Epilogue
Dooku, though a Knight now, paced in his old Master's room. A decision had come up to be made, and the Force was being relentless at urging him on. But he was worried. "What if I am not ready? I do not wish to ruin the boy's chances at becoming a Knight of his own later on..." The tall man turned to eye the diminutive Councilor.
Jedi Knight Yan Dooku now sported a slight beard with a goatee. His hair was a little over shoulder length and tied back in a ponytail. At each pacing turn it had nearly flipped over his shoulder. His tunics had taken a slightly darker tone-- light brown with dark leggings, his robe was nearly
"Worry too much you are. The will of the Force this is. Known it for years, I have," Yoda said warmly. "Ruin his chances you will not."
"Your salvation, he will be."
That last part caught him off guard. Dark brows furrowed in slight confusion. "My salvation?" Sighing he turned and resumed his pacing.
"I will take the boy then...he will become my Padawan. I still can't believe it...I am going to have a Padawan!" The mischief smirk replaced the worry frown as his dark eyes sparkled upon meeting the light green ones of his old Master.
"Good apprentice you were. Good apprentice you will have. Worried about this match, I am not."
This pleased Dooku well enough, but then another worry slipped through into his mind. "You do Master...but what of the Council? They were against our bond from the beginning..." His smirk vanished as a scowl darkened his features. The Council had tried to separate them when Qui was little, in hopes of breaking the bond. /Well it didn't! The fools.../
"Worry about them, I would not. Approve this match they will." There was a gleam in Yoda's eyes.
Dooku chuckled and his bad mood evaporated once more. "Should I go now? Or wait until later?" Sighing he began to pace again throwing his hands up. "I don't know when or how...I mean you didn't just come up and say, 'Dooku I choose you...'. You actually spoke to me for a little while. I don't know what to say Master!" Dooku said with experation.
Yoda chuckled. His apprentice was actually showing nerves about something, a rarity these days. "Talking a good place to start is. Then, ask him."
"All right...maybe that'll work. Maybe we can spar...that'll loosen me up." He rubbed his bearded chin thoughtfully.
"Good that is. However, be mindful or wear him out too early you will," Yoda's eyes twinkled.
"Hmmm true." The taller Jedi chuckled. "I'm going to go then...I believe he is in the training salle anyways. I'll go, wait for him to be done, then ask for a private spar with him." Dooku nodded to himself as he then bowed before leaving.
"Thanks Master...sorry to have worn your floor."
"Welcome anytime you are, and young Qui-Gon as well. May the Force be with you, padawan mine."
"And with you, Master of mine." The smirk was back as the younger Jedi left to go to the salle.
It was amazing...the sensation he was feeling. The Force was guiding him to the youth. He could sense that the boy was indeed sparing.
As he entered the training room, he automatically knew which side Qui-Gon was on and headed for it.
Qui-Gon was drenched in sweat. He'd been sparring with a padawan three years older than he was and he had the high ground. He was forcing the other back, slowly but surely until he had him pinned in a corner. He touched the saber to the older boy's neck. "End point."
Dooku couldn't help the smirk as he had predicted which move Qui-Gon was going to end the match with. /Well I have sparred with the child for quite a while now...I know just about all his moves./
Qui-Gon bowed to the other apprentice and shook his hand. "Good match," he said politely.
The other boy nodded to the initiate and pushed away his prideful feelings that threatened to rise. "Thank you, Qui-Gon. You did very well."
Dooku thought it was time to step forward from the side benches. "Yes he did, fine job Qui-Gon." Dooku smiled warmly.
Qui-Gon blushed. Praise from Dooku was always something he treasured. "Thank you, Knight Dooku."
The taller of the three nodded. He then looked over at the older boy. "If you will excuse us, I need to talk with Initiate Jinn."
The other boy bowed to the knight. "Yes knight Dooku. I'll see you later, Qui-Gon." He hurried off.
Dooku nodded at the youth's actions and watch as the apprentice rushed away heading for the showers.
"Well are you too warn out to spar with me?" He smirked slightly.
Qui-Gon's eyes twinkled. "But you always win," he objected.
"Well it helps to better your skills. Don't I show you new moves so you can impress the other initiates?" Dooku was taken back by how the youth actually refused. He was so anxious that he didn't catch the sparkling in those blue eyes.
Qui-Gon's eyes twinkled even further. "Jedi aren't supposed to have pride."
Dooku stepped back and nearly said something until he finally saw the mischief. "Boy you are mocking me." He set his jaw tightly and crossed his arms. Looking down his nose, he couldn't help but smirk slightly. He tried not too, but his new mustache gave it away at it's slight twitching.
