Title: Knighting Ceremony
Author: ewan's girl
Author's note: Thank you to all who reviewed, I hope I can keep this story coming, I don't know how far it will go. Also, I promise I will finish "Strength over Fear".
Chapter 2:
Obi Wan Kenobi opened the two heavy double doors of the Theed palace throne room, he let out a sigh of relief when he noticed it was empty. He felt that he would loose the battle with his emotions if he heard another condolence, the twenty five year old Jedi padawan was still weary from battle but more so exhausted with bottled up sorrow for his fallen master. He slowly made his way across the polished marble floor, his boots clicking with each step as he headed to the large bay window. He stared down at the courtyard below and noticed several different beings running around finishing the preparations for both the funeral that night and the victory parade in the morning. He leaned his head on the cool glass and his gaze focused on the small room across the way, he knew the body of his master was laying inside being surrounded by mourners and anyone else who wanted to pay their respects to the "Hero of Naboo". Except for this very moment the apprentice hadn't left his mentor's side since he died in the young man's arms over twelve hours ago.
He appreciated their sentiments, but he was so tired of the sorry looks, the hugs from clumsy Gungans, the tears of a nine year old boy and a fourteen year old girl for that matter. Then on the other side of the spectrum he was tired of the sollem, yet dignfied looks of his fellow Jedi, tired of "there is no death, only the Force". The young man had never been so confused or in need of his master's wisdom in his life.
/ "You're a much wiser man than I am. . ." /
Obi Wan closed his eyes as the ghost continued to haunt him. 'No I'm not.' He thought to himself. 'If I was then you'd still be here, I would've seen the kick before it hit, wouldn't have left you alone.' He watched through his mind the battle that claimed his master's life, the battle that will forever be burned into his subconscious.
He quickly opened his eyes and let out the breath he didn't even realize he was holding, his warm breath causing the glass to fog. He suddenly realized that there was another, familiar presence in the room, he turned and stared down at Jedi master Yoda. He quickly swallowed his emotions once again and wiped the tears that was building in his eyes.
Yoda looked away as he noticed the apprentice wipe his eyes, letting the young man have a moment just one moment to not be a Jedi. He then hobbled into the room, watching as the ginger haired young man slowly head to the middle of the room and take a knee, bowing his head in humility.
Yoda gently touched the padawan on his spikey head. "Need to do that you do not, bow to you we should."
Obi Wan looked up at the diminutive master in confusion. "I'm sorry?"
Yoda huffed. "Not since the Sith Wars has a Jedi faced such an advisary." Yoda continued. "Impressed the Council your abilities have."
Obi Wan turned away. "My abilities weren't enough obviously, otherwise he'd still be here."
Yoda softened his features, he had always felt a special bond with Kenobi, a bond he never really understood. "Saved him you did by surviving, destroyed his soul it would have had you not."
Obi Wan felt a new string of tears threatening to break free of his lids, he braced his mental sheilds, knowing if anyone could see through him it was Yoda. "I promised Qui Gon I would train the boy." Obi Wan sadly muttered.
Yoda sighed, Mace Windu had already told him, he suddenly began to pace. "Confer on you the level of Jedi knight the Council does." Yoda exclaimed, taking Obi Wan by surprise. "But agree with you taking this boy as your padawan learner I do not." He stopped in front of Obi Wan, stamping his gimmar stick to make a point.
"Qui Gon believed in him." Obi Wan rebutled.
Yoda sighed again, he wouldn't speak ill of the dead. "The Chosen one the boy may be, but never the less grave danger I fear in his training."
Obi Wan held his head up. "Master Yoda, I gave Qui Gon my word." Yoda huffed and began pacing again. "I will train Anakin. . ." Obi Wan paused and carefully thought about his next words, he summed up all his strength. "Without the approval of the Council if I must."
