episode nine — THE BURDEN
attack of the clones

                    Lillia Val'eaon sat near the fountains, her legs crossed while she read. It was peaceful out, but every day had felt like the same, she would wake up, go outside, and then end her day not being able to sleep. She hated this idea of confinement, she was the Queen, she wanted to show her people that she was unharmed, and able to rule despite the constant threats that opposed her.

The Oraxes (Valérian's sacred birds) chirped loudly, standing on the edge of the fountains, trying to find the little fish that swam in the clear water. Lillia studied these animals whenever she had the chance to, they were tiny creatures, about the size of your palm, and were adorable. Verena and Circe had caught one a few years back, refusing to let it go. They named it "Eyrē" which meant Little One in Valéri. Lillia had let it go in the middle of the night, despite Verena's constant cries over it, those birds were not to be kept as house pets.

A handmaiden came out from the house, gracefully walking over to the Queen. "You have a visitor, Your Highness, he is waiting in the drawing room." She bowed, and then walked back in. Anakin's head perked up from across the way. Lillia began walking inside, as Anakin followed.

In the drawing room, sat a very familiar man. "Your Highness." He bowed. Lillia smiled, "Senator Chanson, I have not seen you in such a while." She hugged him slightly. "I am happy to see you safe, and now as Queen." He chuckled. "Well yes, It's an odd thing to be called Queen now." She smiled, guiding him over to the couches. Anakin stood next to it, not bothered to sit down.

"What can I do for you today?" She asked, gesturing to a handmaiden to bring over some tea. "Well our trade agreement is causing quite a stir in the Senate." He started, smiling at the handmaiden that brought him the cup. "It is supposed to boost our economy, but instead it is leaving the farmers with little to no money, pirates have infiltrated our system and have been keeping the produce to themselves." He reported, very concerned about the situation. Lillia hummed, it was the first time she heard about this.

"I see, what has the Senate said about this issue?" She asked, looking up from the floor. "The Senate is divided, they don't want to stop the trade agreement, but the pirates are dangerous," He began, taking another sip of his tea. "While others, like myself, are concerned of our people's safety, and income." He finished. These pirates were truly lethal, they raided these ships like no other, leaving them ransacked and empty. "The Senate has no true answer yet." Aureus Chanson mentioned again.

Lillia pondered. "I understand, perhaps we can establish a convoy system to protect the produce ships. I can send word to the nearby planets for mutual patrol agreements to ensure the safety of our trade routes." It was a small idea, but she knew over time that this could potentially work.

"That sounds promising, I will bring it to the Senate today." Aureus stood up after Lillia. "It was good to see you, Your Highness, thank you." He bowed his head and then walked out. Senator Aureus Chanson was a friend to the family, and a very intelligent man. Lillia had seen him with her father, Kier, mostly during his reign. He was a great leader, and helped Valérian in as many ways as possible.

Lillia ventured off into the kitchens, Anakin following once again. She looked to her side, trying to see him from her peripheral. He followed like a lost puppy. Anakin noticed this look, but he wouldn't stop. He had a mission to protect her — she couldn't get mad at him for doing his assigned job.

Lillia began walking up the stairs, toward her rooms. He couldn't go in there, it was her own private place — her sanctuary. But as she neared, closer and closer, he didn't stop. He wanted an answer to her new view on him.

He walked in along with her. Lillia looked to him, turning around sharply. "Why are you avoiding me, what did I do?" He spoke calmly, looking at her defensive expression. Lillia stared at him — didn't he understand? They had kissed, something that was strictly prohibited in both of their duties. She looked completely distraught.

"Because I feel for you, and I know t-that it can't happen, but being around you gives me the possibility of what if!" She shouted, choking on her own words. She had never said that out loud before — to anyone. Anakin blinked, trying to find a solution. "But we can be together, we-we can-" Anakin stuttered, nervous and star fallen. "No we can't!" Lillia shouted again, looking at him.

"Don't you see? You're a Jedi, you would be disobeying orders." She walked closer, seething at him. He didn't care. He could risk it all, just to look in her eyes forever. He noticed the way her features softened while she stared at him, the way her cheeks blushed at the sound of his voice. Everything.

"I don't care, if it meant having you, I'd do anything to keep you." He looked down to her. Lillia was still conflicted, she didn't know what to do — her heart and mind were screaming very different things.

"Anakin.." Lillia began to speak, but was cut off when his lips touched hers. His left hand flying to her waist, gripping it gently. His right hand was placed on her jaw, fingertips brushing into her hair. Lillia was taken back, but clearly giving in. Anakin backed her up to the bedroom wall, kissing down her jaw and to her neck. "Anakin we shouldn't." She whispered, she didn't mean it. She wanted it, no matter how hard she tried to shove her feelings in a box and place it at the very top of her closet. "Yes we should." He murmured in between kisses.

