– A short statement to first reply to his almost desperate-sounding words. Padmé knew he felt LOST – oh, how she wished she could stay to GUIDE him through the long journey he had ahead of him, but there was only so much she could do for him before she had to fadefrom him again. The Force let her know when she was NEEDED, and although Luke was not aware of it yet, her guidance was only a small piece of the guidance he needed.
She wanted NOTHING more than to take his face in her hands, assure him that he was brave enough to carry on. There would be tough trials ahead, Padmé felt it. Truthfully, she didn’t KNOW if she would be able to show up to him again, but she RADIATED HOPE, as she always wished to do around the ones she loved.
❝ Do not give up. – You are strong, brave —- and if our paths do cross again, it will be when you need me the most. ❞
It took all of her power not to try to REACH OUT to him – as if she were physically there to softly touch his cheek. A small, reassuring smile spread across the spirit’s features, and she soon began to fade from him. A whisper – a whisper was all she let out as she departed from him. Words he had heard before – yet with a meaning he may not have TRULYunderstood upon first hearing them.
❝ May The Force be with you. ❞
( I will be with you. )
He has never seen this woman before; and yet somehow, he KNOWS.
The image of her is hazy, never quite staying and focus – but he KNOWS.
That feeling of unconditional LOVE overtakes him, draws him toward her.
It bathes him in its warmth, pumps from his heart and through his veins;
and though they never touch, he can f e e l her presence around him,
rooted within him. He looks at her, and he KNOWS.
The word is but a whisper, heavy with a sort of GRIEF that can never be
scrubbed away. He wants to cling to her, to her love —- but her image is
fading now, and he can feel himself growing colder.
He’s running, and he can’t stop. Her light is fading, her warmth is slipping
from him. He’s so close to her now. He extends a hand, DESPERATELY,
yearning. Wanting. Needing. His fingers stretch out toward her – but she’s
gone now, her light EXTINGUISHED. He can only stand where she once
was. LOST. EMPTY. A piece of him that had been missing for so long,
finally given back —— only to be ripped away again. His breaths are
heavy. His hand slowly lowers. He’s alone again.