Yoda grunted, he had hoped he could convince Obi Wan otherwise. "Qui Gon's defiance I sense in you, need that you do not." He stopped, and stared off into space. "Agree with you the Council does. . ." He turned and looked at Obi Wan. "Your apprentice Skywalker will be." Obi Wan at first looked surprised then lowered his head in respect. Yoda shook his head and grumbled under his breath as he hobbled out of the door.
The fire had long burned itself out, the embers were slowly fading away, the funeral party was long gone with the exception of a lone figure still standing at the alter. Obi Wan stood motionless as he had been for the past hour, contemplating how much his life had changed with the flick of a light saber. In the palm of his right hand he clentched the gift his master had bestowed on him twelve years ago, his thumb rubbing the smooth suface of the stone, trying to find some comfort in the Force surrounding the inaminate object.
Obi Wan's mouth felt dry as the smell of ash glogged his senses, he swallowed trying to quelch his pain. The realization finally hit him, and the weight of his promises fell upon his shoulders for the first time, a burden that would haunt for the rest of his life.
/ "What will happen to me now?" A tear soaked, round face asked.
"The Council have granted me permission to train you." The hooded young man answered, his eyes holding back his own tears. "You will be a Jedi, I promise." /
Obi Wan Kenobi closed his eyes as the words echoed through his brain. / "You will be a Jedi, I promise." /
"What have I done?" He muttered to himself as a warm breeze picked up through the open windows, blowing off his hood that he had refused to lower and wipped his Padawan braid around his throat. He grabbed the long pleated hair and rand his fingers down it, feeling the different colored threads woven into it, capturing the memories associated with each one. He then came to the one at the end of the braid, remembering how difficult a task he had to do to earn the yellow thread and how he didn't think he would accomplish it.
He finally moved from his spot and walked to one of the windows, still clutching the river stone in one hand, his braid in another. He glanced up at the stars as the breeze came up again, making the end of his braid smack him in the face. "I get it Qui Gon, I get it." He stated outloud, his lips turning into a sort of smile. He then took out a vibro blade that Yoda had given him to finish his knighting ceremony. He then took the thin ginger braid and in one swift motion detatched it from his head, strange as it was and silly as it might've sounded to others the second the braid was cut he felt older, not wiser just older.
He turned away from the window and noticed a dark hooded figure standing in the shadows, Obi Wan's heart rose inside his throat as he thought he sensed a dark ripple through the Force, but it quickly disapeared. The hooded figure moved into the light, but only half his face could be seen from under the hood, he was an elderly man who was obviously a Jedi.
"Qui Gon always spoke so very highly of you." Was all the man said as he turned around and left.
Obi Wan stood stunned for a moment, he then snapped out of it and raced after the man into the Royal garden. He searched for what seemed like an hour, but couldn't find any trace of the old man physical or through the Force. He noticed it was getting late and knew he had to get up early with his new apprentice to prepare for the celebration. He began to make his way back to the palace when he came across another hooded figure bending over, sniffing a deep purple flower.
"Tell me, how did it feel?" A feminine voice asked.
"How did what feel?" Obi Wan asked, recongnizing the voice.
"To kill a Sith?" Siri Tachi lowered her hood, her blonde hair catching the moon light.
"Powerful." Obi Wan admited and Siri nodded. "I'm surprised to see you, I wasn't expecting anyone here for me. . .I mean I didn't see you arrive with your master." He changed the subject.
Siri gave him a look that only she could give him. "Well that's because I didn't." She picked the flower and began to pluck off the petals. "I came by myself."
Obi Wan raised an eyebrow, confused by her defiance of her master. "Why did you come?" He asked.
Siri shrugged. "I don't know, felt like the thing to do."
Obi Wan nodded. "Well thank you."
Siri threw what was left of the flower to the ground. "Don't get mushy on me Kenobi."
Obi Wan looked at the discarded flower and nodded. "Force forbid."
Siri looked at him and noticed the padawan braid laced tightly between his fingers. "I know this is strange, but you look older without that." She exclaimed, pointing to the braid.
"I have a padawan." Obi Wan blurted out.
Siri crossed her arms. "What? You can't be serious."
