19/01/06 - edited version
Chapter 13
After they had returned to the Temple, Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan were directly summoned before the Council to give their report.
Mace opened the session, his face showing an open expression; the demeanor of the Korun-Master had changed profoundly since he had come to know the truth about Obi-Wan. "Master Qui-Gon, please report to us about Padawan Kenobi's dealings during his trials."
Qui-Gon stepped forward and straightened a bit. "Masters, I was quite impressed by the performance my Padawan showed. Not only was he able to accomplish his mission and ensure a peaceful election, but he decided responsibly on how to proceed during the mission. Instead of pursuing the initiator of the threat and possibly causing victims, he chose a course of diplomacy. He forced the villain behind this plot to dismiss the bounty hunters from Naboo without causing further damage. I felt his anger towards this man, but he was able to control it and did his duty for the greater good."
Qui-Gon swallowed deeply and continued solemnly, "Therefore, I recommend my Padawan learner Obi-Wan Kenobi for Knighthood."
The Council-members nodded approvingly, and Mace stood up. "So be it then, kneel down before the Council, Padawan Kenobi."
Trembling to the core Obi-Wan obeyed; Qui-Gon could feel insecurity coming from his Padawan as if he hadn't experienced this ritual before. 'How? He's gone through this already in his former life,' he thought to himself.
All the Councilors stood and ignited their lightsabers. Mace then moved to Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan and placed his hand on the shoulders of the kneeling young man, "In the name of the Jedi Council we grant you the rank of a Jedi Knight of the Republic, Obi-Wan Kenobi. If you are willing to accept this honor, please speak your vow."
They were met with silence. Qui-Gon saw tears shimmering in Obi-Wan's eyes, and after what seemed like an eternity, he began to recite with a hoarse voice, "I, Obi-Wan Kenobi, pledge myself under the graces of the Jedi order. I will follow the code with all my heart. I am willing to defend peace and justice within the Galaxy, and I swear to pursue the greater good of democracy and the Republic in everything I do."
Mace gave him an acceptant nod, and spoke up again, "Knight Kenobi, the Order welcomes you as one of its Knights! Now, it is up to you to decide who will have the honor to cut your Padawan braid."
Qui-Gon held his breath; it was part of the ritual to ask the Padawan who would have this honor, and he never had witnessed one Knight who hadn't given this duty to his Master. But in this case, he had to ask himself, how much of a part he could claim in Obi-Wan's achievements? He anxiously looked down at the young man, who slowly lifted his head, and saw tears glistening in his Padawan's eyes.
With a quiet voice, the new Knight asked, "Master?"
Qui-Gon sensed a flood of relief, and he knelt down beside Obi-Wan. They locked eyes, and Qui-Gon was overwhelmed by the feelings he felt over the bond.
"Obi-Wan, haven't I done this before?" He couldn't resist the question.
Silently, the young man shook his head.
Swallowing against the lump, in his throat, Qui-Gon ignited his lightsaber and spoke the ritual words, "Knight Kenobi, it was an honor to train you, and you gave me an even greater honor to cut the sign of your apprenticeship. With this cut, you will be a Knight of the Jedi Order!"
And carefully, he cut the braid. He held the long braid with its beads like a treasure in his hand and caressed it tenderly, then he gave it to the young man before him and stood up.
Obi-Wan erected himself and replaced the braid in his Master's hands, "I want you to keep it Master; I am what I am because of you."
And now it was Qui-Gon's turn to feel near to tears; only a few Knights decided to give their braids to their Masters, and it was a sign of deep gratefulness and an intense training relationship. Carefully, he took the braid in his hands. "I am grateful for this honor, Obi-Wan, I will keep and treasure it."
After they had left the chambers, Mace looked at Master Yoda, who thoughtfully shook his head. "Hmmm, healed a deep wound we have today," he stated.
'As always, he knows more than all of us put together. And he is up to something,' Mace thought half with humor and half with annoyance.
