Chapter 7 - A Child's Dream
An hour after take off Qui-Gon felt it. The presence once again following him, this time unveiled and unhidden. An enormous sense of safety surrounded him and he also felt relieved, relieved his Padawan had gotten off Tatooine alive and even now was following him home.
The others had not liked his secrecy, especially the Queen and Anakin. Amidala was suspicious and Anakin just plain curious. Explaining would just have to wait until he had spoken with the council or Obi-Wan. With Anakin tucked up in a bunk, the Queen in her quarters and the ship heading to Coruscant, Qui-Gon was able to take the time to marvel at the changes in his apprentice.
The young man had aged little, although the way in which he carried himself and his aura had changed significantly. The serious, angry boy was no longer visible in the confident, accomplished Jedi he had seen. Obi-Wan still shone with the Light side of the Force as he had always done, now the bright, pure gold was flecked with blues that matched his 'sabre and reds that matched the Sith's weapon. The red would have concerned him if nor for the knowledge he now had about Obi-Wan's destiny.
'I did not see it, how did I not?'
The evidence had always been there. Obi-Wan had always been tremendously gifted with the Force and learnt things quickly, especially the use of weapons, combat and strategy. Obi-Wan loved to fight, seemed to find a level of peace he never found in meditation. It had concerned Qui-Gon when the young man had still been in his care; he had seen it as evidence of the boy's continued anger. It had been an excuse; he saw now the gift that it was.
Obi-Wan loved to fight, but hated war. More than any other Jedi should, more than a normal Jedi anyway. He found peace when fighting because he was doing something to stop war; to stop the pain and suffering of the innocent.
'I missed you, Obi-Wan.' he thought, half hoping Obi-Wan would be able to hear him. It was a foolish hope of a lonely old man, so when he received a response in the Force, not an answer, a feeling, he was stunned.
The song in the Force he had been hearing for days sprung to the front of his mind and for the first time he heard it clearly. It was beautiful, more so than he could have possibly imagined.
'Oh, Obi-Wan. You've carried this alone for so long. I should have never let you go.' Love surrounded him and filled him and its devotion brought tears to his eyes, remembering the years of bitter regrets. 'I am unworthy of this.
The music fell and the love receded, back to the one who felt it. As it retreated there was a faint sense of laughter.
Qui-Gon smiled a very un-Jedi like grin.
"I love you too, my Obi-Wan."
"Master Jinn?"
Obi-Wan withdrew completely, aware of the interruption.
"Anakin? What's wrong?" he asked the boy kindly. Anakin was frowning and looking around the Jedi Master's quarters surreptitiously.
"Is Knight Kenobi here?"
"No, not exactly."
"Is this more of the 'not being able to tell us' stuff?"
"Yes." Qui-Gon said keeping his smile back with difficulty. "Why aren't you sleeping?"
"I was cold."
"Ah." Qui-Gon rose and placed his hand on the child's shoulder. "Come, I will find you some more blankets."
"Thank you." Anakin looked a little bashful before adding. "My mother use to tell me bedtime stories."
"Would you like me to?"
"Yes please, Master Qui-Gon, about the Jedi."
"Come on then, Anakin." Qui-Gon took the child back to his bunk to sleep and for the first time in five years he felt a lightness in his heart. Soon he would see his Shadow again.
Qui-Gon waiting as the council tested Anakin. He had felt it the moment Obi-Wan had landed on the planet, but was disappointed when he did not show up. Nor could Qui-Gon find him. He realised he only had a sense of the other Jedi at all, was because Obi-Wan was allowing it. He waited, hoping the Council would be wise in this matter. He had put Anakin first; even so, soon he must talk with the Council and his Master about Obi-Wan.
"He will not be trained."
Qui-Gon was filled with disbelief.
"Then I take him as my Padawan learner."
"Hasty you are being," Yoda interrupted. "Decide this now, we cannot."
"Go back to Naboo; we must discover the mystery of the Sith. Anakin's fate will be decided later." Mace spoke for the Council and his calm reasoning was hard to argue with, even for his old friend.
"Very well," Qui-Gon knelt next to the boy. "Go wait outside a moment, Anakin, I have something to discuss with the council."
Anakin's eyes became like saucers, nevertheless he did as he was asked.
"You should have told me." Qui-Gon said after he had left.
"Understand we do not."
Qui-Gon gave his master a glare.
"Obi-Wan." he saw it, the tiny exchange between Yoda and Mace.
"Obi-Wan is MIA." Mace said affirmatively.
"I saw him."
"When?"
"He intervened in my fight with the Sith."
"Understand then, you do, what he is?" Yoda asked carefully.
Qui-Gon nodded.