Qui-Gon snickered slightly before composing himself. "I was only teasing."
"I know, I just didn't catch it at first. Well which private salle should we take? The large one or the smaller one at the far end?"
"The smaller one," Qui-Gon said immediately.
"Good, I prefer the smaller one myself at times." He chuckled and followed Qui-Gon into the smaller room.
"So shall we work on what you have just recently learned from the instructor?"
"I guess that will do," Qui-Gon said as he ignited his lightsaber.
Dooku smiled and detached his own curved hilt from his belt. The green light glowed as he turned the power on.
"Show me then."
Qui-Gon began to move into the stances that he had learned earlier that afternoon as he attacked.
Dooku kept a close eye on the young boy as he fought. "Easy you are putting too much weight on your left foot. And don't put it out so far, you could easily be off balance by your opponent..." And in saying such, he pushed against their clashed sabers nearly causing Qui-Gon to do just as he had said.
Qui-Gon stumbled and managed to regain his footing. "Sorry," He apologized and tried to regain his bearings
"That is all right, I'll be instructing you better anyways. Some of the saber master's ways are just not meant for your lanky form. You are like I was at your age." Dooku said as he continued to exchange swings.
Qui-Gon was soon on the floor, dropped by a leg he didn't sense in time.
"Come on, up you go." He reached out to help Qui-Gon back to his feet. "Show me some of that stamina you've shown before. Don't tell me that other boy tired you out that much?"
"I had another match before that one," he said as he got up from the floor.
"Oh my...had you going there didn't they? So did you win the one before then?" Dooku's eyes sparkled as he noticed the youth missed the hint. iHow to give another one.../i He thought as he went into a defensive stance to await Qui-Gon's next move.
"Yes," Qui-Gon replied even as he fought to keep from being brought to the floor again.
"Well then we are made for each other for sure. I was beating older boys my age when I was 11 too." The smirk crossed his face as he drove Qui-Gon towards the back wall.
Qui-Gon was pressed back into the wall. He had no room to maneuver. He dropped his blade as Dooku's blade seared his hand and he hissed.
: Dooku sighed quietly as he backed up. "The guard should have been at least an inch higher, it would have prevented that." He hadn't meant to hurt the boy.
"I am sorry Qui-Gon..." He turned off his blade. iPerhaps this was wrong to ask like this...I had thought./i Trying to push the thought away, he sighed again. iThat's your problem...you are thinking not feeling. /i
"It is alright. It's not bad. Just a slight sting. I've had worse," he said with a smile. His smile faded at the look on Dooku's face. "Have I done something wrong?"
"No you haven't...I just..." Putting his hilt back onto his belt, he walked to the center of the small room and knelt down on his knees.
"Come here Qui-Gon, I want you to meditate with me." He motioned for the youth to join him on the floor.
Qui-Gon looked surprised but joined Dooku on the floor.
"I want you to reach for the Force, clear your mind and thoughts. Reach for it and tell me what you feel." Dooku said quietly as he closed his own eyes to concentrate on the Force. It was encouraging him gently as it seemed to approve of this method instead of the way he had been doing earlier.
"I feel Life. All around us, though.. it's rushed almost. On Coruscant. Too many people bustling about."
"No..." Dooku laughed quietly. "You have reached out too far, but very good. Concentrate here in the Temple, mainly in the training rooms. Tell me what you sense from each and every one."
Qui-Gon concentrated and narrowed down what he was feeling. He reached out to Dooku to feel his thoughts. He was nervous. Why was Dooku nervous? "You're nervous about something," Qui-Gon said.
"Yes I am...what does the Force tell you, search deeper." The smile on the older Jedi's face was warm.
Qui-Gon searched deeper. "You're nervous about me?" He was confused. "But why?"
The smile faded. "I have something to ask of you Qui-Gon." The moment had come...the Force was telling him, guiding him, but he was beginning to freeze up. /By the stars! I...I don't know how to ask/
Qui-Gon looked at him, waiting, wondering what he wanted.
Dooku swallowed heavily as he looked into those blue eyes that he'd be seeing each and every morning and evening...let alone during the day. His breath quickened slightly and he started to feel slightly claustrophobic. iGreat Yan...look what you are doing! You are thinking again! Stop it/i After berating himself, he bowed his head taking slow deep breaths.
Qui-Gon continued to look puzzled. "Is something wrong?"
Dooku chuckled sarcastically under his breath. "Yes I'm being such a gundark by not just asking you..." He sighed heavily and looked back up at Qui-Gon. "The Force has lead me to you Qui-Gon...more ways than one. When you were younger and especially now." He took another shaky breath. "Are you comfortable with me? Do you trust me?" He added.