The same evening, Qui-Gon had prepared dinner and was now sitting in the kitchen, waiting for Obi-Wan. He was getting upset; Obi-Wan had left hours ago, telling him he had to look after an important matter, and now that his Padawan was a Knight, he wasn't even able to demand an explanation. He felt someone approaching, however, to his disappointment it wasn't Obi-Wan, but the two Council-Masters.
'I can be grateful that I have prepared enough to eat, but honestly, I expected other guests than them,' he thought. He had assumed that Obi-Wan would invite his friends to celebrate his Knighthood, but the young man seemed to have decided to skip any social gathering.
He opened the door and let Mace and Master Yoda in. "Prepared for some celebrations you have, Qui-Gon," the diminutive Master said and hopped onto the couch.
Qui-Gon smiled. "Yes I'd invite you to eat with us, Masters, but unfortunately we have to wait until my former Padawan grants us his presence."
"Get used to the fact that secrets, your former Padawan will have, you will need to," Yoda said mischievously, with a smile on his face.
Mace laughed at this. "This will be very difficult for you, Qui!"
Before Qui-Gon could give a dry reply, Obi-Wan entered the quarters with a broad smile on his face. Spotting the two Masters, he became serious and bowed to them.
"Knight Kenobi, your former Master was getting upset," Mace greeted him. "We are here to get a detailed and unofficial report about your mission. Perhaps Qui-Gon could serve us the promised meal in the meantime." He grinned smugly at his friend.
They settled down, and while Obi-Wan narrated about the occurrences during the mission, Qui-Gon served the meal, and they ate, carefully listening to every detail the young Knight provided. After he had ended, Master Yoda shook his head slowly. "Hmm. . . Cautious we must be; keep an eye on Senator Palpatine and his surroundings we will."
Mace asked once more why Obi-Wan hadn't chosen to investigate further before making his point, and seemed quite satisfied by the young man's explanation. "You did well, Knight Kenobi," he said. "We should always put the security of people above our personal goals."
Qui-Gon knew that the mission report was finished then, and he wasn't able to fight his curiosity much longer, so he asked, "Where were you before, Obi-Wan?"
The young man looked up an innocent expression on his face. "Oh, you remember the important matter before we had left for Naboo? I had to look if everything has proceeded in some way."
Realizing that his former Padawan wasn't ready to give him a straight answer, Qui-Gon felt irritated; this had been a response becoming of Master Yoda, which provided no information at all.
"And?" Mace asked, his eyebrows raised. Apparently, the Korun-Master felt the tension in the air, and he looked questioningly towards his friend, Qui-Gon.
"I'm quite satisfied with the result," Obi-Wan stated merely, ignoring the incredulous glances he earned from Master Windu and Qui-Gon, and winking towards Master Yoda who smiled knowingly.
"Well, I think we have to stay in the dark about this important matter of my former Padawan, Mace," Qui-Gon said, trying to hide his annoyance behind a humorous response. He knew well that Obi-Wan would have given him an explanation by now if he had wanted to.
"Seems so, Qui," Mace replied in a dry tone. "However, if this matter's settled then, we can proceed with the actual reason why we came here: to establish your Knighthood, there remains one important thing, Knight Kenobi."
Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan looked at him without enthusiasm; they knew what was to come.
"We need to sever the training-bond; you know that, don't you?" Mace stated, and Master Yoda nodded solemnly.
Qui-Gon gave them a sad nod and reached one last time over the bond to the bright presence of Obi-Wan, who had become so much more than a Padawan over the previous years; he almost felt like he had found the son he had never had. But he also knew that attachment like this was forbidden for him. From Obi-Wan, he felt sadness, but more so despair, as if the young man was almost terrified at the notion of letting Qui-Gon go.
"Hush, Obi-Wan; it's crucial to do this, and I promise I'll be there for you even without the bond." He tried to calm his former Padawan, receiving nothing but a sad nod.
