Author's note: In order to understand the events of this tale one must imagine that Anakin is neither a Jedi or a Force sensitive. In this AU Dormé is the Chosen One or the avatar of the Light Side.

This AU story was inspired by Cariel's fanvid video called Eternal (community.).

The story was meant to be a brief glimpse into the first of the many lives portrayed in said video.

Disclaimer: Not mine. None of it.

Never in his life was Anakin more nervous or excited. While he had little understanding of Dormé's religion, or her position as the goddess's avatar; even he knew they going to embrace something far greater than either could understand. This wasn't about fulfilling prophecies or obtaining more power; it was about making their dreams a reality.

This may be my end Anakin, but it is not yours. Promise me you will find love again.

As he watched Dormé prepare the ritual, Anakin smiled sadly to himself as he was reminded of his former love's final words. It had been years since she had passed away, yet her final request continued to echo in his thoughts. His childhood love had never wanted him to mourn her passing; rather to find joy in the fact that she was now free from the disease that ravaged her body.

It was also her final wish that he find another to love, so he could live the life she had always hoped to share with him. To know joy, even if its wasn't hers to give.

Now as Anakin stood before the young woman who was worshipped and adored as the goddess of light all he felt was humble gratitude and joy. After the passing of his old friend and love Anakin believed he would never love again. Now years later, Anakin realized his brother had been right all along; everything happened for a purpose.

Quietly he observed her calloused fingers -worn from many years of relentless rituals- carefully decorate the floor with ancient symbols with a piece of coloured chalk. As she continued her writing the young woman softly spoke of the meaning behind the images that now intertwined with one another.

The ritual -she explained- was far more powerful and far more personal, than any ceremony she had ever completed in her life. Not only would it bound their souls together, it would maintain their bond far beyond the veil of death. It was not a ritual that was used often-if ever and Anakin understood why.

“I've never seen or heard of this being done before—not in its completion,” she said softly, as the small chalk left a trail of red images in the wake of her guiding hand.

“Normally only the beginning of the ceremony is used--in rituals of bonding, marriage ceremonies.”

Her cheeks warmed to the admittance and Anakin couldn't resist a soft smile. The young woman then paused in her administrations as her amber orbs met his blue eyes. Her left hand slipped into his right leaving Anakin to follow Dormé's lead, so that he was standing on one side of the writing; she on the other. Between them rested a small set of kindling that was surrounded both by archaic symbols and small candles.

A shy smile and a stolen kiss later, the young priestess was departing from the rooms centre to the small window that overlooked the ocean. On the window sills rested more crimson coloured candles which danced and glowed with tiny flames. Not a word was spoken as her fingers plucked one of candles from its resting place. Glancing back to Anakin the young woman smiled causing his heart to skip a beat before returning to face him once more.

Their eyes met once more; together they shared a shy smile before Dormé used the candle to light the small mound of kindling that rested between them. The flame immediately caught the twigs and grass casting new shadows on the stone walls, while tickling their senses with its bitter-sweet scent.

Taking his hands once more, the goddess began to speak. Her voice, accented and musical filled the room, while sending warm chills down his spine. There was something almost ethereal about the way she spoke the sacred words of the ancient texts. It was as though Dormé was but a vessel, and the words she spoke, the manifestation of the power she wielded.

While Anakin didn't understand the exact translation knew enough, for his beloved had taught him all she knew. Even if he hadn't, her expression was sincere and her eyes said all that needed to be said. When she paused, Anakin knew it was his turn.

With flushed cheeks he began to recite the words as best he could. Though his pronunciations weren't always accurate and at times he stumbled with the words, Dormés loving smile and her gentle touch gave the young warrior the courage to continue.

While he was not sensitive to the energies—the Force--around him Anakin could feel something shift in the air as he spoke those sacred words out loud. It was as though their very souls were touching, melding—becoming one. It was as though Anakin's eyes were opened, permitting him to see and feel the world around him as his beloved did. Everything around him shone with colours he never imagined possible, while beautiful, yet ethereal sounds filled his ears. But as swiftly as Anakin's eyes were opened, they were closed, as though none of it had ever happened. Only Dormés knowing gaze assured him that it was all real.