They both craved more, but they knew it was not time. Unfortunately, Anakin's holo-projector beeped, forcing them to back away from each other. Lillia bit her lip, moving to sit on the  footboard bench in front of her bed. She sat there while Anakin talked to the council. Lillia stared at him, breathing heavily. As the projector faded, Anakin looked back. She stood up quickly.

"You must go." She laughed, trying to push him out of the door. Before she closed it, he leaned back in, kissing her softly for a few seconds. "Go!" She laughed, closing the door fully before he could entrap her in his web once again. Lillia turned around, back against the door. It felt so terribly wrong, but so right.
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Meanwhile, the sun had set and Lillia embarked on another journey, something she found herself doing often. This confinement could not hold her any longer, she would eventually claw her eyes out due to boredom. She walked down the steps into the water, only using the moons to guide her toward the cave. She was still in her evening dress, but she did not care for the world. As her feet barney touched the bottom, she began to swim. As she neared, she heard Utena grumble slightly, and saw her tail move as she rolled over into a different position.

Lillia came out of the water and onto the rock that led into the cave. She made a calling sound with her mouth, that echoed around the cave. "Āslera zediti." (Hello my friend) She spoke, walking closer to the dragon as she woke up. Utena looked at her, fixating her eyes and letting out a gentle grumble of approval as Lillia touched her face. The woman smiled, petting her scales. "Nidā ceīnīs zosmōr?" (Is it time for an adventure?) Lillia whispered, grinning as the dragon perked up. Utena roared in a friendly manner. "Rīvēn hysīatī Īscr." (It's been quite a while.)

Lillia mounted Utena, holding onto a part of the saddle as Utena got up from her spot on the floor. As they made their way out of the cave, Utena began to flap her wings, letting them take off into the skies. Lillia looked up to Haakon and Solae, the twin moons that reigned over Valérian. They looked so close that if you drifted too far, you'd touch them.  The stars were set aflame by the old gods of Valérian, and Lillia took a moment to close her eyes and breathe as Utena flew gently. The wind hit her face, pushing her hair behind her. And as she opened her eyes once again, she could see the gleaming lights of Selenta.

Her heart broke. She missed her family desperately, it had been days since she was put here, and she hadn't seen her family. She missed her mother's guidance, her constant protection and presence that lingered along the castle. Her mother was the one person that could make all of this better, and if she ever lost her, she didn't know what she'd do with herself. "Sūelī, Utena." (fly Utena.)

Lillia had always loved Valérian during this time of year, although it rarely ever got cold, she hated saying goodbye to the season of Thēros. When she was truly alone, her thoughts began to overcome her, haunting her. In some ways, she just wanted to flee and go back home, leave everything behind, the kiss, the possibility of losing her life. It worried her that Anakin was willing to lose his spot in the Jedi Temple just for her. She knew that in this moment, she didn't know what would happen if she returned, how much longer could the threat hold her? Scare her? Could they possibly hurt her family? Her thoughts raced.

Lillia turned her head, the wind making her hair tangled and messy. She looked to the countryside home, which was still in view. The lights in the garden were still lit, along with her bedroom. She grunted, turning the saddle's handles. "Vācān, Utena." (Go back, Utena) She directed her dragon to turn. Utena roared, and then eventually switched directions.

Her scales glimmered in the starlight, the white coat painted with glitter. Utena herself could belong to the stars. Utena found her way back to the ground and into the cave, laying down to let Lillia off of her back. Lillia slid down, petting her skin and resting her forehead on hers. "Ēphēo." (Rest.) She whispered, then making her way out of the caves. Lillia treated softly through the water, making her way up to the stairs that led into the water. Her dress was now soaked once again, but she didn't mind, she had to change anyway.

Her handmaiden gasped as she walked through the door. "Your Majesty, I thought you were asleep." She bowed. "I'm so sorry, I was having some troubles sleeping." Lillia giggled, picking up her skirts so she doesn't trail too much water onto the floor. The handmaiden put her hand over her mouth, holding back a laugh.

Lillia smiled, beginning to walk up the grand stairs and into her rooms. Anakin was in the hallway, sitting on a small couch and reading a book. Lillia walked up slowly, trying to get through toward her rooms unnoticed by Anakin. It was awkward between the two at the moment, they barely just saw each other again, and here they were, kissing each other in the shadows. They were like two thieves in the night — stealing kisses from eachother and glances across vast rooms.

"You're supposed to be in your rooms." He spoke quietly, putting his book down as he stared at her. "I couldn't sleep." Lillia responded, crossing her arms and tilting her head to face him. She looked to him, it had been very late in the night, and Lillia figured that he couldn't sleep either. A few years prior, he mentioned the death of his mother— and all the horrors that came along with it. Lillia truly felt sorry for him, although she never got the chance to meet his mother — he would always speak about her whenever he had the chance. Anakin would describe her as "full of light" and "incredibly soothing." Even though it was forbidden for Jedi to have attachments, his mother clung to his dreams, even in her death.

