Disclaimer: Everything belongs to Mr. George Lucas.
A/N – I'm not new to fanfiction but I'm new to Star Wars fanfiction and to this site. So this is my first Star Wars story. I hope you all enjoy it and that together we can make it a good experience. I began writing this story because when Anakin turns to the dark side I can never believe that it has actually come to that and this is how I wish things had happened.
Summary: When Obi-Wan Kenobi is only a young Padawan he has a vision that leads him to Anakin Skywalker when he is only three years old. And this one event, a single vision that lasts only a few seconds, will change the fate of an entire galaxy.
"I wish we had found him sooner...", Qui-Gon's voice trails off as he looks at the little boy sitting against the wall covered in an orange shawl, "He seems so cold…" he observes.
"Yes… Tatooine is a very hot place and space is a very cold one…", Obi-Wan shakes his head pensively. "But Master, the Council will never agree to train him… he's too old," he averts his gaze to his Master.
"Yes, my Padawan, too old he might be and yet the Force tells me to take him with us… I believe… I truly believe he might be the Chosen One".
"That's quite a burden, Master", Obi-Wan sighs.
"Indeed, but so is being a slave and at least of that one we've spared him."
"That's true… if only we had found him sooner…", a whisper escapes Obi-Wan's lips before his voice ultimately trails off.
Obi-Wan Kenobi, the young Padawan of the Great Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn, opens his eyes. The Room of a Thousand Fountains surrounds him still as he looks around. His Master sits beside him, meditating, as they always do early in the morning. He takes a deep breath, never before he has had such a clear vision. Was he even supposed to have a vision at all? He didn't know and yet the vision came. He could see himself, a little older perhaps, and that little boy hugging his legs against his chest, trembling of fear and cold. He sighs. He looks at his Master once more and though he knows he doesn't like to be interrupted when he's meditating, Obi-Wan Kenobi knows this cannot wait. He knows that if the Force gave him this vision then it is because it is something he must pursue. The Chosen One is on Tatooine and he will not wait too long to make sure of that. If there's something that he learned from his Master is that sometimes you have to do what you find appropriate, regardless of others' opinions, in this case the Council.
"Master?" he asks, causing Qui-Gon to open his eyes and regard him carefully. He always looks so serene after his meditation. Obi-Wan hopes that one day he might achieve that connection to the Force just as his Master.
Qui-Gon Jinn watches his Padawan and thinks how proud he has made him. And to think that he didn't even want to take him. Yet now he knows that's the one thing he'll never regret. He knows Obi-Wan has much to learn still, but he is becoming wise and powerful and Qui-Gon knows that he'll become a far greater Jedi than he's ever been and that thought makes him smile. But he doesn't hide the mock irritation that this interruption would bring, his Padawan knows him enough to know that interrupting his meditation isn't wise, so he must have a good reason, or so he hopes.
"Yes?" he responds simply.
"Master, we must go to Tatooine" Obi-Wan does not request, he does not ask. Rather, he informs.
"And why would we go to Tatooine, my young Padawan?" Qui-Gon looks attentively at his young Padawan. He doesn't have the habit of speaking with him in this manner and it makes the Master wonder why. All signs of vexation, that weren't true to begin with, are now gone and replaced by simple curiosity.
"I had a vision, Master… and the Force is telling me… it's telling me that I must search for this boy…" Obi-Wan says as he looks toward the great waterfall in front of him. The sound of the running water is soothing as the sounds of the younglings that play and laugh around them.
"I see… Tell me more about your vision Obi-Wan" Qui-Gon requests quietly. His curiosity is now beyond any simplicity. To have a vision from the Force requires a great connection to it. He was proud of his Padawan before but now his pride is tenfold.
"We were in a ship and there was a boy. He looked no more than ten years-old. He looked… cold. I sensed much fear in him, Master. We mentioned Tatooine and you said…" he sighs before he says the most important part of it "you said, you believed he was the Chosen One", he now meets his Master's gaze and he sees that what he has said takes him by surprise. It was not an obvious reaction, but a mere twitch of Qui-Gon's eyebrow that lasted no more than a second.
