A/N: This is the end )-: Hope all my readers enjoyed. And have a Happy New Year!

Chapter 29

It was the week after that Isabelle was scheduled to take her test with the Council. Siri decided to talk with her about it that morning so she would have some idea of what to expect. After all, Isabelle had never been in front of the Council before.

"First of all, even though it can be scary having the entire Council watching you, this is a good thing. You just have to remember to take a deep breath, go in the middle, take a bow, and they'll explain everything to you." Siri had been doing this for so many years that it was second nature.

"What's a bow, Mommy?" Isabelle asked. Siri showed her what she meant and Isabelle imitated. Isabelle wanted to know how deep she should go and why they had to bow in the first place.

"It's to show respect for the Council,' Siri explained. "And all Jedi are supposed to show respect for them, even Mommy."

"Because they're great Masters with using the Force?" Isabelle asked.

"That's part of it. And they've been put in a position of authority over us. That means they get to tell us what do." It was amazing how Isabelle had Siri explaining so many things that were second nature to her but she'd never thought how to explain.

"Oh. And what are they going to ask me to do?" Isabelle was just fascinated by all of this.

"They're going to ask you to complete a puzzle," Siri said. "Take as much time as you need. I'm sure they have high hopes for you as your daddy and I both completed it so fast."

"What if I can't do the puzzle?" Now Isabelle was starting to sound nervous.

"Don't worry about that. I'm sure that given enough time you can do it. You've already been doing puzzles that are a lot like it without realizing it."

"Really?" Isabelle was starting to sound more hopeful.

"Yep. In the exercises they give to your clan. They give the puzzle to all the younglings to test for Jedi potential. I promise it's not impossible." Siri didn't want Isabelle to be worried about the test and was sure she could complete the puzzle quickly.

"I've done all the puzzles they give to the clan," said Isabelle. "Most of them are easy." Siri could tell that Isabelle was looking for reassurance that this one wouldn't be harder.

"See," Siri said. "That's great. You've got nothing to worry about."

"All right," said Isabelle. She then went back to getting ready to go with her clan. Siri hoped she hadn't made everything more confusing with her explanation of what was going to happen, but Isabelle seemed just fine. So they went to drop Isabelle off with her clan and let the teacher know that Siri would be back for her as Isabelle had a Council meeting.

"Your first Council meeting, Isabelle," said the teacher. "Aren't you excited?"

"Yep," said Isabelle, a big smile growing on her face as she formed the next sentence. "And my mommy told me what to expect. You go in and bow and they give you a puzzle to do."

"That's right," said the teacher. "All the adults here have been through it and survived. I'm sure you will too."

Siri called Obi-Wan on her lunch break to let her know how she'd explained everything to Isabelle that morning and what Isabelle had said.

"That's great you were able to tell her what to do at her meeting," said Obi-Wan. "I wish someone had been there to explain that to me when I had my puzzle test."

"I had my mother, but I don't remember her telling me that much about it beforehand," said Siri. "She wasn't on the Council yet, but I'm sure she knew what was going to happen. I guess it's supposed to be a surprise." She wondered then if she should have told Isabelle, or if she was supposed to let her go into the Council cold.

"Don't feel bad about telling her," said Obi-Wan. "It's not like you told her how to do the puzzle or anything like that."

"That's true," said Siri. "And I wanted her to know something so she wouldn't be intimidated when she goes in. That's all I meant to tell her."

"I was scared my first time in front of the Council," said Obi-Wan. "It can be tough being in the middle of that room if you don't know what to expect."

"That's what I thought, and I'm not exactly shy," said Siri. "Well, I'm sure Isabelle will be doing just fine this afternoon. She seemed so excited about the whole thing when I dropped her off at her clan this morning." Siri was glad that she had a daughter who was excited about times like these, rather than having to be dragged or hiding behind her. She knew from her experience working in the classroom and watching Isabelle's clan that some of the younglings were like that.

"I'm glad she's excited about that," said Obi-Wan. "She's going to make a fine Knight someday." Obi-Wan had always been such a proud father and he and Isabelle had been close since Isabelle was a baby. Siri was glad they were so close as it meant such a relaxed, yet not too quiet time at their quarters most of the time.

"She really is going to be a fine Jedi," said Siri. "And it's not just her midicholorain count. She's been doing so well in her class and she knows how to ask me the right questions."

"I've noticed that too," said Obi-Wan. "It'll get her further than she knows in life."

"I think asking questions is how I learned everything," Siri said. "I must have just about terrorized my mother on some days."

And just a few hours later, Siri went to pick up Isabelle to take her to the Council Chambers. Siri noticed that Isabelle was being unusually quiet on the way there. She couldn't tell if this was just nervousness or not.

"Mommy? " Isabelle asked. "What if I don't want to be a Jedi when I grow up?" Siri was surprised by the question and thought for a minute about how to answer.

"Of course you do," said Siri. "You're such a natural in clan. Your father and I wouldn't give up being Jedi for anything. You're just going to have to get through the puzzle test, but I know you can do it."

"I guess," said Isabelle. "I mean, I know that I can do this puzzle." Siri wondered if she was a confident as the words sounded however. Isabelle had seemed fine earlier, but Siri knew that facing the moment when it came could be the hardest part, especially for someone as young as Isabelle.

"Sure you can," said Siri. "I promise it's not as hard as it looks."

"That's good," said Isabelle, who actually did start to look a bit relieved.

"Ready?" Siri asked when they got to the door. There was no way she could leave Isabelle there if she was starting to panic.

"Yeah," said Isabelle, who luckily sounded like she actually was doing fine. Maybe she was just lost in thought. Or maybe she was putting on a brave face for her mother. Siri thought both possibilities equally likely.

"I'll be back when you're done," said Siri. "But I have to go back to work now. May the Force be with you."

"Thanks Mommy," said Isabelle, giving Siri an unexpected hug. "But you can go now. I'll be ok."

Siri was glad to hear that Isabelle was at least trying to convince herself of that. She left then to return to work, having a feeling she'd be back to pick up Isabelle soon.

***
After her mother left, Isabelle took a deep breath and opened the door to the Council Chambers. There it was, as promised, with the twelve Masters in their circle looking at her kindly. As her mother had told her, she walked straight to the middle and took a bow. The Masters seemed pleased with this.

"Welcome, youngling Isabelle Kenobi," said Master Windu. "We asked you here today to give you the puzzle we give to all the younglings." He then took it out and showed it to her. Isabelle was absolutely fascinated by the looks and number of pieces that it contained. It was larger than she had pictured in her mind from what her mother had told her.

"I am happy to solve it for you, Masters," she said, using the respectful tone she had learned in her clan. She was determined not to embarrass herself in front of the Council. She knew that they were the ones in charge of the entire Order and the ones who gave her parents their missions. And in her world, embarrassment was just about the worst possible outcome. That was the worst part about what she was considering doing, but it was what she felt that she had to do if she was going to make her own choices as a grownup.

"You can take it," said Master Windu. "Just complete it and bring it back in here when you're done."

"Of course, Masters," said Isabelle. "I'll be right back with the puzzle." She then went and took the puzzle, watching it the entire time as she left the Council Chambers.

When she was alone, she started to assemble the pieces. At first the entire puzzle seemed hopeless, but she was able to do it piece by piece. It didn't seem to take very long to complete, but that could have been because she was so intent on it she didn't notice the time passing. And she stopped to admire the completed puzzle with a satisfied smile on her face. She was glad that she had been able to finish it, like all the other younglings.

And then Isabelle tossed the puzzle over, letting the thousand pieces fall onto the floor.