elderly tutor studied her intently leaving the young girl to readily return her gaze in silent challenge. ‘Tell me, Lady Runa, have you ever done something, anything at all to purposely hurt someone?’

Runa furrowed her brow in confusion to this odd question but it was obvious her mentor was serious and was now waiting for her reply. Growing thoughtful the young girl did recall once punching another child in her class for bullying a younger student. Though she was punished for her behaviour Runa couldn’t say she regretted it. The bully had no right to pick on the younger students and she would not let him get away with it.

‘I punched a boy in my class a few months ago,’ Runa admitted quietly.

‘Why?’ Tamé challenged quietly Runa immediately grew defensive. ‘He was hurting another boy that was from the younger grades. He had no right to hurt him, so I punched him.’

‘Perhaps so, but the question I would like answered Lady Runa, was why did you feel it was necessary to hurt that boy, when you could have properly reported them to the mentors? Did you really think that the use of violence would make you better than that bully?’

Runa stared at her mentor in disbelief not sure what to make of the woman’s words and yet unable to deny the truth within them.
‘Your parents believed that what they were doing was right. Like you they believed that what they did was the only way to handle injustice-’

‘That’s different! They killed innocent people for no reason at all!’ Runa snapped in agitation though it was obvious that Tamé was expecting it.

‘Maybe so, but in their minds they were guilty. Like them you hurt a boy without truly knowing the reasons for his actions. Yes he may have been bullying another boy but do you know why he did it? Or did you just presume that you were in the right and immediately chose to step in to play the hero?’

Runa frowned deeply as she glared to her mentor. ‘The boy was innocent. I couldn’t just stand by and do nothing-’

‘You could have spoken to your mentors and teachers. You should have rather,’ Tamé gently concluded.

‘Nothing Lady Runa is as it seems and every story has two sides. Not everyone who commits crimes is without remorse for their actions. History books tell you only of the crimes that the Vader’s did, they do not speak of the good that was accomplished during their rule, especially towards the end of their reign.

‘So like the incident with the bully you only given one side to the story and are thus forced to see things the way they want you too. But for someone to become truly observant, truly enlightened you must learn to see all sides everything, including your parents. In fact I’d even go as far as to say especially your parents.’

The conversation hardly ended well for the furious Runa who continually fought and defended the warriors who stood up against the corruption of the Vader Empire. While Tamé could not deny the necessity of the Rebel fighters she was hardly about to proclaim their innocence and did her best to help the headstrong girl understand that nothing was black and white.

But Runa was young and stubborn, not unlike her parents to whom she now longed to disassociate herself from. Ever since she had learnt the truth Runa was no longer the girl she once was. Gone were the days of the light hearted spirit who found joy in everything and anything around her. In its place now stirred a dark storm that found peace only in her studies to which she’d constantly throw herself into. It was as though Runa believed that by surrounding herself with knowledge she would find the answers behind her parent’s actions and ultimately a way to bring them to justice.

Though her aunt, like Tamé, did her best to dissuade Runa of her fierce opinion and anger all it seemed to do was encourage it. Runa was now determined to prove to both herself and those around her that she was nothing like the dreaded Emperor and his Empress, that she was better than her parents. In reality the young girl deep down felt responsible somehow for the peoples sufferings and felt that by dedicating herself to justice she would be able to make amends to those who had been hurt by her parents.

But despite her best wishes to make amends, to help those who had suffered so much from her parents hands Runa had no idea where to begin and began to feel trapped by a past she couldn’t remember. Her change of personality was noted by all and soon her friends were beginning to question Runa’s long hours of training with her mentor, or the reasons behind her constant need to study. It wasn’t until she learnt from her aunt that the time had come for her to return home –her real home- did Runa truly start feeling the effects of her situation.

Sleep became a thing of the past as nightmares plagued her filling her with mental images of being trapped in prison or being hunted down by unseeing monsters, or being attack by her friends who no longer wanted anything to do with her because of her parents. The worst of them found Runa struggling to find her brother who seemed to be trapped like her in a vast building. Rushing down the halls filled with doors Runa continually tried to open each one desperately hoping to find her brother behind one of them. In the end all the rooms were empty and she knew somehow that she was too late, that something had happened and now Laic too was lost to her.

