Futures Past
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Chapter 3- Many Trials
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Padmé's eyes fluttered open, she raised a hand to shade her eyes from the strong light that beamed down on her through a crack in the window.
"Ani I have…" She turned over and trailed off seeing the bed beside her empty.
"Ani?" She slowly pushed herself out of the bed, and pulled a shawl around her slim shoulders.
"Aria?" She called to a passing maid.
"Yes ma'am?"
"Where is Anakin?"
"He left, milady, early this morning, saying something about travelling back to Coruscant, were you unaware of this?"
"…no, I think I remember now, he mentioned it last night, my apologies, it just slipped my mind."
"Its fine ma'am would you like something to eat?"
"Please, but something small, thank you."
The maid nodded and scurried off.
"I didn't expect Ani to leave so early though, not even a goodbye." Padmé muttered to herself, a slight twinge of hurt wrapping itself around her heart.
She thought she would take a stroll through the gardens to clear her head, and maybe take a swim, and reminisce.
*
"There you are." Obi Wan strode towards Anakin purpose etched on his features.
"Sorry Master I left as early as I could, I didn't even say goodbye to Padmé."
"Im sure she'll cope." Obi Wan said wryly.
"Why did you call me master?"
"Because whether you understand this or not Anakin you have something called training, and you cannot just leave on a whim, it is a great undertaking to become a Jedi and you cannot go gallivanting off with any politician that takes your fancy!"
"Padmé isn't any politician!" Anakin snapped back.
"Don't take that tone with me Anakin, you will learn your place or find yourself getting into serious trouble."
Anakin smouldered with rage inside and Obi Wan sensed his anger.
"Control your emotions Anakin, use the Force."
Anakin frowned clenching his fists, he felt embarrassed that his Master had sensed his weakness.
"Anakin! Stop obsessing. Don't focus on your weaknesses, use the Force to combat them. Now we must get moving, the Council wish to address you immediately. You have wasted enough time on Naboo as it is. Come on." And the older man turned and walked away, leaving Anakin to take his things and pay the fare for the transport.
"Yes Master. Sorry." He grumbled.
If only I'd stayed on Naboo.
*
"Obi Wan feels you are ready to take the trials Anakin."
Anakin glanced round the circle of the Jedi high council, so much wisdom and power in this room, one day he knew he'd be the leader of this, he'd be the most powerful Jedi ever, even greater than Master Yoda with training.
"Have anything to say do you young Skywalker?" Yoda frowned snapping Anakin from his reverie.
"Yes Master, I am ready to take the trials, I will not fail."
"Hmm." Yoda scrutinized him closely. "Much fear I still sense in you, the fear of failure perhaps? Fear leads to the Dark side Anakin, clouds everything it does."
"I'm not afraid Master." Anakin reassured the wizened Jedi.
"You will be young one, you will be."
Obi Wan glanced at Anakin from the corner of his eye, he seemed very on edge, and he could sense fear.
"Anakin, come to Master Yoda's office later and we will discuss your trials." Mace Windu addressed the Padawan.
"Yes Master."
"Leave you may, all that is for now Anakin, commune with the Force you should, let it strengthen you." Yoda nodded and Anakin and Obi Wan bowed and walked out.
"Anakin, when the Jedi council address you do try and keep your mind on the subject at hand, I saw your attention wandering, maybe as far away as Naboo?"
"I miss her Master, I've thought about her every day since we met, just being near her makes me crave more. Its so difficult."
"Only if you let it be!" Obi Wan said sharply. "Jedi have no time for love Anakin, we must work for the greater good, the will of the Force, not our own desires, it is selfishness and Jedi are not selfish!"
"Sorry Master." Anakin was a little taken aback by Obi Wan's words.
"Good. Now go and prepare yourself. I need time to think."
"Yes Master." Anakin retreated towards his quarters.
The older Jedi put a hand to his head and breathed deeply, letting the power of the Force wash over him and soothe his tired mind.
I wish I could get her out of his head, he is so distracted. Better yet, I wish I could get her out of mine. He thought rubbing his temples.
It was almost ten years to the day since his encounter with Padmé in the pools in Theed. Back then he had had a slight crush on the Queen, goodness knows why, and he had been so bold as to even kiss her! Admittedly on the hand but still, what sort of behaviour was that was a Queen and a Padawan? The kind of behaviour of Anakin at the moment. Obi Wan couldn't blame the boy, as he had done the same, but he couldn't condone it. And he felt a stab of jealousy deep within himself that he quickly banished.
What would Qui-Gon say? He tutted, remembering his own mentor.
I was not so different from Anakin, so cocky and always arguing with everything he had to say, do all Jedi have these clashes with their Padawan learners? Or maybe I am just a failure as a Jedi, as I always feared I would be.
He shook himself. No. He would be the best possible master to his apprentice, he would make Anakin into a fine young Jedi Knight, to train many others in the ways of the Force.
Obi Wan smiled to himself and made his way back to his quarters, satisfied with himself, for now.
*