"Knew we did, long before his Knighting, but discover it for himself he had to."
"Not long after his Knighting," Mace continued. "He realised the truth. We arranged the rest and he has been a Shadow ever since; remaining hidden until he was needed."
"The time for Shadows is over, with the Sith among us again, needed the Jedi Warrior will be." Yoda looked carefully at his old apprentice. "Talk to Obi-Wan you should."
"I would, Master, if I could find him."
Yoda chuckled.
"Work like that it does not, finds you, the Jedi Warrior does."
"Go now, Qui-Gon, finish the Naboo mission," Mace said as a dismissal. "The rest can wait."
Qui-Gon bowed low and left.
"He's right."
"I wish you wouldn't do that." Mace groused good naturedly, relieved to see his friend safe. Obi-Wan grinned unrepentant.
"Anakin is the Chosen One."
"Be that as it may, he is still too old and full of anger."
"Don't talk such crap," none of the Council were surprised at Obi-Wan's bluntness, they had become accustomed to it and being the Jedi Warrior granted him a certain amount of latitude. Although the Knight respected them, he did not answer to them except on missions they had assigned to him.
"Obi-Wan," Mace began. "Surely you of all people understand the danger."
The Jedi Warrior seemed to sag under the wait of Mace's words. His eyes closed.
"I have seen an end. War and death besiege the galaxy, the Jedi are not enough to protect it and I am not enough to protect them."
"Seen this too, I have." Yoda confirmed.
"It was always a competition between the Dark and the Light to get the Force Warrior on its side when ever there was one present in the galaxy. For the Sith it was safety to destroy, for the Jedi to preserve the Light. The Force gave me this gift and another; it gave me Qui-Gon. My bond with him keeps me secure in the Light, even though I am standing on the very thin line between. Anakin has no such protection. How long do you think it will be before the Sith know of his existence? We finally know of theirs and they know of mine. They will discover him, and I fear for him then."
"What do you suggest?"
"Allow Qui-Gon to be his Master, he will show him the path of the Light. Allow another future."
"And you?"
"I will do as I have always done," Obi-Wan said softly, "my duty."
"Think on this we will, Jedi Warrior."
"What will you do now?" Adi asked.
"Qui-Gon is still not safe, the danger began on Tatooine, but it will end on Naboo."
"Then go there, you will."
"Yes."
"He knows, Obi-Wan." Yaddle had always been the voice of his heart in the Council chamber, when the others questioned him on the galaxy she would speak from a different place; a place beyond duty.
"I know," and for once Obi-Wan smiled at the ancient master. "Which is why this trip I will not be a stowaway or a thief. I will travel by his side."
"Your rightful place, it is." Yaddle told him, to which Obi-Wan once again smiled before leaving.
The Queen's ship was ready for departure. Anakin and Jar Jar were aboard and all they waited for was Qui-Gon. The Jedi Master stood at the bottom of the ramp, also waiting. The Queen was in a hurry to leave, however not even she was willing to disturb him.
A shuttle pulled up to the landing platform and off it stepped a man dressed in the creams and browns of a Jedi Knight. He hood was down and he strolled along the walkway, in no hurry, until he stood at Qui-Gon's side.
"Hello."
"Hello."
"I thought I would join you."
"I've been waiting."
Neither made a move to board.
"You look well." Qui-Gon said after a moment.
"As do you." Obi-Wan smiled and looked down at himself. "You know, I've missed wearing these tunics. I feel more like a proper Jedi in them."
"You are more than a proper Jedi, Obi-Wan."
"I know."
"So, how did it feel, being your old master's Shadow?"
"I have always been your Shadow, Qui-Gon." the Master looked confused. "As your apprentice I followed you everywhere, one step behind."
"But now you can walk at my side."
"Yes," Obi-Wan reluctantly admitted. "Though I fear I must remain a Shadow for a while yet."
"Why?" Qui-Gon asked and then waited as he felt the Force stir. Obi-Wan's eyes dimmed and grew distant.
"Something is waking," he whispered. "Something I still cannot see. It is a threat to all, not just the Jedi, although that is where it will begin. I may not be enough."
"You will be enough." Qui-Gon's voice brought him back to the present.
"We should go, the Queen will be getting impatient."
"Very well."
The two Jedi started to walk up the ramp.
"This must be a novelty for you, Obi-Wan."
"What?" the younger man asked, already suspecting he would regret it.
"Actually walking onto a vessel in full view of everyone."
Obi-Wan growled.
"Qui-Gon Jinn, you are the most arrogant, annoying, stubborn, frustrating, Force-damned Jedi I have ever had to follow."
His only answer was the Jedi Master's laughter as he disappeared into the belly of the ship, a man glad to have the spirited, young man with him again.