Nevertheless despite her aunt and uncles fears over Runa’s state of mind the day came and with much reluctance, fear and anger the young girl found herself sitting on her aunt and uncles ship headed to the last place in the universe she wanted to be. During the entire journey Runa clung tightly onto the plushie which was a gift she had long since forgotten had come from her ama. Her thoughts were divided and torn between plotting a way to safely return home to Naboo and wondering what she had done to cause her aunt and uncle to be so angry with her. After all why else would they choose to send her to this hellish place to live amongst the monsters who dared to call themselves her parents?

With the words of his dead sister lingering in his thoughts, Laic followed Uncle Obi-Wan off the ship that took them from Coruscant to Naboo to the one that would be taking them to Tatooine. However, as they approached the ship and were met by Captain Typho, Obi-Wan stopped. Laic looked to Obi-Wan with concern.

‘This is where I leave you.’

‘But—’ Laic protested, but the look from his Master prevented him from objecting further. He had no luggage, he had no baggage, and now he had no one to support him as he made this journey to Tatooine. But just when he thought he had lost all hope, he recognised his sister’s Force signature and was relieved. At least she would be going too and they would arrive together.

Obi-Wan gave Laic’s shoulder a squeeze, reminding him there were times when Jedi had to learn to let go and suggesting he use the trip to clear his mind.

Laic nodded but quickly turned away from his Master so he wouldn’t see Laic’s tears. He swore it was because he was tired, because he hadn’t slept much, that he was more emotional than usual.

‘Runa will need you...Daddy will need you too.’

Laic wiped his eyes and nose with the sleeve of his Jedi tunic before boarding the vessel. He refused to look back to Obi-Wan because he knew if he did, he wouldn’t be able to go.

Runa was in her small room when the ship arrived on Coruscant to collect Laic. In her hands rested a small data pad which now held a series of overly simplified maps of Tatooine. None of which made sense to Runa who was trying to find their destination and more importantly the nearest transport center. But before she had a chance to give a frustrated sigh Runa heard the sound of footsteps heading down the hall and swiftly hid the data pad back in her knapsack. Rising to her feet she quietly slip to the door of her quarters and peek out her expression a look of guarded curiousity.

Upon seeing Laic in the distance now being guided to his temporary quarters Runa smiled feeling much better already. She knew that together they’d be able to find a way out of this mess and that together they’d be able to bury the past they had been forced to embrace. But it was then that she recalled her harsh words to him from before and biting her lip Runa quietly emerged. She had to apologize to him it was the very least she could do after the way she had treated him.

‘Laic?’ she hesitantly spoke as she neared before pausing to bow as she was reminded of her aunts words about manners.

Laic struggled to get rid of his tears and running nose while being escorted to his temporary quarters on the ship when a soft, familiar voice spoke his name. Laic turned to the Force signature of his sister, looking to her hesitantly.

Though he was relieved that she was going on the same ship as him and would be arriving with him, he was still nervous about this whole thing...and scared of seeing Daddy. When she bowed, Laic automatically bowed back at her, his hand brushing over the cold metal of his lightsaber.

Soren smiled slightly at the sight of the two of them and took it as his queue to make sure everything was on schedule.

Laic scratched the back of his neck nervously. ‘Hi...’

Saché watched from a distance but chose not to get involved as it had become a delicate topic with Runa one that always left Saché now on the outside. Though their surrogate daughter was hardly pleased with the situation she was far more trusting of her uncle over Saché who struggled to ensure Runa saw things from her parents’ perspective.

Runa gave a shy smile to Laic’s nervous greeting before growing apologetic herself. ‘I wanted to say sorry for being so mean to you before, I didn’t know you were serious at first and when I realized you were I got scared.’ she admitted in shy tones.

Laic waved a hand her apology. ‘It’s OK. I mean...I thought you knew and everything...’ He was tempted to admit he was scared too, but withheld it, knowing Uncle Obi-Wan wouldn’t want to upset her again.

‘I tried to go to the temple with Uncle Soren to say sorry sooner, but they wouldn’t let me inside,’ she admitted quietly. Runa blushed further at his words as she bit her lip. ‘At first I was angry with you for telling me. But now I’m just glad I was able to meet you,’ she admitted with a shy smile before further explaining she tried to apologize to him sooner.

