Rating: G
Summery: Qui Gon lives in the moment.
Disclaimer: I do not own anything recognizable from Star Wars. This story is
written without permission and not for profit.
Beta read by Kitty and Marnie, who were both a huge help.
Today is the greatest Day I've ever known. Can't live for tomorrow I might not
last that long.
* Smashing Pumpkins
Qui Gon Jinn left the forest and headed out into the grasslands, the tall
flowering stalks of dragongrass rustling against the tops of his boots as he
waded through them. He went slowly at first, making each step symbolic, an
effort to leave behind something he did not need. A step beyond stupid
quarrels. A step beyond the strangling chafing cord the Jedi order sometimes
seemed to bind him with. A step beyond the greed and cruelty that had
surrounded them the past few days. A smile at his own imagination as he
looked back and almost thought he could see those things leering spitefully at
him from the forest's edge. A step beyond the needful, deep, and subtle
chanting of the Force, the only thing he could not and would not wish to leave
behind forever. Then something inside seemed to snap and unravel and his
strides became longer, looser, almost coursing although he remained at an
unhurried walk, out into the grasslands.
Throughout his years of service to the Jedi he had learned to take his rest
when and where he could. This mission had tested him more than most, and
still was not over. And yet there was still a little time, they would not need him,
he could sleep undisturbed out here. He came to a low rise like a gentle wave
in the sea of green and lay down on his back in the tall grass on the far side of
it. Qui Gon stretched out full length on the earth, sinking into the crumpled
grass. He could feel the energy of the planes infusing him as closed his eyes.
War was about to break out, he knew that. People were going to die, and soon
this day would belong to ugly violence. What were now ordinary lives would be
destroyed by tomorrow morning. This planet would never again be as innocent
as it was now, and neither would he.
But there were still a few hours more. This time was precious; it must be lived
with the greatest reverence. Qui Gon's heart ached with love for this doomed
peace and life. He knew that the force of his will could not save it, so he let it
burn itself into him, everything, the pulsing rhythm of the grasslands, those
that were suffering and might be helped, those that were safe and might soon
suffer, the pathetic but precious innocence of a planet under siege and a Jedi
Master whose heart knew evil and pain. The immediacy of those things
resonated in every cell of his body, alive with the energy of the Force. He was
so close to everything around him, everything was so vivid it was like a
dagger's edge cutting right through to his soul.
Any need for sleep was driven from him. He got to his feet, and lifted his face
towards the bright sky, fiercely cherishing the life around him, the life within
him. The world was so full of pulsing light and warmth that only when he felt
reflexive tears streaming down his face did he realize he was staring full into
the sun. It was all so beautiful that for a moment he didn't care. He wanted to
stare until he went blind, till the tears turned to blood, just so this would be the
last thing he would see. Qui Gon finally tore his gaze away and laughed at
himself, the deep joyous sound shaking his chest, because even to his
dazzled, dimmed eyes the rolling green grassland, even the half trampled
stalks and earth at his feet seemed infinitely more gorgeous.
Qui Gon stood, a Jedi Master perched silently on the crest of a tiny rise in the
center of vast, soft, undulating plains, the breeze rustling the folds of his robes
around him and drying his face. He felt like his mind and body had been split
open, filled with the raw essence of the force, and made whole again. He was
still aware of tragedy coming, not through the Force but by hard experience,
but that did not make the moment bitter, somehow. Howling ache of sorrow.
Laughing song of joy. He was at peace with both.
He waited still, so still, raw and open untill Obi Wan came looking for him,
following the invisible path he had left through the grass. Their eyes met, clear,
but still a little fragile with a balance just rebuilt not for the first, second, or
even third time. A sigh escaped Qui Gon. Sometimes it seemed peace
between his apprentice and him was as miraculous as the harmony he had
just felt, and just as important.
"Master, the Queen is waiting. We have to move on the palace now."
The first rumblings of violence sparked through Qui Gon like an electric charge.
Empathetic pain through the force. He nodded. Yes, the twin battles were
starting; they would have to move quickly now. Today was living and dying as
they spoke, and could not be wasted. He would have to fight, with his
lightsaber and without, but he could do that. He left the grassy hill to rejoin the
others. Obi Wan found himself waiting, looking after Qui Gon for a moment,
and then followed him.
