Anakin did his best to make the most of what little they had. But it was a struggle and while it took its toll on his pride the sight of Dormé suffering left a far greater mark. The extra trinkets and personal belongings were the first to go and though the former emperor thought he'd miss them in the end he was more grateful that it gave them food and water amongst other supplies. But when that started to dwindle away Anakin soon learnt to live without the personal things he had grown attached to. Such things like personal inventions he had created for the Tempest back when Dormé and himself were still courting. They were meant to help Dormé when she was learning to fly and now they had become nothing but scrap metal. But he had the memories and in the end he reminded himself that was all that really mattered.

Nevertheless such happy moments were promptly becoming far and few between. Neither of them were accustomed to living without the luxuries they were used to, but Dormé took to the transition a bit better than her husband who knew nothing of the poor man's life. Anakin continued to maintain his pride and as he took different jobs he promptly learnt that his pride was causing more damage than good. Yet despite Dormé's advice, which he did his best to follow, the former emperor often forgot himself and thus was always losing his jobs.

At least now they fit in and with their shabby appearances and the wear of all their hard experiences no one would ever guess they used to be imperial rulers. That alone, in Anakin's opinion, was a blessing as he could still recall the horror of having to rush to their temporary quarters at the local inn when one of his co-workers figured out his identity. It wasn't that he feared his own life but rather what they would do to his wife in the name of vengeance.

Though the loss of work would cause many fights between them, in the end, they knew they needed each other and that it was all they had left. As their anniversary approached, Anakin was loathed to let it pass without any significant gesture being made. He did his best to bite his tongue, to hold his thoughts in and not use mindtricks.

However on this day much to his humiliation Anakin was once again out of a job. For once it wasn't due to poor behaviour or his usual pompous arrogance getting the better of him. The shop was forced to shut down as it had gone bankrupt due to the fact the owner owed money to the Hutts and the blackmarket kingpins had come to collect. Everyone who worked there were let go without warning or pay leaving a desperate Anakin without any money or means of getting some food for the two of them.

In silence, he stared at the many shops of the bazaar seeing all of the thing he wished he could give Dormé and yet knowing he never could. While using mindtricks in the past worked before Anakin promptly learnt the hard way that theft was not the way to go and that doing so would only force them on the run once more. He couldn't kill those who knew what he had done as doing so -no matter how tempting- would only return him down the path he struggled so hard to escape. With their children millions of miles away and his wife slowly being consumed by the desert, Anakin knew better than to even think such dark thoughts nevermind act upon them.

But today was their anniversary and Anakin had hoped to have received payment for his work and was planning to buy some much need food and water with it. Now he was broke once more and with nothing left to sell, not even The Tempest which had already been sold two months ago to ensure rent was made. It didn't give them much money as he had already stripped it of all its upgrades and anything that wasn't necessary for basic functions.

Nevertheless, as his fingers fiddled with his utility belt the former Sith Lord realized there was still hope yet. Quietly sifting through the throngs of crowds he approached an old shop that boasted that it had the best rare artefacts. Biting his lip, Anakin took out his lightsaber and quietly asked how much he could get for it. The man just laughed saying he had seen so many replicas and that this was just one more.

'It's the real thing, I assure you. If you like, I'll activate it and you can see for yourself,' Anakin quietly explained struggling to ignore how much the blade meant to him and the history it carried. It was, after all, just another testament to his crimes and perhaps it was just better that he parted ways from it.

'It's worth nothing to me stranger. After all, who do you know needs one of those useless things? It's nothing compared to a blaster!' he remarked in disgust.

Anakin laughed as he activated it, recalling Obi-Wan's thoughts on blasters and laser pistols. He could almost hear his brother sniff of disgust as he stated that they were so uncivilized.

Praise the Force you can't see me now, he thought sadly to himself as he de-activated to the nonplussed shopkeeper.

'Perhaps the crystal might prove to be of some worth,' he finally stated, causing Anakin's heart to leap with hope. The price made was hardly worthy of note, but he accepted it anyway, as it ensured they would have food for the next couple of days and water as well. It was hardly what he had in mind for their anniversary celebration but in the end he'd rather Dormé got some food into her frail body than for her to have another trinket for her hair or a new gown.

Anakin fought back tears to the thought as he often did during the long hours of night when he held her close and was forced to ignore how her bones looked as though they were stretching her skin. Dormé did her best to hide it, but starvation was never something someone as small as her could ever mask. It shamed him to no end to think how little he could provide for her and it shamed him even more at how grateful he was their children weren't here with them. He knew that it would have only forced them to have to suffer along with them. But what shamed him the most was how thankful that he was that Dormé was still by his side. Anakin knew it was a selfish thought but she was his anchor and he knew if she wasn't near he would have lost himself to the darkness along long time ago.

As he made his way home with the small satchel of food and water, he found it a struggle to remain focused on the positive. He knew ultimately he'd find another job for how long he couldn't say but he prayed it would be soon as money wasn't the only thing that had since run out. And now Anakin realized that time was rapidly becoming the true killer and if things didn't improve, he was certain the desert would soon steal away the last and only light left in his life.