‘You did?’ he asked, his eyes wide. ‘If I knew, I would have let you in,’ he admitted shyly.

‘It’s all right how were you to know?’ she concluded before turning around as she furrowed her brow to see who or what he was pointing at. ‘Oh that’s—’ she turned crimson as she realised Laic was pointing to her stuffy. ‘That’s my sea monster,’ she murmured in embarrassed tones.

Laic just nodded to her words as his eyes drifted in to her quarters and noticed the stuffy. When she informed him that it was a sea monster, his eyes widened and he forgot his manners, entering without permission and picking it up. ‘Oh, I remember this! I think Ama made this for you,’ he said, examining it with a nostalgic smile.

Runa quickly followed her brother pleased to know he wasn’t going to mock her for it. But at his words her expression fell. She had no memory of the stuffy’s origins and believed that Auntie Saché had given it to her. Suddenly the normally comforting toy became vile in her mind and she frowned.

‘I wish I had something to bring, but Jedi can’t, well, we’re not supposed to have any belongings, except our lightsabers of course.’

But Laic was soon speaking of the Jedi Order and Runa’s thoughts shifted forward as she raised a brow. ‘So that wasn’t just a rumour? You really can’t have anything at all? Why not?’ she asked curiously and then realizing with disappointment that the toy she made him wasn’t something he’d be able to accept.

Laic noticed her change in mood regarding the stuffy and felt bad for saying anything. ‘No, it’s a rule, but many people aren’t following it strictly anymore.’

Runa furrowed her brow as she listened in curiosity to Laic’s words, though the Force was more of a legend to her, hearing her brother speak of it made it more real.

‘Uncle Obi-Wan says as long as we understand that the tangible is fleeting that it’s OK to have things, but not to think it’s more better than the Force...I think that’s right, I might be wrong.’ Laic didn’t really want to talk about the Force, but since Runa asked, he wanted to answer her question truthfully.

‘So those who are sensitive to it, regard the Force in the same manner a non sensitive regards a god or goddess?’ Runa continued to ask. ‘The light side is like the good gods/goddess and the dark side like the demons and the dragon monsters?’ Runa asked while opening her bag as she dug through it until she found what she sought.

Laic nodded to his sister’s words. But when she went on to talk about the dark side being demonic, it reminded him of scary images of their father...the look in his eyes, the way he yelled...the way his Force signature was so angry and oppressing... He unconsciously shivered. ‘Yeah, something like that.’

Runa noticed his reaction and grew concerned. ‘Are you OK?’ she asked when he shivered before growing apologetic as she didn’t understand. ‘I’m sorry I didn’t mean to say something wrong I was just curious that’s all,’ she admitted.

‘I’m not supposed to be afraid, but I am,’ Laic said, trying to explain his behaviour and feeling embarrassed by the emotions he had a hard time concealing. ‘I’m afraid of the dark side...I’m afraid of seeing Dad again.’ He looked at her cautiously. ‘You don’t remember any of it, do you,’ he said as more of an observation than a question.

Runa fell silent to her brother’s words and though she didn’t react her expression said all that was on her mind. While she hardly knew Laic already she was fiercely protective of him. The Force wasn’t something she understood or could ever hope to understand, but the fear of becoming the very thing she despised was. To his observation she just shook her head in silence. ‘I guess one could consider it an unexpected gift of sorts,’ she murmured thoughtfully before taking a seat on her bed. As he continued she furrowed her brow taking in his words as her heart went out to him. She had no idea why their father was the reason she had no sensitivity to the Force, or the finer details of Aené’s passing.

Taking the initiative, he sat down in her temporary quarters, trying to remember the words of Aené from his vision. ‘I don’t mean that I remember everything but I do remember a lot, mostly feelings and images, but...’ He shrugged. ‘I just...Dad used the dark side of the Force so much... He’s the reason you can’t touch the Force. He’s the reason we almost didn’t make it...why Aené died... I know before we were taken away that didn’t use it anymore, but I just—I wish I didn’t have to be a Jedi or train. I wish I couldn’t touch the Force like you, then I wouldn’t fear that I—’

Runa was used to hearing the words of her aunt and her mentor and tutor reminding her that the Vader’s were supposedly no longer what they were and she didn’t want to hear it from her brother as well. But it was a fleeting though as when he admitted that he wished he didn’t have the ability to touch the Force Runa could only shake her head in concern. She didn’t need to be sensitive to be able to pick up on Laic’s shame and shyly she reached out to give his hand a squeeze.

