All Along ~ Chapter Four
My communicator chimed during a lesson in the Advanced Saber Techniques class I'd decided to start teaching last quarter. Master Yoda had been suggesting I become an instructor for years, but only recently had I found the time.
Duty once again demanded I leave the Temple, however, to attend a coronation ceremony on a planet I'd visited with Master Qui-Gon. Years ago, we had saved the life of the Crowned Prince of Chelothia. There had been a challenge made to the throne and a threat of civil war. As a result, the young prince had been kidnapped. After discovering the prince and finding out we were the same was age, we became quick friends. Qui-Gon and I were able to not only recover him safely, but deliver him home to the palace.
Now, that he was King and had his own son, I was being asked to return to witness the crowning of the youngest new prince. Nothing too dangerous. Apparently, the warring families had put aside their differences. At least for now.
As I stood there in the ice palace observing the ceremony, trying my best to control my body's shivering, my mind wandered. The trip had taken three days, I had been here two; plus another three to return to the Core. That would mean I wouldn't be able to check on Padme for eight days. I wasn't sure when she had become a priority, but I couldn't deny the feeling that I felt somewhat responsible for her happiness. As if I somehow I was the one who was causing Anakin to be so neglectful.
I had done my best with him, but as Master Mundi would be the first to suggest, I wasn't perfect. I had made mistakes, just as any guardian or parent would. Just as Master Qui-Gon had done with me. He had been too guarded with his feelings and too cautious with his compliments. I couldn't blame him. He'd lost his former padawan to the Darkside. Naturally, he was hesitant in taking on another.
The Force had other ideas, of course, and put us together regardless of his wishes. In time, I had grown on him. It was nearly the same with Anakin. I had no intention of taking him on as my padawan learner. My Master's dying wish was something I couldn't ignore, though. Regardless of his lack of feelings for me, I had looked up to my Master like a father. And despite disagreeing with him several times during my apprenticeship, I respected his opinions.
Throughout Anakin's training, I had been intentional; avoiding the pitfalls and emotional traps I had fallen into with my own Master. I told the boy often how important he was to me, how proud I was of him, and for his naming days, I always made sure to give him something more meaningful than a rock.
I had taught him, trained him, cautioned him, reprimanded him, and guided him. Were his faults my own? How could I have altered his true nature? Had Qui-Gon successfully altered mine?
"Master Kenobi," I heard, a blush rising to my face as soon as I realized it wasn't the first time my name had been called. I had been caught daydreaming and had missed my cue to speak the one line I had been given the responsibility to speak.
"Oyci d'owi cuna mo natu," I said with the accompanying hand signal of the tribe.
I nodded an apology toward the King who was staring at me with a mixture of curiosity and disappointment, although it was always difficult to tell what the Chelothians were thinking under all that fur.
My part in the ceremony completed, I was able to relax, and once again my mind wandered. Had Anakin gone back home? Had he thought about what I'd said? Apologized to Padme? Was he going to try and make things right?
Once I returned to Coruscant, I would make a point to drop by. I'd figure out some excuse. I simply had to see for myself if she was improved and if Anakin had come to his senses.
My mind now made up, I glanced up at the royal family who had turned toward the crowd to receive their barks and grunts of appreciation. To join them, I placed my fist over my heart as a sign of solidarity just as an explosion occurred overhead and spikes of ice began falling onto the platform.
I had allowed my attention to be diverted and the Chelothians were paying the price. The Force led me in the direction of the King and I dove at him first, rolling him away from the falling debris before pushing the young prince out of the way with an invisible shove. At the same time, a large chunk of ice landed where he had been standing.
He was out of harm's way, although his foot was caught. With the assistance of the Force, I began shoving on the weighty object as a shower of ice and rocks began spraying down. The roof was collapsing and although the several hundred Chelothians in attendance were rushing toward the exits, I wasn't sure they'd make it in time.
With all the power within me and all the Force persuasion I could muster, I sent out a mighty wave, which cast every living thing from the room. It was my last and final resort just as my world was surrounded by whiteness; sharp and cold.
Consciousness came back to me and then was lost again. Several times. There were moments I felt as if I were floating. Other times, I felt pain. Finally, after a while, I felt peace; a soothing contentment which was accompanied by a soft voice - one I recognized and trusted. Someone was here, although I wasn't sure where 'here' was.
Was I one with the Force? Was there an angel speaking to me? Trying to comfort and guide me into my new existence?
If this was the Force, it was awfully…wet.
I forced my eyes open, which was more difficult than I could've ever imagined. At first, my vision was blurred, and then I realized I was hanging in a Bacta tank. Once I was able to focus, I confirmed I wasn't one with the Force after all and I wasn't alone.
For some reason, Padme was standing just outside the tank and she was smiling at me.
Then I realized I was wearing nothing but my leggings. She didn't seem concerned or embarrassed by that. In fact, her dark eyes were intently locked onto mine.
"You're going to be okay," she was saying to me through the transmitter which was meant to clear her voice, although hers was still a little garbled beneath the Bacta. "You're back in the Temple, Obi-Wan. You saved them," she added with another smile. "You saved them all."
