It was just about time to close up shop for the hottest part of the day and not too soon for old Mr. Darklighter who was more than ready to partake of his wife’s cooking. His dearest Celia was already inside the main house fixing lunch while he made the last deal of the morning. As he began closing duties, he noticed something strange in the distance. It looked like beast at first, but squinting he made out that it was a person, two people, actually.

‘Celia!’ he shouted. ‘Come here!’ But Mr. Darklighter was already off racing towards the haggard young man and whom he thought to be his daughter at first.

Celia heard the sound of Joran’s voice calling her attention and was quick to rush to the front of the store as she could tell by her husband’s voice that something was terribly wrong. Catching sight of him rushing forward towards a man who appeared to be carrying someone she swiftly picked up her own skirts and raced after her husband in concern.

Jorian approached with care, surprised to hear what the man was saying. He knew was a young man, but he looked so dehydrated and worn. ‘Mr--let me help you--’ he turned as Celia rushed over. ‘We need to get a doctor.’

Anakin’s eyes widened at the sight of the man as his mind could no longer tell if he was friend or foe. Panicked he tried to protect Dormé begging the man to take him instead.

Jorian attempted to check the girl’s pulse, but the young man was hunched over the woman. ‘Let my wife and me help you, sir. You need water. Come with us into our home... it’s just over there—’ he gestured over his shoulder.

It wasn’t until the elder woman joined the old man that Anakin could finally register that they were here to help or at the very least present the offer of help.

Celia nodded at her husband’s words and was about to help her husband when she felt the young man hand grasp her arm. Though it was obvious to her that his grip was meant to be strong and tight, he was too weak to barely even touch her arm. Turning her attentions to the barely conscious man she furrowed her brow and stared at him in disbelief before shaking her head.

‘Take it...Please its all we have...please, milady,’ Anakin hoarsely said as he struggled to force the words out of his dried throat. HE didn’t want to give up Dormé’s wedding band as he knew how much it meant to her but in the end if giving it up meant it would save his beloved then Anakin knew he’d do it without question. But when the old woman refused to take it his heart leapt into his throat. Desperate and panicked he tried once more to offer it to her pleading in barely audible tones for them to take it.

‘Please, I can’t live without her, you have to protect her from them—from the desert nightmares—they’re coming I can feel them they’re near!!’ he gasped as he proceeded to push the bracelet into the elderly woman’s hand. ‘Take it, take it and protect her...’ he rasped.

The golden band obviously meant a lot to the couple, for though they had poor clothing and appearance, the young woman still had it. Though his wife initially refused, Jorian took it from the man, having a feeling it was pointless to argue with him. ‘We will help her,’ Jorian repeated, placing a comforting hand on the young man’s shoulder.

When the old man accepted the band, Anakin gave a shaky sigh of relief though he was still guarded and hesitated when the elderly man tried to help him stand. Holding Dormé near with shaking hands Anakin silently followed the man to a simple but cosy house.

Jorian nodded to his wife, suggesting without words that she go for the nearest healer they knew. The woman would need to be examined by a professional. ‘Come along, sir.’ He hoisted the young man, along with the young woman he carried in his arms, to his feet, before slowly escorting him to their home.

Celia was about to argue but soon understood the reasons for Jorian’s actions as the man was too determined to take no for an answer. Her husband didn’t need to say a word as his expression said all that needed to be said leaving Celia to promptly depart to town to find the healer who had often helped their children and their grandchildren when they were ill.

‘You can lay her here,’ he suggested, showing him to their son’s old room. Jorian then slipped off to get water for the both of them, though he doubted they would be able to get any in the young woman. ‘Drink this, sir. It will help.’

Anakin followed the old man’s instructions and gingerly laid down Dormé onto the bed before dropping to his knees on the floor. Slipping an arm around her almost skeletal waist Anakin then ran his fingers through her short hair as his eyes wavered in sorrow and despair. Had his body enough water in it tears would have spilled down his cheeks.

