Even as far as celebrations went, weddings on Olympus were extravagant. All of Olympus was in attendance, their elaborate garments washing the hall in every color of the rainbow while transcendent melodies from stringed instruments filled the air.

For the most part Amidala preferred quietly performing her duty on the mortal realm to attending formal events on Olympus, but she did enjoy weddings. Amidst all the pomp and glitter there was a quiet joy in those celebrations not found elsewhere. Besides, she was always prepared for a fancy dress occasion.

But not everyone found them so impressive.

"Can you imagine spending all eternity with one person?" Dorme murmured under the almost excessively upbeat music. "I don't think I would last a century before going mad."

Amidala shook her head, smiling. "I think I would be happy if it were the right person. And it can happen. Look at Sola and Darred-they've made it work this long."

"That's different-it's basically a requirement since she's the goddess of hearth and home. Mortals wouldn't pray to her if she didn't have a happy domestic life herself."

"Her domain probably doesn't hurt, but I think anyone could do it if they were really in love."

Dorme laughed. "Since when are you such a romantic, Amidala?"

"I'm not being romantic," Amidala protested. "I just think commitment that strong is admirable, that's all."

"Perhaps," Dorme still didn't look convinced.

"Not that there's anyone I want to spend eternity with either," the spring goddess quickly added. "But maybe there will be."

She glanced over at the high gods gathered at the feast table, and soon after she met Mon Motha's eye. Amidala knew the east wind goddess was thinking the same thing she was. The high gods continued to push back their request for a meeting and at last here was a chance to speak with them in person, in a location where polite escape was more difficult.

But Bail was a good friend and though he was one of the leading voices in the call for expanding the council Amidala doubted he would appreciate it if they started a debate at his wedding.

So Amidala would restrain herself for the time being.

The groom himself was jubilant, the happiest she had ever seen him. He moved around the room with the energy of a lynx and she might have been envious if she wasn't so happy for him.

"Are you enjoying yourself, Amidala?" He approached her where she stood just past the dance floor.

"Very much. The high gods certainly outdid themselves here," she replied with a glance at the gifts piled up at the center of the room, courtesy of the six. So far Amidala had seen all of the high gods at the celebration save for one. She had thought a wedding would be significant enough occasion for him to venture above ground, but perhaps not. He didn't seem overly concerned with tradition. She really shouldn't even notice these things, but she hadn't yet been able to shake their encounter from her mind. It was like a dream refusing to fade upon waking.

"It's a shame they aren't so eager to help in other areas," Bail remarked.

"It is," Amidala agreed. "It seems like they become more stubborn every decade."

Bail sighed. "They'll have to listen to us eventually, once they realize we aren't going anywhere."

"I hope so. But we don't have to speak about that business now. It's a bit gloomy for this occasion."

"I never thought I would hear that from you," the west wind god chuckled.

Amidala laughed with him. "There's a first time for everything, Bail. But don't get used to it. As soon as the celebration is over we'll get back to work."

The next weeks passed pleasantly in a blur of color, polite conversation, and dance. Amidala was enjoying it, allowing herself a temporary distraction from her duties both on Olympus and the mortal realm, when there was a subtle shift in the air—crackles of energy sparking across the room. She looked up and there he was, hanging about the entrance like some kind of dark satellite. Amidala's legs buckled under her at the sight of him and the room suddenly became much warmer.

"Is that Vader?" Amidala asked. But she already knew the answer.

"Yes," Bail replied, following her gaze. "Not inviting someone, especially a high god, is the height of insult and Breha and I agreed that would not be the best way to begin a marriage."

Amidala nodded, unable to take her eyes off the Underworld god. He was even taller than she remembered, and lingering in the doorway with narrowed eyes scanning the crowd he seemed to pull all the room's gravity towards himself. He stood out like the moon in daylight or a rose among lilies on Olympus. For one thing he was the only guest wearing black, but the distinction ran deeper than that. She somehow knew instinctively that this wasn't his world. She couldn't imagine him residing on Olympus permanently, Underworld god or not. It would be like caging a lion and expecting the animal to flourish.

She considered reintroducing herself, but before she could decide whether or not she wanted to approach the Muses pulled her aside into their lively conversation and by the time she glanced back at the entrance he was gone.

