So…um, thank the dedicated reader(s) who kept bugging me about this. I kinda got stuck, and then avoided this story out of fear. Don't ask why, I'm just neurotic. *g*
*****
Eleven
*****
The view of the waterfall never failed to comfort Obi-Wan. Standing on the terrace of Anakin's room, he could taste the faintest bit of moisture that drifted on the current. Dawn was fast approaching; the hint of bright orange trickled through the trees and refracted a thousand times in the steady downpour of water. The pounding rush never abated, the soothing rhythm lulled his mind into relaxation as he contemplated the force of nature. 'Such strength, all beginning with one drop of water.'
A small flare of light touched his senses and he returned to Anakin's side just in time to see him wake. "Good morning," Obi-Wan's voice was barely above a whisper. Bright blue eyes and a sleepy smile greeted him, "Morning."
"How are you feeling?"
Anakin slowly sat up, resting his back against the headboard. Obi-Wan was pleased to see the action was not as painful as last night. "Better. The herd of banthas has stopped trampling my lungs."
"Sounds like an improvement."
Obi-Wan stood uncertainly for a moment, watching Anakin take in his surroundings in daylight, and then moved to sit in the chair. His eyes drifted to the prisan flower just above the headboard, resting so closely to Anakin's face it could have been weaved into the braid flowing over his shoulder. With blue petals fading into a light yellow, the prisan looked as if it were designed just for Anakin, a stunningly natural complement to his eyes, once again bright with curiosity and fascination.
The urgency which drove Obi-Wan vanished. There was time now, a curious pause in a chain of events, and he didn't know what to do with it. Or rather he had an idea, but didn't know where to start. But perhaps he wouldn't have to.
"Obi-Wan Kenobi." Anakin's smile was infectious and he tilted his head in a question. "Who are you? What is this place? I've heard a few stories about Eldalye but…nothing that compares to this."
"I should hope not. It takes a great deal of effort to keep this valley concealed from outsiders."
"An enchanted forest overflowing with the Living Force… hidden by Force-sensitives." There was a hint of awed disbelief in Anakin's voice which made Obi-Wan both proud and uncomfortable at the same time. The pride was understandable, it was an amazing feat; though Obi-Wan hoped Anakin's astonishment would fade after he learned how long it had taken to achieve effective concealment and how many it took to maintain it. Unfortunately Anakin's reaction was also a reminder that his presence endangered the very feat he marveled at now.
"Force, life-power, different names for the same energy. But you'll have to explain the concept of Unifying and Living… I've never been able to understand the Jedi's distinction between the two."
"Anytime, but you'd be better off attending a lecture by Master Yoda. But why would this even be necessary? What do the Quenya have to hide?"
The question startled a laugh out of Obi-Wan, and he knew whatever issues the Elders currently had with him, the problem had just multiplied by Anakin's unexpected knowledge. "Trust Nauco to toss out my secrets so casually."
His reply seemed to sober Anakin, who leapt to the Ranger's defense. "Only to me. There was no one else to overhear us, and he only mentioned 'the Quenya' when I asked about you. And Nauco refused to tell me anything else," the rest was muffled garble that Obi-Wan just barely caught, "…even used all my tricks."
Knowing that Anakin had asked about him, and that Nauco was having a little too much fun at both of their expense, it was difficult to smother the urge to retaliate in kind and instead assure Anakin that Nauco was far from being in trouble. Well, perhaps a bit of 'trouble' when Obi-Wan got his hands on him. "No real harm done, Anakin. Nauco wouldn't know so much if I didn't already trust him. For him to tell you who we are says a lot about you."
"But it doesn't tell me much more about you."
Obi-Wan smiled at his persistence. "Then to answer your question, the only thing we have to hide is ourselves." The Jedi's puzzlement was obvious in his open expression.
Just as Obi-Wan was about to explain, a strong feminine voice broke in. "There's a good reason for that." Ren'aki had always possessed an immaculate sense of timing, a flare for the dramatic that Obi-Wan alternately admired and cursed. Right now the latter seemed more appropriate.
She spared Anakin a glance and a nod, and turned her attention to Obi-Wan. "Arda Kenobi, the Elders have kindly requested your presence at your earliest convenience." Translation: now.
The formal address revealed as much as the tight lines around her eyes. But whether her displeasure stemmed from the Elders, Anakin's inquisitive demeanor, or his own stubbornness Obi-Wan couldn't determine. "Thank you, Ren. I'll be along shortly."
After a sharp nod, she hesitated, and then, "It is good to see you are recovering nicely, Jedi Skywalker." Obi-Wan was surprised when the normally protocol-bound Ren'aki left without waiting for a reply.