"This is important indeed… We must speak to Master Yoda," he stands up and soon the young Padawan follows him.
"Intriguing, this is," Master Yoda says after being told of Obi-Wan's vision "But careful we must be when sensing the future," he speaks directly to the Padawan.
"I know Master, but I feel I must do this Master, I feel the Force urging me to do it, to find this boy. It's almost like… this is my mission…" Obi-Wan responds and it makes Qui-Gon smile. Never has he seen his young apprentice so determined. He shows such a resolve that nothing Master Yoda would say could ever make him think this is something other than the will of the Force and if he had to defy the Council once more, he would have no shame in doing so.
"I see… Not to be discarded, a vision of the Force is. If the Chosen One, this boy is, begin his training at once the Jedi Order must. Go to Tatooine you will, find this boy and to the Council bring him."
"Thank you Master", Obi-Wan smiled at the trust Master Yoda deposited in him. He felt happy, approved, accepted as a Jedi.
Not many hours later, he found himself in a ship accompanied by his Master. It was a long trip to Tatooine and he was happy that his vision told him, at least, the planet object of his search. But then again, planets are big and he didn't even know the boy's name. He wouldn't know where to start. And Tatooine was a planet with many slaves. It would be hard to find this boy.
"Patience, Obi-Wan. The Force will guide us, we will find him", Qui-Gon admonishes as he senses his young Padawan's feelings.
"But Master, we don't even know his name… Where will we even begin?" Obi-Wan's youth made him impatient. A trait his Master knew would fade in time.
"We have more clues than you seem to know, Obi-Wan. Analyze your vision, look at the details, think and trust in the Force. It will guide us and take us to this boy," and Obi-Wan does as instructed by his Master. He knows his Master looked older, he had some gray hairs which he doesn't possess at the moment and he looked older himself too. Which means that it would be at somewhere in the not so near future. So he knows they're looking for a small boy. He relaxes a bit, knowing that the Force will be there to guide him through every step just as his Master said it would be. And right then he knew that the Force was telling him he would find this boy. Regardless of how hard it would be. What he didn't know is that it would be much easier than he believed…
The twin suns shine brightly when the Jedi land on the desert planet of Tatooine. Mos Espa is beyond doubt a dreadful place, frequented by the most gruesome villains that roamed the Galaxy, most of them worked for the Hutts, as almost everyone in this planet. Pirates, smugglers and bounty hunters seem to roam the space port as normal citizens, police and security and non-existent and all in all It is truly a horrible place.
"Let's go for a drink." Qui-Gon smiles as he enters a nearby bar followed by his Padawan. Obi-Wan, on the other hand, doesn't feel much like smiling. He swallows the lump on his throat when the smell of alcohol and rot invades his nostrils as he enters the bar. It seems it has not been cleaned in years and yet no one but him seems to find that repulsive. They sat at the counter where they are immediately approached by the alien bartender.
"I want some corellian brandy and it will be water for my young friend here " Obi-Wan couldn't help but roll his eyes but the amusement on Qui-Gon's features is quite obvious. There is no doubt he takes great pleasure on teasing his young Padawan.
Qui-Gon takes the opportunity to start their investigations as soon as their drinks are served. "We are looking to buy a slave", he informs the alien as he sets their glasses in front of them, "What would be the most appropriate way of doing so?"
The alien growls a little but it seems to be his normal reaction when customers start a conversation with him. He's not the chatty type but sometimes it comes with the job so he just has to handle it the best way he can, even if that implies answering his customers' questions. "The Hutts", he responds quite simply.
"I see" Qui-Gon replies, "What specific Hutt would you recommend?"
"Maybe Gardulla or Jabba. Any one of those have plenty of slaves to spare and are always looking for good business", if he had shoulders Obi-Wan was certain that he would shrug.
