Just as Utos-Rii was about to leave his room, he sensed a familiar presence behind him and whirled around to face his former master. Looking at his master, Utos-Rii saw that although fifteen years his elder, Jehn Estar possessed a persona that demanded authority wordlessly as soon as he entered a room. But that was not to say that he was a rigid, authoritative person. He was as understanding as he was compassionate. In the darkest of moments, Estar would somehow manage to find humor in the situation and smile. And when he did, his whole countenance - including his eyes - would light up, and with it, that smile would convey hope.

Zeydan recalled the time when he and his master were on a mission to bring back a bounty hunter seeking the life of Senator Valorum, who was Chancellor of the Republic at the time. Utos-Rii was just a boy back then, and like every child in the Jedi order, he felt excitement at the chance to prove to both himself and the Council that he along with his master, would succeed in bringing this villain to justice. But circumstances - as they often do - took a turn for the worse. Both Jedi Knight and his Padawan were captured by several of the bounty hunter's henchmen. These men - not taking any chances - kept both Utos-Rii and Estar locked up in the underworld of Coruscant for days, where they were tortured on a daily basis.

On several occasions, Zeydan screamed for death to overcome him. The pain was unbearable, and being only a boy, he was scared. His master adamantly insisted that he not give up hope. 'There is always a way out of a sticky situation, Padawan. We must continue searching with resolute strength...and until the Force has shown you that there is no other way - then only will we choose to become one with it. And I don't believe that that time has arrived yet.'

Together and alone in the darkness, Master Estar told him of places that Zeydan had not set eyes on. Of Estar's homeworld - Naboo - a beautiful green planet, with equally beautiful inhabitants. He recited poetry that he'd only just made up, and it was apparent that Estar was no poet. In the darkness, Zeydan could sense him smile and hear his laughter: 'I must say, our little predicament hasn't surpassed true torture if we can still recall enduring one of Palpatine's electorial speeches!' And the two of them would chuckle in spite of their pain, further deepening the bond that held master and Padawan together.

Several days passed, when eventually a small group of Jedi Knights discovered their whereabouts and rescued the two captives. They were nearing the end of their strength, but had not succumbed. Surviving only through each other.

It was fitting then, that the man who shaped his life should be present on the eve of his first mission alone.

"I see you're finally off on your own!" Said Jehn Estar, grinning broadly.

"Yes, I've been wondering if someone here didn't put in a word for me at the Council..." remarked Zeydan smiling insinuatingly at his master.

"I had nothing to do with it. The Council has decided that you are ready. And so here you are."

"Here I am." Said Zeydan quietly.

"Something wrong, Zeydan? You seem - I don't know - troubled in a way."

"I sense something, Master. A slight tremor in the Force...or perhaps I'm just anxious about this mission. In addition to that, I know Master Windu isn't exactly overwhelmed with ecstasy about me not having a Padawan."

"You will find one in your own time. And when you do, I feel that you will fare much better than I have. But now place your worries aside, they will not serve you well on your mission."

"I could never be like you, never. And I would just like to let you know.that everything you've done...it -"

"I already know your thoughts, my friend. It is understood. In fact, I came to tell you the same. I just needed to let you know before you left. My thoughts go with you."

//You are like a father to me...// Spoke Zeydan through their bond in the Force.

Jehn Estar smiled. It was time to let go. The boy who he likened to a son had grown so much, both in the Force and as a person. But he had to let go.

"What if I fail?" asked Zeydan in a smaller voice, that reminded Estar of days long past, when this man before him was a boy. He resisted the fatherly urge to hold him.

"Trust in the Force. In your instincts. Remember what I have taught you. Nothing can offer you a better chance at survival. And for pity's sake, Zeydan - stay well away from those creamed fruits. Nothing's worse than chasing after the Sith than chasing him with a white rash all over your body."

They both laughed as they made their way to the great hall in the Temple, where they would say their goodbyes.

* * *

The noise from the bustle and conversations of the people on board the star- freighter managed to seep into Elori's dreams. The sounds culminated into a steady rhythm, almost like the white noise of a bad transmission - until in her dreams she found herself on green grass with rain pouring down about her. The white sheets of water fell down so hard that it was difficult to perceive anything more than five meters away. As she was about to walk further, from the corner of her eye she noticed movement. Whirling around, she saw a young boy crouched over something. He had a beautiful mass of black hair, now soaking wet from the rain. Aidan! She cried out his name, and bent down towards him, covering him with her body, trying to keep him warm. She shook him gently in anxiety, trying to coax him to speak. Say anything, little brother - say something! In that instant, the boy looked up and what she saw startled her, causing her to fall backwards onto her elbows in fear.

The right side of the boy's face and throat was smeared in blood. His lower lip was cut open and his eyes were pure white. Elori couldn't scream or shout or yell. She could only move in desperation away from the boy. She pushed herself further and further away from him when at that moment, a light touch on her shoulder caused her to yell in fear. In that instant, she saw the person who had touched her. The woman's face was drawn and thoughtful, but mostly sad...her eyes conveyed something deep, something Elori could not understand except that it meant her no harm.

She awoke with a start.

"Lament for the dead. For all we have left of them are memories." Spoke a voice next to her.

The old man! She had forgotten his presence. Had he made her dream of such things? Impossible; she did not believe in such foolish tricks. Besides, she thought arrogantly, her mind was too strong to be overcome by such a weak one.

Without a word, he pulled the large box he was sitting on from underneath him and gradually began to open it with care. He then extracted an unusual gadget from inside, shaped like an oversized teardrop with strings and buttons.

"Music." He said happily, looking at her suddenly and smiling a toothless smile.

Then it began. An unassuming melody at first, simple and soft. Even the instrument was out of tune, but it seemed to grow somehow, to reach in and pull out a part of her soul that she didn't know she possessed. So familiar but at the same time, so painful. It hurt inside.

Tears streamed down her face, and a soundless cry of pain emerged from her heart.

"You like it?" He said, quite oblivious to her sadness.

"It is an ancient, ancient form of music. The elegy waltz. The lullaby waltz. No historian quite knows where it originated from, although it was heard on Alderaan first..."

"Tell me more." She said finally, through her tears.

And he did.