The Tragic Jedi | Anakin Skywalker

𝓢𝓬𝓮𝓷𝓮 𝟗𝟑

❈✱❉✤❈✱❉

Astrid was tugged awake by the feeling of being gently jostled. When her eyes fluttered open, she found herself staring up at a pale blue sky with two suns-- one orange, the other yellow. Scorching heat beat down on Astrid's sweat-sheened face. Her head was nestled against someone's chest, and Astrid realized Anakin was carrying her yet again. 

"Good, you're awake," Anakin said with relief, the sound of his voice surprising her. 

Even though Astrid was fairly certain of where they were, she couldn't help but ask anyway, "Where are we?" as she lifted her head to get a better view of their surroundings. They were just entering a deep canyon with towering red rock walls on either side of them. 

This time when Anakin spoke, his voice was laced with displeasure and ire. "Tatooine." 

"Oh, stop it, Anakin," Ahsoka spoke from somewhere in front of them, and Astrid turned her head to see Ahsoka walking to the side just in front of them with Artoo beside her. A long wooden staff was gripped in one of Ahsoka's hands. 

Astrid had the sense that while she had been knocked out, Anakin and Ahsoka had been given the time to talk in relative privacy, and that after their initial discussion, they'd settled into their old Clone Wars routine, which was to bicker about everything. 

Ahsoka added without turning back to look at them, "We have nowhere else to go. Besides, he could help us." 

Again, Astrid was fairly certain who 'he' was, but she couldn't help but ask for clarification, "He?" 

"Obi-Wan," Anakin answered, and Astrid thought she heard a hint of anxiety in his voice. Anakin added cynically, "Apparently, he lives here on this wretched planet. I don't know why he chose here of all places." 

"To hide from the Empire," Astrid murmured in explanation. 

She regarded the canyon walls framing them on either side once more. Well, if they were walking through a canyon, then they had to be near Obi-Wan's house. Astrid wondered if the older Jedi Master would sense them through the Force.  

Astrid shivered as she remembered being attacked by Tusken Raiders that one time when she'd come here to hand off Luke and Leia to Obi-Wan's care. She'd had far too many encounters with the creatures. They were in Tusken territory, after all. 

Anakin noticed her shudder, and he asked quietly, "What is it? Are you cold?" He sounded confused when he said this last sentence because they were on an incredibly hot desert planet. 

"No," Astrid replied. "I was just thinking about when I was attacked by a few Tusken Raiders when I visited Obi-Wan to--" 

She trailed off when she realized Anakin would be meeting Luke and Leia for the first time, and a worm of nervousness squirmed in her stomach. Did Anakin know yet-- or realize yet-- that he was about to meet his son and daughter? 

Anakin's brow furrowed when she didn't continue, and he prompted, "You visited Obi-Wan to what?" 

Before Astrid could answer, Ahsoka turned around and began walking backwards as she asked, "Astrid, where is Obi-Wan's house exactly? I've been using the Force to get a general sense of his location, but that can probably only do so much, and you're the only one who's been to see him since, uh--" a quick glance at Anakin "--since the fall of the Republic."