A Knight In Training- Chapter 7

By ~*Visage*~

And here I bet you all thought that I was done just because Qui became a Knight, huh? ^_^ Never Fear! You can't get rid of me that easily!! I still have another chapter or two before I'm finished with this. Thanks to everyone for their support! I would have never gone past the first chapter or two... Okay maybe I would, but When people review I feel special! ^_^ Same things apply that were in Chapter 1 and of course- As always... Enjoy!

***

Qui-Gon Jinn walked long the halls of the Jedi Temple. The Council had been inside their Chambers for hours now. Xanatos, the young boy Qui-Gon had brought back from Telos was beginning to become restless.

"They've been in there a long time, haven't they Qui-Gon?" Xanatos asked from his perch on one of the couches in the center of the room. He had made himself comfortable, but couldn't help but wonder what the Council Members were discussing.

"Patience, Young One." Qui-Gon admonished the boy. "Things will present themselves in time."

Xanatos sighed as he stood up. He walked over to the window, watching the other children playing outside. The small courtyard around the Jedi Temple was one of the few places on the business filled Courscant that had open space. The boy looked longingly out at the children, wishing to join them. On Telos, he had had few friends, let alone playmates.

"That Yoda guy is funny looking." Xanatos blurted, still looking out at the children playing.

"Xanatos. That's Master Yoda. He was the Master of my Master. He is very wise and powerful. He is not one that I would want to mess with." Qui-Gon told him, folding his arms across his chest.

Xanatos didn't look up from the window. "That still doesn't change the fact that he's funny looking."

Qui-Gon didn't have a chance to reply. The doors to the Council Chambers opened. One of the Masters, Ki- Adi Mundi stepped out. "Knight Jinn. May we have a word with you?"

Qui-Gon looked back at Xanatos. "Don't wander off. I'll be right back." Qui-Gon turned and followed Master Mundi into the Council Chambers.

Qui-Gon had been inside the Council Chambers a few times before. That fact did not change the enormity of the room, or the slight apprehension it instilled. Qui-Gon tried to ignore his surroundings and bowed before the Council Members.

"Masters."

"Qui-Gon Jinn." Master Yoda spoke. "Much deliberation about Xanatos, there has been. sure about his path in the Jedi Order, we are not."

"He's strong in the force." Ki- Adi added. "But he has not had the proper training."

"Masters." Qui-Gon said, keeping his tone neutral. "He is gifted with the ways of the Force. You must be able to see that."

"See this we do, Jinn. Yet clouded his future is."

Qui-Gon looked around at the Council Members. All seemed firm in their decision. If only he could persuade them other wise.

"Masters, give me time. I will train this boy. Give him a chance."

Master Yoda looked around the room. He sighed in frustration. From experience, he knew that once this particular Jedi Knight had made up his mind, he would not change it.

"Agree with you, the Council does."

Qui-Gon hid his grin. "Thank you, Masters." He bowed and quietly left the Chambers.

Yoda shook his head in sadness. "Yet agree reluctantly, we do."

***

"Qui, just listen to me!" Drean Phalb said. Standing by the Kitchen door. Qui-Gon rushed back and forth, making tea for his visitor.

"What is wrong, Drean? I have an Apprentice-"

"Whom the Council doesn't agree with you taking." Drean interrupted. Qui-Gon sighed as he walked over to her and handed her a mug. He walked over to the couch in the middle of the room and sat down. Drean Followed.

"He's a good boy, Drean."

"Good for getting in trouble, no doubt." Drean scoffed back. Qui-Gon hid his frustration and hurt from her comment.

"What is the problem? Everyone seems to be against him." Qui-Gon took a sip of his tea.

"Not everyone is against him, Qui..." Drean protested, speaking in a quieter tone. "But it is hard to trust strangers with your life. How long have you known this boy? A week? Two? You just gave this boy a huge responsibility. And he doesn't have the normal Jedi Training to handle this."

Qui-Gon's gaze drifted down to his mug. Perhaps Drean was right. But This boy was to become a Jedi. Something about his future was destiny.

Just then, the door to the small apartment opened. Xanatos stood in the doorway, panting from the run he had taken with other Jedi Apprentices his age.

'He is my Apprentice.' Qui-Gon thought. 'And I will teach him how to be a Jedi.'

"Xanatos." Qui-Gon spoke out loud as he stood. "This is Drean Phalb. Drean, my Apprentice, Xanatos."