He barely registered that the old man had entered the room and it wasn’t until the water was placed before him that Anakin could even comprehend anything outside of his wife. Staring at it in silence, Anakin eventually took the bottle and leaned over the still form of Dormé. Biting his lip, he lightly touched her cheek as he whispered her name. When no response came he began to softly beg her to wake up before rambling on that he had water, that she needed to drink it, that he needed her to live…that he wouldn’t let the nightmares get her. When she didn’t respond to this, he began to sob though not a tear was spilled.

Jorian tried to get the young man to drink the water, but he was so consumed with the woman that he didn’t seem to hear. Luckily, it was not long before the healer arrived with her supplies.

The man slipped a hand over Dormé to check her pulse and breathing before confirming what he already suspected. Quickly, he gave her a shot of nutrients and other things needed to replenish her before doing the same only in lessened dosage to the man at her bedside. Jorian watched on, hoping the young woman would make it.

Anakin was hardly responsive even when the healer arrived and didn’t dare move from Dormé’s side the entire time as he watched them with guarded silence. However he refused to allow the healer near him until he was certain Dormé was showing signs of improvement. Nevertheless, Dormé was hardly responsive leaving Anakin uncertain of her condition though through the Force he could sense that her signature was growing stronger.

The healer then made his suggestions about what foods would be best for the woman should she awake and that he would be back to check in on both of the wanderers later that evening.

Anakin’s exhaustion and dehydration proved too much even for him and it wasn’t long before his eyes grew heavy and soon he slipped into a light sleep permitting the healer to inject him with nutrients as well.

Celia did as best she could to provide for the wanderers and at the healers suggestions was soon preparing some food for the woman when she awoke. She also prepared something light for the man though he wouldn’t touch or look at anything save the petite form he watched over. It was only when he too lost consciousness that her husband and the healer were able to carry him to their other son’s old room where he now rested.

When the healer returned later, he was disappointed to see that the woman was still in such rough shape, but insisted it would take some time for her to recover. He injected her and the young man once more before retiring for the evening with promise of returning in the morning. She was taking to the injections, which was a good sign.

When Anakin awoke from his rest to find himself alone and in a room that was unlike any he was familiar with. His thoughts immediately turned to his wife and when he realized she was no longer near him Anakin’s thoughts scattered as a sob escaped his throat. A shaky hand flew to his mouth as he raced from his bed and out of the room his thoughts a jumble of sorrow, panic and despair. At the sight of the elderly woman who was approaching from the nearby kitchen Anakin struggled to speak but only a whimper escaped his lips as he fell to his knees and silently wept. Dormé’s absence in his mind meant only one thing for the broken man and with the belief that she had been taken away from him all coherent thought disappeared leaving behind only mindless despair that bordered on hysteria.

Between dry sobs, Anakin uttered the ancient prayers he had heard only through his mother’s legends as he begged the gods of the sands and spices to steal his soul as well for without Dormé he gasped between tears he was a dead man, that without their children, he truly had no reason to live.

Her heart went out the man and immediately Celia regretted the suggestion of having him rest in the next room. She had no idea the effect it would have had on the man as she believed he knew that his wife was now safe and under proper care. But in silence she drew to his side and quietly informed him that she was just sleeping. However the young man was too lost in his sorrow to believe her words and staring at her with wavering eyes he struggled to speak. ‘Dormé...My queen, my wife and love...Oh Force they took her from me didn’t they? My single ray of light...’

Shaking her head, Celia gently took his arm as she softly explained once more that if he would only let her, she would show him that Dormé was indeed alive.

The man hesitated before staring at her or rather through her for a moment before a hint of a relieved smile started to creep into his worn features. ‘...Please take me to her,’ he whispered softly.