"If you allow me," Mace said, and the two of them crouched before him. Mace entered their minds, carefully removing the strains of the bond. Qui-Gon closed the bond, knowing well he couldn't resist the pain of severing it while feeling Obi-Wan's emotions; the young man apparently did the same.
After what seemed like an eternity Mace withdrew and stared at both of them with a puzzled expression.
"What is it, Mace?" Qui-Gon asked with a frown.
"I. . . It can't be severed!" Mace stuttered and looked questioningly at a smiling Master Yoda.
"Not a normal bond it is; created by the Force it was and only severed it can be by the Force," the ancient Master said, his face showing a deep satisfaction as if some truth, he had always known about, had finally been revealed.
Obi-Wan's face showed first relief, then the confusion about it seemed to take over. Questioningly, he looked to the diminutive Master. "But what does it mean, Master Yoda?"
"Special your connection is and was from the beginning. Sensed it I have as a youngling you were. The reason not know I do, but evident it is that bonded you both are like father and son. Accept it, we must."
Mace looked shocked, and Qui-Gon chuckled quietly; this was against everything his friend believed in. It was an attachment, and Mace wouldn't approve of it.
"Finding strength in it, they will. Able to accomplish special tasks they will be. Stronger than a training bond it is and disturbed it can't be. Give us a strategic advantage, it will."
Qui-Gon had to smile at that; he knew that Master Yoda had found the right words to convince his friend.
Grumpily, Mace stated. "So be it then, but you both can be sure that means more difficult missions for you; if we have to take advantage of this, we will do so, so cease your smiling, Qui."
After the two Councilors had left, Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon sat on the couch and giggled like two little children. "Did you see his face as Master Yoda approved of our bond and even declared that it has an advantage, Obi-Wan?" Qui-Gon said laughing. "He nearly lost his oh, so well trained composure. I can't remember seeing him like this since we trained as Padawans together. Master Yoda practically forced him to acknowledge an attachment. Really Obi-Wan, I hope you have more surprises for our solemn Council in store; I'm going to enjoy every single one of them, I promise you."
"Master," Obi-Wan tried to say between giggles, "I'm not sure if I am able to top that!"
And they both laughed until Qui-Gon looked with a joyful smile at the young man by his side. "You know Obi-Wan, I missed this young man, who is able to let go of his serenity and just enjoy the moment. It suits you better than the calm and stiff Jedi Master."
Obi-Wan threw him an indignant glance. "I am not stiff, Master!"
Once more, Qui-Gon had to laugh. "Oh yes you are, and it would be Qui-Gon since you are a Knight now!"
"Old habits die hard, Master," Obi-Wan said lightly, but almost immediately had a sad look on his face.
'There we found another memory,' Qui-Gon thought, but he noticed he was now able to overlook these little things without insisting; apparently he also became more and more adjusted to the situation. But there was another thing that now needed to be solved.
"Obi-Wan, as a Knight, you are allowed to move into your own quarters now."
"Hmm," The answer came reluctantly, and obviously Obi-Wan didn't want to respond.
"My former Padawan, don't you want to answer properly?"
"I didn't hear a question, Qui-Gon."
"What do you think about moving into your own quarters, Knight Kenobi?"
"Nothing. I am also allowed to stay here, and since we will be assigned as a team to rather nasty missions, I think it would be an advantage to live together, at least until you'll take another Padawan. So if you don't mind, I'll stay." He looked at Qui-Gon with insecurity.
Qui-Gon had to laugh at this. "If I don't mind? I would be pleased. And don't worry; I am much too old, and I won't take another Padawan."
"Oh, Master, I am sure you will, trust me in that" Qui-Gon saw a knowing smile on Obi-Wan's face at this statement, and wondered what the young man was plotting.
"He has been knighted today, my Lord."
"And what did you find out about him, Darth Tahrun?"