"Where can we find them?"
"Hmmm tomorrow they'll probably be attending the podraces. There'll be a tournament right outside of Mos Espa. They always attend. In fact, they do little else," he replies.
"We thank you for the information", Qui-Gon says bowing slightly as they both stand and abandon their drinks. For the first time the bartender looks at them rather closely and frowns. As they turn to leave he has no control over his curiosity.
"Why would two Jedi want a slave?"
"To free him", Obi-Wan turns and speaks to the alien for the first time, a smile forming on his lips. Without waiting for any other remark he turns to leave after his Master.
The podraces were always a big event on Tatooine, actually most of everything revolves around them. Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon survey the scenery around them as they arrive. Pilots and crews prepping their pods in a hurry, thousands of people sat on the bleaches cheering despite the fact that the race hasn't started yet and then, up above there are the boxes for the wealthy and powerful. As soon as they arrive, they are informed that the Mighty Jabba the Hutt would not be present due to pressing business. It is quite the way to speak. Manners in hutesse aren't something usual. But Gardulla the Hutt is there and she is betting fiercely as she always dones.
Approaching the entrance of Gardulla's box they are stopped by a guard.
"We have business with the Great Gardulla" Qui Gon says with a slight wave of his hand, "You will let us in". He implants the suggestion in the guard's mind as he repeats his words in hutesse right before letting them in. A Toydarian flies pass them as they enter and he seems to be discussing something with the Hutt.
"One isn't enough. I want three", he says in hutesse making Gardulla growl. No one has noticed the Jedi's presence yet.
"Two. The mother and the boy. And I offer no more!", the Hutt makes her final offer and the toydarian seems to know it is so for he agrees with a nod and settles next to the Hutt. Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon exchange a glance as if saying to each other that the Force is smiling upon them. Qui-Gon clears his throat making everyone in the room finally acknowledge their presence.
"Jedi…" Gardulla hisses.
"We come in business, we do not wish to fight" the protocol droid begins translating. Qui-Gon speaks in basic and Gardulla in hutesse and yet no translation is needed. They both understand each other quite well and yet no one seems to care about stopping the droid.
"Business? What kind of business?", Gardulla asks curiously.
"Slaves, we wish to buy a slave" Gardulla seems suspicious but says nothing more. She isn't interested in picking a fight with a Jedi and if they want to buy slaves that's fine. Their money isn't worth less than anyone else's. So she commands them to sit and wait for the end of the races. It seems she can't miss them. They both do as told.
Moments later a woman walks around serving drinks and food. Most of them living animals for her master. It's quite disgusting. Obi-Wan immediately realizes she's a slave, only by her demeanor. Her head is low and no one regards her as a human being. It abhors Obi-Wan. He sighs and shakes his head. But then there's a presence accompanied by a sound. The sound of a child's laughter that resounds strongly in the Force. Whoever that child is, he's quite close but not in the same room as they are. He nudges Qui-Gon who also seems to have sensed something. The two Jedi stand and follow the woman. Gardulla and the Toydarian are too busy watching the race to notice their departure.
There's a small room, more like a cubicle, adjacent to the box. There are drinks and food set on tables everywhere and the woman moves among them to gather the things she needs to serve her Master and his guests. Obi-Wan looks around and there, in a dark corner, there's a boy, a toddler. He's no more than three years old. In his hands rests a small toy that seems like a pod. It looks old and used but the boy is not playing with it. Instead, he is returning Obi-Wan's gaze intently. And then he smiles a wide beautiful smile that only the innocence of a child can bestow. And Obi-Wan feels it: the Force around that boy, surrounding him, penetrating him, it makes him shine as he's never seen anything shine before. The force is strong with him and he has no doubt that the boy felt their presence long before they entered the little cubicle. And he keeps smiling as if he's pleased with what he sees. Obi-Wan recognizes his features, his blonde hair and blue eyes, the shape of his face… the Force.
