Standard Disclaimer
Major edits done to this chapter, especially at the end!
The end of this chapter doesn't seem to flow well at first sight, but it skips over some parts and follows Gandalf's travels more than anything else.
Notes:
-A couple of edits done to Ch. 2
This chapter is going to elaborate on some of Qui-Gon's… unorthodox teaching methods.
Reviewers:
Dims: thanks for your complements, and also for the extra bit of insight on Gandalf. I realized that I was taking away from his tricky-wizard self, I shall try to keep him in
character!
Methrill: I hope to portray the Valar as personifications, if not embodiments of the Force.
Greyangle: I hope to bridge Magic and The Force together as one, separated only by viewpoints!
As for the timeline between Gandalf's departure from Bag End untill Frodo's arrival in Bree, I think I shall have to stick with the movie timespan, just for the storyline's sake. I do intend to stretch the time out just a bit, but I think it will be over a few more days rather than some years.
The tale told by Master Qui-Gon's padawan intrigued the Jedi Council. Obi-Wan noticed many of the Masters close their eyes to seek clarity of thought, in order to give him the answer he deserved. That was what he particularly liked about the three unofficial leaders of the Council. Ki-Adi-Mundi, Mace Windu, and Master Yoda were always calm, collected, and wise. The Cerean Jedi always took the time to consider his options and consult the will of the Force before he spoke. Obi-Wan always felt as though Master Mundi knew more than he did about anything, at any given moment.
On the other hand, Obi-Wan always felt that Mace Windu could see straight through him. The Master's dark eyes ever had a deep, mysterious glint in them. He had seen Master Windu spar with a lightsaber, and was deeply impressed by his skill. Obi-Wan only hoped he could achieve that level of proficiency. Unlike his own often disobedient Master, Mace was extremely self-disciplined.
Obi-Wan knew very little about Master Yoda, and he doubt few knew more. Even his homeworld was a mystery, though he reckoned that the small Master was about 800 years old, or thereabouts. Obi-Wan thought he looked good for his age, but then again, he had never seen any other of Yoda's species, so there was no comparison. The little creature was more wise, patient, and probably more powerful than any other Jedi alive, though Obi-Wan knew first hand how mischievous the imp could be.
"Strange for one not fully trained to have visions with such clarity, it is." The green-skinned Master admitted after the tale had been told. "Reached out with your feelings have you? Speak the truth does this Gandalf the Grey? A trap this could be," he tested.
"In the vi…" Obi-Wan halted himself, could he really call it a vision? "When I spoke to him, wherever I was, I felt myself totally immersed in the power of the Force, it was unlike anything I've ever experienced. I know his words were truthful. He explained my previous visions perfectly; I gained such clarity. He reminded me of you Master Yoda."
He could almost feel Qui-Gon hold back a laugh beside him. "He seemed to grow excited when I told him of the many star systems that made up the Republic, which leads me to assume that his people have very little, if no knowledge of the Universe. His people are in danger, that much also I can assure you."
"Did you get any clue as to the location of this planet?" Mace Windu asked with a sigh.
"No, only that it's name was Arda, or Middle Earth."
"We will search the Archives for information on this 'Arda'. Master Qui-Gon, you and your padawan will await our further instructions. Make sure to alert us, young Kenobi, if you are granted another vision between then and now." Ki-Adi-Mundi nodded his head.
"Patience we must have, if solved this mystery is to be." Yoda said, and the Master and apprentice turned to leave. Just as they did so, Yoda reached out to touch Qui-Gon's mind with the Force. 'Watch Obi-Wan closely you must, it grows over time, the strain of visions does.'
Qui-Gon considered this last piece of advice. Would these visions consume Obi-Wan's attentions and turn him away from the moment at hand? He continued to walk down the hallway from the Council Chamber, even though it was only when he reached the lift that he came to a conclusion on where he was going. Once Obi-Wan had entered, he directed the lift to go up.
Obi-Wan tried to study his master without giving himself away. He seemed pensive. Obi's mind filled with curiosity when the lift traveled upwards instead of down, and back to their living quarters or the training rooms. He knew better than to ask questions. If he did, he knew the answer he would get. 'Patience, my young padawan.' He wondered if that particular response was textbook for all Jedi Masters.
Qui-Gon allowed himself a smirk. Obi-Wan had finally grasped control of his curiosity.
Gandalf had traveled day and night, never stopping until he reached Lothlorien. He visited briefly with the lord and lady of the Wood, and begged them for writing supplies. Elrond must know.
In haste he scribbled down the details of his 'conversation'. He left nothing out. As a last thought, he added the post script:
Keep your mind and thoughts open. If I am for some reason unable to commune with this other mind, you must do so in my stead. Impart to him your knowledge, help him to find his way here, for I feel he has a great distance to travel.
Obi-Wan stood aghast. Qui-Gon wanted him to do what?
The two Jedi stood in a popular low-level cantina, frequented by most of the rebellious adolescents of the area. In the back of the cantina were a pair of old, beaten up, Pod Racer simulators.
