Place: Corusant, Jedi Training Facility
Me, Qui-Gon, and Obi-Wan waited outside the door to the Jedi Council room for Anakin. It had been a long time. It would have been a boring time had Obi-Wan not suggested that we go to the Training room to see how I handled my lightsaber. We walked inside the darkened room and I cringed. I've always hated the dark. It frightens me. I cringed, much to my disappointment. I had hoped to show Obi-Wan that I was not just a frightened slave girl. But he didn't do anything, just placed his large hand over mine and waved his other. I felt the Force emanate from him and bulbs of light flashed on all around the room. I looked up at the multi-colored lights in awe. They looked almost like a rainbow, it was so beautiful.
Obi-Wan looked at my enraptured face with I think was pleasure, then he picked up two training sabers off the wall. I grabbed it and flipped on the switch, remembering the old training saber that my brother had made me use. The vibrant blue blade came to life in my hands and I decided to test it. I twirled it deftly along my fingers and then moved into attack position. Inwardly, a little voice said, "What do you think you're doing Elaina? Going up against a Jedi Knight? You'll be dead!" But I held my ground. Obi-Wan grinned and flipped on his switch, apparently thinking the same as me. I twirled the saber along my fingers and our sabers crashed together in a crash of sparks.
Sparks flying every which way, Obi-Wan attempted to knock me down, taking advantage of the distraction. I reached out with the Force to sense his position and blocked the blow accurately. I breathed a sigh of relief. This went on for about a half hour, the crazy sparring and blocking. When we switched off our sabers, panting, white sparks filled the room and settled on the metal floor with a sizzle. We were both panting and sweat was running down our faces. We had both pressed frantically for advantages, but to no avail. Neither of us had won the match. Obi-Wan's eyes glowed with respect and admiration. "Elaina, did your brother teach you all of those moves?" I nodded, wiping some stray sweat off my forehead, unable to speak. "Well, would you like to learn a few more techniques? I mean yours are fine! But just so you know a few more." He stuttered.
That surprised me. He was a Jedi and here he was faltering like a schoolboy.
I smiled and stood. "I'd like that. I'm always looking for a chance to expand my moves." I said generously. A look of relief came across Obi-Wan's face and he stood, showing me a new position. We spent another hour and a half in the training room. For the first hour, Obi-Wan taught me new moves. As his strong hands positioned mine on the handle of the lightsaber, he seemed pleased that I was so quick to learn. The next half hour the two of us watched the other students perform their exercises. Obi-Wan watched the young students with a look of remembrence. I watched them in fierce concentration, making sure to remember their good form and to apply that to my performance. Obi-Wan looked over at me, and our eyes met. He smiled, but wouldn't elaborate on his thoughts. I tried to reach into them, but he turned to me with a smile. He had blocked them off from me.
We finally walked back to the door and saw Qui-Gon standing and talking with an alien in Jedi robes. Qui-Gon motioned to us and we quickly approached him. Obi-Wan walked into the room, but Qui-Gon stopped as I grabbed his hand. "Master, please, may I come in with you?" I asked, pleading with him inwardly. He gazed at me for a moment, then sighed. "Very well. But you must wait by the door for us." He said with resolution. We walked into a large, circular room, it's floor made of exquisite marble. The walls were not walls at all, but windows looking out onto Corusant.
All of the red plush chairs were occupied by various Jedi Masters. I gazed upon them, looking for a certain one. Yoda. My brother had told me that he was one of the greatest Jedi Masters living, despite his size, and he was held in high esteem by the Senate and the other Jedi Masters. Unfortunately I didn't know what he looked like. There were so many creatures from different worlds that I didn't know which was which. But Obi-Wan had told me a little about him. "Basically he's the shortest of the Masters." Obi-Wan said with a chuckle. "How will I know him from THAT description?" I had asked him. "You'll know by the queer way he talks." He had said. He wouldn't say any more, so I had to figure it out myself. I decided to let Qui-Gon do the job for me. He, Obi-Wan, and Anakin stood in the center of the room, in front of the Jedi Council for all to see.