With great reluctance, he stood and gave a weak smile. "I should be back soon. Explore as you like, but don't strain yourself. Another day or two and you should be back to flying through the air."
Anakin rolled his eyes. "If I recall correctly, that's what landed me here."
With a more genuine smile, Obi-Wan replied, "No, what got you here was a fast equara and a determined rider."
*****
Twelve
*****
The breeze drifted across the open space, warm, cloying, almost suffocating; much like the accusing glares directed his way. So different from the calm, cool currents of the morning. Obi-Wan stood in the center of the rectangular wooden platform, suspended in the middle of the forest, his attention wandering between the harsh voices of the six Elders and the simple embellishments carved into the floor.
The austere pattern of vines flowed with the grain of wood, then spiraled in different directions, fracturing, asymmetrical, growing more complex and more beautiful; yet still bound to the single vine at its center. As his visits to this sacred place became more frequent, the design gained deeper meaning and provided Obi-Wan with hope. He clung to that hope almost desperately as the knot of foreboding in the pit of his stomach grew worse.
"Secrecy has been our only defense for generations. I find it difficult to believe you would so callously disregard the safety of our people, Obi-Wan." The resigned expression on Ken-yi Alar's face saddened Obi-Wan.
From early childhood, Ken-yi had been his guide, a respected mentor who taught Obi-Wan the intricacies of harnessing and directing the life-power. He instilled the respect for life, the sense of responsibility such power engendered, the duty that came with this calling. If not for Ken-yi, he would never have achieved the rank of Arda, a mage of the old tradition. Now they stood on opposing sides of the same principles, and Obi-Wan could see no way to bridge the gap.
Ken-yi's thoughts seemed to have followed a similar path, his comforting baritone tinged with grief as he regarded his one time student. "We have tolerated your excursions outside of Eldalye. We have listened to your arguments. I can even respect your tenacity in holding to your convictions. But this is more than a philosophical disagreement."
Venale Denor took over the narrative, her voice cold and hard with contempt. "Bringing the Jedi here was a direct violation of our orders. I'm not sure you understand the consequences of what you've done. Tell me, what will happen when the Jedi leaves and reports our existence to his Council? Our people were hunted mercilessly during the so-called Sith War over millennia ago, by warriors of both the Dark and the Light! "
Obi-Wan remained silent. Clearly this was anything but the open debate of past disagreements. Venale almost looked as if she enjoyed the opportunity to insult him by reminding him of the legends every Quenya knew as well as they knew how to draw breath.
"We were once a thriving civilization, dedicated to life above all things. Reduced to displaced refugees being chased across the galaxy because the righteous fools decided their way was the only way."
'A decision you are close to repeating,' Obi-Wan thought.
"Their division eliminated any existing tolerance for our beliefs, and now, when we have finally disappeared into memory, you threaten to expose us?"
So this was how they were going to play it. Venale could invoke ancient struggles and a noble history filled with martyrs, but she--all of them, even Ken-yi--adamantly refused to acknowledge the price of their all important secrecy. All of Siesna could fall to Darkness in a travesty of injustice. Simply because inaction guaranteed secrecy.
"I have done nothing but save a life," Obi-Wan said. One life that could become two, twenty, a hundred; when had the Quenya ever believed that the good of the many outweighed the individual?
The angry protests that followed his statement assaulted his ears, before Ken-yi managed to regain order. "Obi-Wan, you must admit there are consequences to your actions." Ken-yi lowered his head as a mirthless laugh escaped him. "You had to rescue one of the two Jedi on the entire planet."
Obi-Wan's heart clenched as a picture of Anakin, lying broken and bleeding on the ground, pierced through his frustrated anger and replaced it with inflexible conviction. "He was a dying man that I could help. I accept responsibility, but I can't change what's happened, nor would I do any differently given the chance to."
Venale smiled. Ken-yi simply looked at him, his face unreadable, while the others turned away. The silence was deafening.
After a long moment, Ken-yi replied, "And that is what most concerns us. We have not come by this decision lightly, Obi-Wan. But you have left us no other choice."
Venale's voice grated on Obi-Wan's nerves, "We cannot keep the Jedi here against his will, but we can prevent others from coming here. By your own admittance, you would place Eldalye in danger for the sake of a single individual, and for this we cannot trust you."
Time slowed, and her next words seemed very loud and small, spoken over a great distance and whispered into his ear. "Arda Obi-Wan Kenobi, to protect our people, our knowledge, our way of life, you are hereby banished from the borders of Eldalye. You will depart at sunrise tomorrow, accompanied by the Jedi."