Mrs. Darklighter took him to where Dormé remained resting. ‘She’s been sleeping all day and we’ve been feeding both her and yourself with nutrient and water injections,’ the elder woman explained to

Anakin weakly nodded as he studied his beloved’s Force signature which he had only sensed moments ago. Shyly he slipped his hand into hers while his other hand ran through her hair as he began to whisper gentle words of love in her ear. Never in his life was he more relieved and ever determined Anakin remained by her side and didn’t move an inch until she awoke with a gasp.

Dormé finally awoke. Her head was pounding and her throat was incredibly dry. She felt incredibly weak due to malnutrition and the trials in the dunes. When she tried to speak Anakin’s name, it was hardly anything more than a gasp.

Upon finding she awoke, Jorian made haste for the healer to alert the man the young woman, whom they recently found out was called Dormé, had regained consciousness.

Anakin’s eyes shone with unshed tears as Anakin shyly gave her hand a squeeze. ‘I’m here my love, it’s going to be okay. Your safe now and I’m not going anywhere,’ he gently whispered as his hand slipped to her cheek.

Dormé didn’t hear Anakin, but unconsciously registered him running his fingers through her hair and squeezed her hand. She tried to say his name and hearing his, she blinked her heavy eyes open. Seeing Anakin was such a relief. She smiled softly at him. He was with her, wherever here was and nothing else mattered. As confused as she was about what happened and what brought them to this place, Dormé didn’t need answers just yet, for her beloved was with her. She attempted to squeeze his hand back, but as she was incredibly weak, it wasn’t much. Dormé wanted to hold him, but she was still so tired. It was not long before she was slipping off to sleep once more.

At the sight of her amber orbs gazing into his eyes Anakin felt as though his heart had started to beat once more and giving a shaky sigh of relief he realized it was only then that he truly started to breathe once more. Her smile said so much without a word spoken and he bit his lip for fear he might breakdown and weep in joy at the sight of her. Gently he reached out to touch her cheek just as she lightly squeezed his hand causing his heart to soar as he leaned in and lightly touch his forehead against Dormé’s brow. ‘Oh my love, how I’ve missed you,’ he whispered softly as a tear slipped down his cheek just as he felt her slipping off into sleep again.

When Jorian returned with the healer, he informed Anakin what he was going to do, giving the woman another nutrient supplement with electrolytes before moving to do so.

Anakin watched as the healer tended to his wife his eyes never wavering as he stood like a silent guard by her side.

‘And I would suggest that you try to eat something, Mr—’ he said, in reference to the former emperor. ‘You need to keep up your own strength for your wife’s sake.’

At the man’s words he furrowed his brow as in truth he didn’t feel hungry at all. But he understood the need for it and politely nodded in agreement. ‘I understand, and my name is Anakin, sir,’ he said quietly.

‘Fluellen,’ the healer replied, offering his hand to shake.

Anakin gave a polite bow of his head to the man’s introduction before furrowing his brow curiously and after a moment’s pause shaking his hand. It had been a while since he had encountered proper Tatooine hospitality, nevermind manners and thus it took a moment to recall it. Though Anakin knew that the proper and polite thing to do was to give his full name he refrained as he didn’t want to say or do anything that might jeopardise his wife’s safety. He feared that if they were to connect their surname to the past leaders of the empire they might cast them out and right now Dormé was in no condition to be forced away. It was then that he realized just how much he owed the old couple and quietly he thanked them for helping his wife and himself.

‘It is the least we could do,’ Celia said gently as she entered the room with a large bowl of some sort of soup in her hands. ‘I’d ask if you’d like your soup at the table, but I have feeling even a Krayt Dragon couldn’t take you away from Ms. Dormé,’ the elderly lady said with an understanding smile. Anakin nodded in all seriousness before shyly accepting the meal given to him.

The healer remained for a few hours, periodically injecting her with more potent shots, as she had regained consciousness and could sustain them. Jorian invited the healer to have some refreshments, but Fluellen politely declined, saying he no longer ate animal meats.

Fluellen returned to address Mr. Anakin, saying that when he had a chance he ought to try to get Ms. Dormé to drink blue milk and some of the soup, but not to feed her too much. He said slowly get her to eat more over the next week until she had the strength to do it on her own.