Qui-Gon nodded without hesitation wondering what Dooku was getting at. "Of course I do."
"Because what I am about to ask you...you have to be."
"If you don't want this...let me know..." Dooku literally grimaced at what he was saying. /I'm stalling...quit stalling./
Swallowing heavily again, he finally croaked out his next words. "Would you...that is I would like for you to be my Padawan Learner." iThere/i He sighed internally with relief. He now waited anxiously for Qui-Gon's response. /Would the boy? Or did he have another in mind? Oh blast the moons...I forgot to ask that first/
Qui-Gon's jaw dropped. This was the last thing he had expected. He might actually get to be...an apprentice? A huge smile spread across his face as he got over his shock very quickly. "You really want me?" He asked, making sure he'd heard right.
"Yes I do and the Force has agreed. Actually it's been nearly deafening me for the last few days." He chuckled as he reached over and ruffled the boy's hair. "Only if you want me to be your Master. I was unsure if you had another in mind or if someone had talked with you. I had not thought of that." He reached up and rubbed his jaw. "There isn't...is there?"
Qui-Gon shook his head. "No. No one has said anything to me. You're the first. I would be honored, Master Dooku," he said with a smile.
Dooku sighed audibly this time and smirked at the title of 'Master'. He liked the sound of that. He would be a great Master, he knew it, he could sense it. iOne of the best and with Qui-Gon at my side...we will become the best ever Master and Padawan team/i His eyes lit up and the smile widened once more.
Getting up from the floor, he straightened to his full height and eyed the youth down his nose. "Then I accept you Qui-Gon Jinn, as my Padawan Learner."
Qui-Gon grinned. "I am honored to be your padawan, Master Dooku."
Dooku nodded once and motioned for him to get off the floor. "Then we should clean up and present ourselves to the Council informing them of our bond."
"When are we going to go to the Council?" Qui-Gon asked.
"After we freshen up. I will see if they have a few moments for the announcement." Dooku hadn't thought of when the actual ceremony would be. Though he believed the Council would set that time up separately.
Qui-Gon nodded. "Yes, Master." He grinned. The word rolled off his tongue automatically and he could hardly contain his excitement at being chosen.
A smirk twisted the older Jedi's lips. He enjoyed being called Master. He had secretly longed to be called that by somebody, little did he know that it would be his young friend.
Dooku turned to leave the small training room, "Let's shower up and then head over there. Once we are done...I will need to inform your crèche Master of the change."
Qui-Gon nodded, then paused. "I guess I'll go back to my room then and see you later?"
"You need freshening up more than I do, young one. No you will shower and come with me afterward to the Council. This should be something we do together. Remember the last time we were at the Council Room together? Well this time is for a good reason." His dark eyes sparkled.
Qui-Gon grinned and headed to the showers to freshen up.
Dooku had hardly sweated, but to be on the safe side he washed himself down quickly. He felt giddy...something he had not felt like in years. iA Padawan of my own...my very own apprentice/i He couldn't keep the silly grin off his face as he dried himself off.
It dawned on him that he'd have to tell his friend Jocasta about this. She would get a laugh out of it. /Well she did say that it probably would be years before I choose one...well I have/ He paused as he put on his clothes. /No the Force chose, I must remember that./ Smiling again he finished putting on his clothes and boots.
Tying his hair back, he walked out to see if his new Padawan was done.
Qui-Gon stood in the shower letting it wash over him, soothing his sore, tired muscles. He was tired from his sparring matches, though exhilarated by his new status. Soon he would be going on missions with his new Master. He had worked to become a padawan ever since he arrived at the Temple. To be chosen at ten years old was very young to become an apprentice and he was determined that he would live up to the master's expectations.
He stepped out of the shower and toweled off. He quickly dressed and went out of the showers.
Dooku was quietly rubbing his jaw as he waited for the youth to exit the stall. / He had been contemplating on the fact that the two would be living together. I'll have to set up for dual rooms up on the Master/Apprentice level./
Qui-Gon hurried out, dressed and ready to go, and found his new mentor waiting for him. "I'm done."i
"Well Padawan, shall we then?" Dooku smiled.
Qui-Gon grinned. "I'm ready when you are, Master."
Nodding again, the Master led the way down the hall to take a lift that would bring them to the Council Room's level.
"I'll be arranging our new accommodations once I drop you off at the crèche and talk with one of the Masters there. We'll have a two bed-room and a sitting room to share. You'll have a room all to yourself. We'll have to share the kitchenette and refresher, but I don't think you'll have a problem with that do you?"
