Promise - Anakin Skywalker

.21

Ella laid on the floor of her small bedroom with her arms behind her head and her feet crossed. In her eyes were the reflections of every known system in the galaxy. There were hundreds, but she focused her gaze on one single tiny speck of it all. Hoth.

Taking calm breaths, she slowly closed her eyes and left the sun and lights of Coruscant behind.

The wind howled outside the small hut, but that was not what terrified the young girl. Her mother clutched her tightly, the only warmth she felt amidst the freezing hair blowing through the hut besides her own tears that streaked down her face.

"Ella, my child," her mother whispered, desperately trying to calm her down, "you must go now."

"Yes, mom," Ella croaked, memorizing her mother's face. She was only eight years old, too young to understand where she was going, yet she left anyway.

"Just like our morning walks, alright?" Her mother rubbed her shoulders, which were covered by the thick cloak she wore. "Play hide and seek in the cave."

"But who will find me?" Ella cried. She did not yet understand the power she held inside of her - and the dangers hiding all around because of it.

"No one can find you, not even Mommy. Not for a long, long time," her mother said softly. "Your special feeling? It will tell you when you win the game and the seeker gives up, okay?"

"Okay," Ella nodded.

"Someday someone will find you, and it won't be the bad guys -"

"But I want you to find me!" Ella cried out, gripping her mother's hands even tighter.

"I will someday, El. I'll find you." Her mother pulled her in for another hug and dropped something in her pocket. Then she kissed the top of Ella's head. "I promise."

And with that, she directed Ella out of the hut praying she'd get far enough away. The storm was so harsh that the visibility was low. Her white cloak would conceal her well.

As Ella ran, trying to go as fast as possible in snow up to her hips, she bawled her eyes out. Every tear that fell from her cheeks froze when it hit the ground.

She could feel her mother's fear as far away as she was. The hut was long gone behind her, lost in the heavy snowstorm. The cave was near, she could make it out in the distance. With such low visibility, that meant it was close.

Suddenly, Ella went cold. Her heart stopped, all the little warmth she felt left her body. She fell to her knees in agony. Her mother's feeling was gone and she knew all too well what had happened. She'd been warned days prior, but nothing prepared her for the feeling she felt right now.

Scrambling for something, anything close to her mother, Ella reached into her pocket and pulled out a small crystal ball. Engraved in it were the words: No matter where you are in the galaxy, I will be with you.

The ball glowed blue, projecting the entire galaxy inside the cave. She looked at Hoth, wondering if she'd ever leave the pain and sorrow the planet gave her now. She longed for the day someone would find her, just like her mother had promised.

"Oh good," Anakin said as he entered her room, snapping Ella back into reality. "I found you."

Ella sat straight up and turned off the projector, taken aback by his words because of her flashback. "Right," she replied awkwardly, "y- you found me, yes."

"I have some good news!" He smiled, leaning on her doorway. "First of all the Council approved us, so now you're my Padawan officially. And second of all, I've got a small mission and I think you should come along."

"That's awesome!" Ella exclaimed. "And when is the mission, exactly?"

"Right now," Anakin replied with an all-too-bright smile.

Ella looked back as Anakin tugged her out of the room by her hand, turning off the small ball with the Force. She reached out her free hand and the projector flew into it. Then, she stuffed the small object safely back into her pocket.

Never stopping to take a breath or explain what was going on, Anakin dragged Ella through the cavernous halls of the temple. It took her a moment to regain back her attitude and shake off the feelings her vision gave her. She had to remember she needed to let her past go. No attachments.

"Anakin!" Ella yelped as she almost tripped over someone. He only laughed and ran even faster.

She felt everyone's judgmental eyes on them as they sprinted through the halls like kids, but neither of them cared. As Ella became more used to being a Jedi she began to realize how valuable fun was. Everyone was so serious; there was only just a few people who even laughed. At least it seemed like that to her.

They whipped around a corner, stopping abruptly at the sight of a full hallway of people. It was packed with visiting Senators and members of the Council as well. Everyone important in the galaxy - stuffed in one place.

Ella's eyes shifted from the crowd to Anakin who did the same. Simultaneously, a devious smirk overtook their faces. It wasn't all the time that they got a chance like this.

Like a flash of lightning, Anakin gripped her hand once more and then they were off like racing horses. Both of them laughed uncontrollably as they weaved through the crowd making several people yelp in surprise as they flew passed. They caused quite the chaos.

"Did you see the look on-!" Ella giggled, she stopped as soon as Anakin went dead silent and stopped in his tracks. He dropped her hand at once and rapidly began to smooth his uniform down. She stiffly turned her head.

In front of them was Master Windu, Yoda, Obi Wan, and the Chancellor.

Her eyes wide and locked on them, Ella stood frozen, suddenly aware of the eyes on them. She could feel everyone wondering what was going to happen, she herself wasn't sure if she wanted to know.

"Anakin," Obi Wan said sharply, sighing a bit. "Ella."

Trying to hold in a laugh, Ella managed to stifle out some words. "Obi- I mean, Master Kenobi," she replied stiffly, smiling awkwardly. Her mouth twitched from her acting.

All three Jedi Councilmen, not even concealing their annoyance and disappointment all raised their eyebrows, laying their eyes on Anakin looking for an explanation.

"Masters," Anakin said awkwardly, slightly bowing to them, "Chancellor Palpatine." The Chancellor nodded, a gleaming smile on his face. He looked oddly pleased with them. "My Padawan and I were just off to the mission I was assigned."

Master Windu opened his mouth to say something, but was cut off the by the Chancellor. His already annoyed look shifted towards Palaptine now.

"Then we shan't keep you two waiting," Palpatine said cheerfully, smiling at all the Jedi and clasping his hands together. "It must be important of you were in such a hurry. Such dedication! It's what I love to see!"

Ella furrowed her brows in confusion as the Chancellor then patted Anakin's shoulder with the same bright smile. "I look forward to seeing what you can teach this one."

"She'll make you proud, Chancellor, as she has made me proud," Anakin said politely. Ella felt Obi Wan roll his eyes and Palpatines yellow eyes staring at her like lasers.

"I'm sure, Ella will make everyone proud someday," Palpatine said. Ella held her breath and her eyes moved to his wrinkled face. How does he know my name? She thought. She noticed the other Jedi had taken interest as well in the Chancellor now.

He laughed nervously, continuing to pat Anakin's shoulder. "My good man, you must be off now!" He chirped.

"...right," Anakin replied skeptically, "let's go El."