So, just to update the disclaimer, I own nothing that's from Star Wars books or movies. It's all from Mr. Lucas. Also, in this particular chapter, I take a bit from the Jedi Apprentice series and tweak it a bit. So, if you've read those books you'll see it. In which case, I don't own that idea either. Alas. Thanks to everyone who has read this story. Please Read and Review! :)
"A mission for you I have. Requested your presence is on Abrole. Specific were they. King Doorna has died. His son, Prince Broca, the new king will he be."
Qui-Gon nodded to the small Jedi Master, "I understand, Master."
"Sorry I am that cut short your trip is young one." Yoda paused before he continued, "Leave tomorrow morning you will. May the Force be with you."
"May the Force be with you my Master."
Hours later, Qui-Gon was laying in the grass admiring the starlight far above him. After Yoda's news, he had readied himself for his abrupt departure. His minimal belongings were packed and he said his goodbyes. After, Qui-Gon made his way down to his favorite spot, as he always did before leaving this place. It was behind the Jinn homestead, located far into the dense woods. In the forest was a small clearing where a section of the River of Light flowed, one of the most recognizable characteristics of his birth planet. He had never referred to this place as his home planet. The Temple was his home. This place held nominal connection to him. Only the ghost of relationships that began but never matured.
But this place, next to his beloved river, he would be forever connected to. On the very few times he had been sent to spend a few days with his biological family, he had always come here. It was a haven against any uncomfortable moments or embarrassing breaches of protocol that only someone who grew up among relatives would know.
This visit had been different. This time Qui-Gon had returned to bury his mother. His last biological parent. His father had died when he was four or five, long before his first visit. It was odd. He felt grief, but not the grief of a son. He supposed he had loved her after a fashion, the connection just was not that deep. Compared to Qui-Gon, she had been a ridiculously small woman. He had dwarfed her already when he first met her as a teenager. Quick to laugh and extraordinarily generous, she had been a wonderful woman.
His uncle would be keeping the homestead, which rested next to his own farm. He had told Qui-Gon he was welcome to come back anytime. Most of the other items in the home had been bequeathed to numerous nieces, nephews and friends. He took only a few trinkets with him. One was a locket that his mother had always wore when he saw her. He had tried to open it, but it seemed to be broke. He also took a few of what he knew to be his father's books and two tea cups. One was his mother's and the other was the one he had always preferred on his rare visits. Tea before bed was something they had done together and was an activity that Qui-Gon still enjoyed when he was able.
The dark river babbled and gurgled softly to him as he listened to the other sounds of the forest surrounding him. He would be awake all night, waiting for the first rays of daybreak to kiss the surface of the water. It was magical. It was almost as if the sunlight set the river on fire. The river appeared to be lit from beneath on sunny days, until darkness descended once again, claiming the light for itself until morning.
Qui-Gon was unsure how he felt about his return to Abrole. It had been almost a year to the day. When he thought of Abrole he thought of his former padawan. Terral Novar had taken her trials upon their return to the Temple and Qui-Gon had overseen her knighting ceremony. He was happy for her, but he suspected that he did not feel the abundant amount of pride that most masters felt when their padawans were promoted.
After all, their relationship had been brief. It was a means to an end. The honor should have belonged to Terral's fallen Master and Qui-Gon had been acutely aware of that. From what he heard, Terral was quickly becoming a fine Jedi Knight. There would be other padawans. Young lives that he choose to lead and nurture. And on those knighting days, Qui-Gon knew that he would feel that masterly pride he had missed with Terral.
Qui-Gon shifted slightly in the grass. Daylight was running up on him quickly. The thought of Abrole brought only one other important memory to his mind. "Kayda," he said to himself quietly. Qui-Gon smiled remembering the fiery Princess.
He had only thought of her sporadically since he last left Abrole, in an attempt to lessen the feelings he had for her. He thought he had been mildly successful. While he would be glad to see her, Qui-Gon was concerned that their shared past, though however brief, may be problematic. He had no idea how Kayda had come to view those days they had spent together. The Force told him that nothing he had done had been a mistake those two weeks, but he doubted that even the Force would convince Kayda of that if she believed otherwise.
Time was growing short and daybreak was only minutes away. Qui-Gon released his concerns and doubts into the Force, resolving to let events unfold as they would. He sat up, awaiting those beams of sunlight. Slowly a golden-yellow glow broke over the horizon. The rays of light crept across the River of Light, setting it ablaze. A line drew ever closer to where Qui-Gon sat. One side still belonging to the dark, the light battling it back gaining ground as every second passed.
The yellow beams had almost reached him when Qui-Gon looked at the stream directly in front of him. Something was gleaming just below the surface as light just began to touch it. It was just the smallest hint of red amid the still dark depths. Qui-Gon reached his hand in the shallow end of the river and pulled out a small, black stone. As he held it in his hand, the sunlight brushed against the surface, illuminating the rock and showing the hidden streaks of red. Qui-Gon gently enveloped the cool stone with his fingers. Almost immediately, the rock became warm. He smiled down at the pebble in his large hand. The stone was Force-sensitive.
Closing his fingers completely around rock and looked up. The sky was alight in a beautiful array of yellows and oranges. The River of Light was shining brightly as far as the eye could see.
Qui-Gon stepped off the palace's private landing platform. Everything looked much the same to the Jedi Knight. The only difference was faces there to greet him. Two men stood waiting as Qui-Gon walked towards them. One was Advisor Qorbin, who looked even less pleased to see the Jedi as he had the first time. The other appeared to be the new King, the former Prince Broca Doorna. He had much the same features as his father. He was not much shorter than Qui-Gon and had warm, dark eyes. His short brown hair blew in the light breeze.
The soon-to-be King smiled at Qui-Gon, "We are glad to welcome you back to Abrole Master Jedi. Both my sister and my father told me much about your last visit to our planet."
Qui-Gon bowed to him. "Thank you your Highness."
"I must admit, we are surprised to see you here," the Doorna continued.
"Did you not send a request to the Jedi Council for my presence?" Qui-Gon asked, confused.
Doorna smiled, but shook his head, "No, I did not. But I must admit I am glad to see you. It will be good, I think, to have a Jedi at the crowning ceremony tomorrow. Just that extra level of security. Though, I do not foresee any problems."
Qui-Gon nodded. He was disturbed by the news. Who could have sent for him?
"Please follow me," Doorna said, leading the way into the palace. Qui-Gon fell in step next to him, with Qorbin behind them. He was surprisingly silent, Qui-Gon noted.
"I was sorry to hear of the passing of your father. He was a very good man."
Doorna sighed, "Yes, he was. But, he is at peace now," he smiled, "My wife and I were able to give him the gift of seeing the next heir to the throne before he passed. It was such a relief to him. I know it weighed heavily on his mind in his later years."
Qui-Gon nodded, remembering how fixated the old King had been on preserving the royal lineage. "And how is your sister, Princess Kayda?"
Doorna faltered. He paused for a moment then said, "I'm sorry to say, Master Jedi, but my sister died three months ago."