Then one of the masters, one with a long fuzzed head, spoke. "The Force is strong with him." Though he didn't show it, I could tell that Qui-Gon was impressed, triumphant. "He is to be trained then?" He asked, his pleasure showing in his eyes. Then a dark skinned master with almost cold dark eyes spoke. "No. He will not be trained." He said solemnly. I looked at Qui-Gon in shock. His blue eyes were wide and he worked his lips angrily as he put his hands on his hips in defiance. "No?" He asked coldly. The dark skinned man nodded. "He is too old." This blew me away. Anakin? Too old? It was insane! He couldn't be refused because he was too old! Could he? Then, what would become of me? I remembered something my brother once said, "Not everyone will be a Jedi."
I looked at Ani sympathetically. All the bravado from that afternoon had abandoned him, leaving him alone, crushed, and emotionally drained. I could sense it. I looked at Obi-Wan to see his reaction. He stood there silently, but the look on his face infuriated me. It said, "I told you so." I clenched my fists. Just then Qui-Gon stepped forward, recovering from his shock. "I will train him then. I take Anakin Skywalker as my Padawan Learner." He said, placing his hands on Anakin's shoulders. A glimmer of hope came into Anakin's big blue eyes. I looked at Obi-Wan. He was staring at Qui-Gon, his mouth slightly open, his eyes betraying his thoughts. He didn't have to hide them from me this time. They whispered to my soul, "You betrayed me for him? You betrayed me."
"An apprentice you have Qui-Gon. Impossible to take on a second." A quiet voice remarked from the front of the room. I looked at the speaker. He was a small pale green creature, with large ears, but a wisened and wrinkled face. I knew then that this was Yoda. I sensed it. "Then Obi-Wan can teach him." Qui-Gon insisted. On instinct, Obi-Wan stepped forward, but his heart was not in the step. "There is little more he can learn from me. He is headstrong and has much to learn of the living Force but he is capable." Qui-Gon said in a wheedling tone. "I AM ready to face the trials." Obi-Wan insisted. Yoda looked at them in thought. "We will decide who is ready."
The dark-skinnned man seemed ready to speak but, I am almost ashamed to say this, but I spoke first. Yes, I did. "Master Yoda, may I speak with you?" Obi-Wan, Qui-Gon, Ani and the whole Jedi Council turned to look at me. "What is your name?" Yoda's soothing voice entered into the frightened corner of my brain like a smooth wave on the seashore. "My name is Elaina Solo, Master Yoda." I said, managing a small bow. He nodded and waved his hand, gesturing to the middle of the room. I stood beside Obi-Wan and took a deep breath. "Elaina Solo, something to say have you?" I nodded, took another breath and began to speak bravely. "Master Yoda, I think you should allow Obi-Wan to be Anakin's master."
A general murmur erupted around the room, but Yoda silenced them with a wave of his hand. "Why do you think this?" He asked. I spoke again, but most of the fear had left me, and now I relished speaking in the Jedi Master's presence. "Because Master, I have seen how the Force flows through him and how well he uses his instincts. He trusts the Force and lets it decide his course of action. I believe that he would be a wonderful teacher. Qui-Gon taught him well." I looked to Obi-Wan. A glimmer of thanks passed through his blue eyes, but nothing more. Yoda merely nodded as the dark-skinned man again began to speak. "Now is not the time for this." He said reprimandingly. "The Senate is voting for a new Supreme Chancellor and Queen Amidala is going back to Naboo, which will put pressure on the Federation." He said, concerned. "And draw out the Queen's attacker." The Master who had spoken first remarked.