Nevertheless Anakin remained steadfast in his watch over Dormé. Not once did he ever leave Dormé’s side as the healer periodically checked up on her and injected her with shots. However the former emperor did eat the soup given to him and found a bit of his energy returning as a result. At the healer’s words, Anakin listened intently to the instructions given as he silently put it to memory. He hoped that Dormé would be up to it and decided when she awoke again he’d suggest the idea of her having a little blue milk to drink.

---

Celia grinned and teased her husband about putting too much spice into the soup telling him that was what he got for not listening to her when she told him that she already put in enough spices. But her husband eagerly ate the soup anyways much like Anakin who was even now watching over the resting Dormé whom Celia learnt was his wife. ‘

Jorian poked his tongue out at his wife when she teased him, but readily consumed the soup without further argument.

Celia chuckled before poking her tongue back at him as she shook her head. ‘And you call me a brat?’ she teased.

‘But you’re my favourite brat,’ Jorian replied before they discussed the matter of the bracelet.

‘When do you think would be a good time to return the armband?’ she remarked as she sipped on her soup thoughtfully.

He took a moment to seriously consider it before suggesting, ‘I think we should wait until Ms. Dormé’s out of the dunes,’ meaning once she was fully recovering.

At Jorian’s suggestion that they wait till Dormé was better she nodded in agreement as her eyes drifted to the room where Dormé and Anakin resided as she gave a soft sigh. ‘Those poor kids, I can only imagine the horrors they had experienced before we found them,’ she said softly.

He nodded to her words. Recalling the design of the bracelet, he said, ‘You have to wonder where they got it from. It’s very well-made, expensive-looking, foreign...and the inscription. I wonder what it means.’

Celia laughed at Jorian’s teasing as she gave him a knowing smile before growing serious to the subject of the bracelet. She grew thoughtful at her husband’s words though shook her head as he spoke of the inscription and its meaning. ‘I couldn’t even begin to guess though its obvious that it has more personal value to them than the monetary,’ she said thoughtfully. Though it does make you wonder where they are from and what brought them here.’

‘Mr. Anakin seems like a native to me, at least by the accent and I swear I heard him muttering in Huttese earlier, but even so, he does address people strangely. Really polite,’ Jorian added.

Celia furrowed her brow as she nodded in agreement. ‘That he does, I wonder why?’ she murmured. ‘You know I bet Mr. Anakin picked up those strange titles from time spent off world, you know how it is,’ she concluded thoughtfully.

‘Oh yes, of course...from all that time I spent off-world, since you hardly let me out of your sight,’ Jorian teased, giving her side a pinch.

Celia grinned before bursting into laughter as she attempted to dodge Jorian’s playful pinch, though not dodging it too much so as to avoid it. Giving him a playful poke back she chuckled. ‘Can you blame me? No woman in their right mind would ever let a handsome devil like yourself out of their sight. Even if he’s a pain in my side more often than not!’ she teased back with a wink.

---

The hour was later when Dormé awoke and upon hearing her whisper his name Anakin gave her hand a gentle squeeze. ‘I’m here, Dormé. It’s OK,’ he said softly as he reached out to touch her cheek.

‘How are you feeling?’ he gently asked as concern riddled his features.

Feeling his hand in her own, Dormé looked to Anakin, grateful for his presence and feeling relieved to know he was by her side. In response to his question, she replied honestly, ‘Thirsty.’ Her voice was raspy, yet not as grating as it was the first time she tried to speak.

Dormé’s simple statement brought a relieved smile to his features as he gently touched her cheek. ‘Let me get you something to drink then,’ he said softly before explaining that the healer suggested she drink some blue milk if possible.

‘You?’ she asked, far more concerned about him.

At her question of concern his expression softened as he leaned in to kiss her cheek. ‘Much better now that I know you’re going to be alright,’ he admitted softly before departing to get her some blue milk and if the elderly couple could spare it a little water as well.