Qui-Gon's eyes widened in surprise. He would have his own room. He'd never had his own room before. He hadn't thought of that. "Of course not, Master."
"I wouldn't think so, young one." Dooku grinned again as he walked towards the Council Room.
The Padawan on duty came out to see who was coming. "May I help you?" The young girl asked as she bowed politely.
"Please see if the Council has a few moments. I would like to inform them of something. It will not take very long at all."
The girl nodded and got up to speak to the Councilor's, poking her head in the door and conferring with Master Rhy'ul briefly, before ducking back out. "They will see you in a few moments."
Dooku smiled and nodded his thanks to her. He then walked over to the large window and peered outside at the bustling lanes of traffic. "My mind is like that right now, Qui-Gon...amazing how jittery one can become."
Qui-Gon looked at him curiously. "Why are you jittery? You always talk to the Council."
"But this is different. This is about you...and me." He turned to eye his soon to be apprentice.
Qui-Gon looked suddenly worried. "What if they say no."
"My Master has made it so they won't." He smirked as mischief glowed in his eyes.
Qui-Gon blinked curiously, but didn't ask how.
Just then the comm on the girl's desk buzzed. "We are ready to see them now," Master Rhy'ul's voice said.
The girl smiled at Qui-Gon and Dooku. "You may go in now."
Dooku's breath caught in his throat as he forced himself to move. "Come along Qui-Gon." He smiled with assurance down at the youth.
"This is our moment to shine." He whispered under his breath right before the Council Room's door open.
Qui-Gon remembered the time he was here last with Dooku when he was an apprentice. He walked in and stood behind Dooku a few steps.
Dooku bowed before the Council and was barely able to keep a stoic expression. "Forgive the interruptions Masters."
Rhy'ul glanced at Master Yoda who nodded. "Forgiven your intrusion is."
"I have an announcement to make that pertains to myself and Initiate Qui-Gon Jinn."
"Very well. State your announcement," Rhy'ul said, wondering why Dooku was suddenly beating around the bush.
Dooku swallowed as his voice nearly left him. /Idiot! Just say it/ He quietly berated himself. Tensing his jaw slightly, he breathed several slow breaths before stating it.
"I have come before the Council to take Qui-Gon Jinn as my apprentice." He could swear that his palms were slightly sweaty. But now he felt relieved after saying it.
Yoda smiled. "Informed them already I have of this decision. Our permission you have," he said, glancing around the room as if daring anyone to voice a protest.
Dooku stood up to his full height, prepared to argue as well if any objected. He felt slightly light headed as the idea washed over him once more. /I have an apprentice! And not /ijusti an apprentice but the best/ His lips twitched slightly as he kept the grin off his face.
"Inform his Crèche Master of this match you should. Braiding ceremony we will set and inform you of the time," Yoda said.
"I will inform her as soon as we leave here. Thank you my Master, I will keep watch for the time." Dooku nodded.
"The time will be on your datapad when you arrive at your quarters," Rhy'ul said. "We look forward to seeing you tomorrow," he smiled at Qui-Gon who blushed faintly.
Dooku bowed. "Thank you Masters for your time."
Qui-Gon bowed and followed Dooku out. "That was easy, wasn't it?"
"Yes...Padawan it was." /Padawan./ The silly grin returned to his face. "I'll let you know the time once I get our room arranged. Let's go talk with your crèche Master so we can move into our new quarters."
Qui-Gon grinned excitedly. He was finally going to have his own room. "Yes, Master."
Dooku took the lift with Qui-Gon down to the crèche level. "I'll talk with her while you gather your belongings." He said as they entered the crèche.
"Okay," Qui-Gon agreed. "I might need a bit of help getting all of my things." He blushed. "I... have plants that I would like to keep."
Dooku's left brow rose. "Plants? Hmmm I had forgotten about your infatuation with them "We'll have room, fear not. I'll help you with those then after I talk with your crèche Master. Just get them all arranged and once I get done with talking with the appropriate people to get us our rooms."
"Yes, Master."
The next day Qui-Gon came to Dooku's quarters at the time they had set. The Council had set their meeting time for 14:00 that afternoon. He wanted to get his things moved in before then. He was anxious to move into his new quarters. He had most of his things with him when he knocked on the door.
Dooku had finished unpacking his tunics and putting them into the draw by his bed when he heard the request for admittance. iAhh right on time./i
Chuckling, the Knight walked out of his room and went to the door.
The door slid open to reveal the ecstatic youth. "Come on in." Smiling, Dooku stepped aside. "The room on the right is yours."