*****
tbc
*****
Eleven
*****
The view of the waterfall never failed to comfort Obi-Wan. Standing on the terrace of Anakin's room, he could taste the faintest bit of moisture that drifted on the current. Dawn was fast approaching; the hint of bright orange trickled through the trees and refracted a thousand times in the steady downpour of water. The pounding rush never abated, the soothing rhythm lulled his mind into relaxation as he contemplated the force of nature. 'Such strength, all beginning with one drop of water.'
A small flare of light touched his senses and he returned to Anakin's side just in time to see him wake. "Good morning," Obi-Wan's voice was barely above a whisper. Bright blue eyes and a sleepy smile greeted him, "Morning."
"How are you feeling?"
Anakin slowly sat up, resting his back against the headboard. Obi-Wan was pleased to see the action was not as painful as last night. "Better. The herd of banthas has stopped trampling my lungs."
"Sounds like an improvement."
Obi-Wan stood uncertainly for a moment, watching Anakin take in his surroundings in daylight, and then moved to sit in the chair. His eyes drifted to the prisan flower just above the headboard, resting so closely to Anakin's face it could have been weaved into the braid flowing over his shoulder. With blue petals fading into a light yellow, the prisan looked as if it were designed just for Anakin, a stunningly natural complement to his eyes, once again bright with curiosity and fascination.
The urgency which drove Obi-Wan vanished. There was time now, a curious pause in a chain of events, and he didn't know what to do with it. Or rather he had an idea, but didn't know where to start. But perhaps he wouldn't have to.
"Obi-Wan Kenobi." Anakin's smile was infectious and he tilted his head in a question. "Who are you? What is this place? I've heard a few stories about Eldalye but…nothing that compares to this."
"I should hope not. It takes a great deal of effort to keep this valley concealed from outsiders."
"An enchanted forest overflowing with the Living Force… hidden by Force-sensitives." There was a hint of awed disbelief in Anakin's voice which made Obi-Wan both proud and uncomfortable at the same time. The pride was understandable, it was an amazing feat; though Obi-Wan hoped Anakin's astonishment would fade after he learned how long it had taken to achieve effective concealment and how many it took to maintain it. Unfortunately Anakin's reaction was also a reminder that his presence endangered the very feat he marveled at now.
"Force, life-power, different names for the same energy. But you'll have to explain the concept of Unifying and Living… I've never been able to understand the Jedi's distinction between the two."
"Anytime, but you'd be better off attending a lecture by Master Yoda. But why would this even be necessary? What do the Quenya have to hide?"
The question startled a laugh out of Obi-Wan, and he knew whatever issues the Elders currently had with him, the problem had just multiplied by Anakin's unexpected knowledge. "Trust Nauco to toss out my secrets so casually."
His reply seemed to sober Anakin, who leapt to the Ranger's defense. "Only to me. There was no one else to overhear us, and he only mentioned 'the Quenya' when I asked about you. And Nauco refused to tell me anything else," the rest was muffled garble that Obi-Wan just barely caught, "…even used all my tricks."
Knowing that Anakin had asked about him, and that Nauco was having a little too much fun at both of their expense, it was difficult to smother the urge to retaliate in kind and instead assure Anakin that Nauco was far from being in trouble. Well, perhaps a bit of 'trouble' when Obi-Wan got his hands on him. "No real harm done, Anakin. Nauco wouldn't know so much if I didn't already trust him. For him to tell you who we are says a lot about you."
"But it doesn't tell me much more about you."
Obi-Wan smiled at his persistence. "Then to answer your question, the only thing we have to hide is ourselves." The Jedi's puzzlement was obvious in his open expression.
Just as Obi-Wan was about to explain, a strong feminine voice broke in. "There's a good reason for that." Ren'aki had always possessed an immaculate sense of timing, a flare for the dramatic that Obi-Wan alternately admired and cursed. Right now the latter seemed more appropriate.
She spared Anakin a glance and a nod, and turned her attention to Obi-Wan. "Arda Kenobi, the Elders have kindly requested your presence at your earliest convenience." Translation: now.
The formal address revealed as much as the tight lines around her eyes. But whether her displeasure stemmed from the Elders, Anakin's inquisitive demeanor, or his own stubbornness Obi-Wan couldn't determine. "Thank you, Ren. I'll be along shortly."
After a sharp nod, she hesitated, and then, "It is good to see you are recovering nicely, Jedi Skywalker." Obi-Wan was surprised when the normally protocol-bound Ren'aki left without waiting for a reply.