With shaking fingers he removed the wedding armband from its wooden encasing. Biting his lip Anakin studied it for a moment as his heart began to pace. How many hours had he spend in secret, carving the dragons that intertwined with one another? How many long nights did he spend carefully shaping the soft gold so that it would perfectly fit Dormé's petite arm? While it was far from perfect, it was made with all the care and love he held for his beloved. Anakin could only hope she would forgive him, for the slight mistakes made due in part to his lack of experience.

By the traditions of his village the armband was considered enchanted; bound to its creator and the one whom it was made for. As the legends foretold the armband was said to be able to find its owner, even beyond the grave. The young knight didn't believe such tales, but the love and respect he felt for his new bride ensured he performed the ritual anyway. Taking Dormé's hand he gently slipped the band onto her upper left arm as all the while she held his gaze.

With silent look that spoke volumes, he slipped his arms around her petite form and leaned in to kiss her lips with all the love he felt of her. Dormé returned it with such passion that it caused everything to fade away so that his universe consisted only of his beloved bride and their dreams for the future.

Though it had been their plan to runaway before the rising of the sun, it was not meant to be; not in this life.

II

The ship rocked and swayed like leaf caught in the wind. A mere plaything in the hands of the stormy ocean. Anakin was afraid, but not for himself, but for her. His beautiful bride, the young avatar of the goddess who held his heart and had freed him from himself and a past that had once held him captive.

Anakin could still hear He could still see the embarrassment and indignation in his beloveds eyes as she sought to cover her naked form. They said terrible things about her, blaspheming her good name, causing Anakin to react without thinking.

Two evil men were killed that night as he sought to defend his wife's honour. It was the mercy and kindness of his beloved that saved the rest of her captors from suffering similar fates. It wasn't enough to save them, from theirs. Now, he would die a simple death, consumed by the ocean that gave and stole life according to its whim. A merciful death by comparison to what his beloved was certain to suffer at the hands of her captors. The priests claimed to be mere followers of the light, protecting its avatar from the darkness. But Anakin knew what a prisoner looked like, and knew the games the crooked played to maintain the illusion of innocence.

The captain barked out his orders, his voice almost lost amidst the powerful winds of the storm. The heavy chains bound to his hands and feet jangled as he slowly made his way to the ships ledge. The crash of thunder drowned out the noise, but didn't stop him from feeling its lead weight.

“From the darkness you came and to the darkness you shall return...” the ship's priest intoned loudly in the ancient tongue of his people. It sounded so harsh and insulting to Anakin's ears, by comparison to the way the language danced to the lilt of Dormé's accent. He smiled sadly to the memory, recalling the first time she had spoken his name.

As the young warrior peered over the edge of the plank to the stormy waters below he silently reminded himself that everything happened for a purpose.

I'm coming my love. I will be there soon.

Through the wind, he heard her voice calling to him. Suddenly his eyes caught sight of something red in the midst of the stormy waves. In the distance, it twisted and writhed; flowing peacefully amongst the stormy waves. It was none other than Dormé's favourite scarf. Furrowing his brow, Anakin bowed his head knowing all too well what it meant.

Heavy hands pushed him forward, causing the ground beneath his feet to fall away, leaving him to tumble helplessly toward the stormy waves below. The thunder silenced his fall, but all who witnessed it would never forgot the peaceful smile he wore as his body was consumed by the ocean.

As his body sank beneath the waves, Anakin could almost feel Dormé's arms wrap around him and hear her soft voice whispering in his ears.

My love, this is not the end; it is but the beginning.

With her final words echoing in his thoughts, and the ethereal touch of her invisible lips against his own Anakin closed his eyes and gave his spirit to the Force.

Years later and many miles away the sound of a baby's questioning wail filled the air, as a proud midwife and a healer welcome their son into the world. Two years later, in another distant village, it is the cry of a newborn baby girl who answered his call.

Meanwhile, hidden in the ruins of an ancient temple a simple gold armband patiently awaits its creator, and its keeper's return; so the cycle may begin again.