Palpatine sensed his impatience growing; he needed to find out what it was about this Jedi.
"My Lord, the Temple-recordings show an average Padawan; he even had problems to find a Master and was almost sent to the Agri-Corps. Only after risking his life for this Master Jinn was he chosen. His Midichlorian count is high but not exceptionally so. He hasn't shown any special skills before; I researched his development and was surprised, that the young man was sent out on his Trials to Naboo. Normally, he was destined to remain a Padawan for years."
"Why did the Council agree then?"
"Master Yoda insisted and, by a miracle, he has improved his abilities over the last weeks. I checked his medical records, but I haven't found anything out of place. The only unusual thing I found is that Master Windu himself has appointed Master Tahl as his personal healer. But even in Master Tahl's personal records, I wasn't able to find anything amiss."
Palpatine was enraged; something was going on with Jedi Kenobi, he could feel it, but his apprentice didn't seem to be able to detect the background of this young man.
"You will send me his records; I need any weak point in his development. If you aren't able to find something out about him in the Temple, you'll need to find a solution to interrogate him."
The hologram cringed. "It will be done, my Lord," and with a bow, Darth Tahrun disappeared.
Palpatine chuckled to himself. He remembered the spirited young man he had met on Naboo, and he began to enjoy the notion of making him his apprentice. What an apprentice he would be, not weak like Darth Tahrun or crude like Darth Maul! No, Obi-Wan Kenobi would be an ambassador for the Sith, able to negotiate and to win the heart of his audience, someone with charisma.
'Yes, Obi-Wan Kenobi, when I know everything about you, I will turn you, and it will be my pleasure to break your spirit and make you mine!'
"Obi-Wan!" he heard a joyful cry from behind and turned to see Bant before him.
"Hello Bant," He said, trying to show a genuine smile; it was still difficult for him to stay relaxed in the presence of his old friends.
She hugged him. "Congratulations, Obi; I heard about your Trials. You're a naughty friend; first, you didn't even tell us you are recommended for Knighthood, and now we have been waiting for an invitation to celebrate your Knighting for more than a week!" She mockingly admonished him.
Obi-Wan took a deep breath; he had forgotten about that, the last time he had reached Knighthood, there had been no reason for celebrations, but this time he should have known his friends would expect an invitation.
"Bant, I'm so sorry, I've been occupied with my new duties. However, what do you think about celebrating tonight in our quarters? I'll prepare something to eat, and you and Master Tahl can join us."
"Oh Obi, that would be wonderful! I am sure Master Tahl will be pleased to come. Shall I call Garen to join us? He is grounded at the Temple at the moment."
Obi-Wan had to smile at her genuine joy. "I didn't know Garen is here; yes call him. I'm looking forward to seeing you all then!"
He returned to his quarters and found Qui-Gon sitting on the couch reading in his datapad.
"Qui-Gon, I have invited Bant, Tahl and Garen this evening for dinner; You could have reminded me to make a celebration because of my Knighthood. Bant seemed really hurt that I haven't invited her yet."
He plunked down onto the couch at his former Master's side.
Qui-Gon smiled at him. "I thought you still didn't feel comfortable with your friends, so I decided to wait, but Tahl asked me about a celebration too. It's good you made the invitation now, Obi-Wan; we can't circumvent our social ties forever."
"You're right; I don't feel relaxed in their presence, but I can't hide forever, and if the Force gave me the opportunity to live my life again, I should profit from it and enjoy being with the people I love."
He stood up. "Well Qui-Gon, in this case, I think I have to prepare dinner now. Perhaps my Master would be able to decorate the room then?" He bowed mockingly to Qui-Gon, who looked happily at the cheerful young man.
"Kenobi is grounded at the Temple for the next few weeks. He will be assigned to a team with his former Master Qui-Gon Jinn. This is quite unusual; normally new Knights are directly sent on solo-missions. Master Windu, who is responsible for the decisions concerning the teams, presented his decision before the Council today."