"That's him Master", Obi-Wan whispers not turning his gaze from the boy.
"I know,"
The voices startle the woman and she turns around to look at the Jedi. "What are you doing here?" she asks placing a hand above her heart.
"I am Qui-Gon Jinn and this is my Padawan, Obi-Wan Kenobi", he introduces them with a slight but respectful bow.
"Padawan? So… are you… Jedi?", she asks, her hand falling from her chest to her side.
"Yes Madam", Obi-Wan answers.
"Why are you here?" she reflexively looks at her son who is still smiling at the two Jedi.
"Some circumstances brought us to Tatooine, to search for someone. I think we found him", Qui-Gon smiles at her as she looks back at him.
"My son…" it's more of a realization than a question.
"Yes, your son", she remains quiet for quite some time. Obi-Wan can see the conflict on her features: selflessness versus selfishness. Selflessness because she knows her son deserves better than a life in slavery, selfishness because she can't stand the thought of parting with him.
"I am Shmi Skywalker, and that's my son Anakin," she breaks the long silence. "Will you take him with you?"
"Perhapsm" Qui-Gon replies.
"He seems to know you're Jedi, he can't keep his eyes off you…" she trails off, a sad smile adorning her features.
"Yes, he does seem to know", Qui-Gon looks at the boy "the Force is strong with him. Very strong," Obi-Wan agrees with his Master with a nod of his head even though he can't seem to take his eyes off that little boy.
"Do you have to take him?"
"Not unless you allow us to," Qui-Gon watches her as the expression in her face changes from sadness to hope and then to sadness again. He has never had children. It is forbidden for him to do so, but he can't imagine how it feels for a mother to let go of her child like this. He wonders for a moment about how his own parents felt when he was taken to the Jedi Temple when he was only a toddler, probably even younger than Anakin. For a moment he feels happy that such things are forbidden to Jedi, he wouldn't want to discover the feeling had he to deliver his own child to complete strangers, knowing that he would be bound not to see him ever again. Reflexively his hand goes to Obi-Wan's shoulder, the closest thing he has to a son and he wonders, he fears, what would be to lose him.
"I don't want him to be a slave forever, he deserves more, he deserves better than I can ever give him. But parting with him…" she doesn't finish the sentence, she knows she doesn't have to. "But a mother's duty is to do what is best for her child and sending him with you… it's better, isn't it?", she asks hopefully. She needs to know for sure, she has to know or else she will regret it for the rest of her life.
"I don't know," Qui-Gon approaches the woman, landing his hand on her arm as some way of odd and impossible comfort "but we shall do our best."
"I've heard of the goodness of the Jedi, of the great men and women they are… you are. Ever since I knew I was with child I knew him to be destined for great things. I could feel it… I just… knew. There was no father, you know? Anakin… he's special and as much as I love him I can't be in the way of his path, of his destiny. He was given to me for a reason and I cannot deny him that. I know that I should… that I must… let him go…"
"It mustn't be easy to part with one's child this way, but I promise you that we'll take care of him to the best of our abilities. He will become a Jedi, you have my word," Obi-Wan interjects and Shmi looks at him. She smiles and rests a hand on his shoulder and even though she's never met him, she knows Obi-Wan Kenobi is a man of his word.
"I've always had the feeling that this day would come and now that it is here I am happy to see the people who will take care of my son. I always feared… I don't know what I feared. It's hard to explain. But you seem like good people." In the meantime, Anakin has rose to his feet and is forcefully tucking at Obi-Wan's cloak. He takes the chance to crouch and look at the boy in the eyes.
"Hello there!" Obi-Wan says making Anakin giggle and respond with a shy "hi". "I am Obi-Wan, what is your name?"
