A Rose's Thorn

A/N : Hi again! Thanks for the reviews! You truly don't know how happy I was to see the nice comments. *smiles* So, after spending a little time pondering over the plot, I've come up with a little chapter. Hopefully it will be alright. It's tragic, really, I know exactly how I want the latter half of the story to go... I just have to figure out how to get there. So, I'm trying and playing, and hopefully this will be great. I did promise this would be worth reading, so enjoy. ~Nicole



Chapter 2 : Fallen Petals

"If Shame had a face I think it would kind of look like mine.

If it had a home it would be in my eyes.

Would you believe me if I said I'm tired of this?

Well, here we go now one more time."

~Lifehouse : Sick Cycle Carousel





As the sun gently began its descent toward its nightly slumber, Qui-Gon Jinn strolled around the twists and turns of the Jedi Temple with long strides. He wanted to distance himself from his padawan until his temper was given the appropriate length of time required for it to calm down and forget all troubles. However, Obi-Wan's persistent cries through their bond were hard to ignore. "He defied me," Qui-Gon reminded himself, replying to his padawan with the sudden, sharp tug he was accustomed to receiving in times of scolding and need for correction.

Obi-Wan's sea-change orbs drifted around, taking in every detail as though he forced himself into a trance of sorts. He was desperately searching for something, anything, to take his mind off the present. The more he tried to distract himself, the more his thoughts centered around what was inevitable to avoid. Although he had truly done nothing wrong, his master was furious with him. Guilt draped over his weary, tension-filled shoulders like a thick, heavy blanket in the middle of a summer's day - unwanted and bothersome. As he pushed guilt's blanket off, the cold, biting chill of anger wrapped its arms around Obi-Wan and filled his weary heart with a will to go on. It was wrong, he knew that much, but why should he continue to resist anger when his master so frequently displayed it?

As Qui-Gon stepped into the council chambers, the eyes of each master before him gave him a quizzical expression as if to ask, "Where is Padawan Kenobi?" But, before Qui-Gon could flatter himself with attention, Obi-Wan quickly arrived and gave the polite and proper bow to the masters. Suddenly, their attentions were directed to the darkest corner in the room where three heavily-cloaked individuals stood. A few aimless questions drifted through the minds of the star-crossed master and padawan, but they were interrupted before answers could form.

"This is Ambassador Wespero of Hoth," Mace Windu announced, staring at both master and padawan briefly before continuing. "The people are in need of further jedi assistance."

"Yes, we are in grave need of your help," Wespero said in a tone both gentle and demanding. After a moment of hesitation, he took a few steps closer to the pair. With a nervous hand, he moved the hood of the cloak back just enough to reveal his marble-like skin, a mixture of blue and white. His eyes, a deep sapphire hue, stared with a haunting pain glistening within. "Forgive us," he murmured, "my attendants and I must keep these cloaks on, for we are extremely sensitive to light."

"Alright, it is. Offended us, you have not. Continue," stated the astute, green troll seated next to Master Windu.

With a terse nod of his head, Wespero gave a quick glance to the two accompanying him as if to be sure they seemed at ease. He shifted his weight from his left foot to his right as he took a moment to gather his thoughts. "About one year ago, Hoth's grandest king, King Kelakh, became very ill. He left no widow nor an heir to his mighty throne. We had thought, perhaps, an election would be necessary in deeming the next leader, but upon his deathbed, the King had one final request. He asked that we appoint a woman named Umbria to the throne. We longed to inquire the details of this woman, but we thought it best not to trouble our beloved king as he lay dying. We had blindly trusted his judgement many times, and each time he proved to be serving us by providing peace and prosperity to Hoth."

Obi-Wan studied the ambassador carefully as he spoke. Something was hidden beneath Wespero's words, but he wasn't sure exactly what. Still, something kept his attention. For a few moments, guilt and anger meant nothing. There was - something - about this ambassador, his planet, his queen, the mission that kept Obi-Wan preoccupied.