"Go with the Queen to Naboo." Qui-Gon nodded in obvious reluctance. "This is the clue we need to unravel the mystery of the Sith." The dark-skinned man insisted, almost pleaded. "May the Force be with you." Yoda said quietly. All of us bowed to Yoda and the Masters and silently walked out. When we were in the hallway, I gently placed my hand on Qui-Gon's sleeve. "I'm sorry Master. I'm sorry I disobeyed. but I felt that," I couldn't continue for the shame that I felt. "That you had to say it. I know." Qui-Gon finished. I nodded. "I understand. But you must learn to control your feelings." He said gently, but firmly. I nodded in resolution.
I turned to Anakin. He was speaking to Obi-Wan softly. Obi-Wan's face was set and firm. It seemed that Anakin was apologizing. As he did, Obi-Wan walked away from him in midsentence and sat on one of the chairs in the hallway, ignoring him. Qui-Gon sighed and called Anakin. Anakin gave one more beseeching look at Obi-Wan, then trotted off after Qui-Gon. At that moment, I thought of Obi-Wan, not as a Jedi, but as a selfish, rude child. He looked like one as well, sitting there hunched in that chair. I approached him. "Obi-Wan." He looked up at me with his resentful blue eyes, which made me even angrier. "Obi-Wan Kenobi right now you were acting like a spoiled child who's lost it's favorite toy!" I said angrily.
At that Obi-Wan jumped up. "This wouldn't have happened if Qui-Gon hadn't picked up that boy!" He almost shouted. "What did Ani ever do to you?" I retaliated. We were now in each other's faces, not exactly yelling, but talking loud enough to show our anger. "What did he do? He made Qui-Gon denounce me that's all!" Obi-Wan hissed. "And said that you were worthy to become a Jedi Knight! That's all!" I retaliated. "He," Obi-Wan started again, but I cut him off. "Listen to me Obi-Wan Kenobi. That boy did yo uno wrong. It was Qui-Gon's own decision to help him become a Jedi. You are talking nonsnese and to throw away your relationship with Qui-Gon over some misunderstanding, it's not wise Obi-Wan." He finally looked at me. Most of the sulkiness and frustration had left, but it was still there, still hiding. "Now you know why Qui-Gon got me for free." I said solemnly as I walked away from him down the marble hall.
Me, Qui-Gon, and Obi-Wan waited outside the door to the Jedi Council room for Anakin. It had been a long time. It would have been a boring time had Obi-Wan not suggested that we go to the Training room to see how I handled my lightsaber. We walked inside the darkened room and I cringed. I've always hated the dark. It frightens me. I cringed, much to my disappointment. I had hoped to show Obi-Wan that I was not just a frightened slave girl. But he didn't do anything, just placed his large hand over mine and waved his other. I felt the Force emanate from him and bulbs of light flashed on all around the room. I looked up at the multi-colored lights in awe. They looked almost like a rainbow, it was so beautiful.
Obi-Wan looked at my enraptured face with I think was pleasure, then he picked up two training sabers off the wall. I grabbed it and flipped on the switch, remembering the old training saber that my brother had made me use. The vibrant blue blade came to life in my hands and I decided to test it. I twirled it deftly along my fingers and then moved into attack position. Inwardly, a little voice said, "What do you think you're doing Elaina? Going up against a Jedi Knight? You'll be dead!" But I held my ground. Obi-Wan grinned and flipped on his switch, apparently thinking the same as me. I twirled the saber along my fingers and our sabers crashed together in a crash of sparks.
Sparks flying every which way, Obi-Wan attempted to knock me down, taking advantage of the distraction. I reached out with the Force to sense his position and blocked the blow accurately. I breathed a sigh of relief. This went on for about a half hour, the crazy sparring and blocking. When we switched off our sabers, panting, white sparks filled the room and settled on the metal floor with a sizzle. We were both panting and sweat was running down our faces. We had both pressed frantically for advantages, but to no avail. Neither of us had won the match. Obi-Wan's eyes glowed with respect and admiration. "Elaina, did your brother teach you all of those moves?" I nodded, wiping some stray sweat off my forehead, unable to speak. "Well, would you like to learn a few more techniques? I mean yours are fine! But just so you know a few more." He stuttered.