Laic looked away, ashamed at the thought as though he were stained by the dark side already without having ever had the experience wielding it. ‘I am scared that I’m going to be like him—not be able to control the power that I’ll become evil too and do bad things and hurt the people I love...’

‘You’ll never become like that Laic. I may have only known you for a few minutes but I can tell,’ she remarked with a smile. ‘You’re smarter than Vader ever was or will be. You know what can happen if you aren’t careful and so you are careful and that makes you smart. And that’s why you’ll never be like him,’ she said confidently. Inwardly she couldn’t help but feel another rush of bitterness towards Vader for hurting her brother like this, for scarring him and filling him with such unnecessary fear.

Feeling his sister’s compassion made him feel so incredibly unworthy, but the fact she was reassuring him, that she didn’t believe that he would become like Dad, helped a little. ‘Promise me, if you think I’m going to turn, tell me or something—I just... I don’t want to hurt anyone.’

Laic’s words were so desperate and so fierce that it was hard for Runa not to pay them heed. In silence she nodded as she furrowed her brow. She wanted to tell him that she wouldn’t be the best choice as she wasn’t familiar with the dark side of the Force and wouldn’t even be able to tell if he was using it. Nevermind the fact he could easily use it on her and she’d never know. However she refrained knowing that he had enough plaguing his thoughts without her adding to it. ‘Of course I will do everything I can to stop you, even if I don’t think it will ever happen,’ she said kindly.

With a sheepish smile she activated the small knick knack and beamed while holding her bag open so it could fly out. ‘You like it?’ she asked.

Laic remained silent and didn’t answer her question because he was lost in the bad memories of the past, however, Runa was soon distracting him again with a flying contraption she made. He gasped. ‘Did you make that??’

‘It’s nothing like the way I wanted it to turn out but I was so happy that it could fly I decided it didn’t really matter,’ she admitted sheepishly.

‘Yes it’s for you! I wanted to make it into a proper starship but I could never get it to fly properly. So I tried to make it like those surface ships I learnt in school that the Wookies used and I actually made it fly properly!’ The flying contraption was ugly and hardly sleek but it flew and was the first creation she made that properly flew without falling apart in mid air.

She blushed then as she gave a sheepish grin. ‘None of my other creations have ever flown really well before, nothing like this anyway,’ she said with a proud smile.

When Runa showed her contraption, Laic was shaken from his dark thoughts and smiled genuinely. ‘For me?’ he asked, baffled at the offer and touched. Laic was thankful when she changed the subject, for the contraption was extremely distracting. ‘It’s amazing, really! I never made something that flew on its own!’

At Laic’s admittance her eyes lit up as she beamed. ‘You build things too? What do you make? I have a bunch of parts and pieces in my kit box! Hold on let me grab it! Do you want to build something with me now?’ she offered while scrambling onto the floor where she pulled out a long and flat silver box from under the bed. ‘It will keep our mind off of things for a bit or at least until its time for us to make our escape,’ she mentioned offhandedly.

‘It looks amazing, Runa! I didn’t know you like to build things...I do too, I mean...with spare parts, really, nothing as fancy as this.’ He eagerly agreed to start building something with her to pass the time, though they didn’t have a chance to finish anything for they soon arrived on Naboo.

The time spent creating and building with Runa did far more than start an interesting contraption, it renewed the sibling bond between them that would only increase during their time together with their family.

Seven years had passed since they last saw their eldest children. This year marked their twentieth wedding anniversary. Siac and Tistia were going to meet their siblings for the first time and Dormé went out of her way to make sure everything was ready for Laic and Runa.

Dormé never thought this day would come and now it was finally here. She spent the last month preparing their rooms and planning meals, though she was unsure what they would enjoy eating.

Today, she was in flurry of anxiety which did not make the three and four-year old extremely Force sensitive children very happy. For this reason Dormé was frantically cooking for their planned dinner and messing up and starting over again. Her hands were shaking, which didn’t help, but she couldn’t help it. She snapped at some of the servants over stupid things that didn’t really matter, but they, for the most part, understood that she was just nervous about making a good impression on their long-lost children.

