Title: Ben Kenobi You Shall Be
Summary: How Obi-Wan chose the name Ben.
Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars. George Lucas owns it all. So does Disney.
/
Are you seriously considering taking another Padawan, Master?," Anakin Skywalker asked his former teacher.
Obi-Wan looked at the tall Jedi Knight standing next to him. "You needn't call me Master anymore. You are a Jedi Knight now, and as such you should call me by my name."
Anakin shifted his gaze back down to the floor of the training mat where the Initiate Lightsaber Tournament was taking place. "I don't know if I can do that, Master. I've spent so long…it just seems strange to call you by anything other than your title."
Obi-Wan chuckled lightly. "Perhaps my given name would be a better choice for you to use."
"Obi-Wan isn't your give name, Master?" Anakin asked, the new information giving him a bit of a shock.
"No. When my family gave me to the Jedi, they requested that my name be changed," Obi-Wan quietly explained. "They were torn between wanting a better life for me and wanting to raise me themselves, despite their inability to provide much of a life at all beyond unconditional love. So, they asked that my name be changed so that there would be no chance of them ever finding out which Jedi was their son."
Anakin had a few tears in his eyes as he listened to the story. He was a Jedi, had become a Jedi because his own mother had been willing to let him go. But he couldn't imagine being able, or even willing to let go of his own child, the child Padme was carrying. Not even for the child to become a great Jedi.
Clearing his throat, Anakin spoke in a voice heavy with emotion. "So, what is your real name, Master?"
Obi-Wan met Anakin's blue stare with his own. "Ben. My given name is Ben."
Anakin pondered the name for a moment. He decided it was a strong, solid name. It was the name of a man that was brave and could be trusted and relied upon. It suited Obi-Wan to a tee. "I like it, Master. But don't expect me to call you that either. You'll always be Master to me."
Obi-Wan patted his former apprentice on the shoulder as they continued to watch the tournament.
"You aren't really considering taking another Padawan, are you Master?" Anakin repeated his earlier question.
Obi-Wan's laughter rang throughout the training gymnasium.
/
"A new name, you have chosen?" Yoda asked him as the two sat aboard Bail Organa's ship.
"No Master, not a new name, but an old one," Obi-Wan told him. "I've chosen to use my given name, the name my parents gave me upon my birth."
A smile or what passed for a smile crossed Yoda's wrinkled face. "Ah, Ben Kenobi you once were, and again Ben Kenobi you shall be."
A sort of peace settled over the newly named Ben Kenobi. It felt right. His parents had gifted him with that name so long ago. He felt compelled to take it back, to give back to them what they had lost when they gave him up to the Jedi. Ben Kenobi had returned to the galaxy.
"May the Force be with you, Master Yoda," he said quietly.
"With you as well, Ben."