The final chapter for Lost and found.
000
As the ship neared the temple, Qui-Gon sat next to Obi-Wan and watched him sleep. He looked so peaceful on the bed and yet Qui-Gon knew Obi-Wans trials were just beginning. Qui-Gon stroked his soft hair and made a promise to the force to protect this youngling with his life.
Obi-Wan stretched, and his eye lids fluttered open and he blinked several times. "Hello Master, have you been waiting for me to wake up?"
"No youngling, I wanted to make sure you were alright, I did not mean to wake you"
"That's ok, I am not tired anymore; can I get up now?"
Qui-Gon smiled at him. "Why don't we go and watch Master Windu land the ship, we will be at the temple very soon."
A look of concern covered his young face and Obi-Wan looked up at Qui-Gon.
"What is it young one?" He asked.
"W-hen we land at the T-emple, can I stay with you? Obi-wan asked.
Qui-Gon could sense apprehension and a touch of nervousness radiating from the boy.
"Of course young one, you seem worried, is there anything else bothering you."
Master Yoda and Mace had also sensed mixed emotions coming from the boy. Obi-wan looked from one Master to the other. then his eyes settled on Qui-Gon's.
"I-I- …. W-w-ha..t, If … He tried to speak, but suddenly all the memories of his time alone and the terrifying moments before and after he was thrown from the Plateau came back to haunt him. Apprehension and a sense of loss overcame him, knowing that he was going back to somewhere that he hardly remembered, and he was scared.
He didn't know what he wanted, he was confused, and his heart was beating rapidly standing there in front of Master Jinn he started to shake. His breaths were coming in gasps, and his eyes were filling with tears. Qui-Gon could feel the shift in emotions coming from Obi-wan. He knew that the boy was about to break. He had held up well. But the Jedi Masters knew that before long, the five years of loneliness, sadness and pain would finally catch up to him, and that time had come. Qui-Gon pulled the child up into his arms embracing him; Obi-wan wrapped his hands as far around the big Jedi as they could reach, and Qui-Gon sat on the couch, settling Obi in a comfortable position. The sobs came fast and furious, his pain and insecurities coming out in a flood of tears. Qui-Gon knew that no words were needed yet, so he just gently rubbed the boys back and rocked him back and forth. Sending calming waves of love and compassion to the frayed mind of this bright light in the force.
Obi-Wan felt warm and safe for the first time in a long while, and he gradually released his tight grip of Qui-Gon and asked if he could watch Master Windu pilot the ship. Qui-Gon sat in the co-pilots chair and sat Obi-Wan on his lap. Obi-Wan began chatting and asked what each instrument was on the consol; the boy had a thirst for knowledge and they were pleased that they would have the chance to teach him.
Later Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan went back to the galley to make a cup of Choco as Obi-Wan was thirty, and while they were gone, Mace spoke to Yoda. "I cannot believe he survived on his own for so long. I can not imagine how lonely he must have been"
"Protected he was, has a great destiny I sense; the force is strong in this young one" Yoda stated.
"What amazes me is the fact that we sensed him all the way from Corruscant, three days travel away, his grasp of the force in certain areas is better than his age-mates, and you see how far he jumped; he did it with no difficulty at all, some senior Padawan's cannot even jump that far." Mace admitted.
"Mmmmph." Yoda cleared his throat. "Difficult for him it will be far behind his age-mates he is in his studies; must be vigilant and watch over him, or he will become a target for bullies and jokers."
As Obi-Wan came back holding his choco drink with Qui-Gon he heard Yoda say "Difficult for him it will be, far behind his age- mates he is"
"What does age- mates mean?" he asked.
Qui-Gon smiled at Yoda. "It means children your age Obi-Wan"
The boy stared at him for a while then asked. "What age am I?"
"Well" said Qui-Gon "You were five when you went to Rayma, and five years have past since then. "So that would make you"………Qui-Gon looked questioningly at the boy.
Then Obi-Wan smiled sheepishly "Ten?" he finished.
"Yes Obi-Wan that is correct" Qui-Gon smiled back.
"Is Ten old? " Obi asked.
"No young one, old it is not" Yoda announced.
"What will happen when we get to the Temple, what will I do, I forget what I used to do there?"
"You will go to lessons and learn how to be a Jedi." Mace answered.
"How long will that take?" Obi asked.
"It depends on you and how quickly you learn, most apprentices reach Knighthood around their twenty fifth year." Mace explained
Obi thought for a moment then said. "So I won't be alone anymore?"
"No Obi-Wan you won't be alone." Mace confirmed.
"Ok then I can do that" Obi said smiling.
The three Masters looked on with amused faces, but deep down they knew that the journey to Knighthood for this child would be a long and difficult road to travel; fraught with unforeseen dangers, along the way.
They remembered what Xanatos had said about getting rid of Obi-Wan. How the dark side could not be stopped now that he was gone. However, for now that was something they would worry about at another time. It would be another episode in his life. Nevertheless, they knew now that the force had shown them, the road Obi-wan travelled would be the same one that Yoda, Mace and Qui-Gon would travel also. The force had brought them all together and it would not allow them to deviate from this path. They would stand united in their common goal, to protect and guide Obi-Wan Kenobi to Knighthood.
This was the beginning of their journey together.
The end or just the beginning.
That's all folks! The sequel is called Kidnapped by darkness.
Thank you for reading and your wonderful reviews.
