The Birth of a Dark Angel
By: Jody
Author's Notes: This is an AU that was inspired by Cariel who initially suggested the twisted pairing of Dormé and Vader, as well as wrote the tale Unwavering Loyalties. As such all credit pertaining to this pairing goes to her =D This scene takes place a couple of weeks after ROTS.
Disclaimer: Of course I own none of this. Though I truly wished I did >;)
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If a man is not rising upwards to be an angel, depend upon it, he is sinking downwards to be a devil. ~Samuel Taylor Coleridge
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The gun in his hand wavered slightly, just enough for him to be unable to deny the fact he is afraid face what he knew he would face. Not of death, rather who waited for him beyond the veil. But what else could he do? He had no one left to blame but himself for the loss and despair that plagued him insistently. She was gone, as was their child and he was solely responsible for it. Drowning in despair he wanted nothing more than to stop the pain. To escape the haunting images of her sorrow filled eyes and her lifeless body still swollen with child that even now plagued his heart and thoughts.
Closing his eyes he placed the shaking barrel of the laser pistol to his scarred lips. Clenching his teeth over the unforgiving metal he tried to ignore the bitter taste and the fact that it is so cold yet it almost burns his tongue. Removing the safety with fumbling fingers he began to power up the gun as his thoughts quietly confirmed the reasons why this had to be done.
For what as the point of having power, of gaining an entire empire and unleashing righteous revenge if there was no happiness or joy left to be had? Padmé was his joy, his happiness, the very light of his soul and universe. But now she was gone and with her passing he found himself in a nightmare that he could never truly awaken from.
But as the laser pistol powered up to administer the killing shot, the door behind him suddenly chimed interrupting his train of thought and actions. If it was a message from the Force it went unnoticed for Sith Lord’s first thoughts were that of blind rage.
Tapping into the darkness that surrounded him like a black cloak the Sith Lord lowered the gun and flicked his wrist causing the door to open swiftly permitting the former handmaiden to enter. However almost immediately she froze in position as she gasped desperately for air. For at the sight of her Lord Vader had immediately unleashed the Dark Side of the Force letting it wrap around her throat cutting off her oxygen supply as it began to crush her larynx.
Though obviously shocked by this unexpected action Dormé neither cried out nor try to resist. Yet it wasn’t her bravery that caused him to falter, nor was it the flurry of thoughts that poured out from her. Rather it was the sight of her and the memories of another that caught his attention and held him frozen in place.
I love you!
Liar!
The last words his angel had ever spoke to him echoed in his mind forcing the fallen Jedi’s thoughts to shift from rage to despair as he withdrew his unseeing assault on Dormé. The former handmaiden immediately dropped to her knees, coughing and gasping desperately for air as her hands slipped to her throat. This went unnoticed for his thoughts had scattered like sand in the wind leaving him unable to move or respond as memories of the past replayed in his mind. Lost in the past her final words and the sight of her lifeless body continued plagued him, tormenting his thoughts and heart until Dormé’s soft voice drew him back from his despair.
“How my heart bleeds for you, Anakin.”
Her whispered words were not expected and it showed as confusion flickered in his blue orbs forcing his attentions to return to the petite woman who now quietly approached. Her amber eyes were filled with unshed tears, while her expression revealed the compassion and understanding that poured from her thoughts.
She is just like her, his thoughts whispered as the fallen Jedi studied the woman before him. He always believed that Padmé was the only one who truly understood and knew him. For in his angel’s eyes he wasn’t an apprentice, Chosen One, Sith or Jedi, he was just a man. But after she died the man became nothing more than a shell of his former self. Not even all the wisdom, understanding and compassion of his master and mentor, could reach the broken warrior.
Yet in this moment, this woman who stood before him –who reminded him so much of her, yet was not her at all- had struck a chord within him that he believed only his angel ever could. The realization was as confusing as it was terrifying, but try as he might to comprehend the cause of this no answer could be found. So lost in his thoughts the fledging Sith lord didn’t even register Dormé’s ever nearing presence until the warmth of her hand against his scarred cheek caught his attention. Though it startled him, the Sith Lord did not move away, or even stiffen to her touch.
Tears now trickled down her cheeks as Dormé studied him with eyes filled with compassion and sorrow. While it was disconcerting to behold, it was even more troubling to know the tears shed were for him. Part of him welcomed, longed even for this gentle gesture of kindness, but another part of him felt undeserving of it. As even he could not forgive himself for killing his beloved angel and their child. Yet here stood his wife’s former handmaiden openly weeping for him. Such a simple act of compassion, yet one he never knew how much he needed until now. Yet even still the doubts remained.
“Please tell me who has done this to you and I swear I will do everything in my power to ensure you have your revenge against those who have wronged you.” She whispered softly with such sincerity that it left him feeling vulnerable but oddly touched.
During his days as a Jedi Dormé was but a forgotten shadow, just one of the many knock-off clones who served his beloved. Now something within him stirred and deep down Lord Vader knew that he would never forget this petite woman ever again.
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