"And you weren't able to ask about the cause for that?" Palpatine nearly yelled; he was getting tired of Darth Tahrun's failures.
"Master Windu is in charge of these decisions, to ask for his reasons would be suspicious."
Palpatine pounded his fist on the table; this man was too stupid to find a solution for the tiniest problem! "That will be all, Tahrun. I will be leaving for Coruscant tomorrow, wait for me at the regular place in the evening."
"Yes, my Lord."
Palpatine smiled smugly after the transmission was finished; he would get rid of these idiots soon.
'And you, Obi-Wan Kenobi, will be the perfect apprentice. I'm looking forward to finally breaking you.'
After a cheerful dinner, Obi-Wan, Bant and Garen sat together in the living-room exchanging their Padawan-adventures, while Tahl and Qui-Gon had left to clean the kitchen.
"Tahl, you are very silent tonight. What is it?" Qui-Gon asked scrutinizing his friend.
Tahl swallowed; she should have known she wouldn't be able to hide her mood in front of her best friend. "I can't tell you that, Qui. I promised Mace to keep it a secret."
He nodded with acceptance. "It's something about Obi-Wan, isn't it?"
Her silence affirmed his assumption. He approached her and took her in his arms. "Tahl, don't worry, I won't insist. If you promised Mace you'd keep it a secret, I understand that. Everything that happens here at the moment is very mysterious; We all have to get used to it. Or do you think I expected to lose my Padawan so soon?"
She savored the moment in his embrace. "Oh, Qui, I know it isn't easy for you. You both had a rough start, but you've made a good team over the years; Obi-Wan helped you to return to life. I hadn't expected someone would be able to accomplish that. But you didn't lose him, you will be assigned together; I am happy about that, and I have the feeling your relationship even deepened over the last weeks."
He sat down at the table, and she followed taking place across from him. "You're right, it's weird, but our relationship has indeed become closer. I'm also happy that I don't have to let him go. It's another kind of team now that he is equal, but I need him, and he needs me."
She looked at him with a questioning glance. "Master Jinn," she said in a mocking voice. "This sounds almost as if you had an attachment."
Then with a look full of concern she continued, "You know, this could be dangerous, don't you, Qui?"
He looked up, his eyes almost blazing with anger. "Really? Honestly, I don't know why this should be dangerous. A Jedi is supposed to be compassionate. How are we able to achieve that by denying our feelings? I love Obi-Wan like a son, but I can accept he's risking his life every day in the service of the Jedi Order because it's the path he has chosen for himself. Why by the Sith should we live like droids? I am so sick of this Code which forces us to deny the pull of the Force! There is a difference between attachment and love; love is selfless, we should encourage it, teach our younglings how to cope with these emotions. Not admonish them to suppress, what they feel. You are a healer, Tahl, don't you think, this would be healthier?"
She cringed at his outburst, but before she was able to answer, Obi-Wan rushed into the kitchen, and she had to admit that she felt relieved that she wasn't forced to reply.
"Qui-Gon, Master Tahl, won't you come back into the living-room? Master Windu joined us a few moments ago, he asked for you."
Regretfully, Qui-Gon stood up, taking Tahl's hand. "We're coming," he said reluctantly, and Obi-Wan looked curiously toward them.
Tahl was shifting uncomfortably, and then she locked eyes with Qui-Gon, squeezing his hand. "You're right, Qui, however, it's a difficult issue. We can't throw everything we've learned away like this. You gave me much to think about."
He smiled, and his gaze grew soft. "I'm sorry for that outburst; I shouldn't have blurted it out like this. But I don't regret what I said."
In quiet understanding, they moved to join the cheerful group in the living-room. However, Qui-Gon could feel Obi-Wan's piercing eyes on him; his former Padawan was far too perceptive to ignore what just had taken place between him and Tahl.