"We found the unknown mistress, Umbria, upon the day of King Kelakh's funeral. She had mourned and wept with the rest of us, and for awhile, she did nothing with her newly-obtained power. We assumed, then, that once again, even in death, King Kelakh had proven himself faithful to Hoth by giving us another grand leader. Months passed by, and Queen Umbria still did nothing. It was then we realized, her actions were not from mourning our late king; there was something else about her," Wespero continued. Hints of a slight accent trailed in his words, but his tone was so soft that it was nearly unnoticeable. Except to Obi-Wan, of course, who proceeded to absorb every detail.

"Wes.." one of his attendants whispered, fear hanging upon her plea.

"It will be alright, Vera," Wespero replied. "These people will help us."

"Just like the last ones?" the attendant he addressed as Vera inquired.

"Fear I sense in you, young one," Yoda stated gently. "Mustn't be afraid of us. Help you we shall, if you trust in us."

Vera nodded her cloaked head as Yoda motioned for Wespero to continue. "Queen Umbria did nothing for the people. When affairs concerning Hoth were to be addressed in the Senate, she refused to attend. When galactic fees were due, she refused to pay. When disputes arose among the people, she refused to settle them. She would give excuses for awhile about being lost in grief and about being a mere woman with no knowledge of politics, but one day her excuses stopped. That was when the jedi knights came to help us. There were four then - Master Xylo Ari, Master Zemla-Pa Kistra, Master Viatrix Warde, and Master Kallos Prey-nar. They each went about gathering research, and we thought they could help us. But, one day Queen Umbria called them into a meeting..." Wespero continued, then slowly his words trailed off.

"What... what happened?" Obi-Wan inquired, enthralled with the details.

"None of us know exactly. The jedi knights were called into the throne room, and the doors were bolted shut. We heard the most horrid screams, but I, personally, do not believe they were killed. It was a different sort of scream. A scream as though something has just been stolen away from you with a promise to never be returned; a scream of agony, but not so much of physical anguish. For days we heard screams and cries of tortured souls, but one day it all became silent," Wespero stated.

"But you don't think they are dead?" Obi-Wan asked.

"No. It's possible, of course, but I believe something else happened. We tried to ask the Queen, but she only said that they had vanished," he replied.

"And no one knows exactly what happened? No one was in the throne room except the jedi knights and the queen?" Obi-Wan questioned.

Wespero shifted his weight back upon his left foot and exchanged a worried glance with his attendants. "There was one other, yes, but Quynh would never confess to anything," he said softly. "Quynh is Queen Umbria's personal attendant. She is the only one allowed in the throne room. It is extremely rare to see Quynh alone. I am quite sure she knows everything, but she would never speak against the queen."

"And why do you go against your queen?" Qui-Gon inquired, as if ready to punish another for defiance.

"Our people are suffering without a leader to guide and care for them. There is something very horrid lurking around the palace, and we want it taken care of. We are powerless, but you are not. You could help us," Vera pleaded, suddenly stepping forward, closer to Wespero. "Forgive me, but we do not have time to play twenty questions. We have risked our lives to come here. If you don't help us, our lives will be lost for nothing..."

"We will help you and your people," Mace Windu said, trying to be gentle yet remaining in his classic stoic tone. "Master Jinn and Padawan Kenobi are the very best the council can offer to assist you."

"Thank you, Master Windu," Vera and Wespero whispered together, bowing slightly.

Mace Windu turned his attention to the master and padawan before him. Something was clearly out of place with the pair, but such a thing could not be addressed with the barely-trusting ambassador and his attendants present. "You will be leaving in the morning with Ambassor Wespero to investigate the matter."

"Yes, masters," they both replied.

"Late it is. Dimissed you are, get your rest, you will need it," Yoda stated with a slight nod of his wrinkled, green head.

Ambassador Wespero and his two attendants slowly exited the council chamber. Mace Windu started to demand that Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan stay, but his thoughts were interrupted by Obi-Wan's plea through the Force, "Please, don't address the issue. It is my fault entirely. Addressing it will only make matters worse. Master needs time to regain control of his temper. Please, Master Windu..."

