Disclaimer: I do not own Star Wars or any of its affiliates. I'm just a poor college student.

Ramblings with Ranger: This will be a series of excerpts/inserts from Heritage. These are all of the bits that I've written, but didn't quite flow with the rest of the story. I don't know how many there will be. At the very least, there will be one more.

This particular excerpt/insert is from Chapter 5. This is why Obi-Wan met Adrina and Anakin, and not Qui-Gon.

Chapter Five Insert

Qui-Gon stood calmly before the Jedi Council, his right hand clasped around his left wrist in front of him. "We will see them." Ki-Adi-Mundi assured in his usual calm demeanor. "We only ask for more information." Qui-Gon sighed, but he acquiesced under the Council's hard stares.

"Anakin is nine years-old." Qui-Gon began softly. "He has been a slave since he was three years old. He and his mother, Shmi, were bought by Gardulla the Hutt, but were lost in a podracing bet to Watto, a Toydarian junk dealer on Tatooine. Shmi adopted Adrina, a young slave girl also owned by Watto. Both are Force sensitive. I have witnessed them using the Force, though they did not realize that was what they were doing."

"And how old is this girl – Adrina?" Windu inquired. Qui-Gon did not hesitate to answer.

"Seventeen."

The Council fell silent.

"She would be a great asset to the Order." Qui-Gon stated respectfully. "Adrina is a strong, competent, mature young woman. She is very intelligent and kindhearted, though years of slavery have made her cynical. She is unassuming and pragmatic." Qui-Gon paused. "She is almost exactly what a Jedi should be."

Silence persisted among the Council. Qui-Gon held his tongue. He felt displeasure emanate from the other occupants of the room.

"You are fond of the siblings." Ki-Adi-Mundi stated. He tiled his head ever so slightly. "Particularly of the female." Qui-Gon paused before he answered.

"I see much potential in them." Qui-Gon acknowledged. "I am fond of them both, in different ways. I see something of myself in Adrina."

"Life here will not be easy for them." Depa Billaba spoke up, her tone cautioning. Qui-Gon nodded.

"Adrina and Anakin are prepared to meet the challenges." Qui-Gon retorted as politely as he could. "They are strong."

"Very well." Windu murmured. He pursed his lips.

Knowing he was dismissed, Qui-Gon bowed and quietly exited the chamber.