---

Returning home, Dormé's head felt lighter. Entering their small home, she glanced in the mirror, shocked at what she saw. Without her long, dark hair, she almost looked like a different person. She didn't feel different though. She tried to console herself that it would grow back and that it was more important that they would be able to have something to eat tonight. All she got in return for her hair was enough meat for two people and some vegetables.

Dormé wasn't expecting Anakin home so early, but she was nearly finished fixing their supper. The table was set with what little they had. She tried to make it look as nice as she could. She just hoped he wouldn't be angry that she sold her hair. She knew how much he enjoyed running his hands through it and in truth, she would miss it.

In the tiny fresher they shared, she made herself as presentable as she could manage, fighting tears over her frivolous hair. It shouldn't matter, she knew, but parting with the last aspect of her vanity-having already gotten used to wearing local clothing, boots, and only her wedding band for jewellery-was the hardest. She didn't look at all like the empress she once was, for the cropped hair only served to accentuate her thinning body.

As he stepped inside their quaint home, he could smell the familiar scent of freshly cooked food and felt torn between what the scent represented and the fear of what she had to done to collect them some food. Anakin felt his heart drop when he recalled Dormé's admittance that if worse came to worse, she would consider selling her wedding band. He desperately hoped it hadn't come to that.

Emerging from the fresher, Dormé went to greet her husband, but approached him slowly as she saw what he was carrying in his arms. 'I've made dinner,' she said, as though he couldn't smell it.

A sigh of relief almost escaped his lips upon seeing the band still around her arm, but he could feel her emotions and knew the loss of her hair was hard on her. In silence, he lowered the satchel to the floor as he silently moved to draw her in his arms. Anakin knew that there were moments when words weren't necessary and this was one of them. Holding her close, Anakin ran his fingers through her short hair as he gently kissed her gaunt cheeks.

Pulling back, she touched his cheek. Anakin looked so haggard to Dormé and she could tell he had also been through a lot today.

While her hair's length hardly bothered Anakin, as he knew it would soon grow back, the fact it highlighted her gaunt features worried him, reminding him once more of all they had been through and the toll it was taking on his beloved. The thought made him tightened his embrace as he bit his lip and forced himself to ignore his dark thoughts. Tonight was their anniversary and he would not let such despair ruin what little joy they had left in their life.

As she drew back, Anakin leaned into her touch and gave her a gentle smile.

Instead of inquiring, she kissed him before suggesting he take a seat at the table while she served them. Neither did she ask what he brought home, for upon moving from his embrace, she immediately noticed he was no longer carrying his lightsaber. It was then she struggled against tears for his loss, knowing how much it meant to him.

Following her to the table, he offered to help but Dormé already had everything ready for them. Though there was much on his mind Anakin didn't speak a word of it. Neither did he openly respond to Dormé's unshed tears as he knew what they were for and didn't want her to feel bad for it. In his mind it was worth the loss as Anakin knew he'd happily throw away his Force powers if it meant that Dormé's health would be restored to her. But this wasn't possible and so he satisfied himself with the fact he need not worry about having food for them both for the next couple of days. At the very least, the desert would not be able to steal his beloved. Even if for only a little while longer, she was his and his alone.

It was hardly an impressive meal and in truth, Dormé felt it was lacking, but it was more than they had had to eat in quite awhile. She served a larger portion to him and sat down. She found despite her eyes, she wasn't able to eat as much as she used to. Even so, she did her best to get some down, knowing how he worried about her. She didn't want him to worry. He already had so much on his mind.

Anakin had no qualms about the meal in truth was more grateful to see that Dormé was eating period to even may his own dinner much mind. In truth, his appetite wasn't as it once was either though, like Dormé, he tried to eat a little so as not to disappoint or worry her.

Falling asleep in his arms, Dormé felt incredibly grateful for him, just as she was thankful their children were not with them. Though leaving them was the hardest thing Dormé had ever done in her life, she knew the decision was for the best and they would have a chance at a better life. In her dreams, she saw the beautiful restaurant with waterfalls that Anakin took her to, not that long ago, the walk through the gardens, enjoying each other's company. Laic and Runa were chasing each other around, laughing playfully. In the distance, she saw Aené though she was still the young girl she had seen in her vision. Aené was smiling as she watched Laic and Runa without interfering in their game.

Despite the troubles they had been through and all that they had experienced night time still proved to be Anakin's greatest solace or rather the chance given to just rest in Dormé's arms. But with each passing day, the former emperor found his great solace, his moments of peace, beginning to wear thin, leaving in its place a growing sense of fear and despair. At night, he could hear the sound of the desert winds tearing wildly against their small home wearing down the stone bit by bit, like the stress and the struggles were wearing and whittling away his beloved. Silently and desperately he would hold onto Dormé's fragile form and beg the Force to not let her go, to take everything it possibly could but just leave his queen.