Dormé smiled at his answer to her question. She turned her head slightly to watch as he departed, eager for his return.

---

Jorian looked over his shoulder upon hearing shuffling behind him to see the approaching young man. He rose to his feet to get the blue milk and water he requested without questioning him about his wife, hoping, just as Mr. Anakin did, that she was truly on the mend.

The sound of Anakin returning to the kitchen that drew Celia’s attention just as it drew her husband’s and silently she rose to her feet just as Jorian did marking her wish to help in what way she could. But Mr. Anakin’s request was simple and soon her husband was tending to it as she watched on in concern, she hoped much like her husband that Ms. Dormé was feeling a bit better and took this to be a good sign.

When Anakin returned he held a tall glass of water and another of blue milk. Setting them both on the small table next to Dormé’s bed he gave a shy smile as he offered to help her sit up. ‘I wasn’t sure which you preferred to have more so I asked for both,’ he shyly explained.

---

Dormé did her best to remain awake until Anakin’s return and wrapping arms around his neck, with his aid, she was able to sit up. After having a little of the blue milk and then some water, with Anakin’s help, Dormé was feeling better.

Anakin was relieved to see that Dormé was still awake upon his return as he knew how weak she was and was only too happy to gently help her sit up. Offering her the blue milk he helped her as best he could before offering her some water as well. It was such a relief to see her well enough to drink a little of the fluids and it gave him a great deal of hope.

‘Did you have some too?’ she asked, concerned that he needed water as well.

At Dormé’s question Anakin nodded as he explained he had some of the soup given to him by the elderly couple. ‘When you’re well enough you should try some its actually quite good,’ he admitted softly as he slipped his arms around her petite form.

After a bit, she pulled him close and in as tight of a hug that she could manage. ‘Thank you.’

Dormé’s embrace though weak was enough for Anakin who understood that she was trying to embrace him as tightly as her body would allow. It spoke volumes to him just as her simple reply warmed his heart. He kissed her cheek before smiling at her. ‘I’m just so glad you’re going to be okay,’ he whispered in a voice thick with emotion. ‘I was so scared that I lost you,’ he admitted softly.

‘You won’t lose me,’ Dormé whispered, touching his cheek. Her eyes met his with equal intensity. Her voice was soft yet sincere as she continued, ‘Even if I died I would never leave your side. I’d haunt you, my love.’ She had no idea how close she got to death, but the gravity of the moment was not lost on her.

Anakin leant into her gentle touch and at her words he studied her intently as he gave a sad smile. ‘If you died I know I would not be able to live. Without you Dormé I am truly nothing,’ he whispered back softly.

‘Rest with me awhile,’ she requested, seeing that he looked exhausted. ‘Hold me.’

Her request reminded him of how exhausted he was and despite his wish to watch over her Anakin couldn’t resist the offer and silently joined her side on the bed before slipping his arms around her waist. Closing his eyes, Anakin breathed her in deeply and gave a contented sigh. ‘It feels like an eternity since I last held you,’ he murmured softly as he kissed her neck.

To his words, she merely ran her fingers through his hair and asked him to rest with her. Dormé sighed as he made himself comfortable next to her. She hadn’t felt so content in what seemed like an eternity. Anakin took the words right out of her mouth and she smiled at him.

Anakin could feel her emotions through the Force and found himself feeling as though their very souls were once more communicating as she smiled at him.

She rubbed his back, manoeuvring to fit her body against his, relishing the closeness as she drifted back into the realm of dreams, this time far more peaceful than she had been in ages.

Holding her close, Anakin ran his fingers through her hair relishing her touch, her soft scent and the nearness of her body against his own. You are my heaven my beautiful goddess and dearest beloved, Anakin thought to himself before drifting off into peaceful sleep, the first he had in so long that he could no longer remember.

---

A/N: Coming up, the Darklighters learn the truth of Anakin and Dormé's past...