"Me either." He confessed, raising from his spot on the couch. Anakin put the book back where he got it. There was a soft silence between them. The lighting within the room was dim, glowy, but minimal. The moons provided the most light through the sheer curtains. "The dreams?" The woman asked, watching as he stood near the wall. "Nightmares." Anakin whispered. He told Lillia about the visions he had been having a few months back, but she wasn't there to comfort him about them. Lillia nodded with a small frown on her face. She walked up to him, placing a hand on his shoulder and smiling slightly.

Growing up, Lillia Val'eaon never realized how much evil there was in the galaxy. Valérian always had her in a bubble — and she felt safe there. The planet never faced any true threat, it was one of the safest among the cosmos.

Lillia glanced at him, her eyes softening as she watched the way his eyes flickered over to hers and then back down to the floor. "I will be heading off to bed." She smiled, letting her finger trace the wall and slip away as she shut the door to her room. Anakin stood near the doorway, and then eventually went to his room.
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The Senate was lively while crowds of people flooded the halls. Music danced quietly, echoing around the dome where all the people waited on the days matter. Alleia Solaris tapped her finger on a piece of paper and held her head in her hand as she sat. She was extremely bored and tired from the events she experienced the night before. Her head pounded softly, and her throat ran dry from her lack of water.

Alleia was from Orhela, a neighboring planet of Valérian, which set place in the Kratos system. Orhela had been running low on supplies for the past few weeks, due to the pirates ransacking Valérian's trade system. Nobody had any idea what to do about it, it was totally out of control. Alleia thought about asking the order for their help, but it was silly to have Jedi posted at every door front on the cargo ships — and she knew that it would be a difficult task having to ask them.

The Jedi did not dabble in any affairs besides their own, which is one reason why Alleia disliked them. In other words, she knew that they had many capabilities, and never used them for the galaxy's greater good.

The chatter in the room came to a complete stop as Mas Amedda's voice boomed over them all. He called for everyone to quiet down, while Chancellor Palpatine stood up. Alleia focused her eyes on the man, still laying her head on her hand. "Senators. Today we gather for critical matters within our Republic," Palpatine started, moving his hands and gesturing certain movements. Alleia never really trusted the man, but she had respect for him — he was the Chancellor after all, and her business was professional, as she was a Senator.

"I ask that you proceed today with wisdom and clarity." The man finished his sentance, sitting down in the chair as he gestured for Alleia's platform to move forward.

She quickly rose from her seat, brushing her senatorial dress and standing in front of the podium. Her hair was woven into two braids that were pinned into the side of her head, and she wore a gold plated crown, which was sculpted with designs of old prophecies and sun imagery. From the middle of the plate, a charm hung down onto the middle of her forehead. Alleia's lips were painted with a rosy tint which held the same color on her cheeks.

"Thank you, Chancellor." She placed her hands on the podium as the platform moved toward the middle of the chambers. There were many people in attendance for the days meeting. To Alleia, it was quite frightening — but she had been trained by some of the best senators within the Republic.

"Senators, Orhela has been suffering for way too long. My people on the west ridges are starved due to the lack of food." Alleia looked to the others, shifting her face to each individual person. "These pirates have taken too much from my home, and my system — and so that I may desperately ask for your help." She gulped as her hands clung tighter to the podium.

"Orhela fuels this Republic with our doonium, so once again, I ask for your help. These pirates are relentless, and they will not stop for nothing." Alleia turned her head.

"This is indeed a grave concern, the security of our trade routes is of utmost importance." Another senator from across the way spoke, his platform rising to come near Alleia's. She noticed him from other senatorial events, his name was Aeron Hasilios.

Alleia looked to him as he faced the Chancellor. "Orhela is the prime reason why he have a Republic, if we cannot aid them in such a small matter — why should we use their materials at all?" Aeron clasped his hands together, walking around the platform and then settling back at the podium. "I believe that we should deploy a fleet to patrol the affected areas. They could help keep control." Aeron voiced.

"If I will, I must voice my opposition." Another voice came from the side. Alleia turned, seeing the man who was going to make this decision difficult for the others. "Our resources are already stretched thin, diverting more to this cause could leave other systems vulnerable."

"I must concur with Senator Tiyon. Our approach must be cautious, a hasty decision could result in unintended consequences." Senator Lott Dod also spoke up. Alleia sighed, crossing her hands and looking down for a moment. She took a deep breath in, and then looked up.