Anakin like Dormé was nervous and excited for the return of their eldest children. Working as best and as fast as he could Anakin tried to prepare their home for the arrival of Laic and Runa. Part of him did it out of his wish to make their home as inviting and as familiar as possible, for he imagined Tatooine would feel so alien to them. It was also the only way to keep his thoughts off of his nerves and the guilt that even now he still struggled with.

But today was the day of their arrival and while he was incredibly nervous his heart went out to Dormé who was even more so. Anakin wanted to help as best he could but soon realized his presence as always when it involved cooking was more of a hindrance than anything else. But upon checking up on Dormé for the umpteenth time as her nerves could not be ignored Anakin decided to step in.

‘Take a brea,k Dormé, you’ve been working yourself to death. I’m certain nothing will be ruined if you take a five minute break,’ he suggested gently as he silently began to massage her very tense shoulders.

‘I can’t—I’ve already ruined two batches of these,’ she said, referring to the biscuits she was working on for dessert. ‘And I don’t even know if they’ll like it...which is why I also have the conundrum...’ She was too anxious to fully appreciate her husband’s efforts to calm her or at least get her to take a break.

Anakin furrowed his brow as he eyed the huge feast that had already been prepared and continued to rub her shoulders that bore many knots from her tension. ‘Dormé, it’s OK, you’ve made enough food to feed an army. They’re sure to love your cooking, I mean who wouldn’t? You’re a master of the art,’ he encouraged before continuing. ‘But you should take a break before you wear yourself out, here sit down and I’ll properly massage your shoulders and neck,’ he offered while attempting to send soothing thoughts to her mind hoping this too would help a little.

Dormé let out a heavy sigh. She knew he was right and even though keeping busy helped keep her mind from spinning, she conceded. Unaware he was sending her soothing thoughts, she began to feel tired and went to sit where he suggested.

‘Marta asked me to leave,’ she said, referring to the servant watching their littlest ones, ‘when I was checking on them. I think I was making them nervous.’ As soon as she sat down Anakin was promptly rubbing her neck and shoulders hoping that by easing some of her nerves he’d be able to tend to his own. At her words he just kissed her cheek as he grinned. ‘I won’t lie Marta wasn’t too happy about seeing me either and told me in no uncertain terms to get out before my nerves rubbed off on them too.’

He grew more serious then as he briefly slipped his arms around her and gave her a squeeze before returning to his massaging. ‘Don’t worry everything is going to be OK,’ he said softly.

His touch was soothing and Dormé couldn’t help smiling at his words. ‘I’m glad it wasn’t just me then,’ she replied. Marta was a kind Tatooine native a few years older than Dormé, though far more worn because of her life as a slave to the Hutts. Ever indebted to the Skywalkers for freeing her, she soon came into their service after Tistia’s birth. Dormé’s thoughts, however, turned back to their children arriving soon.

Anakin seemed to pick up on this and was once more reassuring her that everything would be fine. She nodded and began to clear her thoughts as his warm hands kneaded the kinks from her neck and shoulders.

It was not long before a messenger informed Dormé of Typho’s ship arriving.

Anakin gave a sheepish smile to Dormé’s words as he nodded, ‘And here I thought I was the only one being tossed out of the nursery’ he gently teased before kissing her cheek.

But just when Anakin felt as though he was finally able to help calm Dormé a messenger arrived to inform Dormé that their children were arriving. Suddenly it was his turn to become incredibly nervous as his heart raced. Closing his eyes briefly he forced his thoughts clear before slipping his hand into Dormé’s.

‘It’s time,’ he whispered softly to her as he gave her hand a squeeze.

Dormé looked to Anakin upon hearing the news, but now she was ready for it or as ready as one person could be. She squeezed his hand in turn and rose to her feet to walk with him to greet their long-lost children. She smiled at him, now confident that this would work out.

‘They’re finally coming home,’ she whispered as they approached the docking bay. Watching the familiar ship land and hearing the landing gears hiss, Dormé felt butterflies in her stomach and was grateful for Anakin’s hand in hers.

Dormé’s smile erased the last of his fears and gave him hope that everything would finally work out as it should.