"A Jedi faces many situations in which he must concentrate on many things at once, like a Pod Racer. While Pod Racing, there are many things that demand attention, none of which can be ignored if the pilot is to win the race, and keep his life."
"Master, the Temple does have simulators. I don't see why we have to use…"
"Yes, I know." Qui-Gon frowned. "I also know that you've logged almost twice as many hours as you need on those, as many other padawans have. You are so isolated and cut off from everything else, it's easy to loose track of time and spend an entire day in one of those things; it's not healthy." Obi-Wan blushed.
"Come. It'll be fun." Qui-Gon sat on the ripped seat. Obi couldn't help but smile. The older, much larger Jedi Master looked out of place in an old, beat up simulator designed for adolescents.
"Ready when you are master." Obi-Wan followed suit. Both of their pods showed up on the holographic display along with several other virtual pods. He looked across the isle to his master, whose face sported a controlled smirk.
"Start your engines!……"
"I am sorry Masters, but there is no mention of an 'Arda', 'Middle Earth', 'Elrond', 'Gandalf', 'Sauron', or 'Ring of Power' in any of the Archive records." An irate Jocasta Nu, keeper of the Jedi Archives explained to Masters Yoda and Windu.
"Are you…." Mace began.
"Master Windu," she said with the slimmest thread of patience, "no means no." she gave them both a quick nod then turned sharply around on her heal and stalked off. "Honestly, the things they ask me to look for. Sounds like one of those new Alderaanian fiction novels to me…"
"Obi-Wan will be dissapointed." Mace said.
"Difficult to find, Arda is, but exists it does. Some clue to it's location in Obi-Wan's visions, there may be. Speak with him, I will."
"Was there any mention of a specific land formation or…"
"We've been over this!" Obi-Wan sighed, cutting off his Master, "Neither Gandalf told me anything about the structure of their planet. The only 'land formation' I saw was that big volcano, and there are hundreds of planets with volcanoes on them…" he rubbed the bride of his nose. This was not a formal Council meeting, but it still felt like an interrogation. There were only three people in the Council Chamber: Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan, and Master Yoda. The Master and padawan took unoccupied seats near Yoda.
"Think young Kenobi. Not directly would this information be given. Through the eyes of Gandalf and Elrond you must look. Subtly, the Force works." Yoda advised.
Obi-Wan felt his shoulders slump. What was there else to consider? He felt like Elrond, stressed, confused, desperate and trapped. There were innocent people who needed his help, and there was nothing he could do about it! He remembered when, in the second vision, the Elf lord looked up to the stars for guidance. It was late evening, so Obi-Wan did the same. It didn't seem as comforting for the young padawan, instead it nagged at him. There was something…
"The stars." He realized, "The stars! I recognized them! Quick, before I forget!" he rose off the chair and ran out the door, missing the quizzical looks of the two Masters. Qui-Gon stood and followed after with equally quick feet, Yoda following after on a repulsor seat.
Obi-Wan made his way into the Maproom and planetarium. He activated the system and searched the configurations of stars. He knew he recognized the constellations that Elrond had looked up to. There, in an obscure corner of the Outer Rim territories, was a tiny cluster of stars in a unique formation.
"Very good young Kenobi, very good." Yoda smiled, "Guided by the Force, this revelation is. Speak to the rest of the Council I will, about arranging your mission to Middle Earth. Send Jedi we must, if quelled this darkness is to be."
After departing from the citadel of Minas Tirith, Gandalf headed back to the Shire in all haste. "Please, do not let it be so. Let it be another Ring. Let it not be the one," he prayed silently as he urged his horse onwards. Days he rode without rest, trading horses at every available place. Not long out of Gondor was he, when he felt the days and nights speed past. He was not making good time. "I must reach the Shire soon, but what horse could bear me so long a distance and with such speed as I need?" he mused for a moment. The sky lightened with the dawn as the sun rose over the golden hill country of Rohan. "I believe it is time I paid my respects to Theoden King…"
Now upon the sleek, glistening back of Shadowfax, lord of the Mearas, Gandalf continued northwards untill he reached the Shire. Shadowfax he left on the borders of the land of the halflings, for the horse was sure to call the attention of the hobbits and attention was the last thing he wanted. He approached Frodo's hobbit hole on foot, and entered without nocking. "Is it secret? Is it safe?" he demanded of the young Hobbit.
Departing from the Shire for what he hoped would not be the last time, Gandalf headed South once more, riding fast for Isengard and the head of his Order, Saruman. "I am getting too old for this." His ageing body grumbled. "You are Orlorin of the West, an Istari, servant of the Valar!" his true self retorted back. The form he wore didn't exactly make him look like a fearless, powerful servant of the Secret Fire, but at least decent folk like Hobbits didn't look on him with the fearful awe that some did with Elves. He couldn't be nearly as friendly with the wee-folk if he wore the form of a valiant Elf lord. He supposed, in the end, that it was better this way.
His enemies took him for granted at least.