Obi Wan chuckled sarcastically. "Why because I became a master before you?"
Siri glared at him. "No, because you are way too young for one, because this morning you were one." She motioned again to the pleated hair.
"I made a promise to both my master and my apprentice, Anakin will become a Jedi." Obi Wan resolved, a stray tear sneaking it's way down his cheek.
Siri noticed the moisture, but for once in her life she let it go. "If you believe it to be true then it'll be so." She moved closer to him, turning him to face her. "Are you ok?" She asked.
Obi Wan looked at her, his blue/grey eyes widening with surprise. "You are the first person to ask me that." The two friends then embraced, something that the two usually very reserved individuals never did.
"Siri?" A voice broke the silence after a moment.
Siri and Obi Wan let go of each other and turned to face Adi Gallia and Mace Windu who happened to be taking a walk. Obi Wan quickly bowed to the two Council members, but Siri held her ground.
"Hello Adi." Siri addressed her master by name, taking the other three by surprise, non more that Obi Wan.
"What are you doing here?" Adi composed herself and asked. "I thought I told you to stay on Courascant."
Siri placed her hands on her hips, and shifted her weight. "Well I came to see my friend."
"That's all well and good Siri, but why did you go against my request?" Adi tried to control her anger.
Siri gave her a look that would've intimidated the largest criminal in the galaxy. "Well I figured since you cut me loose without nominating me it really didn't matter."
Obi Wan's jaw dropped, but quickly regained his composure.
Adi looked as though she was backed in a corner. "Siri, can I speak to you in private?"
"Why?" She asked.
Obi Wan looked between Siri and the two masters. "What?" Adi asked.
"I don't see what can't be said here, considering the whole temple will soon know how you don't think I'm worthy to be a Jedi." Siri rebutled.
Obi Wan couldn't believe what he was hearing, he had lost his master, became a knight, gained an apprentice, and one of his best friends was cut loose by her master all in the same day. He felt like he was in another universe, Siri was probably the most dedicated one to the code out of all his friends, certainly if Garen and Reeft were discplined enough to be knights she would be.
"Padawan Tachi, weather or not your master nominated you for the trials still means you are a Jedi, and she is a Council member. . ." Mace stepped in, trying to help the stunned Adi.
"Don't even get me started on the Council Master Windu, all twelve of you are so self righteous to notice what actual Jedi in the field go through for you, for the code." Siri began to rant. "We live for you, we bleed for you, we have no personal lives for you. . ." She stopped and looked at Obi Wan. "We even die for you, and yet it's not enough it's never enough." She continued to glare at the two Council members. "And then if we aren't good enough you cast us aside."
"Siri, this is not the time nor the place." Adi stepped forward, glancing at Obi Wan who looked like he was praying for the ground to swallow him. "Go home."
Siri nodded then in one swift movement grabbed the vibro blade off Obi Wan's belt, she then proceeded to sever her own padawan braid then threw it at Adi. "Take it." She hissed and walked off in the opposite direction of the palace.
Obi Wan stared at the blonde braid that littered the ground, his heart felt even heavier and he didn't think that was possible. Mace bent down to retrieve the long piece of hair, he placed it inside his tunic. "You should try to rest Knight Kenobi, I'm sure it's been a long day for you, and it's going to be one tomorrow as well."
Obi Wan looked to the direction Siri had gone. "Master. . ."
"Leave her be Obi Wan, her path is laid before her just like yours is laid before you." Mace explained, leading Adi back towards the palace. Obi Wan didn't notice him hand Adi the discarded padawan braid. "You were right, she is convincing." Mace whispered to his fellow Council member.
"Let's hope so." Adi stated, although she didn't show it was somewhat shaken by her padawan's preformance.
Obi Wan continued to stare in the direction of Siri's departure, his cloak blowing in the wind. "Her path is laid before her, just like yours is laid before you." He muttered under his breath, nodding.
TBC: Well, tell me what you think, remember I have no spell check, I'm sorry.