Qui-Gon dragged his things inside with him and went to the room that Dooku had indicated. His eyes widened at the size of the space. "This is all for me?" he asked thunderstruck.
"Yes young one, that room is all yours. We'll be sharing the sitting room, the kitchenette, and the refresher."
Qui-Gon walked around his new room examining it. This led to further exploration of the rest of the apartment. He found the small kitchenette and the refresher and the living space. "This is big!" he said after he finished his exploration. "I've never had a room this big."
Dooku couldn't help but chuckle. "Well as long as you help maintain the cleanliness of the place I will be happy."
Qui-Gon beamed. "I will do my best. I guess I will put my things away in my room before the meeting, Master."
"Go right ahead...Padawan. I was finishing up my own room right before you arrived. I'll do that while you unpack."
"Yes, Master," Qui-Gon said as he bowed. He sat on the bed for a few moments before he began to unpack. Finally everything he had worked for was going to pay off. He was going to be an apprentice.
Dooku nodded when Master Rhy'ul gave him the signal to start. Qui-Gon was kneeling in front of him. /This is it.../ He eyed each of the Councilors in turn as he spoke the next words.
"Master and Padawan is a bond that has existed for centuries. It is a special ritual that can not and never has been taken lightly. They are two that become one. One of trust and of honor. The duties of a Master are a long and continual task that deals with instruction of the Code and guidance of the Force. The Master and Padawan are an extension of each other as the blade is considered an extension of one's arm."
He paused to stare down at the youth kneeling before him, his dark eyes warming slightly.
"I swear by the Code to uphold the duties of Master. To protect you, instruct you of the Code, and to guide you in your learning of the Force. My time, my life, my all will be dedicated to you, my Padawan Learner."
Dooku sighed quietly, his first part was done.
Qui-Gon trembled hesitantly. He was nervous about speaking up in front of the Council. He took a breath to steady his voice and his nerves.
"The duty of a Padawan is a long time of servitude in the sense of learning. Learning is the key of the Padawan. Learning the Code from the Master. Being guided in the ways of the Force. Providing assistance to the Master when in need until my trials to Knighthood is set before me. My time, my life, my all is yours Master."
A strange sensation passed through the older Jedi. Pride. Oh he had felt it plenty of times before, but this time it was different. Pride for another besides his Master. /My apprentice.../
He then took out a small vibroblade from his belt and cut off a lock of his hair. Putting the blade back into one of his pouches from his utility belt, he took the lock of dark brown hair and began to braid it amongst a lock of Qui-Gon's lighter hair behind his right ear.
"The braid of a Padawan symbolizes the Apprenticeship as well as one's accomplishments." He closed his eyes momentarily as he used the Force to fuse the hair together where they met. Once the braiding was done, he gently tugged on it as his eyes twinkled with mirth.
Qui-Gon smiled up at Dooku. "I will wear it with pride and be an apprentice to the best of my ability."
The tall Jedi knelt down in front of Qui-Gon.
"As the two become one, a bond is formed. The training bond is considered a precious and delicate matter. One not to be taken lightly. Never should either Master or Padawan ever abuse this gift. Though weak at first it later becomes the strongest link to the Master and Padawan." Dooku's deep voice echoed through the quiet room.
Long warm fingers gently took the youth's head, lightly touching his temples. The Force began to swirl around and through Dooku as he prepared to form the bond that would connect the two together.
Qui-Gon smiled again. /This means we can use our bond now and not get in trouble../
/Yes young one, it does./ Mirth could be sensed through the strengthened bond. The two already had a bond, but now they had permission to finalize the connection. They were officially now Master and Padawan.
Dark eyes met the blue orbs of the new apprentice. "My Padawan Learner." Dooku whispered as he allowed a slight smirk to tease his lips.
Qui-Gon blushed. "Thank you, Master. I will do my best to make you proud of me."
"You have already begun too, my Padawan." Dooku smiled warmly allowing his affection to bleed through their bond.
"We welcome the newly Master and Padawan officially and they shall be entered in the archives as such," Master Rhy'ul stated.
"Congratulations to you both."
Dooku stood back up and helped Qui-Gon back to his feet. Bowing the Knight smiled, allowing the Councilors to see his happiness in the situation. "Thank you my Masters for allowing this to happen." He turned and nodded slightly to his old Master. If it hadn't been for the old Councilor, Dooku knew this would never have occurred.
Master Rhy'ul smiled slightly. "You are both welcome. You are both dismissed. May the Force be with you."
Dooku bowed once more before turning to leave. It was official...they were now truly Master and Padawan.