"A wise suggestion, Senator Hasilios. However we must also consider the broader implications of such actions. Our resources are limited, and we must proceed carefully." Chancellor Palpatine declared. "With all due respect, Chancellor, my people are on the brink of starvation. We cannot afford to wait any longer, Immediate action is completely necessary!" The woman raised her hands, expressing her frustration with the Senate. Padmé's platform raised next to Alleia's as she glanced over. "I support Senator Solaris' plea. We mustn't forget the humanitarian aspect of this crisis." Padme stated.

Alleia offered the girl a smile, then looked to the Chancellor. "Very well. I propose we will preform a vote on it in the upcoming days."

"Are there any objections?" Palpatine scanned the five senators, watching as some shook their heads. "I still believe this is a risky move, but I will defer to the majority." Lott Dod spoke. "Then it is decided." Palpatine finished. The senators bowed their heads, and then their platforms returned to their respected places.

Alleia walked out of pod, continuing down the hallway while she spotted Padmé. She hurried toward the woman, who was smiling and laughing with a group of other senators. As Padmé's eyes drifted away and toward Alleia, she excused herself and walked over. "I really appreciate your help in there, I truly thought that I would have to hurt my people for another couple of weeks." She frowned, remembering the sickly people back on Orhela.

Padmé smiled, giving the woman a small hug. "You are more than welcome, our Republic should not be turning their backs on the people who need it most. I will never stand for that." She smiled, leaving Alleia to stand in the hallway.
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Anakin stood in front of the cave, his robes lightly soaking up the clear lake water. It was mid afternoon, and soon enough, it would be nighttime once more. It had been six days of Lillia's confinement to the countryside estate, and about a week since she was returned home safely.

She seemed to be quite normal now — as Anakin remembered her shaken expressions every time a man would enter the room. In the back of his mind, he couldn't get rid of the sight of her when he first rescued her. The bloodied dress, along with the crimson liquid that leaked from her hair and down her face. She looked as if she had been through war — and perhaps she did go through war, but it made Anakin's shiver whenever he thought about it. It was like seeing nine year old Lillia once more, except this time, she was broken and blue.

The cave blew colder air, which came from the depths of Valérian. Anakin accepted it gracefully, he was used to heat — especially since all ten years of his life, he grew up on a planet with two suns, but Valérian heat was different, it was much more suffocating.

He threw Utena a piece of meat as he rested his shoulder against the cave wall. Utena growled, shaking her head and tearing up the food. Lillia approached, standing on the opposite side as she held her dress to avoid getting the hem of it wet. She smiled as she watched Anakin toss Utena the food. Utena was never really one for being friendly with others — but with Anakin it just came natural.

It could have been from their early bond, and how he was present during Utena's hatching, but nonetheless, it was special.

"She likes you." Lillia stated the obvious, glancing over to Anakin who looked over. "I sure hope so, I did name her." He smiled.

Lillia laughed, walking over to the dragon and petting her scales. She stroked them slightly, watching as the dragon nudged her head into the woman's side and nuzzled closer. "Can I ask you a question, Ani?" Lillia turned around, facing Anakin who stared at her. He nodded.

"Do you ever feel like the weight of the galaxy is just constantly applying pressure on you?" Lillia's question was very forward, and it felt as if she read right into his soul. Anakin Skywalker was placed at a pedestal, and was expected to be perfect at all times. But man can only experience a fall so many times before they meet their ultimate death.

"All the time." Anakin breathed.

He never truly said it out loud to anyone, but he thought of it every second of every day. Anakin thought of life beyond the order — beyond the responsibilities of everything he's known. "I feel like I haven't done enough for my people, I don't want to seem weak and vulnerable." Lillia confessed.

"I don't think they see you as weak or vulnerable." Anakin responded, crossing his arms over each other. "You saved Isolde, and put yourself in danger instead of her — I wouldn't call that weak, Lil."

Lillia shivered at the nickname, nobody had called her that in years. But the shiver was replaced by a warm feeling. "I suppose. I just hope that I will give my people exactly what they need." She walked back over, standing next to Anakin. "And you will, you already showed them your bravery." He smiled, watching as her irises danced in the flickering candlelight.

"Your Majesty!" A voice called out from the estate. The woman peeked her head out of the cave to see her handmaiden, Nila. "The Senate requests your presence tomorrow light, they would like to speak with you on the Orhela trading system." Nila bowed her head as she walked up, looking to the Jedi and the Queen.

Lillia looked back to Anakin, waving him off with a soft smile and retreating back inside. In truth, Anakin Skywalker had truly loved Lillia Val'eaon, even if he wouldn't admit it — he murmured her names to the stars and hoped that they'd end up together.

AUTHORS NOTE
A very long chapter!! About 4K ‼️ I'm so happy with how this turned out, and now you've finally met Alleia 🤭 She's gonna be quite a party girl, I can't wait to introduce Lillia, Padmé, and her together 😭😭 LPA ON TOPPPP! Anyways, hope you all enjoyed, mwah mwah 🤍