But she soon found that missed chance didn't matter much. It seemed the Fates had other plans in the form of the messenger goddess. A flash in Anakin's eyes when Ahsoka brought him over was enough to let Amidala know he recognized her. But the intensity she found there startled her. Besides that spark of recognition there were other emotions swimming in his unbelievably blue eyes she wasn't expecting. There was joy to be sure, but she couldn't put a name to the other darker emotions she found there. Perhaps even trying to decipher the enigmatic Underworld god was a futile exercise, but Amidala never could resist a challenge.

But Anakin's nervousness in the crowd soon occupied her attention and Amidala's instinct to make him feel at ease quickly took over. Such aversion to the spotlight was surprising for a high god, but she supposed he wasn't used to the crowds on Olympus. She wished she knew how to make him more comfortable. Or better yet, wished she could whisk him away from the chaos altogether.

After what seemed like only an instant of conversation Anakin was on the opposite end of the hall and the other Olympians were clamoring around him. Though he seemed pleased to see her before, pushing through the throng of guests when he was visibly unhappy with the attention did not appeal to her.

After accepting that the Underworld god would be preoccupied for the rest of the celebration the Fates again offered her a chance. The spring goddess noticed him heading outside alone towards the end of the dwindling party and seized her opportunity. This boldness was so unlike her, she knew, but she couldn't be sure of when she would see him next and that thought pushed her to action.

She just hoped the nymphs hadn't noticed or she would never hear the end of it.

So now she found herself standing a few feet away from the dreaded Underworld god, though in that moment he looked anything but dreadful.

"Amidala," he stammered. "I didn't see you...I thought you had gone."

Paradoxically, his flustered expression encouraged her. She took a step further onto the clouds. "No, I was presenting my gift in Breha's chambers. Do you mind if I stay here with you for awhile?"

"Please do," he replied, expression becoming more composed. "Your presence is soothing."

Amidala chose to take that as a compliment, and walked out next to the Underworld god. They stood in silence for a number of heartbeats, side by side staring out into infinity.

Amidala wasn't sure what she was doing there, and that frightened her. She hadn't anticipated how different being alone with him would feel—it was almost like she was four hundred years old again and receiving her first suitor. Her skin was flushed even in the cold night air and her heart was beating so loudly she was surprised he couldn't hear it. You would think she had never spoken with a handsome man before, Amidala thought wryly.

But the fact remained, Amidala had chosen to follow him out here and now she had to stay with that decision. She had come outside without much of a plan except to see Anakin, even knowing that soon he would return to the Underworld and they likely wouldn't meet again until the next Olympian wedding, whenever that turned out to be. She couldn't let herself become too disappointed at that. But in that moment, she didn't want to think about their duties or inevitable separations. She just wanted to stay with him in the glimmering starlight for awhile, create another memory to keep after he had gone.

"It is beautiful," she remarked, partially to escape her thoughts before they suffocated her.

"I suppose," Anakin replied, though his tone was less than enthusiastic. "It might be more beautiful from up here than it is down there."

"I'm not so sure about that," Amidala objected. "They have meadows full of flowers and wonderfully scented pine trees. I always miss those when I'm up here. And I love the water. The nymphs and I like to swim out as far as we can at the seashore and then lay on the beach and let the sun dry us."

Sometime during her passionate defense he had turned to face her. "The sea is incredible," he agreed. "I couldn't believe there was so much water in existence the first time I saw it. I think I was frozen in shock when the waves knocked me over."

She had to smile at that image. "Perhaps you should have gotten Shaak Ti's domain."

Anakin snorted. "It's just as well I didn't get the sea. I hate sand."

Amidala laughed, taking her first real breath since coming outside.

His returning smile was radiant, (she had forgotten how nice his smile was, what a shame almost no one ever got to see it) and just as quickly as it had appeared his happy expression was replaced with a mischievous one.

"Do you take off your makeup to swim? It's difficult to picture you without it."

"Goddesses never have to take off their makeup for anything," Amidala replied with mock indignation. "It's the most durable substance on Olympus."

"More durable than the aegis?"

"Of course."

He was looking at her in that intent way of his again, his eyes two stolen pieces of the dawn and Amidala had to consciously remind herself to breathe. She felt as if he was looking straight through her, as if he could see past the goddess' trappings and directly into the parts of herself she usually preferred to hide.

