I love the delicacy of your writing style, the unforced impressionism of word and metaphor that so well suit a story whose heart is haunted by past ghosts as surely as Padme’s.

There is a chasm of time and secrets between Luke and Leia and the history that made them, and it takes a full cast of characters to weave the bridge across that absence – the past, present in the now.

Luke with his mother-loss and mother-longing, and the remembrance of the mother he did have in Beru, Leia with her scant memories and fierce refusal of the father whose redemption Luke can’t help but value (after all, in the end although both siblings had to fight Vader, only Luke’s battle ended in outright victory…from a certain point of view).

On the other side of the span, your Padme, graceful and pained, seeming-fragile but never yet broken, a woman who has had a life in the meantime that was far more than waiting, suffering and endurance writ across her skin.

Passed between them are the memories and moments that tie all together – mother and son dreaming of Vader (poor child), Leia remembering without understanding the moment when Vader both did and did not see what was in front of him… And Anakin himself, wistful ghost, no more able to let go than he ever could, watching still the wife who dare not acknowledge but does not ignore his presence (poor Anakin).

The phrase you use of Anakin’s death: “That he had been reaching for her, as if expecting her down one road and then glancing her form, too far to turn back, down another”, was such a sad and effective image that I was very glad that he and Padme were able to share a moment together in the last chapter.

I don’t know if your muse will ever return to this, but I’m happy to live in hope, and enjoy what is written.

Thanks for the read.

Ah, this is why I hate reading incomplete fics...

Inevitably I'll stumble across something great, yet abandoned, which I'll forever regret not knowing the ending to. :P

I found this through someone's favorites, and I simply couldn't resist the concept. Even though I knew it was unlikely to ever be finished. I've always loved the Luke/Padmé dynamic: how they play similar roles in their trilogies, facilitating Anakin's turn; how they knew both knew that there was "still good in him"; how they're both so strong. Frankly, I'm a sucker for it, plus anything A/P, so this story was right up my alley.

Throw in Luke's unfortunate experiences with parental figures, potential Vader-angst, and the definite possibility of a mother-son reunion, and how could I possibly resist? I just had to read it. And in the end, I'm glad I did.

Even if you never finish this story, what you have here—though ending on a mean cliffhanger—is still beautiful in and of itself.

My inner angst hound is in love. Your writing style is unique, and the imagery that you invoke is fascinating. ("He lingered, briefly; she felt his absence like air rushing in to fill a vacuum.") Anakin's lingering ghost is sad, yet utterly characteristic. I love the little hints you drop as to the past, or the things that you imply without saying... like Leia equating Luke with Vader, or Padmé's intimate knowledge of the Jedi. Your characters have baggage, and this makes them believable. I "get" the angst, 100%.

The story is not without its flaws. For example, in my opinion, Leia would not act quite so coldly towards Luke. Some of the transitions also seem forced, or out of place. But for a story released in 2005, the characterization is near-perfect... and I truly wish I could see what you'd make of this fic now. ;]

You've found a new fan, even with this old piece. I just hope that some day you'll return to it. :]

-Sabs (the de-lurked lurker)

I really love this story - you write so well. particularly your descriptions of places, you have a real way with words. I also wanted to thank you for reviewing my story (many years ago) - I only just rediscovered it. So thank you and please carry on writing!

See...now that you're back and writing, I'm going to poke your muse again. That lazy witch needs to get up and get cracking on these Star Wars fics!

I want satisfying endings!

/demand

/whine

/pout

/demand

*sigh* I don't know why I keep reading your work! I'm hooked to your style of writing, to your stories - I need them like a drug!

And then, I just get disappointed, knowing I'll never see the ends of these -_-

If you ever get an inkling to finish any of these, know that they'll be read.

I love this story. I hope there'll be more.

Wow. This is so amazingly well-written, and such a wonderful story. You write Padme, and the way life has changed her so very well. I love it.

10 Wonderful story! Please post more chapters. It's going along really well! I love this story!

:D

beautiful. i hope you update

Please, i'm begging of you... continue it! Please!

May the Force be with you,

Faith.

I hope you will consider completing this story. Your style of writing is very elegant and complements the storyline nicely. :)

This is so chilling...in a good way. I can't wait to read what happens next.

Are you planning to complete this? It's very good.

Where do I even begin? I could write chapters on this story, endless chapters upon chapters declaring you the ultimate God of Writing, if there is indeed such a God. This was, without a doubt, the best story I have ever read in my entire life, and I do not say this lightly. The story, perfect. The feeling, flawless. The emotion was so deep and real, that I myself felt as if I were the ghost Padme was seeing through the corner of her eye, watching the lives of these two people. This story has a much deeper meaning than just Star Wars. This is a beautiful piece, I cannot describe. You have an amazing amout of talent, and if I were not a christian I would be worshipping you right now. I desperately hope that you have not stopped writing this magnificent story, as it has been so long since you last posted. Then again, it has taken you two years to post seven chapters. If, for whatever reason, you have stopped writing this story, then I have no reason to live anymore. I do not think I can stress this anymore: you are the best of the best. Usually, when I give a review, I lie and say, "Oh yes, it was wonderful, I loved it!" even though I did not. I AM NOT LYING ABOUT THIS. This is the most...I cannot even put it into words. The way that Padme feels, after all that Anakin has done to her, is so incredibely human that I wanted to scream at Anakin for being so cruel. Some people portray her as clingy and inhumanly forgiving after the death of Darth Vader. I love how you portrayed her as if she is scared to touch him, scared to know he still loves her (even though that's not really the point of the story). I adore the relationship with Luke and his mother. I especially love the way he went on and on about his aunt Beru and his feelings for her, as if he was regretting not allowing her to be his "mother." I love how you started this story, with him hearing in the market about the "Widow Skywalker," which is not only appropraite because it is her title, but it somehow suits her character. You have not strayed from the characters at all: Luke is Luke and Padme is Padme and I can easily believe it. That's so rare these days. Please, please, PLEASE, update as soon as you possibley can, or I might very well die of a broken heart.