Author: ewan's girl
Author's note: Thank you to all who reviewed, I hope I can keep this story coming, I don't know how far it will go. Also, I promise I will finish "Strength over Fear".
Chapter 2:
Obi Wan Kenobi opened the two heavy double doors of the Theed palace throne room, he let out a sigh of relief when he noticed it was empty. He felt that he would loose the battle with his emotions if he heard another condolence, the twenty five year old Jedi padawan was still weary from battle but more so exhausted with bottled up sorrow for his fallen master. He slowly made his way across the polished marble floor, his boots clicking with each step as he headed to the large bay window. He stared down at the courtyard below and noticed several different beings running around finishing the preparations for both the funeral that night and the victory parade in the morning. He leaned his head on the cool glass and his gaze focused on the small room across the way, he knew the body of his master was laying inside being surrounded by mourners and anyone else who wanted to pay their respects to the "Hero of Naboo". Except for this very moment the apprentice hadn't left his mentor's side since he died in the young man's arms over twelve hours ago.
He appreciated their sentiments, but he was so tired of the sorry looks, the hugs from clumsy Gungans, the tears of a nine year old boy and a fourteen year old girl for that matter. Then on the other side of the spectrum he was tired of the sollem, yet dignfied looks of his fellow Jedi, tired of "there is no death, only the Force". The young man had never been so confused or in need of his master's wisdom in his life.
/ "You're a much wiser man than I am. . ." /
Obi Wan closed his eyes as the ghost continued to haunt him. 'No I'm not.' He thought to himself. 'If I was then you'd still be here, I would've seen the kick before it hit, wouldn't have left you alone.' He watched through his mind the battle that claimed his master's life, the battle that will forever be burned into his subconscious.
He quickly opened his eyes and let out the breath he didn't even realize he was holding, his warm breath causing the glass to fog. He suddenly realized that there was another, familiar presence in the room, he turned and stared down at Jedi master Yoda. He quickly swallowed his emotions once again and wiped the tears that was building in his eyes.
Yoda looked away as he noticed the apprentice wipe his eyes, letting the young man have a moment just one moment to not be a Jedi. He then hobbled into the room, watching as the ginger haired young man slowly head to the middle of the room and take a knee, bowing his head in humility.
Yoda gently touched the padawan on his spikey head. "Need to do that you do not, bow to you we should."
Obi Wan looked up at the diminutive master in confusion. "I'm sorry?"
Yoda huffed. "Not since the Sith Wars has a Jedi faced such an advisary." Yoda continued. "Impressed the Council your abilities have."
Obi Wan turned away. "My abilities weren't enough obviously, otherwise he'd still be here."
Yoda softened his features, he had always felt a special bond with Kenobi, a bond he never really understood. "Saved him you did by surviving, destroyed his soul it would have had you not."
Obi Wan felt a new string of tears threatening to break free of his lids, he braced his mental sheilds, knowing if anyone could see through him it was Yoda. "I promised Qui Gon I would train the boy." Obi Wan sadly muttered.
Yoda sighed, Mace Windu had already told him, he suddenly began to pace. "Confer on you the level of Jedi knight the Council does." Yoda exclaimed, taking Obi Wan by surprise. "But agree with you taking this boy as your padawan learner I do not." He stopped in front of Obi Wan, stamping his gimmar stick to make a point.
"Qui Gon believed in him." Obi Wan rebutled.
Yoda sighed again, he wouldn't speak ill of the dead. "The Chosen one the boy may be, but never the less grave danger I fear in his training."
Obi Wan held his head up. "Master Yoda, I gave Qui Gon my word." Yoda huffed and began pacing again. "I will train Anakin. . ." Obi Wan paused and carefully thought about his next words, he summed up all his strength. "Without the approval of the Council if I must."