That surprised me. He was a Jedi and here he was faltering like a schoolboy.
I smiled and stood. "I'd like that. I'm always looking for a chance to expand my moves." I said generously. A look of relief came across Obi-Wan's face and he stood, showing me a new position. We spent another hour and a half in the training room. For the first hour, Obi-Wan taught me new moves. As his strong hands positioned mine on the handle of the lightsaber, he seemed pleased that I was so quick to learn. The next half hour the two of us watched the other students perform their exercises. Obi-Wan watched the young students with a look of remembrence. I watched them in fierce concentration, making sure to remember their good form and to apply that to my performance. Obi-Wan looked over at me, and our eyes met. He smiled, but wouldn't elaborate on his thoughts. I tried to reach into them, but he turned to me with a smile. He had blocked them off from me.
We finally walked back to the door and saw Qui-Gon standing and talking with an alien in Jedi robes. Qui-Gon motioned to us and we quickly approached him. Obi-Wan walked into the room, but Qui-Gon stopped as I grabbed his hand. "Master, please, may I come in with you?" I asked, pleading with him inwardly. He gazed at me for a moment, then sighed. "Very well. But you must wait by the door for us." He said with resolution. We walked into a large, circular room, it's floor made of exquisite marble. The walls were not walls at all, but windows looking out onto Corusant.
All of the red plush chairs were occupied by various Jedi Masters. I gazed upon them, looking for a certain one. Yoda. My brother had told me that he was one of the greatest Jedi Masters living, despite his size, and he was held in high esteem by the Senate and the other Jedi Masters. Unfortunately I didn't know what he looked like. There were so many creatures from different worlds that I didn't know which was which. But Obi-Wan had told me a little about him. "Basically he's the shortest of the Masters." Obi-Wan said with a chuckle. "How will I know him from THAT description?" I had asked him. "You'll know by the queer way he talks." He had said. He wouldn't say any more, so I had to figure it out myself. I decided to let Qui-Gon do the job for me. He, Obi-Wan, and Anakin stood in the center of the room, in front of the Jedi Council for all to see.
Then one of the masters, one with a long fuzzed head, spoke. "The Force is strong with him." Though he didn't show it, I could tell that Qui-Gon was impressed, triumphant. "He is to be trained then?" He asked, his pleasure showing in his eyes. Then a dark skinned master with almost cold dark eyes spoke. "No. He will not be trained." He said solemnly. I looked at Qui-Gon in shock. His blue eyes were wide and he worked his lips angrily as he put his hands on his hips in defiance. "No?" He asked coldly. The dark skinned man nodded. "He is too old." This blew me away. Anakin? Too old? It was insane! He couldn't be refused because he was too old! Could he? Then, what would become of me? I remembered something my brother once said, "Not everyone will be a Jedi."
I looked at Ani sympathetically. All the bravado from that afternoon had abandoned him, leaving him alone, crushed, and emotionally drained. I could sense it. I looked at Obi-Wan to see his reaction. He stood there silently, but the look on his face infuriated me. It said, "I told you so." I clenched my fists. Just then Qui-Gon stepped forward, recovering from his shock. "I will train him then. I take Anakin Skywalker as my Padawan Learner." He said, placing his hands on Anakin's shoulders. A glimmer of hope came into Anakin's big blue eyes. I looked at Obi-Wan. He was staring at Qui-Gon, his mouth slightly open, his eyes betraying his thoughts. He didn't have to hide them from me this time. They whispered to my soul, "You betrayed me for him? You betrayed me."
"An apprentice you have Qui-Gon. Impossible to take on a second." A quiet voice remarked from the front of the room. I looked at the speaker. He was a small pale green creature, with large ears, but a wisened and wrinkled face. I knew then that this was Yoda. I sensed it. "Then Obi-Wan can teach him." Qui-Gon insisted. On instinct, Obi-Wan stepped forward, but his heart was not in the step. "There is little more he can learn from me. He is headstrong and has much to learn of the living Force but he is capable." Qui-Gon said in a wheedling tone. "I AM ready to face the trials." Obi-Wan insisted. Yoda looked at them in thought. "We will decide who is ready."