An hour after take off Qui-Gon felt it. The presence once again following him, this time unveiled and unhidden. An enormous sense of safety surrounded him and he also felt relieved, relieved his Padawan had gotten off Tatooine alive and even now was following him home.
The others had not liked his secrecy, especially the Queen and Anakin. Amidala was suspicious and Anakin just plain curious. Explaining would just have to wait until he had spoken with the council or Obi-Wan. With Anakin tucked up in a bunk, the Queen in her quarters and the ship heading to Coruscant, Qui-Gon was able to take the time to marvel at the changes in his apprentice.
The young man had aged little, although the way in which he carried himself and his aura had changed significantly. The serious, angry boy was no longer visible in the confident, accomplished Jedi he had seen. Obi-Wan still shone with the Light side of the Force as he had always done, now the bright, pure gold was flecked with blues that matched his 'sabre and reds that matched the Sith's weapon. The red would have concerned him if nor for the knowledge he now had about Obi-Wan's destiny.
'I did not see it, how did I not?'
The evidence had always been there. Obi-Wan had always been tremendously gifted with the Force and learnt things quickly, especially the use of weapons, combat and strategy. Obi-Wan loved to fight, seemed to find a level of peace he never found in meditation. It had concerned Qui-Gon when the young man had still been in his care; he had seen it as evidence of the boy's continued anger. It had been an excuse; he saw now the gift that it was.
Obi-Wan loved to fight, but hated war. More than any other Jedi should, more than a normal Jedi anyway. He found peace when fighting because he was doing something to stop war; to stop the pain and suffering of the innocent.
'I missed you, Obi-Wan.' he thought, half hoping Obi-Wan would be able to hear him. It was a foolish hope of a lonely old man, so when he received a response in the Force, not an answer, a feeling, he was stunned.
The song in the Force he had been hearing for days sprung to the front of his mind and for the first time he heard it clearly. It was beautiful, more so than he could have possibly imagined.
'Oh, Obi-Wan. You've carried this alone for so long. I should have never let you go.' Love surrounded him and filled him and its devotion brought tears to his eyes, remembering the years of bitter regrets. 'I am unworthy of this.
The music fell and the love receded, back to the one who felt it. As it retreated there was a faint sense of laughter.
Qui-Gon smiled a very un-Jedi like grin.
"I love you too, my Obi-Wan."
"Master Jinn?"
Obi-Wan withdrew completely, aware of the interruption.
"Anakin? What's wrong?" he asked the boy kindly. Anakin was frowning and looking around the Jedi Master's quarters surreptitiously.
"Is Knight Kenobi here?"
"No, not exactly."
"Is this more of the 'not being able to tell us' stuff?"
"Yes." Qui-Gon said keeping his smile back with difficulty. "Why aren't you sleeping?"
"I was cold."
"Ah." Qui-Gon rose and placed his hand on the child's shoulder. "Come, I will find you some more blankets."
"Thank you." Anakin looked a little bashful before adding. "My mother use to tell me bedtime stories."
"Would you like me to?"
"Yes please, Master Qui-Gon, about the Jedi."
"Come on then, Anakin." Qui-Gon took the child back to his bunk to sleep and for the first time in five years he felt a lightness in his heart. Soon he would see his Shadow again.
Qui-Gon waiting as the council tested Anakin. He had felt it the moment Obi-Wan had landed on the planet, but was disappointed when he did not show up. Nor could Qui-Gon find him. He realised he only had a sense of the other Jedi at all, was because Obi-Wan was allowing it. He waited, hoping the Council would be wise in this matter. He had put Anakin first; even so, soon he must talk with the Council and his Master about Obi-Wan.
"He will not be trained."
Qui-Gon was filled with disbelief.
"Then I take him as my Padawan learner."
"Hasty you are being," Yoda interrupted. "Decide this now, we cannot."
"Go back to Naboo; we must discover the mystery of the Sith. Anakin's fate will be decided later." Mace spoke for the Council and his calm reasoning was hard to argue with, even for his old friend.
"Very well," Qui-Gon knelt next to the boy. "Go wait outside a moment, Anakin, I have something to discuss with the council."
Anakin's eyes became like saucers, nevertheless he did as he was asked.
"You should have told me." Qui-Gon said after he had left.
"Understand we do not."
Qui-Gon gave his master a glare.
"Obi-Wan." he saw it, the tiny exchange between Yoda and Mace.
"Obi-Wan is MIA." Mace said affirmatively.
"I saw him."
"When?"
"He intervened in my fight with the Sith."
"Understand then, you do, what he is?" Yoda asked carefully.
Qui-Gon nodded.
"Knew we did, long before his Knighting, but discover it for himself he had to."