As they approached the dock bay he caught her whisper and gave her hand another squeeze as he glanced to her with eyes shining with joy. It had been too long but now their family would finally be whole again. As the ship landed Anakin felt his heart race and was forced to clear his thoughts many times. He didn’t know what to expect and though hoping for the best, attempted to brace himself for the worst.

Runa was reluctant to depart from the ship and struggled to keep from completely breaking down. She was a big girl after all and wasn’t about to let her brother think she was a baby. Biting her lip she clung onto her bokken that hung from her hip -as she wanted to be like Laic with his lightsaber- tightly while attempting to focus her thoughts on the positive. Laic was near and together they would find a way back to their homes -their real homes.

But auntie Saché was inistant and despite Runa’s attempts to remain distracted she found herself being gently -but firmly- guided off the ship. Her eyes were narrowed and her expression guarded as she stood near to Laic with her hand resting on her bokken as though somehow the wooden sword would protect both her brother and herself.

The landing ramp lowered and Soren was the first off the ship to greet the royal couple before turning around to witness Saché escorting Runa and Laic off the ship.

Dormé gasped, covering her mouth with her free hand, upon seeing their children so grown up. Had it really been so long? They were practically adults! Her grip on Anakin’s hand tightened.

Laic remained close to his sister as much for her comfort as for his own. Upon seeing his ama, he felt a wave a relief wash over him, but it was almost immediately gone when his eyes drifted to his father.

Dormé let go of Anakin’s hand to lower to her knees, outstretching her arms to Laic and Runa.

Laic quickened his pace and embraced her tightly. Though he didn’t expect to be covered in kisses, he didn’t mind it so much.

‘We’ve missed you so much!’ Dormé exclaimed. ‘Welcome home.’

‘And look at you, Laic...such a big boy now...and a Jedi! Your own lightsaber too!’ Dormé gasped admiringly, so proud of their son and feeling as though she missed too much already.

Laic’s cheeks burned in embarrassment though he was only too eager to share with Ama everything that happened since they were parted.

Anakin’s eyes wavered at the sight of their children emerging from the ship. His heart leapt to his throat and his grip too tightened over Dormé’s hand just as hers tightened against his own. It was real; this was real all of it. They were home, their beloved children were finally returning to their family. Speechless he could only study them in silence as his humble joy was evident all over his features. How grateful he was for this moment and yet so humbled by it as well. It was only when Laic’s eyes drifted to his own that the shame returned. Their eyes met but soon Anakin looked away as he did not wish to think of the past in this moment of happiness. As always he respected Laic’s need for space and was soon focussing his attentions on a very guarded Runa whose knuckles were white from gripping her bokken so tightly.

However his last memories of Runa was when she was a toddler and in those days, she was more than happy to see her father. Unfortunately, so much had changed since then and Anakin distracted by both Dormé and his own emotions didn’t pick up on Runa’s hesitant reaction. Neither did he pick up on the fact that she only approached because she was keeping a sharp eye on her brother as though guarding him when it was clear he could hold his own. Shyly approaching Runa the former emperor gave a loving smile. ‘How we’ve missed you both so much,’ he murmured softly mistaking Runa’s lack of reaction for nerves. ‘It’s all right, you’re home now,’ he continued moving to embrace her.

Runa could only stare at him in silent warning as he neared. She did not want him near either herself or Laic, nevermind touch her. Though Anakin was speaking to her Runa didn’t register his words and instead just glared at him. ‘Do not touch me,’ she warned as he neared with the intent of embracing her. Her grip on her bokken tightened as her eyes flickered to Laic, her need to protect her older brother increasing by the second. However she was as distracted as her father and while Anakin did not pick up on her hostile emotions Runa did not pick up on his loving acceptance. As such the moment her eyes diverted to Laic she found herself caught in a rather affectionate bear hug. Instinct took over and without warning she slammed her small fist as hard as she could into Anakin’s jaw.

‘I said: do not touch me!’ she hissed in rage.

Before he had a chance to say much of anything, Runa’s exclamation diverted his attention.

‘Runa!’ gasped Dormé and Laic simultaneously as her fist collided with Anakin’s jaw. The gaped at her, Dormé with concern for both parties, Laic with concern that their Daddy would react with the dark side…

A/N: Coming up-- Runa tries to make her escape...