The dark-skinnned man seemed ready to speak but, I am almost ashamed to say this, but I spoke first. Yes, I did. "Master Yoda, may I speak with you?" Obi-Wan, Qui-Gon, Ani and the whole Jedi Council turned to look at me. "What is your name?" Yoda's soothing voice entered into the frightened corner of my brain like a smooth wave on the seashore. "My name is Elaina Solo, Master Yoda." I said, managing a small bow. He nodded and waved his hand, gesturing to the middle of the room. I stood beside Obi-Wan and took a deep breath. "Elaina Solo, something to say have you?" I nodded, took another breath and began to speak bravely. "Master Yoda, I think you should allow Obi-Wan to be Anakin's master."
A general murmur erupted around the room, but Yoda silenced them with a wave of his hand. "Why do you think this?" He asked. I spoke again, but most of the fear had left me, and now I relished speaking in the Jedi Master's presence. "Because Master, I have seen how the Force flows through him and how well he uses his instincts. He trusts the Force and lets it decide his course of action. I believe that he would be a wonderful teacher. Qui-Gon taught him well." I looked to Obi-Wan. A glimmer of thanks passed through his blue eyes, but nothing more. Yoda merely nodded as the dark-skinned man again began to speak. "Now is not the time for this." He said reprimandingly. "The Senate is voting for a new Supreme Chancellor and Queen Amidala is going back to Naboo, which will put pressure on the Federation." He said, concerned. "And draw out the Queen's attacker." The Master who had spoken first remarked.
"Go with the Queen to Naboo." Qui-Gon nodded in obvious reluctance. "This is the clue we need to unravel the mystery of the Sith." The dark-skinned man insisted, almost pleaded. "May the Force be with you." Yoda said quietly. All of us bowed to Yoda and the Masters and silently walked out. When we were in the hallway, I gently placed my hand on Qui-Gon's sleeve. "I'm sorry Master. I'm sorry I disobeyed. but I felt that," I couldn't continue for the shame that I felt. "That you had to say it. I know." Qui-Gon finished. I nodded. "I understand. But you must learn to control your feelings." He said gently, but firmly. I nodded in resolution.
I turned to Anakin. He was speaking to Obi-Wan softly. Obi-Wan's face was set and firm. It seemed that Anakin was apologizing. As he did, Obi-Wan walked away from him in midsentence and sat on one of the chairs in the hallway, ignoring him. Qui-Gon sighed and called Anakin. Anakin gave one more beseeching look at Obi-Wan, then trotted off after Qui-Gon. At that moment, I thought of Obi-Wan, not as a Jedi, but as a selfish, rude child. He looked like one as well, sitting there hunched in that chair. I approached him. "Obi-Wan." He looked up at me with his resentful blue eyes, which made me even angrier. "Obi-Wan Kenobi right now you were acting like a spoiled child who's lost it's favorite toy!" I said angrily.
At that Obi-Wan jumped up. "This wouldn't have happened if Qui-Gon hadn't picked up that boy!" He almost shouted. "What did Ani ever do to you?" I retaliated. We were now in each other's faces, not exactly yelling, but talking loud enough to show our anger. "What did he do? He made Qui-Gon denounce me that's all!" Obi-Wan hissed. "And said that you were worthy to become a Jedi Knight! That's all!" I retaliated. "He," Obi-Wan started again, but I cut him off. "Listen to me Obi-Wan Kenobi. That boy did yo uno wrong. It was Qui-Gon's own decision to help him become a Jedi. You are talking nonsnese and to throw away your relationship with Qui-Gon over some misunderstanding, it's not wise Obi-Wan." He finally looked at me. Most of the sulkiness and frustration had left, but it was still there, still hiding. "Now you know why Qui-Gon got me for free." I said solemnly as I walked away from him down the marble hall.