"Anakin" his childish voice responds right before he runs and hides behind his mother's leg. Truly the Force is powerful, but probably not as much as the comfort brought by a loving mother. Or so Obi-Wan believes for he has no memory of his own parents. He's lived in the Jedi Temple for as long as he remembers. Sometimes he wishes he could meet them and maybe he will, when he becomes a Knight. For now, it's not a possibility, but seeing Anakin with his mother makes him wonder about his own. He wonders if she's soft spoken like Shmi, if she's beautiful, or kind, or smart. He sighs and pushes the thoughts away, it is not the time or the place to dwell of such considerations.
"I'm afraid it won't be so easy to take him. He is a slave and belongs to Gardulla de Hutt. He was born into slavery, as was I," she sighs and she runs a hand through her son's blonde locks. "And I believe she's just bet our property with Watto. Whoever wins this race will determine the owner of our lives".
"I know. We will find a way" Qui-Gon replies and as he does a shameful amount of hutesse curse words come from the box. He is convinced that Gardulla as just lost this bet. Their business isn't with her anymore but with Watto. They find their way back to the box where an argument between the Hutt and the Toydarian has just erupted. Shmi follows closely as she holds Anakin on her arms and her son holds on to her mother's neck for dear life. Gardulla seems surprised to see the Jedi, perhaps she was too focused on her anger to remember they were even there. But her memory soon returns.
"What business do you have here Jedi?" she asks finally.
"We wish to buy the boy and his mother", another torrent of hutesse curse words comes out of her mouth.
"They belong to me now", the Toydarian named Watto informs them, "If you want a deal on them come to my shop in Mos Espa tomorrow and we will discuss it".
Gardulla growls her discontentment as the Jedi bow and turn to leave. They give a reassuring smile to Shmi before they go and all the way they hear Gardulla's angry complaints. It seems that this was her unlucky day.
The following day, and after another strenuous night sleeping on their ship, Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi arrive at Watto's shop. Shmi and Anakin are there, as they would be, since they are the object of the trade. Once again Obi-Wan feels disgusted at the way people are so easily treated as property. Qui-Gon shares the feeling, but his age and wisdom make it look much less apparent.
"Oh you came, you came", Watto says clapping his wings towards them as soon as they reach the door. "Shmi, bring the boy here", he orders his new acquired property. Once they arrive he starts examining them "The boy seems promising", he says turning his face from one side to the other while holding his chin. Anakin starts crying because of the rude treatment making Watto turn his attention to his mother. "The mother is not bad. Yes, not bad for a human. What do you think?" he asks the Jedi.
"Twenty thousand for the both of them," Qui-Gon offers.
"Twenty thousand? No way, no way! The boy alone is worth that! Thirty for the two of them", he counters hoping to reach at least twenty-five so he seems very much surprised when Qui-Gon immediately accepts his counter-offer.
"Deal!" he smiles and reaches his small hand to shake Qui-Gon's to seal the deal.
"The transmitters," Qui-Gon demands without accepting the hand.
"The money first, Jedi. I am no fool!" Qui-Gon reaches for the pouch that is attached to his belt and lands the money on the counter. Watto's eyes seem to shine brightly at the sight. "Ummm, very well. I'll get the transmitters," and as fast as he disappears to the back of the shop he arrives once more. Obi-Wan takes the transmitters from him, deactivates them and destroys them with the handle of his lightsaber to the utter surprise of the Toydarian. But then again, what was he expecting? They are Jedi and Jedi have no use or desire for slaves.
"That wasn't so hard as I thought it would be Master," Obi-Wan comments as they leave Watto behind them accompanied by Shmi and Anakin.
"The Force guided us here, my young Padawan. You must learn to trust it more".
Goodbye is never easy. With her freedom, Shmi made the choice to stay behind. Her place is in Tatooine, not anywhere else and much less Coruscant. And she doesn't want to get in the way of her son's life. A Jedi doesn't meet his family and if that's what it takes for him to follow his path then that's what it will be.
"Will I ever see him again?", she asks grabbing Obi-Wan's sleeve as he's now holding his son and heading towards the ramp of their ship.
"Do you think you will?"
"I hope so…"
"Then you will…"