Yoda grunted, he had hoped he could convince Obi Wan otherwise. "Qui Gon's defiance I sense in you, need that you do not." He stopped, and stared off into space. "Agree with you the Council does. . ." He turned and looked at Obi Wan. "Your apprentice Skywalker will be." Obi Wan at first looked surprised then lowered his head in respect. Yoda shook his head and grumbled under his breath as he hobbled out of the door.
The fire had long burned itself out, the embers were slowly fading away, the funeral party was long gone with the exception of a lone figure still standing at the alter. Obi Wan stood motionless as he had been for the past hour, contemplating how much his life had changed with the flick of a light saber. In the palm of his right hand he clentched the gift his master had bestowed on him twelve years ago, his thumb rubbing the smooth suface of the stone, trying to find some comfort in the Force surrounding the inaminate object.
Obi Wan's mouth felt dry as the smell of ash glogged his senses, he swallowed trying to quelch his pain. The realization finally hit him, and the weight of his promises fell upon his shoulders for the first time, a burden that would haunt for the rest of his life.
/ "What will happen to me now?" A tear soaked, round face asked.
"The Council have granted me permission to train you." The hooded young man answered, his eyes holding back his own tears. "You will be a Jedi, I promise." /
Obi Wan Kenobi closed his eyes as the words echoed through his brain. / "You will be a Jedi, I promise." /
"What have I done?" He muttered to himself as a warm breeze picked up through the open windows, blowing off his hood that he had refused to lower and wipped his Padawan braid around his throat. He grabbed the long pleated hair and rand his fingers down it, feeling the different colored threads woven into it, capturing the memories associated with each one. He then came to the one at the end of the braid, remembering how difficult a task he had to do to earn the yellow thread and how he didn't think he would accomplish it.
He finally moved from his spot and walked to one of the windows, still clutching the river stone in one hand, his braid in another. He glanced up at the stars as the breeze came up again, making the end of his braid smack him in the face. "I get it Qui Gon, I get it." He stated outloud, his lips turning into a sort of smile. He then took out a vibro blade that Yoda had given him to finish his knighting ceremony. He then took the thin ginger braid and in one swift motion detatched it from his head, strange as it was and silly as it might've sounded to others the second the braid was cut he felt older, not wiser just older.
He turned away from the window and noticed a dark hooded figure standing in the shadows, Obi Wan's heart rose inside his throat as he thought he sensed a dark ripple through the Force, but it quickly disapeared. The hooded figure moved into the light, but only half his face could be seen from under the hood, he was an elderly man who was obviously a Jedi.
"Qui Gon always spoke so very highly of you." Was all the man said as he turned around and left.
Obi Wan stood stunned for a moment, he then snapped out of it and raced after the man into the Royal garden. He searched for what seemed like an hour, but couldn't find any trace of the old man physical or through the Force. He noticed it was getting late and knew he had to get up early with his new apprentice to prepare for the celebration. He began to make his way back to the palace when he came across another hooded figure bending over, sniffing a deep purple flower.
"Tell me, how did it feel?" A feminine voice asked.
"How did what feel?" Obi Wan asked, recongnizing the voice.
"To kill a Sith?" Siri Tachi lowered her hood, her blonde hair catching the moon light.
"Powerful." Obi Wan admited and Siri nodded. "I'm surprised to see you, I wasn't expecting anyone here for me. . .I mean I didn't see you arrive with your master." He changed the subject.
Siri gave him a look that only she could give him. "Well that's because I didn't." She picked the flower and began to pluck off the petals. "I came by myself."
Obi Wan raised an eyebrow, confused by her defiance of her master. "Why did you come?" He asked.
Siri shrugged. "I don't know, felt like the thing to do."
Obi Wan nodded. "Well thank you."
Siri threw what was left of the flower to the ground. "Don't get mushy on me Kenobi."
Obi Wan looked at the discarded flower and nodded. "Force forbid."
Siri looked at him and noticed the padawan braid laced tightly between his fingers. "I know this is strange, but you look older without that." She exclaimed, pointing to the braid.
"I have a padawan." Obi Wan blurted out.
Siri crossed her arms. "What? You can't be serious."