With great reluctance, he stood and gave a weak smile. "I should be back soon. Explore as you like, but don't strain yourself. Another day or two and you should be back to flying through the air."
Anakin rolled his eyes. "If I recall correctly, that's what landed me here."
With a more genuine smile, Obi-Wan replied, "No, what got you here was a fast equara and a determined rider."
*****
Twelve
*****
The breeze drifted across the open space, warm, cloying, almost suffocating; much like the accusing glares directed his way. So different from the calm, cool currents of the morning. Obi-Wan stood in the center of the rectangular wooden platform, suspended in the middle of the forest, his attention wandering between the harsh voices of the six Elders and the simple embellishments carved into the floor.
The austere pattern of vines flowed with the grain of wood, then spiraled in different directions, fracturing, asymmetrical, growing more complex and more beautiful; yet still bound to the single vine at its center. As his visits to this sacred place became more frequent, the design gained deeper meaning and provided Obi-Wan with hope. He clung to that hope almost desperately as the knot of foreboding in the pit of his stomach grew worse.
"Secrecy has been our only defense for generations. I find it difficult to believe you would so callously disregard the safety of our people, Obi-Wan." The resigned expression on Ken-yi Alar's face saddened Obi-Wan.
From early childhood, Ken-yi had been his guide, a respected mentor who taught Obi-Wan the intricacies of harnessing and directing the life-power. He instilled the respect for life, the sense of responsibility such power engendered, the duty that came with this calling. If not for Ken-yi, he would never have achieved the rank of Arda, a mage of the old tradition. Now they stood on opposing sides of the same principles, and Obi-Wan could see no way to bridge the gap.
Ken-yi's thoughts seemed to have followed a similar path, his comforting baritone tinged with grief as he regarded his one time student. "We have tolerated your excursions outside of Eldalye. We have listened to your arguments. I can even respect your tenacity in holding to your convictions. But this is more than a philosophical disagreement."
Venale Denor took over the narrative, her voice cold and hard with contempt. "Bringing the Jedi here was a direct violation of our orders. I'm not sure you understand the consequences of what you've done. Tell me, what will happen when the Jedi leaves and reports our existence to his Council? Our people were hunted mercilessly during the so-called Sith War over millennia ago, by warriors of both the Dark and the Light! "
Obi-Wan remained silent. Clearly this was anything but the open debate of past disagreements. Venale almost looked as if she enjoyed the opportunity to insult him by reminding him of the legends every Quenya knew as well as they knew how to draw breath.
"We were once a thriving civilization, dedicated to life above all things. Reduced to displaced refugees being chased across the galaxy because the righteous fools decided their way was the only way."
'A decision you are close to repeating,' Obi-Wan thought.
"Their division eliminated any existing tolerance for our beliefs, and now, when we have finally disappeared into memory, you threaten to expose us?"
So this was how they were going to play it. Venale could invoke ancient struggles and a noble history filled with martyrs, but she--all of them, even Ken-yi--adamantly refused to acknowledge the price of their all important secrecy. All of Siesna could fall to Darkness in a travesty of injustice. Simply because inaction guaranteed secrecy.
"I have done nothing but save a life," Obi-Wan said. One life that could become two, twenty, a hundred; when had the Quenya ever believed that the good of the many outweighed the individual?
The angry protests that followed his statement assaulted his ears, before Ken-yi managed to regain order. "Obi-Wan, you must admit there are consequences to your actions." Ken-yi lowered his head as a mirthless laugh escaped him. "You had to rescue one of the two Jedi on the entire planet."
Obi-Wan's heart clenched as a picture of Anakin, lying broken and bleeding on the ground, pierced through his frustrated anger and replaced it with inflexible conviction. "He was a dying man that I could help. I accept responsibility, but I can't change what's happened, nor would I do any differently given the chance to."
Venale smiled. Ken-yi simply looked at him, his face unreadable, while the others turned away. The silence was deafening.
After a long moment, Ken-yi replied, "And that is what most concerns us. We have not come by this decision lightly, Obi-Wan. But you have left us no other choice."
Venale's voice grated on Obi-Wan's nerves, "We cannot keep the Jedi here against his will, but we can prevent others from coming here. By your own admittance, you would place Eldalye in danger for the sake of a single individual, and for this we cannot trust you."
Time slowed, and her next words seemed very loud and small, spoken over a great distance and whispered into his ear. "Arda Obi-Wan Kenobi, to protect our people, our knowledge, our way of life, you are hereby banished from the borders of Eldalye. You will depart at sunrise tomorrow, accompanied by the Jedi."
*****
tbc