The End
Summery: Qui Gon lives in the moment.
Disclaimer: I do not own anything recognizable from Star Wars. This story is
written without permission and not for profit.
Beta read by Kitty and Marnie, who were both a huge help.
Today is the greatest Day I've ever known. Can't live for tomorrow I might not
last that long.
* Smashing Pumpkins
Qui Gon Jinn left the forest and headed out into the grasslands, the tall
flowering stalks of dragongrass rustling against the tops of his boots as he
waded through them. He went slowly at first, making each step symbolic, an
effort to leave behind something he did not need. A step beyond stupid
quarrels. A step beyond the strangling chafing cord the Jedi order sometimes
seemed to bind him with. A step beyond the greed and cruelty that had
surrounded them the past few days. A smile at his own imagination as he
looked back and almost thought he could see those things leering spitefully at
him from the forest's edge. A step beyond the needful, deep, and subtle
chanting of the Force, the only thing he could not and would not wish to leave
behind forever. Then something inside seemed to snap and unravel and his
strides became longer, looser, almost coursing although he remained at an
unhurried walk, out into the grasslands.
Throughout his years of service to the Jedi he had learned to take his rest
when and where he could. This mission had tested him more than most, and
still was not over. And yet there was still a little time, they would not need him,
he could sleep undisturbed out here. He came to a low rise like a gentle wave
in the sea of green and lay down on his back in the tall grass on the far side of
it. Qui Gon stretched out full length on the earth, sinking into the crumpled
grass. He could feel the energy of the planes infusing him as closed his eyes.
War was about to break out, he knew that. People were going to die, and soon
this day would belong to ugly violence. What were now ordinary lives would be
destroyed by tomorrow morning. This planet would never again be as innocent
as it was now, and neither would he.
But there were still a few hours more. This time was precious; it must be lived
with the greatest reverence. Qui Gon's heart ached with love for this doomed
peace and life. He knew that the force of his will could not save it, so he let it
burn itself into him, everything, the pulsing rhythm of the grasslands, those
that were suffering and might be helped, those that were safe and might soon
suffer, the pathetic but precious innocence of a planet under siege and a Jedi
Master whose heart knew evil and pain. The immediacy of those things
resonated in every cell of his body, alive with the energy of the Force. He was
so close to everything around him, everything was so vivid it was like a
dagger's edge cutting right through to his soul.
Any need for sleep was driven from him. He got to his feet, and lifted his face
towards the bright sky, fiercely cherishing the life around him, the life within
him. The world was so full of pulsing light and warmth that only when he felt
reflexive tears streaming down his face did he realize he was staring full into
the sun. It was all so beautiful that for a moment he didn't care. He wanted to
stare until he went blind, till the tears turned to blood, just so this would be the
last thing he would see. Qui Gon finally tore his gaze away and laughed at
himself, the deep joyous sound shaking his chest, because even to his
dazzled, dimmed eyes the rolling green grassland, even the half trampled
stalks and earth at his feet seemed infinitely more gorgeous.
Qui Gon stood, a Jedi Master perched silently on the crest of a tiny rise in the
center of vast, soft, undulating plains, the breeze rustling the folds of his robes
around him and drying his face. He felt like his mind and body had been split
open, filled with the raw essence of the force, and made whole again. He was
still aware of tragedy coming, not through the Force but by hard experience,
but that did not make the moment bitter, somehow. Howling ache of sorrow.
Laughing song of joy. He was at peace with both.
He waited still, so still, raw and open untill Obi Wan came looking for him,
following the invisible path he had left through the grass. Their eyes met, clear,
but still a little fragile with a balance just rebuilt not for the first, second, or
even third time. A sigh escaped Qui Gon. Sometimes it seemed peace
between his apprentice and him was as miraculous as the harmony he had
just felt, and just as important.
"Master, the Queen is waiting. We have to move on the palace now."
The first rumblings of violence sparked through Qui Gon like an electric charge.
Empathetic pain through the force. He nodded. Yes, the twin battles were
starting; they would have to move quickly now. Today was living and dying as
they spoke, and could not be wasted. He would have to fight, with his
lightsaber and without, but he could do that. He left the grassy hill to rejoin the
others. Obi Wan found himself waiting, looking after Qui Gon for a moment,
and then followed him.
The End