He took a step closer, slowly reached out and very carefully ran his hand down her arm, his gaze never straying from hers.

Perhaps she should have told him to stop. After all, this was only their second meeting and there was little hope of anything lasting between them considering their circumstances. Giving in to—whatever exactly this was—would only make everything more difficult in the long run.

She did not.

Something in her expression apparently encouraged him and Anakin continued to stroke her, his hand traveling further down her arm.

All at once she was consumed with an almost frantic desire to kiss him, and that longing drowned out any doubts she had left. She leaned in closer as did he and then he was right before her and she couldn't focus on anything except Anakin. He looked a little desperate himself, eyes shining wildly and a lock of tousled hair hanging over his forehead as he enticingly bit down onto his lower lip. Amidala smiled, feeling a bit giddy with the knowledge that she was the one to inspire this reaction in him.

"Now what do we have here?" An accented voice inquired. Amidala spun around to find the wisdom god standing a few feet away, regarding them with folded arms. She hadn't even heard his approach.

"Anakin and I were just discussing the mortal realm and its benefits," Amidala replied, slightly out of breath. But with Anakin no longer touching her, she easily switched back into official Olympus mode.

Obi Wan raised his eyebrows and the effect might have been comical under different circumstances.

She felt almost like a child caught stealing sweets, and it irritated her. Obi Wan was a high god but she was Amidala—goddess of the harvest and bringer of spring. She had nothing to be ashamed of.

"It didn't occur to you that it might be unwise for the two of you to be seen together?"

Did Obi Wan think she was inferior, too minor a deity to associate with a high god? She stood up straighter. "Why shouldn't we be seen together?"

Anakin and his brother exchanged a glance. The spring goddess sensed an entire conversation in that single look but she couldn't understand the language.

"You mean he hasn't told you?" The wisdom god turned back to her.

"Told me what?" Amidala demanded.

"The high gods refused his request to court you ten years ago."

Amidala felt something in her chest collapse. Unable to look at Anakin she swallowed and addressed Obi Wan.

"I didn't know. I'm sorry. I assure you it won't happen again." Not trusting herself to say anything else, she turned and crossed the clouds. In her haste to get as far away as possible Amidala collided with someone as soon as she reentered the hall.

"Amidala! Are you alright?" The sky god's concerned voice shook her from her thoughts.

"I'm fine, Palpatine," she returned with as strong a smile as she could muster. "Just tired. Please excuse me." She only needed to be alone for awhile, and then she would be fine.

It was by chance that Obi Wan saw Amidala slip out onto the balcony after Anakin. He hoped his instincts were wrong but when the moments went by and neither emerged he had to act. Discipline had never been Anakin's strong suit and Obi Wan wasn't sure he believed his younger brother could withstand this kind of temptation, inexperienced as he was.

When his fears were proven correct Obi Wan ended it as quickly as he could. Now his brother was giving him a look that could rival Medusa's and the wisdom god knew there was no escaping this argument.

"You didn't tell Amidala about the high gods' refusal?" Obi Wan finally broke their tense silence.

"I didn't think to mention it."

"She deserved to know. Don't you think so, Anakin?"

"I think you shouldn't have been the one to tell her. I was going to do it when the timing was right."

"And how long would it have taken for the timing to be right? You're fortunate it was me and not one of the other high gods that saw you with her tonight."

"Yes, thank you, my dear brother. I'm so grateful."

Anakin's sarcasm got under Obi Wan's skin as it always did and the wisdom god felt his temper rising. "Don't you have any honor? Or common sense, for that matter?"

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"Amidala is a leader in the movement to expand decision making to the rest of Olympus. You're one of the high gods. Did it occur to you she might find your interest in her a means to achieve that goal?"

As soon as the words were out Obi Wan realized that was perhaps not the best way to voice his concern, but Anakin had a way of clouding his judgment until it was too late.

His younger brother's eyes flashed dangerously and Obi Wan braced himself for one of Anakin's rages. But to his surprise his brother turned and went inside without another word.

Obi Wan sighed. He hated it when Anakin was angry with him, as much as he never let on. He wished he knew how to show Anakin he was trying to protect him as much as follow the high gods' orders.

A/N: So do you hate me now? Did you love it? Either way, let me know in a review!

As always, thanks for reading and especially thanks to everyone who reviewed.

Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays, everyone!