"Not long after his Knighting," Mace continued. "He realised the truth. We arranged the rest and he has been a Shadow ever since; remaining hidden until he was needed."
"The time for Shadows is over, with the Sith among us again, needed the Jedi Warrior will be." Yoda looked carefully at his old apprentice. "Talk to Obi-Wan you should."
"I would, Master, if I could find him."
Yoda chuckled.
"Work like that it does not, finds you, the Jedi Warrior does."
"Go now, Qui-Gon, finish the Naboo mission," Mace said as a dismissal. "The rest can wait."
Qui-Gon bowed low and left.
"He's right."
"I wish you wouldn't do that." Mace groused good naturedly, relieved to see his friend safe. Obi-Wan grinned unrepentant.
"Anakin is the Chosen One."
"Be that as it may, he is still too old and full of anger."
"Don't talk such crap," none of the Council were surprised at Obi-Wan's bluntness, they had become accustomed to it and being the Jedi Warrior granted him a certain amount of latitude. Although the Knight respected them, he did not answer to them except on missions they had assigned to him.
"Obi-Wan," Mace began. "Surely you of all people understand the danger."
The Jedi Warrior seemed to sag under the wait of Mace's words. His eyes closed.
"I have seen an end. War and death besiege the galaxy, the Jedi are not enough to protect it and I am not enough to protect them."
"Seen this too, I have." Yoda confirmed.
"It was always a competition between the Dark and the Light to get the Force Warrior on its side when ever there was one present in the galaxy. For the Sith it was safety to destroy, for the Jedi to preserve the Light. The Force gave me this gift and another; it gave me Qui-Gon. My bond with him keeps me secure in the Light, even though I am standing on the very thin line between. Anakin has no such protection. How long do you think it will be before the Sith know of his existence? We finally know of theirs and they know of mine. They will discover him, and I fear for him then."
"What do you suggest?"
"Allow Qui-Gon to be his Master, he will show him the path of the Light. Allow another future."
"And you?"
"I will do as I have always done," Obi-Wan said softly, "my duty."
"Think on this we will, Jedi Warrior."
"What will you do now?" Adi asked.
"Qui-Gon is still not safe, the danger began on Tatooine, but it will end on Naboo."
"Then go there, you will."
"Yes."
"He knows, Obi-Wan." Yaddle had always been the voice of his heart in the Council chamber, when the others questioned him on the galaxy she would speak from a different place; a place beyond duty.
"I know," and for once Obi-Wan smiled at the ancient master. "Which is why this trip I will not be a stowaway or a thief. I will travel by his side."
"Your rightful place, it is." Yaddle told him, to which Obi-Wan once again smiled before leaving.
The Queen's ship was ready for departure. Anakin and Jar Jar were aboard and all they waited for was Qui-Gon. The Jedi Master stood at the bottom of the ramp, also waiting. The Queen was in a hurry to leave, however not even she was willing to disturb him.
A shuttle pulled up to the landing platform and off it stepped a man dressed in the creams and browns of a Jedi Knight. He hood was down and he strolled along the walkway, in no hurry, until he stood at Qui-Gon's side.
"Hello."
"Hello."
"I thought I would join you."
"I've been waiting."
Neither made a move to board.
"You look well." Qui-Gon said after a moment.
"As do you." Obi-Wan smiled and looked down at himself. "You know, I've missed wearing these tunics. I feel more like a proper Jedi in them."
"You are more than a proper Jedi, Obi-Wan."
"I know."
"So, how did it feel, being your old master's Shadow?"
"I have always been your Shadow, Qui-Gon." the Master looked confused. "As your apprentice I followed you everywhere, one step behind."
"But now you can walk at my side."
"Yes," Obi-Wan reluctantly admitted. "Though I fear I must remain a Shadow for a while yet."
"Why?" Qui-Gon asked and then waited as he felt the Force stir. Obi-Wan's eyes dimmed and grew distant.
"Something is waking," he whispered. "Something I still cannot see. It is a threat to all, not just the Jedi, although that is where it will begin. I may not be enough."
"You will be enough." Qui-Gon's voice brought him back to the present.
"We should go, the Queen will be getting impatient."
"Very well."
The two Jedi started to walk up the ramp.
"This must be a novelty for you, Obi-Wan."
"What?" the younger man asked, already suspecting he would regret it.
"Actually walking onto a vessel in full view of everyone."
Obi-Wan growled.
"Qui-Gon Jinn, you are the most arrogant, annoying, stubborn, frustrating, Force-damned Jedi I have ever had to follow."
His only answer was the Jedi Master's laughter as he disappeared into the belly of the ship, a man glad to have the spirited, young man with him again.
