I apologize this has taken me so long to update! Thank you so much for your reviews! They are truly wonderful and encouraging!
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Obi-Wan walked down the hallway towards Anakin's room. He felt much better after a long, hot shower and a good night's sleep. After rounding a corner, he nearly bumped into the woman who had played one of the mercenary leaders. "Excuse me…Oh, it's you."
"Don't sound so enthusiastic." The woman had an amused look on her face. She noticed his now neat, clean and even more handsome appearance. "You clean up well."
"Thank you, Knight…"
"Mendon. Layla Mendon."
Obi-Wan nodded. "You're a good actress, Knight Mendon." He tried to keep his irritation in check. After all, these knights had only been doing their duty.
"Thank you, Knight Kenobi."
Obi-Wan folded his arms across his chest. "But was that little proposal of yours really necessary?" His face was calm, but his eyes noted his irritation.
"As a matter of fact, it was. Master Yoda himself specifically requested it."
Why that sneaky, little…Layla again looked amused. "That sort of thing must happen pretty often with you."
"What makes you say that?" Obi-Wan's skin started to turn pink.
"Because Master Yoda requested that particular test and because of the way your padawan reacted." Layla's amusement grew at his blush.
Obi-Wan did not appreciate her obvious enjoyment. His eyes narrowed. "Just how far would you have gone in your little ruse?"
A wicked smile crept up Layla's face. "Wouldn't you like to know?" With that cryptic remark, she continued past him down the hall.
Obi-Wan shook his head as he continued towards Anakin's room. Women! He didn't think he'd ever truly understand them. He stopped in front of Anakin's door. /Padawan, are you awake/
/Yes, Master. Come in./
Obi-Wan walked in to find Anakin sitting cross-legged on his bed. Anakin's eyes followed his master as he sat down beside him. The boy looked particularly vulnerable.
"It was me wasn't it, Master? They were testing me."
"They were testing both of us, Anakin. They were testing our relationship." It wasn't the entire truth, but Obi-Wan wasn't about to tell Anakin about the Council's reservations. "They wanted to test how we work together before giving us weightier missions."
"How much did they see?"
Obi-Wan's look turned ironic. "They saw and heard everything that happened on this planet."
Anakin's heart sunk. He hadn't exactly been the exemplary padawan on this mission. His eyes grew wide as a thought struck him. The Council had seen him question his master on the pace of his training! And they'd seen him doubt his master's faith in him!
Obi-Wan put a hand on Anakin's arm, trying to calm him. "Padawan, it's okay."
"No, it isn't, Master! I displayed my impatience and lack of faith in you!" What if they decide I'm not worthy of training anymore?
"Anakin, you must let go of your fear. The Council is not out to get you. They are there, just as I am, to guide you on your journey to becoming a knight. And as with me, you may not always agree with their decisions, but you must trust in their greater wisdom and experience." Obi-Wan squeezed his padawan's arm reassuringly. "Release your fear, Padawan."
Anakin closed his eyes and tried to center himself. He felt Obi-Wan gently connecting with him, helping him to release his emotions into the Force. Just as unobtrusively, his master backed off and let him maintain the connection on his own. When Anakin felt at peace again, he opened his eyes to find his master watching him.
Obi-Wan smiled gently at his apprentice. "Better?"
Anakin smiled weakly. "Yes, Master." Understanding and encouragement emanated from Obi-Wan's eyes. Anakin found it hard to meet those eyes. He felt completely unworthy of his master at the moment.
"Anakin?"
Anakin sighed and met his master's eyes. "How did we do in the test?"
"We won't hear the official response of the Council until we return to the Temple. Unofficially…" Obi-Wan gave Anakin a conspiratorial smile. "I think we showed them that we make a great team."
Anakin immediately brightened. "Really? You…you think we make a great team?"
"Absolutely." Obi-Wan ruffled Anakin's hair before getting up. "I can't have just anyone as my padawan, after all." He felt his padawan's mood lift considerably. "I don't know about you, but I'm hungry. Are you up for breakfast?"
"Yes, Master, I'm starving!" Anakin happily hopped off the bed and followed Obi-Wan out into the hall. They entered the small dining hall to find it full of the 'mercenaries' from the day before. Master Yoda was also there, gesturing for them to come join him. Obi-Wan felt a little self-conscious as all eyes were upon them.
A few of the men had bruised chins and seemed to be having a difficult time chewing. One of those men piped up. "Hey, Kenobi, you sure pack a powerful kick!" The other men grunted their agreement.
Obi-Wan smiled sheepishly. "Yes, I ah…I do apologize for that." There was open amusement on everyone's face, especially Knight Mendon's. He and Anakin filled up their plates at the small buffet and sat down beside Yoda.
"Forget you, those knights shall not." Yoda spoke quietly, humor dancing in his sleepy eyes. "Eat well, then get ready to leave you shall."
Obi-Wan smiled, glancing at his padawan. "I do hope our transport will be of the non-garbage scow variety."
Yoda smiled at the contrite look on Anakin's face. "It will, indeed."
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Obi-Wan and Anakin were now standing before the fully assembled Council. Anakin shifted uncomfortably as the twelve pairs of eyes bored into him.
"How do you think you did on this test, Padawan Skywalker?" Mace was the first to speak up. In situations such as this, the padawan was always addressed first. The performance of the padawan was always dealt with in the presence of the master. Then the padawan was dismissed. A master's performance was never judged in front of the apprentice.
Anakin took a deep breath before speaking. "I think I could have done better, Master Windu."
"How so?" Yoda looked like he was looking through to Anakin's soul.
"I was impatient. I questioned my master's guidance and his faith in me. I didn't show him the proper respect."
Ki Adi Mundi stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Anything else?"
"I…I was too eager to show aggression." Anakin hung his head.
"Master Obi-Wan," Yoda spoke. "What feel you about your padawan's performance?"
"Overall, I think he did well, Masters. In just three years of training, he has come very far. There are some issues that need to be worked on – his emotionalism and his impatience. And we will work on them. And I have full confidence that he WILL master them. This mission was unusual from the get-go, but I think he handled it ably and willingly."
Anakin felt joy fill him at his master's words. He stood a little straighter.
"Feel we do that progressed far you have, Padawan."
Mace turned from Yoda, nodding his agreement. "Your skills are commendable."
Plo Kloon spoke up from Anakin's right. "However, trust in and obedience to your master is extremely important."
Adi Gallia spoke up from behind him. "You must trust that your master knows and wants what is best for you."
"But I do trust my master, more than anyone!" They had to believe him! Anakin looked up desperately at Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan put his hand on Anakin's shoulder and gave a slight nod.
Depa Billaba spoke up next. "Good. Then you must be willing to accept his corrections."
Mace looked pointedly at Anakin. "Do not take it personally when your master corrects you. It does not mean that he doesn't think highly of you."
Yoda pointed his clawed hand for emphasis. "Necessary correction is for proper training." Yoda watched as Anakin seemed to focus on the floor. "Learn from your master, let him guide you, and do well you will."
Anakin looked up. "Yes, Master." He glanced up at Obi-Wan. "I will, Master."
"You are dismissed, Padawan," said Mace.
Anakin bowed. He glanced up again at Obi-Wan, who smiled encouragingly. Anakin quickly walked out of the Council chambers. When he was safely out in the hallway, he breathed a heavy sigh of relief. He hated standing before the Council! He hated feeling so completely open and exposed! He hoped his master would fare a bit better than he did.