Master Windu gave a thoughtful frown to Obi-Wan, but he reluctantly nodded. Like everyone else present in the jedi temple, no one was able to resist Obi-Wan's innocent charms - except Qui-Gon, of course. The taller jedi strolled ahead again with his long strides, and Obi-Wan trailed slowly behind. "Master," he suddenly called out, knowing that a call through their bond would be ignored, "may I go to the gardens to meditate?"

"Fine, fine," Qui-Gon murmured, moving his hand as if to dismiss his padawan.

~*~

Hours had passed, but Obi-Wan hadn't truly noticed. He stared aimlessly as if hoping to lose himself within the peaceful distractions of the gardens. He peered through the windows and sighed at the sight that was Couresant's closest example of night. It was dark, but not true darkness, for the cities' lights glistening all around. He returned his soft, sea-change eyes to the view around the room. Assorted exotic plants adorned the majority of the large room. A few small lamps set majestically against the windows, but Obi-Wan stared at them and willed their lights to extinguish - he hated the sight of their flickering glow at the present moment. A large fountain sat in the center of the room. He stared at the water as it leapt into the air and splashed back into its pool. As he stared, he began to change the pattern of the fountain's usual bursts of water. He made it swirl about in the air for awhile before diving back into the pool. As a hint of a smile tugged at the corners of his lips, a thought brought him and the water crashing back down to reality.

"You are nothing but a thorn in my side. Never forget that."

Obi-Wan cringed as the thought haunted him. He sighed and closed his tired eyes as he tried to clear his thoughts. But with each futile attempt to meditate, the same reoccurring thought taunted him. He reached through the bond he shared with master and found the older jedi to be sitting in their quarters reviewing the files on Hoth. "Master? Are you still angry with me?" he called and received that same sudden, sharp tug as a reply. "I'm sorry, Master."

"Padawan Kenobi?" a voice called and caused Obi-Wan to nearly jump. He turned and gave a quick bow to the master standing before him. "Did I frighten you, Obi-Wan? You usually know I'm coming to see you before I know it myself."

"I'm sorry, Master Windu, I was a bit distracted," Obi-Wan murmered.

"I can see that; we all could see that. Tell me, Padawan Kenobi, what troubles you?" Mace inquired as he sat in one of the chairs near the fountain.

"Master is angry with me for completing our project. By obeying the council, I defied him. I should have obeyed him, but how I could I go against the wishes of the council?" Obi-Wan said as he sighed and sat down next to Master Windu.

"Qui-Gon is always out to defy the council. Ignore his fits of anger; they tend to pass with time. But, there is something deeper to it, Obi-Wan, yet you guard your thoughts. Why do you hide them?" Mace stated.



"Because they are foolish," Obi-Wan murmured. "I don't wish to discuss foolish things. I need to dismiss the feelings on my own."

"That's perfectly respectable, but be careful, young one," Mace stated gently. "Anger is a dangerous creature to have dwelling in your heart. Don't let it control you."

"I won't, Master Windu," Obi-Wan replied.

The older master nodded, yet something began to trouble him as well. Obi-Wan was such a bright padawan filled with a passion very few were able to capture. A certain spark dwelled in his eyes, but it seemed as though Qui-Gon continued to try to extinguish the flame. So far, he noted, Qui-Gon hadn't been successful, but what would happen to the jedi when the passion and spark was gone from Obi-Wan Kenobi?

"What are your feelings toward the mission?" Mace inquired.

"Elusive," Obi-Wan stated simply. Upon receiving no reply, he elaborated, "there is something strange about it. I feel as though something is there calling me to this mission. I sense darkness, not evil exactly, but darkness... hopelessness. But, whenever I try to focus upon the specific things I feel, it seems unclear, disrupted."

"Because you're tired, Padawan Kenobi. Remember, even the jedi need rest, despite popular belief. Go to your quarters, young one, you'll need plenty of rest for this mission," Mace said, giving Obi-Wan a reassuring pat on the back. He stood and after giving the boy another warning about returning to his quarters, Mace strolled out of the gardens.

Obi-Wan stared at the fountain again, making the pool silent and still. "I am nothing but a thorn in my master's side," he whispered, finally able to release the thought he buried deep down, away from Master Windu.