Tonight was no different and as he buried his face into the crook of her neck, Anakin struggled against the tears the collected in his eyes. This truly was the end of the line and Anakin knew if he didn't a new job soon, it would only be a matter of days before the desert would consume the last light of his life. Though he had struggled to remain positive despite all the complications that seemed to arise, the constant need to be on the run and now the starvation, Anakin only now found himself fully succumbing to his fear. Holding her close he silently wept as he whispered words of love to her before finally drifting to exhausted sleep.

---

It was not long after their anniversary when rent was due and they had nothing left to barter with except her wedding band. When offered to their master, he refused and they knew it was time to leave. Anakin had exhausted all efforts to find another job in this city. Dormé didn't blame him. She knew how much he had changed since they arrived on Tatooine.

Crossing the desert proved to be the worst of their trials yet. The Dune Sea was harsher than anything Dormé experienced in her life. Anakin had only heard legends of the Dune Sea and everyone one of them used to give him nightmares as a youngling.

They tried every chance they had to hail a passing holocraft to hitch a ride, but the only offer they received was an inappropriate invitation to Dormé on the second day and as she was not about to leave her husband behind, nor deign herself to the invitation, they continued onward on foot, making their way through the Dune Sea.

As tempting as it was to kill the men who taunted them and made inappropriate invitation to his wife, Anakin was hardly in a state to partake of any sort of battle. As such they continued on foot until they reached the Jundland Wastes where exhaustion forced them to make camp. Thankfully the Force and the gods smiled upon them and thus the winds were silent.

There was only half a bottle left of water. Even though it was not a particularly dry season, the water prices were still incredibly high. Anakin tried to hunt for some food anything that might tide them over even for a day, anything so that Dormé could make it. But despite the fact it was Tatooine's wet season, life was scarce in the wastelands, much like the little bit of water they had left.

It was their first night out of the harsh winds and for this peace, Dormé was grateful. The pains of hunger had long since faded now. Even if she were offered food, she wouldn't want it.

Dormé was so tired, but remained awake in his arms, just looking at him for a long while, running her fingers through his hair. 'I love you, Anakin,' she murmured, her voice cracked from dehydration.

Holding his wife close Anakin tried not to dwell on his fears and focused his mind entirely on the present. Her murmured raspy words brought unshed tears to his eyes as he tightened his embrace around her. 'I love you so much, Dormé,' he murmured back as he ran his fingers through her short hair while kissing her cheeks and neck while trying to ignore the feel of her bone so close to his lips.

A small smile played about her lips as she drifted off to a contented sleep.

As exhaustion forced him to sleep, Anakin remained unaware of the fact that raiding thieves had quickly moved in to steal the last of their water. While Dormé's wedding band was tempting, Anakin was holding her too tightly to permit easy access. Water was considered even more precious than the finest metals and jewels on Tatooine.

As the suns crawled their way across the sky, Anakin immediately sensed something was terribly wrong. He tried to rouse Dormé to encourage her to wake up for if they didn't move swiftly not only would the heat get to them, but the raiders as well. However, when she didn't respond panic gripped his heart and desperately he tore through their small satchel searching for the bottle of water to give to her. While he could sense her Force signature marking that she was still alive, Anakin could also see it was rapidly fading away. Panicked at the discovery that the water had been stolen, he swiftly scooped up his beloved and frantically attempted to race through wastelands as best as his legs could carry him.

Nevertheless as the day continued and the suns grew hotter the former Sith Lord found himself falling prey to the desert himself. His worst nightmare was rapidly becoming a reality and while his common sense trying to tell him that he would shortly be in Mos Eisley his heart was far too consumed with the fear that his wife would not make it to care. As he stumbled towards the city's perimeter, his eyes were blurry and his steps were unstable but his grip on his wife whom he carried never wavered. Lost to the hallucinations brought on by the heat and his exhaustion as well as malnutrition, the former emperor was consumed by the fear that the ancient desert nightmares or monsters were now hunting them down seeking to devour the soul of his beloved.

They were after her of that Anakin was certain. He could swear that he felt their hot breath breathing against his sticky neck, and feel their poisoned gazes burning into his back. He didn't dare look back as he knew if he did they would take advantage of his distraction and would steal her away from him. But his feet weren't moving as fast as he would have liked and his body wasn't nearly as responsive as he would have desired. Though his arms weighed as though they were made of lead Anakin didn't dare falter as he held Dormé ever tightly to him. He knew if he dared to pause the desert nightmares would surely steal her soul and he couldn't let that happen.

He saw shadowy forms approaching and in his hallucinating state believed them to be his invisible foes had increased in number and were now surrounding him. His body already worn thin from lack of food, water and rest began to crumple as the despair and panic sank in. His legs gave away but not his arms and thus he dropped to his knees while still holding onto Dormé tightly. Tears unknowingly began to spill forming streaks down his dusty and now stubbled cheeks as he clutched onto his wife using his body as a shield from the unknowing form that rushed towards him.

'You can't have her! She's not yours to take! She hasn't done anything wrong! I'm the one deserving of this fate, not her! Please, I beg of you, leave her alone!' he pleaded in a voice made raspy from dehydration and the heat.