Obi Wan chuckled sarcastically. "Why because I became a master before you?"
Siri glared at him. "No, because you are way too young for one, because this morning you were one." She motioned again to the pleated hair.
"I made a promise to both my master and my apprentice, Anakin will become a Jedi." Obi Wan resolved, a stray tear sneaking it's way down his cheek.
Siri noticed the moisture, but for once in her life she let it go. "If you believe it to be true then it'll be so." She moved closer to him, turning him to face her. "Are you ok?" She asked.
Obi Wan looked at her, his blue/grey eyes widening with surprise. "You are the first person to ask me that." The two friends then embraced, something that the two usually very reserved individuals never did.
"Siri?" A voice broke the silence after a moment.
Siri and Obi Wan let go of each other and turned to face Adi Gallia and Mace Windu who happened to be taking a walk. Obi Wan quickly bowed to the two Council members, but Siri held her ground.
"Hello Adi." Siri addressed her master by name, taking the other three by surprise, non more that Obi Wan.
"What are you doing here?" Adi composed herself and asked. "I thought I told you to stay on Courascant."
Siri placed her hands on her hips, and shifted her weight. "Well I came to see my friend."
"That's all well and good Siri, but why did you go against my request?" Adi tried to control her anger.
Siri gave her a look that would've intimidated the largest criminal in the galaxy. "Well I figured since you cut me loose without nominating me it really didn't matter."
Obi Wan's jaw dropped, but quickly regained his composure.
Adi looked as though she was backed in a corner. "Siri, can I speak to you in private?"
"Why?" She asked.
Obi Wan looked between Siri and the two masters. "What?" Adi asked.
"I don't see what can't be said here, considering the whole temple will soon know how you don't think I'm worthy to be a Jedi." Siri rebutled.
Obi Wan couldn't believe what he was hearing, he had lost his master, became a knight, gained an apprentice, and one of his best friends was cut loose by her master all in the same day. He felt like he was in another universe, Siri was probably the most dedicated one to the code out of all his friends, certainly if Garen and Reeft were discplined enough to be knights she would be.
"Padawan Tachi, weather or not your master nominated you for the trials still means you are a Jedi, and she is a Council member. . ." Mace stepped in, trying to help the stunned Adi.
"Don't even get me started on the Council Master Windu, all twelve of you are so self righteous to notice what actual Jedi in the field go through for you, for the code." Siri began to rant. "We live for you, we bleed for you, we have no personal lives for you. . ." She stopped and looked at Obi Wan. "We even die for you, and yet it's not enough it's never enough." She continued to glare at the two Council members. "And then if we aren't good enough you cast us aside."
"Siri, this is not the time nor the place." Adi stepped forward, glancing at Obi Wan who looked like he was praying for the ground to swallow him. "Go home."
Siri nodded then in one swift movement grabbed the vibro blade off Obi Wan's belt, she then proceeded to sever her own padawan braid then threw it at Adi. "Take it." She hissed and walked off in the opposite direction of the palace.
Obi Wan stared at the blonde braid that littered the ground, his heart felt even heavier and he didn't think that was possible. Mace bent down to retrieve the long piece of hair, he placed it inside his tunic. "You should try to rest Knight Kenobi, I'm sure it's been a long day for you, and it's going to be one tomorrow as well."
Obi Wan looked to the direction Siri had gone. "Master. . ."
"Leave her be Obi Wan, her path is laid before her just like yours is laid before you." Mace explained, leading Adi back towards the palace. Obi Wan didn't notice him hand Adi the discarded padawan braid. "You were right, she is convincing." Mace whispered to his fellow Council member.
"Let's hope so." Adi stated, although she didn't show it was somewhat shaken by her padawan's preformance.
Obi Wan continued to stare in the direction of Siri's departure, his cloak blowing in the wind. "Her path is laid before her, just like yours is laid before you." He muttered under his breath, nodding.
TBC: Well, tell me what you think, remember I have no spell check, I'm sorry.